It feels good to scream. Although deep down I understand why my dad did what he did, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I’m relieved to know the truth, but now I wish my mom and Casey were here with me.
“Sweetheart, let’s go.” He tilts my head up, concern laced in his tone and face. I nod, agreeing that I need to get out of here. I grab everything out of the box and lock it back up.
Bentley
Nothing could have prepared me for what would be in that lock box. I had hoped closure, but now I’m not so sure she’ll ever have that.
Not having her mom here wasn’t helpful because she knew much more than Ceci and I ever did, but I also think it was good she did this on her own. She had so many questions, now she finally has her answers—even if they are devastating.
“I wonder why he waited ten years. Why not five? Or fifteen? Or twenty?” she rambles as we drive back to the hotel. I squeeze her hand, knowing that I can’t give her any of those answers.
“He had a reason, sweetheart. You just have to trust him.”
“Trust him?” she squeals, turning her head toward me. “He left me!”
I don’t argue with her because I know it won’t do any good. She’s upset. She has every right to be. I know she needs some time before she can calm down.
Once we get to the hotel, she collapses on the bed and sobs. I grab her and make her lay next to me. She pushes away, making it impossible to comfort her, but I don’t care.
“Sweetheart, stop fighting me. Let me hold you,” I growl. Her body finally relaxes as my arms wrap around her. She cries into my chest until her body goes limp and she falls asleep.
I run my fingers together, debating whether or not I should still propose to her today. I wasn’t prepared, and now I’m starting to think I’m a major asshole for wanting to take this day away from her.
She stirs awake, but she doesn’t let go of the grip she has on my shirt. She wiggles in close to me and tilts her head up at me.
I brush a finger over her cheek and smile down at her. “Feeling better?”
“Yeah.” She nods. “I dreamt about him. I haven’t dreamt about him in awhile, so I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”
I lean in and kiss her forehead, relieved she’s feeling better.
“It scares me to think of what my dad must’ve been feeling that day—knowing that was the day. He was so happy that morning. He made us all pancakes. I wanted ham, but Casey wanted bacon so he made both.” She laughs lightly. “Nathan was too young to care, so he ate anything we gave him.” She smiles at the memory. “Mom slept in that day. Knowing what I know now, I guess she probably hadn’t been sleeping too well. If they were fighting, she was probably stressing.”
“Your dad loved you,” I tell her. “It’s evident in the way he wanted to protect you.”
She sinks into me deeper and sighs. “I know. That’s what hurts the most, I think. Knowing the amount of love our family had and having it be ripped away from us seems so unfair.”
“Addiction is an awful disease. It tears people apart. He was apparently involved with some pretty influential people.”
“Do you think my mom knew?” she asks, her eyelashes flickering up at me. “That he planned it?”
I shrug. “I’m sure once she read the note it was easy to speculate, knowing the money troubles he got himself involved in. She had to know who to give the money to.” She nods, agreeing. “She wanted to protect you too, Ceci. That’s why she didn’t want to tell you too much—keep the memories you had and let them be the ones you remember of your dad.”
She nods again, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. I can tell her emotions are all over the place. And so today, I’m just going to hold her.
Chapter Twenty-One
Cecilia
“Is it going to hurt?” I ask as the tattoo artist turns the gun on.
Bentley grins at me, pointing to his ears to signal that I’ve yelled that a bit too loudly. I’m lying sidewise with my headphones on listening to music to distract myself of any pain that’s about to come my way.
Bentley holds my hand and mouths close your eyes just before I feel the first sting on my right shoulder.
I inhale and exhale slowly as I concentrate on the music. I squeeze Bentley’s hand every time I feel a tinge of pain, which is basically the entire time. It ends up not being as bad as I thought, but I’m relieved when it’s finally over.
I open my eyes and watch as Bentley takes my headphones off.
“You did it.” He smiles wide. He helps me sit up and hands me a mirror. “Well, take a look.”
He took me to the same tattoo artist he’s gone to, so I fully trust him, but I’ve wanted this tattoo for the past year.
Don’t let one mistake keep you from taking on the world
It’s perfect. What’s even more perfect is that he was able to sketch it from my dad’s own handwriting. The final words from my dad are now inked over my right shoulder just above the scar that will forever connect me to his death.
“I love it,” I say, holding back the tears. “It’s perfect.” I look back at Bentley’s friend and thank him. He gives a half grunted head nod back before Bentley grabs my hand and helps me stand up.
“It’s fucking sexy as hell,” he whispers in my ear.
“Bentley, you know the rules,” his friend warns. “Hands off.”
“Dude, you’re the worst cock blocker.” They both laugh as his friend bandages me up.
* * *
Casey finally flew home and all four of us looked through the pictures together and sobbed. She had no idea what was in the lock box, but she said she always had an idea of what happened that day and why. She had been trying to protect me this whole time from feeling this way, which now I completely understood.
If the people my dad worked for ever found out we knew the truth, they could come back for us. It was too much of a risk for my mom to ever say anything, so she’s kept her mouth shut for ten years.
Experiencing this with Bentley has made it all worth it. I finally feel closure from my dad’s death. I feel complete.
Having part of him on me somehow helps. It’s as if he’s not really gone, but still with me.
“How’s the shoulder?” Bentley asks concerned. He’s been gentle with me ever since and I’m getting very sick of him being gentle.
“It’s been a week. I’m fine,” I bite out. He closes the gap between us and lays a sweet kiss on my shoulder, his lips trailing the words and ending on my neck.
“Good…because I need to touch you.” I arch my neck, giving him the access we both need. “Mm, sweetheart. You smell so fucking good. Delicious.” His nose nuzzles my neck, sending shivers down my body as he presses our bodies closer together.
I reach down his body until I feel his firm cock in my hand. I grip it from the outside of his pants, eager to touch and please him. He grabs my hips and pushes me into his erection. I moan as his mouth grows eager, sucking me harder and releasing a hard shiver over my body.
His hands brush under my shirt, gripping my hips hard. He presses his thumbs into my stomach, making me feel the pressure that’s building up there.
I jerk in response. His lips make their way up my jaw and to my mouth. He coaxes his tongue with mine feeding the hunger we’re both after.
“I need to taste you,” he whispers in my ear, licking up the lobe teasingly as goose bumps appear over my entire body. Even after all this time, a single lick can still consume me.
He pushes me back until my ass hits the couch behind me. He begins nipping and licking my skin as he makes his way down my body, moving my clothes with his mouth. He undoes my pants and eagerly lets them drop the floor. I step out of them and kick it to the side. His mouth moves rapidly down my stomach and against my lace panties. I cross my arms and rip my shirt off, letting it fall next to my jeans.
He pushes my panties to the side, teasing his finger against me. I jerk my hips telling him what I need, but it only encourages him t
o taunt me.
“Sweetheart, god, you’re beautiful,” he moans as he continues kissing around my panties.
“Bentley,” I whimper.
“What do you want, sweetheart? Tell me.”
“I need you. Please.” I lean back on the couch, arching my hips out for him. “I want your mouth on me.”
I feel him grin against my thigh as his tongue licks over my panties, still torturing me.
Fuck this. I pout angrily, grab the thin straps, and yank them apart, ripping them in half.
He smirks up at me, amused by my determination. “I hope those weren’t important.”
“No, from an ex-boyfriend,” I taunt, remembering how upset he got the first time I told him that. His jaw tenses knowingly, but before I can tell him to relax, his mouth is on me forcefully.
“Oh, god!” I shriek, gripping the couch tighter as he holds my thighs apart. I hear him devouring me. The aggressive moans rumble from deep within his throat, making me coat his tongue with arousal. “Bentley! Oh, my god…more.” I close my eyes, unable to take the sensation any longer. His tongue is relentless as he moans into my pussy, licking and sucking. My body is trembling against him as he brings me close to climax. Just when I think I’m close to release, he backs outs and quickly turns me around.
He stands up behind me and rubs his erection against me. Fuck, why is he still wearing pants?
“Baby…” I whimper as he cups my breast.
“Hold tight, sweetheart.”
I hear him unzip his pants and pull them down. His shirt goes next.
“Bend over,” he demands. I do as he says and bend over the couch. It’s pressing directly over my stomach, adding pressure to my already built-up need. “Spread those perfect little legs, baby. Let me see all of you.”
God, I love the deep tone of his voice. It’s an octave deeper, harsher than usual, but I’m instantly aroused.
I’m bent over, spread wide and ready for him. He slowly, and so fucking torturously, licks a trail up my spine. I shiver underneath him, dripping wet with desire. He pushes our hips together, letting me feel how hard he is for me.
“You feel that, sweetheart?” I nod, desperately. “Only you do that. Only you.”
“God, Bentley…” I moan. “Fuck me…I need you,” I beg.
“Show me. How badly do you want it?”
My hand covers my pussy and begins rubbing my clit as he pushes his cock behind me. He’s teasing me and it’s fucking torture. I’m tired of waiting.
I rub myself harder, finally getting some relief. I moan out in pleasure, letting my head fall back and sink into his chest.
“Christ, Ceci…you’re fucking killing me,” he growls in my ear. He bends us over and pushes inside me finally, feeding the need I begged for.
“Yes, Bentley…god!” I scream as he holds us in place, his cock driving deep inside me.
“So fucking tight, sweetheart. So fucking good.” My legs are just wide enough for him to enter me, but he’s pressing firm against the walls that are gripping him tight. The sensation is consuming. Every thrust rips through me.
“Yes. That’s perfect, sweetheart. I love when you touch yourself.” I work my clit harder, moaning and panting as an orgasm builds inside me. He drives deeper inside me making me explode at the double sensation.
“Oh, god! Yes! Bentley…yes…” He pumps into me once more as he milks his own release within my tight walls. I’m bent almost all the way over the couch, my ass up in the air. But I don’t care. I love giving myself to Bentley.
Meeting Bentley has changed my life, and I’d never take back the journey we’ve been on to get where we are right now.
Because right now is perfect.
* * *
Epilogue
Bentley
Ceci lays her head on my shoulder as we fly over the Atlantic Ocean, heading to Europe for an exclusive modeling shoot. She’s been traveling with me since she graduated college, insisting on being with me even though I know she hates flying.
It’s the twelfth anniversary week of her father’s death and she has yet to bring it up. Either she doesn’t realize it’s mid-July or she wants to move on from it—either way, I plan to change the meaning of that day for her—make it a reason to celebrate July 16th.
We land in France and take the next day to adjust to the time difference, sleeping and ordering room service before I have to work for the next four days. I’ve arranged a shoot on the anniversary date for us to do together. It’s not for a magazine like I told her it was for, rather it would capture every moment of my proposal.
I don’t think she’ll be expecting it. I’ve been planning the shoot for months, wanting to give her something she’ll absolutely love.
I’ve had her ring for two years, but the timing never seemed appropriate. I knew she needed time to digest her dad’s letter and to accept everything the way it was. The year after she graduated college, she insisted she wanted to travel with me. I figured one more year and then I’d propose. One more year to make sure she could handle the high demands of being with a professional model.
“I feel like I could sleep for a week,” she groans, grabbing the covers and curling up into a ball in the middle of the king size bed. She looks gorgeous—her long blonde hair spiraled out beneath her and face completely makeup free.
“C’mon, sweetheart.” I lift her off the bed and she whines. I carry her into the shower and turn on the water. She screams as the cold water hits her first before it transitions to warm water. “Don’t make me fuck you against this very luxurious shower or we may never make the shoot in time.”
She eyes me, challenging my words. She rubs her breasts together, the water hitting over them just perfectly. My cock twitches as I watch her. Her taut nipples hard at attention, taunting me to suck them.
Fuck. Me.
My jaw ticks as she lowers one hand and begins rubbing her clit. She lets out a moan as she pleasures herself—torturing me—knowing very well that I’m fully dressed. Instead, I decide to play along with her little game.
“Put your finger inside,” I demand. “Feel how wet you are for me, sweetheart.” She fingers herself slowly, but deep. “God, you’re going to fucking kill me,” I groan harshly.
“Mm, Bentley…I wish it was your cock buried deep inside of me.” She licks her lips as her hips buck from the sensation.
My head falls back in a deep howl. Jesus. How does she do this to me every time? No matter what, I always want her, always crave her.
We’ll be so damn late, but right now, I can hardly think about that. I wanted today to be perfect—to surprise her with the proposal of a lifetime—but Ceci doesn’t need that. She just wants me, and I just want her.
“Fuck the shoot,” I growl, throwing my shirt off and undoing my pants. I’m naked in under thirty seconds, joining her in the shower.
I lower my body, grab her finger out of her and pull it into my mouth. “Mm…so fucking delicious, sweetheart.” I lick a trail up her slit, landing on her clit and suck hard. “You taste like heaven.”
She pants against the pressure, her body aching with need, begging for release. Her hands are in my hair, guiding my mouth as I torturously devour her—her scent, her taste—it’s all too consuming and I need to be inside her.
I stand up and grab her neck as she leans into me. She grabs my cock with one hand, stroking it as my hips buck toward her entrance.
“Mm…so full and heavy for me,” she purrs against my lips. Her other hand cups my balls, massaging and stroking so roughly.
“Fuck, baby,” I growl, pushing her against the ceramic wall. She slows her movements down as my body tenses, desperate to explode inside her. “Turn around. Let me see that sweet, perfect ass.”
She spins around and grabs the wall, opening her legs wide for me. I slide inside her effortlessly, her body on fire as I thrust against her. I guide her body as I grip her hips, pounding into her roughly and uncontrollably.
“Yes, more…just like t
hat,” she pleads. I wrap a hand around her waist and begin rubbing her clit. It’s not long before I feel her pussy tighten around my cock, her body letting go around me. I continue my fast pace, grinding against her, needing to feel her come on me once more.
“Do you have one more for me, sweetheart? Let me feel you again,” I hiss.
She arches her ass out, letting me slide in deeper. I lay my palm flat on her back as I drive deeper and harder into her. Her hand works her clit as I grab a handful of her hair and pull.
“YES! Holy shit,” she pants, my cock still hard and deep inside her. “Oh, god…” Her body shakes in a frenzy as I take another orgasm from her.
“Good girl…” I whisper against her, the water cascading over my back still. “Don’t move, baby.” I pump into her once more before giving her all of me, coming inside her as if I’m claiming her—marking her body with my seed.
We spend the rest of the shower cleaning each other. Thoroughly washing each other. I can’t control the smile that spreads across my face any time Ceci traces her finger along my tattoos.
“Have you thought about getting more?” I ask, drying her off.
She shrugs lightly. “I don’t know, they’re so permanent. It has to really mean something special.”
“Is permanent bad?”
“No. As long as it’s something I can live with forever.” I smile at her, ready to ask her the most important question of my life.
I wrap a towel around my waist as she tucks hers under her arms. Her hair is messy and wet, but god, she’s so stunning. This right here. This is perfection.
I grab her hands and kiss them softly as she looks at me. “You know how much I love you,” I say, gripping her left hand in mine.
“As much as I love you,” she says back, smirking.
“You’ve distracted me from what I had planned for today, but I’m okay with that. I want to have those distractions for the rest of my life. I want to make this date a new memory for you. I don’t want it to feel tainted. It’ll be a day we can both celebrate.”
The Intern: Vol. 3 Page 14