Chapter 9
Emmy
Warm kisses woke me. Again.
The more formal, rigid Bentley apparently disappeared once we were alone and naked. He was rigid in a totally different way. His guard fell away, and the open, sexual man he kept hidden revealed. He was a passionate, sensual, and giving lover. He made me feel beautiful, and wanted. His need for me was empowering.
We made love twice in the night, his desire for me seemingly endless. Being with him, surrounded by the dark with his body pressed to mine, was a surprisingly intimate act. It felt as if we were the only two people in the world. I loved how his voice became raspy; the way he uttered my name as he came, and his hissed curses. He was incredibly gentle, yet his touch was possessive and sure.
As if, I belonged to him.
“Emmy, baby,” he murmured, his lips at my ear. “I have to go to work.”
I struggled to open my eyes. He chuckled low in his throat. “No, stay in bed. Andrew is off today, so the house is empty. Look around, and make yourself at home. Frank will be here at noon. He’ll take you home so you can change, get your things, and he’ll drive you to school.”
I was so tired, I couldn’t argue with him. More sleep sounded great. His bed was far more comfortable than mine was, and it smelled like him. The sheets and duvet were soft, cozy, and inviting. The only thing missing was his long, strong body. I wound my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his throat over the stiff collar. He was clean-shaven today, and his jaw hard under my tongue.
“You should come back to bed.”
He groaned, kissing me hard. Morning breath was no deterrent for him, it seemed. “I want to, but I have a meeting.”
I slid my hand down his chest, cupping his growing erection. “I could persuade you. Staying here would be so much more fun than a meeting.”
He stepped back, straightening his tie, trying to look affronted. “I cannot blow off business for sex.”
I arched my eyebrow. “I could blow you.”
He bent forward at his knees again, the way he did the night prior, and inhaled deeply. “Jesus, Emmy. What you do to me.”
Lifting his head, he met my gaze, his stare intense. “I love the fact you’re so open with me. That you tell me what you want. God, I want to get back into bed with you and fuck you until you scream my name . . .” His voice trailed off, and he shook his head.
It was my turn to inhale deeply. I loved hearing him talk dirty to me. It was such a contrast to the formal front he showed to the world. “Something to look forward to then.”
He lunged, pressing me into the mattress, and kissing me until I was breathless. His own breathing was heavy when he pushed himself away, eyes hooded. “Yes.”
He straightened his tie again, and smoothed down his suit jacket. I noticed his hair wasn’t as perfect as usual. I had sort of messed it up. It suited him, so I didn’t say anything.
“You look hot,” I teased.
He shook his head. “Such a troublemaker. Now go back to sleep and Frank will be here to pick you up. He’ll text you when he is downstairs. The door will lock behind you. Deal?”
I smiled at him. “Deal.”
“Stop it.”
“What? I’m just smiling and agreeing.”
“You are fucking me with your eyes.”
“The term is eye-fucking, Rigid, and at least my eyes are having fun.”
He turned and strode out of the room without another word. I heard his footsteps echoing as he descended the stairs. No elevator this morning for him, which made me wonder if he needed the physical release before getting into the car. Giggling, I rolled over, inhaling the scent of his pillow. It really did smell like him. My phone buzzed from the bedside table, and I picked it up, unable to contain my grin when I read it.
I’ll make sure the rest of you have fun tonight.
I dozed in Bentley’s bed, but didn’t fall back to sleep. I groaned when I checked my phone and saw it was only 8:30 a.m. Usually, I slept in on Wednesdays, but today wasn’t my usual Wednesday. Obviously, Bentley was an early riser, no matter how little sleep he got the night before.
I sat up and looked around the room. Large, with more big windows, it was more inviting than downstairs, but still felt empty. The walls were a simple white, the same as the soft sheets on his bed, with navy and gray accents. The furniture was heavy and masculine and the headboard was padded and thick. His closet was bigger than my apartment, never mind his master bath suite. There was a walk-in shower with six jets, and a huge, freestanding infinity tub calling my name. The heated floors under my habitually cold feet added to the decadence. The closet and bath were connected at the back for easy access. One could get ready and not disturb their slumbering partner, which was what happened this morning.
I felt my chest tighten as I wondered how many other women Bentley hadn’t disturbed in his bed.
I shook my head—I wasn’t going to dwell. I would ask him directly. He seemed to appreciate my forwardness. I only hoped I was prepared for the answer. Despite his reassurances, I knew he wasn’t a monk. He was far too skilled in the bedroom, and too good-looking not to have had a lot of female companionship.
I squealed when I discovered a tiny alcove at the back of the room. There was a waist high refrigerator tucked under a counter with a Keurig machine, and a supply of K-cups, and all the fixings needed for coffee. Obviously, Bentley had drunk one, the mug still sat on the counter. Without hesitation, I used it, somehow liking the fact his lips had pressed against the porcelain earlier. Back in his closet, I grabbed a discarded T-shirt and slipped it on, found my pretty, blue shawl, a pair of his thick socks, then coffee in hand, I went exploring.
I started back on the main floor, finally trudging up to the top level. His kitchen was a dream with gleaming stainless steel, glossy cupboards and rich quartz on the counters. The gym was well equipped with a variety of machines and weights, and the thought of him working out, building up a sweat, made me heat up. I only peeked in his office, not going in. His desk must have been another antique from his parents. The bookshelves and the rest of the room were modern and clean. There was a large model of something in the middle of the room, but I didn’t go in and look.
The guest rooms were simple and sparse, and all most of them appeared unused, a couple still empty. I bypassed the theater room and entered the sunroom, my breath catching in my throat. Entirely encased in glass at the back, it was heaven. Tiled floors, well-used, comfortable furniture, and a games table graced the space. A large TV hung on the wall. Fans overhead moved the air.
At the end, behind glass doors that folded flat to the wall, were steps that led down to an indoor pool. As Bentley stated, it wasn’t huge, but it was still amazing. Pots of flowers hung in the windows, growing large in the sun. I dipped my toe in, sighing at the feel of the heated water. The view was lovely with the ravine and towering trees. It was the only room I had seen to appear lived in. There were a couple of books beside an armchair. A pair of reading glasses sat on them. A well-used blanket draped over the back of the chair. This room was the private Bentley. The one no one saw. He could be comfortable and himself. I could picture him reading, relaxing, or napping. Floating in the pool and staring up at the night sky under the glass dome.
I wanted to see that, and to share it with him.
I moved to his chair and sat down. I felt the way the chair was molded from his body and I curled into the cast left by him. I shut my eyes and drifted, thinking of the day he would be here with me, curled around my body for real.
Bentley
I couldn’t concentrate. For the first time I could ever remember, my mind wasn’t on business. All my thoughts were with the person currently asleep in my bed, or probably exploring my house. She was a woman after all, and surprisingly, I didn’t care. I wanted her comfortable in my home, because I wanted her to spend a lot of time with me there. Especially, after last night.
I struggled to stop the thoughts that kept drifting through my head, and failed miserably. I thought of her warmth. The way her body felt pressed to mine and the way she tasted. How she looked when she came, and the sound of my name as she cried out.
I remembered how she looked this morning, sleeping like a contented kitten in my bed. The drowsy look on her face, and the way her eyes danced as she woke up and teased me.
“I could blow you.”
My cock hardened, thinking of being in her mouth. I had been tempted. So tempted to shrug off my responsibilities and stay with her. Dive back into the bed and let her do whatever she wanted, then have her all over again. I still wanted to do that. I glanced at my watch, surprised to see it was only 9:30. Normally the day raced by for me, but today it felt as though time stood still. I could go home and have an hour with her. Maybe longer. Perhaps if I showed up, she would skip school and we could have the whole afternoon together.
“Bent?”
I shook my head and met Maddox’s eyes.
“What do you think?”
“Sorry, I was, ah, thinking about something I forgot to do.”
“Like brush your hair this morning?” Aiden quipped. “Looks like someone’s fingers have been in it.”
Instinctively my hand flew to my head and he grinned.
“Gotcha.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Fuck you.”
“No thanks. You’re not my type. Besides”— he grinned— “I think that’s been taken care of.”
“Don’t you—”
Aiden held up his hands, laughing. “Not doing anything, except stating the obvious.”
I glared at him, then spoke to Maddox. “You were saying?”
He chuckled. “I asked if you thought the numbers were good.”
I glanced down at the papers in front of me. “I’ll go through them this afternoon.”
“There’s another first,” Aiden observed.
My phone buzzed before I could flip him off. However, I couldn’t contain my grin when I saw Emmy’s message.
Class was cancelled so Frank doesn’t need to drive me. I’ll grab the bus in a while. Just enjoying your sun for a bit longer.
She attached a picture she had taken, curled up in my favorite chair. I squinted at the screen. She was wearing one of my shirts, and unless I was mistaken, she was holding the mug I used this morning.
I stood, already dialing as I strode into my office, almost slamming the door in my haste. I cut of the loud guffaws that followed me.
Emmy’s voice was slow and lazy when she answered. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.”
“This room is amazing.”
“Stay.”
“What?”
“Don’t go home. Stay and be there when I’m done for the day.”
“Bentley, I have to do some school work. I need to go home and get my laptop, so I’m not going all the way there and coming back. And before you can say it, I’m not having Frank take me either.”
I grinned for two reasons. Her stubbornness, and the way she might have helped me find the excuse for her to start using the laptop I had purchased.
“Do you have your project backed up?”
“Yes, it’s on the memory stick in my, ah, bag.”
I knew she had her old rucksack was tucked into her purse. I let it slide, knowing she wasn’t yet ready to tell me why she carried it everywhere.
“Go to my office, and look on the credenza.”
“You want me to go into your private office? Aren’t you afraid I will dig up some secret stuff to report on? I get a bonus if I’m fast.”
I tried not to laugh. “You aren’t much of a spy, Freddy. You missed the secret vault in my dressing room. I highly doubt your bosses are going to be very impressed with my shirt and mug as your haul for the day.”
She began to giggle. The sound was light and feminine and it made my smile wider.
“Damn, you noticed.”
I lowered my voice. “I liked how my shirt looks on you.”
“I liked drinking from your mug. It was as if I was kissing your lips every time I took a drink.”
I groaned and let my head fall back. My body tightened and my cock lengthened at the thought of kissing her. The way her lips felt, full and plump, the feel of her tongue sliding with mine, the erotic way her sweet breath filled my mouth.
“Did I lose you?”
“You are making it damned difficult not to call Frank and have him take me straight home.”
“I’d like that. I’d like to spend more time with you.”
I paused at the honesty in her tone. “If you stay, I’ll come home early.”
She inhaled quickly. “I’m in your office.”
“There’s a laptop on the right. Blue cover.”
“Got it.”
“Plug your memory key in there and use it. I think you’ll find it has everything you need to do your work. The password is Scone1, capital S.”
Aside from the typing of the keys, there was silence for a moment, until she spoke. “Why does this laptop have all the software I use on it?”
“I use it, as well.”
“Yet, this one looks brand new. There are no files saved on it, no work done.” I heard a few more keystrokes. “It is brand new. Winston Bentley Ridge, tell me you did not buy this laptop for me.”
I gaped into the phone, and adjusted myself. Was it incredibly wrong I found her full naming me a turn on?
“It is new, because I only got it yesterday. I haven’t had a chance to bring it into the office to have it set up. I thought you could use it today—or whenever you’re at my place, to save you from carrying yours back and forth. It, ah, looked heavy.”
Her sigh told me she knew I was lying.
“It’s only a laptop, Freddy. One of many I have. Use it today and stay.” I waited, then went in for the kill. “Please.”
“I’m not keeping this computer, Rigid.”
“Of course not.”
“I’ll only borrow it today.”
“Or whenever you need to.”
“It is very light.”
“It’s fast, too. Super-fast. It will help you get your work done easier.”
“Are you actually going to come home early?”
“If you’re there, yes.”
“Can I make us dinner?”
“I would love that.”
“Then, it’s a deal. See you later, dear. Go make some more millions.”
I hung up, smiling. Strangely enough, that was how I seemed to act when it came to Emmy. I glanced back at the door to the boardroom, knowing what was waiting. Aiden would pounce as soon as I went in, and Maddox would lean back with a knowing smirk on his face, and they would tease me mercilessly. Aiden knew Emmy had spent the night. He hadn’t said anything, aside from one raised eyebrow this morning when I got in the car, but he knew. And if he knew, so did Maddox. The two of them were like old women gossips, sharing information over the fence.
I straightened my jacket, tugged on my sleeves, and prepared my game face.
It wouldn’t last long, and astonishingly, I didn’t care.
**
I found her in the kitchen, the laptop open, her hand a blur holding the mouse pad as she created something on the screen. Music played from the speakers, the beat a low hum. The kitchen was warm, the air was pungent with garlic and spice, and whatever she was cooking contained a heady red wine. It was mouthwatering.
She was concentrating so hard, she didn’t hear me come in, and I took the time to study her. My shirt hung past her thighs revealing, her shapely calves and small feet, encased in a pair of my socks. Both shawls were draped around her body for warmth, although one side had slipped, pulling down the material, showing her skin. She had her hair piled loosely on her head, exposing her delicate neck. Curls escaped from her messy updo, hanging around her face. She pushed them aside as she muttered to herself, her hand sweeping across the tablet, and colors appearing on the screen. The light glinted off her ear piercings, and her musical tattoo was a dark image on her pale skin behind her ear. My shirt hung loose off one shoulder exposing her butterfly tattoo I had discovered last night. I remembered tracing it with my tongue, making her shiver. She had told me it was a tribute to her grandmother.
“She loved butterflies,” she whispered.
I slid behind her, wrapped my fingers around her shoulder, and dropped my face to her neck, to kiss the soft skin. At the same time I placed the flowers I’d picked up across the laptop. She startled briefly, but melted back into me. I held her tight, then she turned, throwing her arms around my neck, and pressed her mouth to mine.
I needed no further encouragement, kissing her thoroughly. It was even better than I remembered; the softness of her lips, the feel of her tongue and the taste that was just her. She grasped my shoulders, and I slipped my hands under her shirt, feeling the delicate ridges of her spine as I ran them over her skin.
I eased back, holding her to my chest.
“Welcome home.”
“Best welcome I’ve ever had. Usually, by the time I get home, there is a plate ready for dinner on the counter and an empty house.”
She gazed up at me, her dark eyes sad. “I don’t like that.”
I stroked the skin of her cheek.
“It’s fine.”
“I guess I’ll have to change it.”
“Oh, yeah?”
She nodded, turning her face so she could kiss my hand. “Yeah.” Then, trying to lighten the mood, she grinned. “Your computer is awesome.”
“Ah, always second to the computer.”
“Sorry, Rigid. The hard drive is pretty impressive.”
My already aching cock swelled. Her voice, her teasing, the way her eyes expressed the emotions she felt. They all turned me on. I had been hard for her since I left that morning.
I turned her to the laptop. “Save your work, Emmy.”
“Oh?”
I leaned down and nipped her neck. “I’ll show you an impressive hard drive.”
She tapped a few keys. “Done.”
I swept her into my arms. “Good.”