Chapter 107 - In My Arms Again

Benjamin

A hotel servant let me into my suit. I had been negotiating about oil prices all day and was utterly tired. I was going to crash onto bed as soon as possible.

When I walked in, I blinked a few times.

There she was, standing before me. She was wearing a light pink, velvet Arabic dress, that reached to the floor. As I took her in, I saw that she was wearing the same color high heels.

The dress was decorated with  stones throughout the length of her dress and of her middle, she wore a sparkly golden band. She was breathtaking as her golden curls caressed her face.

I clutched my hand to my chest and gasped for air. I was finally able to breathe again.

I slipped the man his tip and send him off.

I had still not spoken to her. My eyes traveled over the sight of her. She looked different, although I could not pinpoint what it was.

She looked rounder somehow.

Maybe her breast were more swollen than they were  before, I thought as my eyes glided over the naked skin, she revealed on her chest.

My mouth was tied and my body felt frozen.

Jasmine walked up to me and pressed her hands on the fabric of my blouse.

She licked her pink lips and then bit her lips, as her cat-like green eyes were holding mine. I wanted to kiss her, and hold her. I want to tell her how much I missed her, but I said nothing.

The room was quiet, while I could feel the electricity buzz between us. It was like we were magnetic again and it took all my strength to not act on it.

"Hey you." She murmured. Her eyes were seeking, asking me to kiss her. "Hi." I said balding my fist to resist the urged to touch her.

"What are you doing here?" I snapped and immediately regretted it.

"I wanted to surprise you." She said with glistering eyes. "I see that." I made my lips into a hard line. "Weren't you supposed to study?" I asked her flatly.

"I suppose." She shrugged. "But the best teacher is right here." She said as she touched my face with the tip of her finger. My face burned where she touched it.

I let my face fall into her hands and I had a hard time remaining my cool.

"To be honest Jasmine, I don't really have the time right now." I said as I broke our connection and walked towards where I saw that the liquor was. I needed that now more than ever. I poured myself a glass of scotch and drank it in one go. I needed the courage to send her off.

"You have gained weight." I spoke without thinking. "You think I am fat." She said hostile. "Well hello to you too." She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"No, I don't mean it like that… it's just…" I sighed. "Never mind." I told her. "I need to sleep." I said. "Okay.." She trailed off. "Let's take a bath first." She offered.

My eyes flew over her body. What was she thinking? I hadn't slept with my wife in nearly two months… Did she seriously think that was the best of ideas?

"No. No thank you." I said as I loosened my tie. "I will arrange a flight for you back to Boston, so you can study for your tests." I told her.

"I want to stay with you." She said and a tear rolled down her cheek. I run my hand through my hair and I wanted to pull it all out at once.

"Why?" I asked with closed eyes. She started to sob. "Jasmine please…" I pleaded. "Why do you keep calling me Jasmine." She started sobbing even louder. "You are being ridiculous." I muttered. "What is it you want me to call you then?" I raised both hands in confusion. 

"Anything." She said, as she walked up to me and wrapped herself around me.

With tight muscles I hesitantly put my arms around her. "You feel different as well." I thought out loud. She looked furious.

"Are you still calling me fat?!" She almost shouted. I breathed out. "No.. it's just." I took her face in my hands and even her cheeks felt a little fuller. She was beautiful all the same and I kissed her lips, before she would get the chance to be angry again.

She kissed me back with so much passion, that I had a hard time keeping her clothes on. I was never going to have intercourse with her again.

The way she made me feel in the Alpes, after I made love to her, I would never forget. She wounded me by saying it was nothing more than sex, while I loved her with every viper in my being.

I would never allow myself to feel that way again.

She started taking off my jacket and I let her. Then she started taking of my blouse and my eyes followed her movements. Her hands traced the skin of my chest and my breathing became shallow.

"Let's just go to sleep." I told her with closed eyes.

I let her to the bed. "You can sleep her." I said. 'I will take one of the couches.' I swallowed.

She frowned and then raised one eyebrow. "That is not how the rules of this marriage work." She spoke deliberately. "When we are under the same roof, I should stay in your bed with you." She said meaningfully.

"Fine.' I breathed.

"Can you help me with my dress?" She asked me. She turned around so I could unzip her dress. I sniffed my nose and brushed her hair to the side. I unzipped her dress and I groaned by the sight of her milky skin.

I dropped her dress to the floor and quickly turned around, getting undressed.

I closed my eyes for a while, trying to remain calm, before I climbed in the bed. The sheets were soft. She was already in bed, wearing nothing. What did she want from me?

I turned myself around, my back facing her. "Goodnight Jasmine." I said hoarse.

I felt her breath in my neck. "I am supposed to sleep in your arms." She reminded me of my own stupid rules.

"Not tonight." I shrugged. "There was never an exception." She mused and she started to yank my arm. I turned to lay on my back and opened my arms for her.. She placed her head to my chest and I tried to fight back the tears.