Page 101 of Wicked Ben
“That’s a big word, son,” Jim growled.“Just get to the point.”
“We’re sending you to Brazil.You and Milly.For your honeymoon.”
Jim blinked.“You knew I was going to propose?”
“We’re very intuitive.”Rio rubbed his baby’s back.
When Jim guffawed, Rio added, “Well, that and Sarah found the receipt for Milly’s ring you left on the desk.”
Ben chuckled.How well he remembered Sarah’s excitement that day.Not knowing when her dad would pop the question, it had been difficult for her to keep quiet.
“The trip’s for two weeks,” Rio said.“It’s our wedding gift to you, from Becca and me and Sarah and Ben.You told us you’ve always wanted to go there.Now, you will.”
Jim’s face broke into a huge smile.“Really?”
“You’ll get to see those sandy beaches and crazy-shaped mountains,” Rio said.
“I’ve never been out of the country.”Milly’s voice was filled with wonder.Enthusiasm animated her.She fluttered her hands, her new ring catching the light.“We’ll need passports.And luggage.I’ll need some new clothing.A bathing suit!”
“You won’t need much clothing,” Big Jim said gruffly.“Most of the time, we’ll be in the hotel room.”
“Dad!”Sarah exclaimed, looking a tiny bit scandalized.
Milly blushed and Ben roared.Rio grinned.
Everyone talked at once and under all the commotion, Ben drew Sarah into the kitchen.Alone with her now, he took her in his arms.“Don’t suggest we honeymoon together, okay?I want you all to myself.”
“Where should we go, Wicked Ben?”She linked her fingers together at his nape and smiled.
He gave her a stern look.“Know how you dislike being called Super Sarah?”
“Okay, okay, I won’t call you that.But one day I will get to the bottom of it.There’s got to be a reason why your office staff gave you that label.”
“I told you.I’m nice.”If he had his way, she’d never uncover the reason behind the nickname.He reminded himself to swear Marge to deep, dark secrecy.“As for the honeymoon, I’m not sure where to go, but I don’t want to be gone too long.Thinking about building us a house.”
“A new home?”Awe filled her face.“Just for us?”
“Well, Milly will be moving in here.This place could get crowded, especially with two sets of newlyweds.I’m thinking about a small ranch.”
Sarah tucked her face into Ben’s neck, and he loved the feel of her silky skin against his.He loved every single thing about her.
“That sounds nice,” she said.“And we can go wherever you like for our honeymoon.”
He chuckled.“So meek!Where’s my Sarah?”
“Don’t expect that to continue,” she said, giving his neck a little nip.
He growled, then pulled her closer into his arms.Leaning her over the kitchen counter, he kissed her thoroughly.He planned to spend the next fifty-plus years doing that.
On the stove, the spaghetti sauce bubbled away.It cooked unattended for so long ...it burned.
The End
