Page 21 of His Dirty Obsession
“Erm, lovely to see you too, and where the fuck are your clothes? Do you always walk around the house like that?”
“You know me, Ava. If I could get away with nothing, I would.” A cheeky wink from me had her smirking as she walked through the door.
“Don’t mind him. Come on through,” Ben said, standing by the kitchen door. “And for goodness’ sake, go put some clothes on, Xavier.”
I supposed I should. It was one thing with just me and Ben, but Ava was a different matter. I dashed upstairs, throwing on my favourite pair of jeans and a black T-shirt that stretched tight over my chest before heading back down again, hearing Ben and Ava’s hushed voices.
“Jesus, Ava. Have you seen him? How could I not?”
I listened closer, wondering what they were talking about. Was it me?
“Of course I’ve seen him,” she whispered.
“I should ask him to leave, Ava. I’m not sure I’ll be able to control myself if he stays, not now that I’ve had a taste.”
“Why do you need to stop? You’re both adults.”
Why indeed? I certainly didn’t want to stop.
I heard the sound of coffee being poured and them both sitting at the table. I wasn’t sure if they’d continue talking.
“Did you have fun last night, anyway?” Ben was talking now, and with the change of subject, I didn’t think I’d hear any more.
“Eh, it was OK. Meredith and Beth hooked up with two of the guys from Xavier’s show. I left early. It was no fun after you and Xavier left.”
“We didn’t leave together, just saying. We didn’t plan it.”
“Yeah, sure. I believe you, little brother.”
I chose that moment to walk back into the kitchen, noticing the embarrassed look on Ben’s face as he realised I might have heard him.
“We were, erm, just talking about last night.”
I grabbed another coffee and joined them at the table.
“I heard.” I took a sip, watching him squirm beneath my gaze.
I turned to Ava. “I’m sorry we missed it. I had the worst headache, but Ben helped me relax when he got home.”
The look on his face was priceless.
“It wasn’t like that, Ava. I promise.” Ben kicked my leg under the table, making me laugh. “Tell her.”
“It was totally like that,” I said as he dropped his head in his hands, groaning as Ava and I laughed.
“Aw, Ben, nothing to be embarrassed about. Anyway, I didn’t come around to talk about last night. It’s Mum and Dad’s anniversary in a month. I thought we could do something for them, seeing how it’s thirty-five years or something. Maybe invite a few friends around.”
She turned to me. “You should come too, keep Ben company. He hates visiting the parents, especially when the rest of the family is there.”
“I’d love to. Just tell me when and I’ll be there. Do I have to wear clothes?”
“Oh, God. Kill me now.” Ben stood from the table, shaking his head.
“You’d better. We don’t want Aunt Edith keeling over now, do we? Or better still, trying to corner you for a quick grope in the conservatory.” We both laughed, and I glanced over at Ben standing by the sink.
“Won’t you be busy with the play? Doesn’t that open soon?” he asked as he rinsed his cup.
I shrugged. I could well be busy, but it didn’t hurt to tease Ben a little. Making him blush was another of my favourite pastimes.
