Page 32 of Hot n Bothered

I sobelle wanted to drag Ben into their bedroom, lock the door and ignore the outside world for as long as possible. But instead she had to talk to her family.

Although it was more listen to her father criticise the tour guide at the Acropolis. Apparently they had their history wrong and had missed out on some very key moments that he felt should’ve been brought up. She exchanged a look with Ben as they washed up and cleaned the kitchen.

“Never knew you knew how to wash up.” T said with a smirk.

“Why would you think that?” She responded pleasantly. “You’ve never been to my flat.”

“I mentioned the state of your living arrangements my darling.” Her mother said pouring herself a glass of wine. “I was merely concerned about your ability to take care of yourself.”

“I’m still alive and well so you don’t need to be so concerned.”

“There’s no need to be snippy. I’m just expressing motherly concern, is that not allowed?”

“You should see our friend Rich’s place.” Ben said. “Now that’s worrying.”

“Your friend sounds so pleasant.” A said snidely. “I take it he’s also unemployed like you?”

“Who Rich?” Isobelle snorted. “You should do your research better. He’s the workaholic out of the group. I mean he has to be, what with running his own company and all.”

“How would I know that about your supposed friend?” A snarked. “It’s not all about you Izzy.”

“Well he was the one that you kept harassing Darren to set you up with last year.” She replied with a smile.

She loved how Ben had turned so he was leaning against the counter and had pulled her in front of him. His arms around her so she was leaning back against him, legs either side of hers.

“Darren needs to stop telling people his company.” He said resting his chin on her shoulder.

“Wasn’t there that crazy girl who threatened to out him to his friends if he didn’t set up a date between her and Rich?

” He scoffed. “Like we didn’t know, or it was a thing to be embarrassed about. Talk about being bigoted and nasty.”

Isobelle coughed to hide her laugh as A went red and flounced out of the kitchen. She wasn’t sure if Ben was aware it was her that he was talking about.

“Was it something I said?” He whispered in her ear, amusement clear in his voice.

So he did know. She couldn’t stop the laugh that burst free.

“What’s so funny?” her father asked scowling at them.

“Private joke.” She said. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Hmm.” He didn’t look impressed. “What are your plans tomorrow?”

“Just a lazy day by the pool.” Ben replied. “I have some things I need editing before posting them.”

“We might as well join you. It would be nice for us to actually spend some time together on what is supposed to be a family holiday.” He looked sternly at her as though she’d been ignoring them all for ages.

One day. They’d had one measly day to themselves. Not even a whole day at that because they were here right now. Why was he trying to make an issue out of it? She forced a nice smile on her face.

“Sure, sounds good.”

“Urgh. Can we sit down? My feet are killing me.” T groaned pointing to the living room area.

“It does make sense. Are you joining us or are you going to be rude again?”

She restrained herself from huffing a sigh, or rolling her eyes. Instead she nodded.

“What would you like to drink?” She asked Ben. “I’m going to make myself a cuppa.”

“I think my spirit animal is an old woman.” He said patting her hip as he pushed her forward so he could stand up. “Because a tea is sounding so good right now.”

“You guys go in, we’ll be through soon.” She said filling the kettle.

“I take it Darren is wanting updates.” Ben asked as he took out the mugs and teabags. “Or is making your mighty fine arse vibrate a party trick?” His wink made her laugh.

She took out her phone to check it. Ben was right, she quickly tapped out a message to tell him what had happened.

Just the highlights, obviously leaving out the fact she had fucked his best friend.

As they waited for the kettle to boil Ben wrapped his arms around her pulling her back into his chest. How did he know she loved this so much?

It was so nice and comforting. She laid her head back against him with a happy sigh.

“Ask him if he wouldn’t mind if I killed your dad” He whispered in her ear.

“What? Why?” She laughed.

“I said we’ll stay here tomorrow so I could keep you in bed all day. I had so many plans.”

“Oh really? What kind of plans?”

“Plans that involved tasting every single inch of you. Plans that would leave you so weak and trembling from all the pleasure I’ll give you, that I would have to hand feed you.”

Her breath caught as her pulse accelerated under his lips. Was he even aware of what he did to her? Thankfully the kettle clicked off before she dragged him to bed, damn her family being there.

He grumbled when she stepped away from him to make the drinks.

“Behave yourself.” She hissed at him. “Or I won’t make this the right temperature.”

“Bully.” His pout was so adorable it took every ounce of self-control not to kiss him.

“Says the man who pinches me.”

“Only when you insult my favourite person.” She rolled her eyes as she handed him his mug.

“Corny.”

He just grinned. “Yep.”

“Come on. Let’s see what they have in store for us.”

“You can sit here Ben.” A patted the spot on the sofa next to her.

“I’d rather not, thank you.” He replied, motioning for Isobelle to sit in the only remaining armchair. He then sat on the floor in front of it, head leaning back against her legs that were curled up under her.

“This is much comfier than the floor.” A pouted.

“I’m perfectly comfortable right where I am thank you.”

Isobelle bit her tongue. She wanted to tell A to leave him alone, he’d made his decision, but thought better of it. If she said anything it would be turned round to her being ridiculous and jealous.

“Never thought you’d accept someone like Izzy being so possessive over you.” A continued.

Ben tilted his head back to look up at Isobelle. “Did I miss you telling me to sit here?” He asked.

She shook her head, running her fingers through his hair. “Nope. They just don’t know you prefer sitting on the floor like this.”

“Why would you prefer to sit on the floor?” Her mother asked.

“It’s something he’s always done.” Isobelle explained.

“Bianca likes to stretch her legs out and has her feet on Cat’s lap, they share the large sofa with Katie and Richie who do the same.

Darren and Rob have the second sofa and Rich and Joey have the other chairs.

They both fidget so much Ben has always leaned against me.

” She shrugged. “We’ve told him time and again to get another chair or a bigger sofa.

But he refuses. I even offer to sit on the floor. ”

“You do know it’s because of you, don’t you?” Ben smiled up at her.

“It is?”

“It’s because you do what you’re doing now. I really like it.”

Was he blushing? And doing what? She froze as she realised she was still running her fingers through his hair. Had she always done that? It was an unconscious thing she was doing. Her eyes went wide and her face heated, just how long had she been doing it for?

“But I thought you’d only just started dating?” A’s eyes narrowed.

“That’s right. Darren said it had only been a couple of months and yet you’ve always done that?” T looked positively smug.

“That’s true.” Ben replied. “Like I said. I’ve always had a thing for Belle. That’s why I’ve always sat like this. I’m not even sure she was aware she was doing it.” He grinned sheepishly. “That’s why I can’t argue with her when she tells me I’m like a big puppy dog.”

“I didn’t know.” She said. “Seriously? Since when?”

“First happened on our first hangover day. You’ve done it ever since.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Darren said you probably didn’t realise you were doing it. If I’d told you, you would’ve been aware of it and stopped. That’s why I didn’t say anything, I love you doing it.”

“Such a puppy dog.” She giggled. “I can’t believe I’ve been stroking you for almost seven years and not knowing.”

“Well you are a bit ditzy my darling.” Her mother said. “Always have your head in the clouds. You really are a funny girl sometimes. Do you realise how often you have that dreamy, far off look? If it’s not that then your nose is stuck in a book.”

Why were those words familiar? She couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was that made her feel like she’d heard them before.

It wasn’t from her saying that to her before.

It was like the answer was tickling the back of her mind, just out of reach.

This was going to drive her mad all night she knew.

Then Ben quietly hummed a tune and she had to take a gulp of tea before she burst out laughing as it all fell into place.

“I guess she wants more than this provincial life.” He said innocently, making Isobelle cough into her mug to hide her laugh.

“Wrong pipe.” She croaked, tugging on Ben’s hair as he snickered into his mug.

After frowning at them in confusion for a moment, her mother turned her attention to T. Apparently a rather attractive man had been chatting her up while they were out. T was more than happy to enthuse about him. She kept shooting smug looks to Isobelle.

She didn’t care, she ran her fingers through Ben’s hair loving the happy sigh he gave. Had he really liked her doing this all this time? Or was it something he’d made up for her family? Either way she was going to pretend it was true for now.