More Than Love, page 6
She was right.
He couldn’t stop.
Bracing one hand on the pillow next to her head, he slid his other hand down her side to the swell of her hip. Lifting slightly, Ben pushed in further. He wanted more than anything for their first time to be perfect…and to last, but she felt too good. At first his moves were slow, but he quickly picked up speed, going harder and deeper.
“Oh…yes,” Makena panted.
The grip she had on his hips tightened as her nails dug into his skin. Ben didn’t care. All he cared about was bringing her as much pleasure as she was bringing him.
With each thrust, she matched him stroke for stroke. Their moans mingled, and their breaths grew faster and louder as their tempo increased.
“Ahh…Ma…kena,” Ben ground out, driving in and out of her like a man possessed, struggling against the intense sensation churned inside of him. He couldn’t hold on. He… “Baby, I…”
“Ben!” Makena screamed her release. Her body convulsed beneath him, and her head thrashed back and forth on the pillow. Her nails dug into his skin as the turbulence of her passion swirled around him.
Ben had never seen a more beautiful sight than her falling apart beneath him. Watching her sent him careening over the edge and he succumbed to the powerful orgasm that ripped through his body.
Collapsing on top of her, he quickly rolled onto his back as he gasped for air. “Woman…you damn near killed me,” he said on a shuddering breath, and pulled her close.
Makena placed her hand on her heaving chest. “That was…that was intense,” she said on a shaky laugh. “But, man…it was also amazing.”
Ben couldn’t agree more.
He also couldn’t wait for round two.
Chapter Seven
The next morning, Makena slowly opened her eyes and squinted against the sliver of sunlight peeking through the blinds and hitting her dead in the face. She turned…or at least she tried to. Ben’s hard body was hugged up behind her, and his heavy arm across her waist held her hostage.
A smile slid across her mouth as snippets of the night before invaded her brain. She and Ben have always had an emotional and mental connection. But last night their physical connection was stronger than anything Makena had ever experienced. She knew sharing her body with him would be amazing, but their lovemaking had exceeded her expectations.
But would things be awkward between them now? She had just slept—well, more than slept—with her best friend. Would she look at him any different? Would he have any regrets? She sure didn’t, but what if…
“It’s too early to be up.” Ben’s voice was deep and raspy close to her ear. He snuggled even closer, if that was possible. “Go back to sleep,” he mumbled.
Makena could feel his hard body rubbed up against her backside. She wiggled her hips and smiled when he groaned.
“Keep that up, and you’re going to get something started,” he said, his hand doing a slow glide up to her breasts. He cupped one ever so gently. Caressing. Kneading. Squeezing. Makena trembled and her eyes drifted shut when he tweaked her nipple and sent a zing of awareness shooting through her body. She wanted more than anything to pick up where they’d left off the night before, but she was wiped out. After two rounds of incredible lovemaking, her energy level was zilch.
“I thought you said that it was too early to be up,” she said on a moan, covering his hand that had worked its way between her thighs.
“I did say that, didn’t I?” He kissed that sensitive area behind her ear. “I love touching you…and holding you…and loving on you,” he said between kisses. “I also love having you in my bed.”
Makena moved to turn, forcing him to lift his arm, and she faced him. “I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be.”
She draped her arm across his waist, and her leg across him. They stared at each other and Makena wondered if the grin spreading across her face was as goofy as the one he was wearing.
It felt a little weird being in his bed naked, but not as strange as she thought it would be.
“Good morning,” he said, still staring at her as if trying to memorize every aspect of her face.
Makena’s heart squeezed at the love she saw glimmering in his eyes. “Good morning.”
Ben leaned down and slowly kissed her. He nibbled on her lower lip, then her upper one before his tongue slid into the depths of her mouth. This was how she wanted to wake up every morning. Kissing, hugging, being loved on by the one man who made her feel alive.
As he deepened the kiss, an electric current charged through Makena’s body sending a wave of desire pulsing through her veins.
Would she ever get enough of this man?
Never, the small voice in her head screamed. Their intense bond stirred so many emotions within Makena. She never wanted to come down off the high she was currently on. This new aspect of her and Ben’s relationship was going to add something to her life that she’d been missing. Fun. Excitement. And an endless love that she’d been craving for years.
“I had fun with you last night,” Ben murmured when the kiss ended.
“Yeah, me too. I thought it was going to be weird waking up next to you this morning.”
His left brow inched up. “And what do you think now?”
She gave a small shrug. “No weirder than it was hearing you snoring like someone revving up a motorcycle.” Makena’s lips twitched, struggling to keep from grinning at the way his eyes narrowed.
“I see you got jokes. ’Cause I don’t snore.”
He poked her in the side, then tickled her until she erupted in a fit of giggles. When she got silly with Ben, it was easy to forget how old they were.
“That’s all right, funny lady. Joke all you want. That’s why I’m telling all of my friends I’ve seen you naked.”
Makena’s eyes rounded, and she punched him in the arm. “What are you, twelve?”
Ben’s full-hearted laughter filled the quietness of the bedroom, and she slugged him again. That only made him laugh harder. “If you tell anybody what you saw last night or everything we did, I’m gonna—”
“What?” Still chuckling, he threw the covers off of them and climbed on top of her. “What’cha gon’ do? Love on me the way you did last night?”
He nuzzled her neck and his large hand moved to one of her breasts. With an expert touch, he teased and tweaked a taut nipple, and jolts of pleasure pulsed through her veins.
“Tell me,” he taunted. “What’chu gon’ do?”
“I—I—I,” Makena sputtered, arching into him as he kissed and licked his way down her body. With each stroke of his tongue on her heated skin, an explosion of tingles scurried through her. “I don’t know,” she finally said. “But…but I’ll think of something.”
Makena moaned the last words when his hand slid between her thighs.
Yeah, she’d think of something.
Later.
Much…much later.
*
Hours later, Makena put the last breakfast dish into the dishwasher. After another intense round of lovemaking, she and Ben had showered together, then prepared a hearty breakfast.
He had been right. So far, this new chapter in their relationship hadn’t changed anything, except their physical relationship. They were still the same people who cherished each other’s company.
“Are you sure you won’t be able to make it to Sunday brunch?” Ben asked as he pulled the trash bag out of the garbage can. “I want the fam to know that we’re officially dating now.”
“I want them to know, too, but I can’t make it this week.”
Sunday brunch at the Jenkins estate was always entertaining; it was a bit like celebrating Christmas every week. Katherine Jenkins had started the tradition years ago, wanting her family to come together weekly to eat, drink, and hang out with each other. The estate was huge and easily accommodated the Jenkins clan.
But, as with family, there was always a lot of trash-talking, big reveals, and the occasional fight. There was never a dull moment, and Makena hated she was going to miss this Sunday.
“All right, then next week we’ll tell everyone. I’m going to take this trash out. Be right back.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
They couldn’t get enough of each other, both finding every reason to kiss and touch the other.
“I’ll be ready to leave in ten,” he said on his way out the back door.
“Sounds good.”
Makena had plans to spend the afternoon with Ava and one of her friends from school. The fact her daughter still enjoyed spending time with her almost made Makena giddy. As long as she didn’t start “acting weird,” as Ava would say.
So what if Makena tried to show them that she was hip and could do the latest dances. And what was the big deal if she wanted to hug and kiss on her daughter in front of friends? How was that “acting weird”?
Today Makena planned to be cool and follow Ava’s lead. Shopping with them was a safe enough activity that may not have either of the kids accidentally leaving her in a store.
Makena smiled at that thought and headed down the hallway to Ben’s bedroom. She entered and walked straight to her overnight bag and purse that were sitting at the foot of the bed.
Heat rushed to her cheeks as she recalled all the delicious things she and Ben had done between the sheets. The man was insatiable, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Makena’s phone rang, and she hoped it wasn’t her daughter calling to cancel. She dug the device from the side pocket of her purse and glanced at the screen. She didn’t recognize the number, but answered anyway.
“Hello?”
“Attorney Nichols?”
“Yes, this is she.”
“Hi, this is Gayle Holmes, Edward Foxall’s caregiver. He gave me your contact information.”
Unease crept through Makena. Had something happened to him? God, she hoped not. Not before she could arrange a meeting with him and Ben.
“Hi, Gayle. What can I do for you?”
“Edward passed away early this morning,” she said quietly.
Makena’s heart jolted. “Oh no. What happened?”
She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose as Gayle explained that Edward had caught pneumonia a few days ago. Makena tried focusing as the woman talked about bacteria spreading into his blood and causing complications, but her heart ached. Now there was no chance she could get Edward and Ben together. He would never know…
Hearing a sound at the bedroom door, her eyes flew open and her gaze collided with Ben. The concern on his face almost brought tears to Makena’s eyes. How in the world was she going to share her suspicions with him?
“He died at seven o’clock this morning,” Gayle was saying.
No longer able to look at Ben, Makena lowered her eyes and stared down at her navy-blue ballet flats. “Gayle, thank you for letting me know. And…I’m sorry for your loss. I saw the wonderful care you gave him. If there’s anything you need, please let me know.”
When Makena ended the call, Ben moved further into the room. He didn’t speak until she looked up at him.
He reached for her hand. “What happened? Who is Edward?”
An acute sense of guilt stabbed her chest. Ben held a special spot in her heart, and they had always been honest with each other. What if her not sharing her suspicions earlier about Edward came back to haunt her? What if they were somehow related, and she hadn’t said anything?
Then again, she could be making herself crazy for no reason. Edward insisted that he and Ben had never met. Maybe there had been no reason for them to meet. She could just be over-thinking the whole situation.
“Who was he to you, Makena?” Ben asked, his voice was more commanding, but held a bit of concern.
“He’s a client. Or at least he was.” She didn’t want to discuss Edward, at least not yet. She grabbed her overnight bag and purse and started for the door. “He passed away a few hours ago.”
Ben reached out and gently grabbed her arm, keeping her from walking away. “I’m sorry to hear that, but what else?”
Makena’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean, what else?”
“I mean, this is not the first time you’ve lost a client. Why are you so upset?”
“I’m not. I…” She shook her head and stuffed the phone back into her purse. “I just saw him a couple of weeks ago. I guess I’m…I’m shocked. I thought I had more time to…”
Crap. She didn’t mean to say that. “We need to go. Ava is probably…”
Ben’s cell phone vibrated on the nightstand, and he cursed under his breath. “You thought you had more time to what?” he said, ignoring the call.
“Get the phone. It might be important.”
“Nothing is more important then you.” He stood directly in front of her and lifted her chin with the pad of his finger, forcing her to make eye contact. “Quit stalling and tell me what’s wrong. Who was this guy?”
“He’s…it’s nothing, really. Don’t mind me. I’m just being overly emotional. He was in his late eighties, but his death was so sudden. I didn’t know him well, but I liked him instantly.”
“Why do I have a feeling there’s still more you’re not telling me?”
“Ben,” she ground out in frustration, suddenly hating that he knew her so well. “Can we just not talk about this right now? Actually, we better get going. You’re supposed to meet with Nate, and Ava and her friend are probably already at the house waiting for me.”
Again, she tried to leave the room, but he blocked her. Taking the bag and her purse out of her hands, he set the items in a nearby chair and pulled her into his arms. It was pointless to try and resist because no one hugged the way he did.
Makena released a contented sigh and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her head rested against his chest. He always did this whenever he thought something was bothering her, or when trying to pry information out of her.
Ben ran a soothing hand up and down her back. “You know you can discuss anything with me, right?”
“I know, and I will.” Seconds ticked by, and Makena lifted her head and looked at him. “Just not right now. Besides, we need to get going.”
Ben studied her for a long minute, then brushed the back of his fingers down her cheek. “Are you going to be okay?”
She gave him a small smile. “Ben, I’m fine. I’m just all up in my feelings right now. Don’t worry, though.”
“I will always worry about you,” he mumbled and brushed a kiss across her lips.
He moved to the nightstand where his wallet and cell phone were. Grabbing both items, he stuffed them into his pants pocket. He lifted her bag and nodded for her to precede him out the door.
Neither said a word as they walked through the house, turning out lights along the way. They stopped at the door that led into the garage.
“Question,” Ben said, his hand hovering over the alarm keypad as he glanced over his shoulder at her. “This Edward guy, is he the same man who you said reminded you of me?”
Stunned by his question, Makena stared at him. She had totally forgotten that she’d told him that. Of course, he would remember. The man didn’t forget anything. No matter how she answered, he’d come up with another question, but she couldn’t outright lie to him.
“Yes, he reminded me a lot of you. So much so, I wanted you to meet him.”
Chapter Eight
“I have the changes drafted, but at the rate their legal council is going, this merger is not going to happen on schedule,” Liberty said, cutting into Ben’s thoughts.
The associate lawyer had become a great asset since joining the firm a couple of years ago. After marrying his nephew and then having twins soon after, Ben assumed Liberty would take at least a year off. She hadn’t. She took off eight weeks after the boys were born, but outside of regular vacation days, she made herself available to the firm. Which was exactly what Ben needed today.
His lack of focus was causing more harm than good. Had it not been for one of his partners, who had gone to court with him that morning, Ben would’ve screwed up their case. He couldn’t afford to let his personal life compromise his business life. Yet, that’s exactly what was happening.
Ben prided himself on being the best at whatever he set out to do, but his concentration was shot. He couldn’t stop thinking about Makena. His mind volleyed between worrying about her, and agonizing over their future as a couple. They would forever be friends, but their new relationship wasn’t going to work if she kept secrets from him. Granted, he might be making a big deal over nothing, but she had shut him out the day before, and their conversation that night was stilted at best.
He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead as conversation at the table went on without much input from him. He couldn’t be totally present until he got Makena to open up to him. He hadn’t been in a serious relationship since his marriage, but there was one thing he’d learned back then. Communication was paramount.
“The merger agreement expires in six weeks. So they still have a little time, but I have a feeling they’re going to ask for an extension,” Liberty said.
“Our client won’t allow an extension,” Arnold, a partner, chimed in.
Tired of the back and forth, Ben said, “Arnold, let the client know what’s going on. If they want this deal to move forward, they’ll okay the extension. Liberty, for the rest of the week, I need your attention on the Carter case.”
Ben’s phone vibrated. It was facedown on the table next to his tablet, but he didn’t turn it over to look at the screen. Instead, he finished what he was saying.
“We go back to court in a few days. Make sure all of our witnesses get added to the witness list. I don’t want any surprises this time.”
She nodded. “I’m on it.”
While Arnold gave a few more instructions to Liberty and another associate lawyer, Ben tipped his cell so he could read the screen.
His pulse amped up.
Makena.
It didn’t matter how old he was, his heart still pounded double-time when he heard from the woman he loved. Seeing her name and that she had sent a text made him cautiously optimistic that she was ready to tell him what was bothering her.
