Forty-Four

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor even touched, but just felt in the heart.”
– Helen Keller

We’re here…finally. A flutter danced in Riley’s chest as the fairy lights, left behind from Ben’s party, doused the darkness and twinkled overhead like a sky full of stars. “Ben…tonight, I’ve thought about this for ages.”

He closed her apartment door, his gaze heavy and never wavering. “I have, too.”

She reunited with his mouth, impatient to recapture the heat of his body, of his lips, and make up for lost time. She pressed him against the door and widened her stance, taking his thigh between her legs.

Ben didn’t need any coaxing. Closing his eyes, he ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her deeply, sinking into the coat-covered door as Riley’s hands slipped underneath his jacket and above his belt. One palm took a detour through the gap between his shirt’s buttons. Abs! Firm, mmmm! And hair—happy trail hair! Grown back! Her cheeks flushed, but curiosity overruled shyness as the confident strokes of his tongue and the sounds coming from him urged her fingers to explore. I love that he’s not quiet! It’s so HOT. She chased the trail higher, her persistence sacrificing one button, then another, her fingers skimming the shallow dip of his belly button to drift and ride each subtle ridge of toned muscle. Oh God, he feels SO good.

Heat pulsed through her core, the wait to feel skin against skin dizzying, but Ben wasn’t in a hurry. He moaned his approval against her lips as he took his time, caressing her back through her sweater, memorizing every inch. His hands roamed down to her skirt and lingered over the curve of her ass, his mouth kissing her with reverence, like she was a hard-earned prize. Such care and patience felt new to Riley. Is he for real? Not that I’m complaining! She couldn’t remember a kiss with Josh that didn’t feel like a hurried necessity, a means to an end-ing—always his happy ending. She had forgotten what real intimacy felt like, but as Ben savored their embrace and the sweetness of her mouth, it all came flooding back, how it felt to be appreciated, respected…adored. A smile graced her lips when Ben broke away with a soft groan.

“Riles, is Piper—”

She shook her head, her hand exiting his shirt to join the other, sweeping up the path of buttons to his collar. “Cicely’s on Fridays.” Her fingers swooped, teasing the soft hair at the nape of his neck as she sighed into another long, deep kiss.

Squeezing her ass, Ben’s lips moved to her neck, each gentle lick and suck intensifying the ache in her panties. I want to feel his mouth everywhere…but what I did with Josh…will that be good enough for Ben? She gasped and Ben pulled back as if he sensed her uncertainty.

“We don’t have to…you know…” His tone was breathy and playful with a vulnerable sincerity that made Riley’s heart bolt into an even faster sprint. “We could just kiss…you’re an amazing kisser, Riles.”

Respect is such an aphrodisiac. “So are you. I could kiss you all night.” She claimed his mouth again and pressed into his hips, feeling him hard, thick, and eager. Ben wants ME! A giddy euphoria bubbled in her chest, enticing her not to hold back. “I—” A shuddering breath parted her lips as she played with this hair. “I want ALL of you, Benjamin Fagan.”

He burst into a smile. “You sure now?”

The words barely touched her lips. “More than anything.”

“Riley.” Eyes drunk with desire, he licked his lip. “You took the words out of my mouth.”

“Good, ’cause I want to leave you speechless.” Her hands fell to his belt, threading it open.

He laughed, his hands leaving her ass to skim underneath her sweater, the first time his fingertips had ventured beyond her clothes. Confident yet gentle, they left a path of heat in their wake as they traced upward, lifting her sweater higher over her bra and her shoulders.

Raising her arms toward the crisscrossed strings of lights, Riley smiled under the passing wool. I’ve wanted him so badly and it’s actually happening!

Her sweater’s departure left her hair wild and falling into her eyes, but Ben’s fingers tenderly swept it aside. “Beautiful Hope…I catch my breath every time I see you.” He pressed his lips against her jaw, leaving sweet, barely there kisses in a path towards her ear, his warm breath on her skin teasing the heavy ache throbbing between her thighs.

“Come with me.” Riley moaned and clasped his hand, leading him to the cozy rug keeping her loveseat company. Ben lowered himself to the floor, eyes not leaving her for a second as she pulled the throw onto the rug and reached into her toiletries box, turning around with a smile and a condom.

Entwined together under the soft glow of the glistening lights, they kissed and held each other, each sweep of a hand or tug of fingers removing his shirt, her skirt, his trousers, her tights…an intoxicating dance of rushed breaths and deep sighs, skin against skin pressing hot and tight.

Removing Riley’s bra, Ben filled his hands with her breasts, his touch not rough or grabby. Ben was tender. Taking her in his mouth, his tongue flirted, peaking her nipple. He’s goooood. Waves of pleasure rippled through her chest, pushing a sharp groan from her throat.

Worry clouded Ben’s eyes. “Did I hurt you?”

“Nooo, I like it!” She pressed smiling kisses along his chest, shifting lower and hooking her fingers into the band of his boxer briefs. Tugging them down his thighs, she paused, stunned. Ben…naked. My God, naked Ben. For real. ALL of him. All mine. She wrapped her fingers around him, his skin smooth and hard and warm, desperate for her touch. She feathered kisses over his abs and stroked him to the tip…and back…tentative at first until she found a rhythm and felt Ben’s hands dig into her hair.

Gasps escaped his lips. “Oh…!” Eyes fluttering closed, he pressed his head into the rug and groaned. “Ah, fuck…” His breath hitched again, tripping his words into gentle pleading. “Oh, keep doing…that…please…?” He moaned, moving against her hand. “Oh, fuck…Riley—no…wait—”

She released him and Ben pulled his underwear off, his hooded gaze holding a new purpose. Sitting up, he held Riley close, kissing her deeply before pulling back. “Will you show me what you like?”

A question? Not a demand. I’m not used to this… “I’ve fantasized about your mouth, your kisses…everywhere.” Riley peeled off her panties.

Ben followed their progress then met her eyes. “You’re not the only one.”

He lay down between her legs and kissed her thighs, his stubble tickling her tender skin as he moved slowly upward, his mouth open and hungry. “You’re perfect,” he whispered, his soft licks and gentle sucks teasing Riley toward the brink.

Oh God, he’s…! “Ben,” she panted. “I’d like…” To feel your weight over me, to grind against you… She motioned upward, fighting ragged breaths. “You inside me when I come.”

Ben answered without words, kissing up her stomach to her breasts then into her hair. Holding Riley in his arms, he moaned with bliss as her lips dragged along his neck to his collarbone and stars tattoo. They kissed and touched until their skin was damp with desperation and their racing hearts could take no more.

“Riley…?”

She smiled against his skin. “I want you so much.”

Ben leaned back and tore open the condom. Riley couldn’t pull her eyes away. Ben Fagan, you are otherworldly… Goose bumps prickled her chest. Whether it was the chill in the room, the absence of Ben’s warmth, or her growing excitement, Riley wasn’t sure. I want to know everything: the sounds you make, how long you last…will you hold me after?

Curling into him, Riley owned his neck with sucks and kisses, reveling in his warmth, the softness of his skin. I don’t have to pretend—not anymore. She broke out into a joyful giggle and Ben claimed her open mouth with his own, a smile lurking behind his kiss, both of them discovering how it felt to be wanted for all the right reasons. With a shift of his hips, he guided himself slowly inside her, gasps escaping both their lips.

Riley wrapped her legs around his waist and Ben moaned, his eyes fluttering closed as he sank in deep. He slowly began to move above her. “Riley, you feel…fucking amazing.”

She clawed at his back and arched into him, meeting each exquisite roll of his hips, urging with her body for him to go faster, harder. Ben complied, leaning down to brush his lips across her cheek, leaving a kiss, then another. The heat of his breath, the pleasurable groans accompanying each thrust, deep in and out…she grabbed his ass, his thighs—the need to tug him closer, to touch all of him, all-consuming. Riley had never felt so greedy, but she couldn’t rein herself in; there was something about Ben. Not only did he know how to please her, he was also attentive, considerate, giving—gasping through halting breaths that she could come first and he’d hold off until she did. Ben wasn’t in a race to the finish line.

Riley couldn’t get enough—or stay silent, crying out as Ben moved faster, deeper.

He opened his eyes, his heavy gaze landing on her mouth. “Riley, all right?” His words flew tight and quick.

She clutched his hips, frantic for more of him. A strangled “yeah” slipped through jagged breaths, the simplest of words evading her.

“Good.”

Chatty Ben is at a loss for words.

Groaning, his head fell back. His mouth tilted into a smile and his eyes, drowsy with want, curved into the happy-go-lucky crescents Riley adored. Her heart felt heavy with desire, watching him moving over her, feeling his weight, their connection, body and soul.

Riley had never asked him how many women he had been with, but did it matter? All she needed to know was in the way he held her, kissed her, saw her. Being with Ben felt…almost predestined, meant to be…written in the stars. You beautiful Brit boy—I adore you.

Their eyes locked, but Ben wasn’t smiling anymore, his tight breaths heating her cheek. Is he close? “Ben—?” The question sat on her tongue, the rest of her words an unintelligible moan. Her legs began to quiver and surging waves of pleasure, tingling hot and cold, grew stronger and stronger until they were too much. Pulled under, breaths shallow and halting…swept away. The stars overhead blurred into a hazy glow. She dug her nails into his hips. All she could do was hold on while letting go…

“Rye!” Ben groaned into a hitched breath and fisted the blanket, his body shuddering. He let out a final gasp and collapsed on top of her, hot and spent, both of them slick with perspiration. “Oh, wow,” he whispered into her neck. “Mind…blown.”

Unable to form a coherent response, Riley smiled and hugged him tight.

“Are you okay?” Ben shifted up onto his elbow, catching his breath. A grin spread across his face as he bent down, kissing her on the nose. “Was that okay?”

He’s still inside me, warm…throbbing. This couldn’t be more real. “Yes. Yes!” She smiled and cupped his face, brushing the hair from his eyes, so blue, so content.

“Gorgeous, Riley…you’re amazing.” Ben kissed her and reached down, holding the condom as he pulled out. He dropped it in the bin and grabbed the throw, draping it over Riley before diving under it with her. “I don’t think we’ll get much sleep tonight.” He wrapped himself around her, laying a kiss on her forehead.

“You promise?” Riley cuddled into his neck and thanked the lucky stars dangling overhead for making one wish come true.