The Project

She looked up at his hungry smile. "You're not bad yourself," she replied. She kissed him again and suddenly his hands were roaming everywhere, including under her top. He pulled her towards the bedroom and she helped undo the buttons of his shirt.

Later, she lay naked in bed beside him as they recovered from their exertions. Ben's arm rested on her stomach and idly stroked up and down. "God that felt good, babe," he said huskily. Julia felt a curious sense of déjà-vu. Mark had called her babe, too. On the surface Ben and Mark were similar in many ways; both handsome, educated and charismatic. But she really didn't know much about Ben at all. Maybe he would turn out to be different in some important way. Or maybe this would end up being a one-night stand. She was surprised to realize she didn't really mind one way or the other.

"Can I use your shower?" she asked. He pointed the way and she collected her clothes from the floor. She showered and got dressed. When she emerged from the bathroom he was sitting up in bed, still naked. "Leaving so soon?" he asked playfully.

She nodded and smiled apologetically. "I have things to do in the morning." Ben called her a taxi and put some pants on while they waited. He walked her to the door when it arrived. "I'll call you," he promised. Julia nodded and gave him a quick kiss goodbye.