Chapter 16

"I'm fine," Miranda told him. She turned to look at him, her eyes soft.

The corner of Ben's mouth lifted into a smile. "That you are."

"You're so corny." He took the go-ahead and moved a chair next to her, picking up her hand. She remembered where that hand had been mere minutes earlier and her body was flush with feelings. She crossed her legs, her eyes closing for a second before she put her feet flat on the floor. "Um, thank you, uh, Ben. I don't know if I've... s-said that, but I'm grateful."

He waved her off. "It's no big deal." By the end of the day, she had a crick in her neck from sleeping in the chair. Ben tapped her shoulder and advised her to go home and get some rest. "He will be good. No one will let anything happen to Dr. Bailey's brother," he said as she stretched her back. Her body was a wreck. Ben waited as she changed and walked with her to her car.

"I think I got it from here," she said as he held open the door so that she could get in.

"I'm going to follow you to make sure you get home okay."

Miranda looked up at him. "You don't have to. I'll be fine."

"You're Kenny's little sister, if I didn't make sure you didn't get home alright, he'd try to buck on me."

"Fine," she conceded. "Only because you have a nice face and I'd hate for Kenny to wake up and destroy it." He smiled and she headed home. Miranda parked in her usual spot and he parked in directly behind her. In front of her apartment door, she turned to him. "Okay, I'm home."

"Then my job here is done," he said walking away with a short wave.

Not wanting him to go for several reasons, she asked: "Have you eaten dinner?"

"Uh, no, I haven't actually."

"We could order something." Miranda took a deep breath. "I'd rather not be alone."

Ben nodded slowly. "Okay. We can do that."

She changed into more comfortable clothes as Ben ordered Chinese food. Her cell phone rang and she checked the number before answering. "Hey, Mandy." Kenny's voice made her exhale, relieved.

"Kenneth Bailey! You gave me a scare."

"I apologize."

"Why couldn't you have stayed home and gotten sick, huh?" She asked pacing her room, only vaguely aware of Ben beyond the door.

"I'll try harder next time," he said. When he laughed, a groan escaped. "Did I see you leave with Warren earlier?"

Miranda thought about conjuring up a lie, but thought better of it. "Yes, he made sure I got home."

"Okay, I hope nothing else is going on."

"Mind your business."

"Did you call your parents and tell them what happened?"

"About Ben?"

He laughed again. "No, about me being in the hospital."

Miranda's face turned red. "Oh. Oh, right. No, I didn't yet. I was waiting for you to wake up."

"Well, I can call them myself now."

"Good. Do that," she told him putting her hands on her hips. Ben knocked on her slightly open bedroom door.

"Food's here," he said. She nodded and shooed him away.

Kenny made a noise. "Is that Warren?"

"Yes, we're about to have dinner. Is there a problem?"

"No. Even though if there was a problem, I couldn't do anything about it from this hospital bed."

It was Miranda's turn to laugh. "Look at you being right for once." When she ended the call, she washed her hands. She walked toward the kitchen to see that Ben had set up nicely. There was a burning candle in the middle of the table. "What's all this?" She asked really surprised.

"I just wanted to do something nice. I mean, you were on the phone for a long time."

She shook her head. "You know how needy your friend is."

Ben nodded and walked over to her. "I also imagine that if you hadn't kicked me out all those months ago, we'd have had dinner like this every night."

Her skin was immediately covered with goosebumps. He had seen a future with her? "I didn't want to kick you out," she admitted as they sat down.

"Then?"

Miranda took a few bites of rice, settling her stomach before she answered. "I was horrified that morning." His eyes widened. "Not because of anything you did." She pulled a chicken wing apart. "You were... good." Ben hadn't known it then, but she liked the way he took care of her body. It was an experience she wanted again.

"Okay?" Ben asked, his eyes still searching for something. And Miranda wasn't giving him anything. She didn't know what to say. Should she tell him that she'd never done anything like that before and didn't want him to think badly of her; though she was still judging herself for her actions. "Miranda? What are you saying exactly? You're talking in circles."

"That was my first time doing something like that."

"Sex?" His question was blunt and she laughed, shaking her head. "A one-night stand." She nodded, unable to speak, her mouth completely dry.

"We didn't have to be a one-night stand."

Miranda took a sip of her drink and Ben mimicked her. "I'm sure you have plenty of other options."

"Don't do that." They stared at each other. Miranda could hear her heart pounding through the silence. "I'm here with you. You're the only one who matters."

After they finished eating, they left the food on the table, Ben used the bathroom and she got situated on the sofa. Miranda's heart had slowed or quieted and she was more nervous than she'd been the last time they'd been alone. The movie on the TV flashed and when he returned, he lifted her head, placing a pillow on his lap and gesturing for her to put her head down. He stroked her hair and soon she was asleep. Waking up, she was still on the sofa with a comforter thrown over her body. She stretched again, her back free of pain. Looking toward the kitchen, she saw that Ben had put the food away and washed the dishes. Miranda also noticed that he was gone. "What a night," she said to herself.

"I agree," Ben said from the chair to her left.

She jumped. "God, boy! You scared the hell out of me." They laughed together. "What are you still doing here?"

"That's a weird way of saying 'thanks for keeping me company'," he said raising an eyebrow.

"Thank you for keeping me company," she said a soft, deep voice that she always had after waking up. Miranda stood up and went to the bathroom. She washed her face and gargled some mouthwash. Back in the living room, she sat back on the couch.

"And you're welcome. I just didn't want to disappear on you."

Miranda lay back down. "Are you doing it because I'm Kenny's sister?"

"Yes." He inhaled. "And because I'm still drawn to you."

She propped her head up and stared at him. That was what she'd wanted to hear. To know that whatever was between them wasn't one-sided. She wasn't the only one who had caught feelings. "Mmm," she smiled. "You like me."

"Okay, slow down there. I like being around you." He moved beside her and stroked her hair. This time his goal wasn't to relax her. "And I think you're beautiful."

Feeling a little bold, Miranda put her hand on the side of his face, leaning in slowly, waiting for a kiss. One like they'd shared in the supply closet. The images of his hand between her legs heated her up. Ben must have read her mind and pulled her on top of him, her legs straddling him. "Wait," she whispered.

"For what?" He asked putting his lips on her neck.

"I don't know," she said before she kissed him. Her pajama shirt was up and over her head before she could process what was happening. She'd taken her bra off earlier and her breasts bounced gently no longer in hiding. Miranda remembered the way he'd taken his time with her nipples, making her come by sucking on them, before she could apologize, his head had been between her legs. Grabbing the back of his head, they kissed again, slowing down, enjoying every moment. She helped him out of his shirts, pressing her lips to his chest.

He reached a hand into her pants, finding her wet. "Oh, yeah," he growled against her skin. Ben pushed Miranda back and stood up, taking off his shoes and pants. So busy watching him, she forgot to take off her own. "Your pants, babe."

Miranda pushed them down as she reached into his pocket and pulled out a condom. "Really?!"

Ben shrugged. "I'm prepared. And I am not going to apologize for it."

Rolling it over his hardon, he sat down and they assumed their previous position. She held her breath as she lowered herself onto him, wincing a little. He asked if she was okay. "Yeah," she said breathing normally now. "That... feels good."

He held her as she rotated her hips, grinding him into the couch. "Goddamn!" He groaned once their bodies began moving in sync. Ben put his fingers to work, slowly massaging her button. Miranda pushed his hand away. If he continued, she wouldn't be able to hold out as long as she wanted to. They kissed, passion flowing from one to the other. "Ah, shit!"

"Yes, baby!" She shouted throwing her head back. His mouth was back on her nipples, circling them and pushing her toward an orgasm.

"Say my name," he said in her ear, biting on her lobe gently, sending a shock between her legs, her toes curling tightly. Miranda shook her head. "Say it."

"Ben..." she whined, opening her eyes briefly to see that he was biting his lip as his hips thrusted against her body, hitting spots that he'd hit just months prior, spots that her vibrator didn't quite reach.

"Louder."

"Mmm, shit. Benjamin!" She bit his shoulder as they moved faster, rocking the sofa beneath them.

"Yes, Miranda," he answered playing between her legs again. "Come for me?" The question sent her body soaring and soon she was orgasming, mushing his head against his chest. Ben lay her back and got on top, pounding her. "I'm almost there."

"Ben!" She said digging her nails into his skin. "Please."

He inhaled deeply. "Fuck!" He shouted as he collapsed in her chest. Miranda rubbed his back, placing kisses on his shoulder, her mind totally blank and her vision temporarily gone. Ben sucked on her neck.

"Don't," she giggled as he switched to the other side. "I have a reputation for being professional."

He pulled out of her, kissing down her body. Ben put his lips on one side. "Here?" And then moved to the other. "Or here?"

"Benjamin," she warned.

"Eh, next time."

Mostly dressed, they sat on the sofa eating the leftover food. "I'm so glad you came here tonight," she said between bites of her egg roll.

"Me, too. I almost didn't." Miranda stopped eating at glared at him. "I was going to give you space."

"You're a good guy." They continued to eat and watch TV. "Do you... want to go out again? Officially?" She kept her eyes on the screen so she wouldn't have to actually see him reject her.

"I was just about to ask you that," he laughed while leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Yes, I do."

Miranda grinned, biting her bottom lip. "Even if we don't have sex after?"

He shrugged. "I liked you before we had sex." She put down her food and inched closer to her. "Now, what do I tell your brother?"

"You've told him enough already, Benjamin Warren," she said putting her arms around his neck and kissing his face until she found his lips. His hand on her thigh made her body quake. "Keep this to yourself this time."

The End