“No need to move. I’m sure I can squeeze past you.”
“If you insist.”
And I take my time easing past him too, using tiny sidesteps into the short hallway. I also may or may not be pretending the doorway is half the size it actually is. Who cares about a pretty apartment when I have this pretty man so close? I notice Beck doesn’t move an inch, letting my breasts brush against his hard chest. Though there’s like at least four layers of cloth between us, my pussy tingles and nipples harden. And we maintain eye contact the entire time. I couldn’t look away if I tried. Getting up this close and this personal with him more than makes my day. Given a little time and a lot of privacy, the things we could do in that big bed. I’ve never had the opportunity to mess around with a man in a suit before. It’s a positive life experience.
“Feel free to go back and forth a few times,” he says in the sexy low voice. “You could even turn around if you like.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve always had the utmost respect for your gorgeous ass.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
“‘I do sometimes amuse myself with arranging such little compliments.’”
“You were so hot right up until you quoted Mr. Collins,” I say, referencing Pride and Prejudice. “I was totally going to rub my butt against you.”
“It’ll never happen again, I promise.” He leans forward, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. The firm warm pressure of his mouth is divine. “You are so fucking beautiful.”
“I think Mr. Collins should have just led with that. Who knows where it might have gotten him.”
His hands clench at his sides. Like he wants to reach for me but is holding back for some reason. So I reach for him instead, smoothing my hands over his suit jacket, straightening his tie.
“I do like the business look,” I murmur.
“Is that so?”
“Mostly I just like you.”
His gaze runs over my face. Still hesitating for some damn reason. For all that he talks a good talk, there’s doubt in him since he’s been back in Denver. And while I’m used to it from me, I’m definitely not from him.
“Beck, kiss me, grab me…do what you want.”
And there’s a flash of a lusty grin before he’s on me. His hands cupping my face, fingers sliding into my hair. And his mouth…Good God, does the man know how to use his mouth. Warm lips and skilled tongue and he takes as much as he gives. The soft gentle kiss before was a lie. This is the real Beck. Full of heat and emotion. Whoever or whatever taught him to hold back, to rein himself in, needs a good kick in the pants. Because when he kisses me like this, he makes my head spin and my body ache. His teeth nip at my bottom lip before sucking away the sweet pain. Then he’s feeding me deep wet kisses that I just might die if I have to go without. Melodramatic, but true.
When he pulls back, we’re both breathing heavily. His thumb carefully swipes the side of my mouth. “I’m afraid I messed up your makeup and fancy hairdo.”
“You’re wearing a little lip gloss yourself.”
“If I haven’t said it yet today, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
“Isn’t this better than staying at Grandma’s house and getting busted by Winston like a pair of horny teenagers?”
“It sure is. Though there’s still a serious moral quandary to be discussed. What do the dating rules say to do when there’s only one bed?” I ask with my best attempt at a coy smile. It’s probably not very good. I’m more of a lusty beast when it comes to this man. What can I say? He makes me ache. I rest a hand on his chest, feeling for his heartbeat. Hard and steady. A lot has changed since LA, but the chemistry between me and him is alive and well. The growing bond between us.
“And there’s not a single other room available in the hotel or indeed the whole city,” he reports. “I already checked.”
“Gosh darn it.”
He clicks his tongue. “Such language coming from a young lady. Why I never. What do you think of the rest of the place?”
I grin before letting my arm drop and turning to check out the walk-in closet. “Motherfucker!”
“What’s wrong?” he asked, sounding startled.
“Um, Beck?”
“Yeah?”
“It was just you living here, right? By yourself?”
“Yes.” He rests his hands on my hips, leaning his chin on my shoulder to look into the not-small room. “How about that.”
“You don’t by any chance happen to own a sizable collection of designer handbags, do you?”
“Can’t say that I do.”
“How about women’s shoes?”
“Nope. None of them either.”
I sigh. “I was worried you’d say that. How much of the room exactly does your stuff take up?”
“My things are in the first set of drawers on this wall here and about half of the hanging area on the left-hand side. But as you can see, they’ve actually pushed my custom suits back to make room for more of your dresses and coats.” He helpfully points this out, fingers flexing against my hip. “I never bothered with the display cases on the back wall, which is good since they’re now full of your purses and so on. And it looks like my shoes have all been moved to the bottom rack. The rest is yours.”
“Fuck me.”
“Absolutely. Eventually. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look, shall we?” He moves me a little to the left with the pressure of his hands on my hips.
“I can’t believe they did this.”
The room is done in a soft gray and it’s basically walls full of drawers, hanging space, and a couple of big mirrors. In the center of the room is an island featuring yet more drawers with a plush sofa at one end with a makeup table and chair at the other. And from what I can see, all of it is full.
Beck starts pulling open drawers. “What have we here? Scarves, gloves…that’s a bit boring. Where’s the good stuff? Ah. Here we go. Panties, bras…yeah, nice extensive collection of lingerie. Now this I approve of.”
“You’ve got to believe me—I did not okay this.” My heart is pounding, my lungs working double time. “I would never just spend your money this way.”
“Hey—”
“A few outfits, that’s all I agreed to. I figured you probably wouldn’t mind. To help me fit in with your family and everything. Rachel said it was important.” When in doubt, never be afraid to throw the nice rich white lady under the bus. “We can probably take it all back, right?”
He holds up a pair of vintage-styled, see-through, black boy-leg briefs. “Why would we do that?”
“Because it’s way too much.”
“Dearest.” He stops, sets down the underwear, and sighs. Next, he slides his arms over my shoulders, giving me a smile. This is the one that says I’m amusing him. Thank God he isn’t angry. “You need to breathe. Want me to give you mouth-to-mouth?”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. Never apologize for shit you didn’t do. Another one of Mom’s quotes. Though that’s not how she worded it exactly.”