AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Turning, Ever looked up and to see Ben, his imposing frame taking over the café entrance. His bright blue eyes surveyed the tables and stopped when he spotted them. His right hand went up for a casual wave and he flashed them a blindingly handsome smile. Ever’s gaze was locked in admiration for the man acknowledging them from across the room.
Bea looked at Ever in amusement with a huge, wicked grin.
Ever caught her look in her peripheral vision and whispered. “I am so screwed”.
“With any luck…” Bea winked at her friend coyly.
Ever choked out a laugh as Ben slowly strode to the back, fielding greetings from locals and stopping at their table.
“Hey Big Ben!” Bea exclaimed playfully.
Ben turned to Bea and smiled to match her amusement. “Hey there, Bitty Bea!”
Bea let out a bountiful laugh as Ben’s gaze settled on Ever. She nervously licked her lips at the intensity of Ben’s focus on her. His eyes darted to her moistened lips as silence settled over the trio. Awkwardly, Ever cleared her throat and shifted in her seat to face him. “Hi!” she blurted out quickly. “Long time no see!”
Ben laughed, and his eyes crinkled endearingly at the corners. How I want to reach up and touch those beautiful lines. Perhaps run my fingers through that beard? Ever shook her head to remove the distracting thoughts.
“Want to join us, Benny?” Bea asked as she gestured to the open spot next to Ever, giving her a sly wink.
“Sorry no, I wish I could. Just picking up some takeout. You ladies have fun, and I will see you perhaps at 4 p.m. at the Farm Supply?” he confirmed, bringing his attention back to Ever.
She nodded, flashed him an agreeable smile, and kicked Bea under the table as she was still smirking at them both.
He gave Ever another heart-stopping grin, acknowledged them both brightly, turned and moved towards the cash register. Paying for his food, he grabbed his takeout bag and turned around to give them one last smoldering glance before he exited the café.
Bea returned her attention to Ever, pure enjoyment radiating on her face. “Holy crap! Is it hot in here?” she asked a little too loudly.
Ever rolled her eyes and shook her head, a hot blush creeping up her face. Hot indeed! she agreed to herself as she watched him go.
* * *
Ben departed the Cafe and hopped into his truck, tossing his lunch next to him on the passenger seat. Firing up the engine, he gripped his steering wheel, stealing a deep breath before shifting the truck into drive and pulling out of the gravel parking lot. As he eased down the main street of Primrose, his thoughts drifted to Ever. Her mesmerizing hazel eyes with flecks of gold that twinkled when she smiled. Her creamy skin and the long curve of her neck when she put her hair back that he so wanted to reach out and touch. His fingers tingled at the thought and a deep yearning formed in his chest. The way she laughed with him and shared so openly with him. How she was so vulnerable with him in the barn office this morning. Making him ache to hold her in his arms and stroke her back softly to console her. Had I ever felt the overwhelming desire to care for and protect a woman? Was the attraction and need as overwhelming for her as it was for me? No question. He could see it in her eyes. She was as drawn to him as he was to her.
At 34, he had done his share of dating. A few made it past the first few dates, but he had never had a serious relationship. He was not a saint, having had his share of casual physical experiences, but he had never felt such an intense and immediate connection with anyone until now and he was not quite sure what to do about it.
* * *
Over the next two weeks, Ben and Ever settled into the easy routine. Early mornings, sharing coffee and breakfast together, followed by chores and errands together in town. Their ease of laughter, lighthearted conversation, and flirtatious banter made each day go by quickly.
Ever enjoyed his deep baritone laugh as they joked and his sly glances towards her when he thought she was not looking. His gorgeous blue eyes made her melt with even the smallest of looks. She had it bad, and she knew it. She was crushing on him more than she wanted to admit, considering their employer/employee dynamic and if she was being honest with herself, she wasn’t even feeling guilty about it.
Every night, his presence crept into her dreams. Hot, steamy dreams. His eyes were dark with lust and his come-hither grin consumed her, making her ache to touch him. How she longed to run her hands through his sexy, disheveled hair, down his deliciously handsome face and over his muscular shoulders, chest, and stomach. Get yourself together, she scolded herself every night, only to fall asleep again, overtaken with racy dreams of Ben Hastings and all that she wanted to do with him.
* * *
Ben tossed and turned and finally opened his eyes to stare into the darkness. He swung his legs out of his bed and held his head in his hands. Ever was consuming his every thought, and he could not shake the deep longing he felt for her. The constant ache for her, making him sleep deprived. He had not slept well over the past two weeks since Ever arrived at Prairie Sky. Every time he closed his eyes, she was there, beautiful, wanton before him. Get a grip, he chided himself. She is your employer.
When he accepted the job from Hardin Wolton, he of course knew who Ever was. He knew how incredibly beautiful she was, but now getting to know her and spending so much time alone with her, his schoolboy crush was morphing into full-blown desire. A desire he was finding difficult to ward off.
Letting out a deep exhale, he rose from the bed and made his way down the long hallway, through the living room, and into the kitchen.
Opening the fridge, he took out the milk, and he turned on the stove burner. Perhaps some warm milk would help me sleep. As he pulled out a sauce pot and poured a generous amount of the creamy liquid into the pan, he heard the familiar jingle of keys and the front door lock disengage.
Hayden must be home. He thought, looking up to see the old wooden clock turn to midnight. “Hey there Cinderella!” he exclaimed, as his younger brother joined him in the kitchen.
“What are you doing up at this hour?” Hayden asked as he ran his hand through his short, medium brown hair. “Warm milk? Breaking out the big guns tonight?”
Ben smiled resoundingly and glanced at his younger brother. Standing six feet tall, Hayden was much smaller in stature than his brother was. Where Ben was broad and thick, Hayden was leaner and more toned. Although they obviously did not look exactly alike, they shared the same ocean blue eyes and handsome smile. He leaned against the island, arms folded, giving Ben a questioning look.
