Without you, I'm nothing

Chapter 28

Squirming, I tried desperately to escape for Ben's clutches. He tackled me to the ground and shoved my left arm into the sleeve of my shirt. I pinned my arms by side and twisted my body around.

"Jon!" Ben shouted "Just get dressed!"

"I don't want to wear these clothes!" I protested

"I don't care! You have to wear it!"

"But I don't want to!" Ben finally forced my other arm into the sleeve and hurriedly started to button it. "I don't want to go out! I just want to stay in and cuddle!"

"We do that all the time! I want to treat you! Don't you dare move" He stood up and grabbed a clean pair of boxers and pegged them at me. I immediately launched them back, I didn't want to wear them.

"I'm not wearing them" I scowled. Ben rolled his eyes and reopened the drawer, pulling out a pair of panties and stuffing the boxers back into the drawer. Happily, I put them on and lay still as Ben rooted through the wardrobe to find some dress pants. Fortunately, he was unsuccessful and just threw a pair of black, skinny jeans in my direction before getting dressed himself.

I watched as he styled his hair into his usual messy quiff, he looked so handsome. As always. I? I looked like I'd been rolling on the floor, fighting my boyfriend. Which couldn't be more true but it just makes me wonder how someone like him would want to be with someone like me. He wasted 6 years of his life waiting for me and if that isn't true love, I don't know what is. Quickly, I strode over to him and enveloped him in a hug. I saw him smile fondly in the mirror. He hugged me back very briefly, being careful not to get gel on me. It was then I noticed the hickies littering my neck. I wasn't stupid, I knew they would be there but there was so many! I couldn't go outside like this!

"Ben, I can't go out looking like this!" I gasped as I gingerly touched them.

"Yes you can" Was all Ben said "And you will"

"But what on earth will people think?!"

"Who gives a fuck what they think? No one will care, if they do, I'll punch them. At least no one will mess with you because they know you belong to me" I felt my cheeks heat up at his words. I belonged to him. He left the room to wash his hands but I still scurried after him.

"I love how clingy you are" Ben said softly

"I'm surprised you aren't annoyed at how clingy I am"

"Why would I be? I love being around you, baby. You make me so, so fucking happy"

Later, I was nervously stood next to Ben as we waited for our reserved table to be cleared. I was terrified. There were too many strangers and I hated it so much. However I plastered a smile on my face because I knew this place was super expensive and I wanted to enjoy myself for Ben. We were lead to a cosy little booth and handed a menu each. Once we were alone, Ben laid his hand on my leg and squeezed me reassuringly.

"You okay?" He asked, concern flooding his face.

"Not really" I said truthfully. He scooted closer to me and held me tightly

"Tell me what's wrong"

"It's just so big and there's so many people and I feel kinda claustrophobic" I muttered

"Do you want to go somewhere different?"

"No, it's fine" I sighed "This must have cost a fortune"

"Not yet, I haven't paid anything yet" He stood up, pulling me to my feet "Lets go"

"But..."

"But what? If you're uncomfortable, we're going" He grabbed my hand and we ran.

Breathless, Ben slowed to a stop outside a derelict building. I didn't have time to question it before he swept me off my feet and carried me inside and upstairs. Once we were on the rooftop, I noticed a picnic blanket, a pizza box and a bottle of champagne. I looked up at Ben with a questioning smirk. He set me down on the blanket and sat beside me.