Page 23 of Hush

“Friday?”

Elise’s stomach dropped. “I can’t. My sitter is busy. I know because I already asked. I was hoping to come to class that night.” She tried to come up with an alternative before he changed his mind. “She might be free Saturday. I can ask when I get home.”

Ben’s face hardened in a tense grimace but it passed so quickly she barely caught it. “Unfortunately, I have plans Saturday.”

“Oh,” Elise said. Immediately, her mind wondered what his plans might be. A friend? A work thing?

“Would you like to come over?” she asked.

Ben’s eyes brightened. “I would love that.”

“I can put a movie on for Jaden,” she added.

Ben gave her a look. “Why? You think I can’t play with a seven-year-old?”

Elise smiled. “I hope you like Legos.”

“Are you kidding? I love Legos.”

An uncomfortable feeling tugged at her.This isn’t really happening to you, the negative voice said.You don’t deserve someone like Ben.Elise tried to push it all away but her throat felt tight. “Is six o’clock okay?”

“Perfect,” Ben replied.

They stood, and Elise picked up her bag. Elise felt a little shiver of nerves run down her spine as they headed for the door together.

Outside, the icy cold hit Elise’s cheeks. She dug out her cashmere scarf, a gift from Caitlin, then zipped her coat all the way to her neck. As they walked, Ben reached for her hand, slipping his warm palm to hers. A pulse of heat swept through her.

At the side of her station wagon, she set her bag in the hatch. When she turned back, he was quick to reach for her hand again. The energy between them crackled, making her feel jittery.

He took a step closer. Elise felt her skin prickle as their eyes locked. Ben stroked the side of her face, his fingers trailing over her lips.

“Well, see you Friday,” he said.

Elise’s stomach did a little flip. “Friday,” she replied, her lungs squeezing the air through her tight throat.

He began to pull away but Elise tugged him back, unable to resist the idea of his lips on hers again.

Ben’s eyes flashed with heat as he closed in, his kiss soft at first, his tongue light and playful. She kissed him back, feeling the rush of desire whip her stomach into knots. His kiss deepened, his body pressing closer as she tasted his lips, one at a time. She could feel her heartbeat throb into her temples and down both of her thighs. Her breath quickened as his tongue explored, the warmth from his body enveloping hers. Elise felt herself lighten and expand, like a cotton-candy cloud drifting into a soft blue sky.

When Ben stepped back, his eyes told a story of such yearning Elise felt a bolt of desire rush straight to her core.

“Okay,” he said, breathing hard. “I could stand here and kiss you all night, but we’d freeze and you probably need to get home.”

“You’re right.” Elise sighed, thinking of Jaden.

“What should I bring Friday?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Can I get back to you on that?” she replied, her mind whizzing through her recipe book.

“Absolutely,” he replied.

“Wait, I don’t have your number,” she said. “I mean, I have your office line.”

“Let me give you my cell,” he said quickly, pulling out his phone. After tapping in the number she recited, he sent her a message.

He kissed her one last time, his lips soft and sensual, their tongues darting and swirling so that when he broke away, Elise felt the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

“See you Friday,” he said as she opened her door and slipped inside.

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