"Why are you such an ass to me sometimes? One night we're making love, and the next day you're tearing me apart with your words. Do you need meds?" She turned her face, a smile on her lips as she teased him, the derivative truth still very much there.
"I don't know. I'm going to work on that. I think I have a hard time not separating work from pleasure. I don't see you as my girl at work. I see us as colleagues, at least I try to."
"Why? Am I not good enough to be yours in front of our peers?" Anger slipped into her voice, and she hated to ruin the mood, but she needed resolution.
"Hush, woman. That's silly. I would show you off to everyone, and I will when the time is right. You're breathtaking and have me panting like a high school boy with a hard-on."
"Then why not let me be yours everywhere?"
"Because I'm not sure how to do that, Beth. I've worked to protect myself so long that undoing that isn't an easy feat. That and the fact I can't seem to get my fucking hormones under lock and key when you're around. You can hide your wetness from peering eyes, but I can't exactly hide my erection."
"True. I just don't like it. I don't want there to be a separation anymore, and the next time you bark at me, I'm going to drop kick you."
He groaned and shifted his hips forward, grinding himself against her rear.
"I need to tell you something else. I spoke with Matt a little about your mother and that whole situation a while back. He brought it up, and I just listened."
Damon stiffened behind her, his body going still. She continued to explain, hoping that it wasn't wrong to tell him.
"I wasn't going to say anything, but I know being transparent and open is important to you, so I promise you one thing ... no secrets between us, at least not from my side of the relationship."
He pressed another kiss to her neck and slid his hand to her stomach, pulling her back toward him as he slipped one of his legs through hers and wrapped himself around her tightly. He didn't have to say anything. His action spoke volumes. He wanted love as much as everyone else did, and like half the population walking around lonely, he was scared. How could he not be?
"I still hate her, Beth."
"I can imagine so." Bethany reached back and ran her fingers along his thigh before pulling from his hold and turning to face him. She lay down on her side, snuggling into him as she nuzzled her face into the sexy smell of his chest.
"I wish I could just tell Dad, but what good would it do?"
She looked up as he reached down and brushed her long hair back, his eyes on her but looking far away from the present. She rose up a little and brushed her lips against his. He blinked and leaned down, deepening the kiss, his tongue rolling over hers as his hands tightened on her back.
Moving back from his oncoming assault, Bethany licked her lips and reached up to touch his with her fingers, committing the softness of them to memory. "Not telling him makes you feel like a liar, which is what she was. I don't understand it fully, but I think you need to get this off your chest."
He kissed her fingers before sliding his hand back under the T-shirt, his fingers rubbing softly over the curves of her rear. He pressed his hips forward, grinding his hardness against her softness once again.
"Maybe. I don't know. I don't want to think about it right now. I want to make love to you until you drag me deeper into the depravity that your sexy little body begs me for." He shifted them again, moving her to sit on top of him. "Take the shirt off for me."
He extended his hands above him, tucking them behind his head as his eyes narrowed slightly. Bethany pulled the T-shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor next to her, her body bare and on display for him.
"Mmmm ... everything I want, right here. Do I trust that it won't be gone soon?" He reached up and rolled the tip of his index finger around her nipple as she rocked against the thick press of his arousal, his pants still in their way.
"I'm not going anywhere unless you force me to." Bethany moved back, working to get him out of his slacks.
"I want you with me. I'll work on that other shit if that means keeping you by my side."
"Good," she whispered, her heart beating so hard in her chest.
He lifted his hips as she pulled his pants down. He wasn't wearing underwear, which honestly didn't surprise her at all. She chuckled, and his brow lifted.
"Where are your underwear?" She moved toward him, and he reached for her, forcing her to move faster.
"I told you not to wear any, but you did. I, on the other hand, followed the rules."
"You wear panties?" she asked, sliding herself along the firm length of him as her expression changed. Nothing seemed funny all of a sudden as need rose in the center of her body.
"Hush, woman. Arch your hips, and take me inside of you. I want to watch and enjoy every moment of this." He took her face with one hand and lifted it a little; her chin extended toward the ceiling.
Bethany arched her hips, his body pressed against hers as he lifted her a little. The position was almost uncomfortable, but knowing that he wanted to savor the moment and force her to remember he was in charge somehow overwhelmed her system. She groaned as he rolled his hips, his cock barely inside of her but pushing in a firm circle against her opening.
She moaned again and reached up, pushing his arms from her face. She didn't realize the movement would cause her to lose balance and slam down on him, his body stretching hers in all the right ways.
"Oh fuck, Beth." He slapped her thighs hard before pushing on the couch to move back and sit up. He pressed his lips to her breast, opening his mouth slowly and tonguing her nipple rhythmically as he took hold of her ass, rolling his wrists and causing her to work him.
"Almost too much," she whispered, burying her hands in his hair and wrapping her arms around his head as she lifted up and arched her back. He tightened his grip on her as she rode him hard.
"No, you've got this, baby. You know how to work me. Stop thinking about it, and let yourself sink into me. I'm all yours. That's what you want, isn't it?" He looked up from below her, his eyes filled with a softness she didn't know existed in him.
She jerked faster as she watched him, her eyes rolling back into her head slowly as she came. He lifted up off the couch with his thrusts, his body so hard and strong, everything a man should be and then some.
"I want you so bad. I need you." She rocked against him as he growled softly. "Only you. Please don't make me go to anyone else. I just want you."
"I'm all you're getting ... forever." He tucked his forearms under her knees and moved quick, standing up as her body was still spazzing. "Hold onto my neck tightly. I want in deeper."
"Yeah ..." She tightened her grip as he slid his open palms against the bottom of her ass and dug his nails in. She screamed at the pleasure-pain and tried to focus on what he wanted—what he needed. Somehow it always married beautifully with her fantasies.
The sound of him coming slammed into her, and she joined him.
Chapter 34
Bethany lay in Damon's bed as he slept. Their sex was delicious and so fulfilling. He hadn't taken her much longer after they stood up, the pressure overwhelming them both. After a quick shower, they had slipped into bed. She couldn't sleep, her heart far too full to let her mind rest. Various scenarios of where they might be headed ran through her, none of them ending with a happily ever after.
She growled softly and slipped out of the sheets around three in the morning. Damon's soft snoring was stupid levels of precious; his big strong body laid out across most of the queen-sized bed. She picked up the towel she had been wearing earlier, wrapped it around her and walked to the couch. She turned on the TV and muted the sound as she nibbled at her lip.
How badly she wanted to tell him that she loved him, but the last time she did he had taken it poorly or had he? Shock sat on his handsome features, his voice losing strength as he whispered his response to her confession.
You love me?
She knew that Kent and Matthew
loved Damon, but had his mother not been forthcoming with her love for him? There was no way he hadn't been told by a multitude of women. Why was the moment so surreal? Why did it haunt her so badly?
The idea of him moving beyond his past sounded doable, but she knew quite well that hers still clung to her like a well-worn coat. Living in poverty and fear never seemed to lose its grip on her. It left her wanting love and acceptance. Was her willingness to compromise with some of Damon's anger issues part of that?
He hadn't at all been angry that night. He had been loving and seemed to be shifting in his rules and standards. Anyone who had been hurt as badly as he had was forced to create a tight wall—a fortress of sorts that everyone would be forced to contend with.
He would be hers. It was only a matter of time.
The sound of her phone buzzing caused her stomach to tighten, worry sprouting inside of her. Who in the world would be calling at three in the morning?
Twelve unanswered text messages registered on her phone, all from Jake.
Jake: Bethany, I need you to call me. I was serious today, and Krista isn't acting like herself. Did she take meds when you guys were together? Maybe something for bipolar disorder? Just call, please.
The messages got increasingly worse, the intensity in his words driving Bethany to move from the couch in search of her keys. Was he overreacting? Probably? But the messages screamed of panic, and from what she could tell, Krista was beating at Jake's door, waking up the neighbors and shit.
That didn't sound like Krista at all. Bethany hit the call button on her phone and picked at her lip, pacing in front of the couch as she tried to think of what to do.
No answer. She growled in frustration and tried Krista.
Damon walked out, rubbing his eyes and stopping by the large ornate fireplace that most likely never got used. Too damn hot in Texas.
"Can't sleep?" He moved closer, and realization moved across his beautiful features.
Bethany walked to him and reached out, brushing her fingers along his chest as she tried to ground herself in the present.
No answer.
"Fuck," she whispered and turned from him. His hands pressed into her shoulders, but he didn't speak. The fact that he was there with her, his arms moving around her to offer comfort, was overwhelming. Tears blurred her vision as she left a message.
"Kris, it's me. Please call me back. Jake has been texting me, and I'm not sure what's going on, but I need you to call me. I'm really, really, really worried about you. If I don't hear from you in, like, ten minutes, I'm coming over."
She hung up and turned as a tear dripped onto her cheek. The last thing she wanted to do was remind Damon that maybe she wasn't the woman he needed her to be. She was stuck in the middle of some weird college bullshit and was simply still a stupid, childish girl.
"Baby, what's the matter?" He pulled her in tightly, his grasp reminding her that if they were going to move forward, they were going to have to do so together. Would he laugh at her or chide her for being an idiot?
"Just college drama shit." She pulled back as her dinner rose in her chest.
"Obviously whatever it is, it's upsetting you." He reached up and wiped away her tears, leaning over and kissing her nose. "I'm not one-dimensional. I try to be, but believe me, it takes effort, baby. Tell me what's going on. Who are these guys?"
"What guys?" Bethany sniffled, anxiety wrapping around her. Something was wrong.
Krista or Jake should have called by now.
"Chris and Jake."
"No, Krista and Jake. My two best friends in college. Krista is my roommate, and Jake has been a good friend of mine since my freshman year."
"They dating?"
"She wanted to, but he didn't. I don't know." Bethany pulled back and ran her fingers through her hair. "It's complicated."
"You need to go over there? Sounded serious by the message you left."
"Yeah. I need to go. I'll see you tomorrow."
He reached out and grabbed her, pulling her close and looking down at her. The seriousness in his features left her concerned. Surely he wasn't going to pull the selfish card and not let her go without making her feel like shit for leaving him.
"I'm going with you then. You're not driving yourself in the middle of the night."
"No. I'm good. Really. I'm sure I'm just overreacting, and there is nothing to be worried about."
"Well, let's go check it out then. Get dressed, and I'll drive."
Bethany leaned in and kissed him softly. "Thank you."
"Of course." He released her as she jogged toward the bedroom. Fear tore up her insides, but having Damon willing to go with her made it seem like the world was finally righting itself.
***
"Does your friend Krista have a history of being a violent person?" Damon asked, reaching over and taking Bethany's hand.
"No. I mean, I don't know. We've been friends and roommates throughout college, but I didn't know her before then."
"Are we headed to her place or this guy Jake’s?"
"Jake's. He was the one that seemed panicked." She reached for her phone and plugged in the address before linking it to his Bluetooth. "This should keep us on track."
"Good. I think when this is all cleared up we need to go by your place too."
"Why? To see if Krista is okay?"
"We can do that, but I was more thinking of christening your bed." He smirked, and she relaxed slightly, thankful for his mood being spot on with what she needed.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, unless it's about my mother. I'm not ready to go there just yet."
"No, I'll let you start that conversation when you are ready." She rubbed his fingers with her own, wanting to crawl up into his lap. "Do you think our relationship can develop past the fact that we're about to be siblings?"
"Of course. We're siblings by marriage. My father's choices aren't going to tell me who I can and can't be with. You and I have every right to be together."
"Do you think they will see it like that?" She hated to have the conversation, but honestly, it was the last barrier to the idea of them actually making something of the future. Plus, she seriously needed to get her mind off of the situation with Krista and Jake. She might go crazy if she let herself ponder it too much. Outside of Damon and her mother, Krista and Jake were closer to her heart than anyone else.
"I don't give a damn how they see it. If things crumble with my father because of this, then we'll pick up and start somewhere else."
"So you're seriously considering giving us a try?"
"You and me?" He glanced over at her, his gaze kind and thoughtful.
"Yes. Us."
"I'm not giving it consideration, no. I'm telling you that I'm a challenge and that it's not going to be easy to push past the fortress I've set up, but I'm your number one fan, baby. If you want to persevere with me, then I'm willing to do more than try." He shrugged and turned his attention back to the road.
Bethany watched him as sleep tugged hard on her resolve to stay awake. "I'm sleepy."
"I like you sleepy. It transforms you from beautiful to ridiculously cute. Makes me almost feel bad for wanting to lick every inch of you." He glanced over and smiled.
"Don't feel bad; just do it."
"What? Lick you to death?"
"Please?" She whispered her response before her eyelids fluttered, the world going dark in the comfort of Damon's fancy car.
Chapter 35
"Bethany, wake up." Damon's voice pulled her from her nap, her eyes opening as she gulped for air. "Hey ... it's okay. We're here."
She sat forward, brushing her fingers through her hair and trying to make sense of the scene. Several cop cars sat around the parking lot. People milled about everywhere.
"Oh my God. You don't think something has happened to Jake, do you?" She pointed to a spot nearest the action, not really wanting an answer from Damon. "Park over there."
"I don't know what's going on, but do
n't rush into it, please. I don't want anyone manhandling you. I'm possessive if you haven't noticed, and I've had very little sleep. This wouldn't be good for anyone if a cop thought to overstep his boundaries."
She didn't pay him any attention but reached for her phone that sat silent between the two of them.
"How can I have a zillion text messages from Jake and now nothing? He and Krista both know that I'm worried." Her voice was pinched as fear worked to consume her.
Damon parked the car and got out, moving to her side. Opening the door, she reached for his hand, and he helped her out. He wrapped an arm around her waist as they walked toward the commotion. There had to be at least four hundred or more students loitering around Jake's apartment, the complex one of the largest on campus.
"What are the odds that this is all related to Jake? I mean it could easily have been someone else. People overdose on drugs and shit all the time," she mumbled to herself.
"Excuse me, guys. You can't go any farther than this." A cop stepped toward them, holding up his hand and speaking loudly as if they weren't right in front of him.
"What's going on? My girlfriend has a good friend of hers that lives in this building."
Damon's reference to her being his girlfriend wasn't lost on her, but she tucked away for a celebration later when it was more appropriate. She looked around to see if she could spot anyone she knew. Someone had to know what was going on, and it wasn't like the cop was going to give them any information.
"I'm not at liberty to discuss it." He glanced at Bethany as she turned back to pull Damon away. "Just text your buddy. I'm sure he or she's fine."
"Yeah, thanks." She rolled her eyes, unable to help the wave of sarcasm that rushed from her lips.
Damon slipped his hand into hers as they walked along the edge of the police tape. He stopped quickly, releasing her hand and moving forward as she looked up from her phone.
Mister Big Stuff: A Single Mom Friends to Lovers Novel Page 45
