by Nella Tyler
“Seriously?” I sighed.
“I'm afraid so, those are my terms. That is, if you really want a quote for your article.”
“Fantastic. I will see you then. Text me your quote.” I hung up the phone before he could say anything else.
I waited watching my phone for a response. Finally one came in with the quote, “My team and I have a great passion for what we do day in and day out. We love the game and we are going all the way to the top!”
I took a deep breath and added the quote to my story. I cleaned it up a bit and then sent it over to my editor.
Once that was complete, I headed off to the shower.
Chapter Six
I was on my way to see my editor, who had requested a meeting with me. I wasn't sure what it could be about, but I wasn't anticipating any trouble. It had been a week since the article on Bennett and I had gone to print and I had already spoken with the editor about it.
After my massive hangover day from my night out with Connie had lifted, I had gone in to speak with my editor. It turned out that she was outraged that the article had not been properly researched. She apologized for having accepted it in the first place, but had to since it was news and she couldn't hide it just because I was a writer for the paper.
She did, however, bring in Rebecca to discuss a punishment for her lack of research. I confronted her and she immediately apologized and explained that Candace seemed to have the inside scoop and was confident that I had been used by Bennett. The deadline was short and she had no time to confirm her sources information. Rebecca offered to do a retraction, but I immediately dismissed the idea. I was not interested in seeing my name in print regarding that issue again, whether it was a retraction or not.
When it came down to it, the editor decided to suspend Rebecca for a month. She could continue to write for the paper, but she would only be assigned fluff pieces until her punishment was over. If she failed to do proper research again on a future piece, she would be immediately fired. Rebecca had left sullen and I had felt better about the future of the paper. Not just in regards to me, but it was important to me to write for a paper that had integrity.
The best part of my week, however, had been the realization that not too many people even remembered the article that was written. Things pretty much went back to the way they were and no one brought it up again. That was media after all – there was always fresh news to distract people. I couldn't have been happier, although I felt ill every time I thought about it; at least it seemed to be a thing of the past when it came to everyone else. It certainly had caused a stir in the city and especially on the college campus, but it had been short lived. Not once did anyone say anything to me and even the weird looks disappeared. I was starting to feel normal again. The best part was that I hadn't heard from my father at all, which meant that he had either never heard of the article or thought it was just too ridiculous to warrant attention. Either way, it was good news for me.
Now that things were returning to normal, I felt a little bit better about seeing Bennett. Not that I wanted to jump back into anything, but the stress of it was gone. I wouldn’t have to worry about drama surrounding the fact that we were going to talk. I was sure he would be just as relieved as I was that it that gossip had all but disappeared.
I had no interest in continuing dating Bennett, though. The article had just been a little too much for me to take. I needed him to understand that it had nothing to do with truth and lies, I was just tired and the drama had been more than enough for me to take. I wanted a normal existence and considering my career, I didn't want to be in the limelight over my dating life. It just wasn't worth it for me. The relationship just wasn't going to happen. But even though the relationship wasn't going to happen, at least we could end things on good terms. There was obviously still a chance that Bennett would be working with my father and I didn't want things to be weird between us. So now that the drama was over, it was best to get a friendship started and get on good terms for the future. My father would be very upset if he hired Bennett and then found out that we weren't speaking.
I walked into the building that was home to the paper. As soon as I went in there, I saw Rebecca looking miserable at her desk. I had been reading a few of her pieces that week about local stuff and if I was her, I would have been just as miserable.
I went straight into my editor's office; she was sitting behind her desk typing away.
“Hey, how's it going?”
She looked up from what she was doing and smiled at me. “Emmi, hi, thanks for coming in on such short notice.”
“No problem, what's up?”
“I just wanted to let you know how impressed I have been with your sports articles this week. Really, really impressed.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Well thank you.” I was completely caught by surprise. I didn't have any idea that my articles were causing such a buzz.
“I have been receiving phone calls all week about them. You should be very pleased with yourself. I even had one of the city papers call me asking for more information about this great writer I have on staff.”
I laughed. “You're kidding me?”
“Absolutely not, like I said I have been very happy with your work lately and I think that you will have a strong career in broadcasting.”
“Wow, I don't know what to say. That's awesome, thank you.”
“You're very welcome, you deserve it – especially after what you have gone through this week.”
“Oh, I'm just glad that's over with.”
“I hope it didn't ruin things between you and Bennett.” She was looking at me curiously.
“I haven't seen Bennett since due to his gaming schedule, but to be honest I have no idea if I want to continue dating him.”
“Well, that's certainly a shame.”
I just nodded and waited.
“That's it, that's all I wanted to tell you. Keep up the good work, Emmi, and you will certainly go places.”
I smiled and thanked her again before heading out of the office.
As I was making my way to my car, my phone went off. I had a text message from Bennett telling me he was in town and on his way to see me.
Chapter Seven
When I heard a knock on the door, my heart started slamming in my chest. Well this was it, I was going to see him and I wasn't sure what I wanted to say – if anything. I knew that he wanted to continue dating, but I obviously thought that was a terrible idea. I didn't know how I was going to convince him otherwise, but I was willing to try.
I opened the door and there he stood – red roses in his hand. I sighed deeply; well this wasn't going to be easy at all.
“Emmi, hi.”
He came in and kissed me on the cheek. He held the roses out for me, and I was still breathless from the cheek kiss. How could a simple sweet kiss have such an effect on me? I was being silly.
I took the flowers into the kitchen to find a vase. He followed me in and sat down at the kitchen table. He looked so comfortable there.
“Would you like some coffee?” I asked as I cut the stems off the flowers and placed them in a vase full of water.
“Sure, I would love some. Just black, thanks.”
“Oh wow, that's a vice you must have to get used to.”
He laughed. “It's not as bad as you think and you definitely get used to it.”
I laughed. I couldn't help feeling a strong attraction to Bennett – just being around him made me feel that much more attracted. He was like a magnet, pulling me in whenever he was near. I badly wanted to take his face in my hands and kiss him hard. I had to keep it together, however, because of the decision I had made. There was no point in trying to confuse things – and kissing Bennett would do just that. I didn't want to even feel this way; I wanted to fell so much less attraction to Bennett than I did. The attraction just complicated things in a major way. I wanted to move on and end things on a good note and the attraction was confusing my feelings.
; I began brewing some coffee and sat down while I waited for it to be ready.
He was looking at me earnestly with a touch of sadness.
“I'm sorry, Emmi.”
“For what?”
“For the article, of course.”
“Well, as you stated, you had nothing to do with it, so what would you be sorry for?”
“I know I had nothing to do with it, but that doesn't mean I don't feel responsible. What I'm sorry for is how that article made you feel. Especially so soon into things when you don't know me at all. I can imagine it must have rocked you a bit.”
“Well, it certainly wasn't the best part of that day.”
He chuckled. “I'm glad you can have a sense of humor about this.”
“I gave up being mad or upset awhile ago, it's pointless.”
“I'm sorry you got hurt. I wish we had been together long enough that you would have been able to laugh the whole thing off. Knowing that other people read it and possibly believed what the article said must have been very trying for you. That's why I'm sorry because you don't deserve to have to go through anything like that.”
“Well, it was a surprise.”
“It was for me, as well. I was pretty pissed off when my buddy called me. It's a slap in the face to be accused of something like that. It's disrespectful to you and your father.”
“I'm not sure if my father knows, I haven't heard from him about it.”
“It wouldn't matter anyways because that's not who I am, Emmi, and I would really like the opportunity to prove that to you.”
I took the opportunity to get up and get the coffee. My head was swimming and I could barely keep up with the thoughts going through my head at that moment. He sounded so genuine and nice. A really great guy, and yet I knew I couldn't have him as my own. I poured two cups of coffee, leaving his black and adding cream to mine. I returned to the table and handed him a cup.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
I sat down and looked him square in the eyes. “I don't think that we should continue to see each other, Bennett. I'm sorry. I thought there might have been something there between us, but after the article, I just didn't see it as a smart choice anymore. I have a career I'm building at this point, and I don't need rumors getting in the way of that. If we continued dating, people would see me as a fool, and I need people to see me in a different light if I'm going to get the life that I want.”
“Emmi, us dating will not affect your career. I promise you that.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I'm going to prove all these doubters wrong. I'm going to show them that I'm not here in this room drinking coffee with you because I want to be on your father’s team. I'm not going to lie to you, Emmi, I do want to be on your father’s team, but I can get there without sleeping with his daughter. That's why this whole thing has been a slap in my face, too.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
“I'm a pretty humble guy, Emmi. I don't go around and brag about my talents, but I'm also not stupid. I am no mediocre player, I'm damn good at my job, and I can take your father’s team higher than it ever has been, there is no doubt in my mind. And I can do that, Emmi, without dating you. So please, I'm not here for the team. I'm here because the first time I laid eyes on you, I thought I was dreaming. You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen and what's better than that is you're brilliant and you probably know more about baseball or sports in general than I do.”
I blushed from my nose to my toes.
“You are the perfect woman, in my eyes, anyways. That is why I asked you out and that is why I would like to continue dating you, if you will let me.”
He stopped his monologue to take a drink of his coffee. I was momentarily speechless, so I had nothing to offer to the silence. I also took a sip of my coffee before I spoke.
“No one has ever spoken to me that way before.”
He closed his eyes and then opened them again. “God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to step out of line or anything. I just wanted you to know how I feel and believe that it was genuine.”
“No, it was...sweet. I mean, wow.”
He laughed. “Please give me a chance, Emmi. I swear to you that I will do everything in my power to show you that the haters out there are all wrong.”
I looked into my coffee cup. “I don't know...”
“Well, that's okay because I do.”
I looked up at him, and I couldn't be more confused. I felt so strongly for him and yet I also felt like I could be making a huge mistake by continuing to date him.
“Emmi, there was no fallout from the article – it completely disappeared, didn't it?”
“Yes.”
“Because people don't really care that much and for the most part, didn't even believe it. It would be silly to deny yourself the happiness you deserve. I think we could be happy together, and I would like to show you that.”
I certainly did deserve as much happiness as I could get. I was just so confused.
“I want to be with you badly, can you really say you don't feel the same way?”
“I do want to be with you, Bennett, I always have. The last night we were together was incredible. I'm just so confused right now.”
“Don't be. I had an amazing time with you, also. Let me show you that I'm the real deal.”
I smiled at him finally. Maybe I should just take a leap of faith and see what happened. You never know and like he said, there had been no fallout. There was no proof that Bennett had done anything wrong, so I shouldn't be punishing both of us because of it.
“Okay, Bennett. Show me. I'm in, let's do this.”
He came over to my side of the table and kissed me.
Chapter Eight
His kiss had taken me by surprise and I gasped when I felt his tongue meet mine. All my reservations about him began to dissipate and it was like I couldn't remember what I had been worried about in the first place. The chemistry between us was electrifying, and I almost felt stupid for ever having doubted him – or us for that matter.
Before I knew it, I was kissing him back fervently. He tasted incredible and I suddenly felt warmth all over my body. I felt heat between my legs, and I moaned when his tongue met mine again. I couldn't believe how good I felt around him and how easily I got turned on in his presence. Our kissing grew more passionate and he leaned into me. I felt the front of his pants and was pleasantly surprised to find his cock was hard.
“Oh God, Bennett.”
“See what you do to me?”
He kissed me again, and I sucked his tongue a little. I wanted him so badly, and I needed him to know that. “Oh Bennett, I can't seem to get enough of you. You have so much power over turning me on.
He chuckled. “Beautiful girl. That is the best news I have heard all day. I feel exactly the same way about you.”
“Really?”
“Are you kidding me? Look at you! You are the sexiest girl I have ever known. Just looking at you turns me on, never mind the fact that I get to touch you everywhere.”
I moaned. I loved hearing it, hearing Bennett tell me things I had never heard before. It was so hot and added to the intensity of the moment. I had never thought of myself as sexy. But I was willing to believe everything that came out of that boy’s mouth.
Bennett cupped my jaw and put his lips to mine with a softness that made me feel like we were being fused together. I moaned loudly and parted my lips slightly as my hands roamed through his hair, pushing my body up against his. I wanted his hands on me immediately; I needed his hands on me. Trembling, I grabbed his face and kissed him harder, aching inside for him.
He pulled me up from the chair, and I giggled as he made his way towards my bedroom. He opened my door and without turning on a light, he pulled me towards the bed. I lay down on the bed as he moved above me. He was breathtaking – he had a rugged manliness that made me want him inside me badly and he kissed like he knew what he was do
ing.
He kissed me so slowly and deeply, I felt like I was losing control of myself. I felt heady and emotional and being there with him after my nightmarish week just made everything better. I needed him near me; pleasing me and making me feel good. Each kiss he gave me took away part of the hurt that had been inflicted on me. I loved the feeling. It was addictive. His mouth had complete control over mine, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Sucking, nipping, and tasting, I was no longer aware of where I was or what I was doing. All I could see and feel was him.
My body was consumed by lust for the need for him to touch me everywhere. My lips felt raw and swollen. The sheets had somehow ended up at our feet, but his body was so warm that I clung to him.
Bennett pressed his lips to mine and kissed me roughly, withdrawing only to let me catch my breath.
My chest was heaving, my heart pounding in my chest. Without thinking, my fingers pushed into his hair and I pulled him towards my lips, rushing his mouth. His tongue found mine first and he lifted me up closer to him by my neck. His closeness set me on fire; he was exhilarating as he made my head spin. I sucked his tongue hungrily, dying to be with him, wanting him so badly.
Bennett got up and removed his shirt and pants – and looked glorious while doing it. God he was so hot, even more so when he was naked.
“Now your turn.”
I smiled mischievously as I sat up. I pulled my shirt over my head and left my skirt on. I slipped my panties off, however, and raised an eyebrow at him.
“Wow, that's so hot. You want me to take you with your skirt on, sweetheart? I would love to do that. I will fuck you with your skirt on, Emmi.”
I closed my eyes, loving the sound of his voice, especially when he talked dirty to me. It was one of my favorite parts of lovemaking – telling your partner how turned on you were.
“You look so beautiful.”
I smiled. “Then get over here.”
He came to me and rose above me once more. He parted his mouth on mine; our breath becoming one, and a delicious shiver ran through me as our tongues found each other. My breasts rose and fell as he ran his fingers up my leg, then possessively cupped my ass.
