Page 111 of Carbon

“I don’t know. She’s my sister, and I don’t know her at all. But with the company she keeps... Maybe.”

A shudder ran through me. “I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear her say anything about it.”

“That’s probably for the best.”

We reached the door to the room where I’d been staying, a luxuriously appointed double with its own bathroom and a view over the small but perfectly maintained garden at the rear. Only the second time I’d spent the whole night with a man, and I was going to do it in a virtual stranger’s house.

“Are you sure about this?” Ben asked.

I nodded. Being with Ben was my only light in the dark maze I was lost in, and I needed him to guide me out.

“Three suitcases?” he asked when we got inside. “You’ve moved in permanently?”

“No, of course not. Dorothy just threw a few things together for me.”

He didn’t say anything, just chuckled.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ll have to teach you to pack light before I get a hernia carrying your stuff.” He yawned, then looked around the rest of the room. “You mind if I take a shower? I’m a bit... You deserve better.”

“I don’t mind what you look like.”

“I do.”

He still had pride.

“There are fresh towels in the bathroom.”

As the water ran, I rummaged through my suitcases for a suitable nightie. Three suitcases, and all I had were flannel pyjamas and one comfortable old T-shirt. Oh dear. Did I dare to go naked? Or perhaps I could leave my underwear on? Mind you, I’d reverted to the white cotton for comfort after Ben left, so that wasn’t much better. And I needed to brush my teeth, and my hair was a mess, and...

Ben walked out wearing a towel low around his hips, and my heart leapt into my mouth. He’d lost too much weight, but apart from that he looked so deliciously edible I licked my lips before I realised what I was doing.

“Uh, I just need a turn,” I squeaked, then ran past him and closed the door.

Now what? In the dark with him in control, I hadn’t been so worried, but today with emotions running so high? What if I didn’t perform up to scratch? My hands shook as I squeezed toothpaste onto the brush.

In the end, I decided to strip out of my undies and put on the robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door. Not exactly sexy, but it gave me options.

I gingerly cracked the door open. “Ben?”

Nothing. Nothing but his steady breathing as he lay on top of the covers, still wearing the towel. I’d been thinking my dirty thoughts while the poor man was exhausted, and I felt terrible for it. What should I do? I didn’t want to wake him, but I couldn’t leave him like that. Luckily, the bed was a king size, so I snuggled against his side, folded the duvet over both of us, and closed my eyes.

* * *

A soft kiss on my temple made my eyelids flutter open, and I woke to find Ben leaning over me. Or did I? Could I still be dreaming?

I reached a hand out and discovered three things. Firstly, I wasn’t dreaming. Secondly, the towel had disappeared at some point during the night. And thirdly? Well, it seemed Ben was happy to see me.

He groaned as my hand connected, and I snatched it back. “Sorry.”

“What are you sorry for? I’ve dreamed of waking up next to you since... Let’s just say it’s been more years than I should admit. You can put your hand wherever you like.”

The robe had fallen open, and he reached down and pulled the belt away completely, then ran a rough hand up my side, hitting a ticklish spot that made me writhe against him.

“Good morning,mon cœur.”

“Good morning,ma bite.”

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