The second I open my eyes and find his burning gaze pinned right on me, I realize it was pointless.
With his hand resting teasingly on the small of my back, he guides me toward the front door, toward the privacy that could grant me everything I’ve needed for months now. Another round with Everett Donnelly.
64
BEATRICE
Disappointment floods through me when Everett doesn’t immediately slam me back against the wall like he did earlier the moment we’re inside his apartment. Instead, he lowers his hand, leaving me cold, and marches toward the kitchen for a bottle of water.
“You didn’t drink tonight,” I blurt.
He shakes his head. “I told you that I?—”
“I know, but it was your sister’s engagement party. You could have.”
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t need alcohol to have a good time.”
“What?” I ask when laughter follows his statement.
“Nothing,” he says, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Just…not something I thought I’d hear myself say six months ago.”
“A lot can change in six months,” I point out.
“Tell me about it. In six months, we’ll be parents, and there will be an extra person living here.”
As much as the thought makes my chest expand with hope, I can’t help but cling to reality.
“You know, if at any point you want us to leave, all you have to do is?—”
“I don’t,” he interrupts fiercely. “I want you here, Bea.” His eyes drop. “Both of you.”
I nod, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest at the thought of us really being a family. But despite today’s revelations, all of this is new and serious; I’d understand if at any point, he wanted to take a step back and slow things down.
“I mean it, sweetheart,” he insists, stalking toward me.
His hands bracket my face, his eyes boring into mine.
“I’m serious about this, Bea. About us. Six months ago, I never saw this coming.” A lopsided smirk appears, and I can’t help but lean into him. He draws me in like no one I’ve ever met before. “But now it has, I can’t imagine my life being any other way. I know it’s not going to be easy. I’m going to be a nightmare to live with, especially once the season starts. I’m going to be away most of the time, and then I’ll reappear in the middle of the night before disappearing again. But when I am here, I want you here. I want to come home to my little family.”
That final word wraps around me like a warm hug, and a sob erupts.
Only a few months ago, I thought the little family I’d created for myself at the salon was enough for me. But little did I know, there was another waiting for me just around the corner.
“I want you to as well,” I confess quietly.
He leans forward, resting his forehead against mine.
His jaw tics as if he’s holding himself back from either doing or saying something. I want to force it out of him, but before I can do anything, he squeezes his eyes closed and rasps, “Go and get ready for bed, sweetheart.”
His lips find mine in the sweetest kiss before he taps me on the butt and sends me on my way.
I want to stomp my foot like a toddler and demand we go back to making out, but I don’t. Instead, I do as I’m told and disappear into my bedroom.
A heavy sigh leaves me as I step into the bathroom and my eyes land on the incredible tub. If I can’t have Everett tonight, then a soak would be a great second option. But…it’s late, and really, I just want the man in the living room.
With a sigh, I set about removing my makeup and twisting my hair up, ready for bed.
As I walk back into the bedroom, I hear Everett crashing about somewhere beyond the door. My need for him returns, and my eyes drift to my nightstand. A steady pulsation starts up between my thighs. But it’s not my vibrating toy that I really want. It hasn’t done the job for months now; it’s not going to come anywhere close tonight.
