He walked out, leaving them alone with Beck feeling as if the life he wanted was on the line.
* * *
Chloe let her brother leave, using the time to gather herself before turning back and meeting Beck’s gaze. She’d woken up this morning to the sun streaming through the window, but her mood hadn’t matched the beauty of the day. She’d wondered if subconsciously she’d been holding out hope she’d hear from Beck by now, because no matter how hard she tried, each day away from him had been more and more difficult. She’d told herself to give up.
Now he was here, looking handsome in his jeans and a black tee shirt, tempting her with what she couldn’t have. And it hurt.
“Can we talk?” he asked, breaking the silence.
“Sure.” She took a step into the kitchen, planning to sit at the table.
“Somewhere more comfortable?” he asked.
Chloe nodded, leading him to the family room with a U-shaped sofa and two large club chairs with ottomans. The emotional distance between Chloe and Beck was tangible, and she was tempted to sit in one of the chairs and keep herself safe. In case he just wanted to talk and end things on a friendly note. Nausea filled her at the thought.
No sooner had she taken a step than Beck grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the sofa, bracing his hands on her shoulders.
“I need you close.” He swallowed hard. “To say what I have to say, I need you here.”
At his admission, she dropped to the couch and took a seat.
He blew out a relieved breath, settling in beside her. “I fucked up. When you told me how you felt, when you said that you loved me, it scared me, so I played dirty. I threw your life back in your face and dismissed your feelings like they were nothing more than a stupid mistake.” Reaching out, he grabbed her hand and pulled it onto his thigh. “I’m sorry.”
His touch felt too good and his words were just that. “Is that why you’re here? To apologize? Fine. I accept your apology but I wish you’d sent a text or an email.” Anything that wouldn’t have gotten her hopes up, and she attempted to yank her hand away, but he held on tight.
“Can I finish before you rip into me?” he asked.
She forced herself to relax, listen, and not jump to conclusions. “Go on.”
“I love you, Chloe.”
She stilled, certain she’d heard him wrong. “You love me. As in…”
“Cross-it-off-the-bucket-list love you. Yes.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “But I couldn’t handle it. I was afraid to admit it and petrified about possibly losing you, too, one day.”
At the mention of his sister, she lifted her head and met his gorgeous green gaze. “What changed?” She wanted to understand and needed proof he wouldn’t panic later on and push her away again.
“I went to see my parents last night. Dad got out of the hospital yesterday,” he said.
She nodded. “I know. I spoke to your mom around lunchtime.”
“You did?” he asked, obviously surprised.
She couldn’t believe he’d think she could walk away like he had. “Just because we aren’t together anymore doesn’t mean I don’t care about them. I wanted to know how your dad was doing.”
“Thank you,” Beck said, his expression soft and filled with gratitude.
This Beck was so easy to love, and her heart pounded in her chest, suddenly filled with hope.
He stared into her eyes. “Mom had a lot of wise words. Things I should have listened to years ago but I…” He shook his head. “I wasn’t ready to hear.”
“And you are now?”
“I am,” he said with certainty in his tone.
Certainty that had her believing.
“Your brother and I met up… We made some sort of peace. And he also helped me see I was pushing you away out of fear.”
Chloe’s eyes watered. Nothing made her happier than her brother and Beck calling a truce.
“Then Mom asked if I was hurting without you.” He now held both her hands in his. “And she wanted to know if something happened to you, if I’d be in any less pain because we weren’t together, and in that moment, everything crystallized. I can’t be without you. I need you in my life because I love you.”
Everything he said made such perfect sense, and tears filled Chloe’s eyes, blurring her vision. She knew how much pain his sister’s death had caused him, and the fact that he was able to come to her this way meant the world to her.
“I love you, too, Beck. So much.” She threw herself into his arms and pressed her mouth to his.
He wrapped his arms around her, hauling her against him, and she shifted until she was settled in his lap, her knees on either side of his strong thighs, her sex grinding against his hard erection. His tongue slid past her lips, and she finally felt like she was home.
“Hey, kids. Give me a chance to get out of here first, will you?”
Chloe pulled back and glanced at her brother. He passed through, a duffel bag over one shoulder as he headed out.
She grinned. “Bye, Xander. Thanks for everything.”
“You’re welcome, sis. Any time.” He paused and looked past her to Beck. “Take care. I’m assuming I’ll be seeing you around.”
“Count on it,” Beck said and laughed.
Xander walked out, the door shutting behind him.
“Know what I really want to do?” Beck kissed her neck.
“What?” she asked, knowing she’d do anything he wanted.
“Pack you up and take you back home where you belong.”
She leaned into him, breathing in his familiar and arousing scent. “I want that, too. But I know what I’d rather do first.” With that, she maneuvered off his lap and tugged him to his feet.
Once back in her room, she began to undress, Beck doing the same, when she caught sight of her cell with a voicemail alert on the screen. Something made her pick up the phone, open the voicemail app, hit play, and put the phone to her ear to listen.
Shirt already off, Beck paused, watching her and waiting.
A female voice spoke, and Chloe’s hands began to shake as the words sunk in. “Oh my God. I won! I won the Elevate contest! I’ll be overseeing the opening of their New York office.” She tossed the phone onto the bed.
Before she could blink, Beck was beside her, picking her up and spinning her around. “I am so damned proud of you.” He kissed her hard and fast. “Do you see how far you’ve come?”
“You were there for me, understanding what I needed before I did. Supporting me when I needed it. And believing in me.”
He grasped her hands. “Right back at you, Chloe. We make a perfect team.” He scooped her into his arms and placed her down on the bed.
Clothes flew and then they were naked, Beck on his back, Chloe’s knees on either side of him as she grasped on to his erection. Thick and smooth in her hand, she settled him at her entrance and slid down, taking him deep inside her.
His gaze hot on hers, he gripped her hips with his hands and held her tight as she lifted herself up and down, riding him, keeping them joined tight. And it wasn’t long before Chloe felt that familiar stirring inside her.
“God, Beck, I’m so close.” She slammed down, rocking her hips forward before rising and repeating the motion.