Matt laughed again. "When are you coming home?"
"Wednesday night. Come to your dad's that night so we can catch up."
"I'll be there. You should tell him."
"No."
"Okay, but I think it would be a good thing."
"You also pretend to be crazy, so people leave you alone."
"True, and it works, right?"
They laughed, and Bethany hung up, Matt's words washing over her. Should she express herself to Damon? What was the look on his face the night before when she had slipped up a bit? Horror? Fear? Loss of words at being accepted? She glanced at the clock and pulled herself into the bed, waiting for her food and wishing like hell he were there.
"I love you, Damon," she whispered into the empty room, the words sounding right but sprouting fear. What if he couldn't return them? What if he could but wouldn't?
Chapter 25
Bethany woke to an empty room Monday morning. Damon's suitcase still sat by the door, nothing in the room having been touched or moved. She sat up and reached for her phone. The message from him was at two in the morning. Just a note that they wouldn't be back until breakfast. Worry tugged at her. What if it wasn't about business? What if he had someone here and went to stay with her?
She growled at herself and climbed out of bed before stripping and heading to the shower. He would be who he was, and until they locked down their relationship, she didn't have much say over any of that. She stepped into the steamy hot water. The mesmerizing pressure of the liquid caused her to groan in relief. Sleep had been welcome after the long night before of worrying all night.
The bathroom door opened and closed. Bethany stuck her head out, her hair partially wet, eyes wide. Damon looked over at her, pulling his shirt off.
"Sorry about last night. Such a fucking mess. I don't know what happened with the office manager, but he dicked up everything for this audit today."
He wasn't himself at all, nor did he look healthy. Dark circles sat under his eyes, his skin peaked. She moved back and opened the shower, hiding behind the curtain.
"I wish you would have come and picked me up. I could have helped. Come in here with me."
"I should have. You're right. I just got into trying to fix it, and before I knew it, the sun was coming up." He dropped his slacks and boxers before sliding into the small space with her. She released the curtain and turned to face him. Damon reached for her, closing the small step that stood between them. His hands slid around her waist, the water making his fingers glide with ease.
Bethany lifted on her toes and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him down for a long, soft kiss. He leaned into her, the heaviness of exhaustion almost palpable. She turned them slowly in the water until his back was to the spray. His groan broke the kiss. She moved from him, her eyes taking all of him in as water dripped down his chiseled chest and firm abs.
She reached for the soap, rubbing it between her hands before moving back to stand in front of him. Reaching up, Bethany pressed deep circles into his pecs and down his stomach. Her fingernails scratched lightly along the dark hair above his sex, his body coming to life within moments of her touching him.
"God, that feels good. I don't know if I've ever let anyone wash me," he mumbled, his head tilting back as water ran over his hair and the top of his face.
"Turn and let me get your back." She moved back, picking up the soap again as desire slammed into her. His back was well defined, his butt the sexiest thing she had ever seen. She reached for it first, rolling her soapy hands over the curves of it as he flexed. His hands slid up the shower wall, body sagging forward slightly. Bethany pressed both of her hands into the muscles of his back and worked to pull the tension from them. Soft sounds of appreciation slipped from him as he pressed his forehead to the shower wall.
Bethany finished washing his beautiful body and slid her arms around his torso, pressing herself to the back of him. He reached back and rubbed his fingers along the curve of her hip.
"I have to get back up there. Dad left at three or so. I know he's going to need me." Damon yawned loudly, his body shivering at the effort. He turned, wrapping his arms around her and sliding his hands down her back. He leaned into her, his mouth finding her neck. He buried his face against her throat, his erection thick and hard as it pressed against her stomach.
"I'll go. I'm smarter than both of you put together. I'll help this morning while you get a nap. Come after you've rested."
"I want to come now." He smiled against the side of her neck, his breath hot against her ear.
"You're tired. We'll enjoy each other tonight after the audit is underway and you've slept."
He nipped at her ear, his hands sliding down to the bottom of her ass. He pulled her in tightly, her body molded to his. "Does it feel like I'm going to be able to sleep?"
Bethany laughed and pulled from his grasp. Holding his hips, she turned them again, the hot water splashing over her chilled skin. A smile crept up her face, Damon's eyes growing wide as she turned to face the wall. She slid her hands up the cold tiles, her back arching, her body on display for the good-looking man behind her.
"All I've wanted ..." He slid his hands over her hips, up her ribs to hold onto her breasts. His body pressed into hers, a loud groan leaving her lips as she exhaled in what seemed to be relief. His motions were rhythmic and slow, his body almost too much for her to handle. She pressed back against him as he leaned over her, his teeth and tongue dragging across her back and shoulder.
She moaned and rocked forward, giving him more traction to enjoy himself.
"Oh fuck, Beth. I need you, baby." His hands moved to her hips, the deep thrusting picking up the pace after they had enjoyed the slow sensual pattern for a while. The sound of panting caused her hormones to jolt again, her breath coming out in short spurts.
"It's been too long," he whispered as she moaned loudly, her body exploding into a fiery bliss as he worked her from behind. "Take it, baby. Take whatever you need from me."
She moaned louder, his body pressing against the center of her and pulling her apart as if nothing more than a string held her together. She jerked her hips as his fingers tightened on her. He jerked her up, pressing his hand to her stomach and lifting her leg with the other hand. Driving into her over and over as his face slipped into the side of her hair, his teeth digging into the soft flesh of her neck.
The sound of him losing himself, the feel of the wicked devil behind her melting inside of her left her spinning, the room suddenly too hot. The sex too good. The soft sound of his body connecting with hers filled the air as his grip tightened.
He tensed, his hips losing rhythm as he moaned deep in his chest and let himself go. Bethany reached back and held onto his thigh, forcing herself to take the lead on their movements as he was lost in ecstasy. She jerked her hips over and over until he locked his hands on her thighs, his voice nothing more than a whisper.
"Fuck ... stop, baby. Killing me ..." He moved back, his footing unstable. Bethany turned toward him, moving in to wrap her arms around his chest. He pressed his back to the shower wall before looking down at her.
She reached up and touched the side of his face, a smile on her lips. "You're so perfect, Damon. So fucking hot."
He leaned down and kissed her softly. The smirk on his face made her chuckle. He was so beyond sensual, and he knew it. It was almost nice to see him too exhausted to tout his own greatness. She reached for a towel, handing it to him and making sure he was steady before getting her own.
She stepped out of the shower as he turned the water off. She would need to go into the office, but first, she wanted to get him in bed. He didn't seem like the kind to succumb to exhaustion, but with the right amount of pressure and lack of sleep, anyone would be weary of his situation. She helped towel dry him as he brushed his fingers down her hair and rubbed her arm.
"Come on. Let's get you in bed."
"More already, Beth? I knew I had met my match. You’re on top this time.
I want to watch you fuck me." His words were slightly slurred, his eyes a little glossy.
She laughed and wrapped the towel around herself before wrapping his around his waist.
"Yes. Come lie in bed, and I'll take good care of you."
"That's all I've wanted since we met." He reached up and rubbed at his eyes as she pulled him from the bathroom. She fixed the bed, leaning over to move pillows around.
His hands took her hips, the pressure of him pressing against her causing her to stand.
"Damon. Get in the bed. Stop dicking around. Your dad is waiting on me."
He moved past her and got in the bed, tugging the towel off and stroking himself as he sucked his lip into his mouth. "Hush, woman. Get over here and ride me."
"No. I need to go." She covered him up, leaning down to kiss him softly. "Hey, tell me something."
"What?" His eyes closed, his breathing deepening quickly. He was exhausted. How he had even stood in the shower was beyond her, much less put a hurting on her libido.
"In the shower, you said it had been too long."
"Mmhmm," he mumbled, reaching out and pulling her down for another kiss. She kissed him a few times before moving back.
"It had been too long since we'd touched or since you've fucked a woman?"
"Second part." He yawned and turned onto his side, tugging the covers closer. "I haven't found one I was willing to make love to in ... longer than I can remember."
Make love to?
She touched his back, rubbing softly as he fell asleep. Tears filled her eyes as realization dawned on her.
Maybe he wasn't at all who he pretended to be. Maybe her desires mixed beautifully with his demands. Lust was the fuel that would forge them closer, but it felt like love might be the coating that protected the possibility of forever.
Chapter 26
Bethany looked up from the pile of papers in front of her as Kent spoke. Her soon-to-be stepfather stood at the head of a long cherrywood executive-length table, his brow contorted.
"I'm not sure how this happened. Why the hell aren't the numbers tying out? Zarpeth is one of our largest clients, and I know we sent a really strong senior associate to count their inventory." He sighed and pulled the chair back, slumping down in it.
Something inside of her wanted to do anything to make things right. She simply didn't have the experience. Just being out of school and headed back for her master’s soon, she lacked on-the-job experience.
"What can I do?" Bethany leaned back in her chair and slipped her hands into her lap as her phone buzzed.
"Call your brother, and tell him to get here." Kent sighed again and ran his fingers through his salt-and-pepper hair.
His word stung without him knowing it. His reference to Damon being her brother left a mark on her. The reality that she had just fucked him in the shower flooded her subconscious with shame. How would they ever work? Her mother was marrying his father, and they were going to what? Fall happily ever after in love?
She picked up her phone and answered it; Damon's name popping up and causing her heart to almost stop in her chest.
"Hey."
"How is it going?" His voice was so deep and sexy, scratchy from obviously just waking up.
It was after two in the afternoon, but he and Kent had pulled an all-nighter the night before. He had stumbled into the shower with her, taking her fast and hard and falling asleep in the bed like a little boy, so worn out.
"It's not going too great. Kent is asking for you." Bethany breathed in sharply, sitting up and moving some of the papers in front of her. "I've recounted the inventory a few times, and it's more than obvious the issue isn't with the calculation but with the count that was taken."
Damon let out a sigh that set her on edge. Was he put off by the fact that she couldn't figure the mammoth problem out on her own?
"All right. Tell my father to hang tight, and I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Ask him if he needs a coffee." His voice was tight and all business. The sound of it caused her stomach to hurt. Where was the man that had whispered his pleasure against her wet skin in the steamy shower?
"Damon wants to know if you need a coffee." Bethany moved the phone from her mouth and looked up at Kent.
"No. I just need him to stop napping and get his ass here." Kent leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes and pressing his palms to his face.
"He needs ..." Bethany started but was cut off by the sharp agitation in Damon's voice.
"I heard him. I'm on my way." He hung up without another word. No asking if she wanted a coffee or if she was doing okay. No “See you soon” or “Missed you when I woke up.”
Asshole.
Kent got up a few minutes later and walked out of the small conference room as Bethany stood and moved to the window, pressing her hand against it and fighting back tears.
Had she imagined the softness of their morning after the sex? Had she made Damon into someone he wasn't? Memories assaulted her.
"Come lie in bed, and I'll take good care of you."
"That's all I've wanted since we met." He smiled and reached for her.
He had admitted to not having sex in a long time. Not because he was too busy or because he didn't physically need the release.
"I haven't found one I was willing to make love to in ... longer than I can remember."
Tears threatened to roll over onto her cheeks, leaving her looking like the lovesick child she was. She wiped at them angrily, trying hard to push away her feelings of inadequacy. He was tired, and the proverbial shit was hitting the fan. Of course, he was coarse and rough with her. He wasn't being unreasonable; she just realized that she needed more—no, expected more—from him.
"See something of interest?" His voice caught her off guard. She smoothed down the front of her black jacket, the dress under it striped with black and white. His eyes remained on her face, his mood sour, his expression pinched. He was tired, but damn him for not giving her anything to show that he felt something from their earlier interactions.
"Just trying to figure this out and be helpful." She gave him a slight smile and walked back toward the table.
"Yes, well, you're just out of college. I didn't expect you to offer assistance. You're here to learn, so watch as I figure this out." His voice was deadpan, as if she were as interesting as watching the clock on the wall tick second by second.
She swallowed her emotions and simply nodded, moving to stand beside him.
"The inventory was taken in April, and again in July, which are around the times it should be taken, but one was taken before the early morning shipments they receive and one after. They need to be consistent. Simply call the warehouse in Tampa and have them email you the receipts for the July early morning shipment. Reconcile the numbers, and this problem should be solved." He looked up and touched his finger to the side of his temple. "You have to actually use common sense if you plan to get anywhere in this big world. It isn't genius we're looking for."
"Are you saying I should have been able to figure that out?" Bethany took a step back, his reaction to her ignorance astounding and hateful.
He looked up and lifted his eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the side of his mouth. "Are you getting offended at me trying to make you a better accountant?"
"You're not trying to make me better. You're pinpointing my lack of common sense. That's not something you learn in accounting classes." She put her hands on her hips as heat rose up her chest and coated her throat. "And your tone is starting to get on my nerves. If you want to coach me to understand the details of shipment times at the client's warehouse, that's fine, but talking to me like I'm a dumbass because you know how things run at the Tampa plant and I don't isn't coaching."
He let out a long breath. "I understand that you think we should be holding hands and smiling at each other after this morning, but I'm not interested in a relationship. If you're not willing to be a woman who’s worth my time, then you probably need to let me know that now. Save us some time.
"
Bethany took another step back as a large ball of regret pressed into her throat, the room seeming hot all of a sudden. She wasn't even sure how to react, so she didn't. She dropped the paper she had picked up and walked toward the door. Damon's hand on her wrist stopped her. She turned back and pinned him with expressionless resolve.
"I'm not like every other man, Bethany. You're not allowed to leave your mark on me. I'm here for sex, and if you are too, great, but if not ..."
"Fuck you," she whispered and smiled as if he didn't matter. She needed him not to, but he did far too much.
Pulling from his grasp, she walked through the small door, the hall seeming to close in on her. She didn't stop until she got back to the hotel, the room ice cold from leaving the AC on too long. She lay down on her bed, rolling up in the covers and regretting it immediately. It smelled like Damon, the deep musky tones rushing into her nose and over her tongue as she groaned.
They couldn't be a couple anyway, could they?
He was her fucking brother. No way would they be able to figure things out. It was too complicated.
So was sex enough? Could she just enjoy the feel of his hands on her, the taste of his tongue, the deep thrust of his body into hers? She groaned again, her nipples budding at the very thought.
She was lost to the idea of being beneath him as much as possible, but was that simply because she loved him? If there was no love there, how could the emotion be so damned strong?
Her phone buzzed.
Damon.
"Bethany." She answered it very professionally, hating herself, hating him ... hating every-fucking-thing.
"Kent and I are headed out of the office. Feel free to do whatever it is that you women do when you're pissed. I should be back later tonight, but if not, I'll be in the lobby at ten tomorrow morning, and we'll head home."
"Is there something you guys need me to do while you're out?" she asked, her heart breaking over and over at his dismissal of her. She was smart and brilliant, and this cock of a man was trying to tear her down.
Mister Big Stuff: A Single Mom Friends to Lovers Novel Page 40