Love Entwined (12 page)

J
ust as Bentley had hoped, we arrived at the cabin shortly before nightfall.

“It’s getting chilly outside,” Bentley said, as he came around to open the passenger door. “Why don’t you go inside and make yourself comfortable. I’m going to grab our bags. There should be an extra key under the doormat.”

I stood at the edge of the driveway for just a few minutes taking in the view before me. The exterior of the cabin was just as I’d remembered it. The woods behind the house had thickened over the last twenty years, but everything else seemed just the same. The two-story log cabin sat on the foot of a hill and if I listened closely enough, I could hear the sound of flowing water from the winding creek that ran just a few acres away.

Everything was so peaceful. In that moment, I didn’t have a care in the world. I remembered what it felt like to be an innocent child. Glancing past the cabin, I noticed that the golden rain tree that Bentley and I always got “married” under was blooming with bright yellow buds. Squeezing my eyes shut, I envisioned my mother sitting on the wrought iron bench watching us say our “I dos.” She was wearing a light blue sundress and her sun-kissed, blond hair was blowing in the wind.

Bentley walked up behind me and set the bags on the ground before placing a gentle kiss on the top of my head. I’d been so lost in thought that I hadn’t even checked for the key.

“Did Dad forget to set the key out for us?” Bentley asked, as he dropped my luggage at my feet. “No, I’m not sure. I haven’t even checked for it. I was just taking everything in. I guess I just forgot how beautiful this place is. It’s filled with so many memories.”

“I’ve always loved this place,” Bentley said. “Mom wanted to replace the stones out front with some fancy new siding a few years back, but Dad and I stood our ground. I don’t ever want this place to change. She got her way on the inside though.”

“We women usually find a way to get what we want,” I said, nudging him in the side.

Just as Bentley had said, there was a spare key under the faded blue mat that sat just outside the squeaky, brown-metal screen door. Before I stepped inside, I turned back and took another look at the empty bench. A butterfly landed on the arm and I couldn’t help but think my mom was still watching over us.

“Wow, remind me to tell your mom that I love what she’s done with the place,” I said, as we stepped into the entryway. “The hardwood floors are definitely an improvement over that seventies shag carpet.”

“You know you loved the
Austin Powers
look,” Bentley joked.

“No,” I laughed, shaking my head.

“Let me guess. You picked out the hideous bearskin rug over there by the fireplace, didn’t you?” I chuckled to myself remembering my earlier conversation with Katie.

“I bet you won’t think it’s so hideous when you’re rolling around on it with me later,” Bentley smirked.

“You just don’t stop do you,” I laughed. “I guess I should be grateful that it’s here and not at your condo back home. Please tell me you didn’t buy two.”

“Nope, just this one. But, if you really love it, I’m sure Mom would be OK with us taking it home with us.”

“No,” I practically shouted, as I walked in to explore the rest of the cabin. “It can stay here. Ooooh, but can we take that back?” I asked, walking up to the sliding glass door and pointing at the hot tub which had been added to the covered deck out back.

I heard Bentley laughing at me as he rummaged around in the kitchen.

“Anything I can help you with?” I asked, walking into the newly remodeled kitchen fit for a five-star chef. The stainless steel appliances perfectly matched the tiled floor. In the middle of the room sat a huge island with bar stools that matched the cherry wood cupboards. Although this kitchen was every cook’s dream, my favorite piece was the chef’s rack filled with stainless cookware suspended from the ceiling.

“No, but it doesn’t look like there’s too much in the pantry. I don’t think Mom figured anyone would be using the cabin again this season. We don’t even have a box of mac and cheese.

“I think the little Chinese restaurant up the street should still be open. I can call for delivery. We can watch a movie or something.”

“That sounds perfect. I’ll go grab the wine from my suitcase.”

“So, let me get this straight. We didn’t pack any food, but you didn’t forget the wine?”

“I don’t understand the question. It’s wine, Bentley. It’s a necessity.”

After just twenty minutes, we were curled up on the couch eating sweet and sour chicken, vegetable chow mein, fried rice and egg rolls straight from cartons.

“Why does Chinese food always taste so much better in these little white boxes,” I remarked.

“I don’t know, but it really does,” Bentley said, reaching his fork over to take some chicken out of my box.

We channel surfed for a few minutes before stopping on an old episode of
Full House
.

“Are you sure this is OK? I remember how much this show used to annoy you.”

“Whatever makes you happy is fine with me, Shamrock. Besides, I’m not really paying much attention to the television,” Bentley said, reaching over to tuck a strand of fallen hair behind my ear.

Setting the food on the coffee table, I snuggled closer into Bentley’s side. It wasn’t really that late, but after spending the entire day in the car, I was exhausted. I woke up several hours later when Bentley stirred next to me.

“I think we both must have passed out,” I mumbled.

“I think so, too. Do you want to head to bed? You can take the guest room—it used to be my room. Do you remember where it’s at?”

“Yeah, I do. But, where are you sleeping?”

“I’m fine here on the couch. If you need anything just holler.”

“I need you, Bentley,” I blurted out so quickly I couldn’t take back the words even if I’d wanted to. I bit the inside of my lip before continuing. “Come to bed with me—please.”

I stepped into the nightie that I’d secretly slipped out of my luggage before coming back to the en suite bathroom to freshen up. I probably should have grabbed the entire bag, but I was just too exhausted from all the traveling. Since I’d forgotten to grab a pair of thongs to go with the ensemble, Bentley was going to get a nice surprise when he undressed me.

I reapplied my lip gloss once more before heading back to the bedroom—not quite ready to face Bentley. I wanted to open up and give myself one-hundred-percent to him, but I was still scared.

“Shamrock? Are you OK in there?” Bentley asked from the opposite side of the door.

“Yes, I’ll be out in a second,” I answered.

I took a deep breath and turned the doorknob.
There’s no turning back now.
Walking out of the room, my eyes automatically zeroed in on Bentley who was busy rummaging through the drawer of the nightstand. Turning to face me, I noticed that he’d removed his shirt and socks and wore only a pair of low-rise jeans which showcased his washboard abs and mouthwatering V.

Looking up when he realized I’d entered the room, his jaw dropped and he began walking toward me—wanting to eliminate the distance between us. We met at the end of the bed, but Bentley stopped me before I reached him, holding a palm flat against my stomach.

“Stop right there,” he growled. “I need to look at you.”

I was on display. Bentley’s eyes were greedily feasting on me and devouring every bit of me. Little did he know, he was consuming more than just my body. In that moment, I knew I was ready to give him all of me.

“This is a first for me,” I spoke, breaking the silence between us.

He looked at me with confusion written on his face.

“I’ve never made love before,” I continued, hoping to make him understand without actually having to say the words.

“You’re not making any sense, Shamrock. I know you can’t possibly be a virgin,” he said, shaking his head.

I chuckled, “No, I’m definitely NOT a virgin. I don’t think you understand what I’m saying . . . I’ve had sex before, but I’ve not made love before.”

He paused for a moment before I saw the color in his eyes change before me. He swallowed and I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down before he spoke. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying, Ireland? Do you love me?”

“I—.” Bentley pulled me forward, only inches separated us now. I was certain he could feel the beat of my heart as it tried to leap from my chest. Before giving me a chance to finish my sentence, he placed his finger against my lips.

“Because I love you, Ireland.”

A tear began rolling down my cheek before Bentley caught it with the pad of his thumb.

“Don’t cry, Shamrock. You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know how I was feeling.”

“I do, Bentley. I love you, too,” I said as relief washed over me.

Before I had the opportunity to say another word, Bentley’s lips crashed into mine. It didn’t take long before he was nipping at my neck in an almost frantic pace. Gone was the slow and in control Bentley.

“Ireland, I want this to be perfect for you. I really do. But, I’m not sure I can control myself this time,” he groaned. “If I’m being honest, I’ve had a horrible case of blue balls since I saw you last week.”

As I chuckled at his admission, it was sweet that he was worried about my feelings and wanted to take it slow, but I wanted him—needed him inside me just as badly.

“We have all night to take it slow, Bentley,” I whispered in his ear. “But right now, I just want you inside me. I want to feel you—all of you. And, I don’t want you to be gentle.”

“Well then, although this little number looks sexy as hell on you it needs to go,” he said, referring to the pink lace negligee I’d packed for such occasions.

He nipped at my neck and reached for the hem, pulling it over my head. A hiss erupted from his lips as my lingerie pooled at my feet, leaving me completely bare and exposed before him.

“You’re so beautiful, Ireland,” he said with adoration filling his voice.

Parting my lips once again with his tongue, he trailed down my body with heated kisses. He clamped down on my nipple causing me to squirm and I could feel his hard shaft rest against my stomach as he paid close attention to each of my breasts.

Walking backwards in a heated frenzy, I soon felt the edge of the mattress behind my knees. Bentley lightly nudged my shoulder and I fell back onto what felt like a cloud of plush pillows. Spreading out before him, I waited for him to claim me. I wanted nothing more than to be his—forever. Scooting toward the head of the bed, I watched as Bentley unzipped his jeans. His pants fell to the floor, leaving him in only a pair of very tight boxer briefs—which weren’t leaving much to my imagination.

I pointed at his very hard erection which had begun to pop out from the top of his briefs. “I think someone wants to come out and play,” I giggled.

“It’s not nice to laugh and point at a man’s cock, Shamrock,” Bentley hissed, as he began to crawl up the bed before coming to a stop and resting on his elbows so he was hovering directly above me.

“I was definitely not laughing at your cock, Bentley,” I nearly panted, as I took my thumb and began rubbing it over the head of his dick. “I think the rest of him needs to come out,” I said, as I moved my hand to the elastic band of the boxer briefs and tugged them down.