A Kiss for Ben in the Rain

[Sophia Beckett]

Kiss + 1... in the rain.

_{Tagged: Benedict Bridgerton}

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict had been sitting out in the gardens with three of his sisters . . . and Sophie had joined them. They were having tea and some desserts, enjoying the seemingly nice weather. But as sunny as it had once been, the clouds began to come and darken the skies. One of his sisters was quick to rush inside, not taking the risk of the threat of rain. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ The other two, were starting to consider it as well. Benedict . . . well, he was merely trying to remain focused on the actual conversation. Sophie's presence was often a distraction. Her initial days here had been quite difficult. Not because she was unwelcome but because . . . Benedict was struggling with his feelings for her. A constant pull towards her, one becoming more and more difficult to battle. There had been some, avoidance, most certainly. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ But a moment had eventually come where they kissed. It had of course just happened and while it wasn't their first -- it having had taken place at My Cabin -- it had been their first at his home. Since then, he had felt hope. Hope that perhaps, something more could exist between them. Yet he had to be careful. Knowing he could not let his gaze linger too long. His sister's had far too keen an eye . . . so Benedict needed to be mindful. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ The slight drizzle began to fall and it was enough to cause his sisters to scramble to their feet from the garden chairs. "I shall join you in a moment," he told them, as they rushed inside and he rose to his feet from his seated position. He watched Sophie as she quickly began to collect the dishes so to take in what she could and salvage the desserts. That was when the rain began to pour down. A heavy downpour indeed. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Before Sophie had a chance to also join the others inside, Benedict quickly took her hand in his and gently urged her forward, leading her not incredibly far from the table, but towards a large tree in the garden. He brought her under it, the branches filled with leaves outstretched so that it would provide shade from the sun. Or in this case, slight shelter from the rain. Not completely however, the rain was heavy enough that it still dropped from the leaves and slipped through the spaces between the branches. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ But it was not concealment from the rain that Benedict was primarily using it for . . . it was concealment from anyone else's eyes. A moment alone together that he could take advantage of. He turned around to face her, his back against the tree as he finally pulled her close to him, wrapping one arm around her to hold her, their bodies pressed together while his lips sought out hers, pressing against her own in a deep kiss. A kiss that allowed his built up emotions pour into as he let his guard down from the stifling need to conceal his feelings for her. It was suffocating really, to have to constantly pretend. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ His other hand went to her cheek in a caress, deepening the kiss and letting it linger as time stood still and there was nothing in this world except the two of them. He finally eased out of it, though his forehead remained placed against hers, his eyes still closed and his lips just brushed against hers. Benedict felt the heavy rains to be a welcome sensation, to help cool and counter the heat that flushed through his body over the warmth of her touch. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "If I were to get sick again, would you stay with me?" He whispered with a smile, words holding teasing and playfulness in reference to what had allowed them some time alone together in their journey here. But also a tease, in that attempt to 'avoid' one another. And that he would do anything . . . endure anything, if it granted them time together. However before she could answer, he did not wish to waste another moment alone and instead, kissed her again, with equal -- if not more -- emotion than the first. Tag Sophia Beckett

                        the rules of society.

[Sophia Beckett]

He was good with his sisters, and Sophie liked watching him at ease with them. She had to fight to keep from holding his gaze if he looked her way, as it was growing hard not to wish things were different. Not to think about how she felt. It was growing harder to remember why she had to be strong.

She had to protect herself.
She had to protect them both.

The first rain drop hit her cheek, and she looked up at the sky knowing what was about to happen. Hurrying over to the table, she began moving plates around to try to save anything that she could, or at least not let it begin a gopping mess on the table that would be mushy to clean. The rain began to pour harder, and she knew it was going to be pointless. Feeling a hand on her's, her heart skipped a beat as she knew without looking that it was him. The tug on her hand made her leave the dishes, and Sophie was both surprised and not that he pulled her away from the house.

The rain felt cool on her heated skin, and the moment he kissed her the heat turned to fire. Inhaling sharply, her lips parted and let him in. Her hands moved up grasp his arms to balance her, and try to keep from bursting. Without a thought she pressed up on her toes to reach him better, stepping closer to his warmth and touch.

He broke the kiss, resting his face to hers. Her breathing was rapid as she tried to pull in enough air to replace what he had stolen. And in this moment, this perfect stole moment that should never end, and should never have happened--he joked of being ill. Anything left on her lips was kissed away, and her small arms reached up to wrap around his neck, holding him close to her. "Do not joke," she demanded between stolen kisses, "I could not bare you so ill again."

_{Tagged: Benedict Bridgerton}