Chapter 12
Emmy
Bentley shifted, muttering something as he moved. His arm tightened around me reflexively, then loosened as he drifted back into sleep. Early dawn spilled through the glass, and I could study his face in the wan light. Relaxed, without the serious countenance that people saw him wear, he looked younger, and oddly vulnerable. His light brown hair, without the product to tame it, was wavy, and fell over his forehead. I liked how it looked on him. The stubble was thick on his chin, and I knew I would find evidence of his passion on my skin in the morning. Slight red blemishes his rough beard would leave behind. He allowed the scruff because I liked it, even though I knew he preferred to be clean-shaven. He did so many things to please me, but he couldn’t see how wonderful he was.
I inhaled, content and lazy, yet not sleepy. The bed smelled like Bentley, like me, like us. There was the faint aroma of brandy and sex, making the scent unique and heady.
Unlike his serious, stiff persona he showed to the world, when we were alone, Bentley was open—a passionate, giving lover. I adored his playful side, and loved his hidden, ardent nature. He made me feel free to express my wants. He loved it when I was vocal with him, and he had no qualms in giving me everything I asked, or demanding what he wanted, needed, from me. I had other relationships, but never close to what I shared with him.
He was a constant surprise to me. The day I met him in the coffee shop, I thought he was bigger than life. It hadn’t taken me long to see past the haughty exterior, or his snotty remarks—they were simply a cover. His eyes told a different story. Exceptional in color, they were a vivid blue, with dark circles around the irises, setting off the color. They spoke of sadness and pain, and they drew me to him. I hadn’t expected to see him again, and when he had shown up, my heart flew into my throat, although I had acted calm. His bumbling attempts at asking me to dinner, only cemented my first instincts that there was more to the man than he ever let anyone know.
The lengths he went to for my birthday, the way he included my friends had been the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me. Since then, he had bent over backward to be part of my world. He had let me drag him bowling, once again bringing Aiden and Maddox along. The six of us had the two end lanes, splitting up into boys versus girls. While he’d appeared horrified at the idea of wearing shoes someone else had worn, and informed me tossing a ball down an alley was hardly a sport, once he relaxed, he proved not only to be a good bowler, but joined in the trash-talking and amusement as much as Aiden and Maddox. They looked shocked at his antics, but laughed hard when he slapped my ass after his third strike and dragged me into his arms, kissing me hard and informing me, “That was how it was done.”
We also hosted movie night, and everyone came to the house. We made homemade pizza, teasing and arguing over toppings and how long to bake the pizzas. Afterward, we watched movies, and I curled up in his lap, enjoying the closeness. Aiden started a popcorn fight between movies, and we were all laughing and breathless as we collapsed into the comfortable recliners when it was finished.
Bentley had pressed a kiss to my head, breathing a quiet, “Thank you,” into my ear. I knew what he was thanking me for—a night of fun and friends, instead of another night alone. I hated the thought of his life before we met, and the loneliness he endured all the time. I curled up closer to him with a silent promise he would never be alone again.
I couldn’t help noticing our friends had paired off again. Aiden and Cami were in the back row and I was certain I had seen their hands clasped together at one point. Dee and Maddox seemed to be in constant private conversation, their heads close as they spoke.
I had laid my head on Bentley’s shoulder, content and hopeful the future would have many nights like those for us.
I thought of his reaction when I surprised him one night with a pair of plaid lounge pants and a thermal top with matching trim. They weren’t expensive, but the blue in the plaid reminded me of his eyes, and I wanted to give him something since he gave me so much. His smile had been big and honest, his delight genuine, as if I’d given him a designer housecoat instead of a silly set of pajamas. He had kissed me soundly, then as soon as we’d washed them, he pulled them on and struck a pose, asking me in a teasing voice if he could pass as a couch potato now. I tackled him to the sofa, proving how sexy a potato he was. He made a point to wear them often, which made me happy.
Then there was the business dinner I attended with him. He had surprised me with the invitation and a dress he had Cami help him pick out. It was deep blue silk, and the simple cut suited me perfectly. His declaration that he needed me with him had touched my heart, and when I presented myself to him that night, the look on his face made me warm all over. His deep kiss spoke of promises of “later,” and he had more than lived up to them when we returned home.
As he looked at me he frowned and reached out, running his finger over my ear. “Where are your earrings, Emmy?” He lifted my hands. “Your rings?”
“I thought it best I take them off for tonight,” I admitted. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”
He studied me for a minute, then unbuttoned his jacket and sat down. “I’ll wait.”
“For?”
He smiled, the tenderness on his face, and the gentle tone he used, touching me deeply.
“For you to put them back in. I want my Emmy with me—all of her. Nothing about you could now, or ever, embarrass me. Go finish getting ready, then we’ll leave.”
I did feel naked without them. Bending low, I kissed him with my own promise and hurried up the stairs to do as he asked.
Watching him in business mode was fascinating. Cool and in control, he worked the room, his posture stiff, his shoulders tense, never stopping long, or being personal with anyone. He shook hands, discussed projects and bids, traded business cards, and never once let go of my hand. At the table, he pulled my chair close and leaned over often to murmur something sweet or dirty into my ear, his voice and manner completely different to the one he used with everyone else. I saw the glances, and felt the glares of a few women there, but I didn’t care. I was the one he wanted there beside him, and that was all that mattered.
He was all that mattered.
Breaking out of my memories, I glanced at the clock and sat up, stretching. Bentley groaned, opening his eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“I have to go. I’m meeting Cami to study.”
“Why didn’t you have her come here?”
I chuckled as I slid from the bed, escaping his attempts to stop me. “Because she’ll want to use the pool, watch a movie, and bake cookies in your ridiculously impressive kitchen. We’ll get nothing accomplished, and I want it done. I have a ton of other projects I have to do as well. I’m meeting her at Al’s, and when we’re finished, I’m already at my place.”
He followed me to the bathroom and crowded me in the shower. “I don’t want you to go. I like it when you’re here.” He trailed his hand down my arm, and clasped my fingers. “You could stay, Emmy.”
I gazed up at his serious face. He’d been dropping not so subtle hints the entire time I had been there. I had a passcode, a key, and he constantly referred to his house as our home. Still it was too soon. My place wasn’t much, but it was mine, and I had control there. That was important.
“You’d be sick of me in a week,” I teased, trying to lighten the moment.
“I’ll never be sick of you.”
I stared at him, feeling the panic well in my chest. I wasn’t ready for that conversation. Not yet. “Bentley . . .”
“It’s too soon?”
“Yes,” I breathed out. I hoped he wasn’t going to argue and push the subject.
“So it’s not a no forever? Just for right now?”
“Just for right now.”
“When will you be back?”
“I have classes Monday and another project due Wednesday, so maybe Thursday?”
He pursed his lips, crestfallen. “I have to wait until Thursday to see you? That’s a long time.”
“You used to not see me ever, so I hardly think four days is an eternity.”
He pulled me close, his lips hovering over mine. “It’s going to feel like it.”
“I’ll stay for the weekend.”
His mouth was hard on mine. “Good.”
**
Cami grinned at me. “Which one is it?”
I glanced over my shoulder. “The muscle-bound one in the white T-Shirt. That’s Simon.”
She pursed her lips. “He looks about twenty.”
“Joe, the other one that spells him, looks even younger. According to Aiden, though, they’re lethal. Black belts, trained in all sorts of deadly force.” I sighed. “So excessive based on a blurry photo.”
She lifted one shoulder. “Aiden takes his job seriously.”
I quirked my eyebrow. “Know him pretty well, do you?”
She sighed, sipping at her coffee. “Not as well as I’d like.”
“You looked pretty cozy on movie night.”
“I thought so. We had a great time.” She scoffed. “Of course, we had a great time at your birthday, bowling, and every other time we’ve been together.”
“And?”
“I don’t know. He’s amazing. Smart, funny, sexy as hell . . .” Her eyes softened, her expression dreamy. “Never mind how talented that mouth of his is. The man can kiss like there is no tomorrow.”
“But?” I prompted again.
She sighed. “But nothing. He shuts down. As soon as we get close, it’s as if a curtain falls, and he pulls away. He’s . . . hot and cold. It’s very frustrating.”
“You really like him?”
Her gaze skittered away. “More than I should.”
Cami always fell hard and fast. She put everything she had into relationships. All of them. Lovers, friends, groups at school. She only knew one way to be involved which meant giving her entire heart and soul. I had watched her suffer many times because of it. I didn’t want to see her suffer again.
“Bentley told me relationships weren’t Aiden’s thing. He never said why, but I get the feeling something in his past scarred him. I think all three of them had difficult pasts.” I covered Cami’s hand. “I don’t want you hoping for something that might never happen.”
“What if I think he’s worth the risk?”
“Do you feel that strongly?”
She looked away, not speaking. It was something I admired about her. We teased and joked, but when there was a serious question or topic to discuss, she never rushed into an answer, but always gave it her full concentration. I sat back and waited, knowing not to push her, but I was already dreading the answer. I could sense her feelings.
“I think Aiden could be the person to change my life.”
My eyes widened. “Cami.”
“We fit. When he’s just Aiden, we mesh so well. He makes me laugh. I feel”—she tilted her head—“cherished. It’s as if I’m the only person in the world.”
“Until he shuts down.”
“He’s hiding something. I want to help him get over it. I think I can. I think I might be the only person who can help him. The way I catch him looking at me . . . I can’t explain it, Emmy. It’s a risk I have to take.”
“I don’t want you hurt.”
“I’m a big girl, and it’s my decision.”
“Have you–have you slept with him?”
“No. We’ve come close, but he always stops.” She sighed. “He says I’m not a one-night stand girl, and that’s all he is capable of.”
I frowned. “I think Aiden is capable of much more. The way he looks out for Bentley? It’s not only a job. He cares.”
“I think he cares deeply about a lot of things. He’s afraid to show it, though. The big man hides his true self behind a wall of muscle and humor.”
“He is big.”
She arched an eyebrow at me playfully, letting me know she was done with the serious talk. “I can vouch for that. I’ve felt how ‘big’ he is.”
I couldn’t help my giggle. “TMI, Cami. TMI.”
“I’m just saying. He is packing, and I’m certain he knows how to use it. His mouth and hands are dangerous. Add in his cock, I bet the man is lethal.”
We started giggling, and making sarcastic, sexy remarks about men. It was us, laughing and joking together. Finally, she sighed and wiped her eyes. “We need to study.”
I grasped her hand. “Can I do anything?”
“No. He adores you. He thinks you’re the best thing ever to happen to Bentley. Just be you and let Aiden and I work this out.” She paused and shrugged. “Or not.”
“I won’t keep inviting you over if it’s too much.”
“No, it’s fine. We’re both adults. Besides, we have a lot of fun on those nights. Everyone does.”
“What’s going on with Dee and Maddox?”
“That’s the million-dollar question, and she’s not answering.”
“I haven’t imagined the chemistry between them then?”
“God, no. She lights up like a lamp when he’s around. He seems very attentive.”
“They’re always talking.”
Cami arched an eyebrow. “That’s not all. I caught them in the kitchen when I went to grab something on movie night. Unless my sister needed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation—that was another kind of in-depth conversation they were having.”
I chuckled. “She’s older than he is.”
Cami shrugged. “It’s a number.”
“Bentley says he is the most mature of them all. That he always has been. He’s also the most private and intense.”
She snorted. “There’s the pot calling the kettle black. Mr. Rigid himself.”
“I think he means he is old beyond his years.”
She pulled out her laptop. “Well, I like him, and I think he’s good for her. She smiles more.”
“I guess time will tell.”
She nodded. “For all of us.”
“Who knew all this would happen the day Bentley tripped over my rucksack and told me off?”
“I know. Your millionaire is pretty awesome.”
I scowled. “He’s more than a millionaire.”
“I know that. I was only teasing.”
“He’s so much more than his money.”
“He is with you.” She sighed. “The way he came to me and asked for a dress for you. He was so”—she waved her hand—“earnest and worried. He wanted you to feel pretty, but not overwhelmed. He wanted to make you happy.”
“He did. He does—all the time.” I glanced to the side. “Except for the escorts.”
She shrugged, opening her laptop. “Once this blows over, you’ll go back to normal.”
I took her cue, and grabbed my notes.
I wasn’t sure with Bentley there was such a thing as normal.