As if suddenly realizing what she just got me into, I reach out and slap her across the arm lightly. “Hey!” She squeals playfully, jumping slightly.
“I can not believe you just did that to me.” I scold. “What part of, I'm trying to avoid him, did you not understand?”
“Are you kidding me right now?” She spins to face me head on. “That man is practically stalking you. Do you really think that he is going to just give up? At least this way I will be with you.” She says, giving me a reassuring smile.
“Awesome. Cause that's not gonna be awkward or anything.” I roll my eyes, immediately envisioning Andrea sitting across the table, leaning forward on her elbows watching our every move.
“Don't worry. Guy will be there too.” She says, her smile growing wider.
“Guy?” I question, looking to the table where Andrea had been moments before. The young beach bum is kicked back casually in his chair having a conversation with the man across from him but that doesn't stop his eyes from traveling in our direction either.
“You were right by the way. Totally his dad.” She laughs. “So see. It won't be so bad. Besides, it's unfair of you to make any type of decision regarding this man until I have had a chance to weigh in on the matter.” She says, grabbing her beach towel and bag from the side of her chair.
“There is nothing to weigh in on.” I protest, grabbing my things as well, before following her towards the pool exit.
“Then it's just dinner and you have nothing to worry about.” She smiles, pushing her way through the gate, leaving me following slowly behind.
Chapter Nineteen
“
I can't believe I let you talk me into this.” I whine, tugging at my black strapless tube dress that makes me feel like I should be back at
Allure
and not having dinner at the most amazing waterfront restaurant I have ever seen.
“You look amazing Anna. Relax.” She says, stopping to face me at the edge of the dock where we agreed to meet the guys. “I know you are hell bent on avoiding this man but it's pretty clear he's not going to just leave you alone. At least this way you can do it on your terms.”
“It's not about how I do it. It's the point.” I say, crossing my arms in front of myself. “He's not the type of man to get tangled up with, I know you know that. I agreed to one night.”
“And it was the most incredible night of your life.” She interjects, smiling softly when my glare meets her eyes.
“Again, not the point.” I say, growing increasingly frustrated with everyone being so dismissive about my feelings where Bentley is concerned. “Does it not seem the least bit strange to you that he knew I was here before I even got here? And now he's here with me?”
“I think it's incredibly sweet if you ask me.” She says, shrugging off my words. “What girl doesn't want a sexy, rich man stalking her?”
“I don't.” I sigh loudly, once again allowing my frustration to show through.
“You need to take a step back and really look at the situation Anna. Maybe Bentley is not the man you think he is. Maybe he really is a good guy and he just really likes you. Did you ever think of that?”
“Since when are you on Team Bentley? I don't want him to like me Andrea. I don't want anything from him except for him to leave me the hell alone.” Even as I say the words, I know deep down that they are not one hundred percent true. Because even through my failed attempts to deny wanting anything to do with Bentley, at the end of the day I can't fight the rush that floods through me every time I see him.
“Well then give in.” She says, breaking into my thoughts.
“What?” I ask, confused by her statement.
“If Bentley is the man you think he is, he will stop the moment you no longer make him chase you. Give in. Let whatever this is run its course and then you will get what you want.” She says, making more sense than she has this entire evening.
“I didn't think about that.” I admit, surprised that I am even considering what she is suggesting. Even I am not blind enough to not see the risk involved.
“Well here's your chance to test the theory.” She says, smiling widely behind me. Turning slightly, my stomach instantly tightens at the sight of Bentley crossing the green space towards us. His amazing body is dressed in black slacks and a blue button down shirt, the top two buttons left open. His confidence oozes from him as he makes his way towards us, his hands stuffed casually in his pants pockets.
I watch each step he takes, mentally trying to prepare myself for the moment he steps beside me, his hand no doubt reaching out to graze my flesh. Even still, it does nothing to dull the electric that courses through me when I feel his hand slide along my bare shoulders as he stops beside me.
“Ladies.” He says, smiling to Andrea and then turning to me. “You look beautiful.” He says, allowing his eyes to linger a little too long across my chest and down my torso before finally meeting my eyes again. “Shall we?”
“You two go ahead. I'm gonna wait here for Guy.” She says, shooing us away. Taking my hand, Bentley nods at Andrea and then turns, leading me in the direction of the outdoor dining room just a few feet from the dock.
I expect him to lead me to the hostess station, so I immediately open my mouth to protest when he completely bypasses it and leads me down towards the beach area instead. “Bentley. Where are we going?” I ask, pulling against his hand.
“You'll see.” He says, tightening his grip on me as he continues the downhill trek towards the water.
“But Andrea is expecting.....” I start, but he immediately cuts me off.
“I have arranged for a private area for Andrea and her date and have taken care of all the expenses. I am sure they will have a lovely time.” He turns his head slightly to the side to give me a smile, his eyes dancing briefly across my face.
“But that's not what I agreed too.” I interject, trying to halt my movements but his grip is too strong, I only stumble forward when he gives me no slack.
“If I recall.” He says, stopping so abruptly I nearly run into him. “You didn't really agree to anything.” He finishes, turning to face me.
“Good point.” I admit, trying to keep my breathing even. He pulls on my hand, still held tightly in his and I have no choice but to step forward, not missing the way his chest rises and falls as he takes a deep breath. Looking up, I meet his eyes and immediately regret what I see there. I know, in that one look, I will never be able to fight this.
“All of your attempts to deny me will fail.” He says so quietly I have to strain to hear him. Slowly, he lowers his face to mine and while I want to push him away, step out of his embrace, I can't make my body move.
Because no matter how badly I want to avoid this, I want it just the same. The moment his mouth closes over mine, my body melts into his embrace. His kiss is gentle, his lips dancing lightly over mine but never asking for more. I fight my instinct to deepen the kiss and simply enjoy the simplicity of his affection.
“Now. Will you please
willingly
join me for dinner?” He asks, dropping his forehead against mine. Andrea's words bounce around in my head. If I stop running, he will stop chasing. All of this could be over. But is that what I really want? For it to be over?
“I would love to.” I finally say, straightening my posture to stare into his eyes, having made a split second decision that the only way to end this, is to see it through. And while the thought terrifies me, it also sends a bolt of excitement coursing through my veins.
Stepping back, his eyes scan my face, no doubt looking for signs of sarcasm. I am not sure what he sees when he looks at me, but clearly he decides that whatever it is, he finally has me agreeing to what he wants and doesn't question it further. Smiling, he entwines his fingers with mine and waits until I step next to him before leading me to the beach hand in hand.
I slip off my heels the moment we reach the sand, stepping forward to let my feet sink into the warm grains that immediately swallow my toes. Bentley does the same, taking my heels and tossing them in the grass next to his shoes, before taking my hand once more and leading me further down the beach.
We walk several feet before I finally speak. Unsure of what to say, I ask the first obvious thing that pops into my head. “Where are we going?”
“You'll see.” He says, once again giving me no indication as to what he has planned for me tonight. “We're almost there.” He adds, throwing me a smile before turning his attention forward again.
“I don't get you.” I say, unintentionally speaking what I am thinking.
He laughs lightly but doesn't look in my direction as he continues walking. “What don't you get exactly?” He asks, eyes forward.
“You could have anyone you want.” I make an obvious statement.
“Is that a question?” He asks, his smile just as infectious from the side.
“So why are you here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I've already told you.” He says, slowing to a stop and turning to face me. “I'm here for you.”
“But why?” I can't stop the words from falling off my lips.
“Isn't it obvious?” He asks, cocking his head slightly as if he doesn't understand the question, even though I know he knows what I am really asking.
“It's confusing is what it is.” I laugh at myself, feeling a weight lift from just simply saying what it is that I feel.
He laughs lightly, contemplating my words for a moment before finally responding. “I apologize if my actions seem over the top or confusing. As you said, in not so many words, I have never had to chase a woman before. This whole thing is very new to me.”
“So that's what this is then?” I ask.
“I don't know what this is.” He admits, reaching out to trail his hand down my jaw. “All I know.” He says, letting his hand fall to my bare shoulder and then down my arm, his fingertips grazing softly across my flesh causing my skin to prickle. “Is that I crave you.” His words get lost as the wind whips through the air and his mouth closes down on mine.
They echo over and over again through my head like a broken record on repeat as his tongue works long sweeps inside of my mouth and his hands pull my body flush against his. I want to fight against it. I want to find that cool confidence that I fake in situations like this to pull myself away but I can't muster the strength to do it. Honestly, if he wanted to take me right here and now in plain view of anyone from the land above, I think I would let him.
He slows the kiss, eventually breaking away from my mouth on a breathless exhale. Pulling back, his eyes bounce back and forth between mine, desperately trying to gauge my reaction. Just trying to break the heaviness of the moment, I say the first thing that comes to my mind.
“I thought you were going to feed me.” I say, laughing when a bright smile lights up his face.
“You are correct.” He smiles wider. “Come on.” He says, taking my hand once more as he leads me further down the beach.
It doesn't take long before I can see something ahead of us. It's too far away to see exactly what it is but the closer we get, the more clear it becomes. It isn't until I am standing over a blanket, a spread of food and wine laid out before me, that I realize what he's done.
“I heard you have a soft spot for picnics.” He smiles, taking a seat on the blanket before patting the spot next to him. Shaking my head, I take a step forward and sit directly across from him, stretching my legs to the side as my dress offers very little coverage when sitting on the ground.
“I should have known.” I say, looking around at all of my favorite finger foods displayed in containers around the blanket. “Andrea.” I sigh, knowing full well she had everything to do with this. “She's how you knew I was here. She put the dress on my bed.” I shake my head, having a hard time believing I didn't see it earlier.
“You already knew her.” I say, remembering how they pretended they had never met earlier at the pool. “How long?”
“I met her at your dorm a few weeks ago.” He admits, retrieving the bottle of wine from the ice bucket. Reaching to the side, he grabs two glasses before continuing. “I went there looking for you.” He fills one glass and then hands it to me before filling his own. “The rest is history.”
“History?” I question, not sure if I should feel angry or flattered that he has gone to such lengths to get close to me. “Just how much interaction have you had with her?”
“Please don't be upset. I realize how completely invasive it is to use your best friend to get information about you, but you really left me very little choice. Besides, she voluntarily offered up suggestions, I didn't go to her looking for them.”
“Of course she did.” I shake my head, feeling such an array of emotions that I am having trouble grasping how all of this truly makes me feel.
“I just want the chance to get to know you.” He says, waiting until I meet his eyes before continuing. “Is that such a bad thing?”
“Why do you want to know me so badly?” I ask, my confusion clear in my voice.
“Why wouldn't I want to?” He turns the question back on me, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I'm not... I don't do this.” I say, gesturing between us.
“Do what?” He asks, clearly amused by my statement.
“This.” I say again. “I don't know how to do this.” I admit, taking a drink of my wine, grateful for the moment of peace as the heavenly liquid slides smoothly down my throat.
“Neither do I.” He admits, shrugging. “Listen, I know I can come on kind of strong.” He laughs when my eyes widen. “Okay, really strong.” He laughs again. “But despite how you see me, I am just a normal guy with normal feelings.”
“You are hardly normal.” I interject, immediately regretting the way the comment sounds. “I mean, unlike a normal guy, you can have anyone you want.” I try to recover.
“But then we both know that isn't true don't we?” He says, his eyes burning into mine as his statement settles over me, warming every inch of my entire body.