‘Exactly.’
We go quiet for a moment, considering what this means for both of us. ‘But when these things become stressful, it’s not always bliss. I bloody love my restaurant but it’s hard work. Sometimes I think it owns me, not the other way round. The last few months have been a bit mad. I’m glad for the space from it.’
He laughs and for once, it’s nice to get a glimpse into him, into his life and the little foibles that maybe don’t make him that perfect. It makes him more attractive, more relatable.
‘Maybe being out of the restaurant for a while has made me work out what’s been missing from my life,’ he says, squeezing my hand a little tighter.
And we don’t have to say it.What was missing was this, not even the sex, but feeling connected to someone.
‘Someone to empty my inbox?’ I say.
‘I’ve never heard it referred to as that but let’s go with it.’ We laugh and he moves closer, letting me rest his head on my shoulder.
I need this.
‘There are a lot of tabs here. CV? Applications? You’re buying a suit?’
‘For possible interview situations.’
‘I like this black one with the cigarette leg. It would suit you.’
‘It would, would it?’ I smile to hear him talk so perceptively about fashion.
‘I think you’d look exceptionally hot in it,’ he says, still staring at the screen. ‘I’d give you the job.’
‘Without even looking at my credentials?’ I ask judgementally.
Ben smiles, blushing as he looks down at the screen. ‘Your credentials are perfect.’
What is it about that voice? The sincerity there, the way his tone drops. I put a leg up and untie my robe so one of my breasts is exposed. ‘Which credentials are those then?’
‘This is why your inbox is full, isn’t it? You get easily distracted, eh?’ he says, refusing to look over, his eyes fixed on the screen, a grin creeping across his face.
‘And you don’t?’ I ask. I don’t normally tease like this. It’s not like me to be so playful, so coy, to invite this to happen again. I slide a hand between my legs and I’m surprised to feel that I’m already quite aroused. I feel my nipples harden, my spine tingle.
‘Here? Now?’ he asks.
‘Please.’
He bends down and puts the computer gently on the floor before allowing himself to look at me. He reaches down and takes the hand I was touching myself with and puts those fingers in his mouth, sucking them gently, his eyes fixed on mine.Oh my. Then he kisses my neck, running his tongue along my jaw,and hovering his body over mine. He doesn’t act straight away. He takes a pause and looks me in the eye. I can feel him brushing up against my thigh, the proximity of his breath and skin makes me exhale slowly.
The inbox can wait.
It really can wait.
27
ZARA
FAMALAM WhatsApp Group
Bella
MUM, WHO IS THAT MAN IN YOUR PHOTOS?
Zara
The man who runs the retreat. His name is Ben.
