"You look like naturals!" Kelly commented, watching as James was excitedly showing his favourite teddy to Ben while I had squatted down beside them.

I had my hand on Ben's shoulder for balance, as he was sat right on the floor of the gym, his suit jacket discarded somewhere. I wasn't complaining, I adored how the white dress shirt complimented his arms and muscles.

Ben sent Kelly a smile, accepting the teddy as James handed it to him.

"He's usually not this comfortable with new people," she continued, packing up her stuff after our lesson, "you have a gift, Ben."

"I think we're both just teddy-fanatics," he replied lightheartedly, handing the teddy back to a widely smiling James.

"Mine," James spoke, hugging the teddy to his chest.

"He's way too adorable," I told Kelly, "you need to bring him around again, if we continue lessons like this."

"I'm sure he'd like that a lot," she nodded, throwing her gym bad over her shoulder.

We spent some more time with Kelly and James, before it was time for them to leave. We walked them to the foyer of the apartment, chatting about nothing in particular.

"Thank you again," Kelly and I hugged, "I really needed this."

"Of course," she smiled, "you're getting very good. Isn't she, Ben?"

I glanced back to see Ben holding James, both examining the teddy closely in his free hand. He was nodding at something the toddler was saying.

"I think we succeeded," I whispered to Kelly, grinning.

She laughed and nudged me playfully, "I agree."

We said our goodbyes and one of our security guards went to drive Kelly and James home. The second the apartment door had closed, I wasn't surprised to be pushed up against the wall.

I had wanted to know where Ben stood with the issue of Winston Horan, but decided it could be left for later. His mood having suddenly better after a few weeks was comfort enough for me.

"You want one of those?" he murmured against my lips, hands squeezing my waist.

"One of those?" I let out a breathless laugh, hands finding his toned chest, "whatever do you mean?"

"I'm not oblivious, I know why James was brought along and I was insisted to play the role of a nanny," he smirked, pushing his hard front against mine, "you're not that sly, baby."

I let my fingers travel into his hair and run through the soft strands, my eyes following their movement.

"Am I not?" I played coy, meeting his gorgeous dark eyes again while he gave me a shake of his head, "fine. Did it work?"

He kissed me again, "the second you stop taking the pill and tell me you want a child, I'll have one in your belly quicker thank you can say 'pumpernickel'."

I laughed at the mention of our safeword. His lips found the nape of my neck, cutting my laughter short. I let one of my hands trail down his front slowly, taking its time feeling his toned body until it found the hardening bulge in his suit pants.

"Want me to tie you up again?" I smiled to myself and felt his chuckle against my sensitive skin.

"No."

"Liar," I whispered, gently squeezing his growing bulge.

His hand was quick to grab my chin before he gave me a punishingly hard kiss, "if you try to tie me up, I'll show you what I know in self-defence."

The continuous battle between us to gain power in this relationship, particularly in its intimate times, kept things exciting and me desperately in love with this man.

"I want you now," he breathed shakily, arousing me further, "here."

"What are you waiting for, then?" I grinned against his lips, loving having him like this; so needy for me.

Ben took a small step back, hands leaving my body. I realised then how heavy he was breathing, darkened eyes hungrily taking my flustered complexion in.

Without another word, I was turned around and comfortably squeezed between him and the wall again, this time with my front against the wall. A small sound of surprise left my lips when my leggings were yanked down and a smack was delivered to my behind.

"It's been way too long," he grunted out, hot breath hitting the back of my neck and causing me to shiver in delight. It had been a few weeks, that was true. Him so buried in work and stressed, we had barely even talked for more than five minutes a day.

I pushed back against him after I had heard him unzipping his pants and taking out his hard member.

"You should be illegal," Ben kissed my neck, one hand reaching around me to touch me exactly where I needed him to. With his knee he separated my legs, positioning himself at my entrance.

I pushed myself back against him again, needing him to hurry. A small whine left my lips when he wasn't catching on and continued touching and teasing me.

"Who's in control now?" he chuckled lowly, placing a small kiss on my cheek. Before I had a chance to retaliate, a gasp left my lips when he pushed himself inside me in one smooth motion.

The pleasured and relieved groan from him was like music to my ears, arousing me to unbelievable extents and making me melt in his rough hold pulling me back to meet him.

With one of his hands on my hip holding me in place, he used the other to turn my face toward his, before he kissed me passionately. The position wasn't ideal, but being pressed up against the wall like this with him inside me and touching me was pure heaven.

"I love you," I moaned out when he hit a particularly deep spot inside me, "so much."

He repeated the action after confirmation of my pleasure, "love you, baby."

"Next time wear heels," he breathlessly chuckled while pulling me back enough to be able to push my back down, my chest still pressed against the wall, "you're too-"

Ben's husky voice was cut off by the sound of his phone ringing in his pocket. For the first time, I reached back and grabbed his wrist to hold his hand on my waist, and ordered him to shut the phone off.

Usually I was adamant about him answering it, incase it was something to do with his father, but he was in good hands with Billy and two live-in nurses. Besides, Ben and I needed this time to ourselves desperately.

"I missed this," I breathed out, moaning with pleasure as his hand met my behind in a harsh slap, only furthering my enjoyment.

"You have no idea— fuck."

His phone started ringing again, the annoyance in his tone clear. At the same time, my phone started ringing too.

"Stop, stop," realisation hit me and I tapped his hand in hopes of it releasing me, "who is it?"

Ben sighed, his delicious and smooth movements ending to both our disappointments. In defeat I rested against the wall, him still buried inside me as he took out his phone and answered it, my phone ringing somewhere in the background.

"What?" the tone of his voice was something I wish he'd never speak to me in; frustrated and harsh.

I impatiently waited for the person on the other end to tell Ben whatever was so important to interrupt us.

"I'll leave now."

"What?" I glanced back in confusion. I knew Ben wouldn't say that for anything minute, especially at a time like this.

In silence he cut the call and pulled out of me, zipping his pants back up while I turned around to face him. His eyes were focused on the floor between us, a small bead of sweat from our activities by his hairline.

Ben picked up my leggings and offered them to me, eyes finally meeting mine. The second I saw them, I knew something was terribly wrong.

"What's wrong?" I asked hesitantly, growing more frightened by each second he remained silent and continued studying my expression.

"I'm sorry, I need to go," he spoke, clearing his throat, "I'll be back in the evening—"

"No," I shook my head, knowing he was keeping whatever this was from me for a reason, "tell me, now."

"Sofia..."

I raised my brows expectantly at him, arms folding over my chest after I had slipped my panties and leggings back on.

Ben pinched the bridge of his nose and breathed out shakily, shoulders tense.

"Dad's been shot."