Outside the Lines (Rebel Hearts #1) (24 page)

Everyone else laughs. Everyone but Mindy. I know the woman hated me in high school for some unknown reason, but why be a bitter bitch now?
 

“Don’t you feel a little old to be dressing up in costumes?” Mindy asks.
 

I’ve been asked that before, many times, actually. “No. There’s not an age limit at Comic-Con, and Cosplaying in my spare time doesn’t hinder my adulting. Well, not that much. I still go to work and pay my bills and all that. I don’t see how it’s any different than any other hobby. Some people jog and knit and do other … uh, things. I like to sew costumes.”
 

Mindy raises her eyebrows. “Yeah, sure. I think it’s weird.”
 

“Just because it’s weird to you, doesn’t make it weird,” Ben cuts in. “Felicity is right, again. I say to each his—or her—own. As long as your hobby doesn’t involve chickens, Vaseline, and a dark shed, what does it matter?”

“All I’m saying is there’s a reason hardly anyone is into that stuff.” Mindy purses her lips and leans back. Danielle is beginning to look mortified, which makes me like her a little more, even if she’s friends with Mindy and her sister.

“Do you know how many people attend Comic Cons?” I ask. “A lot. And I like that it’s not mainstream.”
 

“Life is too short to worry about the opinions of others,” Ben says pointedly. “Not a lot of people are brave enough to do what they love without fear of judgment.” His eyes meet mine. “It’s just one of the things I like about you.”
 

I’m smiling, and the background fades until it’s just Ben and me left in the room. My heart flutters and Ben’s fingers press into my skin.

“Want to go outside?” Ben asks. “I want to look at the water. It’s inspiring.”
 

He takes my plate, sets it in the kitchen, and we go out the front door.
 

“You should fire Mindy,” I say and look down the driveway for Erin’s car.

“I’ve thought about it,” Ben confesses. “But she’s actually good at selling stuff, and I hate interviewing people.”
 

“Meh, I guess.” I take Ben’s hand and make a mental promise to myself. No matter what, Mindy is not ruining the rest of the day. I’m not going to talk about her or bring her up. I’ll save her from drowning if need be, though I’ll wait until she goes under and ruins her hair and makeup before diving in. Other than that, I’m ignoring her.
 

Today is all about fun and friends, and she’s neither of those.
 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“He is seriously perfect,” Erin whispers. “I can tell he really likes you.”
 

“I hope so,” I say back. “Because I really like him. It’s been so intense since day one. I can’t even with the passion. Like it’s just so much.” I shake my head and smile. “I just hope that he doesn’t feel this way about anyone else.”
 

“I don’t think he’s seeing anyone else,” Erin says and leans on the sink. “Not with what you’ve told me, and not with the way he looks at you.”
 

I wobble when I stand, turning to flush the toilet. We ran inside before the fireworks started to use the bathroom and gossip. “But we never had a relationship talk. He said he dates other women.”
 

“When did he say that?”

“Uh, before we hooked up the first time.”
 

“Things can change,” Erin slurs. I’ve lost count of how many alcoholic beverages I’ve had. I still got my wits about me—okay half my wits—but I would say I’m drunk. Erin is probably just as drunk and she’s had two wine coolers. Such a lightweight.
 

I wash my hands and run them through my messy hair while Erin uses the bathroom. I give up on my hair. I need something more substantial than my fingers, and loosen the ties on my bikini top. I kept it tight to hold the girls up, but my neck is starting to hurt. The struggle is real when it comes to these puppies. But it’s a love-to-hate problem.
 

Ben gets along great with everyone, and everyone likes him. I’ve never been ashamed of anyone I’ve brought home with me, but I’ve never exactly been proud of them either. And I’m not talking about his incredible good looks. I’m talking about Ben. Who he is. What he does. He’s just an all-around great guy.
 

The sun is almost set and I get hit with a blast of hot, humid air when we leave the house and step out onto the deck. My entire family is crowded on it, all sitting in a circle around a fire pit that is probably dangerously close to the house. But in our family, we drink and roast marshmallows wherever the fuck we want. Even if it’s against a fire code.
 

“I love nights like this,” Mom says. “When it’s still hot after the sun sets.”
 

I put my hand on Ben’s and pick up a red plastic cup from the deck floor. It might be mine. It might not be. I’m just drunk enough to not care. As long as alcohol gets in my mouth, I’m fine.
 

“I love summer,” one of my cousins chimes in. “It always goes by so fast after the Fourth.”
 

“Especially for us teachers,” Danielle says, and another cousin agrees. He teaches math at the high school here in town.
 

“I can’t wait for fall,” Mindy says. “I live for pumpkin spice, leggings, and Ugg boots.”
 

I cannot hide the horror on my face. Not only is Mindy an insult to the female race, she’s the most basic one at that. I stare at her like she just got caught not washing her hands after taking a shit, then shake myself. I don’t care, remember?
 

We continue talking and drinking, then turn our chairs when the fireworks start. We “ooo” and “aww” for nearly an hour, eat some more, talk, laugh, and continue drinking. The party breaks up around midnight. I walk Erin to her car, give her a hug goodbye, and promise to call once Ben and I get back into Grand Rapids.
 

Zoey and Mindy leave without saying bye, which is fine by me. Jake, Danielle, Ben, and I help my mom and aunts clean up most of the mess until the others are too tired to keep going on. Danielle kisses Jake goodnight, saying she’ll see him in the morning. I see the question in Ben’s eyes, so I’m not surprised when he asks me about it once we slip outside.
 

“They say they are waiting for marriage,” I explain and collect red Solo cups from the deck, pitching them into a recycling bin.
 

“Waiting to have sex?” Ben asks like he can’t believe it.

“I haven’t asked for details, like if just slipping the tip in counts or not, but yeah, they say they haven’t slept together yet.”
 

Ben’s nostril flare. “People still do that?”

I laugh. “Some people, yeah, I guess. Hmm … maybe I should go cold turkey and save myself too.”
 

“Hell no,” Ben says. “I love fucking you.”
 

The smile is back on my face. “I assumed so. And I love fucking you too.”
 

“You better.”
 

I shake my head and run my eyes over him. He’s still shirtless, somehow not sunburned, and just … amazing. I’m floating above the sand, looking down at the shore. Is this real life?
 

Fireworks continue to go off, reflecting on the lake. We end up on the edge of the dock, swinging our feet above the water, arms around each other. We talk about everything and anything, and the next thing I know, the sun is creeping up, and storm clouds are rolling in on the horizon. Exhaustion hits me when I stand (and probably dehydration; it’s hot and I drank a lot) and I hold onto Ben to keep from faltering. We walk down the boardwalk hand in hand, and thunder rumbles distantly over the lake.
 

“Good timing,” Ben says slowly. He yawns and pulls me in. I twist and wrap my arms around him. The wind picks up and he kisses me. Time stands still. My heart races and everything is finally perfect in my world.
 

It’s been just over a month but I think I’m in love with him.
 

Fuck. Me. This shouldn’t be happening so soon. He pushes his tongue into my mouth and I’m hot and wet in an instant and ready to throw him down in the sand. Actually, who cares what “should” be. I’ve never been one for rules anyway. We tangle closer together, stumbling over the sun-warped wooden boards until we get to the cabin. I rummage through my purse for the key.
 

We strip out of the little clothes we have on. I yank down Ben’s swim shorts and he pulls my dress over my head, then slowly pulls the strings on my clamshell bikini top. My breasts are still damp from the material, and feel cold under Ben’s warm hands. Sand sprinkles on the floor and rubs my skin. He unties my bottoms and we head to the bathroom and into the shower.
 

The water is still cold when we step in, but we’re so wrapped up in each other neither of us cares. Ben kisses me, then trails his lips down my neck and onto my breast. He pulls back, makes a face, and spits.
 

“You’re all sandy,” he says with a laugh.
 

I’m laughing too as I step away from him to let the water rush over me. “Better?”
 

“I think so.” He picks up where he left off, and I cast my eyes down to watch his big, beautiful cock rise to action. I take it in my hand, slowly pumping up and down while he kisses me all over.
 

Then he drops to his knees and keeps his hands on my waist. I lean back against the shower wall, holding onto the little plastic bar in the middle for support. Carefully, he props one of my legs up over his shoulder.
 

And I slip.
 

He catches me, uprights me, and puts his head between my legs. The water isn’t just warm now. It’s hot, as hot as I’m feeling for Ben right now. I’m holding on for dear life. I don’t want to slip again and risk him stopping.
 

His tongue lashes against me and my other hand goes to his strong shoulder, pushing myself against the shower wall to keep from sliding. He parts me with his fingers, hot tongue on my clit, and slips two fingers inside, working along with the rhythm of his mouth. He pushes against my g-spot, holds his fingers there for a second, then releases, all the while he’s licking and sucking and—holy fuck—using his teeth just enough to drive me absolutely wild.
 

I’m screaming his name in just minutes, coming so hard he has to hold me up to keep me from falling. I’m tingly all over from the orgasm, panting and heart racing. He hooks his arms under mine and pulls me to him.
 

“Felicity,” he says and looks into my eyes. “I … I think I—”

Thunder booms above us. The storm is coming in fast. It’s probably going to be bad. There’s something unsafe about being in the shower during a storm, right? I can’t think straight, and I honestly don’t care.
 

I wrap my arms around Ben and take a breath, steadying myself before I bend my still shaking legs. I take a second to appreciate the girth of his dick before opening my mouth and welcoming it in. I take my time, enjoying feeling Ben squirm from pleasure, hearing him pant and groan until he’s so close he pulls back and lifts me up.
 

He spins me around and I bend over, my ass against his front. He enters from behind, reaching around to stroke me while he thrusts in and out, fast then slow, until we are both coming at the same time. I’ve never had that—orgasming together at the same exact moment—but I’ve always wanted to.
 

We’re out of breath, panting, and not at all clean, when I shut the water off and grab towels. Rain and wind slap the small cabin, and the lights flicker.
 

“Storms come fast and hard off the lake,” I comment as I dry myself off.
 

“Kind of like you,” Ben says with a grin.
 

I shake my head and smile, legs still unsteady. I move over in front of the mirror, flip my head upside down, and wrap my dripping hair in the towel. Hastily, I rub lotion over my sunburned skin, then wind my way into the bedroom and collapse into bed. Ben joins me, pulling the blankets over our naked bodies.
 

I yank the towel off my head and drop it on the floor, wiggling closer to Ben. He envelopes me in his muscular arms, and we drift to sleep, snuggled safe inside together, listening to the storm rage around us.
 

*

It’s still going strong when we wake at nine.
 

“This is good sleeping weather,” Ben mumbles and rolls over, lazily throwing his arm around me. “And I think I can sleep all day.”
 

“Me too,” I say and adjust my pillow. It’s only a matter of minutes until the rain and the wind lull me back to sleep. We don’t get up again until close to noon. Ben is sprawled out when I slip out of bed. A day filled with stuffing my face and drinking leaves my stomach not so happy.
 

I hurry to the bathroom, needing a few minutes alone before Ben gets up. I close the door. Turning on the fan is too obvious. Well, I
do
need to shower. I nod, thinking that yes, this shall work. The water goes on and I’m about to sit down when the bathroom door opens.
 

“Showering without me?” Ben asks, giving me that I’m-going-to-fuck-you-
again
look. When I don’t return it, he raises his eyebrows. “It’s fine if you want to.”
 

“It’s not that,” I blurt.
 

“Then what is it?”

I try to come up with a lie but shake my head. I hate how women aren’t supposed to admit they go to the bathroom yet everybody has to take a poo every now and then. “I was using the shower to cover up the fact that I really need to poop.”
 

Ben bursts out laughing. “Yeah, don’t want to be in here for that.”
 

My cheeks heat up just a bit. I refuse to be embarrassed by a totally normal body function. “Raincheck?”
 

“Maybe in a while, once the air clears. Should I pack my stuff?”

“Yeah, we can do that then go to breakfast, well, lunch.”