Page 52 of Crossed Lines

“Oh yeah?” Ace is a nice guy, but I can’t say I’ve thought of him once since that night at Roadside. When I used him to make Beck jealous. Not my best moment, but I did what I needed to do.

“Yeah, he asked if he could ask you out.”

I chuckle. “Why’d he ask you?”

“Dunno. Maybe since you’re watching Jade? He wanted to make sure I was cool with it.”

“And are you?” I shouldn’t ask because I know the answer will just hurt my feelings.

His eyes meet mine, and even in the candlelight, I can see the intensity in them. “No, Willow, I’m not ok with it.”

“Well, I hope you didn’t tell him that. I can imagine the rumors now…”

Beck doesn’t say anything, which makes me nervous.

“Beck?”

“He might have taken my response to mean something more than how I meant it.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“He may think that I said no because you and I…” he trails off. He can’t even say it.

“Oh my god, Beck. You’re gonna get us in trouble when we haven’t even done anything wrong.”

“I know, I’m sorry, but he asked the question and it just pissed me right off.”

Beck’s jealousy is showing again, and I like it. “Why’d it piss you off?”

“You know why, Wills.”

“Just tell me again.” It’s selfish to make him say it, but I like hearing that he wants me. And I sure as hell like hearing that he’s as frustrated by it as I am.

“Because I don’t wanna watch you spend your last few weeks here with another man. I want you in my house, where I can keep my eyes on you. Happy?”

“Very.” I smile as I press the almost-empty beer bottle to my lips. “But you know it’s a little unfair. I mean, I haven’t gotten laid all summer, and now you just ruined my only chance.”

“Willow.” I can practically hear his teeth grinding together. I love teasing him. More than I should. His reaction makes it worth it.

“What? I’m just saying. A girl has needs. You won’t help me, and now Ace has been warned off. What’s a girl supposed to do?”

“A girl should take care of it herself like I do. In the shower. Almost every night.”

The image of Beck wrapping his hand around his cock and getting himself off pops in my head, and damn if it doesn’t make me even more horny. While I have been taking care of myself this summer, it’s certainly not the same and doesn’t even touch the ache I feel for Beck.

“Do you think about me when you do it?” I ask carefully.

After a long pause, he admits, “Yes.”

“What do you think about?”

He’s quiet for a second, and I’m sure he’s not going to answer, but then he says, “I think about you in that little bikini you wore to the pool. I think about what it would be like to slide the bottoms to the side and feel your pussy.”

Oh my god. My insides feel all warm and fuzzy.“Yeah? That all?”

He shakes his head. “No, but you don’t need to know the rest.”

“Oh, come on. I’ll tell you what I think about,” I offer.