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Ben keeps to his side, leaning back against the paneled wood with his thumbs casually hooked in his pockets. But I can see his chest rising and falling with deep breaths, the pulse in his neck pounding. The same rapid rhythm pushes at my heart rate.
The urge to attack him, rip his clothes off, and climb him like a jungle gym has me digging my fingers into the wall for more purchase.
Ben might appear to be in shape, but I know better than anyone that his health’s not one hundred percent. I should try to be gentle.
Hopefully, I can remember that once I have him naked.
The ding announcing our floor sounds, and I already have the apartment key in my hand. While I fumble to fit it in the lock, Ben moves to press his body against my back. He’s like a warm, sexy blanket that came straight out of the dryer. All I want to do is wrap myself in him. When I finally turn my key and the knob, I stumble forward, my legs not wanting to move away.
My coat, purse, and shoes all get tossed to the side. When I turn back to Ben, he’s leaning on the now-shut door, watching me with sparking eyes that set off a wildfire in my belly.
“Where’s Terra?”
“Faith, her girlfriend, just got back from deployment. Terra drove to North Carolina to meet up with her.”
“So, you’re here, all by yourself?”
I nod. “Looks like I need someone to keep me company.”
He lets out an exaggerated sigh. “I guess, as your boyfriend, that’s one of my responsibilities.” For a moment, he tries to keep a straight face, but a boyish grin cracks across it.
He’s too delicious to ignore; I need a taste. Stepping forward, I weave my fingers behind his neck and pull him down, so I can kiss him. Taking what’s mine.
Responding just as eagerly, he winds his arms around my waist and lifts me off my feet, so I have to clutch him tighter. His greedy reaction makes me smile as I enjoy his mouth. I suck on his lower lip, giving it a little nip.
He sets me down, breaking our kiss, but then turns me to face the ladder to my loft and gives my butt a firm squeeze. “I want you in your bed. Now.”
“And you said I was bossy,” I throw this over my shoulder as I make the climb, swaying my hips a bit more than usual.
I barely have time to step away before Ben lifts himself up after me, tossing his coat over the railing to land on the floor below.
Like last time, he has to stand awkwardly bent under my low ceiling. So, for his own good, I push him onto the bed. He lands with a grunt and a bounce but smiles up at me, his stare hungry. With him sprawled out on my plush bed, I feel like a conqueror, ready to stake my claim.
“Take your shirt off.”
He smirks. “I will if you will.”
There’s not a shred of modesty when I hook my fingers under the bottom of my T-shirt and yank it over my head. Now standing in my simple white bra, I wait for him to return the favor.
But Ben doesn’t make a move. Instead, his eyes roam over me, almost as heavy a touch as his hands.
No fair.
He reaches out toward me, but I step back and cross my arms over my chest.
“Nope. Your turn, buddy.”
His half-growl, half-grin is sexy enough to make me melt as he whips his own shirt off. Finally, I get to see his sinfully tempting tattoos again. Last time, he only let me touch them. This time, I’m going to lick them.
“And the pants, too.”
He raises an eyebrow at my demand, and I pick up on his silent request.
My fingers fiddle with the button and zipper on my own jeans until I can slide them down my legs and kick them to the side. Ben shucks his off, too.
The sight has me biting my lip. Hard.
Wearing only a set of black boxer briefs, Ben’s artwork is almost fully on display. He has more designs on his thighs, obscured slightly by the reddish-blond hair covering his skin. The pictures are intricate, connecting and twining together in creative ways. I could stare at them for hours, just memorizing how the images stretch and flex over his straining muscles.
