Authors: Brooke Cumberland
I laugh, so he doesn’t see my mini heart-attack. “I guess so.”
“Are you excited for tonight’s presentation?”
My eyes widen as he brings up lighter conversation about something that makes me more comfortable. “Yes, absolutely! You must’ve had to pull some mad strings to get those tickets,” I gush.
“I have a friend,” he responds casually and shrugs as if it’s no big deal.
“A friend who apparently can pull some strings.” I grin.
He flashes a cocky smirk. “Something like that.”
I feel like an idiot as it finally registers in my mind. He’s fucking Bentley Leighton. He probably gets whatever he wants whenever he wants it.
And that should scare the hell out of me.
The power he has...holds...controls. A sudden chill radiates my body as I think about what I’m doing—what game I’m playing.
I grab my menu and stare at it intently to get my mind to calm down. He sits with one leg propped up on his knee as his body is angled toward mine. He probably comes here so much he has the damn thing memorized.
“So what’s good?” I ask simply smiling at him over my menu. He’s watching me as if he’s waiting for something magical to happen.
“Everything, of course.” He grins and then it hits me.
“Let me guess. You own this place. Or your family does? Or a friend of the family?”
He laughs lightly and shakes his head no. “You have six food options plus the couple of specials they offer. So really...everything is good here.”
I was staring so hard at the menu to distract myself that I hadn’t even realized. He’s right—there are literally six things to choose from,
what the hell?
This is the weirdest restaurant I’ve ever been to before.
“A little different than my McDonald’s tradition,” I joke as if I live on a college student’s salary.
He doesn’t even crack a smile, and I see his mind spinning as he eyes me with concern.
“I’m kidding,” I finally say. His face relaxes a bit, but it’s still tense. “It’s between that and ramen noodles.” I cock a smile, so he finally loosens up.
“That makes me feel a whole lot better.”
“Oh, come on. That’s like the college lifestyle.” I smile and finally feel comfortable with our easy-going banter. “Well, for poor students,” I add getting him to laugh.
“I guess I deserved that.”
I smirk and shrug unapologetically. A waiter greets us finally, and before he can ask us our order, Bentley rambles off some kind of bottle of wine. I’m fully ready to turn down the offer and tell him I don’t drink as he asks for ID, but he never does. He simply nods and accepts every word Bentley says.
“I think you’ll enjoy the house steak with the red wine.”
“Sounds good.”
I rest my menu down as the waiter soaks up every word and says he’ll be right back with our wine and bread.
He grabs our menus and walks away, leaving me alone with Bentley with nothing to hide behind.
“So, um, do you go to these presentations often?” I cross my legs and keep my eyes locked on his. I have to take back the control. I can’t let myself be intimidated by him.
He waves his head back and forth before answering. “No, not really. I did in college, but not since I’ve started at the company.”
“Well, what should I expect?”
“You should expect to see a lot of old men.”
I burst out in a laugh. “Is that so?”
“Nah, just kidding. There might be some college-aged and some professors.”
“Well, I’m intrigued. I’ll take any opportunity to learn more.”
“I can teach you anything, Ceci.” His voice is low and deep as if he’s completely serious. “Anything you want to know about journalism and criminology—consider me your endless source of information,” he continues genuinely. I see the confidence in him, and I know his words have a double meaning.
“You’re pretty egotistical for a guy that just graduated a couple years ago.”
“I prefer confident.” He grins.
“I bet you do.” I try my best to hide my smile, but he notices.
The waiter returns with our bottle of wine. I watch as he pours my glass first and then turns to pour Bentley’s. He stands and waits as Bentley sips it before giving the waiter a nod of approval.
“I’m guessing you don’t drink wine much.” He held his glass up and swirls it.
“I love how you have me pegged with barely knowing me,” I say sardonically.
“Well...college honor student, works for free on the weekends, lives off ramen noodles. I’m guessing you’re the typical poor college student—you study too much to work and seeing that you work for free on Saturdays and study all week, you have no life outside of college, which means you don’t have a boyfriend. Or any that know how to take you out.”
“Hmm...very observant.” I grab my glass and close my eyes as I inhale the scent. I swirl it before bringing my lips to the glass and taking a sip. I moan out slowly as I enjoy the taste burning down my throat.
“Jesus...” I hear him growl before opening my eyes. His face is pale, but his eyes are wide and hungry with need. “Or you have dated a winemaker,” he jokes.
“I saw that in a movie once,” I say honestly, laughing. “I’ve always wanted to try it.”
The corners of his lips curl up in a smile.
“What?” I ask feeling self-conscious as his continuous stare becomes more intense.
“There’s just something about you, Ceci. You’re bold and fearless, yet there’s such an adolescent side to you that makes you adorable.” He’s playing with his glass as if he’s nervous about being honest with me.
“Adolescent side? Are you calling me a baby?” I tease.
“Well, if baby’s what you like to be called.” He places his foot on the ground and sits up leaning closer into the table and bringing his face closer to mine. “Otherwise, there’s plenty of other names I can call you,” he threatens in a teasing tone.
I swallow and smile at his flirty attempt. “Is that normal for a boss to call an intern?”
“No.” He doesn’t move.
“Breaking your own rules?” I lean in toward him challenging him to his own game.
“What rules?” His eyes give me a questioning look.
I get lost in Bentley’s face and start studying the curves of his features. His hair is brushed back slightly—purposely messy, as his groomed beard is perfect in length. His sideburns are thicker and run into his facial hair. I imagine my fingers intertwining in his golden locks as he wraps me up in his arms assaulting my lips as our tongues tango together.
“Ceci?” His deep, pained voice shakes me out of my fantasy.
I clear my throat before speaking. “The company handbook,” I remind him. “Any relationships formed within the office are strictly forbidden,” I quote right from the handbook that he emailed me.
His lips form a cocky grin as he shifts in his chair. “You read the company handbook, did you?” he asks surprised.
“Well, it’s company policy,” I quip.
“So you aren’t a rule breaker?” I can tell he’s testing me, but I know what he really wants to know—am I willing to break the rules for him.
“You’ve seen my portfolio. Does it say I am?” I ask with seduction laced in my voice.
“It says you’re a fast learner and that you’re willing to learn new things.”
“That I am.” I wink, and I can tell I just gave him the green light.
Bentley
Breaking the Rules
W
ATCHING HER SQUIRM is one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen. She acts so confident and cocky on the outside, but on the inside, she’s a timid girl not wanting to show her true self to anyone. She’s hiding something.
Once our meal arrives, she relaxes a bit. Her open, edgy, carefree attitude returns as we ease into simple conversation. She continues to ask me about my work and favorite cases I’ve worked on, and I ask her about her family and classes.
“What happened to your dad?” I ask as I cut into my steak.
She fidgets a little before responding. “He, um, left when I was eleven years old. I haven’t seen him since.” Her eyes are glued to her plate, and I know I’ve hit a sore topic.
“I’m sorry.” Instinctively I reach across the table and grab her hand. “You don’t have to talk about it.”
She finally looks up and smiles weakly. “There’s not much to say.” She shrugs.
I continue holding her hand and rub my thumb over hers in comfort. It seems to help, and she relaxes again.
I take care of the check and escort her out of the restaurant. She begins fidgeting in her purse and asks, “Should I just follow you?”
I grab her hand to stop her from searching for her keys. “No, I’m driving.”
I want Ceci next to me for as long as I can get. A part of me knows she’s too good for me. She’s smart, funny, and I can tell she’s a genuinely good person. But the other part is too selfish to back off. I want her.
“All right,” she says letting me grab her hand and hold it as I lead her to my car. Her small hand fits perfectly in mine, and I’m already dreading having to let it go. “You drive? I’d figure you’d have a 24/7 chauffeur.”
I guide us to her side of the car and back her up into the door without opening it. “Do you even know what kind of car this is?”
She glances over her shoulder and looks. “A black one.”
I smirk at her innocence. “It’s a Range Rover 4
th
Edition. No way in hell I’d let someone else drive that.”
She looks over one more time before speaking. “Looks roomy.”
“You want to see how much room there is?”
“I assume you paid extra for that.” She grins confidently. “The extra-large package.”
I can feel the intense heat between us and know she feels it, too. Her skin pricks in goose bumps every time I touch her, and she’s arching her hips toward me, begging for me to press my body against hers.
“Okay...you’ve gotten enough money jabs at me for one night, don’t you think?”
She pulls her lips in as if she’s thinking hard about it. “I may or may not have a few more,” she challenges.
“I guess I’m going to have to find a way to shut that pretty mouth up.” I lean into her body like she’s secretly begging me to, resting one hand behind her and one hand around her waist.
“That’s a very backward compliment,” she breathes out, and I can tell she’s fighting an inner battle with herself, which, if I do this right, she’ll soon be losing.
“Backward? Are we talking positions already? Because we have yet to go back to that roller coaster comment.” I lean my body into hers only holding us up with my hand behind her. Her body stills as she sucks in a breath. She’s focusing on my chest, and I can’t tear my eyes away from her mouth.
She arches her hips into me and feels the hard bulge now formed. She gasps lightly as her body squirms to start a rhythm with mine.
“Ceci,” I growl, tilting her chin up to make eye contact with me. Her expression isn’t fear, but desire, and I can tell she’s feeling the same way I am—desperate and hungry for more. I lean in and bring my lips to her ear. “As much as I want to fuck you against this car, I promised you a presentation tonight.”
I lean back and kiss the corners of her mouth. She simply nods, and reluctantly, I pull away to grab the door and escort her into her seat.
As soon as I begin driving, I grab her hand and place it in mine. She rests it on my leg, which is probably the worst fucking spot for any contact.
The drive is comfortable and quiet as we listen to music. I watch her out of the corner of my eye and see her sinking into the seat as she patiently waits for us to get to our destination.
* * *
W
alking in with a beautiful girl like Ceci doesn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the men sitting nearby. They’re like vultures ready to jump on their prey and rip her apart for themselves.
I rest one ankle on my knee as I wrap my arm around her, claiming her. I dip my face into her neck and whisper, “You better stay close before you are eaten alive by the rest of the audience.”
Before I pull back, she turns her head and responds, “Maybe I like being eaten alive.” She cocks a smile.
My head falls back as I groan. “You’re killing me,” I growl close to her ear. “I’m going to sit here the entire time with a hard on.”
Her eyes immediately go to the noticeable tent in my pants, and she laughs. “It must suck to be a guy,” she teases.
“You think you’re the only one that can play this game?” I breathe into her ear, and she shivers against me. “That’s what I thought.”
The lights dim as the speaker walks on stage, welcoming and thanking everyone for coming. Luckily, no one is sitting close to us, giving me a green light for what I’m about to do. I casually move my arm and lay it against her bare thigh. I squeeze tightly as my fingers inch up her leg, pushing her dress up with them. I can tell how aroused she is from the way she squirms under my hand. Heat radiates between her legs as my fingers continue rubbing against her.
Her hand grabs mine as she tries to force it off her leg. She barely has any strength against my hand, and it’s comical as I watch her try. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?” I whisper, letting my tongue vibrate against her ear. “You think it’s funny now?”
I slip my pinky inside the lace of her underwear and her breath catches. She sinks lower into her seat, no longer fighting me. Another finger slips in and pushes her panties out of the way.
I lean in as I whisper, “Tell me to stop, Ceci. If this breaks your rules, tell me to stop.”
Her eyes are closed, and I can tell she’s fighting with herself to say the words. Her mouth parts slightly as she sharply inhales. I work my fingers harder against her, making sure that I’m not obvious as to what I’m doing to the people behind us, but that only gets me harder knowing we’re in a public place.
“Bentley,” she finally breathes out. Her tiny voice whimpering my name just about makes me come undone. I’m ready to sweep her out of here and fuck her against the nearest wall.
I feel her body tense up, ready to explode around my fingers. I bring my lips back to her ear as I aggressively pull my fingers out. “I want to hear you scream my name when you come...so until then, you’ll have to wait.” Her eyes flash open as she intently stares me down, obviously shocked by my quick exit. “Now we both suffer in sexual frustration.”