Page 15 of Hot n Bothered

I sobelle’s smart watch vibrating brought her back to her senses and she jerked back.

“Ow. Fuck.” She smacked her head again.

“Are you alright?” Ben chuckled going to rub her head.

“No I’m not alright.” She snapped, pushing his hand away. “I’m sick of bashing my head, I’m uncomfortable and I hate having my picture taken.”

Anger flared up, masking her embarrassment at believing he was kissing her because he wanted to, not because it was for show on the picture.

“Can I get out now?” She huffed, glaring at the floor. Her face bright red.

“I… yes. Sorry.” His voice sounded flat.

He held out his hand for her to grip as she worked her way off his lap and out of the tiny space.

She managed to crack her elbow twice on the way out.

She rubbed it as she dug in her bag for her phone.

She didn’t care if it was her mother, anything so she didn’t have to look at him.

She breathed a sigh of relief to see it was a missed call and a message from Darren.

Where are you?

Arcades. Needed to distract the idiot puppy.

Um… Idiot puppy?

Ben. Were you aware he is scared of flying?

She rolled her eyes and huffed at the dots indicating he was writing. They kept coming up and disappearing.

“Belle, I…” Ben came up behind her. “Who is it?”

“Darren. He’s either writing an essay or…”

“Going to send a one or two-word answer?” He chuckled. “It’s so annoying when he does that.”

“Super annoying.” She agreed. She risked a glance at him. His hands were empty as was the slot for the pictures. “Busted or they were worse than I feared?”

He shrugged. “I think they’re alright, but you being you will hate them.”

“So you threw them? Good. Still not off the hook for all the bruises I got.”

“Yeah, I think I might just see a way you’ll forgive me.” He flashed his grin at her. “I’ll just be over there.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, his hand at the small of her back seemed to linger.

Or was that just her imagination? Oh just press send already Darren! She needed him to distract her and here he was being the absolute worst.

Yes

Are you fucking kidding me?

What?

Here I am waiting on you writing out war and bloody peace and you reply with Yes

Yes

You’re a dick. You know that?

Yes

So why did you get Ben to do this when he hates flying?

There were those dots again. She looked around trying to see where Ben had scuttled off to. She smiled to see him in front of a claw machine, a look of absolute determination on his face. She snapped a picture and sent it to Darren.

Richie is with Katie. You know Cat & Bianca won’t do. Rob has no holidays

Aw cute the puppy wants a toy

She laughed at that.

And what about Rich?

You really want to go with Rich? Anyway Ben offered as soon as I mentioned it. So the flying thing obvs isn’t so bad

Also how dare you go to an arcade without me!

I could only think of hair dye and sun cream to buy as a way to distract him!

Still purple?

Nope. Red again

Ha! Good. Mum hates the red most. Is that why you picked it?

Actually no. Ben said he liked it. Apparently it brings out the green in my eyes. My eyes are grey

Your eyes change bloody colour because you’re a witch!

Nah, you have blue and green mixed in with your grey. Or do you not remember the epic arguments they caused over the years

I thought they were just saying that to wind each other up

Seriously do you even look in a mirror?

It’s not like I spend time staring at my own eyes. Jeez conceited much?

Puppy got a new toy yet?

She snapped another picture of Ben properly scowling at the machine and sent it.

Nope.

What does he want so bad? I’d better go stop him spending all his money on tat

OMG!

Iz look at what’s in the machine! Be sure to say thank you

She frowned at the phone, then did what he suggested. He wasn’t was he? She couldn’t stop the smile, nor the warm feeling running through her at seeing Ben concentrating so hard.

“Come on, come on, come on, come on.” He muttered as the claw descended over a cuddly Beast toy. “Oh come on.” He snapped when it picked it up and dropped it.

“You don’t have to get it.” She said as he put more coins in. “These things are rigged you know.”

“I will not be beaten.” His brow furrowed in concentration. “Anyway. I already got you.”

“Um… What?”

He reached into the prize bin and pulled out a Belle toy, handing it to her before returning to trying to get the Beast.

“Aw, you rescued a princess? Get you being all heroic. This is enough, don’t waste your money.”

He turned his smile to her. “I can’t let my princess be without her true love.”

How did he make her melt like that? She hugged the Belle toy and leaned against another machine just watching him.

“I can feel you watching me.” He said still focusing on what he was doing. “Trying to put me off?”

“Just wondering when you’ll figure out you could buy one online for a lot less money and effort.”

“That’s too easy. I need to apologise properly. So you need to witness the blood, sweat and tears it took to get this for you. Fuck’s sake!”

She laughed as he put more money in.

“Blood, sweat and tears huh? I need to get this on film.”

She held up her phone and started filming him. “And here we have a prime example of the stubbornness of man.” She narrated in her best Attenborough voice. “Stood at a claw machine refusing to admit defeat and yet getting angrier when the results stay the same.” She giggled.

“Shut up.” He grumbled. “Wait…wait. Yes baby yes!”

The beast toy was making its way over to the prize bin, firmly in the claw’s grip.

“How much did you spend?” She laughed, zooming in on his excited face. Lit up like that he really did look like an adorable puppy.

“Enough.”

He took the toy out with a flourish and held it out, bowing low to her.

“A Beast for my sweet Belle.”

“So ridiculous.” She laughed taking it. “But thank you. I guess you’re forgiven now.”

“Phew.” He wiped his hand across his brow with relief. “Can you send me the video?”

“Sure. How come?” She sent it to him, and also to Darren, figuring he’d get a laugh out of it.

“I’m going to post it to show what a brilliant hunter and gatherer I am.”

She snorted a laugh. “Are you going to admit how many tries it took?”

“Are you going to follow me so you can tell them?”

“I’d rather shoot some zombies.” She grinned at him.

“Anyone ever tell you, that you are the perfect girlfriend?”

“Actually, yes.” She replied smugly.

His grin faded. “Who told you that?”

“You, just now.”

He threw back his head laughing. “You shouldn’t tease me like that. Go pick your gun and I’ll get some more change.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek.

It was getting too easy to lean into the kiss. She was even starting to tilt her head ready for them. If he didn’t watch it, they’d do it when they were with the rest of the group.

She sighed, she needed to stop overthinking. She smiled down at the toys in her hands. It was such a sweet gesture, and he was right, it did mean more that he won them instead of buying them. Of course she wasn’t about to tell him that.

“You are so going to sleep with him tonight aren’t you?” Ben asked in her ear.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m 28 Ben. Not 8.” And yes she totally was going to be sleeping with him in her bed.

“Believe me, I am well aware you are not a child Belle.” He said, slightly huskily, reminding her of how he had spoken to her that night.

Her eyes shot to his, but he was looking down at the change in his hand, completely unaware of how he affected her. He put some coins in the slot and picked up the plastic gun.

“Ready to kill things?” He asked with a grin.