“What do you need?”
“Can you stop what you’re doing and look at me?”
Exhaling dramatically, she pushes herself away from her desk and crosses her arms, which is a telltale sign Becca has her defenses up.
“What’s going on with you? Mom said you’ve barely left your room since you returned from your trip Sunday, and now it’s Tuesday, and you’re still distant.”
“Our trip went poorly.”
“Oh. Did you say goodbye to Clay?”
“No.” Her eyes are staring at the floor, her body frozen.
“Talk to me, Becs. What happened?”
“The symphony we attended was sort of boring, but he has season tickets. I’m not sure what his friends think of me, and one of them, Penelope, made it clear she’s protective of Clay. They think I’m too young, and once again someone thought I looked familiar.
“I cornered Penelope about it in the restroom, and she admitted I look like his ex-girlfriend Alice. Several people have mentioned it, so I’m beginning to want to see a photo of this woman, but I promised myself I’d let it go.”
“Why don’t you question him about it?”
Becca waves her hand in the air.
“I have. He admitted we look alike, but he says everyone is exaggerating, and he doesn’t like to discuss the past. Then, we had a serious discussion where he admitted he wants a houseful of kids. He told me on the plane back that his definition of a houseful is five.”
“Wow, five.”
“I’ve got news for him … I’m not pushing that many babies out of this tiny body. After the miscarriage, I’m in no hurry to try again. I have a lot of healing left to do emotionally and physically, and I want to focus on my career. I’d also like to be married for a few years first.”
“I think that all sounds reasonable and shows maturity.”
“Is it fair of me to ask him to wait until he’s in his forties to have his first baby? Possibly the only baby.”
My sister’s breaking out in hives, and I wish there was something I could do. I’m dying to tell her about Alice Sommerfeld, but I can’t bring myself to influence her decision. Travis needs the certainty of Becca’s love. She has to choose him on her own accord.
“I’ve barely spoken to Travis since I returned, and I can tell it’s driving him crazy. It’s not that I don’t care, but I can’t afford to feel more confused than I already do.”
“Spending time with him is one of the ways you’ll work through this. He was a mess while you were away. He was mostly worried about your well-being, especially once you were on the news.”
“I didn’t see it. Do you think it’s on the internet?”
“I’m sure it is, but you shouldn’t watch it.”
“I’ve been trying not to, but the curiosity is killing me.”
“I’m gonna get back to work, but please don’t shut me out. I’m here for you with no judgment.”
She conjures up a smile. “Thank you, sis. That means a lot.”
Becca
Once Reese leaves my office, I pull up the internet and type in Clay’s name along with the word girlfriend. The first link is to the video of us at the airport. That’s disturbing. It shouldn’t be this easy to find.
I watch the video, and it’s obvious Clay and I were in a deep discussion about something upsetting. Words across the bottom of the video catch my eye.
Does this mean the late Senator’s son finally ended his heartbreaking relationship with Alice Sommerfeld?
Alice.
“Don’t do it, Becca. Don’t do it,” I mumble. Unable to resist, I type her name in the search box. Clicking on an image, I gasp and hold my fingers to my mouth as I stare at a woman who favors me more than my own sister.
He gave me the impression he hadn’t dated in years, so why is the media insinuating their breakup could be recent?
I slam my laptop shut and scoot back from my desk. It’s all in the past. Clay said that on more than one occasion, and I need to respect it.
A knock on the door startles me.
“Uh, come in.”
Travis steps inside and smiles, but his mouth droops in an instant.
“Are you OK? You’re broken out in hives, and you look like you saw a ghost.”
“I’m fine. What did you need?” I scoot back up to my desk and smooth out my hair that’s down today.
“You know what I need, yet you won’t talk to me, so I have no idea how your trip went. Are you choosing to be with Clay?
“Wait–don’t answer that.” Looking to the ceiling, he blows out a breath. “God, I want to know but not if you’re choosing him. Maybe I should hang on a little longer to the hope that there will be an ‘us.’ ”
I roll my eyes. “Stop being overdramatic.”
Coming right at me, he slams his palms on my desk.
“Overdramatic. This is my fucking future you’re playing with, Becca.”
“It’s my future, too, so I’m trying to decide while causing minimal collateral damage to all hearts involved,” I quip. “I haven’t picked him, and the only reason I’ve been avoiding you is because I’m being pulled two different directions, and it’s making me testy.”
“Let me take you out. There’s something I need you to see, and I promise it will be peaceful.”
“Tomorrow evening,” I mutter. With his fingers still splayed on my desk, he leans over and kisses my lips.
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at six, and don’t eat dinner.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Travis
I’m nervous as I pull up in Becca’s driveway. I’m also confused as hell and a little pissed. I’m beginning to feel like she’s toying with my emotions. She’s not doing it on purpose, so I’m not angry at her. I’m only frustrated over the situation we’re in.
Becca loves me. Why can’t she fucking accept that and stop seeing Clay? Maybe she loves him, too, and I can’t stand the thought of it.
Seeing how she’d brought my sculptures to life last week on a motorcycle–one of the other loves of my life–meant more to me than she could ever comprehend.
Becca comes out the door before I can exit the truck. She’s gifting me a glowing grin as she hops inside. Her hair is shiny and draped over her shoulders, and she smells sensational.
I lean over and give her a quick kiss. Tonight I’m going to show her why we’re perfect together, and I’m going to prove to her how serious I am about a future with her.
***
Once Becca and I finish dinner at a local restaurant, we begin the drive to the special place I want to show her. It’s dark and only in the upper forties as we travel on the country roads near Everett’s.
“I didn’t get a chance to ask you; were you upset about my design of the bike last week? I couldn’t tell.”
I take a glimpse at her. “No, I was touched. My dad would be proud, and I hate that he won’t ever meet you.
“My log sculptures became your inspiration. Essentially, you’re carrying on how amazing of a man he was since he taught me how to do them.
“I know others will only see the design as a fish and eagle, an outdoor scene, but I’ll know what it represents.” I clutch her knee. “Thank you for giving me that.”
“You’re welcome, and thank you for the inspiration.” She looks around as we pull onto Everett’s street.
“Are we going to Reese and Everett’s?”
“Nope, but we’re headed not far from there.” The homes on this road are spread apart by fields and woods, but the Christmas lights on display give away each of their locations.
Neither of us say much else as we pass by his house, which also looks festive. I drive about a half a mile down the road and slow.
Turning left onto the gravel driveway, my headlights shine a spotlight on the for sale sign at the front of the property, along with the “sold” sticker slapped over it.
Becca spots the sign. “Travis, where are we? I don’t think we’re supposed to be here. The s
ign says it’s sold.”
“We can be here because I own it.”
“What?”
“Yep. There’s no house yet, but there will be in the future. On Monday it became my property.”
“It’s dark. I won’t be able to see it.”
“No, but you’ll be able to see what’s above it.”
I take a glimpse at her, and she gives a quizzical smile.
“I’m confused.”
“You won’t be in a minute.” We reach the end of the short gravel drive, and I continue onto the grass another hundred yards or so. Once I put the truck in park, I reach in the small backseat and gather the two blankets I brought and a thermos of hot cocoa.
“Come on. We’re gettin’ in the back of the truck.”
“Trav, it’s cold outside.”
“We won’t stay long, and I’ll keep you warm.”
We both exit the vehicle, and Becca waits at the tailgate as I lower it and climb into the back. After spreading out one of the blankets, I take her hand and help her up.
She zips up her brown coat and pulls a thin pair of gloves from her pocket. She looks like she’s thinking hard, and I want to get inside that pretty head of hers.
“Lie down with me.”
“I’m not getting naked out here. It’s freezing.”
I chuckle. “You dirty-minded girl. I had no intentions of you stripping down, but we can go back to my place after and do that.”
We’re so close now that I can see her smile and the roll of her eyes. She lies down with me, and I cover us up with the other blanket.
Her hurried fingers pull it up to her neck, and it’s cute how bundled up she is. Her breath is already showing in the moonlight, exhaled from her plump red lips.
Rolling onto my side, I wrap her up against me and thank the good Lord that we have a clear night. This might’ve been a fail otherwise.
“Now, look up, beautiful.”
Her head tilts back, and her eyes avert to the sky. In only seconds, she gasps.
“Travis, there are so many stars out tonight. You need to roll onto your back and look at them.”
“I will in a minute, but I have the best view right here. Your face is lit up, gazing above. This is all I need to see.”
“It’s beautiful,” she whispers.
“Trees line this property, guarding it all around, but right in the center is this perfect open area to view the sky and stars at night.”
“So you’re going to build your home here. That’s exciting.”
“It could be ‘we.’ We could build a house here. I’m gonna add a big deck off the back and put a double hammock on it. We could lie in it and gaze at the stars on clear nights.”
Becca begins sucking in breaths, her chest bouncing in sync, cries beginning to escape her.
“Babe, what’s wrong. Talk to me.”
“This … it’s too much. It’s so sweet.”
I let out a light laugh and wipe a tear away from her cheek.
“Then don’t cry.”
She turns her head and gazes at me.
“Clay … On our first date, he took me to the observatory for a private viewing of the stars through their telescope.”
I release her in an instant and roll on my back.
“Fuck. Wow. I sure as hell can’t compete with that.” Shifting to her side, she circles my waist with her arm.
“No, Trav, listen.” She sniffles again and gets her breath. “It’s the opposite. He was sincere and thoughtful in what he did, and it was special, but you managed to top it in a much simpler and intimate way.
“I’m overcome with emotion because being on this property you purchased for us, gazing at a sky you’d buy solely for me if you could, made me realize you’ve let your whole guard down.
“You’re all in, risking your heart and fighting for me … for us. Clay and I carry secrets, but you and I know each other inside and out. You’re baring it all for me.”
I pull on her body until I have her on top of me. Hugging her cheeks, I bring her face to mine.
“You’re absolutely right, and I’m not going to stop fighting until you’re mine. I do believe you’re emotional over what I did for you tonight, but the main reason you’re crying is because you don’t want to hurt him.
“He sounds like a nice guy who’s been treating you right. Admit it, Becca. You’re sweet as hell, a girl with a huge heart, and you don’t want to break his, but you know it’s what you have to do.”
Choking up, I swallow down my bubbling emotions. “Your soul belongs with mine. Let me love it, baby. Fuck, please, let me love you.”
I hug her hard, hoping my touch will be an emphasis to my words.
“Trav, I never stopped loving you, and for the one week I knew about your baby growing inside me, I loved it, too. It crushed me to lose it–that part of you.”
Her head lifts, her cries breaking my heart.
“I miss Molly, too. I miss her so much. It was awful watching her die. She screamed until all I could see were flames. I tried to help her. I really tried, but these men wouldn’t let me. They dragged me away from her, and I was furious, desperate to get to her.”
“You would’ve died, too, and that’s why they did it.”
“But right then I didn’t care. All I could think about was saving her. God, it was horrific. I can’t take the images, Travis. I can’t take seeing them!”
She wails and hides her face at my neck.
“Let it out, sweetheart. It’s OK. You need to let the pain out.”
Becca’s words are haunting, her cries portraying that sick day, and I can’t help but shed tears with her. This is what we needed.
We had to talk about that day to move forward, and it’s what should’ve happened when she returned from Europe. Fuck, I handled things all wrong.
After a few minutes, her cries subside. Her head lifts again, and I wipe her cheeks the best I can.
“All I went through is why I was angry at you for not being there for me. Then, you were cold, pushing me away when I was ready for us to try again. It’s why I’m scared now. I couldn’t experience more pain like that if you started drinking again and hating yourself.”
I knew she was thinking about my idiot behavior. Grabbing her arms, I push her back so she has a clear view of my face.
“I swear if you give me the chance, I won’t let you down again, and only when you’re ready, we’ll marry and have as many kids as you desire.
“They can grow up here and spend time at your sister’s right down the road. We can have the whole package. All you have to do is say yes.”
She crashes her lips to mine, our kiss urgent and rough, and I’m grabbing her ass beneath the blanket, pushing her against my cock.
I need to be inside her, to seal the deal, to claim every ounce of her. She’s almost there, about to give into me.
“Please, Travis, make love to me right here. I’m warm enough.”
Shoving my hand in my back pocket, I yank out my wallet. She scoots off my body and removes her gloves. Finding the condom, I toss my wallet aside and yank my jeans down enough to get my dick free.
She pulls down her pants, too, and once I’ve got the condom on, I lie over her and pepper her face with kisses.
She grabs the nape of my neck and thrusts her tongue inside my mouth. Even though it’s cold out, we’re toasty underneath the blanket, and my cock’s rock hard.
I push into her, and her back arches.
“Yes,” she whispers. “Fill me all the way.” I don’t hesitate to do what she commands. As I thrust farther, her moans echo around us. I pull out and plunge inside her again and again, deeper each time. She cries out and lifts her pelvis.
“Fuck, you feel so good. I can’t hold on.” I slam into her a few more times, and she moans wildly, her pussy constricting around me, milking me dry, and I’m done.
Hers completely.
Risking having my heart destroyed.
Dropping my body to hers, I we
ave my fingers through her hair and burrow my face in the crook of her neck.
Right here–I swear I could stay like this forever.
“Becs … I love you,” I breathe.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Travis
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. drags. I can’t wait to see Becca’s face, to gauge her reaction when she sees me.
“Your girl’s in the parking lot,” Link says with a smirk. In a breath my pulse revs, and excitement washes over me. Nervousness flares in my gut as an image of last night flashes in my dizzy mind. This woman gets me going every time.
I didn’t tell Franklin the personal details of my night with Becca, but I did hint to him that it was a pivotal breakthrough for us.
The door opens, and my hands tremble. This is it. Will I see a smile or regret on her face? I turn my head to eye her, and she gives me a bashful grin, happiness radiating from that angel face of hers.
She doesn’t approach me, but her twinkling eyes linger with her smile until she passes by the counter. As urgent as the feeling is to follow her, I find the restraint to wait. I need to think about my next move, but damn seeing her happy makes me fucking euphoric.
***
It’s ten o’clock when I head to the break room to grab a soda from the fridge. Reese is standing next to a table, looking at the daily newspaper.
The second her eyes meet mine, she swings her arm back, which puts the paper behind her. She swallows, suddenly nervous, and the move is too dramatic to ignore.
I squint at her. “What’s in the paper, Reese?”
“I don’t want to tell you,” she says in a whine.
“Fuck. It’s them, isn’t it?” Bringing the paper back around, she sticks it out in front of me. It’s folded, only revealing the side Clay and Becca’s photo is on.
“What is the media’s fascination with them? I don’t get it. It’s not like he’s a celebrity.”
“A lot of wealthy families end up in the paper and definitely stories about politicians. Anyway, there’s a reason for this article. He hosts an annual charity event.
“Interesting enough, it’s to raise money for an organization that conducts research for traumatic brain injuries. It says the money also helps victims who are low income. It pays their healthcare bills.”
Fail to Trust (The Casteel Trust Series Book 2) Page 20