“But what if things do work out? Then it would be so amazing because we would get to see each other every day.” He grinned like he was proud of that one, which I had to admit wasn’t bad at all. “Do you think of him often?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think he’s the sexiest man on this ship?”
“Why would you think I’m on a ship?”
“I’m psychic. Plus, I’m pretty sure I just heard a foghorn.”
“That was gas.”
Ben erupted in laughter.
“Shhh!” I started laughing with him, having fun playing this game, but some people were watching us now.
“Have you thought of what it would be like to kiss this extremely good-looking and intelligent man?”
“I never said he’s an extremely good-looking and intelligent man.”
“Well, is he?”
“Yes, but that wasn’t the point I was trying to make. Can you keep up with me? Remember, I was the one who called you.”
Ben chuckled. “I’ll try to keep up, but please answer the question. Have you thought of what it would be like to kiss him?”
I looked away and tried to keep a straight face. “No. Of course not.”
“Lori?”
I looked up into the sky. “Is that Jupiter?”
“Look at me.”
Wincing, I turned to face him again, my cheeks starting to heat up. “Maybe.”
Ben arched an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
He took a step toward me. “Well then, I don’t really see what the problem is. I think you should go for it.”
I leaned closer to whisper. “No. Way. It’s not appropriate behavior at a company party. People will see.”
Ben nodded, thinking about it. “Then follow me.”
I watched him take a few steps toward the stairs leading to the deck below. “Where to?”
He didn’t answer, and if I didn’t hurry I was going to lose him.
I couldn’t believe I was going to do it.
I walked downstairs and saw Ben step inside the captain’s quarters.
A few seconds later, I also stepped inside.
Ben was leaning against the wall, quiet, his arms crossed, his eyes locked on mine.
We were the only ones there.
As I stepped closer to him I wondered if this was crazy, lost as to why I had sudden feelings for Ben.
Why did I want to kiss him so bad?
My heart rate began to speed up at the thought.
Ben didn’t budge.
It was as if he was daring me to make a move.
I scooted closer to him, our toes almost touching as I gazed up into his eyes.
Our bodies were inches apart. So were our lips.
It was like we were playing another game of chicken, but instead of the bumpers on our cars we were playing with our bodies. Our mouths, to be more specific.
Who would make a move and kiss the other person first?
Ben seemed to have more willpower than me because I was beginning to cave.
He grinned and glanced down at my lips.
I glanced at his and couldn’t take it anymore.
“Oh, hell.” I reached up, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed Ben.
A few seconds later he moaned and took over, deepening the kiss.
My legs felt weak.
It was better than I could have ever expected as he pulled me tight against his body.
Zachary never kissed me like that.
Nobody ever kissed me like that.
It was divine.
Don’t stop.
I could kiss him all night long.
But then, just like that, it was over.
Over way too soon.
I panted, out of breath. “What happened? Why did you stop?”
Ben didn’t answer and casually gestured with his head behind me, wincing.
I swung around and froze.
It was Kyle. “What are you two doing?”
Ben and I were frozen.
Kyle’s gaze popped back and forth between me and Lori. “Is this a continuation of what was going on in the photo booth?”
Ben forced a smile. “It’s not what it seems. I lost a bet.”
I crossed my arms. “And here I thought you loved me and wanted to marry me.”
He stared at me, probably wondering where that came from and if I was serious.
Ben chuckled. “Good one.”
“No, it’s not a good one,” Kyle said. “I don’t know what’s going on, but it has to stop.”
Ben nodded. “Of course. We don’t want to have a problem with HR.”
He waved his finger at Ben. “This has nothing to do with HR. This has to do with your show. We need to keep the integrity of your show intact. I can’t have you two start liking each other.”
I laughed but then stopped, most likely because I realized Kyle was serious.
“I told you before, the listeners enjoy the yin and the yang, the push and pull, the back and forth. You play off him and he plays off you. Your opposite personalities are what really makes this show fire on all cylinders. It appeals to male listeners and female listeners. If you start to like each other and fall in love . . .” He made a face, like he just had tasted something rancid. “Anyway, if you start agreeing with each other that would be boring radio. So this has to end. Got it?”
Ben and I both nodded together. “Got it.”
“And did you find the photographer yet for the promo shots?”
“Not yet,” Ben said.
“Well, don’t forget. Maybe you should do it now.”
Ben followed me out the door, and up the stairs back to the poop deck.
When Kyle disappeared, Ben turned to me, chuckling. “That was all your fault.”
I pointed to myself. “My fault? You’re the one who told me to follow you down to the dungeon just so you could get your hands on me.”
“Ha! Who kissed who?”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s like Kyle said, this can’t happen.” I looked away and shrugged. “We got it out of our system, and now we can return to our regularly scheduled program. We’ll be friends. Nothing more. Nothing less. I can’t afford to be fired again.”
“Friends,” Ben mumbled, shaking his head like it was the worst word in the dictionary.
“Yeah, we can do this.” I held out my hand. “To friendship.”
He glanced down at my hand.
“Ben.” I pushed my hand in his direction again. “Friends. You and me. Are you in or not?”
He glanced at my hand again and finally grabbed it and shook. “Fine. Friends.”
Honestly, I had no idea how we were going to pull this off. It was obvious we had feelings for each other, and of course there was that very strong attraction.
Ben had basically been the only thing on my mind recently. I wanted to get to know him even more and was looking forward to more of those out-of-this-world kisses. I guess I had no choice. I had to just focus on work and soon the feelings would just disappear. Easy as pie.
“Ben . . .”
“Yeah?”
I held up our intertwined fingers. “I’d like my hand back, if you don’t mind.”
He let go of my hand. “Oh. Right.”
Maybe this was going to be harder than I thought.
Chapter Sixteen