She broke the kiss, brushing her lips over the strong line of his jaw as she whispered, "I don't want to fight either."
He bent down and slipped his arm under her legs, picking her up and walking down the beach further. He leaned down and kissed her again, his soft groan undoing her from the inside.
"No more talk of anyone but us. This isn't about them or our insecurities. It's about us, Beth. It's about us working toward forever. Tell me you want that and trust me when I say that I do." He stopped as the hotel disappeared in the distance, a faint light all she could make out.
The moon sat full and heavy above them, the light blue glow of it spilling out over him, making him more beautiful, as if it were possible. She reached up and brushed her hands down the thick muscles of his neck, over his chest and around his waist.
"I want that." She pressed her lips to the center of his chest as his hands moved firmly down her back, pressing into massage her. She let out a soft moan and moved back, needing to get his shirt off of him. She wanted to taste his skin.
"It's yours, baby. Stop running from it, from me."
"Okay," she whispered and pressed his shirt from his shoulders before pressing her mouth back to him.
"Fuck, that's hot, Beth." He undid the small ties at the top of her dress, pushing at it until it fell into the sand beneath her. "Let me get out of my slacks and let's get into the water. I want to feel the wetness and warmth of your body in contrast to the chill of the waves."
She nodded, her voice lost to the desire to dive in deep with him. Moving back toward the water, she turned and slipped off her tiny black panties. He groaned loudly, the sound needy and delicious. She walked into the water, wrapping her arms around herself and waiting for him once she was waist deep.
He joined her, taking her hand and pulling her farther into the surf. "Come here, baby. Let me take care of you the best way I know how."
"I'm sorry for overreacting." She moved to him as the sand beneath her dropped off. The water rose to her neck, and she clung to the front of him, Damon holding on to her tightly.
"No sorries. I would have to give a million too. Just concentrate on right now. Let's me and you stay in the moment together. We'll work through all this shit from our past over a bottle of wine, nudity and a roaring fire at my place when we get home. Deal?" He slid his hands over her rear, tugging at the back of her legs.
She wrapped her legs around him, the thick brush of his erection against her center causing her to whimper softly. How he left her needy and undone was a mystery. Bridget had one thing right. Being around Damon did make her feel like a starving hooker. Everything about him lent to the desire to fuck all night, unapologetically.
"Hold on to me tightly. I want to memorize your curves with my hands, Beth." He pressed his face into the crook of her neck, sucking softly as his fingers ran up and down her back, over her hips to her breasts. "So damn hot. I swear I almost came just watching you dancing in your sexy little dress tonight."
"I was hoping you'd like it." She smirked and slid her fingers through his hair, rolling her hips a little to get the full effect of being molded to the front of him. A deep ticking sensation started in her core and grew until it pushed along her wrists and neck.
"I loved it." He lifted his head, his eyes locked onto hers. "I love you. I will always love you."
She shifted her hips and pressed down, his cock sliding into her tightness. She let out a groan, wondering how the hell she could be so tight again after their long night of love-making.
He slid his hands down to cup her butt as he began to work himself into her.
"I love you too. Just keep telling me. I'm a needy bitch." She smiled and kissed him softly as they panted against each other's mouths.
The conversation was over as he gripped her ass tightly, pulling it up and down, working himself with her body. Nothing could be sexier. She held on to him, her nails digging into his shoulders as a fire started from the friction. She arched her back, giving him more room to thrust into her as she let out a long cry.
"Mmmmm... scream for me." He pressed his teeth against the top of her breasts, Beth letting out another scream from the pleasure of it. How he could bring her to come so fast was beyond her, but she worked herself against him, helping the moment to last as long as it could.
She relaxed against him, pressing her cheek against his chest as she hugged him.
He slowed his assault and pulled out of her. Jerking her head up, she pinned him with a questioning stare. "Did you come?"
"No, baby. I want to go back to the bedroom and spend the night buried inside of you again. I just needed to reassure you that every bit of this, including my heart, belongs to you. Let's grab our clothes and go find a bed to ruin?"
She laughed and slid down the front of him as she nodded. "That's a great idea. Do you think it's a bad thing that sex seems to be our love language?"
"No clue what that is, but I'm not thinking it's anything but good. Sex is almost everyone's love language in some sense. Love of self or another." He took her hand and walked out of the water with her, bending over and handing her the pretty dress she left sitting on the sand.
She moved back, watching him closely as she pulled it up her legs and over her stomach and breasts.
He was magnificent, the moonlight accentuating the swell of his muscular frame. He turned, and she reached for his cock, the thick member standing at attention, swollen and deliciously hard.
"How the hell did I end up so lucky?" She stroked him once, tugging him toward her with her hold on him.
He laughed and pulled her close. "I'm the lucky one. Let's get dressed before that gaggle of girls comes running down the beach and I have to tuck myself away inside of the closest thing I can find."
"Are you referring to me?" She scoffed and stroked him a few more times, petting his arousal and thinking of all of the things she wanted to do with it.
"I was." He leaned in and nipped at her lips. "You're the only place I want to be."
"Then let's go, and I'll open up for you." She licked at his mouth, reaching around him to caress his ass.
"Oh yeah? You gonna let me devirginize you tonight?" He lifted an eyebrow and squeezed her hips, rolling his and pressing into her hand between them.
"Maybe."
"Maybe's good enough for me. I'm the chief negotiator for the firm. I think this maybe might just be the yes I was looking for." He chuckled as she swatted his ass and moved back, tugging her dress back into place.
There wasn't a part of her body she didn't want him to touch. Tonight was just the beginning of her willingness to let him explore. It was about trust, which was starting to grow deep inside of her. Kent wasn't like her father. Damon wasn't either.
Time to give them the opportunity just to let each of them be who they were and not some bastardized version of who she expected them to be.
"Come on, baby." Damon reached for her hand, fully dressed and sporting a naughty smirk on his mouth. "Come let me take care of you for the rest of the night."
She took his hand and snuggled in beside him. "Yeah. I'd like that - a lot."
Chapter 19
Bethany
Bethany woke to the smell of coffee. She turned on her side and squinted against the bright light coming through the open glass doors. He stood with his back to her, his blue slacks on and torso bare. She laid there for a few minutes, studying him.
Beautiful.
He turned and smiled. "I thought I heard your breathing change a little. You sleep good?"
"I did." She moved up to her elbow and let the cover drop from her breasts.
He set his coffee down and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, pulling her into his arms and pressing his lips to hers in a long kiss. "I made you some coffee. Strong and thick like you like it."
"That's how I like my men. My coffee I'll take anyway it comes." She smirked as he lifted his eyebrow at her.
"Your man, not men. You're officially off the market, Miss Th
ing." He leaned down and kissed her again before getting up and walking back to the kitchen. "Go get in the shower and let's get the day started. There are a few more things to do for the ceremony tonight, and it will be here before we know it. I'll bring you a cup of coffee."
"Is it still at sundown tonight?" Bethany moved to the edge of the bed, running her nails through her hair and yawning.
"Yes. Matt and Erica went for a game of golf this morning. They asked us to join them, but I told them you didn't respond before ten." He chuckled and handed the coffee mug to her. His eyes moved down her, his bottom lip tucking into his mouth. "You need to get dressed, or I'm going to force you to stay in bed all day. So fucking fine."
She took the coffee and tried not to jerk it as he brushed his finger by her nipple. "I'm going. Two nights of sex isn't enough for you? Insatiable."
"It's not even close. Sorry, baby." He moved back toward the window. "We'll grab something to eat and find mom and dad when you're done."
It sounded so odd to hear him refer to Kent and her mother like that, but it was fitting. She was past the part of him soon becoming her stepbrother. He wasn't blood, and if their parents accepted it, then nothing else mattered.
Bethany enjoyed a long shower, her body sore in all of the places it should be. She ran her fingers over her back and down the curve of her ass, testing her entrance to make sure she was okay. Damon had been careful with her, but they hadn't gotten very far in their desire to try anal sex. He was huge, and she wasn't used to the incredible pressure of having something press into her. They would try again and again and again until he fit inside of her. She groaned at the thought, her center tightening as she let out a shaky breath.
He was going to be the death of her, but oh, what a way to go.
***
Bethany left Damon with Erica and Matt as she slipped off to talk to her mom for a few minutes. She was greeted at the door by her Aunt Patty. After a quick hug, she slipped into the room and walked to the bathroom, glancing back to her aunt.
"How is she?"
"I'm a fucking wreck," her mother yelled from the bathroom.
Bethany's eyes widened as she knocked on the door. Her mother never said the 'f-word.' "Mom. Let me in."
"Fine, but my hair’s a mess, and this make-up makes me look like a hooker." A long cry left her mother as the door flung open.
Her mother hadn't been a hot mess in years, not since her younger days when every day started and ended with bad news. Bethany slipped into the bathroom and closed the door, moving in front of her mom and taking her shoulders.
"Hey. Look at me."
Her make-up was smeared, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She glanced up at Bethany as a few more tears rolled down her pretty face.
"This isn't about who you think you should be. Remember our talk earlier? Kent is marrying you for who you are, Mom. He's madly in love with you. He rented out half of this damn hotel to prove it." Bethany reached up and brushed her fingers over her mom's cheeks. "Here's what we're going to do. Aunt Patty is going to grab us a bottle of wine, and we're going to take our time and make you look like the princess you are. Our past, our problems, our worries can all go to hell. They aren't welcomed here. Today is about love and goodness, about being made one with someone as good as Kent."
"Okay, baby. I'll try." Her mother glanced down to her hands and let out a shaky breath.
Bethany moved to the door, opening it and jumping back. Patty was pressed to the other side.
"Sorry. Is she okay?" Patty crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes wide and tears lining the edge of her gaze.
"She will be. Grab us a bottle of cold white wine and let's celebrate and get her ready. Want to?" Bethany nodded, her aunt catching her understanding.
"Of course I do. I'll be right back."
Walking back into the bathroom, Bethany pointed to the sink. “Wash your face and let's go into the living room area where the light is better. We can chat a little while and then get you done up. We have five hours. I'll meet you out there." She pulled her mom into a tight hug, her heart swelling with love for the woman before her. No one deserved a happier ending more than her mom.
Bethany walked out of the bathroom and closed the door, hitting it twice and reminding her mother that she was serious. "You have three minutes, and I'm coming back in."
"So damn bossy," her mother muttered and laughed softly.
"I get it from my mom. Blame her." Bethany walked to the phone and ordered a cheese and meat tray before texting Damon that she would find him later. Her mother needed her help, and she wasn't going anywhere. He was all for it.
Taking a seat by the back door, Bethany let out a long sigh. A smile lifted her face as she let the good memories of her childhood run by her vision. She didn't even hear her mom approach.
"What are you smiling about, pretty girl?"
Bethany turned and let out a chuckle. "I was thinking about the time you decided to be a Mary-Kay representative and bought all of that expensive make-up."
"Oh Lord." Her mother rolled her eyes and walked to the kitchen, pulling down three wine glasses.
"I honestly thought you got all that crap for me. Remember?" Bethany asked.
"How could I forget? You were seven and covered from head to toe in every expensive-ass product they offered." Her mom let out a loud laugh, her hand covering her mouth.
Bethany let herself relive the memory, tears filling her eyes as they belly laughed together.
Patty walked in a few seconds later, both of them still trying to recover. They worked to get a glass of wine for each of them as Patty questioned what was so funny.
"Just memories of Bethany being young and wanting to be a princess."
Patty lifted her drink into the air. "For a new beginning for my big sister. I don't know anyone who deserves it more than you."
"For my mom, who has shown me that one thing has the power to cure all hurts, all hang-ups, and all heartbreaks. Love. May it follow you everywhere for as long as you live."
Her mom nodded, tears dripping down her face as they hit their glasses together carefully.
"No more tears." Bethany reached for a box of Kleenex and passed them out. "Only happy times now."
"Speaking of happy times and princesses," Patty paused, snorting as she shook her head. "You remember getting our asses whooped for getting into momma's expensive make-up and dressing up like hookers?"
"Oh my God. We did." Her mother laughed, Patty joining her.
Bethany lifted her glass again. "I knew I got it from somewhere... blame my mother."
"For what?" Patty lifted her eyebrow.
"For everything." Bethany smirked and took a drink of the wine.
"Typical." Her mom rolled her eyes and set her wine glass down. "All right. I'm ready. Let's do this."
***
Bethany stood at the back of the strip of beach they had chosen for the ceremony, the bright tiki torches lighting the way to the large lattice-work design that Erica had worked on. Kent stood beside the priest, Damon to his side and Matt standing beside him. They all faced the priest as large crowds filled up both sides of the event. Patty stood up front, lined up with Matt, the smile on her face large enough to be seen from Bethany's vantage point.
The music started for her to make her way down and she took a step forward, praying like hell she didn't trip. The moment was so surreal, her desire to spend forever with one of the men waiting at the front almost overwhelming. He glanced back at her, his eyes going a little wide.
He mouthed "hot," and she chuckled, unable to help herself. The dress was beautiful, white and innocent in its design. It was perfect. Her mother knew her too well. Simple, straightforward and pretty.
She moved up beside Patty and glanced over to Kent, her soon-to-be father smiling warmly at her. The priest motioned for everyone to stand and Bethany turned, catching a glimpse of her mother as the moonlight washed over her. The air was suddenly so hard to breathe, the beautiful woman wal
king toward them everything Bethany remembered from her younger years.
There hadn't been a day that her mom hadn't reminded her how much she was loved. Tears burned her gaze as she turned with her mother's progression. The look on Kent's face was complete adoration. Bethany glanced toward Damon, his eyes only for her.
'I love you,’ he mouthed and winked.
She nodded as heat rushed up her chest and covered her neck and face. She would cling tight to that love and never let anything come between them that wasn't quickly rooted out.
The priest started the ceremony, and Bethany relaxed, enjoying every second of it.
***
Erica caught the bouquet as Bethany's mother threw it and Damon had teased Matt mercilessly throughout the night about it. The music was great, the food insanely good, and the company the crown jewel of the evening. Bethany slipped off as everyone crowded on the dance floor, just needing a few minutes to process her thoughts.
She slipped out of her shoes and walked to the edge of the water, her eyes scanning the horizon.
"Hi, beautiful girl. Is your heart taken? I'm looking to spend forever with someone." Damon moved in behind her, wrapping his arms around her.
"It is. Sorry, buddy." She smiled as he laughed against the side of her neck, his breath warm, his arms strong.
"What do you think about that?"
"About what?" She turned and slid her arms around him, the black and white suit he wore seemingly made just for him.
"About spending forever with me?" He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers before taking a step back, tugging out of her hold. Slipping his hand into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a small black box.
"What're you doing?" Bethany pressed her fingers to her lips as her heart almost stopped. "We haven't been together but a few weeks. We have so much shit to work through. We can't... We..."
Mister Big Stuff: A Single Mom Friends to Lovers Novel Page 59
