Page 69 of Off Script
“Yeah, we’re okay. For now.”
“I’ll take it.”
Tugging me into a hug, Ben holds me tightly but doesn’t kiss me again. Instead, he tucks his head into my hair and inhales deeply.
“God, I missed you. I missed talking to you, missed holding you, missed being with you. I was so worried when you wouldn’t respond to me all weekend. I know I’m not in a place to ask anything of you, but please don’t go radio silent like that again.”
“I wasn’t intentionally ignoring you on Friday,” I explain. “My charger stopped working and my phone died. Then Harper saw the photos from your date, so we hid out at her boyfriend’s apartment all weekend, where I spent my time trying to forget about you by day drinking and suntanning.”
“That explains your sunburn.” He touches my pink cheek lightly with his fingertip.
“I forgot to reapply sunscreen before passing out.”
“I’ll volunteer as tribute if you need someone to rub aloe on you,” he whispers as he nuzzles my neck before kissing me again.
This kiss is different though. It’s the opposite of the frenzied, teeth gnashing kiss we shared earlier.
This one is slow and sensual, the kind you share with a lover when you’re unhurried and secure.
The kind of kiss that only comes with confidence that you’ll share plenty of other kisses in the future.
24
Ben
Without much persuasion, I convince Carlisle to spend the next few days at my house with me. The relief and excitement I feel is akin to nothing I’ve felt before.
I watch Carlisle in the mirror of the bathroom as we get ready for bed together. After I finish brushing my teeth, I slip my toothbrush back in its holder while she combs her long hair into something she called a top knot. It's like a bun thingy on the top of her head that looks really cute on her. But I think most anything looks cute on Carlisle.
Opening one of the lower cabinets, I pull out a big container of bright green aloe vera that my mom gave me years ago. “Want me to rub some aloe on your shoulders?”
Nibbling her lip, she nods her assent.
There’s an air of awkwardness that exists between us now where it never has before. I hate that I put it there and that I made her doubt me. But it’s my own damn fault, so I’ll do my time in the penalty box in hopes that she’ll let me back into her heart.
Tonight, she’s wearing a spaghetti strap tank with matching pajama pants to bed in lieu of her usual t-shirt. Carefully, I slip a strap off her shoulder and gently rub the cool gel onto her warm skin. It’s sticky but dries quickly. I replace the strap and move to her other shoulder.Since she shut me down earlier when we were kissing, I’m grateful for any excuse to touch her.
“How’s the rest of your back? As bad as your shoulders?” I ask, as I lift the bottom of her tank.Nope, worse. Her back looks as red as a cooked lobster. “Let’s go to the bedroom, babe. Why don’t you lie face down on the bed and take off your shirt. I can apply the aloe and then turn on the fan. That should cool your skin.”
As she turns to leave, I gently grab her wrist. I have to say it again. “I’m sorry.”
“I know,” she shrugs when she meets my gaze. “My skin heals quickly. My sunburns usually only last a day or two before turning into a tan, and the aloe will help speed the healing process too.”
“I wasn’t talking about your sunburn, babe.”
“I know that too.”
“Okay.” I toss her a towel. “Lay down on that so we don’t get aloe on the bedding.”
I give her a minute to get situated on the bed before following behind her.
I stutter-step when I see her lying on the bed waiting for me. She’s facedown, wearing only a pair of lacy thongs. “Shit,” I mutter. It’d be fucking sexy if it weren’t for the crimson hue of her skin.
“Yeah, zero out of ten. Do not recommend day drinking and passing out at the pool,” Carlisle jokes dryly.
“It looks so painful, babe.”
Her voice turns soft and thoughtful. “Honestly, I was so torn up about losing you that my sunburn hasn’t really bothered me.”
