Page 46 of Stick Side
“Nice place.”
“Thank you.” She hadn’t been in her apartment for all that long, but she felt like it reflected her style.
She went up on tiptoes to open the cupboard above the refrigerator where she kept her vases.
“Can I help?” Ben asked.
She could feel the warmth of his body crowding her back. He must have stepped close once he realized she wasn’t tall enough to reach the vases without assistance.
She fought the urge to arch her back and tilt her head back into his chest. Instead, she forced herself to stay still and answer his question with words. “Yes, please.” Unless she wanted to press her luck and jump up to grab a vase, she would have needed to grab a stepping stool. Being nearly a foot taller than her five foot three,all Ben had to do was lift his arm.
“Which one would you like?” he asked. She shivered as his warm breath ruffled the hair at her temple.
“The large one on the right, please.” She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had bought her flowers, but she liked to buy them for herself. There was just something about fresh flowers that beautified a space. This sentiment had resulted in the acquisition of numerous vases over the years.
“Thank you,” Melody offered when he placed the largest of her vases in her waiting hands. She was careful not to let their fingers touch for fear she would shiver again and drop the darn thing. “I guess your height comes in handy sometimes, huh?”
“That it does. You never know when I might need to reach a vase for a fair damsel in distress.” Her heart gave an involuntary jump at the twinkle in his eyes. It wasn’t enough that he was six feet of gorgeous, chiseled perfection? His eyes twinkled, too?
Melody answered his eye twinkle with a smile before striding across the kitchen, flipping on the tap, and filling the vase with water. Once finished, she moved the water-filled vase onto the countertop. She wasn’t sure if they had a reservation to get to, so she made quick work of transferring the flowers into the vase.
“I hope I’m dressed all right for tonight?” she asked as she angled her head to look back at him. “Since I wasn’t sure where we were going or what we might be doing, I took my best guess when it came to appropriate attire.”
Warmth rushed through her body as his eyes gave her an appreciative sweep. “You’re perfect.”
She wrinkled her nose in silent disagreement as she tweaked the positioning of a few stems. “I don’t know about perfect,” she argued, “but thank you.”
Ben didn’t say anything until she picked up the vase and turned once again to look at him. His gaze locked on hers before he spoke again. “Perfect,” he repeated slowly and distinctly.
Her heart picked up its tempo at the way he held her gaze. Had her heart ever raced the way it currently was?
She had to fight to keep her breathing steady when her body drew level with his as she moved toward the dining room. Her thighs clenched together when he broke eye contact to drop his eyes to her lips. For a brief moment she thought he might kiss her but, despite slowing her steps ever so slightly, he let her pass. She couldn’t tell whether the rush she felt was disappointment or relief. If she was honest with herself, she would have to admit it was probably a combination of both. She wanted Ben’s kiss, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it yet.
When she reached the edge of the dining room table, she put the vase in the center.
The table was a classic rectangle with an airy but weathered look. It was a gorgeous piece of furniture with a double pedestal base that she’d been lucky enough to find at a flea market she’d stumbled on soon after moving to the city.
She felt a little surge of happiness as she took a moment to survey the completed look. The blooms were gorgeous, but it was the thoughtfulness with which they’d been given that she particularly appreciated.
She wondered if he could tell how much she loved his gift. Loved the way it brought extra beauty and an added sense of welcome to her living space.
When she turned back to face Ben, she found him watching her with rapt attention. He might not have instigated a kiss when she’d walked past him moments ago, but he was definitely surveying her with the interest of a man who is attracted to a woman. She might have woefully little romantic experience, but even an amateur such as herself could figure some things out, especially when Ben was wearing his heart on his sleeve.
“Should we get going?” she inquired. She was still nervous, but she was eager, too. She couldn’t wait for the events of the evening to unfold.
“If you’re all set?” Ben asked.
“You tell me,” she quipped. “I’m not the one who knows where we’re going or what we’re doing.” Her tone was light and pleasant, but she made sure he could see her smile so he knew she wasn’t at all upset about her current lack of knowledge.
“Are you comfortable in what you’re wearing?” Ben asked as he waved at her soft but form-fitting dress. “Can you move freely?” He lifted his elbows up until they were practically in line with his shoulders, fists facing each other in front of his chest, before making a somewhat comedic display of using his torso to rotate from side to side.
Melody couldn’t help but laugh at his exaggerated movements. “Are you trying to tell me there might be rock climbing or spelunking on the agenda?”
Ben dropped his arms back to his sides. “How did you guess?” His tone was incredulous.
Melody felt her eyes bug out of her head. “Seriously?”
Ben laughed softly. “I’m kidding,” he reassured. His gentle smile went a long way in helping to calm her suddenly racing heart. “As happy as I would be to go to a climbing gym with you, that isn’t the plan for tonight. As for spelunking, is it even possible to do that in Chicago?” Ben’s expression was thoughtful.
