“Ugh!”she groaned before she pulled down his head and kissed him.And just like that, he forgot everything else—his frustration that she hadn’t asked for his help, that she was hell-bent on moving into her house all on her own, how tired he was, the illustrations he still had to finish.Nothing else mattered except the woman in his arms.
*
Minutes, hours later—Elliewasn’t sure and couldn’t really be bothered trying to figure it out—Becket lifted his head.His eyes, although bloodshot from lack of sleep, were darkened by desire.“So, is that a yes?”he growled.“We can go back to my place?”
She pushed herself away and moved to the passenger seat.“Yes, thank you.”Before she could fasten her seat belt, Becket was already busy, those warm hands touching more than just the seat belt.“Becket…” she got out.
Grinning, he put the truck in gear and reversed it into the street.In silence, they drove through the streets of a quiet Marietta.As they left the town behind, he picked up her hand and kept it on his thigh all the way back to his house.The way he always did.
Tears clogged up her throat and she turned her head to stare into the night.It was getting harder by the day to keep from telling Becket how she felt about him.She wasn’t sure how much longer she could pretend to be happy with a temporary fling.
What if he doesn’t?Willow’s words when Ellie had said Becket would leave eventually, kept running through her mind.What if…?Closing her eyes, she willed the tears away.Could she forget her past and tell Becket how she felt?Turning her head slightly, she looked at him.She wasn’t that brave, unfortunately.
By the time Becket stopped in front of his house, she was ready to drop.She opened the door to get out, but Becket was already there.
“I’m wearing shorts, I can get out by myself,” she said linking her hands behind his neck.
Ecstatic barks came from the direction of the house.
Becket walked toward his house.“I know.But I’m here.Besides, I haven’t had a chance to hold you today.”
“You were angry with me.”
“I was frustrated.And hurt.You haven’t asked me to help you.I want you to talk to me, to tell me everything.Damn it, Ellie, you have to know I’d walk over hot coals for you.”
“You know why!”she cried.“You work all day and we haven’t really had a proper night’s sleep since…”
“The first time I brought you home?”he chuckled as he unlocked the door.
As the dogs jumped up, barking, Becket put her down gently.Harper came closer, sniffing and sneezing.
“I know,” Ellie laughed.“We’re so dirty!”
“Why don’t you take a shower while I feed them?Do you want anything else to eat or drink?”
“No, thanks.”As she turned toward his room, she remembered she hadn’t brought any pajamas.Some of the clothes she’d bought in Bozeman were still here; she’d never taken the bags to the guesthouse.
“May I borrow one of your T-shirts?”she asked, looking over her shoulder.
With a ready grin, he wiggled his eyebrows.“Of course.I can’t promise you’ll wear it for long, though.”
Giggling, she ran toward his bathroom.It wasn’t going to last, she knew that, but oh, how she loved this man.He always managed to make her smile.
It was heaven to wash off the grime from cleaning the house.Every bone in her body ached, but at least her house was clean.Because the Westons had come to help.She’d never known a family like theirs, never…
Behind her the shower door opened.“Room for one more?”he asked as his big hands slipped around her body and cupped her breasts.
Lifting her arms, she brought his head down so that she could kiss him.“Always.”
*
By lunchtime Thursday,Becket was really struggling to stay awake.Everyone was already at the kitchen table when he showed up for lunch.Harper was next to him, but Jack and Sadie had seen Jessie, Luke’s dog, and barking, went chasing after her.Harper kept looking at him, sensing his restlessness.
Bending down, he petted her.“It’s okay, I’ll be fine.”But Harper didn’t believe a word he was saying.
After he and Ellie had spent way too long in the shower, he’d thought they would fall asleep right away.But the moment she’d snuggled against him, he’d been ready for her.
By the time she’d finally fallen asleep, it was time for him to get up.Maybe he should just finish the last few orders he’d received and close down his page.
