Saved By The Firefighter
Chapter 57

Lucy's Point of view.

Josie and I walk up to her and Anders hotel room, my dress hanging over my arm in the bag, my underwear options in a small carry case. As I enter the room, I let out a sigh of relief, because I have questions that I do not want Ben to know I need to ask, and for him to misunderstand the meaning, and presume I am not ready for our relationship to take the next step in the bedroom. "Hang your dress in the wardrobe Lucy." Josie smiles at me.

I do not know why, but I am suddenly overcome with embarrassment, so I take another breath to steady my heart that is beating out of my chest. I really need to get a grip of myself, or I will be too worked up and Ben will not give me what I know I want. "Hey, are you okay Lucy, you look terrified?" Josie asks a small frown furrowing her brow.

"I am okay, and yes, I am kind of frightened, but I don't want Ben to know," I tell her cryptically, hoping she can guess what is worrying me, without me having to tell her.

"What is going on Lucy?" Josie asks, concern etched on her face.

Guess I am going to have to start this embarrassing conversation after all. Okay, here goes. "Erm, well, you see, Ben and I have not done... well... IT, before," I tell her feeling like my cheeks are burning hot at my admission.

"What, really? But you guys have been living together," Josie exclaims.

"I

I know, but Ben has been taking things slow, because, well... I have never done IT before," I shyly admit to her.

"Oh." Josie nods, her mouth a perfect O shape.

"Yeah, he doesn't want to rush me, and well, ... I kind of want to be rushed now," I say with a small giggle to cover my embarrassment.

"I get you. So, what are you worried about?" Josie smiles, sitting on the edge of her bed, and patting the space beside her.

I go sit next to her and let out a long breath.

"Kind of everything. I mean, I know I am ready, and I trust him with my life. Hell, he has already saved it once, but I am scared it hurts, worried I will be no good, and terrified he sees my fear and therefore makes me wait even longer," I tell her.

Josie nods her head in understanding. "Ben is a gentle giant; he will look after you. As for the pain aspect, I am not going to lie, it does hurt at first, but after a while it gets better, then you will enjoy it. What you need is a drink to calm your nerves, but not too much so he will not do anything because you are drunk." Josie grins, standing up and heading to the mini-fridge and grabbing a bottle of wine out, then pouring us both a glass.

"So... first things first. Drink this, then go have a relaxing hot bath, if you are like me, you will shave your legs at least twice, fully moisturise, then pick out your underwear that makes you feel confident. If you have sexy stuff, go for it, but if wearing that makes you feel self-conscious then don't. The most important thing is to be as relaxed as possible. Also, my advice is, do not over think things; let it come naturally, and do not rush to get to the end game. The more turned on you are, the less the act will hurt you in the end, so take your time." Josie grins at me. "Okay." I nod, still burning from embracement.

"Come on, I am going to run you a hot bath, and pour you another drink ... only a small one though, then I want you to sit back and relax. Tonight, is about you, and making this the best night of your life." Josie tells me happily.

The lavender oil Josie added to my bath and the half-glass of wine definitely helped my fractured nerves, as I felt myself relax in the warm water. I remind myself, it is Ben I am doing this with, the man I trust with my everything, so I am sure it is going to be okay. Better than okay.

After a good soak, I stand under the shower, washing my body and hair, rinsing off the soap, and yeah, I shaved my legs three times. It is weird, as I have done things with Ben before, and never panicked about how smooth my legs and under arms were, but knowing tonight is the night, it suddenly becomes a problem for me.

Shaking my head at my own stupidity, I finally step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my long hair, drying off my body with another towel, before putting at least half-a-tub of body lotion all over me. Pulling on the towelled bath robe, I quickly rinse out the bath, and head back into Josies room.

"Better?" Josie asks me as I enter the room.

"Yes, much, thank you." I smile at her, really grateful for her support.

"Okay, well whilst you dry off your hair, I will dive in the shower, then come style it for you, and put on your makeup if you like." She grinned at me.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" I asked her, feeling a little guilty for taking up her own getting ready time.

"Not at all. It is nice to do female stuff with someone. I am surrounded by men all day, so having a girl to do this stuff with is nice." She smiled, then headed off into the bathroom herself.

Two hours later, I stood in front of the mirror. I had gone with the sexy red underwear, which had given me a confidence boost, under the long halter necked red dress, that clung to every curve, a long split up one leg. Josie had pinned my hair, half up in a small half bun, the lengths curled and hung down my back. She had put natural make up on me, just to highlight certain areas, knowing I never really wore much, the outfit was finished off with a pair of diamond studs. Not real diamonds, obviously, but they still looked great. I slipped my feet into a pair of silver open-toed sandals with a medium heal. I cannot believe just how good I actually look; my confidence sky rocketing.

"You look amazing. Ben is going to go crazy when he sees you." Josie grinned at me.

"Same for Anders." I smiled, as I looked at Josie.

She looked stunning, a pale blue dress, that matched her eyes, obviously designer, that had a sweetheart neckline, the flowing material swished as she walked. Her own hair was hanging down to just beyond her shoulders, the blonde lengths straightened, so they hung sleek giving them an extra boost of shine. She looked beautiful; my boss is a lucky man.

I picked up my silver clutch, as Josie picked up her white one, that matched her shoes, and we both grinned at each other.

"Come on, let's go see our men. Anders has already text me three times, asking where we are." Josie giggled.

"Oh, I nearly forgot, the most important thing, my business cards," I say, then rush over to my day bag and grabbed a handful putting them into the purse.

"Ready." I smile, and with a nod, we both walk out of the room, heading down to the bar.

As I walk through the door, the first person I see is Ben, stood, in a black fitted suit, white shirt and bow tie. The cut of the suit showcased his muscles, and he literally stole my breath away. How did I get so lucky to have this man as my own?

Ben's eyes widen when he sees me, the grey pupils turning black with lust, as he mouths a silent 'Wow' to me. I try not to giggle like an it, and be the consummate professional at this event, but fail spectacularly, as I chuckle away, grinning at my man like an it. "Lucy, you look out of this world. You are always beautiful, but tonight is just another level," he groans huskily in my ear, as he places his arm around my waist and gives my cheek a small kiss.

"You look amazing yourself." I grin up at him.

"Thank you, but I hate wearing monkey suits." Ben chuckles, then adjusts the bow tie, as if it is strangling him.

"Well, I think you look handsome and very sexy," I tell him.

Anders greets Josie, with a look which tells everyone in the room, just how much he loves what she is wearing, and quickly, places his arm around her, almost as if he is claiming her as his to the whole room.

A waitress walks around with a tray full of champaign flutes, and Ben takes two from her, passing me one.

"A toast," Anders says to us all.

"To Lucy, and the biggest publishing deal I have ever seen." He grins.

Ben, lifts his glass giving me a proud smile, as Josie says, "Here, here," in response.

"Anders Maxwell, how the hell are you?" a voice booms out from across the room.

I instantly recognise it as John Brown, the executive chair of the chamber. I have met John a few times, he is a small, stout man, with a jolly face, and very friendly to everyone. But I know not to let that fool me, he is astute, and as ruthless as they come in matters of business.

"John, good to see you. This is my girlfriend, Josie. Josie this is John, the Chamber executive," he introduces her.

"Ah, girlfriend. Well, nice to meet the woman who has tamed the man." John grins at Josie and shakes her hand.

"I think you already know Lucy, who is my new Sales Director," Anders makes my introduction.

"Ah yes, we have met a couple of times, how are you, Lucy?" he asks with a smile.

"I am great, thanks. This is my boyfriend, Ben," I make the introduction.

"Wow, you are a big bugger," John says, cricking his neck to look up at Ben, and I resist the urge to laugh.

"Nice to meet you." Ben smiles politely.

"So, Ben, I don't think I have seen you at one of these events before, what line of business are you in? Security firm?" he asks.

"No, I am a firefighter, with Josie here." Ben smiles.

"Oh, firefighter, that is a job we do not hear about much around here, other than when you lot deny our certificates. Eh Anders." John laughs.

I notice both Ben and Josie stiffen, John is on dangerous ground not taking the certificate and fire precaution seriously with these two here.

Anders remains silent, as John shuffles slightly, realising his error of judgment with the joke. Then turns his head back to Ben.

"So, firefighter, I would have said security or self-defence." John covers for himself.

"Actually, I have a new chamber member here, who possibly could do with a story in the magazine Anders. She is ex-military. Quite famous, as she was an instructor on a reality show about special forces. Not that I watch it. But that should interest the readers, let me make the introduction." He smiles, then walks over to the opposite side of the room and takes hold of a tall girl with black hair, stood in a black long legged play suit. As she turns, I instantly recognise her, but not the tall dark-haired man with her, who seems to have spilt some of the canopies down his tie. Ben grins as the girl turns, then walks straight over.

"BEN, how great to see you. You look well, how is everything going?" she smiles then gives him a hug.

"Hi Haley, everything is going great. I am back to work. Hey Stan." Ben smiles at the man beside her.

"Hi Ben, good to see you again." Stan grins at him.

"This is my girlfriend, Lucy; this is Haley and Stan. Haley was the mole in my season of Special Forces; Have You Got What It Takes." Ben grins at me.

"Yes, I recognise you Haley, from the show." I smile at the woman, who looks friendly now, but I don't think I would like to cross her any times soon.

"So, what the hell are you both doing here?" Ben asks with a smile, clearly comfortable with the couple.

"Oh, I have set up a women's self defence business, we have just expanded our classes, one in Newcastle, and one will be opening in Sunderland next week." Haley smiles.

"So, are you not doing the show anymore?" Ben asks.

"Yes, but that is only a few weeks out of the year. Hey, you should come, be an attacker one night." Haley laughs.

"I am in." Ben grins at her.

"That is amazing, it is really good to have female classes for self-defence. So worthwhile." I smile at Haley.

"Thank you, so can I sign you up?" Haley laughs with me.

"Hey, yes, why not, I think it is a great skill to have. Actually, I work on the chamber mag and app, John said he wants us to profile you in the magazine, here is my business card, we can set that up for you." I smile. "How much?" Stan chuckles.

"The editorial profile is free, but we do have packages for advertising if you want to promote to corporations, but there is no pressure at all to do that." I smile.

"You know, that might work for us. Having companies sign up their female employees. We should meet up for a drink, it will be good to catch up with Ben, and then discuss the options after." Haley smiles.

For all I see her as a scary instructor from the show, I actually really like this woman, and I know how much she helped Ben.

"Definitely, and no bull, I will sign up for the self-defence classes." I grin.

"Me too. They will come in handy on a Saturday night when on shift." Josie laughs and takes Haley's card herself.

We spend the rest of the evening, networking, and chatting with the chamber members, but the closer it gets to leaving, the more nervous I become. Ben is always by my side, his hand resting on the bottom of my back, as he talks to the potential clients with me. He is doing really well, considering how quiet he normally is. Anders walks over to me, with a grin.

"I think we have the business cards of everyone in here, you guys can relax now." He smiles, and Josie gives me a small wink, which makes me blush as red as my dress.

"Thank you," I stammer slightly.

Ben bends down and whispers in my ear, his hot breath causing goosebumps to explode where it touches. "Bedtime."

A wave of anxiousness washes over me.

s**t here goes nothing.

I nod silently, as Ben takes me by the hand, entwines his fingers with my own, and leads me out of the conference room.