Buttoned Up, Barely

Selene smoothed Ben’s charcoal suit across their bed while he showered. She laid her sleek crimson dress beside his. In nothing except her lace-trimmed bra and panties, she settled at the antique dressing table she’d fallen for a few weeks ago.

She swept her hair into a tight bun and traced her lids with eyeliner, painted her lips a matching shade of scarlet, readying herself for another day at the office with her love, though her body yearned for more intimate work.

The shower spray ended and the bathroom door clicked. She knelt at the edge of the bed, heart thudding as steam curled around her.

Ben stepped through the doorway, water beading on his broad chest, as he toweled his hair.

Selene’s gaze traced a single drop slipping down his collarbone to the lines of abdomen. She wanted to taste the clean warmth, but then they’d miss their morning meeting.

He paused above her, wet hair brushing his brow, and cupped her cheek. “I love seeing you on your knees.” His voice was husky, teasing the edge of arousal she balanced on. “Are you planning on making us late again?”

The idea tempted her, especially seeing her desire reflected in his gaze. “I thought I would help you dress.”

He searched her face. “Alright kitten.”

“Sit, please.”

Ben lowered to the bed between their clothes.

Selene edged over and snatched his briefs. He helped her slide them up his still damp legs; the fabric clinging to every contour. Next, his pants, sliding them up his legs and buttoning them with a lick of her lips.

She stretched her arms around him to thread the belt through the loops, her skin brushing him as she circled his waist. Each single accidental touch shot electricity through her body, making her hyperaware of his warmth and the pattern of his breath matching hers.

loops.

Ben didn’t lift his arm when she offered his shirt. Silently, he surrendered to her touch, but he couldn’t hide a smile as she struggled against his passivity.

Selene shook her head as she lifted to her feet and pressed a sharp, fierce kiss to his mouth, then slipped his arm into one sleeve and tugged the other up his biceps.

She froze as they stood chest to chest. Ben’s tan skin, still golden from a recent sun-soaked getaway, drew her attention. Memories flew through her mind of making love on the beach with the waves, the only noise beside their moans.

She caressed the smooth lines, wanting to recapture the bliss.

He captured her hand, bringing her to the present with a harsh crash. He softened the blow with soft kisses on each finger. “Button my shirt, kitten.”

She obeyed as her heart stammered. When she moved to tuck the tails in, he gently pried her hands away. “I don’t trust myself with your hands so close.” He tucked the shirt in with deliberate slowness, a smirk teasing her that fuelled her tension.

When his task was done, he flipped up his collar. Selene wrestled with his tie, her bottom lip caught in her teeth with concentration and want. Silk loops, half hitches. She huffed in frustration, throwing her hands up. She’d completed this task repeatedly, but the scent of desire complicated the process. “It’s crooked.”

She pulled it loose with a snarl to his smile.

He bent, brushing his lips over hers in triumph, then tied and tightened the knot with expert fingers.

“Is it crooked?” He glanced down at the tie.

“Just deciding if you are hotter naked or bound for the office.”

His grin was dangerous. “I’m glad getting married didn’t make the magic wear off.”

“Never,” she vowed, pulling him into a feral kiss. “I love you forever, Benjamin.”

His hands roamed her hips, sliding to play with the lace at her belly until she laughed. “I love you too, Kitten.”

She grabbed his jacked and swung it around his shoulders. He tucked his arms into the jacket, then wrapped an arm around her waist. “I never knew getting dressed could feel this good.”

“So long as the moment we are back in this room, I get to undress you,” she whispered into his neck.

He kissed her forehead. “Something to look forward to.”

He released her and picked up his coffee mug from the side table. He gestured to her outfit. “And now I get to watch you dress. Which is half as much fun as watching you undress.”

He winked. Selene’s pulse spiked as she lifted her dress, legs trembling with anticipation.

Ben and Selene are my favorite story with their constant angst. You can read their whole story in It Was Always You

Selene was everything pure and good in the world. She was love and light. She was his best friend, his only friend. She was the one woman he couldn't have. So he kept his distance from her, but now he needed her.