Glow (13 page)

“Sorry,” he shrugged. “You were moaning louder than the last time, and you
were doing that whole fish lip thing,”

 

“God,” I whined as I rolled over onto my back.

 

“Princess, don't be embarrassed,” he rubbed my shoulder lightly. “I'm not
ashamed, it's only natural,” he smiled widely.

 

I turned my head, staring at him with a look of disbelief that he had just said
that.
Hold up...
I could use this to my advantage, I grinned.

“I'm not embarrassed or ashamed,” I smirked as I rolled back over to face
him. “I'm just having a hard time controlling myself with you laying here all
hot and bothered,” I winked before throwing the blankets off of me and
hopping out of bed feeling an abnormal draft. I looked around and had seen
my silk nightgown tossed onto the floor by my dresser, I forgot about that. I
held my bashfulness and continued to my closet.

“So what are the plans for tonight?” I heard Ben holler from my bed.

 

“I am making plans with Jordan,” I quickly threw on a pair of sweats and a
tank top.

 

“Yeah?” he was staring at me with his hands behind his head as I came
walking out of my closet.

“I was hoping to go to that really nice Italian restaurant that just opened... oh
what's the name of it?” I picked up my robe and nighty and hung it on the
back of my bathroom door.
“Prima Viera?” his eyes watched me as I picked up my room.

“Yes! That's it,” I grinned.

 

“How funny,” he stretched.

 

“Why is it funny?” I stared at him.

 

“Karen and I are going there tonight,” he rolled onto his side.

 

“Oh, Karen from Estrada's?” I placed my hand on my chest as I felt my heart
ache.

 

“Yup, that would be the one,” he sat up and let his legs dangle off the side of
the bed.

 

“We should just do a double date,” I said excitedly. Heart ache, gone...

 

He stared at me for a moment before smiling with a sly grin.

 

“What?” He had that look in his eyes. The look of a nasty plan.

 

“Nothing,” he smiled. “Yes, a double date, let's do it,” his grin became wider.

 

Odd... but, okay whatever.

 

~

 

After Ben insisted on having coffee first, he left. Yes, he actually leaves.

 

Hallelujah!
I miss having alone time.

I ran to the entertainment center in my living room turning the channel to hiphop then blasted the speakers. I turned around and stared at my
'uncomfortable couch' with a smile. I then run, taking a huge leap I jumped
onto the couch and started jumping.
Hmm... little give
, I bounced harder.
I jumped off of the couch and grabbed my cell phone, I text Jordan;

You're right, couch is uncomfortable.
Would you like to go couch shopping with me then to dinner later?

I smiled as I hit send. I cleaned the few coffee mugs in the sink and grabbed a
snack out of the fridge before he text back. Not that I kept checking my
phone or anything of course.

Aren't you a sight for sore text :)
I'll be leaving work here in a few, pick you up at four?

 

I glanced at the time on the text to see it is now three-fifteen.
Ah, crap...
I
quickly shoved the last piece of celery into my mouth.

 

Can't wait! See you then!

 

I had text Jordan back quickly, threw my phone onto the counter and ran
toward the bathroom to take a shower.

 

Ben's POV

I drove through Morning Side Heights where Vanessa lives toward
Manhattan Valley where I live. I was excited inside about this whole dinner
thing. Last night with Vanessa, even though we didn't even kiss, had to have
been the most awesome night with a woman
ever
. I had never wanted to
ravish someone in the ways that I wanted to ravish her. The emotions that
were flooding through me were indescribable-talk about self control.

“Dial Karen,” I said to my I-phone as I turned the corner, the ringing blasting
through my BMW's speakers.

 

“Hey, sexy,” she answered.

 

I rolled my eyes. I know I had told Vanessa that Karen and I were already
going to Prima Viera, but we weren't- I lied.

 

“Do you want to go to dinner tonight?” I sighed staring at the red stop light in
front of me.

 

“Of course, silly,” her voice an octave too high shrilled my speakers.

 

“Meet me at Prima Viera- 8pm,” I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I
didn't want to go out to dinner with Karen, at all.

 

“Mm, can't wait,” she purred.

I pushed the phone button on my steering wheel hanging up on her. I couldn't
listen to her annoying voice for one more second. It's wrong in so many ways
for me to lead Karen on, although, if I want to follow through with this plan
of making Vanessa jealous, then I need to do it and I need it to work.

I pulled up to my colonial style home and I sat in my car just staring at the
huge bay windows. I saw it was dark inside and it looked so cold and empty.
Other than the occasional woman that I sometimes bring to my home-I am
alone. I sighed.

Possibly I am just being a whiny-ass, maybe I am used to spending the last
few days and nights with Vanessa? Who knows... I shift in my seat
uncomfortably looking down to see that someone else is awfully depressed,
and alone. After the night I had with Vanessa, I could use some 'alone time'.
Well, alone time with- My phone dings interrupting my thoughts;

Howdy, handsome stranger.
Have any plans?

I smirked; Belinda. Now, Belinda... she is beautiful; long brown hair that is
always in bouncy curls, extremely long legs, and a bangin' body that is out of
this world. However, dumb as shit. One time she called me extremely upset
because she had lost my phone number, but that's not the worst of it. The last
time we had hung out she picked up a piece of paper from my kitchen
counter and stood there for at least ten minutes just staring at it. I finally
asked her what she was doing after I realized she wasn't following me to my
bedroom and can you guess what she said? She said that she was watching
'Pay-Per-View'. So, I rest my case and text her back;

At this moment, no.
Come over...

 

~

 

“Where are you going?” Belinda pouted, her lip sticking out like she's two.

 

“I told you I have plans,” I put my boxers back on.

 

After a moment of silence... “Do boxer shorts box?” she asked bewildered as
she pointed to my yellow and navy blue plaid boxer shorts.

“Excuse me?” I turned to look at her.
Her brows are furrowed, head tilted sideways like a dog that is trying to
figure out what you just said. Don't think too hard, Belinda as when you
brainstorm all that comes out is a drizzle.

“You know what, just never mind,” I smiled as I didn't want to make her feel
bad about her question. I mean, not that she would exactly understand why it
was completely stupid. I headed to my bathroom, “I need to get in the
shower,”

“Oh, yay! Shower time!” she clapped and giggled excitedly as she hopped off
of the bed, skipping after me.

 

After I finished washing, I hopped out of the shower leaving Belinda in there
to finish as I dried myself off.

 

“So where are you going tonight?” she hollered over the water.

 

“I don't know yet really, just dinner with some friends,” Lie... is it just me or
do I have a problem with lying? Yeah, I need to work on that.

 

“Oh,” Was all she could say.

 

“We'll go out soon,” Another lie... if all goes right, I will be spending
everyday with Vanessa.

I ran my hands through my messy-blonde hair as I smiled at my reflection. I
suppose you all are wondering if I feel guilty at all for hooking up with
Belinda, and the answer is... sort of. Vanessa and I aren't together so I didn't
cheat on her and I never would. However, there is a part of me that aches
after every woman I have slept with in the past and present with the hopes of
no future twinkles between the sheets unless it's Vanessa. Honestly, there has
been no other woman that has ever made me feel the way Vanessa had last
night just by touching me in places I never thought she would.

Not saying anything, I left Belinda in the shower and walked into my
bedroom getting my phone out of my jeans pocket. I had two picture
messages from Vanessa. I grinned widely as I could see that she is couch
shopping. One of the messages was Vanessa lying on a huge, cream colored,
fluffy sofa looking gorgeous as hell as she posed for the picture. I closed out
of that one and opened the other... it's of Vanessa
and
Jordan- Jordan holding
Vanessa's phone out with his long ass arms as they sat on a chocolate-brown
leather sofa together. Their smiles all cheesy. As the phone was in my hands I
got another text from Vanessa;

Which one do you like better?
They are COMFY :)

Even though I was raging jealous inside, I still smiled at the fact that she had
thought of me while couch shopping and thank God she is buying a new
couch as my neck still hurts from the other night.

Sweet! I like the cream couch, can't wait to try it out tonight ;)

 

I smirked as I hit send. I can only imagine what her text back will be?

“Ben?” I heard that Belinda is still in the shower so I tossed my phone onto
the bed and walked back into the bathroom. I bet she hadn't even noticed that
I left.

“Yes, Belinda,” I sprayed shaving cream in my hands.

 

“Do you think stars clean themselves with meteor showers?”

~
I stood out in front of the restaurant as I waited for Karen hoping she would
be a little early, then I could pick a table before Jordan and Vanessa got here.
Regardless that I have to sit through a dinner with Karen, I don't mind as long
as we all have an intellectual conversation. I rubbed my temples at the
thought of Belinda. Plus, I forgot to mention that she is a Physicians
Assistant no less, I shuddered. Makes you think twice about going to a
doctor, right?

Perfectly as planned, Karen stepped out of the yellow cab looking astonishing
in her tight-black dress and heels with her auburn hair pulled up and off of
her shoulders. I smiled at her.

“Ben,” she said sweetly in the annoying voice I couldn't stand. “You look
amazing,”

“Thanks, but you, Karen look gorgeous,” I kissed her on the cheek then
placed my hand on her back escorting her into the restaurant. I can't wait to
see what Vanessa is wearing...

“Reservation for McGurthy,” I said to the hostess.

 

An older man with short black hair and a mustache in his black tuxedo
looked down at his reservation book.

 

“Four, sir?” he asked.

 

“Yes,” I nodded.

 

“Right this way,” he bowed. On the way to our table he made the start of my
plan just fucking 'peachy' by saying, “Your party has already arrived sir,”

 

Ugh.
“They have?” I looked around the restaurant.

“Yes, sir,” he pointed to a table in the far back corner of the restaurant.
“Right over there,” he let us walk ahead of him to our table.
I stared at Vanessa in a strapless silver gown showing off her tan shoulders,
and might I add that with this dress hugging her so perfectly, she bared
cleavage that could drive you mad. Her soft-blonde hair was twisted up and
the princess that she is, was wearing princess cut diamonds from Tiffany in
each perfectly shaped earlobe. She looked absolutely stunning. A smile
spread across my face as I watched her laugh.

“Ben, hi!” Vanessa said excitedly as she stood up to give me a hug. Taking in
her sweet scent, I closed my eyes and squeezed her tightly to my chest. All I
want is to sit with her the way Jordan is sitting with her now... on a date,
damn it.

“Hey, Nessy,” I whispered in her ear. She quickly pulled away and I saw that
she was blushing as she lightly smacked my arm.

 

“Don't call me that,” she hissed through her teeth.

 

“Karen, this is Vanessa and her friend Jordan,” Yeah, her friend Jordan. You
like that?

 

“Nice to meet you guys,” Karen shook each of their hands. “You both were at
Estrada's the other night too, right?” She asked them.

 

“Yeah,” Vanessa nodded then looked over at Jordan with a smile.

 

“So how's it goin', Ben?” Jordan leaned forward as he was across from me.

 

“It's good,” I smiled back. “I see you two went couch shopping today,” I
mocked excitement.

 

“We did,” Vanessa waggled her brows.

“It was a good time,” Jordan laughed. “Vanessa got into one of those display
beds and the security guard walking around the store asked her to get out and
she said in a tiny mouse voice, “I can't hear you, I'm sleeping,” and oh my
God, dude was so pissed... turned bright red and everything,”

I looked over at Vanessa who was staring at me with a smile. I was laughing
my ass off with the vision of her in the display bed. The more I stared at her,
the more I wanted to reach across the table and brush the hair away from her
eyes, but I couldn't. So I settled... I stretched my right leg out letting my shin
rest upon the side of her leg. She didn't move, she didn't jump... she actually
wanted my leg touching hers.

“Oh my gosh, I've always wanted to do that...” Karen trailed off.

 

“You like the pictures, Benjamin?” she mouthed, winking at me as Karen and
Jordan are engaged in conversation.

 

Oh, really, it's like that?
“The first one,” I mouthed back holding my pointer
finger up. I leaned back into my chair, my leg still touching hers.

“Welcome to Prima Viera, my name is Villenccio and I will be your waiter
this evening,” he said in a strong Italian accent as he bowed. “Should we start
with a few cocktails?” he looked at each of us with a smile.

“Yes, I will have a Bellini, please.” Vanessa smiled.

 

“Okay, for you Miss?” he looked at Karen.

 

“Oh, uh... I can't read any of this stuff,” she shrugged.