by Lila Kane
“She doesn’t want you to know anything about this,” Beckett said, keeping his voice low.
“Anything about what?” Eli stepped on a short stool. “Looks to me like you guys are just trying to balance getting to know each other with the friendship you already had.”
“It’s a big step for her, though.”
Eli nodded. “I guess you’re right. After Tom, any kind of relationship is a big step. But with you, it’s huge.”
Beckett let the weight of his words settle. Eli was right. It was huge. Not just because it was a relationship, but because they were friends. Close friends. If starting a relationship screwed with that, he didn’t know what he’d do. And it would probably devastate Anna.
“Do you think she needs more time?” Beckett asked.
Eli stopped taking pictures for a moment and looked over. “No, what I think she needs is for someone to sweep her off her feet. She trusts you, Beckett, and if you’re doing the sweeping then maybe she won’t be so afraid to get into a new relationship.” Eli lifted the camera again, then paused. “Just don’t hurt her. And don’t go too fast. And don’t—”
“Yeah. I got it. One thing at a time. It’s already too much pressure.”
Eli chuckled and got back to taking pictures. “Relationships aren’t easy. That’s why I’m single.”
Beckett wisely kept his mouth shut.
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Once he finished with the pictures, Anna helped Eli return his equipment to his car. “Doing anything later?”
“Sorry,” Eli said as he loaded the trunk. “I’ve got to get going.”
He tossed a wave at Beckett, gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and hopped in his car, leaving her standing with her mouth open.
Great. So much for getting his perspective. She pulled the bandana off her head before turning to face Beckett.
“I guess that’s it,” Anna said. “Thanks for your help.”
She waited for Beckett to move, to walk to his car and head home, but instead he stood there, eyes bright in the sun, and stared at her. He kept doing that.
“What?” she asked.
“You’re not avoiding me again, are you?”
“What? No. I just thought—”
“I wouldn’t want to spend some time with you?” He grinned. “’Cause you’d be wrong.”
Her lips twitched. “I figured you might already have plans.”
“This is supposed to be the fun part, right?” he asked, leaning against the back of his truck.
“What is?”
He reached out and snatched the bandana from her hand with a smile. “The beginning of a relationship.”
“It is. You’re right. I’m…being cautious.” And he had to understand that. She didn’t trust in relationships anymore.
“I get it.” He nodded. “And it makes sense. You’re closing soon, right?”
“Leah said she’d finish up the last of what needed to get done but I might as well help her before I head home.”
“I have a better idea,” he said. “Why don’t you come with me?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Come with you where?”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he said, taking a step closer.
“Like what?”
“Like you think I’m playing a trick on you?”
Nervous laughter bubbled up in her chest. “I’m not. I mean, I don’t think you’re playing a trick on me.”
He reached out, running his hand along her arm. “Let me break this down for you. This is me, Beckett, a guy you’ve known all your life. I wouldn’t play a trick on you. I just want to spend time with you. Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Maybe because Tom never did. It was more like a business relationship than a romantic one,” she blurted. When he didn’t answer, she grimaced. “Shit. Sorry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about Tom. I know you’re not Tom. I—”
“Anna. Take a breath.”
And she did, because she didn’t know what else to do. He wasn’t Tom and she’d just insulted him.
“I’m not Tom,” he said.
“I know. I promise you, Beckett. I know that.”
“He treated you like shit, and I get you’re still dealing with that. I swear I’d never treat you like that.”
Her heart squeezed tight in her chest. She wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe in happliy ever afters like Summer did. And with Beckett, she almost thought it was possible.
“Thank you,” Anna murmured. She stepped closer, leaning up to kiss him. “Thank you for saying that.”
When she would have eased back, he wrapped his arms around her, tight enough to snatch her breath.
“I meant it,” he said.
Her lips met his again, soft at first, then a slow slide into complete bliss. His hands were gentle, skimming her sides and running up her back to sink into her hair. For a moment, the world went silent around her, all sounds drowning away, except for the catch of her breath and the beating of her heart.
And then she remembered herself. Remembered that anyone, especially one of her sisters or Leah, could see them.
She stepped back even though her body still hummed with need for him. She held up a hand. “Hold on.”
“They’re going to find out eventually.”
She blinked. “What?”
He only smiled. “Your family. Your friends. Everyone. They’ll find out about us. And I’m okay with that.”
“I’m not—that’s—” She broke off. How had he known that’s what she was thinking? It made sense to keep this a secret. Just for now. Just in case it didn’t work out. “I don’t…” Anna shook her head and untied her apron. “I should probably get back inside.”
“No, you shouldn’t. You should come with me. To dinner.”
“Like a date?”
“Exactly. I need more of you, Anna.”
A laugh tumbled out. That didn’t sound like Beckett. Or maybe it was just that it was directed toward her. Beckett was smooth, and it was working.
“I can’t believe you just said that,” she whispered.
“It’s true.”
She needed more of him, too.
Beckett grinned. “What? Are you scared?”
“I’m not scared.” She laughed and backed up a step. And when his grin widened, she realized she had just proved him right. “No, I’m not scared. Beckett, you…”
“Come with me,” he coaxed. “If I have to, I’ll keep my hands to myself, even though I don’t want to.”
Her stomach quivered with anticipation. No, she didn’t want him to keep his hands to himself. Not anymore.
“I’m not dressed for dinner…” Anna began, glancing down at her casual jeans and T-shirt.
“You look perfect.” Beckett took her hand and led her around his truck. “Get in and I’ll tell Leah you’re leaving now. Does that work?”
Anna opened her mouth, but he smiled again.
“Don’t change your mind,” he said. “Just trust me.”
He took her apron and bandana and jogged inside before she could respond.
Anna stood outside Beckett’s truck, staring toward the mountains and wondering how she had gotten herself here. In a matter of weeks, her world had flipped upside down.
She’d gone from a low place about her future to a potential new relationship and a potential new job and life overseas. But she wasn’t sure about either. Was leaving and starting over fresh her best choice? Or staying here and seeing how things went with Beckett?
With a sigh, she leaned in to look at the side mirror and fix her hair as well as she could. What she needed right now wasn’t a mirror, but Poppy’s guidance.
Unsure about that situation in her life either, she decided to do what Beckett suggested and trust him.
Chapter Thirteen
To Anna’s surprise, they headed away from town and toward Beckett’s house. “I thought we were going to dinner.”
“We’re going to have dinner. In a
less conventional way.”
“Are we going to your house?”
“Just for a minute.” He flashed her a smile. “I need to grab something before we go.”
“Beckett,” Anna said.
He took a turn in the road before glancing over at her. “What?”
“I’m not used to you being like this.”
“Like what?”
“Mysterious.”
He laughed, deep and throaty, and the sound warmed her all the way to her toes. “You think I’m mysterious?”
“You planned something and you’re not telling me what it is. You keep showing up everywhere I am. It’s not a coincidence.”
He reached out, his fingers closing around hers. “No, it’s not.”
“I see,” Anna said, trying to keep her voice even. It had been a while since she’d flirted, and she’d never flirted with Beckett. “You’re stalking me.”
His laugh sounded again. “Not quite. But you’re mysterious, too, Anna. I can’t seem to figure you out. So I’m just trying to make sure you don’t slip through my fingers before I do.”
Her heart stalled, even as she tried to make sense of his words. This wasn’t the Beckett she was used to.
“Here we are.” He stopped in front of the house. “I’ll be right back.”
“Wait.” She reached for the handle.
“Don’t ruin the surprise.”
But she hopped out before he could say anything else and walked around to his side. “I have something say first.”
His eyebrows lifted. He leaned his back against the door. “I’m listening.”
“I’m sorry. I know I said that before, but I wanted to say it again.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
She stepped up to him, reaching out to rest her hands on his chest. “I do. For both of us. I like that you keep stopping by my work and showing up everywhere I go. I’m not used to it, but I like it. I want more of it.” She smiled, echoing his earlier words. “More of you.”
He snatched her against his chest, nothing restrained about his kiss this time. His mouth captured hers, hungry and full of passion. And this time she didn’t hold back. She pressed against him, reveling in the feel of his body, the strength in his muscles and the warmth from his skin. His hands slid under her shirt in the back, running up bare skin and giving her the chills.
“Dinner can wait, right?” she asked between kisses.
His lips brushed hers when he said, “If that’s what you want.”
“That’s what I want.”
Her whole body already alive from his touch, she laughed when he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the house. He stopped on the porch to kiss her again. Her fingers squeezed a handful of his dark hair and he groaned, shooting desire straight to her middle.
“Inside,” she whispered breathless, trying to stop herself from pulling his shirt off on the porch.
He fumbled with the door, then cursed when he realized it was locked. He dug his keys from his pocket. She reached around, hands sliding up the front of his shirt, along his abdomen and to his chest.
“Shit. Keys,” he said, voice coming out hoarse.
He finally shoved them in the lock and pushed the door open. She stumbled in after him, and he grabbed her again, kicking the door closed with his foot.
He tugged on the hem of her shirt, rising it over her belly, and then pulled it over her head. Her hair dropped back down, sweeping across her bare shoulders. And suddenly, Beckett’s mouth wasn’t on hers. He stepped back, eyes raking her body.
When she reached for him, he caught her hands with a shake of his head. “Hold on,” he said, voice low. “I don’t want to rush this.”
She resisted the urge to pluck her shirt off the floor. “You’re making me self-conscious.”
He exhaled. “You’re beautiful.”
Her throat dried. “Beckett.”
“I’ve been waiting for this. For you. For a long time.”
And the love she heard in his voice almost undid her. She forgot her anxiety and let herself go. Let herself feel without thinking.
This wasn’t just Beckett anymore, it was a man who treated her like she meant something. Who knew her better than most. Who made her melt when he talked to her or had his hands on her.
He took her hand again, leading her to the bedroom. Inside, the blinds were half-drawn, the bed made and the room cool.
Beckett grazed his knuckles over her jaw and gave a smile. “Let’s see what’s under here.”
And just like that, he’d caught her off guard again. When those same knuckles brushed her belly as they undid the button on her jeans, her body shook with anticipation. How in the hell wasn’t Beckett nervous? He looked so cool, so composed.
“Relax,” Beckett suggested, sliding her jeans down her legs. He nudged her to the bed, easing her onto her back. His eyes wandered the length of her body, lips curving slightly.
When he pulled off his shirt as well and went for the button on his jeans, all the thoughts left her mind. What did he do? Work out every day? Every part of him was toned. Firm. And she wanted him all over her. In her.
She reached for him, and he joined her on the bed, hands wandering, brushing, sliding. Her heart hammered out of control, nearly exploding when he pulled off the rest of her clothes and reached to cup her between her legs.
Her eyes shut automatically, breath catching.
“Open your eyes, Anna,” she heard him whisper.
Her eyes flickered open, filled with his smile, the kindness behind his gaze. “I want to know you’re here with me. In this with me.”
“This just…doesn’t feel real.” Her voice came out breathy as she tried to find the words. “You—you’re Beckett, one of my closest friends, and part of our family. I always thought you were going to make some other woman fall completely in love with you and be wonderful to her and, you know, live happily ever after.”
He rolled over so his body covered hers. “Is it too far of a stretch to believe that woman could be you?”
Her world tilted. Was he really asking her this? Could she fall in love with Beckett?
“Hold that thought,” he murmured, and then slid inside of her, making her eyes close again.
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Beckett rocked his hips slowly, enjoying the feel of Anna’s body brushing against his. The soft sighs that escaped her lips. With her eyes closed, hair spread on his pillow, she looked like she belonged. In his house. In his life. Forever.
When he leaned down, his teeth grazing her nipple, her breath caught and her eyes flew open. Her fingers clenched on his shoulders.
“Oh, God,” she said, body tightening. “You could have told me before…that you were so good at this.”
“Why?”
“I might have taken you up on the offer sooner.”
He chuckled, and then blew out a breath as sensations hit him. The feel of her fingers running over his chest, her hips pumping against his. She picked up the pace, body sliding against his like silk. He gripped her hands and pinned them to the pillow by her head before plunging hard and deep.
Her body shook against his as they both went over the edge.
Beckett collapsed on top of her, body warm, her hair brushing his cheek. When he moved to roll off of her, she wrapped her arms around him.
“Not yet,” she murmured.
He returned the embrace, easing to the side so she could pillow her head against this chest. She smelled like frosting from the cake she’d set out earlier for Eli to photograph. He turned his face into her hair, breathing in deep.
“You always smell like you just baked something.”
He heard the smile in her voice when she answered. “That’s because I usually just have.”
He traced one finger down her cheek, his entire body relaxed. He never thought he’d end up back here in his bed before the day was over. And he definitely hadn’t thought he’d end up here with Anna.
Her body curled against his, f
itting right up against him. Perfect.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
“That this feels right.”
She shifted, looking up at him with wide eyes. “How can you be so sure about everything?”
“Doesn’t this feel right to you?”
Her chin lowered as she thought about it, fingers working in lazy circles on his chest. When her hand slid lower to his abdomen, he caught it in his.
“Anna,” he warned, voice rough. She might not be trying to distract him but she was going a good job. “I’m fine with staying here all afternoon. Just give me the word.”
She exhaled, then sat up, giving him a better view of her body. And he couldn’t help it when his eyes dipped, or his hands reached out for her again.
She choked on laughter. “Beckett. I can’t—I need my clothes.”
He snatched her around the waist before she could get out of bed and straddled her, pinning her to the mattress.
“Don’t be shy,” he said with a grin.
“But it’s—you’re—”
“Don’t say a friend. Or family. Friends definitely don’t do this.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she smiled. “Yes, I was going to say that. Sorry. This is a weird situation.”
“Good weird or bad weird?” He let his gaze wander. “Because from this view point, I’m definitely thinking good weird.”
Her cheeks turned red, amusing him.
“See, when you say things like that, it makes it worse.” She grimaced. “No, not worse. Bad phrasing. It makes it hard. This seems natural to you. Normal.”
He released her, letting her ease up. She pulled the covers over her with an apologetic smile.
“I don’t know if I’d say normal,” he said, taking her hand. “But natural, sure. I’m attracted to you. I have feelings for you. This is pretty much the usual way of going about doing things.”
“When you say it like that. Then yes.”
He gave her fingers a squeeze. “Good. I want to be with you, Anna, and this feels right to me. Let me know if it’s a problem for you.”
Her lips curved. “Not so far. But maybe I’d better test it out again just to be sure.”
He started to chuckle, and then groaned when she dropped the comforter and crawled over to him, looking like a feline on the prowl.
