Beck brought his hand to the back of my head while he dropped kisses over my jaw and neck. “I’ve got you.”
My vision swam. Where was the guy who’d tried to buy my building because he didn’t want to deal with neighbors? Where was my iceberg? What the hell had happened here tonight?
“I-I should go,” I managed.
He nodded, his head tucked into the crook of my shoulder as he kissed a tender spot behind my ear. “You keep saying that but I don’t see you leaving.”
“Probably has something to do with the, ah”—I ran a palm over his thick bicep—"very large, veryathleticman pinning me to various surfaces.”
He pulled back just far enough to catch my eye. “Is that a compliment?”
“Is that the sort of thing you need? I would’ve guessed you exist on protein shakes and the bones of those who dare to cross you.”
“If that was the case, I would’ve eaten you weeks ago.”
Our eyes locked and the slightest smile curled at one corner of his mouth. I planted a hand on his chest, pushing him away. “But I’m right about the protein shakes, aren’t I?”
His gaze never leaving mine, he reached down to adjust the bulge in his jeans. “Stay the night and find out, storm cloud.”
I opened the door. I had to go home. There were several reasons for this but chief among them was my urgent need to make sure I wanted this as much, if not more, when my body wasn’t humming along in harmony. “You know as well as I do that Parker is going to come running out that door naked any second now,” I said.
“It wouldn’t be the worst thing this town’s ever seen. More exciting than an asparagus festival.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
I settled into the driver’s seat. “Around two-ish.”
He bobbed his head. “Text me when you get home.”
I smiled but I didn’t agree to those terms. We’d see what happened with that. “Good night, Beck.”
He watched while I drove away, standing in the middle of the street until he blended into the darkness.
* * *
Once I was homeand the dogs were rolling around on the floor to celebrate the joy of taking off their service animal vests and finally being naked again, I glanced at my phone, knowing I’d find at least one mildly outraged message from Beck.
I found five.
It was kind of fun pushing his buttons when I knew what kind of bark to expect—and that I’d like the bite.
Beckett:Tell me you’re home.
Beckett:If you think I won’t drive over there at this hour to check on you, you’re wrong.
Beckett:I’d drive over there just to find out whether it’s as easy to untie that skirt as I’ve imagined, and not just because I want to avoid being stuck here in the vomitorium.
Beckett:For fuck’s sake, Sunny, where are you?
The final message was a pic of Beck wearing yellow rubber gloves, a mask, and the glariest, grumpiest expression in the world.
Sunny:Love that color on you. It goes so well with that murderous glint in your eyes.
Sunny:Good night!
chapterthirteen
Beckett
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