Bentley: Vested Interest #1

by Melanie Moreland

  She flung her arms around my neck, a quiet sob escaping her lips. “Thank you.”

  I looked up and met the stares of Cami and Dee. They smiled and nodded their approval.

  I stood and shook out the shawl, draping it around her shoulders after she shrugged off the scarf she was wearing. It fell like a cloud around her, wrapping her in softness. She ran her fingers over the plush wool, then reached for me. I sat and wrapped my arms around Emmy, feeling the warmth of the shawl, but even more importantly the warmth of her as she burrowed close. Everything and everyone else faded away, and all that mattered in that moment was her—us.

  “Happy birthday, Emmy.”

  **

  We waited for the limo, still laughing and enjoying the night. I leaned close to Emmy’s ear. “Come home with me? Please?”

  She looked at me, nervous.

  “I want a little alone time with you. I’ll make sure you get home safely later.”

  “Okay.”

  I moved closer to Aiden. “Drop Emmy and me off at my place first, then make sure the girls get home safe?”

  He nodded. “Done.”

  “Thanks.”

  A short ride later, we exited the car. I knew Aiden wouldn’t leave until we were inside, so I escorted Emmy up the stairs and punched in my code. Once the door shut behind us, the car pulled away.

  “What if there had been a Ninja waiting?”

  “Then I guess your karate skills would have come in handy.”

  She chuckled, followed me into the hall and waited as I pushed the elevator button.

  “How big is this place?”

  “Four stories. I live on the top three.”

  “What’s down here?”

  “My houseman’s apartment, the garage, and some office and storage space.”

  She shook her head. “Houseman—like a butler?”

  I chuckled. “Far less formal. He is very low key, but he keeps me and this place in order.”

  “Only you, Bentley.”

  We stepped into the main living area. I observed her reactions as she walked around. She seemed overwhelmed. “This floor has the living room, kitchen, my den, and the gym. Upstairs are the bedrooms.”

  “And the fourth floor?”

  I shrugged. “A theater room, a few empty spaces, plus the sun deck, and pool on the back half.”

  “You have a pool?”

  “A small one.”

  She snorted as she looked around. “I bet your bathroom is bigger than my entire apartment.”

  It was too much for her to take in, and I wanted to distract her. I crossed the room, stopping in front of her. “Do you want to compare square footage or get to the real reason I brought you here?”

  “Which was?”

  I slid my hand around the back of her neck, tugging her close. “I haven’t kissed you properly since Saturday. It’s been too long.”

  “You kissed me at least four times tonight.”

  “Not like this.”

  Our mouths melded together, obliterating any more coherent thought. I kissed her with all the pent-up energy I had felt since Friday night. Her texts and voice mails weren’t enough, and her sitting beside me all evening didn’t ease my tension. The fast kisses we had shared only ramped up my desire for her.

  I didn’t understand it, and I didn’t care.

  I wrapped her hair in my hands, pulling her close. I stroked her tongue and explored her mouth, our breath mingling. Her taste was erotic; her mouth hot, wet, and sweet. She tasted like silk and sin. All I could think about was how she would taste everywhere. How much I wanted her under me. I wanted to hear her cry out my name as I pleasured her with my tongue, my fingers, and my cock. I dropped my arm, gripping her hip, and grinding myself into her. She moaned low in her chest, fisting my shirt so tight, I felt the material begin to give on my shoulders. I pulled up the fabric of her sweater, spreading my hand across the expanse of her back, stroking the soft skin. She whimpered, pressing closer.

  I knew one more minute, one more sweep of her tongue on mine and I was going to push her to the sofa and have her naked in a flash.

  With a frustrated groan, I stepped back, gasping.

  She stared at me, confused.

  “Bentley?”

  I bent forward, clutching my knees, breathing hard. “Fuck me.”

  “Why did you stop?”

  “If I didn’t, I’d have you on my bed right now. If we made it that far.”

  “I wasn’t asking you to stop.”

  I straightened, studying her. Her face flushed, eyes wide with desire. I cupped her cheek. “I don’t want to rush you.”

  She turned, brushing my thumb with her lips. “You’re not.”

  “I honestly didn’t bring you back here to get you naked.”

  Her right eyebrow rose. I found the slow way she arched it sexy. She said so much with a simple gesture and no words.

  It said bullshit.

  “I have something else for you.”

  She frowned, confused.

  I led her to the sofa. “I’ll be right back.”

  *Emmy*

  I looked around the huge room in awe. It had high ceilings, dark hardwood floors, huge windows, and immense proportions. There were three sofas in a U-shape, all wide and deep, covered in the softest tan leather I had ever felt. The walls were creamy colored, and the tables and accents done in more dark wood. Wall to ceiling bookcases flanked the fireplace, and two massive wingback chairs in a deep ebony fabric graced the front of the hearth. A heavy, antique dining table sat by the windows, with six parsons chairs neatly tucked around it. A matching sideboard sat on one wall, holding trays of gleaming crystal decanters and glasses. I noticed all the side tables and a few other pieces were also antiques. Hallways ran from opposite ends of the room, and a swinging door by the dining table mostly likely led to the kitchen. There were a few pictures on the walls, some carefully placed pieces of art on the shelves and walls. It was an eclectic collection, yet it all blended.

  It was much like Bentley himself. He looked every bit the modern businessman, but his well-bred manners and formality made him unique. He was an old soul underneath his young persona.

  As I took in the room, I noticed the richness of it all. The vastness. It was flawless, not a thing out of place. No magazines on the coffee table, no shoes by the door. Its perfection screamed emptiness. It was as if someone created the room, yet it wasn’t used, lived in or shared. I tried to picture Bentley stretched out on the sofa, relaxing, or sitting with his friends in the room. I couldn’t imagine it.

  I wondered if, aside from Maddox and Aiden, he had anyone to share it with.

  He came back from down the hallway with a bag in his hand, looking excited and nervous. He sat beside me, his leg bouncing as he laid a large, flat bag on my lap.

  “You already gave me my gift.” I fingered the shawl, knowing exactly where it came from and how much it cost. It was already too much.

  “That was for Emmy.” He grinned, looking boyish.

  “And this is for?”

  He leaned close and brushed a kiss on my lips. “Freddy needs something too. It’s her day, as well.”

  His thoughtfulness made my chest ache, but his teasing made me smile. He was impossible to resist.

  “Bentley . . .”

  He shook his head. “Emmy, it’s a gift. Something I want you to have.”

  “I can’t compete with”—I waved my hands—“all this.”

  “All this?”

  “This house you live in. The limos and cars. Your bodyguard.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “Your wealth. I have nothing like that to offer you.”

  “What you have to offer is so much greater.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Do you know when the last time I went out with people and had a meal? Just a fun, enjoyable night out with friends?” He shook his head. “I can’t even remember. Back in university, I think.”

  He looked around. “This is simpl
y a room. A house. My cars take me to meetings and the occasional boring business dinner. I know I have a lot of money, but it hasn’t given me one second of the happiness I have shared with you this past week. You have made me smile more since I met you than I have in years.” He tapped the bag on my knee, anxious. “These gifts are tokens of my thanks. Accepting them, is accepting me.” He hesitated, meeting my eyes. “Please accept me.”

  “You spent so much already.”

  Bentley huffed out a long breath. “Do you want me to explain how I see this in basic, honest terms?”

  “Yes.”

  “The gifts I’m giving you are the same value to me as when you buy a cup of coffee, Emmy,” he stated. “It is not a great deal of money in my world.”

  “Wow.” I couldn’t find any other words to say. I couldn’t imagine that sort of wealth.

  “My wealth is part of who I am. I will buy you things because I want to, because it makes me smile to see you happy.” He held up his hand before I could say anything. “And yes, I know you cannot reciprocate in the same fashion, but it doesn’t matter to me. The scones you gave me the other day were one of the nicest things anyone has ever given me. Because of who they came from, not their value, but what they represent. They represent you, and your caring ways.” He studied me. “Can you understand my thinking?”

  His words and the way he spoke them rang of nothing but the truth. His eyes were gentle as he looked at me, but filled with anxiety. He was asking me to accept and understand him. Not to allow our differences to come between us.

  “Yes,” I replied. “Let’s be clear, though. I think you’re the valuable commodity, not your money.”

  “Then, we’re on the same page.” He nudged the bag. “Now, open your gifts, Freddy.”

  I slid a box from the bag, and opened it. There was a messenger bag, the leather luxuriant and pungent, in a rich shade of cappuccino. Bentley watched me intently. “I picked it out,” he explained proudly. “I know you have a knapsack, but this would hold your things so much better. Your papers wouldn’t be all scrunched up. You’ll find it easier on your neck.”

  I traced the stitching on it. I had wanted one of these, but I’d never been able to afford it—especially one of such good quality. He was right; my knapsack was old, the clasp broken, and one of the straps almost torn. I had hoped it would make it through the end of the year and I could find one on sale. For him to have noticed my unspoken need said a lot.

  “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

  “Will you use it?”

  I met his gaze. “Yes.”

  His smile was wide. “Good. There is something inside, too.”

  Curious, I opened the bag, and pulled out a flat box. I set aside the messenger bag and opened it, gasping when I saw the bright blue shawl like the black one he had already given me.

  “But—”

  “I liked the color. Trust me, Cami had to stop me from buying you one in every color. I couldn’t resist this one, though. I think I showed great restraint, don’t you?” He reached over and took it from me, draping it over my shoulders with the other one. “I love this color on you against your skin.” He tucked the edges under my arm. “It will keep you warm.”

  My throat felt thick. I cupped his face, feeling the scruff on his chin under my palm. He leaned into my caress, smiling into my kiss.

  “Thank you. This has been the best birthday I can remember.”

  “Good. Mission accomplished.” He tapped the end of my nose. “Can you stay a little longer? We could watch a movie or something?”

  I nodded. “I have no class until one tomorrow.”

  “Great. I’ll get us a drink.”

  *Bentley*

  She accepted the gifts. I had seen the way her face paled when I compared what I spent to something she could relate to, but I had to make her understand. I meant what I said: I would buy her things, and I didn’t want it to be a constant battle. I knew she lived very modestly, and although I didn’t want to overwhelm her, I did plan to make her life a little easier wherever I could.

  I uncorked and poured some red wine. In the fridge was a plate with some snacks Andrew had prepared at my request. I put it all on a tray and went back to the living area. Emmy was wandering around, investigating the room. She stood by the sideboard, studying the array of decanters.

  “The antiques belonged to my parents. They brought them over from England. I asked the designer to incorporate them into the room.”

  “They’re lovely.”

  I bit back my smile. I noticed she didn’t say the room was lovely. I had to admit, I found it too much at times. I rarely used it.

  “I thought we’d go to the theater room. It’s more comfortable.”

  “Okay,” she agreed.

  She giggled as we went back into the elevator. “I’ve never been in a house with an elevator until today.”

  “I bought the property, and designed the house to fit it. The lot was narrow and so I built long and up. My architect designed the place to maximize the square footage. The elevator helps instead of all the stairs.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “I lucked out on the lot, but it took me a while to get a design I liked.”

  “Oh?”

  “It’s the corner, on a dead-end street, with a ravine all around it. The property had been vacant for a long time, since it was such an odd shape. My neighbors next door are an older couple, and all they were worried about that I didn’t tear down the trees on the property line we shared. I was happy to comply.”

  “You like it here?”

  “Yes. It’s a quiet area—sort of a hidden treasure in Toronto. It’s only about twenty minutes to the office, unless there is traffic, and another short drive when I go other places I frequent.”

  “You said there was a garage?”

  “Yes, I built one for convenience that holds my personal car. I house my other cars off site. Frank drives them to me as needed.”

  “Your personal car?” she asked, confused.

  “Sometimes I like to drive myself. However, there was no room for a big garage,” I explained. “I was lucky to get one car here. The house takes up the entire lot. No garden, no backyard. I built it as far to the edges as we could legally go.”

  “Not much for gardening?”

  “I wouldn’t know how if I tried. There’re a few pots of flowers around the pool, but Andrew looks after them.”

  We walked into the movie room and Emmy’s eyes grew large in delight. “Oh my God! This is amazing!”

  I had four elevated rows of movie recliners in the room, all in a dark red leather. Wide, deep and comfortable, they were great to relax in and watch a game or movie. The walls were a soft taupe color, and the room had its own popcorn maker and a small kitchen area. The back wall held all the electronics and floor to ceiling shelves housed hundreds of movie and TV shows. The screen took up an entire wall itself and the surround sound rivaled any theater.

  I spent a lot of my down time in this room.

  “What do you like to watch?”

  She looked around in awe. “Anything is good. What do you normally watch?”

  “At this time of the night, usually the news, but we can do better than that.”

  She surprised me. “No, I haven’t seen the news for a bit. It would do me good to catch up.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yep.”

  I turned on the TV and sat back in my recliner. She curled up in the one beside me, giggling as I showed her how to use the remote and recline back.

  I tried to concentrate on the screen, but my gaze kept drifting over to her. More times than not, when I would look over, her eyes were riveted on me. Then she would look shy and glance away.

  She looked tiny in the chair, and I realized it was the first time I had ever had a woman in my theater room. It hadn’t been built when my last relationship ended. Aiden and Maddox took up considerably more room than she did.

  She stood from her chair.
“Washroom?”

  “Across the hall.”

  I watched her leave, smiling at the fact she still had both shawls wrapped around her. I watched the TV, and glanced at my watch. She’d been gone longer than I expected and I worried she was unwell. Hearing her footfalls, I relaxed. She hurried in, and without warning, slid onto my lap.

  I wrapped my arm around her. The chair was big enough for the two of us, and I wondered why I hadn’t thought of sharing until now. “Well, hello.”

  She hummed, and burrowed into me. I reached down to tug her closer, and my hand froze as it touched the bare skin of her thigh. I inhaled sharply, and looked down, meeting her steady gaze.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Being spontaneous.”

  “I think in your spontaneity, you forgot your pants.”

  With a slow leer, she grabbed my hand, pulling it higher. There was more skin. All I could feel was warm, supple skin.

  “I lost my shirt, too.”

  I spread my fingers wide across her back, pulling her flush to my body. “Emmy,” I warned.

  “It’s my birthday. You said you wanted it to be a good one.”

  “So, sitting on my lap almost naked makes it one?”

  She traced her finger along my jaw, running the tip of it over my bottom lip. “It depends how much more naked I get.”

  My cock twitched, swelling and pressing against the confines of my pants. I sucked her finger into my mouth, swirling my tongue around the tip. She watched me with hooded eyes, her breathing picking up. Goosebumps broke out on her skin.

  “If I take off your shawl, you’ll get cold.”

  “Unless you can figure out a way to warm me up.”

  She was impossible to resist, and I didn’t want to.

  I hit the remote, turned off the TV, and left only the low voltage lights to see by. I gripped her hips, shifting her easily so she was straddling me in the chair. I groaned when I felt her heat pressing down on my growing erection. She slid her fingers through my hair, as I held her hips and my mouth fused with hers.

  Instantly, everything else faded away and there was only her. Only us. The feel of her wet, sweet mouth. The slide of her tongue with mine. How she felt pressed to my chest, and the slow motion of her undulating over my cock. The low, erotic sounds she made as we sank deeper into our kisses, cranked me up. I couldn’t get her close enough, taste her enough, or feel her enough. I slid my hand down her back, across her hips, and delved my fingers under the silky waistband, cupping the swells of her ass, then gliding into her heat. She gasped in my mouth as I circled her clit, moaning at how ready she was for me.