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Ben laid her gently on her bed. He looked down at her with affectionate concern.
‘Are you ok?’
Martha nodded tiredly.
‘Yeah, I’m fine, just sleepy.’
‘Stay right there, ok? Promise?’ Ben clicked the bedside light on and left the room.
Martha nodded again, on the edge of sleep.
She might have drifted off, she had no idea how long he was gone but he came back with his arms full and laid some things on the bedside table and floor.
‘Drink.’ He passed her a pint glass of water and she swallowed half of it greedily.
‘Thank you,’ she managed to slur sleepily.
‘Don’t drop off yet, you’re still dressed. Let’s get you out of those clothes.’
Martha smirked at him.
‘Insatiable woman.’ He shook his head affectionately. ‘Who knew.’
Ben helped her to sit up and undid the remaining buttons of her shirt. He slipped it off her shoulders, trying to remind himself that the soft, smooth curve of her breast that looked so strokable was not why he was here. He focussed instead on folding the shirt neatly and putting it on a chair.
Ben reached round with both arms and fumbled with the clasp of her bra.
‘Bugger. Never get this right.’
Martha gave him a tired look, reached behind her and flipped it open.
‘It’s really pretty though, lovely colour, mint.’
She smiled wanly. Ben slid the straps off her shoulders and pulled it away from her. He bit down hard on his lip to distract himself from her perfect breasts as they were revealed. She looked up a little quizzically.
‘You ok?’
Ben swallowed.
‘Like Simon said, great rack,’ he deflected. She gave a little chuckle and dipped her head in acknowledgement.
‘Thank you. Another time you may give them as much attention as you like.’
‘I’ll… look forward to that.’ He reached passed her and picked up a clean navy blue t-shirt, neatly ironed and folded. He shook it out.
‘Arms up.’
Martha obediently put her arms in the air and he slipped it over her head. It smelled of washing powder and Ben. She wrapped her arms around herself as if she could cuddle it.
He unfastened her skirt and she stood and let it drop to the floor, stepping to the side so that Ben could add it to the shirt on the chair. She sat down on the bed again just as he turned to face her. She slumped forward with a groan and leant her head on his stomach.
‘Ben?’
‘Yes, love?’
‘I need a pee.’
Ben chuckled.
‘I can’t do much to help with that, darling, I’m sorry.’
‘S’alright, should clean teeth anyway.’ She stumbled off to the bathroom and Ben watched her leave, thrown into silhouette by the hall light, a vision of shapely legs, ruffled hair and his t-shirt. He puffed out all the air in his lungs. If he wasn’t careful he was going to get far too used to this.
Instead he tidied everything away and stripped down his boxers and t-shirt. He crossed round the bed and got in, fussing with how to lay. On his side, head propped up on his arm? Too sleazy. On his back? Like he was dead. Sitting up against the headboard? Made him think of Morecombe and Wise sketches and he giggled to himself.
He was still giggling when Martha came back. She closed the door behind her and got into bed.
‘What’s funny?’
‘Morecombe and Wise.’
Martha gave him a confused look.
‘Well, yes, they are.’ She waited for more information.
‘Doesn’t matter, come here.’ He wriggled down into the bed and pulled her close to him. She yawned.
‘I’m so sleepy, Benny.’
‘Well you’ve had a busy night.’
‘Bet you make a good big spoon.’
‘It’s one of my talents. I think it’s listed on my Spotlight, under special skills.’
‘Along with juggling,’ she said through another yawn as she turned away from him and snuggled back into his lap.
‘Cheeky cow.’ He smoothed her hair away from her neck and laid a soft kiss where it met her shoulder before wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her close.
‘Night night Benjamin,’ she mumbled.
‘Goodnight, beautiful. Sweet dreams.’