Missing Grace(81)

Ben took her right knee and pulled it higher up against his ribs and held her there with his arm. "Oh God," she cried out as he swiveled his hips erratically, deepening where he was hitting inside her.

Sitting up, he positioned Grace on top of him. She sank back down, her lips falling apart as she took him in. He held her hips tightly as if she was a mirage and would disappear if he let go of the vision in front of him. His lips kissed the dip at the base of her neck and he swirled his tongue in it, tasting her between panted breaths. His eyelids were heavy, and he struggled to comprehend she was his again. He finally let them drop closed and went with sensations instead.

He thrust up just as Grace called his name in ecstasy. She dropped her head, her temple against his cheek as her body squeezed around him, causing him to fall with her. He tucked his face into the arc of her neck and held her so tight that both of them could feel the pulsing, the heat, and the love.

Ben groaned against her chest, his entire body tense, and then he relaxed. Her body was pliable to his, both of them exhausted.

"Oh God, I have missed you, Grace," he said, looking up at her in awe.

She laughed, letting her happiness escape. Her hands went through his hair twice before she cupped his face. "It was amazing. You are amazing." She took a deep breath and exhaled, then let herself fall backward on the bed. "I want to do that again tonight and a lot over the next say, sixty years."

He loved how comfortable she was, how free she was with him. "How about sixty years on earth and then an eternity beyond?" Ben smirked as his hands trailed over her stomach.

"I was in hell, Ben, and you saved me and showed me heaven."

"Because I love you."

"I love you, too, more than anything."

Her gaze lowered and something came over her. When she looked up, she moved to him and kissed him once, then again. "Thank you for never giving up on me."

"I would never-"

"Shh, just let me thank you."

They moved so they were side by side, and facing each other. He kissed her lightly and then rested his cheek on her chest. "And don't worry," his hand moved between her legs, and he smiled, "I'm going to let you thank me several times over tonight."

"It will be my pleasure."

"Trust me. The pleasure is all mine."





33





Ben Edwards





Six months after Grace and Ben's wedding . . .

Ben held Grace's hand tightly as they walked up the courthouse steps. Twice she asked him to loosen his grip and twice he did only to start squeezing it just as firm again.

"Ben?" she called, placing her free hand over their joined hands.

When he looked over at her, his face was tense, his jaw rigid, and his brow furrowed. When he made eye contact though, all of the turmoil he was displaying softened and a small smile came into play. "Yes?"

"You're hurting my hand."

He looked between them and instantly loosened his grip then pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "I'm sorry, baby. I'm a little stressed."

"I understand." She stopped on the top step in front of the large brass doors, and said, "It will be fine. He's not going to get out of it."

"I don't want him near you. I was hoping he'd never see you again-"

"We need to do this and for us to win the case, I have to testify."

"I know all this, but I still don't like it." Ben looked down at her stomach but didn't touch it just in case he could see them. "I don't want him to know about the baby and you're starting to show."



       
         
       
        

"Barely." She put her arms out to prove it. "I think Emily did a good job helping me find this suit. Most people will think I've just gained some weight. Let them. I'm happy in love. These are love pounds."

Ben smiled. "How are you so strong?"

"Because I have you by my side," she stated as if it was that obvious.

Leaning down to kiss his wife, he knew he was stronger because she was by his side, too. They made their way inside and the lawyer directed them to their seats. The Edwardses and Stevenses took up the first two rows in the courthouse with Ben, Grace, and their lawyer at the plaintiff's table.

Ben didn't look up when the doors opened. He didn't give Barnes or his attorney his attention when they walked in. Ben didn't look over when they sat at the opposing defense table. He couldn't. The struggle to restrain himself was becoming monumental. Ben's hands fisted, so he hid them under the table and focused on the grain of the oak wood, his angel trying to soothe him by rubbing his leg. With a tight smile in place, Ben tried to reassure her, but there was no use. From the side smile he saw on her face, he knew she saw right through him. "You're the strongest man I know," she whispered. "Have I ever told you that?"