by Becca Taylor
One night when Aly and I were just getting to know one another, she told me about her German roots. Telling me her last name, Amsel, meant blackbird. I’ve been researching pictures, knowing above my heart there would be a blackbird in flight, with the inscription ‘du bist mein, ich bin dein’ under each wing.
With a coffee in each hand, I head back to the bedroom. If we are going to make it to Rich’s shop, it is time to get ready. I place the cup next to Aly, waking her with a kiss to the temple. “Rise and shine, Angel.”
Her hands raise above her head, stretching her beautifully naked body awake. My body instantly responds, but there’s not enough time.
“Morning. Why are you up? I thought we would spend a lazy day in bed today.”
“As good as that sounds, we have plans today. Drink your coffee and get dressed. Meet me downstairs in twenty minutes.”
“I need a shower, that’s not nearly enough time for me to get ready. Where are we going?”
“You better hurry then. Wear jeans, we are taking the bike out today. It’s a surprise, Aly.”
She grabs her coffee cup, running to the bathroom. When the water starts up, I take that as my cue to get ready upstairs. I cut my shower in half, and it only takes me ten minutes to get ready.
As I walk to my bedroom, I look at my apartment. Aly basically decorated the whole place for me. I love it here, but I want us to have a place together. I still haven’t told her about the house I bought, but I’m thinking today is the day.
With one minute to spare, Aly comes bounding down the stairs, braiding her hair back. Since she couldn’t convince me to buy a purple motorcycle, I bought her a helmet and matching leather jacket with purple flowers painted on it. I hand her the helmet, and she straps it on her head.
This will be only the second time Aly has been on the back of my bike. The first time I took her, we could only drive around the block because my helmet didn’t fit her properly. Even still, she was so excited for the ten minute ride we took.
I sit astride my motorcycle and help Aly climb on behind me. Once she is comfortably situated, I put on my helmet, activating the Bluetooth between us. “Remember, hold on tight, Angel. If you need me to slow down or stop let me know.”
“I’m fine, Bents. Get a move on it. I want to know where we are going.”
Loving the feeling of Aly sitting behind me, I start my bike and give her arms a quick squeeze to let her know we are heading out. Rich’s tattoo shop, ‘Pierce It, Brand It, Tramp Stamp It’, is a short twenty-five-minute ride downtown. I pull into the parking lot, and Aly squeals through the earpiece. She practically tosses her helmet to me as she jumps off the back of the bike.
“Are you getting a tattoo? I want to get one. I haven’t worked up the nerve to yet. Oohh, maybe I can get a piercing though. Maybe my bellybutton. Is that still cool? Am I too old to do that? This is where Kat got her tattoo and piercing done. We liked the name, and the owner was really nice.” She’s overly excited, talking a mile a minute.
“Are you going to give me a chance to answer?” I steer her to the front door. “And you definitely aren’t too old for a piercing. That would be hot. Rich will take good care of you.”
Known for his upscale clientele, Rich’s shop is showroom quality, not some run down, hole in the wall tattoo shop. Aly can’t get inside fast enough. I’ve already sent a text with the picture I have in mind to Rich, but I know he will put his own touches on it. He’s the only one I will ever allow to tattoo me, and if Aly wants a tattoo one day, Rich will be the one to do it.
“Yo, Rich,” I call out, not seeing him when we walk through the front door. He comes from the back room, giving me a one armed shoulder bump. I introduce him to Aly. She reaches to shake his hand, but he grabs it, and pulls her in to kiss her cheek.
“Never thought I’d live to see you and Caleb off the market. And both of you to such fine women. Damn, you two did good.”
Aly smiles at his remark.
“Just took finding the right one, brother. Thanks for doing this.”
I take her hand in mine as Rich leads us to the back booth area. I notice he’s sporting a new vest, Iron Saddle MC, Prospect; looks like he’s following in his father’s footsteps. He has everything laid out, including the drawing he did of the image I sent him.
Aly stands next to me and swipes a tear from her cheek. “That’s what you are getting? For me?”
“Yes, Angel, for you and for me.” She squeals and begins to cover my face with kisses. Rich stands to the side, trying to cover his laugh.
“Are you sure, Bents? It’s very permanent.”
“I know, Angel. So are you, very permanent.”
She stands once again, tracing the words on the page.
“Du bist mein, ich bin dein. You are mine and I am yours.” She told me of the German love poem her grandparents recited on their wedding day. The same one we will repeat at our wedding, but she doesn’t know that yet.
Rich preps my chest for the transfer. It takes a while, but Aly keeps herself entertained. She runs to get us coffee after the first hour. At noon, she claims we need to eat, and runs to Butter My Bread to get us sandwiches. Just before Rich resumes his tat work on me, Aly gets her piercing done, picking out a purple crystal double-ball. She keeps her pants unbuttoned and folded down. It is the perfect distraction for the following two hours until my tat is complete.
Alyssa
I CLIMB BEHIND Bentley on his motorcycle after we’ve said goodbye to Rich. I still can’t believe Bentley got a tattoo for me. When I saw what he was getting, I thought he was crazy. But, I love it. And I love him even more for doing something like that for me.
He turns onto the street above ours, and I figure we are stopping by Hunter’s. The dirt driveway we stop in isn’t Hunter’s, though. Bentley pulls off his helmet, running his fingers nervously through his hair.
I remove my helmet. “Where are we? Is this a new place Jeremy is working on?”
He reaches out his hand to help me get off the bike. I know Bentley’s friend and bandmate flips houses for a living, so I figure that’s what this is.
He entwines our fingers, ignoring my question. Pulling me to follow him up the stairs to the entrance, he takes out a set of keys and unlocks the front door. Inside, it’s completely gutted. Nothing but studs and a makeshift set of stairs that leads to a second level.
“What is this place, Bents?”
He turns to face me, still looking slightly nervous. “Our house.”
“What do you mean, our house?”
“I bought it. I’ve been working on it. It’s where I stayed when I wasn’t around when all the crap went down with the Tool. That day, I had signed the papers for this place.”
“Why? We have a place already.”
“I’m still going to keep that one. We can rent it out to pay for this one. Well, once we get this one finished. It’s going to take some time. But, I want to live here with you.”
I don’t know what to say. Are we rushing things? I lived with Mike and that didn’t turn out well for me. But, living with Bentley, in our own home? I take in the structure of the house. It is similar to what we have already, but more of a one family home. It is exactly what I would want in a dream home. I walk to the back sliding door and take in the view of the Gulf. Bentley stands behind me and encloses me in his arms.
“This is perfect, Bents. Are we ready for this though?”
“I’m ready, Angel. The question is, are you ready? After today, I want to move your stuff into my place. No more running between up and downstairs. Then, when the time comes, we move in here.”
I turn to face him, wrapping my arms around his waist. It’s exactly what I want. “I’m ready, Bents.”
He tilts my head up, placing a soft kiss on my lips. “Let’s go home and move you upstairs. Then we can start celebrating.”
Since there is no hurry, we move in just my essentials to start with: clothes, shoes, and bathroom stuff.
“Woma
n, you have too many shoes. I am going to have to build you one hell of a closet at the new house.”
“I have some ideas for you.”
After seeing the house, I already have some pictures in my mind. Gourmet kitchen, bathroom complete with glass shower and my soaker tub, and a closet that every woman dreams of having.
“I’m sure you will have plenty,” he says sarcastically. That gets him a shoe to the leg. Just as it bounces off his shin, Bentley charges towards me, pinning me to the floor. The minute his lips touch mine, unpacking is forgotten.
His tongue circles my lips, seeking an opening, which I gladly give. My hands tighten around his neck and he encourages me to wrap my legs around his back. He pulls us to a standing position, carrying me to the bed, only breaking contact to take off his shirt. My fingers begin tracing the bandage around his tattoo, admiring the beauty of it. “I still can’t believe you did this for me.”
“It was worth it. You are worth it. You will always be with me, even when we aren’t together. Right here,” he says as he presses his hand over his heart, and if it’s possible, I fall a little more in love with him.
With my arms raised above my head, Bentley removes my shirt. Shortly after, my bra joins my shirt on the floor. As I lay back, his fingers trace down from my neck to the button on my shorts. I raise my hips as he peels them off, taking my panties at the same time. He removes the rest of his clothing, then returns to his position between my legs. I grab his hand in mine, placing it over my heart.
“I may not have a tattoo here saying it, but you are always here with me too. Even before all this, you were in my heart. Ever since you offered me a place to live, my heart has been opening to you. Now that you are more than just a friend, it belongs completely to you.
“Angel?” he says, more like a question than just saying my nickname.
“Yes, Bentley?”
“I think enough has been said today. The time for talk is over. Now I want to show you with my mouth, hands, and cock how much you mean to me.”
“Okay. I can handle that.”
“Close your eyes, lie back and enjoy the ride.”
With the first touch of his fingers brushing lightly against my breasts, I moan.
“Ssshh, just feel.” His thumb grazes over my nipples and I bite my lip to suppress the sounds that want to escape my lips. He stops all too soon, only to feel his touch return at my ankle, lifting it to his lips. He trails kisses up to my thigh, repeating the same exploration on the other leg.
Bending my knees, he spreads my feet wide to make room for himself, only to start exploring again. His warm tongue circles my nipple before blowing cool air on the tightening buds. My hips move, seeking him out as he works his way to the other breast.
“Please, Bentley.”
“I’m not done yet. There is still more of you to explore and taste.” He rotates between nipping and kissing his way down my stomach until he reaches his desired target.
“You can open your eyes now, Angel.”
My eyes open at the first contact of his tongue. His eyes lock on mine. He devours me, rotating between soft and hard nips of my clit. Just when I can’t take it anymore, he stops. Replacing his tongue with his fingers, working me much like his tongue was, bringing me once again to the brink, only to stop. A whimper of disapproval escapes me.
“Bentley, please, no more games. I need you.”
Turning me on my side, he moves behind me.
“Now is not the time for spooning, Bentley. You can’t work me up like that, and not deliver.”
He laughs, but I don’t think it is funny at all. When he bends his legs to mine, there is not an inch between us. “Don’t worry, Angel. I got you.”
As he lifts my top leg over his, I know he doesn’t intend this to be cuddle time. With my foot propped on his thigh, Bentley enters me.
“Oh God, Bentley.”
He kisses behind my ear, then whispers, “I always got you, Angel.”
The moment he begins moving, my body reacts instantly, tightening around him. He moves slowly at first, building his speed, bringing me to the edge, only to slow down again. It’s both heaven and hell. I don’t want it to stop but at the same time, I need to let go.
When Bentley reaches around my waist, adding his fingers on my sensitive clit, I know it won’t be long.
“Come for me, Aly. I’m right there with you.”
Bentley’s fingers and cock work together, and I let go, screaming his name. Moving, once, twice, three times, he joins me, breathing out my name. His hand moves to my cheek, pulling me into a kiss just as passionate as the first.
“I’m never letting you go. You are mine and I am yours. Forever, Angel.”
“Forever, Bentley.”
Alyssa
I GET A CALL FROM Ms. Beckett, my lawyer, to see if I want to pursue extending my restraining order. It’s been close to a year, and the expiration date is coming up. I feel enough time has passed that Mike won’t be an issue. When I tell Bentley I am dropping the case, he is less than happy.
"Aly, you don't owe that tool anything. He put you through hell for years. As far as I'm concerned, he deserves to have this as a reminder of what he did."
I understand where he is coming from, but I don’t feel the same way. "Bents, will you listen to what I have to say?"
"Fine,” he answers begrudgingly.
"No, I mean really listen. Not just let me talk and dwell on your dislike for him."
He pulls me to his lap, cradling me in his arms. "I'm sorry. This whole thing drives me crazy. I'm listening."
"You know how you said he deserves this as a reminder?" He nods in agreement. “The same thing goes for me. It's a constant reminder of what he did. I feel like I still am connected to him and not in a good way. Almost like I can't completely move on from the past until he is out of my life for good."
He takes a deep breath and holds it for a moment. "What if he comes back? If you drop this, he is free to come near you again."
"Then you will be there for me."
"What if I'm not around? Then what?"
I consider what he says. "I know you are worried, but I won't let him come near me again. You installed a security system here and at the new house. I will have my phone on me twenty-four/seven. But, honestly, I really don’t think he'll bother me again.
He presses his forehead to mine. "I don't like this."
"I know."
"I just want to keep you safe, Angel."
"I know that too. And I love that about you. I just want to move on from this. This property is finally getting some bites. We can move forward with that and put that money towards the new house, our future."
Reaching behind my head, Bentley starts massaging my scalp. When he doesn’t speak for a moment, I ask him, “Okay?”
He nods his head. "I'm not happy about it, but okay."
But, Bentley finds something he is happy about when I get down on my knees and show him how much it means that he trusts my decision.
Not long after the restraining order expires, my lawyer calls to tell me that the property has a bid on it. Mike has already agreed to the buyer’s terms. She says everything looks solid. I tell him as long as it is close to the asking price, I am fine with the terms. I only have to sign the papers with the real estate agent. We agree to meet her at Butter My Bread. It makes Bentley a lot less stressed knowing my lawyer will be present and that he can be with me.
Kat meets me in the parking lot. She is meeting Caleb for lunch, but secretly I think she wants to support me.
"I'm so glad this is finally over. That property has been a thorn in your side from the start."
"I know. With the money from the sale, we will be able to do some upgrading on the new house.” I am looking forward to hiring Jeremy to build my custom closet. He wants to do it as a house warming gift, but there is no way he is doing that for nothing. He already has donated so much of his time. Right along with him have been Caleb, Hunter and Josh, pitching
in whenever they get free time.
"When do you think you will be moving in?"
"Hopefully within the next few months. There's no rush. Although, I'm going to miss the apartment when we finally move; so many memories in that place." My phone buzzes. I figure it is my lawyer, but it is a text.
Bentley: Get your ass in here. I saw you drive by ten minutes ago.
"Come on. Let's get inside. The boys are getting impatient.”
When we walk through the front door, both Bentley and Caleb practically leap over the counter to greet us. Seeing Bentley, my stomach gets that familiar butterfly feeling, like always. He kisses me, almost too chastely for my liking.
"Get back to work. You have customers waiting.”
They head back to their rightful places behind the counter, and Bentley announces, "Sorry for the wait, folks. Can't go without saying hello to my girl."
Both Kat and I blush simultaneously as we make our way to the table that is reserved for us.
When my Ms. Beckett shows up a few minutes later, I greet her. There is a woman with her; I assume it is another agent. “Thank you for meeting me here.”
Ms. Becket places a drink order with Bentley who comes over to the table. She introduces me to the woman she’s brought. “Alyssa, this is Elizabeth. She is from the real estate office. She just needs a few signatures.”
Elizabeth explains, “I promise it will be quick and painless. First, this is your copy of everything. Ms. Becket has a set for herself. There is just a slight change in the division of funds.”
"What do you mean change?” I ask her worriedly.
She continues, "Michael's attorney contacted me last night. He felt you deserved sixty-five percent of the sale."
For a moment, I get confused and think I heard her wrong. I look toward Bentley. He sees the concern in my eyes and walks over.
"That's not right. I don't want the extra money."
Elizabeth reaches in her briefcase and hands me a record of payments. "We thought you might say that. I looked at this record, along with the paperwork Michael signed. It's a payment history on the land, including what was put down. You paid the monthly mortgage more often, making the new amount you will receive accurate, not to mention that the value of the property has grown substantially. By this time tomorrow, your bank account will have a deposit of $76,375, minus all fees."