Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
He drops his gaze to my neck. “You still wear it?”
I reach for the charm necklace and bring the bear to my lips. “I never take it off.”
“I have a ton of charms to add. Come here, beautiful. I want to make love to the love of my life.”
CHAPTER 35
AFresh Start
Zahirah
“Come on, baby. You know that was funny. I had the hardest time of my life trying not to laugh,” Bentley croons.
“Okay, okay, you’re not wrong, but you’re not going to do my buddy like that.”
My laughter fills the air as Bentley and I ride in his new sports car. We’re on our way to another date. This is our fifth date in the last two weeks.
“Eddy is a big boy; he can handle a little teasing. I’m still trying to figure out what he was thinking. Mom has always been sharp,” he says through his own laughter.
“He wasn’t thinking. I mean, come on. How much did you think things through when you were his age, wanting to impress the girls?”
He gives a small chuckle. “You were the only girl I was trying to impress, Zah. Remember? I had to think before I did everything.”
We’ve been to see a counselor, and we do a lot of talking and even journaling together. Bentley wants me to see he’s a changed man. He’s doing an amazing job.
I’ve seen it not only in his words but also in his actions. He’s an amazing father and a better boyfriend than I remember. It’s hard not to fall in love with him all over again.
I find myself smiling and laughing a lot these days. He reaches over and places his hand on my thigh. I look at the side of his face and smile, reaching to run my hand through his hair. He still keeps it long, the longest length reaching just past his shoulders.
Erica has been calling him John Wick. I’ve gotten a kick out of that. Yeah, Bentley’s haircut does come close, but that’s about it.
The one thing that has changed, which I noticed in Vegas two years ago, Bentley’s body is, hands down, crazy in shape. I mean, straight insane since college.
I thought he was fit back then. It is so different now. He has that grown-ass man weight and muscle. He carries it all so well too.
He’s also become a beast in the sheets. I have zero complaints there. Not that he hasn’t always been amazing in bed.
My nights are filled with more orgasms than I can count. Waking to him and going to bed in his arms at night has been heaven. Our connection has become deeper than it has ever been.
“Were you really going to kiss me that one time?”
“You mean the summer before I left for college?”
“Yeah,” I say with a smile.
“I was. I know I shouldn’t have, but I was. If not for that call, I would have.”
“Do you regret the time we lost?”
The car falls silent. I bite my lip, wondering if this is when he’ll shutdown on me. He gives my thigh a gentle squeeze.
“Every day, but living in my regrets only robs us of our now. Can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“Are you happy now?”
“Yes, very.”
“Good. Do you think we’re moving forward?”
“It feels like it. Aaron loves having you around.”
“I’ll always be here for my son, but I don’t want you to take that as an obligation to have to stay with me.”
I sit and think his words over. Do I think I have to stay with him for my son? No, I want Aaron to have his father in his life, but I don’t need to have Bentley in my life for that to happen.
“I don’t feel obligated. Yes, I want Aaron to have a whole family. However, I don’t want him to grow up in a family that’s broken from within.
“I feel like we’re in a good place. We’re already moving forward. I believe if we continue on this path, we’ll get to what we’ve always wanted,” I reply.
“Then I’m right where I’m supposed to be, Zahirah. Not a step out of place. This is our fresh start.”
I smile and settle in my seat. That was a great answer. I feel the same way.
We fall into a light banter for the rest of the ride. When we pull up to the Japanese Friendship Garden, I get excited. I’ve heard so much about this place, but I’ve never been. Bentley asked if I had and when I said no, he got to planning.
I can’t wait to see what all he has planned. It’s early evening. The sun hasn’t set yet, but it will soon.
Bentley takes my hand and leads me inside. Once we are walking in the garden, it oddly seems like not many others are around. I look up at Bentley curiously, but he only smiles back at me.