He didn’t look up right away. Just the slightest shift of his shoulders, like he could feel my eyes on him. Then, lazily, he met my gaze through the glass. He licked his lips discreetly, the action sending heat through me as he turned back to the cards nonchalantly.
Deciding to wrap up dinner, I forced myself away from the glass door and back to the kitchen. I finished plating the applewood-smoked ribs, crispy curly fries, and mini sliders, setting them alongside the jalapeño poppers I’d dug out from the depths of the freezer.
They’d probably be too drunk to notice the slight hint of freezer burn.
Balancing the trays, I stepped outside and noticed the guys had split up, the poker game abandoned in favor of darts and pool.
After I set up the table for them, I decided to get a bit of self-care in for myself. I had the upstairs for some time, and the bathtub, a glass of wine, and my novel were slowly calling me to join them.
I gave Gavin a heads-up that I would be disappearing for the rest of the night. He placed a small kiss on my cheek before I made my way into the house, still feeling the primal, intense, dark gaze on me as I left.
It had to be close to eleven PM as I lay in bed restless. Gavin and his buddies were still living it up, drunkenly, might I add, and I was having trouble falling asleep. It could very well be the fact that my personal incubus could have been lurking anywhere in the house, and I didn’t want to take any chances… or it could be the fact that I felt a bit thirsty and had to use the bathroom too.
Standing up, I smoothed out my white silk night dress before grabbing the matching robe to put on as well. I went over to the bathroom to do my business before heading downstairs. I wasn’t all that worried about Gavin’s friends ending up somewhere in the house. He usually stopped them from coming in and out when he knew I was trying to get some rest.
Going into the kitchen, I grabbed a glass from the shelf and filled it with a bit of ice and water. I debated whether or not I wanted to go back upstairs now, but I decided to finish the water down here before making the trip. Leaning on the counter, I took a sip as I stared into the dining room. While I did, I thought about a few things…
I thought about my relationship with Gavin, my infidelity, and his need for control… I thought about Brent, owing him more money than I truly needed, and him enjoying a beer outside my home. I bit my lip involuntarily as I thought about Beckham.
I thought about his voice, his hands, his demeanor, his possessiveness. I thought about the night at his father’s dinner and the night of my huge fight with Gavin.
It didn’t do me any favors in my already hot and bothered state.
“Flower?”I heard behind me, and I flinched as I looked over my shoulder to see Beckham standing at the entrance of the kitchen, effectively trapping me inside.
“Beckham. Gavin said he locked the patio door for me. I was trying to get some sleep.”
His jaw clenched ever so slightly. “He let me in… said I had to use the bathroom.”
I cleared my throat as a blush came over my face. “It’s, uh… it’s just the second door down the hall.”
He nodded silently as he approached me slowly. I gulped, realizing my predicament with my short, almost see-through attire.
A part of me regretted wearing this, regretted coming downstairs, knowing he would be lingering. And regretted having relations with him in the first place. I truly wished regret was enough to get away from him, to distance myself, to rid myself of the dangerous desire within me. But the other part of me, the sick, masochistic part,believed every decision I’d made thus far had been the right one.
“Beckham…” I whispered, and his eyes grew more lustful and darker as he stalked closer to me. I bit my lip, putting my back against the counter as I held my robe together in front of me while crossing my arms.
He stopped before me, and I ignored his gaze as I felt my skin going hot at his proximity.
I let out a shaky breath. “Gavin and the guys are p-probably looking for you.”
He didn’t say anything. Then my breath caught in my throat, my skin burning as he slowly trailed his hand up and down my arm, his touch deliberate and full of purpose.
My robe slipped down my shoulder, exposing my strap. As I went to pull up the fallen fabric, Beckham grabbed my wrist in his hold. The grip was soft but firm, stopping me as it sent shivers down my spine and made my knees weaken.
“Beckham, please,” I pleaded in a feeble whisper.
He sighed as he leaned down to my ear, his voice brushing against my skin like he owned it.
“Flower… turn your little ass around and bend over the fucking counter.”
Chapter twenty-three
Rosenna
“Flower...turnyourlittleass around and bend over the fucking counter.”
My heart raced. I gulped. “Beckham, please. Gavin, he—”
