by Haley Travis
Dammit.
My hands were shaking, but I had to text Mitch, in case he saw it fall.
Me: I’m sorry I have to send this message, but my necklace is gone. I remember touching it when we were talking on the beach. If you’ve seen it, please let me know.
His response came in seconds.
Mitch: Oh my God, Becca, I’m even more sorry. I’ll go look for it right now.
It was getting dark, so I didn’t know how he’d see anything. Turning my bedroom light off so
he wouldn’t see my silhouette, I peered out the bedroom window toward his house.
A huge light was floating around, circling the area where we had been standing. He must
have a high powered flashlight. There was no way he’d find it in the dark, in the sand, but
oh God, it was sweet of him to try.
After taking a shower to try to shake off the stress of the day, I peeked out again. The
bright light was still there, but now... Was that a rake in his hand? He seemed to be creating a huge circle, then literally combing through the sand with the rake.
Throwing myself into bed, the tears couldn’t be stopped. After being stared at, humiliated,
and being made a complete spectacle of in front of the whole town, I didn’t know if I could
forgive him – even if he spent half an hour combing the beach.
Ducking under the sheet, I tried to blank the entire day out of my mind, but my body tossed
and turned. Checking the time on my phone, there was a text.
Mitch: I didn’t find it yet, but I will. Don’t give up on the necklace, or on me, sweetie.
Mitch: I adore you. xoxo
I couldn’t respond, since I had no idea what to say. Everything was numb and blurry, and
the tears came and went like the waves outside.
CHAPTER TWELVE
* Mitch *
I was obviously not an expert in gorgeous young women. However, I was relatively
knowledgeable about getting things taken care of in a crisis.
Over the years, I’d watched as many people combed the beach with metal detectors. As
far as I knew, they never found anything more interesting than a lost earring or a handful of change. But it seemed like a fun hobby. If nothing else, it got some quiet, introverted young men outside for some fresh air.
A quick Internet search led me to an online group where people in the area shared their
found treasures.
Contacting three of them who said they were often on this beach, I said I would pay each of
them a hundred dollars to come out and search this area, with an extra reward should they
find the necklace.
All three of them arrived first thing in the morning, and I blocked out their search area with lawn chairs to keep joggers away. Although I saw Brendan and Julie looking at me
strangely, I was relieved that they did not come over to speak with me.
It was hard to process how horrifically I might have hurt Becca. Logically, I knew that it
wasn’t really my fault, since there was no way I could have known that Tiffany would make
a scene like that. But still...
I had intended to tell Becca about my previous relationship, but it seemed too soon. Nobody
wants to point out their shortcomings on the second or third date. Maybe I didn’t want her
to know how stupid and naïve I had been.
Pacing the outer perimeter of the search zone, I had to admire how seriously these guys
were working. One of them mentioned that they often helped out people in the area when
something went missing, and even assisted once in a police investigation, since the local
precinct was so small that it didn’t have any metal detectors.
They must have done this sort of thing before, as they quickly divided the area into thirds,
working in a similar sweep pattern from north to south, then east to west in each of their
zones.
Every time I heard the crackle of the metal detector find something, my heart leapt into my
throat. After finding two earrings, at least a dozen quarters, and a tacky bracelet, my
nerves were completely on edge. This was perhaps the first time in my life that I’d been
genuinely afraid, and I was coming to realize that the feeling was beyond discomfort. It was
downright painful.
I noticed that the guy closest to Brendan’s house finished his section, and began sweeping up the tiny path toward the house. I tried not to get my hopes up when I heard the crackle
again.
“Hey, Mitch,” he called, “Is this it?”
I raced to him, and he held out a rose gold necklace with a string of stars. “Oh, thank God,”
I muttered. My hand shook like a leaf as I reached for it.
Thanking all three of them profusely, I paid two of them a hundred and fifty dollars cash
each, and five hundred to the finder.
Rushing into my house, I took a dish towel and carefully polished the necklace. Finding a
scrap of tissue paper in my junk drawer to wrap it in, I began to head out the door, then
stopped.
Should I text her first to warn her that I’m coming? Should I try to talk to her?
My stomach was tied up in knots, and I second-guessed every possible move. I realized
that I needed to see her eyes. If she didn’t want to be with me, I needed to read it on her
face, otherwise I could never trust it.
As I walked over to her house, I could see Becca in the window. I waved for her to come
down, and she nodded. As soon as she came outside, she walked quickly toward me,
muttering, “Beach walk, away from house.”
Following her across the sand, she headed away from my house, further down the beach.
Once we were several houses away, she slowed down and turned to me. “I’m incredibly
angry with you. But I saw that you had guys with metal detectors out this morning. Thank
you for trying.”
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the hastily wrapped tissue package and handed it to
her.
Becca’s pretty little mouth fell open. “You found it?” she breathed, staring at me for two
blinks before ripping the paper open.
I pointed to the clasp. “A single ring has to be replaced. It’s an easy fix, and the jeweler at the next town over has rose gold loops, so he said he could probably fix it in five minutes. I can either text you his information, or drive you there whenever you like.”
Becca sat down on the sand with a thump. Sitting beside her, I said, “I really was going to
tell you about Tiffany. I’m so sorry, sweetie. I had absolutely no idea she was still lurking around.”
“How could you not tell me that you were living with a woman?” she asked. “That’s basically
like being married.” Her sweet blue eyes filled with tears, making my stomach feel like it
was being filled with rocks.
“She is a complete psychopath,” I said softly. “We only dated for about three months, then I let her move in temporarily because her apartment was being renovated. She said she had
nowhere else to go, so I figured maybe two months was a good test to see if our
relationship would last, you know?”
Becca wiped her tears, nodding.
“Then when I told her it was time to leave, she freaked out. It turns out the renovations
were a lie so that she could move in, and claim that we were living together for much
longer. She tried to file her taxes showing us as a common law couple, thinking that it would make us legally married so that I would have to keep her, or pay alimony.”
“That’s completely insane,” Becca whispered.
“Absolutely. I finall
y spoke with her sister, who said that she had done this sort of thing
before. Latched on to somebody with money, thinking that she could have an easy ride and
never have to work. She tried to cheat the legal system, even though she doesn’t really
understand it. It didn’t make any sense, and all it did was disgrace her family, and made me
look like a complete loser.”
Becca shook her head. “I can’t imagine what the town's busybodies must have said about
the whole thing.”
I shrugged. “It was pretty embarrassing, yeah. But I’m more concerned about what you
think of me right now.”
Reaching for her hand, I was relieved when she took it. “Are there any other relationships I
should know about?” she asked.
I thought for a moment. “I dated a girl named Tonya for about a month at the end of high
school, and dated a few girls here and there when I was working as a stuntman. Nothing
serious. I never really clicked with anyone before I met you, Becca.”
She nodded. “Mitch, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that creepy woman clung to you, and I’m sorry I
freaked out. I just…I was so upset.”
“I know,” I said, stroking the back of her hand with my thumb. “I’m so sorry it happened. I
thought she’d given up. But after I filed a police report today, she won’t be back.”
Becca was biting that pouty bottom lip again, driving me crazy. “I’m sorry I shut you out and didn’t listen. I’ll try not to do that again.”
“Sweetie, it’s going to take a little time for us to settle in and get comfortable talking about uncomfortable things. That’s okay. But if we ever get too freaked out to talk, we promise to
talk the next day, okay?”
Becca nodded eagerly, then finally gave me a real, hopeful smile. Staring into those
beautiful eyes, my lungs finally unclenched enough to take a full breath as I realized she still
trusted me. As I slid my arms around her and she snuggled against me, I knew that we were going to be all right.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
* Becca *
It had been nearly a week since we had first snuggled naked in Mitch’s bed. Days full of
long walks and conversation, nights filled with dinners from elaborate to fun, and wistful
goodnight kisses when I forced myself to go back to Brendan’s.
We had long makeout sessions on Mitch’s couch, and even out on the bench in his yard in
the evenings. Every time was more exciting than the last, as we learned more about each
other.
Tonight I’d left a note on my bed saying that if I wasn’t there, I was staying over at Mitch’s. I knew that Brendan would either be discreet enough to not bring it up, or too embarrassed
to want to discuss things like sleepovers with his younger sister.
After another wonderful dinner, Mitch cleared the plates while I took care of the cutlery and glasses. Once the dishwasher was loaded, he took my hand. “Did you want to come
outside and watch the moon over the water?” His lips skimmed across the top of my hair. “I
might need to pull you into my lap to snuggle you properly.”
A long, slow exhale did nothing to calm my racing pulse, but I spoke anyway. “I bet we
could see a bit of moonlight from your bedroom.”
His arms tightened around me in a flash, as I felt something run through him. “I suppose that would be okay,” he murmured.
I spun on my heel, tossing my head so that my hair smacked him lightly across the chin as I
flounced upstairs.
“You naughty little…”
He chased me, but I was already on the upstairs landing. Darting into his bedroom, I
unzipped the back of my flowy dress, letting it settle to my bare feet.
“Jesus Christ,” he muttered, his voice thick with lust. I could see a rigid shape already
forming in his pants.
As I had spent the afternoon trying to think of how to seduce him, I realized I didn’t have to.
Mitch knew me pretty well already. By giving him a clear sign, I was certain that he would
take over.
Sure enough, he tore off his t-shirt, pitching it behind him. Then he took off his jeans, but left his black boxer briefs in place.
His firm hands unhooked my bra, then cupped my breasts even before it hit the floor. His
thumbs circled my nipples until they stiffened into points.
My body suddenly tilted as he picked me up and carefully laid me across the bed. Lips locked around my nipple, sucking and licking gently until I quivered, my hand flashing out to grip his bicep.
Trembling with adrenaline and anticipation, I didn’t know how to tell him I wanted to go
further this time. Drowning in the warmth of his gaze, my breathing became erratic. Mitch
stretched out to press our lips together, then the rest of our bodies.
I wondered if he could feel the same heat that I did, my breasts flattened against his chest
as my arousal became even more intense.
Slipping my underwear off, I didn’t want anything between us. He rolled to the side to help
me, his hands caressing every inch of my body he could reach. The deep need to have him
inside me was taking over. Tugging at the side of his briefs, he understood my signal,
slipping them off for me, releasing his massive erection.
For a split second, my overheated blood turned chilly. As my hand wrapped around it, I
knew it was going to be a lot to take.
Mitch’s hand was already between my thighs, gliding between my pussy lips as he made
me slick with desire. With his thick middle finger deep inside me, and his thumb twirling
gently across the surface of my clit, my breathing came in sharp, ragged pants.
His kisses became deep, hungry. Almost a bit rough.
I was so excited that my climax hit me just seconds after I realized it was happening.
Screaming into his mouth, I shook against him, losing all inhibition while he stared at me in wonder.
When I finally stopped quivering, he pulled his mouth back a few inches so that I could
breathe. “Sweetie, you are the sexiest woman I have ever seen,” he smiled. Then he
paused.
In a blink, he turned serious. “I keep telling you how sexy you are. You’re so shy and quiet
that I don’t know if you’re aware of how incredibly graceful and sensual you are when you
let yourself go. But I need you to know that you’re also smart, funny, kind, and absolutely
wonderful.”
I felt my cheeks stretching from the size of my grin. “You’re making me blush,” I
stammered. “But I also think all of that about you. Strong and thoughtful, and you really
listen to what I need.” Releasing his shaft for a moment, I ran my hand down his chest. “I
really appreciate that, you know. How well you listen to me.”
“It’s because I love you, Becca,” he breathed. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.
You’re already the most important person in my life, and I hope that you’ll keep me forever.”
My heart was melting and exploding at the same time. “I love you, too,” I whispered. “But
I’ve never loved a guy before, so you’ll have to tell me if I do anything wrong.”
“Every single thing you do is fabulous, baby,” he smiled, kissing the tip of my nose, then my forehead.
“Really?” I asked.
Running on raw instinct alone, I gave him a slight push on the shoulder so that he was on his back as I laid over him, my knees straddling his hips. For the first time ever, I completely
relaxed and let my body do what it needed.
&nb
sp; Mitch’s hands ran down my back, holding me as we gently kissed, both moving our hips
slightly until the thick head of his cock settled against my entrance. He looked at me
carefully, raising an eyebrow. I nodded, trying not to smirk.
His arm reached out toward the bedside table. “If you want what I think you want, can you
reach the condoms in the top drawer?”
“I’m on the pill.”
He kissed up my throat, murmuring, “ A smart girl who plans ahead . Yep, I’m definitely
keeping you.”
I almost laughed, but my entire focus was on the point of pressure as I wriggled slightly,
easing just the head between my soaking pussy lips.
I was so wet that I didn’t think I could ever be more ready for this. Easing down slowly, he
gripped my ass firmly, helping me bear down as his girth stretched me open.
“Jesus, baby, you’re so tight,” he groaned.
“Is that bad?”
He shook his head slightly. “Not at all. You feel so good around me. I’m just terrified I’ll hurt you.” I began pressing my hips down more firmly, but he stopped me. “Easy, gorgeous.
Please.”
Now he was begging me. Something about the reversal made my lust expand and overtake
me completely. Moaning shamelessly, I pressed harder, his thick length moving inside me as
I began to rock steadily until my body slowly opened for his.
The world might have stopped spinning, the only emotion left on earth was our hips rocking
together, slowly increasing our pace until something suddenly loosened and he sank inside
me completely.
Mitch grabbed my ass hard, holding me still. “Baby, are you all right?”
I nodded, then rested my forehead against his. “Yes…I can’t…it’s so good.”
He seemed to understand, holding me gently as he began to slowly, steadily make love with
me. I loved his confidence, his gentleness, and the way he was so incredibly open. I felt so
completely full with him, in every way.
Time seemed to slow as my entire focus was on the delicious internal pressure, skin
against skin. His hard body and my soft body. An indescribable peace while being so
excited I couldn’t stop moaning.
“Becca, you feel so fucking good. So hot and wet, and so tight, baby…are you going to
come for me?”