The Choice

by Shayla Black

  He took her mouth tenderly, opening her, feeling her responses unfurl like petals in the sun. When he sank past her lips, he heard the soft rush of breath as she sighed across his tongue. Passion flared. Unlike last time, he braced for the heady need, holding himself back so she had time to examine the heat, taste the fire, explore the sensations of his lips savoring hers. He reveled in her tightening fingers, her catches of breath. Fuck, if he let it, this kiss could blaze into a full-on inferno.

  Seth stopped it while he still could and eased back. She sat looking flushed everywhere—cheeks, lips, upper swells of her chest—almost as if she’d melted in his arms. He ached to dive in again. But he’d given Heavenly enough to process tonight. Her responses to him had proven his doubts this past week had been pointless, so the next step between them belonged to him—and it was a big one.

  Because after tonight, he had no doubts at all. Heavenly might be confused about choosing between him and Beck at the moment…but with a little patience and persuasion, he could make her his. The doctor was nothing more than a bump in the road.

  “You still want to go home?”

  She nodded. “Is that all right? I have to wait tables tomorrow and I still have a paper to finish.”

  He held in a curse. “Sure. How about you let me drive you home?”

  “Stay. I can take the bus.”

  In other words, no. Seth clenched his jaw but didn’t push her anymore tonight. “At least let me put you in a car. I’ll pay for it. But I need to know you’ll get home safely.”

  She hesitated. “All right. Thanks.”

  It didn’t take long to call her a taxi and let the guy swipe his card. As he opened the door for her, she paused, turning to face him. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  He nodded. “I have to fly back to New York, clear up a few things.”

  Heavenly looked distinctly unhappy. “Again?”

  “I won’t be gone long, angel. Believe me, nothing is going to keep me away from you.”

  That made her smile. He left her with a soft kiss, then shut the door, tapped on the cabbie’s roof, and watched her speed into the night.

  The minute she’d disappeared from sight, Seth turned back to the party with one thing on his mind.

  He tore inside the house, barreling out to the back patio, then spotted Beck and River giving Pike a snarling dressing down.

  “Stand aside,” he demanded of the duo holding Shadows’ dungeon monitor upright. “This asswipe is mine.”

  As both men dropped their hold, Pike rolled his eyes. Seth shoved him against the same wall he’d devoured Heavenly against a mere twenty minutes ago. The blood roared in his brain.

  Then he settled nose-to-nose with Pike. “You crossed a line. Do not ever speak to her again. Don’t even look at her. If she happens to cross you in the street, you turn and run the other way. Got it?”

  Pike’s cocky bravado ensured the guy wasn’t smart enough to shut his pie hole. “What if I don’t? What the fuck are you going to do about it?”

  Seth was done talking. He drew back his fist and threw all his weight into the cross punch. It landed straight across the man’s jaw. Pike’s head snapped back with the impact. His teeth knocked together with an audible crack. Seth saw the exact moment the blood flow to the main artery in Pike’s head stuttered. Seconds later, the man crumpled, sliding down the wall, temporarily unconscious.

  “Fuck,” he heard someone mutter. “One punch. Did you see that? Remind me not to piss him off.”

  Point made, Seth turned and headed back the way he’d come. He was done here. He had every intention of wishing Hammer a happy birthday, then heading back to Shadows for some R and R. Unfortunately, Liam stepped in his path, halting him mid-stride.

  “Wait,” the Irishman called. Seth wasn’t in any mood to linger or discuss tonight’s events, but his friend’s next words froze him in place. “Can you come here, Beck? This concerns you, too.”

  Seth tamped down his impatience as the doctor drew up alongside him. They exchanged a wary glance.

  “What’s up?” Beck asked.

  “I’ve something to say, and I need you to listen. No butting in before I’m done, mind.”

  Seth nodded. He owed one of his oldest and dearest friends a little patience after punching a guy out cold in his backyard. “I didn’t come to cause trouble.”

  “I don’t give a shit about Pike,” Liam assured. “It’s Heavenly I want to talk to you about. For one so innocent, your lass is a complicated contradiction, layers upon layers. Take heed and peel her open fast. If you don’t, the looming darkness shrouding her—and getting closer by the day—may tear her away for good.”

  “Huh? What’s that mean?” Beck asked.

  Liam shrugged. “The message is for you two to figure out. I just convey what I know.”

  Seth cocked his head. “Are you channeling your mom?”

  Liam flushed a dull red. “She rubs off a bit on me, is all.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” In Seth’s estimation, if he was half as intuitive as his mother, Liam’s warning bore heeding.

  “What the hell does that mean?” Beck tossed his hands in the air.

  Seth didn’t fill the idiot in, just walked away. Message received. He had to earn Heavenly’s trust or he might lose her forever. No way would he let that happen. He would damn well save her from whatever trials lay ahead and make her his for good.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  After making his morning rounds, Beck pushed through the double doors of the ER, anxious to take Heavenly away for some much-needed alone time.

  As he turned the corner, Kathryn stood over Heavenly with a condescending sneer. “You’re a volunteer. You don’t know enough yet to think. Leave that to the nurses who have actually earned degrees.”

  Beck marched toward them, jaw clenched. He was so over this shrew’s shit. Kathryn hadn’t opened Heavenly’s locker for a “prank” in the week since he and Seth had planted the surveillance camera. It was time to prod the viper into striking the way she was dying to and end this for good.

  Heavenly held up her hands. “You told me to—”

  “Hi.” Beck slung his arm around her waist and stroked her downy cheek. “Ready for our date, little girl?”

  Kathryn gasped, nostrils flared, then tried to bite back her outrage. But he heard.

  Yeah, he had the bitch’s attention…

  “Um…yes.” Heavenly tensed and tried to wriggle free.

  Nope. Wasn’t happening. He sent her an easy smile and snuggled the sweet ray of sunshine closer.

  “Dr. Beckman, we have standards of professionalism here that don’t include PDA.” Kathryn huffed. “That should be private.”

  A tremor shook Heavenly, and Beck hated knowing she was afraid of this cunt.

  Hopefully not for long.

  “You’re right. I know the perfect spot, and it’s not the janitor’s closet,” he quipped, then nudged Heavenly. “Let’s go.”

  Indignation filled Kathryn’s face as Heavenly grabbed her backpack. “I’m more than ready.”

  “Change your clothes, then we’ll head out.”

  “I didn’t say you could leave early,” Kathryn protested. “I need you here.”

  “Since I was determined to spend time with Heavenly, I cleared the schedule change with your boss. Bridget said yes. Now I have this girl to myself for the rest of the day.” He dropped to whisper in Heavenly’s ear, making sure Kathryn wouldn’t miss a word. “And all night.”

  Kathryn’s eyes sparked with fury. A wave of palpable hostility rolled off her.

  Bull’s-eye.

  Heavenly gave the woman a nervous glance. “Well, um—”

  “Bye, Kathryn. Don’t work too hard,” Beck tossed over his shoulder as he grabbed Heavenly’s hand and pulled her down the hall beside him until they were out of the bitch’s earshot.

  “I told you I have to wait tables tonight,” Heavenly whispered furiously.

  “I know.” Beck didn’
t like it, but he understood. He’d worked a few odd jobs through med school, too. “But she doesn’t.”

  “Why are you trying to make my time here worse?”

  “Change your clothes, then we’ll get out of here. And I’ll let you in on a secret,” he promised with a squeeze of reassurance.

  She sighed but complied, slipping into the ladies’ room. He waited outside until she emerged again, wearing a little bohemian sundress in an easy-breezy white with a band of lace around her waist that played peekaboo with the bare skin beneath and a handkerchief hem that flirted with her thighs. His eyes almost popped from his head. His mouth watered. His erection sprang to life instantly.

  Damn. How was he supposed to focus on charming her if all he could think about was commanding and fucking her? “You look great.”

  “Thanks. Are you going to tell me what’s going on now?”

  “Let’s go outside.” He took her hand and headed for the door.

  Once they found his car, Heavenly pinned him with a disgruntled scowl. “Now, what was all that about?”

  “I’m giving Kathryn enough rope to hang herself…with an extra foot or two for incentive.”

  She gaped. “What is wrong with you?”

  Beck slid a grin her way. “Do you want the list alphabetically or chronologically?”

  “This is serious. The minute your back is turned, Kathryn will shred me with her fangs and claws.”

  “No, she won’t.”

  Heavenly rolled her eyes. “Yeah, she will.”

  “No. She. Won’t.” He arched his brows.

  “What are you up to?”

  One day, he’d teach her that questioning him would earn her a sore, red ass. For now, he humored her, as he’d been doing for three long, ball-straining months. Inside, he was eager to tear away the bindings leashing his inner Dominant and wrap them around her sinful body until she was at his mercy and moaning.

  Shit, first he had to kiss her.

  “What you don’t know can’t get you in trouble.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Oh, my gosh. Please tell me what’s going on.”

  “I thought you trusted me, little girl.”

  “I do. After all, I jumped off a perfectly good bridge for you.”

  “Because you knew I would protect you, like I’m doing now. Let’s just say Kathryn will get exactly what she deserves.”

  “Oh, you make me nervous. You know there’s no way she doesn’t take the bait?” She sighed. “Of course you know that.”

  Beck burst out laughing. “Are you figuring out that maybe I’m scary after all?”

  “Sure, but do you understand that Kathryn is really sly? You can’t be with me every moment—”

  “Trust me. She won’t hurt you again. That’s a promise.” Beck cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

  It wasn’t the heated kiss shithead Seth had planted on her at Hammer’s party, but Beck wasn’t about to taste her lips for the first time in the bowels of a parking structure. It was decidedly unromantic, and Heavenly deserved better. But then, she’d also deserved more than choking on Seth’s tongue while he dry-humped her in front of a throng of partygoers. He’d ask what the asswipe had been thinking, but it was obvious all his blood had migrated south and shriveled his brain cells. Seth obviously hadn’t bothered to learn anything about Heavenly or he would have known such a public display would only embarrass the shy, sensitive girl.

  The whole thing had been a fucking nightmare. Watching Seth claim Heavenly’s mouth as if he owned it—and seeing her respond so hungrily—hadn’t even been the worst. Being unable to do a damn thing to stop them while they’d all but fucked with their clothes on had. Even a week later, no amount of mind bleach could disinfect the memory from Beck’s brain. But the war wasn’t over. The smooth, seducing prick might have kissed Heavenly first, but Beck vowed he’d be the first—and only—man to drag her beneath him and pleasure her until she shattered over and over.

  Reluctantly, he released her and opened the passenger door. After she settled into her seat, he climbed behind the wheel and headed toward the freeway, determined to put everyone else from his mind. This day was for him and Heavenly alone.

  Clasping his hand in hers, Beck pulled onto Coast Highway, toward Malibu. Beside him, Heavenly stared out at the ocean.

  “Oh, my gosh!” She sent him a delighted grin. “The Pacific! It’s so beautiful. And huge! Can we stop?”

  “You’ve lived in LA for months. You’ve never seen the beach?”

  She shook her head, unwilling to tear her gaze away from the vast blue water. “I haven’t had time.”

  “Then you’re in for a treat, little girl.”

  Beck found a place to park, looking forward to her reaction as the chilly water rolled across her bare feet for the first time. Hand in hand, they strolled through the blinding California sun along the short, tree-covered path and down the stairs to a sandy beach.

  Heavenly’s stare filled with wonder. “Wow, I feel so small.” Then she turned in a slow circle, taking in the massive rock formations, the opulent mansions poised on the hill, the lounging sunbathers, and the water rolling onto the sun-drenched sand again. “This is amazing.”

  “Not as amazing as you are,” he murmured in a low voice.

  “You’re making me blush. Then again, that’s easy.” She laughed at herself.

  Damn, she was adorable. “Take off your shoes; feel the sand between your toes.”

  With a giddy giggle, she kicked off her sandals. He hooked their straps over his finger and watched her grin widen as she curled her toes in the sand. “It’s softer than I expected.”

  He drank in her awe as he shucked his own shoes and cuffed his pant legs. Taking her hand once more, he led her to the edge of the water. The sand grew cold and firm, and he watched her face as a wave rolled in and broke around their ankles.

  “It’s freezing!”

  Yeah, that had surprised him the first time, too. “So you don’t want to go for a swim today?”

  “Oh, gosh no.”

  He laughed, loving that, like their trip to Disneyland, he could feel the newness of this experience through her. “How about a leisurely walk, then?”

  “I’d love that. I’m not ready to stop looking at the ocean. It’s just…” She sighed. “Wow.”

  A companionable silence settled between them as they strolled down the beach. Heavenly finally stopped ping-ponging her gaze between the massive homes and the ocean waves to smile up at him. “Thank you for stopping here. It’s beautiful.”

  “And today, I’m letting you keep both feet on the ground.”

  “I’m really happy about that.”

  “Yeah? Well, I brought a barf bag in case you need to—”

  “Oh, hush,” she chided, slapping at his shoulder.

  Beck led her to a jutting stone rising out of the sand. “We need to talk about Hammer’s party, little girl.”

  Her face clouded over. “I’d rather not. Besides, we’ve eaten lunch together this past week and you haven’t said a word. Why bring it up now?”

  “I respect your privacy. I wasn’t going to discuss it in the cafeteria, where Kathryn or anyone else could overhear.” He pinned her with a serious stare.

  “Thank you.”

  “But I haven’t said everything I need to.” Beck hooked his finger under her chin and locked their gazes together. “I’m going to now.”

  “I swear, I wasn’t trying to shove it in your face. I’d never been kissed and I-I lost my head. I stopped thinking. And I feel terrible about it.”

  “I told you I’m not mad at you. Of course you were caught up. It was a completely new experience for you.” Cocksucking Seth, on the other hand, damn well knew better and he’d just kept coming at Heavenly with every seductive weapon in his arsenal. “After all the time we’ve spent together, I know you’d never intentionally hurt me.”

  She sent him a regretful shake of her head. “I saw the expression in your eyes, the anger on y
our face…”

  “I’m not going to lie, watching you kiss him back stung. You’ve been open about your feelings. But seeing the heat between you two was…an eye-opener.”

  Actually, it convinced him he’d been tiptoeing around his blazing attraction to Heavenly for too long.

  “I’m sorr—”

  “Shh.” He placed a finger over her lips, wishing his mouth covered them instead. “Don’t apologize for caring about people. Your big heart is one of the reasons I find you so fascinating.”

  “You have a big heart, too, you know.”

  Beck shook his head in denial, then delved into her big blue eyes and gathered all his courage to ask the question screaming through his head. “I just need to know if your feelings for me are as strong.”

  Heavenly didn’t hesitate. “Every bit. That’s why I’m so confused.”

  Her answer didn’t surprise him. “I’m sure you are.”

  “When I’m with either of you, I have the best time. Since I saw how upset you were after Seth kissed me, I’ve been telling myself that I have to choose. I can’t keep hurting either of you. But I don’t know how to do it.”

  At the guilt in her tone, he cupped her cheek. “I don’t want you agonizing over this right now.”

  “I can’t help it. I hate the thought that either of you might think I’m playing some sort of game.”

  “I don’t. What you’re feeling isn’t right or wrong; it just is. The choice will become clear to you—in time. It might come faster if you stop trying to force yourself to decide.”

  “I’ll try.” Heavenly sounded somewhere between unconvinced and dejected.

  “Do your best.” He sent her a tender smile. “I need to ask one more thing: When Seth took you inside after he kissed you, did he talk to you, try to calm you down?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s all I needed to hear.” Maybe I won’t have to kill him, after all.

  Of course, after watching the PI knock Pike out with one punch, Beck wondered if he could possibly win a fistfight against his rival…

  Heavenly’s stomach growled, interrupting his thoughts. “Did you skip breakfast?”