Beautiful Series Boxset, books 1-4

by Lilliana Anderson

  His hands move down toward my arse, lifting me up in a show of strength as if I weigh nothing. I circle my legs around his waist, clinging to him and kissing him like I’m an addict and he’s my drug, not giving a thought to where we are. Crazy. Insane. Nuts.

  I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been drinking when I shouldn’t, or because I’ve been without a man in my life since Christopher, but my emotions are swimming around in my head, overriding any common sense I may have had in this situation. I give into my need for this man’s touch and tighten my grip around him as my tongue dives into his mouth more forcefully, exploring him, drinking him in.

  “Um, Katrina?” an Irish accent interrupts the moment.

  My eyes pop open, and I pull away from Elliot slowly, peering over his shoulder. I see Connor standing there with a look of disbelief on his face, closely followed by Kayley, David and worst of all, Bianca.

  She stands there behind the others shaking her head disapprovingly, while I remain frozen: my hair a mess, my lips swollen from kissing Elliot so hard, and my legs still wrapped around his waist.

  “What’s going on?” he whispers, not daring to turn around.

  I push myself away from him and lower my legs while he supports my weight until my feet touch the ground.

  Embarrassed from losing control in such a public place, I look from Elliot to the group before I stammer out, “I… I’m sorry. I h-have to go.”

  I run.

  Barely even five steps away, I hear David yell, “I’ll go!”

  I don’t stop.

  I know he’s chasing me, but I just keep going. I’m angry at him too.

  At full speed, I dash through Darling Park with the single thought of making it to Town Hall station. I need to go home.

  “Trina!” David calls out, catching me before I’ve even exited the concrete park. “Stop. What the hell was that about? Are you OK?”

  “What the fuck do you care?” I shoot back, slowing down to a walk, but continuing at top speed.

  “That’s bullshit and you know it, Trina. I care. Slow down, damnit.” He reaches for my shoulder. “Talk to me properly.”

  I stop and look at him face on. “I don’t know what I’m doing, David,” I cry. “I just made a complete fool of myself in front of my co-workers. Every time I’m around him, I can’t even think straight.” Tears of frustration fall from my eyes, and I shake my head, annoyed that I can’t seem to fight them. “I’m sick of feeling like this. I’m sick of going without.”

  Catching my face in the warm palms of his hands, David shushes me and holds me steady, wiping my tears away as his thumbs gently caress my cheeks. “Hey, baby girl. Please don’t cry. Just calm down. Everything will be all right.”

  “No, it won’t. I don’t want this David. I don’t want to want something I can’t have. And Bianca saw. My god. Of all the people in that club, why did you have to choose her? She hates me.” I throw my hands up in exasperation and pull my face out of his hands. “I am a walking magnet for drama. All this, and it’s only been a week. This isn’t me, David. This isn’t the kind of person I am.”

  “Bianca?” He frowns. “What’s she got to do with all this?”

  “Bianca is nothing but a bitch toward me, David. She might have been all gorgeous sex kitten towards you tonight. But as soon as you left me with her at the bar, she asked me if I was a cutter because of my scars then warned me off Elliot. Every time I see her, she has something bitchy to say to me. She keeps calling me a boy. Why do you keep doing this to me? Why do you choose girls that are everything I’m not?”

  David takes a step back, his brow knitted tightly together. “I didn't choose her at all. I was just making conversation. I didn’t even know you were having trouble with her. You never told me she was giving you a hard time. You’ve hardly talked about your work at all. I only know about Elliot because I caught you staring after him on your first day. Otherwise, before tonight and that… that scene on the wharf, I’d have no clue. You have to talk to me, Trina. We're best friends, and before Christopher came along and fucked everything up, you and I were everything. I know you’ve been going through a hard time, and I’ve been patient, waiting until you’re ready to...but…” He pauses and shakes his head. “You’re everything to me. Don’t push me away because I remind you why Christopher hurt you.” He stares into my eyes, showing me how serious he is before he draws me into a tight hug. I sigh against his shoulder, realising I haven’t been a fantastic friend lately.

  “I’m sorry,” I cry. “I'm sorry. I’m a mess.”

  “It’s OK, baby girl. It’s OK.”

  As soon as I’ve calmed down, we walk arm in arm towards the train station, remembering half way there that we were supposed to catch the train back with Carmel. “I should call her and tell her where we are.”

  “I wasn’t going to do anything with Bianca,” David says while we wait for her to catch up. “Bitchy isn't really my type.” I lift my brow, knowing to the contrary so he adds, “Anymore,” with that lopsided grin of his that melts my heart and instantly makes me smile in return.

  “It doesn’t even matter, David. You can sleep with whomever you like. And like always, it’s none of my business. Although, I do think you should steer clear of Bianca. I’m pretty sure she’s a siren who’ll drown you if you get too close,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

  An amused burst of air leaves his nose, but he stays fairly serious as he meets my eyes. “I didn’t realise you and Elliot had gotten so close.”

  I take a deep breath. “We’ve been training together,” I admit.

  He seems taken aback. “For how long?”

  “Just since Wednesday. We were both running, so we ran together. Then we went to the gym at lunch together.”

  “I see.”

  “I don’t really understand what’s going on because he runs hot and cold. There’s that no dating policy at work, so he acts like he barely knows me in the office, but then we’re best friends at lunch. And he’s funny and easy to get along with.” I reach out and touch his arm, trying to relax him as he tightens his jaw. “He’s a lot like you, really. I think you’d get along if you gave each other a chance.”

  “Jesus, Trina,” he mutters, looking away as he runs his tongue along his bottom teeth.

  “I know,” I say. “It’s reckless. I don’t even know him.”

  “Hey guys.” David looks over my shoulder at the sound of Carmen approaching, the dark look on his face telling me she’s not alone. I turn around and see Carmel walking toward us with both Andrew and Elliot. David takes a step away from me.

  “Thanks for waiting,” Carmel says brightly. “I hate catching the train home by myself at night. I normally go home much earlier than this, but since you guys were staying, I thought, what the hell.” She giggles, a little breathless from her brisk walk. “I was freaking out when you left without me.” Elliot stands beside her watching me intently, his eyes dark and serious.

  “I’m sorry about that,” I say. “It won’t happen again.”

  “Ah, that’s what phones are for.” She waves my apology away.

  “My car is at the station if you need a ride home,” I offer, trying not to focus on Elliot’s gaze as it bores through me.

  “Will you be sober enough to drive home?” Andrew asks.

  “I’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I only had three drinks. I just didn’t eat much today, and it went straight to my head. Anyway, it takes an hour and a half to get home at this time of night. I’ll be well and truly sober by then.”

  “In that case, I’d love a ride home, thanks,” Carmel accepts, reaching up to Andrew and giving him a quick kiss goodbye. I watch the exchange and realise that Albina was right; the 'no-dating' rule doesn’t stop anyone at all. However, it could definitely cause problems if the wrong people knew about you. Like Bianca for example.

  Elliot touches my hand and lifts it toward him a little. “Can we talk before you go?”

  I nod and squeeze David
’s arm to reassure him before walking a few steps away to talk to Elliot more privately.

  “I’m sorry,” he starts, frowning as he shifts on his feet. “I’m sorry if I pushed you or embarrassed you. It wasn’t my intention. I lost control.”

  “You didn’t do anything, Elliot. I embarrassed myself.”

  He studies my face for a moment, gauging my state of mind. If he could really see inside it, he’d find chaos and storms. “About Beth: she’s my PA. I know she has a thing for me. But I try not to encourage it. Putting my arm around her tonight was…a lapse in judgement.” He runs his fingers though his hair causing it to stick up at an odd angle.

  I curl my hands into fists as I resist the urge to reach up and smooth it down for him. He frowns in thought and continues. “When Priya brought you to my office on Monday, I wasn’t expecting this. I wasn’t expecting to look up and have this jolt hit me in the chest. It really freaked me out. And honestly, I probably would have gone out of my way to avoid you but then you jumped into the elevator and”—he shakes his head and frowns again—“suddenly you were the only person I wanted to see.” He reaches out and brushes the backs of his fingers along my cheek, and once again I close my eyes as his touch sends pleasure ripples through my body.

  “I hated seeing you dance with that guy tonight,” he whispers, stepping closer to me.

  My head clouds from his proximity, and I’m finding it hard to breathe, let alone speak. I flounder for my words. “I… I don’t know if I’m ready for this, Elliot. It’s all too much. It’s happening too fast.”

  “Then we take it as slow as you want.” He shifts closer to me. “Take our time because I don’t think I could stay away from you if I wanted to.” He places his hand on the back of my head, and I catch my breath as he leans down and kisses me slowly. I feel like jelly in his arms as I relax against the hard plains of his body, languishing in the feeling of his mouth on mine. Out of breath, I’m trembling as we pull away from each other.

  “Give me your phone.” He releases me and holds out his hand. I fumble through my bag and hand it to him, watching as he taps in his number and calls his own phone. “There. Now we both have each other’s numbers,” he says as he hands it back.

  I smile to myself as I look at my call list and notice he saved it under ‘Evan’. “I guess I’ll call you some time then.” I hug the phone to my chest.

  “I’d like that.”

  “We ready? There’ll be a train soon,” David calls out impatiently.

  “OK, we’re coming,” I tell him, smiling as we all walk together to the station. Elliot takes my hand and interlaces our fingers, leaning in close. Carmel and Andrew hold hands as well.

  David is the odd man out, walking beside me with his hands in his pockets and his head down. He’s become silent, and, noticing the change, I worry about him.

  Upon reaching the station, the train is due within a couple of minutes. “Message that you’re home safe,” both Elliot and Andrew tell us as we say a quick goodbye.

  “I’ll be sure to,” David teases as he hurries Carmel and I through the barriers. With a wave over our shoulders, we rush down the stairs and make it to the platform just as the train is pulling in.

  “How long have you been dating Andrew?” I ask Carmel as we take our seats at the front of the carriage. She sits in the rear-facing seat across from David and me.

  “About a year now. It’s going well.” She smiles, her cheeks glowing.

  “And there haven’t been any repercussions at work?”

  “Not really. The no-dating policy is only a problem if someone else has a problem with you dating. No one cares if Andrew and I are together so we haven’t been reported. We keep to ourselves, don’t flaunt the relationship during work hours and we seem to get on OK.” She shrugs. “But let’s face it, he’s no Elliot, so no one is paying attention. You, on the other hand, will need to be very careful—especially after tonight. A lot of girls will have their noses out of joint when they find out he kissed you in front of everyone. You’ve got the guy they’ve been after for months after only one week. Dating him will ruffle some serious feathers and most likely get you both fired.”

  I lean back in the seat and let out a heavy sigh. “We’ll have to hide it.”

  David sits forward, frowning. “Listen, this may be none of my business here, but do you think that’s wise? I’m all for you moving on, but I don’t know if a secret relationship is a good thing for you.”

  “No, David. I don’t think it’s wise.” I sigh again and look out the window at the passing lights of the tunnel. “But I feel drawn to him, and I need to find out where that takes us. Hopefully, without either of us losing our jobs.”

  “I just want you to think about this seriously. You’ve gone from saying you didn’t want a relationship, that it was all happening too fast. And now you’re talking about risking your job for a guy you’ve only known for two minutes. You’re flip-flopping, and I’m worried for you.” He crosses his arms over his chest and puts his feet on the seat across from him. Doing exactly what the sign above his head tells him not to.

  I place my hand on his thigh. “I know what I’m doing, David.”

  “Well, I’m glad you know,” he mumbles, as he chews on his thumbnail and stares out the window. I watch him for a moment. He only chews his nails when he’s agitated. And I get why he is. I’m agitated too. But I’m also excited. I’m feeling hopeful. When he sees how happy I am, he’ll calm down and be his regular supportive self again.

  When the train pulls into Penrith Station, David walks us both over the bridge and to my car.

  “Will you come over tomorrow?” I ask him before he leaves.

  He leans forward and kisses me roughly on the cheek. “Sure,” he says without feeling, raising his hand to say goodbye to Carmel. “It was nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” she says as she gets into the passenger seat of my car. “Is there something going on between you two?” she asks once the doors are closed. “I mean, did you used to date or something?”

  I start the car as soon as I see David get inside his own. “No. He doesn’t see me that way. We’ve never dated and there’s nothing going on. He’s just… protective of me. We’ve been through a lot together... as friends.”

  The explanation seems to placate her, so she doesn’t ask any more questions. Instead, making small talk as she directs me towards her house, thanking me for the lift as she gets out of the car.

  “You’re more than welcome,” I reply. “It was nice meeting you tonight.”

  “Same to you. And good luck with Elliot. It’s nice to see him smiling again.” She shuts the door and waves to me before walking up the path that leads to her door.

  Watching until I see her step inside, I put the car into drive and release an exhausted sigh. “Luck, huh? Between David and Elliot, I think I’m gonna need it.”

  Eight

  “Katrina. Wake up!” My eyes pop open as my mother shakes me from my sleep.

  “What happened? Is everyone OK?”

  “You were moaning and whimpering in your sleep. I could hear you from the kitchen,” she says, her face full of concern. “It sounded like you were having one of your nightmares.”

  Pieces of the dream come floating back to me, the throbbing between my legs telling me my dream wasn’t scary at all. I sit up and awkwardly clear my throat. “Mum, I’m fine… I don’t even remember what it was.”

  “Oh, look at you. You’re all flushed.” She attempts to reach out and smooth my hair like she always does when she thinks I’m upset. Moving my head to the side, I catch her hand and pat it reassuringly.

  “Seriously, Mum. I’m fine… Thanks for worrying about me, though.”

  “As long as you’re sure?”

  “I’ll let you get dressed then,” she offers, standing as she backs out of the room. “I was thinking of making eggs. Do you want some? Or are you training first?”

  “I’ll train first.”

  She n
ods and shuts my door on her way out.

  Getting up, I lock my door, flopping back on my bed with a dramatic moan. The dream is clear now: Elliot settled between my thighs, lapping away like a pro. It felt incredibly real. I can’t believe I was moaning so loud my mother heard me!

  My face feels like it’s on fire from both the dream and the embarrassment. I’ll have to remember to lock my door before bed in the future. Can’t have mothers busting in on erotic dreams too often. Talk about awkward.

  Oh, but that dream!

  I sigh as I shift a little in my bed. My clit aching badly from the effects of dream Elliot’s tongue. Or was it Evan?

  I giggle to myself as I close my eyes, remembering the intensity, the way he felt as my fingers pulled at his hair. It seems a shame to waste an arousal that tightens my entire core. I bite my lip in daring, feeling pretty safe with my locked door, deciding to finish what my dream started.

  Closing my eyes, I slide my hand inside my pyjama bottoms and into my panties. I’m so aroused that my body flinches involuntarily when my finger touches my sensitive spot and makes its way between my slick wet folds. I let out a silent moan as I reach two fingers inside and massage my inner walls, allowing the palm of my hand to press against my engorged clit.

  Sheathed in my wetness, my fingers move like they’re gliding over silk as I gently tease my nub. Exploding in seconds, my body jolts euphorically, a gentle pulse beneath my finger syncing with the rapid beat of my heart.

  With my body tingling happily, I lie there with my eyes closed, drifting off again and thinking of nothing but him.

  Grabbing an apple to eat before I train, I munch on the sweet flesh as I hitch my bike up to the back of my car.

  “Where you going?” David asks, walking up behind me. “I thought you wanted me to come around?”

  “I did. But I wasn’t expecting you so early.” I glance at my watch. “It’s eight-fifteen. You're never out of bed this early on a Saturday.”