Crush - Kelsie Rae Page 0,57

Does that sound okay?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Pulling up to the front of the hotel, Anthony puts Taffy in park then turns in his seat. “We figured you guys could do whatever you want tomorrow during the day, whether it’s sightseeing, or just hanging out at the hotel, or even coming to our place early. Then I’ll smoke some ribs, and we’ll eat dinner.”

“Sounds great. Thanks for being so accommodating,” I tell him.

“Anytime. Let me help you with your bags.”

“I’ve got it,” Ben interjects. “Thanks, though. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

The bags are placed on the curb in record time before Ben insists on carrying both of them to our room after we’ve checked in.

Once we unlock the door and step inside, I catch myself staring at the giant king-sized bed in the center of the room.

We haven’t had sex since the incident, and we sure as hell haven’t talked about it either. It’s been killing me.

I want Ben. I want him bad. Especially after his comments on the plane. I was even tempted to squeeze into the damn sardine-sized bathroom to give it a go, but my insecurities took over.

They always take over.

As if he can read my thoughts, Ben presses his hand against my lower back and guides me inside the rest of the way before letting the door close behind us. His thumb casually rubs back and forth against my lacy top, but I doubt he has any idea how much it turns me on. Such a simple touch. Yet I’m close to combusting.

A lot of things have brought me close to combusting lately.

Damn sexual tension.

“I’m going to call Krista. She told me to let her know when we got here.”

“Okay. I’m going to hop in the shower.”

His mouth quirks up in the corner as he scans me up and down. “Shower, huh?”

“Yes. Is that a problem, sir?”

“Of course not. But I’m going to have to insist you leave your change of clothes in here.”

“Is that right?”

“Mmmhmm,” he hums, the low rumble doing strange things to my chest. “Oh. And did you send me the pictures yet?”

“Why, whatever are you talking about?” I quip though I know exactly what he’s talking about.

Prowling toward me, he pulls me into a heated kiss, sliding his tongue into my mouth while simultaneously weaving his fingers through my hair and tilting my head back to the angle he prefers.

I moan softly against him. Helpless.

When he pulls away from me, we’re both panting before he whispers, “I’m taking this at your pace because I know I screwed up. But just know that I’m ready for the next step whenever you are, and I promise I won’t break your trust again.”

He places another kiss against my mouth, then smacks my ass and retrieves his phone from the right pocket of his jeans, clearly dismissing me. I’d be offended if I didn’t notice the tent in the front of his pants. My teeth dig into my lower lip to contain my triumph as the evidence strokes my crippled ego.

Apparently, I do have that effect on him.

“I’ll uh…I’ll be out in a few,” I call out as he sits on the edge of the bed.

“Take your time,” he grunts in a pained voice.

Laughing, I blow him a kiss. “Soon, okay?”

There’s something in his expression that makes me sober. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it screams honesty. And patience. And an overall acceptance that has my heart pitter-pattering louder and louder every single second that I’m locked in his gaze.

“No pressure, Marce,” he murmurs. “Like I said. Take your time.”

We aren’t talking about a simple shower anymore. I know it, and so does he.

We’re talking about my insecurities, and how he practically drenched them in fertilizer the last time we slept together, creating a giant mess of self-doubt. Now we’re…we’re an official couple with a label and everything.

And here he is, trying to weed out each and every one of those insecurities. The only thing standing between him and my issues is…me.

I swallow down the golf-ball-sized lump in my throat and reiterate, “Soon. I promise. Tell Krista hi for me.”

“I will. And, Marce?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m serious. Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

And my heart melts a little more.

23

Marcy

The next morning, I let Ben sleep in and sneak out of bed to get ready. My hair hangs loosely around my shoulders in natural waves after I wash my face and start applying some eyeliner in the bathroom. I move a little closer to the mirror to get the