Page 10 of His Dirty Obsession
Perpetually horny, that was my default setting.
I threw open the door and stared into the eyes of the man currently taking up space in my head. We stood for a moment, neither of us willing to look or move away.
He finally averted his gaze and moved to the side, letting me leave.
“I thought maybe you’d gone out, but your phone was downstairs, so I knew you had to be somewhere about. Must have been important for you to leave your phone. Whatcha been up to, Ben?”
I felt my face heat at his words and knew I was blushing.
“Just, erm, stuff. Yes, important stuff that needed doing and then I must have fallen asleep.”
“Must have been really tiring, whatever it was you were doing. I can think of a few things that make me go to sleep. Things that make you so relaxed you can’t keep your eyes open. Would it have been one of those things, Ben?”
He took a step closer, his chest almost touching mine. This was getting into unfamiliar territory for me. Flirting was not one of my strong points, another reason I was still single at the age of almost thirty. I had no skills in that department. Richard and I had fallen into our ‘relationship’ purely by accident, starting off as friends first. No flirting had been required.
Intrigue filled me. This man standing so close to me I could kiss him confused me. I didn’t know what to do, didn’t know what my next move should be.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Evasion seemed to be the best tactic as I sidestepped him and ran downstairs to the kitchen as my phone once again rang.
“Good afternoon, Ben speaking.” I answered it as professionally as I could, trying not to convey the emotions I was feeling. I was obsessed with him. I spent most of my waking hours thinking of his body. My dreams were full of him, too.
This had to stop. I couldn’t carry on obsessing over something I couldn’t have.
Or could I?
The past few days, he’d been showing an interest, or was that my imagination?
I didn’t know, but right now, I needed to concentrate. My work was important. It was my only means of income.
This complete fascination with Xavier Ward had to stop.
I just hoped I had the strength of mind to do it.
Chapter 5
Xavier
TeasingBenwasmyfavourite pastime. It was the most fun I’d had in ages, but I wasn’t doing it just for fun. I’d felt drawn to the man the moment I saw him, the moment I walked through that door, trailing his sister, Ava.
I’d been desperate to find a new place to stay. My previous landlord had needed the extra room, had given me two weeks’ notice and a refund on my month’s rent. I would have gone anywhere, but when Ava mentioned her brother was looking for someone, I jumped at the chance.
She was a make-up artist on the last play I’d worked on, and we’d become firm friends. We met up for coffee every week, which was when I’d told her about my predicament. She’d sipped her coffee, a pensive look on her face before telling me to leave it with her, that she had an idea. A few days later, I was standing in her brother’s hallway, unable to take my eyes off the man in front of me.
He was gorgeous. Broad-shouldered with dark-brown hair, ruffled and messy, and when he ran his fingers through it, a look of exasperation on his face, I knew that was the reason his hair looked as it did. Full, sensual lips I wanted to bite the hell out of and the oddest shade of eyes I’d ever seen, brown with flecks of copper and gold. They were stunning. As for the rest of him, he didn’t look as if he worked out with a soft tummy I could snuggle into. I wasn’t a fan of ripped guys, even though I went to the gym myself most days.
Three weeks later, and I still couldn’t take my eyes off him. I knew for a fact the feeling was mutual. I’d caught him looking on more than one occasion and wasn’t the least bit annoyed. It was the biggest turn-on. I was flattered but, at the same time, thinking of ways I could tempt him.
The past week had been busy beyond belief with rehearsals and dance lessons, and I’d missed Ben. Missed our conversations, but most of all, I longed for the thrill I felt when I knew he was watching. That morning in the kitchen, I didn’t know for sure, but I’d swear I’d heard him, and it had made me so horny, watching him getting sucked off by that guy, whoever he was. I was a little jealous, if truth be told, but watching Ben come, the blissed-out look on his face… I wanted to be the one to do that next time.
Things were slowing with rehearsals, and for the first time in ages, I didn’t have to get up too early. I needed coffee, and what better time to get back to our routine than for me to make it? I’d not heard Ben moving around. His room was directly above mine, so I knew he was still sleeping.
Ten minutes later, I was sitting at the table, a half-full cup in front of me, waiting for him to come downstairs. I heard the creak of the second step and jumped from my seat to pour him a cup.
“Oh, hey. I didn’t expect to see you up.” He walked into the kitchen, scratching the scruff on his face. I’d not seen him for a few days, and it was a shock to see it there. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not.
“What’s up? Do I have something on my face?” He must have read my mind.
I motioned to the partial beard. “I’m not used to seeing that.”
