Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Noelle
I slipped out of the back of the bar and into the snowy parking lot.
A gust of wind hit me, and a shiver ran through me as I made my way around to the front of the building where I spotted a cab sitting across the street.
I waved at the driver, who quickly drove over to where I stood and rolled his window down.
“Can I get a lift over to Ryerson Street?” I asked, still shivering.
“Hop in,” he said, signaling to the back.
I did as he asked, thankful he’d left his car running and had the heat on. I wrapped my coat tightly around me and watched out the window as he pulled away and drove toward my house.
My parents weren’t back until later today, thank goodness, so that would ease questions being asked when I walked through the door.
When I arrived, I let myself inside, immediately going up to my room, where I quickly changed out of the clothes I’d been wearing.
I took a hot shower, taking my time and allowing the heat from the water to sink into my aching muscles.
I then slid into a pair of jeans and a sweater.
I should try to lie down, get some rest, but I couldn’t even think about sleeping after what had happened only a few short hours ago. My mind was racing, my heart was pounding, and every way I moved, I could still feel Bentley Grey firmly planted between my legs.
I’d wondered what it would be like to lose my virginity, but never in my wildest imagination had I figured it would be that good.
I had to leave though, because I feared that he’d tell me how wrong our actions had been and that it never should have happened, and I knew hearing those words from him would crush me in a way nothing else ever could.
I needed to remain in this fantasy world I’d created in my head, where he wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with him.
If that meant leaving, then I’d done the right thing.
I walked over and looked at myself in the mirror and then grabbed my phone, sending Kelsey a message. No doubt she was probably still asleep, but I hoped that the ping from my message would wake her up and she’d meet me for breakfast somewhere. I needed my best friend right now.
When she didn’t answer after twenty minutes I decided to leave, I was too excited to stay put at the house. I made my way down to the breakfast diner on the corner and placed my order, still waiting for Kelsey to text me back.
* * *
“What time did you want to make your way back to your house?” Kelsey questioned, sitting across from me, shoving the last bite of her waffle into her mouth.
Despite all my excitement about last night, I had shared nothing with Kelsey when she finally arrived at the diner.
I figured it was best left unsaid for now.
Especially since we would head back to my house for my parents’ annual birthday bash they threw for me every year, and I already knew there was no way I was getting out of it. I’d already tried.
“Soon, I guess. I want to get the torture over with.”
Kelsey giggled as she shoved her plate off to the edge of the table. “If you hate the party, why don’t you tell them?”
“It’s not that I hate it, it’s just I think they hold it more for themselves than for me. It’s always their friends that come.”
“Which means you get to see Bentley.” Kelsey winked.
I felt my face heat at his name and at the memory of last night, not because he’d be there. The last few years Bentley hadn’t made it to my birthday bash, and after I bailed this morning, I was certain this year would be no different.
“Sadly, he doesn’t normally show up.” I pouted.
Kelsey again giggled and shook her head. “Oh well, it’s probably best.” She winked.
We paid our bill and headed back to my parents.
Cars lined our streets and my stomach sank, realizing how many people they must have invited.
While she pulled into the driveway, I saw my car was there, the tire no longer flat, which made me wonder who’d fixed it.
I had called no one, and I hadn’t told my parents.
The only people who knew about the flat tire were Kelsey, Macy, and Bentley, and I knew Kelsey and Macy wouldn’t have it fixed.
“Let’s go, shall we?” I said, turning to look at Kelsey.
“I thought you said you got a flat?” Kelsey asked, nodding toward my car.
“I did, let’s go,” I repeated.
“Are you sure you really got a flat? That you weren’t just telling me that so I wouldn’t worry about you?”
“I swear to you, it was flatter than a pancake. Now, let’s go inside.”
“I can’t. I wasn’t invited.” She giggled. “So I hope you have fun.”
I looked at her, annoyed. “You’re invited. It’s my birthday bash! You’re invited!”
“Who says? Your parents certainly didn’t invite me.”
“I say. Now let’s go.”
She burst out laughing and cut the engine and we both made our way inside.
I pushed the front door open, surprised to find the living room empty. Normally, it would be full of people.
“Perhaps they are surprising you and have done what you’ve asked,” Kelsey whispered.
“Not with all those cars out there.” I shrugged and made my way into the kitchen only to jump as a crowd of people yelled “Surprise!” and broke out singing “Happy Birthday.” My parents came over and wrapped their arms around me, pulling me in for a hug.
Once everyone finished singing “Happy Birthday,” my mom and dad took everyone into the back room where they had a pile of food placed and a large birthday cake.
I walked around, stopping and speaking with my aunts and uncles and my parents’ friends. As I neared the last few people, I swallowed hard. I didn’t know why I thought this year would be different, but once again, Bentley wasn’t here.
Tears formed in my eyes as my heart sank, and I made my way back to the kitchen to get myself a soda from the fridge. I didn’t know why I was suddenly feeling this way. I shut the fridge door, opened my soda, and turned to see Bentley standing there holding an enormous bouquet.
“You came,” I whispered.
“Wouldn’t miss it. Happy birthday,” he said, handing me the bouquet of mixed flowers.
I took them from him, my fingers brushing his as our eyes locked, and buried my nose into the flowers. They smelled heavenly.
“Oh, Bentley, how nice of you to come,” I heard my mother say from behind me. “We’ve missed you the past few years.”
I looked up to see him nod and smile in her direction as she took the flowers from me and placed them in a vase, all while Bentley kept his eyes firmly planted on mine.
“Jenelle, you know I always try to get here, but with work, sometimes the fun has to be put off to the side.”
I could see the look in his eyes as he finished speaking.
It was the same look he’d given me last night when he’d told me it’d be better to go home.
Perhaps he’d been right, I thought as I tore my eyes from his.
I wasn’t ready to face reality yet. Anxiety overtook me, and I finally cleared my throat and told my mom I needed a few minutes alone.
She frowned, then let out a sigh. “Alright, darling, but only a few minutes. That’s her anxiety creeping in, just the way it does every year,” I heard my mother say as I left the kitchen with barely a glance at Bentley.
It wasn’t my anxiety, I thought as I rushed upstairs to my bedroom. Not in the way she meant, anyway. This was different. I had no idea how I was supposed to feel or act in Bentley’s presence after last night. I was just about to close the door when Bentley barged in and shut the door behind him.
“Noelle?”
“What are you doing?” I whispered, panicked.
He grabbed hold of me and pulled me against him. “Why did you leave this morning?” He demanded.
I shrugged, afraid to say what was on my mind.
“Tell me, darlin.” He placed his finger under my chin, tilting my head back so he could look into my eyes.
“I didn’t want to hear that you were done with me.” I whispered.
“I’m far from being fucking done with you,” he whispered, placing his lips on mine, giving me one of the roughest, yet passionate kisses I’d ever experienced.
“You are?” I questioned, breathless from the kiss we’d just shared.
He slowly nodded his head as he gripped the hem of my shirt and lifted it up over my head.
“Not here!” I said, my voice cracking.
“Yes, here,” he growled, pulling the straps of my bra from my shoulder, exposing my breasts to him. “Right now.” He said, his voice strained.
He bent down and took one nipple into his mouth, sucking and biting the first before he moved to the second. I closed my eyes as chills ran through me as his rough hands pushed my pants to the floor.
“But my parents are downstairs…”
He sucked my earlobe between his lips and then kissed down the side of my neck. “I know…but I need to have you… I want you, just as much, if not more, than you want me,” he whispered. “Turn around, bend over and place your hands on the bed.”
I did as I was told. I could feel my centre throbbing and dripping with excitement as I listened as his belt hit the floor. His right hand rested on my hip, and I shuddered as I felt him run his finger up my inner thigh and through my wet centre.
“I see you’re ready for me,” he said, his voice gruff, filled with want.
“So ready…” I moaned.
I closed my eyes, waiting for his intrusion as I felt his cock pressing against my opening. He gripped my hips and, in one quick motion, buried himself deep inside of me. I was still sore from last night, and even though it felt amazing I cried out as he slammed deep into me.
“Fuck, you’ve got to be quiet,” he hissed and brought his hand to my mouth, covering it as he pulled out and slammed back into me. He pulled me up, my back against his chest, and met my lips, muffling my cries as he continued pumping into me.
I closed my eyes, trying to focus on him and not the fact that this felt so fucking wrong that we were up in my bedroom and my parents were downstairs below us holding a party for my birthday.
* * *
I came out of my bathroom and looked at Bentley, who sat on the edge of my bed. I’d figured he’d have gone back downstairs before my parents could realize he was missing.
“Do I look okay?” I questioned, straightening the sweater I’d been wearing.
Bentley stood and nodded as he looked me over. “Like an angel,” he whispered, placing a kiss on my lips.
I wanted more of this, not just sex. I wanted to know what it felt like to be his, but I needed to let go of that idea. There was no way on this earth my parents would ever accept us together. I didn’t even need to ask to find out.
“You should get back downstairs,” I said, meeting his eyes quickly, then averting them. “Before they wonder where you are,” I added.
I was about to turn away when I felt his forefinger under my chin.
“Meet me tonight,” he whispered.
Excitement filled me at the thought he wanted to see me again. I placed my hands on his chest. “Where?”
“My bar.”
I knew I shouldn’t, but I nodded anyway. In this moment the only thing I wanted was to be held in his arms.
“I’ll see you downstairs, birthday girl.”
Bentley was gone in a flash. I took a quick minute to gather myself. I did not know how long we’d been up here, and I prayed that my mother was busy enough with others to not have noticed my absence.
I took a deep breath and made my way downstairs and joined the party, looking forward to only one thing: meeting Bentley tonight at the bar.