****Yes you have probably forgotten all about this story again and will have to read back to remember. Life is hectic. I hope you enjoy it anyway, short but sweet and I’ve started on Chapter 14****

 

 

*****Chapter 13*****

 

I was quite a light sleeper so the knocking on the door gradually woke me up. It was light but also insistent. I looked over at the little travel alarm clock on the dresser and groaned as I read 2.30am. I had only been in bed and asleep for 2 hours.

 

Chantelle was still asleep snoring softly next to me so I rolled out of my bed and padded over to the door before the knocking woke her as well; there was no point in both of us having an interrupted sleep. I rubbed my eyes sleepily as I unlocked the door and opened it a crack.

 

I was going to give the person a piece of my mind for waking me up at 2 in the morning until I saw it was Ben and I softened. I knew all about his panic attacks and the need he sometimes felt to talk to someone. Tonight he had obviously chosen me.

 

I opened the door wider, “Hey you,” I said.

 

“Hey,” he replied sheepishly. “I’m sorry I’ve woken you up.”

 

“It’s ok,” I replied. “Do you want to talk?”

 

Ben nodded his head, “Yeah you’re best coming to my room, we can’t talk properly with Chantelle asleep there.”

 

I agreed with him and pulled one of the fluffy white hotel dressing gowns on from behind the door.

 

Ben’s room was on the floor up as we walked along in silence. I was still waking up and I think he felt embarrassed about being the one that had woken me up.

 

Ben’s room was obviously a lot nicer than mine as I flopped down on the plush double bed.

 

“Why can’t the dancers have these rooms as well,” I joked as I bounced on the bed.

 

“Coz you’re not as important as us darrhlin’” Ben said adopting a Cockney accent as he sat on the end of the bed.

 

I laughed at him as I sat forward pushing off with my arms. My shoulder gave a slight twinge as I winced in pain. Ben frowned at me in concern, “What’s wrong?”

 

“Just a sore muscle,” I replied flexing my shoulder round a few times to relieve the pain.

 

“Come here I’ll rub it better,” Ben said shuffling up the bed more.

 

He was facing me and began kneading my shoulders gently. I murmured in approval as I closed my eyes.

 

“You feel so tense,” Ben said softly still working on my shoulders.

 

Mmmm,” was all I could reply.

 

I was so relaxed when Ben did stop I kept my eyes closed and wasn’t prepared for the surprise of finding his lips planted firmly on mine. My eyes sprang open and I leapt back in shock almost falling off the bed.

 

“Ben,” was all I could manage staring at him.

 

“Oh I’m sorry,” Ben said. “I’ve wanted to do that for ages.”

 

It was what I’d wanted to hear from him for weeks. I knew it was wrong but I felt my resolve breaking as I leant forward and gently kissed him on the lips. He pulled me closer to him as he kissed me back. I couldn’t help myself until an image of Marie popped into my head.

 

“Shit,” I murmured as he still kissed me. “Ben,” I said more forcefully. “This is wrong.”

 

I really liked Marie yet here I was kissing her boyfriend. She was my friend and I didn’t want to hurt her but I couldn’t resist Ben.

 

“Don’t……think……..about…….it,” Ben said kissing my neck as I closed my eyes almost giving in.

 

“No!” I said leaping off the bed.

 

“Jo I know you want to as much as I do,” Ben said standing up and stepping towards me.

 

I backed away from him, “We can’t do this, you’ve got a girlfriend and Marie is my friend!”

 

“But you’re gorgeous,” Ben said.

 

I felt my back hit the door as Ben got closer. “We can’t,” I whimpered lowering my head so I didn’t have to look at him.

 

He pressed his body against me so I was trapped between him and the wall. “Jo don’t fight it,” he murmured into my ear. “I want you.”

 

Those three words changed everything as all thoughts of Marie went out my mind. I wanted Ben so much and to hear him say he finally wanted me had an overwhelming effect.

I nuzzled my cheek against his and he raised his head to kiss me. Our kissing was hard and intense as I felt him slip at arm round my waist and his hand went up to the back of my neck. He pulled me away from the wall and pressed me against his body still kissing me intently. He steered us towards the bed and pushed off my dressing gown before pushing me back onto the bed.

 

We lay on the bed kissing for longer as we took our clothes off and explored each others bodies. Finally we couldn’t wait any longer and I pulled him inside me as we made love hard and fast and some time later more sedately and tenderly before falling asleep exhausted.

 

I don’t know how long I’d been asleep before I was woken by the splinter of sunlight filtering through a gap in the curtains. My mind was fuzzy with sleep and it took me a moment to take in the surroundings and remember I wasn’t in my hotel room anymore. It felt like a dream until I felt the weight of the arm draped across my stomach over the sheet. I slowly looked across and saw Ben looking angelic asleep next to me. I felt my heart constrict in pain. I’d been so stupid, letting my desire for him overcome me. He was still going out with Marie and I’d been used for a quick bit of sex.

 

I felt so ashamed of myself for letting him do this to me and for sleeping with Marie’s boyfriend. The clock read 6.30 as I slipped quietly out of bed gathering my pyjamas and dressing gown. I put everything back on quietly being careful not to wake Ben up and crept out the room.

 

There was only one person I needed to see at that moment.