Ben Affleck | The Square Affair

(to) make up for sth.

Much to her relief, (YN) finally spotted her car between a row of parked vehicles. She got in, promising herself to never go downtown again without knowing her way around and drove off.

She arrived at home 15 minutes late and her mom was furious, as she had expected.

"Where have you been?" her mom barked when she got out of her car. "And why didn't you answer your phone, young lady?" (YN) huffed. "Don't call me that," she snapped. "And you know very well that my stupid phone doesn't work the way it should. I couldn't take your calls-- my battery died. I'm sure you noticed when it went straight to voicemail."

"Funny. That always seems to happen when I need to talk to you," her mom said, arms crossed in front of her chest. (YN) raised her eyebrows. "You mean yell?" she muttered and walked past her mom, inside the house. "Go get changed! We're already late."

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"And he just walked off? Without another word? Just like that?" (YN)'s older brother asked incredulously. "Just like that," she confirmed. (YN) had told him about her encounter with Ben. "What a dick," he said, shaking his head.

"Will you two keep it down?" their mother asked. "I don't need my friends hearing my children using that kind of language." (YN) rolled her eyes at her brother. "I need to move out. ASAP." He sent her a pitiful look. "I don't think you can afford it. Money for university doesn't fall from the sky."

"You don't say," she retorted cockily. He raised his hands defensively. "Hey, hey, hey! You were the one wanting to go to SCAD to get another degree. Not my fault you chose a private university to follow your dreams. Live with the consequences," he teased and she stuck out her tongue.

(YN)'s phone caught her attention when it vibrated on the table.

"Fancy a drink tonight with the ladies?"

She smiled at the message from one of her friends and unlocked her device, hurrying to type a reply, afraid it might freeze again any second. "Count me in"

"Alrighty, we'll pick you up at 10. xx"

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"I swear, you always meet the weirdest guys!" her friend squeaked after (YN) was done recounting her story to her friends. She took a sip of her drink. "I know! It's not fair!" she slurred. "We'll find you someone respectable tonight, what do you say?" Her friend beamed at (YN) and she just laughed. "Sure." The encounter with Ben had occupied her mind all afternoon.

They went on the dance floor and started dancing, getting shots from the bar in between. It was (YN)'s turn.

"Excuse me," someone said loudly in her ear while tapping her shoulder lightly. (YN) turned around and almost dropped her glass when her eyes landed on someone she hadn't expected. "Ben?" she asked, sounding clearly surprised. "Hi!" He sent her a dashing smile that made her knees go weak. His face was clean-shaven and he wore dark jeans with a white shirt--an incredible contrast to the workout clothes from this morning.

"What are you doing here?" was all (YN) could say in her intoxicated state. Ben laughed before answering, "I'm looking for a hookup. You interested?" Her mouth fell open at his bluntness and he quickly added, "A joke! It was a joke!" (YN) narrowed her eyes at him and was about to walk away without another word.

"Hey, wait!" he called after her and took hold of her arm, making her spin around. "What do you want from me?" she asked, irritated. "Woah, sorry," Ben let go of her arm. "Why are you mad?" (YN) wasn't sure why she acted the way she was. She had no right to be mad at him. It was childish, really. Maybe she was just disappointed that he had left the way he did, without really saying goodbye. "I'm not. It's just--I don't know. Why'd you take off earlier?" His face fell. "Oh, that. Uh, I'm going through a divorce and my lawyer called me and-- yeah." (YN) felt like an idiot for acting like a little girl, and putting her nose in other people's business. "I'm sorry."

"No, don't be. I am though for leaving you there. But hey, you're here now. Guess you made it home without my help," he said mockingly, making the girl laugh. "I guess, yeah."

"Let me make it up to you, buy you a drink." She held up the one in her hand." Already got one," she teased. "Alright. Let me buy you the next one." (YN) bit her lip. "Who said I was having another drink?" Ben smirked. "I am." He turned towards the bartender. "Two tequila, please!" he shouted over the music. She stared at him, mouth agape. "I don't drink tequila!" she informed him. "You do now," Ben said, grinning at her and handing her a shot glass with a lemon slice on top of it.

"I haven't finished my cocktail yet," she pointed out the obvious and Ben took her drink from her and placed it on the counter. "Hey!" she complained, but didn't really mind. In fact, she enjoyed this little back and forth with him.

Ben used his lemon slice to run it across the back of his hand, motioning for her to do the same. (YN) laughed, but copied his action. She knew how to have a shot of tequila, just chose not to usually. He sprinkled salt onto the wet spot before giving it to (YN). When she had done the same, Ben came closer so he didn't have to shout. "Now, if you're really crazy and want the real tequila experience you have to let me lick the salt off of your hand and you lick it off of mine." Another laugh escaped her lips, but she nodded. "Let's do it!" Ben grinned and extended his hand, (YN) copying him yet again.

He took hold of her wrist and ran his tongue over her hand, not breaking eye contact. His gaze seemed to mesmerize her as she forgot she was supposed to lick his hand too. She shook her head lightly to snap out of it and brought her mouth to the citrusy spot on his hand. The two of them downed their tequila and (YN) quickly bit into her lemon slice, shuddering when the liquid ran down her throat.

"And what now?" she asked, eyes sparkling. "We kiss," Ben said and pressed his lips to hers quickly. He took her completely by surprise which is why she didn't kiss back. He pulled away and wanted to apologize but she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in for round two. He took the shot glass from her hand and put it alongside his own on top of the bar table. With his hands now free he could place them on (YN)'s waist.

"I'm interested," she muttered against his lips, slightly out of breath. He pulled away again, giving her a questioning look. She bit her lip before leaning into him. "Let's hook up." Oh.

Ben sent her a smirk and got out his phone, typing away a message. He took (YN)'s hand and led her outside. A black SUV was already waiting in front of the club on River Street. "My ride," he explained and opened the door for her. She climbed in and Ben followed suit, shutting the door behind him. "That's my driver." He gestured towards the man behind the steering wheel. "Evening, miss," he said and sent her a smile through the rear view mirror and took off.

"You have a driver?" (YN) whispered, looking at Ben in disbelief. "Who are you?" He laughed and pulled her on top of his lap. "Later," he murmured and pulled her close for another kiss.

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"Wow" was all (YN) could say when she stood in front of Ben's white two-story mansion somewhere out in the woods. The drive had lasted longer than half an hour-- which she only noticed now that they had arrived, given that they had spent their time getting to his house making out. Ben chuckled and placed his hand on the small of her back. "Let's go in." They walked up the flight of stairs that led to his porch. He unlocked the front door, turned on the lights and allowed (YN) step inside first. "Wow," she said once more, causing Ben to laugh again. "You already said that," he teased. "Now-- where were we?" She shook her head playfully. "You wanted to tell me who you are," (YN) reminded him. Ben groaned. "I'm horny. Happy now?" She broke out into a fit of laughter and decided to drop the subject. For now.

"Show me your bedroom then," she said seductively and his eyes shot up. "This way," he whispered huskily and grabbed her hand.