Page 174 of Champagne Nights

Ben was an amazing kisser. I could sit and kiss him all night long. He pulled me closer, and I could feel his erection through the fabric of his jeans. He was rock-hard. I often imagined what he looked like completely naked. I could feel the wetness between my legs, and the ache was begging me for a release. I hadn’t taken care of myself in a long time. I wondered if Ben had had sex since Amy. He was a man, and he had needs. His hand brushed over my breast while mine made its way to his rock-hard bulge.

“We have to stop,” he said as he pulled away. “Leah’s in the other room and?—”

I placed my finger over his lips. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t apologize. Don’t ever apologize for turning me on. God, Paisley, something’s happening here,” he said as he ran his fingers through his hair and turned away.

My heart was pounding, and the ache wasn’t going away. “I know,” I responded.

“I better get back out there before Leah walks in here.”

He walked out of my bedroom, and I picked up the box I had dropped on the floor. I took out the blue floral cami that was in it and put it on. It was the first time I’d ever worn it.I had purchased it to wear to Montana, but I couldn’t bring myself to even look at it after he died, so I tucked it away in a box and shoved it up on the shelf, where it stayed for the past year. I wasn’t even sure why I wanted to wear it. I ran a brush through my hair and touched up my makeup before walking into the living room. Leah was sitting on the couch with Romeo in her lap, and Ben sat in the chair across from her, playing on his phone.

“Are you ready?” he asked with a smile.

“Yep. Let’s go.”

I satand watched the way Ben’s dad was with Leah. He barely paid attention to her, and when he did, Ben had to translate. It was really sad that he had never learned to sign, knowing his daughter was deaf. Ben’s mom, Lucinda, wouldn’t give Leah the time of day, and now I saw for myself why Leah hated coming over here. Finn and Olivia didn’t say much to her, and I felt really uncomfortable with their behavior. I said something to Ben about it, and he said just to try and ignore it because that was what he had to do. As I was helping Lucinda clean up the kitchen, I spoke about Leah.

“I know how hard it must be to have Leah here.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because it seems like Ben is the only person in this family who treats her with dignity and respect.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about, nor do you know the situation,” she spoke with irritation.

“Ben told me the story, and I know it’s none of my business, but that poor girl didn’t ask to be a part of this family.”

“You’re right, Paisley. It’s none of your business.”

Just as she said that, Ben walked into the kitchen. “Mom! What the hell is going on?”

“It’s okay, Ben,” I said.

“No, it’s not. You do not talk to Paisley that way.”

She turned and gave him a stern look. “Then I suggest you tell your girlfriend that what goes on in this family is none of her business. This isn’t one of her columns where she can just spew advice.”

“She’s right, Ben. I’m sorry.” I grabbed my purse and went outside.

As I lit up a cigarette, Ben came walking out.

“Paisley, I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I was out of line. I never should have said anything, but I couldn’t help it. The way your family treats Leah is terrible.”

“You know those things start fires.” He smiled as he pointed to my cigarette.

I smiled back.

“My mom isn’t used to anyone talking back to her. She can be scary sometimes. Amy never liked how they treated Leah but was too afraid to say anything.” He reached over, took the cigarette from me, and put it out.

“Hey. I wasn’t finished.”

“You don’t need that.” He wrapped his strong arms around me from behind and placed his chin on my shoulder. “Thank you for sticking up for Leah.”

“Even though it pissed your mom off?”

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