recognize / b.simmons

43

"you ready?" ben asks, coming out of the bathroom dresses and ready to party. amari looks up from her phone and looks him up and down. it's been a long time since they've last had sex.

he looks at himself in the mirror and fixes the collar on his jacket. he looked sexy—amari liked when he matched her fly by wearing similar colors or clothing.

"yeah, do you mind putting these necklaces on for me?" she asks, the jewelry he bought her for christmas in its box on her lap.

ben nods and amari stands up and walks in front of ben and stand in front of him, her back to his chest. she hands ben the box and he smiles to himself as he recognizes the royal blue box. he opens it and takes out the first one and slides it over her neck.

goosebumps arise on her skin as his fingertips brush her skin. she bites the inside of her cheek, annoyed at how much she missed his touch.

he clasps the last necklace and pulls his hand away, but amari is able to grab one and spin herself around. she presses her lips to his, grabbing his face in her hands. her mind was on him in every way besides the reason she was actually here for, but she didn't care. she missed her baby.

"can we skip the party?" she mumbles against his lips, kissing the corner and then making her way down to his jaw and neck.

ben lets out a chuckle and she kisses the center of his throat. "you said that like i'm not the host," amari rolls her eyes and lifts her head.

"no one told you to throw a new years party," she states, pulling away from him and walking into his closet. he follows behind her and leans against the door frame as she goes to his jewelry collection and grabs a few more chains for him. "put these on." she instructs and he listens. he had on a total of three, all of varying lengths so they could match. she missed him.

a knock at the door sounds and ben yells, "come in!"

olivia and tahj enter the room and follow bens voice into the closet. "how are you late to a party that you hosted at your house?" olivia criticizes, rolling her eyes at ben.

ben glances at his watch and his eyes widen. "oh shit," he says, grabbing amaris hand and pushing olivia and tahj out of the way. "why didn't anyone tell me?" he questions as she races out of the room and down the hall to the stairs.

"it's your party!" tahj says. ben starts down the stairs but amari grabs onto the railing to stop her from tumbling down.

"wait! i can't go that fast in these shoes," amari says, stopping ben. he looks at her feet and back at her before grabbing her by the waist. "i just to- oh my god." ben carries her down the stairs bridal style and she looks at him in amazement. tahj and olivia look at the back of bens head like he's insane. no one figured that he could lift amari, let alone anyone like that.

he sets her down gently and she tugs down her dress as far as it'll go. it was on the shorter side, and if anyone had been on the other side of them, they would've seen more than they needed to.

"have you been lifting?" she asks, looking at him in amazement. if they were alone, they would've been fucking on the stairs.

"yes," ben says proudly. amari smiles and kisses his cheek and grabs his hand as they walk into the living room that was already slightly filled.

cheers erupt from the guests as ben enters the living room that was now converted into a smaller dance floor with some seating and dj booth. music could be heard though it was quiet, and amari lets go of bens hand and slides her arm around his torso.

ben smiles down at her and looks out at his guests. "thanks for coming out tonight, let's start the new year off right!" he earns cheers from the people around him and somebody pops a bottle of champagne, starting the night off.