by Elias Taylor
“Do you want a drink?” Christian asked. “I have some beer in the fridge.”
When Beth smiled, it lit up her whole face with a warm glow.
“Sure,” she said. “We deserve it since we had to leave the party early.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Christian said.
Within minutes, they had settled into the couch with beers in hand.
Beth tucked her legs underneath her and turned to Christian.
“Thank you for what you did back there,” she said.
“Those guys were jerks.” He shrugged. “I’m sure you could have handled it yourself, but they were driving me crazy.”
“I could’ve handled it, and probably in a less dramatic way.” Beth grinned at him as she took a sip of her beer. “But, it was satisfying to see you punch him.”
“Pleasure was all mine,” Christian said.
“And it was nice of you.” Beth swallowed and looked down at her beer bottle. “Considering, you know, the past.”
She kept her eyes downcast. Christian had wondered when this was going to come up. Christian stared ahead. He didn’t know what to say, but he knew one thing for certain—he didn’t want to invite the thought of Tisha into his home. He and Beth were their own delicate bubble, and it was no place for Tisha. He couldn’t even say her name.
“I don’t really like to talk about her,” he said. “It was a long time ago.”
“I know,” Beth said. “It’s hard for me to talk about her, too, sometimes.”
Christian looked up with curiosity. There were deep feelings lurking behind Beth’s words, and it made him wonder what had happened between her and Tisha over the years. He had been so focused on how Tisha had hurt him that he had never thought about how her other high school relationships might have suffered.
Beth tilted her head and nodded at some of his photographs framed on the opposite wall. “Your pictures are amazing.”
Christian smiled at her change in topic. She didn’t want to drag up unpleasant memories, either. Not when there was something growing between them.
“Thanks,” he said. “I’ve mostly been doing weddings, but those I took in my spare time.”
“I’m glad you still do it,” Beth said. “I remember in high school, you always had a camera and were taking photos for the yearbook.”
Christian was surprised by her memory. Had she noticed him in high school? Right now, he was kicking himself for never really noticing her.
“What about you?” he asked.
Beth took a breath and let it out slowly.
“I work for a landscaping company. I design a lot,” she said. “But, I really want to open my own landscaping business with Mel.”
It made sense that she worked outdoors. She was so healthy and tan, and he could picture her spending all her time out in the sun, dirt stains on her jeans.
“That’s awesome,” he said. “I’d like to see some of your designs.”
Beth straightened up at the compliment, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. She dug into her pocket and pulled out her phone.
“Here, I can show you,” she said.
Christian was blown away by the pictures of garden sketches and the results. Beth had a good eye and serious talent. He told her as much.
“Thanks,” Beth said. “My dad was an architect, so I guess it runs in the family.”
Her smile faded, and her eyes clouded over with sadness when she mentioned her father. It wasn’t a fresh wound, but it was a loss she still felt deeply, Christian could tell. He wanted to cheer her up, so he did the first thing he thought of. He grabbed his phone and turned on some music.
“Since we had to leave the party early, do you wanna dance?” Christian asked. He couldn’t believe he asked her to dance. What was he thinking? He couldn’t help himself. There was something about her he hadn’t noticed before, and he wanted to hold her close to him.
Beth blinked in surprise and looked around the living room. Christian stood up and offered her his hand.
“Sure.” She stood up and let out an adorable giggle as Christian placed his hand on her waist and pulled her closer.
“If things hadn’t gone south,” Christian said. “I would have asked you at the party.”
Beth’s eyes widened in surprise, and Christian found himself lost in their blue depths.
“I would have said yes,” Beth whispered.
Christian’s heart started to race as she leaned in closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. They swayed from side to side. Christian’s hand burned with yearning where he touched the subtle curve of her waist.
He was hesitant to make a move. Never in a million years did he think he would end up in this situation with Beth Harold. The other day, just the sight of her had made him cringe with painful memories of Tisha. He hadn’t even remembered her name. Now he couldn’t imagine not knowing her. He wanted to know her better. He wanted to know every inch of her.
Beth stilled. Christian stopped swaying and leaned into her. He stared at her lips and couldn’t look away. He wanted to feel them pressed against his own. Beth breathed in and out, and Christian felt a pang of hot desire shoot through him at the feeling of her breasts moving against his torso.
She was tipsy. They both were. If she was too drunk, she might regret it later. Christian wanted her, but he was determined to tread with careful steps.
“I want to kiss you,” he murmured.
Beth’s face was so close that he felt the rush of air from her exhale tickle his neck.
“I want that, too,” she said.
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Christian pressed his lips against her. Her mouth was soft, and Christian’s groin began to tighten just from the feel of her hands digging into his shoulder.
He was too desperate to go slowly and gently, but Beth deepened the kiss. She opened her mouth and welcomed his tongue.
She clung to him as Christian moved toward the couch. He pulled away only long enough to pull her down beside him, and then they were kissing again, their fervor drowning out all other thoughts. It was beautiful, Christian realized, to be with someone he wanted so much and not have to think about all the context. He didn’t care about the past or his trust issues. All he cared about was Beth and her body.
Beth moved closer, and Christian gasped when she situated her legs on either side of him and straddled his lap. She kissed him deeply, and Christian ran his hands up and down her back before sliding one hand beneath the back of her shirt.
Her skin was smooth and warm, and just feeling an inch of it made Christian’s erection throb with need.
Beth sighed and pressed herself closer to Christian.
He was lost in the feel of her kisses and was startled when she slipped her own hands underneath his shirt and ran her fingers over his abs. Christian sucked in his breath. Never had a woman’s touch electrified him in such a way.
Beth leaned back and, without hesitating, pulled her shirt over her head. Christian did the same. For a few seconds, they just stared at each other. Beth’s eyes caressed the soft layer of hair covering Christian’s chest, and he took in her simple white bra that held the swell of her breasts in a tantalizing way.
Beth leaned in and nuzzled and kissed Christian’s neck. She was undeniably good with her tongue, and Christian would lose control if she continued to grind against his crotch like she was doing. He slid his hands down to her bottom and squeezed with a firm grip. Beth let out a moan of pleasure, which only ramped up Christian’s need to have her. All of her.
Beth pulled away, and Christian saw her pupils were so dilated that her blue eyes appeared almost black.
“You wanna go to the bedroom?” he asked. He knew he shouldn’t, but she was so damn hot and irresistible.
“Yeah,” Beth said.
In one fluid motion, Christian stood up with Beth’s legs still wrapped around his waist. She let out a little yelp and clung to his neck as he walked as quickly as he could to the bedroom.
She pulled away, and he instantly missed her. His chest was cold where she had been.
Beth stood before him. She reached down toward the button of her jeans and slowly, with a devilish grin, began to peel her pants off. It was so hot that Christian had to take a deep breath just to keep himself under control. Beth stepped out of her jeans and stood before him in just her bra and panties.
He reached out with a reverent hand and touched her stomach. He skimmed his hand over her waist and up, right below the curve of her breast. He carefully slid his thumb beneath her bra, causing Beth to gasp. Her lips fell apart, and Christian ran his finger over her erect nipple.
She moved her own hands to his belt and started to tear his pants off. Christian grinned at her enthusiasm and stood up to dispose of his jeans.
He spun her around and laid her down on the bed. He moved over her and supported himself on his forearms as he kissed her again and again, moving his mouth from her lips to her jaw to her neck and down to her collarbone. When he reached her bra, he pushed it aside with impatience to reveal one perfect nipple. Without hesitating, Christian took her nipple in his mouth, sucking and nibbling until Beth let out a deep moan.
While his mouth attended to her breasts, he reached down and slid one finger beneath her panties. He caressed her mound and ran one exploring finger over her satin flesh. She was wet for him, and just the feel of her slickness made his head spin with need.
But he wanted her to enjoy it. She had to enjoy it.
With a small mewl of pleasure, Beth moved her hips and pushed herself against his fingers. Christian lifted up his head and watched her face spasm in delight as he caressed her clit and moved his fingers in teasing circles.
“That feels good,” Beth whispered.
“Good,” Christian murmured.
She leaned forward and unclasped her bra. Christian yanked his own boxers off before pulling her panties down. They lay next to each other, Beth on her back and Christian on his side, both naked.
“You’re beautiful,” Christian said.
“So are you,” Beth said.
She ran her slender fingers down his chest and over his stomach before wrapping them around his cock. Christian gasped as she began to stroke him. Beth’s lips quirked in a wicked smile at his reaction.
“Do you like that?” she said.
“You have no idea,” Christian growled.
He rolled atop her and began kissing her again, all while moving his hand against her wet flesh.
“Oh God,” Beth cried out. “Oh, Christian, I want you.”
The sound of his name exiting her mouth in a desperate cry made Christian’s entire body shudder. He had never wanted a woman this much, not even Tisha.
Christian situated himself between her legs, and Beth spread her thighs to welcome him. He pressed his fingers deep within her until she bucked her hips against his hand and gasped with frantic desire.
She was ready for him. He pulled away just long enough to sheath himself with a condom. He returned to her and plunged his fingers deep inside her until she once again moaned his name. Only then did Christian press his rock-hard cock against her entrance. Beth let out a moan and pressed her fingers into his shoulders. There was no way he was going to last long, but Christian could tell Beth was fast approaching her own release.
He plunged into her, burying himself inside her sweet pussy in one swift motion.
Beth arched her back and cried out as Christian began to move. She was so tight and slick, and it felt right to be embedded deep inside her.
They moved in a frantic rhythm as if every second of the night had led up to this. From the moment he had seen her dancing in the light of the bonfire, to the first jolt of pain when he struck the other biker, to the breathless escape on the bike—it had all been leading up to this moment of pure ecstasy.
Christian let out a yell as he felt his orgasm coming and then was pushed over the edge when Beth clenched around him.
“I’m coming,” she cried. “Oh God, I’m coming.”
Christian saw stars. His entire world was reduced to Beth and the feel of her body beneath his. He was in a downward spiral, and it felt as if he had been pushed off some great cliff, but he didn’t care. It was a joy to freefall with Beth.
Their cries of pleasure intermingled, and Christian watched in wonderment as Beth’s face illustrated the height of her passion.
As he came down from his orgasm, he stayed inside Beth. Unable to express his feelings in words, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Beth let out a content sigh as Christian rolled off her. He was bereft without the feel of her against him, so he reached out and pulled her body against his chest. Beth nestled down with her head atop his chest and one leg thrown over his thigh.
He wasn’t usually like this. Cuddling was too intimate for his tastes. He didn’t like his one-night-stands staying until the morning, but Beth was different. He knew that. He couldn’t explore how just right then, but their connection was undeniable.
His muscles relaxed as exhaustion set in. He was so thoroughly sated. He ran his hand down Beth’s bare back and relished her hum of satisfaction.
It had been a long night.
Christian could worry about the consequences of what he and Beth had done tomorrow.
Right then, all he wanted to do was sleep with Beth in his arms.
Chapter Nine: Beth
Beth woke up with a faint headache. It was nothing serious, just the usual result of having a few beers the night before. Only this wasn’t a usual morning. Beth was curled on her side in her familiar sleeping position, but nothing else was familiar. Not the light blue bed sheets, not the sun streaming in through the window, and definitely not the warm body at her back.
Beth ran her hand over the pillow and blinked her eyes. She let out a sigh as every detail of the previous night came rushing back to her. Christian Crown. Tisha’s ex-boyfriend. Whose heart Tisha had broken. And who, according to town rumors, was a bit of a player.
This was bad on numerous levels.
Beth hadn’t even been trying to meet a guy at the mixer. She was way too busy trying to start her own business to date. Beth had always had a one-track mind. Dating or getting involved in a serious relationship was out of the question when all her attention was focused on landscaping. Plus, relationships weren’t worth it. They always ended. Nothing was forever. People cheated or fell out of love. Her dad and her mom had loved each other, but death intervened. One way or another, relationships always ended.
If Beth had been looking for romance, she certainly wouldn’t have picked Christian. He was so off-limits.
Of course, Beth had always thought Christian was good looking. Everyone thought so. That’s why Tisha had gone after him during their senior year of high school. After they broke up, Christian had plenty of options for a rebound. He was handsome and a biker, which gave him an edgy vibe. Beth knew that the Road Warriors were clean, but most people assumed Christian was the quintessential bad boy because of his involvement with the club. Certain girls flocked to that kind of guy. Based on what Beth had heard, Christian had taken those options. All of them. He had done nothing but sleep around and party for the last few years. No serious girlfriend. No commitment.
Beth couldn’t really blame him. Tisha had wrecked his life. He had to find it hard to trust women after what she put him through. Even Beth had trouble trusting any new friends. If she and Tisha, after years of being practically sisters, could end up so different, could any friendship last?
Beth didn’t judge Christian for his wild ways, but she knew she should have steered clear of him. He wasn’t the one for her. She wasn’t even looking for the one.
Yet she ha
d ended up here—in Christian’s bed—after a night of mindblowing sex. It all started with him throwing a punch for her. Beth squeezed her eyes shut and then opened them again. How was this not all just a dream? It was real. It was all real. Beth had to get out of there. She couldn’t even begin to process everything that had happened; all she knew was that it was a mistake.
Beth rolled over onto her back. She moved with care so as not to jolt Christian awake. She sucked in her breath at the sight of him, sound asleep. His dark hair was tousled, and his face looked peaceful. Beth’s eyes drifted down toward his exposed chest. She blushed as he shifted and the blankets moved lower on his stomach.
Flashbacks to everything they had done in the bed raced unbidden through Beth’s mind. He had been good. There was no doubt about that. They had wanted each other. But it had been hormones and adrenaline, brought on by the drinking and the brawl, nothing more. If either one of them had stopped to think, they would have realized how ridiculous it was. Beth was still Tisha’s friend, despite how much Tisha irritated her these days. Getting together with Christian was a major betrayal. Even if she hadn’t spoken with Tisha for years, it wouldn’t have been cool to pursue Tisha’s ex. Plus, Christian definitely didn’t want to be with Beth. She was forever associated with Tisha in his mind.
They had been attracted to each other in the moment. It had all been physical. Nothing more. It couldn’t be anything more. Could it? To continue in any capacity with Christian would be way too complicated. And stupid. They were doomed before they even started.
Beth pushed herself into a sitting position, but just then, Christian’s eyes fluttered open. He gave Beth a sleepy smile that made her stomach erupt in butterflies despite herself.
“Morning,” he said.
He reached over and pulled Beth closer to him. She stiffened underneath his arm, and from the way that Christian furrowed his brow, she could tell he noticed her discomfort.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.” She pulled the sheets tighter around her chest and gave him a close-lipped smile. “I just gotta get going soon. I didn’t mean to spend the night.”