The Intern Serials: Complete Box Set (26 page)

Chapter Eighteen

Cecilia

SEEING BENTLEY NAKED again instantly sends arousal down my body, landing directly in between my thighs. I couldn’t get him deeper or fast enough, I needed more.

His tattoos are something that I’ve had embedded to memory since the first time I saw them in person. He’s stunning, but the tattoos add so much more—perfection. The way each detailed line curves into his body makes my heart flutter ever faster.

I outline his tattoos with my finger as I lay next to him as he sleeps. He looks so peaceful, so content. I wish I could bottle that Bentley up forever.

“Good morning.” Oh god, his morning voice.

“Morning,” I reply sweetly. “I’ve missed your tattoos.” I continue outlining them as he stirs awake. “I’ve been thinking about getting one.”

He shifts to his side facing me. He traces a finger down my face, pulling a piece of hair behind my ear.

“Really?”

“Mm hmm. On my right shoulder.”

His finger slides down my chin and neck, landing directly over my scar. He traces the outline several times before leaning over and pressing a light kiss over it.

“That’s a perfect spot.” He smiles. “What did you have in mind?”

I close my eyes briefly, thoughts of my dad consuming me.

“I’m going to have the words
Let it be
written across my shoulder and a princess crown on my shoulder blade. It was his nickname for me, and I think it’ll help bring me closure, no matter the outcome. I don’t want to keep holding onto hope that the lock box will give me answers, so I want to remind myself to let it be—that I can’t let it be the reason I stop living my life.”

He soothingly rubs my face, his thumb circling over my jaw. “I love it. But don’t give up so easily. The Ceci I know is prepared to break into anything she has to get what she wants.” He cracks a smile, amused.

“Well, perhaps I’m turning a new leaf. I want to move forward. I can’t do that if I’m constantly hung up on the past. I want us to move forward
together
. And I can’t do that if I’m hung up on the past—something I can’t control.”

He leans in and brushes his lips against mine again, putting his body weight on top of mine so I’m forced to roll over on my back. He brushes his hands through my hair, lightly tugging as he moans in my mouth.

“Just promise me one thing,” he says, breaking the kiss.

“What’s that?”

“Wait to get the tattoo until after you get to open it.”

“That’s almost a year away,” I protest.

“You’re not a very patient person.” He smirks.

I lower my hand in between us, gripping his erection with my fingers. “No…” I smile wide. “No, I’m not.”

He slides into me with ease, already wet with anticipation. “How impatient are you, sweetheart?”

“Right now…” I gasp as he drives deeper inside me. “Not patient at all…” I moan, begging him for more as he slowly eases in and out of me. “That’s torture,” I plead.

“How do you want me, Ceci?” he whispers into my ear, stroking his tongue underneath the lobe as my body shivers against him. “Fast and rough?” He pulls out briefly and thrusts back inside me, making my head fall all the way back. “Or gentle and slow?” He pulls out slowly, leaving the tip in and sliding back in ever so gently. The desire to feel him builds up inside me, my need for him growing stronger and stronger.

“Both—give me both.”

He grins against my neck, sucking lightly on my shoulder. “I love when my girl is greedy for me. So needy.”

I scratch my fingers down both arms as my body arches up to greet him. “More…” I beg.

He releases me, leaning back on his heels. I groan weakly as I feel him leave my body. He kisses my leg and smiles back up at me. “Roll over.”

He helps me lay on my stomach, my legs flat in between his legs. He grips my thighs and parts them slightly as he places a knee on each side of me. He leans over me, pushing back inside me from behind. The sensation is thrilling—tight and so intimate. He thrusts into me slowly, but deep. The way our bodies lay together gives him all control as he drives into me, claiming my body as his.

“You feel that, sweetheart? That’s our bodies becoming one. Our bodies recognize each other. They don’t ever want to be a part.”

“I can’t be a part from you, Bentley. My body can’t handle it.”

“Our bodies were meant to stay together—just like this.” He brings a hand around and rubs my clit as he thrusts deeper inside me. His hand works my clit as his cock drives into me over and over again—bringing me over the edge.

“God, yes. Oh…yes,” I scream into the pillow as his finger and cock work me into an overloaded frenzy.

“Christ, Ceci….” he growls deeply, feeling my pussy tighten even more around him. He pulls his body back, gripping my hips with both hands as he releases his own orgasm into me. “
Jesus
.”

*   *   *

“Do we ever have to get out of bed?” I whine playfully as Bentley’s and my legs are intertwined together, sheets and blankets lay messily on the edge of the bed.

“If it were up to me, hell no.”

I lean up on one elbow and face him. “What’s going to happen when I go back to college? And you go back to modeling? How are we going to make this work?” I hate being a mood killer, but I need to know.

He brushes my hair off my face, stroking his finger gently. “I’ll do anything to be with you, Ceci. Just tell me what you need.”

I sigh because honestly, I don’t know. “Can you make it so I’ve already graduated and can travel with you across the world as you model?” I smile jokingly at him, but he doesn’t bite.

“You need to finish college, sweetheart. Imagine what a degree like yours could get you.”

“A lot of sweaty, nasty guys,” I deadpan.

He laughs lightly. “Do what will make
you
happy. I’ll be right there with you.”

“What about your career?”

He shrugs nonchalantly. “It’ll be there when I’m ready.”

“You’re kind of an arrogant ass,” I mock his overconfidence.

“
Your
arrogant ass,” he counters.

“Good. I’ll take it.” I bite my lip, hiding the giddy smile that’s threatening to display. God, how does he make me this person?

“I’ll buy a house in Lincoln so I can be close to you. That way you could still focus on school, and I’ll get to see you after class,” he says as if he’s just solved all our issues.

“Lincoln is only an hour from Omaha. Why would you go through all the trouble of finding another place? We can make it work. I’ll drive to your place, or you can visit me…” I offer.

“No…” he whispers into my hair, pulling me closer into him, “I’m not wasting an hour when I could be with you. Plus, I’ll make sure to buy a very comfortable, large bed. That way I know you won’t be able to say no.”

I tilt my head, giving him better access as he begins brushing his lips against my flushed skin, shooting shivers down my body. “You can’t just tempt me with a good bed…that’s not fair.”

“It’s plenty fair…for me.” I feel him grin, and no longer want to fight about it. I want him close just as much as he does, so I give in.

“Okay, fine…don’t forget a nice, big shower, as well,” I offer. “Because if not, that
could
be the deal breaker,” I tease.

“Mm…” He kisses the lobe, biting gently. “A shower sounds nice…perfect actually.”

He scoops me off the bed, dangling my legs over his buff arms. I link my arms around his neck as he carries me into the bathroom and sets me gently on the countertop.

“Ah, that’s cold,” I wince, my bare ass pressed against it.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m about to warm you right up.”

He kneels in between my legs, spreading them wide as his mouth finds my swollen lips. My whole body is aching for him, craving him—I can never get enough.

He devours me, leaving me gasping and moaning as his tongue proves his talent over and over again. I come on his tongue hard. He swipes his tongue up my slit, sucking gently on my clit as I fist his hair, pulling his locks in between my fingers.

“Oh, yes…” My body crumbles against him as another wave of pleasure hits me. “Bentley!”

He stands up grinning at me as he purposely licks his lips. “You were dirty…” His voice is thick with amusement. “I had to clean you up.”

I put a finger to his chest and run it down to his cock, hard at attention. “I guess that means I should clean you up next.”

He arches his hips, allowing me to grip him harder. I begin stroking him gently, teasing as he bucks his hips into my grasp.

He leans into me and whispers, “I’m
very
dirty. Make sure you clean me thoroughly.”

I push against him and hop off the counter. I turn the water on and step into the shower, leaving the door open for him.

He follows suit and steps in the shower after me. His eyes widen as he sees me already on my knees waiting for him.

“Christ, Ceci…” He shuts the door behind him and looks at me with hunger in his eyes. “You look so fucking sexy like that—waiting for me. Only me.”

I bite my lip in anticipation. I open my mouth wide for him, letting him angle himself inside me. I close my lips tightly around him and stroke him with my mouth.

The water cascades over us, making his body slick and defined. His hard muscles never seize to amaze me, but the way he looks is breathtaking.

He leans back, giving me all of him. His cock touches the back of my throat, pulsating against me as I suck him hard. I work my hands on his shaft, rotating my hands up and down as I work the tip. He groans, grabbing a fistful of my hair as I pick up the pace. I release him, licking a path from his shaft to the tip, and pulling him inside me once more before he releases. I love that Bentley gives every part of him to me—every perfect inch of his body.

“Jesus, sweetheart,” he growls, lifting me up by my arms. “Your mouth is fucking heaven.”

He grips the back of my neck and crushes our mouths together—desperation and love consuming us both.

We each take our time washing each other’s bodies, slowly exploring one another again. I can never get enough of the sight of him, the way he makes me feel, and the way he craves me just as much as I crave him. I didn’t want it to end—this moment or us.

*   *   *

Bentley and I stay mostly in hiding through what remained of the summer. Cora and I finish his kickboxing class and I continue working at the bar, except I only work two nights a week so I can spend more time with Bentley before my classes start back up.

As summer comes to an end, I make sure to spend some time with Cora and Simon since I won’t see them for another nine months. Although they make it impossible for all three of us to hang out, I finally tell them to suck it up so I can spend time with both of them.

Since this will be my junior year, I don’t have to live on campus anymore. Bentley insists I stay with him to ‘save tuition money’ so I can hardly argue with him.

I text Katelynn a few days before school. We haven’t spoken much all summer, but I still plan to hang out with her once she moves back.

Me:
Any new creepers we get to discuss when we get back?

Katelynn:
Don’t even get me started. I’m starting to think being the crazy cat lady is more suitable for me anyway.

Me:
Oh, stop it. There are plenty of good guys right on campus. You just have to come out of our dorm room long enough to meet them.

Katelynn:
You know I’m shy. It’s hard for me.

I love Katelynn, and I think she’s gorgeous, so it’s really saddening that she can’t find a decent guy.

I make a mental note to get her out of her apartment at least few times this semester.

Chapter Nineteen

Cecilia

IT’S SURREAL TO see Bentley’s new place or as he’s calling it ‘our new place.’ It feels like after all the struggle to be together and time apart—this is it. We’re finally happy and moving forward together.

Bentley helped me pack, and I finally introduced him to my mom. It went surprisingly well. She’s pretty much smitten by him. But that doesn’t change the fact that she continues to hide our past from me. Soon enough though—I’ll know all I need to know, and then I can finally move on from what happened that day.

Tony moved in after I left. I know it makes Nathan really happy to have a guy around finally after being stuck with girls all his life. I’ve warmed up to him some, but the thought of him in my dad’s house still makes me cringe.

Bentley told his agent that he needs a few more months off, although I told him to stop putting it off. I’ll miss him when he travels, but I have plenty here to keep me busy. However, he insists on staying around—not that I’m complaining. I think he’s waiting for when I can finally go to my dad’s lock box. He’s worried that whatever is in there will crush me.

“Go on. Go out,” Bentley insists, wrapping his arms around me. “You’re in college. You’re supposed to go party.” He kisses me quickly on the nose.

“It feels weird though. Leaving you here while I go have fun.” I pout against him. “You could come with?” I offer.

He shakes his head with a weak smile. “Sorry, sweetheart. I’ll be here when you get back. Or call me if you need me to pick you up.”

“The reality of being with an older man,” I sigh, teasingly. “You could re-live your college days. I’m sure you were bad.”

He laughs, pulling me in tighter. “No, thanks. I’m content right here.” He presses his body into mine, my arms not wanting to release him.

“Fine,” I sigh again. “I’m going to go pick up Katelynn.”

Although Katelynn has a bubbly personality, she can be awkward around guys. I find it humorous how she helped me so much my first year of college, yet she can’t find a decent guy that isn’t going to come on overly strong.

Simon calls me on my way out, so I pick it up quick. “Hello?”

“I have less than a minute. Cora’s going to call you and be freaking out…act like you know nothing.”

And then he hangs up.

Well, that was weird.

I look at my phone, stunned, but wait for her call anyway. It comes two minutes later.

“Hello?”

“Oh, thank god, Celia.” She breathes heavily.

“What’s going on?

She’s silent at first and then finally blurts out, “I’m in love with Simon.”

A knowing smile curls up on my face as she finally confesses what I’ve known all along.

“Um…” I’m not sure what to say. Simon knew I knew, but she didn’t. “What exactly do you mean?”

“Stop playing stupid, Celia. I knew you knew.” Her tone is laced with stern amusement.

I laugh relieved. “Oh, thank god. Can I just say…it’s about fucking time?”

“I know.” She laughs.

“So…tell me. What made this confession come to light?”

She stays quiet before softly answering. “He proposed. He said he was sick of pretending we weren’t together and that he’s always loved me. I cried. And you know I never cry.” She laughs through light tears. I gasp, picturing Simon down on one knee with an engagement ring.

“That asshole didn’t tell me he was going to propose!”

“That’s because he knew you’d snitch!” Simon’s voice echoes through the phone.

I laugh because he’s absolutely right. I probably would have.

“Ignore him,” Cora says, giggling. I can hear her pushing him away.

“All right, you lovebirds. Call me later. I want to know all the details,” I pause as I pull up to the dorms, “well, perhaps not all the details. Just the part where he proposes,” I tease.

We say our goodbyes and I text Katelynn that I’m outside waiting for her. She skips giddily to my car, a smile plastered on her face.

“Someone’s excited.”

“I’m actually really nervous,” she admits.

“Don’t be. It’s going to be fun. Just like a back to school party. Plenty of opportunities to meet new guys.”

“You mean plenty of wackos to ask how many children of theirs I wish to bear.”

I burst out in laughter at her concerned expression. “I swear, you attract the crazies.”

“I actually did meet someone online from campus,” she admits, biting her lower lip.

“You did? Who?” I ask excitedly.

She clasps her hands tightly on her lap, not looking directly at me. “I-I’m not really sure. We’ve been chatting for the last few weeks. We both figured out we go to the same campus. We’re supposed to meet tonight actually. He’s going to be there.”

“Oh, my god!” I screech. “What’s his name? What does he look like?”

“I don’t know.”

I turn and face her, narrowing my eyes. “You don’t know? You didn’t think to ask those questions or what?”

“Well…I know his username. I stopped giving out my real name because there were so many psychos. Once he told me he’d be coming tonight, I told him to wear a red shirt so that if I went I could spot him.”

“Katelynn…what if ten different guys are wearing red tonight?”

“That’s also why I’m wearing red.” She points to her own shirt, raising a brow.

“How’s that going to help?”

“Just trust me. I’ll know when I see him,” she replies confidently.

“Hmm…a hopeless romantic? I like it.” I grin.

The party is in full force by the time we arrive. There’s a ton of people we know, so we stay amongst them most of the night. Later on, I spot Brandon and decide I should apologize to him in person.

I tap him on the shoulder nervously, not wanting there to be any tension between us. We’re bound to run into each other on campus this year.

“Hi,” I say weakly as our eyes connect.

“Cecilia! Hi!” He engulfs me in a hug I wasn’t expecting. I wrap my arms around him as he squeezes me. “How’re you?”

He releases me and I stare at him stunned. He looks great, and I’m beyond ecstatic he’s not upset with me. But he’s almost too excited.

“Hey, Brandon. It’s great to see you.”

“You look great, Cecilia.”

“Thanks, you too.”

Awkward silence.

“So look—”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me, Cecilia. It’s okay,” he says genuinely.

“I just feel like I owe you something…I feel horrible that I hurt you. Like I deserve for you to be really mad at me. Yell at me. Tell me what a slut I am. Anything.”

“You’re anything but a slut, Cecilia. And really, yes, I was upset, but the more I thought about it, I was really okay. I don’t want someone to be with me if they don’t want to be with me.”

I swallow, pained that I couldn’t love him the way he loved me. “Wow, Brandon. You’re really too nice to me.”

“I’m glad you’re happy.” He smiles wide. “You look really happy and you deserve it.”

“So do you.” I smile back.

“Yeah…” He brushes his hands down his shirt, teasingly. “Being dumped looks really good on me, don’t ya think?”

He’s laughing and the next thing, I’m laughing with him. It’s such a relief to know we can continue the school year without any hard feelings.

One second he’s looking at me, the next his eyes flash to something behind me. His jaw tenses, his eyes freeze in place, and his body stiffens.

I turn around to see what’s behind me when I notice Brandon staring directly at Katelynn. I look back at him to notice he’s wearing a red shirt.

I gasp softly, putting the pieces together. I look again and see Katelynn’s eyes linking with Brandon’s.

Holy shit.

I can’t help the stupid smile that appears over my face. What are the fucking odds?

Katelynn nervously walks over, unsure of where she should look—at me or at Brandon. From their stunned faces, neither of them expected it to be them.

“Shit…” Katelynn finally says.

“Yeah…” Brandon says, brushing a tense hand through his hair.

“I-I really had no idea, Cecilia. If I had—”

“Stop it, you guys.” I smirk, looking back and forth between them. Their chemistry is palpable—obvious attraction between them. “I can’t think of two better people for each other. So don’t stop on my account,” I assure them both. “My ex-boyfriend and my old roommate. Who would’ve thought?” I smirk wide. They both relax, smiling back at each other.

Brandon hung out in our dorm room countless times during our sophomore year. Before Brandon and I were dating, he’d wait for me in my room with Katelynn until I got out of class so we could go study and work on our project. Now that I think back, they always got along great back then, too.

I excuse myself and reassure them both that I’m perfectly fine with whatever they decide to do. I chat with a few other friends, giving them their privacy, and then Katelynn texts me and says she’s hitching a ride home with Brandon.

Me:
I want details later. Unless he ends up asking what paint color you want your master bedroom.

Katelynn:
I always share the good deats with you.

I smile, thinking how happy I am that I know she’s found a good one.

Katelynn:
Red.

Me:
Huh?

Katelynn:
Bedroom color ;-)

Me:
Oh god. Of freaking course…

I shake my head and smile. Red.

Katelynn:
Lol. Love you, Cecilia.

Me:
Love you, too.

I was going to tell her not to hurt him because he’s already been hurt. But I don’t want him to hurt her either. So they just better make it work so I don’t have to hurt either of them.

I leave the party and head back to Bentley’s—or rather, my house. It’s still early, so I plan to surprise him with a little special surprise.

After I park in the garage, I strip off all my clothes before entering the house. I lay my clothes on the floor and tiptoe down the foyer to find Bentley.

He’s passed out on the couch, the remote still lingering in his hand. He looks stunning the way he’s laid out in his half un-buttoned shirt and dark, ripped jeans. His hair lays loosely on the pillow in a messy kind of way.

I slowly peel the remote out of his hand and set it on the floor. I brush a finger along his jaw, so strong and chiseled. I push his hair back off his face and admire all of him.

I lay next to him, wrapping my arm around his waist. I lean up and kiss his lips softly, not wanting to startle him. He stirs briefly before recognizing my lips and begins kissing me back. He brings a hand to my arm, pulling me on top of him. His hands brush down my body, his eyes popping open as he realizes I’m completely naked on top of him.

“Well, that’s the best fucking wake up call ever,” he growls.

I wiggle my hips against his growing erection. His hips buck to press into mine. I giggle against his mouth as he tries to keep me firm against him.

“Shh, baby. Let me take care of you.” I lower my body and torturously unbutton and unzip his jeans. I pull him out, hard and ready. I grip my fingers around him and stroke his long length.

“Mm…god, sweetheart,” he growls, digging his fingers into my hair. I love feeling his arousal grow deep inside me. I love knowing what I do to him. I love everything about this man.

I work effortlessly, sucking and licking every solid inch of him. I wrap my hand around his cock, stroking over his thick vein. My mouth and hand work him hard, faster until he can no longer take it.

“Fuck! Ceci…god, your mouth…” I accept everything he gives me, letting the heat shoot down my throat as he clenches his fists in my hair.

I continue licking him until he’s perfectly clean again. I tuck him neatly in his jeans, zipping up and buttoning him back up.

“I could get addicted to that wake up call,” he taunts as I crawl back under his arm.

“I’d be happy to feed your fix,” I say smoothly, looking back up at him.

He smirks his eyes gazing down at me. “I think that’s called being an enabler.”