Chapter 32.
It was when they had arrived home, at Killarney's cottage, when Jaz had realized Ben's real plans, or mostly the effort he had put into this perfect night out and at home. He had felt embarrassed, as she had stared at the candles which where placed all around his now so neat bedroom, little rose petals spread across the sheets. Ben had stood there, hands pressed into the back pockets of his jeans as he felt like an idiot, but she had given him her brightest smile and hugged him tightly, telling him he was simply the sweetest and he shouldn't be worried about anything, or being embarrassed.
Ben Hall was a hopelessly romantic and he just had to accept it. Jaz surely was keen on doing so.
Rays of sunlight reflected on their faces as they woke up early in the morning. She was curled up against him, resting her head onto his broad hairy chest. Ben stared at the ceiling for another moment, as his fingers played softly with her blond locks.
A satisfied moan escaped her lips and she shifted against him. It was good to just be with him, to wake up next to him. Looking up she saw his brown watchers gaze to the old ceiling. 'Already lost in thoughts?', Jaz remarked softly before pressing her lips on his chest.
She felt him move a little, and he shifted his face to let his gazers lower to meet hers. He pressed his lips together, into a soft smile. 'Sorry sunshine, you slept well?'
Jaz leaned up onto his chest and looked at him meaningful. Her sparkling eyes told him he didn't need to be sorry about anything. 'I slept like a baby, cause I simply have the best boyfriend I could wish for.'
'Righto?', he answered weakly confused. Whining about Stevie all night, when it should have been their special night didn't sound much like being the best boyfriend she could wish for, at least to him.
She softly caressed his right shoulder. 'You're caring, protective over your family, and surely ain't the cocky scum bag I thought you were when I first met you. You wanna make a girl feel special, and whatever you do, you do make me feel special, so yes, I have nothing to complain … and remember we have more nights ahead.' Jaz smiled at him, a little flirtatious as she leaned in and kissed his lips softly.
He watched her, seeing how she settled on his chest again, pretty taken by it. 'It's just that, it's special to me', Ben mumbled, swallowing hard.
'I know', she just answered as she watched her finger tips trace over the right side of his chest.
'I want it to be perfect … really', Ben held his breath and she could sense it, looking up again, she saw two vulnerable, unsure eyes look at her.
Gently she stroke his brown hair behind his ear. 'What's this all about?', she quietly asked, a serious expression reflecting in her eyes.
Ben's eyes seemed to wander off a bit, not sure what to say now. Maybe it wasn't so bad to just say it. 'Uhm …', he felt his mouth turn dry instantly; 'okay, don't laugh.' He was endearing like this, and that fact nearly made her smile, but Jaz was able to hold that one in. 'I've never really been with anyone except Monique, before'. Again he held his breath.
So apart from not being that cocky guy, he surely wasn't the player she had pictured him to be. And it all made sense. According to Stevie, it had always been Monique for Ben, from a very young age, and even all this time apart, he had been engaged to her he had been faithful. She showed him a tender small smile and leaned in just above his lips. 'Don't worry cowboy, it will be perfect', Jaz spoke softly against his lips, before kissing him.
***
In the meantime at Drovers Regan frowned at her sister who sat at the kitchen table. It was early, very early and Grace seated, hanging nearly against the table. Her hands wrapped around a cup of tea. 'Looks like you had just as must fun as me last night', Regan muttered.
Grace looked up; 'sucked big time, what about that guy of yours'.
'Sucked big time too', Regan just let out as she took a cup out of the cabinet. 'Really, are there any decent men left in this district?', she added. Grace sighed, staring at her cup as her sister took a seat at the left side of the table. It was enough of an answer to Regan. 'What about Stevie, spotted yet?'
