Alice stood in the kitchen just seconds away from pacing. Where had Ben disappeared to? She wondered. The last time she had seen him was at the pool party when he said he needed to go to the restroom. She hadn't seen him since.
A banging sound caught her attention. She lifted her head to see Ben and Lia walking into the kitchen from the garage door. A white bandage was wrapped tightly around his middle, covering his fit chest.
"Oh my God!" She shrieked. "Ben! What the hell happened to you?"
Ben held back a grimace, as hard as it was. "I fell down a set of stairs. "
"How'd you get to falling down a set of stairs?" She demanded.
"I, well," Ben began. "Lia seemed a bit distressed and it seemed I was the only one that noticed so I decided to find out what was going on. Lia thought I was an intruder and whacked me with a piece of wood."
Alice gave him a suspicious look. She didn't rightly believe him. The blonde turned to face Lia. At the sight of her bandaged hand she thought she knew all.
"Did you fall too?" She sneered.
Lia had been leaning against the counter, watching the scene between the couple silently. Her hair had once again falling out of the ponytail she had tied so tightly earlier and an ebony strand fell to her eyes as she spoke. Ben did his best not to walk over to her and smooth it back.
"No, actually, I had a bad nightmare earlier and broke the piece Bill brought me from West Virginia a couple years ago," She smirked. "Ben was just at the right place at the right time. He woke me up before I could do anymore damage."
"Oh," Alice gazed up at Ben. God, he was handsome. "Well, at least you're safe." She wrapped her arms tightly around him, but pulled away quickly when he cried out.
"What?" She blinked. "What's the matter?"
"When someone has a bandage wrapped around their middle, it means they probably have something underneath that needs time to heal." Lia replied, only blinking at her sister.
Alice glared at her. The least Lia could have done was not be so rude to her in front of her injured boyfriend. He needed her right now and she would make sure that she, not Lia, provided all the care necessary.
"Come on, Ben." She took his hand in hers. "You can sleep in my room tonight. The news said that there's going to be a terrible storm tonight and I don't want you driving in the state that you're in."
You watch the news? The thought strayed from his mind and almost escaped from his mouth but he caught himself. Ben gazed up to see Lia and what her reaction was to Alice's suggestion, but the other woman had gone. Tonight Alice would be all over him. Ben shook off a shiver. Shouldn't he be happy he would be spending time with Alice? He wondered. N, of course he wasn't. He didn't like her. Alice was a pesky little brat to him. He knew why he didn't mind staying. Lia. She had intrigued him so much that she had him wrapped around her finger like one of her ebony curls and he didn't know how to get off.

Sometime in the middle of the night the storm came. Ben doubted that the rain hitting Alice's window had woken him up. Something, he didn't know exactly what, was wrong. He watched Alice as she slept. Her mouth hung open and her arms spread across the bed, not giving him any room. Carefully and quietly, he stepped out of the bed, giving the room a once over. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, except for all the blue, he continued on his way out of the room.
He made his way down the hall and found himself stopping in front of Lia's bedroom. The door was open a smidge and Ben proceeded to push it open the rest of the way. Lia wasn't thrashing on her bed as she had been earlier, but she still fought something mighty strong. A Husky lay at her feet and merely lifted his head when Ben entered the room.
For the second time that day, Ben rounded her bed to softly wake her from her demons that tormented her. Making sure he was clear of being punched at again, he softly called out her name and stroked her forehead.
Lia shot up into sitting position in less than a second. Her violet eyes were wide and filled with fear. Tears formed and one fell silently down her cheek. Ben didn't like seeing her like this. If it were the last thing he ever did, he would find out what frightened her so much. But for now all Ben could do was comfort her and he did it the only way he knew how.
Wordlessly, he wrapped his arms around her and let her cry. He laid his chin on the top of her head and stroked her arm tenderly. He barely even noticed that all she wore were a pair of panties and a simple white tank top. As he breathed in the sweet scent of honeysuckles, Lia cried. He murmured to her that she was fine and everything would be all right. He even dared to kiss the ebony curls atop her head.
When she finally quieted down, he let her fall back on the bed and tucked her in. Bt instead of allowing him to leave, Lia took his hand in hers and pleaded for him to stay.
Stunned that Lia, even a drowsy Lia, would request that of him, he soundlessly lay down next to her on the full bed. His back went rigid against the soft mattress. That is, it was until she snuggled up close to him. His breathing came fast and his arm automatically went around her. Before too long, the two fell into a gentle sleep.

Instead of the nightmares that had plagued her since August, Lia woke up from sweet dream. When she realized exactly who lay next to her, she wished and prayed that the dreams hadn't come from him. God help her if sleeping next to Ben Nicholas rid her of her nightmares.
Lia slowly sat up and gazed down at Ben. His bandaged body rose and fell with each breath he took, reminding her of how he looked the day before when he had been unconscious. She stubbornly shook the image out of her head and lifted her hair up into a ponytail.
"You know," He said next to her as he stretched. "I don't think I've ever head a gal scream like you have before."
Lia turned and glared down at him as he grinned like the fool that he was. An idea stuck her then. Before she could consider the outcomes, she leaned over him and she rested her hand on the other side of his body while making sure to mind his wound. After giving him the sweetest smile she could muster she kissed along the top of his bandage. She then proceeded to kiss along his chest and neck, stopping just below his ear.
Taking her time, she kissed right below his ear lobe. "And trust me, sweetheart." She drawled. "You ain't never gonna find no one else around here that can do what I can."
His green eyes widened when she pulled back. Satisfied with his reaction, she climbed out of the bed, making sure a cover wrapped around her waist and went on into the bathroom that adjoined Alice and Lia's bedrooms.
Ben couldn't have been more speechless. He had to admit that was the last thing he ever expected Lia to do. He could still feel the way her soft lips felt against his skin. The sound of the shower going hit his hears and he knew she just killed him.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed. His side still ached a bit, but not as much as he had expected it to. He would make a doctor's appointment later on in the day. Standing up, he gazed around the room. The first word that sprung into his mind was homey. Fall colors covered the bedroom. It was a hell of an improvement from the powder blue of Alice's room.
A calendar with a picture of a dog rested next to the door, already changed to October. The days were numbered down and went on leaving several more for November. With curiosity getting the better of him, Ben lifted the piece of paper. A blue marker boxed one of the days. What would happen then? He wondered.
The sound of the shower turning off interrupted his thoughts. He knew Lia wouldn't be pleased to find him still in the room so he headed for the door. But then he though it would be good idea to stay and shock her the way she did him. He went against the idea rather than with it. He could always raise hell another time. A grin spread to his lips at the thought.

When Lia finished her shower and dressed, she fell back onto her bed. The faded red comforter matched the pillow. Despite their old age, the pillows were still as soft and comfortable like when she first got them. She took one of the pillows in her arms and laid her head on it. The scent that wafted from it almost knocked her senseless. Fresh pine mixed with hay and something she couldn't identify.
Lia sat up, the pillow still cradled in her arms. Ben had slept on this side of the bed, she thought. But Ben doesn't smell like this, she told herself. He doesn't smell so good or sexy like this. The worn pillow fell to the floor as she let go of it.
She quickly pulled her boots on her feet and made her way out of the house even faster. Another confrontation with Ben was not wanted. Especially after the stunt she pulled before taking her shower.
She was about to run her hand through her hair but stopped at the sight of the white bandage. Damn. She had forgotten about the bandage once again. When she was in her shower she had forgotten about her hand. She'd make a doctor's appointment after she tended to the horses.

Ben watched Lia from the kitchen window, a cup of freshly brewed coffee in his hands. She seemed a bit flustered. Why, he didn't know but a smile still came to his lips as he took a sip of the coffee. Lianna Mac was one hell of a puzzle and he found himself enjoying sorting out all the pieces.
A familiar hand landed on his shoulder and trailed down his arm. He didn't waste any of his energy to face a hung over Alice.
"Coffee," She demanded at the sight of the mug in his hands. Without a please or a may I, Alice took the mug right out of his hands and drank greedily.
"Don't mention it," He muttered turning around to make himself another cup.
Alice did her best to lazily rest against the counter, but she didn't look as sexy as Lia had the day before. Alice already took her shower for the morning and smelled strongly of perfume. Her blonde hair was up in a rather tight ponytail. The shirt she wore was, for once, a large aqua one. Ben found himself comparing everything about her to Lia. Such as, Lia would have given him a please and thank you. Lia would have managed to look sexy leaning against the counter without even trying. Lia would have tied her hair up in a loose ponytail and Lia would have been wearing a tank with a button up shirt.
"I woke up this morning with the absolute worst hang over," Alice laughed, lifting a perfectly manicured hand to her forehead.
Lia wouldn't have had anything to drink to cause a hang over, he thought. And her fingernails wouldn't have a touch of anything to do with manicures.
But aloud he said, "I must say you do throw one hell of a party."
Her hand fell to his bandage. It took all of him not to wrench her hands off him when her nails hit his skin. And when she kissed him he did nothing and he felt nothing. But when her tongue attempted to go down her throat, he pushed her away from him.
"What's wrong?" She blinked, a hurt expression on her face.
"Look, I think this relationship is going a little too fast for my tastes," He lied lamely. He just couldn't think of a better excuse.
Alice narrowed her eyes. "But we've been going out for a month."
"What can I say? I don't move all that fast." He covered quickly.
Before she could say anything, the sound of the kitchen door closing caught both their attentions. Bill walked into the kitchen and Ben sighed with relief at the interruption. A scowl came over Alice's face.
"I was wondering whose fancy jeep that was in the driveway." Bill said gruffly at the sight of his old friend's son. When he saw Ben's bandage's he exclaimed, "Good God boy! What happened to you?"
"Lia whacked him over the head with a thing of wood making him fall down a flight of stairs in the barn," Alice answered, kissing Bill's cheek.
"What?" Bill asked, bewildered.
"She thought I was an intruder." Ben explained. "I followed her into the barn after witnessing her and Andy having a fight to see if she was okay. She probably thought I was Andy and hit me. I lost my balance."
"Just as long as you're okay," Bill said. "You plan on having a doctor check that out, aren't you?"
Satisfied with Ben's nod of agreement, Bill asked, "Where's Lia."
"The barn," Ben blurted without thinking.
Bill and Alice both gave him strange looks. The question, they all knew had been directed at Alice. So to cover his mistake he told Bill that he saw her leave when he was making coffee.
Bill nodded, "Tending to the horses. I thought that was your job, Alice? Why aren't you out there?"
Alice let out a frustrated breath and left the kitchen. For a moment Ben felt a twinge of guilt. But the feeling left quickly for there was a large bang and the sound of a dog barking. Ben took a seat at the island counter, waiting for Lia's presence.
"Bill?" Lia called out. Ignoring Ben's presence, she rushed over to the old man and gave him a tight hug along with a kiss on the cheek. Ben lifted his coffee mug to his lips as he watched the sweet display of affection. The memory, though, of how those lips felt on his skin took away his need for a sip of coffee.
"And what happened to you?" Bill asked, holding her bandaged hand in his. "Did you fall down the stars after him?"
"What? Oh! Yes, I did." Lia lied easily. She glanced over at Ben and gave him a look that told him not to blurt out the truth. Ben didn't know for the life of him why he obeyed her request.
But the look on Bill's face stayed suspicious after the lie escaped her lips. "You'll be going to the doctor soon, right?"
"I already told her that she was." Ben said before Lia could get a word in. "She protested but she eventually agreed."
Lia glared at him while Bill smiled. "At least we know someone is taking good care of you while I'm away."
"Actually, sir, we took care of each other. See, I helped her with her hand. A simple task really. And then she took care of all my cuts and bruises. If Lia hadn't been there, I wouldn't have known what to do with this big gash on my side. She'd be an excellent nurse or doctor." Ben said, knowing it would outrage Lia. He didn't understand why talk of her profession annoyed her so.
"He's still a little lightheaded from yesterday, Bill," Lia said before giving the old man a chance to speak. "He should be leaving any minute."
Bill glanced between the two young people. Something was up between the two, he decided. He didn't know what, but it was something.
"Well, baby doll, I'm tired so I'm going to lie down. Why don't you take Benjamin here home? We don't want him driving home lightheaded, do we?"
Lia stared after the old man and her jaw dropped. When realization of what he said finally kicked in, Bill was long gone down the hall. She chased after him, saying that Ben could drive himself home. That he wasn't that lightheaded. Ben moved in the room that held the breakfast table to listen in on the conversation. He could barely make anything out, but he did hear Bill refuse Lia's requests and tell her to drive him home.
The sound of her boots clicking angrily against the wood flooring caught his attention too late. She rounded the corner and glared daggers at him, brining a grin to his lips.
"So you're driving me home, eh?"
"Shut up," She snapped.
"Yes ma'am!" He straightened and gave her a salute.
"Don't try to be cute," She rolled her eyes and breezed past her. "It doesn't look good on you."
He turned around, letting his gaze fall to her behind. Images of what she would look good in crossed his mind daringly. No, no, stop, Ben, he told himself. But then he thought about it. Who was he kidding? Trying to stop the thoughts wouldn't help anything. He was attracted to Lianna Mac whether it is lust or intrigue or both. But he would no longer ignore the feelings and he would let her know. And he would break up with Alice sometime soon. Something he couldn't wait to do.