You and I Alone (18 page)

              “This place is incredible.” I say, turning back to face Andrea just as she steps out of the car and closes her door. “How could you not feel like you are in heaven here?”

              “It loses it's luster pretty quickly.” She says dryly, clearly having spent her entire life visiting places such as this one.

              “Maybe for you.” I say, turning back towards the lake. “I think I could stay here forever.” I sigh, taking a deep inhale of the fresh air, loving the smell of the water.

              “Come on. You haven't even see the place yet.” She laughs, leading me down the closest stone path towards a home that looks like a quaint little cottage only it's more like fifty times the size. She leads me up a stone stairwell onto a gorgeous front porch that wraps around the entire home, which is secluded by large trees and bushes, giving off just the right amount of privacy without taking away from the atmosphere.

              It isn't until we step inside the home that my jaw practically hits the floor. It's gorgeous. Open and spacious with not a single item out of place. The furniture and walls are neutral, decorated with modern art and sculptures only someone with money would be able to afford to have in their home.

              There's only one other place I can compare it to and the moment the hotel room I shared with Bentley pops into my head, it's like a seed is planted and try as I may, I can't seem to shake it. Andrea gives me a tour of the home which includes six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private pool behind the property and private access to the beach just a few hundred feet away. And even as happy as I am to be here, a part of me suddenly craves the simplicity of my normal life in Chicago.

              While people like Andrea and Bentley may be comfortable in this world, it's a bit out of my level of reality. By the time Andrea finally leads me to my bedroom, which is the size of Patty's entire house, I suddenly feel exhausted. I wish I could blame it on the flight, but two hours on a plane is hardly enough time for jet lag.

              But it isn't until I spot the white box on my bed that everything inside of me seems to come alive. “What's that?” I ask Andrea as I drop my bags on the floor. Even though I already know, deep down I am praying that I am wrong.

              “I have no idea.” She says, crossing the space towards the bed. “It's addressed to you.” She says, looking at the small tag that hangs from the bow tied across the box and then back to me.

              “Shit.” I blurt, not sure what else to do or say. How did he find me here? How could he have possibly gotten it here this quickly?

              “What is it?” She asks, turning to the side to face me.

              “Bentley.” I answer without further explanation. Closing the distance between me and the bed in a matter of seconds, I quickly untie the bow and toss the lid to the box to the side. Sure enough, displayed in front of me, as beautiful as the first time I saw it, is the dress Bentley sent me. On top of it, an envelope.

              “Is this it?” Andrea asks, stepping beside me to trail her fingers down the fabric. “But I thought you were returning it.” She says after I nod.

              “I did. Last night.” I say, reaching for the envelope. “How did he get it here?” I voice out loud, flipping it over in my hands and peeling away the flap. With shaky fingers, I reach inside and pull out a rectangular piece of thick paper with perfect cursive scrawled across the front. Andrea stands silent at my side as I read his words aloud.

This gift is for your birthday. Your

return has been rejected.

Should you seek to do so again, please refrain from visiting my mother and seek me out personally.

I am confident that I will change your mind. See you on the 29
th
at seven.

Until then,

Bentley

Chapter Eighteen

             
“What about that one?” Andrea asks from her lounge chair next to me. Sliding my sunglasses down my face, I peer to my left where she is staring, drool practically pooling at the corners of her mouth.

              “Not bad.” I say, letting my eyes travel shamelessly down the man's sculpted body and then back up to his handsome face. He looks like a beach bum. Shaggy blonde hair and perfectly tanned skin with bright orange board shorts that hang perfectly from his hip bones.

              “Or him?” She says, directing my attention to a more conservative looking man sitting at the end of the bar. Like the other, he has a nice body and from what I can tell, has a pretty good looking face. But unlike the beach bum, this guy seems uptight and stressed.

              “I would go with the first one.” I say, sliding my sunglasses back into place and dropping my head back against the lounge chair, loving the feeling of the hot sun on my face.

              “I don't know. Number two seems intense. And you know what that equates too.” She smirks at me and I do my best to ignore the twinge in my stomach as Bentley's face comes rushing into my mind.

              “Yeah but the other is probably more fun and therefore would show you a better time. I still say number one.” I say, grabbing my Pina Colada from the table next to me and taking a long sip of the frozen concoction before setting it back down.

              “Well.” Andrea breathes beside me and then turns to face me. “How do you feel about brothers?” She asks, laughing lightly.

              “What?” I ask, looking back in the direction of Bachelor number one only to see he has been joined by an older looking version of himself.

              “Are you sure that's his brother and not his dad?” I ask, taking in the scruff that runs along his jawline with just a hint of gray to it.

              “No way. Look at him. He's clearly just a few years older. Besides, I thought you liked older men.” She teases, raising her eyebrows up and down at me.

              “There is something to be said about a man who has years of practice, I'll give you that. But that does not mean I have any interest in having a meaningless fling with someone that has a child my age.” I laugh when her mouth drops open.

              “You know what? I think a one night stand would do you well.” She says, elaborating when I give her a look that says I've already been there and done that. “Not like with Mr. Perfect. I mean a true one night stand. A random hookup with a person you do not know that you will likely never see again.”

              “And what is the perk of that exactly?” I ask, rolling my face to the side to study the two men who have now made their way to a round table just a few short feet from us. If they cared enough to listen to our ridiculous conversation, I would say that they could probably hear us from where they are standing.

              “Um, you get to fuck a hot guy and never see him again. I thought we already established this.” She laughs again, following my line of sight to where the two men are now sitting.

              “Fuck it. I'm going over there.” She says, tossing her legs over the side of the chair and sitting up, turning to give me a devilish grin.

              “I'm waiting.” I tease, having experienced two days of this already and knowing damn well that she will back out the moment she gets close to them.

              “Screw you.” She says, throwing her straw at me after finishing the last of her drink. “I've been off my game here recently. But today, today I feel good.” She says, standing with a look of sheer determination across her pretty face.

              Andrea has never been one to shy away from a man. She typically has no trouble in this department and has more confidence in her big toe than I do in my whole body, but even still, she certainly has not been her normal man hungry self since I arrived. I mean sure, we have spent two days drooling over every man in sight, but she has yet to talk to a single one and I know better than anyone how rare that is.

              I watch her long legs glide as she crosses the few short feet separating our spot from the table the two men are currently occupying. Her perfectly sun kissed skin shimmers in the daylight and her long dark hair brushes back and forth with each step she takes, the longest part falling just inches from the top of her blue bikini bottoms.

              I half expect her to keep walking but can't help laughing when she swivels in place and stops directly in front of the two men, whose attention she captures immediately. I watch the younger one's smile grow wider and wider as Andrea talks. While I strain to hear what she is saying, she's speaking too lightly for me to really make anything out.

              Looking away, I turn my focus towards the pool and try to swallow down the hard lump in my throat as I feel someone's eyes on me. Feeling near naked in my white bikini, I push my sunglasses up further and sink down into my lounge chair, closing my eyes. Silently cursing Andrea, I can't help but wonder what the hell she is probably getting me into over there.

              I can almost imagine the conversation in my head at the same moment someone steps next me. I am not the least bit surprised. I don't have to open my eyes to know they are there. I can tell by the way the sun is no longer beating down on my face that I am currently bathed in someone's shadow.

              I peel one eye open, not sure of what I will see. My eyes immediately fall to muscular tan legs covered in black board shorts. Traveling upward, the further I go, the faster my heart beats. I know it is him before I even hit his face. I can tell from the definition in his chest, the muscles that line the sides of his neck and that unmistakable jaw line.

              “Bentley.” I stutter out, the moment my eyes find his face. Scrambling into a sitting position, I am not sure if I am preparing to run away or leap into his arms. “What.... What are you doing here?” I manage to get out, not missing the way his smile lights up as he leans down and takes a seat on the side of Andrea's lounge chair.

              “I come here all the time.” He says, his smile flickering playfully.

              “Here?” I question, not able to keep the doubtful tone from my voice. “And you just happened to be here the one weekend that I am?” I ask, pulling my sunglasses off of my face and cocking my head to the side to study him.

              “As a matter of fact, yes.” He says, a slow smile creeping across his face, those damn dimples momentarily blinding me from the reality of my current situation.

              “What do you want Bentley?” I shake my head as if shaking some damn sense into myself. I flick my eyes nervously towards Andrea who meets my gaze immediately and throws me a questioning glare. I know from where she is sitting she does not have a clear view of Bentley's face so it's very likely she has no idea who he is and is assuming he is just some guy hitting on me.

              I raise my eyebrows at her trying to signal that something is wrong but she only smiles widely at me and then turns her attention back to the two men whose table she is now sitting at. Exhaling deeply, I turn my attention back towards Bentley, only to find him watching me intently.

              “I thought I made what I wanted perfectly clear.” He answers, once he's sure he has my full attention. “Have dinner with me.” He leans forward, closing the gap between us to just a few mere inches. Reaching out, he trails the pad of his thumb across my thigh, causing my breath to hitch.

              “I can't.” I blurt, pushing his hand away from my leg. How easily I could let myself fall into this seduction. How effortless it would be to allow him to have his way with me. But I know better. And honestly, I don't trust myself with him.

              “You can't or you won't?” He questions, not allowing my attempts to deny him, derail him from his goal. I can see the determination in his eyes, the want. I find myself breaking the intensity of his gaze just so that I can try to form a coherent sentence, but Bentley is not going to let me off so easily.

              Reaching his hand up, he grips my chin and turns my face back towards him. “You can't or you won't Logan?” He asks, his face so close that his intoxicating scent dances around me, temporarily blinding me.

              “Isn't it the same thing?” I ask weakly, wanting desperately to break his gaze but knowing he won't allow me to do so. His eyes stay firmly on mine, the crispness of their blue nearly hypnotizing. I can't help but mentally count the specks of gold and green that only make the color more intense. More beautiful.

              “You know that it isn't.” He says, cocking his head a little to one side and allowing his hand to drop away from my chin. Pulling back slightly, I let out a deep exhale, feeling like I have been holding my breath for minutes.

              “I really should get back to my friend.” I say, for the first time gesturing towards Andrea. He turns slightly to where she is sitting, talking to the two men like she doesn't have a care in the world.

              “Seems like she is just fine without you.” He says, his smile once again pulling up the corners of his beautiful mouth. His lips are so full that it physically hurts not to lean over and press mine against them. What the hell is wrong with me?

              “Bentley, look....” I start, but he immediately cuts me off.

              “What are you afraid of Logan?” He asks, taking both of my hands in his as he stares deeply into my eyes.

              “You.” The word falls off my lips before I can take it back and I immediately try to figure out the expression that crosses his face. Pain? Regret? Fearful that I hurt his feelings, I immediately jump to explain myself.

              “I mean....” I start, but once again he cuts me off.

              “I know what you meant.” His tone is deep and there is an understanding there that I didn't quite expect. Or maybe I did. Hell, I don't know if I understand anything anymore, let alone the man in front of me. “Let me prove you wrong.” He says, squeezing my hands lightly.

              “That's what I'm afraid of.” I admit, feeling oddly out of place by this conversation. A shadow crosses beside us pulling my attention to my left where Andrea has just approached. Pulling my hands back, I glance to Andrea and then back to Bentley, seeing the understanding cross her features as she gets a good look at the man sitting across from me. I know she recognizes him. It's not everyday that you meet a man that looks like Bentley Reed.

              “Hi.” She squeaks, turning towards Bentley and holding her hand out. Without looking at me, he quickly stands and takes her hand, giving it a light shake. “I'm Andrea.” She says, blood rushing to her cheeks as he gives her one of his heart stopping smiles.

              “Bentley Reed.” He says, pulling his hand away. “It's very nice to meet you Andrea.” He says, stepping to the side when I finally decide to scramble to my feet.

              “He stays here sometimes.” I immediately start explaining. “He just came over to say hello.” I say, flipping my eyes to his, silently begging him to just say goodbye and walk away.

              “That's awesome.” Her smile grows even wider. “You should have dinner with us tonight.” She says, throwing me a wink when the color rushes from my face.

              “No, he's probably way too busy.” I say, my voice clenched tightly as I try to telepathically tell my best friend to shut the hell up.

              “I'd love to.” He answers just moments after the last word leaves my lips.

              “Awesome.” She sings, her eyes sweeping across his face. I can tell immediately that she is also not immune to the beauty of the man in front of her. There is something so captivating about him and while I knew I wasn't alone in the smitten department, it's nice to see someone else react the same way. “We will be at the dock at eight.”

              “I will be there.” He says, smiling his dimple filled smile at her. I can literally see her pulse quicken as she clenches her neck and takes a shaky breath in. As if he has no idea that she is melting down right in front of him, he smiles wider and then turns to me. “Eight.” He repeats, leaning in to place a gentle kiss to my cheek. “Until then.” His hot breath dances across my face as he pulls away.

              “It was nice to meet you.” Andrea calls out just as he begins to walk away. Turning slightly, he smiles and nods.

              “And you Ms. Johnson.” He says, acting like he doesn't even notice the way her legs wobble at the fact that he knows her last name. He is probably so used to the reaction he gets from women that he no longer even realizes that he does it, it's just part of who he is.

              “Oh. My. God.” Andrea breathes, spinning to face me. “Oh. My......”

              “God.” I say, finishing her sentence.

              “Holy shit. That man is......”

              “Yeah, I know.” I cut her off again.

              “Yeah.” She breathes, looking back in the direction of where he just exited and then back to me.