Page 36 of Hot n Bothered

“ Y ou’re frowning at your phone.” Isobelle said as they sat out in the night air.

He had just come back from grabbing his hoodie for her as the breeze was a little cool. Her family had retreated inside so they were taking advantage to be alone.

“It’s a new trend. I’m trying to figure out my answer that’s all.”

“What’s the question?”

“Excluding the obvious, food, water, air etc. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?”

She laughed as she pulled his hoodie on. “For you? 100% it’s your phone.”

“And for you, it’s your writing.” He said putting his phone away and sitting next to her on the swing bench.

Except that wasn’t the case anymore she thought. It was him she couldn’t live without. It was his smile when he saw her, the brushes of his hand against her as he passed. It was his kisses, his laughter, his teasing. It was even his corniness she couldn’t live without.

It was also moments like this. Quiet moments where they just worked well together and fit so perfectly.

She tucked her legs up to the side of her as he lifted his arm so she could lean against him with his arm around her back.

No awkward shuffling or fidgeting to get comfortable.

Just one easy movement as though they’d done it a million times.

He rocked them gently, he always knew when she needed quiet.

As was the norm with her family she was exhausted.

The twins were determined to trip them up and kept asking question after question.

When that hadn’t worked they had started in on the backhanded comments.

Then came all the conversations that were just gossip sessions.

It really became clear how they all enjoyed criticising, whether it was someone they knew or a celebrity.

This was the first moment that there was quiet all day. She hadn’t been able to write because of all the talking. Her nerves were all raw and frazzled when they finally went inside.

But just a few minutes with Ben, his hand on her hip, thumb under her top rubbing against her skin.

That was all she needed to sooth them and completely relax into him.

She really should thank him for trying his best to keep the barbs from hitting their intended targets.

But she was too comfortable to even open her eyes right now.

“Belle? Come on open those eyes.”

“Piss off.” She muttered shoving his hand away from shaking her.

Why was he being a dick and waking her up in the middle of the night?

He chuckled. “Come on. You can sleep in bed.”

She lifted her head blinking. As she scowled sleepily she realised her head was in his lap and they were still outside on the swing.

“When did I fall asleep?” She muttered rubbing her eyes, struggling to sit up she was so drained.

“Ages ago. You obviously needed it. I know how too much talking can take it out of you.”

Her hand fumbled over her face. "Where are my glasses?"

"I have them, don't worry. Up you get."

His hands on her shoulders helped her upright. He chuckled again as her eyes slipped closed.

“Do you need me to carry you?”

“Pft. Like you could. Just help me up.” She held out her hands.

“Are you going to open your eyes?”

“They are open.” She sighed as he pulled her up.

“Sure they are. Fine.” He chuckled. “Just lean on me, I’ll get you there. You can trust me.”

“I know. I’ve always known that.”

He wrapped his arms around her, enclosing her in the safe warm embrace of him.

“You have?”

She nodded letting him walk her through the villa. She leaned her head back against him. “Yep. Darren told me ages ago I could. But I already knew.”

“Glad to hear it. So what did I do to earn that?”

“Nothing spectacular. I just know.” She mumbled.

She was so tired, she would’ve stumbled if Ben hadn’t been holding her. She couldn’t even open her eyes when he gently undressed her and walked her to the bed.

He laughed softly when she face-planted across it.

“You’re worse than Darren when he’s drunk. Come on Belle, under the covers.”

“Don’t leave me.” She mumbled into the pillows as she shifted.

He slid under the covers wrapping his arms around her and pressing a kiss to the back of her neck.

“Never.” He whispered.

Isobelle didn’t know what she would’ve done if she didn’t have Ben with her the past several days.

No matter what he suggested they do her father always invited the rest of them along and took over.

So even a trip to a market and another café recommended by Ben’s followers was turned into a regimented schedule instead of a relaxing time. It put her on edge.

She’d not had a chance to do any writing because of all the constant talking and she was getting antsy because of it.

Even though Ben tried his hardest to bolster her, all the comments and suggestion had chipped away at her confidence. She knew he watched her with concern on his face as her shoulders slumped. It was like she was carrying the weight of their criticisms and it exhausted her.

They’d taken to going to bed early, but other than a few kisses and some snuggling she was too tired for anything else.

Ben being the sweet, wonderful Ben that he was seemed to understand and never pushed.

Instead he would spend the time doing his exercises to keep his body looking so gorgeous, then stretch out next to her, working on his phone quietly, as she fell asleep.

Each morning he was wrapped around her and extracted a promise that she would return when she got up to go the loo.

She really enjoyed that time, just quietly cocooned in the warmth of his arms as he still slept.

In those moments she closed her eyes, drifting in that hazy bliss somewhere between awake and sleep.

It was so easy to believe this was all real, that Ben loved her and it would continue when they were home and away from her family.

For once Ben actually woke up before she did. The need for the second sleep was a sign her family was wearing her down. That was her body’s sure-fire way to cope. Shut down, sleep and ignore the problems.

“Belle? Come on my Sleeping Beauty, time to open those gorgeous eyes.” She heard Ben whisper in her ear before pressing a kiss to her cheek.

She was too tired to do anything other than sigh and reach out her arm for him. Except it hit empty cold sheets. That got her eyes open.

She scowled up at him to see he was dressed.

“Don’t call me that and why are you dressed?”

“Call you what? Belle? You asked me to remember. And I’m dressed because it’s time to get up.”

She rubbed her eyes yawning widely. “Sleeping Beauty. I’m not.”

“Yes you are.”

“Stop talking rubbish.”

Now he was scowling at her. “I’m not talking rubbish. You are beautiful. How many times do I have to tell you this? Why do you never believe me?”

“Because I have eyes.” She snapped at him, irritated he still felt the need to go through this charade when they both knew the truth. “I can see myself in mirrors you know. I also know you think I need to hear stuff like that, but I don’t. I know you’re just trying to make me feel better.”

“I’m not… well ok, yes I guess I am. I’m just telling you what I know to be true because you don’t see that in yourself and I wish you would.”

She closed her eyes with a sigh, she didn’t want to argue with him. “Look, can we just agree to disagree on this? I don’t want to fight with you right now. What’s dad’s plan for today?”

“Taking your mum and sisters shopping. Which means you and I are going out, just the two of us.”

“Really? Can’t we just stay here?”

“No. I have somewhere we can go and I don’t want them to come back early and disrupt your writing.”

She bounded up onto her knees, wrapping her arms around his neck at that. “You’re going to let me write? You promise?”

He laughed, his arms pulling her into him. “How could I not when you light up like that? Anyway, I know you Belle. Writing is not what you do. It’s who you are. Not being able to write has been hard for you.”

“But won’t you be bored?”

He shook his head. “I’ll be working too. I have edits to do on the cookbook. So can I borrow your Surface?”

She pretended to think about it before nodding. She was about to lean up and kiss him, but the waft of minty fresh breath from him had her clamping her mouth closed and rushing to the bathroom.