Page 20 of Ben

She heard something sliding closed and then the heavy tread of Ben’s feet. He opened the door, his big frame blocking the view of the room he was in; the only thing she got to see was the ceiling above him and the lights. She turned her eyes away before she blinded herself looking up, trying to get a peek inside, and turned her attention to her husband, staring down at her with a frosty look, making the silver in his eyes look lighter.

Her eyes ran over him, and she sucked in breath. He looked good wearing loose-fitting pajama bottoms that hung low over the V shape of his hips, his abs tight, to his chestand arms that were sculpted. Ben’s body was molded and well proportioned, suiting his tall frame.

Her husband was a gorgeous man. Had she noticed his looks before? Yes, and she could admit to herself that she’d been attracted to him, but that was all she would allow herself because she was with Bryce and an engaged woman. But now that wasn’t in the way anymore, and Diamond decided she wanted to explore this new relationship with him. She’d known him since he was a young teen, and he was her sister’s best friend. She had put him in the off-limits zone even if she’d considered it.

But now her circumstances had changed drastically in the blink of an eye. She found herself in deep shit and married to a man that she should have detested for blackmailing her to marry him, even though she thought that was a ballsy move on his part and respected that he’d at least gone after what he wanted when the opportunity presented itself, and that had excited her.

She was also practical and knew that fighting him would get her nowhere. The Brooks men were stubborn in that regard. But what she hadn’t expected was to melt from her husband’s touch. She’d felt one with him when they had consummated their marriage, and even now her body was coming alive just being near him. She’d never felt this type of chemistry with Bryce or any other men, the way she was with Ben.

Ben didn’t say anything; his eyes just ran over her, and she saw a fleeting flare of heat in his eyes before they’d become shuttered again. He moved towards her, causing her to step back to make room.

“Okay, let’s talk in the study. I want to check on the virus, and we could both use a drink.” He ran his fingers through his light-colored hair.

“Wait, why can’t we talk in there, and didn’t you already have one?” She tilted her head to the side, watching his face closely.

“No, this is off-limits to you, and don’t ask me why either.” He warned before turning and pulling a key out of his pocket, locking the door behind him. The light went off inside of the room because she no longer saw it through the crack in the door and figured it must be a sensor.

“Have one what?” He strode past her, leaving her to quicken her pace to his long strides, staring at the hard muscles of his buttocks.

She followed him into the study and then almost crashed into his back when he stopped abruptly.

“A drink? I thought I heard you having a drink inside the other room.”

He shrugged and then headed over to the decanters that were on top of a counter and took two glasses, filling them with a dark amber liquid and then dropping ice into hers while adding nothing to his.

She took the smooth liquid from him; in the evening when she got home from work, she liked to sit back and relax on her couch with a stiff drink, listening to soft music on the radio. But when she was out, she liked to drink wine or a cocktail.

He took a sip of his own liquid, watching her intently over the rim of his glass.

“So was our fucking not to your standards?”

He began to choke on his drink, and Diamond watched as Ben ended up taking in air and liquid at the same time as she’d surprised him with her comment. She’d meant to shake thefaçade of calmness and his contained expression that showed no emotion that he tried to keep up in front of her. She succeeded.

He scowled down at her as he caught his breath and moved away to put his drink down.

She followed, still calmly sipping her drink.

“You are a virgin,werea virgin, Diamond.” He sounded accusatory to her ears.

“Yes, and you make it seem like it was a crime the way you ran from the bed, like you were on fire.”

“Dammit, woman, you should have told me. Then I would never have—"

“Forced me to marry you, touched me, made me cum several times, and taken me to bed. We both know that you still would have even if you found out. You wanted me, and it didn’t matter how.” She continued to sip as she moved closer, studying his expression. A look of guilt now crossing his features, and then his jaw clenched and his lips firmed.

“Yes, you would still be my wife and my lover.” He said and then dipped his head, looking at her arrogantly. Indicating it would have been a fact. Then his features softened. “But I would have made your first time special for you and would not have been so rough.” His voice sounded remorseful.

“Why are you still a virgin, Diamond?” He approached and touched her lips and then her jaw before stepping back like he forgot himself and couldn’t help wanting to touch her.

She shivered; she was beginning to get used to his touch and liked feeling his hand on her skin since she walked into his place. She always heard of slow build or fast and hot chemistry between people, and when she was around Ben now, she found she couldn’t think clearly; his scent, voice, and body was like anaphrodisiac to her, and she craved it like she did now. She took a step closer, and he crossed his arms while giving her a look that she needed to talk to him.

“I was saving myself for marriage.” She said. Ben flinched and then looked confused.

“The night at the high school dance, I overheard some of the cheerleaders talking about how Bryce had planned a special night for the two of you and that you were going to do the deed. Then you both left the dance early before it ended.”

Her eyes shifted slightly away from his and then back. “We both decided that night at the hotel that we were not ready, and I wanted to wait until marriage so that it would be special to me and my husband.”

Ben nodded. “I am not sorry for marrying you and making you finally mine, but I am sorry for not making it special for you and taking my time.” He touched her cheek again and then pulled away, rubbing his hand through his hair and suddenly looking tired.

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