Page 13 of Hot n Bothered

“ W hat’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Nothing is wrong. Why do you think something is wrong?”

Isobelle raised her eyebrows at Ben who was currently on his hands and knees scrubbing the tiles in her tiny bathroom with what looked like a toothbrush.

“Oh I don’t know.” She said breezily. “I mean you claimed to be here to spend the day relaxing and yet so far you’ve hoovered the entire flat and are now scrubbing my bathroom to oblivion. Oh and you’ve also dunked your brush into the tea I lovingly made you twice without realising.”

Ben frowned at the brush in his hand and then at the now soapy mug of tea.

“Ah fuck. Sorry.”

She gestured for him to pass it to her.

“I mean, not that I’m not relishing the fact my flat looks so tidy now. But what’s bothering you?”

“It’s… um…” He sighed looking at the floor, his whole body tense. “I’m not the best flyer.” He admitted.

“What do you mean by not the best flyer? You just don’t like it or…?”

His sigh this time was part groan. “I have a fear of flying. A big fear.”

“Wait… hold up. You’re scared of flying? Why agree to do this when you know we’ll be flying there and back?” She shook her head. “Ben? Why would you do something that stupid? Does Darren know?”

He didn’t answer, just bent over and started scrubbing vigorously.

“Ben.”

“Just let me finish.” He snapped at her.

She knew he didn’t mean it. When you had anxieties it was easier to react with anger. Easier to lash out than to answer questions that show just how ridiculous you were being.

So she left him to it. Left him to find peace in the way he coped best. Once he’d calmed down she knew he’d apologise to her, not that he needed to. He was too sweet not to.

She scrubbed out his mug and boiled the kettle. This time she didn’t bother putting cold water in, letting it cool naturally so it should be his ideal temperature by the time he’d finished.

She couldn’t believe he would do this, especially being scared of flying.

Rather weirdly it was something that didn’t spike her anxiety.

It was probably the fact she could zone out and focus on her writing without worrying about missing her stop.

It felt almost wrong, but it was nice to know that she wasn’t the only one with anxieties.

She frowned at the builders tea she’d just made herself. Did she really want that? Opening her cupboard she stared at the array of different flavoured teas, she just couldn’t decide what it was she wanted. She was so engrossed in trying to figure it out she didn’t hear Ben come up behind her.

She jumped when he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

“I’m sorry.” He said softly, pressing his forehead to the top of her hair. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

She couldn’t stop herself from melting back into him.

“That was quicker than I expected.” She said. “Run out of bathroom?”

He chuckled, his warm breath moving through her hair.

“Yes. But I mean it, I am sorry.”

She patted his arm. “You don’t need to apologise. I know you didn’t mean it.”

He tightened his arms burying his face in her hair. “I do. I shouldn’t take my stresses out on you.”

“Oh no. If I accept that apology then that means that I have to apologise for all the times I’ve snapped at you when I’m stressed.”

“We can’t have that can we?” He murmured nuzzling her neck, making her shiver.

“So why are you subjecting yourself to two flights?”

Why wasn’t she moving away from him? Why was she leaning back against him instead?

“Because you need me.” He said so quietly she almost didn’t hear him.

“But it didn’t have to be you did it?”

He stilled behind her, before straightening up. “Richie is with Katie so it couldn’t be him. Same with Cat and Bianca. Joey, absolutely no way would he be able to resist the twins. He’s a decent mate, but that man is a skank.”

She giggled. “A skank?”

“Yes. Rob has already used his holidays from work so couldn’t get time off. So yes, it did have to be me.”

“What about Rich?

“What do you mean what about Rich? Would you rather Rich was here holding you? Would you rather Rich was the one kissing you?” He said sharply.

“You’re not kiss…”

He suddenly spun her around, his mouth cutting off what she was saying.

Hands in her hair he kissed her hard, deep and hungrily.

Gone was the soft and gentleness of their previous kisses.

She gripped his top and kissed him back, her tongue duelling with his.

Unlike before, instead of pulling away he pressed her back against the counter.

Kissing her like he was never going to stop.

He moved his hands, smoothing them down her neck to her shoulders. His hand pressed down onto the bruise on her shoulder and she couldn’t help but wince and give a hiss of pain.

Ben instantly jumped back as though burned.

“I’m sorry.” He said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“It’s fine.” She mumbled red-faced, why could she not control herself around him? What happened to telling him no PDA? She glanced up at his face and he looked so guilty.

“It’s just a bruise you caught, that’s all.” She reassured him.

“Bruise? What bruise?” He was now scowling at her, pulling at the neck of her top. “Show me.”

She rolled her eyes and pulled it to the side to show the large colourful bruise on her shoulder.

“What happened? Who did this to you?”

She stared up at him speechless, he looked so angry and protective. This was not like him at all and if she was being honest with herself, she liked it. Now she understood what bookstagram meant about that phrase, because whoo boy it was hot .

“Are you going to storm off and tell them you’ll unalive them if they dare mar my skin again?”

“I… unalive?”

She giggled at how cute he looked going from angry to confused in a split second, even doing the puppy head tilt.

“It’s a bookstagram thing, you can’t say die or kill in their algorithms.” She explained. “And it was me. I tripped and slammed my shoulder into the doorframe.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Although technically I could blame you.”

“Me? Why me? How did I cause you tripping?”

“I was rushing to get ready for our date. So ergo, your fault.” She grinned at him and passed him his tea. “Here, that should be the right temperature now.” Anything to get him to back up and distract him from that kiss.

“Thanks. But why were you rushing?” His eyes twinkling with merriment. “It wouldn’t be because you were running late would it?”

“Oh shut up.” She muttered. “Drink your tea.”

“Bossy.”

“You love it.”

She loved his breathy chuckle, almost as much as she loved his adorable snort. She noticed he was still tense as he walked away blowing on his drink. He was going to start bouncing his leg when he sat. Which he did almost immediately, he needed distracting.

“Come on, sup up.” She said brightly. “I need to go shopping and you need to help.”

He bounced up like an adorable puppy being told they were going for a walk.

“Help? Yep, I can do that. What do you need?”

“I need to pick out a new hair colour, I need suncream. Um… an over swimsuit top or dress thingie.” She struggled to think of other things she might need to keep him occupied for the day.

“An over swimsuit top or dress thingie? Is that a technical term?”

She rolled her eyes at his teasing. “You know what I mean.”

“I assure you I haven’t a clue.”

“Oh, this is an over swimsuit top or dress thingie.” Ben said grinning at her as she looked through the selections in the shop.

“Yes.” She huffed a sigh, it looked like none of the nice ones were in her size.

Apparently fat women only wanted garish animal print tents covered in glass jewels and copious amounts of glitter and sequins.

Well this fat woman certainly didn’t. She frowned thinking through what other shops carried her size.

Unfortunately there weren’t many, in fact the vast majority were online only.

There were plenty who claimed to do plus-sizes, but they really weren’t.

A few small size 18’s didn’t make a plus-size selection.

“How many do you need?”

She shrugged. “Just a couple I guess.”

“What’s your size?”

“Huh?” She looked up to see he was on his phone again.

“Your size? What size clothes do you wear?”

“Big and fat.”

He looked up scowling at her. “Stop saying rubbish like that. Be serious.”

“I am and why do you want to know?”

“I’m asking Nat where best to get you something that will suit you.”

“Why are you asking your sister?”

“Because she’s the fashion expert remember? Or she wouldn’t be working where she is.”

“Where is she working? Last you told me she was still in design school.”

“Didn’t I tell you? They had a fashion show as part of their final grade, some top designers sent scouts and they loved hers, she’s now working for them.”

“That’s fantastic. Who…”

His phone buzzing interrupted her.

“Hey Nat, we were just talking about you.” Ben answered with a smile.

“Of course you are, I’m worth talking about. Is she there with you? Put the camera on her. Hi Iz.”

Isobelle waved. “Hi Nat, Ben’s just told me about your job, congratulations.”

“Thanks. Do me a favour put your arms up and turn around. Ok pull his hoodie tight so I can see your figure.”

She did as she was told, regardless of how stupid it felt. It was better that way with Nat. She was twelve years younger than Ben, but knew her own mind and could be bossy about it.

“I’d say you’re a what? Size 22, maybe a 24 on some fits?”

“Um… yes. You’re good.”

Nat flashed her pretty smile. “Oh I know I am. You also have a high waist, love it. Alright, Ben? I’m sending you links. Order those now and they’ll get there before 10pm tonight. Anyway, I’ve gotta go. Enjoy your holiday. Bye.” And with that she was gone.

“Um… What just happened?” Isobelle asked.

“My sister just happened.” His fingers flew over his phone. “Alright, those are now ordered for you. So suncream and hair dye right?”

“Do I not even get to choose them?”

He grinned. “Nope.”

“Well how much were they? How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing.”

“Ben I…”

“Your boyfriend likes to spoil you. Get used to it.” He grabbed her hand pulling her to him, pressing a quick kiss to her lips.