Somehow, not knowing that sex was guaranteed made taking her home even more exciting.
Chapter 7
Eden
Benson lived in a luxury two-bedroom apartment in the heart of the CBD, a place he claimed to have called home since separating from his wife several years ago. The doorman knew him by name, and the receptionist likewise welcomed him home before going back to her large computer screen. This wasafterthe five-minute ride in his snazzy sedan, since, as he explained,“I don't walk around here at night in the winter. Too cold.”Which implied that it wasn't unlike him to walk during the summer.
He possessed a dazzling view of the surrounding buildings, which Eden took in while he poured them some wine from his stash beneath the kitchen island counter. Eden noted the stately but comfortable living room furniture that didn't put the television at the center of the room.But he still has one.The dining area contained a large floral arrangement. The short hallway divided a guest bathroom, the home office, and theprimary suite. When Eden quipped about his daughter ever having to stay over, he mentioned that there was a convertible loveseat in the office. Oh, and the couch was quite comfy. Sometimes, he slept there all night by accident.
I'll pass for now.
The wine was sweet, and Benson's respectful touches here and there without pushing for more almost sweeter. They sat on the couch with the lights on low, but did not cuddle. At first, Eden was concerned about spilling wine on the charcoal gray fabric, but then she realized that she wasn't in a hurry to show affection. Not like that, anyway.
It was strange. She had kept fantasizing about this man. Shit, she wasstillfantasizing about him while they sat near one another. Could they get right to the sex? Ever since dinner, things had been… off. It was like they both wanted to acknowledgeandnever mention again how they met. This whole “normal dating” thing had been a mistake. They weren't meant to chuckle over candlelit dinners. This was a relationship built on raw, passionate sexual attraction.
Which was why she kept imagining them back there in his bedroom, but couldn't bring herself to suggest it. He seemed the type to insist on leading, like he had on the island. But also… maybe that was how they got to know each other best.
There are other things on my mind…
Liam had not helped, of course. Well, he helped her see that this whole thing wasridiculous!Perhaps she was dreaming. Maybe Eden had gone catatonic somewhere and dreamed up this whole farce.The plane back from the Caribbean crashed, and this is heaven.She had done a good enough job on Earth to be rewarded with a big fantasy coming true – the two men who had shown her a fantastic time were now hers to have and to hold. Maybe even together.
But she had to be practical. Around Benson, she had a hundred questions to ask herself. Like if she should push for a different kind of sexual relationship. After all, Eden was now familiar with the escort game. She had been a sugar baby twice over. Benson was prime pickings to keep her even more afloat as she figured out what to do next.He'd be the sexiest sugar daddy I've had.The other two had barely held her interest, let alone in the bedroom, where she focused on their willingness to make her come instead of what they looked like.Especially the one even older than Benson.
Part of the reason she worked as a Butterfly was so she wouldn't have to do that again. But if the right man came along…
When should she ask about it? Was there ever a good time?
“Before anything happens,” Benson said, simultaneously killing her thoughts while also giving her a reprieve from having them, “there's something you should know about me.”
Oh, God. What?What had he gotten by the resort? Everyone had to be tested for everything under the sun before they arrived!
“What?”
He rubbed his finger along the side of his wineglass. “I’m at a point in my life, especially after my divorce, where I don't want to play around too much. I do believe in casual dating leading to something more, of course, but my ultimate goal for dating any woman is to see if she's long-term material. Part of the reason I go to events like the one at the resort is because it lets me get things out of my system with no strings attached. But once I'm committed to someone, that's it. We do everything together. Sexually, I mean. I only play the Butterfly collector when I'm single.”
“I see.”
When he realized that he wasn't getting through with what he meant, he added, “I'm trying to say that I date with the intent tocohabitate. Maybe marry one day again if we're truly in love. I'm not going to string you along. I'm also not likely to date anyone else while we're seeing each other in a casual sense. It's not my style, Eden. I'm the same in my professional life as persona – reliable. Perhaps to a fault, but reliable, nonetheless.”
The lump she swallowed carried with it all the words necessary to broach the delicate subject of a sugar relationship with this man.Oh, dear.
“I realize that you may not be interested in me like that. I'm not intending to pressure you into anything. I don't care if you date other men while we're casual.”
He paused, as if waiting for her to quip about his kinks.
Instead, she held the wineglass close to her chest. “Um… okay.”
Since that was not what he expected, he studied her as if it should have been. “May I kiss you, Eden?”
Who the hell was this guy!
“Sure.” Maybe getting the kissing going would remind her why she was so attracted to him – besides the great clothes and physique, anyway.
Well, the way he leaned in and went for it helped.
Eden's wineglass choked in her grip as it was smashed between them. But nothing compared to the way he wrapped his hand around the back of her head and hungrily planted his mouth on hers.About damn time.She thought back to the naughty text she had sent him the night before.When I fucked myself to thoughts of him driving me crazy.This was what she wanted.Thiswas what she craved from a relationship with Benson, the man formerly known as Bryce.
She even momentarily thought of Liam. How he had pleasuredherwhile Benson held her, felt her up, and talked so dirty that her very grip on reality spun in circles.I wanna feel like that right now.Benson plucked the wineglass from her and put iton the sideboard behind his couch so he could wrap both arms around her and kiss her with such intensity that her thighs lifted off her seat.