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Once again, though, I get lucky.
“I think we got everyone situated with a spot to sleep tonight. I’m about to kick on the grill and help Max with food. Do you want to lead the way out to the pool? People might like hanging out there more than just sitting around the living room.”
“Yeah, for sure. I’ll start corralling people that way.” And even though the smartest thing to do right now would be to run off and do my task, far away from this man, I don’t move.
Neither does Ben. He stays just where he stands, about a foot away from me. I can feel the magnetic energy rising from his skin, pulling me toward his body.
I take a step back. Ben smiles knowingly.
“You okay?” he asks.
I nod too quickly. “Yeah, I just…you know…”
The smile turns to a little smirk and he nods. “I do. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
My knees go weak as relief rushes through my body, hot and cold and effervescent.
It’s short lived, however. Fifty percent of my worries are now gone, but the other fifty percent? Those are still milling around us, snacking on pineapple and cracking beers.
Any one of the people in this house could know about me and Ainsley. Some unknown percentage definitely does.
Will one of them open their mouths at the wrong moment and ruin everything?
It should be me.
Yeah, yeah, annoying voice in my head. I get it. I should tell him.
But I’m sure as fuck not doing it today.
“You didn’t put anyone in my—I mean, the room where I…you know…” I hesitate to say the words my room aloud, even though I'm pretty sure no one is listening.
“I didn’t put anyone in the entire upstairs. There’s a door at the top of the stairs that can be closed and locked. My room and yours are private.”
The thought of that locking door has me wanting to run. Wanting to slam it closed and cower behind it while Ben pounds on it and yells. I can feel the heat rush to my cheeks and between my legs.
When I look up, I’m almost certain Ben is thinking the same thing. His eyes are dark and the faintest hint of a snarl curls his upper lip.
I gotta get out of here.
“Okay. Pool, food, movie.” I’m just spitting words into the silence now, trying to break up some of the sexual tension.
“Bed,” Ben replies.
“Bed?” I squeak.
“Pool. Food. Movie. Bed.” He lists the items off one at a time, his voice falling to a whisper when he gets to bed.
“Right. Yeah. Okay.” I turn and head quickly into the crowded living room without another glance back.
“Hey everyone, I’m going to go take the cover off the pool, if anyone wants to join. There’s a basket of loaner suits, all washed, some brand new, if anyone didn’t bring one. I’ll bring the sunscreen basket out as well, although the umbrellas do a pretty good job this time of day. If you want to stay inside, that’s fine, too. There’s another deck off the living room downstairs that’s fully covered, with hammocks and chairs.” I’m so flustered by my interaction with Ben that I don't realize my incredibly stupid mistake until the words are out of my mouth. How am I going to explain knowing so much about the inner workings of the pool and the house? It was one thing to know the way up the road, but this? This is bad.
I can hear Ben laughing softly behind me as he turns to head out the patio doors.
Dread sinks through my chest but I have no choice but to push on. “Come with me if you want to swim.” And I make my escape.
Chapter Seventeen
Ben
