Running From the Devil

Chapter 16

A/N  Warning to young/sensitive readers there is adult action at the end of this chapter so avert your eyes!

Laney (Continued)

Dinner was roasted lamb with a bevy of side dishes and desserts.  Nearly everyone came up to us at some point to welcome Ben home and to say 'Thank goodness you guys aren't fighting anymore.'  It was one of the most awkward dinners I'd ever been through but Ben just smiled and laughed and squeezed me into various side hugs and caresses.  Afterwards we headed back towards my room like we usually did to snuggle and watch a movie or something.  At the door though Ben stopped and gave me a strong hug that felt suspiciously like the last one of the evening. 

"You're not coming in?"

"No, I have reports and things I need to catch up on.  I'll see you in the morning."  He leaned down and kissed my forehead and then turned and practically ran down the hallway. 

I watched him until he turned the corner before clicking the door shut behind me and stomping towards the bed.  Throwing myself down on it I indulged in a little mini temper tantrum before I pulled myself together and found the book I had been reading in the flower garden.  Ben might not want to spend time with me but Micas, the oh so handsome main character of the book was always good for some quality time. 

****

I heard the sound of curtains being pulled back before the morning light slammed into my eyes and Ben's booming laughter assaulted my ears. 

"Rough night huh?"

"What?" 

I staggered out of bed into the bathroom and groaned at the bags under my eyes and my tangled hair.  It wasn't my fault though.  The story line of the book had gotten really interesting and it was nearly 2 in the morning before I reached the shocking conclusion of the story.  It had taken another little while to calm down from the rush that always came from an amazing ending and I think I finally crashed around 3am. 

Running my fingers through my hair I managed to subdue it into something semi public appropriate and wandered out to my dresser to throw on some yoga pants and a tunic length top that helped conceal my overly round shape.  "Helped" was a very lose term of course.  No amount of fabric could fix my doughy middle or wide hips and rear but I felt more comfortable in long tops and that was all that mattered.  I certainly wasn't winning any beauty contests today.  In fact at home I wouldn't have dared to show up this way.  I didn't venture from my room until I was fully dressed and prepped with hair and makeup.  On days when my hair was unmanageable I'd have to just wash it and start over leading to some very late morning and a very hungry me.   I was reveling in my freedom of choices and I hadn't wore a pair of pants with a fixed waistband  in weeks.  God, when given freedom I was a real slob.  It's no wonder Daniel was so hard on me.  Without firm rules I was likely to just wallow around in the mud. 

Suddenly I felt warm arms come around me and heard Ben murmur  "You're thinking too hard baby, you look beautiful."

I snuggled deep into his embrace, relishing in the feel of his body wrapped around mine.  Looking off towards the window I blinked to rush away the tears forming in my eyes. "Don't you think I look sloppy?  I've really let myself go since I left don't you think?"  Twisting in his grasp I stared up at his face waiting for the hard truth that I had just realized. 

"Don't be ridiculous Laney, you are perfect from your head to your toes.  Let's go get some breakfast."

"But..."

His fingers covered my lips and he kissed my head again.  "The only butt I'm willing to talk about is yours.  It's quite nice you know."

The laughter bubbled up out of my chest before I could stop it and I playfully smacked his hands away.  "Well ok then.  Let's go eat."