A Life More Complete

---Chapter 4---

We both lay silently in bed, my head cradled under his chin, as we give way to the calm. When Ben heads to the bathroom, the dim light coming from the doorway just barely lights the room. Rolling over I notice a picture of a young couple on the nightstand. The woman, absolutely beautiful, long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes with full lips and a content smile. Her head is resting on the arm of the man next to her, her arms woven around his. He’s Ben’s twin; tousled dark brown hair, sultry brown eyes as he stands gazing down at her. I hate photographs, but I’m drawn to this one. I know Ben’s parents are dead, but I’ve never had the courage to ask what happened. He in turn has never offered to share that information. He guards that part of his life with secrecy and I allow him that respect.

Ben emerges from the bathroom wearing nothing but a pair of boxer briefs and I smile wearily at him. I grab the picture frame from the nightstand, holding it up I ask, “Are these your parents?”

“Yeah. Olivia and Jesse, the most amazing couple ever. They were obsessed with each other even after twenty years of marriage. My father always looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time, like she was the most beautiful person in the room. I was named after my mom. Her maiden name was Bennett.” He stares off as if he remembers something significant. “I hated the way they were when I was younger, always kissing and hugging; their constant touching made for uncomfortable moments when I would catch them in the kitchen making out. My brother and I walked in on them several times in...” he pauses briefly, “compromising positions.” He flips on the TV and fills the room with an unearthly blue glow. “Once I caught my mom on top of my dad as he worked in his office. She jumped off of him quicker than I have ever seen her move and shouted something about helping fix his chair.”

“What? That’s hilarious! Did you say anything?”

“No. I just closed the door. It sort of became the norm. I learned a ton from my parents that I’m pretty sure they didn’t intend. I used to tell my high school girlfriend to wear shorts with no underwear, because we could do it without ever taking off our clothes. She never found that very entertaining. She was a prude.”

“Next time I’ll wear no underwear,” I say as seductively as I can manage without sounding too slutty.

“Why bother? You end up totally naked in my bed anyway.”

He rolls onto his side and props himself up on his elbow. His hand glides absentmindedly between my breasts and onto my stomach, stopping his hand to cover my belly button. He leans over and kisses me slowly letting his lips linger on mine. Desire begins to loom over me like a dark cloud. How does he manage to create that feeling with the most indiscriminate touch? Rolling onto my side, I slide my body closer to him. He slips his arm under my head, cradling me against him and pressing his lips to my forehead. I sigh deeply. I finally feel myself relax, as I grow used to being this close to someone. I giggle as I recall my first meeting with Ben.

“What?” he asks, pulling back and glancing down at me.

“I was just thinking about when I first met you on the beach. Remember? Roxy followed me.” Hearing her name causes Roxy to feel like it’s an invitation to join us on the bed. She spins at the foot of the bed and lies down quietly.

“Of course I remember.” He pauses and kisses my head again. “I have to admit something to you.” I giggle because I can only imagine what he has to say. “When you dissed me that day, it only made me want you more, sort of that wanting what you can’t have mentality.”

“Thanks for not stalking me and just so you know, I kind of wanted you too. You were all wet and shirtless and looking like you do. I thought about you a lot after that.”

“See and I thought you were a good girl. But I did stalk you. I just did it in secret. Did you really think it was a coincidence that I met up with you every morning at the beach?”

“I am a good girl, obviously, I had no idea you were stalking me. I’m glad you did, I wouldn’t have pursued you.”

“There’s something about you that I can’t ignore,” he says and his voice turns to a whisper. “I’m drawn to you.”

I close my eyes and a shudder runs over my body. I knew this day would come, but I’m still not prepared for it. His words terrify me, but I don’t say anything.