Page 115 of Consumed By You

Went to the gym for an hour. Feel free to use the shower & anything you need. Breakfast is on the counter.

Ben

I put the note back down on the pillow and pull the sheet up from my waist to cover myself.

A shower sounds perfect.

***

After combing through the last of my hair, I look over at the crimson dress I came in from yesterday and the jacket on the floor, wondering what I’m going to wear out of here. I need help with the zipper. Benjamin’s t-shirt is on the floor in the discarded pile of clothes. I’m sure he won’t mind me using this for now.

It’s short but covers all necessary intimate parts. I stuff my underwear into my jacket pocket. I can’t believe I forgot my purse at home.

I pick up the other discarded clothes and lay them on the love seat in the corner of the room. My stomach growls loudly as I walk out into the living room. The room is so spacious and elegant I feel like I should tiptoe around.

The day is gloomy and the black clouds hovering over the large buildings suggest it will be a wet one as well. On the kitchen counter is a large assortment of breakfast foods.

It’s fucking breakfast, not a marriage proposal! Calm the hell down, Darcy.

I sit and pick up a fork, ready to satisfy my stomach. I’m nibbling on a piece of bacon, reading the paper, when the elevator door opens.

He’s here!

When Benjamin appears, I nearly choke.

Mother of God.

He’s shirtless, and in blue sweats, rubbing his face with a towel. I believe I’m hyperventilating as I stare at the sweat droplets on his toned physique.

His smile is wide as he strides over to me. “My shirt looks good on you.”

“I couldn’t get the zipper on my dress.” I hold out a piece of bacon.

He takes a bite.

“What time do you wake up in the morning?” I ask. “It’s not even eight.”

“Six.”

Early bird. “Do you have plans for today?”

“Work.”

“It’s Saturday.”

His mouth slims into a tighter smile. “I work every day. You know that.”

“I thought your staff has the weekends off?”

“They do. The managers and I are the only ones in on the weekends.”

“Oh.”

Am I ever going to see this guy except at night?

“I’ll change that, Darce.” He lays his hand over mine, and I look up at him. “I do want to spend time with you. Maybe get away. I’ve never taken a trip that wasn’t business related.”

I think about that carefully. Whoa. “Neither have I.”