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  To be honest, even though I hate him dearly, it was a good thing that we were in a public place. I watched his eyebrows crease as he studied the appetizing food. I sucked in my bottom lip, my teeth grazing it gently upon it's release.

  “Do you always stare at people when you think they don't notice, Vanessa?” he asked not taking his eyes off of the menu.

  “Oh-uh, no... I was actually looking at the food on yours. It was a clean view, sorry,” I said as I picked my menu up and gazed at all of the burgers, fries, and steaks this establishment had to offer.

  The waitress came back to our table with our drinks. “Are you guys ready to order?”

  “Yes, I'll have the mushroom burger and fries, please,” Ben said politely.

  “I'll have the steak and side salad,” I smiled at the waitress.

  “Great, it will be a few minutes,” she huffed as we both handed her the menus.

  Ben watched her as she walked away. “You really like that Jordan guy, don't you?”

  “He is seriously nice, and really, I have met him already,” I smirked. “He has a great job with his dad's architect business, which they had worked at my building, building a water wall in the lobby,” I tilted my head to the side as I thought of Josh- our waiter at Estrada's. “You know, I kind of like that waiter guy, too, he was cute,”

  “Vanessa?” he asked not even paying attention to anything I just said. “Have you ever seen When Harry Met Sally?”

  Freaking rude! “Um, Ben, I was just-”

  “You know, the restaurant scene?” his blue orbs burning into me.

  “No, I have never seen that movie,” I said quietly, his face mere inches from mine. I felt my stomach go crazy with warmth which traveled below my belly button. “Why?” my voice shook as I could feel his warm-soft hand upon my thigh. I stiffened at his touch, it caught me off guard but felt oh-so-good.

  He leaned into my ear. “It was rather sexy,” he whispered then traced his fingers along my dress-line. It doesn't help that my dress is a few inches too short.

  I felt my breath hitch in my throat as I turned my face toward his. I could feel his hot breath on my face as again his lips were barely a centimeter away. His hand traced higher up my thigh. I let a soft moan escape my lips, letting my legs relax. My eyes traced the dimensions of his perfect face while the fingertips of his right hand traced the lining of my panties in the crease of my thigh. As I didn't realize I had leaned closer to Ben, giving him a full invitation to ravish me in any way that he pleases... he laughed. He was laughing! Ben took his hand off of my thigh, he laughed harder then scooted out of the booth and slid into the other seat across from me.

  I was furious, embarrassed, and I hated Ben McGurthy with everything that I had. “Are you seriously laughing at me?” I asked appalled as I felt my face burning red with embarrassment.

  Ben was still laughing, “It works every time, and you totally fell for it.”

  “Excuse me?” I was two seconds away from socking him in his sexy face.

  He sat up straight gaining composure. “I told you that I watched to see if there was anything you needed improvement on,” he shrugged casually.

  I grabbed my clutch and leaned forward. “Really, and what might that be, Ben?”

  “Desire...” he smirked. “You need to be desirable, irresistible,”

  “Wait... so I need to throw myself on men sexually?” I asked angrily and disgustedly dipping my fingers in my diet soda then flicked the liquid in his face. “You are something else, Ben. Your aunt needs someone else to do this, because I am done. This is not me,” I stood up but stumbled back onto my butt in the booth as he grabbed my arm, pulling me back down.

  Ben picked up his napkin, then dabbed at the soda on his face. He chuckled, “Look, Vanessa, I clearly see that you are nothing like that. I didn't mean throw yourself at men sexually, just be sexy... you know? That's all I am trying to say. Instead of opening yourself up the way you just did for me, make them do that for you. Make them think about you all night long after you leave, make them want you... make them want to do anything to get you. Be available, but never be available if you get what I am trying to say,” he leaned forward trying to make eye contact with me. “Irresistible... if you will,”

  I sigh as I was still incredibly angry and embarrassed. What he just said doesn't change the fact that I was ready to throw myself at him right here in the restaurant to have him laugh in my face no less.

  “Fine,” I threw my hands up in defeat. I can't risk my job because I hate this immature idiot sitting in front of me. I worked too hard to get to where I am at. I just have to try harder. I let my shoulders relax and released a slow breath.

  “Here you go, enjoy,” the waitress said as she sat our plates in front of us.

  I didn't even bother to say thank you as all I did was sit there and glare at Ben as I started to eat. I had nothing else to say to him. Halfway through my steak I realized something, this is one of the best steaks I have ever eaten. I smiled.

  ~

  “Where did Maria go?” I thought out loud as he pulled into my driveway.

  He put my car in park and looked at his watch. “She probably gave up on you, it's after two in the morning,”

  I groaned. “See, this is why I don't do these things anymore,”

  “Do what things?” he asked with his head back on the headrest.

  “Go out...I have this thing I have to go to tomorrow, and I am going to be so tired.” I laughed still feeling the slight buzz from my wine. “Something tells me that I am not going to feel that well at dinner tomorrow,”

  “Just take some asprin with a glass of water before you go to bed,” he turned the engine off and handed me my keys.

  “Ben?” I asked. He looked over at me. “Shake my hand,”

  He chuckled. “What? Why?” he hesitantly held his hand out to me.

  I gently placed my hand in his. Just like I had thought, it was a soft shake. I smiled.

  I got out of my car and walked to my door. As I heard his door shut I reached behind me and pushed the lock button to my car on my remote.

  “I'll be in touch, Vanessa. Goodnight,”

  I didn't turn around, or say a word. I just nodded and waved as I reached my porch. I let myself inside dropping my clutch on the counter and then took my wedges off. I could see Maria had left me a note.

  Vanessa,

  I waited until after midnight to leave. You must be having a great time with Mr. Hotty Pants.

  See you later! Maria

  I laughed aloud to myself. Oh, if she only knew how much I dislike 'Mr. Hotty Pants'. He is a rude, obnoxious, player and I cannot wait until this little article is written so I can get rid of him. I walked to my bathroom in my master bedroom and stood in front of the vanity mirror debating on whether or not to take his advice and take the damn asprin with some water. I opened the vanity to my medicines taking out the bottle. I popped two in my mouth and washed them down with some water from the faucet.

  “You should really lock your doors, Vanessa. Someone could sneak in and do some really bad things to you,” a male voice says sexily from behind me making the warmth inside of me return.

  “Oh, my God!” I jumped and spun around. Ben was leaning against my bathrooms door frame with his arms crossed.

  He unfolded his arms and has Maria's note in his hand. He reads, “Mr. Hotty Pants,” then laughed aloud.

  “What the hell are you doing in my house, Ben?” I ripped the letter from his hands. “You scared the shit out of me!” I smacked him in the chest with the letter making a crunching sound.

  “I was going to leave but I have to make sure that you don't call either of your new boy toys,” he winked still leaning against the door frame.

  “Remind me how that is any of your business who I call?” I said as I walked past him into my bedroom. I grabbed my robe off of my bed and threw it over my shoulder.

  “Ellen McGurthy,” he smiled widely.

  I groaned out of fr
ustration as I stomped into my closet and shut the door. “You know, you can't stay here,” I said loudly from the closet.

  “Oh, yes I can. Aunt said to do whatever was necessary,” he was right at the other side of the door now.

  “It doesn't mean breaking and entering into my house, Ben,” I opened the closet door to see him standing there, jaw flexed. I swallowed hard staring into his blue eyes. I quickly looked away as it felt as thought I was being sucked in by a force.

  “The door was unlocked,” he shrugged. “I just walked in,” I pushed him out of the way.

  “Look, I'm not going to call either one of them tonight,” I plopped down onto my bed. “I'm seriously tired.”

  “You have better not, and late night booty calls don't start for at least a few weeks, got it?” he pointed a finger at me.

  I angrily poke his chest with my finger. “Ben, I am not-”

  “It was a joke,” he took my finger in his hand. “Take it easy there, killer,”

  “Whatever, I have got to go to sleep. I'm already feeling the bags form,” I whined yanking my finger from his grasp. “Good-bye, Ben.” Frustrated, I ripped my covers back and got in bed, throwing my covers over my head so I didn't have to see him any longer.

  “You are such a party pooper, Vanessa,” he paused waiting for some kind of response from me. “Alright fine, I'll see you tomorrow for your next lesson,”

  “Nope, sorry... no can do,” I said from under the blankets. The sheet puffed up with every breath of my sentence. “I have plans tomorrow evening,” I smiled slyly.

  “I do too, no big deal,” he says casually.

  I wish he could see me sticking my tongue out at him right now. “Fine, just go away,”

  “Goodnight, princess...” he hollered from down the hallway. I removed the blankets as I was feeling utterly smothered.

  I grabbed a pillow as all I could do was scream into it. I was still embarrassed about what happened at that run down diner Ben took me to, and am so angry that I feel the urge to do everything I am asked to by Ellen. I should have stood my ground and told her absolutely not, but I didn't and this is the consequence I have to pay to make Mrs. McGurthy happy. What is the consequence you ask? Ben of course... I groaned into my pillow. I sit up quickly, grabbing my cell phone. Screw this, screw Ben... I am texting Jordan. I smile.

  ~

  I awaken to the sun shining through my gray-sheer curtains, gracing my tan skin with warmth. I moaned as I stretched my arms and legs out of total comfort in my feather-down bed.

  “What time is it?” I groaned aloud as I rolled over toward my glass nightstand. I had no clue how long Jordan and I had text for last night, but I do know that the sun was starting to rise and that I now have a date for my parents dinner. Ben doesn't need to know that I invited him, it will be mine and Jordan's secret.

  “Two-thirty in the afternoon,” I heard Ben say from next to me.

  “Ah!” I rolled over to see a cheery, handsome face... Ben's face. I freaked out, ripping my covers off of me and jumping out of my bed.

  “Good morning, Princess.” he laughed. “Ooh, yeah, you are right about the bags... yikes,”

  I reached my hand up to my face then rubbed underneath my eyes. “Shut the hell up, Ben, and why are you still here?” I yelled at him. “This is harassment,”

  “I'm just doing my job,” he places his hands behind his head, his ankles crossed making himself comfortable. “I should have snuck in here after you started snoring around six this morning. Your couch is seriously uncomfortable. I couldn't sleep,” he frowned.

  “Your job is to teach me how to play men,” I huffed. “Not to sleep in my house, oh my God!” I ranted as I grabbed my robe then made my way into the bathroom. I could hear him laughing in the distance which pissed me off even more so I slammed the bathroom door then locked it quickly hopping into the shower.

  I washed, dried, did my hair, and then make-up as I was hoping to see an empty bed when I walked out of this bathroom. I tapped the slight bags under my eyes gently. Who am I kidding? I look like hell! This is why I was never into the whole partying/staying up all night thing when I was a teenager.

  “This is going to cause wrinkles, I just know it,” I groaned as I stared at my tired reflection.

  “No it's not,” Ben said from the other side of the door.

  “What the hell do you know about beauty?” I put my robe back on. “And I do not snore,” I unlocked the door then flung it open. I walked into my bedroom to see he was messing with his phone while still lying on my bed.

  “You honestly snore,” he stared at his phone.

  “No I don't, and at least take your shoes off when you are on my bed,” I smacked his feet with my hands as I took a quick look at my phone. I had a text from my mom sent earlier this morning telling me not to forget to pick up cupcakes from Eye Candy Bakery.

  “Shit,” I muttered.

  “What?” Ben stood up. He let out a groan as he stretched.

  “I forgot that I have an errand to run before I go to my parents dinner,” I bit my lip and had quickly text my mother back while scurrying to my closet.

  I threw on a dress like I had on last night-black and strapless hugging my petite frame. Except for this one is to my knees. I swept my blonde hair up, letting my bangs lay sideways across my forehead. I finished up with half carat diamond earrings from Tiffany's that I had treated myself to last Valentine's Day, and slipped my french manicured toes into black stiletto's ready to conquer the day with my family and Jordan...without Ben.

  Buzz... buzz. I quickly picked my phone up to see my mother had text back letting me know that my brother Ethan's friend had picked them up already.

  I relaxed knowing I had some more time as I was worried that I wouldn't have enough time to pick up Jordan and stop to get the cupcakes.

  “Never mind,” I said as I came out of the closet dressed. Ben just stared at me with his mouth open.

  “Huh?” was all he could say.

  “Huh?” I mocked. “I said, never mind about the cupcakes,” I waved as I wondered into the kitchen. I stuck my cup under the single cup coffee machine and let it fill with the freshest cup of coffee. I closed my eyes for a moment as I still felt incredibly drained.

  “I love those machines,” Ben said from behind me.

  “Yeah,” I finished filling my cup and slowly turned around as I took a sip. I glanced at the large pink and blue striped boxes on my counter top. I know these boxes, they are one of a kind.

  “Ben?” I eyed him.

  “Yes,” he said casually as I stared at a wall of newspaper. He turned a page.

  “A-are t-those-” I stuttered then pointed at the boxes with white silk bows atop of them.

  He folded the newspaper and set it down on the counter with a sigh. “Eye Candy cupcakes?” he smiled.

  “Ben?” my heart skipped a beat.

  “Yes, they are Eye Candy cupcakes, Princess,” he took a drink from his coffee. Apparently he has made himself quite at home. I am beginning to feel extremely angry.

  “What?!” I say sternly. “I am seriously confused,”

  “Oh, did I forget to mention that your brother Ethan and I are childhood friends and that your dinner plans are my dinner plans?” he said quickly.

  My eyes went wide as I stood there in shock. My cup dropped from my hands, shattering on my wood floors as I feel my body go numb. Hot coffee everywhere.

  “You have got to be joking,” I mumbled.

  ~

  I quickly, and furiously changed my clothes as I had ordered for Ben to clean up the coffee mess. I settled for casual as I threw on my rhinestone-studded jeans and a pink dressy top. I am stressed as I know indefinitely that I am officially screwed... Jordan is coming to dinner.

  “The dress was better,” Ben said from the closet doorway.

  “Ben, I seriously don't think we should talk right at the moment,” I said breathlessly. I strutted past him then grabbed my purse and threw everything in it
from my clutch.

  “Vanessa, look...” he grabbed my arm then spun me around to face him. I pulled my arm away as I slung my purse over my shoulder. “I am sorry, I should have told you,”

  “You think so?” I looked at him in disbelief that he could stand here and say that. “That was probably a serious detail that could have been mentioned yesterday,”

  “I know, I just-” he ran his fingers through his perfectly messy blonde hair.