Finding Peace (Breaking Free Series Book 2)

by Becca Taylor

  “We were playing the ‘Who On the Dance Floor Is Getting Some Tonight’ game. I’m going back in.” She blows me a kiss as she heads back to the dance floor.

  Bentley wraps his arm around my back, and his thumb starts making little circles on my hip. He asks me, “Are you having a good time tonight, Angel?”

  “Yes, Bents. I’m having the best time.” I feel like a nerd. He makes me feel like I’m in high school again. When the cutest boy talks to you and you are just in awe that he knows who you are.

  He kisses my temple. “Good. Mission accomplished.”

  For some reason that statement hurts. Is that what I am, a mission? A job? Am I someone he feels like he has to entertain? I finish the rest of my drink in silence. When Kat finishes hers, I pull her back out to dance again. This time I just want to party with my girls. The men all take a break, sitting at the table laughing and talking while keeping an eye on us.

  I try not to read into what Bentley said, but my mood towards him changes. I can feel myself turning cold towards him when I really have no reason to. It is everyone’s mission to make sure I have a good time. Even though I know this, I can’t handle being near him. So, when he tries to dance with me again, I spin away so I’m between Jade and Lexi. Thankfully, the more we dance, the better my mood is getting. The shots combined with more than a few drinks isn’t hurting me either. I will definitely be feeling this in the morning. But for now, just keep that music and those drinks coming!

  Unfortunately, the night has to end, so we all pile in our Uber to go home. Lexi is spending the night at my house. My place is the farthest, which means we are the last stop. I kick off my shoes in the car. My feet are definitely feeling the effects of a night of dancing; these shoes aren’t as comfortable as I had hoped. We pull into the driveway, and I hand Lexi the keys. I am currently having a fight with my shoes, trying to get them back on. They are winning.

  Just as I’m about to give up and walk barefoot, Bentley picks me up, tossing me over his shoulder.

  “Put me down, you doof! What the hell are you doing?”

  He slaps my ass and I stop trying to wiggle free. In fact, I almost wish he’d do it again. Good God, that was hot.

  “Hush, woman, you’ll wake the neighbors. This place is a construction site. I don’t want you stepping on anything. I knew I would be carrying you home.”

  I groan my frustration. And boy, if I’m not frustrated in more ways than one. If I am what this man has deemed a mission, he is doing a great job at keeping me safe. However, with the way he is gripping around my thighs, he is leaving me undeniably sexually frustrated in every way.

  He carries me up the stairs and to my front door. Through the glass, I can see Lexi laughing at me. As I’m still draped over Bentley’s shoulder, I flip her off. She gives a cute wave and leaves the room. Only when she’s gone, does Bentley put me down, sliding my body against his, taking his ever loving time. Once my feet touch the ground, I try to take a step back. Bentley grips my hips.

  “Don’t, Angel.”

  I look up into his eyes. “Don’t what, Bents?”

  His fingers are kneading into my flesh. “Don’t walk away again.” He closes his eyes placing his forehead against mine. “I’m not sure why you pulled away from me at the club. I thought we were having a good time. And now you are going to just leave me again.”

  “I’m not leaving. I’m just going to bed. And as for the dance club, you said it. Your mission was accomplished, so I thought you’d want to go have fun with someone else.” I try to say it nicely, but I think he may sense the slight bitter tone in my voice.

  This time, Bentley takes a step back, but he doesn’t break eye contact with me. “I have no idea what you are talking about, Aly. Yes, I wanted you to have fun. I thought we were having a good time together.”

  “I don’t want to be your mission.”

  “What do you want then, Aly?” His breathing speeds up as he waits for my response.

  “I don’t know. Just not to be your obligation. Like I’m your job.”

  “Aly, it will always be my mission to protect you. No asshole will hurt you again, as long as I’m around. And I plan on being around a lot more now.”

  “Okay. I’m really tired. I just need to go to sleep.” I need to get away from him. I can feel my body reacting to him in ways my mind can’t process with the alcohol swimming in my veins.

  He grips behind my neck, putting his lips to my forehead in a friendly gesture. “Alright, Aly. Sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Night, Bents. Thanks for tonight.” I open the door. When I see him walk up the steps, I go straight to my room to change.

  I’m washing the makeup off my face when I hear a knock on the door. Lexi walks in, dressed for bed in her cute little nightgown. Meanwhile, I throw on one of my favorite oversized college t-shirts that should have been thrown out years ago. The shirt is definitely showing its nine-year age.

  I get jealous for a second. Lexi is beautiful. Where I’m short, she is tall. While I’m blonde, she has fiery, red hair and bright blue-green eyes. Don’t even get me started on her figure. Because it’s to die for. I’ve always carried a little more in the middle, hip and thigh area. Not Lexi though. The girl is built like an athlete, but still completely feminine. Probably because she runs, does yoga, and practically lives at gym.

  The thing is, Lexi exudes confidence, which I lack. Guys swarm to her like a bee does to honey. She has no shame in it either. The woman is a living, breathing sex kitten. She loves sex, although lately something has been off. Tonight, she stuck close to us at the club, where usually she would be off looking for her next prey.

  She asks me, “You want to talk about tonight?”

  I look at her in the mirror as I finish brushing my teeth. “There’s nothing to talk about. I had a great time. Didn’t you?”

  She puts one hand on her hip, looking annoyed with me. “Yes, I had fun. And there is plenty to talk about. Yes, I want to talk about tonight. You know why.”

  I turn towards her. “No, I don’t. We went to a club. You were right there and saw what I did the whole night. I danced and drank a little more than I should have.”

  I walk out of the bathroom and sit on the edge of my bed. I notice Lexi already put some aspirin and water on my nightstand. I love this girl.

  “I’m talking about Mr. Hot for Your Body upstairs. Why are you down here when you could be upstairs with that?” Swallowing the aspirin and drinking the water as slowly as possible gives me time to avoid her question.

  “Spill it, Aly. I need the deets.”

  With a sigh, I fall back against my pillow. “There’s nothing to tell, Lex. He thinks of me as… well, I’m not sure. Friend, roommate, tenant, nothing more.”

  “I think you are very wrong about that. The man has been lusting after you for months now. It’s obvious! What do you feel for him?”

  Lexi and I have never sat and had this kind of conversation before. Usually Kat is the one I talk like this to. Since my birthday when she hooked up with Hunter, she hasn’t been seen with anyone. But, Lexi doesn’t do relationships. She’s not the ‘have feelings for a guy’ kind of girl.

  “I’m not sure what I feel. Am I attracted to him? Yes. Do I want more than a friendship? I’m not sure. I just got out of an eleven-year relationship. Am I ready to explore something new? I just don’t know.”

  Lexi runs out of the room. I have no idea why. She races back in and tosses me the gift box of condoms. “So, go have some fun. Who says that doing the dirty has to be more? You can cut the sexual tension between you with a knife.”

  I laugh at her. “I’m not going to do that. What do I do? Go up there, hand him the box of condoms you gave me and say some pick up line like, ‘Do you work for FedEx because I’d like to receive your package?’”

  Now she’s laughing hysterically. “Perfect. By the way I am so stealing that line! And why not? Who says guys have to make the first move? I suggest you change int
o something else though first.”

  I scrunch my nose at her. “I’m not doing that, Lexi. If Bentley wanted me he would have kissed me or something tonight.” God, I wish he would have kissed me.

  “Fine. Aly, just don’t wait too long. Don’t sit here and pine over a guy because you are too scared to admit how you really feel. It will eat you up. And then it will be too late. He’ll find someone else. Or go back to someone.” For a brief moment, she looks sad, and Lexi is never sad.

  “Lex, are you talking about you and Hunter or me and Bentley? Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not ready to talk about that yet. So, for now I’m talking about you and Bentley.” She gets up to leave.

  “You know I’m here if you need me. Love you, Lex.”

  “Right back at you, Aly. Just think about it. I think he’d be good for you. I’m going to sleep late. Feel free to make me some of your double chocolate scones for breakfast.”

  I toss my pillow at her. “Make them yourself. See you in the afternoon.”

  “Sexy dreams.” I can hear her through the wall. “Oh Bentley. Yes, Bentley. Right there.”

  “Shut up, Lexi”

  “You know you want it.”

  She’s right. I do.

  Bentley

  I STEP OUT OF MY cold shower. After last night, I needed to take one the minute I walked through the door. When I woke up, I needed another one. I don’t think an ice bath will help my condition. Junior still won’t calm the fuck down. Just when I think I get him under control, I get a vision of dancing with Aly at the club and I’m rock hard again. Even jerking off in the shower like a teenager didn’t help. The only thing that will is the woman who is sleeping in the bedroom below mine.

  When we got home last night and I threw her over my shoulder, I wanted to keep walking up to my place. But I didn’t. Now I’m kicking myself for it. I just didn’t think she was there yet. It’s only been a week, and I didn’t want it to seem like I just wanted to get in her pants. Aly deserves more than that. She needs to be wined and dined, not taken home like some ‘one-night stand club chick’.

  I run my fingers through my hair, not even bothering to comb it. I dry off, tossing on only a pair of sweats before heading to the kitchen. Just as I’m about to turn on the coffee pot, I see Aly sitting on my deck. I take in the view of her. She’s beautiful, looking out at the ocean, with wind tossing her hair around. My heart actually skips a beat. I rub my chest to calm the thing down before I open the sliding door. She looks up at me smiling.

  “Your view is so much better than mine. I could stay here for hours.”

  “Me too.”

  “I’ll be right back. Stay here.”

  She returns a few minutes later with coffee and scones. I take my time savoring that glorious first sip. “Why does your coffee always taste better than mine? We have the same machine.”

  She smiles. “It’s the way I appreciate mine more than you do yours. Cooking reflects your moods, and if you are cranky in the morning, that comes through. Since I love to cook, my coffee pot feels that love.”

  Too fucking cute. “So, you’re telling me I need to make love to my coffee pot? No, wait, that came out really wrong.” Because there is no way I’d be making love to a coffee pot, it would be with the girl sitting next to me.

  She laughs at me. “No, maybe just caress it a little. Where is this talk coming from? Ok, let’s stop before it gets any worse.”

  I take a bite of the scone she made. I close my eyes and moan because it’s so freaking good.

  “Can I have a bite?”

  My eyes open wide at her question. I break off a piece to hand it to her. Instead of taking it from me, she grabs my wrist between her hands. Her tongue scoops around the bite, licking it from my fingers. Once again, I groan at the sensation of her tongue on my fingers. And damn if she didn’t do it slow. My cock jumps to life yet again.

  “Delicious.”

  “Aly.” I say it more as a warning. I can’t take much more of this. This woman has me on the edge. She still hasn’t let go of my hand. There is a little chocolate left on my thumb which she pulls to her mouth, licking it clean. When I can take no more, I grab her, pulling her across my lap. “Angel, I’m trying to be a gentleman with you, but you are making that almost impossible. What made you so bold this morning? Not that I’m complaining.” I don’t know what has got into her, but I like it!

  She licks her lips. “I talked with Lexi last night. I think she’s right. I’m not sure what is going on between us, but there is something going on, Bents. I thought about it all night. Tell me if I’m wrong.”

  I grip her thighs, pulling her close to the evidence there is so much more going on. I roll my hips against her. “What does that tell you, Angel? No, you are not wrong. You can feel what you do to me now, what you did to me last night at the club.”

  Her head rolls back slightly as she grips my arms tightly. The sight of her like this is my undoing. I grip the back of her head, pull her lips to meet mine, and suck her bottom lip between mine. A breathy sound escapes her. As her mouth opens, I dive in, sucking her tongue into my mouth. It’s my turn to make some noise. Our lips and tongues begin to duel. When she starts grinding herself on me I almost lose it. She’s wearing nothing more than a tank top and tiny cotton shorts. I can feel the heat coming from her, and I curse myself for not wearing underwear. This is becoming pure torture. I can’t believe I’m about to do this.

  “Angel, you need to stop.”

  Instead of stopping, she pushes her pussy down on me holding herself taut to my now painful erection as she sucks my lips between her teeth. Shit, that’s hot. As much as I don’t want to, I push her back slightly so she’s sitting on my legs. We are both looking at each other breathing heavily.

  “Why did you stop, Bents? Do you not want this?”

  I grab her hand, torturing myself some more, placing it on my pulsing cock. “I so want this Aly, but not out here, not like this. I don’t want you to regret this. You just broke up with Mike.” When I say his name, she slides off my lap, pulling away from me. I grab her hand back in mine. “Don’t, Aly. When I have you, and believe me I will, I want it to be in my bed. I want you to be one hundred percent sure you want it. I don’t want it to be just a quick fuck. I want to take my time with you. Hours. Days. Are you ready for that?”

  She looks at me, almost in shock. “Alright, Bents. You’re right. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I was going to use you. You mean more to me than that. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, but I thought we could try what you said to Paige. Ya know, friends with benefits?”

  Fuck, is that what she wants? To satisfy an itch? Could I do that with her? I know if I had a taste of her, I would never give that up. “No, Aly, I don’t want that. So, for now we’ll be friends like we were before. I’ll give you space. Just don’t let what happened change anything between us, can you do that?” What the fuck am I saying? She’s all but offering herself to me with no strings attached and I sound like a girl saying I want more. I need to get my head examined. No, I need some serious testosterone—hit the gym, drink some beer, shoot a gun, and put my man pants back on.

  “I won’t let it change things between us. It was nice to feel wanted again. I’ll see you later or tomorrow.” She heads back down to her place.

  “Alyssa.”

  She looks back at me.

  “You’re always wanted.” She gives me a half smile before walking down the stairs once again. As for me, I head for my third cold shower in twelve hours. Once again, I say, fuck my life.

  Alyssa

  YOU MORON, OFFERING yourself like that. I head back into my apartment, mentally kicking myself in the head. I grab another coffee and scone for Lexi, adding a second cup for myself.

  I knock on the bedroom door before I let myself in. Lexi is on her phone, texting. She looks up, smiling. “You are a godsend. You know that?”

  I put the tray next to her, grabbing my own cup off the tray. “I ju
st embarrassed myself again with Bentley.” I tell her everything, about the first kiss and what just happened a few short minutes ago.

  She’s staring at me mid bite. “You offered him sex and he said no? Not what I thought he would do. Were you doing it wrong?”

  I hit her on the arm. “Shut up. No, I don’t think so. I couldn’t miss the evidence in his sweats.”

  She motions with her hands, questioning if he was little or big down below.

  “I’m not answering that. What do I do now? I made up that stupid friend with benefits thing. How can I just keep being his friend, when all I can think about is jumping his bones?”

  “You really want my advice?”

  I nod my head yes.

  “Maybe he is right. I know what I said last night, but that was me talking. You, Aly, are not me. You don’t do casual sex. So, maybe take a little time and be single. Maybe Bentley feels safe and that’s why you are attracted to him. It’s time to step out of the box. You and me, kid, we are going to hit the town every weekend. Hit on hot guys and party.”

  I take a minute to think about what she is suggesting. I can flirt and not have sex with strangers, right? I’ve never been single in my adult life, so perhaps it’s time to do that. I’m still young. “Let’s do this.”

  She high fives me. “First, I’m getting another one of these.” She takes the last bite of her scone, “Then we are going to get pampered and pretty.” Lexi works as a sports massage therapist, but on the side she works as a masseuse at a spa. We plan to spend the day there getting our body and naughty bits waxed, nails and hair done. All with a great employee discount.

  Hours later, I get home feeling like a million bucks. Lexi and I make plans for the following weekend. We are going to go to some clubs that we’ve never been to. This means getting out of the Naples area.

  And that’s what we do for the next few weekends. We literally look up clubs online, picking the ones with the best looking websites. We live how two single ladies in their twenties should: letting men buy us drinks, dancing suggestively next to them, giving fake numbers and made up names. I have the time of my life, or at least I should be, but Bentley is still in the back of my head.