-Shelley-

There has been very little alone time for me recently. If it's not Ben showing up unannounced, then you can always count on Miriam to request a day out. Ever since she found out she was expecting, she has been on high alert. Every time she has a little indication of being pregnant, she calls me. She gives the impression that she could burst at any second. Surprisingly, her pregnancy is still in its early stages.

I was hoping to get away from it all today. My agenda included sleeping in and finishing off some errands. Nevertheless, my preparations were thwarted by Ben.

Once again, he's perched on my couch. On this occasion, he carried his work with him. I must make an appointment to discuss this with him. Otherwise, he will soon be leaving his clothing here. "Absolutely not!" I refuse to accept that.

Despite feeling irritated by his invasion of my personal space, I derive pleasure from observing him as he works. His intense focus while working is quite captivating. As I leisurely sip my drink and hear the soup sizzling on the stove, I find myself unable to resist admiring him.

These eyes beg me not to look away. I couldn't help but notice his biceps flexing with every move he made with the pen on the sheet he held. His back leans on the sofa arm, exposing half of his chest, while his right leg kicks up on the sofa. 'Isn't he sexy?' Perched on him, I thought. Forgetting completely about the soup on the stove.

The sizzling sound of the overboiled soup hitting the hob snaps me out of my daze. "Shit! The soup," I say as I dash to the kitchen.

"Is everything alright?" he asks.

"Yes. Everything is just peachy." As I turn off the stove's fire, I utter these words. I set up a few dishes and poured the soup into them.

I cautiously approach him with the dish in my hand as I say, "I believe a break is in order for you. Your soup is ready."

"My goodness, I am so grateful. You are heaven-sent," I curiously look at him, studying his expression. A giddy grin spreads across his face after he takes a drink. "Tastes great. Do you happen to know what this soup is?"

"This is goat soup, also known as light soup in this country. I am glad it meets your approval. For a moment there, I thought you were going to spit it out." This is accompanied by my giggles.

"What? Of course not. Although I must admit I was curious as to how it might taste since I have never had it before. I must say I really enjoy it."

"Well then, I'll leave you to it," I replied as I made my way to the kitchen to serve myself.

After helping myself to some soup, I join him on the sofa. Side by side, we eat and have light conversations. Just then, a call comes in on his phone. He looks down at it and notices it is a call from Matthew.

-Adam POV-

"Hello," I responded. "Really! Congratulations man. This is wonderful news." As I listened to Matthew talk about looking forward to being a father, I couldn't help but be happy for him and Miriam. The most amazing part is that they want me to be the godfather to the child when it is born. We joke about what we will do once the baby arrives. After speaking to Miriam, I bid the soon-to-be parents goodbye. I turn to inform Shelley about the news, but I notice she isn't where I thought she would be; that's right beside me. She might have taken advantage of the call and made her way to the kitchen to clean the dishes.

Just when I was about to sort her out, she emerged from the kitchen, drying out her hands with the napkin. I made my way to her. "Hey, guess what."

"What?" she asked. "Matthew and Miriam are expecting." "That's great." She said casually as if she was already aware. "Wait, did you know about this?"

"Yes. I was there when she took the test."

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"It wasn't my news to tell."

"I guess you are right. They want me to be the kid's godfather. Can you believe that? Me. I am going to spoil him or her rotten. I had always wanted a sibling, but due to the sour relationship between my parents, they never gave me one."

"But you have a stepbrother." she inquired. "It is not the same," I responded. "Don't get me wrong; I don't hate him. I can't help but think about my dad's infidelity whenever I see him. His presence is intolerable to me."

She caresses my cheek and looks into my eyes as she whispers, "I am so sorry to see you hurt like this." I lean in close, my gaze fixed on her eyes, and I place my palm over hers, resting on my cheek. "Thanks," I muttered softly.

While maintaining eye contact, I plant a passionate kiss on the inner side of her wrist and exclaim, "God! You are lovely." I could see her blush.

With a downward glance, she nibbles on her bottom lip. I get her to look directly at me by elevating her chin. "I thought I told you not to bite your lip." I delicately traced my fingers across her lower lip and whispered. "Your flavour is so vivid in my mind that I can recall every bite of our last kiss. My taste buds beg for more."

"So why don't you?" she says. I look at her in shock. I was surprised at her response. "Are you sure?" She nodded in agreement.

With my lips, I slowly capture her lower lip. As she tilts her head to the side to grant me greater access, I deepen our kiss by sucking on her tongue. A moan escapes both our lips. With her breasts pressing firmly against my chest and her hands hooking around the back of my neck, I couldn't help but get lost in our kiss.

"I swear, I am getting harder by the minute." Overcome with desire, I got my hands under her thighs and lifted her on the table, my mouth working away at her neck as I slid between her welcoming thighs. My lips found her mouth again. My right hand is at the back of her neck, holding it in place as I worship her with my lips. I felt her hand making its way underneath my shirt. Only then did I break free from her.

With both of us panting, I heard her apologize. "Please don't apologize. You did nothing wrong, but we must stop. I know you want to take things slow, and I will not do anything to pressure you."

Capturing her face in my palm, I say, "When I told you I was in no rush, I meant it. I intend to change your perception of men." I kissed her for the last time and let go of her.

She says, "You make my head spin." I whispered seductively. "Good." "I intend to do much more than that." Both of us laughed shyly.

***

I couldn't stop smiling when I got back to my residence. Things were great with Shelley. Finally, she feels calm around me.

Christ! That woman drives me crazy. It took a whole lot of restraint on my part to not take her right there and then on that table.

The rest of the day went smoothly as we cuddled on the sofa, catching up on each other's likes and dislikes, hobbies, and childhood memories. Each time we talk, I feel drawn to her more.

As I walk further into the living room, I see my answering machine's light blinking, which means there was a missed call. After pressing "play," the message began to play.

Hello, honey, it's your mom. I have been trying to reach you but seem not to get hold of you. Please call me. It's urgent.

"What is going on? I hope everything is fine. I need to call her right away."

With the phone by my ear, I pace back and forth in the living room, hoping and praying that my mother hasn't fallen into depression. While my thoughts explore the worst scenarios, she greetingly states:..

"Hello, son. I am glad you called. How are you?" Feeling annoyed for imagining the worst, I reply, saying, "I am fine, Mom. Is everything alright?"

"Yes, everything is fine. I apologize for causing you concern when I asked you to call me immediately. Your father just called me to let me know that you haven't been returning his calls."

"What? Why is he calling you in the first place? Didn't the judge instructed him never to call you again? He is not to contact you in any way. If he has a message for you, his lawyer should get in touch with us. I am going to have his head removed for breaching the contract."

"Benjamin Adam McLean, will you relax? I wasn't alone when he called. Mr. MarQueen was with me." I angrily interrupt my mother. "Well, he wasn't aware Mr MarQueen would be there when he called; therefore, he made the call when he knew he shouldn't without a lawyer."

"Just let it go, Ben. He did it practically out of desperation. He didn't think it through because he desperately needs your help. Please, will you call him? Just do it for my sake."

"Don't pull that card with me, Mom. I don't owe that man anything."

"You may not, but I do," she says. "At least he gave me a son."

I really don't understand this woman sometimes. After everything that man put her through, she still look out for him. Sighing, I say, "Fine. I will find time to call him."

"Thank you so much, sweetheart. Love you. Bye."

"Wait! Why were you with my boss, Mom?" Before I could get an answer to my question, the phone went dead.

"What the hell!"

_

A/N: Guys, whoever told you that editing was easy must be lying. It's like writing the story all over again.