Page 117 of Consumed By You

I pout when he removes my hands from his chest. Damn. Now, I’m all worked up.

He makes his way back to the bedroom. I’m transfixed, watching him disappear through the door.

I’ll never let you go.

***

The metal zipper buzzes loudly when Benjamin does up the back of my dress. I know I must look like complete shit considering the lack of makeup on my face.

I move around him and slip on my heels. I can’t tear my eyes off of him. He’s in a tight black shirt with jeans to match and his hair is still dripping from the shower. I’m envious he can simply get out of the water and his hair is already perfectly styled.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

He sticks his wallet into his back pocket and picks his coat off the chair. “It’s a surprise.” The gleam in his eyes makes my heart leap with anticipation. Benjamin Scott is taking me on a date. A real date.In daylight!

“You should just tell me now.” I follow him out into the living room.

“Someone doesn’t care for surprises, I’m guessing?”

“If I said yes, would you tell me?” I laugh when he spins, pecking my lips.

“No.”

I sigh, giving up, and with a chuckle of triumph he hands me my coat. I shrug into it while he takes a set of keys from a collection on the wall.

“That’s a lot of keys.” I take his outstretched hand. “What are they for?”

He presses the elevator button that reads Garage. “Some are cars. My boat. Keys to various apartments I own.”

“You own more than one apartment?”

“Not here. Dallas, California, Miami, Paris, and Milan.”

Speechless, I try to conceal my complete look of astonishment and stare at the red descending numbers.

“Does that intimidate you?” He tugs on my hand.

I glance at him, wondering if he can read my mind. “I knew you had money, I just didn’t realize how much, I guess. It’s a little surprising.”

“That’s me. Full of surprises.” He kisses my hair. “You’ll get used to it.”

Will I?

We come upon a shiny black Porsche and it beeps melodically in response to the gadget in Benjamin’s hand.

No, I won’t.

“What about your security?” I ask while he holds open the door for me.

“No security today. Just me and you.”

I beam and slide onto the leather seat.

This day just keeps getting better and better.

***

Steve Perry’s catchy tenor vibrato is blasting through the speakers of Benjamin’s convertible as we speed down the highway in the direction of Upstate New York. I still have no idea where he’s taking me, but it doesn’t matter just now.