“After the way she treated me, you didn't think to tell me she was leaving? I don't get that. I mean, you had already arranged for Shira to come and everything. And I had to find out from Josh on Cora's last day. It just makes me feel unimportant I guess.” I admit, giving him an apologetic look.
“I get what you're saying. You are supposed to be the closest person to me and yet, everything that happens....” He starts but I cut in.
“I'm the last to know.”
“I will work on that.” He promises, propping up on his elbow. “This is good though.” He smiles down at me.
“What?” I can't help but smile back.
“This.” He says, gesturing between the two of us. “We're talking. You're telling me about the things that are bothering you instead of keeping me in the dark. I know that's different for you.”
“And you.” I tack on, not wanting to overlook how far he has come as well.
“Anna, I know that sometimes I can be very difficult. And I know I tend to blow things out of proportion, but it's only because I feel so intensely for you. I don't think you understand just how much you mean to me. I promise, I will try to be more open with you as well and I will try to hear you out instead of immediately becoming upset with you.”
“I get so caught up in how I'm feeling that sometimes I forget how new this is to you as well.” I admit, reaching up to push his hair away from his forehead.
“It's an adjustment; being a team rather than an individual. But that's what I want Anna. More than anything. I want us to be a team. I want you to know that you can always count on me. I will always be there for you. I know that I haven't always been, but that is going to change. I want to share every moment with you. Every smile, every tear. Every first and last, I want to experience with you.” He says, leaning down and taking my mouth with his on a gentle kiss.
“I want that too.” I get out weakly as he pulls back slightly.
“I love you Anna Blake.” He shifts his body onto mine and settles his weight over me.
“I love you Bentley Reed.” I respond, pulling his face back down to mine.
Chapter Eight
“Are you sure we have to get up.” Bentley buries his face in between my shoulder blades and lays a light kiss to my bare skin.
“Trust me, if I could stay here for the rest of the evening I would.” I say, snuggling deeper into his embrace as he pulls me back tightly against his chest.
“Then it's settled.” He kisses the side of my neck.
“What's settled?” I laugh, confused by his comment.
“We're staying here.” I can feel his laughter vibrate against my back.
“Um, no. I have to work.” I say, still making no attempt to move.
“Well technically you said if you could stay here, you would. And given that you have the ability to do just that.....” He trails off.
“Don't start Bentley. You already promised.” I remind him, knowing how hard it is for him to not step in and interfere with my employment because he owns the club I work for.
“I know. I know.” He lets out a frustrated sigh and drops his hold on me, rolling onto his back.
“Hey.” I say, rolling over to face him, dropping my chin to his chest. “Don't be like that. Please.” I pout out my bottom lip.
“Can't I change your mind?” He asks, looking down at me.
“No.” I answer, a playful smile pulling up the corners of my mouth. “But you sure can try.” I challenge, not missing the way his eyes light up at my words.
Before I have time to process anything, Bentley flips me over and pins me beneath him on the mattress. Forcing my arms above my head, he holds them tight with one hand while the other slides slowly down my body, starting at my wrist and working all the way down my side. By the time his hand skirts across my bare breast, I am already withering below him.
“Is this what you want?” He asks, twisting my nipple lightly between his thumb and forefinger, smiling when I let out a small whimper. “Or maybe this?” He teases, dropping his mouth to where his fingers just were.
Sucking the hard nub into his mouth, I immediately feel the moisture pool between my thighs. I let out another whimper when he clamps his teeth down and scratches them lightly across the sensitive flesh, a low hiss escaping his lips.
Switching to the other side, he repeats the process, my body growing increasingly more aroused with each second that passes. Tightening his grip on my hands, he reaches between us and positions his hard erection at my entrance, rubbing the tip up and down as he feels the evidence of the effect he has on my body.
“Is this what you want?” He asks, sliding just inside my entrance but not entering me fully.
“Yes.” I plead, wanting desperately to grab a hold of him and force him in further but not able to move due to the grip he has on my hands.
“Are you sure?” He asks, sliding another inch or two inside.
“Yes Bentley. Yes!” I practically scream, trying to force him deeper by lifting my hips. He tisks from above me and pulls back as I push up so that my efforts have no effect.
“I think perhaps we should revisit the terms of how our evening will be spent.” He teases, pushing in a little more and then pulling back out slightly.
“Bentley.” I plead, just wanting to feel the fullness of having him fill me completely. “Please.” I beg, feeling more than a little desperate.
“Please what Anna?” He smiles above me.
“Fuck me.” I am not above begging and it feels like that is exactly what I am doing at the moment. He has me on the cusp and wanting so much more, which leaves me vulnerable to him.
“Okay.” He agrees, pushing into me on one hard thrust. My cry of both surprise and pleasure bounces off the walls around us, but just as quickly as his assault comes, it ends just the same. Pulling almost completely out again, he stills just at my entrance.
“Bentley.” I practically growl in frustration.
“Infuriating isn't it?” He toys above me. “Wanting something that you know you can have but yet, being denied just the same.” He pushes forward an inch, maybe two. “So what do you say Anna? You give me what I want and I'll give you what you want?” He pulls back out and then pushes back in again but only about half way.
“Are you kidding me right now?” I try to buck my hips upward again but he expects it and once again, pulls up so that he goes no deeper inside of me.
“You are putting yourself through unnecessary torture Ms. Blake. All you have to do is agree to stay here for the evening and I will give you as much of this as you want.” He says, entering me fully on another hard thrust before pulling back out.
“You can torture me all you want Mr. Reed. I can be just as stubborn as you.” I say, partially serious and partially just wanting to make him squirm. “Because at the end of the day, I know you are torturing yourself just as much as you're torturing me. So you tell me..... Are you going to take me to work before or after you fuck me?” I ask, watching the knowing smile creep across his face.
“Suit yourself.” He says, pulling out of me and releasing my arms. Pushing himself up, he crawls out of the bed and slides on his boxers before I have time to even process what is happening.
“What the hell are you doing?” I ask, propping up on my elbows to watch him get dressed.
“Getting dressed. I thought it was pretty obvious.” He says, smiling when I hit him with a look of disbelief.
“I can see that. But why?” I ask.
“Well I really don't think it is the best idea to show up at Allure naked now do you?” He cocks his head to the side, clearly loving this little game he's playing.
“So that's how you want to play?” I arch an eyebrow at him. He only nods and smiles his dimple filled smile at me.
“Your loss Mr. Reed.” I say, pushing myself out of bed. I cross the distance of the room to the bathroom completely naked. I don't miss the want in his eyes or the way they flicker across my naked torso when I turn to face hi
m in the doorway before smiling sweetly and shutting the door.
****
I wish I could say that I'm able to focus on work but the truth is, I have not been able to think about anything but satisfying the need that Bentley engrained in me so deep that only his touch will soothe it.
I am only through one dance and have no idea how I am going to get through the other two with how tightly wound my body feels. Of course, I picked out the most revealing outfit I could find for my second dance, a practically see through red nighty with a matching thong, knowing full well that Bentley will be watching. If I am going to suffer, damn it, so is he.
A light knock on my dressing room door pulls my attention away from my reflection in the mirror. I cross the small space, my red heels clicking against the hard floor as I do. Flipping the lock, I no more than hear the latch before the door is being pushed open. Taking a step back to avoid being knocked over, I hit Bentley with a look of sheer confusion as he slams the door shut and flips the lock back into place.
“What are you......” I start, but before I can get another word out, Bentley closes the distance between us and slams his mouth down on mine.
His tongue pushes roughly inside of my mouth as he reaches down and lifts me up, my legs going around his waist. I tangle my hands in his hair as I deepen the kiss, the need I have felt all night boiling to the surface as he backs me roughly against the wall.
“Don't let go of me.” He pants against my mouth as he drops his hold on me and reaches between us, working the button and zipper of his pants down in the matter of two seconds before pushing the thin material of my thong aside.
Tightening my legs around him, I cry out in pleasure when he enters me on one hard thrust, the impact pushing my back roughly into the wall behind me. “Bentley.” I cry, my moans immediately muffled as his mouth closes down on mine once more.
Reaching behind me and anchoring his hands to my shoulders, he pushes my body down as he thrusts upwards, causing our two bodies to crash together over and over as he pounds relentlessly inside of me.
This is what I needed. For him to take me hard and rough with no apology. His fingers dig roughly into my flesh as he increases speed, taking me harder than I have ever experienced before. “I couldn't watch you on that stage for another second without feeling you tight around me. Fuck you feel good.” He grinds out against my lips.
His words, the speed, the position, it all boils together in one perfect concoction that has my building orgasm crashing to the surface. It overtakes my entire body, causing every limb to go rigid and my spine to straighten.
I cry out loudly when it rips through me so viciously, I can feel the pleasure everywhere. It extends from deep inside of me and spreads all the way to the tips of my toes. My undoing is Bentley's as well. Taking me hard against the wall, he pumps inside of me a few more times before the pleasure overtakes him.
His body shakes below me and his legs wobble slightly under our combined weight until he eventually slows to a stop, his face dropping into the crook of my neck as he struggles to catch his breath.
I keep my legs wrapped tightly around him, my fingers running lightly through his hair as we both try to find some semblance of composure. Looking around, I immediately panic that maybe we were too loud. I was so lost in the moment, in the pleasure, I didn't even think about our surroundings. All I know is that I needed him and I couldn't wait a moment longer.
Pulling back, my panic immediately fades when I see the satisfied smile across his perfectly handsome face. “That's what you get for denying me.” He laughs, sliding out of me as he lowers me to my feet.
“Well if that's my punishment, I think I will deny you a little more often.” I tease, grabbing a hand towel to wipe myself off before straightening my thong.
“What are you wearing?” He asks, stepping back as if looking at me for the first time.
“Don't you like it?” I ask, a little confused.
“Are you kidding? You look fucking incredible.” He says, an evident hunger clear in his voice despite the fact that he just took me against my dressing room wall.
“Then what's the problem?” I ask, feeling like there's more.
“Are you really going to wear that on stage?” He asks, his eyes traveling the length of me as he adjusts himself and zips his pants.
“I was going to.” I say, not sure what he's getting at. “Why?”
“Is it not bad enough that I have to share you with the members of my club? Now you want to prance out in front of them like that? I can see right through the material.” He says, making me feel suddenly self conscious.
“Well honestly, I was wearing it for you.” I admit, taking a step towards him.
“But that doesn't mean that everyone else won't be looking at you as well.” He says, shaking his head at me as I snake my arms around his waist and pull him to me.
“Don't be an ass.” I say, nuzzling into his chest. “You are the only one that counts.”
“I'm serious though Anna. I think it's time we end this.” He says, causing my heart to jump somewhere in my throat. Backing out of his embrace, I hit him with a confused look, not entirely sure what he is trying to say.
“End what?” I ask, my stomach knotting tightly.
“Your employment here.” He says, meeting my eyes.
“What?” I say, taking another step backwards. “No.” I immediately blurt, not even interested in discussing it further. “This is how I pay for school, my lively hood.”
“I understand Anna but you have me now. You don't need to dance at one of my clubs anymore. I have the means to give you anything you want.” He says, clearly not seeing the issue here.
“No.” I cut him off immediately. “I don't want your money.”
“Anna. We are together now. My money is your money. Don't you get that?”
“Your money is your money.” I say, shaking my head. “I appreciate the offer but I prefer to pay my own way.” I say, stepping past him towards the door.
“Can we at least talk about this?” He asks, turning towards me just as I pull open the door.
“There is nothing to talk about. My answer is no.” I say, leaving him standing in the middle of my dressing room.
Chapter Nine
I re-enter my dressing room a few minutes later, not missing the fact that Bentley did not come to the main room for my last dance. I jump slightly when I spot him lounging casually on the couch that sits along the far wall of the room, a sheet of paper in his hands.
“Shit. You scared me.” I say, stopping at the vanity to sit down and pull off my heels. “Why are you still in here?”
“Anna. I can't do this anymore. I know you love dancing here and that you want to pay your own way. But I can't watch you do it anymore.” He says, meeting my eyes.
“You used to love watching me dance.” I remind him. “If I remember right, you used to request it.” I say, keeping my tone even.
“I do love watching you dance but you are so much more than dancing for these men.” He pauses. “And that was before I knew you. Before I fell in love with you. Before I planned to spend the rest of my life with you.” He says, causing my breath to catch in my throat. “But things are different now. You are mine. And I can't continue to share what is mine.” He says, his tone absolute.
“What are you saying Bentley?” I ask, not trying to hide the nervousness that laces my voice with the question.
“I am saying that either you quit or I will fire you.” He says, his face void of all playfulness. I know he means it but for the life of me¸ I can't believe that he would do that to me.
“You won't fire me.” I say confidently. “And I'm not quitting.” I cross my arms in front of myself.
“Yes I will. And I am.” He says, standing and crossing the room towards me, handing me the piece of paper in his hands. “This is the details of your termination. You will be paid out for three months in one lump sum. That will at least get you through for now.” He says, crossi
ng towards the door.
“I thought I made it clear that I don't want your money.” I spit, causing him to turn to face me just as he pulls open the door.
“It's severance and you've earned it. I'm not giving you anything. Gather your things, I will meet you out back in twenty minutes.”
“I'm not going anywhere with you.” I don't try to disguise my anger. “You have been here for two days and already you are trying to change me.”
“I'm not trying to change anything about you Anna. But I'm here now and I don't want the woman I love dancing at one of my clubs when there is no need for her to.” He says, his voice calm.
“What about the fact that I want to?” I question, heat flushing my face.
“You don't want to Anna. This has nothing to do with this club and everything to do with you. You don't want to give this up because you still don't believe that I am here for the long haul. You are still waiting on the other shoe to drop which makes you terrified to move forward. It's time. Now get your things. We can talk more at home.”
“No.” I say, shaking my head. “I'm staying at my dorm tonight. I will have Lo take me home.” I say, pushing myself into a stand as I start collecting my things from around the room and throwing them on the couch.
Bentley watches me in silence for a few moments before finally deciding to give me some space. “Call me tomorrow then.” He says from behind me just as I hear the latch of the door.
****
“So how are things at the club? Tell me everything.” I say to Lo as she sits across from me at the little coffee shop across the street from the PW Dance Studio.
“There's really not anything to tell. You have only been gone three days.” She reminds me, an amused smile pulling up the corners of her mouth. “Still haven't talked to him have you?” She asks, clearly already knowing the answer.
“No.” I admit. “I know he's only trying to help but he has to understand that he can't force it on me. He has to let me do things in my own time.”
You and I Forever Page 6
