He looks amused by my stern voice. He leans in close, looking around us closely to make sure no one can overhear us. "Would you rather I inform her that I'm fucking my intern instead?"
"Then why even bring me?"
"Because you look good on my arm," he says with no shame. I jerk back, irritated by his response. "Because you want to learn. What better way to learn about a company than attending its recognition ceremony."
"Well, you could've told me."
"And where's the fun in that?" He cocks his head and smirks at me. "Come on. We need to take our seats."
We run into more people before sitting down. I feel a dozen set of eyes on me the entire time. I try to not let the nerves get to me, but I have no idea what's going on and that makes me even more anxious.
Eventually, we're all seated and all our eyes are facing the front where an older man is giving an introduction speech. I try to keep up with what he's saying, but the paranoia of being here distracts me.
I look around and notice Bentley's mother sitting in the front with Mr. Leighton. She's squeezing his arm tight with a wide smile on her face. She's obviously very proud.
"And now, to present the award we're all here for tonight." The gentleman on stage begins speaking.
Bentley leans over and whispers, "That's Mr. Lyle, Chairman of the Business Board."
"Leighton Enterprises-not only do they have the highest record of most solved cases in investigating and reporting, but also hold the highest in charitable contributors throughout the Midwest. They are being recognized for both tonight, but I must add-they are the strongest team of investigative reporters Nebraska has ever seen. And that's why they are receiving the Golden Bridge Business and Innovation Award six years in a row!"
The room echoes in applause as Mr. Lyle holds up the clear, scripted award. Bentley's father takes the stage, shaking hands with him. Everyone stands up as Mr. Leighton takes the podium, myself included. I watch Bentley as his face beams with pride. His eyes are locked on his father as he sets the award down to showcase.
It's a different side of Bentley-watching him watch his father like that. His facial features soften as his eyes lock on his dad.
After Mr. Leighton gives his speech, Bentley rises and takes the stage. My eyes widen as I take him in-business and sex appeal wrapped into one deadly combination.
Watching him talk about how proud he is of his dad warms my heart. The way he praises his dad for a strong upbringing, being a powerhouse CEO, and intense work ethic makes me realize how proud Bentley really is of his father's company. Blood, sweat, and tears go into running Leighton Enterprises-failure and accomplishments all a part of the journey to get where they are today. His speech is heartfelt, and I cannot believe I'm even here tonight to witness it all.
"Stay with me tonight," Bentley whispers as we approach the valet.
"I can't."
"Yes, you can."
I turn toward him and eye him cautiously. "If I'm late to my internship again, my boss is going to fire me," I say matter-of-factly.
He rubs the stubble on his jaw and smirks back at me. "Sounds like an asshole."
"He very much can be."
He closes the gap between us and softly kisses my lips. It's not rushed or eager, it's sensual and sweet. "I guess he has a lot of making up to do."
Chapter Eight
Bentley
"THANK YOU FOR coming with me tonight."
"I wasn't left a choice," she fires back. "But … I'm glad I did. It was definitely an experience."
She's sitting casually on the couch, trying to sit properly, but she's fighting a losing battle. Her dress is hiked up, and no matter what sitting position she's in, that thing is not getting any lower.
I sit across from her, twirling my drink around in one hand as I watch her intently. All the doubt flooding in my mind and the answers to the questions still not settling with me are both reasons why I shouldn't be with her right now.
But my body doesn't agree. It aches for her. Craves to touch every inch of her. There's just something about her, and I just can't seem to get enough.
"Are you hungry?" I finally ask. "Surely, that salad didn't fill you up."
"Are you offering to cook for me?" Her eyebrows rise in anticipation.
I stand up and hold my hand out for her to grab. She lets me pull her up and lead her into the kitchen.
"I do cook, actually." I smile back at her and she eyes me cautiously. "Well, I can cook pasta. So as long as you eat pasta … "
She laughs. "Yes, I eat pasta."
She props herself up on the counter as I gather the pots and ingredients. Finally being alone with Ceci without the distraction of work or other people around feels natural. I still feel like I'm fighting all the emotions unraveling through me, but I know I don't want to anymore.
"I think my mom likes you."
"She only met me for a few moments."
"Trust me." I grin. "She does." I place the cover on top of the pan as I wait for the noodles to boil.
"She won't once she finds out I'm her doting son's weekend intern," she mocks. "Or that my name isn't Emily." She laughs.
"I think she'll get over that. At least the name part." I grin.
"Well, at least she has a nice impression of Emily," she responds in a slightly higher pitch.
I walk over to her, settling myself in between her legs. I cup her face in my hands and dip my mouth down to hers, softly grazing her lips.
"Well, next time, you can give her a full dose of Ceci. She's the one I want anyway."
"You have an odd way of showing it, Mr. Leighton," she responds formally.
"I guess I deserve that." I smirk.
I caress a finger slowly up her arm, making goose bumps rise in my absence. Her eyes follow, and I feel her breath hitching as her body immediately responds to me.
"Would it help if I said you could introduce me to your mother as someone else?" I jibe as I continue brushing a finger up and down her arm, making her extremely aware of how close we are.
She swallows and responds, "Anything would be better than introducing you as my boss, Mr. Leighton … so how's Frank, my conquest?" I can hear the amused tone in her voice-she's uncomfortable discussing her parents with me.
"Frank? I'm not a seventy-year-old man."
"And I'm really not introducing you to my mother." She shivers as I blow cold air over the goose bumps that are now apparent over her entire body.
"All right … "I begin, unable to take my eyes off her. "So no meeting the parents."
"Just my mom, actually," she blurts out. Her eyes immediately lock on mine. "Since my dad left," she clarifies. I see the hurt in her eyes, and I know she doesn't want to talk about it.
I continue skimming my finger up her arm and land just below her shoulder. I place a few soft kisses on her burning skin and her head falls back on contact.
I gasp as my lips feel a large scar over her right shoulder. I brush a finger over it, silently questioning where it came from.
"You have a scar." I gently lay a kiss over it. She inhales as I feather kisses around the mark. "What happened?" I finally ask, needing to know.
"Car accident when I was younger," she says right away. I lean back to look at her. "A piece of glass got stuck in my shoulder. No biggie. Just left a scar, that's all." She shrugs casually, but doesn't continue.
My lips brush up her neck and slowly to her ear, gently sucking on the lobe. I'm losing myself in her, in us. The doubt, fear, and suspicion all take a back seat-no longer willing to let that set me back.
Her body quivers again. A moan escapes her throat as my lips get more aggressive, licking and sucking every fleshed surface I can.
I kneel in between her legs, moving her dress up and over her hips.
Cecilia
My dress lies on the floor as I sit on the kitchen counter, my legs spread wide for him in just my panties and stockings. His hands grip the back of my knees as his mouth devours me, captivating my every thought. The way he expresses himself to me shows me how badly he wants me, scares the hell out of me.
I know I should be keeping him at a distance, yet my body constantly betrays me.
After tonight, I feel even worse about lying to him. The last thing I want to do is get his company in any legal trouble, but I don't know how to walk away anymore-my chances of getting the information I need will never happen. My chances of being with Bentley will be nonexistent.
My heart bleeds in remorse because I know I'm deceiving him-every part of me screams to just tell him the truth and beg him to forgive me, yet my heart fights to protect him. I'll be crushed if he lets go of me completely, but he'll be devastated by the secrets and lies.
My stomach growls as Bentley kisses his way up my body, landing on my breast. His hand roams freely over my hot skin, revealing the goose bumps that lay underneath it.