Things were finally starting to feel real to me. I was beginning to realize that Beckett wasn’t just a short-term illusion. He wasn’t here to play with my heart then turn around and leave me behind. I still had doubts about us being in a relationship,but I was starting to accept that even if it didn’t work out, he was still going to be a part of my life one way or another.
The last couple of days we spent together felt rushed. I could tell he was growing anxious to find another lead on his case and wanted to arrange more interviews but was hitting dead-ends. I had several orders I needed to work on, too, which meant we only got to see each other during the evenings. He was still staying at Sabrina’s Bed and Breakfast and I’d considered inviting him to stay with me in the loft, but hadn’t worked up the courage to yet.
I had ordered us one of the delicious cinnamon caramel loaves from The Puffed Puffin for dessert and swung by after work to pick it up. My faithful Lady was with me, restless after a day cooped up in the shop. She stayed outside by the door as usual while I went in. Trish and her wife Melissa were working on a cake when I walked in, but both greeted me as soon as I entered. Melissa retrieved my order and checked me out quickly. When I came back out, Lady was looking intently at something across the street, her tail wagging frantically. I followed the direction of her gaze and nearly dropped the bag I was holding.
Beckett was jogging down the street in nothing more than a tight pair of running shorts and a red tank top. The sides of his shirt were cut low for breathability, which meant I could see every sculpted muscle of his perfect body. And those shorts… Lord, those shorts. They left very little to my imagination. Every strain of his muscles was on full display as he moved, as well as some…other thingsI hoped to get a chance to explore soon.My mouth went dry as I watched him move, unable to tear my eyes away. He was every bit of my teenage fantasies come true.
“Oh fuck,” I muttered.
Lady nudged her nose in my hand before barking at Beckett across the street. He knew her bark by now and looked around the moment he heard her. When he saw me, his face broke into a huge grin and he immediately changed directions to head our way, pausing only long enough to look both ways before crossing the street.
“Bad girl,” I hissed, careful to keep my tone light. She was completely unaffected by my mock scolding and started to do her little happy dance while waiting for her other favorite person. The traitor was ready to toss me aside for him, choosing him over me nearly every time. Not that I could blame her. Beckett was irresistible even without sexy workout clothes. The problem was, I didn’t think I could handle being around him likethat, all glistening with sweat and looking like a god.
Lord, help me!
Beckett reached me in less than ten seconds, breathing hard. He slowed his pace to cool down then reached to scratch my dog’s ears, keeping his gaze on me as he grinned that heart-stopping grin he seemed to have just for me. My heart was threating to jump right out of my chest, and my dick was… well… fuck. Yeah, I really shouldn’t be near him in public like this!
“Hey, Preston,” he said, still using that name only when others were around.
I honestly tried to speak but I couldn’t form words. Nope. Not a single one.
Beckett leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Still on for tonight?”
“Mm-hmm.” I said weakly.
“Good. Is six still okay?”
Words. I really needed words. “Whenever.”
“Oh? You’re done working then?”
I nodded.
“Okay. Well, can I join you now? I can shower at your house and borrow a pair of gym shorts or something.”
Was he serious? I’d die if he came home with me looking like that. Honestly. I’d keel over and die. The man had no idea how sexy he was right now.
Beckett slipped an arm around me, pulling me in to him. “What’s wrong? You’re qui… oh. Ohhhh!” He grew a little red when he realized why I couldn’t speak.
He tried to step away then, to give me some space, but I clutched his shirt instead. “You can’t go now!” I hissed, looking around.
Beckett, the turd that he was, wrapped those sweaty, sexy as sin arms around my body and kissed me hard on the lips, but I knew what was coming the moment he twisted to the left. It was a move he used a thousand times as a kid. His hand slipped to my ribs where he proceeded to tickle me and I could do nothing but squirm and laugh against him as his other arm held me firmly in place. He kept it up until I finally gave in and called uncle.
“Jerk!” I said, though my face was an ear-splitting smile.
He laughed even harder. “It worked though,” he said, glancing down. “Problem solved.”
“You don’t play fair,” I whined quietly, my eyes roaming his delicious body. I needed to get awaynowor I’d be straining in my pants all over again.I turned on my heel and started to walk away. “See you later, Beckett.”
“Hey, Preston!” he called. “I’ll be there early.”
“When?” I asked over my shoulder, wanting to have dinner ready for him.
He started to walk away, smirking. “Oh, I don’t know. Early.”
“Beckett!” I shouted, but he was already rounding the corner.
***
