He doesn’t say anything in response, so I open one eye so I can see him. There’s a crease between his eyebrows from concentrating on his task at hand.
“Did you hear me?”
“I did.”
“Will you go with me? Please?”
His eyes roam up my body, skimming over every curve, until they find mine.
“I thought you said that you didn’t want me to see you get it?”
“I did say that.” I sink down farther into the hot water. “But I changed my mind. I’m allowed to do that.”
“Yes, ma’am. What time?”
“Two.”
He switches to my other foot, and part of me feels a little guilty. He’s the one who got beat up tonight, and I’m the one getting pampered.
“I can take you,” he says. “Would you like to go visit my mom with me before? I’d like to look in on her and see how Sally’s doing with her.”
“I would love that.”
“Deal.”
We’re quiet for a long while. Just the sound of the water fills the room as Ben continues to massage my foot and leg, until finally, I just can’t stand it anymore.
I need him.
Right now.
He’s surprised when I pull my foot away, and then his eyes heat up when I move over to him, not giving even one fuck that some water splashes over the rim of the tub, and straddle him. My hands roam up his arms and shoulders and I settle myself down, pressing against the length of his already hard cock.
“I hate that you were hurt tonight,” I whisper against his lips. “I’m trying to take care of you, but instead you’re sharing your bath with me and rubbing my feet.”
“No one’s keeping score, Angel.”
I lift my hips up and then slowly sink down onto him, taking him fully inside me, and then sit still while he kisses me senseless. He wraps his arms around me, hugging me to him, and then those amazing hands of his take a trip up my back, down my sides, and to my ass. He grips me, not gently, and guides me in a slow up and down rhythm, keeping us both teetering on the edge of sanity.
He’s staring into my eyes, breathing hard, as I ride him. Finally, I can’t stand it anymore. I push down and grind my clit on his pubic bone, leaning my forehead against his as the orgasm shudders through me. I’m still quivering when he stiffens and succumbs himself.
I push my fingers through his hair and kiss his cheeks, his nose, his forehead.
“You are the best part of my life,” he whispers.
“Same.” I smile. “Same.”
Chapter Twelve
~Ben~
“So that’s your outfit today?” I ask as she pushes her sunglasses onto her face and reaches for her purse.
“Yeah.” She looks down at herself and then up at me with a frown. “What’s wrong with it?”
“There’s nothing wrong with it, but I’m going to be thinking about getting you out of it all fucking day and we’re going to see my mom.”
She smirks and saunters out of her house ahead of me, her chin up and stride confident. She’s in some sexy blue heels with black pants and a hot black and white flowy shirt thing that gives me hints of her curves as she moves.
I already know what’s under the shirt, and I want my hands on it.
I never stop wanting her, no matter what she’s wearing.
“I’m quite sure you can keep your hands to yourself while we visit your mama,” she says as we pull away from her house. “You’re a strong man.”
“Strong enough to rip that shirt off of you so I can get my mouth on you,” I murmur and enjoy the look of pure lust and surprise she tosses me from the passenger seat. “It’s no secret that I want you.”
“No, I just have to get used to you saying it.”
“I plan to say it a lot, and I’m not going to censor myself when we’re alone. I don’t want you to either.”
“Trust me, I don’t censor myself. And being surprised now and again is fun. But now I’m sitting here with wet panties and we’re about to go see your mom.”
Now it’s my turn to toss her a surprised glance. Fucking hell she’s sexy, and when words like those leave her plump red lips, all I can think of doing is pulling this car over and fucking her right here in the driver’s seat of my car.
“We’ll make up for it later,” I promise as I pull into my mom’s driveway. Before she can get out of the car, I pull her to me and kiss the fuck out of her. I’m rock hard, and even though I just had her this morning, I want her again. “This evening, I’m going to do things to you that you didn’t even know were possible.”
“Do I need a safe word?” she asks, her lips tipped in a smirk.
“Never. You’re always safe with me.”
She rolls her eyes and reaches for the door handle. “Obviously. But maybe you want to try some butt stuff, and in that case, I’ll have to say purple.”
“Why purple?”
“Because I hate the color purple almost as much as I hate butt stuff.”
I frown, immediately wondering if that was her safe word with the asshole, or how much anal play he made her engage in, and it makes my head feel like it’s going to explode.
“Don’t overthink it,” she says and cups my cheek in her hand. “I’m playing with you.”
“I know. But we should probably have a conversation soon.”
She nods. “Probably. But first, we’re going to visit your mama, and then I’m getting some new ink.”
She smiles like a young girl excited for Christmas morning and then pulls herself out of my car.
I take a deep, cleansing breath and follow behind her.
Sally opens the door with a warm smile. “Hey, Ben.”
“Hi, Sally. This is Savannah.”
Sally shakes Van’s hand and steps back so we can walk inside. “Your mama is in the living room.”
I nod and find Mom sitting at a card table, putting a puzzle together. Her injured foot is up on a stool.
“Hi, sweet boy,” she says with a happy smile. I lean down and kiss her cheek. “Oh, you brought my favorite Boudreaux with you.”
“We’re all your favorites,” Van says and gives Mom a hug. “How are you feeling?”
“Oh, just fine.” Mom waves her question off and points to the chairs facing her. “Have a seat, you two.”
“Just let me know if you need anything,” Sally says before discreetly leaving the three of us to talk.
Van and I sit next to each other and I immediately reach for her hand, threading our fingers together. I kiss her knuckles and glance up to see my mom smiling widely, watching us closely.
“Well, isn’t that lovely.”
“I told you on the phone that Van and I were seeing each other.”
“Yes, but now I can see it with my own two eyes.” She shifts in her chair. “And let me just say, it’s about damn time.”
“Not you too,” Savannah says with a short laugh. “You sound just like my family.”
“None of us are blind, child,” she says gently. “Your mama and I have talked about the two of you for years.”
“So everyone talks about us behind our backs,” Van says with sass, making Mom laugh.
“Of course we do, darlin’. We’re southern women.”
“I’ve missed you, Miss Millie. I need to come see you more often.”
“Well, that would be a delight.” She shifts her gaze to me. “What happened to your face?”
“I have a split lip.”
“I can see that. How did you get it?”
“Some guy threw a punch,” I reply, evading the question as much as possible. Mama worries enough already. “I ended it.”
“In class?”
“Yes,” I lie. Van tightens her grip on my hand, but I don’t elaborate on the story and Mom is already asking questions about the other siblings and how the businesses are going.
“Has Gabby been busy out at the inn?” she asks and smiles at Sally when she comes in with a tray of tea and cookies. “
Thank you, dear.”
“My pleasure.” Sally leaves the room again, and I swoop in for a couple of cookies.
“These are damn good.”
“Sally is an excellent cook,” Mom says and takes a bite of a cookie. “But back to the inn.”
“I think they’re pretty busy,” Van says and pours herself some tea. “This is a slower season, so she might have a night or two here and there that she’s not full, but I know that the business is thriving.”
“That’s wonderful,” Mom replies. “I’m so happy that she’s turned that big house into something special. It was always a beautiful home, but now that all of you are grown up, and your daddy’s gone, your mama wouldn’t have much use for it.”
“I’m happy that it’s stayed in the family,” Van agrees. “And Gabby has really made it beautiful. You and my mom should make a reservation and go spend a weekend out there.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful. I’ll mention it to her.”
“I would like to hear how you’re doing with Sally,” Van says and takes a sip of her tea. “She seems nice.”
“She really is a nice woman,” Mom says.
“Of course, you wouldn’t say anything bad about a person even if they weren’t nice,” Van says. “I know how you are, Miss Millie.”
“Well, there’s no need to talk ill of people,” Mom reminds us both. “But I can honestly say that Sally is a delight to have around. She’s smart, and she cooks very well. She doesn’t let me win at cards, and she likes some of the same shows as me.”
“That’s great,” Van says. She leans over to squeeze my mom’s hand.
My God, I love this woman. She adores my mom, and genuinely worries for her. She’s completely focused on being in the moment with Mom right now, and I’m surprised to realize that I don’t think I’ve ever been more attracted to her as I am in this moment.
She’s not just beautiful and everything I could ever want in bed.
She’s thoughtful and kind.
And she’s mine.
“I told Ben I wanted to come here as soon as possible to make sure that Sally is treating you well.”
“Oh yes, we’re just fine. I wasn’t sure about having someone here all the time. I don’t need a babysitter, and your mama is just next door. But I admit that it’s nice to have the company. And she leaves just after dinner, so that gives me a couple of hours to myself before bed.”
“That’s perfect,” Van says with a relieved smile. “And how is your foot healing up?”
“You know me, I’m always slow to heal, but it’s not giving me too much trouble. I just walk slow, and with a cane. And let me tell you something, that cane has got to go as soon as possible. I look like an old woman with it.”
“You’re beautiful,” I murmur. Mom’s cheeks pinken and she winks at me.
“You’re a charmer. Is that how he snagged you, Savannah?”
“Actually, no. He wasn’t terribly charming when we decided to give this a go.”
“Really?” Mom frowns at me. “I taught him better than that.”
“Actually,” Savannah continues, “he was great. He wasn’t charming, but he was honest, and he’s always nothing but considerate and gentle with me.”
“That’s better,” Mom says with a satisfied nod. “Good boy.”
I laugh as Van’s phone rings. “I’m so glad that my mom doesn’t treat me like I’m fourteen.”
The sarcasm is thick in my voice.
“I’m sorry, I have to take this call. It’s the office.” Van stands and walks out of the room, already focused on whomever has called.
“You’re not a child. You’re a man, and you’re treating this lovely girl the way a man should treat her. I’m proud of you for that.”
“Are we going to talk about our feelings all day?”
Mom rolls her eyes and then just smiles at me. “Now that she’s occupied, how is it really going?”
“She’s amazing,” I reply honestly. My mom has always been easy to talk to. “I knew years ago that she was special. We all knew it.”
“We did,” she confirms, and quietly waits for me to continue.
“But she’s more.” I rub my hand through my hair, trying to think of words that adequately describe how I feel for Savannah. “She’s everything.”
Mom smiles. “I certainly hope you plan to marry her. I want grandchildren.”
I laugh and nod. “It’s still early, but yes. I plan to be with her for the rest of my life. I don’t know about kids, but she’s it for me.”
“I’m so happy for you both,” Mom says just as Savannah returns.
“I’m sorry about that,” she says and tosses her phone in her bag, then sits in her chair. “Did I miss anything good?”
“He’s just telling me secrets,” Mom says and then laughs when Van stares at me with wide eyes. “I’m kidding. I’m so happy you both stopped in today. I’d like to see you more often.”
“I’d like that too,” Savannah says with a nod. “You should come to Mama’s house for dinner this Sunday.”
“I think I might just do that,” Mom replies and smiles again when she sees Van reach out for my hand. She’s probably already planned the whole damn wedding in her head.
Savannah checks the time.
“I hate to cut this short, but my appointment is in about a half hour.”
“We should go,” I reply. “Just call me if you need anything. I’ve already given Sally the same order, and she has my cell number.”
“I’m fine.” Mom tilts her head, waiting for me to kiss her cheek. “Go live your life, my boy.”
***
“Sally seems really great,” Van says as we pull out of Mom’s driveway and head to her appointment at my ink shop. “And professional, which is key.”
“I agree. I’m comfortable with her being there. Much more comfortable than when Mom was by herself.”
Van nods.
“I have a confession.”
I glance over at her and then back to the road. “Okay.”
“I don’t like needles.”
I frown. “You’ve had a tattoo before.”
“I know, and I didn’t like it then either, but it was on the back of my neck, so I couldn’t see it.”
“Where are you getting this one?”
She shakes her head and keeps talking, evading my question.
“So, I might be freaking out a bit. I’m not ridiculous. I don’t pass out or throw up or anything.”
“That’s encouraging.”
“But I really don’t like them.”
“And you were going to do this by yourself?”
She scowls. “Well, yeah. I’m not a weanie, Ben.”
I’m unable to hold the burst of laughter in. “No. That you’re not.”
“Stop trying to distract me.”
“You’re going to be fine, Van. I’ll be there to hold your hand.”
She smiles. “That’s nice of you.”
“Yeah, I’m a nice guy.”
She snorts and shakes her head. “And humble.”
“That, too.”
I pull into the parking lot and follow Van inside. My guy, Buck, is standing at the counter.
“Hey, man,” Buck says and shakes my hand. “I can’t take you as a walk in today. I have an appointment right now.”
“I’m your appointment,” Van says. “And he’s with me.”
Buck cocks a brow. “Savannah?”
“Yep.”
“Nice to meet you.” He holds his hand out for hers and she immediately shakes it. “Do you have what you want with you?”
“I do.” She reaches in her handbag and takes out a folded piece of paper. She smoothes it out and passes it to Buck. “I want exactly this.”
“This won’t take long at all. Where do you want it?”
She glances at me, and then says, “On my side, like this.” She gestures on her side, up and down, and I cringe.
That’s gonna hurt.
&nbs
p; “We can do that,” Spider says with a nod. “I’m gonna go in the back and make a stencil for this and we’ll get started.”
“Great.”
Savannah links her fingers with mine and holds on tight. She’s nervous, but aside from the vise grip on my hand, you’d never know it.
She looks cool and calm.
I lean down and whisper in her ear. “You’re doing great.”
“Nothing’s happened yet,” she reminds me.
In just a few minutes, Buck returns with a wet stencil. He gestures for Van to lie on his table, on her side, and she pulls her shirt up under her armpit.
She’s not wearing a bra.
Fuck me.
“I’m going to put this on you, and then you can go look in the mirror to make sure you like it. We can move it as many times as you need.”
“Okay,” Van says with a smile. Buck presses the stencil on, and when he removes the paper, I can see what it says.
Still I rise.
The font is simple. It’s not swirly or overtly feminine.
It’s perfect for her.
She stands and looks in the mirror, and comes back with a big smile on that gorgeous face of hers.
“This is great. Exactly what I had in mind.”
“Okay, let’s get to work then.”
She lies back down and I sit so she’s facing me. Buck is sitting behind her. I take her hand and kiss her knuckles.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Yes.” She bites her lip when Buck starts the tattoo machine.
“It’s just noise.”
She nods and grips my hand tighter as Buck begins. I kiss her forehead and then her cheek and I can’t resist whispering in her ear.
“You’re so fucking sexy.” The words are barely audible, but she bites her lip again at my words, and I know she can hear me.
I don’t want Buck to hear me.
“You amaze me every day. This tattoo is beautiful.”
“It’s important,” she whispers back, and I feel my heart catch. This tattoo is a reminder to herself of what she’s been through, and she rose above it.
“So important,” I agree.
“Jesus, they weren’t lying when they said rib tattoos hurt.” She holds her breath. “My neck wasn’t nearly this bad.”