“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” he says softly. “I didn’t mean to just dash out like that.”
“Why did you?” It seemed like he was jealous of them which makes me wonder if his desire to get married has something to do with his anger at his brother and Vanessa.
“I agreed not to talk about marriage, remember?”
“Are you jealous they’re getting married?”
Ben looks disgusted. “God, no! Vanessa is an awful person and I’m sorry to say that once, I was engaged to her.”
“Really?”
“At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do. We’ve known each other since primary school and have similar backgrounds. It seemed like a good match.” He rests his forehead against mine. “Thank god it wasn’t otherwise I wouldn’t have met you.”
He kisses the tip of my nose and smiles.
“So, why did you storm out of the dining room?”
“Because Alastair will finally have the money to buy me out.” He pinches the bridge of his nose and winces like he’s in pain. “Vanessa’s father owns a large development company and he’s long coveted the land Alistair wants to buy.”
“Shit.” Even though Ben is adamant about not running the estate, he seems hell-bent on making sure his brother doesn’t gain sole ownership of it.
“And now you’re hurt because of me,” he says, glancing down at my ankle which has started to swell. “We should get some ice on that.”
“We should,” I agree. “But first I want you to kiss me.”
“I kiss you all the time, Milly.”
I shake my head. “You haven’tkissedme in days.”
Ben slides his hand up through my hair and leans forward until his lips barely touch mine. His kiss is soft and hesitant but, in an instant, he deepens it. My hands clench the lapels of his suit jacket as I reciprocate, kissing him hard.
I want to marry you; I tell him with my kiss.I’m afraid to lose you.
As if he could read my mind, Ben breathes out, “Marry me.”
“Yes,” I reply in barely a whisper.
He kisses me harder, deeper, swallowing my answer.
“Do you mean it?” There’s a glow in his eye and a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Yes,” I assure him.
His smile turns into the biggest fucking grin I’ve ever seen.
“You’ve made me the happiest fucking man in the world.”
“Take me back to the cabin,” I suggest. We’ve wasted so much time over the last few days. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted and all I want ishim. Correction: Ineedhim.
He presses his lips against my neck and hums. “I’ve got a better idea.” Ben’s hands slide under my ass as he stands. He carries me farther into the garden, away from the house until he stops at a what could only be described as a shed.
“It’s not ideal but it’ll do,” he says once he’s set me down. He twists the handle on the door and with a little effort, it opens with a loud creak.
It smells like wet dirt inside but who am I to complain when the moment I enter the shed, Ben has me pinned to the back wall. His mouth covers mine, claiming me in a hungry kiss and his hands drag down my front until his fingers find the waistband of my trousers.
“I’ll buy you a new pair,” he murmurs right before he rips them open. He shoves his hand inside and his fingers brush against my panty-clad pussy. He smiles with approval because it doesn’t take much to make me wet and wanting.
“Take these off,” he commands as he steps back and shrugs out of his suit jacket. I push my trousers and panties down my thighs and step out of them until I’m wearing nothing but my silk blouse and heels. He unbuttons his pants and pushes them down his thighs before freeing his cock from the confines of his red boxer briefs.
