Take Me Out (12 page)

Chapter 11

Is This What Love Feels Like?

(Bentley)

Seeing the confusion on my beautiful girlfriend’s face stung. I’m not sure if it was because I had hidden how much money I had, or if it was because she looked like I had lied to her. I knew I needed to make it right before the end of the night. As for Drew, handling whatever it was he had going on with Shay – he was on his own. I could tell that was going to be a battle.

I hadn’t told Charlie about it all because I didn’t want her to look at me like I was just another rich asshole. I was a frugal yet lucky fool.

I leaned into Charlie, kissing her on the cheek as I whispered, “I’m sorry, we’ll talk about this after dinner. Okay?” Her body eased. She was still tense, but I knew I was going in the right direction.

I had to play everything so differently with her. I knew I couldn’t lose her. It sounded pathetic, but it was the truth.

On the car ride home, I started trying to explain myself. “Charlotte, I know you’re upset. I just didn’t want you to look at me like everyone does once they find out about the money. It’s only money, it’s not who I am. Drew and I... we just... we got lucky.”

The stern look on her face didn’t budge. I was pretty sure this was her way of trying to process everything while staying guarded. That was my goal too.

“Everyone looks at me differently when they find out, which is why I try and live the simplest lifestyle I can. I’m sick of the gold-diggers coming around.”

She finally spoke. “It’s okay, Bentley. I understand it all too well. I went through the same when I was growing up. I hate the money. I hate the status. I hate it all. I just want a simple life.”

My heart sank. She didn’t want to be with me anymore because I come with too much baggage. I should have expected this. Nothing is forever in my life and now the one thing I did want to be forever was about to walk away from me. I couldn’t even bring myself to speak.

“So, you don’t want to be with me anymore?” I barely squeaked out. I’m not sure how the words even formed to come out of my mouth, but I somehow got them out. The look of horror on her face when I said it was not the one I expected. I thanked God that she wasn’t thinking of breaking up with me.

“No Bentley! That’s not what I’m saying at all. It’s just not every day that you find out your boyfriend is a billionaire!”

Silence fell around us. I absorbed her words, but I didn’t know if I actually registered them. I was relieved. I knew I had more to repair, but I had no idea how.

“Charlotte, I think I’m falling in love with you. I mean, I’ve never been in love before, but this feeling I have for you is intense. It’s... You’re everything to me... I think about you all day and night. When I’m not with you, I want to be. I want you as a constant in my life.”

We had just pulled into the parking garage. I was expressing some serious emotion and it made sense to pull over to let it all absorb. I knew she was shocked.

“I’m not sure what to say, Bentley. I honestly feel like I can’t live without you. I always want to be with you. I-- ”

After those words, my instincts took over. I had to kiss her. I wanted to feel her lips on mine, so gorgeous and pink under her shimmery lip gloss which made her face look angelic. The kiss was a conduit for the electricity which had become so natural between us. It traveled through me and threatened to make me pull her into the back seat.

The two short months we’d spent together felt like years.

As Charlotte unlocked the door to the apartment all I heard was a huge crash followed by, “Oh SHIT!” out of Drew’s mouth and a shriek from Shay. Both of them were half naked, in a compromising position on the kitchen counter.

Don’t think I’ll be eating here anytime soon!

Charlotte slammed the door shut quicker than she opened it. A look of disgust crossed her face. I am sure my face looked just about the same.

“Ugh, not in the place where I make cookies...” Charlie lamented.

“Looks like Shay and Drew were “making cookies” all over the place.” She gagged at the euphemism then we both turned around and burst out laughing.

We opened the door a crack again, the room was empty. I didn’t want to put anymore thought into the situation, I had too much to repair with Charlie.

“That was gross guys! Seriously gross!” Charlie yelled through the apartment.

We walked down the hall to her bedroom and sat by the window in the white leather chairs on either side of a green-printed area rug. Her taste in decor was impeccable. The rooms were predominantly modern with classic touches and were not overly-feminine, as some single women preferred. Before I’d come over for the first time, I imagined an apartment strewn in pink fuzzy shit and I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was relieved I had been wrong.

I waited for her to speak and when she finally did, her tone was not immediately reassuring. “Bentley...”

Our gazes met. Tears welled up in her eyes and her voice shook. I could sense whatever was coming was going to be bad.

“I grew up with money. It’s never been an issue for our family, as you can see.”

She motioned around her room. The view of the baseball stadium was bright with the lights of a game in progress, the artwork on the walls and a clear view of her lavish bathroom.

“I didn’t want to grow up and date guys for money, or status. I wanted to stay out of the limelight and become a local historian like my mom. I don’t want fame or fortune. I don’t want fancy cars or presents. I just want to live out of the public eye.”

“Before you go on, Charlotte, you have to know that I want that too. Why do you think I live in a crappy apartment? Drew and I: we’re just simple guys. We don’t want to live the billionaire bachelor lifestyle, we just want to build our company without our faces being plastered everywhere; which is why I never told you about the money and I’m sorry for that.”

I was relieved to see some of the austerity evaporate from her face. I immediately took her in my arms. I wanted to take her to bed, but for now I just held her. We both needed to feel the comfort of the embrace we shared. Now, because she knew my secret and didn’t appear upset with me for hiding it, I couldn’t have felt better.

Chapter 12

An Episode from the Kennedy’s

(Charlotte)

We finished loading our suitcases into the trunk of my car. With the familiarity generated between the four of us, the trip was feeling even more like a family vacation than usual. I was relieved because my parents’ approval was no longer an obstacle.

I was looking forward to relaxing over the holiday with this man who had confessed his love to me.
He loves me.
No one other than my family had ever told me they loved me. It was such an amazing feeling, knowing my feelings were reciprocated.

The speed with which our feelings had developed might have unsettled most, but for some reason, I didn’t mind. I trusted that it had to be fate.

I pushed it all to the back of my head as we jumped into the car for the hour drive to Orleans, to a little waterfront town on the Cape where my parents had rented three vacation homes for the weekend. Not only would the four of us be going, but Trey, Jon and Christian would be joining us. The question was, if any of them would bring dates. Typically they came without, but since most things with us were a pissing competition, and both Shay and I had dates, it could be a game changer.

There would be at least one party in which I would have to face my father’s snobby hospital associates. It was yet another part of my life I absolutely hated. Thinking of the events to come caused me to be more than usually quiet.

“A penny for your thoughts?” Shay asked.

“Nothing good Shay, just dreading all those stuffy assholes we’re going to have to mingle with for the party.”

Shay laughed because we were both on the same page when it came to those people. But unlike me, Shay was trying to become one of them. Not because she wanted to be a cocky asshole, but because she knew she had to use her status to get a good job in the medical field once she graduated.

Bentley couldn’t help but chuckle from the driver’s seat. He hated the same types but was forced to be around them when it came to business.

“They really aren’t so bad, ladies. Actually, most of them are just lonely old men looking for some kind of conversation or gold-diggers who will fuck them while their wives are off porking their personal trainers.”

I burst out laughing. It was like an episode of one of those “
Real Housewives
” shows on TV.

“Oh but honey, I will never pork my personal trainer! Well, unless you’re joining us,” I laughed and gave him a little wink. I knew something needed to lighten the mood in the car. The look of priceless shock on Bentley’s face was worth the comment.

“Two men at once, sounds like an adventure,” Shay let out with a laugh.

“Isn’t it what every girl wants?” I threw in. Knowing the men in the car would become uncomfortable. I could read unease all over Drew’s face.

“This is something for us to talk about behind closed doors, love.” Bentley said while squeezing my leg.

After a short time, we could see the beach. I was getting excited. I could have lived at the beach all summer long; it was one of my favorite places on Earth. The only exception to that was Fenway Park.

“Your parents really don’t spare any expense when it comes to this 4th of July weekend party huh?” Drew added into the conversation.

“Yeah, this is their opportunity to show off their status and money for all their close friends. It’s all about keeping up appearances with rich types,” Shay replied with an eye-roll. I knew she would never get used to the high-life no matter how successful she became.

We drove by the adorable shops and restaurants that made up the main street of the beachfront community. The GPS directed us down small side streets until Bentley pulled into the long driveway of our final destination. It was comparable to the house I grew up in, but its view was to die for.

“Wow, are you sure this is the right house?” Bentley asked.

“It sure is,” Shay confirmed. “It looks like they stepped up their rental this year, Charlie. This party will be one for the ages!”

The bigger the house, the bigger the party and the bigger the announcement they had. Wondering what the announcement was would drive me crazy. I wondered what the hell they had up their sleeves.

The boys grabbed the bags as both of my parents emerged from the front door of the Georgian-style home. Made primarily of white stone, it was accented by large black shutters. During the lifetime of the house, a widow’s walk had been installed on the second-floor and a cozy wrap-around porch had been built onto the ground floor. With its Doric columns and inviting Adirondack chairs, it looked perfect for lounging. The lawn was impeccably manicured. The red-brick driveway was stark against the aged look of the house.

I waved to them. They made their way towards the driveway, down the cobblestone path through the flower beds.

“You kids are the first ones here! Run upstairs and take a pick of which room you want before your brothers invade. We’re staying at the house next door.” I was glad I wouldn’t be sharing a house with them. My brothers weren’t ideal roommates either, but they didn’t police me as much as my parents.

Bentley brought the bags to the door and greeted my parents as he walked by. I could see their eyes get wide as saucers when they spotted him in a t-shirt, bearing tattoos as far as the eye could see. I thought my mother was going to faint right there on the driveway and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. I joined him as he climbed the stairs. The walls were white with light blue accents. The place was fraught with nautical decor. By process of elimination, I discovered the master bedroom and charged toward it at full speed. There was no doubt in my mind that my siblings would be hot on my heels, just like every other 4
th
of July weekend.

Bentley laughed at me. “Where are you running off to?”

“MUST! GET! MASTER!” I crashed through the doorway, laughing. “I win!” I cried.

The four post king size bed looked like it belonged in a medieval castle. Sheer white curtains hung from the posts covering three sides of the bed. I eyeballed the double French doors that led to the balcony. I parted the veiling curtains and unlocked the door. There was nothing but clear blue ocean as far as the eye could see. Looking down, I spied Shay, Drew and my parents on the back deck alongside a beautiful in-ground pool. The waterfall feature was impressive. There was no doubt in my mind that it would provide endless fun for Bentley and me.

“Haha! The master! You snooze you lose!” I giggled down to Shay. I could see by the look on her face that she was less than amused, but she shouldn’t have taken her time. I was sure there were plenty of other nice rooms to choose from but they would be hard to get once the boys arrived.

Bentley and I decided to slip into our swimsuits and take a dip. Our week leading up to the trip had been stressful, but it wasn’t anything a little rest and relaxation couldn’t fix.

We spent most of the afternoon lounging by the pool. When the sun became too much for us, we dove into the water and Bentley threw me around like a ragdoll. We kept it playful because every moment that passed with us holding each other threatened to force us upstairs to the bedroom. The pull generated between us was magnetic. We seemed to fit together and the thought of him returning to his own apartment in Boston felt so wrong. I wanted him with me always.

We stole away to a remote corner of the pool. He kissed me and the heat in the kiss developed into something deeper and more intense. I caught my breath as he spoke, “Charlotte, I want to take you out tonight. I have some special plans for us.”

“But we’re supposed to have dinner with the family tonight,” I replied.

“I ran it by your parents already and they said they’re fine with it.” Bentley said confidently. “They agreed everyone should be entitled to a little alone time away from the family this weekend.” She wasn’t sure when he’d had time to isolate her parents, but thought it was best not to question it.

“Sounds like it’s a plan then,” I said, wrapping my legs around his waist. I could feel his hard dick pressing against me as I planted another deep kiss on his lips.

Someone cleared their throat behind us. I looked up to find Trey staring down at us in judgment. Our embrace broke and we swam in different directions.

“Hey Trey.” I greeted him nervously, trying not to laugh myself into hysterics. I regretted that he was so good at ruining perfect moments.

“I am glad to see you made it, Charlie. It just wouldn’t have been the Fourth weekend without you.”

“Oh, you know, dear brother, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. He smirked then turned to Bentley.

“Bentley! So glad to see you could make it too. It looks like my parents have taken a real shine to you.” Trey gave Bentley his signature death-stare.

“I’m glad to be here. I hope we have time to talk this weekend. I feel like we got off to a bad start,” Bentley said, in the face of my brother’s disapproving frown.

“Right now is convenient if you’d care to join me for a short stroll,” said Trey.

“Of course.” Bentley agreed. Bentley swam to the ladder and climbed out. He rubbed a dry towel over his rippling sun-tanned physique. They were on their way and I was left wondering what Bentley had meant by “a bad start”.

Having had enough of the pool, I climbed the stairs to the master bedroom with a glass of white wine in hand. A notification pinged on my phone. It was an e-mail from Landon. I wondered if he would ever stop bothering me. We were friends and that was one thing, but I could sense he still wanted more. And “more” was not going to happen.

To: Charlotte A. Windsor

Subject: 4
th
Party 

Date: July 1 15:50

From: Landon Williams

Charlotte,

I just wanted to make sure you’re going to be at your parent’s 4
th
of July party this weekend. I just assumed you would be, but wanted to make sure. I’d love to spend some time together.

-Landon

I didn’t even want to reply; I didn’t want there to be a fist fight between him and Bentley, so I decided to send him a message setting some clear boundaries.

To: Landon Williams

Subject: RE: 4
th
Party

Date: July 1 15:55

From: Charlotte A. Windsor

Yes, I will be at the party Landon, as will my boyfriend Bentley. I’m looking forward to it! See you then!

-Charlie

Yup, looking forward to it like I looked forward to my fucking annual pap smear. There was no doubt in my mind that it would be just as uncomfortable-- if not more so.

Before stepping into the bathroom, I grabbed my iPhone and tweeted:

Beautiful beachfront view at the Cape. With the perfect guy @HardcoreBentley.

I tossed the phone onto the bed and kicked off my flip-flops. In the bathroom, I dried my hair with a towel. Bentley peeked in, standing in the bathroom doorway with a goofy grin on his face. I watched as he tossed his towel onto the floor and slid off his sandals. By the time he reached me, all he wore was the half-damp bathing suit. That garment wouldn’t stay around long.

“I was just going to take a shower. Why don’t you join me?” I suggested. I knew it was exactly what he wanted and I didn’t want anything more in that moment. All the touching and playing in the pool had me hotter than the first night I met him. My mind raced with thoughts of what he would say or do next.

“That sounds like a perfect plan,” he replied, using one hand to untie my black bikini top. My hands wandered to the waistband of his trunks. As he pushed down my bikini bottom, I slid his shorts down. A little kiss here, a small bite there, and little moans escaped our lips. To me, nothing was hotter than knowing I made him moan like that.

As I went for the shower handle, he pulled me back. Grabbing one hand and spinning me around, he pulled me close and kissed me, deeply, passionately. His tongue invaded my mouth, making me even hotter. I could feel the wetness between my legs. He threw our previous plan to the wind, sweeping me up into his arms. My legs threaded around his hips, our mouths never breaking their seal. I ran my hands down his back, scratching up and down every inch of his muscular back.

He laid me down on the edge of the bed. Leaning over me, he started kissing my neck. Slowly, he moved down my body, stopping once he reached my breasts, kissing each nipple gently while paying extra attention to the other with his hands. The combination of his lips and hands on my heavy breasts drove me wild.

A moan slipped from my lips and it was the only cue he needed. He abandoned my breasts, heading south towards my womanhood.

“Oh Bentley, I want you now. Right now!” Even though I was dying to feel his hard cock filling me, he seemed to have other plans.

“All in good time, beautiful,” he whispered before returning to kissing his way down my body, not stopping until he reached the damp apex of my inner-thighs. With teasing flicks and brushes of the tip of his tongue, he found every sweet spot. I felt a heavenly climax building up as his tongue fluttered over the tiny throbbing nub among the wet folds.

I tried to push him away, but he wasn’t satisfied. My moans continued to get louder and I forgot anyone else was in the house. I let loose deafening screams as my hips locked. My orgasm was cataclysmic, crashing and washing over me like the waves of the Atlantic.

When I regained my composure, I looked down to see Bentley staring up my body with a satisfied grin on his face.

“That’s exactly what I like to hear,” Bentley laughed as he moved up the bed, lying down next to me. I couldn’t help but blush.

I pushed him back on the bed and kissed him, climbing on top of him. I wanted to satisfy him just as much as he had me. I lowered my body over his, my hand guiding his hard cock to the wet opening of my pussy. Passion completely unleashed and we instantly became lost inside each other. Kissing, touching, caressing, all while I tried to maintain control over him.

The deeper his moans became, the faster I moved, up and down, until he flipped me over to my back. With one quick move, he was on top of me fucking me like his life depended on it. He kept a fast rhythm. There was no stopping him now and he never took his lips from mine. It wasn’t long until I could feel him coming inside me for the first time. It was an amazing, foreign feeling-- to be so utterly filled and surrounded by his tight, flexing body.

A shiver went through my entire body.
This has to be love
, I thought, our bodies a tangle of limbs. Every moment of heavy breathing, of bodily heat exchanged, seemed to confirm my suspicion. I loved Bentley Young and I could never be without him again.

Eventually we
did
shower and dress. Bentley had some big plans and I was just along for the ride, but I didn’t mind. I was getting used to his surprises. Our relationship had become one big surprise after another. I just hoped this was a welcome one.

I had brought a subdued peach cocktail dress with me. Though it wouldn’t do for formal functions, it was comfortable and pretty. It would do well for outings and casual meetings.

I passed through the kitchen, into the living room where everyone was lounging around, chatting about years gone by. Shay’s first summer with our family was always my favorite memory. It was hard on her, as she was missing her mother. That Fourth of July weekend, we had bonded on a new level. We truly became sisters. While we were still outnumbered, it brought us closer to a balance with my overbearing brothers.

Bentley stood from the couch where he was whispering with Drew. He took long, sure strides across the living room, a huge smile on his face. Grabbing my hand, placing his other hand on my hip, he placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

He whispered in my ear, “You look incredible.”

We walked to the car hand-in-hand. Before I could do it for myself, he opened the car door for me, making me feel like a princess.

“Are you nervous?” Bentley asked as he got into the car.

“Do I have a reason to be?” Why on earth would I be nervous to go out with him? It wasn’t like I’m not comfortable being seen in public with him. My suspicions ripened.

“It’s just... I really lo... like you Charlotte. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever been with, any relationship I’ve ever had. It’s different.” I smiled at his warm sincerity. I felt, for the first time in years that I was whole. The only words to come to mind were the cheesiest ones, but it was true, Bentley completed me.

“Charlotte, Charlotte Ann Windsor” Bentley whispered.

“Yes?” I replied to him with my lips just mere centimeters away from his lips.

“I love you. I love you Charlotte.” Talk about making a girl melt right into the seat of a car!

“I love you too Bentley. I have for a while now.”

And with those words, our lips collided for what seemed like an eternity, sitting in the driveway for anyone and everyone to see. I was sure they were watching, too.

“I do have something special planned for you, but you’re going to have to wait till later to find out,” and like that he dropped the subject altogether.

We headed into town, to a little seaside restaurant with a full assortment of New England seafood on the menu. It was quiet, candle-lit and beautiful. It felt like something plucked right out of a romantic movie.

We traded bites of each others’ courses like an old married couple. I had never felt comfortable enough with a man to share food with him like that. I assumed the case was similar for him. When I told Bentley I loved him, everything had felt right. I felt as though fate had driven us together.