Bending Bethany (5 page)

“Jenson, you’ve either got to be the most romantic man I’ve ever met, or the best liar on the planet.”

“Your words wound me.” I covered my heart teasingly. “Look, I don’t want to push you into anything you’re not ready for, but I’m here waiting. Okay? That’s all you need to know. I’ll be waiting.” I placed a kiss on her lips, knowing I was taking a risk, but I was surprised when she kissed me back, tentatively at first, then pulled away slowly.
 

“Thank you for saying those things. I really do like you, but if I’m being honest, I don’t think my schedule is going to lighten up anytime soon.” Her eyes burned with emotion, and I sensed she was telling the truth. She did like me, she just really didn’t have the time for anyone else right now.
 

“Well, the offer still stands. And whenever you’re hungry, I’d love it if you could call me for a meal. We can be friends in the meantime.”

“The meantime?” A smile split her face.
 

“Until you realize how much you can’t resist me again and attack me like a rabid animal for sex.”
 

She choked on her laugh, covering her mouth as she giggled.
 

“That just became my favorite noise,” I laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and placing a kiss on her forehead. “Now let’s eat. You’ve kept me starving waiting on you to share a meal with me.”

We ordered our dogs—mustard only on mine, ketchup only on hers.
 

“I have a feeling we’re total opposites,” she teased when he’d passed us our dressed hot dogs.
 

“Well, I happen to believe opposites attract,” I responded, locking her hand in mine again. We turned and headed the few short yards to Central Park. We ate in silence, watching joggers and families with fluffy fancy dogs play as we finished our poor excuse for a dinner.
 

When she was done eating, Bethany laid back on the picnic table we'd been perched on, her hair splayed around her as she looked up at the sky.
 

“You're so beautiful.” I danced my fingers down the underside of one arm watching a chill erupt across her skin. “Your skin is like silk under my fingers.”

Without saying anything, her eyes fluttered closed, her thighs shifting as she soaked in my compliments. “I'd take you right here if you'd let me, in front of everyone to see.” I dusted my fingers at her upper thigh, registering her breathing picking up.
 

“You're dirty, Jenson.” She mused as a smile turned her pretty lips.
 

“You like it.” I glanced around, thankful we'd chosen a table tucked into a private corner of the park. My fingers inched further up her thigh, landing at the delicate crevice of her leg and her soft, sweet center.
 

“Mm...” she husked as her hips shifted back and forth.
 

“Did you miss my fingers on you? In you?” My fingers drifted across the delicate mound of her pussy, only her cotton shorts separating me from the promised land. I twisted and caged her in beneath me under one deft arm, my fingertips never leaving their place, dragging up and down the seam of her shorts. I lifted the hem of her t-shirt and dragged my nose across the flesh at her waistband, my tongue darting out for just a taste. “I can smell how much you want me, Bethany.”
 

The words had fallen from my tongue without thought, and as if she'd lost herself in a cloud of lust, her hips bucked and brought my fingers to land at the perfect little bud of her clit. “Should I send you home with an orgasm?”
 

Her eyes darted open, as if she'd suddenly just become aware that there were others around.
 

“No one's watching, you're safe.” I dragged my teeth down the shell of her ear on that last word. “Show me how much you missed my hands, Bethany. I want to hear those sweet moans again.”

My fingers sped up their assault on the little cotton-covered nub, her hips rocking as her fingertips dug into the wood of the tabletop. “I've missed your body so much. Every night I close my eyes and I see you, I wake up in the morning and you're the first thing on my mind.” I urged her on with my words. “That's it, let it go.”

Her eyes slammed shut and small pants fell over her lips as the muscles in her thighs bunched and shook. Her chest heaved, and her hands gripped at my elbows as her release pummeled through her. “Jenson...”

“Mmm, so beautiful sweetheart.” I kissed my way up her body, catching her cheeks in both hands and kissing up the line of her neck.
 

“I-I can't believe we just did that.” She stumbled for words before she twisted out from beneath me, running her hands through her hair as her eyes cast around the immediate area.
 

“I'm so glad we just did that.” I tossed her a cocky grin.
 

“I hate to say it, but I should head back. I’ve got to finish some research tonight. Paper due at the end of the week,” she said, a frown marring her lovely face.

“Mm, okay, Bethany.” I recognized now running was her defensive mechanism. Whenever things got a little too intimate, she bolted. I was beginning to know her better than myself at this point. “Thank you for sharing a dinner with me.” I locked her hand in mine after we’d thrown away our wrappers and started heading back to her apartment, her legs heavy and sated from the orgasm I'd just given her.

“Thank you for being so concerned about my diet,” she laughed, and it made my damn heart sing. It felt like I was thawing her. Her words may say one thing, pushing me away and constantly reminding me that she was too busy for this, for us, but her physical reactions told me something entirely different. They gave me hope.
 

“Until next time?” I grinned when we stopped on her step.
 

Her eyes cast down at our feet, and she nodded. “Until next time, Jenson.”

We stood silently, long beats passing between us. “I really want to kiss you,” I uttered, saying the only thing running through my mind.
 

She glanced up, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. “Jenson—”
 

“But I won’t, not until you’re begging me for it.” My eyes gleamed, and I settled for a soft kiss across the apple of her cheek. “Next time.”
 

“Good night, Jenson,” she called, her sweet voice haunting me the entire walk home to my lonely apartment.

Nine

Bethany

The following night, my phone lit up with an incoming call. I paused the movie I’d just started and darted into my room, surprised to find Jenson’s number on the screen. A smile flashed on my face when I answered. I’d come to look forward to his daily nagging.
 

“Hello?”

“Hey babe, what’s shakin’?”
 

A giggle erupted from my throat at his answer.
 

“Not a lot,” I said when I’d composed myself. “I just started an awful documentary I have to watch for class. It’s torture.”

“Need a friend to be tortured with?”
 

“You want to come watch with me? I’m telling you, no one should have to be subjected to this stuff.”

“Sure, I’ll come snuggle on the couch and watch bad TV with you. No need to twist my arm, Bethany.”

I burst out laughing again, finding I was actually looking forward to spending some time with him.
 

“I’ll pop some popcorn.”

“Well now, that’s starting to sound suspiciously like a date.”

“I can assure you, it’s definitely not,” I laughed.
 

“Well, either way, it sounds like a good time. I’ll be there in ten?”

“Perfect.” I hung up, my cheeks still turned up in an impossible grin. Damn if Jenson wasn’t getting to me, his charm and sense of humor, the dogged persistence, and, oh yeah, the incredible good looks and the reminder of his hands on my skin.
 

I sighed, turning to my closet and wondering if I should change. For the first time, I actually cared what I was wearing now that he was coming over.
 

I rifled through a few hangers before deciding I didn’t want to try too hard or encourage him—he didn’t need anything in that respect. I pulled on a tank top and a pair of casual shorts.
 

Simple, sporty, comfortable. What did he expect? It was after 9 p.m. on a weeknight, and I had an early class.
 

This was not a date.
 

Not at all.
 

But then why did my stomach feel like it was humming with energy at the prospect of sitting next to him on the couch?

I ran a brush through my hair for good measure, then rushed out to the kitchen, pulling microwave popcorn from the cupboard and popping it in the microwave. Just as the timer went off, the doorbell rang.
 

“Showtime,” I murmured, wondering what in the hell I was thinking inviting him over to watch this stupid documentary with me. He would probably want to bail within thirty minutes.
 

“Hi.” I swung the door open, plastering on my most casual smile.
 

“Evenin’.” He planted a gentlemanly kiss on the apple of my cheek. “You look beautiful.”

“Stop, you’re embarrassing me.”
 

“Don’t be. A beautiful woman deserves to be told so.” His words dusted across the shell of my ear, sending a shiver coursing through me. My eyes fluttered closed as I enjoyed the sensations washing through me. I’d never felt this way before. Never in my entire life could someone turn my stomach upside down with just a few words.

“Jenson?” I sang, not even sure what was on my lips.
 

“Don’t say anything, Bethany.” The pad of his thumb traced the line from my temple down to my cheek. “I’m a patient man.”

I sucked in a breath, not even sure what to say.
 

“Hope you like red wine.” He lifted the bottle in his hand.
 

I smiled, thankful he’d changed the subject. “Yes.”
 

I waved him in, his heavy footfalls trailing behind me. I wondered if he was checking me out, the shorts I’d pulled on suddenly feeling too tight too short, too revealing for his hungry eyes.
 

“Popcorn and wine are definitely a date,” he said teasingly when we reached the kitchen, the scent of the buttery kernels in the air.
 

“I don’t know what kind of dates you’re used to…” I trailed off.
 

“I don’t date,” he stated simply.

“What?” I spun, shock no doubt clear on my face.
 

“Too busy. Never met anyone who seemed worth it.” His icy blues blazed into me, pregnant with unspoken words.
 

I paused, finally breaking eye contact and reaching for two wine glasses. Jenson opened the bottle, pouring us each a half a glass while I dumped the popcorn into a bowl.
 

“Ready to learn about the discovery of penicillin?”

“Penicillin?!” His face twisted adorably.
 

“Told you it was boring. Maybe we can fast-forward a few parts.”

“No, no, I’m in. More couch time is a good thing, no fast-forwarding allowed.”

“Look at you, Mr. Responsible.” I smiled as we walked into the living room.
 

I hit play on the documentary as we settled on the couch. The opening scenes started, and my stomach swam. I was oddly aware of every sensation as I sat next to him, so close, just inches apart.
 

I cut a glance out of the corner of my eye to find him watching me, one hand resting on his thigh. Golden hair dusted his wrist, and I wondered what it would feel like beneath my fingertips. I wondered how it would feel to wrap my legs around his waist again.
 

I’d been so damn drunk the last time we’d done that, it felt like a lifetime ago, the snippets of our passion hazy in my mind.
 

The scene changed, flashing across the scene. Outside, the sun had completely set, and the room was now awash in total darkness, save the screen.
 

This felt more like a date than ever. My heartbeat kicked up a notch as I shifted in my seat, crossing my legs and angling toward him.
 

I picked at my nails and shifted a glance at him. His sweet blue eyes held mine, crinkling up in a smile as we caught each other looking.
 

Awkward giggles erupted between us, and I’d never even felt this much like a teenager, not even when I was a one.
 

“Pay attention,” he mock-scolded. My grin deepened for a moment, and I shifted closer to him.
 

“You’re so strict with the rules,” I joked, then turned back to the screen, only noticing out of the corner of my eye that he’d shifted, too. Closer.
 

“I think about that night all the time.” His words hung in the air between us.
 

My heart nearly fell to the floor as I swallowed, thinking what I could possibly say to that.
Me, too?

“How you felt beneath me.” He shifted closer. “How you tasted.” Two long fingertips danced across my shoulder, and I was suddenly very sure that he was not watching the movie. “I can’t stop thinking about having you again.”

I licked my lips, suddenly aware of every nerve in my body tingling and burning with his words.
 

“Tell me why I shouldn’t kiss you right now.” He tipped my chin to his. “Give me one good reason and I won’t.” His eyes trained on me, searching my face.
 

I felt arousal pooling between my legs and dampening my panties, the need for his body against mine so strong and powerful I didn’t have any kind of sense to turn away. Without thinking, I lunged across the couch at him, my hands dove in his hair, my thighs wrapped around his waist just like I’d been dreaming of.
 

I ground my core against his pelvis, the steely press of his erection grinding against my center and relieving the ache only just briefly.
 

His tongue lashed inside my mouth. His hands trailed up my skin, spanning the expanse of my back, wrapping my hair around one fist and tilting my head away from him. His lips hovered at my skin, dusting across the curve of my neck, his tongue laving up the line of my throat before his teeth nipped across the horizontal line of my collarbone.