Page 51 of Crimson Promises
He buried his head into my shoulder. “Ten more minutes,” he mumbled as he slowly removed his hand from beneath my shirt. His eyes were glassy.
I removed my hands from his back. We stared at each other, trying to collect ourselves before we faced being caught like teenagers making out on the driveway on their first date.
His chest was moving up and down as his eyes took their time roving down the length of my body.
My lips felt red and swollen. The knot of need was still right there, demanding satisfaction.
I leaned back, and the quilt dropped, the cool air refreshing my hot and taut skin. The change in the atmosphere had a direct effect on Ben’s demeanor. He gripped my waist and set me in the seat next to him. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“You okay?” I prompted.
He nodded brusquely and then turned away as if I wasn’t there.
I stood up and wrapped the quilt around me. Dejected, I walked towards the glass door, pausing before opening it. A girl with wild eyes and sex hair stared back at me. Mere minutes ago, she was deliriously happy. Now, she wanted to hide under the covers at home and never come out.
Maybe I’ll become a recluse, Arch Cape’s version of Mrs. Haversham. I’ll Instacart all my food. Anything is better than having to face Ben afterthat.I combed my fingers through my tangled hair to try and make myself presentable before facing Vic.
Ben’s reflection appeared at least a few feet behind me.
I rolled my shoulders back and avoided looking at him. Placing my hand over the door’s seal to muffle any noise, I pushed it open to quietly step inside. The last thing I wanted to do was wake Darlene up. Vic witnessing my momentary lapse in judgment was embarrassment enough. I folded the quilt and left it on the back of a dining room chair.
Vic was sitting on the couch nursing another glass of wine, watching a football game. The volume was low.
“We are going to head out,” I whispered from the kitchen, hoping the distance helped me avoid a lecture.
Nodding in Ben’s direction, Vic asked me, “Do you want me to give you a ride home?”
The change in our body language must be apparent.
“I’m okay, thanks.”As much as I’d rather Vic take me home, his wife is home, and he drank. It’s safer for me to go home with Ben.
“Please tell Darlene thank you again for everything tonight,” I added.
Vic stood up and approached me. “Of course, you know you are welcome here anytime. I want you to text me when you get back safely.” He reached to ruffle my hair. “Whatever you tried to do to this didn’t work.”
Ben slips through the back door soundlessly.
“Goodnight, Vic.”
“Night, Aurora. It was nice having you here.”
Ben and Vic do some weird guy thing where they clasp each other’s hands and give one another a pat on the upper back, say no words but somehow manage to have an entire silent conversation.
I zipped up my leather jacket and pulled on the helmet Ben handed me, then I peeked at him from the safety of the visor’s reflective glass.He still hasn’t said a word to me.
The earlier thrill on the motorcycle felt deflated. I tried to maintain as much space as possible the entire ride home, which was challenging when pressed against his muscular body. So instead of thinking about Ben, I thought of rocks. When that didn’t work, I pictured a boa constrictor squeezing Ben. It was at that image that I smiled.It’s the little things in life.
Ben stopped in front of my building. Once he cut the engine, I swung my leg off the bike, tugged the helmet off my head, and thrust it into Ben’s lap. He got off the bike and placed it back in the seat compartment, leaving his resting on the spot I had occupied.
I pivoted on the balls of my feet and stomped towards my building. I made it all of three strides when I was yanked backward by my wrist.
“Forgetting something?” Ben declared.
Oh, now he wants to talk? A few minutes after having his tongue down my throat was too soon, I guess. If he thinks he’s getting a kiss, he has another thing coming.
I turned around and placed my hands on my hips. “What?”
“Your car is still parked at Perk & Pour.”
