To celebrate the fact that this book has almost reached 4 million reads, and to celebrate that it's climbing up the Chicklit charts once again and also because SOOO many readers have been asking for it, here is a super- quick Ben POV. I hope you enjoy it!
JOX
P.s I never mentioned Ben's brother by anything other than his drag name, so it's Chase.
BEN's POV
Chase: hey. wanna get a late dinner?
BEN: can't. I'm already out.
Chase: where?
BEN: somewhere. 😉
Chase: NO???? U r not
Chase: You're basically a stalker! It's disturbing 😱
BEN: am not
Chase: u r fucking stalking her. Admit it!
BEN: I'm going to talk to her tonight again!
Chase: 🙈 That's what u said the other night. And u didn't.
BEN: tonight's different.
Chase: I can't believe this.... my little brother is all tongue-tied over a woman
BEN: I'm not. the timing's just been off.
Chase: Just admit it, u have no balls
BEN: I have bigger balls that u
Chase: Have u seen mine lately?⚽️⚽️
BEN: No thanks
Chase: Seriously....please talk to her tonight!!!!!! 😖
BEN: that's the plan
Chase: because really, this is starting to become a bit criminal
BEN: U can call the cops on me if I don't talk to her tonight. How's that?
Chase: Mmmm, perfect. Can I call the sexy firemen too? 😈👨🏻🚒
BEN: Hahah! Slut!
Chase: Where r u anyway?
BEN: The HQ
Chase: how do u know she's going to be there?
BEN: I don't.
Chase: OMG, this is so sad and lame. 😪My brother is randomly going to gay clubs hoping to bump into a girl
BEN: Yup. That basically sums it up.
Chase: want me to join u?
BEN: NO!!!
Chase: scared I'll throw u off ur game?
BEN: I have no game anymore
Chase: Aint that the truth!
BEN: Seriously tho, if I don't talk to her tonight, please personally shoot me and put me out of my misery.
Chase: 🔫🔫🔫
Chase: what's it about her anyway? I mean, she's pretty, but she's not hot steamy sex on legs- the usual thing u go for
BEN: idk
Chase: is it because she rejected u once and u can't take it and now you're thinking with ur big fat ego?
BEN: Thanks, bro
Chase: I'm just pointing out the obvious.
BEN: It's not that. It's her. There's something about her... i can't explain it. And FYI she is hot steamy sex on legs
Chase: beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess
BEN: U r such a bitch!
Chase: I can't believe ur crushing on Miss. Ginny Tonic's friend!! I'm not sure whether to feel betrayed that ur getting friendly with the competition, or happy.
BEN: I got to go, she's here
Chase: TALK TO HER FOR F SAKE‼️‼️‼️
BEN: 👍
Chase: good luck
BEN: thx
I slid my phone into my pocket and downed the last of my drink. It had given me a slight buzz, but not the kind I needed to pluck up the courage to walk over there and talk to her. In the last two months I'd seen her out about 6 times, and still, I hadn't spoken to her. Other than the first, disastrous time.
The first time I'd seen her out had been by accident. I'd gone out with one specific goal in mind. Sex! The celibacy I'd imposed on myself... well, let's just say I'd officially reached my limit. Four months. I'd already honed in on a hot blonde that I was currently dancing with. She'd made her intentions quite clear, that is to say, that she was currently grinding into me and making me hot as hell... but then I saw her, and all that changed instantly.
She was sitting at a table all alone, sipping on a pink cocktail. There was something about the way she was looking around at everyone, shoulders slightly slumped, uncomfortable even, that made me want to look at her even more. She wasn't like any of the other women there. There was nothing showy about her, she wasn't advertising sex in an almost invisible outfit like all the other women. Instead, things were slightly more concealed- but this made me want to look even more. She was a deadly combination. The perfect mix of sweet, innocence, wrapped up in just the right about of sex appeal. Aloof, yet vulnerable. Girl next door, but with an air of being totally unattainable and out of reach. She fascinated me. And I wanted her. As if she could sense I was staring, she turned and looked at me...
For a brief moment, her eyes met mine and something hard to explain rushed through me. Then she crinkled up her nose and shot me the most disapproving look I'd ever gotten in my entire life. It bordered on disgust. Meanwhile, Blondie had pulled my hands onto her and was currently running them up and down her body. It was doing nothing for me. The girl at the table rolled her eyes at me so dramatically that I thought they were going to fall out of her head- it was fucking adorable- and then looked away with a giant sigh.
I smiled to myself; was it possible to fall in love at first sight?
"Sorry, I have to be somewhere else." I untangled myself from the blonde and walked over to Miss. Eyeroll.
In retrospect, it might have gone better if I hadn't been so damn cocky and sure of myself. But when it came to women, I was naturaly sure of myself- yeah, yeah, arrogant! I know! But kind of true. She'd shot me down instantly! And the result of that was that two months down the line- here I was. Still sitting in a dark corner watching her like a pervert, still trying to pluck up the courage to go over there and talk to her again.
I flagged down the waitress for another drink.
"Whiskey. Double on the rocks." She smiled and me and leaned over my table to retrieve my empty glass, knowing full well how her shirt would gape open and how she wasn't wearing a bra. My eyes were momentarily drawn there- I'm a man, okay. Someone flashes you, and you're going to notice. Only, she noticed me noticing them too.
"I get off in an hour?" She bit her lip and smiled suggestively.
I glanced behind her. Sera, that was her name, I'd managed to figure that much out, was wearing a tight blue sequined dress. It was so short that I could almost make out the start of her ass. Magnificent! Her lips were bright red, and she was wearing a cropped blonde wig. She looked drunker and happier tonight than I'd ever seen her before.
"That's in like, sixty minutes," the waitress moved in front of me so I couldn't see behind her anymore.
"Uh, that's cool." I said dismissively. "Enjoy." I stood up and started moving off.
"What about the drink?" She called after me.
"Forget it."
I pushed my way through the crowd on the dancefloor and stopped when Sera was a few feet away from me. I watched her for a moment or two. She was fucking gorgeous. More gorgeous than she'd been on that first night. In fact, every single time I'd seen her, I'd become more and more convinced that she was meant to be with me. I wanted her like I'd never wanted anyone before. I even decided to extend my self-imposed celibacy- she was the one I wanted to break it with. No one else.
"Fuck it." I hissed to myself. I had to do this tonight! A different waitress came floating past me with some drinks and I grabbed one off her tray and downed it.
"Hey!" She scolded me.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out a R200 note and slipped it into her hand. "Keep the change and order the guy another one."
I looked up at her quickly and smiled. Her eyes fluttered and her cheeks flushed a bright pink. Damn, why didn't I have that effect on the one girl in the room I wanted.
"Hey, I get off in--"
"An hour. I know." I pushed past the waitress and walked straight up to her. It was now, or never. And I didn't think I could live with the latter. I just hoped my charms were going to work on her this time and she wasn't going to slap me though the face because I'd been such a dick the last time. I mustered everything I possibly had, although something about this girl seemed to rob me of all my usual confidence. I suppose blatant rejection will do that to you.
"Sera," I walked straight up to her and stuck my face into her neck, whispering in her ear. This was no longer the time for lurking in the corner like a loser and staring at her all night. It was time to be direct- even if I got rejected again. I would take that risk tonight.
She turned with a fright, "Yes?" And then something amazing happened. She looked at me as if she didn't know who the hell I was. No recognition flashed through her eyes. I reached up and ran a hand over my chin; my beard. Last time I'd seen her, I didn't have it. Was it possible she didn't recognize me?I hoped so, this could be the clean slate I needed.
I smiled at her. Her face was slightly flushed from alcohol and I didn't think she was aware of it, but her dress had slipped down I could see the soft curve of her breast peeping out. She wasn't wearing a bra. Suddenly, I felt very possessive over that breast and looked around to see if anyone was gawking at her. The idea that another man might be looking at her thinking about her in the same way I was, made me very uncomfortable. I reached out and tugged her dress up without asking. I let my fingertips graze her skin and I could see her whole body tense up. She looked at me and I smiled, her eyes widened and her pupils dilated.
"You should be more careful in this dress." I said, not taking my hand away, but instead letting it rest on her bare, exposed shoulder.
She looked me as if she was confused.
"Vodka Cranberry, right?" I asked, knowing full well that was her drink.
She eyed me again with that curious look, but finally nodded.
"Wait here." I leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek. Fuck, she smelled so much better than I ever imagined. I turned and started to walk off but saw her reach up and touch her cheek.
"Sorry... who are you?" I heard her say, but totally ignored her.
Two drinks later, some small talk and some "accidental" touching from me, I finally had her on the dance floor with her arms around me. She threw her head back and laughed as she twirled around to a cheesy song. Her eyes flicked up to mine and she smiled.
"Fucking hell," I half said under my breath.
"What?" She looked at me with those eyes that were enough to lose myself in.
"I have to kiss you, Sera."
I didn't wait for her to reply, instead I grabbed her perfect face between my hands- I'd literally dreamt of this moment- and kissed her with no restraint whatsoever. I didn't care that we were in public, this kiss had been months in the making and it felt like I no longer had any control over it.
She didn't stop me. In fact, she wrapped her hands around the back of my head and pulled me even closer. The kiss was hard, and frenzied and unbridled.
"I need you," I whispered against her mouth when she deliberately ground her hips into me.
"So have me," She whispered back and bit my bottom lip. I'd suspected that behind those cute, sometimes sad eyes, she'd be a wild one- but I hadn't imagined this, and what a fucking good surprise it was.
"You have no idea how good that sounds," I growled, "We have to get off this dance floor though," I whispered in her ear. She nodded and understood immediately- if we didn't get off this dance floor soon, police would be dragging us off in cuffs for very, VERY indecent behavior in a public area.
I grabbed her hand and started walking her outside, the drive back to my place was twenty minutes, no way we were going to last that long. I started running and she followed me, as I pushed the door of the club open and ran into the parking lot.
I turned and looked at her, her face was even more flushed and her body was glistening with beads of moisture. And once more, I felt totally incapable of keeping my hands off her. I pushed her straight into the wall, her back collided with a thump. I took her hands and pinned them above her head, she threw her head back and I licked her neck. She tasted salty and sweet and smelt of vodka and perfume.
"Sera, Sera, Sera..." I nipped at her ear and she shuddered.
"How do you know my name?" She whispered.
"I just do." I pulled her by the hand again and dragged her across the parking lot to my car. Luckily, it was parked at the back, and double-lucky, the windows were tinted- I hoped they were tinted enough, because there was no way the two of us were making it home.
I opened the backdoor and she climbed in quickly without saying a word. I climbed in after her and slammed the door behind me. She was sitting on my backseat now, running her finger over her lips in an inviting way. She wasn't hiding what she wanted, and neither was I.
"You're fucking gorgeous." I pulled her onto my lap and in one swift movement, pulled her stupid blue dress off and tossed it to the floor. She gasped and tried to cover herself, but I wasn't having any of it. I pulled her hands away and touched her.
"So, so fucking gorgeous." I grabbed her face again and kissed her. After that, it all went kind of blurry. My body took over as pure, pent up desire rushed through me. I think it was the same for her, actually, I knew it was. Our bodies moved together as the windows steamed up and arms and legs went everywhere. I'd somehow had the sense to reach for a condom in a tiny moment of sanity.
And it had been far better than anything I'd been imagining for the last two months. It started out as fucking, but ended up being so much more- for me anyway. And then at the end, when her whole body tensed up and she dug her nails into my back, that's when I decided that I'd fallen in love with her. For some inexplicable reason that I couldn't' put words to even if I tried, I'd fallen for this woman I'd been thinking about constantly for the last two months.
I lay on top of her panting. Her eyes were closed, her chest was rising and falling and she was covered in sweat.
"Open your eyes," I said in-between my jagged breaths.
She did, and I looked into her eyes and got lost. Totally, and utterly lost.
"Do I.. Do I know you?" She stuttered looking at me.
I smiled at her. "Not yet." I leaned in and kissed her. I put every last bit of feeling I had into that kiss and took my time, relishing every single second of it. Her taste and her smell and the way her tongue felt. I was going to kiss her like this, and then I was going to ask for her phone number and call her after none of the appropriate amount of time had elapsed (i.e first thing in the morning) and then ask her out and hope to hell she didn't just see me as a one night stand in the backseat of a car.
Crap! Talk about role reversal.
A sudden loud noise and banging sound broke the bubble we were currently in.
"OOOOHHHHH!" Two drag queens knocked on the window and one of them made a comic spanking gesture.
"Oh shit!" Sera gasped and pushed me off her.
"Wait." I tried to stop her, but she was already scrambling for her dress on the floor.
"I have to... go. I..." She pulled the dress over her head and her gorgeous naked body disappeared from sight- I hoped I was going to see it again... soon.
"Wait... don't go." I grabbed her by the wrist, but she wiggled free and flung my back door open.
She was getting away. "Wait!" I grabbed my jeans and didn't care that I hadn't pulled them up fully when I climbed out the door.
"Bless us, dear LORD!" One of the drag queens looked down at me, but not before I'd managed to get my jeans up and my nakedness covered. I smiled at him and gave him a quick wink.
"She's getting away from you!" You better hurry." The other one said pointing after Sera as she ran across the parking lot and jumped into her car.
"Sera!" I shouted after her, but she'd already started pulling away.
She looked back at me once last time and the words just came flying out of my mouth as I screamed them across the parking lot, "I'm in love!"
I leaned back against my car and pulled my crunched box of cigarettes out of my pocket. "Want one?" I waved the box in the drag queens direction and the one that had seen me naked, was dramatically fanning herself with her hand.
"After that, honey. I think I need six." She reached for one and I lit it, lighting mine as well. I stared at the exit to the parking lot, willing Sera to drive back in, but she didn't.
"And I didn't even get her surname,"I turned to them and shrugged.
"It's Sera Morgan. She lives with JJ and Bruce, you know them, right?"
"Yeah. Everyone knows them."
"Aren't you Chase's brother?" The other one asked.
I nodded. "Ben."
He signed and rolled his eyes, "All the hot ones are straight."
"Tell me about it." The other one said inhaling and letting a long wisp of smoke tumble out of his glittery pink lips.
"Don't they own a restaurant, JJ and Bruce?" I asked.
"Beefcakes. The one in Greenpark."
"She's always there. Everyone knows Sera." The other one said.
I smiled and I nodded. Guess I had a new place to start hanging out in. "Perfect!"
"Oh My God! Looks like she left her calling card, though," Once of them pointed at my seat and then burst out laughing. I turned and looked, and there they were.
Her pretty, pink, lacey panties that I now very clearly remember ripping off with my teeth were lying across my backseat. Now I would have to see her again!
"Thanks for the info guys," I closed my back door and dropped my cigarette on the floor. "Nice sort of meeting you both." I leaned in and gave them both a small hug.
"Oh, the pleasure was all ours." One of them said.
"I'm sure it was." I smiled at them and gave another little wink.
"Such a tease." The one called after me as I walked around the car and climbed in. I was starting a new job tomorrow and needed to get home and freshen up. But before I drove off, I pulled out my phone and opened Facebook.
"Sera White." I typed.
It took a few seconds to load and then I found her. I clicked on her profile picture and her face filled my screen. My heart thumped in my chest as I looked at her smiling eyes.
Jesus, I was in serious trouble here...