Page 83 of Blush Crush

CHAPTER 25

Ariana

CASA DE BENTON

“Excuse me, Miss.” A hand waves in front of my face. “Miss, did you hear me?”

There’s an elderly woman standing in front of me and I’m pretty sure she appeared out of nowhere.

I shake my head, trying to snap out of the daze I’ve been in.

“Sorry.” I smile. “What can I get you?”

She rolls her eyes, huffing, but rattles off her order anyway.

I take my time making it, not interested in pleasing her by rushing.

Once it’s done, I hand it over and don’t get so much as athank you.

I should’ve just had Lina or Sadie cover for me. It’s just been one of those days. I keep making silly mistakes, losing focus, spacing off. It’s very unlike me.

Truthfully, I’ve been struggling getting back into the swing of things since the new year.

New Year’s Eve was amazing. I wasn’t expecting anything physical to happen between me and Cole, but he took me by surprise. He was slow and gentle and reassuring. I can’t imagine anyone else being so patient with me.

After we rang in the new year and made it back to our room, I was dead on my feet. Cole explained it was normal for me to be so tired since my body wasn’t used to a powerful orgasm. And the two glasses of sparkling wine didn’t help.

I’d planned on maybe getting in another lesson, one that he could enjoy, but I fell asleep before we could get the chance.

When we woke up the next morning, there was a pillow between us just like Cole had promised and I felt oddly disappointed he followed through with it. I think I was imagining waking up in his arms or something. I’m not sure. Either way, I didn’t bring it up and tried to act as normal as possible.

Shane cooked us all breakfast and then we got on the road and the performance was over.

The aftermath was very uneventful. It was all very normal. And I thought I was going to lose my mind because all I wanted to do was scream from the rooftops that Cole Benton went down on me and even though it was only my second orgasm, it was the best orgasm of my life.

It was like my life had completely transformed but no one else’s had and I couldn’t understand how everyone was just living life like it was mundane and average, and not full of vibrant color and miracles.

That’s dramatic, but it’s true.

That was two days ago, and today is my first day back in the shop.

After the morning rush, things slowed down, leaving only a few of my regulars scattered throughout. With nothing to do but stare at them, I’m about to pull out my book and get some reading in, but I stop. Sensing him before I see him.

Cole strides in and my heart does a little skip.

It’s only because I’m excited to see him. We’ve been texting a lot but I haven’t seen him since he dropped me off.

I just missed him, that’s all. In a friendly way. Because we’re friends.

He hits me with a devastating smile as he approaches and my stomach dips. But before I can think too hard on it, he steps into my space and presses his lips against mine.

I think it was meant to be a peck, since we’re a couple and all, but it quickly transforms when I tease him with my tongue.

It sets something off in Cole, his grip on me tightening, his tongue sliding against my lower lip, and I part my mouth for him completely.

Our kissing is frantic and feverish, like we didn’t just see each other.

My body melts into him, relishing all the defined ridges of his ab muscles. He’s so firm and solid, an impenetrable wall of a man, but for whatever reason he’s letting me practically climb him like a tree.