Page 6 of Benjamin and the Thief

Nina put a hand on her shoulder and pressed her back down into the armchair. “Finish your tea. And if my son doesn’t behave, you know where I live.”

When Nina left, Benjamin took his drink and sat down on the sofa, facing Catalina.

“By the way, my mother means it,” he said, finally feeling more relaxed. “If I don’t behave, she will want to know so she can chastise me.”

“She must have had you when she was very young.” Catalina took another sip from her tea.

“She did. And she’s got good genes. Both my parents do.”

He gave a one-shouldered shrug and smiled at her, knowing that his smile was one of his best offensive weapons. He used it whenever he was interested in a woman.

“I also look younger than I am, just in case you’re wondering.”

A smile curled around her lips, and he realized that she knew he was flirting with her.

“I wanted to thank you again for saving me. I didn’t even see or hear the taxi.”

Their eyes met.

“You were upset about losing your parking spot and getting a ticket on top of it. It’s understandable.”

“What did you say to the driver? I mean, why would he just give up the spot?”

Benjamin winked at her. “I can be very insistent. I reminded him that manners and civility aren’t dead. In the end, he agreed with me.”

She chuckled softly. “You know that sounds like something somebody from the Mafia would say.”

“I assure you, I’m not with the Mafia. Nevertheless, I can be very convincing.”

“And I should have been more careful…”

Her voice trailed off as if she was remembering something that upset her.

“You okay now?” he asked, infusing a softer tone into his voice.

She nodded slowly and rose. “Please thank your mother for the tea. But I should really go now.”

He rose from the sofa and walked to her as she headed for the elevator. There, she turned to look at him. He pressed the elevator button to call it back down, hoping it would take long enough to arrive so he could say what he wanted to say.

“Again, thank you for what you did,” she murmured.

To his surprise, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. The contact was brief, her lips warm. Her scent wrapped around him. When she drew back, he put his hand on her upper arm and looked in her face. She didn’t move, didn’t free her arm from his touch, but simply met his gaze.

“I…uhm… I…”

The words died on his lips. He should ask her for her phone number so he could see her again, but he felt paralyzed because any movement on his part could sever the connection their eyes were maintaining. It felt like electrical charges were infusing the air between them. Arousal surged through him, and he noticed that their breaths synchronized. He knew what this moment was all about.

“I would like to…”

Her eyes widened.

“…kiss you,” she interrupted.

“…see you again,” he said over her words.

At her surprising confession, he brought his face closer to hers. “Kiss you is even better.”

Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t back away. Her breath hitched.