Worthington Wives

Chapter Seven

Reyanna wasn’t sure of Bens food preferences, but he told her to plan their dinner. She asked Evelyn what type of meals he usually chose, and she said that he loves any kind of pasta. So she decided on chicken broccoli fettuccine and a side salad and breadsticks.

Ben had retrieved her belongings from Jared’s apartment yesterday and they now hung in the closet for her. She chose a black off the shoulder dress and black heels and fixed her hair in a stylish updo. Reyanna looked through her jewelry box and chose a favorite sterling silver flat V necklace and matching Vshaped earrings. She was pleased with her appearance as she looked in the mirror while spritzing on her favorite cologne.

Reyanna was lighting the candles and had soft music playing when Ben arrived. He looked at the vision of loveliness before him and at the table she had prepared. He felt his heartbeat speeding up as he stared at her. Evelyn had already gone for the day, so they were alone.

Ben swallowed, not sure what she expected him to do. He knew exactly what he wanted to do. He wanted to grab her and kiss the red lipstick off her soft bowed lips. But he made a promise to her parents.

“Reyanna, you look amazing!” He said, admiring her. “I hope you like fettuccine,” she said, gesturing toward the table. Ben smiled at her, still staring at her beauty.

Gracefully he strode over in front of her and put his left hand at her waist. The gentleman took the fingers of the lady’s left hand to his lips, pressed a light kiss to them and clasped his hand over hers. He slowly started to dance with her.

The couple stared into each others eyes in the ambient light and he looked serious as he studied her. Reyanna felt embarrassed that he stared at her so intently and she dropped her gaze to his chest.

They stopped dancing and Ben gently put a finger under her chin to lift her face. Reyannas breath caught at the electricity of his touch. He looked at her lips and she licked them, which was almost his undoing. But he looked into her big brown eyes that seemed to be pleading for him to kiss her. Oh how he wanted to…..but he could not. He would not take advantage of her.

Ben stepped back from her so abruptly Reyanna wondered what she had done wrong. He had to turn away so the hurt look on her face would not break him.

Gathering herself Reyanna took a deep breath and suggested that they have dinner before it gets cold. Ben nodded. He ate quickly, not braving to look at her again. She was far too tempting for him tonight, looking and smelling so gorgeous.

“Ben?”she asked softly. “Did I do something wrong?” She asked with sweet innocence in her voice. “No….you did everything right,” he answered honestly.

“Something’s wrong….will you talk to me?” She asked. Ben dropped his head back and took a deep sigh before looking at her beautiful face.

“Reyanna….everything is wonderful, and you….wow! You are absolutely gorgeous!” He said, sighing again. “But I can’t…” he was saying, but didn’t get to finish.

Reyanna was overwhelmed with embarrassment, thinking she had misread his intentions toward her. She jumped up quickly and apologized and ran to her room, locking the door before she threw herself on the bed. Tears of hurt, rejection and embarrassment flowed freely as she let her emotions flow.

Ben cursed to himself and ran to Reyanna’s door, knocking frantically. “Reyanna, I’m sorry, honey. I promise you didn’t do anything wrong. The meal, the candles, the music was perfect. And you….Reyanna, you looked so good!” He said honestly.

“But I made a promise to your parents, Reyanna. They trust me to be respectable with you. And…when you look like that and smell like that…..well, let’s just say I don’t want to let them down. You’re just far too tempting, girl. I’m not that strong,” he admitted to her closed door.

“Put your pjs back on, Reyanna. Take off the makeup, mess your hair up. Let’s watch TV,” he pleaded. Reyanna came to the door with her hair a mess and her mascara running down her cheeks and her lipstick smeared. “How’s this?” She asked. Ben laughed when he saw her. “Now, that’s more like it!” He joked. “Let’s get our showers and stay up a while,” he suggested. Reyanna nodded and shut the door to get ready.

Ben cleaned up their meal and put the dishes in the dishwasher and went on to shower. When he got out, he put on his

pajamas and robe and popped them some popcorn. He was on the sofa when Reyanna came out looking like a little girl in pigtails. He chuckled when he saw her. “There’s my cute girl,” he said, smiling at her and handing her a bowl of popcorn.

The two enjoyed the movie and just laughed and talked about the movie like friends and pretended nothing happened earlier.