Love Entwined (11 page)

“If I don’t stop now, I won’t be able to walk out that door. Just know, I’m not stopping this weekend,” he whispered, before turning to leave.

I closed the door behind them and sank to the floor in relief. Tanner had been able to steal another piece of my heart right along with his father. I rested my head against the back of the door and said a silent prayer that I would recover if I ever lost them.

B
entley was coming to pick me up in just a few short hours and I still hadn’t packed a thing. I sat on the floor of my walk-in closet with a pile of clothes strewn about. I was only going for a few days, but I felt like I needed to pack for an entire month. It was the middle of summer, but we were going to the mountains. I could be in shorts and a bikini top during the day, but would need a hoodie at night. And, I didn’t know what Bentley had planned for the evenings. I knew he’d want to spend some time with his mom during the day, but knowing him he’d made reservations for dinner at some fancy restaurants—which would require at least one little black dress, and jewelry to accessorize. And, shoes—footwear was an entirely different predicament all together.
Where is Katie when I need her.
I sighed in frustration as my phone jingled beside me.

“Seriously, how did you know I needed you right now?” I said, without even properly greeting my best friend.

“Instinct,” she laughed. “I knew you were leaving with Bentley in a few hours and I figured you were going crazy. I take it by your ‘hello,’ or lack thereof that I’m correct?”

“I don’t know what to pack!” I yelled in desperation through the phone. “Seriously, I wish there were like some sort of time travel portal that could get you from Bora Bora to my bedroom with a snap of my fingers.”

“Sorry, no such luck,” she said.

“We really need to get on that then. Think of all the millions we could make.”

“OK, well you contact the investors on that
Shark Tank
show and tell me when to show up.”

“I’ll get right on that, but in the meantime, I need some serious help. What the hell am I supposed to pack?” I said, frantically.

“I’m still not following. Does it really matter? Won’t you be walking around ‘nekked,’ and getting busy on a bearskin rug the entire time?”

“There’s not a bearskin rug, asshole.”

“Caught ya! You didn’t deny walking around in your birthday suit, or getting busy! Oh, and there’s totally a bearskin rug,” Katie chuckled.

“Whatever. I will not confirm, or deny anything. And, how the fuck would you know if there’s a bearskin rug?” I said, wiping the tears from my eyes from uncontrollable laughter.

“Greg told me about it. He went down there on some boys’ fishing weekend a few years ago. He says it’s the cheesiest thing ever, but he secretly wants to get one for the bedroom. He won’t admit it, but I know he wants one. It’s right up there with a mirror for the ceiling.”

“Eww, seriously! I’ve heard enough. I don’t need to know about your weird sexcapades. Besides, you need to tell me what to pack already. Bentley is going to be here in less than two hours and I still need to shower.”

“Don’t forget to shave—everywhere,” she interjected.

“I’m ignoring you.” I said, scrunching my face with the realization that I did in fact need some maintenance down there.

“You do know that if you were really ignoring me, you wouldn’t have first told me you were ignoring me.”

“Ugh! Would you stop being a smartass and help me pack. Why do I get the feeling that you’re drunk anyways?”

“I’m not drunk. Well, unless you count the three mimosas I’ve had at every meal since I’ve been here,” she said, hiccupping.

“Oh my god. You’re ridiculous. I’m hanging up and Facetiming you so you can see my closet. You’re helping me even if you’re plastered.”

“I’m not pla–.” I ended the call before she’d even finished denying her current inebriated status. I quickly dialed her again using the Facetime feature on my iPhone. “stered,” she finished as she answered the call.

After about thirty minutes, I’d finally packed three suitcases. It was probably way too much, but Katie really wasn’t much help and I ended up packing everything around me—I figured I’d rather have too much than too little.”

“Seriously, four suitcases?” Bentley asked with a raised brow.

“No, I only have three, thank you very much.”

“One, two, three, four. There are definitely four bags there, Shamrock. I think you need to watch the counting episode of Sesame Street again. You know the one with the stuffed Muppet, Dracula guy.”

“The Count?” I deadpanned, not amused by his attempt at humor.

“Yes, that’s it. I guess that would’ve been the obvious name choice,” he laughed. “Do you want me to check the showtimes on Public Broadcasting,” he asked, grabbing his phone out of his pocket.

“Really? Are you done? Because the fourth bag you pointed at isn’t a suitcase—it’s my purse.”

“Well when your purse is big enough to hold everything and the kitchen sink then I count it as a suitcase.”

“Why do I continuously allow myself to fall for you?” I said, shaking my head, as I tried to suppress my laughter.

“Because I’m irresistible,” he said, placing a lingering kiss on the corner of my mouth.

I didn’t know how he was able to do it with such a simple gesture, but again Bentley had been able to take my breath away.

“Yeah, I guess you are,” I sighed.

“As much as I’d love to kiss you here all day we should probably get going. I’d like to make it to the cabin before the sun goes down.”

“OK. If you insist,” I agreed, pulling away from his hold.

“I do, but seriously though, do you really need all that stuff? We’re only going for a few days.”

“I know! I really tried, but I have no idea how hot or cold it’s going to be. I just want to be prepared, that’s all. After all, it can get pretty cold up in the mountains at night.”

“I can think of plenty of other ways to keep you warm, Ireland,” Bentley said, his eyes penetrating mine. “And, if I’m really being honest I’d rather you not bring any clothes at all.”

His words left me tingling between my thighs. Two can play at this game.

“Well, if you’d like, we can leave that suitcase behind,” I said, pointing to my pink, over-the-shoulder bag.

Bentley eyed me curiously. “OK. But why that one?” he asked, suspiciously.

“Because that one is full of my lingerie,” I said with a wink, before retreating into the SUV as quickly as possible. I shut the door and burst into laughter. After several seconds, I looked in the rearview mirror and saw Bentley still standing behind the car with his mouth wide open.

Looks like I won this round.

“Are you one of these guys that only stops when his fuel tank is on E? Or am I allowed to ask for potty breaks? I asked as Bentley backed the Range Rover down the driveway.

“Depends,” he said, without continuing.

“On what?” I asked.

“Are you one of those girls that has to piddle every hour? Because if that’s the case then I’m most certainly the guy that only stops when we need to fill the gas tank,” he smirked.

“No, I think I can hold it for more than an hour,” I laughed, slapping him on his rock-hard chest. “Does that mean I can ask then?”

He sighed. “I suppose, but only because I like you,” he said, taking one hand off the wheel and resting it on my thigh. It was such a sweet, romantic gesture. I knew it now more than ever that in just a few days this man had been able to find a way into my heart. I was going to tell him this weekend. I just needed to figure out how.

“Shamrock, are you hungry?” Bentley asked as he lightly tapped my shoulder.

“Maybe a little,” I mumbled, opening my eyes. “Where are we?”

“I was running low on gas. We’re almost through Ohio. I didn’t want to wake Sleeping Beauty, but I thought you might be hungry. It looks like there’s a Wendy’s inside. Do you want to go in and eat, or do you just want me to grab you something?”

“I slept that long? I’m so sorry! I’m a terrible road trip partner,” I groaned.

“I was probably drooling, too,” I added, wiping the corner of my mouth. Oh god. You aren’t going to want to take me anywhere ever again!”

“Ireland, relax. It’s not a big deal. You were tired. I loved watching you sleep next to me,” he said.

“I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to do that—,” he paused before continuing. “I just assumed that after everything you might be a little hesitant about long car rides. And, for the record, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go, Shamrock.”

“Honestly, even after nearly twenty years, I still get nervous about getting in a car. I’m just as shocked as you are that I could fall asleep. I guess you just make me feel safe,” I said with a sad smile.

He squeezed my thigh. From just that simple gesture, I felt my heart skip a beat. “You stay here while I top the tank off. I’ll just run inside and grab something really quick so we can get back on the road.”

“Sounds good,” I said, slouching back down in the seat. Bentley had already finished pumping the gas and was already inside the restaurant before I realized I hadn’t told him what I wanted to eat. Suddenly my stomach growled. I guess anything would do at this point.

I looked back up at the sound of the car door opening. Bentley handed me two large cups and a paper bag before he slid into the driver’s seat.

Opening the bag, I was shocked to see only two large fries. “You remembered?”

“What? Large chocolate Frosties and French fries? That was our thing. How could I ever forget?”

“It’s just that everyone else thinks it’s disgusting when I dip my fries into the chocolaty goodness,” I said, reaching into the bag for a thick-cut fry.

“Nope. I don’t care how old I am, or what diet I’m on. I’ll always indulge in a Frosty and fries. I even taught Tanner to double dip,” he said with a shrug.

“Mmmmmmm,” I moaned. “I haven’t had this in a few years. It may actually be better than sex.”

“You won’t be saying that after this weekend,” Bentley said, popping another fry in his mouth.

My heart fluttered in my chest and my cheeks immediately flushed at his admission. I quickly turned my head to look out the window. Finishing the rest of my fries in silence, I said a silent prayer that Bentley couldn’t see the effect he was having on me.