Love Springs Eternal | Benslie

Chapter 9

It wasn't long before the newlyweds were sent off on their honeymoon to Disneyland and all the guests began dispersing to go home. Ben offered to drive his mom back with them, but she told him that she was tasked with driving Steph's car home, so Ben and Leslie got to drive back alone, giving them a chance to properly talk about the day's events.

"You're a good dancer," Leslie told him as they started driving.

"You, too," he responded. "You have a gorgeous voice as well. Can you act? That would make you a triple threat."

"I'm already a triple threat," she laughed. "I'm confident, I'm pretty and I'm smart. That just about cleared the male dating board for me. Most men are intimidated by a woman who knows what she's worth. At least, most who are also age appropriate for me."

"It doesn't intimidate me at all," he told her. "In fact, I find it really attractive. Especially the fact that you're blonde and challenge the whole 'dumb blonde' stereotype. Also, those three things aren't the only things you are. I could give you a whole list, but I'd really rather write that one down instead, just so I can relay every little detail."

Leslie blushed. "We should probably talk about everything from today," she stated.

Ben groaned. "Can we just have one night to enjoy finally having what we've both craved for a decade, please?" he asked.

"And what's that?" she questioned.

"Well, for starters, I'd like to share my bed with you," he explained.

"Like... sex?" she whispered.

"Any way you'd like to share a bed with me," he replied. "If you don't want sex yet, we can wait. But it would be nice to snuggle up with you under the covers, at least."

"I mean..." she trailed off, blushing. "I can't say I haven't imagined it. Us, in your bed, naked. You have an amazing butt, which I would love to look at without all the clothes in the way. It's the only reason I would ever want x-ray vision."

"Jesus, Les," he breathed. "You've got wonderful assets that I'd love to see naked, too. But not until you're a hundred percent ready. Now, regarding the whole 'engagement' thing."

"Don't feel pressured to propose by the end of college," she told him. "I just don't want to wait another ten years. Realistically, it shouldn't take longer than five years of dating to know you want to marry someone."

"It hasn't even taken any time dating you to know you're who I want to marry," he blurted out, instantly regretting letting his inside thoughts out. "I'm sorry. My brain took over my mouth."

"Don't apologise unless you didn't mean what you said," she replied calmly. "Did you mean it?"

"I've meant every word I've said to you since we got here," he answered. "How much have you said that you meant since we got here?"

"If I denied any feelings to you, I didn't mean it," she admitted. "I meant everything I said to Steph yesterday. Anything I said in front of your family, I meant. Everything I said to you at the wedding, I meant. We'll have a very happy Ann when we get home. She's been rooting for us since I first caught feelings for you."

"We'll also have a very happy Chris," Ben chuckled. "He's been rooting for us since I told him I had a crush on you."

"I doubt anyone will be happier about this than we are," Leslie sighed, the happiness clear in her entire body. "It would be crazy to get engaged by the end of college, wouldn't it?"
"I'm sure crazier things have happened," he shrugged. "I don't want to propose until we're both ready. Plus, I'd like to pick a ring together."