He's down on the back patio practicing with his torches. Eating fire. Slow burn tricks and human lighter stunts that make me smile. Showy stuff. His arm still hurts. They refused to cast it anymore. He refused to let them anymore. He said it will heal on its own, eventually.
I am inside, washing pots and pans, watching closely since he is out there alone. I turn and quickly scan the room for my phone in case he goes up in flames and I have to call emergency. My face hits Ben's chest squarely and I bounce back against the sink.
Ow. You really have to stop sneaking up behind me.
You really should wear those tiny things that help you hear me, bee.
When I wear those I can hear Mars sneaking up behind me, Benny. Possibly Jupiter too.
He laughs and spins me back around so I can keep washing dishes while he puts his chin on my head and leans forward to look out the window.
Fuck, I gotta learn to do that.
Why? I'm guessing you have enough talents.
Oh really. He leans down and plants a kiss directly behind my ear while squeezing me so tightly I hear popping noises in all sorts of different places.
Crushing me should not be one of them.
Depends on the circumstances. He wraps his hand around my throat and pulls my face to the right to kiss me. I struggle, pointing out that I would love to cuddle as soon as I'm finished the dishes and Lochlan comes back inside.
Why? Do you have plans?
I always watch him to make sure he's safe.
Too bad he couldn't do the same. It's out before he can censor himself.
Low blow, Benjamin.
True story, Wee-Bee.
We engage in a thousand-yard staring contest. I'm not going to continue to defend Lochlan, my position on that is well-documented. I'm allowed to point out Lochlan's epic failures and he's allowed to point out mine, as they pertain to each other. No one else will get that privilege. Ben changes tactics, because he doesn't think it's worth continuing either.
How about we rendezvous at eleven then? A hot bath with some rose petals, just for my beautiful bride.
I nod but my eyes flick toward the window again, checking the patio. Ben misses nothing.
Eleven then, he frowns and shoves me toward the back door. He points at me. Why the hell is everyone doing that lately? Don't get too close to the fire, okay? You'll get burned. He does the Kurgan impression again, winks and turns away, walking out of the room.
I stop long enough to pull on my shoes and then I run out the back door and across the deck toward the steps. If there's a show starting I don't want to be late.
