Broken Record

Chapter 34: Benton and Stevie

The next morning, Stevie couldn't believe she was waking up with warm, strong arms wrapped around her. In all her interactions with Benton, even in the hopeful corners of her mind, she'd never expected him to let her sleep over. In his own residence, no less. Part of her never wanted to leave and the other part was fearful that if she didn't get up now, he'd end up kicking her out which would hurt even more.

Stevie slipped out gently from under his arm without waking him and tiptoed into the restroom. His penthouse was fancier than any hotel she'd ever stayed in. It definitely needed some art on the walls to warm up the place. She rinsed her face and used some of Benton's mouthwash before she quietly mader her way into his kitchen in search of coffee.

She stared blankly at an expensive and very complicated looking espresso machine, hoping there was a keurig or packet of instant coffee hidden somewhere.

"Looking for something?" Stevie jumped at the sound of Benton's gravelly morning voice, her mouth popping open as she spun around to face a shirtless and messy-haired Benton, his pajama pants hanging low off his hips.

"Um, yeah...just coffee? I'm basically a zombie in the mornings if I don't ingest it first thing."

"Good to know." Benton smirked as he made his way over to Stevie, turning on the expensive looking coffee contraption and then getting out a grinder and some delicious smelling beans.

"Did you sleep okay?" Benton didn't look at her as he asked, his eyes focused on his coffee making task. Stevie didn't miss the way his jaw tensed and his eyes pinched slightly.

"Yeah, definitely!" Stevie's bright tone turned duller when she realized that maybe the reason he was asking was because he hadn't slept well with her here. "Uh, did you sleep okay?"

Benton secured the finely ground coffee into the apparatus, the smell of coffee brewing filling the expansive kitchen space. Benton turned to face her, his hands gripped on the edge of the quartz countertop, "better than I have in so fucking long, I can't even remember when I slept that well." Benton shrugged his strong shoulders once before pushing himself away from the counter, his eyes studying Stevie.

"So," Stevie licked her lips, inching toward him slowly "does that mean you'd be cool with us doing this again? You know, hanging out outside of The Den?"

Benton rubbed his hand along his jaw, his eyes squinting slightly. "If I show you something, do you promise not to freak out?"

Stevie's eyes widened like saucers in her face. "I think just by asking that question you'd freak anyone out. But sure," she nodded her head seriously, "I promise I'll try not to freak out."

"Good enough." Benton grabbed Stevie's hand, pulling her from the delicious scent of coffee, through the living room and down a hallway. He stopped at the last door on the right, his hand poised over the handle.

"Benton, just open the door." Stevie knew what it was. A sex room, Benton's own personal Den so he could play with his rope ties anytime he pleased. Stevie's heart was racing with anticipation. She was already so down for using this room with Benton, that she was unsure of why he seemed so uneasy about it.

"I haven't done much with it, I know--"

"Wait, what?" Stevie inhaled a huge breath of surprise as she stepped tentatively into the space. Her stomach flipped in a million different directions as shock collided with fear and then smashed furiously into something like excitement. She clutched her middle as if for support, the utter confusion taking over the other warring emotions inside of her.

"It's a...it's a nursery?" Stevie mumbled the words past her lips, turning back to face Benton. He stood tensely in the doorway, his face serious. He avoided direct eye contact with Stevie, something very unlike him.