Julia’s eyes were rounder than he’d ever seen them. He held his breath, hoping she wasn’t about to bolt. Instead he found her in his arms, her lips on his, her fingers sunk deep into his hair. “I love you too.” She breathed the words into his mouth.
A rush of adrenaline coursed through Ben as he processed what she’d said.
She loves me too. This is real.
The meaning washed over him. Her small hands gripped his shoulders as she pulled him closer. He wanted nothing more than to be inside her.
He didn’t remember searching for the condom or putting it on, all he could think about was Julia. Her scent. The feel of her skin against his. Her words echoing in his mind.
I love you too.
Entering her was like coming home. She opened to him, tilting her hips as he sank deep inside her. Her warmth surrounded him, her inner muscles caressing him as they rocked together, perfectly in synch.
Julia’s body moved in fierce determination. Her legs locked tight around him, fingers digging into his back, her mouth hungry against his. She seemed as desperate as he felt to make their union complete, to share the same space, the same air, the same body. The tension was overpowering. Every fiber of his being strained to be closer to her, his cock ached with desire. He clutched at the headboard, steadying himself as much as possible as he drove in and out. Her body arched upward to meet every stroke.
She trembled beneath him, undulating as waves of passion overtook her. The second she cried out, the tidal rush of cum swept through him and he let go, pulsing with the long-awaited release.
Julia ran her hands over him, her fingers tracing his back, his neck. “You’re shaking,” she said.
“Am I?” He hadn’t noticed.
“You okay?” Her eyes were filled with what he now realized was love.
“I’m happier than I ever imagined I could be.” He kissed her, savoring the sweetness of her tongue.
* * * * *
Ben awoke early with Julia curled at his side. He loved to watch her sleep. Her full lips open, the gentle rise and fall of her breasts—he could watch her forever. His mind was still reeling from the events of the night before.
For years he hadn’t known if it was possible for him to fall in love again, and though he’d known for ages that he loved Julia, saying the words out loud made it unbelievably more significant. His heart beat irregularly. All the times he’d asked her to marry him had been in jest, but he’d known since the first time that if she’d have said yes he’d have been happy. Now he truly hoped one day the answer would be an actual yes, that she’d be his wife.
He crept out of bed and closed the bathroom door. The basket of bath supplies was overflowing with choices. He chose the honey and lavender bath beads because those scents reminded him of Julia. The bathroom air grew thick with steam as he ran water in the deep double tub. When it was nearly full, he went to wake Julia.
He bent and kissed the side of her head, knowing that if he got into bed with her they’d never make it to the bath. “Good morning.” He nuzzled her neck. She smelled even sweeter than the bath oil.
“Mmmm.” She rolled over, her warm, sleepy hand stroking his arm. “What are you doing up?”
“I thought you might want to have a relaxing morning. Come. I’ve drawn us a bath.”
Her eyes were still closed but a smile spread across her tempting lips. “A bath?”
He nodded, tracing his nose over her collarbone, his resolve to actually get into the tub waning with each passing moment.
“Okay,” she said, kissing him as she sat up. “Lead the way.”
“I’ll go one better.” He scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom.
He set her down on the tile steps in front of the tub, loving the fact that all the mirrors in the room showed her luscious naked figure.
“You sure you don’t want to go back to bed?” She ran her hand down his chest, sweeping it along the length of his cock.
“There are plenty of things you can do in a tub.”
She held his hand as she eased into the warm water. He stepped in, sitting opposite her. He slid his fingers along her leg, the silky water allowing him to glide over her skin.
“I love your hands.” She leaned back, her breasts bobbing temptingly in the gentle waves. She ran her foot up his leg, sliding it along his erection.
“I’m becoming increasingly fond of your feet.”
She laughed. All the tension from last night seemed to be gone. “So I see.” She curled her toes then slipped her foot lower, caressing his balls.
“I haven’t enjoyed a bath this much in ages,” he said.
“So you have a thing for tubs?”
“Let’s just say when I was growing up there weren’t a lot of places one could have privacy. Five siblings. Old house. No locks on any doors. Bath time was one of the few times you could count on being alone.”
“Baths, not showers?”
“I always preferred baths. Feared passing out in the shower and being found on the bathroom floor with my hand wrapped around my dick.”
“I wouldn’t mind finding you like that.” Her eyes filled with mischief. She nudged his arm with her toes, pushing his hand closer to his cock.
Ben’s heart picked up speed.
Julia dipped her hand under the water and trailed it down her body. “I like to play in the tub too.” She parted her legs, her calf rubbing against his thigh, sending pulses of arousal straight through him. Through the haze of rising steam, he watched as she inched lower, her fingers parted. She spread her lips, her middle finger circling her clit. Ben’s cock throbbed and he wasted no time wrapping his hand around it. He’d never had a wank in front of anyone and it was far more of a turn-on than he’d have imagined. Julia’s eyes were focused on his engorged shaft as he stroked. She slid her other hand over her breasts then let it slither down between her legs. He watched in sheer delight as a finger disappeared inside her.
The air hissed out of his lungs as he tightened his grip. The swollen head of his cock was deep red, the skin shining like a ripe plum. “So bloody hot.”
She moaned, her fingers moving in tandem, her breathing faster, eyes not leaving his erection. He wondered how much longer he could stay conscious. Julia’s hips tilted, her calf tensing against him, finger flicking rapidly. A high-pitched cry escaped her as her mouth fell open. She shuddered, eyes fluttering closed.
Ben increased his pace, unable to wait another second. A deep groan rumbled through his chest. Julia’s eyes were back on him, flashing with excitement. With two final strokes, the pleasure tore through him with such force he gasped. Cum erupted from him, cascading down his fist like white lava. Before he’d even finished, Julia scooted toward him, her mouth descending on his. He kissed her hard as he regained his focus. She drew back, her face mere inches from his. “I think this bath has left us both in need of a shower. And some breakfast.”
“You realize you’re my dream girl, right?”
“I’m not a dream. I’m real and I’m right here.”
His chest tightened as he pulled her into another kiss.
Chapter Ten
Julia couldn’t wait for Marissa to arrive. Not only hadn’t she seen her in months, but she was dying to see her reaction to meeting Ben and the rest of the band. When her phone rang, she assumed it was Marissa.
“Okay, I’m officially the boy who cried wolf.” Niles’ voice greeted her on the other end of the line.
Julia laughed. “What now?”
“This time I’ve got a real wardrobe emergency.”
“Oh really? Did you have another run-in with a seam ripper?”
“No, I got my trousers caught on some equipment during sound check. Some bloody git intern left it on stage. Think you can fix me up? I don’t have anything else with me at the studio.”
Julia looked at the clock. Marissa was due to arrive in half an hour. “Let me call my friend and tell her to come straight to the taping. I’ll be there as fast as possible.”
“I owe you.”
“I know.”
Julia rushed uptown sewing kit in hand. The guard checked her in and directed her backstage. She gave the guard Marissa’s name and rushed off to find Niles.
Lizzy greeted her in the hall. “Oh thank God. He’s a disaster. Can’t have him on national telly with his arse hanging out.”
Niles was leaning against the dressing room counter and even in the reflection of the mirror Julia could see the tear straight down the left side of his pants.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Sure that’s not the new look you want to try to cultivate? Could catch on…”
“You and Lizzy are quite the comedy team today.”
“You love the attention.” Lizzy stroked her hand over his cheek and kissed him. “Now hold still so Julia can try to make you presentable.”
Julia examined the rip.
“Is it fatal?” Niles craned his neck to look.
“Hold still,” she said, smoothing the fabric. “I can fix it, but you’re going to need to take them off.”
She expected him to go change but instead he unzipped and dropped his pants to the floor. He stepped out of them, revealing black-and-pink-striped silk boxers, which went surprisingly well with the black dress shirt and open gray vest he still wore.
Ben appeared in the doorway. “Tell me that’s not your new look.”
Niles flopped onto the couch as though he were home lounging on a Saturday afternoon. “Perhaps it should be. It’s rather liberating.”
Julia laid the pants on the counter and went to work stitching the tear. Ben came up behind her and kissed her neck.
“Stop distracting me or I might sew Boy Wonder’s pants too tight.”
Ben chuckled. “Is Marissa with you?”
“No, I told her to head straight here. She should be here soon.”
Julia was just finishing up Niles’ repairs when a very bug-eyed Marissa was ushered into the room by an intern. She was dressed all in black, which Julia knew was her security blanket. “You’re here.” Julia put down the needle and thread and rushed over to hug her. Marissa let out a manic laugh. “Calm down,” Julia whispered in her ear. “Here, let me introduce you. This is Ben.”
Ben strode over, hand extended. “I feel like I already know you. Glad you could make it.”
“Thank you.” Marissa looked as if she hadn’t taken a breath since she arrived.
Ben gestured to Niles. “This is Niles. Usually he waits ’til after shows to lose his pants but he’s mixing up the order today.”
“I can shuck them later as well, if I please.” Niles turned his attention to Marissa. “Best if I don’t stand at the moment, but pleasure to meet you. Julia never mentioned you were gorgeous.”
Every exposed inch of Marissa flushed, her chest turning a deep cherry red. Julia decided to rescue her before Niles turned his charm on full force. “Come, why don’t you have Ben show you to our seats? I’ll join you in two minutes. I’m just about done with my emergency repairs here.”
She threw Ben a grateful look. He winked at her then steered Marissa out the door.
“I think you’re all set.” Julia held up the trousers, examining them for further damage.
“Thanks, luv.” Niles ran his hand over the fabric. “Can’t even tell. Which is good, because some fans seem to really scrutinize my arse.”
“They’re not looking for ripped material. More likely they’d like to rip them off you.”
“True. Perhaps you can design us a line of tearaways. For everyone but Ben. Don’t imagine you’d want girls yanking off his clothing.” Niles eyes were narrowed, a mix of serious and his usual cheekiness.
“No, I don’t suppose I’d like that at all.”
“You are in love with him, right?”
Julia couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “Completely.”
“Good. Because he’s totally in love with you.” Niles stepped into his pants, turning to examine his ass in the long mirror. “You really are a miracle worker.”
Julia tossed her scissors and thread back into her bag. “It was just a tear.”
“I wasn’t talking about my pants.”
Julia found Ben sitting next to Marissa in the roped-off section of guest seats. The rest of the studio audience was filing in. They appeared deep in conversation and Marissa looked totally at ease. Ben’s hair swooped low over his eyes as he bent his head and laughed.
“Hey, you two,” she said, taking a seat.
“There you are,” Ben said. He stood, straightening his pants and stretching his shoulders. “I’d best get back to the band. Make sure Niles doesn’t get up to any more trouble. You ladies enjoy the show.” He bent and kissed Julia, just a light brush of his lips, but enough to leave her tingling from head to toe.
He disappeared off the side of the stage. Julia turned to find Marissa staring right at her.
“What?” Julia felt her brow pinch. She could sense a barrage of questions coming.
“He’s amazing.”
“Yes, I realize that.”
“Do you?” Marissa’s eyes searched hers. “I mean I expected him to be great, but he exceeds all expectations. Julia, he’s the one.”
“What one?”
Marissa took a deep breath and exhaled. “This is the guy you’re gonna marry.”
Julia’s throat tightened. “How do you—”
“Because I know. And he knows. He’s completely woven you into all his future plans. Are you joining them on tour?”
“Well, we talked about me going out for a show or two.”
Marissa nodded. “And then you’re going to England to meet his family.”
“Probably for the holidays, but—”
“Julia.” Marissa placed her hands on Julia’s shoulders and Julia wondered if she might start actually shaking her. “He’s going to ask you to marry him. For real.”
Julia felt goose bumps scatter across her arms. “Did he say that?”
“Not in so many words, but he may as well have. It was obvious. Please tell me you’re going to say yes.”
“I don’t know. I don’t even know if he’s going to ask.”
Marissa shook her head. “I realize that motherhood has made me far less tolerant of bullshit, and I should probably be more patient with you, but I can’t. I’m going to say this until you hear me. Don’t fuck this up. He’s the one.”
Julia could feel tears prickling behind her eyes. Marissa was right. Julia had been feeling it for a long time but it was too scary to contemplate. She didn’t want to get her hopes up and then have things turn sour.
“If he asks you—” Marissa started but Julia cut her off.
“I’ll say yes.” Saying the word out loud made Julia lightheaded.
“You will?”
Julia nodded, feeling more excited and more scared as the realization set in. “I will.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Marissa beamed at her and squeezed her hand. “Oh my God, I’ll get to go to the wedding.”
“If it ever happens you’ll be in the wedding, you big goof.”
The warm-up act came out to start entertaining the audience as the remaining seats filled. “You’d better design me a great dress.”
“When have I ever not?”
Watching Ben perform was still something Julia hadn’t gotten used to. It was simply mesmerizing. She’d always liked the intensity with which he played but now every beat seemed to stir up something inside her. She could feel his rhythm pulsing through her, electrifying her with its potency. She loved the way his hair whipped back and forth across his face and he immersed himself in each song. The fact that half the women in the audience were just as taken by him no longer bothered her. She wasn’t jealous or threatened. She just felt lucky.
When the taping was over, Julia and Marissa made their way backstage, following one of the interns. Ben was toweling dry his hair, the damp spikes hanging low into his eyes. He looked unbearably sexy.
“You were awesome.” She wound her arms around him, going up on her toes to give him a kiss.
“Thanks.” He grinned. “Careful, I’m all sweaty.”
“I kinda like you sweaty.”
His eyebrows rose, his eyes sparkling like mad. “Oh really?”
“As a matter of fact…” She glanced over her shoulder, noting that everyone, including Marissa, was busy chatting, and took Ben’s hand, leading him out of the room.
“Where are you taking me?” he asked, following without hesitation.
She opened a door marked fitting room and tugged him in, closing the door behind them. Her fingers were already working against his rapidly hardening cock. He leaned back against the door, holding her close. She wriggled away enough to undo his pants, freeing his thick erection. She stroked, squeezing the tip on each pass as Ben moaned into her mouth.
Julia kissed her way down to his neck, loving the salty taste of him.
His breathing was hard and fast. “I don’t have any condoms,” he whispered into her hair.
“Not a problem.” She dropped to her knees and took him into her mouth.
A muffled groan escaped him and she saw his hand flatten against the door. She sucked, hard and fast, spiraling her hand in synch with her tongue. His breath came in raspy puffs as he wove his fingers into her hair. His cock swelled inside her mouth, impossibly stiff. She rode her tongue along each enticing ridge, spending extra time swirling around the sensitive tip. He let out a deep breath and she knew he couldn’t hold out much longer. She took him as deep inside her mouth as she could, pulling her cheeks in tight against him. He tensed and throbbed inside her. She swallowed, continuing to pulse her tongue against him until he finished.
“Christ,” he whispered, pulling her upright. His eyes were only half open, his lips parted.
“Good?”
“Unreal.” He kissed her, long and slow, his tongue licking against hers.
“Let’s get you back together before people wonder where we are.”
Ben began to straighten his clothes. “Yes, people. For a minute there I forgot we weren’t the only ones on the planet.”