Brighton Beckons

Chapter 5

Later, that same afternoon, Ben and Kate were basking in the afterglow of finally getting to know each other in the 'Biblical' sense. After several rounds of energetic lovemaking, they had fallen asleep, resting sated and content, with Ben spooning Kate from behind. As the winter sun slowly sank over the horizon, he stirred gently, tightening his grip around his sleeping lover. Kate soon woke and she kissed his protective left arm cradling her body. Whispering into her left ear, Ben murmured, "So, sweetheart…was it worth the wait?"

Kate smiled blissfully, turning her body to face his. Stroking her fingers along Ben's jaw line she affirmed, "Most definitely, darling."

Kate had once said that she would trust nothing or no one, till tested and proven. Years ago, she had been betrayed, and as a result, she had put a barrier around her heart. Throwing herself into her career, she was determined not to be easily swayed by her emotions…but then she had met Ben, and little by little, he had proven his trustworthiness, capturing her heart in the process.

Glancing over at the clock, Ben noted the time. Stroking Kate's hair away from her face, he suggested seductively, "Care to join me in the shower, love?"

"Hmm…that sounds like a wonderful idea," Kate returned, stretching her limbs out before him. Ben couldn't resist reaching across and tickling her stomach. He chuckled heartily when she protested, "Oi, come back here!" Smirking wildly, her lover moved too quickly and darted into the shower. Kate was soon by his side, and she swatted his bum playfully as Ben turned on the taps. Flashing her a wink, he started singing. His vibrant Welsh voice was accentuated by the acoustics of the tiled room. Kate rested her body against his chest as Ben proceeded to massage shampoo through her long hair.

A little while later, the pair stepped out of the shower and began drying themselves. Kate glanced over at Ben and said, "You have a gorgeous voice, darling." She saw a blush creep up the back of his neck.

Almost sheepishly, Ben replied, "Well, you know…it's in the genes. Apparently, I've been told that my singing is better in the shower."

"Have you indeed," Kate returned, with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Which one of your ex-girlfriends told you that?"

Ben caught the playfulness in her blue eyes as he grasped her body to himself. Giving her towelled bottom a meaningful squeeze, he replied, "Actually, it was none of them. Rather, it was Joyce Barnaby, wife of my old boss (and John's cousin), who apparently told her husband that I had a decent tenor voice. Mind you, she only heard my singing in the first place because I had to take a shower at their house. I was soaked to the skin from falling into a freezing lake, chasing a suspect. Their place was closer than mine."

"That certainly sounds like something you would have done." Kate agreed, gazing up at him adoringly. "Taking another hit for the Barnaby team."

"And loving it!" Ben returned, channelling his inner Maxwell Smart, before kissing her soundly on the lips.

…

After a dinner of leftover pizza, the couple waited up to watch the New Year Fireworks. While anticipating the midnight festivities, they snuggled under a warm blanket on the couch. Switching on the TV, they watched an old Indiana Jones movie, before moving on to view some highlights of the Ashes series being played in Australia. Ben was thrilled to discover that Kate had a keen interest in cricket. She was shouting at the TV in an animated state and Ben took great pleasure and amusement in witnessing this sporty side to her nature. Kate caught him smirking at her behaviour, and so she explained, "My Dad introduced me to the game very early on and I have loved it ever since."

Snaking his arms around her, Ben chuckled, "Well, it's good to hear that your dad had his priorities right…and I do remember your comment about bowling a googly."

Kate smirked and replied, "Yes, I was hoping to pique your interest with that particular turn of phrase."

"Well, it certainly worked, darling," Ben assured her. "Now…how about putting your money where your mouth is and having a hit down at the beach sometime?"

Kate nodded and kissed his cheek. "Sounds like fun…but be careful what you wish for, Captain Jones…you may get more than you bargain for."

"Oh, I sincerely hope so." Ben returned, kissing her lips, as the couple fanned their own fireworks, amid the cascading display on show outside.

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