by Lila Kane
She linked her arms behind his back and held tight. “My mind’s been going crazy. I mean, at first, I thought it was an accident—a mistake,” she mumbled.
He looked down, but she wouldn’t look up at him. “What?”
“I mean when we kissed, we were both caught up in the moment and—”
“Twice?” He eased back and tipped her chin up so he could see her eyes. “I kissed you in the bakery and here, in my kitchen. You think I’d make that mistake twice? ‘Oops, I tripped and accidently landed on your mouth?’”
Her breath rushed out in a laugh. “No. I mean, I talked myself into thinking that, but when you say it that way…And then, God, I’m a mess. I’m terrible at relationships. As you’ve seen.”
His heart broke a little for her. “You’re not terrible at relationships. You’ve just had to deal with shitty ones in the past.”
She put her hands over her face. “I know. It’s ridiculous. I wanted this.”
“Wait.” He pulled her hands away, searching her eyes. “What did you say?”
“What?”
“You said you wanted this.”
She almost looked like she was going to deny it. Then she nodded. “I did. I said that. And it’s true. You kissed me and I wanted it. Before you did it and after.”
It was more than enough for him. He swooped in, lips catching hers, hearing her gasp as they connected. Her hands ran up his chest, making his control break. Just that. Her hands, and he was practically on his knees.
He hiked her up, making her breath hitch, and set her on the counter so he could reach her lips better. So he could run his fingers up her spine and catch her sigh with his mouth. He pressed between her thighs, dying to get as close as possible.
When her hands dove under the back of his shirt, he groaned, reveling in the contact of skin on skin. He reciprocated by sliding his lips down to her jaw, then her collarbone, and getting a grip on her hips to jerk her closer.
She smelled like sugar, spices, everything sweet and warm. Her hair was like silk, brushing his cheek, and making his circuits fry.
Her head arched back. “We’re…in the kitchen.”
His laughter was breathy. “Good observation.”
“I mean, uh…” Her eyes closed when his hands found the sliver of skin between her shirt and jeans. “We were in your kitchen the last time this happened, too.”
“We could take it somewhere else,” he murmured, lips brushing hers.
He didn’t miss the hint of tension that straightened her shoulders. Her eyes locked on his. “It’s…”
“Fast,” he answered for her, reining himself in. Not that he didn’t still have the image of her lying naked on the bed in his bedroom branded in his mind.
She nodded. “Fast. But, God, Beckett. It’s not that I don’t want this.” Her lips curved. “I really want this, but I need to make sure I’m taking steps.”
“I understand.” He gathered her hands in his, lifting one to kiss her fingers. “Believe me.”
“I do.”
“And kissing you wasn’t a mistake,” he said. “None of this is a mistake. It’s something I should have done sooner.”
She looked up at him. “Really?”
“Do you know…” He sighed and shook his head. He couldn’t get into all that now. How long he’d waited to tell her how he felt. How he wished he would have done something before Tom ever came along. Tom had already caused enough problems as it was. “Yes, really.”
She gave him one more kiss. “We should work on the pies.”
“I’m going to have to stand really close just to make sure I’m doing it right.”
She laughed. “I’m good with that.”
“That was easy. Oh, and I’m fixing your van this weekend.”
Her eyes danced with amusement. “Yes, sir.”
{}{}{}
They were mixing together the ingredients for the pineapple upside-down cake when Anna’s phone chimed from her pocket.
She wiped her hands on a dish towel and pointed at the bowl, telling Beckett, “Keep stirring.”
He grinned as he continued to mix the ingredients. “It’s probably your sister.”
“Which one?” Anna asked, pulling the phone from her pocket.
“Jillian, wondering why you’re not at work. Or Poppy, wondering why you’re not at home.”
“Should I tell them I’m with you?” Anna smiled at him. “You think that would cause gossip?”
She was surprised when Beckett didn’t return her smile.
“What is it?” she asked.
He stopped stirring and she took the moment to glance down at her screen. Her amusement faded as well.
“It’s not Jillian?”
Anna shook her head and opened the message.
Beckett took a step closer. “Is it Tom?”
She glanced up, a startled laugh escaping her lips. “No. It’s Celeste.”
He visibly relaxed. “Your friend from college?”
“Yes.”
Anna’s stomach twisted when she read the message. Got ur email. Roommate is out in 2 mos. U should come visit—or come stay.
“Anna?” Beckett said.
She forced a neutral expression. “Yeah?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She tucked her phone away. Right now she couldn’t imagine leaving Park Creek, or Beckett. But she knew better than most how things could change at the drop of a hat. “It’s nothing. She was just telling me about her job.”
Anna hated lying to him, but how did she tell him she was thinking about leaving? Especially after what had happened between them.
“You sure?”
“Positive.” Anna returned to the counter and reached for the vanilla flavoring.
The truth was, it wasn’t nothing. She’d given some serious thought to staying with Celeste—even if it was just for six months so she could clear her head and get some distance.
But she hadn’t told Celeste yet. She hadn’t told anyone yet, not even Poppy. Not the whole truth anyway. It was a huge step. And now, with Beckett in the picture, her mind whirled with uncertainty.
Beckett was too quiet next to her and she blurted the first thing that came to mind. “Why did you think it was Tom?”
His hand froze on the spoon. His eyes lifted to hers. “I’ve seen how Tom looks at you.”
“What? He—he doesn’t look at me like anything. I haven’t seen him in months, except for at Pearl’s and in front of Poppy’s shop yesterday.”
Beckett smiled at her, though it was strained. “Why do you think he keeps trying to talk to you? And showing up out of nowhere?”
“Because…” Anna slumped against the counter. She didn’t want to think about Tom, let alone talk about him with Beckett. She’d made the mistake of bringing him up when she should have kept her mouth shut. “Maybe he wants to make amends.”
Beckett scratched his chin. “Maybe.”
She plucked the spoon from his hand. “That wasn’t very convincing.”
“You think he just wants to set things straight.”
“Sure. I mean, maybe he…feels bad.” Anna ran a hand through her hair, agitated, and started pacing.
“You think he wants to apologize?”
She blew out a breath. No, that was probably the last thing he wanted. He hadn’t looked particularly sorry when he’d approached her outside the flower shop.
“I don’t know,” she finally mumbled, spoon still in hand.
“Anna.” Beckett walked around the island.
She continued to pace, even when he said her name again.
“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Beckett told her.
“Well, it was obviously on your mind.”
He stopped in her path and she froze. “Let’s forget it.”
She squeezed the spoon. “Let’s not.”
He lifted his eyebrows, looking surprised. “Anna.”
“You don’t think Tom wants to apologize.”
“We don’t have to talk about this now.”
“I think we do.”
Beckett’s eyes searched hers. He looked as uneasy as she felt. “I don’t think he wants to apologize,” he finally said.
“Then…what? What do you think he wants?”
Beckett bowed his head, staring at his shoes. “Like I said, I saw how he looked at you.”
“How’s that?”
He grimaced, and then eyed the spoon. “You’re not going to hit me with that, are you?”
“Beckett.”
“He wants you back.”
Anna’s heart stopped. Her mouth opened and closed soundlessly, unable to form words.
Beckett reached out slowly, carefully, and took her hand. “Come on, let’s finish dessert.”
“I can’t finish dessert,” she mumbled. “Beckett, you’re wrong. It’s—that’s not what’s going on.”
“Okay,” he said simply, pulling her hand. “Let’s bake.”
Her breath whooshed out. “This is crazy.”
“I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“You…” Anna pulled away again, waving the spoon in his direction. “Tom is getting married, Beckett.”
“I know.”
“He’s engaged.”
“I know.”
“So…this is just…a mistake. Shit.” She set the spoon on the counter. “It’s a mistake.”
Beckett rubbed his jaw, giving a nod. “A mistake. Okay. I just don’t want to see you hurt again.”
Frustration made a swift circuit through her body. “I’m not going to get hurt. Tom has his own life now and I have mine. Please, just let me take care of this.”
“I’m trying,” he said.
Anna looked around the kitchen, at the mixing bowl half full of ingredients, and Beckett looking like he regretted ever bringing up the topic.
“I don’t want to fight,” he murmured.
Is that what they were doing? Fighting?
Anna shook her head. “We’re not fighting.”
Beckett nodded, but his smile came out forced. “Should we finish the dessert?”
“Sure.” But before he moved two steps, she had her arms around him from behind, pressing her cheek to his back.
“Anna?” The surprise in his voice was tinged with worry. “I wish you’d talk to me.”
She felt his hands rest over the top of hers as she closed her eyes for a long moment. She had to remember Beckett was just doing what he’d do with any of her sisters. Caring. Making sure she wasn’t hurt. But he was invested now, and that made it so much more complicated.
When they got back to work with the pies, Anna kept giving directions, all the while thinking if she were in France, she wouldn’t have to deal with any of this.
Chapter Eleven
Beckett was setting out horseshoes by the fire pit in back when he heard a car in the drive. He figured the Kellers would start showing up early for the party, but it was barely afternoon. When he walked to the front of the house and spied Eli, he grinned.
Eli got out and lifted his chin in greeting. “Hey, Beckett. Long time no see.”
“Yeah, some of us don’t have time for a vacation.”
Eli laughed and hugged Beckett with one arm. “I needed time to unwind.”
“You sure it wasn’t because of Olympia?” Beckett asked. Eli’s old girlfriend from high school had just moved back to town after her husband passed away and Beckett knew they had a complicated history.
Eli shrugged easily. “It wasn’t because of any specific thing. But I had to come back. I couldn’t miss out on this thing you and Poppy have going. The plan.”
Beckett frowned. “There’s nothing going on anymore. No plan.”
Eli pulled a few bags from the back seat of his car and passed one to Beckett. “I don’t believe you. This is my sister we’re talking about here. You have to tell me what’s going on. It’s your job.”
Beckett allowed for a chuckle. “Don’t give me any of that bro code shit. I don’t have to tell you anything I don’t want to.”
They brought the bags inside. Beckett opened them to find Eli had brought more provisions. Beer and chips and party cups. He set them out with the rest on the counter and brought the drinks to the refrigerator.
“Come on, I need details,” Eli told him. “You and Anna. This is epic.”
Beckett pulled a cold beer from the fridge and passed it over before getting one for himself. Instead of telling Eli about his relationship with Anna, he chose to bring up the other issue still weighing heavily on his mind.
“Did Poppy tell you about Tom?”
Eli’s eyes darkened. “What about him?”
“That his fiancée waltzed into the store last week looking for a wedding planner.”
“What? Wait—his fiancée?”
“Yep.”
“Shit.” Eli shook his head and took a long swig of beer. “He’s already hitched? And his fiancée? Don’t tell me it’s that woman—”
“One and the same.” Beckett scrubbed his hand over his jaw. He could barely believe it himself. He hated that Anna was having to deal with this. Hated it more that there was nothing he could do about it.
“So he cheats on Anna with the mayor’s daughter and now he’s marrying her?” Eli cursed again.
“I hear you,” Beckett said.
“What do you want to bet he’ll cheat on the daughter before the wedding?”
Beckett shifted uncomfortably. He didn’t enjoy the topic of conversation, but he was grateful to have someone else to talk to about it. He knew Eli shared his same feelings about Tom. They both agreed he was an ass who should have nothing more to do with Anna.
“What else aren’t you telling me?” Eli asked.
“He’s kind of been bothering Anna.”
“What do you mean bothering her?”
“I mean, he keeps coming around saying he wants to talk to her.” Beckett considered what he wanted to say, then finally just came out with it. “I think he wants her back.”
Eli slammed his beer on the counter. “Over my dead body. Hasn’t he done enough? We should go talk to him right now, or—”
“Hold on,” Beckett said. “Trust me, I want nothing more than to tell Tom how I feel and to get him out of Anna’s life for good, but this isn’t the way to do it. Besides, she wants to deal with it on her own.”
Eli gave a choked laugh. “Sure. Like we’re supposed to just stand by and do nothing.”
“I don’t like it either, but I think that’s what Anna expects. She…”
“What?”
Beckett sighed and walked to the living room to look out the window and see if any of the others were arriving. The sun burned bright in the afternoon sky, warming the day and promising a nice evening for the holiday.
He heard Eli’s footsteps approach behind him and turned. “Anna and I have been spending some time together.”
Eli had brought his beer with him and he lifted it to his lips, taking another swallow before saying, “I thought that was the plan. Figure out a way to spend some extra time with her. That’s what Poppy said.”
“I mean, it’s been more than that.”
Eli’s lips curved. “What’s more?” His eyebrows lifted. “Wait, if it’s that, I don’t want—”
“Hell, you had to take it there? No.” God, they hadn’t slept together. Not that he didn’t want to. Not that he hadn’t been more than ready to take that route when Anna had last been at his house, but he could see where she was coming from. It made sense to take those smaller steps.
“You care about her. I get it,” Eli said.
It was even more. He was in love with her. And it was the first time they’d ever had a chance.
When Beckett didn’t answer, Eli asked, “You’re taking it easy with her, right? I mean, after Tom—”
“I’m not trying to push her into anything if that’s what you’re talking about. But I brought up Tom and what I thought he was doing and sh
e wasn’t happy.”
“She can’t blame you. Come on, you’re like family. Of course you’re going to look out for her—especially with Tom in the picture.”
“I know. I just don’t want to step on her toes, you know? Push her away. I need…”
“What?”
“I need to do this right,” he decided.
Which meant he needed to talk to Anna and tell her about the plan he’d had with Poppy and Jillian. He had to tell her how he really felt and make sure he was as open as possible with her. So that their relationship could start on solid ground. And then he’d convince her to be open with her family. They couldn’t have a relationship if it was a secret.
Eli nodded toward the window. “Looks like the gang’s here.”
“Could you do me a favor?” Beckett asked.
“Sure.”
“Don’t say anything to anyone yet. Especially not Anna.”
“Why?”
“Because this is new, and we haven’t really talked about what’s going on between us. I don’t want her to hear that everyone already knows about us and how I feel before she does.”
Eli held up his beer in salute. “If that’s what you want. But if I were you, I’d get it figured out fast. My family isn’t that great at keeping secrets.”
“Yeah.” Beckett sighed. “I know.”
Eli grinned. “Let’s party.”
{}{}{}
Anna had finally returned Celeste’s text, feeling bad about putting it off. But now Celeste was intrigued and kept sending her messages Anna wasn’t sure how to answer. Celeste was persistent.
“Who are you texting?” Poppy asked her as they pulled up in front of Beckett’s house.
Jillian turned from the front seat and looked at her with a smile. “A secret boyfriend?”
Anna’s cheeks heated thinking about Beckett. He was a secret. But a boyfriend? She wasn’t sure. All she knew was how she felt when she saw him, when he had his arms around her. She felt safe. Wanted. And damn, she was attracted to him. More than attracted. She’d been completely under his spell the last time she was at his house, barely able to keep her head. A nice change from the monotony of her relationship with Tom. Or any of the others.
“It’s Celeste,” Anna told them before getting out of the car.
Poppy looped her arm through Anna’s, stopping her from following Jillian and the others inside.
