Page 33 of Ruined Promises

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Ben mutters as he stands and grabs his cell from where it sat on the table. He steps over by the large window and makes the call. I try not to eavesdrop, so I pretend to busy myself, wiping down the counter.

My eyes, however, drift to when Ben stands. Even though he is wearing black dress pants and a charcoal-gray dress shirt, there is something different about him. He seems more relaxed, actually the most relaxed since our first night.

Ben claps his hands together, startling me. “So, Lexi Baker, I am officially yours for the afternoon.” My mouth goes dry because all the moisture in my body went straight to my panties. I can think of many ways I want to have him this afternoon—on the couch, in the shower, in my bed, on the counter—but I know that’s not what he meant.

“Lex?” I meet his gaze with one brow raised. I am rendered speechless at how gorgeous this man is in front of me, looking somewhat vulnerable, unsure of how to play hooky from work. I can’t believe that he wants to spend his day with me of all people. But, I have to admit, it’s nice having the company and not throwing myself a pity party for one all day. “So, what was it you were going to do today before I interrupted?”

I take my seat back on the couch, my cheeks warm, knowing the embarrassment coming on with my confession. “Well, I was going to be exactly here, in this position.” My hands moving up and down, confirming the exact position I’m in. “Binge-watching teen dramas, probably all day until my roommate gets home from work.”

Ben slowly nods. I’m sure he wishes he hadn’t asked. “All day,” he confirms.

“Yep,” I respond, smacking my lips together loudly to make thepsound. “All day.”

He runs his hands through his hair before joining me on the other side of the couch. He reaches for the remote on the coffee table before handing it to me and crossing his right leg over the other, his ankle now resting against his knee.

As the afternoon goes on, the closer we find ourselves on the couch. Before we know it, our knees are brushing each other.

The ending credits of our fifth episode ofGossip Girlroll, and Ben leans over, running his fingers through his hair, propping his elbows on his knees. “So the one guy used to date the brunette, but now he’s with the blonde, and she’s with someone else. And the blonde used to date her stepbrother, but now he’s with another chick.”

I can’t hold back my laughter. “Sure, we can go with that.” I guess when you put it that way, it is pretty confusing to keep up with. I’m not sure I could have honestly explained that any better.

Exhaling a loud breath, he keeps his elbows on his knees but turns his head my way, smirking. “I think I’m getting a migraine from trying to keep up. Maybe I regret asking you how you were going to spend your day.”

My mouth gapes, and I lean forward, shoving his arm playfully, causing him to falter. With my index finger pointed at him, I continue laughing. “Hey! You have only yourself to blame. You made it five episodes.” I hold up my right hand and mouth, “Five.” I am laughing so hard now that I never see the throw pillow he grabs and smacks me with.

“Hey!” I shout, our laughter filling the room as I take the pillow and hit him back with it. However, Ben is quicker than me, knowing my move before I do it because he quickly grabs my wrist as I raise the pillow.

“Now, Lexi.” His firm tone reminds me of the night in the bathroom, commanding my next move. “Think about your next move.”

I close my eyes and hear his words he told me in that same tone.“Spread your legs, Lex.Only I get to make you come.”

When I open them, Ben’s focus is on my lips. I can tell by his tense jaw that he is showing restraint. Where his hand is still holding my wrist, my skin burns from his touch. There is no way he can’t feel it, too.

My chest slowly rises and falls as I try to catch my breath. The world around us fades, and I feel as though we are fully crossing the line, and right now, I just don’t give a damn. Time seems to stop, enclosing us in our own little bubble.

“Ben.”

“Hmm?” Another glance down, and this time, I follow his eyes and find that the side of my sweater has fallen, even more, exposing the top of my breast.

“I need to tell you something.” The air is growing thicker, just like the outline in his pants. Am I really going to break up this moment by talking about what the girls did the other day?

“What is it?” The distance between us is closing by the millisecond.

Ben tugs on my arm, pulling me closer where one leg is straddling him. Ben trails his finger down my cheek and pushes a stray piece of hair out of my face. I shiver at his touch, goose bumps unfolding all over my body and my nipples poking through my bra. Can he feel them through the material?

This is it. I can feel the shift between us. I run my fingers through his hair, scraping my nails over his scalp. He closes his eyes and lets out a soft moan, his cock hardening even more against my leg.

“For fuck’s sake!” The front door slams, popping our bubble, and we jump apart. “I can’t stand my fucking boss. That guy is such an asshole. Too bad he’s gay and I can’t sleep with him. Oh, wait, that’s your job.” Hadley’s voice fills the apartment. She has her back to us while taking off her coat and shoes.

I begin a fake coughing fit, in hopes that Hadley will notice we aren’t alone and shuts the fuck up. She finally turns around and freezes. Her eyes are wide as she takes in the scene in front of her—me and Ben alone on the couch. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had company. Hi, I’m Hadley.”

Ben rises from the couch and smooths the front of his shirt before extending his hand. “Hi, Ben Harrington.” Hadley knows who he is, and I pray she doesn’t say anything else that will incriminate either of us.

Hadley accepts his hand but continues looking back and forth at the two of us as if her eyes are participating in a Ping-Pong match. “Nice to meet you, Ben. Well, just ignore me. I’m going to go shower and leave you two alone. Just forget I’m even here.” With that, she retreats to her bathroom. I hold my breath until I hear the click of the door shutting. It quickly reopens. “Oh, and Cal is going to be stopping by. He said he left a file here last night.”

Brynn and Cal joined us for dinner last night. He had brought a little bit of work to finish while waiting for me to arrive with the food. I had been slightly delayed after my run-in with Ben and his date.

I slump back into the couch and cover my hands in embarrassment. When there is no dip on the couch, I pull my hands down by my side and open my left eye, peeking at him. He is gathering his belongings.

“Hey, are you okay?” I rise and close the distance, in hopes that now that Hadley is behind closed doors, maybe we could finish where we left things off just moments ago.

“I’m sorry. I should go.”

And there it is, the wall back up, bringing us back to reality.Thanks a fucking lot, Had!She is so getting an earful as to how her plan almost worked, but then thanks to her big mouth, backfired. Was it what she said? Is it her being here?

Ben gives the room one last glance over to make sure he didn’t forget anything. I follow him to the door, then lean against the door as he begins to leave but stops. I still have hope, a small amount of hope, that things have changed. “Thank you for today. I mean it. I’ll see you tomorrow, Lex.” Ben steps forward and places a gentle kiss on the corner of my mouth before disappearing down the hall.

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