Love Entwined (5 page)

“You don’t pay me enough to be able to sleep on my couch,” she sassed.

“You’re right, my friendship is the only payment you need. And we’re changing the subject, so tell me why you’re walking like your eighty-year-old grandmother?”

“Pfft. Have you seen Doris bust a move on the dance floor tonight? Ever since she got her knees and hips done she’s been a beast. I wish I could fly around like she does.”

“Yeah, I did,” I chuckled. “She had Bentley out there doing the Cha-Cha Slide. I thought he was going to wave his white flag if she’d kept going. Seriously though, are you OK? You look like you’re about to die. The Grumpy Cat scowl on your face doesn’t scream blushing bride.”

“Yeah, my feet are just killing me. Whoever told me to buy the four-inch stilettos needs to be punched in the throat,” she said, glaring at me. “Oh wait! That was you! ‘They’re cute,’ you said. ‘Think about how they’ll look in the air and wrapped around your husband’s neck,’ you said. I think you forgot to factor in how miserable I would be and how much I really enjoy my Tieks.”

“You done?”

“What? Tieks even came out with a new bridal line!” she huffed.

“No? How ‘bout now? You done now?”

“Fine, but these damn things are going in the garbage in the morning. I do fully intend to make use of them tonight, though.”

“See! You can’t deny the fact that you’re already wet thinking about seeing those resting on Greg’s shoulders as he eats at your buffet later. Am I right?” I said, nudging her in the shoulder.

We were both doubled over in laughter when Bentley and Greg approached us from behind.

Bentley put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.

“You’re dancing with me this time. I’m not taking no for an answer so don’t even try to pull away,” he stated gruffly into my ear. Before I even had time to respond, the DJ began announcing the next song.

“This song goes out to tonight’s maid of honor from the best man,” he said over the loudspeaker. “Shamrock, here’s to reconnecting, second chances, and never having to say goodbye.”

I heard just the first few beats of Meghan Trainor’s and John Legend’s duet, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” and the tears began. The song fit us like a glove—like it was written just for the two of us.

Bentley pulled me into his chest and wiped my tears with his thumb.

“I thought when you walked away earlier that we were done,” I whispered.

“I was giving you some time—some space. I know seeing each other after all the years has been difficult for you. Shit, it’s been difficult for me. But, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel an immediate connection with you. I’m drawn to you, Shamrock. Please say you’ll dance with me?”

“I didn’t think you were giving me a choice,” I teased. “But if you’re really giving me the option . . .” I added with a wink.

“Yeah, I’m not. Especially since you’re toying with me now. Do you see what you’re doing to me?” he said, nodding down at his fully aroused state.

I gasped at his candidness. “Bentley!”

Bentley released me from his hold and grabbed my hands so there was at least some space between us.

“Don’t make me apologize for wanting you, Shamrock. I’m a man—a man with needs—and you’re fucking gorgeous. I always thought you were pretty, but fuck . . .” he trailed off, as he began eyeing me up and down as if he were a lion and I his prey.

I stood there speechless for a moment. “The song is almost over. Maybe we should just actually dance since you went to the trouble of requesting it for me,” I finally suggested.

“I think you’re right,” he agreed, pulling me toward the dance floor.

Once we’d secured our place among the other couples, he brought me to his chest once again. His fingers rubbed up and down my spine as I placed my cheek against his chest. The sound of Bentley’s heart beating was a reminder that he was here with me and I couldn’t be afraid to lose him—like I seemed to lose everyone that I’ve ever cared about.

The song ended, but we held each other for a few more beats. I tried pulling away, but instead he cupped the side of my face and looked deep into my soul. Without hesitation, Bentley lightly brushed his lips against mine. His lips tasted like the champagne we’d both been drinking throughout the night. I suddenly craved more and I wasn’t talking about the bubbly. I needed more Bentley.

I hummed, virtually giving him the go-ahead to deepen the kiss. He moved without hesitation as he nipped on my lower lip before parting my seam with a flick of his tongue. Our tongues danced to the rhythm of the next song and I could feel his arousal only grow against my stomach. His lips were searing mine. The kiss was deep and passionate as if he were branding me—marking me as his own.

With his kiss, I was transported back in time when Bentley and I first kissed—only I was twelve then and we were experimenting in his tree house.

We’d spent three summers designing and constructing the tree house with a lot of extra help from Uncle James. Bentley’s family had a cabin in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg and my mom and I often visited when my Aunt Char and Uncle James would stay.

“Bentley, why does this sign say no girls allowed?” I asked, ripping the sign down as I crouched down so I wouldn’t hit my head on the low-hanging piece of tree bark. “I’m a girl and I helped you build this thing. Are we not friends anymore?”

“You’re not a girl. You don’t count, Shamrock.”

“I am too a girl,” I yelled.

“Well you aren’t one of THOSE girls.”

“And who are THOSE girls?” I questioned.

“All of the girls at school want to hold hands and kiss and stuff. You aren’t like that, Shamrock.”

I sighed for a minute. I was like that—I just couldn’t tell him. I really liked Bentley, but I didn’t want to lose my best friend. I guess this was my chance. It was now or never.

“But . . .” I paused.

“But what, Shamrock? Spill it. No secrets between us, remember?”

“Yes, I remember,” I said, hesitantly. “But, what if I wanted to kiss you?”

“Do you want to kiss me?”

I needed to tell him the truth—it was now or never. “Yes,” I said, blinking rapidly so I could avoid looking him in the eyes.

“I’ve waited forever to hear you say that,” he sighed in relief, before coming in and planting the wettest, sloppiest kiss on my lips.

I squirmed with the sudden invasion of his lips on mine and fell backwards onto the floor boards. I bumped my head and the walls of the tree house began spinning around me. I tried to sit up but my ponytail holder got caught around one of the nails in the floor. If I’d fallen on it any harder, it probably would’ve pierced my skin. Bentley put his hand behind my head and tried unhooking my hair tie, but his thumb managed to pick up a splinter in the process. He was finally able to get me down the ladder and back to the cabin where his mom was able to remove the splinter wedged in his thumb.

Because of my fall, my mom insisted on taking me to the hospital. I had to spend the evening in the emergency room where I was treated for a concussion. I remember Bentley sat by my bed holding my hand the entire time, saying he would never try and kiss me again. I knew I didn’t want that, but I did think that whoever thought first kisses were magical was sadly mistaken.

I chuckled to myself before Bentley pulled away. He left me breathless and I immediately yearned for his warm lips against mine.

“I know you aren’t actually laughing because there’s nothing to laugh about here,” he said, with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

“Oh, I’m most definitely not laughing at what just happened. No, that—that was definitely magical unlike our first kiss. Do you remember that afternoon in the tree house?”

He laughed, “How could I forget? I do believe I said I would never kiss you again.”

“It didn’t take you long to break that promise,” I reminded him. “I’m pretty sure you were kissing me again the next day.”

“I was and if I recall it got better with each kiss,” he said, pecking me on the nose before he twirled me around and dipped me. For a moment, it was like we were the only ones on the dance floor.

The lights brightened, reminding us that we weren’t in fact alone. I looked over and saw Katie in the middle of a conversation with her not-so-favorite aunt.

“I think maid of honor duty calls,” I said, pointing in Katie’s direction. “It looks like she needs saving from an awkward conversation. I’ll see you later?”

“You can count on it, Shamrock,” Bentley said, taking my hand and kissing it lightly.

I turned and walked away stopping to take a quick peek behind my shoulder. Bentley was watching me walk away and as I turned he blew a kiss in my direction. I swiveled on my heels and tossed my hands in the air to capture his kiss in my palm. I held it against my chest for a minute before blowing one back in his direction just as we’d done as kids. I couldn’t help the butterflies that were swirling around inside me. Bentley was affecting me, whether I wanted him to or not.

“Oh my god, you really saved my ass out there,” Katie said as we walked toward the photo booth. “Aunt Genevieve was going on and on about her gout. I swear I threw up in my mouth. I was worried next she was going to tell me about the most effective brand of hemorrhoid cream.”

I snorted from my hysterical laughter. “I—I can’t even,” I giggled as we both entered the booth.

“What? You know it’s true,” she exclaimed, draping a bright pink, feather boa around her neck.

“OK, moving on,” I laughed. “How do these look? Do they make my nose look big?” I asked of the ginormous plastic glasses I’d put on my face.

“Beautiful as always, darling!”

Katie and I tried on various accessories from shiny beads to glittery masquerade masks and plastic mustaches. We were giggling so hard at all the photos being printed inside that we didn’t even hear Greg and Bentley enter the booth behind us.

“Boo!” they shouted in unison, causing us both to jump.

“Eeeek,” Katie screamed, jumping out of her seat. “Don’t do that again. I almost peed myself and I’m not wearing any underwear under this thing.”

“You’re not?” Greg said, his eyes bulging out of his head. “I think I need to further inspect this situation,” he added, bending over to grab the hem of Katie’s dress. Bentley and I turned to look at each other with horror written on our faces.

“What do we do?” I mouthed.

“I have no idea because they’re blocking our exit,” he responded, sounding a little panicked.

Katie burst into a fit of laughter. “Would you all calm down! Of course I’m wearing underwear. And, Gregory, stop trying to lift up my skirt. No one wants to see the granny panties that I actually have hiding under here!”

“Ugh. Way to ruin it for me, Katie,” Greg groaned. “You couldn’t just let me pretend you were going commando under there. That would have been epic.”

“You know what else would be epic? The groom sleeping alone on his wedding night,” she deadpanned.

The look on Greg’s face was priceless. “Oh snap! She got you, Gregory!” I giggled, fist bumping my best friend.

“Something tells me you don’t actually mean that,” Greg said, capturing Katie’s lips.

“Seriously, you two need to get a room,” Bentley piped in.

“I think we’re gonna sneak off for a bit. You two cover for us,” Greg said with a wink, picking Katie up and carrying her out of the photo booth.

“Those two really are perfect for each other,” Bentley said, surprising me.

“Bentley Roberts, you sound like such a hopeless romantic.”

“I guess I can be. It’s just nice to see them happy,” he said, placing a top hat on his head.

“Looks good on you, but I think you should try the cowboy hat on instead,” I suggested.

“Yeah? Wanna ride a cowboy, huh?” he said, pulling me down onto his lap and placing the cowboy hat on my head.

The light from the camera’s flash blinked once as Bentley captured my mouth with his.

I giggled, pulling away from his embrace. If I kept allowing him to kiss me like that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep controlling myself around him.

“That’s hardly what I said and you know it,” I added in mock disgust.

“I can’t help that my ears only hear what they want to hear,” he shrugged, innocently.

We spent the next several minutes in the booth making goofy faces as the camera captured every moment of our reunion. I pulled the strip of photos out of the printer and hardly had a chance to look at them before Bentley pulled them from my grip.

“Can I have those?” he asked.

“Sure. But why?”

“It’s not important why. I just want to remember this moment. That’s all. Hopeless romantic—remember?”

“Right,” I sighed. “We should probably get out of here though. I think there are people waiting to get in here to take their picture for the album.”

Nearing midnight, the wedding reception was coming to an end.

“I guess it’s time to say goodbye. I need to see if Katie needs anything,” I said, exiting the photo booth.

“Meet me at the bottom of the stairs after Greg and Katie leave,” Bentley requested. “I’m not ready to say goodbye to you. Not yet.”