Lisa and Lori giggled. “It means they’re both squealing with excitement, Ben!” Lisa said with a grin.
“Oh! Well I guess it’s ok then. What time should we come by?”
It was Lisa and Lori’s turn to squeal and both jumped up to hug him excitedly. He endured their hugs, trying to keep the smile from his lips.
“Eight thirty,” Lori finally said. She and her sister were practically vibrating with excitement.
“Ok, we’ll see you then,” Ben said with a nod and left. He heard them giggling with glee as they went back into the daycare. He had to shake his head with a smile.
The crew next door were making their way to the food truck which was setting up for lunch. Today it was Mexican once more. A cheer went up as the team saw Ben approaching. He smiled and waved. He got in line next to Jayden who gave him a smile.
“How’s it going?” he asked the young man.
“It’s going really well! Mr. Selleni offered me a full time job!” Jayden said with a grin.
“What about your goal to be a music producer?” Ben asked.
Jayden’s expression turned serious and he nodded. “I haven’t given up on that dream but I’ll need a steady and solid income for a while to establish a reserve of savings. Mr. Selleni explained that many of his workers have side jobs in the off season and if that works out they move on to do that. If not they still have a dependable income. He told me how much I could be making working for him.”
Ben smiled at Jayden’s enthusiasm. He was pleased to see Jayden thinking long term and realistic long term at that. He had hope for the boy. They got to the truck and Ben placed his order. He got an order of spicy fish tacos for Tina as well.
He waved at the guys and headed home with his food.
“Tina?” Ben called out when he got in the door.
“I’m in the living room,” she answered.
“I picked you up some fish tacos!” Ben said as he put the food on the kitchen table and walked into the living room to scoop Tina up in his arms. He carried her back into the kitchen kissing her neck and nibbling at her ears. She was squealing and squirming the entire way.
“Stop!” she finally gasped as he set her down. She was panting to catch her breath as she looked at him with hunger in her eyes.
“I got the tacos extra spicy. I hope they’re ok,” he said with a smile.
She smelled the food and smiled at him. They ate in silence, enjoying the delicious meals.
“Sorry for the short notice but I’ll be joining Karen and Penny tonight when they go out for dinner and dancing with Lisa and Lori. I spoke to the twins about taking extra care with the girls and they reminded me I promised I’d go dancing with them.”
Tina nodded at him and he could see she was feeling sad again. She liked dancing too. He tossed the garbage out and scooped Tina back in his arms. He carried her down the hall to the master bedroom and shut the door behind them.
“What are you up to Ben?” Tina said with a twinkle in her eye.
“I might be out late tonight and I have to get up early tomorrow for the flight so I thought I’d take a nap. You don’t expect me to nap alone do you?” Ben said with an exaggerated look of shock on his face.
He carried her into the washroom and they brushed their teeth while she watched him expectantly. She wasn’t buying his nap story and she was beginning to fidget.
Ben took off his clothes and undressed Tina. She didn’t help him. She just kept looking at him with an impish smile on her lips. He pretended not to notice and once they were both naked he carried her to the bed and laid her out on the mattress. She looked up at him with that same tiny smile and he couldn’t stop himself from laughing. She looked so sweet and treating her like a living doll was ridiculous. She giggled at his laughter.
He dropped down on the bed next to her and she rolled onto her side to cuddle in against his chest.
“I am going to miss you next week,” Tina said in a quiet voice.
“I’ll miss you too,” he said and kissed the top of her head. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I need you to take care of yourself and keep an eye on the others. It’s the only thing making this trip possible for me. Knowing you will be here keeping order and maintaining the serenity of the household. That gives me peace of mind. Knowing I’ll be coming home to you, Christopher, and our baby gives my life focus like I’ve never had before. I love you so much!”
Tina pulled herself up on Ben’s chest to look into his eyes. She saw the love and need in them. She kissed him fiercely and he responded with equal passion. He tenderly held her face as he caressed her lips with his, stroking her lower one with the tip of his tongue, drawing gasps from the petite woman.
Her tongue joined his and he sucked on it. Tina trembled and ground herself against his body. She squealed when Ben suddenly rolled over to put her under him. He kept his full weight from her body but his kiss became more demanding and she shook with need.
Ben’s mouth moved to her neck and her pleasure spiked as a charge shot through her nerves. His lips and his hands traveled down her body nibbling and stroking as they went. Tina cried out and gasped as her body responded to him. Her nipples were too sensitive now so he only lightly kissed and stroked them with his tongue before moving on.