two fucking orgasms:
it was only the second time that they'd kissed, the first being almost ten years ago. and they'd been stopped by Sanaa, yes, but also by her grief and his regret. this time, there was nothing.
they were completely alone.
and Miranda and Ben were two different people now, they'd grown and matured and come to love one another far more. but the hunger, the passion, the love were all still there. tasting him again made it feel like no time at all had passed.
their lips got reacquainted, moving slowly at first, establishing a rhythm before his tongue rediscovered hers, teasing her. "let's go in," Ben said, breathless, when they pulled away for the briefest time. not wanting to let him go, even for a moment, she shook her head. "it's cold out here, baby."
Miranda's heart skipped at the second mention of the term of endearment. "but..."
He nuzzled her cheek with his chin, his beard scratching her gently. "c'mon. i have a nice, warm house for us to talk in and hug in and kiss in... plus, i want to show you what i got you for christmas."
"it's a little early, no?" Miranda asked, starry-eyed.
he said it wasn't while ushering her inside, one hand on her waist, firm as if there was the chance she'd turn around or run, but none of that crossed her mind. she only wanted more kisses, only wanted to find out what they led to and if he loved her the same way.
if.
that thought froze her—maybe he didn't. maybe she'd flung herself at him and he'd just appeased her with that embrace. by the door, she stopped, dazed. "something wrong?"
"you didn't say it back," she replied, slightly embarrassed, hoping that it didn't sound like she was begging him to love her. because she wasn't going to do that.
"say what?" a soft glower enveloped her face and Miranda twisted her lips. "oh! ooooh," Ben sang. there was a twinkle in his eye that he usually wore, but now, it shone brighter just for her.
"just give me the gift, man," she said, pushing his shoulder.
he took her hand and brought her palm to his lips. "yes, ma'am. get comfortable." as he rifled under the tree, she shed her coat and shoes and sat down on the sofa, watching him. "wait! i think i left it in my room. i wasn't sure i was even gonna see you let alone give it to you. gimme a second."
Miranda couldn't keep her eyes off of him as he dashed away. she got situated on the chair, her skin tingling. the times she'd been to his house far exceeded the number of any visits to her any of her other friends' places combined, but it'd never felt like this.
full of possibility.
"Benjamin Warren!" she called toward Ben's bedroom down the hall, not giving a damn about the present. being in his arms was gift enough.
"close your eyes."
"if i close them, i might fall asleep," she joked and usually that would have been true, but she was on such a high, it would be impossible to sleep. "just come back."
"i'm coming, just do like i tell you."
she shut her eyes slowly, excited. "done."
"good," Ben said, his voice so close and deep that it made her jump. his warm hand touched her clavicle and slid up her neck to her chin, tilting her head back in the most tender way. she kept her eyes closed, waiting for him to kiss her again. and when he did, she grinned happily. suddenly, she felt something cool on her chest and then along her neck.
a necklace. and by the sheer weight, literally and figuratively, it felt expensive and everlasting. his fingers brushed against her skin as he fastened it. "this is too beautiful, Ben," she said as he kissed her again, responding with a "merry christmas, Miranda."
while he walked around the long chair, she checked it out. it was quite stunning. "Benjamin Warren! this is... this is too much."
"and you deserve it."
Miranda's lips struggled for words to say. "but..."
"look, baby, you are, without a doubt, my very best friend and i love you." he moved closer to her, eliciting goosebumps. "you're the woman of my dreams." he licked his lips. "and Lord, forgive me, even after Tucker, even before Tucker..." he paused and exhaled, smiling wryly. "...i loved you, Miranda. i've always loved you, wanted you."
"you did? you have?"
he nodded. "but you'd gone through something terrible, so i..." he stopped talking.
"so many years," she said, semi-apologetically. "you could have said something. why didn't you say anything?"
Ben sighed, "i was trying to play the role of the supportive best friend, but i can't do it anymore."
Miranda picked up his hand, forcing her fingers between his. "you don't want to be my friend anymore?"
"i have miller and avery n'em, i'll be alright."
she tried to hold back a laugh, but failed, falling into him. "you're a trip."
"and i'm also in love with you, Miranda Bailey."
"i'm in love with you, too," she admitted freely.
"yeah?"
that was one of the simplest questions she'd ever been asked. "yes."
he smiled his smile and her gut curdled. "now you know if you accept this gift, you're my lady."
"and if i don't?" Ben growled and grabbed her ass, possessively, searching for underwear that did not exist. Miranda fingered the jewelry and leaned in for a kiss. "it's mine, i'm yours," she told him. shortening the distance between them even more, she climbed onto his lap and pulled off her shirt, shuddering from the temperature and the brazenness of her actions.
and not that she wanted to, but there was no turning back now.
"no panties and no bra? who are you, woman? and is that my christmas present?"
she bobbed her head around. "if you want it to be, but i do have something else."
"i want both."
"then both you shall have," Miranda said, certain.
his fingers streaked up her sides, tightening his hold on her and bringing her chest to his lips. she moaned loudly. "i knew you wanted me," Ben baited, tugging off his t-shirt.
the rolling of her hips, had him groaning and gripping her back. "feels like you might want me, too," she said faintly, kissing him.
he nodded, his lips caressing her body. "ain't no 'might' about it, baby. you know i do."
"i can tell," Miranda taunted humorously. she sped up, needing to come just like this, humping the shit out of him.
"fuck, baby! oh my God! i'm about to—!"
"i'm right behind you, baby," she warned.
deep breaths, quiet touches and the fact that they'd waited so long to be like this made them climax quickly. their kisses were rushed and Miranda's release had her trying to scale his body until he pulled her back down. "let me take these off," he said, grabbing the band of her pants. she stood up, and together they relieved her pants of their duty with Ben kissing every inch of her that he could get his lips on. back on his lap, he pulled his long and very hard dick from his sweats, reconnecting their bodies rawly with lifted hips and powerful movements.
"Ben! Ben! oh my God! Ben!"
"yes, Miranda?" he asked in an semi-even tone, licking one nipple as she rode a wave of pleasure. she cried out from the depths of her belly. "you are so gorgeous, Miranda Bailey. have i ever told you that before?"
she pried her eyes open and found his. he had. plenty of times, but never while he filled her as she melted into him on his couch. "and you are..." she was cut off by a kiss and Ben swirling her clit slowly with his thumb. "so damn f-fine," she sputtered as he removed his fingers from her throbbing nerves up to her lips.
"mmm... say more..."
"i want you, Ben Warren."
"you got me, love," he whispered, nibbling on her chin. his eyes rolled back, her body clenched, he called her name, her heart pumped. and she felt like she was going to disintegrate but it didn't matter because... finally! "ahhh! shit!"
Miranda wanted to whine, she wanted to shout, but there was only silence as she let go once more with two tears trickling down her face. they returned to earth and he immediately began sucking on her bottom lip. "damn, you feel so good," she told him, rocking slowly. "i... i always knew you would."
Ben blushed hard, wiping her face. He kissed her deeply, flipping her on her back. spreading her thighs with his chin, he attacked her soaking wet pussy with eagerness, his tongue maneuvering expertly around her tender clit before diving inside of her. "and you taste so good," he breathed between her shaking legs. looking over her naked body, he added: "i always knew you would." her giggle turned into moaning as he made her cream again and again.
after they'd cleaned up, Miranda and Ben found themselves back in the living room on a different sofa, a muted movie playing in the background. she exhaled, grateful and satisfied. "my God, two fucking orgasms," she said to herself as a dozing Ben held her from behind. and they'd been so good, she could still feel him all over her.
"actually," he said, clearing his throat and startling her. "it was three for you." he squeezed her midsection, pulling her close.
"whatever," she said, putting one hand on his arm as the other skimmed her christmas present before falling asleep even more in love.
hours later, Miranda was the first one awake and she slid from between Ben's arms and glanced around for her phone. Sanaa had sent five messages each one less urgent than its predecessor.
1. "ma, where are you?"
2. "*screaming emojis* i checked your location! *screaming emojis*!"
3. "Grandma wanted me to tell you to come home but i told her where you were and she just started smiling."
4. "are you coming back for breakfast? is Benny coming too? *smirking devil emoji* "
5. "*several heart-eyes emojis, fire emoji, more heart-eyes, sobbing emojis, heart-eyes"
Miranda bit her bottom lip while shaking her head, letting go of a light laugh. she almost hated the fact that she'd allowed her busybody daughter to have full access to her location at all times. and for this exact reason. okay, maybe not this exact reason, but damn it. she'd been so sure of this last night—her and Ben... Ben and her—but now...
had they gotten caught up and now would have to walk it all back? had they started something that they couldn't possibly continue? her heart sank and she shook her head some more. this time out of disgust.
"what's wrong, my love?" Ben asked, coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
her heart began to slowly rise. "nothing. just... texting Sanaa back," she said shooting her daughter a text that said: "*heart-eyes emoji* thank you for checking up on me."
"lemme guess. she... checked your location and knows that you're over here?"
Miranda turned in his arms, taking him in for the first time after they'd slept together. his handsomeness nearly made her lightheaded. he held up his phone and showed her messages from Sanaa.
1. "i know mom's over there. *smirking devil emoji*"
2. "and before you ask, i checked your locations. *zany face emoji*"
3. "Grandma said you better come for breakfast like you promised."
"that child of is mine is so... damn nosy and so..." Miranda made a face.
"and so much like you," Ben finished, kissing her cheek. he lifted her chin. "good morning."
butterflies in her belly forced her to take a second to respond. "good morning."
"did you sleep well?"
"squished against you and plastered to your sofa?" he nodded. "yes. you?"
his head moved from side to side. "i slept okay. i feel like someone had their ass in my stomach and their hair in my face all night long." Miranda hit his arm playfully, blushing. "other than that," he continued, "i slept wondrously."
she wanted to ask how he felt about the night, about what they'd said, what they'd done. but she didn't get a chance to because he inhaled, saying: "and i loved everything about last night."
"you did?"
"i mean i do." he pushed up her shirt, pressing her back mildly with his fingers. "what about you?"
exhaling, Miranda felt a giant weight removed from her chest. "i did, too."
"i see you're still wearing the necklace." she rolled her eyes and moved to sit back down on the sofa, feeling some of the electricity from just hours ago. "so, can i assume that you haven't changed your mind?" he plopped down next to her.
"about what, Benjamin Warren?"
he grinned and it took everything in her not to take him down again. "being mine, Miranda Bailey."
"unless you've changed your mind on wanting to be mine?" she asked, vulnerability written all over her face.
"that's never going to happen," he told her, his voice gravelly and reassuring.
"and, just so we're clear," she stated with fervor, "it's not just me." Ben's face was twisted into confusion. "it's not just me you're making promises to. it's me and Sanaa."
"who?"
thinking he hadn't heard her, she said: "uh, my child, my teenaged daughter."
"wait. you have a child? when did that happen? what's her name?"
Miranda rolled her eyes, begging her lips not to tug into a smile. "you're not a funny man."
"listen to me," Ben said seriously. "i have waited a long time for this—for you. i know you don't come without Sanaa. i know that. i know who you are."
internally, she was elated. it was amazing to hear that their feelings were still mutual and it hadn't just been one night of passion. externally, she kept her face straight. "good because i'm trusting you."
he touched her chin again, leaning in and she did the same, their lips meeting yet again. "say no more."
they kissed for the longest time. every so often one or both of them would say that they should stop and leave and their announcement would be ignored.
when her phone rang and Sanaa's name and face popped up, Miranda moved to answer it. "yes, baby?" she said, stroking Ben's beard. he kissed her palm and her body vibrated.
"i thought you were coming hooo-ooome," Sanaa whined.
"i am."
"but you're not here."
"i'm on my way, Sanaa."
the teen sucked her teeth. "is Benny more important than i am?"
"i'll see you soon, child of mine."
when the call ended, the two of them cracked up. "maybe we should leave," Ben offered.
"maybe we should," Miranda echoed. they locked eyes and smiled lovingly at one another before starting up again.
outside of her house, they sat in the car. her legs were jittery and her hands were sweaty and her brain was buzzing with responses that she felt might be appropriate to questions her family might have. "you look panicked, babe."
"i am panicked," she laughed.
"sorry to break it to you, but nobody is gonna be shocked that we're together," he told her, picking up her hand, rubbing her knuckles, an act that soothed her the tiniest bit.
their foreheads met and she let go of another sigh. "i don't want anyone asking what took so long."
"yeah, why did it take so long?"
Miranda mushed his face. "i could ask you the same thing," she said as he got out of the car and came around to the passenger's side to open her door.
at her front door, he held her face in his hands. "deep breath."
she did as she was told and they walked inside, hand in hand.
hearing the door, Sanaa ran to them from the kitchen. "ma?!"
"yes, ma'am?"
the teen's eyes went from her mother to the two of them holding hands. "hiii, Benny."
"hey, Squish."
the girl began grinning like a Ches cat. "are you two a couple?"
"yes," they said at the same time with no hesitation which came as a surprise even to Miranda.
staring at Ben, she squinted. "and you won't break her heart?"
Miranda couldn't help but to smile at her younger protector. "Sanaa..." she started and Ben simply squeezed her hand.
"Squish, your mom is my best friend and you know as well as anyone that I love her." the teen didn't respond right away. "and i'm in love with her. and i... i know some people would advise me not to say this," he held onto Miranda's hand as he took a step toward Sanaa, "but i promise you that i will not break her heart."
Sanaa nodded, pleased. "okay."
"okay."
"that's a nice necklace, mom."
Miranda beamed. "thank you, baby." she let go of Ben and gestured for her child. they hugged and the mother kissed her daughter's cheek.
"Grandma! they're here!" Sanaa shouted, heading for the stairs as her phone rang.
Ben turned to Miranda and kissed her knuckles, whispering: "i promise i won't break your heart."
smirking, she tugged his arm and wrapped it around her body. "you'd better damn not," she whispered back.
"and?"
"and i'll try not to break yours," Miranda said, giggling. Ben tickled her gently. "okay, okay. i won't break your heart, hon." they shared their second kiss in her home.
"better not."
with her husband right on her heels, Elena shuffled out of the kitchen holding a large spoon. like her granddaughter, the older couple peered down at the entwined hands of Miranda and Ben.
"finally," William said, winking at his daughter.
looking at Ben, Elena nodded. "you're welcome."
"thank you?" he answered.
"let's eat."