Tryst (5 page)

Chapter 4

Bentley

My mind is in a state of hyper awareness trying to process what the hell just happened. I don't know what’s worse, the fact that he attacked my face or that my only logical response was to bite him. Holy shit, I bit him- hard. He'll be lucky if I didn't pierce straight through his lip. This trip isn't the only thing turning into a complete shit storm. I think my vocabulary has taken on the likeness of that of a drunken whore voyaging with some seriously scurvy fuckers. I'm pretty sure I could make those navy boys blush with the dialect I've adopted. The last time I swore this much, was while writing a sex scene involving a nymphomaniac in a sex club.

Maybe I should go apologize. I mean, I guess it's possible he misunderstood what I was saying, and felt like I issued a challenge to his manhood by telling him he lacked the ability to make my panties wet. Which let’s face it, is complete bullshit. All that man has to do is don that shit eating, come fuck me smirk and any straight woman would need to change their intimates. Man, I can't remember the last time I felt like this big of a bitch. No, you know what, fuck that. The bastard had no fucking right. My knee jerk reaction was a complete reflex to his actions, I hardly invited him to try and devour my tongue. So why the fuck am I sitting here trying to convince myself my actions are justified?

Suddenly feeling dirty, I ignore the towels piled on the floor in a mess and turn the shower to scalding. I undress without even closing the bathroom door and step into the spray of water, letting it burn away at the nagging feeling eating at me. I'm really not sure what came over me. Sure I get why I bit him, but then I took off like a bat out of hell. I ran, and I hid like some chicken shit. While the water pelts my back, I think back to the only other time I ever ran from a boy.

Fifth grade... we were at recess playing and the weird kid in our class kept trying to approach me. I kept trying to avoid him, when finally I turned to him and shouted, "Leave me alone, cooty kid!" Needless to say, I learned my lesson in not being an asshole that day. Turns out the poor kid was trying to give me back my barrette that had fallen loose while playing. For awhile, whenever I was near him again I'd hang my head in shame, knowing that I really was awful. Thank heavens Dante was a better person than I am. If I were him, I don't think I would have ever spoken to me again, but then I don't know who I would be without him.

Although, I've seen the chicks Tristan surrounds himself with, and cooties would be the least of my concern. I chuckle at the thought of telling him he has cooties. On that note, I now feel the need to seriously wash my mouth out- so fucking gross. The mental images of where that man has likely put his mouth alone will give me nightmares. One of those really contagious yawns overcomes me and I forget what I was stupidly thinking about as I throw on a t shirt and crawl into the bed, praying silently for a peaceful night.

A knock at the door jolts me from whatever dream I was having. Turning to the alarm clock on the nightstand, I stifle a groan at the 10:00 a.m. taunting me. Jumping up and throwing on a pair of lounge pants, I head for the door cursing myself for being stupid enough to forget to set my alarm last night. Not paying one bit of attention, I stumble into an end table stubbing my toe. “Fuck a monkey's uncle, you fucking son of a whore!"

Yes I know my choice of words are less than ladylike but fuck that hurt, stupid table. When I open the door, the small woman in front of it is staring at me with wide eyes, unsure if I was speaking to her or someone else. Giving her a small smile I ask if I can help her, not even noticing the cart she's pushing. Informing me she's from room service, she decidedly pushes past me with her tray. I try informing her, to no avail, that I didn't order anything. Her English is a bit shaky, so she shakes her head, says, “Right room,” and walks back out the door and down the hall.

I get ready to call downstairs to have them come take it away, only my name on a small envelope sitting on the cart stops me in my tracks. Sadly, that note will just have to wait because I'm now running late and if there is one thing I know that pisses Ele off, its people with no sense of time.

Ten minutes later I'm dressed and ready to get through this day so I can get the hell out of here. I prepare to head out, trying to avoid the note I convince myself I have no desire to read. It's a little white lie because I want at the very least to know who it's from. As I leave the room, I slip the note from the envelope and read the two words scribbled across the note.
I'm Sorry
, T. That's it? I'm sorry? Sorry for what, for being a douche canoe, for attacking my face, or for being a cheeky fucker who can't keep his hands to himself? I mean if we're being honest here, there needs to be several more "I'm Sorry’s."

Okay, so maybe I am slightly bitchy this morning, but a lack of caffeine and food has me agitated. Granted, I'm sure the tray he sent had some form of deliciousness to serve as his apology, but since I went to bed pissed off because of said asshat, I forgot to set my alarm and now I have no time to indulge in a damn thing. I like my ass right where it is, so I'm not about to have Ele chewing it off because I'm an inconsiderate bitch who couldn't get up on time.

I spend the majority of the signing in awe of all the wonderful support I have. It’s always the best feeling getting to meet new people that my words have somehow touched. The other portion though, is spent avoiding the ogling of one brooding sexy giant of a man. I guess he isn’t thrilled that I haven’t acknowledged his half assed attempt at an apology. I mean honestly if you’re going to apologize, you should at least mention what for.

I have stayed at my table in an attempt to avoid having to speak to him, and every time I have found him wandering near me, I simply made conversation with whoever else was standing around. It’s petty, but he isn’t someone I need to have distracting me. Sadly, just when I think I might have successfully avoided him, I turn a bit too quickly and almost land in his lap.

Frustrated at the fact that he is standing there in the first place, I take my embarrassment out on him. “Is there a reason you’re stalking me, Asshat? What, there aren’t enough other women here to tickle your pickle? You have to annoy me?”

He smirks at me and responds, “What can I say? I’m a sucker for your ever so sunny disposition.”

I look around the room, and notice no one is within hearing distance. My fingers are itching to smack that stupid ass grin off of his face. I honestly think that by now, he’d give the fuck up. It’s not that he isn’t nice to look at, but I don’t have energy to fend off some Casanova trying to fuck with my happy place.

“Look, pretty boy, cut the bullshit okay. We both know whatever the fuck is going on here is more about your need for sadistic gratification than my charming personality. If you’re really that hard up for attention, I’m sure there is a hotline you can call that will demean and degrade your ass all day long.”

He continues to smile sweetly, which pisses me off even more.

“I’m sure I could get plenty of women to do exactly what I want,” he cooed. “The problem is, you aren’t one of them. Why exactly is that, Spitfire? Why are you the only one who seems to be immune to charm?”

I scoff at his words.

“Your charm…? You’re a borderline stalker. You’ve damn near plowed me over. You treated my chest like it was a fucking happy meal, and then you attacked my face with your lips. I’m not sure I see what is charming in all of that.  So how about instead of you trying to crawl up my ass, you find someone who appreciates your special brand of attention,” I sassed, before walking away from him and ending this ridiculous conversation.

I have only a half hour left to go in the event before I can pack it up and hightail my ass out of here. Just as I think I am home free, and as I think that I have managed to fly under my mother’s radar, I realize I am sadly mistaken. As I am busy gathering up the remnants of my belongings from the table, one of the women who works for the hotel says there is a call asking if I am checked in here. She tells me it is an older sounding woman who seemed agitated when she informed her that yes, I am here. This is the only motivation I need to haul my ass out of the banquet room, and get the hell out of here.

Having successfully avoided any unneeded confrontation, I am packed and heading out the door. While waiting for the valet to bring my car around, Tristan clears his throat behind me. I can't help but roll my eyes, both at the childish behavior and the fact that not two minutes earlier I was free and clear. I just had to jinx my ass by opening my big mouth. Yes, even if I am just talking to myself, that shit counts. 

I turn around to face a rather pissed off man. Well now, that wasn't expected. What could he honestly have to be pissed about? Is it the fact I had no intention to hunt for him and say goodbye, or my lack of concern for his lip that is sporting a lasting imprint of my teeth? Last I checked Asshat and I weren’t actually friends so the look of sheer annoyance on his face is completely unjustified.

Tristan

Electra was right. Bentley really was just going to disappear into the night. Even after what happened at the event, she was just going to walk the fuck away, and not say a word. I wonder if she even stopped to say goodbye to Ele. Yeah, I bet she did. I get it, really I do. I mean all I've done is give her a hard time, but damn if she isn't infuriating.

The fucking mouth on this woman! I'd love to see it wrapped around my dick while on her knees, my hands wrapped in her hair tugging it as she deep throats me. I’m pretty sure that shit will never happen. Not only does she not seem the type to get on her knees, I'm pretty sure she'd try to bite my shit off. I watch as she wraps her arms around herself waiting to see which of us will break first. She turns as the valet brings her car around, getting ready to make a quick escape.

To hell with that, nothing about this is going to be quick. I got shit to say and she's going to fucking listen. I've never let a woman get under my skin. There's never been a woman I couldn't just fuck and walk away from- yet I'm standing out here like some lovesick puppy, pissed because she's brushing me off. Not happening, I'm like that sticky shit on your shoes. You don't fucking get rid of me unless I want you to, and right now I'm not going anywhere. I know she intends to get in that car and drive off into the sunset, go home to her little fortress and lock herself away. What she doesn't seem to understand is life's full of curveballs and she's about to get tossed her last strike.

I'm not taking no for an answer, because right now there is nothing I want more than the little Spitfire standing in front of me. Sure she can run, but she can't hide. I will find her. She may not understand, but the more Bentley makes me chase her, the sweeter it's going to be to claim her. She's mine. She may not believe it now, hell she might never believe it, but her fate is set. Now it's just a game of cat and mouse, and damn if this cat don't like to play.

“So what, you plan on just leaving? Not even say a word, just get in your car and go?"

She looks at me all flustered, her breath fogging the air as she replies, "I need to go. I'm going to miss my flight, and since you and I aren't exactly friends I didn't see any need to drag you away from whatever harem you’re indulging in this evening just to say goodbye. Sorry to disappoint you, but I really don't see any point in idle chatter and dragging out goodbyes. Now if you don't mind, I really need to get the hell out of here, like yesterday. Enjoy your trip. Be sure Ele at least gives you a small tour of the town before taking off, and have a nice life Tristan. I'd say it was nice meeting you, but truthfully it was interesting at best."

I watch as she climbs into the rental and drives away. Interesting? Meeting me was interesting? What the hell does that mean? She really must think I'm some chump loser she can just brush off. Well that’s what she gets for assuming, because I'm not done with her yet. I head back inside and hunt Ele down. I hate leaving shit unfinished, and Bentley and I are nowhere close to done.

I pound on Electra's door until she answers. She steps back as I stomp into the room. Ele and I have known each other for years, so she doesn't need to ask to know something is wrong, and I'm really not in the mood to spell it out for her.

"She's gone," I say, as I slump down on the loveseat.

"I know," she says as she takes a seat next to me. "It's not easy for her to be here; she had to go. It really is for the best, because she can't be here. I'm sorry, Tryst, really I am, but this isn't about you. You need to leave this alone."

Leave it alone? She can't really be serious… leave it alone. Just forget the pit forming in my stomach and walk away. No, I guess she's the one who doesn't understand.

Through gritted teeth I reply, “Leave it alone. Walk away. It's for the best? Are you fucking serious right now, Ele, tell me why it’s for the best? She couldn’t get the fuck away from me fast enough. Shit, she probably dented the car pushing against it to get away from me. So tell me, Ele, because she ran away faster than a hooker in a confession.”

Ele laughs before bringing her hand to my back, rubbing back and forth. “I swear, Tryst, this wasn’t about you. Her father called me a bit ago. Somehow her mom found out she was here and was heading over, so she needed to leave before all hell broke loose. Bentley's mother is a scary woman who is capable of doing unspeakable things, and she hates Bentley. More so, since the day they declared Cora dead. Believe me this has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with that heinous bitch," she shutters as she finishes the statement.