Ben

A Total-E-Bound Publication

www.total-e-bound.com

Ben

ISBN # 978-0-85715-923-6

©Copyright Jambrea Jo Jones 2012

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright April 2012

Edited by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Total-E-Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2012 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Total-e- burning and a sexometer of 2.

This story contains 135 pages, additionally there is also a free excerpt at the end of the book containing 6 pages.

Semper Fi

BEN

Jambrea Jo Jones

Book two in the Semper Fi Series

Colonel Ben Davies was going out of his mind. Why was he having sexual thoughts about his best friend’s twin sister?  Nothing could happen between them. No matter how much Mari tempted him.

Maribeth O’Malley admired the boy who hadn’t minded a girl tagging along with him and her brother. Over the years, those feelings turned to love for the man he’d become. Now she had to convince him that she was all woman.

When Mari comes across information she shouldn’t have she turns to the man she loves for help. Her life is in danger and Ben must find the person responsible without falling into bed with her.

Dedication

To Mari—I shouldn’t give you any more men for your harem, but here you go.

To Susan and Shari – Thank you for answering my call for help! Ben is better because of you two.

I love you above all things, even pie. ~ Fool, Christopher Moore

Hoorah, Dad.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Tylenol: McNeil-PPC, Inc 1998-2012

Patron: Patron Spirits Company

Bud Lite: 2012 Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light Beer, St. Louis, MO

LMFAO: Sexy and I Know It – 2011 Interscope Records

The Big Bang Theory: 2012 CBS

Red Cross: The American National

Hallmark: Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Fool by Christopher Moore: Publisher William Morrow-1st edition February 10, 2009

The Hounds of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Signet Classics July 1, 1986

The Year of Pleasure by Elizabeth Berg: 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc. Random House

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger: Publisher Little, Brown & Company May 1, 1991

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller: Publisher Simon & Schuster; 50th Anv Edition April 5, 2011

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Reed Business Information, a Division of Reed Elsevier, Inc.  Harper 50th Anv edition May 11, 2010

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowlings: Arthur A. Levine Books July 7, 2009

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: The Macmillan Company September 1, 1936

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk: 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.; W.W. Norton & Co

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne: Dutton Juvenile Oct. 1, 1996

The Princess Bride by William Goldman; Houghton Mifflin Hardcourt October 8, 2007

Prologue

The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes. ~ The Hounds of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Maribeth O’Malley slumped against the wall and watched the happy couple on the dance floor. She really didn’t think she’d live to see the day Joe ‘Mangus’ Rivers settled down. Growing up, it was always Joe, her twin brother Finley, and Ben. The three went everywhere together and now Joe was breaking the mould by being the first of them to get married.

Being single sucked. Being that way and lusting after someone who only saw you as a sister sucked, but there he was—Ben Davies. He looked so handsome in his tux, the crisp white of the shirt bright against his dark skin. The green of his bowtie matched her dress, purely a coincidence, she’d had no idea the wedding colours would be green and blue.

She’d had a crush on Ben for the longest time and she’d always been too chicken to do anything about it, but if Joe could settle down, Ben could too. Now she had to figure out what she needed to do to get her man.

Last year she’d told her brother that Ben would be hers. Fin told her that was a war she wouldn’t win. It was the wrong thing to say. She may not be winning many of the battles, but she would be the victor.

People started sitting down. Fin and Ben were up with the wedding party and she was sitting at a table with a few other Marines. She’d already been hit on a few times and if her friends had been here they’d tell her to stop pining over something she might not ever have and take what she could get.

Dinner really didn’t take long. It was a wonderful meal of grilled chicken and red potatoes with fresh green beans. Much better than all the takeout she usually had. She kept glancing at Ben, but he was always looking elsewhere and it was getting frustrating. Mari wanted to get in at least one dance with him, but every time she got close to him he seemed to find somewhere else he needed to be.

Joe and his bride went over to the cake table. It was a beautiful three tiered confection with cream frosting dotted with blue and green flowers. There were beads and other lacework on the cake that was unique. Mari hadn’t seen one like it. The crowd started chanting at the couple to smash the cake, but what they did was much more erotic. The bride sucked on Joe’s finger and Mari had to shift in her seat. She looked over at the head table to see Ben staring at her. She took a deep breath and licked her lips. That was the look she’d been waiting for, but too quickly he turned away.

All right, if I could get the single ladies to the floor, please. It’s time for the bouquet toss, the DJ announced.

Mari joined the horde of women not really expecting anything. She hadn’t ever caught the bouquet. The DJ began the countdown and the flowers were launched. Luck was with her because it fell right into her hands. Beautiful roses and daisies with baby’s breath throughout wrapped with a pretty green and blue ribbon.

The DJ made his next announcement. All right, single men, it’s your turn.

She went back to her seat and waited to see if Ben would join the group. Sure enough her brother was shoving him out there. Ben shoved back, but they both ended up in the front of the pack. Joe must have been doing something naughty, but she couldn’t see him over the crowd. The guys were all whistling and egging him on.

Joe shot the garter out to the crowd and the guys were batting it around. It seemed like no one wanted the thing until Fin got his hands on it and shoved it in Ben’s pocket. Ben pushed her brother, but the bit of fluff stayed in his pocket.

Mari put her flowers down on the table and stood up to move to the dance floor. It was tradition for her to dance with Ben now. At least she’d get her dance and he wouldn’t be able to get out of it. 

Okay—let’s get the beautiful lady in green who caught the bouquet up here for her dance. The DJ turned on a slow song Mari didn’t recognise.

It shouldn’t be awkward. She’d danced with Ben in the past, but it felt different this time. Ben held out his hand and she stepped up close to him.

Mari. He licked his lips.

Ben.

She took his hand and wrapped her other around his neck. Ben backed up a bit to put some space between them, but she wasn’t going to allow that. Mari adjusted herself and moved into a better position. She released his hand and laid her palm on his chest along with her cheek and put the other one around his waist so she could snuggle in to him. Ben was forced to put his hands behind her back or look silly standing there with her plastered to him.

Ben put his head on top of hers and relaxed. They both swayed to the music and everything else disappeared for Mari. If she closed her eyes she could almost imagine this was their wedding, but she wasn’t going to get carried away, it was just one dance.

He moved his head away from her and she tilted up her face to look into his eyes. Ben leaned in like he was going to kiss her, but the music stopped and the DJ was talking again.

Thank you for the dance. Ben released her and did an about face, walking right out the door.

What the hell? Someone tugged on her arm and Mari turned to see her brother with a sad look on his face.

Sorry, Mari. I told you—it won’t work. Ben’s family and loyal to that. You know how he is. He thinks of Mom and Dad as his parents. He looks up to Dad—you know that’s why he joined up when I did.

I’m going to change that Fin. You didn’t see him a second ago.

Yes, I did. I don’t want either of you hurt. Are you sure this is what you want? Fin pulled her into his arms and they danced to the next song.

She buried her face into her brother’s shoulder hoping to hide the tears. She didn’t want to admit it hurt a little to have Ben walk away like that, but it was just a bump in the road. Turning friendship into something more wasn’t an easy task.

I’m sure.

And she was. Mari knew in her heart that Ben was the one for her. No one else even came close.

I still don’t know if it’s a good idea Mari, but you know I love you.

I love you too. He’s not coming back, is he? Mari looked towards the doorway Ben had walked through.

My guess is he’s headed to the nearest bar to tie one on.

Mari sighed. She didn’t expect it to be easy.

You should go make sure he’s okay. I’ll call you later.

What about you?

I’m a big girl. My car is outside and I’m heading straight home.

Fin kissed her on the forehead and left. Maybe she’d stop by the store and pick up some of her favourite ice cream. A pint of mint chocolate chip would hit the spot after such a big disappointment.

* * * *

Ben stalked out of the wedding reception and slammed through the door so he could get into his car. He’d almost kissed Mari, what was he thinking? Time to take a break. He pulled out of the parking lot and stopped at the first bar he saw. He took off his jacket and bow tie, throwing it down on the seat. He should have brought a change of clothes, but he wasn’t leaving now.

He’d drink away these feeling so things could go back to normal. He was imagining things that he shouldn’t be. It was a small hole in the wall bar with not too many people in it. Odd for a Saturday night, but it would do.

Whisky shot and keep’em comin’. Ben told the bartender when he came over.

The bartender held up a bottle and Ben nodded. He really didn’t care what kind it was, anything would do. He slapped a hundred dollar bill on the counter.

Never mind, just leave the bottle.

Ben poured himself a shot and tossed it back. The burn made his eyes water, but he poured himself another.

He could still see Mari’s red hair caressing her face and her plump pink lips that were begging for a kiss. Her blue eyes had sparked and now he was getting fuckin’ sappy as all get out. Obviously the alcohol wasn’t working yet. Why now? He’d been perfectly happy being a brother type person to Mari. She was one of the guys.

So what if she’d looked hot in that form fitting green dress. He’d seen her in less. And he wasn’t going down that road or he’d go back to the reception hall and do something he shouldn’t.

Ben didn’t know how long he’d been there or how much whisky he’d consumed, but someone pulled up a stool next to him.

Fin! Whater you doin’ here? Ben turned and almost fell off his seat.

Picking up your drunk ass. What else. Plus—Mari was worried.

Mari. Ahhh…sweet, sweet Mari. Sorry. Couldn’t. Nope. Couldn’t stay. Drink! Ben held up a glass. Don’t mind if I do. He laughed.

I think you’ve had enough. Fin rested a hand on his arm, but Ben shrugged it off.

How’d ya find me? Ben reached for the bottle, but it moved away from him. He frowned.

I know you, Ben. I figured you’d stop at the first bar you saw and drown your sorrows.

Ben squinted, Hey—there are two a ya. Gimme the bottle back damn it. I’m not done and stop movin.

I said you’ve had enough.

He snorted. He was still conscious—it wasn’t enough. He reached for the bottle again, but Fin wouldn’t let him have it.

Damn it. Ben stood and faced his best friend. Don’t fuck with me, Fin.

Let me take you home.

Not ready. He stumbled against the bar.

You are. Look at you—you’re barely staying on your feet.

I’ll say when I’m done. Ben pointed his thumb at himself and jabbed his chest.

It hurt so he looked down and rubbed it. What was he doing again? Oh—yeah—drinking himself to oblivion.

Time to go. Fin announced.

Ben took a swing at Fin.

You don’t want to be doin’ that man.

But he did, and threw another punch.

Hey! You two gonna fight, take it outside or I’m callin’ the cops. The bartender shouted.

That was fine with him. He could kick Fin’s ass anywhere, anytime. Ben walked out the door, not waiting to see if Fin followed him.

Before he knew what hit him, Fin had him over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry.

We’re going home. Fin slapped his ass.

Oh, hell no. Ben reared up and head butted Fin’s ass. His friend stumbled losing his balance and grip on Ben. He was a bigger than Fin and he knew it wouldn’t take much to unbalance him. Ben fell on