breathe

chapter 18 | charlotte

Chapter 18

Charlotte

I said it. I told Ben I loved him. Again.

The panic was brief, but he held me and reassured me, and I couldn't understand how I got so lucky to have someone who loved me so much.

Our little picnic was very short lived. Ben couldn't keep his hands off me, and, between kisses, I noticed concerned mothers eyeing us in horror.

"Ben," I whispered. "We should go."

"Mmm, we haven't eaten yet though," he murmured, nipping at my earlobe.

"Benjamin." I tried to convey a warning tone but desperately failed.

He leaned back to look at me with a lazy grin, acting like he wasn't doing anything wrong. He followed my gaze to the mother who was glaring at us as she scooped her toddler in her arms and hurried away. "Oops," he said with a chuckle.

I took the opportunity to nibble on one of my sandwiches, realizing my hunger. Ben followed suit, though his eyes still gleamed with mischief.

I breathed easier once we had the area to ourselves again. Ben noticed my relaxation and grinned. "See? No need to rush off just yet."

I rolled my eyes but smiled, grateful for these stolen moments alone with him. The lake shimmered invitingly and an idea came to me. "Race you to the dock?" I challenged, already scrambling up before he could respond.

Ben's laugh echoed behind me as he gave chase. The picnic was forgotten in our playful dashes across the planking. I reached the end first, turning in triumph – only to find Ben had crept up stealthily behind me.

With a yelp I was swept into his arms, the dock swaying beneath us as our lips met in a deep kiss. The sun warmed our skin, but it was Ben who set me aflame.

Our kiss slowly softened, and Ben reluctantly pulled back to rest his forehead against mine, both of us breathing a bit heavier.

"We should head back soon," I sighed. Ben nodded and pressed a quick kiss to my lips before stepping away to pack up our abandoned picnic.

As we gathered the remains of our meal, I couldn't help but smile, remembering our race down the grassy slope. Ben caught my expression and grinned. "What are you smirking about over there?"

I shrugged innocently. "Just enjoying the memory of beating you to the dock."

Ben scoffed in mock offense. "Beat me? I think not! You had a head start, that's all." His eyes gleamed with renewed challenge. "Rematch. Right here, right now."

He knew how competitive I was and wouldn't be able to pass up any opportunity to win something. "You're on."

With matching grins, we hastily stowed our things and lined up at the edge of the grass. "On three," I declared. "One... two..."

On two, Ben bolted and I shrieked in indignant pursuit. Our laughter echoed across the water as we dashed full speed toward the dock.

With his headstart and freakishly long legs, Ben won the rematch. "Best two out of three?" I pouted, trying and failing to hide my amused smile at his victory.

Ben chuckled. "Aw, you're upset you lost."

I raised a brow defiantly. "Please. I just want a rematch to prove I'm faster."

"Is that so?" He drew me close, eyes dancing. "All right then, what's the prize for the winner this time?"

A smirk curled my lips as inspiration struck. Leaning up, I whispered my proposition in his ear.