You and I Forever

by Melissa Toppen

  I still have not gotten used to the presents. So many presents. But I am learning to accept them rather than fight him on it. I am his wife now and I know that if he wants to buy me something, there is no stopping him.

  “What now?” I laugh, shaking my head at him.

  “It's a wedding present.” He scrunches his forehead together in the most adorable way.

  “What is it Bentley?” I ask, just wanting him to spit it out already.

  “Come on. I'll show you.” He smiles, holding out his hand to me.

  Crossing around the counter, I take his hand and allow him to lead me towards the front door. “It's outside?” I ask, when he opens the door and gestures for me to follow him.

  “It is.” He laughs, entwining his fingers with mine as he leads me to the street directly in front of the studio. “Surprise.” He says, causing me to look around, not sure exactly what he's referring to.

  He notices my confusion and throws his head back on a deep belly laugh that immediately pulls a smile to my face. I don't think I will ever tire of hearing him laugh. I mean, really laugh. It's the most incredible sound in the world.

  “In front of you dear.” He laughs again, pointing at a black sporty looking car sitting on the curb of the street in front of us. It takes me a moment to realize that he is actually talking about the car, having just assumed someone had parked it here while running to one of the nearby shops.

  “You bought me a car?” I turn wide eyes on him.

  “You are my wife now Anna. I can't have you driving around in that metal death trap of yours. You are a Reed. It's time you start living like one.” He holds out a set of keys and drops them into my hand.

  I don't know what to say. On one hand, I am so floored that he bought me a car, I don't know if I want to hug him or punch him. On the other, I am so excited, it's a wonder that I am not jumping up and down squealing right about now.

  “You bought me a car?” I repeat, this time my excitement showing through in my smile.

  “Go check it out.” He says, pushing me gently towards the vehicle. Turning my head to throw him one more smile, I quickly cross to the other side of the car and pull open the drivers side door, sliding inside. Bentley gets into the passenger seat and immediately starts telling me all about the car.

  “It's a Lexus IS 350 Sport. I tried to find something similar to your other car but way better quality and of course, all the bells and whistles.” He winks, continuing on to show me all the little features the car has to offer.

  I watch his face as he shows me how to use the touch screen radio controls and teaches me how to program my phone so I can call him directly from my car with the push of a button. Watching him like this is beyond adorable. The way his smile stretches across his face. The way his voice goes up when he shows me something he thinks is really cool. And while I am very appreciative of the gift, seeing how happy it makes him to give it to me, is really enough for me.

  “So, what do you think?” He asks, taking my hand as I step back up onto the sidewalk next to him, both of us turning towards my new car.

  “I think it's incredible.” I smile up at him, not really sure what else to say. “Thank you. But you know you didn't have to buy me a car.” I tack on.

  “I know.” He laughs, pulling me into his side. “But that's not all of your present.” He smiles down at me, this time seeming suddenly nervous.

  “What did you do?” I hit him with a tight smile.

  “Remember. You're my wife now. What's mine is yours. So this was an inevitable outcome.” He says, reaching inside his suit jacket. Pulling out a white envelope, he sets it into my hand before taking a small step back.

  Flicking my eyes to him nervously, I look back down at the envelope in my hand for a long moment before peeling open the flap and pulling out the contents. Unfolding the solitary piece of paper, my eyes scan the page several times before the realization of what he's done finally starts to sink in.

  “You paid my student loans?” I look up at him questionably.

  “I did. And I also paid the remainder of your classes in full. Now you can resume classes anytime you want and you don't have to go full time either. This will give you the ability to finish your degree but in your own time.” He says, reaching out to push a stray strand of hair away from my face.

  I don't know what to say. I am speechless. I mean, my scholarship covered a good portion of my expenses leading up to this point but it's about the future classes that really makes the difference. In order for my scholarship to cover my future expenses, I was going to have to enroll full time again in January. Now, I have the ability to focus on the studio without having to worry about multiple classes.

  It's not about the money and he knows that. It's about the fact that he knew how heavily this has been weighing on me and he took it upon himself to make it better for me. It's what it represents. It's confirmation that he meant what he said about taking care of me. He's given me peace of mind.

  “I don't know what to say.” I finally manage to get out.

  “Say you're not mad.” He smiles nervously, his forehead scrunching together.

  “Mad?” I question, clearly seeing that he expected me to be.

  Marrying a man like Bentley Reed comes with certain things that I knew I was going to have to learn to live with. His money being the biggest. Monetary things have never been important to me. I didn't for one second want him to think that his money held any weight over my feelings for him. I have always loved him, not his money.

  “I'm not mad.” I say, shaking my head as I look up at him. “I'm the furthest thing from mad.” I repeat, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him tightly against me. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” I breathe, squeezing him tighter.

  Chapter

  Twenty-One

  “You really think it's a good idea to wait that long to tell your mother that we got married? Aren't you worried she will be upset?” I ask Bentley, propping my feet on his lap as we lounge on the couch in the hotel room, which is acting as our home until the house is finished.

  “Perhaps.” He says, rubbing his hand up and down my shin lazily. “But it's the perfect opportunity. Ethan already knows and has agreed to keep it to himself. Everyone else will either receive an invitation to the formal ceremony or will hear about it from someone who does. Either way, I feel like we should kind of sit on it until my mother and Shira knows.” He shrugs. “I feel like Thanksgiving is a good time to break the news to them.”

  “I don't know.” I say, shifting on the couch. “Thanksgiving is still almost two weeks away.” I remind him.

  “Trust me. It will be fine.” He reassures me. “Speaking of the ceremony.” He continues. “Have you given any more thought about the date or where you want to hold it?”

  “I don't know.” I shrug. “I mean, we're already married. I've already filed the paperwork and changed my name so really it doesn't so much matter when. I guess we should do it sooner rather than later but given that we are already married, I'm good with whatever.”

  “How about January?” He asks, taking my foot in his hand as he begins massaging it through the fabric of my sock. I drop my head back on a soft moan. This man knows how to work my body in every aspect.

  “Why January?” I ask, closing my eyes.

  “Well, it gives us time to get through the holidays and it's far enough away that we can book just about any venue you want.” He smiles when I open my eyes to look at him.

  “Two months is enough time?”

  “When your me it is.” He laughs when I shake my head at him. “One of the many perks.” He reminds me.

  “You're ridiculous.” I laugh.

  “You say that a lot.” He smiles widely at me.

  “I mean it a lot.” I laugh again, jumping when he runs his hand down the bottom of my foot, tickling me. “Don't.” I warn, hitting him with a stern look that causes him to hold his hands up in surrender.

  Dropping them back down, he tak
es my other foot in his hand and begins rubbing that one as well, picking right back up into the conversation without skipping a beat.

  “Anyways. As I was saying. It's far enough out that we can book any venue but not too far that we have to wait very long. I want the world to know you're my wife.” He smiles sweetly at me.

  “Then tell them.” I say, not sure why we need to wait.

  “If we are going to do a formal ceremony for friends and family, I would rather wait and just let everyone find out that way. I feel like that is the only way I can give you the real experience.” He says, confusing me with his statement.

  “The real experience?” I laugh.

  “You know, the whole white wedding. Every girls dream.” He laughs at my expression. “What?” He questions.

  “I am fairly certain that our wedding was a million times more real than having a traditional ceremony. It's not about the flowers or the cake or the dress. It's about the person you are committing your life to. I've already done that. The rest is just for everyone else.” I pause, watching those dimples make a breathtaking appearance.

  “You're something else you know that?” He smiles, turning his attention back to my feet.

  “Of course I do. That's why you married me.” I joke. “And January is fine. Though I must warn you, planning a wedding is not my cup of tea. Please tell me you know some fantastic wedding planner?”

  “I'm sure I can come up with someone that can help us out.” He drops my foot and lifts my legs, moving them from his lap as he pushes off the couch. “Now onto the next matter.” He says, crawling on top of me and settling in between my legs.

  “The next matter?” I question, wrapping my hands around the back of his neck.

  “The part where I get to make love to my beautiful wife.” He smiles against my mouth.

  “I think I like the way you think Mr. Reed.” I purr, shifting underneath him as he settles his full weight down onto me.

  “As you should Mrs. Reed.” He hisses, grinding his already hard erection into my lower belly. “As you should.” He repeats, pressing his lips gently to mine, officially ending our conversation.

  ****

  “So is it just me or is it totally weird that Josh isn't here?” I ask, swiveling my stool at the bar to face Lo, having stopped at Allure for a few minutes to visit Bentley who is currently in the office with Malcolm. Truth is, I really just wanted to take my new car for a spin but really didn't have anywhere to go.

  Bentley just informed me yesterday that Josh left for New York a week before we came home from Hawaii. As much as I hate to admit it, it makes me sad that I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to him. Though considering he still works for Bentley, I'm sure that we will see each other again at some point.

  “It's different, that's for sure.” She agrees. “But Malcolm is pretty awesome to work for and Shira is really nice when she's here. It's a complete one eighty from She-Bitch Cora.” She laughs.

  “You and the names you give people.” I shake my head at her.

  “Do you miss it?” She asks, catching me looking around the club.

  “I do.” I admit. “But not for any reason other than it gave me the ability to dance.” I shrug, turning my head towards the stage.

  “Gee thanks.” Lo snaps, pulling my attention back to her.

  “And working with you of course.” I laugh, nudging her shoulder with mine.

  “Here ya go Anna.” Sean says, handing me a bottle of water from behind the bar. “I hear congratulations are in order.” He says, looking down at my hand, immediately reminding me that I forgot to take off my rings when I came in.

  Considering we still haven't told Shira, I have been taking my rings off whenever I know she will be around. As much as I hate keeping it from her, I also feel like as her brother, Bentley should be the one to tell her.

  “Oh. Thanks.” I say, caught off guard. He only smiles and nods but doesn't say anymore. Turning to Lo as soon as he walks away, she only shrugs.

  “I didn't say anything.” She immediately speaks up, seeing the confusion on my face. Given the way he phrased it, I don't think it was the ring that gave it away.

  “I did.” Bentley's voice washes over me from behind just before his arms close around me and his chin drops to my shoulder.

  “I thought we weren't announcing it.” I say, shaking him off so that I can turn to face him. “Shira still doesn't know.” I remind him, now fearful that she is going to find out before we tell her.

  “Yes she does.” He laughs at the shocked look that crosses my face.

  “What?” I try not to sound offended but it really bothers me that he would tell her without telling me he did.

  “Relax.” He smiles, cupping my face in both of his hands. “Our marriage paperwork got mailed to the club.”

  “Why didn't you tell me?” I ask, not trying to hide the hurt expression from my face.

  “Because it just happened this morning and I haven't gotten a chance until now.” He smiles, leaning forward to lightly kiss my forehead before dropping his hands away from my face.

  “I gotta get back to work.” Lo pulls my attention to her just as she stands from the bar. “Call me later okay?” She blows me an air kiss just before walking away, her blonde hair so long now that it brushes back and forth across the top of her ass, even with curls in it.

  Turning back to Bentley, I follow him with my eyes as he slides onto the stool Lo was just occupying and swivels to face me. “So you just announced it to everyone then?” I continue the conversation we were having before Lo walked away.

  “No. I told Sean and Malcolm. Ethan already knew. And now, thanks to an error on my part, Shira knows. It's not like it's a secret Anna.” He studies me curiously.

  “I'm not upset that they know.” I immediately chime in. “I'm glad actually.”

  “Is that so?” He hits me with dark eyes causing me to squirm slightly in my stool.

  “I'm married to the most amazing, hottest man in Chicago. If it were up to me, we would be screaming it from the rooftops.” I give him a seductive smile and lean forward to gently kiss his mouth before pulling back.

  “Well I think that can be arranged.” He smiles, leaning in for another kiss.

  “Not until you tell your mother it can't.” I laugh against his mouth.

  “Well I can solve that.” He says, pulling his phone out of his jacket pocket.

  “Don't you dare.” I make a move to snatch the phone away. “You can't call her and tell her something like that. It's bad enough that she still doesn't know but to tell her over the phone when you're less than twenty minutes from her house. No. Absolutely not.”

  “Do I look like I have a death wish?” He laughs, dropping his phone back in his pocket. “I just like to see you get all worked up.” He smiles, crinkling his nose at me.

  “Jerk.” I shove his shoulder playfully and then turn back towards the bar. “How much longer do you think you will be here?” I ask, cocking my head to the side to meet his gaze.

  “Not much longer. You need a ride back to the hotel?” He asks.

  “Heck no! I got Tina.” I laugh when his eyebrows shoot up in question. “My car.” I laugh again. “I named her Tina.”

  “Why Tina?” He shakes his head and laughs at me.

  “I don't know. She just seems like a Tina.” I shrug, taking a drink of my water before facing him again. The moment my eyes meet his, I burst into laughter. He is looking at me like I have six heads and is quite possibly one of the cutest expressions I have ever seen before.

  “You're lucky I love you.” He smiles, pushing himself off of the bar stool.

  “You're lucky I love you.” I retort, spinning to face him. Grabbing the front of his jacket, I pull him down to my face.

  “You're right. I am lucky.” He agrees.

  “And don't you forget it.” I breathe across his lips before laying a heated kiss across them. Pulling back, I laugh when he clears his throat and adjusts his pants, clear
ly aroused by my playful seduction.

  “I'll see ya back at the hotel?” I ask, trailing my eyes down to his crotch suggestively before meeting his eyes again.

  “I'll be there in thirty.” He lays a swift kiss to my lips and then spins, exiting the main room of the club before I have a chance to even move from my spot.

  Laughing, I turn back towards the bar. “See you later Sean.” I call out, waiting for his wave before turning and walking away. Deciding that if Bentley is going to rush home then I had better be ready when he gets there. I'm thinking naked on the couch will be a nice welcome home.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Two

  “What do you mean you broke up?” I cross the living area of the hotel room and slip on my flip flops, throwing Bentley an apologetic look. “No. I'm on my way.” I reassure Andrea as she sobs into the phone. “I'll be there in twenty minutes.” I say, clicking off the phone and turning towards Bentley.

  “I’ve got to go. I'm sorry.” I say, crossing the space to where he is sitting on the couch. Leaning forward, I give him a quick kiss before grabbing my keys off of the coffee table.

  “It's really late. Are you sure you need to go over there right now?” He asks, tossing down the book he's reading to give me his full attention.

  “She's my best friend and I've never heard her this upset over a guy before.” I say, grabbing my jacket off of the back of the chair.

  “Let me drive you.” He stands, crossing the space towards me.

  “Don't be silly. Stay here. I will go calm her down and I'll be home later.” I say, pulling the door open before turning back to take one more look at him.

  He gives me a sad smile like he really doesn't want me to go and honestly, I don't want to go. But if the situation was reversed, Andrea would be there for me no questions asked. I can't just leave her hanging when she needs me the most.

  “I love you. Be careful.” He says, crossing the distance to where I am standing. Leaning against the door frame, he lays a light kiss across my mouth.