To Have and to Harley

by Regina Cole

  That was impossible in front of Mrs. Yelverton. Bethany was almost her daughter. He’d keep his hands to himself out of respect for that.

  But damn, it was hard.

  “No, she went out shopping to blow off some steam. She’s got a big project due this week, and she needed a little break.”

  “That’s too bad.” Mrs. Yelverton sighed as Bethany sank onto the stool next to Trey. “I’d hoped she’d be able to see the invitations at least.”

  “I showed her. She loved them.” Bethany smiled at Trey, and he couldn’t stop the squeezing feeling in his chest. “She said to tell you thank you.”

  “No problem,” he rasped.

  Mrs. Yelverton turned and busied herself pouring Bethany a glass of tea. In the split second of privacy, Trey reached beneath the counter and rubbed his palm along Bethany’s leg.

  Her bright smile and the spark in her eyes told him all he needed to know.

  Damn, he’d missed that girl.

  “Well, should we get started?” Bethany asked as she pulled a manila folder from her bag.

  “Oh damn. I’ve left my glasses in the office. I’ll be right back.”

  Mrs. Yelverton left the room, and they were alone.

  He looked at Bethany for a long moment. How could he tell her what he was thinking? Feeling? How things were all mixed up and complicated, but when he was next to her…

  “Hi,” she said quietly, a small smile on her face.

  “Hi,” he said, reaching over to her. “I’m sorry for running out on you like that.” He gripped her fingers in his own, raking his thumb over her knuckles.

  “It was kind of sudden,” she agreed. “I should probably be angry at you.”

  “Are you?” He lifted her hand to his mouth, his lips brushing across the back of her hand.

  “I don’t think you would have left if it wasn’t really important.”

  “You’re right. I wouldn’t have.”

  “Then I’m not mad,” she whispered.

  Trey pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It was a sweet reunion at first, gentle and exploring. But Bethany opened her mouth to him, and as desire surged in his veins, he let his hands sweep down her back and passion spurred their kiss deeper. Bethany groaned softly against his mouth, and he wished he could scoop her into his arms, find the nearest bedroom, and press her into the soft covers.

  Footsteps approached. Reluctantly, he pulled away, arms folded on the counter, sipping his tea as if nothing had happened.

  Smiling to himself, he watched as Bethany blinked owlishly, trying to collect herself as Mrs. Yelverton walked back into the kitchen, glasses in hand.

  “Bethany, are you all right, honey? You look a little pale.”

  “I’m just fine,” she squeaked, and Trey bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing. She kicked him beneath the counter. “Sorry. Fine. Here, you take my seat, and we can look over the invitations.”

  Behind Mrs. Yelverton’s back, Trey shot a wink toward Bethany. She blushed.

  This was going to be a long—and fun—afternoon.

  * * *

  The longest afternoon in Bethany’s memory finally drew to a close. Mama Yelverton had been thrilled by the invitations, as well as the progression of other plans. They’d finalized colors—white, gray, and a brilliant turquoise—as well as the bakery, the photographer, and several other key decisions.

  And every time Mama Yelverton’s back was turned, Trey was there, reminding Bethany of what had been and promising her so much more to come.

  She’d felt like a naughty teenager, sneaking off behind her mother’s back as she prepared to leave.

  “Let me get you those papers you needed for the venue,” Mama Yelverton said and dashed off toward her office.

  Trey was centimeters from her as soon as they were alone.

  “You’re driving me crazy,” she whispered against his chest as he swept his broad hands down her back.

  “That’s the idea.” He pressed his lips to her cheek in a sweet, gentle kiss. “My house or your apartment?”

  She bit her lip as his big, hot body pressed into her. God. She wanted… She wanted to be with him again. Free. Complete. Comfortable.

  At her apartment she’d be afraid of interruption again. Every time she was there with him, it seemed like someone or something was always just behind. But at Trey’s…they were safe. Alone. And she wanted the oasis of his home again—to understand him by being surrounded by things he owned and loved.

  “Yours,” she whispered, curling her fingers into the lapels of the leather jacket he’d donned just a moment ago.

  “Good,” he whispered, then stepped back.

  Mama Yelverton appeared around the corner just then in a dizzying display of perfect timing.

  “Here you go. I could have dropped them in the mail though.”

  “No need,” Bethany said. “I’ll drop them off tomorrow. Save you a stamp.”

  “Great,” Mama Yelverton said with a smile. She looked from one of them to the other. “Well, this has been a lot of fun. What are you two kids up to tonight?”

  Bethany fought to stifle her reaction. “Oh, nothing much. Think I’m cleaning out my linen closet.”

  Trey folded his arms over his chest. “Think I’ll be doing a little rummaging of my own, actually.”

  Bethany nearly swallowed her tongue as Mama Yelverton shook her head.

  “You two are much too wild for a Saturday night. Just let me know if I need to post bail.”

  Bethany laughed nervously. “No need.”

  She said her goodbyes, kissing Mama Yelverton’s cheek, and excused herself. As she walked toward the garage door, she glanced over her shoulder.

  Trey’s body language was so hard to read. It was as if he wanted to lean forward toward his mother and embrace her, but another, larger half of him was keeping him back.

  Bethany shook her head as she closed the door behind her.

  She cared about Mama Yelverton. She cared about Trey. But she couldn’t iron out the relationship there. It was too new, too complicated, and much too fragile. He made it difficult to think when she was with him.

  But that didn’t stop her wanting to keep two of her favorite people happy.

  She climbed into the driver’s seat and waited, her keys swinging in the ignition.

  What was the protocol here? Should she wait for him? She’d been to his place once before, but she hadn’t exactly memorized the way. It had been too difficult to see around his broad back as his motorcycle tore down the highway.

  She shouldn’t have worried. Just a few minutes later, Trey was walking out the door.

  She rolled down the window.

  “Follow me,” he said, his hand resting on the door.

  She bit her lip for a moment, unsure. It was getting late. As much as she liked Trey, should she really do this? He lived off the beaten path a bit. Would it be hard to find her way home in the middle of the night, GPS notwithstanding?

  “You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with,” he said as if reading her mind. “But I will tell you I’ve got a brand-new box of Pop Tarts. And I brew a mean cup of coffee.”

  She smiled. “Is that your subtle way of asking me to spend the night?”

  “Sorry, was I too vague?”

  She laughed at his mock offense. “No, I got it. We’ll see.”

  He nodded, and then he strode off toward his bike.

  In her rearview mirror, she watched as he swung his leg over the saddle and balanced his bike, cranking the engine.

  She’d never thought about motorcycles much before, but there was something really sexy about the way he handled the shiny vehicle, the control, the balance, the smooth way he did it all. It reminded her of how his touch felt, and her stomach did a full somersault.

 
; “Easy, Bethany,” she said as she turned around and followed him down the long drive, past the falling-down Victorian, and onto the highway. “Keep your brain on the road.”

  At least until she got to his house. Then her brain could wander wherever it wanted.

  Within reason.

  As long as reason could last around Trey.

  Which, in her experience, wasn’t very long at all.

  The moon was hanging low in the sky, fat and glowing as Trey pulled off the road and down the gravel drive toward his house, Bethany following. Her headlights bumped up and down as they coasted toward his house. She took in the surroundings, biting her lip as her nerves started an intense twitching beneath her skin.

  Here she was again. In his territory. On his turf. Under his protection.

  Would it be as good as last time? As intense?

  There was only one way to find out, she told herself as she gripped the door handle after cutting the car’s engine.

  Trey was there, ready to grip her hand and close the door after her. “Welcome back,” he said, a little smile playing around his mouth as he led her up the steps to his front porch.

  “This is the most beautiful place,” Bethany said, running a hand over the carved wood alongside his door. “Did you do this?”

  “Wolf did,” Trey said as he opened the door.

  “Wolf. That’s right. He’s your friend…your coworker?”

  “Both,” Trey said, flicking on the lights. “He’s my right hand.”

  Bethany smiled. “I know how that is. I feel like Sarah’s mine, sometimes.”

  Trey turned to her, his deep-green eyes showing immeasurable depths. “Thank you,” he said, gathering her into his arms.

  “For what?” She melted into him, beyond happy to be in his embrace again.

  “For being you. For making me comfortable. For everything you are. Thank you,” he whispered into her hair.

  And in that moment, Bethany was desperately afraid that she would never feel complete again without this man by her side.

  The depth of the tide of feeling swept her away, and she closed her eyes to the thoughts…and simply let herself feel.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It was strange, the feeling that was overtaking him as Trey embraced Bethany. An odd mixture of longing and contentment, hunger and happiness.

  He’d never experienced anything like it. If he could freeze a moment in time, he’d have been sorely tempted to keep that one forever.

  He bent down and took her lips in a kiss.

  It was odd, the feeling of completeness that she gave him. His hands brushed across her shoulders and up to tangle in the hair at the nape of her neck, tilting her head for him. Her eyes fluttered closed, her arms winding around his shoulders as his mouth possessed her. She opened her mouth for his kiss, completely giving herself up to him.

  Bethany was so trusting, so pure, so completely unlike anyone he had ever been with. He didn’t deserve someone like her. Didn’t deserve any of the things that were happening to him. Not friends like the Shadows, not the family he’d just found, and sure as hell not someone like Bethany.

  But that didn’t matter now. All that mattered was that she was here in his arms, and he did not intend to waste a moment of it.

  Together, they stumbled down the hall, clothes disappearing piece by piece as they made their way to his bedroom without ever losing contact. Their hands were everywhere, Bethany’s touch just as greedy as his. His blood was on fire inside his veins, his body aching with the need to possess her. Once they were naked, he pressed her down onto his bed, his body imprisoning her in the most delicious way.

  “I want you,” she whispered.

  “I know.”

  He bent down to kiss his way from her neck down to her collarbone. Her sharp intake of breath urged him on, teeth and lips possessing her.

  The sound of his name was like a prayer on her lips. “I want more.”

  He kissed his way down her body, stopping at each breast to worship the peaked, pink nipple that begged for his attention. Her skin was hot all over, so soft and smooth against his rough touch. He was slower than he wanted, but was still fierce and passionate in each caress. She matched him, her delicate fingernails digging into his shoulders as he kissed his way down her belly.

  With every movement, she showed him that she wanted this as much as he did. Inside his head, inside his heart, the cry of We fit—she’s the same repeated over and over.

  Her legs shifted together, her mouth open in a soundless cry as his lips brushed at the top of her mound.

  “Please.” She was begging now, her hips rising to plead for his intimate kiss. “Please.”

  He knelt between her legs, spreading her to his gaze.

  She was beautiful. All pale-pink, shiny, wet flesh, her delicate inner folds seeming to beckon to him. He leaned forward and allowed his tongue to dance at the seam of her.

  She bucked against him. “Trey!”

  He grinned against her most sensitive skin. “Do you like that?”

  “Oh God, yes. More, please.”

  He had never been one to disappoint a lady. “Yes, ma’am.”

  He sealed his mouth over her, his tongue discovering every hidden part of her. She tasted sweet, succulent, like a ripe fruit. He left no part of her unkissed, unloved. His tongue danced over her clit, his own body aching with the need to plunge into her secret depths.

  Bethany thrashed and twisted on the bed, her head tossing wildly as he kept up his intimate torture. God, he could watch her like this all night. Torturing her in this way was so satisfying, and knowing he could bring her to the heights of desire fueled his own passion. But he wanted more. He knew she did too.

  With one last loving lick, Trey raised his head. Bethany was panting, gasping, her beautiful blue eyes wide and dazed.

  The bedside drawer slid open beneath his hand, and he retrieved a condom. With quick, deft movements, he rolled it on, keenly aware of her gaze on him the whole time.

  “Can I touch you?”

  He nearly lost control at the soft-voiced question.

  “Please,” he rasped and fisted his hands at his sides.

  She reached out and cradled him in her hot, slender palm. Trey bit the inside of his lip, the momentary flash of pain giving him control over the sensation of her touch.

  She gripped him gently, fingers sliding up and down his latex-covered length. He was incredibly grateful she’d waited for him to put the condom on.

  Bethany’s touch on his bare cock would have made him embarrass himself.

  She smiled a little as she rubbed her thumb over the aching head. “You’re so hot and smooth and thick. I love the feel of you.”

  Trey couldn’t wait any more. And she was ready.

  He pressed her down into the pillows, and with one smooth movement, he sheathed himself within her.

  She gasped, the sudden invasion making her shudder and wrap her legs around his hips. Her teeth grazed his shoulder as he began a smooth, even rhythm, plunging high and deep into her hot, slick, welcoming body.

  God, this was good. She was good. With every stroke, they climbed higher and higher, her beaded nipples digging into his chest, her sharp nails scratching down his back as her thighs gripped his churning hips.

  With a ragged groan, he pulled away. Her lips were swollen and parted as she breathed heavily, looking at him in question.

  This was good. So, so good. But he wanted more.

  “Turn over,” he said with a gentle slap on her hip.

  She grinned. Then did as he’d asked.

  “Good Lord.” He could hardly believe the beautiful sight that was Bethany on her knees before him. Her ass was shapely, leanly muscled, and her beautiful pink lips were visible just below the cleft of her cheeks.

  It was a mental image he
’d gladly carry with him for the rest of his life. Bethany bent over, her legs parted for him.

  He positioned himself behind her, then reaching below to tease her clit, he plunged home.

  They both gasped, sensation rocking them as Bethany’s body accommodated his penetration. Trey’s cock was aching with the beautiful, sweet grip of her around him.

  He began to move, Bethany with him, each of them striving for that elusive peak.

  Trey’s fingers kept up a rhythm on Bethany’s clit, and as her movements became more frantic, and her inner walls signaled an imminent explosion, he lost his grip on his own orgasm.

  “Oh my God,” Bethany cried as her body shuddered. “Oh God.”

  Fireworks exploded behind Trey’s eyes as the orgasm rocketed through his body.

  He collapsed beside her, bringing her close into the shelter of his body. Turning her head to face him, he pressed his lips to hers for a brief moment.

  And then she smiled at him, and everything was right in his world.

  The most contented feeling he had ever had, the most wonderful person he could remember being with. He didn’t want this to end, ever.

  And that feeling terrified the hell out of him.

  * * *

  Her body was sore, her feelings raw and open as her heart pounded against her ribs like a caged bird.

  Trey was curled around her, his cheek pressed to the top of her head, one leg slung over hers, his arm around her waist. There was almost no part of her that wasn’t touching him.

  It was overwhelming. It was delicious. Her body and brain were almost overloaded with sensation, and all she could do was stare straight ahead and will everything to come back online when the sensors had recovered from overload.

  Trey’s chin nestled atop her shoulder, the bristle of his five-o’clock shadow rasping slightly. “Are you okay?”

  She smiled a little at his question. He was so thoughtful, even though he’d just shagged the life out of her. “I’m not going to be able to move for a while.”