fourteen
Mac
The fine hairs on the back of my neck stood on end with awareness. We were thirty minutes into watching the movie and I’d been on edge the entire time. Bentley was a foot away and we both sat like statues. It was like we were playing chicken and the first one to move would lose. Each minute that ticked by felt like an eternity. I thought about what Tanya had said about telling Bentley how I felt, but outside the privacy of her office, that seemed like an impossible idea. I was as indecisive as ever. I couldn’t deny the reaction he evoked from me when we were together. My pulse raced, making my breathing slightly heavier.
Feeling braver than I had in a long time, I moved my hand over until it was touching his. My eyes flickered away from the glowing TV screen to his face. His eyes remained on the movie, but I could see a small smile playing on his lips.
He surprised me by capturing my hand with his. Smiling, he turned my hand over and slowly traced the lines on my palm with the tip of his finger.
“We’re not watching the movie,” he said. Like I cared at that moment. I was more concerned with his finger tickling its way across the hypersensitive skin of my wrist.
“Yeah,” I answered as he began gently massaging my forearm. He moved in slow lazy circles, giving me goose bumps. My blood felt as if it was reaching a boiling point. Bentley’s touch was soft and tormenting, making me crazy with sensations I’d never experienced. I wanted him to tighten his hold, to stop the tingling of every nerve ending in my body. My free hand itched to grab his.
As I raised my head, I found his eyes locked with mine. He moved both his hands to my upper arms, tightening his hold in a way that made it clear he wanted more. It only served to set the fire in me to a roar, ready to blaze out of control.
My lips and throat completely dried out. I needed to tell him. I needed him to know what he was doing to me. “Bentley,” I gasped.
“I know,” he answered, pulling me closer. “We’re just friends.” His lips moved within an inch of mine.
I nodded my head in agreement, but I wanted more. He was so close, but still unattainable since he was holding me in place. His touch was rough, but in a demented sort of way that felt so good. “Bentley, please,” I found myself pleading.
“Please what?” He tea
sed my chin with the softness of his lips. The touch was foreign and erotic in a way that made me tremble from head to toe.
“Kiss me,” I uttered with another spasm of desire shaking me. The intense response of my body was intoxicating. I wondered if he felt the same, or was I just like any other girl he had been with?
His lips halted any further words. They settled on mine so abruptly, so fiercely, they crushed every bit of anticipation that had built to that point. This time it was me who held him in place as my fingers wove into his short locks of hair. Bentley’s tongue stroked against mine. Brazen and possessive, it felt so damn good, I pulled him closer. I opened up to him, giving him everything he sought and taking everything I needed. Nothing else mattered. His kisses somehow filled the emptiness I’d been feeling for so long. The empty shell that carried the ghosts of my past filled with an overflowing gamut of new emotion.
I was unsure how long we had kissed before we heard the jingling of keys. Bentley pulled away abruptly as the front door swung open. My fingertips moved to my lips, which felt swollen after the heat of passion.
A loud voice boomed behind me as the overhead light came on. “Dude, were you two sucking face?” There was no denying his statement considering I was still sitting with Bentley practically sprawled on top of me. He thought it was funny as he laughed at my feeble attempts at moving him off me. Bentley made it hard since he refused to let go of me.
“I thought you had class,” Bentley said over my head as he moved to his own spot next to me on the couch.
“It ended like an hour ago, bro.” His roommate bounced down on the couch where I had been sprawled. “I’m Chad,” he greeted me, offering his hand.
“Mac,” I returned, trying to maneuver around in Bentley’s arms so I could shake his hand.
He grinned at me. “Mac? I like it. Like mac and cheese. I’m a huge fan.”
“Chad,” Bentley warned, helping me position myself so I was tucked against his side.
“What? I’m serious,” Chad answered, holding his palms up. “So, what have you two wacky kids been up to sitting here in the dark?”
“Watching a movie,” Bentley answered.
“Really? Looks like I just missed it.” Chad looked pointedly at the TV, which was now displaying the movie’s menu screen. “Methinks you two were playing spin the bottle without the bottle.”
Bentley flicked him in the ear. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“Just being observant. I’m bummed I missed the movie, though. Ferris Bueller is my idol.”
“We can watch it again,” I offered since I’d missed about ninety percent of the movie.
“Ha, I knew you two were busy playing tonsil hockey,” Chad said, making himself comfortable as he restarted the movie.
“Make yourself at home,” Bentley drawled dryly.