Beck’s eyes flicked down. I could see his pulse jump in his neck. His eyes met mine.
“I suppose it’s only fair.”
I froze as one hand slipped to caress the back of my neck while the other moved to my shoulders. He pressed his thumb right between my shoulder blades, rubbing slow circles.
“Yesss,” I moaned. “That feels so freaking good.”
My head lolled back as his strong hands worked over my back. Then they were abruptly gone.
Shit, maybe the moaning had been too much. But it had felt really freaking good.
I opened my eyes to see Beck swimming over to where Enola and Annie were perched on top of each other, balancing on Liam’s head.
“Get down from there!” Beck barked.
“What? Why? It’s going to be cool, just like the circus,” Liam insisted.
Annie waved to me then did a perfect backflip off of Enola’s shoulders and into the water.
I applauded.
“Don’t encourage her!” Beck yelled, clearly having some sort of fit.
“I’m always going to encourage excellence!” I replied.
While Beck played with his sisters and brothers, I changed locations to one of the oversized lounge chairs on the pool deck. The server brought me a plate of snacks and another drink. I sipped it and snapped a few pictures to send to my friends.
Holly:I’m so inviting myself over! Free snacks!
Maeve:More importantly, free drinks.
Tess:This is the life!
I looked for stuff to buy for Beck’s new condo while I ate my snacks, every once and a while sneaking a peek over my phone to enjoy the eye candy Beck was providing.
I could still feel his hands on me. I was going to become as addicted to that as I was to the upscale living and free snacks.
My phone buzzed with a picture from an unknown number.
Frowning, I opened the attachment while taking a sip of my drink.
I had to set it down on the side table when I saw what the image was and who it was from. Hands shaking, I scrolled through the message.
Unknown:I saw you at the diner the other day. I knew it was fate. I went by your apartment, but you weren’t there.
The photo was of me angrily stuffing a handful of fries in my mouth the day I had met Beck’s sisters.
Unknown:I want you to know I’m still thinking about you and still in love with you. One day soon we will be together. I know it *smiley face emoji*
For fuck’s sake. I can’t have anything nice in life.
20
Beck
We settled into a routine over the next week. The girls were still suspended, so Tess would take them to the Quantum Cyber office with her. They would sit in the lobby, doing their schoolwork, while Tess worked on her laptop. Or that was what they were supposed to be doing.
“Why are you baking?” I asked when I came down later that week to talk to Tess.
