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Once they reached Daphne’s house, Ben went upstairs and did a quick count of the rooms and tried to work out the logistics of where people would be while the work was being done. He’d made a bonehead move in terms of timing. He should have done Daphne’s place first as the Daycare was two weeks out. Now he was stuck doing both at once which was truly the most efficient way or making them wait three weeks and potentially mucking with the work the contractors did. He’d have to find them alternate quarters.
Daphne was trying to read his expression. “What is it?”
“I should have done your bathrooms before Trish’s. Then you’d be done now and could use your upstairs while the contractor work on the main and lower floors. I’m such a dolt! The best I can do is find you alternate accommodations while the work is done. There is a spare bedroom in Trish’s basement but it’s really cluttered at the moment with the extra furniture I pulled back out the garage. Let me call Gabriella.”
Ben dialed the number but no one answered. He tried Catherine and she picked up on the third ring.
“Hello?”
“Hi Catherine, it’s Ben.”
“Hi Ben, how are you doing?”
“I’m good! Just finished the initial renovations at Trish’s place and now I’m doing Daphne’s. Listen, would you happen to know where Gabriella is?” he asked.
“She’s in Milan! Lucky girl! Then she’s heading over to Paris. She’ll be back in two weeks. I’m watching Miriam and Daniel for her and my girls all got home so we’re having a party! You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.” Cat offered hopefully.
“Ah, ok. Thanks for the offer but I’m a little too pooped to party. Thanks though! Talk to you later!” Ben hung up. So Gabriella’s place was out and Catherine had a full house. Damn. He looked at Daphne’s curious look and the barely suppressed anticipation on the twin’s faces. He sighed.Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.
“I guess you could stay at my place.” Daphne got a worried look on her face which Ben mirrored. The twins simply vibrated with glee. “There are four bedrooms on the main floor so you’d each have your own. The shared bathroom, well, you’ve basically seen it at Trish’s place. Would that be ok?” he said, exclusively looking at Daphne.
“Couldn’t we just hold off on renovating the upstairs until the contractors leave?” she asked and the girls whined at their mother.
“I thought of that but the risk of having to redo some of the daycare work makes that not such a good plan. The best time to do both is actually at the same time. The work should go faster as I can get them to help me with some of the work upstairs as well.” Ben admitted. The twins smiled and clapped their hands lightly. Ben looked at their eager grins with apprehension.
“If it won’t be too much of an inconvenience.” Daphne said watching her daughters who put on their most innocent faces.
Ben sighed as he couldn’t think of a better solution. “May I suggest you pack your suitcases as if you were going on a two week vacation? You’re not going to want to walk through this place too much during the renovation. Bring everything you need as we’re probably going to have to seal all of the dressers and closets to keep the dust out. The closets in my guest rooms are empty with plenty of hangers and the dressers are empty as well so you don’t have to live out of your suitcases. If you want to soak in my hot tub bring your bathing suits. They’re MANDATORY.” he said looking at the twins whose eyes lit up when they heard ‘hot tub’.
“Just come over when you are ready and walk in, the front door will be unlocked. I’ll have keys for you as well. Oh, damn! Tina was making me dinner.”
“Not to worry Ben! We had dinner before our tour. We’ll see you in probably 90 minutes or so.” the mother said watching her daughters like a hawk.
“OK, see you soon.”
Ben hustled home. He’d have to convince Tina to head back to Trish’s tonight. That wasn’t going to go over well as he’d been pretty strict with her during her visit and had drastically limited their intimate time. He wanted to wean her off the physicality of their relationship so she would be more willing to meet someone her own age. Now he was going to tell her she had to leave and not come back for at least two weeks. God. He wasn’t looking forward to this.
He got in the front door and the scent of her cooking made him moan in anticipation. He paused to take a deep breath in the foyer and almost started to drool spontaneously. He tugged off his coat and work boots and washed his hands in the bathroom before hustling into the kitchen. Tina turned to face him and he froze. Her long silken black hair was pulled back behind her right ear, held in place by an elegant flower hair pin. Her make-up was subtle but accentuated her high cheekbones, slender nose and pink lips. Her eyes, well, he got a little lost in them and that left him breathless. She was wearing a silk dress which hugged her slim body but promised wonders within. He was stunned and she smiled, enjoying his look of wonder. She blushed under his admiring gaze and something in his chest stuck. He realized he was still holding his breath so he took a deep one.
There was no way he could do it. He couldn’t send her away when she’d gone to this much trouble. He raised a finger to indicate he’d be right back. Then he ran for the bedroom. He tore off his clothes and jumped in the shower. He scrubbed himself clean in record time and shaved to ensure his face was smooth. He put on his black dress slacks and a dark blue dress shirt, black tie and socks. He grabbed his phone and called Daphne. He asked her to wait until he dropped off the keys. He didn’t explain why but she was ok. He made one more call then he was done.
All of this only took fifteen minutes and he walked back to the dining room. When she saw him enter her face lit up and he was dazzled by her smile again. She gestured for him to sit so he did. She brought out his dinner. Roast pork with roasted baby potatoes, crisp green beans, golden and flakey dinner rolls with butter. She had the same but smaller portions. Ben leaped to his feet and held her chair for her. Then he sat and gazed into her eyes. “Thank you for this amazing meal!” he said. “You look radiant tonight!”
Tina blushed once more. There was something about her tonight. Some energy or attitude. He was quite frankly bewitched!