Author's Notes:

'A Shepherd Afield' is a continuation of 'A Shepherd in France' which continued the story of 'The Shepherd of Ashburn Court'. Minimal effort is made in this tale to explain the backstory so please read the other stories first.

All characters engaging in sexual relationships or activities are 18 years old or older.

********

Chapter 8

Ben stood in the open lobby of the Costa Rican resort and enjoyed the ocean breezes passing through the access way. The fresh air carried the scents of the lush greenery and beautiful flowers from the gardens on the grounds. He smiled serenely at Rochelle and Trish who smiled happily back at him.

"It's the rainy season and I've been told that this means we'll get thunderstorms in the afternoon for a few hours. We'll get sun and cloud earlier in the day. Afternoons would be a good time to spend a little time in the spa," Ben suggested and got grins from the ladies. "Do you want to see what's available for this afternoon? It looks like today's storm is about to get underway," Ben said peering up at the dark clouds passing over the countryside.

With a smile and a twinkle in her eyes Rochelle walked briskly back to speak with the woman at the reception desk.

Their luggage had been taken to their rooms and Ben was assured the two adjoining rooms had a lovely view overlooking the pool.

Trish leaned against his chest and grinned up at him. "Thank you so much for this Ben. I'd never be able to afford to come to a place as nice as this."

"Thank you so much for joining me! I'm just getting used to travelling and I'd never do this on my own," he said as he gave her a hug.

She got a mischievous look in her eyes. "So who are you going to have in your bed tonight?"

He felt his face pink up as she made him sound like some kind of playboy. "I leave that decision up to you and Rochelle. Neither of you has to sleep with me you know!"

"Aw Ben, I'm just teasing you. I know you aren't like that. You are such a sweet man... with the body of a sex god!" she purred a little too loudly. A group of older ladies passing by looked back at them in shock.

"Could we try to maintain a low profile on this trip?" he whispered to her.

"Sorry Ben," she said contritely.

"Are you already causing trouble?" Rochelle said to Trish as she rejoined them.

"What can I say, Ben brings out my inner imp!" Trish grinned.

Rochelle just shook her head at the redhead. "Ok, here is what I got us so far. In about an hour we all get a full body massage in the spa with the steam room beforehand. Tomorrow at 2pm we all go back to the spa for mud wraps then the steam room followed by another full body massage. Then Trish and I are booked for manicures, pedicures, and facials finishing off with having our hair done. You will have to find something to do with yourself while we are made all pretty. I've booked us a nice table at their fine dining restaurant tomorrow night." Trish was looking at her in surprise. Rochelle suddenly realized she was spending Ben's money for him and she looked at him nervously. "Is that ok?" she squeaked.

Ben laughed and pulled her into a hug. "Of course it's ok! That's what we are here for! Relaxing, being pampered, and enjoying ourselves! That and keeping me from using my finger so it can heal."

Rochelle hugged him back and looked up at him. "We should go check out our rooms and get into our swimsuits to prepare for our massages."

Ben nodded and released her so they could make their way up the stairs to the second floor. Their rooms were half way down the hall. Just as they were getting close the door to the room next to theirs opened and a man stepped out quickly without looking. He collided with Ben's chest and bounced back. Ben managed to catch him before he fell.

"Unhand me you big oaf!"

Ben released the man once he was sure he wouldn't fall. He looked like he was in his sixties, maybe. He looked fit but his hair was shockingly white and his skin showed the damage of too much time in the sun. From his attire that exposure might have been from golf courses. The man had sharp features with small dark eyes set just a little too close together. Ben found his angry expression to be almost comical but managed not to smile.

"Please be careful when stepping out into the hall, sir," Ben said.

Now the man looked really angry. "You bump into me and I'm to blame for it? You just keep track of where your big feet are carrying that meat on your shoulders and maybe you wouldn't be such a hazard in the hallways!"

Ben sighed and looked past the angry man to his pretty wife who was standing in the entrance of their room. She also had white hair in a stylish pixie cut but she obviously took much better care of her skin. She had an old school wholesome beauty and class that immediately put Ben at ease. She gave him an apologetic smile.

"Good day," Ben said as he moved aside.

The man sputtered in irritation then stormed off with his wife in tow.

Trish watched the man head down the stairs and turned to Ben. "Who put the pickle up his ass?"

"The man seriously needs to learn how to relax!" Rochelle agreed.

Ben used his keycard to open his door and stepped inside. A large modern bathroom was to his immediate right. Walking further into the room he saw it was pretty standard as hotel rooms went. Queen size bed and a large dresser with a TV on top for watching movie's in bed. Sofa sitting area beyond the bed. Next was the large sliding glass doors leading to the balcony. He walked through and stood on the wide terrace looking down at the pool. Only a few people were currently swimming though there was a group of young people hanging out by the pool bar.

He felt arms wrapping around him from behind and from the feel of her body pressing up against his back he knew it was Trish. He gave her arms a squeeze.

"Come on Ben, we've been commanded to get into our swimsuits and robes to report to the spa," she teased.

They went back inside and Ben opened his suitcase to pull out his board shorts and sandals. He stepped into the bathroom to change. Once ready he tried to put on the robe he found on the back of the bathroom door but discovered it was too small.

He draped it over his shoulders and stepped out into the room. Trish and Rochelle grinned at his cape and they headed down to the spa.

Ben followed the ladies down through the lobby to the spa entrance where they were met by a lovely, tall blonde woman in a white sarong.

"Good afternoon! My name is Greta. Am I addressing the Shepherd party?"

Ben looked at Rochelle and smiled. "Yes, that's us."

Greta's eyes were drawn to the scars on his chest which were clearly visible due to his open robe. Her eyes flicked up to his and he saw a dawning recognition in them. However, she was a professional who had met her share of celebrities in the spa so she simply nodded with a smile. "It's an honor to have you visit us. The steam room is just this way."

Ben breathed a sigh of relief and gestured for Rochelle and Trish to proceed him. They stopped before the entrances to the change rooms.

"You will find lockers inside and towels to wrap yourself in once you remove the bathing suits." Greta instructed.

They went into their separate change rooms and moments later returned wrapped in white towels. Once more Greta's eyes flashed to take in the damage evident on Ben's skin. She gestured to the glass door across the hall. "I will return to collect you for your massages. Do you have a preference for your masseuse? Male or female?"

"Male!" Rochelle blurted with a grin.

Trish shook her head seeing the twinkle in her friend's eyes. "Either is fine with me."

"Female," Ben said with a blush and Greta dipped her head to indicate she'd noted their preference.

They found spots to sit in the steamy room. There were only two other people in the room, both elderly men who did their best to hide their delight at seeing the female flesh on display.

Ben closed his eyes and let the heat soak into his body. He felt the release of tension he hadn't been aware he'd been holding.

Before he realized it he felt a gentle touch on his arm.

"Mr. Shepherd, it is time for your massage," Greta said gently.

"Ben."

She smiled. "It is time, Ben."

He saw Trish and Rochelle on their feet so he stood and followed them out. Greta led them down a hall and outside to a patio overlooking the ocean. There were four massage tables arranged so they all faced the surf below. The patio was covered by a sturdy roof but was open on the sides to allow the ocean breezes to flow through. Ben saw three well built men waiting beside three of the tables. He caught Rochelle's grin and Trish's answering smirk. Ben began to feel a little uncomfortable as he didn't want a massage from a man. He knew Dr. Granger would ask him to examine his unease but he wasn't ready for that at the moment.

He turned to ask Greta about it and saw the woman from the room next to his joining them. She smiled happily when she saw Ben and nodded to him. Greta directed her to the third man as Rochelle and Trish got situated with the other two. This left the final table which Greta gestured to.

"I will be your masseuse today," she said.

Ben nodded with a smile and climbed up on the table. Suddenly his towel seemed terribly inadequate.

He laid on his stomach with his head turned to the right. He saw his room neighbor smiling back at him as she also laid in her stomach.

"Hello! I'm Susan," she said with a grin.

"Hello Susan. I'm Ben." He returned her smile.

"I just wanted to apologize for my husband's rude behavior earlier. Ted really can be a total prick at times. Well, most of the time."

"That's very nice of you! Apology accepted. Thanks."

"Are you here for the Eco-tourism thing? Zip lining in the rainforest? Jungle hikes?" Susan asked.

"No, this is as adventurous as I'm going to get this week!" Ben chuckled.

Susan lifted her head to look at Ben's two companions then turned back to give him a devilish grin. "Really?"

Ben was saved from having to answer as their massages had begun. It felt so good speaking was too much effort.

Greta had very strong hands and Ben couldn't help releasing a few moans of relief as she found some knots and worked them out with her thumbs.

"Hey Ben! You going for the happy ending over there?" Trish laughed.

Ben missed the reference. "Greta has incredible hands and they are making me very happy!"

Trish and Rochelle burst out laughing and Ben realized he'd missed something.

He looked back at Greta and saw her cheeks were very red. "I don't get the reference but I guess that was an inappropriate thing to say. My apologies. Trish, behave!"

"Awww! That takes all the fun out of- ooohhhhh!" she groaned as her own masseuse vanquished a knotted muscle.

Rochelle snorted.

Conversation was kept to a minimum during the first part of the massage. Greta worked her way through Ben's muscle groups and complimented him on his workout routine for the symmetrical development of his muscles. She asked if he had any residual tightness or pain from the scarring on his back and he said no.

Then it came time to turn over.

Ben had begun to tingle down there just a little as the massage felt good and he'd been applying pressure to the area by lying on it. While it wasn't erect it wasn't completely relaxed either.

Sensing his discomfort Greta smiled. "It's ok Ben, it happens. We're all adults here," she said quietly and calmly.

He gave her a grateful smile and rolled over as she held the towel up over him. As she lowered the towel it tented as he expected it would.

"Oh my, yes!"

Ben and Greta looked over at the next bed and Susan was a little red faced. She was looking at the sizable bump in Ben's towel. When she realized she'd made her little outburst out loud and they were looking at her, she blushed harder.

"My apologies, Ben. That was rude of me," she exclaimed.

It had been so out of character, or rather, his expectation of her character based on her looks, Ben was a little flustered. It was like spotting a classic American sitcom Mom from the 1950's starring in a porno. He just nodded and watched her struggle to not look at his towel. He closed his eyes and tried to relax back against the mattress.

Greta began working his muscle groups on the front of his body. Again she complemented him on his symmetry and asked about residual pain and tightness under his scars. He informed her he had none and she smiled and continued.

He relaxed under her skilled hands and when the session was over he was feeling wonderful. He smiled at her once she helped him sit on the edge of the table. "That was amazing! I don't often go for massages but this one really opened my eyes to how good they can make you feel! Thank you!"

"You are most welcome, Ben. I understand you have another massage scheduled for tomorrow. Would you like me to add that to my schedule?"

"Yes please!"

"Great! I will see you then."

Ben stood and fastened his towel tight around his waist. He saw the others sitting up and preparing to leave.

Susan approached him and leaned in to speak quietly with him.

"I'm terribly sorry if I made you uncomfortable," she said.

"It's alright."

"When you get to my age and you find yourself living with... someone like Ted, finding something to be excited about is a real treat!" She smiled at him and glanced down at the bump in his towel. She bit her lip then made her way towards the locker rooms.

Ben felt Trish's big tits squeeze against his back and his cock began to wake up.

"You have a new fan Ben!" Trish said with a grin.

"Stop teasing the man. He can't help being so irresistible!" Rochelle joked.

Ben turned his burning face towards them. "Are we done here?"

Trish saw his reaction to her and a wide satisfied smile spread across her face. "Oh my, yes."

Ben rolled his eyes and thanked Greta once more before setting off for the locker room. Susan was exiting as he arrived and she caught a glimpse of his recent development. Her eyes lit up with excitement and she gave him a thrilled smile as he passed.

As he stood before his locker he let out a heavy sigh. He pulled out his board shorts and pulled them on. He heard someone clearing their throat as he pulled the undersized robe from the locker. He turned to see one of the male masseuses standing there with a robe in his arms.

"You could probably use a larger size robe," he said and handed it to Ben who handed his smaller one over.

"Yes! Thank you very much!"

Ben pulled on the robe and while it was still tight he was able to close it around himself. His broad chest was still showing a little but the robe was closed from his waist down and that was good. He smiled at the man and left the room to wait for Trish and Rochelle.

He was doubly thankful the robe was closed at the bottom as Trish was showing a lot of cleavage in hers and she had a naughty look in her eyes. He felt himself throb in anticipation and her smile widened as its heat went up.

"At least get him to the room before you jump him!" Rochelle teased and Trish moved forward to take Ben's arm as they headed towards the lobby.

As they approached they heard a lot of loud but happy voices and laughter. A new group was coming in.

They stepped into the lobby into a group of at least twenty people, all milling about with their suitcases, obviously checking in, and the harried staff trying to process them as quickly as they could. There was a lot of gold chains and large rings on display. Ben recalled this would be called 'bling'. Now that he was closer Ben saw the group was comprised of around eight black men and at least a dozen beautiful black women. One member of the group didn't seem to fit in and was being largely ignored by the others. She was a petite Hispanic woman, maybe 5' 3", with long flowing chestnut hair and full sleeve tattoos.

"Hey! I recognize those two! That's Dream and Killah! And that's Jarome and Millionz! Jayden loves their music!" Rochelle blurted as she suddenly stopped in surprise. Ben and Trish stopped to look back just as a finely dressed man turned and bumped into Rochelle. He caught himself and apologized.

"I- I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going!" he said, looking into Rochelle's eyes.

Rochelle was frozen, trapped by the man's hazel eyes. She seemed to finally snap out of her daze. "It's ok. I'm good," she said softly.

"I'm Thomas. Thomas Powell." He couldn't seem to look away from Rochelle.

"Rochelle King. Nice to meet you."

"Where's my big brother?" boomed a voice from the right. This broke the moment and all turned to see a slim, shorter man striding over towards Thomas with a much larger man in his wake.

"Danny, this lovely woman is Rochelle King." Thomas said in introduction.

"What did I say about using that name?" Danny said crossly.

"It's nice to meet you Dream," Rochelle smiled and Danny's face lit up.

"Well it's a delight to meet you!" the man beamed.

"These are my friends Trish Campbell and Ben Shepherd," Rochelle continued.

Dream admired Trish's exposed flesh then took measure of the big man at her side. His size, the scars on his arms, chest and... face. Recognition began to spark in his eyes.

Ben saw excitement then resentment flash by on the smaller man's face. He wasn't sure what that was about but he didn't need any more drama. Following Rochelle's lead he nodded to the man. "It's very nice to meet you Dream."

The balance shifted to excitement as Ben's acknowledgment was accepted. "Ben Shepherd of the 'Bronze Man' Ben Shepherd?" Danny asked to confirm.

Ben winced and nodded.

Danny's grin widened and he looked over his shoulder at the big man behind him. "Killah, you have some local competition for having the biggest-"

"DREAM! Please!" Thomas gasped and his younger brother grinned in victory. Getting his brother to use his new name was always a battle.

Dream pointed over his shoulder. "You know he used to be called Killah D because of the size of his-"

"Seriously, stop!" Thomas barked in frustration causing Dream to grin.

A tall slim mocha beauty wandered over and slid her arm possessively around Danny as she fitted her svelte body against his. "Who are our new friends?" she asked with a smooth rich voice.

Thomas took up the introductions and Ben learned this lovely woman was La'Shia, an equally famous celebrity. She was R&B/Pop/Dance-Pop to Dream's Hip Hop/Rap.

"My big brother is going to be officiating our wedding this week," Dream said with a big smile.

Rochelle's face showed her surprise. "You're a priest?"

Thomas smiled and held her eyes with his, "No, I'm a Justice of the Peace back in California. I've just made all the arrangements through the local legal process to be able to perform the wedding here."

Rochelle's delighted smile was priceless. Ben and Trish both grinned at their friend's obvious interest in the man but Trish glanced at Ben when she suddenly realized what it might mean.

"Would you be able to join us for dinner tonight? I mean all of you?" Thomas asked.

Rochelle suddenly realized she was acting like a love struck school girl with this stranger while the man who brought her to the party watched. She cast a guilty looked towards Ben which made Thomas, Dream and La'Shia all look towards him too. Thomas' eyes held confusion in them.

Ben needed to shut this awkward moment down. "That would be lovely! What time?"

"9 PM in the Silver Moon restaurant." Dream said with a grin.

"Perfect, we'll be there! See you then," Ben said then turned to leave.

Rochelle smiled once more at Thomas and followed after Ben and Trish. When they got to their room Ben asked Rochelle to join him for a moment. Trish gave Ben a curious look but went into the other room and closed the door when he shook his head.

Ben guided Rochelle to the couch where they sat beside each other. He took her hands in his and he noticed tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "Hey! No tears. There's no need for tears!"

"I'm sorry Ben! You bring me on this lovely holiday and the first thing I do is start making eyes at another man! What kind of bitch does that make me?" she blurted.

"Hey! You are not a bitch! Don't you ever say that! You're a beautiful, vivacious woman! When I invited you on this vacation I just didn't want to travel alone. I had no expectations that you'd have to stay glued to my hip or that you'd share my bed. You know it was Trish who suggested we get two rooms, not three. Rochelle, you know how I feel about you. That's never going to change. I'll always be there for you!"

Rochelle threw her arms around Ben and a few tears were shed. He pushed her back gently and wiped the tears from her cheeks as he looked in her eyes.

"I'm not surprised Thomas is attracted to you," he smiled gently. "I'd have to be blind to not see you're attracted to him as well. I think you should see what develops. He seems like a nice man. I'd never hold you back from a chance at love. I only want your happiness."

Rochelle smiled at him with tears welling in her eyes.

"I don't want you to hold back because of me. That's not fair to you or him. Be warned though. If he hurts you, I'm going to hurt him." Ben said with a raised eyebrow and a serious look.

She started to laugh and he hugged her tight with a grin on his face.

She pushed back suddenly. "What time is dinner?"

"9 PM."

"I have to get ready! I don't know what I'll wear!" she gasped.

"There's a really nice boutique off the lobby. Maybe you can find something there? Just charge it to the room." Ben suggested.

Rochelle grabbed Ben and kissed him. She jumped up and ran to the door of the adjoining room and turned back. "Thank you Ben. You truly are a wonderful man!" She rushed through the door.

Ben got up and walked out onto the room's balcony overlooking the pool. The rain was coming down hard now but he was sheltered from it by the roof above. Looking out at the forest beyond the hotel grounds the lush greenery was almost gleaming in the downpour. The grounds were empty during the height of the rainfall and it felt like he had the place to himself.

He thought about Rochelle's confession. While he felt sad about whatever it was that prevented her from being able to return his feelings he realized he had so much love in his life now that this pain was eased by it.

He felt arms wrap around him, breasts press against his back and Trish's cheek rest there.

"Hey big guy. How are you feeling?" she asked gently.

"I'm ok. I really am."

"I don't understand her," Trish said rubbing her cheek against his back.

"You can't explain love. It's either there or it isn't," he said with a slight shrug.

"You still love her?" Trish asked, curious.

He was quiet for a moment then sighed. "Yes... I always will."

Trish was quiet for a time then she squeezed him tight. "You know that just makes me love you more."

Ben smiled and turned to face her. Large pale green eyes looked up at him and he saw her love shining through. He took her face between his hands and dipped his face to kiss her tenderly.

"Mmmm, you kiss good!" Trish grinned as she pulled back from his lips. She ran her hands over his chest. "So... looks like I should be bunking with you. That alright with you?"

"I suppose I could tolerate it for a bit," he nodded thoughtfully and she playfully slapped his chest. "I'm an early riser," he warned.

"As am I. I'm hoping to do some running on the beach in the morning. Care to join me?" she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

"I'm not really a runner. Too heavy. I will go for a walk on the beach in the morning though. Since I can't do any heavy lifting until my finger is healed up the gym is out. I tried at home but it just aggravated it."

"Poor baby is going to get all flabby!" Trish teased and poked Ben's stomach with a finger but just hit hard muscle. "Fuck! You're not flabby at all!" Her eyes flashed with the thrill she was feeling. He was so ripped!

Ben ran his hands over Trish's stomach as well, feeling her hard muscles. "No flab here either." Her eyelids closed a little as tingles rushed through her body.

"You keep touching me like that I'm going to release this beast and take it for a ride!" Trish groaned as she rubbed her hands over Ben's waking cock. Ben's hands rose to her tits and he gave them a firm squeeze as she liked. His fingers strummed over her nipples pressing against the cups of her bikini.

"FUCK! You're such a tease!" she gasped pulling away from his hands and dropped to her knees before him. She tugged his board shorts down and his growing cock swung free. "Oh Ben! Fuck! I love your cock!" She wasted no more time and stuffed as much of his hot flesh into her mouth as she could.

"Trish! That's so good!" Ben moaned.

She managed to force his hardening cock into the back of her mouth and she moaned with the sexiness of it. Her mouth was filled with his hot throbbing flesh which was getting harder by the second. She felt her pussy tingling with need so she began to slowly pump him in and out of her mouth, each time forcing the thick head in as far as she could. By the fourth stroke his cock was too hard to bend downwards. Still she tried to pull him deeper, her hands gripping his ass. Finally she pulled him from her mouth and ran her tongue the length of his shaft from his balls up to the sensitive head.

"GEEZUS!" Ben cried out and Trish grinned up at him.

She pointed to the lounge chair behind him. Ben stepped out of his shorts and sat down shakily. Trish stood and slipped her bikini bottoms off before prowling towards him. She straddled his legs on the chair and reached down to lift his hard cock up towards her descending pussy. When her wet lower lips kissed the hot tip she gasped and let her legs relax, driving him deep into her body.

"AAAAAHHHHHH FUCK BEN! You're so fucking hard and so... big!" Trish gasped as he spread her wide with his thickness.

Ben moaned with the amazing feeling of her silky soft inner walls squeezing his cock so tightly. "You feel incredible!" he sighed. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her lips to his as he kissed her deeply. She whimpered into his kiss as she rocked her hips a little to get all of him inside her. Her body was trembling.

He moved his hands down to her ass and squeezed the firm muscles. She pulled back from his mouth to gasp. He began to slowly lift her up his cock only to slam her back down, slapping their bodies together.

"AHhhh! Fuck me! Ohhh! God Ben! So! Fucking! Big!" she cried out a word with each impact. Her face flushed as the sensation of him filling her so completely threatened to overwhelm her.

The lounge was sturdy but it was creaking with the effort of supporting them both. Ben wrapped an arm around Trish, holding her firmly against him and stood. She wrapped her arms and legs tight around his body. A quick glance over the balcony rail showed him they still had their privacy.

He reached behind himself and pulled the lounge chair cushion off to drop it on the floor behind Trish. He gently knelt and lowered them to the cushion. Trish's hands slid down to his ass as she pulled him deeper.

"Ohhhh fuck Ben! Your cock is so fucking deep! I can feel it pressing against the bottom," she moaned as she gripped his ass cheeks.

Ben rocked his hips which made him grind against her clit.

"AHH! OH FUCK! SHIT! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK ME BEN! FUCK ME HARD!" she cried out as sparks shot through her body from her overcharged clit.

Ben pulled his hips back and drove himself deep, slapping their bodies together.

"YES! FUCK YES!" she gasped.

The bliss Ben was feeling was overwhelming his senses and he set up a rapid pace of pounding her pussy with his cock. She lost the ability to speak coherently as she clung to his body. He was getting close and from the sounds she was making so was she.

He pushed her bikini top up and took her thick nipples between his fingers.

"YES BEN! DO THAT! THAT'S IT! OH MY GOD! I'M GONNA CUM! SO GOO... IT'S HAPPENING! CUMMING! CCUUMMMMIIIINNNGGGGGG!!!!!!" Trish howled.

Her cries pushed Ben over the top and he growled as he drove himself deep one last time to shoot stream after stream of cum into her depths. He rocked against her and she whimpered with the intensity of the pleasure.

"Oh Sweet Geezus! Oh yes! Ohhhhhhhh... fuck!"

Ben looked at Trish in surprise and she looked back at him with wide eyes. Those last cries didn't come from them.

There was a sudden thump from the divider wall between their balcony and the next one. Quiet panting could be heard. Ben and Trish arched their necks to look at the wall. The balconies were separated by ornate wood lattice work sandwiching a translucent pane of glass. A small table with a flower box stood against this. Ben's eyebrows went up as he caught sight of a shock of white hair showing between the flowers in the box.

He gently pulled from Trish and looked around for his board shorts. Unable to find them he helped Trish up. She adjusted her bikini top and looked for her bottoms.

Ben walked over to the divider and lifted the small table aside. There was a large crack in the glass panel and a chunk missing. This had been easier to cover with a plant than repair he supposed. On the other side of this hole was a head with white hair.

"Susan?"

"EEEP!" she squeaked as she pulled back from the divider.

"What are you doing?" he asked, covering his cock with his hands. Trish lifted the cushion and spotted Ben's swimsuit and her bikini bottoms. She slipped hers on and handed Ben his. He had to move his hands to put the shorts on and he heard Susan moan as she watched from the other side.

"Susan!"

"I'm sorry! I was just relaxing on the lounge when I heard a woman's voice swearing. I noticed the hole in the panel and when I realized I could see you as well... it... it was mesmerizing! I haven't witnessed anything like that... ever," she finished with a gasp.

Ben's face was hot with embarrassment. "That was... a very private moment!"

There was a pause. "You didn't choose a very private place for it nor were you trying to be very quiet."

Trish grinned at him and he begrudgingly had to acknowledge the truth in that.

"I didn't mean to spy on you but I must admit I'm not sorry I did. That was one of the most erotic experiences I've ever had in my life," Susan admitted.

Trish's grin just got wider and Ben scowled. He was tired of getting this kind of attention from strangers. "I'm going in for a shower," he said to the redhead. She stayed behind to speak with their neighbor.

As Ben rinsed his body under the spray his thoughts turned inwards once more. He just wanted to go back to the anonymity of his past but more and more that seemed like an impossibility.

He wasn't sure if dining with the celebrities tonight was going to make matters better or worse.

Chapter 9

The Silver Moon restaurant was lovely and at the moment loud with the laughter and chatter from the arriving celebrities. Not all the patrons were happy about this.

Dream's entourage had arrived and a large section of the dining area had been set aside for them. The men and women were dressed in their best tropical evening wear and once again plenty of gold chain and rings were on display.

Ben wore a black silk shirt over dark grey slacks and Trish wore an off the shoulder sleeveless red sheath dress which showed a lot of skin. This display made Ben's grey slacks too tight in the groin area much to her delight.

Rochelle had been successful in finding a lovely gold dress in the boutique. It too showed a lot of cleavage and leg and she'd grinned when she saw Ben's appreciative look. She'd given him a big hug and thanked him again. Trish just shook her head and watched Ben from behind her friend.

The moment the three of them entered the dining room Thomas stood and walked over to meet them. He gave Ben and Trish a smile and a hello but his eyes were drawn to Rochelle as hers were drawn to him. He led them back to the main table where they'd reserved some seats for them.

Thomas looked to Ben to see his reaction at Rochelle's chair being next to himself. He relaxed when Ben simply moved to the chair he was offered, across from Dream. Trish sat across from La'Shia whose black shimmery dress clung to her toned body like a second skin. Her nipple piercings were immediately evident. Ben glanced at Dream after pulling his eyes from his fiancé and saw the man was smiling.

"Yes, she's captivatingly beautiful isn't she!" he boasted.

La'Shia smiled indulgently at her man and took his hand in hers.

"Truly lovely! You're a lucky man!" Ben nodded and Dream's smile widened.

"That's a beautiful ring!" La'Shia said admiring the large ruby on Trish's finger. The redhead beamed a smile and presented her hand for the other woman to get a better look. La'Shia's slim eyebrows rose as she took in the quality and quantity of the stones.

"Ben chose it for me when he was in Paris," she said with a smile.

"We just got back from doing a show there. Did you two enjoy Paris?" Dream asked.

"Oh, I wasn't on that trip. I was working," Trish admitted.

La'Shia smiled at Ben. "You have excellent taste in jewellery!"

Dream looked confused. He looked over at Rochelle. "Were you with Ben in Paris?"

"No, I was working as well. Ben went with a few other neighbors and Tina."

Dream's eyes swung back to Ben. "Who's Tina?"

Ben paused. He could feel this conversation sliding off the rails but there was nothing he could do. "She's the woman I live with. My fiancé."

La'Shia released Trish's hand quickly and leaned back in surprise. Dream's eyes widened and Thomas looked a little upset.

Trish held up her hands. "Before everyone jumps to the wrong conclusion, Tina is aware of Ben's relationship with the other women in his life. He is deeply in love with Tina as she is with him. He also loves me... and a few others."

Thomas looked at Rochelle in confusion.

"Rochelle is a very dear friend of mine. That's... the extent of our relationship." Ben said uncomfortably but saw Thomas relax somewhat as Rochelle smiled tentatively at the man.

"I suppose I should have expected your status as a player considering the statue-" Dream grinned.

"I'm not a player and I wish I'd never posed for that damn statue," Ben growled with a scowl.

Trish took Ben's hand as Rochelle jumped to his defense. "It's true Ben's in a relationship with multiple women but he's anything but a player. He's in love with these women and each is fully aware of his relationships with the others. He respects them and is there for them when they need help. He wouldn't do anything to hurt a woman."

La'Shia was watching Ben's expression and saw the truth written there. "Why did you pose for the statue?"

Ben looked at her in surprise and saw her curiosity. He could give her an answer. "The artist had recently experienced a... horrible and traumatic event and lost her desire to make art. She's the cousin of Gabriella, one of the women I love. The artist is blind but she's incredibly talented. Her previous sculptures were far more abstract. When I agreed to let her sculpt me it was to help her rekindle her love of art and I was really expecting it to be abstract, not such a freaking accurate copy of me! I mean, she's blind!"

"You don't like the sculpture?" La'Shia asked.

"As art goes, I suppose it's good. But I hate what it's done to my privacy! I want nothing to do with fame or notoriety yet I have the press chasing me and anyone associated with me." Ben growled.

The table went quiet and Dream began to laugh. Ben looked at him in confusion.

"We couldn't be further apart if we tried. Polar opposites! Black and white!" Dream blurted and the table erupted in laughter. Even Ben couldn't keep the smile off his face at that one.

Ben nodded. "Ok, I get it. Your business is driven by public attention so any kind of attention can drive revenue. You can make it work for you. But I'm a mechanical engineer. My business doesn't require fame and I didn't get famous from my work."

One of Dream's group was standing by the table and leaned in towards Ben with a smile that showed off at least three gold teeth but didn't seem to reach his cold eyes. Tall, with a well-muscled but lean frame, the dark skin of his bare arms was tattooed with black bands and swirls. He also had some facial tattoos which could have been warrior tats. "You're fame began when you wasted the motherfucking slavers in Paris."

Ben turned to face the man more directly and saw he was holding his hand out. Ben took a grip and shook it.

"Name's Night and I'm a fan of your work. Iced six of the bastards to save the bitches." the man said emotionlessly and Ben felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. He released the grip.

"There were only four slavers and I saved women, not bitches," Ben replied as he held the man's unwavering gaze. Finally Night shrugged and moved off but not until he'd taken a good look at Trish's tits.

"OH MY GOD! That was you?!?" La'Shia gasped.

Ben turned his attention back to his dining companions and nodded reluctantly. Trish took his hand once more and he immediately felt himself relax. He glanced at her gratefully.

"Ben doesn't like to talk about it. He did save three young girls who'd just been kidnapped and two who were in their twenties and had been slaves since they'd been kids themselves. He adopted the two older girls and is helping them get their lives back. They're really sweet girls," she said. The others looked back at Ben excitedly. He needed to change the subject.

"What's Night's story?" Ben asked Dream. The man shifted uneasily.

"He's a creep-" La'Shia began but Dream gave her a sharp look.

"He's one of my crew. We go way back. He's had a harder time than the rest of us. Leave it at that," he said gruffly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to start anything. If you don't mind I'd love any advice you have on what I could do to protect my privacy. I'm sure you have to deal with that," Ben asked.

Dream nodded, feeling more comfortable now that Ben was looking to him for advice. "I have a publicist who manages my exposure and lets me know when there are good opportunities to maintain my position in the public's attention. We wanted a little privacy for this wedding so we chose this location. Off-season but still beautiful. Less people here to leak out the story."

A short man with a close cropped beard walked over to their table. "Dream! Me and the boys are signing up for ATV riding tomorrow. You in?"

"Fuck yeah, I'm in!" He looked over to his brother but Thomas just shook his head with a smile and went back to talking with Rochelle. Dream looked across the table. "Ben? Care to join us?" he asked.

"Only if Trish is going. She's ridden them before," he replied.

Dream looked at her with raised eyebrows. She grinned.

"My husband and I used to do all of the outdoor sports, the riskier the better."

"Husband?" La'Shia asked.

"Died in a plane crash almost a year ago," Trish said. "Wait, what time would we be back? We have a spa session at 2PM."

"It's from 11 until 1," the bearded man replied. "

"That works. We're in. Any other ladies along for the ride?" Trish looked across at La'Shia who laughed.

"No, I'm not going out to play with the boys," she chuckled then paused. She turned her eyes to her fiancé. "Why don't you take Boca?" she suggested, challenge in her eyes.

Dream's eyes flashed to the beauty next to him. He saw the message in her eyes and nodded. Without looking away from her he spoke to his friend. "Style, tell Boca she's coming with us tomorrow."

The man, Style, grinned and headed away to speak with the Hispanic woman. She looked up in surprise as Style delivered the message then looked over to their table afterwards. She nodded without smiling then shied away from La'Shia's intense stare.

Ben could see there was an undercurrent of tension, maybe even hostility, between the mocha skinned woman across the table and the petite tattooed woman. He really didn't want to get involved in the drama. That seemed to be something else those hungry for fame craved. Some used this drama in their art.

The waiters arrived and saved him from having to deal with it.

The meal was excellent and conversation returned to simpler, less volatile topics. Travel, family, home life, art, and musical tastes. Rochelle was quick to describe how her son was a fan of Dream's music and her daughter was a big fan of La'Shia.

Ben saw that Rochelle and Thomas were clicking and he felt better.

They were still talking at 11:30PM and enjoying some ice cream as the dinner ran out of steam. Most of the 'crew' had already retired for the night, all of them leaving with one of the ladies with the exception of Night who left early and alone. He also noted that the 'extra' ladies with the exception of Boca had left. The woman had spent most of the night speaking with no one but with her face buried in a worn paperback. The other women seemed to be shunning her. He recalled La'Shia's reaction to her.

Dream and his fiancé finally announced they were going up to their room so everyone stood and said their good nights. Rochelle and Thomas wandered off to the bar to continue their conversation. Ben noticed 'Boca' was still alone at her table still reading. He looked at Trish. They wandered over to speak with her.

"Hello," Ben said.

Lovely brown eyes looked up at him over her book. When she folded the page corner down and closed it Ben noticed it was Vladimir Nabokov's 'Lolita'.

"Hello," she responded with a surprisingly gravelly voice and he recognized a distinct Spanish accent.

"I'm Ben Shepherd and this is Trish Campbell."

"Rain Palomo." She held out her hand so Ben shook it and Trish did as well.

"La'Shia said your name was Boca," Ben said curiously.

Rain looked at the table surface, sighed and nodded. "Yes. That's the name they gave me."

"Why would they give you a name? Are you a member of the band?" he asked.

Rain looked up at him with a tired expression.

"I'm sorry if I've said something wrong. I just noticed you arrived with Dream's group but you seem to be separate from it somehow."

She grimaced and nodded. "I guess I work... freelance for the label. His manager... hired me to come along. I'm not exactly... popular with the other women." She stood. Ben saw her 'dress' was just a long sleeveless t-shirt with a belt. "I should be going. It was nice meeting you."

They all left the restaurant and walked back to the lobby. Rain stopped to speak with the reception clerk while Trish spoke with the concierge to find out about where and when they'd join the ATV group in the morning. The clerk went into the back room and returned with a dusty green army duffle bag which had been mended multiple times. He passed it over the counter to the woman.

Ben overheard Rain asking if a room key had been left for her and the clerk said no. Rain's shoulders slumped.

"Are there any available rooms?" he asked and Rain looked at him in surprise.

"I'm afraid not sir. The rooms of the north building are being renovated during the slow season so our available rooms are restricted to the south building and we're booked solid."

Trish looked at Ben with a grin. She knew Ben was in rescue mode. "The couch in our room folds out as a bed," she suggested.

Rain looked at Trish next. "You don't have to-"

"Are you planning on sleeping on the beach?" Ben asked. "You can crash on our fold out until we can make alternate arrangements."

Rain was looking at him with a nervous frown.

"No strings attached." Trish offered. "Ben just does this kind of thing."

Looking out into the darkness of the forest outside Rain saw she really didn't have much choice. Ben was a really big guy and his scars were a little scary but his eyes...

"Ok, sure. Thanks!" Rain said watching his reaction. Her creep radar didn't go off at all so she felt a little better.

Ben led the way up the stairs to their hallway. He saw Susan trying desperately to get Ted up the last flight of stairs. He moved forward quickly when he saw the older man suddenly begin to wobble on the stairs. It was all Susan could do to keep them both from falling. Ben gently braced them both then took Ted from Susan's arms and she smiled gratefully in relief.

He was about to ask if the man needed medical help when he smelled the alcohol on him. The old bastard was shit faced. Ben frowned.

"Go on ahead and get your door open and I'll bring him inside," he said to the woman. With a nod she climbed the last flight and moved down the hall to her room as Ben lifted the drunk man in his arms. Rain looked on in astonishment as she and Trish followed them up the stairs.

"He really does do this stuff all the time!" Rain said quietly to Trish.

"Yup," she replied with a grin.

"He have some kind of hero complex?" she whispered and Trish stopped her in the hall to look at her seriously.

"We think it may be something like that but Ben doesn't like to be called a hero. For him he does good things because they need to be done and he can do them. We've learned not to make a fuss or praise him too much as that just upsets him." Trish explained.

"Upsets him? Is he dangerous? To women?" Rain said in a worried tone.

Trish snorted and Rain's eyes widened. "Sorry. No, Ben would walk through a burning building before he'd hurt a woman. If someone else hurts a woman though, he'd better hope Ben doesn't catch him. Ben can be violent but only in response to violence."

"Still, that sounds like something he should be speaking to someone about!" Rain pushed.

Trish nodded. "He has been and will be again once we return from our trip." She paused to look at Rain. "If you're wondering if you're safe with Ben I can honestly say there is no safer place to be."

Ben carried Ted through the doorway and set him down carefully on the bed. The older man tried to punch Ben ineffectually once he was on the mattress but Ben just leaned away and the flailing limbs missed.

"Fucking bgg mther..." Ted mumbled then promptly fell asleep.

Susan stood next to Ben and looked down in disgust at her husband.

"Does he normally drink this much?" Ben asked.

"No. He lost the golf tournament against his partner. They play every year and this year, the first time ever, Ted lost. He spent the rest of the day in the bar. That's why he was so nasty when he first met you in the hall. Truthfully though, Ted's a fucking asshole."

Ben looked at her in surprise.

"What? Can't a lady swear from time to time?" Susan asked with a grin.

"I'm not judging, it just seems odd to hear those words coming from such an elegant and classy woman," Ben admitted.

"We all have our secret sides though, don't we," Susan teased. She looked up at Ben. "Thank you again." She stepped forward and pulled him into a tight full body hug. Her hands were a little lower than he was comfortable with and she squeaked oddly when he wrapped her in his arms and put his hands on her but she released him after a time with a happy sigh.

Ben stepped back out into the hall and saw Trish and Rain waiting for him. "Didn't you bring your key?"

Trish looked at her tight dress and smirked. "I didn't have room for it."

He let them into the room and when the door closed Trish looked back at him with a grin. "So, did she try to thank you with a blow job?"

"What?!? No!" Ben exclaimed as his face burned.

Trish turned to Rain. "That nice lady peeped on Ben and I when we had hot sex on the balcony. She 'played along' and scored the best orgasm she'd ever had."

"TRISH!" Ben cried out in shock, his face getting hotter by the second.

"It's ok Ben. Susan and I had a good talk when you went inside. She's a lovely woman and today she learned she's a voyeur! Her husband's lost all interest in her and she's found a new way to get a little happiness! I think that's wonderful!"

Rain was smiling at Trish and watching Ben's flustered expression.

"I'm... I'm happy for her. Well, I'm going to get ready for bed," he said as he pulled some boxers from his luggage. With his new room guest he couldn't sleep in the buff as he'd become accustomed to. He made his way into the bathroom and got ready for bed. He'd wear the finger brace as he slept as it protected him from hurting it in his sleep.

When he came back out Trish was unfolding the sofa bed and Rain was helping her. That was fine except that both were only wearing their panties.

"Geezus!"

Rain looked up. "Sorry, I can't wear anything more than this when I sleep. It feels too constrictive."

"I have no problem with it." Trish said as she continued to set up the bed, her heavy tits swaying under her body as she leaned over the sofa bed.

Rain's body was all lean muscle and she was almost as petite as Tina and Tina's breasts were larger.

Tattoos. So many tattoos. They didn't end at her arms but were on her chest, stomach, back and legs. Unlike Lucy's Japanese theme, Rain's art contained a number of different styles. Multiple artists with different skill levels had worked on these.

Ben realized he was staring at her chest and Rain was staring back at his.

"So many scars!" she breathed. "What happened?"

Ben grunted and climbed into the bed. He didn't want to talk about it.

"A knife wielding drunken lunatic attacked Ben at home. We almost lost him but he's a survivor.

He flipped on his side facing away from the ladies and Rain gasped. "What happened to his back?"

"A shotgun wielding drunken lunatic attacked Ben in France."

"He is a survivor!" Rain exclaimed.

"Could we not talk about this, please?" Ben pleaded.

"Sorry Ben," Trish said contritely.

"Sleep well, Rain," Ben called out.

"Are you an early riser?" Trish asked her quietly.

"Yes, I usually go for a run," Rain admitted.

Trish grinned. This was going to work out better than she thought.

Chapter 10

Ben walked along the beach feeling the wet sand squish between his toes and the gentle waves dance over his feet. He felt at peace. In the far distance he could just make out Trish and Rain jogging along the shore.

He had company as well. When they got to the beach they found Susan standing at the edge of the water. She'd accepted his invitation to walk with him as the other two ladies jogged away. She was wearing a white two piece bikini with a gauzy wrap around her hips. Aside from her full breasts, round ass, and a slight belly her body was fairly toned. Best of all, she was comfortable with her body and her self-confidence was refreshing.

He'd worn a pair of board shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. They carried their sandals as they walked in the water.

"You seem to have a new companion this morning," Susan noted.

Ben glanced at her and saw the slightest of smiles on her lips. "Uh, yes. We met her at dinner last night. She discovered she didn't have a room so we let her use our sofa bed."

Susan looked at Ben in surprise. "You just met her last night and you gave her a place to sleep in your room?"

He looked back. "Yes. Why is that surprising?"

"She's a stranger!"

"So are you!"

Susan smiled gently. "Yes, of course you're right. Somehow though, it doesn't feel like that for me."

Ben blushed and looked out at the waves.

"I'm sorry if I upset you by watching yesterday. The fact that you were outside on the balcony and being so loud gave me the wrong impression. It seemed like you two were comfortable with being seen," Susan said.

"The grounds were so empty in the rainstorm it felt like we were the only ones around. Then Trish got me going and I couldn't think of anything else," he said with a shrug.

Susan smiled. "She has a lot of energy."

Ben grinned fondly. "Yes, she's a live wire."

"Did she tell you about our conversation?" she asked.

He nodded, unsure how to respond. He was still a little unnerved to hear someone so... wholesome looking speaking about her sexual needs.

"I've never been a risk taker, dynamic like Trish. I lived a very comfortable and dull life with the wrong man. Too many years lost to that cold fish. When I get home I'm filing for divorce." Susan said firmly.

Ben looked at her and saw she was excited by the prospect. "Good for you!"

She smiled up at Ben. "I have you and Trish to thank for my new decisiveness. What I experienced yesterday woke something in me. I learned things about myself. I like the new me."

He smiled at her. "That's a very positive attitude!"

They smiled at each other and walked in silence along the beach, soaking in the wind, waves and the beauty of the early morning sunrise. They reached a natural turn around and began to head back.

"Would you care to join us for breakfast this morning?" Ben asked.

"It would be lovely to have company for breakfast! Thank you! Ted's in miserable pain from his hangover so he won't leave the room until after lunch," Susan explained.

Ben nodded and they continued on their way.

As they approached the grounds they heard the thump of fast moving feet and breathless giggling and looked back to see Trish and Rain sprinting towards them, racing to be first. Trish's legs were so much longer than Rain's but the smaller woman ran like the wind. They both reached Ben at the same time and the three of them went down in the sand in a big giggling, panting pile.

Ben felt the two women lying across his body which began to react. "Ok, that's enough. Let me up!" he gasped. In the scramble to get to their feet, areas of his body were touched and squeezed but he couldn't tell by whom. Susan watched with a delighted grin on her face.

He shook the sand from his trunks and shirt as he scowled at the grinning faces of the panting ladies. "So, you enjoyed your run?"

"Yes! It was amazing!" Trish gasped.

"Very much!" Rain said.

"Rain's a psychologist!" Trish gushed. Rain smiled at the woman.

"But... you're so young!" Ben said in confusion.

Trish laughed. "I said the same thing. How old do you think she is?"

Ben looked at her again. "...Twenty... one?"

Rain grinned. "Twenty eight."

Ben blinked in surprise. "I never would have guessed that."

Rain's smile dimmed. "Yes, well, that's one of the reasons I'm here instead of working in a clinic or a hospital."

"Nobody believes you are old enough to have the credentials?" Susan asked and Rain nodded.

"This is Susan..." Ben looked at her as he realized he didn't know her last name.

"Tate."

"Susan, this is Rain Palomo," Ben finished.

The two women shook hands.

"Everyone ready for breakfast?" he asked and got smiles all around.

They made their way back to their rooms. Trish sent Ben into the shower first.

He was shampooing his hair when he felt Trish's tits press against his back. "Trish, I'll be finished in a moment. We don't have time for this."

He was unable to see with the shampoo in his eyes but he felt her hands slide down his stomach and cup his balls.

"Geezus Ben! Your balls are so heavy! Are they full of cum for me?" she breathed in his ear as she pressed her body against his back. His cock began to thicken and she purred as she felt it grow.

"Trish! Fuck, we don't have time!" Ben said quietly, conscious of their guest in the next room, and tried to guide his hair under the shower so he could rinse the soap away and clear his eyes. He hadn't seen Trish redirect the showerhead downwards away from him.

Her hand took a grip of his cock at the base and the other slid up towards the head.

"Gah! Oh fuck! Trish! Geezus!" he moaned from the amazing stroking of his cock as her tits rubbed his back, the stiff nipples pulling against the roughness of his scars.

Ben's mind was flooding with the bliss of her hands on his cock until it reached maximum hardness. He couldn't think straight. When she took him all the way in her mouth, forcing his thick hard flesh down into her tight throat Ben's mind whited out. He groaned and his body shook with the intensity of the sensation. Again and again his cock was forced down the tight passage. He could feel his balls tighten in anticipation.

"FUCK! OH FUCK! TRISH! WAIT! Wait... wait... what?"

Trish's tits were still pressed against his back... so how...

Ben reached up and roughly wiped the soap from his eyes and blinked blearily down at the chestnut hair bobbing over his cock, swallowing it deep one final time. It was too much and his balls said now!

"AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!" Ben's body tensed and he pulled back from the petite brunette but she had a double handed grip on his throbbing cock just as streams of cum shot out to splash against her tongue and across her face.

Rain milked him aggressively, her soft lips caressing the sensitive head, and his muscles jumped and shook as Trish hugged him tight against her body, kissing his broad shoulders.

As his orgasm subsided he reached up for the showerhead and redirected it at his hair. He rinsed the shampoo away and wiped his face to clear his eyes.

He looked down and saw Rain smiling uncertainly up at him. "Trish," he growled.

"Rain just wanted to thank you for taking her in last night. We got to talking as we ran and we both thought it would be so hot to share the shower with you. She told me about her talented mouth. That's why they call her Boca, by the way. It means mouth in Spanish."

"A simple thank you would have sufficed," he grumbled and twitched as the woman sensually kissed his semi-rigid cock. "Stop!"

Rain stood up and pressed her small body against his chest, her warm brown eyes looking up at him with a desperate need in them. His cock was trapped between them and throbbed as it thickened once more. Rain's thick eyelashes fluttered as she felt that. "Please," she pleaded softly. She gently bit her lip.

Ben was trapped between his discomfort at being naked before yet another stranger, his need to give her what she needed, and his own lust.

Trish stepped back as he bent his knees and cupped his hands under Rain's muscular ass cheeks. He lifted her light body and her legs automatically wrapped around his hips.

He slid two fingers over her pussy lips and found her to be very wet. She gasped and her mouth was on his, her tongue exploring deep. He tangled her tongue with his and sucked on it and she clung to him even tighter, grinding against his cock.

He lifted her higher and he felt Trish's hand on his cock as she knelt beside them, guiding him into Rain's wet pussy. He lowered her down slowly and felt the head force its way inside. Rain pulled back from the kiss and her mouth dropped open.

"Ohhhh Ben! Oh god! You're... Fuck! You're big!"

He raised and lowered her in small increments, slowly easing his cock into her incredibly tight pussy. He started to doubt he'd get more than a few inches inside. Finally he stopped with just the head and two inches of his shaft inside.

"OhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGod..." Rain wailed as her entire body trembled atop his cock. "So full!"

Trish saw she'd only taken a small amount of it so she stood and leaned close to Rain's ear. "Angel, you've only got the tip."

Rain's eyes flew open and she turned to look at Trish in dismay. "Qué? N-no! Es imposible! He's so deep!" Her trembling got worse.

"Shhh, it's ok. We don't have to go any further," Ben said calmly and kissed her cheek.

"I- I don't understand. I can feel you filling me completely!" Rain gasped.

"How big are the cocks of Dream's crew? Have you had difficulty taking any of them deep?" Trish asked and Ben's face began to burn as he stared incredulously at Trish's curious expression.

"No- I- I don't do this with them. Only oral," Rain said with a shaky voice. She tried to lift herself so Ben helped her until only the head was inside.

"F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-Fuckkkkkk! Ohhhhh!Ohhhhh!Ohhhhh!Ohhhhh!Ohhhhh!Ohhhhh!" Rain began shaking so he lowered her down a little until he reached the same depth as before. Her trembling slowed.

"I think we should stop. I don't think you're ready for someone my size," Ben said cautiously.

Trish knelt behind Rain and tilted her face up.

Ben suddenly felt a tongue lapping against his cock and he moaned as it felt so good. Trish began licking where his cock met Rain's pussy and she cried out in bliss but Ben felt her tightening up on him. Not the route to go.

Trish moved her tongue up to Rain's tight little asshole and she began to fuck her with her tongue.

"AAAAHHHH!!! OOHHH GGOOOODD!!! FFFUUUUCCCCKKKK!" Rain cried out and Ben felt an odd rippling sensation in her pussy then she sunk another inch down his shaft.

Her tongue forced deep into the brunette's ass, Trish rubbed her own clit in rapid circles. This was so fucking hot!

Wailing constantly now Rain clung to Ben as he began to lift and drop her on the top half of his cock. It felt incredible for him but considering Rain's eyes were rolling back she was going to reach her limit first. Sure enough three strokes later she went into convulsions and Trish had to pull away. He lifted Rain clear of his cock and ground her against his body while she shook and trembled through her release.

She finally slumped forward to rest her head on his shoulder.

"Oh my god Ben, Trish! That was intense! All my muscles are limp," she moaned.

Trish turned off the shower and he carried the brunette out of the shower stall. There was an odd thump sound outside the bathroom door and Ben looked to Trish.

"Maybe Rochelle is back?" she suggested.

Ben frowned and wrapped some towels around Rain. He carried her out into the room but Rochelle wasn't there. He gently laid the beauty down on the bed and spread a towel out on the bed next to her. Trish followed them out and Ben turned to face her. She looked down at his cock and bit her lip anxiously. He was still hard as iron.

He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply and she moaned feeling his need pressing against her. She squeaked when Ben lifted her and laid her out on the bed next to Rain. He pushed her legs up to her chest causing her hips to raise off the bed. He ran his tongue roughly across her wet pussy and she cried out.

"Oh FUCK! Ben! Yessssss! So good!"

Before she could prepare he knelt on the bed and pressed the head of his cock against her wet lips. The moment they parted and accepted him he slammed forward until he was as deep as he could go.

"FFFFUUUUUCCCKKKK!!!! OH BEN! YES!" Trish cried.

He began to drive himself into her with long, fast thrusts as she clung to the sheets. Ben's pelvis slapped Trish's clit with each stroke and she was in heaven. She was so close!

"Yes Ben! Yes! So FUCKING GOOD! MOTHERFUCKER! POUND ME!" she growled and his thrusting sped up to a brutal pace. She began to wail incoherently as he rapidly slapped her clit against himself.

"FFFFUCKING CUMMINNNNNGGGG SSSOOOOOO HHHAARRDDD!!!! MOTHERFFFFUUUUCCKKERR!!!" Trish cried out as her release tore through her.

Ben drove himself in and rocked his hips against hers, over stimulating her clit, as he shot his cum deep inside her.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!" Trish screamed as she overloaded.

They gasped for breath as they came down from their mutual highs.

There was a sudden pounding on the door. Ben looked at Trish as his breathing came in big gulps. There was a second series of bangs on the door. Ben pulled his semi-rigid cock from Trish and made his way to the closet to get his robe to answer the door. He slid it open and jumped back in surprise as Susan was inside. She looked up at him with a hot smile as she tried to catch her own breath. Her face was flushed and she was panting. The hammering on the door continued so she handed him his robe and he slipped it on as she admired his cock.

Ben cinched the robe closed and opened the door. In the hall was Ted, looking very queasy but also very angry. He couldn't open his eyes very far due to the pain from his hangover but he was trying to glare at Ben.

"If you are going to rut like fucking animals do it out in the jungle, you big fucking ape! Civilized people are trying to sleep here! No one wants to hear your disgusting sex noises!" Ted barked.

Susan slipped around Ben's side to step out into the hall and push Ted back as he stared at her incredulously.

"Speak for yourself, you old fossil," she spat. She looked back at Ben with a sweet smile. "See you downstairs for breakfast in fifteen, Ben?"

Ben just nodded. Ted looked back at him, his eyes wide as saucers. Ben shrugged and closed the door.

The breakfast buffet was huge and Ben had to restrain his urge to fill his plate with his favorites. Without his daily exercise routine he didn't want to blow his diet as well. He spotted Susan sitting alone at a table sipping tea as she looked out over the beach. Ben carried his plate over to her table.

"May I join you?"

"Of course Ben! Please," she said with a smile.

He got himself situated across from her and looked at her smiling face. She seemed happy and content.

"So... Trish?"

She nodded. "After you went into the shower she knocked on my door and invited me over."

Ben shook his head with a frown. Trish the imp. Always pushing him outside of his comfort zones.

Susan looked into her tea cup. "I'm sorry. I'm aware that you aren't... happy about my... invasion of your privacy but... when she offered I- I just couldn't resist." She smiled cautiously at him. "I've never felt like this before. For the first time in my life I feel truly alive!"

Ben nodded but used his fork to push some fruit around his plate. "I know it may not appear this way but I'm a very private person. Shy and pretty reserved. I'm not really that comfortable around strangers. Public intimacy is particularly difficult for me. Trish is the opposite of me and I know she means well. She's always trying to draw me from my shell. Unfortunately she sometimes uses rather extreme measures."

Susan looked around the restaurant but couldn't find the woman in question. "Where are Trish and Rain?"

Ben looked at his plate. "They're... recuperating. They'll be down later," he said quietly and Susan grinned at him over her tea.

"How did it go with Ted?" Ben asked to change the topic.

"He flipped his lid but I told him I had no time for his noise." She smiled at the memory. "He looked like a fish out of water, mouth opening and closing silently, eyes bulging."

"Your coming out of my room isn't going to cause you any grief with the divorce is it?" Ben asked, worried.

Susan caught his look and patted his hand with a smile. "Don't worry. He made me sign a prenup agreement when we got married and I ensured it protected me as well. It's iron clad. The income from the company I inherited from my parents is completely in my name. He gets none of my savings when I cut him loose. He retains all of his personal holdings but the few debts we have are in his name too. I'll walk away from those as well."

Ben spotted Rochelle and Thomas wander into the restaurant. He waved and they walked over to the table.

"Good morning Ben!" Rochelle smiled.

"Good morning Ben." Thomas said, watching for his reaction.

Ben stood and gave Rochelle a quick kiss on the cheek and shook Thomas' hand. "Good morning to you both. May I introduce Susan Tate? She's staying in the room next to mine."

Susan shook their hands and said her good mornings.

"Would you care to join us? It's a buffet so you just fill your plates."

"Where's Trish?" Rochelle asked looking around.

"She's- she'll be down in a little while," Ben stuttered as his face warmed up and Rochelle grinned knowingly. Thomas was watching the interplay with a curious expression.

"We'll get our food and join you in a bit." Rochelle said.

When they were alone Susan looked across at Ben. "You aren't very good at telling little white lies."

He shook his head with a scowl. "I don't lie."

She snorted. "Oh come on! Everyone lies. Harmless little lies which smooth over social awkwardness."

"I don't believe any lie can be truly called harmless. I'd rather be socially awkward and maintain my integrity," Ben explained.

She looked at him with raised eyebrows. "That must lead to difficulties."

He nodded and concentrated on his breakfast.

Rochelle and Thomas returned with their breakfasts and took the empty seats. Once they were settled Ben caught Thomas' attention.

"Do you know anything about the woman that flew down with your brother's group yesterday? Hispanic woman with lots of tattoos. Her name is Rain Palomo though the group calls her 'Boca'."

Thomas nodded. "Yes, we met at the airport. Danny said his manager hired her to travel with them but he didn't tell me what she does. No one seems to talk with her. The women certainly don't."

"Yes, they don't like her apparently. Last night as we left the restaurant we spoke with her at the reception desk. She had nowhere to sleep last night. She slept on our sofa bed."

Thomas looked at Ben in surprise. "You let her sleep in your room? A woman you just met?"

Rochelle patted the man's hand. "Ben is all about rescuing damsels in distress. Or anyone in distress for that matter."

"That's really nice of you. I'll speak with Danny to see if he can make arrangements for her to sleep on someone else's sofa bed. You shouldn't be put out on your vacation," Thomas offered.

"No, it's ok. I don't want to force her out into a hostile environment. Besides Trish has found a jogging buddy and they've become fast friends. I just asked as I don't understand why she was put into the situation in the first place."

"I think you should ask her yourself. She just arrived with Trish," Thomas smiled then it slipped from his face. "I think they may have injured themselves when they went jogging this morning."

Ben looked over his shoulder and spotted the two ladies. They were indeed walking tenderly. Only he knew it had nothing to do with the jog.

His face warmed up and he waved them over. He flagged a waiter who slid a two seater table up against theirs. Trish eased herself down on the bench next to Ben and Rain carefully sat on the chair.

Rochelle was supressing her laughter. She knew exactly what this had been caused by and Ben's blush confirmed it. Susan's eyes were twinkling and she had the faintest of smiles on her lips. Rochelle wasn't sure what that meant.

Trish stuck her tongue out at Rochelle which caused her to snort and spray crumbs from her muffin across the table. Thomas leaned back in surprise but the crumbs never made it to him. Rochelle gasped.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Rochelle said.

"It's ok. You didn't get me," he said with a grin.

"I think you two should skip the ride this morning," Ben suggested.

Rochelle leapt from her chair and rushed away towards the rest rooms with her napkin held over her mouth as she lost control of her laughter.

Thomas watched Rochelle leave with a puzzled expression and turned to look at Ben whose face was red and he was avoiding his eyes. He looked to Trish who was smirking after her fleeing friend. She looked to Thomas and opened her mouth to explain.

"Trish!" Ben growled and she shrugged at Thomas.

"How would we go about cancelling the ATV's for Trish and Rain?" Ben asked trying to change the subject.

"Uh, I think Style was arranging it. You'd have to speak with him. I think I saw him over by the far side of the dining area as we came in."

Ben nodded and stood up to go find Style. If he remembered from the previous night the man was short and had a beard. He looked around and spotted a table of six of the crew. He recognized Killah, Night, the one Rochelle called Millionz, and Style. He wasn't sure about the other two. He walked up to the table.

"Good morning!" Ben said in greeting. He received several nods from the others but Killah returned his greeting. That done he turned to Style. "Excuse me, Style?" the man turned in his chair to look up at him. "Trish and Rain are not up to joining us for the ATV ride this morning. We'll need to cancel for them."

"Boca's coming," Night said.

Ben looked over at the man. "Rain's not well enough to handle the ride."

"Not your call. She works for us. Boca comes." Night repeated coldly.

Ben looked at Night who stared back at him, daring him to start something. Ben looked at the others and they were all looking uncomfortable. Night snorted dismissively and went back to eating his breakfast.

He had no desire to get into a pissing contest with the punk so Ben walked back to his table. Rochelle was sitting next to Thomas and she spotted the frustration on Ben's face immediately.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I asked Style to cancel the ATV tour for Trish and Rain and Night told me Rain had to come. I explained she wasn't well but he told me it wasn't my call and that she was going." He looked over at Rain and she glanced back nervously. She was almost panicked. Thomas had a sour look on his face. "What the hell is going on? Why is everyone so scared of him?"

Thomas answered. "He's an old... friend of Danny's and... he gets his way. I don't know why Danny defends him. He's bad news, especially with women."

"Rain, you don't have to go. They don't own you," Ben said.

"Ben, I'm broke. I spent a fortune on my education but no one will hire me! I'm buried in debt! I need this paycheque! Yes... they do own me!" Rain said, a tear welling in her eye.

"How much is your student loan? How much are they paying you for this trip?" Ben asked.

She looked at him bleakly. "I owe a little more than $82,000. They're paying me $15,000 to stay with the crew through the entire tour. I just have two more weeks to go then I get paid."

"How long have you been with them so far? Do you have a written contract?"

She looked at the table. "Three weeks. No, just a verbal one with Dream's manager."

"What do you do?" Thomas asked as his curiosity was driving him mad.

Rain glanced at Trish. "Physical therapy," she muttered.

"A euphemism for fluffer," Trish said.

"Trish," Ben admonished her with a frown as Rain bit her lip in pain. He knelt down next to Rain's chair. "Listen to me. I'm willing to buy out your contract. It's not California but I have a friend who's a hospital administrator back home. I'll give her a call and ask if she has any openings or has contacts that can find you a job. You'll have to prove yourself to them and you'll likely start at the bottom. I can also offer you a place to live while you pay off your debts. I'm renovating a house for my daughters and it will have extra rooms in it. Help around the house to keep it clean and that will cover your rent. Trish lives a few doors over so you would have a local jogging partner. What do you say?"

Rain looked into Ben's eyes in shock. Her mouth opened then closed. She looked at Rochelle's smiling face then to Trish who grinned at her.

"Say yes!" the redhead pushed.

"The-the catch?" she stuttered quietly.

"None," Ben said looking her straight in the eyes.

Rain struggled to swallow then looked at Ben cautiously. "If you're buying out my contract, what do you want me to do for it?"

Ben looked at Trish. "Keep this one out of trouble while we're here," he said with a smile.

"Hey!"

Ben caught Rain's eyes again. "Seriously, I'm not expecting you to do anything except keep us company. I wouldn't mind picking your brain about some psychology questions I have. What do you think?"

An enormous smile burst across Rain's face and she nodded quickly as tears pooled in her long lashes. Ben gave her a hug and she was trembling. He pulled back and smiled at her.

"I'll speak with Dream and let him know." He looked at Thomas. "I assume that's who I should speak to."

"I have no idea. Sorry," Thomas shrugged.

Ben stood up and made his way back to speak with Style. He saw Dream standing next to the table with La'Shia. Perfect.

"Good morning!" he said with a smile and the couple turned and greeted him in return.

"I wasn't sure who to speak to about this but I assume you have a direct line to your manager. Rain won't be continuing on with your group."

"THE FUCK YOU SAY! THE BITCH WORKS FOR US!" Night yelled and stood up to glare at Ben.

"I do say as she no longer works for you. She works for me," Ben replied calmly as he looked Night in the eye. He saw the man wasn't totally stable. That could be a problem. Night stormed out of the restaurant as the group watched nervously. They cast warning glances at Ben.

He turned to address the couple once more. "This is better for everyone involved as she wasn't happy and many of your group weren't happy she was along. We discovered last night that she had nowhere to sleep. Trish and I let her use our sofa bed."

"If she wasn't happy why did she take the job?" La'Shia snapped, upset at how bad it made them look that one of the people they were responsible for had been neglected.

"Student loans. She's been unable to get work in the field she studied for and she's drowning in debt." Ben replied. La'Shia's face showed her surprise. "It wasn't work she wanted to do but the payout would have made a big dent in her debt."

"If she quits, she doesn't get paid," Dream said stiffly. La'Shia looked at him in surprise.

"It was a verbal contract between her and your manager giving her no protection to get paid at the end at all. She must have been pretty desperate to take the job." Ben sighed. "I told her I would buy out her contract. She can earn her money by keeping Trish company on her jogs. I certainly can't keep up with the woman. I'm going to try to get Rain a job in her field when we get home and she can stay in a spare bedroom of the house I'm renovating for my daughters."

La'Shia stared at Ben. "Why are you doing this?"

"Why wouldn't I? She's an investment in the future. Filling the world with smarter, happier people just makes sense doesn't it? Isn't that a world you want to live in?" Ben asked.

"You gonna pay off her debts too?" Dream blurted angrily.

Ben stared at the man for a moment. "No. She'll pay off her own debts. She incurred them. By paying them off herself she'll earn a huge amount of self-respect. I'm just giving her the opportunity to succeed on her own."

La'Shia was glaring at her fiancé. "What is wrong with you?"

"Ben disrespected Night."

"If you can explain to me how freeing a woman from indentured servitude disrespects the man, I'm all ears," Ben said to Dream. He just scowled at Ben, pulled his arm from La'Shia's hand and left the restaurant, presumably to find his friend.

Killah stood, walked over to Ben and gave him an evaluating look. "A word of caution. Watch your back. Night's a crazy motherfucker. And dangerous. He'll get payback."

"For what? For preventing him from treating the woman as his personal sex slave?" Ben said in frustration. The big man looked him in the eye and nodded. Then he headed back to the buffet.

Ben looked at La'Shia who was still watching the door Dream left through. He turned to Style who was watching him nervously. "As well as Trish and Rain, you can cancel for me as well." Style just nodded.

As Ben turned to head back to his table La'Shia placed a hand on his arm. She had a pained expression in her eyes.

"I didn't understand until just now why Trent hired Boca."

"Rain," Ben corrected.

"Sorry, Rain. The ladies we invited along for the tour are in relationships with the crew or are friends. None will go near Night. Rain must have been hired for him as she... couldn't refuse."

Ben scowled and his facial scar flared. La'Shia pulled her hand back from Ben's arm as he suddenly made her nervous.

"That's over. She's free of him." He held her eyes then glanced at the others at the table as they watched him.

La'Shia nodded to Ben. He turned away and went back to his table.

"That didn't look too promising." Thomas said seeing Ben's angry look.

"No, it's fine. Message delivered. Rain is free." He looked at the timidly smiling woman. "Night is going to be a problem so please don't travel anywhere alone." Her smile dimmed but she nodded to him. Trish picked up Ben's anger.

"I'll be watching for him," she growled.

"Another damsel in distress rescued by the hero?" Thomas teased but was surprised to receive an angry glance from Ben. Rochelle caught the look and took Thomas' hand making him look her way. She quietly explained Ben's aversion to the term as the big man's attention moved elsewhere.

Ben gave himself a little shake and noticed neither woman had any food in front of them. "You haven't eaten yet?"

Trish winced and Rain bit her lip. Ben held up his hands. "Sit. I'll get you each a plate. What would you like?" The ladies smiled and gave him their order. A few minutes later he returned with their plates. They grinned as he served them like a waiter and dug in.

"So now that your morning is open what would you like to do with it?" Rochelle asked.

"Relaxing by the pool sounds nice," Ben suggested. Rochelle and Thomas nodded in agreement. Ben looked at Susan. "You are welcome to join us of course."

"Thank you!" she smiled.

Once the two ladies had eaten their breakfast they made their way back up to the room to change into their bathing suits. They told Susan to knock when she was ready.

Ben used the bathroom to switch into his board shorts and sandals but when he came out he saw Trish had changed into her red bikini that barely covered anything. She was pouting as she looked at Rain who was wearing a plain green bikini.

"Ben, Rain needs a new swim suit! This one does her no justice!" Trish complained.

"I think she looks lovely but there's a boutique in the lobby. No doubt you'll find some there. Charge it to my room." Ben said as he dumped their pool towels into a bag with the lotion bottles and looked for his sunglasses. He was surprised when Trish kissed his cheek and Rain tugged him down so she could kiss the other side.

"We'll meet you by the pool!" Trish said as she rushed out of the room with Rain in tow as quickly as their aching allowed. Susan was in the hall in her white bikini so Ben stepped out and they walked down to the pool at a more sedate pace.

They found and reserved six chairs next to the pool. Ben laid out their towels on the chairs and pulled a bottle of sunblock from the bag. He looked up and saw they'd get plenty of sun, for now at least.

"May I help you put lotion on your back?" Susan asked with a small smile.

Ben hesitated looking into her eyes then nodded. She gestured for him to sit so he sat at the end of a lounge chair and she straddled the chair a little further up behind him. She squirted some lotion in her hands and reached up to begin with the back of his neck.

As she rubbed the protection into his skin he worked the lotion over his face, the front of his neck then down his chest.

"Oh poo! You didn't wait for us!" Trish pouted as she saw them rubbing lotion onto his skin.

Ben looked over and froze as he saw the shiny fabric of Trish's red bikini gleaming in the sun, her large tits pressing firmly against the small fabric patches. Then he saw the tiny, sexy leopard pattern bikini Rain was wearing. The fabric just covered the essentials and multiple black strings held it in place. She looked... very sexy.

"So you approve of our choice?" Trish said with a smug expression. Rain's smile was dazzling. Trish had picked up new sunglasses, and sexy sandals for their new friend as well. She'd also bought gold dangly earrings for them both. Rain slowly spun in place showing Ben just how little skin on her back was covered. The bikini bottom was apparently a g-string as the black string disappeared between her firm ass cheeks. He swallowed and her smile just got bigger.

She leaned forward and gave him another kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Ben," Rain said breathily.

"You're welcome," he said. He dragged his attention back to applying sunblock on himself.

Thomas arrived with Rochelle on his arm and the group smiled at them. They settled in on the chairs next to Ben and began applying their own lotion.

When Susan and Ben were finished applying lotion to him Trish wiggled a bottle of sunscreen between her fingers as she grinned at Ben. He got up from the chair and thanked Susan for her help as she began to apply her own lotion. She nodded and he walked over to Trish. She stretched out on her stomach and reached back to undo the strings on her top.

"Work that lotion in all the way down." Trish cooed.

She managed to keep a coy smile on her lips until his hands began to knead and rub the skin on her neck and shoulders. Then she surrendered to the sensations and moaned as he massaged the slippery stuff into her skin.

"Take notes and get busy," Rochelle said to Thomas as she laid out on her lounge chair. He grinned and rubbed his hands together. Soon both Trish and Rochelle were moaning in bliss as the men applied lotion to their bodies.

When Ben was finished he turned to see Rain looking hopefully at him. He nodded and she squeaked with joy as she dropped onto her belly on the chair and undid the strings on her top. He worked the lotion into her skin as she bit her lips to stifle her moans as best she could.

"I didn't realize I was getting a massage too!" she managed to say between the happy noises she made.

When he reached her bottom he realized with so little fabric he was going to have to massage her incredible ass as well. He was already partially erect from the noises the ladies had been making and their silky smooth skin. There was nothing he could do about it. He poured some lotion on his palm and began.

Rain sucked in a breath as his large hands began to rub and knead her ass. When his fingers slid down into near proximity of her intimate places she struggled to contain her gasps and coos. She bit her lip and looked over at Trish who had a mischievous grin in her face. She knew! She knew Ben would do this to her! Trish really was an imp! She was so fucking close! As Ben's hands left her ass and moved down her legs she was trembling with need. She looked back at him and caught his eye.

Ben felt Rain squirming under his hands and he could tell she was really worked up. Truthfully he'd spent more time on her ass than was strictly necessary but it was so damn sexy. He saw her desperate look when he moved his hands down to her legs. She must have been closer than he thought. He glanced around but the pool area was becoming busy with other guests taking the chairs nearby and staff moving amongst the chairs to take orders. While Trish and Susan were watching with rapt attention they were also getting glances from the other guests. He realized there was nothing he could do for Rain at the moment.

With an apologetic look he moved his hands down her legs and she moaned quietly in disappointment.

Rain looked over at Trish who was doing her best to stifle her laughter. It had been her idea to get the g-string. She knew how worked up Ben would make her. Grinning wickedly at the smugly happy redhead Rain began to plot her revenge.

Ben got up and made his way back to his lounge. He was showing against his swimsuit and Susan admired the view.

"Would you like me to return the favor and get your back?" Ben asked to distract her and she beamed a smile at him with a nod.

She laid on her stomach and Ben plucked the ties undone on her top, folding it open. She squeaked in surprise as she hadn't expected him to do that. She looked over her shoulder and saw Ben's embarrassment.

"I- I'm sorry. I assumed you'd want to avoid tan lines too," he said.

"It's ok... leave it open," she said, feeling a happy tingle spreading through her pussy. She felt so naughty! When his strong hands touched her skin bolts of electricity shot through her body deliciously but she managed to stifle her moans. Most of them.

Ben made his way from her neck and shoulders and worked downwards. She wasn't wearing a g-string so he didn't spend so much time on her ass but by the time he was finishing up on her feet she was purring. She smiled at him so he laid down on his own lounge chair and relaxed. He saw he was still tenting his trunks but he was fed up with trying to hide the damn overactive thing. He closed his eyes and just listened to the sounds around him. Soon he was lulled by the heat of the sun, the sound of the water lapping at the side of the pool and the quiet murmur of conversation around the pool. He dozed off.

"BEN!"

He jolted awake to see concerned brown eyes looking down at him. It was Rain and Trish was standing behind her.

"What? What's wrong?" he gasped. He realized he was sweating profusely and he was gasping for breath.

"You must have fallen asleep. You were having a nightmare. We heard you calling out in your sleep." Rain said. "Can you recall what you were dreaming about?"

Ben's head snapped to the side as images of fire and the sound of screams flashed through his mind. Then it was gone. He sat up and ran his fingers through his hair.

"What... what did I say?" he asked hesitantly.

Rain's brows furrowed as she tried to recall. "I think you said 'no' but angrily. Then you said it again but you were choking on the word like you were terrified."

"It sounded like that to me as well," Trish offered.

Ben shook his head then stood, avoiding their eyes. "Time for a swim." They were situated near the deep end of the pool so he walked forward and just stepped off the edge, letting himself sink to the bottom. It was refreshing after the heat of the sun. He kicked off and swam towards the shallow end.

Trish and Rain watched Ben jump in the pool and shared a worried look. Rochelle walked over.

"Was that Ben crying out in his sleep?" she asked.

"Yes. He had a nightmare but he wouldn't tell us what it was." Trish replied.

"I don't think he remembered," Rain said.

Trish looked out at the pool and saw Ben surface some distance away. "He remembered. He just doesn't want to face whatever it was."

Chapter 11

Ben made his way back to the room after his massage in the spa feeling truly relaxed. He could get used to this spa treatment if he let himself. Trish and Rochelle were still there having manicures, pedicures, facials, and getting their hair done. They'd tried to add Rain but the spa had been booked solid. They promised her they'd include her in their next visit. Instead she went back to their room to read.

Ben let himself into the room and spotted her sitting on a lounge chair out on the balcony. He joined her and took the chair next to hers. She'd pulled a t-shirt on over her bikini and was reading Lolita though she put it down to smile at him.

"How was your massage?" she asked.

"It was very relaxing!" he smiled. "Rochelle is joining Thomas for dinner tonight with his brother and his friends so it's just you, Trish and I for dinner."

"Susan isn't joining us?" she asked cheekily.

"Not tonight... but she's always welcome," he added, pitching his voice to be overheard in case she was peeking through the wall divider once more.

Rain chuckled as she caught on.

Ben looked at the woman sporting a variety of tattoos and smiled. "Do you have a story for each tattoo?"

Rain looked at her arms with a thoughtful expression. "Yes, I guess I do but not all of them are for sharing." She looked at the big man in the hotel robe. "Much like how you don't talk about your scars."

He nodded then shrugged. "What Trish told you last night pretty much covers the story of most of them. I don't really have much to say about them. Experience marks." He frowned then shook his head to clear it. "This feels like I'm doing it backwards considering our activities this morning but who is Rain Palomo? You... have someone at home?" he asked cautiously.

She smiled at his concern. "No, I have no one at home. No boyfriends. No family for that matter. I'm an orphan."

"Foster parents?" Ben asked.

She nodded and looked at her hands. "I was really young when my mom died. I was moved between homes at the start. Had some bad experiences and it really messed me up. Then I was taken in by a really tough old lady and her sweet old man. They set me straight and treated me well. Like a real person. They got me some therapy and helped me catch up on my schooling. I learned I was smart and with their support I really started fast tracking. They saw me graduate high school and I won a bursary so I enrolled in University to be a psychologist. They were killed during a home invasion while I was out celebrating with a friend."

"I'm sorry," Ben said and she just nodded, still looking at her hands. She sighed and looked at him with a forced smile. "How about you? I know you're with Trish and I'm getting vibes from Rochelle that you might have had something with her."

"I have people at home." Ben didn't feel up to explaining that complicated situation. To deflect he found himself making a confession. "I'm an orphan as well. My parents were killed by a drunk driver when I was five. No other family so I was dumped into the foster care system too. It was... bad for me." Ben looked out over the grounds. The rain had begun in earnest and they watched it for a while.

"Are these the scars you don't like talking about?" Rain asked gently.

Ben's eyes found hers and he saw the depth of her compassion there. He saw her pain. She knew. She'd been there. He nodded as his jaw clenched.

Rain nodded in return. "It won't stay inside. It leaks out. For me, I was so angry! That rage made me violent. I- I hurt people. Bad. I was so young." she said quietly, watching the rain fall.

They were quiet for a while just... being.

"It's leaking out for me too."

Rain looked over at Ben. His cheeks were wet but he seemed unaware of it.

"I- I can't stop it."

"Then don't."

Ben looked at her. "It hurts too much."

"It's only truly bad the first time."

His eyes widened as something replayed behind his eyes.

"NO!" he yelled as he jumped to his feet and rushed back into the room. Rain jumped from her chair and ran after him. She caught her foot on the robe he dropped and fell hard. She heard the room's door close behind him as she tried to suck air back into her lungs.

She pushed herself to her feet and ran out into the hall. She thought she saw him disappearing down the stairs to the lobby. She ran to catch up still wheezing. He couldn't have gotten far. She took the stairs two at a time and ran out into the center of the lobby but no sign of Ben. Maybe he went to see Trish in the spa?

Rain ran across the lobby and down the hall into the spa. She looked around for Ben or Trish but only saw some of the ladies from Dream's entourage.

Then she spotted someone out the window running down the path towards the beach. It could have been Ben!

She rushed back to the lobby and followed the same path to the beach. The rain was still coming down pretty hard and visibility wasn't good but she could run faster than Ben. She'd catch him.

"Trish?"

The redhead heard her name called as she rested back in her chair at the back of the spa. Her mudpack was slowly hardening on her face. If she opened her mouth it would crack and all this work would be for naught.

"Mmm!"

"It's La'Shia. Rain just ran into the spa looking panicked and ran back out. My girls spotted her running towards the beach.

"Shit!" Trish sat up and pulled the cucumber slices off of her eyes. She saw La'Shia looking nervously at her.

"I don't know where Night is but it didn't look like she was being chased. She seemed to be chasing someone else."

"Ben. FUCK!"

"What's wrong?" Rochelle woke with a start. "Something happened to Ben?" She pulled the slices from her eyes and looked around.

"It's ok, I got it." Trish said and dropped her robe on the chair as she stood. She still had her bikini on but her shoes were upstairs. She ran barefoot through the spa and out through the lobby towards the beach. The rain began to soften the mud on her face and it ran down into her eyes and stung. She stopped when she reached the edge of the property and used the shower to quickly scrub her forehead clean. She shook her hands clean and wiped the water from her eyes. As she opened them she caught a flash of motion then a fist struck her in the temple. She crumpled to the ground stunned. She felt herself being roughly tugged off the path into the bushes.

"HEY! HEY!" Rochelle screamed as she ran down the path towards them. The man leapt into the bushes and ran further into the jungle, crashing through the brush to get away.

By the time Rochelle got to Trish she was sitting up tenderly holding her head and her assailant was nowhere to be seen.

"Fucker sucker punched me," she moaned.

Suddenly they heard screaming coming from the jungle. The women looked at each other as the screams went on and on becoming more shrill. Then silence.

"Ben. I hafta find Ben," Trish slurred but she couldn't stand on her own.

Rochelle helped her up and pulled her towards the lobby. "You are in no shape to help anyone! I want someone to look at that cut on your temple! NOW!" Trish let herself be guided back to the lobby. Thomas rushed out into the rain and helped Rochelle walk Trish back under the roof. La'Shia, Dream, Killah and one of the ladies were watching and staying dry.

"What happened?" La'Shia asked with a frightened look on her face. Dream's expression was closed off and his body was stiff.

"Someone... someone hit me. My eyes were closed. Fuckin' hurts!" Trish said. She was still slurring slightly.

"I only got a glance of the man as he ran into the jungle when I screamed. It was dark by the shower but he was pretty big and he was pulling Trish off the path," Rochelle explained.

Killah pulled out a white cloth and gently dabbed the cut. "Fuck. Dream. Look," he said, his deep voice rumbling in his anger.

"Could have been anyone," Dream said, his voice tight.

"Look at the SHAPE OF THIS MUTHAFUCKIN' CUT! IT'S-"

"ENOUGH!" Dream screamed at his friend. He turned and rushed off. La'Shia watched him go, her expression swinging between angry and confused.

Rochelle turned to Thomas. "Do you have your phone?" He nodded. "Please take a picture of the cut and send it to me and Trish. I'll give you the addresses."

Thomas took shots from a few different angles. Rochelle helped him send the pictures to them.

"It's stopped bleeding but you are going to have a very large bruise. You might have a concussion." Killah said. The group looked at him. "What? My dad was a boxer. I know things."

"The cut's from Night's ring, isn't it," La'Shia said to the big man.

He frowned but nodded. "It looks like it."

"Whoever it was started screaming in the jungle shortly after he ran off. I think it was a man's screams." Rochelle said and Trish just nodded. "If he shows up injured then you'll know."

"Ben and Rain. I need to look for them." Trish said. Rochelle felt better as her slurring was gone but there was no way Trish was going back out there.

"No, you are going to your room to rest. I will take you there myself. Rain can take care of Ben for now."

The woman in question was jogging down the beach towards a downed tree. She saw someone sitting on the log staring out at the ocean.

She slowed and walked cautiously forwards until she recognized Ben. He was breathing hard from his run.

Rain walked around in front of Ben and saw the haunted look in his eye. "Are you ok Ben?"

"It's my fault they died." Ben's throat was tight, his words barely a whisper.

"Who?"

"The boys in the foster home."

"How did they die?"

"In the fire."

"Did you set the fire?" Rain asked gently.

"No."

"How is it your fault?"

"I was trying to be a hero," Ben's expression twisted.

"But you didn't set the fire."

"NO! I- I was trying to protect the girls from him. Protect Louisa."

Rain felt a chill that had nothing to do with the rain pouring down on them. She knew where this was going. She'd been on the other side. "The house father."

Ben nodded shakily. "Mr. Leparre," he forced out between his teeth.

"He abused the girls?"

Ben nodded again. His eyes never left the waters. "Louisa was... his favorite. I had to stop him."

"How old were you?" Rain asked, rigidly controlling the quaver in her voice.

"Fifteen."

"What did you do?"

Ben swallowed. It was so painful to talk about, like a knife in his guts. But she said only the first time. If he could get it out...

"I was in the girl's room at the top of the stairs on the second floor. I was standing guard, facing the door, waiting for him to try to slip in."

Rain felt her skin crawling and she wanted to scream at him to stop but she bit her lip.

"It was an old house. Floors creaked a lot. The Leparre's were doing some upgrades. Electrical. New baseboard heaters."

Ben jolted as the image of flames rushed through his mind.

"I- I heard him coming up the stairs. The creak. I braced myself against the door to keep it closed. The doors didn't lock."

Rain was shaking now but she remained quiet as she watched Ben.

"He tried to open the door but I was holding the knob tight and bracing the door. The girls... they were... whimpering in fear. He was a big man."

Rain's teeth chattered but she clamped her jaw tight. Ben glanced at her but she nodded and gave him a smile.

"He growled 'Let me in' but I shouted 'No!' and he knew then it was me. He'd hit me before. He got mad and started pounding on the door. I wouldn't let him in. I- I laughed."

Ben sucked in a deep breath as his eyes clenched shut. His chest hurt so much. He rubbed at it.

"He woke everyone up. Then there was a huge roaring boom. The roaring went on and on and the people in the outer hall were screaming."

"People?" Rain jolted.

"The boys he'd woken from the other bedroom. They were in the hall when the fire broke out on the main floor. They screamed. God." Ben put his face in his hands and shook.

Rain wanted to touch Ben. Comfort him. But his confession wasn't done.

"What happened, Ben?"

"They pushed against the door, screaming to get in. The roaring suddenly got louder. I could hear the flames racing up the stairs. The girls were screaming, clawing at me to let them in. I couldn't... I held the door, frozen in fear. The windows were nailed shut to prevent runaways. Nancy, the oldest, she broke the glass with an end table and got them outside onto the porch roof. They had to jump out over the flames into the snow on the front lawn to escape. The boys... they- they stopped screaming. Mr. Leparre stopped screaming. I couldn't hold the door anymore. The knob burned my hand. I climbed out the window and the porch roof collapsed as I ran across it. I found out later Nancy pulled me clear."

Ben heaved a deep breath.

"You saved the girls."

His head whipped to look at her in bewilderment. Didn't she hear? "I killed the four boys and Mr. Leparre!" he yelled.

"They died. That's truly tragic. But if the door had been opened the flames would have reached the rest of you. You know that, right?" Rain said calmly and Ben's eyes lost a little bit of their desperation.

"Didn't your actions actually give the girls time to escape? It's true, that time wasn't free. It cost the lives of the others. Honestly, the circumstances had evolved so far beyond your original intentions they no longer mattered. There were just two options available at the time, save some or none. Which one do you believe was the right choice?"

Ben's mouth worked as he stared into the compassionate eyes of the small woman next to him. She stepped forward and hugged him, his cheek resting against her stomach as his arms went around her. She ran her fingers through his hair as he shook, silent tears lost in the rain.

They remained like that until Ben's body calmed and his grip on her loosened. He pulled back to look up at her. She smiled down at him.

"Let's go someplace dry, ok?" she smiled.

Ben just nodded and stood. He took another look at the ocean and filled his lungs with the fresh air. His mind still shied away from the images of that night but the pain that accompanied them, the guilt and the self-loathing, didn't rip through him with the intensity it once had. His chest wasn't hurting any longer. He smiled gratefully at Rain and took her hand. They made their way back, neither saying anything.

The resort was up ahead and Rain went up the path first as Ben stopped to scrape the mud from his feet.

Rain stopped by the shower to rinse the sand from her sandals.

"FUHKN BETCH!"

Rain looked up and caught a slap on her cheek knocking her back onto her ass on the path. She looked up in surprise as a dark shape stepped out onto the path to tower over her.

"Gnnna cut yrr fFFUHKN CUNT up!" the shadowed figure grunted.

"Night?" Rain gasped as she finally saw his swollen face. He had sores or bites on his face and arms which were badly swollen. She shrieked when she saw the knife in his hand. He reached back to slash her but his arm stopped when Ben grabbed his wrist and squeezed.

"AAAAAAIIIIIIEEE!!!" Night screamed in agony as bones snapped in his wrist. The knife dropped to the ground.

Rain looked at Ben and saw his eyes had gone cold, his expression blank. He yanked Night back and grabbed his throat in his other hand lifting the man off his feet to slam him up against the stone wall of the shower. Night tried to break the grip but Ben just slammed him against the wall few more times until Night began to choke out.

"BEN! Let him go! BEN!" Rain grabbed his arm and his face turned to look at her. She saw his eyes begin to show some recognition. Then he saw the mark on her cheek. He looked back at Night and threw him across the path to land in a pile on the grass of the lawn. Rain grabbed Ben's arm to keep him from going after the man once more. She looked up into his eyes and saw he was blinking.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

"No, let's get out of this rain. He's not worth the trouble." Rain said as she tugged on his arm.

Ben let himself be led away. They walked up the path and into the open lobby. They were dripping on the tile floor. One of the ladies working the front desk approached them with some towels.

"Thank you very much!" Ben said as he accepted the towel. The two ladies still behind the desk were grinning at him. Rain took one as well and they dried their hair.

From under the towel Ben heard the front desk clerks scream. He yanked the towel down and spun towards the pathway just as Night leapt up the three short steps with the knife in his left hand. Ben grabbed Rain and leapt backwards as Night swung the knife at her in a wide slashing arc which tore through the edge of the towel, barely missing her face.

With a high pitched squeak Night's shoes lost their grip on the wet ceramic tiles and his feet shot out from under him. His legs went up as his torso went down and his head struck the edge of the top step. With a dull, wet crack sound Night's body twitched and a tremor went through his muscles before he went still.

Rain was gasping as she was pinned up against Ben's chest in his arms with her towel wrapped around her head. She'd heard the screams and she was terrified but she couldn't see anything. She heard shouting and more screams, running feet, then Ben gently carried her for a few steps and set her down on her feet. She yanked the towel off when he finally released her and looked around frantically. Ben's expression was grim. She looked back and saw Night's still body on the tiles. A male staff member was checking for a pulse but the shocked look on his face told her the man on the floor was dead. She saw his left arm outstretched and the knife still tucked into two of his fingers. She looked down at the towel in her hands and saw its new jagged rip. Her eyes went wide and she looked back at Ben. He just looked away to watch the front desk clerks who were on the phone. Presumably with the police.

"Wha- what happened, Ben?" she whispered, afraid of his answer.

Ben's eyes returned to hers and she was pinned in place by their intensity. "He jumped at us swinging the damn knife. He slipped when he missed and hit his head on the steps. I never touched him."

He then sat down on one of the couches in the lobby and wrapped his towel over his shoulders to wait. He knew how the process worked. He'd wait for the police to show.

Dream and La'Shia were descending the stairs with the rest of his group when they caught sight of Night on the floor. Dream yelled and raced down the stairs to run across the lobby. He gave Ben an odd look then rushed towards the body. The male clerk tried to keep him away but Dream shoved him aside and dropped down beside Night.

La'Shia reached the couch where Ben sat and they watched in shock as Dream started going through Night's pockets. Killah arrived with his date and they also stopped and watched the frantic searching.

Dream tossed Night's wallet aside after rifling through it and started digging in his front pockets. When he found Night's room access card he cried out, jumped up and ran past them on his way to the stairs.

He passed his brother on the way up and La'Shia called out for Thomas to follow him. He glanced at Rochelle who nodded and he rushed after his younger brother. Rochelle spotted Night's body then she rushed down to join them.

Everyone was talking at once and Ben's face was turning red. "ENOUGH!" he yelled. The lobby went quiet and he had everyone's attention. "Rain, tell them what happened." All eyes turned to her.

Rain nodded nervously and squared her shoulders. "Night attacked me down by the beach shower when we got back from the beach. Ben was still on the beach when I rinsed my sandals. Night hit me," she showed the bruise on her cheek. "He had a knife," she pointed to the knife on the floor next to his body. "and was about to slash me when Ben stopped him." She looked at Ben who was looking at his hands while flexing his right one.

"Ben disarmed him and threw him down. We walked back to the lobby and were drying our heads when Night jumped up to slash me again. Ben pulled me away and Night slipped on the wet floor and hit his head." She held up her towel and everyone got a good look at the tear. "This was over my head when he slashed at me. If Ben hadn't been there..." She stopped when she realized she was leading him right back into his issue with being called a hero. He looked up at her and she mouthed 'thank you' to him and he smiled faintly with a nod.

"You can speak to the staff who witnessed the attack. I didn't touch him... here in the lobby." Ben glowered and nobody felt the urge to argue with him. He looked at Rochelle's relieved expression then noticed Trish wasn't there. He gave Rochelle a curious look and she came over to sit down on the couch next to him.

"Trish is upstairs with a nasty headache. It's more than a little possible that the dead man over there was the man who attacked her earlier today down by the beach shower and tried to drag her into the bushes."

Ben surged to his feet but the guilty party was already dead so he let Rochelle and Rain tug him back down to the couch. He looked at Rochelle. "How- how badly hurt is she?"

"She's got a nasty cut on her temple, probably from the ring her attacker wore, I'll take a picture of Night's ring momentarily, just for proof. There is a bad bruise there as well and we think she might have a concussion." Rochelle looked for injuries on Ben.

"What?" he asked.

"Where did he cut you?"

Ben blinked at her. "He didn't cut me."

Rochelle grinned at Ben. "Well that's a change for the better! Everyone who's attacked you before left their mark."

There was a commotion by the entrance so Rochelle stood up and moved away to take the picture of Night's ring.

The police cleared the lobby of the guests and interviewed the witnesses starting with the staff. By the time the police were done, satisfied that the death was merely an accident, the ambulance had taken Night's body away and it was too late for dinner so Ben and Rain made their way back up to the room.

Ben hadn't seen Rochelle, La'Shia or any of the others once they'd headed off to dinner. He wasn't even sure if Dream or his brother had returned at all.

He opened his door and Rain went in first. They found Trish asleep on the bed so they just went into the bathroom and got ready for bed. On went the finger brace.

Ben was exhausted from the day's events. His confession to Rain had been especially draining so he said his good nights, slipped under the covers and began to nod off immediately.

"Ben?"

"Hmmah?" he grunted as he surfaced.

"Could- could I sleep in your bed tonight?" Rain asked tentatively.

"Hmmmyup," he managed before he began to slip back into slumber. He was vaguely aware of Rain carefully slipping under the covers. She snuggled in against his side and Ben was out.

Chapter 12

"Hey sleepyhead! You ever gonna get up?"

Ben cracked his eyes open and stretched with a big grin on his face. He'd slept so deeply! He hadn't felt this well rested in... months! Trish and Rain were standing at the end of the bed and he could see they'd already been out running.

"How's your head?" he asked.

"Just a little achy this morning. Nothing a run on a beautiful beach couldn't fix. I heard the story of your run in with that thug last night. I can't believe he's dead!"

"Yeah," Ben grunted. "Stupid accident."

Rain nodded and smiled at him. He smiled back.

"We were just going to take a shower if, you know, you felt like joining us." Trish said with a coy grin.

Ben shook his head but threw back the sheets and climbed out of bed. With a little spring in her step Trish moved to take her damp runners out to the balcony and Rain took the opportunity to whisper in Ben's ear. He nodded and moved quickly into the bathroom. He dropped his boxers and stepped into the shower to get the water going. He quickly soaped up his body as Trish and Rain finally entered the bathroom struggling to get out of their tight running gear. Rain was giggling as she prevented Trish from pulling her top all the way over her head. Ben nodded to her so she let go. Trish scowled playfully at Rain as they tugged their running shorts off.

Trish looked over at Ben's wet muscles and smiled hungrily. He'd finished rinsing the shampoo from his hair as they finally stepped in.

"I'm done," Ben said.

"What?!?" Trish exclaimed.

Rain was hiding her grin. From their conversation during the run she knew Trish was aching for a little Ben time, much like she'd been when he'd massaged her ass the day before. "See you downstairs?" she asked with an innocent smile as she stepped under the spray.

"Sure, I'll get us a table," he said as he stepped out and toweled himself dry. He walked out of the bathroom and allowed himself to smile as he'd helped Rain get her revenge. He'd caught the look in her eyes yesterday and Trish's smug little grin. He knew exactly what she was up to when she'd whispered her request. Besides, he'd give Trish what she wanted, just later.

He slipped on his board shorts swimsuit, a black wicking t-shirt and his sandals. Then he went downstairs to fill his empty belly.

The front desk clerk caught his attention and handed him a sealed envelope with his name printed on it. He opened the letter on his way to the restaurant and saw it was from Susan. He found a chair and sat to give the note his full attention.

"Dearest Ben,

I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to you, Trish, and Rain this morning but our flight home was an early one and the taxi took us to the airport at the crack of dawn.

Ted is flying home with me and has finally agreed that our divorce is for the best. Not that he really has any choice but at least he isn't being a pouty nuisance.

I wanted you to know how much I treasure the moments we had together and how important you and Trish are to me. I know I'm no longer a young woman but it feels like I've been given a new lease on life. I will always be grateful to you for that! You are truly beautiful people and I love you both dearly.

Take care of yourself and each other.

Love, Susan."

Ben smiled to himself, thinking of the lovely woman and the odd way she had come into his life. He hoped she found happiness in her future. The letter went back into the envelope so he could show it to Trish later.

The restaurant wasn't very busy yet so he got his pick of tables. He found a nice one by the windows and ordered some fruit juice from the waitress before he made his way to the buffet. Once more he was careful about filling his plate as his hunger was trying to get him to overfill it.

He sat at the table and sipped his juice, enjoying the feel of the sunlight on his face.

"May we join you?"

Ben opened his eyes and looked towards the voice. It was La'Shia and several of her friends. "Sure, just leave these two seats for Trish and Rain please," he said pointing to the two seats across from him. He was looking at La'Shia as he said it so she would know Rain was his guest. She nodded having received the message. The women settled in and the waitress arrived to get their drink orders, teas and coffees.

Killah arrived with his lady and they said their good morning's to Ben and the group. They pulled a table up to the end of Ben's table. More of Dream's group arrived and they also greeted Ben and the group.

Ben looked over at La'Shia and saw she was smiling at his awareness of their inclusion of him in their group.

"I want to apologize for bringing our drama into your life. You came here for a relaxing vacation and we've interrupted that with danger, violence, and trouble," she said. Ben smiled and nodded his acceptance. She smiled in return.

Rochelle arrived with Thomas. She looked at the two open seats and noticed Trish and Rain were missing. Two of La'Shia's friends moved down two seats, pulling over an additional table so Rochelle and Thomas could sit closer to the center of the now very long table.

"Where's Dream?" Ben asked.

La'Shia gave him a sad smile and tilted her head. "He went back to L.A. last night. Or rather, he went to the airport to catch a flight back this morning."

Ben looked at her in surprise. "The wedding!"

"There isn't going to be one," she said. "His behavior this trip has been eye opening and we can't be a couple if he's keeping secrets from me. Whatever he was trying to find on Night's body and in his room last night he didn't find it. He won't talk to me about it. He won't trust me with the truth." She shrugged though her eyes remained sad. "Maybe one day our paths will cross again," she said with a forced smile.

Trish and Rain arrived and took in Ben's position at the center of the long table. They took the two open seats across from Ben and Trish gave him a pout.

Ben leaned forward to whisper to her. "You'll survive until tonight."

That earned him an impish smile. "Unless I can get you alone earlier," she replied.

Ben blushed as Trish wasn't even trying to be discreet and eyes turned in his direction. He found something interesting to look at on his plate as Trish enjoyed his reaction.

"Rain, I'd like to apologize for our behavior towards you. We were terribly rude in how we treated you and made some terrible assumptions. Please accept our apology," La'Shia said with sincerity.

The woman in question was surprised by the kind expressions she was receiving and gave them a tremulous smile and nod as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Please, no tears. Ben can't deal with a woman's tears." Rochelle said gently.

Rain chuckled and dabbed her eyes with her napkin. She looked over at Ben and mouthed 'thank you' to him. He just shook his head with a smile to indicate thanks weren't needed.

"Anything exciting on the agenda today?" Ben asked, hoping to change the subject.

"We're just going to hang out on the beach. Tomorrow we've booked a catamaran for a cruise in the morning with lunch and drinks at a secluded beach, snorkeling, and returning before the afternoon rains. You're all welcome to join us. We have the ship all to ourselves."

Ben looked to Trish and Rain and they nodded happily. "We'd be delighted to join you."

They enjoyed each other's company and there was a fair amount of laughter at the table. Ben noticed the mood of the group was definitely more upbeat and relaxed. The tension Night added to the mix was gone. His own spirits were lifted by the happiness around him and he suddenly realized the tension he'd been carrying around recently was gone as well. He looked at Rain and caught her eye. When she smiled at him he mouthed 'thank you'. Her smile widened and she nodded to him.

When breakfast broke up they all agreed to meet on the beach in twenty minutes.

Ben, Trish, and Rain went back up to the room to brush their teeth and get their towels for the beach and lotion. He handed Trish the letter when they got inside the room and she read it while he and Rain brushed their teeth.

"I'm going to miss that lady! She was so fun!" Trish said but Ben saw her eyes were a little glassy. He gave her a hug then she took her turn in the bathroom.

Rain put on her green bikini as she wanted to save her new one for the catamaran trip the following day.

"Ben, you're feeling better today I see," Rain said.

"Yes, thanks. I feel so much better," he smiled.

"When you're ready you should share what you told me with Trish." At Ben's nervous look she held up her hands. "As I said, when you're ready. You made incredible progress yesterday. The next step is to share it with someone important to you, someone you love. I'm sure you'll find the release much more profound. Again, it's only the first time that's difficult."

They heard the door opening and moved to get their towels.

Trish came out wearing a silver bikini and a gauzy black wrap around her waist.

Ben's eyes were drawn to her and she gave him a happy little smile of satisfaction. "Shall we go?"

The beach was getting full sun this morning as the clouds were all on the horizon. It looked like they were going to have a great day for playing on the beach.

They found spots near Killah and the others and laid out their towels. Then began the ritual of slathering on the lotion. Rain and Trish pulled Ben's shirt off and they both worked on him first. It became obvious he was first because he had to apply their lotion next. Both moaned in bliss as he massaged their backs as he worked the lotion into their skin.

One of La'Shia's single friends wandered over to ask if Ben could do her back next. He looked at her in surprise then nodded. Soon Ben found himself working his way down a line of women. Even La'Shia got in line.

"Oh my god Ben you have such strong hands!" she cooed as he worked the tension out of her shoulders.

Finally Ben got to walk back to his towel. Trish flipped over onto her back.

"Ben, could you do my front now?" she said with an impish smile.

He stared at her in dismay. Killah walked by and made a whip sound with his mouth then grinned. Ben snorted.

"No, I'm going to lie down and relax. I think you can do the rest," Ben replied as he sat on his towel. He laid back and was soon slipping into a doze. The heat of the sun, the waves against the beach, and the quiet murmur of voices soothed his mind and he fell asleep.

"Ben? Ben, you're talking in your sleep."

His eyes popped open and his mind struggled to return to the present from that cold, snowy night so long ago. He looked over and saw Trish was touching his shoulder. She'd nudged him awake. Rain was sitting up next to her looking at him with her compassionate eyes.

"It's still leaking out," he said and Rain nodded. He felt a little better that she knew it would.

"What is, Ben?" Rochelle said from behind him.

He looked back and saw her standing next to Thomas. Ben turned his head to Rain and she nodded to him. He took a deep breath looking down for a second then pushed himself to his feet.

"Thomas, may I borrow Rochelle for a bit?" he asked. The man looked at him in surprise then nodded.

Ben held his hand out to Trish. "Could you come with me and Rochelle for a little walk?" She nodded and he helped her up.

They walked down to the water then turned to walk along the edge. Rochelle and Trish waited for Ben to begin.

He smiled at them then collected himself. "Some memories I suppressed have been working themselves loose for some time. Ever since... ever since I... rescued Miriam I suppose. With the events in France, it escalated and I've been pretty miserable to be around sometimes. I apologize for that."

Trish touched his arm and Rochelle just nodded to him.

"Yesterday... I- I had a little break- I mean, they broke through. I was talking with Rain. She's been through the Foster Care program like me and we had some common ground..." Ben looked down at the water lapping at the beach. He took another deep breath.

He began slowly forcing the words out like pulling quills buried deep in his skin.

He told them about the abusive house father, his desire to be a hero, how it had gone so terrifyingly wrong. How his selfish actions had a terrible cost. He kept nothing back from them and his chest hurt as he confessed his sins to the women he loved.

Ben's muscles were shaking in reaction as he looked Trish in the eye. "I killed the boys and Mr. Leparre."

Trish shook her head with tears in her eyes. She pulled Ben into a tight hug. "No Ben, you didn't," she growled as she rubbed her face against his shoulder.

Rochelle placed her hand on his arm and looked up into his eyes. "Ben, you saved those girls. If you opened the door they would have died too. So would you! You've been carrying this guilt around with you for so long but you have nothing to feel guilty for!"

Trish was really crying hard now. The idea that Ben had been punishing himself for this since he was just a kid rocked her. She clung to him and he wrapped her in his arms.

Ben felt the tension leaving his body as Trish held him tight and Rochelle rubbed his back as she watched him with her sympathetic eyes.

Finally Trish got control of her emotions and her sobs eased. Ben had silent tears of his own but they were of relief. She pulled back to look up at him.

"Ben, you are not to blame for their deaths. You did not kill them. They died because of a house fire and your actions were necessary to save the others. Do you understand?"

He saw the fierceness in her eyes and her conviction was absolute. He took strength from that and nodded.

Rochelle leaned closer. "The girls that night were without a doubt terrified and wouldn't have understood their danger. The fact that you held the door even when they attacked you means they lived. That's all that matters. They lived as did you."

Ben let that thought sink in. More than anything it was the girl's screams at him, the look of horror and revulsion in their eyes, and their attack which had been burned into his mind so many years ago. It was the foundation of the pain he felt from that night. Rochelle's words brought a new perspective for him. He felt the pain weaken and he nodded to Rochelle who touched her palm to his cheek. He leaned into her touch.

"Thank you," he said softly.

With a small smile Rochelle turned and walked back to Thomas and the group.

Ben looked out over the ocean then closed his eyes to look inwards. Rain had been right. His relief this time was much more profound than the day before. He'd shared his guilt with those he loved and they still loved him and more, believed that guilt was undeserved. He felt... lighter. He smiled and tenderly kissed Trish.

"Mmmmm!" she purred when Ben pulled back. "Fuck! You kiss good!" she said with a grin.

"That's because you're so kissable!" Ben smiled.

Her expression turned serious. "You know I love you, right? More than ever!"

He smiled and pulled her against his body and heard her sigh. Soon though she began to rub herself against him. She pushed back to look up at him.

"Waiting until tonight is going to be tough!" Trish pouted.

Ben raised an eyebrow. "It will be all the better for the wait," he insisted.

"Fine!" she huffed then put her arm around him as they turned to walk back to the others.

They reached the shore in front of the group and Rain was standing there watching the waves. Ben scooped her up against his chest and gave her a full body hug as she squealed. When he set her down Trish hugged her tight as well.

"Trish! You're suffocating me with your boobs!" Rain gasped.

Ben and Trish laughed as the woman staggered back.

"I want to thank you for helping me with this. You've been amazing! I feel so much better!" Ben said.

She looked up at him with a smile that made her eyes sparkle. This was what she'd trained for. This is what she wanted to be doing with her life. "You are most welcome!"

They made their way up to the towels and were greeted with smiles. La'Shia was holding up a bottle of lotion and resting back on her elbows. Trish laughed and gave Ben a push in the woman's direction.

Once Ben was done massaging the lotion into the silky soft skin of La'Shia and six of her friends he returned to see Trish and Rain looking expectantly at him. Trish's grin was especially wide when she saw the effect touching all that hot skin had had on him. His shorts were tenting and he had a hunger in his eyes as he looked at them.

Trish was first and by the time he was done she was squirming with need for release.

Rain was watching and struggling to keep her hands from slipping between her legs. Ben laid her back and applied her lotion with firm strokes and his hands felt so strong on her body. He worked his way down her body and she was left panting when he was done.

Ben picked up his towel and his shirt. "I- I'm going to head back to the room. I want to check on the progress of a project I'm working on. I'll see you at dinner at 7?"

La'Shia nodded and grinned at his blush as he headed off.

Less than thirty seconds later Rain stood up as well. "You know, I think I've had enough sun today. I'm going to go... read my book. See you at dinner." She hustled away after Ben not seeing the knowing smiles aimed her way.

Trish stood up. "I'm going to go ride that man until I can't walk." That drew laughter from the other ladies and envious grins from some of the men. Some of the women might have looked envious as well. She caught up to Ben and Rain just as they reached the stairs.

The three barely made it upstairs and into the room before the two women pulled down his trunks and took a grip on his cock.

"Oh FUCK, Ben! You're so hard!" Trish gasped.

"Can we at least get to the bed?" he groaned as they stroked him.

Trish shook her head and ran her tongue up the side of his cock as Rain ran hers up the other.

"GEEZUS!" Ben gasped.

Their lips met at the head and they took turns kissing and licking the sensitive glans. Then Rain took his cock deep into her throat.

"FUCK!" Ben exclaimed as his body jolted from the intensity.

"God, I wish I was able to do that!" Trish moaned.

Rain pulled back and looked at her friend. "How much can you take?"

Trish took hold of Ben's cock and licked the head then took it into her mouth. She moaned at its heat and how soft the skin felt against her tongue. She immersed herself completely in the sensation of his hard shaft sinking deeper and deeper into her mouth, ever so slowly. Already it felt impossibly deep and her mind was rebelling at the idea of him going any further. She felt Rain's soft hands gently stroking her throat and that calmed her. Trish closed her eyes and stroked the underside of the cock with her tongue, drawing a moan from Ben. She felt the tremors in the muscles of his ass under her hands.

A thrill rushed down her spine when she heard Ben's pleasure. That she was the cause of this, she was making this big man tremble and moan, brought her a level of satisfaction she couldn't easily describe. She loved the guy and to bring him such pleasure was an incredible turn on for her.

The head reached the back of her throat and she was about to stop when she felt Rain's hands guiding her head. The need to gag was almost overpowering but she clamped down hard on the impulse and did her best to relax. She let Rain gently push until she felt the head of Ben's cock slip into her throat.

Trish couldn't stop the gagging anymore and coughed as Ben's cock suddenly sunk two inches deeper. Her eyes flew wide and she saw how much closer to Ben's hard abdomen she'd gotten. She wanted to pull out but Rain forced her to do it slowly until the head was no longer in her throat. Then she was allowed to pull free. Trish gasped in a deep breath and looked at Ben's dripping cock in shock. Spit dripped from her swollen lips as she grinned.

"Holy shit! I got the fucker in my throat!" she cheered, smiling at the petite brunette.

Growling with lust Ben bent over and wrapped an arm around both women. He stood up, holding them against his broad chest, and walked them into the room proper. He dropped them back onto the bed side by side and tugged their bikini bottoms off. He flipped Trish over onto her stomach making her squeak in surprise then pulled her down to the end of the bed until her legs were over the end and her ass was exposed. He dropped down and ran his tongue roughly over her pussy. She was dripping so he positioned the thick head of his cock against her opening and drove himself in deep.

"AAAAAAHHHHH!!! MOTHERFUCKER! AAAHHHH!!! SSSSOOOO FUUUCKING BIGGGGUUHH!!!" Trish wailed and shook as he filled her completely.

Rain flipped over on the bed and crawled over Trish's back to position her head above her ass to watch Ben slam his cock into Trish again and again.

"FUUUHHHKKK!" Trish grunted with each impact as Ben's need drove him to pound her ass with his pelvis, his heavy balls slapping her clit with each slam forward.

Rain drooled some spit between the reddened cheeks of Trish's abused ass and rubbed a fingertip in circles over the twitching rosebud between them.

"AAAAHHH!!!! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" Trish screamed. She pulled and pinched her nipples as the pleasure was driving her insane. She was getting so close! Ben was taking her harder than he'd ever done before and she loved it!

Ben was in heaven but his need for Trish was driving him into a frenzy. He sped up his thrusts and the room filled with the sounds of their bodies slapping together, Trish's cries and his growls.

"FUCK! BEN! BEN! I'M- I'M- I'M CUMMING! CUMMING! CCUUUUUUUUMMMMMIIIINNNNGGGGG!!!!" Trish screamed and Rain slipped a fingertip into her ass.

"FFFFAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHKKKKKKK!!!!!" Trish wailed and shook as her orgasm crashed over her senses. She dropped her face to the bed and rode out the waves with her mouth gaped open and her eyes rolling back. Ben continued to pound into her like a tireless machine.

Rain popped her finger out and felt Trish go limp under her. She looked back and saw Trish had passed out. She put a hand on Ben's hard stomach and pushed until he noticed and pulled his cock free of the unconscious woman. She gaped at his cock which looked so fucking huge from her position above Trish's ass! It was dripping and engorged. His pulse was making it bob and she suddenly wanted it inside her. She recalled how difficult it had been to take just the top few inches of his cock into her pussy but she needed to try.

She flipped onto her back and lifted her legs as she looked at him nervously. He loomed above her, breathing hard, his eyes intense with need and lust. He gripped her thighs, pulled her to the edge, and pushed her legs back until her ass came up off of the bed. He kissed her wet pussy and drove his tongue deeply into her.

"OOHHH BEN! YES!" she gasped.

He stroked her lips with his tongue then sucked gently on her clit making her cry out. When she was sufficiently wet he stood and slapped the wet head of his cock against her engorged lips causing her to squeak and jump from the intense bursts of pleasure. He tipped the head of his cock down and slid the tip inside and her head slammed back on the mattress.

"OhFuck!OhFuck!OhFuck!OhFuck!" she gasped.

Ben couldn't get over how incredibly tight she was considering she could get his entire cock into her mouth and throat.

He dipped the head in and out of her and she squirmed under him. He managed to push an extra two inches into her before he felt her tightening up. He held himself still as she shook.

"OMIGOD! Ben! So Fucking Biiiiiiig!"

When he felt her begin to relax he began pulling out to the head and pushing forward to the depth he reached before.

"AH! YES! AH! AH! OHFUCK! YES! DO THAT!" she cried. Rain slipped a hand under her ass and rubbed her own asshole in tight circles. "YYYYYEEEESSSSSS!" she groaned and Ben's cock suddenly slipped another three inches inside.

"AAAAAAIIIIIEEEEE! STOP! STOP! WAIT! AAAAAHHHHH!!!" Rain screamed through her gritted teeth. Ben held himself very still. The pressure on his cock was almost unbearable and he felt her muscles rippling up and down his shaft. He felt something kissing the head of his cock and he realized it must be her cervix. The sensation was driving him insane and he struggled to keep his hips from moving.

"Oh my god Ben! Oh my god! Don't move! Shit! Don't move!" Rain trembled as she tried to adjust to the monster stretching her wide. She ached but there was also a tingling that was scrambling her ability to think.

Ben began to run his thumb in circles over her clit and she made some grunting sounds and grabbed his hand with her free hand which had been clinging to the sheets. She didn't stop him from touching her clit though. She just rested her hand over his as he continued to stimulate her, bringing her pleasure higher and higher until she began to clamp down on his cock in rippling pulses as her orgasm took her. The kissing sensation became more frantic and Ben gasped.

She could only make whimpering noises as she felt his hot cum shoot inside her.

It took a long time for Ben's cock to soften inside her sufficiently for him to pull out without causing her too much distress.

She smiled up at him sleepily. "That was... incredible! So sleepy!"

Ben knelt on the bed next to her and scooped her up to lay her down further up the bed with her head on the pillows. He gave her a tender kiss as her eyes closed.

Next he lifted Trish's limp body and laid her out next to Rain. Trish smiled in her sleep so he kissed her lips gently. She mumbled something but was soon snoring gently.

Ben walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower. He dried off and went back out into the main room. He slipped on his trunks once more and got his laptop and phone from the safe. He went out onto the balcony and closed the door behind himself. He settled himself on a lounge chair and set the laptop on a table next to him.

He dialed Hannah's number and waited for the call to connect.

"Hannah Cooper speaking."

"Hi Hannah! It's Ben."

"Ben? Aren't you on vacation? Is everything alright?" she asked with concern in her voice. He smiled.

"Yes, everything is really good. In fact I've had a little breakthrough while I've been down here."

"Oh?" Hannah's voice came through as cautiously surprised.

"Yes. There's a young woman we met here by the name of Rain Palomo. She's trained as a psychologist but she was unable to find employment in that field because she looked too young and no one was willing to give her a chance. Due to her student loans she was left in a bad financial state. We met her with a group of musicians here at the spa. She's helped me through something I've been suppressing... for years. The memories- they wouldn't stay suppressed and began to leak out. She guided me through it and I- I feel so much better."

"That's wonderful to hear Ben!" Hannah exclaimed.

"I'm going back into therapy with Dr. Granger when I get back. I need to resolve the rest of my issues. I- I want to feel like this all the time."

"Oh Ben, I am so pleased to hear you say that!" she replied and he could hear she was a little bit choked up.

"I miss talking with you Hannah. I missed you," he said as he realized he did.

There was silence on the other end of the line then he heard a muffled sound like the handset was being held against some fabric. Then a whoosh sound of the mic being moved from the cloth.

"I've missed talking with you as well Ben. We'll start up our group sessions once more when you get back, ok?"

"I'd like that," he said.

"Is Rain there now? I'd love to thank her myself," Hannah said.

"She's resting right now but you're going to be able to speak to her when we get home. She's going to live in the house I'm renovating for Karen and Penny. She may be able to help the girls with what they went through, especially Karen, and she's going to look for a job. Hopefully something in her field. She has to pay off her student loans. If you know of any clinics that are looking for help please let me know."

"I'll speak with Dr. Granger. Maybe she has some contacts," Hannah replied.

"Great! Thanks Hannah!"

"How are Trish and Rochelle enjoying the spa?" she asked.

"It's really relaxing and they are enjoying the pampering. Rochelle met a very nice man named Thomas and they seem to be getting along very well," Ben replied.

"Rochelle met a man? Didn't she go down there with you?"

"She came down here as a friend so I didn't have to come down alone. Trish joined us so I'm not alone. We also met a really nice group of people. Musicians or singers I guess. La'Shia, Dream, Killah-"

Hannah started to laugh.

"What?"

"Oh Ben, only you would go on vacation to have peace and quiet and end up hanging out with Rap and Pop music celebrities," she said with a smile in her voice.

"They're nice people! Well, one of their group was bad news but he died last night."

"WHAT?"

"He attacked Trish and then he tried to attack Rain but I protected her."

There was silence. "Did- did you-"

"What- NO! He slipped on some wet tiles and fell and broke his neck on a staircase. He was swinging a knife around, jumped at us, slipped and fell."

"Where did he cut you?"

Ben sighed in frustration. "What makes you think he cut me?"

"Ben..."

"He didn't cut me. I emerged unscathed," Ben grumped.

"Good. I'm glad to hear that." Hannah said and Ben could hear how pleased she was. "How's your finger doing?"

He rubbed the tip of it across the edge of his lounge chair and it only felt a little numb.

"It's definitely getting better. I haven't done any heavy lifting though I've had to massage in a lot of suntan lotion since I've been here. That makes it ache a little but not too bad."

"Poor baby," Hannah said with false sympathy.

"Have you heard from Gabriella or Catherine?" he asked.

"No, but I'm not really in their circle."

"Hannah! We're all in the same circle!"

"I don't mean the street," she asserted.

"I didn't mean that either," he insisted.

"Well either way, I haven't heard from them," she said with finality.

Ben resolved when he got back he would sit down with the three of them- then he recalled that one of the three may not be there. He felt a pang in his heart.

"OK, well it was nice talking with you Hannah."

"It was nice for me too Ben. Can I talk with Trish? Is she available?"

"Uh, well, she's uh... resting too."

"OK, don't say any more. My imagination is active enough to fill in the blanks. Have fun Ben and I'll see you when you get back."

"Bye."

Ben next called his house and got the machine. He left a message saying all was well, he missed them, and he would try again tomorrow.

He hung up and powered up his laptop. He linked it to his phone then checked his email. He spent two hours clearing away the junk and responding to a few important notes, his accountant, his lawyer, and once he was done he felt comfortable that everything was good in his financial world. His royalties were coming in as expected and there was nothing that needed his attention at this time.

He checked his chat application and saw Margaux was online. He sent her a quick hello and she responded with a request for a video call.

He made the connection and her lovely face looked out at him.

"Ben! So good to see you! I was hoping I'd be able to reach you."

"It's lovely to see you as well! What's up?"

"My company is accelerating their plan to open the Sydney office. They want me to have the office up and running in six weeks. This means I have to travel there next week to get started. I'm not going to be able to visit you!" She pouted and Ben smiled at her.

"Then I'll just have to come visit you! I have some business in Melbourne soon. Once I take care of that I'll drop by Sydney and spend some time with you. How does that sound?"

"Wonderful! It sounds wonderful!" she said with a wide smile. "I am loving the view by the way. I think from now on you must always call me with your shirt off."

He chuckled and bounced his pecs for her causing her to giggle in surprised reaction.

"Did you just giggle?" he asked with a grin.

She put her hands on her face in embarrassment. "No! You didn't hear me giggle. It must be a bad connection."

"No... that was definitely a sweet little giggle!" he teased.

"What can I say? You bring out the little girl in me." Margaux pulled her hands from her face and smiled happily. Ben shared her smile.

"Where are you going to be staying when you're there?" he asked.

"Initially I will be staying at a hotel near the office. Eventually an executive condo will be rented for me, again, someplace downtown near work," she explained.

Her phone rang, she glanced at it and she rolled her eyes. "I must get this. It's the local fellow that was hired to assist me in setting up the office. He is... most persistent."

"If you need me to give him a poke in the nose when I get there just let me know," Ben grinned.

Margaux gave him a hot look, devouring him with her eyes then gave herself a shake. "I will see you soon, Ben!"

"Goodnight Margaux!"

He disconnected the call then logged into the Engineering board. He saw a message for him from the company in Melbourne asking if he had an update. He responded with a quick note indicating his test results were positive and he'd get in contact with them next week.

He spotted a few other queries that looked interesting so he bookmarked them to look into them next week as well.

His mind took him back to Gabriella and Catherine. Their four days in Milan would have ended as he left on his trip. He called Gabriella's number but got her machine so he just left a brief message saying he called to say hello and to see how it went in Milan. After he hung up he called Catherine's line but once more he got a machine. He left the same message on hers.

Feeling unsettled by his inability to contact Gabriella, Catherine or Tina he decided to go for a walk on the beach. Back in the room he pulled his black wicking shirt on again and his sandals and quietly let himself out of the room. He had an hour before he had to get ready for dinner so that was plenty of time for a walk.

He found the beach mostly empty. The clouds had rolled in and while it wasn't raining yet the reason for being on the beach was now hidden. It was still calming to walk along the shore with the waves lapping at the sand. He walked along for a while looking out at the waters until he felt it was time to head back. He was feeling much better as he returned along the shoreline.

Ben spotted someone sitting on a rock jutting up from the sand up ahead. They hadn't been there on his outbound trek. As he got closer he saw the person was wearing a brightly colored tropical print bikini so it was a woman. The bathing suit was a strong contrast to her dark chocolate color skin. She was facing away so he saw her hair was pulled back and tied with a tie the same color as her bikini.

She turned her face to look out at the waters as he got closer and something about her was familiar. He tried to recall if she was one of the ladies with La'Shia but her face didn't register as one of her friends.

Then the woman turned to face him as she approached, revealing her brilliant white teeth with just a slight part in the front.

"Naomi?"

"Hello Ben."

"Is this a coincidence?" he asked.

"Yes. My editor sent me down to do a story on Dream and La'Shia's secret wedding. Imagine my surprise to discover you were here too. Bonus." She smiled at him.

Something about her smile was a little unnerving. "I'm not sure if it's much of a bonus. I'm no more ready to speak to the press now than I was before." Ben began walking back to the spa.

"Fair enough but you've already had some misadventures while you've been here," she replied as she left her seat on the rock and began walking with him.

"Really?"

"Your reticence to speak on your own behalf aside, others described an altercation with a member of Dream's posse, a man who called himself Night. A man who ended up dead at your feet."

Ben stopped to look at her. She smiled back, an eagerness in her eye.

"You should read the police report to ensure you have an accurate account of what happened before you report on it. You're phrasing seems to describe a homicide when it was just a stupid accident."

"Is that how you saw it?"

"That was how everyone who witnessed the event saw it. There were a number of people there," he insisted.

"I'd like to hear it in your words," Naomi smiled.

"Ask the police for a copy of the statement I gave them last night then." Ben looked down for a moment then looked the journalist right in the eye. "Look, I understand you have a job to do but I'm not interested in telling my 'story' to anyone. No one 'deserves' my story but I do 'deserve' to be able to protect my personal privacy. There are plenty of people who will volunteer to tell you their story. I'm just not one of them. Sorry." He walked away and she didn't follow. When he got back to the spa he spotted Thomas carrying a small bag of snack foods from the small store next to the reception desk.

"Thomas?"

"Hi Ben!"

"Could you let Rochelle know that Naomi Klassen is here? She's a journalist and she tried asking me some questions about the death of Night."

"Who is Naomi Klassen? How does Rochelle know her?" Thomas asked.

"Rochelle went to university with her. You can get more details from her," Ben suggested, feeling uncomfortable about talking about Rochelle's past boyfriends with her current one.

"Sure I'll let her know."

"Thanks!"

"See you at dinner?"

"Yes."

"So... will Trish be there?" Thomas asked with an odd tone in his voice.

Ben looked at him curiously.

"She made a comment before she left the beach that struck up a little betting pool. Something about being unable to walk," Thomas replied but at least he looked embarrassed to say it.

Ben shook his head with a frown and walked away. He needed to have another talk with Trish about discretion.

Back at the room he saw Trish was resting up against a bunch of pillows with her laptop resting on a pillow on her legs. Rain was in the washroom. He heard moaning through the door.

"Rain, are you alright in there?" he asked gently.

"I'm ok Ben, just a little sore. I'll be fine."

"I'm so sorry-" he began.

"Ben, please. No apologies! It was wonderful! I'll be fine," she insisted.

He walked away from the door with a frown and saw Trish grinning at him.

"You have to learn to keep our private activities private!" he said holding her eyes with his.

"What?" she said, eyes wide and innocent.

"You told people on the beach you were going to do something with me that would make you unable to walk?" Ben said with a raised eyebrow.

She snorted. "Oh yeah, I may have said something like that."

"Trish! I want to keep our intimate moments just between us!"

"You also want to maintain integrity through brutal honesty, right? Well I was just being honest. And we did do something that's made me unable to walk. You were a BEAST this afternoon!" She grinned widely as Ben's face fell.

"Shit! Did I hurt you too?" he gasped.

"Fuck Ben, it was incredible! Raw and wild! It was so fucking good! So what if I'm a little sore and need to take a little time to recover. I'm ok with that as I know the ache will go away and we can do it again. I wouldn't change a thing!" She saw his look of unease. "Come here."

Ben walked over to her side of the bed. She tilted her face up and gestured for him to bring his lips down to hers. She kissed him and his lips caressed hers. A spark shot through her body. When he pulled back her eyes looked a little dreamy.

"Fuck you kiss good, Ben," she sighed.

He looked down at her smiling face. "So, you're not going to be able to join me for dinner."

"Rain and I will order room service. You go and give our regards to La'Shia and crew."

Rain took that moment to hobble out of the washroom bracing herself on the wall. Ben immediately rushed to her side but she placed a hand on his chest to stop him and carefully crawled onto the bed.

"Ben, enjoy supper with the gang. Trish and I are going to take it easy in the room, order some room service, watch a movie or some TV and call it an early night. We'll be fine for our catamaran trip tomorrow."

Trish shooed Ben away so he collected some clothes and took a shower and changed. He gave them both a kiss before he headed downstairs and made his way to the restaurant. When he arrived alone the table at the far side of the dining room erupted in cheers. The other guests looked over at the noisy bunch with frowns and some looked at Ben as he made his way over to the group.

He spotted money exchanging hands including Thomas'.

Rochelle looked embarrassed but she was smiling as well as Ben took his seat across from La'Shia and to the right of Killah. The next two chairs to Ben's right had been left for Trish and Rain. La'Shia's friends moved over to fill in the gap. Ben nodded to the woman to his right who grinned back at him and he recognized her as the bold one who asked him to put lotion on her back.

"I'm Tilisha."

"Ben."

She was wearing an off the shoulder shimmering gold sheath dress which required attention to keep it from releasing her pleasingly full breasts.

Ben tore his eyes away from the displayed cleavage and looked across to La'Shia who was enjoying his blush.

"Trish and Rain send their regards. They will be joining us tomorrow," Ben said.

"Are they alright?" she said with a smile.

"Yes." Ben didn't offer anything else so she just nodded.

"How was that project you were working on?" she asked with a coy smile.

"It's going well. My testing proved the piece I designed should exceed the specs the customer submitted so my next step is having some prototypes manufactured. I'll do that when I get home. Then I'll fly to Melbourne to meet with the customer to have them run their tests on the part."

La'Shia thought she was going to catch Ben in a little white lie but now she was lost. "What- did you say you were a designer?"

"Of a sort. I'm a mechanical engineer. I design solutions for engineering issues, this time it's a part for a mining operation in Melbourne."

"Sounds pretty technical. Technical usually means big money. Are you rolling in it?" Tilisha asked with a grin.

Ben smiled back. "I do ok."

Tilisha's grin got wider. "I knew it!"

"When are you heading to the 'land down unda'?" La'Shia said with her best Aussie accent.

"In the next couple of weeks probably."

The waiters arrived and they placed their orders. Ben steered the conversation towards La'Shia's career and what Tilisha did. He discovered the women, most of them at the table, had all grown up together and where La'Shia had become a singer the others had become her dancers and toured with their friend. Killah's lady friend Brooklyn was actually La'Shia's choreographer and dancer. Killah said he'd been 'mesmerized by her sinuous grace' as he put it. That caused chuckles around the table and earned him a kiss from the woman.

As they enjoyed their meals they talked about their latest tour and what cities they'd be visiting next. Ben had to admit that he'd only begun traveling and hadn't really been very many places yet.

Rochelle offered that she'd traveled to several states setting up new restaurants in her chain and would be visiting California to look into opening one there. From the smile on Thomas' face Ben could guess where this new restaurant was going to be located.

Dinner lasted for a little over two hours and as they finished up some of the ladies begged La'Shia to join them in the bar as they heard music and wanted to dance.

"Ben, would you care to join us?" the singer asked.

He looked at the hopeful faces and smiled. "Sure, I love dancing!"

While some were finishing up their desserts, and gazing into each other's eyes in the case of Rochelle and Thomas, most of their group began to move to the next room which was a lovely bar with a wide dance floor. Only two couples were on the floor and the music playing wasn't exactly Hip Hop or Pop. The DJ was playing classic oldies from days gone by.

As they walked past the dance floor Ben was listening to the opening notes of the next song as he saw an older couple move across the floor. Something about the tune was familiar... it was... Lena Horne's 'Stormy Weather'... and he remembered...

Tilisha felt a hand take hers gently and she was being pulled to the dance floor. She looked up and saw it was Ben. With a grin back at La'Shia she let herself be drawn out onto the floor and spun into his arms. He took her hand in his, the other one gently resting on her hip and looked into her eyes. Tilisha was surprised by the hint of sadness in his eyes but he moved and she automatically moved with him. He glided with the music and she flowed with him in perfect step. He showed no hesitation and moved with a grace she hadn't expected in the big man. She was unfamiliar with some of his moves he was adding in and she was desperately trying to memorize them.

When he dipped her and effortlessly swept her back up to her feet Tilisha gasped with wide eyes and looked over at her friends who were all grinning at her from the sidelines. She saw Brooklyn speaking intensely with La'Shia who was watching their every move. Ben swept her away before she could catch their eye.

She didn't think of where to place her feet. It just came naturally from how he was guiding her body. She just had to follow his lead and she found herself grinning with delight at how effortless he made it feel. They were floating, light as air, carried by the music and it felt like they were all alone.

He dipped her again then brought her in close to his body, his mouth teasingly near to hers then they were moving once more and her heart fluttered. She lost track of the others and when she heard the music coming to a close she desperately wanted it to continue but Ben released her gently with a bow.

La'Shia was suddenly at her side gently guiding her back into the hands of Brooklyn. La'Shia then stepped forward just as the next song began. She reached out and took Ben's hand in hers. Ben looked up and La'Shia was surprised to see his gaze was a million miles away.

The next song was Julie London's 'Cry Me a River', its smooth jazz beckoning them out onto the floor.

Ben heeded its call, stepping forward to pull La'Shia's body to his and moving them into the dance. Her feet rushed to catch up and he automatically adjusted for her. She looked into his eyes but what he was seeing she couldn't tell. Whatever it was had him in its spell and only his body expressed this inner conversation. She desperately wanted to know who it was that made him move so divinely. She gave herself over to his control and felt her movements just... click into place with his. She gasped lightly with the thrill of it.

Thomas and Rochelle entered the bar and looked at each other with delighted smiles when they heard the music. There seemed to be a crowd standing at the edge of the dance floor and they saw it was mostly their people.

Rochelle made her way to the edge of the group with Thomas in tow. When she finally had a clear view of the dance floor she froze and her breath caught in her chest.

Thomas had a clear view over her head and his eyes went wide as he watched La'Shia dancing so beautifully! He'd never seen her move so gracefully! Then he noticed Ben was her partner and... damn! He could dance too!

Rochelle watched Ben with a huge smile which drained away as she remembered what Gabriella said about Ben dancing with her cousin in France. How he'd slipped into a trancelike state then collapsed afterwards. She watched Ben's face when it turned in her direction and she couldn't tell if he was aware of what he was doing but he... wasn't smiling.

"Thomas!"

"Yes?"

"We have to get to Ben the moment the song ends," she blurted.

"What? Why? He seems to be having a great time," Thomas grinned.

Rochelle looked back at the delighted man. She couldn't explain it to him. She didn't have the words. He caught the worry in her eyes and his smile dropped. He nodded and her heart gave a little ping at how quickly he moved to support her.

He took her hand and moved them out onto the dance floor to get a little closer.

La'Shia was enjoying herself so much. The moves were so different from the dancing she did in her music videos and on stage at her shows. There was a grandness to it, a deep emotional context she hadn't felt before. She knew it wouldn't work as-is for her fans but she and Brooklyn could build on this. She suddenly became aware of the song winding down and glanced at Ben's face. He was still communing with his secret partner. She felt a sudden and intense pang of jealousy and it caught her by surprise.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Thomas and Rochelle moving closer to them and the expression on the woman's face made her a little nervous. She turned to face her straight on as Ben released her to bow his thanks for the dance.

Rochelle stepped up and took Ben's arm. "Ben? Ben, it's time to come back," she said quietly. La'Shia and Thomas looked on with surprised expressions.

Nat King Cole's 'When I Fall In Love' began and Ben's head snapped back in reaction. He made a choking sound and Rochelle heard him mutter 'It's our song' before he pulled his arm free from Rochelle's hand and stiffly walked out of the bar. Rochelle and Thomas rushed after him as Brooklyn joined La'Shia on the dance floor.

"Did you get it? Tell me you got it!" La'Shia blurted as she looked at her choreographer. Brooklyn replayed the video she'd taken of the dancing but the light conditions were so poor her cell's camera couldn't focus and none of the footage was usable. She shook her head.

La'Shia growled and looked at the rest of her party. "Did anyone get that on video?"

No one had any usable video and they shook their heads. She growled in frustration.

"I did."

La'Shia turned towards the voice. A tall black woman with a large head of hair and a broad smile with a slight gap between her front two teeth stepped forward out of the shadows. She had a very high-end DSLR camera in her hand. She shifted it to her left as she held out her right.

"Naomi Klassen. Culture Couture Critic. I captured both dances in high definition. Perhaps we can work out an arrangement for the video." She beamed her smile at the two ladies who glanced hungrily at the camera. She was sure they'd find something she wanted.

Chapter 13

Ben woke with a yell and instantly he had two concerned faces looking down at him. Trish and Rain were lying on either side of him.

"Easy Ben. It was just a dream," Rain said, resting her palm on Ben's chest.

"What- what time is it?" Ben stammered.

Trish looked at the clock. "It's almost 7AM. Almost time to get up to meet the group downstairs."

Ben blinked the sleep from his eyes. He tried to recall what happened the night before. He'd gone to dinner without these two and then...

He looked at Trish. "It happened again, didn't it."

Trish smiled gently but nodded. "Rochelle and Thomas brought you back to the room last night. You were pretty agitated. We got you undressed and into bed and you went right out."

Ben looked over at Rain.

"Trish explained last night. It's ok Ben. You'll get through this. It sounds like you already have a plan of action with seeing this Dr. Granger when you get home. That's a good idea."

Ben looked at Trish with a pleased smile "At least Trish gave you her real name and not their pet name for her. That's real progress!"

Trish looked uncomfortable. "Well, she's going to help you now. Calling her Dr. Evil seems counter-productive."

"Dr. Evil?" Rain's eyebrows went up in concern.

"It was on her orders that Ben was strapped down to his bed when Sturn stab-" Trish gasped and couldn't finish. Her eyes welled up as she flashed back to that awful night.

Ben pulled her in tight against his side and kissed the top of her head as she trembled.

"You- you were strapped down... when you got these?" Rain said wide eyed, looking at the scars.

Ben looked at her and nodded gently as he felt another tremor go through Trish's body.

"I survived. I had people who needed me," he said quietly.

Trish pulled back and looked into his eyes. She smiled tremulously.

"Now if you don't mind, I need to get up as I need to use the bathroom," Ben said with a wince.

Trish snorted. "Way to ruin a tender moment, Ben!" But her smile was loving none-the-less.

They got up and got ready for the day. They'd be on the catamaran in the sun for a good portion of the day so Ben made sure he had sufficient lotion in the beach bag. He put three towels in the bag and a cap in case the sun got to be too much. He admired the back view of Rain's new bikini until she wrapped a gauzy skirt over the bottoms. Trish had on her red shimmering micro bikini again. She added her black wrap over her bikini bottom as well. Both pulled oversize t-shirts on.

Trish and Rain were moving just a little slowly this morning which made Ben apologize again but they just shook their heads. He vowed to himself to be gentler with them in the future.

The restaurant was quiet when they arrived with only a few guests getting up this early. They saw Killah and Brooklyn who waved them over. They sat and placed their orders with a waitress and saw a few more of their group arrive.

Tilisha stopped by Ben's chair and greeted him. "How are you feeling this morning?"

Ben squirmed as he couldn't remember the events of the night before. He had a flash of Tilisha asking him to join them for dancing. "I- I'm good. Thanks! You?"

She beamed him a wide smile. "I'm doing very well. I wanted to thank you for that amazing dance last night!" Brooklyn was giving her the eye so she looked for a seat.

"Oh... you're welcome," he smiled awkwardly.

"How are you two doing this morning? We missed you at dinner last night," the rapper named Millionz asked Trish and Rain with a grin as he and one of La'Shia's dancers settled into their chairs.

The two women in question shared a smile and Trish answered. "We're good, thanks!" Ben breathed a sigh of relief at her brief and discrete response.

Others arrived and they said their greetings and gave their orders. Conversation at breakfast was far more subdued than dinner had been as most were still a little sleepy from the early hour.

"Tomorrow we all sleep in and laze on the beach again!" La'Shia said as she arrived last. The group chuckled and a few seconded her suggestion.

Ben noticed La'Shia and Brooklyn sharing glances across the table and wondered if he had done something embarrassing with them the previous night. He was too disturbed by the memory gap so he just did his best to ignore the potential intrigue.

Once they were finished they made their way to the lobby and about fifteen minutes later a bus arrived to transport them to the beach where the catamaran was moored.

They took their seats, Ben sitting next to Trish and Rain next to Tilisha behind them and soon they were underway. The drive wasn't long and they enjoyed the scenery along the way. Ben noticed the sky was very clear this morning so he began applying some lotion to his face and arms as did Trish.

Everyone piled out of the bus and made their way across the beach to some smaller boats that would ferry them out to the catamaran. The jaunt out to the larger boat was short and the two boats made several trips back and forth to get everyone onboard.

Ben, Trish, Rain, Tilisha, Rochelle and Thomas managed to secure one side of the open netting at the front of the boat while Killah, Brooklyn, La'Shia, Millionz and his girlfriend took the other side.

Once everyone was on board they lifted anchor and got the boat underway.

The sun felt good and soon they were drowsing, shirts tucked into their bags, stretched out on the nets.

Forty minutes into the outbound trip Rochelle suddenly sat bolt upright catching Ben's attention.

"NAOMI? What are you doing here?" Rochelle growled.

Ben turned his head and Naomi was standing at the edge of the net with a smile on her face. He looked at her in confusion.

"Hello! Don't be like that Rochelle. I was invited." Naomi said sweetly. She made her way over to the empty space left on the net for her next to Brooklyn.

Trish was livid. "Who the FUCK invited the press?" she said loudly.

Ben took her hand and shook his head. "It's fine. Let's just enjoy the day."

Killah sat up and looked at Naomi. "You're with the press?"

She nodded. "Naomi Klassen. Culture Couture Critic," she said with an extended hand and a smile.

The big man ignored her and looked instead to Brooklyn who was doing her best to appear oblivious to the drama unfolding. Then he looked at La'Shia who wouldn't look at him but her expression was beginning to look defensive.

"Well... shit. That's disappointing. I'm out," the man said and picked up his stuff.

"Baby?-" Brooklyn began.

"No. Not anymore," he said sadly. Then he moved over to the other side. "Ben? I'm sorry they did this. It's a shitty thing to do to a friend."

Ben looked up at Killah and gave the man a nod. He couldn't say anything because he heard Brooklyn crying. The sound twisted his guts and he looked over towards the woman.

"Ben, take a walk to the back," Rochelle suggested, seeing the discomfort plain on his face.

He nodded and got up to follow.

Once the two men were out of earshot Rochelle crawled over to the other side of the netting. She looked at Brooklyn, La'Shia and Naomi whose smile was very stiff by this point.

"What was your price?" she asked La'Shia.

The woman's head whipped towards her and she glared at Rochelle but she couldn't maintain it. She turned away but Millionz and his date were looking at her in surprise.

"A video of Ben's dancing! His moves are unique. We need them for our show!" she finally cracked.

Brooklyn's crying got louder.

"Stop that!" Rochelle barked in the woman's face and Brooklyn jumped. The crying woman blinked at the angry look on Rochelle's face. "Ben doesn't need to hear your tears. Spare him that."

"Why does Ben have a problem with a woman's tears?" Naomi asked, surreptitiously pointing the opening of her bag in Rochelle's direction.

Trish caught the motion. "Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?" she bellowed as she came over the center hull after the reporter. Rain leapt after her and managed to catch hold of her before she reached Naomi who jumped to the other side of the net to get away from Trish. Her bag hit the springy surface and bounced, tossing its contents out onto the net.

They watched in shock as Naomi's large camera with a boom mic attachment bounced clear of the net and tumbled over the edge of the boat into the waters below with a big splash.

Her cell phone was sliding towards the wider gaps in the net to follow the camera into the dark waters below the catamaran. She grabbed it just before it disappeared and snatched up her wallet and sunglasses case as well.

"NO! STOP THE BOAT! STOP!" Naomi shrieked and waved at the driver in the cabin.

"You brought the camera on the boat? Tell me you left the memory card with the dance video in your hotel room!" La'Shia screamed.

"No! It was in the camera! I was recording!" Naomi wailed, stuffing her phone, wallet and glasses into the bag. She struggled to get off the net to rush to the driver's cabin.

Rain let go of Trish as they watched the shrieking woman rush away.

La'Shia was glaring at the horizon. This trip had turned sour for her and she just wanted to go home.

Brooklyn looked destroyed. Silent tears ran down her cheeks. Tilisha crossed over to hold her friend and let her cry quietly on her shoulder.

Rochelle went back to Thomas' side. She took his hand as he looked upset too.

Trish and Rain settled back on the net and cast worried glances to the back of the ship where Ben had retreated.

Ben was sitting on a bench next to Killah watching him try to come to terms with what the woman he'd fallen in love with just did. The man turned his eyes to Ben.

"Why aren't you mad? They betrayed you!" he growled. The other members of the group were sitting with them and looked to Ben to see his response.

Ben thought about it and couldn't find it in himself to be angry. He was annoyed that Naomi was here for sure and he was disappointed that La'Shia and Brooklyn had arranged to have her join them. He was more curious to know why they'd done it.

He looked back at the big rapper. What Ben was more concerned about was the pain the man was in. He seemed like a really decent man and he'd seen the love in his eyes when he looked at Brooklyn. Ben couldn't let that die.

"Am I happy Naomi is here? No. Am I disappointed that they conspired to sneak her on board? Hell yes!" There was a buzz of agreement from the group around them. "But here's the thing. People make mistakes. They make bad decisions. They even go against their better judgement, blinded by some perceived good. But if they see that, if they can admit it, I think they deserve another chance. That's especially true for people you love."

"What about your fucking self-respect and pride?" Killah snapped.

Ben knew the man wasn't angry with him so he let the harsh words roll off. "How has their action caused my self-respect any harm? Should I feel less proud about who I am and how I behave towards others? I haven't done anything wrong. I haven't behaved badly towards anyone. I feel pretty good about myself. I think their own self-esteem was damaged far more greatly. Their integrity took a major blow. I'm not hurt by that in any way."

He saw the man was listening. "It's too easy to lash out and punish people who we believe have done us wrong. It's harder but far more rewarding to put that initial anger aside, find out why they acted like they did, find out if they understand what they did was wrong, and once they do, to forgive them. They need to rebuild their own self-esteem and integrity. Helping them do that earns its own rewards."

He locked eyes with Killah. "Taking the high road means taking the hard road. It's especially worth the effort if it's for love."

They heard shrieking and Naomi rushed around the side of the boat and entered the cabin. They heard shouting between her and the captain. It sounded like Naomi wanted them to turn the ship around to get something that fell overboard. Ben exchanged glances with the others. When the shouting concluded Naomi stalked out of the cabin with a look of frustration and barely contained rage on her face. Her eyes locked on Ben and she marched over.

"That redhead bitch cost me over five thousand dollars when she made me drop my camera overboard! What are you going to do about it?"

"She's not a bitch. Did she hit you? I don't see any cuts or bruising. If she hit you there would definitely be injuries." Ben said.

Naomi opened and closed her mouth. Then glared at him. "She attacked me! I had to jump away. If the midget hadn't caught her she would have hit me!"

"But she didn't."

The glare grew hotter.

"She's responsible-"

"No, I think you are for bringing something so valuable on a boat which is a hazardous environment. You weren't careful enough."

She stood trembling, staring at Ben. "WHY WON'T YOU GIVE ME YOUR STORY?" she screamed, her temper finally slipping free of her control.

"You, and the public, don't deserve it. It's personal. It's for family only...and a very select group of friends. I'm not a celebrity. My notoriety was completely accidental and unintended. I have no desire to become a public personality and that's my last word. Good day."

With a roar of frustration she spun and went back into the cabin.

The people sitting around him had amused grins on their faces, except for Killah. He was thinking. Hard. He looked to Ben and opened his mouth then closed it.

"Give me a second," Ben said and stood. He made his way back to the front of the boat. He saw Tilisha comforting Brooklyn. He made his way to their side and knelt.

"Brooklyn? Could I speak with you?" he said gently.

The woman started then looked up at him cautiously. When she saw he didn't look angry she started to well up once more.

"Please, don't cry. I just want to talk with you," he begged.

Ben saw her clamp down on her tears and Tilisha released her so she could stand. Ben took her hand and guided her towards the back of the boat. Before they reached the back Ben turned to her and she looked up into his eyes.

"I'm not mad. I'm disappointed but not mad. Could you tell me why you and La'Shia did it?" he asked.

"N-Naomi has- had a rec-recording of the- the dancing from la-last night," she stuttered out, sniffling.

Ben's eyebrows went up. "And..."

She looked confused. "We needed t- to study the dance steps for- for La'Shia's show."

He was still confused. "Dance steps? What was so special about the dancing?"

She blinked at him. "It was beautiful! We've never seen those moves! I don't know who taught you to dance but they must have been a master professional!"

Ben shook off the buzzing in his head and forced his thoughts back to the present. "Why didn't you just ask if I could dance for you again?" The woman's eyes went wide as she realized her horrible mistake.

Brooklyn burst into new tears and Ben pulled her into a hug. He guided her to the back of the boat and they saw the group sitting on the benches, Killah in the far corner trying to look stern.

"Do you think they could have a little privacy?" Ben said to the others as he brought Brooklyn to her lover.

They stood and left Killah and Brooklyn sitting together on the bench. Ben made his way back to the front. He was greeted with smiles from the people sitting up there, except for La'Shia who still had an angry, defensive expression on her face. He sat down next to her and she crossed her arms and looked away.

Ben sighed. High road.

"Brooklyn explained why you and she did it."

La'Shia snapped her head back to glare at him. She obviously didn't like being reminded of her mistakes. "It doesn't matter now as the video is gone!" she hissed.

"You could have just asked me to dance again," he said.

La'Shia blinked. The thought hadn't occurred to her at all. Why it hadn't she had no idea. Maybe the moment had been so magical she couldn't imagine it could be reproduced. Her mouth worked as she struggled to find the words.

"Not today." Ben said and moved back to the other side of the net to lie down between Trish and Rain.

"You brought Brooklyn to Killah, didn't you." Rain said and Tilisha looked at him in surprise.

Ben relaxed with his eyes closed. "You don't throw love away because of a stupid mistake."

He felt the coolness of a shadow over his face then lips on his. And a bold tongue. Trish. He kissed her and smiled as she pulled back.

The sun warmed his face then shadow returned and a different set of lips were on his. Teeth nibbled on his lip and he gasped as sparks shot through is body. Rain. She pulled back and he tried to settle himself. Maybe a minute later a third set of lips, unfamiliar ones, gently kissed his and his eyes popped opened to see Tilisha smiling down at him.

"You are a good man, Ben. Thank you for helping my friend."

He blushed and nodded. His teenage libido was waking up with a vengeance so he flipped over onto his stomach.

Trish and Rain applied lotion to his back and legs so he wouldn't burn and he nodded off under their gentle touches.

When Ben next became aware of being touched Trish was gently pushing his shoulder to wake him.

"We're at the island, sleepyhead," she said and kissed his cheek.

He sat up and looked around blinking. There was an island a short swim away and some of their party was already out in the water with snorkeling gear. Most of the people in the water were wearing colorful life jackets to help them float as they watched the underwater flora and fauna from the surface.

"You going to join us?" Trish asked as she looked back at him. Rain, Talisha, Rochelle and Thomas were already moving to the back of the boat to get the gear.

"No, I'm not fond of swimming. I'll stay here and keep an eye on our stuff. Have fun!" he admitted.

"Suit yourself. See you shortly." Trish said and moved to follow the others.

Ben sat back, resting his back against the boat and began applying lotion to his chest and the tops of his legs.

La'Shia moved from her seat to get closer to Ben. He watched her approach but said nothing. She gestured to the center hull in front of Ben and he nodded. She sat on the hull with her feet on the net and took a few deep breaths.

"I'm very sorry for what I did. I don't know why I didn't think about asking you to dance again. The reporter had a high definition movie right there and all I could think of was how much I needed that video. That need clouded everything else. I remember you telling us you wanted to avoid any further exposure but last night that didn't even cross my mind." She went silent as she frowned. She was examining her behavior and didn't like what she was seeing.

"Would you say you are a driven person?" Ben asked.

She snorted and nodded. "You could say that."

"In your business you have to maintain a certain level of attention from your fans. They're always hungry for the latest thrill and novelty. Yes?" he asked.

She nodded again, wondering where he was going with this.

"You were looking for another way to feed their insatiable desire for new things, a new experience. In this case the dance. I understand your motivation even if I'm not happy with the actions you took to fulfill them."

La'Shia's expression showed her dislike of being reminded of her mistakes. Ben sighed. She must have been a difficult child to raise.

"You crave the spotlight. That seems to drive most celebrities. I'm the opposite. I don't want the public's attention. It's brought me and my family nothing but pain. End of story and end of lesson. I'm going to see if they have any fruit juice. Would you like something?"

She shook her head so he just stood and walked to the back. Some of the snorkelers were returning to the boat, excited about what they'd seen swimming around under the surface. Ben went into the cabin and got a cup of some kind of fruit punch minus the rum. He saw Naomi sitting by herself drinking and looking pretty miserable. He walked over to stand next to the table.

"May I sit?" he asked.

She looked up and nodded. "Have you reconsidered?" she asked as he slid into the booth.

"No. Do you understand why?" he responded.

Her expression closed up and he sighed. He wasn't going to solve anything here.

"You need something that I'm not willing to share. I'm a dead end for you but La'Shia has a drive for fame. Maybe she will be willing to give you a story. Didn't you tell me your editor sent you down here for that?"

"I coerced them into getting me on the boat. They don't exactly like me," she said with finality.

"Start again but begin with an apology. You need a story. She has a story and she needs the attention. Make it work. But leave me out of it please." Ben finished.

Naomi blinked at him then pulled her phone out of her bag. She checked the available space and saw she had plenty. She nodded and pulled her shoulders back. She slid out of the booth and looked forward through the windows to see her quarry had moved back to her original position on the netting.

Ben stood up as well and followed her back to the front of the boat. He took his seat and watched the two women begin to talk. La'Shia looked over at Ben in surprise and he smiled at her. Soon the women were in deep conversation, Naomi's phone in her hand, recorder running.

He sipped at the juice and found it to be a little too sweet for his taste. But it was cold and wet and the setting he was in was so beautiful. He closed his eyes and soaked it all in.

He dozed in the sun until he heard Trish's laughter as the group returned. He looked over and saw her expression begin to move to outrage when she saw Naomi back in place.

"Trish! Please come here." Ben called out.

Naomi looked up in fear but saw Trish moving to Ben so she went back to work with only one more glance in the direction of the redhead.

Ben gestured for Trish to sit next to him. Rain slid into her spot on his other side and Rochelle sat on the edge of the hull and leaned forward to hear. Ben saw he had their attention. "I spoke with both of them. Naomi needs a story. La'Shia needs an audience. They're both getting what they need and I've asked to be left out of it. Hopefully we can just get back to enjoying ourselves. No more drama. Right?"

Trish shared a look with Rochelle then Rain and nodded. "She'd just better stay out of my way," she grumbled.

Rochelle patted Ben's shoulder and went back to her spot with Thomas to fill him in. Trish and Rain talked about what they saw and shortly Tilisha joined them. She looked surprised to see Naomi but Trish gave her the scoop.

Lunch was called and they took turns going to the galley to pick up their food. There was breaded and grilled fish, grilled chicken, a few rice dishes, and several varieties of salads. They ate their lunches as they talked and planned their excursions for the next day. Style, who seemed to be the self-appointed tour director of the trip, dropped by to ask if anyone else wanted to join a group going on a canopy tour of the rainforest with zip-lining and some hiking. Trish, Rain and Tilisha signed up but Rochelle and Thomas planned to visit the city. Ben said he planned to do a little work and would hang around the hotel.

When lunch was over there was a little more time to swim then the snorkeling gear was stowed and the boat lifted anchor and headed back.

Ben moved from the netting to a spot up by the windows where he could lean back against the sloping surface of the boat and relax. Trish brought him his shirt which he rolled up and placed behind his head as a pillow. The motion of the boat soon lulled him into sleep.

They were anchoring once more when Trish woke him and they took the small boats back to the beach. Naomi left them there as she was staying at an apartment close to the resort and took a cab. For them it was back into the bus for the drive back to the resort. They stopped at the reception desk as a group and made reservations for dinner at 8PM in the Silver Moon restaurant. As it was only 3PM that gave them five hours to relax and get ready.

Rochelle made a reservation for Trish, Rain, and herself to have the full spa treatment on Friday. La'Shia made reservations for herself and several of her friends including Brooklyn and Tilisha later the same day. Ben and Thomas were signed up for massages.

Trish and Rain went down to the beach to rent Jet-Skis and Ben went back to the room. He wanted to try calling Tina once more.

Once he got settled in he went out onto the balcony and dialed his home number. The phone was picked up on the third ring.

"Hello?" said a familiar voice. He felt a pang of homesickness.

"Tina! It's Ben."

"Ben! It is so nice to hear your voice!"

"It's great hearing yours. I tried calling yesterday but I guess you were out. How are you feeling?"

"I feel like a beached whale! I am so fat!" Tina said and he heard the pout in her voice.

Ben chuckled. "Tina, you are not fat. You are beautifully pregnant and I can't wait to get home to cover you with kisses! Lots of kisses!"

"Are you having fun?" Tina asked. The smile was back in her voice, put there by Ben's words.

"It's very nice here. Listen, when I called yesterday I was going to let you know I've had a little break through with one of the issues I've been carrying around with me for a long time. There's a woman we met here who's a trained psychologist. Her name is Rain Palomo. She helped me... well, I'll fill you in completely when I get home. I just wanted you to know I'm feeling much better and I spoke with Hannah to let her know I want to complete my sessions with Dr. Granger. I want to resolve these bloody blackouts once and for all."

"Oh Ben I am so happy to hear that! Did... did you lose some memories again?" she asked with worry in her tone.

Ben hesitated as he didn't want to worry her but he wouldn't lie to her. "Last night but Rochelle and Trish took care of me. All the more reason to go back to Dr. Granger."

"How is your finger?" Tina said to change the subject.

Ben sighed gratefully. "Actually, it's feeling much better! I almost have all of the sensation back and it's only slightly sore at the end of the day. I haven't been doing anything to stress the joint at all. Tomorrow Trish and Rain are going zip-lining in the jungle but I'm going to stay here and relax. I'm starting to get restless though. Have you seen any progress on the renovations?"

"Ben, I see them working hard every day but I do not look at what they are doing. You will just have to see for yourself when you get home," she gently teased him. He made a small frustrated sound.

"Have you heard from Gabriella and Catherine?" he said to change the topic again.

"Catherine came back on the jet but Gabriella did not. Catherine said Gabriella did not sign the employment contract. Something was wrong. We have not heard anything from Gabriella since Catherine came back. Maybe she sent you an email?"

Ben got up and went to get his laptop. He brought it outside and started it up. "I'll check my messages now. Is Catherine at home?"

"No, I believe she is at work," Tina replied.

"How are the girls and Lucy?"

"Penny got very good grades on her last report card. Karen's grades were not so good but she is passing. Lucy is enjoying her course very much. She is doing exceptionally well!" Ben heard the affection in Tina's voice for his daughters and her genuine love for Lucy.

Ben looked at his messages and spotted one from Gabriella. "She sent me one, uh, this morning or her late afternoon. Hang on." He quickly read the message and instantly became angry. "Those bastards!"

"What is it Ben?" Tina gasped.

"Something really was wrong. The CEO she went to meet was arrested for embezzling. He was funneling money away from his company. He was also having an affair with the president of that fashion house his company was merging with and she was embezzling funds from her company as well. They might have implicated Gabriella in this but for Gabriella's efforts. Before she'd left for Milan she'd contacted the financial controllers in both companies to get financial statements for her to review before signing. They discovered the accounts had been heavily drained. The bastards fled but were caught at the airport. The money they'd stolen is hidden and they aren't talking. It looks like they've almost bankrupted both companies. Gabriella's trying to save their next production season by calling in some favors. She's not their CEO but she wants to help as she knows these people and they'll all lose their jobs."

"I am very sorry to hear Gabriella's dream job was stolen by these people as well," Tina said sadly.

Ben struggled to understand what he was feeling. He wanted Gabriella to have her dream come true but he selfishly hoped she'd come home. He knew it couldn't be at the expense of her dream.

"I'll send her a note to see if there is anything I can do to help," he replied. He frowned, puzzled that Catherine hadn't said anything to Tina about this. He pushed that aside. "Is there anything you need me to do for you?"

"You just come home to me on Saturday safe and sound," Tina said sweetly.

"Of course! I have a lot of kisses to deliver!" Ben grinned.

"I love you Ben!"

"I love you too! Take care!"

"Bye."

He hung up and thought about Gabriella. He decided to try calling her cell to leave her a message. He dialed and after a few rings he heard a click.

"Hello? Ben, is that you?"

"Gabriella? What are you doing up so late? I was going to leave you a message. I got your e-mail."

"I've been on the phone all day trying to find investors. The banks won't offer the companies any bridging loans until the investigation is complete but if we can't secure some capital immediately we lose the next season's contracts. We miss a season we'll have to shut down."

"We? I'd heard you didn't sign the contract," Ben asked.

"That's right, I didn't but I've worked with these people for years. They are all good people, well... with the exception of a certain CEO and president. I can't understand why they did this!" Gabriella gasped. She sounded exhausted.

"Did you find any investors?" Ben asked.

"I have three from the U.S. and one in France totaling three million dollars but it's not nearly enough," she lamented.

"How much are you short?"

Gabriella hesitated. "Seven million."

"What's the budgeted return from next season's contracts?" Ben asked.

"Thirteen to fourteen million. I've seen the designs. There are some stellar products in there but if we can't afford the materials to make them it's over."

"Gabriella, I know nothing about fashion but I trust you do. Let me call my finance guy. I'll have to move some investments around but if you believe this is a sound investment I believe I can cover the seven million. May I assume I will be buying shares in these companies?"

Ben heard her start to cry. "Shhhh, Gabriella it's ok, please don't cry. I want to help."

"S-s-sorry Ben. I- I didn't want to ask y-you for the money but there's no other way to save them," she sniffled.

"I know. It's ok. You sound tired. Why don't you get some rest? I'll call my guy and I'll have him get in touch with you to work out the details. I'll CC you on my note to him. How about that?"

"Oh my god Ben. Thank you so much! I love you!" She started to cry again and Ben wished he was there to hold her in his arms.

"Gabriella, I'm imagining you in my arms, cuddled in close and I'm rocking you gently back and forth as you hold me. You feel really good against me. Can you feel my love for you?"

He heard her smile as she got control again. "Y-yes! You f-f-feel wonderful! S-so much love!"

"That's right! I have endless mountains of love for you Gabriella. I always will. Now get some rest and I'll try to give you a call tomorrow. Trish is going zip-lining and I'm still being a good boy and taking it easy so my finger will heal."

Gabriella hiccupped and giggled a little. She was tired.

"Good night Gabriella!"

"Good night Ben! I love you!"

"I love you too! Now go to bed!" he said with a grin. He heard her chuckle then hang up. He immediately called his financial advisor and filled him in on the details. The man warned him of the fickleness of that particular industry as an investment. He wanted Ben to be aware for his risk management. Ben thanked him and let him know he was authorizing him to invest up to nine million in the shares Gabriella would fill him in on. He said he's send a confirmation note and CC Gabriella so he'd have her cell number and email.

Once he hung up he sent the note and opened up a browser and pointed it to the engineering board. He leaned back and thought about how much he'd changed his spending habits in the short time he'd been involved with all the women in his life. He didn't begrudge the expense. He had money in the bank and a steady flow of revenue from his royalties and investments but until now he hadn't really had a life. Now his money was being put to good use. That said, he liked having as large of a buffer as he could so he turned his attention back to the available projects. He immediately spotted a request which could be addressed by the product he'd designed for Stern Manufacturing. He grinned and directed the poster to contact the company to see their product offering. That should generate another royalty cheque.

He spotted a few other smaller requests that he was able to answer and two interesting puzzles he bookmarked for later research.

From the noises coming from the room behind him he knew Trish and Rain had returned. They walked out onto the balcony all grins and towels over their shoulders.

"So you enjoyed the jet-skis?" he said with a smile.

"Yeah, they're so fun!" Trish gushed and Rain nodded with a grin.

"I have a little news from home." Ben said and filled Trish in on Gabriella's current dilemma.

Rain stared at him in shock when he mentioned he'd be investing in the companies to cover the outstanding amount. "What- what do you do again?"

"Mechanical engineer. I design solutions for engineering problems. I either sell the patent or just license manufacturers and collect royalties from them," he explained.

"So you're a really good mechanical engineer?" Rain asked. Ben smiled at her and gave her a nod.

"He's also extremely handy at renovations!" Trish grinned. "He updated my master bedroom with a new walk-in closet and large ensuite bathroom. Then he rebuilt my kitchen with a bay window over the kitchen sink, new cabinets, granite countertops, and French doors opening on a brand new deck with a barbeque grill and a large built in hot tub!" She looked at Ben. "You did say you'd join me in that hot tub!" He gave her a smile and a nod.

Ben shut down his laptop. "Right now though, I'm going to take a nap. All I've done today is nap and I'm still tired! This fresh air is wiping me out." Trish and Rain rushed back into the room and disappeared into the bathroom as Ben went inside and pulled down the bed spread. He climbed on and was beginning to fade when he felt the soft bodies of the two women snuggle in beside him.

Chapter 14

Ben waved to Trish and Rain as the tour bus pulled away from the lobby on its way to the rain forest canopy tour. Most of La'Shia's group were in the bus including the members of Dream's group. Killah wasn't going to be doing any zip-lining but they apparently had a volcanic mud treatment and hot spring there as well.

They'd had a lovely breakfast together and Ben saw them all off. He went back to the room and spent a couple of hours working on his laptop on the balcony. Then he shut it down and looked out at the beautiful day. He decided he'd go for a walk along the beach but he brought his cell phone in case his financial advisor or Gabriella needed to reach him.

He walked along the beach for about an hour and passed a few different resorts along the way. There weren't too many people out on the sand at this time but he did see quite a few people surfing. He stopped to watch a group of young surfers riding the waves and smiled at their enthusiasm if not their skill. Two young men in the group rode their surfboards right up to the shore and quickly pulled their boards up onto the dry sand. They turned in his direction and made their way over to him. One was hobbling a little and his friend with dreads kept pace with him so they arrived together. Ben looked at them and there was something familiar about them but he... couldn't place it.

"Mr. Shepherd, sir! Dave and I just wanted to apologize for our behavior on the flight here."

That's when it connected for Ben. These were the two young men who triggered his shouting on the plane.

Dave, the one with the broken toe, nodded. "Yeah, we were seriously wasted when we boarded. Had some seriously bad Mex before we went to the airport and it took hours to get clear."

"That's ok. I'm sorry I yelled like that."

"We didn't know you traveled with personal security!" the young man with dreads exclaimed, gently touching the remnants of his black eye.

"Security?" Ben blinked.

"The hot redhead milf- lady!" he quickly corrected.

Ben nodded. "Oh, right. Yeah, she's... pretty hardcore," he said with a grin.

"Leo! Are you surfing or what?" yelled a young woman standing at the edge of the shore with her board under her arm. She also had her light brown hair in dreads and sported a number of piercings. Wide black plugs stretched out her earlobes. She tilted her head to look at them. Ben thought of Lucy and felt a little homesick.

"Oh man, would- would it be cool if we introduced you to our friends?" Leo pleaded.

Ben looked back up the beach and realized he had the day. "Sure."

"Dana! Come here a minute!" Leo yelled. Dave grinned at his friend and waved to the others out in the surf to come in.

Ben looked out at the surf and counted about eight young people, five men and three women. They all had lean bodies and tans of diehard surfers and Ben saw a wide variety of tattoos and piercings. Ben thought they all looked like they needed a good meal or two.

"Who's the old guy?" Dana asked as she got close.

Ben snorted in amusement as he saw the look of dismay on Dave and Leo's faces.

"You came down here together?" Ben asked and Leo nodded.

"Yeah, it's kinda our last blast before we all gotta go our own ways and grow up and stuff. One last surfing blowout!" He grinned at Ben who nodded with a smile.

"We rented a house and we're living as cheaply as we can so we can stay down here for a month," Dave continued.

The others began to arrive and Ben saw they were all as young as Dana. The ages of the group probably ranged from 18 to no more than 20. Compared to them he was a fossil.

"Oh shit! Dave, is this the guy you were talking about?" one of the other girls asked as she gawked at Ben. She wore her long blond hair pulled back in a tightly bound braid.

Dave grinned and nodded. "Yeah, may I introduce Ben Shepherd. The Bronze Man!"

Ben sighed. That damn statue.

Surprised eyes turned in his direction and he did his best to ignore the rude stares at his crotch.

"Don't you think it's a little weird to show off your junk to the whole world, man?" The speaker had a more muscular build than the others, with long black hair, a deep tan and tribal tattoos over his chest and arms. His expression was a little belligerent.

"You're just jealous of what he's packing!" joked another.

"No, he's right. It is weird and if I'd known the artist's intent was to display it so widely I would have refused to pose for it." Ben growled. "I had no idea the damn thing was going to be so lifelike. I expected it to be abstract."

That made them quiet down. Dana was looking at the others. "What are you guys talking about?"

Ben was relieved at least one of the group hadn't seen it.

"He posed for a four foot tall bronze statue and he's naked as the day he was born." Dave blurted.

The girl looked at him in surprise.

"Aside from surfing what do you guys do down here?" Ben asked to change the subject.

"Eat, sleep, surf-" Leo began.

"Smoke weed!" Dave blurted and the group laughed.

Leo stared at Dave to get him to cool it in front of Ben.

"Just be careful you don't get caught. I don't think any of you want to spend time in the jails down here."

"Oh fuck, speaking of weed, did someone forget to pay the dealer?" the muscular surfer said nervously as he looked inland.

"Dana, you little cunt! Where's my fucking money!"

The group turned to see two men walking towards them from the grounds of a hotel. Some took a step back and realized it was too late to run. Ben watched them curiously then turned his face to the approaching and angry men.

The man in the lead, the one with the foul mouth, was around 5' 6", slim but hard and leathery. His long greying hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and he had a dainty little gold ring through one flared nostril.

The man at his back was obviously his body guard / knee breaker. Heavy muscles and a mean look, hair buzzed short, and too much jewellery. His gold rings probably doubled as brass knuckles. Great, a drug dealer. Ben got a bad feeling in his stomach but he knew he had to stay out of it.

"Shit! It's Michael and Devan!" Leo said quietly. "Do you have Michael's money?" he asked Dana.

She shook her head with tears in her eyes. Her face was turning red. "I didn't tell Dad where I was going so he cut me off."

"Why the fuck didn't you say something?" Leo hissed then stepped in front of the young woman. "Hey Michael, she had a little trouble getting the money but we'll-"

The man back handed him across the face and Leo fell back onto the sand. Dana screamed and reached out to him but Michael grabbed her arm and pulled her to him roughly.

"Where's my FUCKING MONEY?" he yelled in her face. She was crying in fear, mumbling she didn't have it and he shook her, hard.

Ben's eyes went cold and hard and he turned to face Michael completely.

"Let go of the girl."

Michael looked over Dana's head at Ben. Bloodshot blue eyes assessed him and slid away. "Fuck off! The cunt owes me money and if she can't pay with cash she's gonna pay with her gash!" he finished leering in the girl's face. She began to shriek.

Leo lurched back to his feet to try and stop Michael but Devan hit him once and he didn't get back up.

"Let go. Now."

The man smirked and pinched Dana's tit, hard. "Devan. Show this piece of shi-" he began then he was lying on the sand unconscious, blood splashed across his face from his destroyed nose. His sunglasses flew from his forehead to land a few yards away. The little gold ring was gone, lost somewhere in the sand. Probably with the missing teeth.

Dana was shaking with fear, staring down at the bloody mess that was Michael's face. Ben gently moved her behind him and hands reached forward to pull her back to the rest of the group who'd all moved behind Ben. They moved further back to give him room.

Devan was looking down at his boss with his mouth open. He couldn't believe how fast and hard the big guy had hit him. Doubt flashed behind his eyes. With his left hand he slid his blade free of its hidden belt sheath. The sun caught its edge.

"That was a mistake. Maybe your last," Devan said menacingly.

Never taking his eyes off of the man before him Ben pulled off his shirt and handed it back. Someone came forward and plucked it from his fingers.

Devan looked at Ben's chest and his unease grew. "You should walk away. The little bitch belongs to us now."

Ben's expression never changed and Devan was starting to sweat. He made a few feints with the blade but Ben didn't react at all. He could have been a statue.

Nerve broken, Devan surged forward but stepped on Michael's wrist with a crunch. The momentary distraction threw off the aim of his stab. Ben caught the wrist with his right hand and yanked him forward as he spun. He nailed Devan's right temple with his left fist, snapping the thug's head to the left.

Dazed badly, Devan tried to keep his footing but the sand shifted and he went down hard, landing on his own knife. He rolled onto his back and tried to scream but the knife had punctured a lung.

Ben saw the handle sticking up and the shock brought reality crashing back on him. He saw Devan reaching for the handle.

"STOP! Don't pull it out!" he bellowed and dropped to his knees beside the man and grabbed his wrists. "You could bleed out! Don't touch the knife!"

He turned his face to the frightened group. He caught the eye of the dark haired one he'd spoken with earlier. "You! Go to the hotel and get them to call for an ambulance!" He looked at Michael's bloody and unconscious face. "Make it two. GO NOW!"

The young man ran to the hotel as fast as he could.

Devan was gasping for breath as he was down a lung. "Fuck! -hurts!" he whimpered.

"I know it does but you have to stay as still as you can. Don't talk." Ben looked at the wound and there didn't seem to be much bleeding. He looked back at Devan. The man was on the edge of panic. "I've survived worse." The man's eyes went to the scars on Ben's chest and he seemed to calm a little.

Ben held the body guard's hands until the young man came back with help. Hotel security and the police. He said the ambulances were on their way.

Leo was sitting up in the sand and Dana was leaning against him, holding him tight.

The paramedics finally arrived and began by strapping Devan to a backboard to immobilize him. The second team did the same with Michael. Some police officers accompanied them back across the beach.

One of the officers who arrived on the scene recognized Ben from the incident earlier on in the week and came to speak with him.

"Mr. Shepherd? Officer Pérez. I spoke with you three days ago?" Ben nodded in recognition. "You are having an eventful vacation!" the officer said.

"Yes but not by my efforts. I just stopped by to watch the surfers and got sucked into this mess." Ben was hazy on exactly how it went down so he pointed to Dave who looked like he was desperate to share something. Dave took this as his invitation to gush.

"So Michael shows up and he's screaming in Dana's face, threatening to rape her and Ben was all cool and shit. He tells him to let go but Michael grabs her tit so Ben put him down in one punch! So fucking fast! Devan punched Leo and pulled a blade on Ben but BOOM! Ben hits him and he fell on his own fucking knife! But Ben kept him still so he didn't pull the knife out and die. He's a fucking hero, man!"

Ben felt a familiar flare of anger at Dave's final comment but he was able to push it aside this time. The venom in the rage was gone.

Pérez looked at Ben carefully and saw the discomfort pass on his face. "This is what happened?"

"Yeah, that... sums it up. This Michael fellow. He's some kind of drug dealer?" Ben asked.

The officer looked at Ben to see if he was just pretending to be unaware of the circumstances but saw no fakery in Ben's expression. He nodded. "Yes, a bad one. We have been looking for him for some time. He comes down from Nicaragua and sells to tourists. Mostly to stupid young men and women from the States." Ben heard grumbling behind him and he smiled at the officer.

"I do hope the rest of your stay is uneventful Mr. Shepherd." Pérez said as he turned to follow the rest of the officers as they left.

Ben turned back to the kids and was surprised when Dana crushed herself against his chest.

"Thank you," she cried. Her head only came up to his chest so he was looking down into her dreads. He patted her back and she looked up at him.

"You were exceptionally lucky this time. I'm not going to lecture you on buying drugs. You'll do what you want and I doubt you'd listen to an 'old guy' like me anyway." Ben shared his gaze with the others but Dana squirmed when she heard her own words repeated back to her. "But try to think ahead. It sounded like you got the drugs without having the money to pay for them. Any dealer willing to do that kind of deal should be avoided. Do not build a relationship with these people. They are not your friend. Do the transaction and walk away. Better yet don't do the transaction but like I said that's just an old man's advice."

Ben's stomach grumbled and Dana smiled up at him. He smiled back and looked for his shirt as she released him. The blond with the ponytail handed it back and he put it on. "Any place around her serve a good lunch? I'm starved." He saw hunger pass over the faces of a few of the others. "My treat." That put smiles on all their faces.

"The Palmelo Resort has awesome fish tacos!" Leo said as he moved closer. He had a nasty black eye and Ben realized it was the same one Trish had blackened.

"Lead the way," Ben said and the group rushed to pick up their boards. They walked down the beach back in the direction Ben had come and passed one resort to get to the second. There was a large beach bar and restaurant and the group stacked their surfboards and pulled a bunch of tables along the edge of the patio together to make one long table. A man approached quickly, taking in the impoverished look of these new customers with a frown on his face and Ben intercepted him. He saw the nametag indicated he was the assistant manager.

The man looked at Ben's smile and returned it tentatively.

"Hi, I'm treating my friends here to lunch. We'll be putting it on one bill and I'll be paying it." He showed the assistant manager his credit card and the man caught sight of the bills in Ben's wallet. His smile strengthened.

"Certainly sir!" He turned and gestured for some waiters to come to the tables.

Ben turned and saw he'd been left a spot at the center of the table facing the beach so he took his chair. Leo was sitting across from him with Dana on his left and Dave on his right. On Ben's left was the girl with the ponytail, Ceela, and on his right was the muscular, dark haired young man whose name was Nathan.

When the waiters came to take their drink orders Ben told them to order whatever they wanted. He stuck with ice water. He also asked for an ice bucket with ice.

Soon the table's occupants were laughing and talking, and enjoying their cold beer.

"You don't drink Ben?" Leo asked.

"No. I was an alcoholic for a time, a bad time, and when I got sober I promised myself I wouldn't go back down that road again." Then he saw their uncomfortable looks. "Oh sorry. I have no problems around other people drinking. Please enjoy yourselves."

The waitress returned with a wine chiller with ice in it on a floor stand. Ben had her put it between his chair and Nathan's so he could ease his right hand into the ice. He was fortunate that it wasn't hurting too bad but this preventative measure seemed wise.

"Did you bust your hand on Michael's face?" Nathan blurted.

"No. I dislocated a knuckle on... someone else's face back home. I was supposed to take it easy when I was down here to let the knuckle heal. It's only a little sore but why take chances."

The mood picked up once more and Dave leaned forward.

"Where are your lady friends today? Your bodyguard could have helped you back there!" he grinned.

Ceela gaped at him. "You have a female bodyguard?"

Ben smiled at her. "She's not really a bodyguard but she does kick ass and take names."

"I'd love to meet this amazing lady!" Ceela grinned.

Ben looked thoughtful. "I don't know if she surfs but it wouldn't surprise me. She's very active in outdoor activities." He thought about the sports equipment he'd seen in her garage. "She runs, kayaks, rides dirt bikes, you name it. She's also a master at a few martial arts."

Dave caught Ceela's eye and held his hands out in front of his chest to demonstrate Trish's breast size.

"Hey! Show some respect or I'll ask her to pay you a little visit tomorrow." Ben growled teasingly and Dave held up his hands in surrender.

"Stupid jerk!" Ceela barked and kicked his shin.

"I give! I apologize!" Dave yelped.

The food started to arrive and the smiles grew around the table. Then the table was silent except for the quiet sounds of people enjoying their meals. Ben was surprised by how hungry they were. He guessed they'd spent most of their budget on non-essentials like booze and drugs. He ate his own burger and passed most of his fries to Ceela and Nathan though Dana reached across to snag a few when she saw he was donating them. Ben ordered a few baskets of fries for the table which brought cheers.

More beers arrived during the meal and everyone relaxed. Ben saw the clouds were beginning to roll in and knew he probably had another two or three hours before the rains began. He wasn't that far from his resort.

"You guys surf here every day?" he asked and received nods. "I'll ask Trish and Rain if they'd like to try surfing tomorrow."

"Is Rain the other lady you were with on the plane?" Leo asked.

"No. She's another guest at the resort. She and Trish run on the beach in the mornings," Ben explained.

As the meal finally winded down Ben ordered himself a bowl of ice cream and saw the others looking at him. "What? You want dessert, order some!" With big grins some ordered bowls of ice cream but the rest ordered milk shakes.

When the last spoonful was eaten and the last drops were sucked up everyone sat back feeling pleasantly full. A cheer went up for Ben and everyone thanked him for the meal. The bill was presented to Ben and he followed the waitress back to her station to pay it. When he returned the group was slowly making their way back to their boards.

Walking up beside Leo and Dana who were holding hands Ben smiled at them. "So, back on the boards this afternoon?" They grinned sleepily.

"No, we're all going to go take a nap!" Leo gasped.

Dana let go of Leo's hand and hugged Ben once more. He returned the hug with a smile.

Dana stepped back and looked up at him. "I'm very sorry we dragged you into our mess. Your advice hasn't fallen on deaf ears. We will be far more cautious in the future." Ben nodded hearing this.

Her eyes got a little glassy. "I personally want to thank you for saving me from an awful fate." She shuddered.

Ben hoped she'd use that memory to guide her decisions into smarter avenues in the future but limited his response to a simple 'You're welcome' which brought a small smile to her lips and she gave him another tight hug.

After she stepped back he looked at the happy faces around him and smiled. "I'm heading back to the resort. I may or may not see you tomorrow but if I don't, enjoy the rest of your stay and be careful out there." He got a bunch of hugs then started walking back to the resort.

He took off his sandals and walked along the water's edge enjoying the peace of the moment. It felt like he was alone on a desert island. Then his cell began to ring. He dug it out of his pocket and saw it was his financial advisor.

"Hello?"

"Ben! It's Jerry. Just wanted to let you know the transaction has gone through. The final investment was 8.2 million which makes you a majority shareholder in the new merged company."

"The merger happened? I thought that fell through!" Ben exclaimed.

"No, the new corporation is properly registered and you are their largest investor. Working with Gabriella was a delight. You will probably-"

Beep.

"-get a call from her momentarily."

"Yeah, she's trying to get through now. Thanks, Jerry! I'll talk to you later!" Ben said and switched to the next call before it went to voicemail.

"Hello?"

"Ben! Oh Ben! You are- you're so... oh my god! Ben-" Gabriella's voice was coming through the line somewhat garbled.

"Gabriella! Are you alright? I'm having trouble hearing you?" Ben said pressing his finger to his opposite ear.

"I'm sorry Ben. I'm in the middle of the biggest group hug! The workers at Brezza have something they would like to say to you..."

"GRAZIE!" thundered through the earpiece of Ben's phone.

Ben grinned listening to the crowd of happy people cheering over the phone. After a period he heard the background noise dim suddenly and Gabriella was back on the line.

"Are you still there?"

"Yes, I'm here. So all is good?"

"Oh my god Ben I can't tell you what a relief this is to these people. Three days ago they were all looking at the possibility of being out on the street! Now they have their future's back!"

"Jerry told me the merger went through. Does that mean you're the new CEO?" he asked as casually as he could. His heart ached in his chest as he held his breath quietly.

She still sounded breathless. "What? Oh! No, I haven't signed anything yet. I've just been working around the clock to complete the merger as that was the only way these companies were going to survive. That and the amazing generosity of our new investors! Two of my American investors were talked out of it by their advisors but Jerry told me you increased the limit so we were able to cover the lost investments. Ben... I have to tell you... I can't thank you enough for believing in me. I- it's..." She began to sniff.

"Of course I believe in you! I love you, Gabriella. Your love is the foundation upon which my life is built. If it hadn't been for you I'd still be sitting on a lawn chair in my driveway waiting for a love that will never be returned."

"Ben, I love you so much! I wish you were here!"

"Are you going to be visiting home any time soon?" he asked.

She moaned. "I have at least two weeks of reorganizing to do to optimize their intercommunications and get the suppliers all in line. We have such an amazing new product line-up! It's going to be the talk of the industry! Can you visit here?"

"After I get back I have to get some prototypes manufactured then I'll be heading down to Australia to show them to the client." He thought for a moment. "Maybe I could arrange my flights to take me through Milan?"

"Yes Ben! Please try to do that!" she pleaded.

He grinned. "Ok, let me look into it and I'll let you know. I have to tell you Gabriella, I'm so proud of you. You really stepped up and saved these people! They are lucky to have you on their side!"

Gabriella was really sniffling now. "Beeeennnn!"

"Awww love, take a deep breath. I'll see you as soon as I can," he said, feeling bad he'd brought her to tears again.

"I love you Ben." Gabriella said quietly.

"I love you too. Have a good night's sleep. Don't stay out partying too late. You have work tomorrow," he said with a grin.

"Good night," she said wistfully and hung up.

Ben put his phone back in his pocket and stood looking out at the horizon. He realized he was on the wrong coast to be looking towards Europe. He could look in the direction of Asia and Australia from here though.

He took a few deep breaths to release the tension in his chest. He didn't realize how much he missed Gabriella. He'd look into flights when he got back to the room. He couldn't book anything as he still had to make those prototypes but he could at least look into different routes he could take. Maybe it was time for him to book a flight on that jet service himself. At least to do the first leg of the journey to Milan.

He started walking again and reached the grounds as the sun became hidden behind the clouds completely. He made his way up to the room and saw Trish and Rain hadn't returned yet. He took the icebucket down the hall, filled it and brought it back to the room carrying it out to the balcony. He went back for his laptop and did some route calculations for flying from home to Milan and on to Melbourne as he chilled his right hand.

Sometime later the door open and two laughing women pushed their way into the room. They saw Ben and went out onto the balcony.

When Trish saw Ben resting his knuckle on the ice her smile slipped. "What happened?"

Ben glanced at his hand and lifted it out of the ice. "This? I just aggravated it a little."

Trish held his eyes with hers and crossed her arms. "How?"

Ben squirmed under her stare. "Punching someone."

Rain gasped and Trish frowned in confusion. "Who?"

"You don't know him. A drug dealer I encountered up the beach." Ben looked away.

"You beat up a drug dealer. Ben! We were only gone for six hours! Can't you keep out of trouble for that short time?"

"I didn't get into trouble! The police took him and his bodyguard away. Well the ambulances took them away but the police were with them." He fidgeted under Trish's stare.

"Bodyguard?" Rain asked.

"Uh, yes. But I managed not to get cut when he pulled a knife," he mumbled.

Rain gasped.

"You recall the fight?" Trish asked surprised.

Ben looked at Trish then shook his head.

"What do you mean does he recall the fight?" Rain asked Trish sharply. She looked at Ben. "Were you hit in the head?"

"No, Ben's been having memory lapses under certain circumstances. One of those is when he has to respond to someone in danger." She looked at Ben. "Who was getting hurt this time?"

Ben looked out over the balcony's rail as the rain began. He sighed. "Dana. A young woman who owed the drug dealer money. He was being rough with her. Said he was going to rape her. Apparently he hurt one of her breasts. Then I hit him."

"You don't remember any of this?" Rain asked.

Ben glanced at her. "I recall he grabbed her arm roughly." Ben looked inward but there was nothing. "Then he was unconscious and bloody on the ground and the bodyguard was also on his back with his knife stuck in his chest."

They gasped and Ben hastened to finish. "I'm told he fell on his blade accidentally. I made him leave it in until the paramedics arrived."

"You remember when he came back from dancing the night we had dinner in the room. I think this is another event like that," Trish commented to Rain.

"Can we talk about something else please?" Ben asked, feeling distinctly uncomfortable.

"Sorry Ben. Just... this is what you're talking with the other doctor about, yes?" Rain asked. He nodded. "Ok, I just wanted to be sure." She had a concerned look on her face.

Ben looked to Trish. "Do you recall the two young men you... dealt with on the flight down here?"

"Yes."

"I met them about an hour's walk down the beach. They're with some friends and they've come down here to surf before they 'start their adult lives'. They apologized for their behavior and explained they were high on some bad 'Mex' at the time. I assume that's some kind of marijuana."

"Let me guess, the drug dealer was after them and you intervened." Trish scowled.

Ben looked at her sadly and her frown dissolved. She leaned forward and took his face in her hands. "What am I going to do with you?"

Ben shrugged and she kissed his forehead.

"Did you guys have fun?" Ben asked to change the subject.

Trish's face lit up as did Rain's. "Style is spooked by monkeys! Fucking hilarious! There was a troop of howlers in the canopy and Style almost stepped off a thirty foot platform to escape. They weren't even close to us but he freaked! We had to keep a close eye on him to keep him from doing something stupid."

"Zip-lining is fun!" Rain gushed.

"Did Killah enjoy his mud bath?" Ben asked.

"Yeah, he looked so relaxed when he got back on the bus." Trish smiled.

"We're all meeting for dinner at 8PM," Rain added.

"Do you two like surfing?" Ben asked.

Rain nodded with a grin.

"I've always wanted to try it," Trish replied.

"Why don't we walk back down the beach tomorrow to that spot where the kids surf, you guys can rent some boards and give it a try? The waves in that bay seem to be pretty good for surfing."

"We should ask the others at dinner tonight if they are interested." Trish said.

"The more the merrier," Ben agreed.

"Ugh, Ben, if you are going to say things like that you won't fit into the surfing culture at all. You gotta say stuff like 'That would be gnarly dude!'" Trish joked in her best surfer voice.

"Wait! You should say 'Hang ten, dude!'" Rain slurred.

Ben looked at the two giggling girls. "No."

Chapter 15

The next morning saw their entire gang, minus Rochelle and Thomas, walking down the beach towards the surfing bay Ben told them about the night before at dinner. They had their beach bags loaded with lotion and towels and Ben assured them of the quality of the nearby restaurants so everyone was eager to go. Style got the name of the nearby resorts and found a place to arrange for surfboard rentals. He also took a lot of ribbing from his friends and was given a plush monkey from the gift shop to help him over his fears. That plush could be seen poking its head out of his beach bag this morning so he was taking the teasing well.

As they walked around a point the wide curving beach came into view and its pale sand gleamed in the morning sun. The waves this morning were 4 to 5 feet in height and Ben could see people already out on their boards enjoying them.

When they got closer Ben saw Leo and Dana walking their boards down to the water's edge. Dana dropped her board with a squeal and ran towards him. She threw herself against his chest and gave him a tight hug which he returned. He was getting stares from the others in the group as he'd withheld the details of his activities from the day before.

Leo walked up with eyes wide as saucers. He looked to Ben with a huge smile. "Dude! You came back and you brought friends?" Dave, Ceela, and Nathan ran up to join Leo.

Ben grinned and made the introductions. The young people were star struck.

Style saw the rental place up ahead and led the people who wanted to give surfing a try over to the building. Ben followed Trish and Rain to pay for their rentals then walked back out to the sand to lay out his towel next to Killah, Brooklyn, and six of the ladies in La'Shia's entourage who were content to enjoy the sun and do a little swimming. They began putting on their lotion as they watched the surfers walk towards the water. Nathan and Ceela began to show the newbies some basics and soon they had a little school set up down on the sand.

Trish was wearing her tiny red bikini so Nathan was getting terribly distracted so Ceela took over instructing her and Rain as Nathan moved over to the next group.

Ben walked down to the water's edge and caught Trish before she headed out so he could apply some lotion to her skin. More than one set of eyes turned in their direction as he applied it. She didn't lift a finger to help so he had to work it in over every exposed surface. There was a lot of exposed skin. She gave Ben a hot look when he was done and smiled when she saw his shorts were tenting. She rushed away into the surf with her board under her arm as Rain took her place. He smiled and rubbed her body down with the lotion as well. When they were done she tilted her face up and he gave her a quick kiss on the lips before she rushed off after Trish. Ben was seriously straining the front of his shorts as he walked back to his towel. Tilisha, La'Shia, and Dana all stopped to get an eyeful as he walked past.

Face burning, Ben sat down on his towel and tried to put that out of his mind. Watching the people trying to get up on their boards in the waves was hilarious. Leo's gang was showing up most of his group.

The exception was Rain. She was a natural and a delight to watch. Trish initially struggled but eventually she started to get the hang of it. Her natural aptitude and athleticism soon had her riding the waves. Perhaps not as gracefully as Rain but it was rare for her to get dumped.

Dana came in from the surf and waved to Ben on her way to her towel.

"So... how do you know this young lady?" Killah asked.

Distracted by Dana's efforts to unwedgie her bikini bottoms, Ben looked away in embarrassment and missed the question. "What?"

"How do you know her? You've known her for a while?" the man repeated. Brooklyn sat up to hear the answer as well.

"No, we just met yesterday while I was out walking. I stopped to watch the surfers. We met Leo and Dave on the flight down," he explained and looked over to see their expectant expressions. "What?"

"You met her yesterday and she greets you today like a long lost friend." Killah said skeptically.

"Well, I bought them all lunch yesterday. They're practically skin and bones," Ben blustered.

Brooklyn caught Dana's attention and waved her over. Ben began to fidget.

"Yes?" Dana said as she arrived. She gave Ben a wide grin which he nodded to.

"Hi, we're curious about how you two know each other. That was quite the greeting!" Brooklyn said with a grin of her own.

"Ben saved me from being raped by a drug dealer yesterday!" Dana gushed.

Ben felt the attention of Killah, Brooklyn and the rest of their party swing in his direction. "Maybe it wasn't quite as dramatic as that," he mumbled.

"He was going to rape me Ben. He grabbed and pinched my nipple painfully hard before you flattened his nose and knocked out his teeth. He hurt me and you saved me." Dana insisted.

"Selfish muthafucka keeping all the juicy details to yourself!" Killah said, staring Ben down before a smile slipped onto his lips. Brooklyn swatted her man's arm.

"Then he took down his bodyguard! A huge guy with a knife!" Dana said enthusiastically.

"Yeah but... he couldn't have been very good with it if he fell on his own blade!" Ben insisted.

"Only after you knocked him senseless with one punch!" Dana exclaimed. "You kept him from pulling it out. Probably saved his life too."

Ben was feeling very squeamish. "I'm going for a swim." He quickly stood and set off for the water and Dana rushed up beside him and touched his arm.

"Are you upset with me?" she asked desperately.

"What? No! I'm... just not good... with praise," Ben managed to get out. He looked at the girl and saw she was looking a little glassy eyed. "Hey! What's this?"

"I'm sorry Ben, I was just thinking about how scared I was and how- how he was-" She began to sniff.

Ben pulled her tight and stroked her hair. "Listen, it's over and he's not coming back. It didn't happen and it won't. You can let it go. It's ok."

He felt a shudder go through her frame and she took some deep breaths. When she pulled back she had the beginnings of a smile on her face.

"Go out there and hang ten."

"Oh my god! No one says that anymore," she moaned and Ben shrugged.

She shook her head with a smile, walked over to pick up her surfboard, and walked out into the water to join her friends.

Ben watched her go with a smile on his face. He turned back and went back to his towel. As he sat he looked over at the couple smiling back at him.

"What?"

"You're a good man, Ben," Killah said.

"But we already knew that," Brooklyn said, her hand resting possessively on her man's arm.

Ben smiled and laid back on his towel to enjoy the heat.

He nodded off for a while but woke with a shock when a cold, wet body suddenly covered his.

"GAH!" he yelped, his eyes flying open.

"Mmm! You're so warm!" Trish purred as she stretched out over his hot skin.

"Trish! You're soaking wet!" he exclaimed.

"Of course I am silly! I was just surfing for close to two hours!" she smiled.

He stopped thrashing under her as he felt her grinding ever so slowly against him. She had a wicked smile on her sexy lips. He took her head between his hands and kissed her until she was panting with need and grinding hard.

Then he rolled them over until he was on top and she moaned loudly as he pressed his thickening cock against her more firmly. He quickly pushed himself up and off, standing up and smiling back at her as he jogged up the beach away from the surfers.

Rain laughed at Trish's surprise. That surprise turned into a sexy growl as she rolled to her feet to chase after Ben who was now running towards the water. He crashed into the waves and dove forward when it was deep enough. When he surfaced the water came up to just under his chest. He was well away from the area the surfers were using. Trish surfaced and jumped forward to wrap her arms around him before he could get away.

"Got you!" she growled playfully.

Ben wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. "Maybe it's me who has you."

"It's a win either way," Trish grinned. "Kiss me again."

Ben caressed her lips with his and felt her legs wrapping around him pulling his bulge firmly against her pussy. He pulled back from the kiss to move them just a little further out and turn them a little so he could see the incoming waves. As each rolled through he'd jump to keep their faces above water.

Trish was rubbing herself up and down his shaft and her face was turning a little pink as she bit her lip. "Fuck, you feel good!" When he moved his hands down to squeeze her ass cheeks and pull her tighter against him she gasped and kissed him hard. Her tongue slid over his and he sucked on it, making her moan.

Ben was a little distracted by the efforts he was making to keep them from drowning but Trish's hot pussy felt incredible pressing against him. He gripped her ass tight and rocked her firmly against his cock until he heard her begin to gasp and hold her breath as her body tensed up.

She pulled back from their kiss. "Fuck Ben! I'm gonna cum! I'm gonna cum so hard! FFFFFFFUCK!"

Ben ground her against himself more rapidly and she threw back her head as her body shook through waves of its own. Ben moved a hand up to discretely slip under her bikini to squeeze and tug on a nipple.

"Oohhhhhh... oooohhhhhhh!" Trish gasped once more as she pushed her tit into his hand. She rested her head on his shoulder as she panted for breath.

Once she calmed down she looked at him with a sad face. "You never got to cum!"

"What I got was really nice and enough, for now," Ben replied with a smile. They shared a kiss and got socked by a wave they were too distracted to see coming. They came up sputtering and laughing and began to make their way back into shore. Ben was still showing against is swimsuit so he sent Trish back with a pat on the butt. She grinned back at him and gave him a little extra wiggle. He sat in the shallows until he'd relaxed down below. His stomach grumbled so he stood up and walked back to the group.

"Anyone hungry for lunch?" he asked.

He received smiles and nods for that so he walked down to the edge of the water and called out 'lunch time' very loudly and received some thumbs up from the surfers closest to him. They passed the message outwards until everyone was making their way back in. Leo arrived first and Ben let him know that he'd treat them to lunch once more as this was his going away present to them. Leo thanked him and began passing that message around.

While Leo's group kept their surfboards the others brought theirs back to the rental place having had enough for the day.

They gathered their things and made their way back along the beach towards the Palmelo resort once more and the Assistant Manager was delighted to see them arrive again. This time they took up much more of the dining area.

Killah approached Ben as they found their seats. "Ben, I understand you're picking up the tab for the kids." Ben nodded. "How about we get one bill and we split it when it comes. Makes it easier for everyone."

"Yeah, that sounds fine." Ben said and flagged down the Assistant Manager to let him know. He looked relieved and thanked them both.

Loaded nachos were ordered for the tables and beer to start. Cheers went up from Leo's group. They were still excited to be hanging out with the celebrities and conversation was very animated. The rappers were enjoying the attention. The buzz of conversation was peppered with laughter and some poor attempts to rap from the surfers followed by more laughter.

It took almost three hours to get all the way to dessert and once lunch was over there was a definite reluctance to see it end. Eventually, after a bunch of hugs, the young surfers went back to the bay and the rest made their way back to the resort.

"Ben, we only have one more day in this paradise!" Trish pouted.

"It's been fun but I'm ready to go home," he replied.

"It's getting cold there!" she whined and Ben grinned. Then something occurred to him. Rain would be coming to live with them and he'd completely forgotten to make the arrangements. He looked over at the woman.

"I'm so sorry Rain, I should have begun the preparations for your arrival. You live in California now right? Do you even have winter clothes?" he asked.

She looked up at him and timidly shook her head. "I've been wanting to ask how we were going to do this but I didn't want to push."

"Please feel free to push! I assume you will need to go home first to pack and deal with your lease for your current living arrangements," he said.

"I'm just renting a room from a friend at the moment. No lease to break. I only have another suitcase of clothes and a few boxes of books and files. I don't have much," she explained.

"When we get back to the room I'll book your flight and make arrangements for delivering your boxes. We'll pick you up at the airport." Ben said. "As for clothes, I believe I can enlist the aid of the McKellan twins to take you shopping."

Trish grinned at Rain's wide eyed look. "You're gonna like the twins! They are a lot of fun! Aren't they Ben?"

He blushed and looked the other way and Rain shared a smile with Trish.

As they walked back across the grounds of the resort they spotted Rochelle and Thomas on lounge chairs by the pool in deep conversation.

"Rochelle! You missed a lot of fun! Surfing is a blast!" Trish gushed.

Her friend looked up with a wide smile. "You've been surfing all this time?"

"Well, we weren't just surfing," she said with a wicked smile and Ben threw her a look.

"Yes, we had lunch at a nice beach side restaurant. It was a lot of fun." Ben finished.

Rochelle grinned at her friend and Thomas took in Ben's embarrassment and made an intuitive leap. "Oh!" he gasped and Rochelle patted his hand.

"I'm going to go clean up and start making arrangements for Rain to join us at home." Ben said to make his escape.

"See you at dinner? There's a barbeque dinner at the beach restaurant tonight. 8pm?" Thomas asked.

"Sounds great!" Ben said and waved as he walked away with Trish and Rain.

They made their way to the room and Trish and Rain followed Ben into the shower. Ben insisted they behave as he really wanted to get started on Rain's travel arrangements. The ladies did their best but they looked a little flushed as they all stepped out to dry off.

"Hang in there. If we get carried away now we won't get the bookings done. Work now. Play later," he said and received two pouts.

Ben slipped on his boxers and with mischievous grins Trish and Rain remained naked. They sat on either side of Ben on the couch as he powered up his laptop. Ben noticed their natural state but did his best to put it out of his mind. He pulled up the travel site and Rain let him know how soon she thought she'd be ready to catch a flight to join them. He plugged in the dates and they selected a flight and picked her seat. Ben paid for the flight with an extra baggage fee and had the e-ticket sent to Rain's email. She'd just need to show the barcode at the airport and she was set.

"Now we should arrange the courier to ship your boxes," Ben said as his concentration began to fragment with Trish's large soft tit gently pressing against his right arm and Rain's smaller one touching his left arm.

"How- how many boxes did you say?" Ben asked, licking his lips.

"Maybe three?" Rain replied.

"Books and p-papers?" Ben stumbled as he felt Trish's stiff nipple brush his arm.

"Yes."

"So... fairly heavy then." Ben reviewed the options on the courier's website and selected an option which should cover the shipment, entered the delivery address and made the payment, once more directing the receipt to Rain's email. Chills were running up and down his spine as Trish stroked his arm with her nipple. He could hear her gentle moaning and his cock was rising quickly. He looked over at Rain and saw her watching his mouth. "You're set. Just get the boxes to the depot, show them the shipping receipt and they will do the rest. I- I should- I should probably transfer the money I promised you to your account."

"Later." Rain said and crawled up onto the couch and pushed him back against the cushions to kiss him. When their lips met her tongue slid deeply and aggressively into his mouth and he moaned.

Trish reached through the opening in his boxers and pulled his stiff cock out. "That's what I was looking for!" she chuckled with glee. She ran the flat of her tongue up the side and felt it surge and twitch in her hand. Fuck, that was so hot! She continued to stroke him with her tongue, feeling it become harder and his legs began to tremble. She kissed the tip making his whole body jolt then she sucked as much into her mouth as she could.

Ben moaned into Rain's mouth and she pulled back to see what caused this. She saw Trish bobbing her head up and down over his cock and Ben gasped with each stroke. Rain kissed her way down Ben's chest and was in the perfect position to take over for Trish when she came up for air.

Trish couldn't get over how hard Ben's cock was! She pulled back slowly as her jaw felt like it was becoming unhinged. She saw Rain moving in for a turn with the beast and wondered if she would have an easier time with it. She leaned back and Rain smiled at her as she eyed Ben's cock. Trish watched her work the tip to get Ben worked up then she surged forward to take it into her throat. Rain came to a sudden stop and choked. She pulled back with a look of astonishment.

"I- I can't get it into my throat!" Rain gasped as Trish grinned at her.

"I know! He's so fucking hard!" Trish gushed.

The two women looked at Ben hungrily and he started to feel nervous. "You remember what happened last time we got a little too enthusiastic? You two were out of commission for the night! I don't want to hurt you two again!"

"Then get on the bed and don't move a muscle. We will do all the moving!" Rain suggested.

"FUCK YES! I like how you think!" Trish cheered and gave Rain a high five.

They pulled Ben to his feet and guided him to the bed. They made him lie back on the mattress with his feet hanging off the end just a little.

"He's a little too excited for me to ride him in that state so you go first." Rain said, gesturing for Trish to make herself comfortable on his cock. The redhead smiled and moved up Ben's legs to drag her wet pussy up and down his cock as it was trapped between them.

Rain scrambled up the bed on her knees and straddled Ben's chest using her legs to keep his arms pinned to the bed. "No using your arms and hands Ben. Only your mouth and your cock!" she said with a grin and he smiled at her. She lifted her pussy up to his mouth and sighed when he began to caress her with his lips and tongue. "Oh god Ben... that feels so goooood!"

Trish was almost reaching her limit just rubbing across Ben's rigid flesh. She reached down between her legs and positioned the head of his cock against her wet opening. She dropped her body down slowly and shuddered as the heat from him almost scalded her insides. He was sliding in so deep and he was so fucking hard and hot! She stopped her descent and lifted herself. She was unable to stop herself from whimpering at the feeling of him leaving her body. She wanted him inside, deep! She let her legs relax and drove Ben's cock right to her deepest spots. This was what she wanted! Forever!

"FFFUUUUCCCCKKKK!!! YES!" Trish cried out as she threw back her head in bliss. There was still a little residual ache from the last time Ben had taken her hard but now she was sailing through waves of euphoria. Her mind was on the edge of leaving her body.

No man had ever fulfilled her like Ben. Her marriage had been exciting and the sex had been great and frequent but John... always held something back. She couldn't say that she was aware of it at the time but when she compared John to Ben it finally came to light. There'd always been an emotional reserve. She realized that she'd picked up the same habit. It had prevented her from allowing herself to love Ben.

John never lost control of his passion or driven her beyond her ability to absorb the pleasure. On the few occasions when he'd been a little too rough and hurt her he never apologized. Instead he'd laughed it off and teased her for not being able to handle his manliness. Now that she was with Ben she saw John's insecurities had kept him from being a truly giving lover. Ben didn't feel his masculinity was threatened by something as simple as an apology when his enthusiasm caused her a little pain.

She wasn't in pain now though. Holy FUCK was this GOOD!

She knew she should start moving but just having him fill her so completely, the heat of him penetrating deep into her body, was too good to interrupt. Tingles raced outwards from her pussy and she licked her lips and bit them to ease the pins and needles sensations tickling them.

Rain's giggles brought Trish to the present. "Uhmmm, what?" Trish blinked her eyes open and looked at Rain curiously. "Why are you laughing?" She bit her lips again as Ben's cock pulsed within her.

"You're humming!" Rain giggled.

"Was I?" she blinked again.

Rain nodded with a grin then her brows drew together, her mouth dropped open and her eyes tightly closed as Ben's clever tongue found its mark.

"Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!OhBen!OhBen!OhBen!Yes!Yes!Yes!" Rain rattled off like a machine gun as spikes of raw pleasure followed Ben's rapidly stroking, flicking, and probing tongue.

Ben's hips began to rock and gently bounce Trish up and down. He was no longer able to wait for her to move. The jolts threatened to take Trish's muscle control from her entirely and she began to tip forward. Ben quickly freed his hands and reached up to catch her. Instead he got two handfuls of tit.

"God yes!" Trish moaned as he roughly squeezed her large tits in his strong hands. She loved that!

He bounced Trish against his lap and the sound of wet flesh slapping together filled the room to accompany the moans of the three on the bed.

"BEN! I- I- can't hold- I can't- I'm- I'm gonna- I'm gonna cum! OH GOD BEN I'M CUMMING!!!!!!" Rain screamed as she pulled his face against her gushing pussy and rocked her ass faster and faster.

He was hammering up into Trish now, lost to the sensation of her pussy muscles rippling uncontrollably as her entire body tore through an intense release. She squeezed his hands against her tits and tightened his fingers around her nipples, pinching them almost painfully tight as she wailed. She felt his body tightening up.

"CUM BEN! CUM IN ME! FILL ME UP! FFFFFUUUUUCCKKKK!!!" Trish cried out as her own orgasm washed over her senses.

Ben growled as his orgasm struck and Rain felt the deep vibrations right through her overly sensitive flesh pressed against his face. She threw her head back and gasped silently to the ceiling.

Trish pressed herself against Ben's hands and tightly clamped her eyes as fireworks went off in her body. She loved the feeling of his heat shooting deep into her body.

Rain pulled back from Ben's face as she was becoming too sensitive. She gasped and trembled as the final surges of her orgasm pulsed through her body. She was caught between Ben's arms which were busy folding Trish upright by her boobs.

"Oh FUCK Ben that was good!" Trish finally managed when she got her breath back.

"Can you move so I can lie down?" Rain gasped. "I'm trapped here between Ben's arms."

"Not the worst place to be." Trish quipped but slowly leaned back so Ben could release her tits from his hands and let Rain move. They arranged themselves on the bed and stared up at the ceiling as their heart rates returned to normal.

"Is everyone OK?" Ben asked carefully.

The ladies chuckled. "Yes Ben," they replied in unison and the three grinned at each other.

Ben got up and walked into the bathroom to quickly rinse off. As he exited Trish and Rain stepped in to take their turn. He returned to his laptop and got it going once more. He connected to his bank account and waited for Rain to return. When she did he arranged the bank transfer for the fifteen thousand. He let her log into her bank and make a payment to her school loan then he shut down the laptop.

Trish sank down on the couch next to him on his other side and leaned against his arm. "I'm being totally spoiled on this vacation. I've never had this much fun before. I don't want to go home."

"Aww Trish. Vacations are fun and we should enjoy them but they don't last forever. That doesn't mean life at home is completely the opposite. We have fun there too!" Ben argued gently.

She nodded then grinned mischievously. "You said you'd try out my new hot tub with me."

"And I will," he returned as he saw her sexy expression. "You're insatiable!"

Trish grinned at him and he gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

"Now if you don't mind I'm going to take a nap out on the balcony before dinner," Ben said and pushed himself to his feet. Trish and Rain looked at each other and both broke into broad yawns which dissolved into giggles. They got up to drop onto the bed to catch some sleep as well.

They made it to dinner just a little late as they'd forgotten to set an alarm.

The gang was in good spirits and the barbeque was delicious. They discussed plans for the following day and Rochelle reminded them of their final spa treatments.

Once dinner was over they went to the bar where the DJ was spinning hits from the disco era and everyone had a blast trying to outdo each other with classic disco moves on the dance floor. The DJ finally took pity on them and switched to more current music late into the evening.

The goal for the following day was the pool then the spa finishing off with dinner at the Silver Moon restaurant for a final dinner together.

With hugs, handshakes and fist bumps everyone called it a night sometime after midnight.

Once they got back to the room Ben managed to convince Trish that sleep was more desirable than sex so the three friends crawled into bed and quickly slipped into slumber.

Chapter 16

The back of Ben's neck was on fire. At least it felt that way. Their day at the pool the day before had been very relaxing but he'd obviously missed applying lotion to that area. He'd first discovered that during his massage at the spa in the afternoon. By dinner hour he felt the heat pouring off his neck like a bonfire and his shirt collar only aggravated it. Trish had applied aloe gel to the area but he was still hurting this morning as they waited to board their flight.

She'd bought him a brightly colored tank top with tropical flowers all over it which didn't touch his tender neck but of course even the oversize top was too small for him. It stretched over his chest badly. He thought it looked ridiculous but it didn't hurt his sunburn so it stayed.

Rain was sitting in the seat next to him in the lounge resting her head against his arm. Her army duffle was under her feet as it was small enough to be carry on. Her flight was leaving thirty minutes before theirs so she was getting in some cuddle time before she had to board... which would be any moment according to the page. She was flying back to LA with the rest of the gang but would see Ben again in a few days.

Ben stood and gave Rain a hug. Trish gave her a hug too and she headed off to the gate. Ben saw Rochelle giving Thomas a kiss by the gate and smiled at her genuine happiness. She told him at dinner the night before that she would be travelling to California in a week to begin the search for the optimum place to build a new restaurant. Ben's impression was that the move would be permanent for her. He really hoped it worked out for her this time.

Ben had given hugs to La'Shia, Brooklyn, Tilisha and a few of the other ladies and shook the hands of Killah and the rest of his group when they'd arrived at the airport so he just waved to them as they walked to the gate. He sat back down and Trish sat next to him and bumped his arm with her shoulder. He smiled at her. He was feeling a lot more comfortable with himself on his trip home than he'd been on his arrival. He had Rain to thank for that.

Rochelle sat down next to him and leaned against his arm. "Ben, I can't thank you enough for bringing me down here with you. I know you said you had no expectations but what happened was completely unexpected for all of us."

"I'm so glad you and Thomas are happy together. You are happy, right?" Ben asked in concern and Rochelle snorted in surprise. She stared at Ben and saw he was teasing her. "Very cute," she growled playfully.

"Truthfully, I really am happy for you Rochelle. Didn't I say you deserved someone better?" Ben insisted.

She nodded and smiled at him.

It wasn't long before their flight was called and they made their way onto the plane. They had the bulkhead seats again for more leg room and were getting settled in when Ben saw a young female flight attendant come by to check on them. Sandy blond hair pulled back in a tight bun, big blue eyes under fair brows, button nose and an oversized smile that was all white teeth. Her face froze a little when she spotted Ben between Rochelle and Trish. He read her name tag as he was fuzzy on it from the last time he saw her.

"Hello again Tracy. Could I bother you for a pillow and blanket, please?"

Her smile came back at full force. "You certainly can Mr. Shepherd!"

"Ben, please."

He didn't think her smile could get any brighter but he was wrong. She hurried away and brought him the pillow and blanket right away.

"Thank you very much!"

"Your vacation was good I see! You seem very relaxed!" Tracy ventured, pitching her voice for just them.

Ben glanced at Rochelle who was absolutely glowing and at Trish who was wearing an identical expression of happiness. He smiled at the flight attendant. "Yes, it was a very good vacation but I'm looking forward to going home."

"It won't be long now! I'll be back shortly." Tracy said as she moved along to do her rounds.

A man walked by with a child in his arms. Right behind him was a woman who was playing peekaboo with the child. She glanced over and froze when she spotted Ben.

"Oh my god! It's you! You're him! In the magazine! Harry! It's him!"

Ben sighed. When Trish made to move to block the woman Ben reached across to make her sit back.

"Magazine?" Ben asked and glanced at the man. He was looking at Ben with undisguised animosity. He moved further back to distance himself from Ben. His wife watched him go with her mouth opening and closing in surprise.

Ben looked to her in and she suddenly remembered she was carrying her tablet. She flipped it around and launched the app to show him the digital magazine's cover. It was one of those trashy gossip rags and right there on the front cover was a shot of Ben relaxing back against the front of the catamaran, wind blowing in his hair, chest scars exposed for the world to see.

"That BITCH!" Trish growled. The woman with the tablet shied back in fear at Trish's tone.

"Trish!" Ben said and she settled back. "No good deed goes unpunished," she grumbled and Ben had to nod to that.

"I'm sorry. She was talking about the reporter who took the picture. May I see the magazine?" Ben asked the woman who immediately moved closer to hand him the tablet. She seemed to be absolutely thrilled to be standing next to him. She squeezed into their space to allow the other passengers to get past her to go to their seats.

Ben flipped to the next page and found the photo credit for the cover image. There was Naomi's name. In the table of contents there was an article by her as well. He looked up into the awestruck face of the woman hovering over him. "Could I read the article and bring the tablet back to you once we're in the air?"

"Sure, if I can get a photo with you," she blurted.

Ben's eyebrows went up. "Uh... sure."

The woman beamed a smile at him. "Seat 32C," she chirped then slipped out into the flow of people moving towards the back. Ben turned back to the tablet. He made note of the publishing house. He'd lay odds that it also published Naomi's magazine. Had he done an article for her for her magazine he wondered how quickly it would have shown up in this one too.

The article Naomi wrote was about La'Shia and Dream's secret wedding which had imploded in the few days they'd been in Costa Rica. Ben scanned through the article not really reading it as much as searching for keywords. Then he found it. The story of how he'd saved a woman from being sliced open with a knife and how the man was dead after the encounter. There was a lot of implied violence but she didn't outright accuse him of murder for which he supposed he was grateful.

Naomi even covered how he'd saved a relationship while on the cruise with no mentioning her part in that crisis. Worst of all she actually used the term 'love doctor'.

He'd seen enough. She'd proven she had no integrity, and was a terrible writer, so he shut down the app and got up to take the tablet back to its owner.

He found her excitedly gabbing with the woman across the aisle and both froze to look at him with broad smiles. "Thanks for the use of the tablet."

She took it from his hand and started up the camera app. She handed the tablet to the woman across the aisle. Then she stood next to Ben and grinned up at him. He smiled at the woman holding the tablet and she took some pictures. Then they switched places and more pictures were taken.

Tracy came by and rescued him by directing him back to his seat for take-off.

While Trish and Rochelle were pleased that he wasn't getting as upset about the attention he was getting they saw the tension showing in his eyes. Rochelle switched seats with him to tuck him back by the window. This made him less accessible to the other passengers. Trish's glare made the gawkers move along.

Ben tucked himself under the blanket and leaned against the wall with his eyes closed. He was out before the wheels left the tarmac.

He woke with Rochelle gently nudging him. The afterimage of flames passed behind his eyes. "Wha?"

"Sorry Ben, you were having a nightmare. You shouted. Was it the house fire dream again?" she asked quietly.

"Uh, yes. I think so." He saw Trish looking around Rochelle at him and he gave her a smile. He looked out the window but saw the tops of the clouds. "Any idea where we are?"

"We're almost home."

That word rang like a bell through Ben's being. Home! His spirits immediately rose and he smiled at the two women. They returned the smile and Rochelle took his hand in hers to give it a squeeze.

They were soon on the ground and made their way through customs and immigration and got their luggage as they entered the terminal to make their way to the long term parking lot.

An older gentleman in a dark suit and a bushy white mustache approached Ben and stood before him.

"Ben Shepherd?" he asked with a deep southern drawl.

Ben didn't recognize the man but he nodded.

"You've been served." The man handed him a court summons, nodded politely to the two ladies then walked away.

Ben looked at the papers in his hand with a frown. "Someone is suing me?" He opened the papers and froze. Written there on the papers was a name he never thought he'd see again. He couldn't breathe, his chest was tight and his hands began trembling.

Trish looked at the papers and her face dropped. "Oh fuck me," she gasped quietly in shock.

Rochelle couldn't see the papers and gave Trish a worried look as Ben didn't appear capable of answering.

"It's Wendy. Ben's ex. She's back."