*R18*
"I'd like to make a toast," Peter said in a voice that projected across the banquet hall, after he stood up and cleared his throat a few times to gain everyone's attention. Once everyone was listening, he continued, "I want to first thank Ben Liu for hosting this amazing celebration. Selene and I have known each other since we were nigh high to a grasshopper as my granny would say. We've been through practically everything together, so it only makes sense that I would get engaged soon after her. After all, she got engaged to a big shot CEO with looks that could kill so it was only natural that I do the same with his twin from England!" The audience laughed and Peter smiled, "I love you, Selene, and I am so happy that we get to go through this happy experience together. I'd suggest a double wedding, but I'm too selfish of a groom for that!" Another laugh from everyone. "To Ben and Selene, may they always be as happy as today. In fact, happier! Cheers!" Guests yelled "Cheers!" and everyone drank whatever they had been holding up during the toast.
After Peter's toast, everyone resumed eating. Ben, Selene, Peter, and Johnny were all at the same table along with Selene's parents, Peter's parents, and Johnny's parents, who had flown in a few days prior to meet with their new son-in-law to be's family. Johnny had kept his parents abreast of everything that was going on in his love life, but it had come as quite a shock when their normally cautious son told them his plans to propose. Still, when they finally met Peter, they understood. The couple balanced each other out very well.
Selene leaned over to Peter and asked, "I'm having so much fun."
"I'm glad," he replied, his golden eyes sparkling.
Just then, Johnny's father stood up to give a toast. He thanked everyone for coming, said some nice things about the happy couples, and then toasted everyone there. His speech was brief and unfettered by flowery detail. Peter smiled and whispered to Johnny, "Now I know where you get your laconic communication style from."
"I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm a poet with words," Johnny chuckled.
Meanwhile, at the table next to the main one, Lucy and Max were enjoying themselves as well. Lucy didn't know it but Max was getting swept up in the spirit of the occasion. He even had the thought that if things continued to go well with Lucy, that he would like to propose to her. But, he figured it was still too soon. They had plenty of time.
Suddenly, the doors to the banquet hall opened and in walked Natalia Devons, flanked by Ben's parents.
Ben's face darkened as he stood up. Selene stood up as well but did not follow him when he met the threesome as they were walking toward their table.
"What is going on here?," Ben asked in a hushed but clearly angry tone.
"My dear, are we not invited?," Margaret asked in a condescending tone.
Ben put his hands on his hips and answered, "You would have been if you had been respectful toward Selene, but as it is…And what's she doing here with you?"
Seeing that Ben was visibly upset, Selene walked over to him to provide support.
Margaret put a hand around Natalia's arm and told her to "Go ahead."
Natalia put on a smile and said, "I have good news my love. We're pregnant."
Selene looked shocked and turned to Ben with eyes that asked, "What is this?"
Ben sighed, "And I suppose by we, you mean me and you? That's ridiculous. We'd have to have sex for that to happen. Did you fail biology in middle school?" He put an arm around Selene, but before he could continue, Natalia interrupted.
"Of course, it is our baby. I know you don't want Selene to know we slept together, but she would have found out eventually when the baby came so it's best we tell her now," Natalia purred as if she finally had an upper hand.
Selene didn't want to believe. "No, I'm not going to believe her," she thought. "I'm going to trust Ben." But a little part of her heart was uneasy. So many secrets had been kept from her.
Feeling Selene tense up, Ben replied, "We're not going to fall for this…plan…or whatever it is you all have hatched together. Selene knows I would never cheat on her so this so-called baby, if it even exists, is not mine."
"We knew you wouldn't believe it so we had a paternity test done," Margaret said. "Give him the results," she told her husband, who obediently obliged. He handed Ben an envelope that contained a couple pieces of paper stapled together.
Ben looked at the paperwork, which identified him as the father of Natalia's baby. He ripped it to shreds and through gritted teeth demanded that they leave, "I've had enough. Anyone can make up paternity results. I'll see you all in court if that what it takes. Mother, I'm deeply disappointed in you."
With that he looked over at the security guards, who started inching their way over to them.
"No need for that. We'll be going. But this isn't over," Margaret scoffed.
After they left, Ben hugged Selene and asked, "You don't believe them right?"
"Of course not," Selene answered, but with a little hesitation that did not go unnoticed by Ben.
"I swear to you, Selene. I would never sleep with her. You are the love of my life and I would never do anything to lose the trust we've worked so hard to build," Ben pleaded.
Hearing the sadness in Ben's voice made Selene reconsider. She thought, "The man in front of her had given her everything he had, body and soul. Surely, he would never cheat on her. Not after everything they'd been through, right?"
"I believe you, babe. I do," she reassured him while also reassuring herself.
They walked back to the table and it was only Peter who dared ask in a loud whisper, "What was that about?"
Ben let out a deep breath and shook his head. "Nothing important. Let's not have them ruin our fun now. Please, let's keep celebrating." He smiled at Selene who smiled back.
After dinner, the band started to play dance music and various couples made their way to the dance floor. Between the dancing and the delicious desserts that were served, everyone had a great time. Even Ben and Selene were able to brush off the tension that lingered after the Lius and Natalia left. Between the laughs everyone shared and the dancing, it was almost as if the unpleasant altercation had not happened.
Later that evening, Selene walked into the penthouse and found herself immediately pinned to the wall by Ben, who kissed her passionately.
"Wait," she said in between deep breaths, "We should go to the bedroom."
"I don't know if I can wait that long," Ben panted, giving her a hungry look. "I've been wanting to do this all night. It's been too long."
Selene had had a hard time being intimate with Ben while her parents were staying at the penthouse so this was the first time the couple would be making love since her parents moved back to their place the day before. She had also insisted on spending the night in her old home with them that night, hence Ben's appetite at the moment.
Ben kissed her as if he would never be satiated and then started to slide the zipper of her dress down. It fell to her feet in a graceful pillowing of the chiffon.
He dipped down and trailed kisses over her chest and to her belly. Moving her panty over, he licked the swollen lips that were at the opening between her legs. "Ahh," she let out a moan.
His tongue circled around her nub and then licked at the opening, feeling the wetness increase. "God, I love how you taste," he groaned as he stood up to take her lips again.
Ben unbuckled his belt and slid his own zipper down, revealing a large hardness that pressed against his underwear. He pulled his underwear down, revealing the thick cock that was yearning for release. Moving her panty aside once more, he positioned himself so he could enter her in one thrust.
They both moaned at the pleasure that spread over their bodies once they were connected. Ben began to move, thrusting upward slowly, building momentum in time with their grunts and moans. "Ah, that feels so good Ben. Faster, faster," Selene pleaded.
Ben listened to his beloved's request and increased his speed. He also pumped harder, pushing them both to the edge where ecstasy awaited them. As they moved, bodies as one, the sensations increased until they both climaxed to their own deep orgasms.
They stayed together, connected, for a few moments, breathing heavily. Coming off the high, Ben eased himself out of his fiancée and kissed her with the same level off passion as he had when it all started. Selene still had her legs crossed behind him, so he carried her that way to the bedroom, where they continued on to round two.
The next day, both slept in until mid-morning. "Thank God, today is Sunday. I need a day to recover," Selene grumbled, turning away from Ben to find a more comfortable position.
He hugged her from behind and said, "We did make up for lost time last night so it's no wonder."
"My whole body is sore," she complained.
"In a good way, I hope," Ben inquired, wondering if he'd been too rough.
"Definitely in a good way," Selene blushed slightly.
They lay there for several minutes until it became clear to Ben that Selene had fallen back asleep.
"Hmm," he thought. "She never sleeps in this late." He blamed the celebration in addition to their after-celebration activities. It took a lot to plan the event on top of getting ready for the launch of Project Phantom, not to mention all that was going on with Victor. Now this thing with Natalia had reared its ugly head. "No wonder she's exhausted."
He let her sleep but had to wake her right before lunch. "Huh? What's going on?," Selene asked, feeling groggy.
"I didn't want to wake you, but something has happened," Ben said gently.
His words, coupled with the tone he used, cleared Selene's head quickly. "What happened? Is it my parents?," she asked in desperation.
"No, no, they're fine. Everyone we love is fine," Ben quickly assured her.
"Then what?," Selene asked.
"It's Victor Drakos. He was found dead in his jail cell," Ben revealed.