by Lila Kane
“No—no, not staring.”
He grinned. “I saw you.” He pushed open the door and settled his hand on her back, giving her the chills again. “You can tell me all about it inside.”
The stepped inside, water dripping from their clothes, but Beckett didn’t seem to care.
“You were trying to leave without being seen,” he said.
She pulled damp material away from her body. “What?”
“At the wedding. You didn’t say goodbye.”
She licked her lips and opted for honesty. “I didn’t want to make things more awkward. Beckett…this is complicated.”
“Not complicated for me. I meant what I said before. I want this.”
Her heart squeezed tight, the strength of his words hitting her and leaving her reeling. Why not? Why couldn’t she go with this? If they were both on the same page, maybe she could give it a try.
“Clothes,” Beckett said, letting her off the hook as she lingered in the entryway.
Anna stepped out of her shoes and left them on the tile by the door. Beckett took her jacket as well, and she followed him into the kitchen, her feet cold as she walked barefoot through the space.
It was clean and open, always welcome after being in her small apartment. She traced her fingers along the island as they passed, heading toward the living room.
“This way,” Beckett said, as though she didn’t know her way around his house.
But he didn’t stop at the hallway. He led them all the way into his bedroom. She paused in the doorway. She’d never been in his room before, not since it had been his parents’ and she’d been a kid. Probably no older than twelve.
God, it even smelled like Beckett. Her eyes traveled to the bed before Beckett’s voice made her jerk them back.
“You can come in, you know.” He gave her an easy smile.
Shit. She should have talked to Poppy before. She was slipping into dangerous territory, and ready to let herself slip if she didn’t keep a level head.
She stepped inside, the carpet soft on her feet. The rain knocked against the house but in here she was warm.
A million words hovered on her tongue. But the big ones, like How long have you felt like this? or What if it doesn’t work out? wouldn’t seem to come. In fact, all she wanted was to settle in here and let herself take everything Beckett was willing to offer for the moment.
Just one day where she didn’t question it all and worry that she was going to fail at yet another relationship.
Chapter Eight
When Anna padded into the kitchen wearing his oversized shirt, sweats, and wool socks, he couldn’t help but smile. There was something sexy about seeing her in his clothes. Even sexier that she was in his house wearing those clothes.
And not more than ten minutes ago, she’d been in his bedroom. It wasn’t enough anymore to be near her. To help out at the bakery. He wanted more, wanted what they’d started earlier today.
“So…” Anna’s eyes strayed to the window. “It’s still raining.”
“It is.” He’d changed into a simple T-shirt and shrugged in it, comfortable in his own home, even with Anna here. She looked like she belonged. Probably because she’d been here so many times before.
But she looked uncomfortable. She rolled back the sleeves of the shirt and continued to stare out the window.
He turned to the counter. “I’ll make coffee.”
“Coffee sounds good.”
Normal is probably what she meant. Coffee was normal. It gave them something to do, though what he really wanted to do was kiss her again.
He stuffed a filter into the top, and before he could swivel to get the coffee, he found that Anna was there handing it over.
He lifted his eyebrows at her and she shrugged. “I remembered where you put it.”
“You probably know your way around everyone’s kitchen,” he mused.
She leaned against the counter and looked around the spacious room. “I love your kitchen. I’d bake in here every day if I lived here. Probably—”
She broke off as if she just realized what she said. He started the coffee and pretended it wasn’t a big deal, even though it was. He could picture her here, in his house, with him. Forever.
“You’re welcome to come over and bake anytime you want. I’d like the company.”
“You miss your parents?” she asked.
“Yeah, I do. Just…the simplicity of it. The everyday routine. Knowing someone is going to be around.”
“What about us? We’re not good enough company for you?”
Her wide eyes winked with mischief. He took a step closer to her. “No, your family has been great.”
“Well…” She ducked her chin. “You’re one of us.”
She couldn’t know how right that felt. The Kellers had been his adopted family, but he was hoping they’d truly be his family one day.
Anna cleared her throat and stepped back. “So how are your parents?”
“Good. Great. They email pictures every time they get an internet connection.” Any why the hell was he standing here talking about his parents when all he wanted was to pull her into his arms again? “My computer’s loaded with shots of Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon and everywhere else they visit.”
“I’d love to see them.”
He glanced up. “Yeah?”
“Beckett.”
He paused, waited while she started to say something, then stopped. The kiss. That’s what she was thinking about. He needed to know where she’d stood. She hadn’t pulled away, hadn’t stopped him. She’d kissed him back. And now…
Nothing.
But pushing her wasn’t the way to go. Not right now.
He flashed a smile, trying to get back on even ground with her. “Grab that laptop there and I’ll get the coffee.”
She settled herself at the counter as he pulled mugs from the cupboard. Outside the window above the sink, the rain showed no signs of slowing. Which meant he had time. And he’d better take advantage of it.
His phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket, smiling when he saw Poppy’s number.
“It’s your sister,” Beckett told Anna.
“Which one?”
“Poppy.”
She angled her head, probably expecting Jillian. He pointed to the computer. “You can go ahead and look. The pictures are on a slideshow.”
She started up the computer while he answered the call. “Hey, Poppy.”
“Jillian said you left with Anna.”
“That’s right.” He set a mug in front of Anna and watched as she wrapped her hands around it to warm them.
“Where are you?”
“At home.”
“She’s there with you right now?” Poppy asked. “In your house?”
“Yes.”
“You work fast.”
“Her car broke down.”
“Oh. Kind of romantic, though. What are you guys doing?”
Anna glanced up, giving him a curious look.
“We’re looking at my parent’s pictures,” Beckett said.
“Please tell me that’s code for something,” Poppy told him. “Did you kiss her?”
His coffee sloshed when he lifted the mug. He cast an apologetic look at Anna and wiped up the liquid on the counter.
“Poppy,” he warned, trying not to sound obvious. “I’ll be back later to help clean up.”
“Kiss her. Go in for it nice and slow and—”
“Goodbye, Poppy.” God, what were they? Teenagers?
He returned the phone to his pocket. Anna stared at him.
“She just wanted to check to see when I’m coming back,” Beckett lied. He set his jaw, the guilt creeping up on him again. He really needed to stop lying to her about this. And Poppy really needed to stop encouraging him to do it.
“You and Poppy have gotten really close lately,” Anna said.
He slid his mug across the counter and joined her in front of the computer. “You know Poppy.
”
“I do know Poppy,” she said. “She’s hiding something. And so are you.”
{}{}{}
She was putting him on the spot and she knew it. But she wanted to get to the bottom of this. Her entire family had been acting strange lately, and Beckett was in on it. If the kiss had anything to do with it, she needed to know. Tom had already broken her heart, there was no way she was going into anything blind again.
“How’s the coffee?” Beckett asked.
“You’re trying to distract me.”
He smiled again, and it worked even better this time. The dimple, the crinkle of his eyes. His strong hands wrapped around his coffee mug. All of it made her doubt herself, just for a moment. But she knew she hadn’t imagined the secrecy between him and Poppy. Or how often Beckett had been around. At the bakery, at wedding events.
“The coffee’s good,” she answered. “Now, tell me.”
He shifted on the stool, facing her. She waited. It was still raining—she had plenty of time.
“Uh…” Beckett scratched his chin. “About what happened earlier. It wasn’t an accident.” He shook his head at her look. “I mean, I meant to kiss you. I wanted to.”
Her heart fluttered. She completely forgot that he hadn’t answered her question, that he wasn’t even talking about the same thing. “I wanted you to, too.”
His face relaxed. He looked like he’d expected something else.
She forced herself to focus. “Is it because of Tom?”
“What?”
Anna’s fingers fumbled for her mug, her stomach sinking. “You know, Tom. Because he came to the restaurant last night. I know you’re worried, and so is the rest of my family. Is that what’s been going on with you and Poppy? Why all this is happening?”
“Anna…”
The way he said her name made her look back up. It wasn’t pity he saw in his eyes. In fact, it was laughter.
“What?” she asked, voice quiet.
“It’s not about Tom at all.” He reached out, closing his fingers over hers. “I hate what he did to you and I hate that he walked into Pearl’s last night, but even if he hadn’t, I’d still want to be here with you.”
She swallowed surprise and found herself clinging to his hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
“I think that’s probably the third time I’ve accused you of hanging out with me because of Tom or the wedding, or—”
“Fourth,” he said with a smile. “I think it’s the fourth time.”
She chuckled. “I didn’t realize you were counting.”
He nudged the computer over. “You want to see those pictures?”
Really? Wasn’t this where he pulled her off the stool and kissed her? Where she got another taste of what he’d given her in the bakery today?
How could he be so calm when her heart raced a mile a minute? Beckett looked so different to her now. She could see a side of him she’d never noticed before, and she wanted to explore it.
“Sure.” She flashed a smile, forcing herself to be patient. To relax. “Let’s look at the pictures.”
{}{}{}
After they finished, the rain began to slow. Beckett grasped at the first thing he could think of to get Anna to stay longer.
“I think I need help planning the food for the Fourth of July party.”
“If you tell Jillian, I’m sure she’d be happy to figure it out.”
Beckett frowned at her. “You have so little faith in me.”
“That’s not what I meant. It’s just that planning is Jill’s thing.”
“And what’s my thing?” Beckett asked, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms.
Her lips curved and she pushed up the sleeves of his oversized shirt. “Your thing?”
“Yeah, if planning isn’t my thing, then what is? Obviously not baking.”
“You’ve been very helpful regardless. In fact, that’s part of your thing. Helping out—without complaint. Even if it means decorating cookies.”
He almost pointed out that he was doing that because he wanted to be near her, not because he’d been roped into helping out, but she continued on.
“You’re considerate and thoughtful and caring and you pretty much put everyone before yourself.” Anna propped her chin on her hand. “So, planning might not be your thing, but I think you make up for it in other ways.”
He set his coffee aside, ready to round the counter and pluck her right off the stool for a kiss.
“Do you have paper?” Anna asked.
He lost his momentum. “Sorry, what?”
She grinned. “Never mind, I know where it is.”
Paper. For planning the party. Of course. But she’d enchanted him with her smile again and he realized he was lost in her. He’d already taken all the other steps today. Might as well not stop now.
“Hold on,” Beckett said as she reached for the drawer at the end of the counter.
He caught her hand, linking his fingers through hers as she lifted her chin.
“I can’t keep doing this,” he said.
“Doing what?”
“Pretending like what happened earlier didn’t happen.”
She blinked, either with surprise or confusion. “I’m not pretending.”
“I didn’t mean you. I meant me.”
“You meant me, too,” Anna said. “I’ve been avoiding it. A little.”
“Why?”
“Because…you’re Beckett. You’re—”
“Don’t say I’m like a brother.” He put her hand to his chest, making her exhale. “I don’t think I could take it.”
“No. No, not a brother. Well, actually, you’re supposed to be like a brother. Honestly, that’s how I’ve been thinking of you. Until lately. Right now I’m definitely not thinking of you like a brother.”
It was enough for him. He pulled her in, pressing a hand against her back to get as close as possible. Her fingers linked around his neck, drawing his mouth to hers. Every nerve ending in his body came alive.
He skimmed her bottom lip with his tongue, enjoying the way her body arched against his and the soft gasp she made. He’d been waiting so long for this moment, for any moment with her, it was hard to take it slow. He let his hands wander, running them up her sides and back down her spine.
He wanted to touch every inch of her, but settled for slow and steady, turning her so her back pressed against the pantry.
“Beckett,” she whispered.
He eased back, hands on her hips. Amused when he found her eyes cloudy. “Yes?”
“I’m not really sure how to do this.” Her hands were still against his chest, making it hard for him to focus.
He answered in a hoarse voice. “That’s not what it feels like from this end.”
“Ha. I meant with a friend.”
His momentum stalled some, and he dipped his chin, trying to find the right response. A friend. A friend?
“No. Not—damn it.” She blew out a breath. “I meant with someone I’m already such good friends with. I usually do it the other way around. This is—Beckett, say something.”
He smiled. “I like it this way. A foundation first.”
She returned his smile. “I like it this way, too.”
When he leaned in, his senses were on high alert. He could smell the subtle scent of strawberries and feel the quick shiver that went through her body. And when their mouths touched, she tasted like coffee and wonder.
He brushed his thumb on her jaw, unwilling to step back. He’d waited too long to have Anna in his arms to ease away just yet.
“This is why you wanted me to come here?” she asked, voice low.
He nodded.
“Did you do something to my car?”
It took him a moment to realize she was joking. He laughed and finally let his arms slide away from her.
“No, but it worked out well for me. It gave me an excuse to get you here.”
Anna’s gaze flicked to the window. “It sto
pped raining.”
Beckett scuffed his shoe on the tile. “I can take a look at your car whenever you’re ready.”
Her lips curved and she lifted her shoulders. “Maybe we should make a list first. You know, figure out what you’ll need for the party. That way you’re prepared.”
“Good idea.”
He reached past her to grab a pen and paper, determined to distract her for the rest of the afternoon so she’d stay with him.
Chapter Nine
The next problem was her family.
Anna hadn’t told any of them what had gone on between her and Beckett, and every time she considered it, she also considered the consequences. That this might not work out in the long run. Then it wouldn’t just be a ruined relationship, but a ruined friendship.
Which meant she’d been careful around Beckett. When he’d go to take her hand or run his fingers down her arm, she’d sidestep. And she’d worry.
By Thursday, she couldn’t take it anymore and dashed across the street to see Summer.
Summer was safe. Summer was impartial. The youngest of the five kids, Summer was still way beyond her years. She was also a huge romantic.
When Anna walked into the store, she found Summer arranging a mannequin with a flowery skirt on.
“Taking a break?” Summer asked.
“It’s slow over there.” Which was her version of small talk. To stall. Maybe she’d just leave out Beckett’s name. Make it a hypothetical situation.
“Same here. No new appointments until tomorrow. And another one at the beginning of next week.” Summer’s eyes met hers. “Jillian warned you, right?”
Anna released a long breath and nodded. Tom and Catrina were coming in for a consultation.
“I’m not planning on being there. I know they’re big clients and they’ll expect to see the cake options, but Jillian has it covered.”
Summer nodded, her blue eyes compassionate. “No one expects you to be there. I still don’t think Jillian should do the wedding for them. Mom’s against it.”
“That’s because Mom’s protective. But I told Jillian to do it. It’s important for our business.”
Summer made a noise of disagreement and stopped fumbling with the mannequin’s skirt. “Who cares?”
“You’ll care if they say something negative about Keller Wedding Consultants and no one wants to buy your clothes anymore.”
