After the Internship: A Novella (The Intern #4)

by Brooke Cumberland

  “Fucking beautiful,” he growls. He pulls the vibrator out before standing directly behind me and positioning his cock at my entrance. “Bend lower, baby.” He presses a palm to my lower back, guiding my body right where he wants me.

  I feel him pushing inside me as my body fully accepts his impressive length. The raw feeling of his cock working my pussy is almost too much, but I try to hold back until he’s closer. I arch my back more and widen my hips, giving him perfect access to thrust deeper inside.

  “Yes. God, yes,” I moan, urging him on. “Harder, Bentley. Faster.”

  “God, sweetheart. I love when you’re desperate and needy for me.” He leans down and grips my shoulder as he pulsates deeper and faster per my request. His animalistic growls put me over the edge, releasing hard all around him.

  He comes hard within seconds after I do, jerking fiercely inside me before we finally both come down. He pulls out and grabs me from behind so I’m now standing. He swings me around and collides with my mouth instantly. His kisses are filled with passion and love, fast and eager.

  “God, I love you, Ceci.”

  I smile against his lips. I can hear the intensity in his tone. “I love you, Bentley.”

  He lowers his lips and kisses down my neck and in between my breasts before landing on my stomach. “And daddy loves you.”

  Epilogue

  Cecilia

  “COME ON, HURRY!” I call out as I wait for Bentley to come into the living room. “It’s almost on.”

  “Coming!” I hear him yell from his office.

  I get comfortable on the couch as a new episode of CSI is about to start.

  “Got the popcorn,” I announce as I hear him walk in.

  “It’s weird that you have a whole set up thing, you know?”

  I pop a piece into my mouth and smile. “No, it’s not. I get to see Hannah get slaughtered to death. She gets her fame, and I get to feel a tiny bit better by watching her guts explode all over the screen.”

  “That’s gross.” He grabs a fistful of popcorn and begins shoving them into his mouth.

  “Hey, we all have our quirks. Don’t judge.”

  “Whatever makes you feel better. But she’s not really getting slaughtered to death…”

  I punch him playfully in the shoulder. “Don’t ruin it for me!”

  As much as I’ve forgiven Hannah for all the shit she’s pulled on Bentley and me, it doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy her character dying.

  After she finished Celebrity Rehab, she was picked up by a new agent, who immediately started getting her auditions for parts in popular TV shows. This is her third episode where her character finally dies.

  “Oh, my god!” I laugh as her eyes bulge out of her face the moment she realizes she’s about to die. Her character is side-swiped by a huge bus, the film effects showing body pieces and guts flying every which way. “C’mon.” I nudge Bentley in the ribs. “That shit is funny.”

  “That amuses you, sweetheart.” He shakes his head at me. “However—”

  “Holy shit!” I cut him off, holding my stomach with both hands. “My water just broke. Or I peed. Like a lot. Oh, my god,” I ramble off frantically.

  He stands up, ready to follow orders, but I’m not even exactly sure what to do. “What do you need? Should I call the doctor? Is it coming out right now?”

  “Bentley!” I scream, snapping him out of it. “Get me towels. And some new pants. And my shoes. And then grab my overnight bag. I’ll call the doctor.” I try to remain calm now because I know that’s the only way he’ll remain calm.

  “Right. Okay, on it.”

  In less than fifteen minutes, Bentley’s driving through the Saturday night traffic. Everyone and their mom is out tonight apparently.

  I text my mom and Casey, letting them know we’re on our way. They’ve been helping me prepare for weeks.

  We finally arrive—in one piece thankfully. He helps me through the Emergency Room entrance and quickly grabs me a wheel chair. I feel and look like a whale. I haven’t seen my feet in weeks, and I’m not even sure I slipped my sandals on at this point.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes, hurry please. These contractions are getting more intense.” My head falls back as more pain ripples through me. “Oh, shit. Oh, fuck. Oh, my god.”

  Bentley rushes me in and immediately takes the elevator up to labor and delivery. He flags down a nurse and follows her into the nearest room available.

  Once I’m settled in and comfortable, Casey and my mom walk in. They look like a bunch of crazed lunatics with their messy hair and frantic expressions.

  “Oh, my god, did we make it?”

  I narrow my brows at them. “Do you see me holding a baby?”

  “It’s going to be a while,” one of the nurses interrupts.

  “How long is a while?” I ask, really not sure how much longer I can take this. “Are we talking like an hour or two?” I ask hopeful.

  She smirks, hiding her face, but I see the look she’s giving me. “Depends, Mrs. Leighton. But you’re only dilated to a two. We’ve got some time, so get comfortable.”

  “Oh, my god. Only a two?”

  “Only a two what?” Casey speaks up.

  “Centimeters.”

  “Oh, right.”

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, it’s just…blood freaks me out.”

  “You better not pass out!” I scold, pointing my finger at her.

  “Anyone that’s going to faint with the sight of blood needs to stay above the waist,” the nurse chimes in again.

  “Casey, no fainting.”

  “I’m not going to faint. I’m fine,” she insists, although I’m not sure who she’s trying to convince.

  Bentley stands next to me, gripping my hand in one hand while rubbing my head with the other. I’m already sweating, and I haven’t even started pushing yet.

  “It’s been six hours. Oh, my god,” I whine as the nurse checks my stats. “Is this normal? Shouldn’t I have popped already?”

  She grins as she continues reading my contractions graph. “Oh, honey. I’ve had women in here that were in labor for days.”

  “DAYS?” I gasp, nearly waking Casey and my mom up who passed out on the couch two hours ago.

  “Afraid so. We try to make you as comfortable as possible.”

  The nurse checks me again and finally tells me the news I’ve been dying to hear. “Ok, Ceci. You’re at ten. It’s time to push.”

  The pain meds have worked well so far. I’m already anticipating some discomfort, but either way, I’m squeezing Bentley’s hand the entire time.

  “Are you ready for this?” he whispers, his eyes filled with passion and excitement.

  “I hope so. Are you?”

  “Yes. I’ve been ready. Having the most gorgeous woman on Earth have my children, what else could I ask for?” He leans down and softly grazes my lips. “You can do this.”

  I nod fiercely, hoping to convince myself as beads of sweat cover my forehead. My mom and Casey finally wake up as the nurses and doctor begin prepping. They both stand on one side as Bentley stands on the other.

  “All right, Ceci. It’s time to push.”

  I nod, letting them adjust my legs how they need them. God, this is so uncomfortable. I lean forward, and as soon as the nurse tells me, I begin to push.

  I push with every contraction and pray to God that this is the one that gets a baby out of me.

  “You’re doing amazing, sweetheart.” Bentley focuses on me, keeping me on track.

  “C’mon, Celia, you’re a West. Push that baby out already,” my sister calls out like it’s a game of football. I glare at her, mentally reminding myself to kick her ass later.

  “I see the head. One more big push. Come on,” the nurse informs me. I watch as she starts handing the doctor gadgets and tools. I lean forward one more time and push with every ounce of energy I have.

  My body finally relaxes at the sound of a baby crying. Tears begi
n strolling down my cheeks as I get a glimpse of my new baby.

  “It’s a girl!”

  “Oh, my god,” I whimper out. “Is she okay?”

  I watch as one of the nurses holds her up briefly for me to see before taking it away.

  “She’s just fine, Cecilia.” I hear the nurse call out. Relief floods through me as her screams get louder and stronger.

  “You’re incredible.” Bentley covers my mouth with his. “So amazing.”

  “All right, Cecilia. Not much time to rest. Baby number two is right behind and ready.”

  I watch as my mother and Casey’s jaws drop.

  Surprise.

  Breaking News!

  Bentley and Ceci Leighton welcome two precious bundles of joy!

  Omaha, NE has two new residents as the iconic couple officially become parents early Sunday morning. The couple evidentially kept the news of expecting twins under wraps as their own friends and family were stunned by the announcement that Ceci had delivered two healthy babies, a boy and a girl.

  A source close to the couple has reported that the parents and babies are doing exceptional and the new parents are beyond words ecstatic at their growing family. Congrats to the Leighton family!

  Birth Announcement

  ***

  Bentley & Cecilia Leighton are pleased to announce the births of Ava Claire, 5 lbs. 3 oz. and Brock William, Jr. 5 lbs. 1 oz. on

  March 10th at 2:35 a.m. and 2:38 a.m.

  Ava has her mother’s facial features and Brock has his father’s temper.

  All four are home and well.

  And of course, they all lived happily ever after.

  Books by Brooke Cumberland

  The Riverside Trilogy

  Kitchen Affairs, Book #1

  Kitchen Scandals, Book #2

  Kitchen Promises, Book #3

  or grab the complete box set!

  -All available now-

  The Spark Series

  Spark, Book #1

  Burn, Book #2

  Flame, Book #3 (Companion novel)

  or grab the complete box set!

  -All available now-

  The Intern Serials

  Vol. 1-3

  After the Internship

  -All available now-

  About the Author

  Brooke Cumberland is a USA Today Bestselling author who's a stay-at-home mom and writes full-time. She lives in the frozen tundra of Packer Nation with her husband, 3-year-old wild child, and two teenage stepsons. When she's not writing, you can find her reading love stories, listening to music that inspires her, and laughing with her family. Brooke is addicted to Starbucks' Caramel Macchiato’s, yoga pants, and sweets. She found her passion for telling stories during winter break one year in grad school—and she hasn't stopped since.

  You can find Brooke on

  Facebook

  Twitter @blcumberland

  www.brookecumberland.com

  Pinterest Page

  Instagram - AuthorBCumberland

  Click to join the mailing list

  Signings

  2014

  Rebels & Readers

  Huntington, WV

  November 8, 2014

  2015

  Wicked Book Weekend

  Ft. Lauderdale, FL

  February 6-8, 2015

  Authors in the City

  Myrtle Beach, VA

  March, 14, 2015

  Hard Rock Author Event

  Tulsa, OK

  May 1-2, 2015

  MidWEST BookFEST

  Milwaukee, WI

  June 6, 2015

  (Tentatively)

  Golden Gate Author Event

  San Francisco, CA

  August 8, 2015

  Naughty Nashville

  Nashville, TN

  August 29, 2015

  Books & Babes

  Baltimore, MD

  September 19, 2015

  Author’s Note

  What a bittersweet feeling knowing that Bentley & Ceci’s story is over. These two…man, they have put me on an emotional rollercoaster. These past four months of back-to-back releases has been challenging, but it was so worth it to get each volume into your hands. I hope you are satisfied with the continuation novella. Thank you for taking this wild journey with me! And please remember to leave a review!

  Please keep up with me on social media to hear about my next projects coming up! A lot of exciting announcements coming soon.

  Thanks!

  -Brooke

  Acknowledgments

  I don’t know why this is always one of the hardest parts, but it is. This isn’t a one-person journey by any means. There are several people a part of making this possible, making me sane, keeping me creative, and encouraging me to go on.

  My husband.

  He has supported me through this from the very beginning. I didn’t know where this would lead when I first hit that publish button on Kitchen Affairs. I was so new to the indie community, having no idea there was even such a thing. I didn’t know what an ARC meant, what a beta reader was, blog tours, blitz days, release day parties. I walked in blind to everything. And having to learn about all that wasn’t easy, so he was my verbal punching bag for a long time. Thanks, baby! ;)

  My Street Team/Being Badass with Brooke Team.

  You’re all the best pimpers ever. Thank you for reading, promoting, chatting, entertaining me with such great eye candy. Thank you, Betsy for keeping tabs on the group! You guys are amazing.

  My betas—aka superwomen.

  A lot of you have been with me since my second book (when I finally learned about betas!) And some of you are newcomers. Either way, you guys have been amazing. Also so quick to read when I need someone. Always quick on feedback and finding errors. I don’t think I could do this without you. Thank you all so much for all you do. I hope I haven’t scared you off and that you continue sticking around!

  Author K.B. Webb—Katie.

  Ever since you claimed Bentley as your baby daddy, I knew you were the kind of friend I wanted to keep around! I can’t express my gratitude enough of how much help you were beta reading After the Internship. You are the backbones of this story, and helped me mold it into what it is now. You became just as invested into Bentley & Ceci’s story as I was. A huge thank you for being quick to read and send me suggestions and feedback. I valued your opinion so much!! I hope you and Bentley get your sunset fairytale that you’ve fantasized about ;)

  My blogger friends & team.

  Bloggers, you are so selfless when it comes to promotion, reading, reviewing, and posting giveaways. The indie community is a success because of you. Huge thanks to the bloggers that are continuous supporters. Thank you for reading ARCs, purchasing copies, giving copies away, and loving authors and books. Thanks for your support. You are the anchor to bringing books to readers!

  Readers.

  You make all this possible. Thank you for purchasing a legal copy and spreading the word around of the books you love to other book lovers. Your support never goes unnoticed.

  Author community & friends.

  This industry is a competitive one. We all want the same thing—to write and our words to be read. It’s hard finding people that understand the stress and demands of being a self-published author. The support I’ve been able to find during this journey has been unimaginable. My author support group is what helps hold me up most days. The support of doing writing sprints, words of encouragement, and a safe haven to vent has become my second home. Thank you to the authors that I have the pleasure of calling friends!

  Christine Stanley and The Hype PR Crew.

  You’re more than just a team, you’re part of my family. Thank you for helping me create a way to continue writing without the added pressure of promotion. Thanks for rocking my socks. Kicking ass. Going above and beyond. You’ve earned the title, Brooke’s Bitch well.

  My cover designer, Sommer at Perfect Pear Creative Covers and long-time editor, Rogena at Rogena Mitchell-
Jones Manuscript Service.

  Thanks for being part of my team!

  Thank you, Sommer for making the most gorgeous covers for The Intern Serials. Thanks for putting up with my sas mouth as well.

  Thank you, Rogena for always working on my tight schedules. Thanks for caring about my stories as much as I do, and thank you for teaching me along the way. It’s hard to believe, but we’ve been thru 10 books together already! So, here’s to the next 10!

  And to anyone I missed! Thanks for reading this and for your support! I hope you check out the rest of my books if you haven’t already, and my future books!

  Much love and thanks to all!

  -Brooke xoxo