The drive to Ben’s office is a blur. I’m out of the car and in front of his office in a flash. I miss him. And I haven’t seen him in eight hours.
I knock once on the door and open before he ushers me inside. Locking the door behind me, I bridge the gap between us and crush him in a hug. We live in the same house but God, I want to be in his presence all the time.
“You’re back so early,” Ben says against my lips. I kiss him hard to make up for the hours without any kisses. Ben chuckles and hoists me on the edge of his desk. Then, he stands between my legs. “I missed you too, babe.”
I grin. “I missed you more.”
Ben touches his forehead to mine. “You’re here,” he says. His smile is sad. I nod against his body and his hands slip into my gown. I help him with the zip and pout. “I didn’t think you would make it today.”
I had a photoshoot that would have lasted for all of today and tomorrow. It would have brought some money but I would have missed Ben’s birthday. I missed it last year and I’m not over that. Besides, I wouldn’t miss Maria’s concert for anything. We have a gift for Ben.
My gown drops to my waist. “I wanted to be here so I cancelled.” His eyes widen. Before Ben launches into a lecture on the importance of work, I kiss him. Work is important but Ben is more important. And if work makes it hard to be with him, then I’ll ditch the work. Mum is working with the team to know if a reschedule can happen next week. I hope it can, or she might have to make a refund. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks, babe.” Ben eyes me for a moment, then squeezes me in another hug. His lips meet my ear, my jaw, my neck, my lips. “I’m kind of glad you cancelled. I didn’t want to celebrate without you.” I’m glad I cancelled too. Today is more important to him. “I love you, Gracie.”
“Gracie loves you too, Benny.” I clear some of the files on his desk and stack them on one side of the table. Dragging him closer to me by his waistband, I unbuckle him. His trouser rolls down to his knees and I palm his growing erection through his boxer briefs. “We have not had sex in your new office.”
As a paid intern, Ben now has a bigger office. I have a feeling he will get something bigger and better after graduation. There’s a half-length window on one side overlooking the streets. I’d love for him to fuck me there but the concert is in half an hour’s time. So, I’ll make do with the desk today.
I shrug out of my underwear and gown and bend over his desk, ass in the air. He smacks my ass once, then follows it with a wet kiss on each cheek. A chill runs through me. “You’re so naughty, babe.”
But Ben likes naughty Gracie. He loves every shade of this naked girl. I reach behind me for his penis. I want him. His cock lines my ass, then slides into my vagina. My eyes close as bliss rocks through me. He pumps into me in fast and slow strokes, giving both of us the best birthday plus office sex of his life.
Ben comes with a violent roar, falling over me as my orgasm shatters my inside. Minutes later, we are on our way to the concert and Ben cannot wipe the wide grin off his face. As the car slows to a stop, he squeezes my hand in silent gratitude. He doesn’t need to thank me. He will do this and more for me.
We’re allowed into the dressing room where I meet Maria pacing. She launches into my arms and bursts into tears. My hands run in soothing circles at her lower back till her tears subside. It’s just the nerves. I’m sure she will do a wonderful job out there.
“I’m so fucking nervous,” she tells me and takes both of my hands. I understand her. It doesn’t matter how many shoots I’ve done, there’s always a hint of nervousness when I’m asked to pose. She looks behind me to Ben, who is lounging on the only couch. Maria waves. “Birthday boy, happy birthday.”
“Thanks. And don’t be nervous, Maria. You do this all the time and you kill it each time.”
Maria nods in agreement and gives me another breath-stealing hug. We communicate silently for the next few seconds, then she nods. I return to Ben and together, we leave for the arena. We show our tickets to the guard and they let us up to the VIP stand with a better view of the stage.
Everything is clearer here. Everything is better. We are even offered light refreshments. Long couches line the VIP area but I choose to sit between Ben’s legs. He nuzzles my neck and my pulse quickens.
The lights dim when Maria climbs the stage. Ben’s arms wound around my waist from behind like he knows I need the comfort. I’m a bit nervous for her.
Maria’s beautiful voice flows into the air and the arena is rendered quiet. Some people bring out their phones, put on their flashlights and begin to wave it. My eyes water a little, at witnessing the power my best friend’s singing holds over thousands of people. She hits a high note and her silky, soft voice wraps around me and Ben like a warm blanket.
“She sounds like an angel.”
“Yeah, she does,” Ben replies. He places another kiss behind the base of my neck. “Thanks.”
Genuinely confused, I try to look at him but he tightens his arms around me. “For what? I love you.”
“I know,” he whispers. I place my hands over his. “And I love you too. But thanks for being you, babe. For always making me happy. For being Gracie. For being everything I need.”
Tears fall from my eyes. “Oh, Benny. You make me happy too and you’re everything I needed.”
Maria stops singing long enough for some dancers to join her on the stage. I relax when she begins a new song. Ben and I sway gently to the rhythm.
I’m happy to do this with him. I’m happy here because he is my safe place. He loves me.
The night rolls by and my nerves return when Maria clears her throat into the microphone. “Birthday boy, I have a surprise for you.” Ben freezes. His arms lower from my waist. I don’t spare him a look but I feel his curious gaze on me. “Courtesy of your wonderful girlfriend.”
“Gracie...” Pushing myself up to sit on his leg, I place a finger on his lips but he grabs my wrists. His eyes soften as Maria’s voice comes on again. “Babe, you really didn’t have to do this.”
Maybe. But when you love someone, you want to show it through words and action. “I wanted to,” I murmur. “I wanted to make you feel special.”
Ben palms my face. His eyes shine with tears. “You always make me feel special.”
Maria’s song fills the speaker. She starts with a birthday song, then switches to the one she helped me to write. I’m shit at songwriting but she’s not, so we did something.
Tears roll down Ben’s cheeks as Maria dives into the chorus and I kiss them away. I want him happy and smiling all throughout today and for the rest of our lives. He deserves it.
My thumb brushes his cheek. I bop his nose. “I wanted to make you feel extra special.”
“I feel extra special, Gracie.” I nod because I can’t speak. The lyrics are everything he is to me. My friend. My lover. My partner. “Even in our next life, you’ll still be my soulmate.”