Note: You can change font size, font face, and turn on dark mode by clicking the "A" icon tab in the Story Info Box.
You can temporarily switch back to a Classic Literotica® experience during our ongoing public Beta testing. Please consider leaving feedback on issues you experience or suggest improvements.
Click here
Ben grinned. "I'm surprised both you and Leo didn't bring anyone."
"My roommate, Zoe has a hot date. I have no idea about Leo, though," she laughed.
"What about that guy I saw the other night?" he asked.
She casted him a sideway glance, wondering where he was heading. "You mean Taylor? What about him?"
"He's not your boyfriend?"
"We're friends," she said. "I mean, yeah, we hooked up but that doesn't mean we're together."
Ben looked to the ground. Elle automatically straightened her back, hoping he wouldn't judge her like her own mother did. What she did with her life wasn't anybody's business even though she was ashamed of her behavior that night.
"So," he asked slowly, drawing out the syllable, "You're not looking for a relationship right now?" She didn't detect any disparagement in his question, just pure curiosity.
"I won't say no if I like the guy," she said lightly.
He gave a half-smile. "Do you like a particular guy right now?"
She decided to test the waters. "I do," she answered honestly. "I just...don't know if he's ready. Or if he wants me."
"Have you tried asking him?" he asked.
"I did," she said, her mind back to the night she talked to him at the Chameleon. "He shot me down."
"He must be out of his mind," he muttered.
She shrugged, feigning nonchalance even though she wondered what he meant by that statement. "Shit happens, but enough about me. I haven't thank you for inviting me to this party."
Ben grinned at her. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Frankly I feel like this old girl here," he nodded at Colt sleeping at his feet. "I can't wait to have the house to myself. It's been a long day." He glanced at his watch. "Ah, speaking of. It's time for cake!"
He got up from his seat and clapped his hands to get the children's attention. Leo finished his last trick at the same time with a flourish and the children cheered and thanked him before scrambling after Ben for the cake cutting.
"Wow, impressive performance, Leo. I didn't know you were so cool," Elle teased him as soon as he took the seat Ben had vacated.
"Why, thank you. When you have six nieces and nephews ranging between the ages three to eight, you'd have to have a few tricks up your sleeves to get them to sit on their asses," he replied. "Thank God for the cake, though. I was running out of tricks." He bent to scratch Colt behind the ears. "I was so surprised when you told me we were invited to this party," he said. "I mean, it's nothing crazy but then how many people whom you've helped to adopt an animal would actually invite you to their birthday party, into their lives? I've been volunteering for like the past five years and this is my first time to get invited to one."
Elle understood what Leo meant. But this was the first time she had ever seen Leo so serious and she couldn't resist teasing him. "Is that a catch in your throat that I hear?" she smirked.
He gave a half-smile. "Well, damn if coming to a six-year-old's birthday party would make me cry."
- COMMENTS
Horseman68over 4 years agoThis story really just gets better and better, with a slowly unfolding pace.
bruce22over 7 years agoPure romance but with a kick! Of course when you put a dog in the mix it all gets warmer. The relationship in the Ben, Karen, Rivers triangle needs a more detailed presentation.
666icemanover 7 years agoForget the grammer/spelling isues. If people are into the story they should read around that and still be into the story. Had an English teacher once who chased down grammer/spelling faults etc and we ended up cathing her out, as there were thirty of us looking for her one mistake. So nobody gets it perfect, so what. The story is altogether another thing it is well thought out, well put together with enough in there to make you want more. I do agree that the postings are way to far apart time-line wise as you forget and have to go back and pick it up again, just like what happens whilst reading and falling asleep mid chapter and you end up either giving up or putting up. Many will give you up and that would be a shame. So if you can ignore the negative people and post more often. I hope you do read comments and I hope you might give me the honor of speeding up on your posts and not offended by my comments. It is a five star and more. My grammer and spelling mistakes are there by design.
