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He lifted his head and rested his chin on top of her breastbone. He smiled and appeared the most tranquil Liz had ever seen him.
“I’ll never get tired of hearing you call me that.”
Liz giggled, then touched the indents on her neck. She was glowing.
Chapter23
Ben
Ben hit the “off” button on his alarm clock. He stretched and stared at the ceiling, thinking of his responsibilities. He looked out the window, watching the sun rise over the city skyline.
He looked at the empty space next to him in the bed. He reached over and brushed the sheets lightly with his fingertips.
Getting up, he rubbed his face and headed to the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror. His muscles had improved since he had been working out more. He fixed his hair and shaved, each stroke of the razor bringing a new thought.
He left the bathroom and strolled to the dresser in the bedroom. He pulled out his black slacks and white button-up shirt. Walking to the window, he pulled on his clothes, looking out at the city. Everyone was still asleep, unaware of the mob’s activities going on right underneath their noses.
Moving out of the bedroom and down the hallway, flipping on the lights, he reached the balcony and stepped down the spiral staircase. The rising sun hit the chandelier perfectly and sent rainbows through the grand hall.
He reached the bottom floor and tucked his shirt into his pants. Walking into the kitchen, he yawned. He looked at the marble countertop, spotless from the maid’s cleaning yesterday.
He set up his favorite brew and sat down at the counter. He smelled the coffee beans’ aroma flowing through the air as he unfolded the newspaper and scanned it for any sign of the mob being outed.
Nothing but politicians and daily city updates. He rolled his eyes as he saw funding was going to a new park in the middle of town. If they would only fix the potholes that had been damaging his tires, that would truly be a win for the city.
The coffeemaker sputtered, and he poured the coffee into his travel mug and climbed the stairs to his home office.
His same glass table that used to be at Sinsations now sat in front of him. He had the same view as the one out of the windows in the bedroom. He opened his laptop and looked over spreadsheets.
He heard the front door creak open. He paused, turning and listening. He heard loud footsteps slowly walking in. Grabbing his gun from his desk, he cocked it and pressed himself up against his office wall.
The footsteps walked up the stairs and down the hallway to his office. He held his breath. They slowed and came to a stop. He heard them turn around and walk back downstairs.
He carefully followed, sure to check every room before wandering past. He made his way down the staircase and into the living room.
He looked over the modern sofa and glass coffee table. There was no sign of any movement.
He heard footsteps approach the kitchen. He slowly walked in and inspected the area. Still nothing.
Just as he turned, hands covered his eyes. He smiled. They were soft and smelled like peonies.
“Want to put that gun down?” Liz asked, taking her hands away from his face.
He chuckled. “Old habits, baby,” he said, putting the safety on the gun and placing it on the kitchen counter.
He turned to face her and picked her up. “What ...” he grunted as he suspended her in the air, holding her thighs around his hips, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, “are you doing up so early?” he asked, kissing her. She grinned widely.
“Six a.m. class, honey, remember?”
“Ah,” he said, carrying her to the living room and laying her on the couch. “You,” he began kissing down her neck, “are the most amazing,” he kissed down to her chest, “beautiful,” he exhaled, kissing down to her stomach, pulling her shirt up, “intelligent woman I have ever met.”
She exhaled. He felt her pulsing, craving him. He kissed her stomach more before pausing and blowing on it, sending ripples across her skin. She laughed and pushed his head away.
“No!” she said playfully. “I hate when you do that!”
“But you love that I’m the one that does it.”
She looked up at him and caressed his face. “I love you.”
