“Ok, everyone get showered and dressed. We have an early start and a two and a half hour drive to get to Turin. Let’s get cracking!” Cat rallied her daughters. She looked at them fondly as they got moving. She pulled on her dressing gown, walked over to Ben’s bedroom and knocked gently. She heard him call out to enter. She opened the door and stepped inside.
“Good morning Ben!” She saw he’d already showered and dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. Ready to renovate!
“Ah there you are! You left something behind,” he said lifting the panties from the table.
She walked up and plucked them from his fingers and kissed him as she tucked the panties into her dressing gown pocket.
“We’re all getting an early start today because we have a long drive. Why are you up so early?” she asked.
“Eager to get started. There are only two days and I have a lot of rooms to finish. They did the top floor first and got much of the second done before the workers were too intimidated. They’re just older local tradesmen and that asshole down there made some pretty bad threats to them if they help the evil lesbians. I don’t understand tiny little minds like his.”
“Well, you keep an eye out for that asshole. He has a gun and I don’t want any more bullet holes in you,” she said as she rubbed herself against his chest and slipped her hand under his t-shirt to rub his bullet scars.
He growled his approval of her hand on his skin but she pushed herself away. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back. His mouth was on hers and he kissed her deeply as she moaned and whimpered. Finally she pushed her face back from him.
“Wait! I can’t… I have to get moving! If we keep this up I’ll hold up the group!” she gasped as she ground herself against his bulge.
“Fine, but I want you in my bed again tonight!” he said with a growl and a hot look.
“Yes!” she gasped and he released her. She staggered to the door and closed it behind her as she leaned against the door jamb, panting. Gabriella was standing in the hall looking at her with a wide smile.
“Had a good night?” she asked the blond.
“Actually, I need to talk to you about that. Follow me,” Cat said and went into her room. Once Gabriella closed the door she explained what happened with Rachel.
“I didn’t even see his door was open, I was so tipsy,” Gabriella said with a frown.
“And I closed it. I should have looked in.” Cat agreed.
“You’re right, let’s hold off on filling him in. How is Rachel?”
“Sore but dreamy eyed about her night just the same,” Catherine smiled.
“Weren’t we exactly the same?” Gabriella asked with a smirk.
Cat thought about that. “Yes, I guess we were.”
Sophia came out of the bathroom with her towel wrapped around herself.
“When are you planning on making your move?” Catherine asked.
Sophia was wide eyed as she looked at her mother.
Gabriella just laughed. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”
Cat grabbed some new underwear, dropping Rachel’s off on her bed with a raised eyebrow at Sophia, then went in to take her shower.
Gabriella met Alexis downstairs and gave her a hug and kiss.
“Sleep well?” Alexis asked as Béatrice walked up to join them and got her own hug from Gabriella.
“Yes, especially after that nightcap. Delicious but potent!” Gabriella smiled.
“When are you going out to get the clay?” Stephanie said as she pushed through the private door into the hallway.
Alexis rolled her eyes. “Now I remember what a nag you can be when your creativity is upon you!”
“Nag?!?” Stephanie squeaked. “I’ll have you know I am the soul of patience… when I’m not under the control of my muse,” she finished in a haughty tone.
The others chuckled. “Come on Artiste! Get some breakfast. Feed your body before you feed your soul,” Alexis barked.
Daniel was already at the table with Miriam eating their breakfast. The others grabbed a plate and filled them from the heating trays on the sideboard. They took their seats and dug in. Ben came in and said his good mornings to everyone. He then kissed Gabriella, Catherine and Miriam, on the cheek.
He made his way to the sideboard but Marie intercepted him and directed him to sit. He raised his eyebrows but did as he was told. She went into the kitchen and returned with a large plate with steak and eggs on it. There was also some toasted baguette and little baby potatoes. Ben’s grin was all the praise Marie needed but he kissed her hand before she could get away. She blushed and rushed back to the kitchen.
“Hey! No stealing our chef!” Béatrice grinned.
Ben breathed in the scent of his breakfast. “No promises!”
“Due to the amount of work we’ll have you doing over the next days the least we can do is give you enough food to charge your batteries,” Alexis explained.
“Much appreciated!” he grinned and started to eat. His look of bliss said it all.
Sophia arrived and went directly to Ben who dabbed his mouth with his napkin then leaned back to give her a kiss. Megan arrived and Ben kissed her cheek and Rachel was last and moving slowly. Ben frowned as he saw her wince.
“Are you ok Rachel?” he asked.
“Yeah, just slept… funny. Pulled something.”
Sophia was at the sideboard with her back to the group but she snorted then apologized for the noise.
Rachel was heading in her direction but veered over to Ben and got a kiss first. Then she walked over and swatted her sister’s arm behind Ben’s back.
He ate for a bit then watched Rachel settle herself into her chair. “You know, if it’s a pulled muscle I could massage it for you. Work out the kink.”
Sophia was trying desperately to keep from laughing and doing a poor job of it. Ben glanced her way with a confused look and she pointedly looked away.
“No Ben. It’s ok. I’ll rest in the car and I’m sure it will go away. Thanks though,” Rachel smiled.
“OW!” Sophia yelped and reached for her shin.
“Girls!” Catherine scolded and the two settled down to eat their breakfast.