The minute Eldridge Jr.doubles over and I slam my fist into his face, I feel better.Not just a little better, but somehow vindicated like I got a little justice.No matter that Bobby Ray got a little stint up the river, it was this guy who was behind it all.And look who came right back to town to cause havoc in my life again.
Maybe this time he’ll stay out and stay out for good, but if not, at least now he knows I’m not scared of him, I’m able to fend for myself.But I got way too close.His left hand comes out of nowhere, and almost snakes around my neck, except Beckett throws a punch to his face that lands him on the ground instead.
Beckett puts an arm around me.“Great job, Jules.He’ll probably think long and hard before messing with you again,” he whispers, causing me to smile a little through it all.
An SUV pulls up next to us and four men get out.Their tall muscular frames close the distance.The blonde man takes in the scene and glances directly at Beckett.“Looked like you had it handled.We didn’t want to give our position right away, just in case there were others.”
Beckett grins.“I’d like to say I took care of business all by myself, but Jules is the reason this guy is hanging on to his junk and will wake up with a black eye tomorrow.”
The blonde bodyguard turns my way.“Nice to see you again.I remember you from last year at the wedding.I’m Jay.”He points to the others with him.“This is Matt, Damian and Dereck.We had to leave Nick, Sheldon, Trent, Liam and Kade back to help guard the family.”
I smile at the guys.“I remember you all.It’s hard to forget the men who save you from what would have surely turned out to be a wedding crash by the Eldridge crew.Nice to see everyone again.We appreciate you coming to town to help.”
Matt has a pair of cuffs and places Eldridge’s hands behind his back, cinching them securely as he hauls him to the SUV.Jay turns to Beckett.“We’re going to get him turned into Sheriff Cates and then head down to Wild Deuces and see Kenny.Meet us there?”he asks.
“Maybe,” Beckett says.“We need to run by Jules’ house, get a few things straightened out, and then we may stop down.We’ll take a nice easy jog back to the house.Want to follow us until we’re safe inside?”
“Roger that,” Jay replies, as the guys start to load up, surrounding the handcuffed man who glares at me as though it’s my fault he’s found himself in this position and the other one who hasn’t dared make a move after being put to the ground at the point of the gun.Only partly my friend.You should have stayed out of this town and away from me and my friends.
My eyebrows raise.I have no idea what he thinks we’re going to get straightened out.If anything, my resolve about Saturday night is stronger than before.And he’s still leaving.But I swear if he kisses me, it will be over.I’ll cave right in and another notch of one-night stands in that broad leather belt of his will need to be made.
And that’s not what I want, or do I?
It’s a question that sits heavy the entire way home as we jog back in perfect sync, and then stop a little way from my driveway, to walk the rest of the way and cool down.
The minute we are in the door I expect him to give me the third degree about not working tomorrow, or try to give me a little kiss, or at least something.But he does nothing like that.“Do you mind if I use the shower down the hall while you’re showering in yours?”
“Sure.”I try not to show my disappointment.I’m the one who doesn’t want his advances.Liar liar.I want that man so bad my blood is on fire.But that means being okay with a one-night stand—okay—maybe a few nights’ fling before he leaves.And he’s giving me the distance and chance to make the decision myself.Damn his gentlemanly behind.
I reach the bedroom and kick off my tennis shoes, then pull off my socks, making my way to the bathroom, but taking a shower alone is far from what I want to do right now.
I want Beckett.His closeness, his protection, and everything that he has to give.
I know it, he knows it, and the whole damn town probably knows it by now.
Even if it’s just for a short time.I want to know that man in the most intimate of ways.With my mind made up, I pad down the hall toward the sound of running water and give a little knock on the door.
There’s no response and I gingerly open the door, my heart pounding in my throat.I’m really going to do this, to take the first step, come out of my timid shell and fight for what I want.
Beckett.
I draw back the shower curtain a little and his eyes meet mine, holding them captive in that abyss of green that just draws me in and keeps me mesmerized.“Room for me?”
His eyes heat as water drips from his hair.“Always, darling.I was just thinking about you all wet and soapy just a few steps down the hall and now here you are, like a dream come true.”
My apprehension eases, and my inner rebel slowly comes out of her shell, peeling my running clothes, one piece at a time, watching the desire in his eyes until I’m bared before the man who takes my breath away.
Beckett holds my hand as I step over the tub ledge.He doesn’t make this awkward or embarrassing at all.Instead, he cages me against the cool stone wall, his hand snaking beneath my hair as he kisses me hard, taking every breath I have and making it his own.
I shamelessly explore his skin while every stroke of his hands, his fingers, and lips make me melt and crave even more.When he lifts me, my legs wrap around him, securing him to me as we become one, lost in each other in a dance as old as time.
He guides my hips with ease, thrusting to the very end of me, letting my back slide against the cool surface of the wall as he raises and lowers me on his powerful rod.It’s so deep that I can barely breathe.Over and over, my hands tangling in his hair as desires build, and we both explode, riding the delicious waves of passion together, holding each other tight until every wave has passed.
No one has ever made me feel like this, and when our breathing calms, he doesn’t put me down.Instead, he holds me tighter, kissing me through every emotion that swirls in my mind.I lean my head on his shoulder as he carries me out of the shower and gently holds me until my feet touch the floor.
He grabs a towel, partially drying me before I take it from his hand, wrap my body with it, then take another to stroke the water from his skin, working from top to bottom, right down to his feet.
When I rise, he picks me up and places me on the vanity counter.“Now, we talk.”
