Chapter 28 - Happy Hour

We see Lisbon in the distance and I start bouncing in my seat. “We’re almost there. I smile at Ben.
The Ponte 25 de Abril is appearing in front of us. It’s the bridge that will lead us into Lisbon.

I steer the car through the small streets of Lisbon. “This freaks me out.” I’m almost crying, “This is worse than driving in Paris.”
“Want me to take over?” Ben asks and I nod. “Yes, please.” I park on the side of the road and we trade places quickly. Ben maneuvers the car perfectly through the small and crowded streets.

We finally find a good looking hotel. We park the car and get out. I love this place and I surely want to see more of it soon. But for now, we need to check in at the hotel and I first of all need a long shower. I feel sticky from driving the car for over 5 hours.

The hotel has a room available and we head to our room. “Oh Ben, it’s gorgeous in here.” I sigh. The room is bright with big windows and a balcony. A king size bed full of pillows, with cerulean blue blankets.
I check the bathroom and my mouth falls open. There is a hot tub in there. “Ben. I am sorry, but I will in the hot tub for the rest of the day.” I laugh.

“That’s okay miss. Only if you don’t mind that I join you.” He grins. “Oh sir, are you suggesting dirty things?” I laugh. Ben wiggles his eyebrows and takes me in his arms. “Hell yes.” He says before kissing me passionately and slowly walks me to the bed. I fall backwards, pulling Ben on top of me and I cling to him. This been too long.

His hands caress my body and I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him against me. A soft moan escapes my lips when I feel him growing. My hands slide down his back, grabbing his butt and pull him even closer against me. Ben growls and slides up my shirt, his hand strokes my naked body and he gently touches the scar on my waist. I shiver when he touches me like that and I get goosebumps all over my body.

Ben grabs the hem of my shirt and pulls it over my head.
His soft lips slide to my neck, softly licking and biting my skin. Placing me back down on the bed. I stroke his hair from his face and kiss him deeply. Our tongues play together for a while. His hands still stroking every inch of my body.

It has been too long since we were this close together. And I deeply missed it.
We both breath heavily, trying to regain our breath. “This could not have been good for your lung.” I grin. Ben shrugs and smiles.

I pull Ben close to me for a kiss. “You are trembling.” he whispers. “You are too.” I smile and wipe his damp hair from his forehead. “I missed you.” I smile.

We lie on the bed, holding each other tight. “I will never let you go.” I say with a smile while nuzzling him. “Who says I want you to let me go?" He grins and places a kiss on the soft skin in my neck.
“Don’t start again you bunny.” I grin. But I wouldn’t mind having another steamy fun session.

“I’m going to see about the hot tub. Stay here, I’ll be right back” Ben gives me a quick kiss and goes into the bathroom. “Nice butt.” I grin. “Are you looking at my bum?” Ben laughs and shakes his butt.
“Apparently I am.” I giggle.

I rest back on the bed, listening to Ben whistling in the bathroom.

This is pure bliss.

I wish it could always be like this.

And I grab my chance, as long as Rick doesn't show up again, to enjoy my happiness.

“Bath is ready miss.” Ben shouts from the bathroom. I get up from the bed and stroll into the bathroom. The lights are dim and Ben is already in the tub. “Come on in.” he smiles.
I step in. The water is warm and I lean against Ben. His hands massage my shoulders and I completely relax.
“Hmm, Magic Hands Graupner.” I grin. “What?” Ben asks. “Never mind, just a nickname we gave you a few years ago.” I explain. Ben chuckles and presses a kiss in my neck. “I love you.” he mumbles in my ear.

We go out for dinner in a fancy restaurant up the hill. We both take the a seafood dish. Which seems to be a real Portuguese dish.
I don’t really like it and shove my plate aside. “I will live on bread for the rest of the evening.” I grin.

“You need to eat. I might need you in good shape tonight when we get back.” Ben winks and I raise my eyebrow. “And if you don’t eat, you will get drunk way too quick. I don’t think I am capable of carrying you all the way back to the hotel right now.”

“You really ARE a bunny. Aren’t you supposed to take it easy with that lung of yours?” I ask with a smile.
“You could do all the work and let me lie back and enjoy it.” Ben nods frantically. “That’s how it works. I mean, with me being poor and sore and all.” He looks at me with his puppy eyes. “I am not falling for that!” I laugh.

We finish our food and pay the bill. It’s pretty expensive for a dish that I haven’t touched. But well, maybe I should have thought about that before I ordered it.

“Want to go to a bar?” Ben asks but I shake my head. “Can’t we just go back to the hotel and watch a movie or something? Just you and me together.” I ask.
“That sounds like a nice plan to me.” Ben agrees.

We stroll through the streets of Lisbon. Ben has his arm wrapped around my shoulders, my arm around his waist and my thumb loosely hooked in the back pocket of his jeans.

The view from up here is great. We see the lights of the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge in the distance. The streets are crowded with locals and tourists. I hear many different languages passing by. Music is coming out of little bars in the streets. The air smells sweet and the wind is warm.

It is fall, but it feels like midsummer over here. I think I am falling in love with Portugal now too.

“Ben, can we play tourists tomorrow.” I ask. “Aren’t we tourists anyway?” Ben replies and I laugh. “Technically yes.” I say. “I would love to go to the Monsanto Forest Park. ”
“For a girl who (has) never been to Portugal, you seem to know an awful lot about it.” Ben says and squeezing me against him.
“I paid attention in high school.” I reply.

We walk to the hotel in silence. Holding each other and enjoying the buzzing streets of Lisbon.

“Okay miss, what movie do you want to watch.” Ben is sitting on the bed, pressing the buttons on the remote repeatedly.
“Dude, if you switch so quickly, I can’t see what’s on.” I say. “But I can.” He replies.

I sit down next to him. I really can’t see what’s on the TV. “Slow down.” I say. He does what I ask and switches the stations terribly slow.
I sigh. “Why do you take everything so literally?” I ask. Ben grins. “Apparently your brain doesn’t work as quick as mine.”

I nudge him and stick out my tongue.

“This looks like a good movie to me.” Ben says and quits pressing the buttons. I take a look. “Seriously? Sex And The City?” I look at him. “No dude, come on.”

Ben laughs. “I thought you’d like it, but apparently not?”

I shake my head and Ben continues to flick through the TV stations. “50 First Dates?” Ben asks.

I nod. “I like that one.” I reply

We settle down on the bed. I’m leaning against Ben and we watch the movie in silence. I am a very talkative girl, but when I am with Ben I don’t need words.

I drift away in a deep sleep even before the movie is finished.