~Rina~
He looks tired.
It’s been two days since the Montgomerys delivered all of the goodies to my place and the emergency at the gym that called Ben away. It seems a trainer walked out, quitting on the spot. Because Ben’s been working exclusively with me, there wasn’t any wiggle room in any of his other trainers’ schedules to absorb the workload.
Because of that, he’s been juggling me and the extra clients while simultaneously searching for a new trainer. He’s been working long days, and I only see him for our sessions.
There have been no more hot kisses.
Well, there was one hot kiss yesterday after our bike ride. But aside from that, he’s been too busy to lock lips.
Or do anything else.
Now that our afternoon session has been wrapped up, and I see him working with a guy at the bench press, I can’t help but feel bad for him. His eyes look strained—the long hours are clearly catching up with him.
I walk over to the front desk where his administrative assistant sits and smile at her.
“Hey, Lisa.”
“Hi, Rina. What can I do for you?”
“How late is Ben scheduled to be here today?”
She clicks her mouse a few times, looking at the computer screen. “Looks like his last client is at eight.”
“He started with me at six this morning.”
Lisa nods and cringes. “Yeah, the poor guy’s been working nonstop. But he interviewed a guy this morning who looks promising.”
“Can you give me Ben’s address?”
She narrows her eyes on me dubiously. “Pretty sure I’m not supposed to do that.”
“I want to take him some dinner later. I want to do something for him. I’m the reason he’s in this mess. I promise, there’s nothing sinister going on here.”
Lisa thinks it over and then nods. “He could use some TLC. If he fires me, you have to have my back here.”
“He won’t fire you,” I assure her as she writes his address on a sticky note. “Thanks, Lisa.”
“You’re welcome.” She winks and then turns to answer the phone. I catch Ben’s attention and grin at him when he walks to me as his client takes a rest.
“I’m headed out,” I say.
“Listen, I’m so sorry that I’m pulled in a million directions.”
“You own a business, Ben. It happens. I’m getting my workouts in, and eating my meals. Everything’s fine. In fact, I have to meet the chef at my place in a little bit because he made me meals for the next few days.”
“Thanks for letting me give him your number,” he replies, looking back at the client. I know he’s antsy to get back to it.
“No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I wave and turn to leave, already getting a plan in place for later. Our cheat day isn’t until tomorrow, but maybe I can start it this evening.
He’s been working extra hard, after all.
* * * *
It’s almost 9:15 p.m., and Ben should be home. Unless he stayed at the gym to work in his office, but I hope he left.
He lives in a townhouse about thirty minutes from where I’m staying. Which surprised me. That means he leaves his place at 5:30 in the morning every day just to train me. No wonder the poor man looks so dang tired.
When I pull into the driveway, I’m relieved to see lights on inside. I hope that means he’s here, and his SUV is tucked away inside the garage.
I walk to the front door and ring the bell, armed with a box of pizza that smells like heaven.
It only takes about thirty seconds for the door to open, and there he is, standing with the light behind him so he’s mostly in silhouette.
“Hey,” I say with a smile. “I know it’s a day early, but delivery!”
He holds the door open wide and gestures for me to come inside. His place is clean and simple. Pretty much what you’d expect a bachelor pad to look like.
He hasn’t said anything, so either he’s irritated that I’m here, or he’s mad.
Maybe he’s mad.
“You don’t have to eat it tonight.” I turn around. “And I know I should have texted or called. This is dumb. You just looked so tired earlier, and I wanted to do something nice for you. And I admit, I wanted to see you, even if it’s only for a minute. But I’ll just put this in your fridge and go because you’re probably exhausted and super annoyed that I just came over without being invited.”
I ramble when I’m nervous, and for some reason, I’m really nervous.
He takes the box from me, sets it on a table, and rather than reply, frames my face in his hands and kisses me long and slow. This kiss isn’t rushed or frantic like they’ve been in the past.
No, it’s sweet and gentle. And, honestly, just as powerful.
“Thank you,” he says at last and kisses my forehead. “It smells delicious, and I’ve only had a protein bar today. Cheat day can start a couple of hours early this week.”
I grin and flip the lid open. “I was hoping you’d say that. Pepperoni?”
“This is my favorite pizza, aside from Nic’s.”
“I know. I called Nic to ask.” I shrug and gesture to the kitchen. “Can I grab plates?”
“Sure, they’re above the coffee maker.”
I grab the plates and a few napkins and join him at the dining room table. “How are you really?”
“I wasn’t this tired when I was in the beginning stages of taking the business over from Rich,” he confesses and takes a big bite of pizza. “I can’t believe Damon just walked out like that. He was at the gym for a long time. Long before I took over. I didn’t fire anyone, I just added more trainers. I guess he didn’t like some of my changes. When Lisa told him that I’d added another client to his list, it tipped him over the edge and he just walked out.”
“I guess you won’t give him a reference.”
He shrugs and pops the last bite into his mouth. “I shouldn’t be bitching to you. You’re my client. Supposedly my only client right now.”
“I’m your friend, too,” I remind him and pull my feet up under me. “And we’re not working right now.”
He reaches for another slice. “Do you want to stay tonight?”
I blink at him. “That wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to feed you, I didn’t mean to imply that—”
“You didn’t imply anything. I’m just asking because I’m tired and I don’t have it in me to beat around the bush.”
“I want to hang out for a few, and then I’m going home because you need a good night’s sleep.”
He sighs and rubs his hand down his face. “One of these days, I’m going to get my hands on you for more than five minutes, Rina.”
“I hope so,” I say bluntly. “But I’m a patient woman.” I look around. “I like your place.”
He follows my gaze. “Thanks. It works for now. It’s close to the gym and all of the things I like in Seattle. What kind of place do you have in Bend?”
“It’s a two-story near a golf course,” I reply. “I don’t golf, but I like grass. And I don’t have to mow it.”
He stares at me and then busts up laughing. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day.”
I grin, enjoying the sound of his laughter. “I like it when you smile, Ben. You have a great one.”
He watches me from across the table. The chemistry between us is ridiculous. It sparks whenever we’re within fifty yards of each other. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”
“No. But you really do need to rest, and I’ll see you in about eight hours.”
“Too damn long.”
* * * *
“How’s everything going up there?” Zane asks two days later. We’re chatting on our weekly call, and I’m organizing some of the donations in the upstairs guest bedroom.
“Pretty well, actually. I’m feeling stronger every day. Still sore as fuck, but my clothes are fitting differently. I’m even getting used to eating a lot of kale.”
“I hate kale,” he says.
“Me, too. I haven’t seen a lot of Ben, though. I mean, I see him a couple times a day for training, but not much else.”
“And?”
“And I got used to seeing him more often, that’s all.”
“No, that’s not all. Spill it, sugar.”
“There’s nothing to spill. We’ve kissed a few times, but that’s it.”
He’s quiet, so I keep talking.
“There would probably be more, but he had a trainer quit on him, so he’s been working long hours at the gym. He’s got a lot on his plate. But Lisa, his assistant, told me yesterday that he finally hired someone new. They start tomorrow, so that should help lighten Ben’s load a bit.”
“Yes, by all means, let’s lighten Ben’s load.”
I scowl at the phone sitting next to me. “You’re gross.”
“So, what’s the deal here?”
“There’s no deal. I’m attracted to him. Okay, that’s an understatement. He’s sexy, Zane. Like, sexier than any movie star I’ve ever seen.”
“Thanks.”
“And he’s kind and supportive. If I can’t push a certain weight, he walks me through it, encouraging me until I can. And let’s be honest—”
“Yes, let’s.”
“When we’re together, the sparks are off the charts.”
“So sleep with him, then. What’s the problem?”
“He’s busy. I told you, I’ve hardly seen him. And I have to say, I miss him. Is that weird?”
“Probably. But he hired someone, and now he’ll have some time on his hands. Fill it with a little fun. Just don’t get too attached, because your life isn’t in Seattle.”
I stare at the donations around me. “Yeah.”
“Rina.”
“I know, my life’s in Bend.”
“Then why do you sound like that?”
I blow out a breath and then tell him about my new donation venture here in the Emerald City.
“So maybe your life isn’t in Bend anymore,” he says in surprise.
“Yes, it is. My house is there, I have friends there, and a nonprofit to run.”
“Let’s continue the honesty here, Mel has the nonprofit covered.”
I bite my lip. I’d been thinking the same thing.
“Yeah, I could look in on them every few months, and it would most likely be fine without me.” But moving is huge, and I’m not quite ready to think that way yet.
“Looks like it’s a good thing that I’ll be there in a little over a week for Christmas. I need to check out this Ben guy.”
“Be nice,” I warn him. “I’m serious, Zane, he’s a good person.”
“I’m always nice.”
I snort-laugh. “Right. That’s why the tabloids have stories of you making people cry on set.”
“Why are you reading the rags, Rina?”
I shrug, even though he can’t see me. “Why are you making people cry?”
“I didn’t. It was an exaggeration.”
“Sure, it was. Well, I’m excited to see you late next week, but you have to promise me you’ll behave when you’re here.”
“No. I’ll see you soon. Love you.”
He clicks off.
I roll my eyes.
This should be fun.
* * * *
“Isn’t this the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” Brynna asks as she shows us a baby onesie with pink bunnies all over it. “I miss my girls being this little.”
“You could have more babies,” Natalie reminds her.
Natalie, Jules, Nic, and Brynna came over this evening to help me get organized to drop all of this off to shelters before the holidays. We’re into our third bottle of wine, and I’ve even had one cupcake.
They’ve been sworn to secrecy.
“That ship has sailed,” Brynna says and sighs.
“How many kids do you have?” I ask her.
“Three,” she answers. “Twin girls, who are the teenagers from hell right now, and a little boy in first grade.”
“I can’t believe he’s in the first grade,” Jules says. “Also, Stella’s only six, and so much has changed in baby stuff since she was tiny.”
“It changes constantly,” Natalie agrees. “There’s more here than I realized.”
“I’m going to have to spread it out over a couple of shelters,” I agree. “And it’s because you guys are awesome.”
“We really are.” Jules nods and then giggles. “Just kidding.”
“No, you really are,” I stress. “Do you have any idea how much pleading and begging I usually have to do to get donations like this? I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate it.”
“Hey, I was a single mom for a long time,” Brynna says. “Before Caleb came into my life, I was on my own for a couple of years. Now, yes, I have a wonderful family, and I never worried about being on the streets, but money was tight. I remember what that feels like. It’s scary, especially when you’re trying to take care of your babies. It takes a village, you know?”
A couple of hours later, we finally have everything organized and packed into gift bags of snacks, bags of hygiene products, and baskets of baby goodies.
“I’ll leave it up to the shelters to gift the big pieces and the breast pumps to the women they know need them the most.”
“You might want to contact a women’s clinic for those things,” Natalie suggests. “They usually know which patients are in need.”
“Good idea,” I say, making a mental note.
We clean up our mess, toss away the wine bottles, and I make Jules take the cupcakes with her.
“They can’t stay here,” I insist. “Ben will know I had one if he sees this box.”
“You had two,” Brynna reminds me.
“Shh.” I cover my mouth with my finger. “That’s a secret.”
“Our rides are here,” Natalie announces. “Thanks for the fun evening, Rina.”
“Thank you for your help.”
I wave them off as their men pour the girls into vehicles and drive away. Once they’re gone, I close the door and survey the scene.
The wrappings are feminine and fun. Uplifting. We also wrote little notes to go with each one to help boost the person’s mood. I don’t want the recipients to feel like charity cases.
I want them to feel as if they just got the best present ever.
The doorbell rings, and I turn to open it, sure it’s one of the girls picking up something they forgot.
But it’s not.
It’s Ben.
He swoops in, in that way he does that literally sweeps me off my feet.
The door closes, and I’m immediately pinned against it again, enjoying this strong man as he kisses the hell out of me.
“I owe you an apology,” he says as he comes up for air. “I let you down this week, but that ends right now. You officially have my undivided attention again.”
“Okay.” I swallow hard as I watch his Adam’s apple bob in his throat. “Thanks.”
“And one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve missed you.” His voice is tender as he drags the pad of his thumb across my lower lip. “I’ve wanted to kiss you, to touch you, so damn bad I ached with it.”
“I’m right here,” I whisper. That’s all the invitation he needs to lift me into his arms and carry me up the stairs to my bedroom.
“Before we take this any further,” he says as he lowers me to the bed, “I brought condoms.”
“Good, because I don’t have any.”
“I’m also clean.”
“Me, too.”
“Great, can we be done with the non-sexy portion of the program now?”
I grin and fist my hand in his shirt, pulling him toward me on the mattress. “Yes, please.”
We’re a tangle of sighs and limbs as we work our clothes off. When his body is finally free from clothing, I take a second to give him a long look.
“Ben, you look like you were sculpted from marble. I know it takes a lot of work and dedication to look like this, and it’s a little intimidating.”
“Are you kidding me?” He kisses his way down my shoulder to my arm. “Have you seen yourself, Sabrina? You have curves in all the right places, and the softest skin I’ve ever touched. I can’t get enough of you.”
He plants wet kisses down my torso, over my navel, and to the promised land, where he sets up camp for what seems like an hour.
Dear, sweet Moses.
My back arches, and my hands fist in his hair as he takes me on a long journey toward the most explosive orgasm of my life.
And just when I think it can’t get any better, he uses one of those condoms he brought with him and covers me, cradling my head in his hands as he fills me completely and stares at me with those intense blue eyes of his.
“Ah, fuck, babe.”
His movements are long and slow as if he’s trying to draw this out for as long as possible, but I want him to go faster.
Harder.
Before I can tell him so, he seemingly reads my mind. He picks up the pace and growls against my neck, and that’s all it takes to send me over the edge once again—and I happily take him with me.
He rolls to the side, still inside me, and works on catching his breath as he traces my nipple with the tip of his finger.
“That was worth waiting for.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“But I’m not going to wait that long again before I’m inside you.”
“Thank God.”