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He didn't doze off until after four. Benjamin spent an hour memorizing the facets of color in her hair. Shadows of deep gold, rich red, and burnt copper mingled in a mesmerizing pattern of light. His fingers explored the softness of her skin. The sparse spattering of freckles on her bare arms made him smile. She smelled so sweet, fresh, and feminine.
Benjamin shifted enough to look at the analog clock on the wall over the television. It was nearly half past five. He had only slept about an hour and a half. Yet, somehow, he felt refreshed. The only negative was the catch in his spine from the angle they held against the arm of the couch.
He tried to shift into a more comfortable position. As he did, Jewell stirred and he felt a soft vibration against his ribs. She rubbed her cheek against his chest and drew a bent, bare leg over his thigh.
Benjamin held his breath. What sweet torture!
His hands itched to touch her, to stroke her silken hair and learn the fullness of her breasts beneath his fingertips. Benjamin let his head fall back into the pillows and pressed his eyes tightly shut. How many personal rules had he broken so far? Too many to count, that was for sure. They had crossed the "professional" boundary long ago.
Reluctantly, Benjamin slowly worked himself out from beneath her slight weight. With her cheek cupped in his hand, Benjamin crouched beside her and positioned a pillow beneath her head. A slow, soft smile bowed her full lips when Benjamin paused to touch her temple and smooth back her hair.
He pulled a small afghan off the back of the couch, draping it over her bare thighs and exposed midriff. Jewell didn't stir. She had to be deep in sleep. Benjamin contemplated lifting her off the couch and carrying her down to her bedroom. In the end, he decided against it. What if he met Ruby in the hall? How would he explain that? Hell, how would he explain it should Jewell wake up in the process?
Benjamin sat back on his heels and stared at her. She was beautiful in her sleep. Her cheeks held a soft glow and auburn lashes curled gently along her eyelids. How incredible it would be to wake up to that angelic visage every morning.
He shook his head slowly. It did no good to think about Jewell in any way other than his EA. Now that he no longer had her warmth against him, fatigue worked its way into his body. Benjamin's limbs were heavy and his back ached. What he needed to do was go home, take a long, hot shower, and try to get through the day.
Benjamin leaned forward and pressed his lips against her temple. With a rumble in his chest and an ache in his thighs, he stood and looked down at her before he turned and walked to the front door.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jewell held herself back to keep from sprinting down the hall to her office. Her heels slowed her down and prevented her from taking off at full speed. She looked at phone as she rushed from the elevator.
"Damn. Almost ten o'clock."
She reached the desk outside Benjamin's office, and April looked up with amused surprise on her face.
"Well, good morning," April said, and looked at her desk clock. "Yup, it is still morning."
Jewell took a deep breath and leaned on the high desk. "Very funny."
"What happened?"
Instant heat rushed to Jewell's cheeks. Oh, I spent the entire night on my couch with Benjamin. We talked. We joked. I fell asleep in his arms. When I woke up this morning, it was after eight and he was gone. She cleared her throat. "Oh, I just overslept."
"I guess that happens to the best of us once in a while. I missed my coffee this morning, though."
"I'm sorry," Jewell said in earnest.
April laughed. "That's okay. I survived."
She finally caught her breath and tilted her head toward Benjamin's door. "Is he in?"
"Of course. Mr. Roth is always here." April rolled her eyes with a grin but quickly shrugged. "Well, except for yesterday, that is."
"What kind of mood is he in?" Jewell asked, pulling her lower lip through her teeth. She wanted to know what she was walking into.
"Seems to be much better, actually."
Jewell smiled and sighed in relief. That was definitely a positive sign. "Good."
"Do you know something I don't know?" April's eyes squinted slightly and her voice carried a curious lilt.
Jewell shook her head, probably a little too adamantly. "No, just wondering."
April still looked at her quizzically as Jewell walked to her office. "Congratulations on not being fired," April called after her, and Jewell laughed softly. Her nerves, frazzled from being late, calmed a bit. She took pride in never being late to work. Then again, last night was not her usual evening at home. A smile pulled at her lips as she thought about it.
The last time she remembered looking at the clock it was almost three in the morning. At the time, she hadn't felt tired at all. They were too busy talking. Other than Greg, she had never felt comfortable enough with a man to talk so freely. Of course, Benjamin was different. It was a strange sensation. Yet, not completely unpleasant.
