Page 100 of Stick Side
“How about I get close enough to hold your hand, but not so close as to use you as my personal pillow?” she offered by way of compromise.
“That sounds perfect,” he said, his smile further lighting his already warm eyes. When she was close enough, he reached for her hand and threaded their fingers together. “Perfect,” he repeated as he lifted their joined hands and pressed a soft kiss to the underside of her wrist.
Her pulse jumped beneath his lips.
Melody leaned forward to put down her wineglass, liberating her hand to pick up the television remote. “I think the Flyers are playing the Penguins tonight. Would you like to watch?”
Ben dropped her hand so he could lift his arm around her shoulders and pull her close. Her eyebrows lifted a little.Perhaps he wasn’t too full to cuddle after all. “How many times can I ask you to marry me before it starts to get weird?” he asked as he gave her an affectionate squeeze.
Melody laughed happily, flicking her gaze up to meet his before turning the game on. “I think you’ve reached your quota,” she teased, snuggling into his side.
It felt surprisingly nice to know Ben felt comfortable joking about her growing tired of his expressing an interest in wanting to marry her. So many men—and women, for that matter—were scared to death of commitment. It was nice to know Ben felt so comfortable about the idea of a life-long relationship that he could tease her about it.
Seemingly unaware of her semi-deep thoughts, Ben gave her one more affectionate squeeze before kissing her temple and settling in to watch the game.
Chapter 49
Melody
Melodywasn’tquitesurehow Ben did it, but he went from being fully engrossed in the game, appearing to rise up and bounce on his toes whenever it looked like the Flyers might score a goal, to slumbering peacefully on her couch. No sooner had the second period ended and the commentators started breaking down the game than his eyes fluttered closed and he was out like a light, seemingly dead to the world.
She wasn’t sure whether it was the day of travel or the food coma that often accompanied a good-sized meal, but Ben gave every impression of being out for the night. Whatever the reason, Melody couldn’t resist the opportunity to really take him in. There was something about being able to catalogue his handsome features, unobserved, that filled her with a rush of warmth.
Good lord, but he was handsome. Sleep did nothing to diminish his incredible masculinity. Even with his face relaxed in sleep, his strong lips, rugged jawline, and five-o’clock shadow screamed of potent manliness.
Not wishing to disturb him, she brushed the lightest of kisses along his stubbled cheek before moving to gently extract herself from his embrace. As she pulled away, he squeezed her a little tighter, as though he didn’t want to let go of her even in sleep.
“Shhh,” she soothed as she feathered her fingers down his arm. It must have been the right move because his grip slacked enough for her to slide herself out of his embrace.
She took one last look at him, sighing as she appreciated just how well he fit into her life, before heading into the kitchen to tidy up.
Ben was still slumbering peacefully on the couch when she was done, so she took the opportunity to get ready for bed. She went into the washroom to wash her face and brush her teeth before heading into her bedroom to change into her pajamas.
She popped back into the living room to check on Ben. The game was over, an old sitcom now playing. Ben seemed oblivious to it all, appearing not to have moved since she left him there.
Melody nibbled on her bottom lip, debating her options. Ben seemed comfortable enough, but she couldn’t imagine him waking up feeling particularly great if he spent the entire night sleeping upright on her couch.
She deliberated for a few moments before coming to a decision. She tiptoed toward him before sinking down onto the couch cushion beside him and placing a soft hand on his thigh, just above the knee. She shook gently when neither her touch nor her proximity were enough to rouse him.
“Ben,” she whispered.
He groaned before blinking his eyes open.
“Come to bed, sweetheart.” The endearment dropped from her lips without conscious thought.
If Ben’s sleepy smile was any indication, he hadn’t missed it or minded in the least.
Melody wrapped her fingers around his and gave him a gentle tug. There was no way she could have lifted his two-hundred-odd pounds of solid muscle without his help, but she liked to think she was providing the encouragement he needed to get moving.
Ben blinked his eyes a few more times before glancing over at the television. “Who won?” he asked as he lumbered to his feet.
“Philly,” she answered, knowing only because she’d caught the score before getting ready for bed.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep on you,” Ben apologized as he allowed her to lead him toward her bedroom. “I must have been more tired than I realized.”
“That’s okay,” she answered, meaning it. “I’m sure I would have been dead on my feet after the day you had, too.”
“Thanks, love.”
