"Really?" Ben stood and I raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah." I could feel the heat in my cheeks rising and he chuckled.
"Come on, sweet cheeks. Let's go for a walk."
I followed him out the front door, everyone asking where we were going. Ben simply replied 'out' and we left.
We walked into the elevator and I felt nervous. "Where are we going?" I wondered curiously. Ben shrugged.
"Not sure."
I rolled my eyes.
"Typical male response.." I scoffed and Ben glanced at me with a lopsided smile before we left the elevator.
As we stepped out, I noticed we weren't on the ground floor, but the roof instead.
"Wow." The stars in the sky took my breath away with their beauty. The glistened happily and shone above us.
For a moment, I forgot who I was with, until Ben's hand found mine. I was drawn back to reality and I smiled at Ben who returned one.
We walked a little until I saw a fold out chair over looking the city. Ben sat and I stood awkwardly for a moment, causing Ben to chuckled.
"Well, come here, love. I won't bite." I sat down on his lap and shuffled a little to get comfy. "Unless you want me to." I said seductively in my ear.
Shivers were sent down my spine and I instinctively leant into him, his warmth taking away the bite of the wintery air around us.
"Do you come up here often?" I asked softly, gazing at the city lights below us.
I felt him shrug. "Sometimes. It helps me clear my head." He admitted seriously. I had somewhat expected a sarcastic reply.
"It's beautiful." I stated the obvious as we looked out over the view.
"Mmm."
I looked up at him, my head resting on his chest. "What's wrong?" I wondered, sensing something was off.
"Tonight just didn't go as planned." He admitted, running another hand through his hair.
I frowned, a sinking feeling in my stomach.
It was silent for a few minutes. I didn't want to push him for an explanation, and all I could think of was that he was disappointed he didn't get laid.
I suppressed a disappointed sigh and bit my lip.
"Sorry." I mumbled, shifting and stumbling to my feet.
I was cold the instant my skin left his heat. I didn't want to feel like this, feel like I had done something wrong when I hadn't a clue what it could be.
"What for?" He mumbled, staring off at the distance.
"Not being like the others girls." I shrugged, and when he didn't reply, I decided to head back downstairs.
I felt the disappointment set in as the elevator doors closed and Ben didn't follow. I had to remind myself, yet again, that this wasn't a romantic love scene from a romance movie.
I reached Ben's loft again and let myself in. Nikki was fast asleep on Danny's lap on the couch, and I noticed that everyone else had left.
Danny looked up as I walked in. "Where's Ben?" He asked simply and I pointed up. "The roof."
"He took you up there?" He asked, a slight hint of disbelief in his tone and I nodded. Maybe I just imagined it.
"I can't drive, and neither can she. Are you sober?" I asked stupidly, making Danny scoff.
"You're asking me of all people? Just how high are you, love?" He chuckled and I shook my head.
"Not enough," I muttered.
"I'm going to walk. Do you have a jumper I could borrow?" I asked. He shook his head. "Just take one of Ben's. He won't mind."
Reluctantly, I walked into his room and found a big jumper with holes at the end of the sleeves for thumbs.
I pulled it on and couldn't help but take in the sweet scent that lingered around me. I wasn't a fan of smoking, but the smell was weak and mixed with a body spray I couldn't identify.
I walked out with my hand bag and said goodbye to Danny and Cameron who I passed in the hall.
As I reached the elevator, the doors opened to reveal Ben. He walked out as I walked in, tears threatening to escape my eyes.
The doors began to close when suddenly Ben turned around and stuck his arm out, making them open again.
I looked up at him as a stubborn tear ran down my face. I hurriedly wiped it away.
"Where are you going?" He asked quietly.
"Home." I whispered, barely able to reach a louder volume.
"Don't go. I'm sorry." He stepped closer and I looked down.
"Ashlyn, don't make me do this." He mumbled with a tone I didn't recognise.
"Do what?" I asked quietly, not daring to look up. He was close now, inches away. "Be the romantic guy you're looking for. Don't make me be that." He shook his head and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his ripped jeans.
I found myself laughing slightly. "What?" He asked, clearly confused.
I shook my head. "You're a dickhead. Do you really think I'd have fallen for you if I wanted romance?" I looked up before I could stop myself and found him smirking, his lip rings apparent and catching my eye.
"Wow, Ash. You really know how to get a guy." He said sarcastically, leaning in a little closer.
"I don't want to hurt you." He whispered suddenly, our eyes locked into each other. I felt his looking at me, into me, at my soul. I must still be high.
"Tell me if you don't want this." He said softly, his hand reaching up and cupping my cold face. The warmth of his hand made me lean into it and I closed my eyes, longing for more of his touch.
I felt my back press lightly against the wall as he closed the gap between us. His lips were softer than I imagined them, and he tasted like smoke and fresh mint.
My head spun and I rested my hands on his chest, unsure of what to do with myself. His hand moved from my cheek to my neck and he deepened the kiss.
My arms wrapped around his neck and I pulled him closer. Our lips moved in perfect sync, sending chills through out my whole body.
After what seemed like forever, but not long enough, he pulled away slightly and looked down at me, his dark eyes intimidating yet gentle.
My arms were still around his neck and he rested his forehead against mine. "How was that?" He smirked suddenly and I laughed a little.
"Perfect." I whispered nervously.
"Ben?" I looked up at him, goosebumps on my skin still.
"Mm?" Our eyes met again and I couldn't help but lean in and press my lips to his again for a few seconds.
"I should get home." I sighed a little, realising how late it would be.
"Can I walk you?" He asked, pulling away a little and stuffing his hands into his pockets. I nodded.
We walked on the sidewalk to my house for twenty minutes in a content silence. I was enjoying Ben's presence beside me.
There was a loud revving noise from behind and I turned to see what it was. Suddenly, the car sped up and drove into the puddle on the road. I cried out as the water landed on me, drenching my outfit.
The car drove off and I stood there, water dripping from my skin. Ben couldn't contain his laughter and I grimaced.
"Bit wet, love?" He winked and I rolled my eyes, wringing out my hair before continuing to walk. I just wanted to get home.
I was freezing by the time we got to the house, the cold air nipping at my bare skin. I let Ben in and locked the door behind him. "Make yourself at home, I'm going to shower." I told him, slipping those damned heels off my sore feet.
He wandered into the lounge room and switched the tv on as I went into my ensuite for a shower.
The hot water felt amazing on my skin. A part of me began thinking back to our kiss. It was so ... exhilarating. I wanted to kiss him again. Who am I kidding, I wanted to do more than just kiss him.
But the rational part of me told me this wouldn't end well. Ben wouldn't settled down with me. He wouldn't want that. Do I try to make him want that with me and run the chance of getting even more hurt, or leave it?
I couldn't leave the situation and just be friends. After that kiss, something sparked inside of me.
I hated to admit it, but I was falling for Ben Bruce. Hard.