A minute later, there was a knock on the door.
“What is it?” I called out.
“It’s me,” came Ben’s voice. “Can I come in?”
What did he want? “Sure,” I said, resigned.
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. I didn’t bother sitting up, keeping my eyes on the ceiling.
“Are you okay?” He sounded hesitant.
I laughed in spite of myself. “You came here to ask if I was okay? Shouldn’t you be out there with your…guest?”
“You looked mad. I wanted to check up on you.” He walked over, and I felt the mattress dip as he sat next to me. He was close enough that I could smell his soap. “I wasn’t expecting you early. Sorry. I know we haven’t made any clear rules about having guests over.”
“Stop apologizing, Ben. This is your place, remember? You don’t need my permission to bring a girl over.”
“I still want to be considerate. Just like I’d hope you’d be considerate if you brought a guy over.” He exhaled. “To be honest, I’m surprised you haven’t yet.”
That made me sit up. I fixed him with a look. “Are you trying to say I’m a slut?”
His brows jumped up. “No! No, I’m saying that at all. I…” The tips of his ears glowed pink. “I’m just saying you’re beautiful, Juliet. I thought you’d have a whole roster of men desperate to touch you.”
I stared at him, then huffed incredulously. This guy. “Ben. You shouldn’t say that stuff to me when your girlfriend’s out there.”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” he murmured.
I raised a brow. “Oh?”
He was blushing again. “She’s just a…it’s a casual thing.”
“A hookup?” I asked. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”
He shot me a look, his jaw firming. “I know you think I’m a weird, pathetic nerd, but I have needs. Just like everyone else.”
I blinked at him. “I don’t think you’re a weird, pathetic nerd.”
He scoffed. “Yeah, right. I know what pretty girls like you think about guys like me.”
“Oh, shut up, Ben,” I said, suddenly impatient. “You’re six foot three and gorgeous and your glasses make you look even hotter.”
That hung in the air. Shit. I did not mean to blurt that out.
Ben was staring at me like I’d started speaking a different language, his brows drawn together, his mouth opening and closing.
“I was mad,” I admitted. “Because I was jealous. You say you have needs? You should have just told me. I’d have taken care of you.”
He took a moment to reply. “R-really?”
“Yes,” I said, exasperated now. “I let you see my…my pussy. Do you think just any guy gets to look at it? Do you think just any guy gets a taste?”
“I thought you were toying with me. Taunting me. Making me see what I could never have.”
“That was part of it. I wanted to get revenge because I was angry with you. But when we were on the couch, and you were massaging my legs…I thought about screwing the plan and fucking you. I’ve thought about fucking you for weeks.” I paused. “Is something wrong? You look like you’re hyperventilating.”
“No. I’m fine.” His face was tight though, and he was gripping my bed sheets so tight, his knuckles were turning white. Slowly, he stood up, his expression changing, as if he’d made a decision. “I’m going to ask her to leave. And then I’m taking you to my bedroom.”
He left before I could reply. I watched him disappear, speechless. Damn. It was often that Ben was assertive, but when he was…it was fucking hot.
