Page 20 of A Simple Love

The feeling of happiness that comes over me listening to Ben’s honesty makes me beam with adoration for him. I know Ben has his faults and idiosyncrasies just like anyone else, but deep down, he really is a good guy who genuinely likes me. It’s getting harder to deny that I might very well be developing feelings for him and for a possibility at a future with Ben by my side.

“Me too, Ben,” I reply softly, leaning over the center console to kiss his cheek as he continues our drive back to Hopetown, the small flutter of butterflies taking flight in my stomach and my head swirling with possibilities. Jesus. What have I gotten myself into?

Chapter 14

Mike

These past three weeks have been busy and long, but I finally get to see Victoria tonight for our second date. Who knew dating could be so hard to schedule? Well, I guess the fact that she is currently dating two men doesn’t help. Between her work schedule, my work schedule, and also fitting in time with Ben, it has allowed little progress to be made on the relationship front.

I really wish Ben wasn’t even a factor, but Victoria is the type of person to give everyone a fair chance. Misguided judgment has never been her thing, and I know that she is just trying to be as open-minded as possible in this situation, which is something I admire about her immensely. I just wish Ben would hurry up and wave his white flag or mess up somehow and put me out of my misery. Honestly, anyone in Hopetown knows the longstanding feelings between Vic and me, so it surprises me that he would even want to compete with that. Oh well. He is the one who will have to deal with the fallout when the time comes and everyone, including myself, can tell him, “I told ya so.”

I dropped off a shelf to Mrs. Hanson before making my way over to Victoria’s house this afternoon. I wanted to pick her up earlier today than I did last time so I could spend even more time with her tonight. The anticipation of touching and kissing her today was the only thing carrying me through the work I finished this morning, knowing the reward of Victoria’s lips on mine was waiting for me.

Once I arrive at her house, I make the quick departure from my truck and hop up the steps like an overeager kangaroo, nearly knocking myself over and into her front door. Shaking my head, I take a deep breath and knock soundly on the wood, bracing myself for yet another interaction with Frank Baker. I wondered if he said anything to Vic after our last date, but given that she seemed fine and eager to hang out again, I’m guessing the answer to my question is no.

“Mike,” she answers, exasperated and sounding disappointed, brushing the hair from her face. That was not the greeting I was expecting. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail and a simple red tank top and denim shorts cling to her perfectly curvy body. If this is what she was planning on wearing on our date, I profoundly approve.

“Hey, what’s wrong, Vic?” I step inside when she ushers me through the door.

“I’m so sorry, but I have to cancel.” She looks down the hallway quickly and then back to me, lowering her voice. “I have Lilly still. My mom had to stay and work late at the grocery store because someone had an emergency and had to leave early, and today is my dad’s late shift at the factory.” She shoots me a tight-lipped frown. “I’m so sorry.”

Well, shit. This wasn’t how I predicted the night would go. But hey, at least her dad isn’t here. I still really want to spend time with her though, so I improvise.

“Hey, that’s not a big deal. Let’s just take Lilly with us,” I suggest on a shrug before grabbing her softly at her hips and pulling her flush to my body, glancing down the hallway to ensure we’re still alone.

“Really?” She beams up at me, her hand finding my jaw and slowly brushing her thumb across my stubble.

“Of course. I want to spend time with you, no matter what. I’ve been looking forward to seeing you all week.” I lean down to brush a soft kiss to her cheek, the slight pink color appearing immediately from my touch.

“Of course, we’ll have to change my plans around to accommodate Lilly, but I’m fine with it if you are.” I smile down at her, meeting her mile-wide grin while her hazel eyes bounce back and forth between mine.

“If you’re sure, I would love that Mike. And I know Lilly would too.” She rises on her toes, inches away from my lips meeting hers when we’re interrupted by a small voice below.

“What would I like?” Lilly exclaims, her eyebrows shooting up and her hands finding her hips as we both turn simultaneously, lips still pursed from our almost kiss.

Vic lowers back to her original height. “Mike wants to take us both out tonight. Does that sound okay?”

Lilly jumps up and down, way higher than I managed outside. “YES! Team Mike!” She yells as she throws her fist in the air before running down the hallway and into her room to fetch her shoes.

Her declaration makes me laugh as I turn to take in Victoria, who’s shaking her head while laughing as well. “I guess you know who she hopes to win my little dating charade then, huh?”

I pull her back over to me, my hands encircling her hips, my thumbs finding their mark as I push them under the hem of her tank top to brush along her bare skin. I hear Victoria’s heart beating in her chest and her breath comes out in small puffs as I hold her tighter to me.

Leaning into her neck, I pause, fueling the flames burning between us. I feel Victoria’s hands clench on my shoulders as she eagerly awaits my next move. The physical connection between Victoria and I is beyond what I could have imagined all these years, making the build-up to our time over the past few weeks dim compared to the real thing. Her soft curves pressed against my hard plains of muscle feel better than when I launch myself into my bed at the end of a long, hard day of work.

“The girl knows who you’re meant to be with,” I whisper in her ear, placing a small kiss right under her earlobe, another on her collarbone, before moving my face in front of hers to brush one more kiss lightly on her lips just as Lilly returns.

Our bodies break apart slowly in protest. I wait until the last possible second to release my grip on her hips. Victoria doesn’t have time to respond to my declaration as Lilly ties her shoes, but her face says it all. She knows we belong together just as much as I, and apparently Lilly, does too. Her eyes are blazing with desire as she watches me, my grin and crooked eyebrow enticing her to refute my claim. But she remains quiet, penetrating me with a look of carnal want. Who knew the heat outside wouldn’t even compare to the fire emerging from Victoria’s eyes and body.

“Ok, let’s go!” Lilly jumps up from the couch and instantly finds my hand with hers, yanking me by the arm harder than I’m ready for, rushing us through the front door and down the porch stairs to my truck. “Where are we going?” She shouts, eager and beyond thrilled at the idea of our little adventure.

Vic and Lilly hop in on the passenger side after I open the door for them both, and once I’m situated and cruising down their driveway, I reply.

“Well, I was thinking a movie sounds nice to escape the heat and then maybe ice cream for dinner.” I need a reprieve from the heat between Victoria and me, and the heat of this blazing Nebraska summer.

“Yes!” Lilly shouts too loudly in the cab of my truck as she leans to see Victoria around the headrest. “Vic, did you hear that? Ice cream for dinner? Mike should win just for that idea alone!” She’s bouncing in her spot in the backseat, her jet-black hair flailing around with each movement.

Victoria is laughing as she turns her head back toward her sister. “Lilly, it’s not a competition, okay?” Then she leans over the seat and whispers, “But between you and me, ice cream for dinner definitely makes Mike the front runner,” she winks at Lilly before settling back down and winking over at me.

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