Mr. Bentini's Lady: The Beginning (The Bentini Brothers Book 1)

by Jaye McCloud

  When I enter the Blue conference room, I immediately spot Kathy and make my way over to her. “Hi girl, what’s up?” I say as I sit in the seat next to her. Kathy flashes me a big grin, replying, “Good morning, girlfriend.” Kathy is one of the whitest white-girls I know, and I find it hilarious when she tries to use sister-girl talk with me. She’s getting a little better at it…at least the girlfriend part. We chat for a few minutes until the meeting starts. Ms. McDonald quickly introduces herself to those of us who are not familiar with her, and then launches into the key points of the annual picnic and what needs to be done at this time. Then she tells us what will be covered at the next update meeting.

  Thankfully, the meeting doesn’t take long. It’s clear that Ms. McDonald is an expert at putting B&S events together. Kathy and I each have a list of things to do, so we decide to make the errands more fun, by doing them together. As we go from place to place and store to store, I observe Kathy covertly, thinking about her confession of being in love with William Bentini. She hasn’t mentioned anything more about it. I totally understand. I’m a private person too, and we both know the consequences of breaking Mrs. Bentini’s edicts. Although Kathy seems okay, I can see the sadness in her eyes. I can’t take her pain away, but I can be her friend and offer support, understanding, and a shoulder to cry on. Besides, I have my own issues with my own Bentini brother.

  After finishing our errands for Ms. McDonald, Kathy and I make a fun game of following each other to Bentini Mansion. She would be in the lead—with me following, and then there would be a change in the traffic flow, and I would be in the lead—with her following. We park in the service area and get out of our cars laughing. As soon as we clear security, Mr. Honeycutt informs us that we are expected on the back patio near the gardens. As we round the corner, quietly talking, Kathy stumbles to a stop. Looking at her questioningly, I see that she has turned completely pale. I follow her line of vision—to discover William Bentini sitting on the patio piercing Kathy with a cool cerulean stare.

  “Come on Kathy, pull yourself together”, I whisper, giving her a little poke to get her moving. Thank gawd Mrs. Bentini has her back to us and hasn’t noticed anything amiss. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Bentini, Mr. Bentini.” I greet, as I step onto the patio and approach the table, scraping my gaze by the stern-faced man sitting next to his mother. I have to work at pretending that nothing is different. That I’m not guilty of breaking the rules. I feel so exposed, as if everyone can see my deceit.

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Bentini, William.” Kathy mumbles, not looking anywhere near William Bentini’s direction. We exchange pleasantries and soon after, William Bentini says his good-byes and leave. Mrs. Bentini, Kathy, the event planner—who finally arrived—and I, start working on the plans for the Bentini’s thirty-seventh wedding anniversary celebration. We also go over some of the ideas she wants to run by the event planner for the twins’ birthday party.

  “Katherine, please go to my office and bring my shawl from the back of my desk chair.”

  “Yes, mam” she stands up and says, “…be right back” and dashes into the house.

  We continue working. Thank goodness this table is huge and we can spread things out, so that we are able to keep everything well organized. Five minutes pass when Mrs. Bentini says, “Oh drat! Tiressa, I just remembered, my shawl is actually in the Pink Parlor.”

  “Say no more, Mrs. Bentini.” I shoot her a smile as I head inside to tell Kathy about the mistake. I make my way to Mrs. Bentini’s office first to tell Kathy about the mistake; otherwise, she would search the entire room at least three times before giving up in defeat. Entering Mrs. Bentini’s office with a grin on my face ready to say something cheesy to Kathy, I stop dead in my tracks. Oh my f-ing stars!

  William Bentini has Kathy pinned against the far wall, his big body pressing into hers. “Damnit Kat! You can’t mean it! You know how I feel about you!” To which Kathy promptly responds in a low angry voice, “And you know how I feel about your fiancée. By the way, how is Alison?” She snaps back with contempt. Before he can reply, Kathy notices me standing there watching them—like a deer in headlights—and begins pushing against his broad chest. It doesn’t take him long to realize that they are no longer alone because he turns suddenly, stepping away from Kathy.

  “I…I’m so sorry for interrupting you…” I barely get the words out before he cuts me off. “No need to apologize Ms. Hawkins. I was just leaving.” He shoots Kathy a meaningful look that clearly says, “This isn’t over”, before walking to the door. Pausing, he looks over at me. “I trust that you will forget what you think you saw in here this afternoon.” It wasn’t a question. It was a command. Not able to hold his icy blue eyes for even a second, I quickly nod. “Of course, Mr. Bentini.” Without another word, William Bentini walks out of the room. No doubt, the Bentini men are an intimidating lot.

  After making sure that William Bentini is actually gone, I turn back to Kathy. “Kathy, are you okay?”

  “Yes.” She replies in a trembling voice. “Yes, I’m okay. Tiressa…I—”

  “Look Kathy, as I said before… No judgment. This stays between us.” We look at each other in complete understanding.

  “I was coming to get you because Mrs. Bentini’s shawl is in the Pink Parlor. And she sent me for it, and to let you know.”

  “I figured it wasn’t in here, and was just on my way back when William entered and insisted on getting me to agree to see him tonight. Thanks Tiressa…..for everything.” We hug briefly. Then Kathy utters, “Come on, Mrs. Bentini is waiting.”

  ***

  Trembling, I fumble with the chain until I manage to unfasten it and unbolt the door. Antonio standing in my doorway, in all his six-in-a-half feet glory is a sight to take a lady’s breath away. He eyes me up and down, while I attempt to prove to myself and to him, that I’m not nervous.

  “Are you going to invite me in?” His voice is deep, unrushed and smooth.

  “Yes. Yes, of course…please come in.”

  “I have something for you.” For the first time I notice that Antonio has some sort of bag with him. OMG! He has brought a carryall with him. Is he planning to stay the night? I look at his bag, then at him with a quirked eyebrow. He smiles at me as he walks into my apartment. “Where can I put my bag?”

  “Right by the sofa, so you won’t miss it when you leave.” Now, it’s his turn to raise an eyebrow. “Good.” He says in a husky voice. “I like my women with a little spice.” Shaking my head at him, I reply to that bit of male machismo. “I’m not one of your women.”

  When he steps into the living room, he places his carryall on the sofa, pivots and wraps his arms around my waist. He’s so tall that the top of my head only reaches to his pecs. If I wanted to, I could press my lips right on his nipple through his shirt.

  “You’re right. You aren’t one of my women.” Teasing my lips in a string of delicate kisses. “You” kiss “are” kiss “my” kiss “only” kiss “lady” –the last kiss is much longer. The hand at my waist tightens and his other hand comes up to cradle the back of my head as he runs his fingers through my hair. His gentleness is suddenly replaced by rough passion, overwhelming and hot. Releasing a soft moan into his mouth, I try to put some space between our bodies by pushing against his chest. Knowing from previous experience that I can’t budge him if he doesn’t want to be budged, I’m a little surprised when he steps back, breaking off the kiss. “Umm. You taste good.” He keeps me in the circle of his arms. “Antonio…” Planting a light kiss on my forehead. “I know baby. I promise to take it slow.” He lets out a heavy sigh, then turns and sits down next to his bag on the sofa. I lock the door and sit on the loveseat. Antonio looks at me with a hint of exasperation. “I agreed to take it slow, not catatonic. Come over here, Ti.” It’s the first time he’s called me by my nickname, I’m caught off guard and I’m completely charmed. As soon as I move to the sofa, on the other side of his carryall, he leans over the bag and gives me a quick light-heart
ed kiss. This guy really likes to kiss…who would have thought.

  “We’ve both had a very long day, so I thought we could have a movie night for our first date.”

  Flabbergasted I respond, “Movie night, are you serious? You want a movie night?”

  “I won’t lie. I want you, naked and panting beneath me. But I’ll settle for a movie night with my girl. Are you my girl Tiressa?” We stare into each other’s eyes as I give him a shy, hesitant response. “Yes.”

  Antonio exhales a quick breath he had been holding. “I’ve been waiting for you to admit that for a while now. You’ve just given me my very first gift.” He smiles, leans over again and kisses me passionately, an open mouth, tongue caressing passionate kiss. Yet when he moves back, his expression is somber. “Why the hesitation?”

  “Because Antonio...I want you. But what happens if I take a chance and trust what I’m feeling for you…and what you say you’re feeling for me, and it doesn’t work out? It may seem like nothing to you, but it’s a big deal to me.”

  “Our relationship is just as much a big deal for me, as it is for you, Ti.”

  “I didn’t mean to imply that it wasn’t. It’s just that…” Releasing a slightly nervous breath, I grab hold of his hand. Even holding onto that small part of him feels so solid, so sure. “Can we take things slow? I don’t want to feel rushed or pressured.”

  It’s clearly a struggle for him to make this compromise. “Okay, I can give you that. For now.” After planting a quick kiss on the soft curve of my neck and one on the palm of the hand he is holding, he unzips his bag and starts pulling out a couple of DVDs. “I don’t know what kind of movies you like so I brought a wide variety. I hope you don’t mind, but I like movies that have been out for a while. If I don’t have anything you’re interested in, we can watch something on Hulu or Netflix. You do have Hulu right?”

  Looking over at him, I’m kinda surprised at how normal he’s making all this seem. “Antonio, are we really going to pretend like we’re a real couple…in a real relationship?”

  “Tiressa, we are a real couple, in a real relationship.” Placing the carryall on the floor, he scoots closer, bringing his heat right up against me.

  “I’m not so sure about that. You come into my life like a whirlwind, tell me you want me, then tell me how it’s going to be between us. How’s that a relationship?” He turns to me and takes my hand. “Okay baby, maybe you have a point. But you must know that our relationship started the moment our eyes met. We’ve been steadily gliding towards one another since. There’s something special about you that draws me, just as there’s something about me that draws you. We both recognized it instantly. We know each other, Ti. And we’re getting to know each other better and better…more intimately, much more seriously. I want you, there’s no doubt about that. And if I thought for a second that you didn’t want me, I’d walk away. Or at least I’d consider leaving you alone.” Placing gentle kisses on the pads of my fingers, he asks, “Do you want me, Tiressa. Or do you want me to walk away?”

  If I tell him that I don’t want him, I believe he’ll walk away and this, whatever this is, would end. But I’m not so sure I want that to happen. Lord knows I’m damn near moonstruck over him, and yes, I do want him. I just don’t think we can make it work. “Antonio, we both know that I’m attracted to you…” One of his full eyebrows arches, prompting me to admit, “…okay, I’m very attracted to you. I can’t deny that and I’m not even going to try.” He smiles at that. “A part of me wants to be with you, but there’s a bigger part of me that’s terrified at the thought.”

  “What are you afraid of Tiressa?”

  “Are you kidding? There are so many things standing in our way, so many obstacles.” Leaping up off the sofa, I start pacing back and forth, as I tick off my perceived list of difficulties. “First off, there is the difference in our race. Your money. Your social standing. Your family. Your business associates. Your friends—”

  “Tiressa, I don’t give a fuck about any of those things!” He cuts in heatedly.

  “Antonio, what if your friends and business associates drop you because you’re with me –because you’re dating a black woman? What if they reject me? Or worse, tolerate me because they’re afraid of offending you? What if your family doesn’t accept our relationship?”

  “Tiressa, you act as if we are the only interracial couple in America! I’m not the only white man attracted to black women. What about all the white men who have dated, fallen in love with, married a black woman? What about Paul Wall, Robert DeNiro, Ron Perlman, Robin Thicke? So, they’re allowed to be rich, white, and attracted to black women, but I’m not! What about all the black women who’ve fallen for a white guy? That would be…oh let’s see, Whoopi Goldberg, Venus Williams, Sanaa Lathan, Tina Turner. Hell, Alfre Woodard has been married to her white husband for at least thirty years! Did you know that Maya Angelou married a white man in the fifties? The fifties! So, it’s okay for them to be with a white man? What is it about them that’s so different from you? Are they better than you? Because if that’s what you’re saying, then I don’t believe it. Or maybe you’re afraid to admit that you don’t have what it takes to go for what you want?! If that’s the case, then you’ve got to know that you can’t live in fear Tiressa. You’ll never get the love or the life that you deserve.”

  I’ve stopped pacing, and now I’m just staring up at Antonio in total shock and disbelief. He’s so impassioned about what he’s saying and how he feels, that he’s on his feet towering over me, rattling off information about interracial love, like a lawyer in a courtroom trying to save a client from death row. Wow! He’s amazing. And once again, I’m stomped. I have no comeback because he’s right.

  “Your right, Antonio. I don’t think I deserve less than the next woman, but I am afraid. I’m afraid to do what they did. Besides, it’s easier when both people are from similar social backgrounds. Many of those couples you named probably knew each other before one of them made it big. You have to admit that it’s different for us.” Stepping to me and wrapping his strong solid arms around my waist, he shakes his head at me. “No, Tiressa, I don’t admit to that because you’ll use it as fortification for your fear castle. You keep trying to build walls between us, and I keep trying to knock them down. I will keep knocking them down until there is nothing between us but the heat we generate.”

  He thinks he’s so clever. “Fear castle, huh?” I question, smiling up at his masculine handsomeness, liking the thin crinkles at the corners of his eyes, which gives his face such alluring magnetism.

  “Can I tell you something?” He asks, still grinning down at me.

  “Is it about fear castles?” I tease back.

  “No.” Suddenly he becomes serious, and that should have been a warning. “Look Tiressa, I’m not always good at expressing my feelings. But I want you to know that I think you’re beautiful, smart, and sexy as hell. When I look at you, I want to lay you down and make love to you. When I’m not with you all I think about is being with you, being inside you.” Taking a deep steadying breath, he continues. “I also want you to know that I’m falling in love with you.”

  “Oh gawd, Tony, don’t.” My heart is thumping hard as I bury my face in his chest, holding tight to him, trying not to cry. I don’t know why I’m getting so emotional about those words coming from this man. I guess I’m hoping with everything in me that they are true. Because I’ll be devastated if they aren’t, and he’s just playing a cruel game.

  “Okay, okay calm your feathers baby bird.” He says as he places kisses on the top of my bowed head. “I won’t take it back. I’ll just put it on pause.” When I squeeze him harder, he gives a low chuckle and says, “Since, we can’t talk about love, can we talk about starting our movie date? I supplied the movies…do you have popcorn?”

  “What if I don’t have any popcorn?” I ask with a teasing watery smile, willing to let my worries go for the time being.

  “I guess we’ll have to run out a
nd get some…or we can order a pizza or something…whatever you like.” I let out a shaky bit of laughter, causing Antonio to arch a brow. “I can’t picture you walking down a grocery isle looking for popcorn. When was the last time you stepped foot in a grocery store, if ever?” He chuckles and admits, “You have me there. I guess that’s one of the perks of wealth that I take for granted. But I’d be willing to go to the grocery store anytime with my lady.” Nice words and more nice kisses.

  I’m crazy about this guy and can easily get used to being with him, just him, I’m not interested in his high-power lifestyle.

  “Well, you’re in luck. I have a gazillion kinds of popcorn. I keep it stocked up for my friends when they come over for girlz night.”

  “Okay, you choose a movie and I’ll make the popcorn”, he offers, walking into my tiny kitchen. Giving his back a skeptical look, I tease, “Do you know how to use a microwave?”

  Opening and closing cabinet doors, he replies, “You insult me, my dear sweet lady.”

  While he’s rummaging around in my kitchen, I switch my attention to his selection of movies. Interesting. Transformers, Our Family Wedding, S.W.A.T., Two Can Play that Game, Godzilla, Hell Boy, House Party, Corrina Corrina, Terminator, Something New, The Bodyguard, Guess Who, Ghost, Conan the Destroyer. Damn, we like some of the same movies. What a coincidence. Maybe our relationship is kismet. There’s no way Antonio really watches some of these movies… there is just no way. I can see him watching any action movie. But popular black movies…with a bunch of black actors? And not one, but two Whoopi Goldberg movies? Maybe he had someone buy them for him.

  “Tiressa? Light butter, no butter, regular butter or theater butter?” Antonio calls from the kitchen.

  “Will you mix theater butter and no butter for me?”