He’d come so far, despite the circumstances he’d been born into. For the first time in his life, he wanted to share his life with someone else. No, not someone—with Belle.
“So, Belle. What made you so hesitant to be friends with our friend the sheriff here? Was it because he’s a cop?” Andre’s hard gaze leveled on her.
“Man, what’s your problem?” Bently asked, a slight edge to his voice for the first time that night.
What the hell has gotten into Dre?
Belle placed her hand over Bently’s thigh, instantly injecting him with calm.
“Absolutely. As a Black man, I’m sure you know that you have a one in one thousand chance of getting killed by the police. It’s survival to be weary of those who have been given the ability to wield power in a way that is so harmful for minorities and other groups of vulnerable people,” Belle said.
Andre bit his bottom lip, looking between TJ and her.
“I know all about that,” Mia said. “But Bently’s one of the good ones.”
Belle smiled and looked up to him. “I know that now.”
Bently put his arm around her and kissed her temple. “Most of us in the force are. I don’t see color.”
Every adult at the table cringed simultaneously.
What did I say wrong?
Andre shook his head. “So, I look White to you?”
Bently’s brows furrowed. “That’s not what I mean.”
“What do you mean, then?” Mrs. Stone asked.
He shifted in his seat. “I guess I’m just trying to express that I’m not racist or prejudiced. That I see us all as equals, no matter what color our skin is.”
“In order to explain that you’re not sexist, would you say you don’t see gender?” Remy asked Bently.
Bently sighed and shook his head. “No. I wouldn’t.”
“Color blindness isn’t what we need. We should celebrate our differences and what makes us unique. But by saying you don’t see color, it’s like saying you are ignoring us and our reality, and diminishing our experiences. Whether you see it or not, we experience everything in life differently. We’re judged as criminals for our melanin, seen as outsiders, or uneducated and dangerous,” Belle added.
Bently scanned the faces surrounding him. Remy and Mia nodded. Andre looked impressed. Damn. I never thought about it that way. “I see what you’re saying. I’m sorry if I’ve ever made any of you feel that way. I’ll do my best not to in the future.”
“Thank you,” Belle said.
He reached his hand out and gently ran his thumb up and down her jean-clad thighs. Her hand covered his, returning the gesture, sliding those soft fingers over his hot skin. It wasn’t sexual. It was . . . more. Something deeper. He felt . . . connected to her. But how could that be without sex?
Her warm throaty laughter spilled out, rushing over him. Her lips turned up, and her eyes sparkled. The intense emotion couldn’t be contained, and it was as if his own heart exploded. A gush of liquid sunshine spread through his chest.
Oh my god.
The air was ripped from his lungs. He’d done the impossible and fallen for Belle. He was in love.
Chapter 32
Bently
“Do you want to come in for coffee?” Belle asked as Bently followed her and TJ to their entrance.
“Yeah, I’d like that,” he replied as she unlocked the door and led them in.
“I’m gonna listen to this new album and get to bed. All that eating wiped me out,” TJ said, giving his sister a hug before walking away.
“Don’t stay up too late,” Belle said.
Bently chuckled. “Good night, bud.”
TJ turned and looked him in the eye. “Thanks for inviting me, Bently.”
“You’re more than welcome.” Bently nodded before the young man wandered up the stairs.
Belle opened a cupboard, reaching over her head to grab the bag of coffee grounds. He stepped behind her, pressing his body to hers as he retrieved it for her.
The drumbeat of his heart was frantic. He set the container on the counter and dipped his nose into the curve of her neck. Anticipation thickened in the air, coating it with the fire of a thousand suns. His lips met her warm, naked shoulder. She shuddered.
He inhaled her, craved her, wanted to devour her. The building pressure of months of waiting bore down on him like a vise. His hands gripped her hips, turning her to face him. Her eyes met his, dark and alluring. They were filled with her own want, but it was the vulnerability flashing in them that cut straight to his heart. He’d show her just how much he loved her. He’d show her she was safe with him. That he would take care of her every need.
He leaned in, sucking in her shaky breath before he pressed his mouth to hers, soft and undemanding, coaxing her tongue with his own. She gripped his shoulders as a tiny moan slipped from those sweet lips. He dug his fingers into her hip as the other hand glided up her back to her neck. He pulled her closer as his mouth trailed the low neckline of her blouse. He bent, lifting her shirt a few inches. She wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling him closer, locking him in.
She sucked in a sharp breath. “Bently.”
The way she said his name was like gasoline on the fire raging within him.
“Let me take care of you, baby,” he said, waiting for her permission.
She swallowed and nodded. “Not here.”
TJ. He’d forgotten they weren’t alone. It took all his remaining strength to back off. He picked her up in his arms as she shuddered and trembled. He carried her upstairs as fast as his feet would carry him. Loud music bled into the hallway from TJ’s room as he passed.
“That one.” She pointed to an open door at the end of the hall. He kicked the door shut behind them and gently
