AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ever surveyed him taking in his large frame that towered over her. His shoulders and chest were broad, his physique thick and muscular. His presence overpowering the space between them. Despite his intimidating size, he radiated a kind gentleness that both calmed and intrigued her.
Realizing she had not yet spoken, and the awkward silence was growing between them, she cleared her throat and shook her head to regain her wits. Putting out her hand to take his, she replied, “Please call me Ever. And you are?”
He took her hand quickly in a firm shake and apologized again, “So, sorry. Ben Hastings, your father’s, umm, your farmhand.” They both looked down at his huge hand holding her much smaller one. The contrast in size almost comical. She slowly looked up, meeting his intoxicating blue gaze, swallowed down hard, and gave him an amicable smile.
“Nice to meet you, Ben.” she greeted, suddenly feeling self-conscious as she glanced down at her robe and pajamas. Noticing the tops of her breasts threatening to escape over the top of her sleep tank and long bare legs on full display in her very short pajama shorts, her face reddened.
Ben’s eyes inadvertently grazed over her body and, realizing his stare lingered too long, he quickly looked away.
“Sorry.” Ever laughed nervously and wrapped her robe over her curves and tied it to cover herself.
“It’s okay, this is your home,” Ben replied with a hint of a smile on his lips as he looked in the opposite direction. “I hope you don’t mind that I made us some coffee. Your father and I would always enjoy a cup before we tackled the chores of the day.”
Ever put her hands on her hips, cocked her hip to the side and looked up at him, her eyes twinkling in the morning sun. “Anytime you want to break in and make me coffee, you are welcome! Do you make breakfast too?” she teased, giving him a playful wink.
Ben, entertained by her lighthearted question, matched her. “Are you offering?” he asked with a baritone chuckle.
Ever grinned, taking in his question, bringing her hand to her chin as if giving it some thought. “Eggs and bacon?” she asked, eyebrows raised in question as she turned, opening the storm door to enter the kitchen. “Pretty sure I have all we need to make a hearty farm breakfast. Cannot work on an empty stomach after all.”
* * *
Ben ran his hand over his thick coarse beard and gave Ever a broad smile of agreement. Following her into the kitchen, he stole a moment to take in the curve of her body and rich reddish-brown hair, soft waves bouncing, still messed from sleep. She was more beautiful than he had remembered.
Having both attended Primrose High School, he was a senior when she was a freshman, making them almost four years apart in age. Normally their paths would seldom cross despite the small size of their high school, however every day he admired her from the back of the bus as she drifted on and took her seat. Tall and lanky in his teens, his height made him stand out, but because he was quiet and self admittedly nerdy, he never fit in with the popular crowd. From the moment Ever entered Primrose High School, she was the “it” girl. The girl all the boys wanted to date and was, without question, completely out of his league.
Through his final year of high school and after graduation Ben started working full-time at the local feed-mill so by the age of twenty the hard labour along with a final growth spurt not only helped Ben bulk up fully but also brought him to a towering six foot eight inches. Leaving Primrose at 21 for university, he lived in a dorm only coming home on weekends and would see Ever from time to time around town either with her dad or with her friends. Every time he did, he was awed at her natural beauty. And now, many years later, that undeniable beauty had only increased as she grew into a statuesque, stunning woman.
Ben stood back and waited as Ever rummaged around in the cupboards and fridge to retrieve the tools and food she needed to make them breakfast. “Can I help in any way?” he asked eagerly, rubbing his hands together.
“Sure!” she replied brightly. “How about you crack those eggs into that bowl and give them a scramble with that whisk?”
“That I can do!” Ben exclaimed, taking off his work jacket and rolling up the sleeves of his grey blue Henley shirt, taking a spot on the counter next to her. “How many do you want? I usually eat 4 or 5.”
Ever unapologetically looked him up and down, making him feel very aware of her soft presence next to him. She offered him a cheeky grin and replied. “I have no doubt you do.”
Ben smirked, giving her a sideways glance.
“Two eggs are fine for me, big guy!” she joked, as she lit the burner and added the bacon to the cast-iron skillet.
Ben was never so thankful for his full facial scruff as he was now, feeling a warm blush creep up his cheeks from her flirtatious teasing.
As Ever finished their breakfast, Ben seated himself at the kitchen table, taking in the graceful way she moved around the kitchen. Dear Lord, she is gorgeous. Realizing he was staring, and his mouth had dried, he took a long sip of his coffee as Ever plated their breakfasts. Turning around, Ever presented him with a big plate of fluffy eggs and bacon.
Taking his plate, he offered her an appreciative smile. “Thank you, this looks amazing!”
Ever touched his forearm and gave him an appreciative smile. Her fingertips lingering briefly but memorably on his warm skin. It was such a small gesture, but the effect of her touch made his body instantly aware of her. “While we eat, can you give me a run-down of what we are doing today?” she asked, taking a seat next to him.
He nodded and shifted, giving her more room and could not help but enjoy her proximity to him and how their arms brushed as they both dug into their breakfasts. As they ate, they talked lightly about the general morning chores, what needed to be done today, and the menagerie of animals currently residing on the farm.
Ever picked up a slice of perfectly cooked bacon. Taking a bite, she closed her eyes and let out a low moan of appreciation.
Ben’s head turned to her, his blue eyes widened, and he swallowed down slowly, feeling the guttural sound deep in his core.
She opened her eyes and met his, her cheeks taking on a rosy hue. “Bacon is my aphrodisiac.” She laughed nervously.
Almost choking on his coffee, he cleared his throat and returned his gaze to her. “Noted.” Ben replied deadpan, the corners of his mouth slowly lifting in a grin.
Both Ben and Ever burst out in a fit of laughter as they returned to their breakfast and conversation. Draining their mugs, they both stood from the table, taking their dishes to the sink.
