'Not those pear drops, the ones on the top shelf please.' The girl said with a simpering smile and a bat of her eyelashes.
Ben gritted his teeth. These same two fucking girls, everyday. Always wanting sweets from the top shelf. Like they are any different from the sweets right in front of their eyes!
'Yes miss.' He mumbled in response, sliding the ladder over and climbing up it to reach the other jar of humbugs.
The girls cocked their heads in unison as they watched him ascend, and giggled relentlessly as he climbed up the ladder and back down.
Ben rolled his eyes while his back was still to them. Fucking girls man. Who could understand them? He returned to the counter with the sweets and weighed out a quarter into a pink and white striped paper bags. Sealing it with a matching circular sticker sporting the shop name, 'Sweet Surrender.'
'Have a great day.' He said, with a healthy dose of sarcasm which the girls completely ignored as they giggled and whispered their way out of the small confectionery shop.
'Love the hat!' They called back as they reached the door. Ben resisted the urge to stick his fingers up at them. The uniform had to be one of the worst parts of the job. White cotton pants and a crisp white short sleeved shirt, a bloody stupid white soda jerk hat balanced on his head that just made his fucking ears stick out more than ever, and a pink and white striped bow tie completely the fucking humiliation.
Ben leaned over the counter and sighed. Why the fuck was he working in this god damn sweet shop? Oh yeah, because his mom was making him do it. Every summer for the past three years. Ben's Uncle Luke had somehow gotten the short straw and had ended up being Ben's temporary guardian while his parents waited for him to grow out of his so called 'aggressive' phase.
They had blown everything out of proportion as usual. There was not one face his fist had connected with that did not deserve to have their nose broken, but his parents couldn't cope with a little bit of controversy which might affect their precious sales, so they shipped off their problem child to a distant relative leaving them free to run their snack based empire in peace.
He knew his Mom was still holding onto a shred of hope that Ben would change his mind and decide to go into the family teeth rotting business, despite him repeatedly informing her he would be starting his own company as soon as he completed his business degree. Ben was not a follow in the footsteps of others kinda guy. He wanted people to judge him on his own merits or demerits as the case may be.
The shop was his Uncle Luke's baby. In the US, their family owned a small chain of 'sweet surrender' shops and Luke had decided to try and bring the brand over to the U.K about five years previous. One of the non-negotiable conditions of Ben staying with his uncle in England while he studied for his degree, was providing free labour over the summer months so that Luke could attend the various candy expos and trade shows in and around the UK. Yes that's an actual thing. He got to swan around trying different candy's all summer while Ben sweated his arse off serving stuck up pre-teens.
It at least meant that Ben was left to his own devices with no one to answer to and he only had to deal with the odd phone call from Luke checking in occasionally.
Ben put the jar of pears drops back on the top shelf, putting his hand up as the blinding afternoon sun once again threatened to permanently scar his retinas, as if it wasn't bad enough that he had to work in a shop that looked like something the sugar plum fairy would fucking vomit up.
The white and black checkered floor was bad enough, but the mint green shelving units were just fucking vile. Ben liked black and if he felt like mixing it up a little? dark gray. Yet here he was day after day, dressed like a member of the cast of pleasantville with an equally fake smile plastered across his face. Selling people legally addictive substances and wishing he was anywhere else.
He walked to the entrance and leaned against the door frame, looking out over the tourist filled beach to the calm sparkling sea.
Ben didn't like the beach. Getting covered in sand was not his idea of fun, but he loved the sea. Ever since he was young Ben had been fascinated by its vastness and the dangerous creatures that resided beneath its surface.
He watched the waves lap gently at the shore for a while. Then something caught his eye. A girl walking along the shoreline. A very pretty brunette around his own age he guessed, with lightly tanned skin. She wore a yellow vest top and black bikini bottoms. He recognised the outfit. It was the same one all the life guards wore, but he had never seen her before. She must have been a new recruit. She was in good shape. His eyes ran over her body, drinking it in. She stopped suddenly, then started to jog and then run along the beach. Ben looked along the coastline in her eyeline and saw a little girl maybe 4 or 5 years of age, bobbing in the water, she was crying hysterically. Every time she ducked under the water it seemed harder for her to get back to the surface. A little boy was standing on the beach pointing frantically to the girl, jumping up and down.
As she ran to the scene, Ben watched as the girl pulled off her vest and threw it down on the beach. His eyes swept over her sleek black bikini top. His throat went dry and his cock jolted in his pants. He knew he should look away before the situation in his pants got….unmanageable, but he couldn't tear his eyes off her.
She reached the little girl, waded into the water and carried her out, holding her close to her body. Ben could see the child was still crying so at least she hadn't taken in so much water that it had tendered her unconscious.
The pretty lifeguard rocked the girl in her arms and stroked her hair gently. She stopped crying then and snuggled into her rescuers chest. Ben felt a pang of jealousy. Is that what it would take for him to be allowed to lie against that chest? Would he have to pretend to be fucking drowning? Fuck. He would consider it.
He watched as the girl walked hand in hand with her newly acquired charges, looking up and down the beach. No doubt trying to locate the children's absent guardian. A balding man with a significantly protruding stomach appeared from nowhere with a can in his hand. Ben could just about make out the label and knew it was alcohol. The man fell to his knees and hugged the children to him. Then he stood and took the lifeguard's hand, clearly thanking her. The girl nodded and tried to leave but the man tugged her hand making her turn towards him once more.
Ben's pulse hitched and his hands clenched into fists. The girl tried again to leave but the man held her hand tightly. Ben knew he should stay out of it. It was nothing to do with him. He was about to turn away, when he saw the man look up and down the girls body with a hungry gaze and the switch that gave his rage free reign clicked on and blind fury clouded his vision. Pulling out his keys he locked the door to the shop and started striding purposely across the quiet road to the beachfront.
Rey smiled again and tried to pull her hand free but the man refused to let her go. He just kept going on and on about needing to take her for a drink to thank her, and it didn't seem to matter how many time she said she was on duty, he would not take no for answer. If it hadn't been for the children she would have told the man where to go, but it wouldn't be right to disrespect him in front of the two little ones looking up at her with smiling happy faces, unaware what a lout their father was. Rey sent out a silent prayer to the heavens that the children had a loving mother somewhere.
'Is it because you think I'm married? I'm not married, I'm separated. I just have the kids on the weekend.' He said with a wink as if this made him more desirable.
No it's because you're more than twice my age and in charge of two children to boot, you perv!
Rey was pleased to hear there was a semi sensible parent in the picture somewhere, but that information wouldn't help her get rid of the idiot standing in front of her.
'Sir, I really need to get back to work.' She said firmly.
'Lovely little thing like you shouldnt have to work, you should have a man to look after you.' He said in response, eying her chest and making her want to jump in the sea to wash away his slimy gaze.
Someone stepped in between them and the man finally let go of her hand. The newcomer had his back to Rey, but she could make out broad shoulders and dark black shoulder length hair sticking out of the most ridiculous hat she had ever seen and she noted he was tall. Very tall. She suspected despite the ludicrous headgear he was probably still quite a threatening sight.
'She said no.' She heard a deep voice growl.
She peeped around her wouldbe bodyguard to see the man holding his hands up in mock surrender.
'Okay, Okay. Jees! I don't want any trouble. Come on kids let's go.' The oblivious little darlings waved at her happily as they left and Rey waved back with a sympathetic look on her face.
She let out a sigh of relief.
'Thank you, I don't know what I would have done….'
She stopped talking as her rescuer turned to face her.
Wow. Her eyes met with nothing but chest, she tilted her head up, shielding her eyes from the sun.
A pale long face met hers. He looked down at her with concern.
'Did he hurt you?' He demanded so harshly that Rey took a step back.
'No! No. He didn't hurt me. I'm okay. Thank you.'
'It's okay.' He said in a small voice looked down at his feet and mumbling something about fucking sand.
Rey smiled.
She couldn't help it. He was adorable. Ears and nose too big for his head, all gruff and socially awkward but helping her anyway just because he felt it was the right thing to do? How sweet!
'I'm Rey.' She said holding out her hand towards him. He looked down at her outstretched hand as if it might bite him.
'Ben.' He said finally joining their fingers.
Woah. Rey felt a fizz of excitement pass through her body at his touch.
Interesting….
'Do you work round here?' She asked gesturing at the hat.
'Erm, Yes. I work at sweatpfemtbeb'
'What?' Rey asked. He had said the last part so quickly she couldn't make out the words.
'I work at sweet surrender.' He said with a blush and a grimace.
'Oh! The sweet shop! Oh how lovely, I've been meaning to go in. I'm new.'
'I know.' He said then stammered. 'I mean I haven't seen you around before so I assumed you were new.'
'Just got here. They're going to train me up then I don't know where I will end up! Wherever they are short staffed I guess.' She said with a shrug.
There was a moment of silence where he just stared down at her and she tried not to shiver under this gaze.
'Rey!' A shout from behind her made her turn around.
Poe the head lifeguard came running towards them, all luscious curls and oiled up skin. Rey tried not to laugh. Her fellow trainee Finn would have a fit if he knew how his boyfriend flirted his way all over the beach. Just for fun of course, it was really cute how in love the two really were.
'Hey!' He said with a smile eying Ben suspiciously. 'You okay?' He said with a meaningful look.
Rey frowned then her eyes widened when she realise that Poe has run half way across the beach in an attempt to save her from Ben.
She laughed, 'I'm fine! Ben just saved me from an unpleasant encounter with a rather loutish father. He's my hero!' She said beaming at him. Ben blushed harder.
Poe looked from Ben to Rey and smirked.
'Well seems I owe you a thank you Ben.' Poe said stretching out his hand to Ben who shook it and nodded awkwardly.
Poe turned to Rey, 'I must keep better track of you, Rey. Can't have my best trainee leaving the programme due to unsavoury characters scaring her away.'
'I am not your best trainee! Have you forgotten about your boyfriend Finn?'
'Don't get me wrong I love Finn but he has to admit he doesn't have your instincts, sometimes, he's like a regular fish out of water. Get it? Because of his name?' Poe said excitedly.
Rey groaned. Poe was known for his enthusiastic 'Dad' jokes.
'Very funny.' Rey said with her hands on her hips.
Poe watched as Ben zoomed in on her hands as she clenched in her waist.
'Why don't you take a break Rey? mmm? See you back here in thirty minutes?' He said with a wink.
Rey looked at Poe and then at Ben. She flushed when she realised what Poe was up to but she looked pleased all the same.
'Ahh, Okay. Thanks!' She agrees cheerfully.
'Great! See you around Ben!' Poe called as he turned around and jogged up the beach, catching someone's volleyball and joining in the game after about ten yards.
Rey rolled her eyes,
'Seriously, I shouldn't be taking breaks when Poe is the only other guard on duty. He is incapable of focusing on anything for longer than a minute!'
'I'd better get back.' Ben mumbled, starting to drag his feet across the beach.
Rey chewed her lip, 'On second thought, I'm sure everyone would love it if I got some sweets for the tower. Let me just grab my bag.'
Ben watched her run across the sand with ease, she was like a pixie her feet were so light and here he was like feeling like a bloody great big bear. She bounced back over with her bag and a pair of shorts over her bottoms. The bikini top was still on show though. He tried very hard not to stare.
They started to walk back to the shop together. Ben cursing as his shoes filled up with sand with every step. Rey took two steps to his one, almost jogging alongside him to keep up with him.
'So, What are you doing in England?' She asked.
'Studying.'
'Oh! What do you study?'
'Business.'
'Brilliant! So do you just work in the shop for some extra cash?' She asked as they crossed the road.
'My Uncle owns the store, he lets me stay with him while I study and in return, I work here.' Ben replied as they reached the door and he unlocked it.
He entered and held the door open for Rey. She looked around with bright eyes.
'It's lovely, so bright and welcoming, oh and I love the green!' She said pointing at the shelves. 'Green is my favourite colour.'
Ben half smiled and nodded.
Say something interesting you idiot!
'So, What can I get you?' He asked.
Rey sucked in her bottom lip and scanned the shelves. Her face lit up and she walked towards one of the jars,
'Oh wow, cola cubes! I love cola cubes. You can't get these many places anymore.'
'No you can't.' He agreed still wondering what the hell she was doing there with him. He walked towards the jar, pulled it down and took it to the counter to weigh out a overly large portion of the sugary treats that he had no intention of charging her for.
Rey enthused about the antique scales,
'Oh my! How beautiful and vintage!'
'Yes my Uncle has a passion for restoration as well as sweets.' Ben said.
'And what's your passion Ben?' She asked putting her elbows on the table and cradling her face in her hands.
Honestly? I'm not sure I was passionate about anything until the moment I locked eyes with you. He thought.
'Starting my own business.' He replied instead.
'That sounds amazing. What kind of business?'
'I have some ideas….'
'I'd love to hear them sometime.' Rey said with a smile.
Wait….wait….was she? Was she giving him an opening to ask her out? Should he ask her out now? Was that what she was waiting for? Oh god, now he was just standing staring at her. Say something!
'Errrrr' He stuttered, 'maybe I could take you out to dinner sometime?'
Rey beamed, 'That would be lovely. How about tonight? At seven? I'll meet you here. See ya then!' She said grabbing the bag of sweets and running back out to the beach.
Ben stood with his mouth wide open. He had a date. A date with a mouth-wateringly hot trainee lifeguard with a penchant for cola cubes. His summer was suddenly looking up.