Page 23 of Wicked Deceptions
Chapter 11
Over the course of the next week, Ben and I see each other every chance we get. We have become very close, and he has actually been opening up to me about his work. I’m very interested in his efforts with the war.
Normally, I would be bothered by our closeness coming too fast, too soon. But with Ben, I find I am not. Actually, I revel in it. Ben is a wonderful man, and I truly enjoy his company. It is a shame this all will end, just like the others.
Today, he is meeting me for lunch. When he gets to the office and spots me, he beams and it warms my heart. He approaches and asks, “Are you ready, love?”
I absolutely love it when he says that.Love. Could it mean he loves me?Suddenly, I’m giddy at the thought.I must be doing something right.I beam right back at him. “Let me give Adam this project I just finished, and I’ll be ready.”
“I’ll be here waiting.”
I walk to Adam’s office and gently knock on the doorframe. He’s looking at some papers on his desk but looks up and sees me. “Katie. Is it all done?”
“Yes, sir,” I reply.
“I have to tell you I did a smart thing by hiring you. You have got to be the fastest typist here.”
It makes me feel so good when he notices my work. “Thank you. A hundred words per minute, sir,” I say proudly.
“Keep up the good work.”
“I will, thank you.” I leave his office and go back to my station. Ben is waiting, just like he promised. But really, I didn’t have any doubt that he would be there.
“So where are you taking me?”
He holds up a basket and says, “I thought we’d have a picnic.”
“A picnic! Ben, it’s the middle of December, and it’s freezing outside.”
He laughs. “Not that kind of picnic, love, a carpet picnic. I picked up some meats and cheeses and a bottle of wine.”
“And where are we having this supposed carpet picnic?”
“Well, I thought perhaps we could go back to my flat.”
I smile. “I’d like that.” I go to put my coat on, but he stops me and puts it on for me. He’s such a gentleman. Once I’m all buttoned up, I reach for my purse, and he gently touches my arm.
“Wait a minute.” He walks away, heading toward Adam’s office. I’m too far away to hear what he is saying, so I patiently wait until he comes back.
A few minutes later, he comes back and says, “I just got you the afternoon off.”
“Ben! I can’t afford to lose an afternoon of wages.”
“It’s paid.”
“What? Really?” I reply, astonished. Nobody ever gets paid for time off, nobody.
“Yes, really. Being the liaison between the Royal Flying Corp and the Admiralty has its privileges.” He chuckles. “Let’s go.”
I can’t believe I have the whole afternoon off—and with Ben. Life doesn’t get much better than this. He takes my hand, and we leave the Admiralty.
When we get to his flat, he opens my door for me as usual and helps me from the motorcar. He escorts me inside, and I have to say, I am quite impressed with his home. It’s very manly, and there aren’t many personal things around, but it’s clean and orderly. I expected much worse for a man living on his own. There is a bearskin rug on the floor, which he gestures toward and says, “Please sit.”
I take off my shoes and sit on the soft furry carpet. “Is this a real bear?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Oh, my.” I rake my hands through the fur. “Did you kill it?”
