The Baker

Chapter 34

The sun was so bright! It did nothing to calm her raging headache from the night before. She doesn't really remember what happened, but it started out with Ben giving her a drink. It was a gin and tonic. The highlight of the night was when Ben got that call from JJ Abrams. He wanted Ben to send in an audition tape ASAP. Of course, Ben had to do it that second, so he and Adam went into the kitchen and filmed it on his phone. When he came out, he was all smiles and they celebrated with more drinks,except this time, it was Kate who was giving her the drinks and they were not gin and tonics. They were something way stronger. After her third tequila shot, everything was a blur.

"Do you feel as awful as I do?" Ben groaned from beside her. All she managed to do was nod, but even that rattled her brain. "I don't remember half of it," she mumbled. "But this is not how I wanted to feel on Christmas morning." She felt his hand travel up her bare stomach and to her naked breasts. "Do you remember if we actually did anything when we got home?" He asked. She smirked and said, "Well, if the soreness between my thighs have anything to say about it..." That made him grunt and whine, "Fuck, I wish I at least remembered that!"

They both started laughing, but almost immediatly stopped due to the pain in their heads. They remained still; Ben clinging to her like an octopus (per usual) and didn't really attempt to move. "Ben?" "Hm?" She darted her eyes to the clock and said, "We have two hours to get ready and to your parents." He huffed and buried his face deeper into her neck. This was going to be a long Christmas...

***

"Honey, you ready?" Ben grimly asked. They both ended up getting out of bed just an hour ago and were still nursing their hangovers. Cassie just finished packing up the presents and sighed, "Yeah. Let's go." Ben took the bags filled with their presents, as well as Wanda and Tim's, and loaded them into the car.

The music was very low on their way there, as to not disturb their heads. They were afraid to talk because everything just hurt. After listening to the thrid version of "Jingle Bells" in the past twenty minutes, Cassie finally spoke up. "Do you think your mom will like these?" She pulled out a container and showed it to him. Ben glanced over and widened his eyes. "When did you make those?" He asked, feeling insulted that she didn't tell him she made Chocolate Criossants. She shrugged and told him, "Yesterday, before I came over."

He scoffed at her with a face that looked like she had just commited at murder. "Well, give one here! I'm famished!" Now, it was her turn to scoff and look like he just commited a murder. "These are for your mother, you crossiant monster!" "I wouldn't give a shit if they were for the queen and I don't give a shit that they are for my mother, I am starved! Besides, it's just one, she won't notice!" Cassie rolled her eyes and scolded, "You will not get one, unless your mother says you can."

Ben grunted and hit his hand on the steering wheel in frustration. It was silent for a moment, before a sly smirk sneaked up on his lips. "Oh, Cassie?" Without looking a him, she mocked, "Oh, Benny?" "What if I were to...pull over and use my tongue to...persuade you?" He saw her cross her legs slightly and smiled to himself. He continued in a voice three octaves lower (because he knew it drove her crazy), "You know I love doing that to you. Smelling you, tasting you, but most importantly, pleasuring you."

Cassie had to bite her lip to stop herself from moaning. Do not cave in. Do not cave in. You are a strong woman, who is stronger than your boyfriend's voice mixed in with some dirty talk. "What if you brought home some chocolate from the bakery one day?" He suddenly asked, still using his voice. "I could place little chunks all over you and eat them off of your gorgeous body. Oh, I can just taste the one I put in between your lucious thighs."

Shit, shit, shit, she thought, as she bit down on her hand. She glanced over at Ben to see he was getting himself excited. "If you don't stop, you're going to have to hide that from your parents. All I have to do is not jump you." He chuckled, "No, all you have to do is give me a crossiant." She shook her head. "Not happenening."

He teased her relentlessly the entire way, but she never caved in. By the time they pulled up to the house, Ben had a painful erection and Cassie was looking flushed. It was nothing she couldn't fix with unthinking the thoughts he put her head. Ben, on the other hand, had no idea what he was going to do. "Well, honey, I'm going to go inside," Cassie sweetly told him. For some payback, she reached over and rubbed his pants, making him groan. He kept her hand there and begged, "Baby, can you fix this? Please? I'm sorry."

I better be getting the Best Girlfriend Award. "Park away from the house," she sighed. Ben was quick to back out and drive down the road.

***

"Just an FYI, mum can smell a hangover from a mile away," Ben warned. "We will be getting a lecture as soon as she opens that door." They continued up the stoned path to the house with bags in their hands. Ben was about to open the door, but Wanda beat him to it. "Ben! Cassie! Merry Christmas!" Ben smiled and said, "Merry Christmas, mum!" Tim came out and they all hugged and exchanged kisses on the cheek.

Ben set the presents under the tree and walked into the kitchen to see Wanda hugging the life out of Cassie with a tub of Chocolate Crossiants in her hand. Ben laughed and graciously accepted a glass of scotch from his dad.

After Wanda stopped hugging Cassie, she turned to Ben and scolded, "Shame on you! Trying to get your sweet girlfriend to give you something that isn't yours!" Ben looked offended and scoffed, "You told my mum on me?!" Cassie laughed, "Of course! You were being a child!" He grunted and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"Remind me again on how I keep your mouth shut," he purred in her ear. Cassie fiercely blushed, while Wanda whacked his arm and told him, "Don't talk to a young woman that way!" She was clearly oblivious to the fact that he was talking about what happened only a half hour ago in the car.

After more scolding (this time for their hangovers), they all made their way into the living room to open up gifts. Wanda and Tim opened theirs first; loving every single gift that Ben or Cassie had gotten them. Ben and Cassie opened theirs and kissed each other after each one.

When they were all done, they gathered around the fireplace; Wanda and Tim in their arm chairs, Ben and Cassie snuggled up on the couch, and talked about anything and everything.

Wanda decided to clean up the wrapping paper when she saw one more gift under the tree. "Cassie, dear. I think you forgot one," she said, handing it to her. Ben was in a conversation with Tim, so he didn't see her open the box reveling a house key.

The two men turned when they heard Wanda gasp and looked at what Cassie had opened. Ben's eyes widened. "Oh, honey, I meant to take that out," he quickly explained. "I'm not meaning to pressure you, this was just how I was going to ask, but clearly got carried away--"

"Yes," she breathed. Ben suddenly stopped his rambling and stared at her. "Wh-what?" He asked, looking a little shocked. She smiled and told him, "Yes, Benedict, I will move in with you." He looked around to his parents, who were looking on with their hands on their hearts.

His eyes went back to Cassie and he whispered, "You don't have to do this. Please don't think you're under any pressure here. You won't upset anyone, I promise." That just made her laugh and made him confused. Cassie cupped his face, looked into his eyes, and said, "I'll move in. If you'll still have me, of course. I know I was reluctant yesterday, but--." He cut her off with a swift kiss.

"I don't want to hear it," he told her. "As long as I know you're sure, I don't want to hear it." She giggled and hugged him. "Of course I'm sure," she said in his neck. "I wasn't sure 24 hours ago, but I am now. Like I said, if you still want me." Ben weaved his hand through her hair and breathed in her scent. "Of course I still want you. I'll always want you. Merry Christmas, Cass."

"Merry Christmas, Benedict."