Page 23 of Mic Drop (Passionate Beats #3)

Jenna

S ound whooshes through my ears. The only reason I recognize him at all is because Ma and I were looking through some old photos and I asked who he was. After all, I was in kindergarten the last time I saw him. Why would my father choose today of all days to show up? I squeeze Bennett’s hand.

Bennett’s voice lowers. “Your father is here?”

I nod, using my chin to point to Ma. And the man next to her.

“Do you want to talk with him?”

“No.”

His hands press down on my shoulders. His green gaze sears into my soul. “Then don’t let him ruin our perfect day. I married the woman of my dreams. All I want to do is make her scream out in pleasure. The rest will take care of itself.”

His sentiment sinks into my very being. Who cares that my father showed up to my wedding?

It’s my wedding day, the one I’m sharing with the love of my life.

My so-called father will disappear like he always does, not to be heard of again.

Bennett, on the other hand, promised before God and our friends and family to be my husband forever. “I choose you. ”

“Us,” Bennett corrects. “It’s us against the whole world.”

He lowers his head and kisses my lips. At first, I’m still too caught up in the fact my father showed up for my special day to return his passion.

On an empirical level, I feel my husband hardening against my body, but my mind won’t release the questions of why he chose today to show up.

Why he ’s talking with Ma. Why she’s talking with him —the man who left her decades ago and never looked back.

Bennett’s hand goes to the back of my head.

He exerts more pressure against my lips, yet I can’t give in to his persuasion.

When his tongue darts into my mouth, though, my knees react to what my body’s been fighting, and I collapse into him.

For a second, I’m his puppet, moving to his beat.

Power returns to my limbs, and I stand taller, my hands rubbing against his super-sexy stubble.

The stubble I want to rub against my thighs.

My husband steps back. “Time to go.”

I blink, unable to comprehend. “Go?”

His fingers intertwine with mine. The look he gives me smolders with promise, causing my stomach to leap.

Bennett’s the only man on earth who can flip my switch from control freak to a compliant woman in love.

This issue about my father will be here in the morning.

Reality is, UC will not be, due to their tour schedule.

Bennett arranged this day so Ma could be here, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. We turn and wave at our guests.

He ushers me into the waiting limo. As soon as we’re situated inside, glasses of bubbly already filled, I say, “You never told me where we’re spending our wedding night.”

He beams. “Given our time constraints, I rented us a private villa on the ocean.”

My heart sings. While Bennett could’ve done anything he wanted—fly us into New York City for an over-the-top experience—he chose to stay close to my home.

Something he knew I’d love. Placing my glass into the cupholder on the armrest, I link my fingers around his neck. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

His eyes dart back and forth. “Not for the last half hour. ”

He blinks several times, which causes me to giggle. “Then let me rectify the situation.” I climb on top of his lap, swiveling my hips exactly where my body craves his. Our mouths crash together, and I moan when his fingers slide over my boobs. Squeezing. Pinching. Weighing.

The limo pulls to a halt.

After several seconds, we break apart, panting. Bennett’s head lands on the headrest. “Are we here?”

“Yes, sir.”

My husband’s hand slides down to my hips as he moves me onto the seat next to him. “You’re going to love this place.”

“I don’t care so long as it has a bed.”

“Oh, it sure does. And a sofa. A kitchen counter. A shower. A?—”

My hand clamps around his mouth. “Shut up and take me there.”

Bennett glides out of the limo and holds his hand out to me. As soon as my feet touch the pavement, he swoops down and picks me up, bridal style. I giggle. I actually am his bride.

He takes purposeful steps toward the front door of the villa, as he called it. It’s a gorgeous Tudor, with flowers, in all colors, blooming everywhere. The stone facade looks as if it belongs in a forest somewhere. I glance around at all the trees around us. Simply gorgeous.

Bennett opens the door and we sweep inside the marble foyer, our driver hot on his heels. “Where do you want these?” He holds up our bags.

We swing around. “You can leave them there. Thanks.”

With pink cheeks, the driver bows his head for a moment. “Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy. I’ll be back around ten in the morning to take you to the airstrip, Sir. Enjoy your night.” He disappears through the front door, which closes behind him.

“Alone at last with my beautiful bride.” Still in his arms, Bennett kisses me.

Despite being carried away by his insistent tongue, I want more. I want to feel his skin against mine. I want his hands to roam over my body, and for mine to return the favor. I want our bodies locked together in exquisite pleasure. I wiggle in his arms, forcing him to put me down.

“Let’s check the view,” I suggest.

“I only need you to look at,” he growls.

His sentiment warms my heart. “And I you. Come on.” I tug on his hand and we walk through the house until we reach the French doors, which he opens. My mouth drops open. Laid out in front of us is the ocean. Pristine sand beckons us out to the fire pit, and I walk toward it as if in a trance.

After a minute or two, Bennett joins me by the outside bedroom. A massive, king-size bed lounges on the beach, and not merely a hammock. A true bed, facing the waves. He puts down a tray with more champagne and my favorite—pizza. Not deep dish this time, but from someplace local.

I turn to him, accepting the flute. “You’re my hero.”

He clinks his against mine. “Only the best for my wife.”

We make plates of food and sit on the bed to eat the mushroom and cheese pizza. When our slices are consumed, Bennett takes the plates and puts them on the side tables, his eyes devouring my body. The sun is just starting to set—streaks of pinks and purples cast an amazing glow over us.

“You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen,” he fingers one of my blonde locks.

“I appreciate what you’re saying, but you forget I’ve seen some of the women in your orbit. They’re gorgeous. But I’m happy to be the woman who makes you sing.”

He rests his weight onto his forearm. “No one holds a candle to your honest purity. I love the way you love with your whole heart. How you understand what I’ve been feeling.

How devoted you are to your mother. You don’t have any doctor-enhanced anything, which makes you more real than the silicone and Botoxed groupies who are always around UC.

So, you, Jenna Hardy, are the real deal. My real deal.” He kisses my nose .

When he says things like that...I can’t restrain myself. I tackle him to the bed. His Armani suit jacket is the first thing to go, sailing through the air to land wherever. We both kick off Kara’s flip-flops at the same time, and they land on the sand carpet below with a tiny thud.

My fingers open his crisp white shirt and stroke his pecs. Beneath my ministrations, his muscles flex and bow, as his breathing becomes more ragged. His hands shoo mine away, and he pulls his shirttail out of his pants, tossing it onto the beach as well.

I sit up. Seagulls fly overhead, pronouncing their approval of our wedding.

The salty air urges me to twist around, offering my husband the back of my white dress.

With care, he tugs the zipper down, kissing every square inch of skin as it’s exposed.

When he reaches the bottom, I slip the material over my hips and leave it in a ball at the foot of the bed.

Waves crash in the near distance, providing the only soundtrack necessary. In only my white lingerie and him in his boxer briefs, we stare into each other’s eyes. He swallows. “Whatever I did to deserve you, I want to keep doing it forever.”

“Keep on being you, Bennett.”

He groans as he removes my bra, then lowers his head to suck my already puckered nipples. He takes his time with one, then moves to the other to repeat the same motions. I hold his head to my boob, awash in sensations.

“It’s been too long.”

“Hell yes,” he agrees. “One hour is too long.” He pulls back. “And I’m leaving on tour tomorrow. Come with me.”

My body begs me to accept his offer. Fly away from here, and all my problems. If it were only the stupid Black Widow stuff from Michelle, I might be convinced. But Ma’s face from today swims into my field of vision. I shake my head. “Ma.”

His arms wrap around my body and I snuggle into his warmth, needing it to do away with the coldness I know is soon to come. “I know, Sweetheart.” He kisses my neck. “I know. ”

We remain locked together for a while, until Bennett rests his body weight on his forearm again and his thumb plucks at my bottom lip. “Today was a good day. Your mother enjoyed it. I think she wants you to enjoy tonight too.”

Let tomorrow take care of itself.

I allow this mantra to take hold. “You know what?” I maneuver my hips closer to him. “My husband is a real genius. He says the smartest things.” I kiss his mouth.

His lips quirk upward. “If you think a high school dropout is smart, I have a house in Aroostook I want you to share with me.”

I hate how he judges himself against academic standards.

Besides, he did get his GED. And his experiences of traveling the world have opened his heart and mind to more than most people get in college.

“I’m excited to share Secluded Rest with you.

What’s mine is yours, and vice versa.” I kiss him again.

“For the record, I think you’re much more than the sum of your schooling. ”