Thank you for continuing to read A Degree of C. I am writing each chapter as they are posted and hope to submit the next chapter(s) faster than the previous one(s). Using italics seems to slow down the posting process, but I like using them to signify thoughts or put an emphasis on a word. I hope you like this chapter and decide to comment and/or rate the story. -LSEiland
*
Note:
James
= Ben (Remember, James is his middle name)
Also,
Elle
= Elise (Cara, and people who met Elise through her, use that nickname)
A myriad of thoughts rushed through Elise's mind as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She and Ben had managed to rejoin the rehearsal separately, without any questions regarding their whereabouts for ten minutes or so. The dinner that followed also went off without a hitch and sans any awkwardness between her and Ben.
Incorporating his presence into her friendship with Cara might prove difficult. They had been in close quarters for hours now, but had not spoken since their groping session earlier that day. Quick glances had been exchanged, but Ben had honored Elise's wish to ease Cara into their fondness for each other.
This reflection period was a much needed breather for Elise, something Rachel clearly did not realize when she opened the door without knocking.
"Good thing I withheld my need to tinkle, Rachel." Elise gaped at her, before turning back around and pulling a tube of mauve lipstick from her clutch.
Not bothering to offer an apology, Rachel stated the need for her interruption. "We're keeping Cara occupied, but someone is at the door. I thought you'd like to answer it as hostess of this bachelorette party."
"Absolutely, just give me two seconds." Letting the incident slide, Elise touched up her lips before making her way back to the entrance of Cara's bridal suite.
Anticipating the two strippers she had handpicked for Cara's final night of singledom, she told the four other women in the room to gather around as she opened the door. They cheered in anticipation, but stopped immediately when Ben was revealed as the initiator of the knocks. He got a kick out of disappointing the women.
"What are you doing here,
James?
" Elise's tone admonished him for possibly spying on Marco's behalf.
"Hello to you, too," Hearing Elise address him by his middle name, be it in a sassy manner, turned Ben on in a way he could not begin to describe. "Sorry to interrupt, but I have a gift for my sister from her anxiety-ridden groom who wishes she would forgo the strippers."
Cara got up from the chair she was perched on to hug her brother and retrieve the medium-sized box he held in his hands. "Just reassure him that I will avert my eyes as much as possible and only share a bed with
Elle
tonight."
"Lucky you," Ben said without thinking. Cara gave him a puzzled look, but dismissed his comment as the desire to see what was in the box consumed her.
Elise focused on Cara as she unwrapped the box with care. She was just about to learn what its contents held when familiar hands began to pull her into the hallway.
"What are you doing?!" Elise was slightly startled, but did nothing to resist Ben's actions.
"That seems to be your question of the weekend." Closing the door behind them, Ben led her a few feet away, making sure they were out of earshot.
"I don't want you in there, either," he told her truthfully.
"Ben, we're not a couple. There's no need for you to take a cue from Marco."
They traded stares. Ben would make moves to pursue a relationship with Elise, but knew he had to make some changes first. Changes that he hoped would not scare her away. Before the weekend was over, he would pull her aside for a heart to heart.
"I'm working on changing that," he said as he approached her with the lustful look that had fast become her weakness.
He was about to make an attempt to kiss her again when the aforementioned male strippers passed them in the hallway. Ben and Elise watched as they were let into the bridal suite, which had once again erupted with spontaneous cheers and laughter. Rachel poked her head out of the door and gazed at them intently, seemingly curious about their abrupt disappearance.
"I seem to be missed. I'll see you tomorrow." Keeping an eye on Rachel's tortured expression, Elise left him and walked back to the room to join the festivities.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Wow Cara, I didn't know you had that in you!"
The two ladies laughed about the debauchery that had just occurred in the adjacent room. Elise pulled the covers over herself and Cara as they settled into bed for the night.
"I have to say I even surprised myself, but I kept it clean...ish." Cara looked to Elise for confirmation that she had not gone too far.
"The "ish" definitely applies. Sweet Cara has a
wild
side. No wonder Marco put a BIG ring on it."
Once again, the two friends traded uncontrollable giggles and smiles.
"Hey, he loves more than my sexual prowess." Clarifying Marco's attraction was important to Cara.
"Yes, I've noticed that." Elise yawned and closed her eyes, trying to succumb to sleep.
"Speaking of noticing things, you and my brother are getting along quite well."
Falling asleep was not a priority for Cara, not when she needed to inquire about a few observations.
"We're being civil, if that's what you mean. It's obvious that
James
and I both want you have the best possible wedding, Cara. No drama." Elise hoped Cara did not feel her tense up when the conversation took an incriminating turn.
"You are two of the three most caring people I have ever met, but I know it's more than that." Cara sat up suddenly and turned the bedside light on. Looking Elise dead in the face, she began to speak again, "My brother
wants
you,
Elle
. The way he looks at you- it's almost animalistic."
