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  Jordan followed me into the house. As I set my clutch down onto the counter he walked around the living and dining room just looking around.

  “This is really nice, Vanessa,” he smiled approvingly.

  “Thank you,” I got two coffee mugs from the cupboard. “Maria and I spent a weekend painting, and going to Pier 1,” I shrugged.

  Maria... I'm curious, did Ben take her to the restaurant he took me to? Is she touching and kissing on him? I suddenly felt slightly sick to my stomach. I turned my back to Jordan and closed my eyes for a moment trying to erase the ridiculous thoughts from my head.

  Get a grip! For goodness sakes, Vanessa...

  I placed his cup under the coffee machine and let it fill. I inhaled deeply, letting the aroma of fresh coffee fill my nose. The smell brought back the memory of Ben sitting at my counter the other morning reading the newspaper next to the cupcake boxes. I laughed a little to myself- I was so angry that morning. Moving on, I could care less, so of course I can laugh about it now.

  I felt Jordan's chest against my back as he snakes his arms around my waist.

  “What's so funny?” he whispered into my ear.

  I grabbed his cup of coffee and turned around quickly pressing the cup against his chest lightly, giving us some space.

  “Absolutely nothing,” I smiled sexily as he took his coffee from my hand.

  He followed me as I walked into the living room, making sure I swayed my hips with every step. I got a sense of sensual excitement as I could feel his eyes on me. I took a seat on the couch. He sat down close to me so I slightly turned my body towards him letting him know I am comfortable. I leaned my side into the cushions and rested my arm on the back of the sofa, I took a sip of my coffee. Jordan was staring at me with a smile on his face.

  “What?” I smiled back.

  He just shook his head. I could see that his cheeks were turning red. I needed to say something, he was becoming nervous.

  “I thought it was weird how the waiter kept calling me Nikki,” I said bewildered. “I mean, Josh knows me, I don't know why he kept calling me that,” I chuckled. I wrote my name along with my phone number for him... not too sure if I want him to contact me now.

  “It was weird,” he added.

  “Yeah,” I shrugged taking another drink of coffee. Okay... this is beginning to be a little odd. I have nothing to say to Jordan.

  Jordan leaned forward grabbing my coffee cup gently out of my hand and set it on the coffee table with his. He turned toward me and stared intensely into my eyes. He reached out touching my cheek with his fingertips. I relaxed and closed my eyes as it felt comforting. The next thing I knew, I felt his lips on my cheek, down my neck, and then on my chest. I laid back onto the couch as I felt his weight upon me. I opened my eyes to see he was hovering above me. He looked incredibly sexy flexing his jaw, his blonde hair was perfectly messy. I ran my fingers through it as I stared into his gray eyes.

  “You're beautiful, Vanessa,” he said thoughtfully.

  “Thank you,” I whispered. “You're beautiful, too.” I laughed.

  His lips came crashing down on mine. They were soft, and gentle; extremely inviting. I felt his tongue trace my bottom lip. I quietly moaned as I opened my mouth, deepening our kiss. His hand cupped my face as I let my hands wander underneath his t-shirt feeling each definition of his abs. I wrapped my legs around his waist tightly, pulling him closer. Goosebumps rose on his heated skin as I let my fingers caress his back.

  We lay there kissing intensely, touching one another for awhile. I was surprised that he never let his hands wander anywhere below my waist. He was the perfect gentleman. I wouldn't have minded going a little further with Jordan.

  “You are incredible, you know that?” he wiped a strand of hair away from my face.

  “Of course,” I agreed seductively making him laugh.

  “It's late, I should go,” he sighed as he sat up.

  What? That's it?

  “You should,” I nodded as there was a part of me that didn't really want Jordan here when Ben got back. But, why?

  I held my hand out and he takes it in his pulling me to a sitting position.

  “You know, your couch is really uncomfortable,” he laughed.

  Ben thinks so too... I smirked. What time is it, and what could he possibly be doing? Where's my car?

  At this point I was getting a little annoyed as I had been racking my brain about Ben nearly this entire time. Even while Jordan and I were kissing, I couldn't help but compare it to the kiss I shared with Ben in my dream. Don't get me wrong, Jordan is a fantastic kisser- his lips are soft, he is gentle, and did I mention how incredibly sexy he is? The difference between the two kisses are; A. One was in fact a real kiss, the other wasn't. And B. One had zero sparks, and lacked making my legs weak while the other was spectacular sending me into a frenzy- regardless if it were a dream or not.

  “Yeah, for some reason I hear that a lot,” I laughed smacking the couch cushion next to me. “I think it's time for a new couch,” I stood up and straightened my dress out.

  “It's nice though,” he shrugged.

  I sexily took a few steps toward Jordan. He wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me close.

  “It is, but I can't have you uncomfortable,” I said sweetly against his lips. He kissed me again.

  He pulled away breathless, resting his forehead on mine. “Will you text me tomorrow? Maybe we can go have dinner?”

  “I'll have to see,” I smiled. “But I will text you,”

  “Okay,” he backed up. “Sweet dreams, princess,” Jordan said as he walked to the door and turned the doorknob.

  “Only about you,” and Ben, I winked.

  He laughed aloud as he walked out the door. “Goodnight,”

  “Goodnight,” I closed the door behind him.

  Princess... Jordan really needs to stop calling me that if I am ever going to stop thinking about Ben. Ugh, Ben... and where is my damn car?!

  I shuffled my feet to my bedroom closet and took my dress off. I grabbed my white, silk nighty that came with my robe. I didn't usually wear it as it is for special occasions which never happen. However, something inside of me was making me feel a little more on the sexier side. I smiled as I felt the soft silk grace my skin. I grabbed my robe and headed out of my closet toward my bathroom. The entire time I brushed my teeth I stared at the door frames reflection behind me. I remembered the night Ben was standing there, he scared the hell out of me. I spit my toothpaste out, wiped my mouth with a hand towel and smiled as I closed my eyes. Something inside of me is changing, but what?

  “Don't fall asleep standing there, princess. You might fall and hit your head,” Ben's voice was husky and low.

  I gasped then opened my eyes to see Ben's reflection in the mirror. He was leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed like I had just imagined him to be. I was exhilarated inside. My heart started to race.

  I panicked due to these new feelings that are flooding through my veins.

  Don't freak out, Vanessa, stay calm. Be sexy... be irresistible.

  I took a deep breath then turned around leaning back against the counter. I placed my hands upon the granite and smiled. I see Ben eye me up and down with a pleasing smile.

  “Expecting someone?” he asked huskily before clenching his jaw tightly as he stared into my eyes.

  “You, Benjamin,” I pushed off the counter taking a few steps closer to him.

  “How were your plans with Maria?” I could smell his Dior cologne- I was ashamed to say that I had missed him.

  “Very interesting,” he said quietly, not breaking eye contact with me.

  He stared into my eyes and clenched his jaw again as I reached up, running my fingers through his hair. I leaned in closer breathing deeply as I could feel the heat from his lips on mine. I wanted to lean in one centimeter more, but I didn't. His breathing had gotten faster, and just like in my dream, his eyes were a blue ocean of emotions, flooded with interest
for me.

  Go in for the kill...

  I tilted my head as though I was about to kiss him. I saw his lips part with need. I exhaled slowly, letting my minty breathe grace his lips. A low growl escaped his throat.

  “But, you took too long,” I frowned, shrugging my shoulders. “I'm too tired,” I swayed my hips past him to my bed. I could feel his eyes on me as I had left him standing there... utterly turned on, and embarrassed no less.

  Yes! I grinned widely as I pulled my comforter down. I got him! Ben two- Vanessa one.

  Without looking back once, I added a little bit of torture by very slowly letting my silk robe drop to the floor. I then climbed into bed with such grace.

  I moaned out of comfort, “Goodnight, Benjamin,” I closed my eyes. I heard him quietly leave my bedroom, my front door shut, and his car start.

  And that, my friends, is how it's done. Take that, McGurthy... I smiled completely and utterly satisfied.

  ~

  I would like to think that the end of my night finished off with the glory of finally winning one over on him... Right. (Record scratch) I must say that what happened next was the utmost weird, odd, crazy, yet sensual, and exhilarating game of Tit-For-Tat that I have ever played. With none other than Ben...

  I suddenly woke up to feel a heavy sensation upon me. I fluttered my eyes open, it was still the middle of the night. I couldn't really see anything except for a silhouette hovering above me. I felt my heart racing, but I calmed nearly instantly as I could smell Ben's Dior.

  “Well, hello,” I purred.

  “Shh,” Ben whispered against my lips.

  Oh my God, what is he doing? If I back down... wait, I can't back down! My heart is now thudding against my rib cage as his lips are mere inches from mine. I know he could tell that I was nervous.

  Please, don't kiss me... don't kiss me, no. I know I couldn't stop myself if he did.

  He leaned forward, trailing his nose across the warm skin of my neck. I started to relax as he had made my heart rate slow just a little. I turned my head towards him, he caressed my jawline with his soft lips moving up. Ben doesn't kiss me though, just barely graces his lips on mine. I started breathing heavily.

  As I laid there, I tried to think of what it is he is doing, then it hits me.

  I will not let him have this point...

  I rolled over on top of him, holding his wrists down above his head with my hands. My stomach was going crazy as I don't think I have ever been so nervous or turned on. I could feel that I was breathing harder, so I used it to my advantage and leaned in closer letting each breathe tickle his ear. I could feel him pressing between my legs. I let out a soft and quiet moan.

  He sat up quickly, my legs still straddled around him. Ben brought his hands up my back touching my skin softly. I closed my eyes, tilted my head back as he squeezed my hips against him tighter. His nose tickled my chest to my collarbone. I wrapped my arms around his neck, gripping my hands into his hair holding him tightly against me. He barely touched his lips to mine making my hold release slightly.

  He won't have this one... I said to myself as I hopped off of him and stood at the foot of the bed. I breathlessly stared at him as my eyes have now adjusted to the darkness of the night in my bedroom. I didn't say a word as I slowly turned away, gently gracing my floor with the pads of my feet.

  Catch me if you can, McGurthy...

  I winked at him and he smiled hopping off of the bed. I tried to run but he reached out with his hand and caught me by my silk nightgown. I grabbed him by his t-shirt and turned him around pushing him into my bedroom wall. I reached down gripping the bottom of his T-shirt. I smiled deviously pulling his shirt up and over his head. I stared into his eyes as I let my fingertips explore the definitions of each and every muscle. I gently ran my lips across the pecks of his chest, not kissing him... just touching. I could feel his heart racing beneath my lips.

  He wrapped his fingers in my hair, bringing my face to his, our lips touched. He took a few steps forward and I jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist. He held onto my hips tightly as he sat me down upon my dresser, then pressed himself against me letting me feel his erection. It made my thighs ache for him. I raised my arms letting him know that it was my turn. He laughed slightly, pulling my nightgown above my head and tossed it onto the floor. Ben looked at me for a moment and smiled as he cupped my breast letting his thumbs run over my erect nipples.

  “My God, you're beautiful, Vanessa,” he whispered against my breasts. He didn't place them in his mouth, just continued to run his lips over them gently making me moan. I wanted nothing more than to grab Ben and kiss him as this by far was the best torture one could ever experience.

  Both of us were breathless, I could tell that we were both aching to kiss one another. Although, we didn't. We continued our innocent game of Tit-For-Tat for the next few hours as I don't think we could get enough which made it that much more intense for the both of us. We went from my bedroom, to the kitchen, to the living room, to the dining room and back to my bedroom again where we eventually fell asleep.

  Score... Ben fifteen maybe sixteen? Vanessa twelve or thirteen? Oh, screw it... who the hell is counting?

  Chapter Six: Karma; Oh, How I Love Thee...

  Buzz...buzz. I woke up to the sound of my cell phone buzzing on my nightstand. I groaned as I rolled over utterly exhausted from the night before. I squinted at the alarm to see it was only eight in the morning.

  Ugh... Why? I only had three-and-a-half hours of sleep. I picked up my phone to see it was Ellen.

  “Ellen, hi,” I answered.

  “Vanessa,” she said sternly. “I'm calling to check up on you and see how this story is coming along,”

  I turned my head to see a sleeping Ben next to me. “Great actually,”

  “I am wanting to let you know that I expect you to stay out the office until Friday with your update,”

  “Of course, Ellen,” I jumped as Ben reached over placing his arm around my waist.

  “I trust that you and Benjamin are getting along well and that my nephew is behaving himself?” she asked.

  “Oh, uh,” and I freaked, as always. I grabbed his arm and threw it off of me. Ben groaned as he rolled over to face the wall. “We are are getting along great. I assure you that Ben is very professional,” I rolled my eyes as I stared at his bare back.

  “Very well then,” she sighed. “See you Friday,”

  “Okay-”

  She hung up on me before I could finish my sentence. I tossed my phone back onto my nightstand and snuggled back into my blankets closing my eyes.

  ~

  “Rise and shine, princess,” Ben whispered softly.

  I fluttered my eyes open to see a smiling Ben inches from my face. I opened my eyes wider as I stared at him.

  “Why the hell are you still in my bed, Ben?” I blinked.

  “I thought we got past this,” he sighed as he rolled onto his back.

  “Since when?” I pulled the covers closer to my chin.

  “Since last night,” he waggled his brows.

  “Hey, last night was fun, and-” I squeezed the blankets tighter.

  “Fun?” he asked nearly appalled, he turned to face me.

  “Yes, fun,” I said as I pushed my hand against his chest trying my hardest to push him out of my bed.

  “Thank you for playing with me, now you need to get out of my bed,” I grunted and pushed harder.

  He started to laugh aloud as he grabbed my hand pulling me closer to him.

  I struggled under his hold.

  “Would you let go of me,” I mumbled against his chest, my head bobbing every time he laughed. I rolled my eyes and laid there until he was finished.

  He stopped laughing then placed his finger under my chin making me look at him.

  “Are you done yet?” I asked.

  “No,” he whispered. “I am nowhere near finished with you,” his eyes searched mine.

  I could feel my heart start to race li
ke it had last night. My body felt as though it was floating, my stomach was going crazy. I panicked in an attempt to push him away again.

  “Vanessa,” he said soothingly to get my attention so I would stop and look at him.

  “What?” I asked as I kept my hand against his chest.

  He remained quiet as he took my hand from his chest and held it to his lips. He kissed the back of my hand so gently and so softly that I could barely feel anything except for the burning sensation his lips left behind.