As I look out over the unbelievable scenery, barely off the high of telling this guy my story and feeling like he truly heard me, my heart is so full. It’s more than I’ve let myself feel all at once in what seems like years—warm, and hopeful, and caredfor.
And then Benny turns to me and says, “I want you to know that I’m on your team. Doesn’t matter what happens with us, or with the job, whatever you need, I’m here. I’m your guy. That okay?”
I see the vulnerability in his gaze and with it, the strength and sincerity. Combined with the fact that he still looks like Mr. July in a Hot Lumberjacks Calendar, it makes me want him morethan I’ve ever wanted anyone. Before I can overthink it or talk myself down, I turn to face him. He looks at me, a brow lifting as I step closer. His arms drop to his sides and one corner of his mouth hooks upward, his gaze still questioning. When our faces are just a few inches apart, I lift my arms and wrap them around his neck. I pause for just a moment, looking for confirmation that he wants this too, and the feeling of his hands resting gently on my waist gives me the answer I need.
I lean in and press my lips to his. It’s soft at first but with no uncertainty. Benny responds instantly, like he’s been waiting for this at least as long as I have. His hands move from my waist to my back, tightening around me and pulling my body closer tohis.
My thoughts are a blur ofyes, good, rightas I tilt my head, deepening the kiss. Every inch of me is tingling and I know that I want more of this and for a long, long time. But before too long, before I feel ready for it to end, Benny pulls away. He brings his hands up to frame my face, his lips edging up on one side and his eyes moving between mine with a look of warm intensity.
“Better than okay,” I answer his question belatedly. He looks confused by my words for a moment; then his head tips back with a laugh.
“Is this really happening?” The disbelief in his voice makes me blush immediately.
I nod, and when I answer it’s with more than just this kiss, this singular moment in mind. “If you want it to.”
Benny breathes out a chuckle and lets his forehead rest on mine. “I’ve only wanted this since I heard you rant about sweettea.”
Now I’m the one laughing. I step away, but not without finding his hand and linking our fingers together, pulling him a few feet toward the water to sit down on a rock alongside me.
“Really? That’s what did it for you?”
He leans back on his elbows. “That, and everything else I’ve learned about you since. Why, what did it for you?”
Oh my stars. He can’t just casually drop these things on me. I purse my lips and turn my face away, trying to keep from looking as affected by his words as I am.
“Mmm, probably your gnocchi.”
Benny laughs and bumps my arm with his. “Appreciate the honesty. I have a very specific set of skills and I’m prepared to use them as much as I have to.”
“I think this’ll work quite nicely.” I return his smile, then lean over to kiss him again. It’s like now that I’ve started, I can’t stop. He straightens up to wrap his arms around me again and goodgravy.His kisses are sweeter than the sweetest tea, hotter than Kentucky summer sunshine. They make me want to forget everything that’s held me back in the past and fall headfirst into this, into him.
A while later, it’s once again Benny who pulls back, though it looks like it pains him to do so. He rubs his hands over his face like he’s trying to bring himself back to the present.
“Wow, all right. As much as I’d love to cut ties with the civilized world and change my permanent address to this rock ledge right here with you, and believe me I would”—I smirk as he pulls his phone out of his pocket, glancing at the screen for just a moment before sliding it back—“I think Nia and Lily are making brunch, so everyone’s gonna be up and at ’em soon. And neither us showing up late nor the smug, my-dreams-just-came-true look on my face would help us keep people from suspecting anything romantic is going on here. Which I’m guessing, at least for now, is what we still want? To keep it quiet?”
I bring my forehead to his shoulder, concealing my red face. “Agreed, Bento box, but in that case, I’m gonna need you to stop making me blush so hard.”
His laugh echoes through the trees as he scoots away and pushes to his feet, offering his hand to pull me up. “Bento box. That might be my favorite one yet. Can you imagine if my parents had gone with Lorenzo, Manuel, Leonardo, and Bento Box Beneventi?”
I help him reposition his hat, which has gone slightly askew, considering the fanciness of his brothers’ full names and what that suggests for Benny’s. We keep our hands linked together as we start back down the trail and I can’t stop the goofy smile it puts on my face. “Now that we’ve kissed, do I get to know your first name?”
“Aha! The real reason for your actions today—exposed! That took no time at all.” He points an accusatory finger at me.
“You’re avoiding the question,” I singsong.
Benny seems to consider his next words. “I don’t know, I think I might hold on to this secret a while longer. It’s the last bit of mystery around me to keep you interested.”
I push him and he narrowly misses a tree branch.
When we make it back, delicious scents are already emanating from the cabin. We unlink hands and head inside to find that Lily and Nia have prepared an impressive spread of Belgian waffles, a few breakfast casserole dishes with some kind of eggy, potato-y goodness, and a big platter of bacon. Nia is being filmed making crepes to order, presumably for an episode ofPiece of Cake,with an array of fillings on offer. Benny and I slip in just in time to join the line, and I get a crepe with Nutella and strawberries before we join some of the other Friends at the long dining tables on the back deck.
The food is amazing, but this morning with Benny, along with the secret looks he keeps throwing my way as we eat and the occasional squeezes of my hand under the table? Those are so much better.
That night, we all sit around the campfire built by Katherine earlier for the episode ofFuss-Free Foodieshe filmed about her favorite “easy campfire meals.” Because of course she has this badass wilderness woman side, too.
Benny and I spent most of the day bumming around, playing cards and board games and trying to stay out of the way of those who were filming. Eventually we were tasked with keeping the fire alive after Katherine’s filming was done so we could all use it for s’mores later. Somehow, despite having maybe half of a survival skill between us, Benny and I have managed. And now that everyone has their s’mores and the night is dying down, we can rest again.
I lick marshmallow off my fingers as Benny muses over possible Instagram captions for the picture we took in our waders yesterday. With the many thousands of followers he’s gained since we started making videos, he puts a comical amount of pressure on himself to have good captions.
