breathe

chapter 13 | benjamin

Chapter Thirteen

Benjamin

"Char," I whispered in her ear, poking her gently in her side. She'd fallen asleep on my lap, and I knew she would be disappointed if I let her sleep through my last night living with her.

"Hmm?" Her eyes fluttered awake, and she sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes with her fingers.

"What time is it?" She asked with a yawn.

"Almost ten," I answered, rubbing circles on her back.

"I don't wanna get up," she complained with a sigh of reluctance.

"Then don't," I grinned. "Stay right here with me."

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as her chocolate eyes met mine. "A few more minutes wouldn't hurt," she conceded, snuggling back into my side. "Just don't let me fall asleep."

"Don't worry," I said. "I'll just lick your face if I catch you drifting off."

Her face grew warm with embarrassment as I chuckled at her reaction. "I could kill Carter for making me do that," she grumbled, burying her face in her hands.

I brushed her hair behind her ear and rested my hand on her back. "Don't be embarrassed, Char," I said, trailing my fingers up and down her spine. "I thought it was hot."

She glanced at me. "R-really?" she stammered. "It wasn't too much, with everyone watching?"

I shook my head, a smile playing at the corners of my mouth. "Not at all. I, uh, may have replayed it a few times since actually."

Her breath caught, and I noticed the desire in her expression. I grinned wickedly, leaning in with a whisper, "Next time, we skip the audience."

Her face was scarlet by then, but her lips lightly hovered over my ears as she said in a hushed voice, "If only we were completely alone."

Charlotte's breathy whisper sent a delicious shiver down my spine. I leaned back to meet her eyes, smirking at the flush still staining her cheeks.

"If only, huh?" I murmured, tucking an errant lock of hair behind her ear. My fingers lingered to trace the shell of it, delighting in the tiny gasp it earned me.

"It's a shame we're stuck here." I let my gaze drop meaningfully to her lips, barely parted in anticipation. "I can think of much better things I'd like to be doing with you alone."

Charlotte's eyes darkened, and I could feel her resolve crumbling already. Always so responsive... it was maddening in the best way.

I pulled her closer, running my palm up the curve of her waist. "Maybe we could sneak off for a bit?" I whispered against her mouth. "Find a more... private spot?"

Her small hand slid trustingly into mine, and the rush of desire her smile ignited nearly undid me. "Lead the way," she said. As if I possessed even an ounce of self-control left.

I squeezed her fingers gently, drinking in the anticipation glowing in her eyes. "You sure you're ready for whatever I have in mind, love?" I teased, already tugging her outside.

Her breathless laugh sent sparks shooting through me. "Try me," she challenged, quickening her pace to match mine eagerly.

"I know the perfect spot," I said. "But first..." I pressed her back against the cool metal of my car, caging her body with mine. "Last chance to back out," I murmured against her lips.

But her hands were already gripping my shirt, pulling me closer still. "Ben..." she whimpered, the wanton sound nearly undoing me.

I captured her mouth in a searing kiss, pouring every ounce of longing into it. She kissed me back just as fiercely, her hips rolling in a slow grind that had us both gasping. Charlotte explored my mouth with eager curiosity, eliciting a groan from my depths.