Breaking Benjamin Read online

  “You got me a puppy?” Her eyes light up as her face widens in delight, and I freeze in place.

  I let out a long sigh and realize it’s going to be a very long day as I try to explain my choice of words. I wonder where the hell my brother is hiding because I need to join him pronto. And, Jesus, I was ready for a damn Christmas drink, too.

  We spend the next few hours opening presents, well, Gracie doing most of the present opening, and then have a wonderful dinner together. I realize as I look around the table, surrounded by the people who mean the most to me, who I love the most, that I may just be the luckiest man alive. And for the first time in a really long time, I don’t feel guilty anymore for being the one that survived.

  I smile over at Jill and take her hand into mine and squeeze it softly. “Thank you for the most amazing Christmas I’ve had in a long time.”

  “You’re so welcome.” She raises her eyebrows and smiles wide. “But the day’s not over yet. You haven’t seen Christmas until you’ve experienced it with Raeva…”

  Jill, later that evening…

  If there is one person who loves Christmas more than I do, it is Raeva Kingsley. Even before she had access to the best of the best, Christmas at our house was out of control. Luckily for Rae, her husband adores her and is indulgent. In fact, we all love her for her holiday spirit. Poor Ben, however, has no idea what he’s about to walk into, and I barely contain my laughter when we enter the penthouse and I watch Ben’s jaw almost falls to the floor.

  The second we step foot over the threshold, it’s as if we have stepped into a winter wonderland. There are thousands upon thousands of little white lights strewn throughout the penthouse, and everywhere you look, there are little elves. Some of them in plain sight, some of them peeking from a corner. Then, there are the countless crystal snowflakes that are suspended from the ceiling, reflecting against the white twinkly lights, and the effect is mesmerizing.

  No, Rae doesn’t believe in doing Christmas halfway, and even has seven, yes seven, Christmas trees, each in a different color scheme, throughout the penthouse. But the best surprise is when Rae comes running around the corner dressed in an atrocious sweater, squealing like a little school girl.

  “Jillybean!” She throws her arms around me in an exaggerated hug and then remembers to address my date as well. “Oh, hi Ben! Merry Christmas, you guys!”

  I look over at Ben, whose eyes have widened, and I lose it. Raeva releases me, and after scanning us from head to toe, wrinkles her nose. “Nope,” she says sternly. “This just won’t do.”

  Ben turns to look at me, not understanding what is going on.

  “Luckily for you, I’m prepared. There is a rack in my dressing room. Pick out something appropriate.”

  I chuckle and kiss my person on the cheek. “Yes, ma’am.”

  I probably should have warned Ben that this party is also Rae’s annual ugly sweater shindig. But, then again, where would be the fun in that? I take his hand and lead him to her dressing room. “Come on, handsome, you heard the lady. We are not dressed for the occasion.”

  Ben has yet to say a word, which is so unlike him. He’s clearly not in his element, and I can’t deny that I draw some entertainment value from that fact. We reach Rae’s dressing room, and I peruse through the rack. I find the ugliest sweater known to man and triumphantly hold it out to Ben.

  “You want me to wear that?”

  “Sure do.”

  Those dimples that I adore make an appearance. “As you wish.” He shrugs his jacket down off his shoulders and moves to hang it on one of the available hangers on the rack. Next, he takes the sweater from me, pulls it over his head, swipes his unruly locks back from his face, and then rewards me with a cocky grin. It looks like Christmas has thrown up on his torso, but damn him, even in this ridiculous sweater, he is still the most gorgeous man I have ever laid eyes on.

  “Wait,” he tells me as he pulls me away from the rack. “All’s fair in love and war, right? Now, it’s my turn to pick yours.”

  I step aside and motion for him to go ahead. Ben inspects each sweater on the rack carefully before making his choice. When I see what he’s chosen for me, I can’t help but chuckle. “Really?”

  He nods with a smirk. “Really.”

  I’m happy he’s getting into the spirit, so I take the sweater and pull it over my head. The second I do, his lips are on mine. “You look beautiful, Angel,” he tells me.

  I look down at my ugly reindeer sweater with glitter and tassels decorating my chest, and shrug in defeat. “Benjamin Sapphire, I dare say that you have it bad.”

  “Damn right, I do.”

  “Good, ‘cause so do I.”

  We kiss once more but pull apart moments later when someone clears their throat. “You two better head down before Rae calls for your heads on a platter,” Mika jokes.

  “Hey there, Captain.”

  “Captain?” Ben asks curiously.

  “Don’t listen to her. It a ridiculous nickname my wife and Jillybean over here came up with,” Mika grumbles.

  “I’ll tell you later,” I mouth at Ben.

  “And, Ben, let me start by saying, I apologize for my wife’s… um, enthusiasm. She means well, but holidays make her a little crazy.”

  “A little?” I scoff.

  Mika and I both laugh, but Ben looks a little worried. We all head downstairs, where the moment my feet are off the last step, I get pulled aside by the girls and away from Ben. He continues on behind Mika and toward the bar.

  “So, show us the necklace!” Mikaela says excitedly. Of course, I told the girls about it earlier in a group text. I reach beneath my ugly sweater and pull it out.

  “Oh my God, that is stunning,” Rae exclaims. Her fingers reach out and trail over the sparkling jewels sitting around my neck.

  It is hard not to swoon.

  “Look at that smile on your face. I don’t think I have ever seen you happier than you have been over the last few months. Ben has been good for you,” Rae says with tears in her eyes.

  “He has,” I tell my girls. “I love him, you guys.”

  “And he loves you, it is easy to see. The way he looks at you, like he thinks you hung the moon…” Mik tells me.

  “We are so happy for you two,” Rae chimes in.

  The three of us hug. Both of my besties are beaming. I tell them about the Bora Bora tickets, and about the heart and the story behind it, and by the time I am done, they both are dabbing their eyes.

  “Who knew that our Jillybean was such a romantic?” Mikaela jokes.

  “That Sapphire guy is a lucky man. I hope he knows that.”

  “Now, girls, I am going to need you to take it easy on him tonight, okay? I’d like him to stick around.”

  Raeva gasps. “Why, Jillian Baldwin, are you saying that I am not always on my very best behavior?”

  “How did you even say that with a straight face?” I say, laughing.

  I look over at Ben who is on the other side of the room. He’s standing in front of the fireplace, ugly sweater worn with pride, glass filled with amber liquid in hand, and smiling. After everything we shared today, that smile means even more to me. I’m grateful for his survival, because I know there isn’t anyone else on the planet for me. He thinks he’s broken because he’s missing a leg. But what he doesn’t realize that I was broken, too, because I was missing him. Finding him, loving him, and him loving me back, has made me whole.

  He looks up and catches me staring. He raises his glass and winks at me. I know this ugly sweater party isn’t his thing, but he is trying for me, and it makes me love him even more. He’s trying to have fun and to get to know my friends, because I doubt there is anything that man wouldn’t do just to put a smile on my face. So, right here, right now in this moment, I vow to myself to do the same for him…

  Chapter 15

  One Week Later…

  My eyes flutter open, and I lift my head off the pillow to look down to try to figure out what’s woken me
up. One side of my mouth cocks up when I see the top of Jill’s head hovering over my stomach, her finger tracing over the lines of one of my tattoos. “Morning, beautiful.”

  She hums as she places a soft kiss against my chest. “Morning.”

  “Whatcha doing down there? Come give me a proper kiss,” I growl, reaching down to pull her up.

  “I don’t think I’ve gotten to know this one yet.” She pushes my hand away and continues moving her finger lazily over my lower abdomen.

  I chuckle softly and move my hand to rest it in her hair instead. I know where this is headed, and I have absolutely no intention of interrupting her. “Angel, I think you know all my tattoos pretty well by now, but by all means, investigate further if you must.”

  She raises her head just enough so she can peek up at me under her lashes, licks her lips as she flashes me a very sexy smile, and then leans back over me, replacing her finger with her tongue. My head falls back against the pillow, and I close my eyes, letting myself bask in the attention she’s giving me right now.

  I feel her tongue lift off my skin and then the vibration of her voice as she speaks. “I don’t think I ever noticed the way these feathers curve up here around this muscle.” And then her tongue is back against my skin, the tip dragging along the edge of one of my lower muscles, and then lower still, my skin breaking out in goosebumps as she goes.

  “Last time I checked, there wasn’t any ink below my waist, love,” I murmur, but don’t hesitate to lift my hips when her hands make quick work of removing my boxers.

  “Shhh, I’m just looking to make sure.” Her fingers trail up my stomach and then rake back down slowly, stopping when they circle around the base of my cock and tighten, her tongue dragging up its hard length, and then her hot, wet mouth sliding down to cover me.

  My hips thrust up involuntarily, and a loud moan rolls up from my chest. Now, this is a great fucking way to wake up. My hands find her head, and I tangle my fingers in her downy locks, helping to guide her up and down as she sucks me in and swirls her tongue around me, my cock growing even harder. She moans and the vibration against my cock almost causes me to explode right then and there.

  I tighten my grip in her hair and pull her off me with a soft pop, guiding her back up my body. When she’s close enough, I slam my lips against hers and yank her body flush to mine. She’s naked, and her hard nipples brush against mine as she adjusts herself over me. She thinks she’s in control, and for a moment, I let her believe it as she slides her wet center up and down my throbbing length.

  When she shifts to move higher so she can impale herself with my cock, I grab her arms and roll over, trapping her beneath me, a small gasp falling from her parted mouth as her wide eyes look up at me. “You don’t think I’m going to let you do that yet, do you?”

  Her teeth find her lower lip and she bites it, as if trying to quench the obvious hunger stirring within, shaking her head softly. I don’t give her a chance to reply verbally, because I crush my mouth to hers, my tongue twisting with hers, her body pushing back against mine in desperation. She wraps a leg around me and tries to rock her center against my cock, but I release her lips and slide down her body, effectively breaking the hold she has, and suck one taut peak into my mouth.

  I smile around the nipple when I feel her hands clutch the sheets next to me and hear a moan from above. My minx is on fire, and my lips on her only seem to fan the flames higher. I release her hard bud, run my tongue over it with one hard swipe, and then rake a wet trail down her stomach until I reach the apex of her legs. Without hesitation, her legs fall open wide in invitation and I enter greedily, plunging my tongue into her sweet core. I stroke softly against her until I land against her hard nub and then wrap my lips around her and suck.

  Her hands are instantly in my hair, clutching wildly, her knees rising to push her feet into the bed as I grasp her hips tightly and suck even harder. “Oh my God, Ben. I’m going to come if you don’t stop.”

  I want her to come, I do, all over my goddamn face, but I want her pulsing around my cock even more, so I release her and move like lightening up her body and between her legs. Her hands move to my arms, her nails digging into me as she clings to me, and I lean over and slowly ease myself into her. Her hot walls clench and then pulse, pulling me in deeper, holding tightly as I arch my back and plunge all the way in.

  We both groan when my center slams against her, and I still, but only for a moment before I slide back out and then drive back into her again.

  “Oh my God, yes. Fuck me, Ben!” I need no further encouragement and surge back and forth against her body, thrusting my cock as deep as it will go, my arms flexed tightly as I hold myself over her. After only a few moments, I feel her tighten around my cock like a blood pressure cuff, her head thrashing back and forth on the pillow, her hands reaching out to grasp me around the neck. She lets out a long, guttural moan, followed by my name in a whisper.

  As if it was even possible, hearing my name from her pink lips causes my blood to surge straight to my cock, making it even harder. I move faster now, my hips pummeling against hers as I feel my balls tighten and then finally explode, my release coating her insides. I clutch onto her, pulling her flat against me, my hot breaths against her ear as I moan out her name again and again.

  When my pulse finally slows down enough for me to think reasonably, I roll off her and lay flat on my back, my breaths still coming out in pants. Holy fuck. How in the world does this just keep getting better and better?

  She lifts herself and lays the top half of her body across my chest, her hand under her chin as she looks up at me. “Did I say good morning yet?” And then she breaks into a fit of giggles as her face flushes a beautiful shade of pink.

  An hour later, we’re both showered and in the kitchen. I’m drinking a cup of coffee as I watch her move around, cooking for us. She’s humming and moving her hips softly to the rhythm, and I realize I could never feel more content. “Move in with me.”

  She freezes, spatula suspended in mid-air, and turns to me, eyes wide, her mouth forming a small ‘O’ shape. “What?”

  “Move in with me.” I set my mug on the counter and move closer to her. I slide the spatula from her fingers and then wrap my arms around her. “You’re here all the time anyway now.”

  “Ben…” Her face scrunches up in thought for a second. “I mean, I don’t know. What about Mik?”

  “What about Mik?” I counter. “She’s a big girl. And Rae is right across the hall from her. I’m quite sure she’ll be just fine.”

  She chews on her lip in contemplation, and I can tell there are a hundred thoughts swirling around in her head. “Listen, just think about it, okay?” Her head nods up and down, her expression dazed. I pull her in closer to me. “Jill, I love you. I love having you here. I love waking up with you every day. I didn’t mean to freak you out or scare you.”

  “I’m not scared.” She peeks up at me. “Nothing has ever felt more right to me.”

  “Really?” I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

  “Really.” She nods again, almost like she can’t believe what she’s saying. “I just have to figure out how I’m going to tell the girls.”

  “So, you’re moving in? That’s a yes?” I have a hard time containing the joy in my voice, but I don’t give a shit. It gives me a sense of relief and anticipation knowing what else I have planned for her tonight.

  Her face breaks into a huge smile. “It’s a yes.”

  “Woohoo!” I tighten my arms around her and swing her around in a large circle, crushing my lips against hers in delight. She squeals out in laughter and then slaps at my arms to put her down.

  “Ben, put me down! I have to finish breakfast.” Her cheeks are flushed and I know, even though she’s trying to play it cool, she’s just as excited as me for this next step. “If I’m not at Rae and Mik’s by eleven, they will kill me. You know how they feel about preparations.”

  “Well, if this is the start t
o our New Year, I think it’s going to be fucking amazing.” I plant one more kiss on her cheek and let her go so she can finish cooking. “So, what does that crazy duo have in store for you this time?”

  “Oh, you know them… Of course, the entire afternoon will be spent at the spa. My rules, not theirs. There’s no way I’m showing up to your charity event tonight looking anything less than fabulous.”

  “Angel, you could show up in a plastic bag and I’d still think you were the most gorgeous woman in the world.” I slap her ass playfully and wink.

  “You, Benjamin Sapphire, are biased.” She turns and smiles sweetly at me. “But thank you. After the spa, we’re going to go to my place for dressing. Mik has designed some stunning new creations for us to wear. I can’t wait to see them!”

  “And I can’t wait to see you in it.” I raise my brows suggestively.

  “You’re insatiable!” She grins back. “Are you sure you don’t mind me meeting you at the event? It’s just going to be so much easier riding over with Mik and the gang instead of coming all the way back over here.”

  I move up behind her, wrapping her in my arms, and lean my head down on hers. “I told you already, it’s fine. It’s good, actually, because I have a ton of stuff I need to do before the event. Need to make sure all ducks are in a row and what not.”

  She spins in my arms, throwing hers around my neck, and smiles up at me. “I love you, Benjamin. I know I tell you all the time, but I do. I just want you to know that. And I’m still so glad every day that you chased after my stubborn ass.”

  I soften at her words, knowing without a doubt that everything I have planned for this evening is happening at the perfect time. “I love you, too, Jill.” And I kiss her, hoping to show her just how much.

  Chapter 16

  After we have spent the entire day at the spa getting pampered, we arrive at the penthouse with the girls in full-blown party mode. I go to my room, take a quick shower, and then head to Mik’s dressing room to see what kind of magic she’s created for me. I walk in just in time to hear the cork pop.