An Act of Persuasion - By Stephanie Doyle Page 0,70
can we hold the snarky commentary for five minutes? I wanted my friends to meet you.”
Anna smiled through the awkwardness, remembering exactly what it felt like to be fourteen and on display for people. While Jan and Larry had been terrific with her, they did like to show her off her to any first-time visitors as an example of their good deed.
“Oh, and look, we’ve taken in a foster child. See what we’re trying to give back to the world.”
That was when Anna developed the bad habit of rolling her eyes that irritated Ben so much.
“Hey, can I give you some advice?”
The girl wanted to say something, but caught herself. She clearly had no problem expressing an attitude with her recently reunited father, but she’d been raised well enough to know it wasn’t acceptable to behave rudely in front of other adults.
“He’s going to buy the furniture anyway. Don’t pick out the stuff you hate just for spite. You’ll kick yourself later.”
The girl seemed to flush a little with guilt.
“I knew you didn’t like that green chair,” Mark said. “I mean it’s really foul green. Now we’re going to return it. Which means we accomplished absolutely nothing today.”
“Don’t let us hold you up,” Ben said.
“Yeah, hey, Tyler. I need to talk to you.” Mark’s face was suddenly serious.
“Regarding?”
Mark shook his head. “Not here. Can I stop by your office tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’ll be in after ten.”
“Great, see you then. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
The two walked off with Mark still muttering about the green chair and Anna smiled. “What do you think he wants to talk to you about?”
Ben didn’t answer. Instead he shrugged and only said he’d learn that tomorrow. They found a salesclerk to take the order for all the items they selected. Anna paid for them all with what she’d called her house savings. Now that she actually had the house, it was time to put that money to good use.
The bump took over and demanded food. Ben was happy to treat her to lunch, which included a tuna-fish sandwich with an extra pickle and a brownie with whip cream that she insisted on eating first. He merely expressed his gratitude that she wasn’t eating them together.
By the time they arrived at her apartment and he walked her to her door, she was in a crazy state. Nervous, but excited. Queasy, but exhilarated. She was ready. This time when he made his move she would let him take over.
They were going to do this. They were going to have sex. It would be nice, it would be thoughtful, not just some random happening. Then they would get to find out what kind of couple they would be going forward. At least in bed.
“Anna, today has been lovely. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Actually I was going to—”
“I’m exhausted. I’m sure you are, too. So, I’ll leave you to rest alone. I’m convinced that sleeping was so difficult for you last time because the bed was too small. We won’t have that problem with the new one.”
He bent down and kissed her firmly, but briefly, on the lips then headed away from her before she finally got the chance to say what she wanted.
“But I think I want to have sex with you.”
The empty hallway, however, didn’t respond.
* * *
BEN WALKED into his home office and saw the couch waiting for him. He imagined how good it would feel to get off his feet and close his eyes and lose himself to sleep. It had been a good day today. He’d definitely felt as though progress had been made, especially when she’d agreed to the larger bed.
And, for a moment, when she’d looked at him then at the bed, he imagined that she was seeing them in it together in the near future. Maybe not precisely the way he did, with him above her and inside her, pinned to the mattress so that she would never think about leaving him again.
No, he doubted she would know how desperately he wanted to possess her. Instead, he thought she imagined them as an ordinary couple, as two people who belonged in the same bed, which was a good thing.
When he’d left her with nothing more than a kiss, had that been disappointment in her eyes? Had she expected him to make a move on her? After all, he’d flat out told her he wanted her and he’d seen the reaction in her eyes when he had.