Crossing the large room, I immediately head for the walk in closet to the left side of the room. There isn't much in here, which tells me Bentley isn't staying long or doesn't stay here often, I'm not sure which. I have yet to really learn about his actual living situation but given this is the same room as before, I can only assume he has some type of arrangement here.
I flip through a few jackets and suits, realizing very quickly that there is nothing in here that I can possibly wear. Making my way back into the bedroom, I veer to the left into the master bathroom, immediately spotting a t-shirt and men's lounge pants perched on top of the sink. I can't stop the goofy smile that takes over my face at how completely sweet this man is, and how unexpected he is too.
I spend the next few minutes showering and brushing my teeth and by the time I exit the bedroom a short while later, I feel completely refreshed. Although I look a bit ridiculous in a shirt much to large for me and pants that I had to tie so tight, the waist is about half the normal size, making the legs balloon out. My wet hair hangs loosely down my back and as I make my way into the living area, I can feel the moisture already seeping through the back of my shirt.
I spot Bentley immediately through the balcony door. He's sitting in one of the outdoor chairs, a book just inches from his face. Laughing to myself, I slip through the sliding glass door and step out into the warm morning sun.
“It's beautiful out today.” I say, crossing the space to the high rail that surrounds the ledge. Looking out over the city, I take a deep inhale, thinking to myself that I can't remember a morning where I felt more perfect than I do right now.
“Are you hungry?” Bentley asks from behind me, causing me to turn inward to face him. He gestures to the round table next to him which is covered in various breakfast items. Bagels, fruit, danishes, yogurt, orange juice and even a pitcher of milk. “I didn't know what you liked.” He says, as I cross the space and take a seat in the chair directly across from him.
Setting his book to the side so that I can't see the title, he gives me his full attention, his smile stretching incredibly wide as I proceed to pour myself a glass of orange juice. “What?” I ask, confused as to why he's staring at me with such a large smile on his face.
He glances down at the table and then meets my eyes again, prompting me to follow where his eyes had just been. I survey the table not sure what I am looking for and then stop when something in the center catches my eye.
It isn't until he reaches a lighter across the table and lights the candle sticking out of a large danish that I realize what he's done. “Happy Birthday.” He smiles even wider, clearly very impressed with himself. “Make a wish.” He says, gesturing to the burning candle in the middle of the table.
“Bentley.... I.” I start, but he cuts me off.
“Make a wish.” He repeats, this time his eyes narrowing in on my face.
“Fine.” I laugh, scrunching my forehead as I pretend to think really hard about what to wish for even though I feel like maybe the wish I have for myself is already coming true and it's all thanks to the man sitting in front of me.
Taking a deep inhale, I extinguish the candle in one hard blow and then watch the smoke billow up around the pastry. “What did you wish for?” Bentley pulls my attention back to him as he leans forward resting his elbows on the table.
“If I tell you, it won't come true.” I say playfully.
“Or if you tell me, maybe I can make it come true.” He grins wickedly at me and then sits back in his chair, crossing his massive arms in front of his broad chest.
“Well, sadly that is against the rules so I can't help you.” I shrug my shoulders and give him a grin. “I guess you'll just have to figure it out all on your own.” I laugh when his eyes light up with the challenge. “Thank you for this.” I tack on, for a moment becoming very serious.
“You haven't seen anything yet.” He promises, smiling at me in a way that tells me he's definitely got something up his sleeve. “You are mine for the day Ms. Blake and I intend to make sure you have the best birthday ever.”
“You plan on keeping me against my will?” I tease, pulling the candle out of my birthday pastry and ripping off a corner before tossing a small bite into my mouth.
“Are you saying you don't want to see what I have planned for you today?” He challenges, his eyes dancing across my face.
“Well I am certainly not going anywhere dressed like this.” I laugh, gesturing to my body. “I look like I have on M.C. Hammer pants.” I whine, breaking into laughter when Bentley chokes slightly on his water, having started to laugh half way through his swallow.
“I happen to think you look quite cute.” He wipes his mouth with a napkin and coughs again.
“And I happen to think you need glasses.” I retort, dropping another piece of the delicious pastry into my mouth. I didn't realize until right now just how hungry I am and it is taking everything I have not to just start shoving all this amazing looking food into my mouth. But at the risk of embarrassing myself, I tear off another piece of the pastry and continue to eat it in small controlled bites.
Laughing, Bentley shakes his head. “You have clothes on the couch.” He says, gesturing inside. Immediately I glance through the window trying to locate what he's talking about.
“How did you get me clothes here?” I ask, unsure as to what he's gotten me and where he's gotten it from.
“They have personal shoppers here. I sent Claire out this morning. She's close to your age and has an eye for fashion. I told her to keep it casual.” He tacks on when my eyes narrow in concern.
“You bought me clothes?” I look at him like he has three heads. “I own my own clothing, you realize this yes?” I ask, trying not to seem like an ungrateful brat but wanting him to understand that he doesn't need to buy me things.
“I do.” He says, nodding. “But I also have a busy day planned and didn't want to waste an hour of it driving you home. So, rather than taking you to your clothes, I brought clothes to you.” He says, matter of fact.
“You're ridiculous.” I joke, wanting to back track to two minutes ago and stop worrying about something as frivolous as clothing.
“And you're slow.” He says, looking at the half eaten pastry in front of me.
“Hmph.” I pick up my pastry and orange juice and walk swiftly by him, shaking my hips as I go. “Me and my pastry will just go elsewhere then.” I quip, squealing loudly when his arm snakes around my waist and pulls me onto his lap, nearly spilling my orange juice down the front of him. “Bentley.” I protest, holding both of my hands up, one with my pastry, the other with my juice.
“What was that again?” He smiles, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck and pulling my face down to his. “Go get dressed birthday girl.” He whispers against my mouth before taking my lips gently with his. “Go.” He says, pulling back and helping me from his lap, giving my ass a hard smack as I walk away, once again making me squeal.
I grab the clothes from the back of the couch and drape them over my arm, stuffing the remainder of my pastry in my mouth as I cross the space and slip back inside the bedroom. Setting my orange juice on top of the dresser, I lay the clothes across the bed and take a good look at what Claire picked out for me.
To my surprise, she didn't do half bad. When he said personal shopper, I was afraid she would come back with something entirely too fancy for my simple style but she did quite the opposite actually. She got me a pair of dark jeans and a pale blue, loose fitting tank top that is so thin, it's nearly see through. Luckily, she also brought me a white cami to wear underneath it along with a white bra and matching panties.
I purposely avoid looking for a price tag as I check all the sizes. I slip each article of clothing on, not the least bit surprised that every item fits me perfectly. Thankful that I put some makeup in my purse before I left the house last night, I quickly put on a light layer of mascara and lip gloss before making my way back into the living area.
Bentley is in the
kitchen when I come out. His eyes immediately find mine as I turn the corner. A slow smile pulls up the corner of his mouth as he trails them slowly down my body and then back up to my face again.
“Do I look okay?” I ask, not sure why I even asked the question. It is so unlike me to ask a guy his opinion on my appearance.
“You're perfect.” He smiles, the warmness of it completely relaxing my insecurities and putting my mind at ease. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah let me just get my shoes.” I say, stopping dead in my tracks. “Wait. I don't have any shoes.” I realize.
“Claire got you sandals too. They're by the door.” He gives me a look that says I should have already known that.
“I'm starting to like this Claire.” I say, when I cross the room and find the cutest pair of brown sandals accented with blue beads that match my tank top perfectly, sitting next to the door.
“I will remember that.” He slides in behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind and pulling my backside into him. “Are we ready now?” He smiles into my neck, placing a soft kiss just below my jaw before pulling back.
“You still haven't told me where we are going.” I say, stepping out into the hall when Bentley opens the door for me.
“All in good time my sweet girl. All in good time.” He drapes his arm across my shoulder and proceeds to lead me down the hall to the private elevator, giving me no other indication about what this day will hold for me.
As much as I dislike surprises, I have to admit that there is something so freeing about giving all of the control to Bentley and just seeing where the day takes me. I think this is the first time I have ever felt like I can just let go and trust that whatever happens will be exactly what is meant to happen.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The morning flies by, with Bentley taking me all over the city. First we got coffee at the best little mom and pop coffee shop I have ever been to. Then, we walked hand and hand through the heart of the city, Bentley pulling me into some of the most amazing boutiques Chicago has to offer and trying to buy me everything I showed even the smallest bit of interest in. Of course, I didn't actually let him buy me even one thing, insisting over and over that he has done more than enough already.
When he sticks me in an elevator and sends me hundreds of feet in the air, I don't have a care in the world, other than how incredible it feels to be with him. That is, until he leads me out onto the famous Sky Deck. Completely made of glass, it gives the illusion that you are hanging above the city and I guess in a way you are. The moment we step inside the glass box, my anxiety kicks in. I have never been one for heights and immediately my mind begins to race with worse case scenarios. The biggest one being the glass falling out from underneath me and falling to my death.
“You've never been to the Sky Deck before?” Bentley asks, coming up behind me where I have my forehead resting on the outer pane of glass, taking deep breaths trying to calm myself as I keep my eyes firmly closed.
“Never.” I breathe out a shaky breath.
“And you're scared of heights.” He laughs lightly, stepping up next to me. I peek one eye open just in time to see him rest his forehead on the glass also, mirroring my actions.
“Not a fan.” I admit, tensing slightly when he steps closer to me, the glass making a noise under his feet causing my anxiety to sky rocket again.
“You are perfectly safe.” He reassures me, stepping behind me. Reaching around my body, he takes one of my hands in his and then the other, flattening my palms against the glass in front of me. “Open your eyes.” He whispers against my cheek.
Peeling them back open, I glance to the side to see his face hovering next to mine. “Now look.” He says, flattening his hands over mine against the glass and dropping his chin to my shoulder.
Hesitantly I look down, the ground seeming to shift when I do. My knees shake under my weight but Bentley holds me in place against the glass. “Don't focus on the distance, focus on everything you can see.” He says, pushing further into my backside causing my body to become almost flush with the glass.
He drops one hand from the glass and firmly wraps his arm around my waist, his fingers spreading out against my stomach. “Tell me what you see.” He says, tucking me more securely into his body.
“Um....” I look out, trying to focus on one thing rather than the ground that seems to be closing in on me. “I see buildings.” I swallow hard, scanning my eyes along the city spread out before me. “I see.....” I break off, for the first time really grasping the view. “It's beautiful.” My words get lost somewhere in the space between us and I brave a look down, immediately regretting it as Bentley's grip tightens against my stomach, holding me in place as my knees weaken.
“Don't look down.” He laughs lightly in my hair.
“Good idea.” I let out a shaky laugh and try to refocus again.
“I think you need something to distract you. Perhaps you can appreciate it more if you are not focused on falling.” He whispers into my neck, pushing his lips gently against my pounding pulse. Trailing his lips upward, he nibbles lightly on my ear lobe before removing his other hand from mine. I allow my hands to fall from the glass as he turns my face inward and kisses along my jaw, slowly turning my body completely before finally taking my mouth.
“How do you feel now?” He breathes against my lips, running his tongue along the lower one before pressing his firmly against mine once more.
“Better.” I manage to get out just as his tongue slips inside of my mouth and his hand slides around my waist, coming to stop just at the small of my back as he secures my body to his.
“And now?” He asks, kissing me more deeply, working my mouth in long seductive sweeps that has me thinking of only one thing when he finally pulls away.
“I'm thinking if you keep kissing me like that, the only other place we will be going today is back to your room.” I threaten, feeling the smile on his lips as he gives me one more sweet kiss and then takes a step back.
“Come on.” He says, taking my hand and leading me out of the glass box of death and safely back inside of the building.
The next stop is lunch at one of the cutest little outdoor restaurants I have ever eaten at. Then more walking around the city and talking. He doesn't say much about himself and seems more interested in me. While I have never been one to open up to people, especially a man, I find that talking to him is one of the most natural things I have ever done.
By five o'clock, my feet are tired but other than that, I feel ready to take on the world. As Bentley leads me hand and hand past Wrigley Field, I expect him to keep walking, so when he veers towards the field and drags me along with him, I am more than a little confused.
“What are we doing?” I ask, struggling to match his long strides.
“A game is getting ready to start.” He smiles back at me, pulling me up to his side.
“Do you have tickets?” I ask, just trying to figure out his game plan.
“Nope. Flying by the seat of my pants here.” He smiles wider and then leads me to the ticket counter where he proceeds to buy two tickets, insisting that they put us all the way at the top which surprises me. I would expect a man like him to take no less than the best seats in the house.
After leading me through the crowds of Cubs fans making their way inside, he pulls me inside the souvenir shop and insists on buying us shirts and hats for the game. While I think it is completely unnecessary, I decide not to ruin his fun and even let him slide the blue hat onto my head once I have slipped on the t-shirt he got me with CUBS written across the front in large letters.
“Happy?” I ask, reaching back to pull my hair through the back of the hat. Not missing my chance to take in his appearance, I let my eyes travel his body, taking a sharp inhale at how amazingly sexy he looks. The blue of his shirt matches his eyes perfectly and when he flips his hat on backwards and gives me a goofy grin, I all but melt onto the floor.
“Extremely.” He smiles, fixin
g the bill of my hat. “I think you should wear this for the rest of the night.” He winks, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as he us leads away from the shop.
After stopping for beer and hot dogs, we finally reach our seats just before the opening pitch. While we are fairly high up, I can still see the field perfectly, though the players look pretty small. Looking around, I notice almost immediately that there is next to no one around us. Apparently no one shares Bentley's love for the nose bleeds and as such, the majority of the people near us are in the section below a few feet away.
There is a couple of people scattered throughout the top section but for the most part, we are pretty much alone. I glance over at Bentley who has his eyes on the game. He flicks them towards me and then holds up his hot dog, taking a huge bite.
I can't help but laugh at how goofy he's acting. It's so strange. I had him pegged for this controlling, powerful, dominant man, and while he is all those things, he's also so much more. He's sweet and playful and has the most infectious laugh I have ever heard. The more I am with him, the more I see him as a real person and not just some rich asshole.
Turning my attention back to the game, I proceed to enjoy my very first baseball game hotdog, which Bentley seems to think is the weirdest thing in the world. Apparently I am the only Chicago resident that has never had a hotdog at Wrigley Field. We make small talk while working through three more beers. I have never been a fan of beer but I realize very quickly that once you get past the first, it's actually not that bad. And even though baseball is not my favorite thing in the world, I am still having an amazing time.
“My dad used to bring me here when I was a kid.” Bentley finally speaks, after a long stretch of silence. I don't know if it's the drinks or maybe just that he feels more comfortable with me, but the moment he starts talking, I find myself hanging onto every word.
You and I Alone Page 19