Author's note- I am sincerely thankful for all the reviews this story has received. I am humbled with all of the kindness and praise. I would love to mention everyone by name, but am afraid to leave someone out. Most of the reviewers have posted their own fiction, which I have read. Everyone of them captivates me. I know I am not yet in their league, but I will keep on plugging.

Disclaimer- Don't own any of the characters. (But I did get a new car.)

CHAPTER SEVEN- It Has Begun

The long black limousine pulled up to the steps leading to Ben's loft. Quickly the driver made his way to Raven's door , he gently and with grace helped her from the vehicle. Ben had already exited.

"Thank you Maurice." Ben said.

"My pleasure Master Wilson" Maurice replied with his perfect East London accent. "I will be in the garage, sir, should you need me."

Ben nodded while ascending the stairs with Raven. Upon entering, Raven looked around at the various pieces of furniture, paintings, sculptures and rugs. There was no theme to this place, and yet everything seemed to fit perfectly.

"Rae?"… "May I offer you something to drink" Before she could reply, he continued, "I do not mind a glass of wine with dinner, but I'm not really into alcohol."

"Do you have any tea?" Raven asked.

"Do I have any tea!" Ben spoke in an almost bravado tone. "Maurice's aunt is still in London, every few months she sends us a supply of Earl Grey. The real stuff…can't get it in any store around here." Ben was somewhat shouting as he had moved into the kitchen area. "Please, make yourself at home and I will make us some real tea."

Don't mind if I do, Raven thought. I LOVE this place. If I ever had my own apartment it would be just like this. Only I could never afford it.

Raven meandered around the large main room. Slowly running her fingers over various sculptures and antique pieces of furniture. She looked up and saw a large poster in a frame, although it was slightly yellowed from time, she read aloud.

THE BEATLES. TONIGHT JULY 17th. SHEA STADIUM.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed four distinct signatures running along the bottom of the poster. The Beatles, I have heard of them. I wonder if they ever got as famous as Eminem. As she turned, she almost knocked over a large vase, sitting by itself on a pedestal. If Raven was an expert on anything, it definitely was ancient cultures, combined with mysticism and far east spiritualism.

"Do you like that?" Ben startled her as he entered the room with a tray containing their cups of tea.

"Yes, it is beautiful…Ming dynasty I am guessing. The detail is almost…perfect. I must say I have never seen a replica this nice." Raven was spinning the vase around, admiring it from every angle. Ben just smiled, that polite, but devilish smile that he had.

Then it hit Raven, she slowly lowered the vase back onto its table.

"It…it's…not a replica, is it?" She awkwardly asked. Without saying a word, Ben ever so slightly shook his head, No.

Raven began walking over to the huge leather sofa where Ben was now sitting. He was carefully pouring the hot water into their cups, which were situated on a beautiful antique coffee table.

"Ben…I was wondering …I mean I know it's none of my business…" Raven then cut her own sentence short, as his one good eyebrow raised slightly. "It's nothing, I am sorry."

"Let me guess." He interjected. "How can someone on a soldier's pay…get all this…stuff?"

"No, really, just drop it. I didn't mean to…" This time she was interrupted by him.

"It is a fair question, my lovely Rae." Ben slowly leaned back into the sofa. "After I was…well let's just say , unceremoniously , detached from my military career, I began to freelance, every now and then." He said while handing her a cup of tea.

"Oh…Ok." Raven replied rather meekly, while sipping her tea.

"Well." He said, "What do you think?"

Raven hesitated for just a second. "I think that your place here…is…perfect. And that this evening has been perfect. And…I am really glad I met you."

Ben let out a hearty laugh that came from deep in his formidable abdomen. "No, no my innocent Rae…I meant what do think about the tea?"

Raven was never sure if she had blushed in public, until now. "Oh…it…it's good, thanks."

A broad smile came across his face. She noticed again just how strong his features were. Even with the eye patch, she knew she had never seen anyone quite so handsome. He had long since removed his jacket and tie. His white dress shirt was unbuttoned just enough to showcase his toned chest. Raven reached down and began to unbuckle her new shoes.

"Do you mind?" She asked. "These things are killing my feet."

"Not at all." He replied, with one smooth motion he pulled her feet into his lap. Raven laid back on the far end of the couch. Ben began to massage her aching heels.

"So how long were you in the Army?" Raven asked with her eyes closed and totally engulfed by his strong hands on her foot.

"Actually, I was not in the Army."

"Oh…Marines?" She asked.

"Uh…not exactly."

"Coast Guard?" She asked while opening one eye.

Ben let out a small laugh. "No, it was more of…let's see how I can I put it…my unit was a little on the shadowy side. Sometimes, you might hear the media referring to special ops or perhaps Delta force, which in actuality, does not exist. We kind of came under that heading. "But, enough about my boring former life…I want to know more about this exquisite creature…whose slightly smelly feet I have been forced to rub."

Raven jerked her feet off of his lap defiantly. Almost at the same time she realized the stereo was softly playing the background. Whitney Houston's, I Will Always Love You, began to play. Raven sat up, looked at her new friend.

"I love this song." Without saying a word, Ben took her hand. They both stood up and moved around the coffee table and onto a thick Persian rug. Slowly they began to dance to the soulful lyrics.

Bittersweet… memories…that is all……

Raven head barely reached his powerful chest as they held each other swaying more than dancing.

"You're too damn tall" Raven whispered.

With one fluid motion, he placed his arms under hers and effortlessly lifted her to eye level. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist while he supported her from underneath.

The song continued. I Hope life …treats you kind…and I hope you get all you dream of….

They were staring at each other now, no words, just gazing. Raven closed her eyes, pressing her lips against his. She had never experienced such a long and passionate kiss. Even as he held her entire weight, she could sense that his massive strength could support her for hours. As their lips came apart, Raven laid her head over his shoulder, eyes closed as he gently swayed to Whitney's voice.

And I..I will always love you.

Her eyes still closed and head resting on his shoulder, she asked.

"Ben…what are you feeling now?"

"Well, lets see." He ever so slightly squeezed his right hand. "I think…that…would be your left butt cheek. Yes… though my anatomical knowledge is somewhat limited, I am quite sure that is your butt."

Raven playfully smacked him on the back of his head. "Ouch!" "Was I was wrong."

Raven lifted her head and again began another longer kiss.

Whitney was still singing, Please…please don't be sad….

Raven again had her head over his shoulder, this time her eyes were wide open.

"Ben?"

"Yes"

"Were you…I mean…how many times were you in real combat"

His eye was closed , his face pressed against hers, facing opposite directions.

"Countless." His words in such a whisper as to be barely audible.

"Have…have…you killed many people?"

"Countless."

Raven pulled her head off of his shoulder. They were looking at each other now. They were so close, that when Ben began to speak his lips were still touching hers.

"Now, my dear it is my turn." His tone was hushed, yet strong. "What are you feeling?"

"I feel that if I live a thousand years, I will never be as happy as I am at this moment."

"Ben." She was whispering.

"Yes."

"Will you let me stay…here…tonight?"

Raven placed her head back on his shoulder. At the same instant, Ben was pulling a small cell phone from his pants pocket. With one arm supporting Raven's weight and the other holding the phone, a voice was heard to answer.

"Maurice,"

"Sir?"

"I won't be needing the car tonight, you may go"

"Very good, Sir."

Note- updates soon.