Page 91 of Stick Side
Had the scent somehow gotten into her hair? Talk about a full body assault on her senses.
Melody could have happily stayed in bed all day, revisiting her memories of the hours she and Ben had spent wrapped up together under the stars, but she felt too wired to actually do it. She usually woke up happy and eager to get up, but she felt even more so today. With the smile of a thoroughly satisfied woman gracing her lips, she gave a contented sigh before reopening her eyes and sitting up against the pillows.
She was momentarily startled to see Ben standing by the dresser on the opposite side of the bedroom. He was fully dressed in a pair of heather-gray sweatpants and a well-worn Harvard Athletics T-shirt, suggesting he’d been up for at least a little while.
“Welcome back to the land of the lucid, beautiful,” Ben greeted warmly. “Dare I hope I have something to do with that gorgeous smile on your face?”
Melody might have been alarmed to find him standing there, for all intents and purposes watching her sleep, were she in any room other than his.
After they’d enjoyed post-coital cuddles under the stars, Ben had pulled out a picnic basket he’d tucked away earlier in the evening. They’d dined on fresh fruit, chocolate, sparkling wine, and the ecstasy of their flourishing relationship before making their way back to the house. She’d thought to return to her assigned room for the night, but Ben wouldn’t hear of it, insisting they would both sleep better with her by his side.
If the affectionate look on his face was any indication, he didn’t have any regrets about the way things had played out.
Neither did she. Last night had been absolutely perfect.Hehad been absolutely perfect, ringing responses from her she hadn’t even known she was capable of. She would do it all over again, but she could feel a growing warmth suffuse her cheeks at the memory of how wild and uninhibited he’d made her feel. She hadn’t known she had that kind of passion in her. And the things she’d said! Melody pressed her hands to her now scorching cheeks. Who knew she had it in her to be so bold? She certainly hadn’t.
Ben closed the distance between them with a few long, athletic strides and sat down on the edge of the bed. He stretched out beside her, reached his arm out to cradle the back of her head, and pulled her in for a sweet, tender kiss.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” he said when he drew his lips back from hers.
“Good morning yourself,” Melody returned.
Somehow, she felt at once completely comfortable, a little bit shy, and a lot embarrassed over her uninhibited response to him last night. She strongly believed in healthy sexuality, which included clearly expressing one’s needs and wants, but that didn’t make asserting herself feel any less awkward or vulnerable. It was an unusual mix of emotions, if an understandable one given her relative inexperience.
Ben smiled as his eyes roved over her face. “Can I tell you a secret?” he asked as he reached out to brush her hair away from her face and tuck it behind her ear.
Melody nodded. Despite the riot of emotions coursing through her, she felt even closer to him after last night. With that closeness came a powerful desire to know him deeply, to unlock every secret he was willing to share with her.
“I kind of hope you always blush for me,” Ben revealed, as he used the back of his hand to stroke her cheek. “I like knowing I have the power to affect you so much.”
If the extra heat in her cheeks was any indication, Melody suspected her blush had deepened. And no wonder, given the carnal nature of her thoughts. It was one thing to remember them when she was alone. It was another entirely when he was right in front of her.
“Making me blush seems to be your superpower,” Melody muttered.
Ben’s smile grew wicked. “Hopefully, after last night,” he said in a voice that was both rich and deeply sensual, “you feel like I might be in possession of at least one more superpower.”
His gaze swept over her, touching upon her lips, her throat, her collarbone, and the gentle swell of her breasts visible beneath the sleep shirt he’d lent her last night. She shivered at what could have been a simple, innocent perusal, but somehow felt like so much more.
That heat in her cheeks? It didn’t look like it was going anywhere any time soon.
Ben’s soft laugh filled the space between them. “Do you want to tell me what’s going through your head right now?” He emphasized his query with a questioning rise of his brow.
Melody’s eyes widened. No way. No how. She might be catching some serious feelings for the man, but she wasn’t ready to voice all the naughty things going through her mind. She may have given in to some dirty talk last night, but that was during the height of passion, not in the bright light of day.
Based on the way Ben’s laugh grew both louder and deeper, she suspected her face was doing its best impression of a tomato.
“Am I to assume your thoughts are that good?” Ben teased. His eyes twinkled with undisguised merriment. “Are you sure youdon’t want to share them with the group?” Said group consisting of him, her, and the four walls.
Ben looked like he knew exactly what was going through her mind. He’d rocked her world last night. In all probability, he was well aware of it. And remembering it in vivid detail, too.
Her eyes dipped down to the bedspread before she looked up at him from beneath the cover of her lashes. She waited until their eyes connected before replying. “Yes,” she admitted softly, simply. Yes, her thoughts were that good and, yes, she would keep them to herself, thank you very much.
Ben slid his hand down her face and used his thumb to place gentle pressure on the underside of her jaw, encouraging her to meet his gaze full on.
She did as he bid her and lifted her chin so she was looking at him more directly.
She might have felt like squirming had he not been looking at her with such unmistakable affection.
“Are you still going to be shy with me after last night?” he asked as he moved his fingers to caress her cheek. The motion was so soothing she couldn’t help but lean into his touch.
