by Erika Kelly
When she saw the teacher’s hint of a smile, Coco added, “And then, yesterday, he torn her dress.”
The teacher sighed. “I know.”
Beckett sat forward. “You knew he was bullying her?”
“No, of course, not. And I wouldn’t call it bullying. Posie’s a force to be reckoned with. Believe me, no one bullies her.”
“And yet he’s damaged her clothing,” Beckett said.
“And made her cry,” Coco said. “She’s having a very hard time with this.”
“What I meant was…” She used her placating tone, and it irritated the crap out of Coco. “I’m aware of his interest in her. I’ve seen him chasing her, and you can bet I’ve talked to him about it. Of course, I had no idea Posie was upset. She hasn’t cried or come to me. From what I can see, she’s handling it well on her own. That’s why I haven’t seen a reason to get involved.”
The words hit like missing a step, filling her with cold dread.
She’s handling it well on her own.
Of course Posie’s not asking for help. She’s five years old, and she’s already learned to do everything on her own.
Because God forbid she ask for help and someone lets her down.
I did this to her.
“I’m sure you know how boys get when they have crushes,” Mrs. Thompson continued. “They poke and tease—”
Beckett’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t. Don’t even go there. Nobody gets a pass for hurting someone—not for any reason. And don’t give that line to Posie. I don’t want my daughter going through life thinking it’s okay for a guy to show his interest in her through cruelty.”
In the stark quiet after he finished talking, Coco could see the teacher processing his words. But the two words that mattered most pulsed like a living thing.
My daughter.
And she couldn’t even be angry that he’d said them out loud.
Because this man was a fierce father, and it wasn’t something she could—or wanted—to suppress.
“You’re right,” Mrs. Thompson finally said. “That was lazy of me. I’m sorry. I care very much for Posie, and I will pay closer attention to the situation. I didn’t know she was upset. She doesn’t show it.”
“She doesn’t need to show it,” Beckett said. “It’s your job to pay attention to how the kids are treating each other, and if you see Jessie showing his ‘interest’ in a negative way, you need to step in and teach him the right way to express it.”
Mrs. Thompson’s features flushed. “You’re right.” She looked down at her fingertips. “I’m sorry, and I’ll do better.”
“Thank you,” Beckett said.
Coco loved not just how he’d stood up for Posie, but that he’d backed off the moment the teacher apologized.
He’s a good man.
A really good man.
The moment they got back in the car, she said, “Thank you for that. I would’ve had a totally different approach. I would’ve gone easy on her, but you were right. You didn’t put up with her tired excuse.” She started the engine but didn’t back out. “I’ve been focused on the part of you that’s a flight risk. And that’s been my mistake. If I had to choose the best father in the world for my little girl, it would be you. Hands down, every day of the week.” She pulled away from the curb. “It would be you.”
“Thank you. That…means the world to me.”
“And you know what else? Fuck my fears.”
His eyebrows shot up.
“They not only hold me back, but I’ve passed them on to my daughter. She doesn’t come to anyone for help with a damn bully?” She shook her head. “That changes right now.”
Chapter Eighteen
Done with coaching, Beckett headed for the office to catch up with the Bowies. If he wanted to keep his company, he needed to post about Calamity.
Funny, though, how badly he wanted to head to the parking lot. He couldn’t think of a time in his life when going home held more appeal than working—packing for a trip, heading to the airport, checking into a hotel—all of it used to get him pumped up.
Now, though, he wanted to be home with his girls. He wanted to be with Coco all the damn time.
On his way to the main building, he pulled out his phone to check in with her. With the chocolate festival coming up the day after tomorrow, she’d been working crazy hours. Between greeting the chocolatiers and getting them situated and handling last minute issues, she was a one-woman show of efficiency and organization.
Beckett: Heading home in a few minutes. You need anything?
Coco: I’m good, thanks. Tables being delivered right now.
He couldn’t help feeling disappointed. But just before he opened the door, his phone buzzed again.
Coco: I did it again, didn’t I? Let’s start over. Hey, I sure could use some help.
He grinned.
Beckett: Anything.
Coco: The printer screwed up—delivered the wine tasting posters to me, and the chocolate festival ones to the winery, which means the event organizer had to go all the way to Idaho Falls to swap. Now, I’m alone in the ballroom trying to figure out her drawings, so the guys know where to set up the tables. Do you speak schematics?
Beckett: Like a second language. On my way.
It was a lie, of course. What did he know about setting up for a festival? But he’d sure as hell give it his best shot.
Coco: How’d I do?
He grinned, knowing how hard it had been for her to ask for help. He was glad she’d done it anyway.
Beckett: You did great. Did it hurt to ask?
Coco: Little bit.
And now she’s being cute. Grinning outside the office door, he knocked before heading in.
“Hey, man.” Fin sat at his desk.
Brodie leaned against the wall, Gray slouched in a chair, and Will leaned over Fin’s shoulder, pointing at something on the computer screen. The guys looked over and said, “Hey.”
“Am I interrupting something?”
Will straightened. “Fin wants to get married on the glacier.”
“He’s taking your spot launching our wedding business,” Brodie said.
“Cool, right?” Fin grinned.
Will shook his head in disgust. “For you. You think Callie wants to get married on a sheet of ice?”
“Callie runs the museum in town,” Gray said. “She’s an artist. She’s not into boarding.” His expression said, Can you believe it?
“Just because she’s artsy doesn’t mean she can’t shred.” Fin scowled at his brother. “She boards with me all the time.” He turned his attention to Beckett. “Forget these assholes. You’re not interrupting anything.” He tipped his chin. Talk.
“Got an issue with Danny.”
Their easy expressions turned hard with concern. “What’s going on?” Fin asked.
“He’s freezing up. I think Katie’s injury last year’s freaking him out. He could use some sessions with a sports psychologist.”
“Yeah, makes sense,” Gray said. “He was there when it happened. Saw the whole thing.”
“It was gruesome.” Brodie shook his head. “Tough break. She worked her ass off to make the team.” His promising career had ended with an injury, too, so Brodie got it.
“Yeah, so I think he needs to talk to someone.” He knew these guys would take care of the boy.
“I’ll get on that,” Fin said. “Thanks for bringing it up.”
“You bet.”
“You off?” Brodie asked.
“Yeah, I’ve got to help Coco set up for the festival.” He was so eager to see her, he’d almost forgotten his second reason for stopping by. “Oh. I’m going to include Jackson Hole on my app. Figured you guys could hook me up with all the good things to do.”
“Sure,” Fin said. “Be happy to.”
“Or you could hit up some of the outfitters in town.” Gray turned around in his chair. “They’d have a comprehensive list of things to do.”
“Most of t
hem just set up hunting and fishing trips,” Brodie said. “Which is why I want to have a full-service kind of place in the resort, offering everything from guided hikes to heli skiing. I’m thinking of setting up an office in the lobby that’ll arrange trips like that.”
“It’s a good idea,” Fin said. “And I can think of ten people off the top of my head who’d want to run that for you.”
I could do that.
Actually, he’d love to do it.
“Okay, I gotta go. Coco needs me, but let’s meet tomorrow and see if you’ve got any good extreme adventures for me.”
“Oh, we’ve got a few,” Fin said with a mischievous grin.
As he left, he thought about running an outfitter company, being part of the Bowie world. He’d never had brothers, obviously, but they sure made it look fun.
Maybe, after he and his partners sold the app, he could come here and do that.
Of course, the company would be well-established by then, and they wouldn’t need him. But the idea had opened up possibilities that didn’t include him wearing a suit and heading off to the bank each morning.
With hot water sluicing down her skin and the fragrant scent of the hotel’s body wash filling her senses, Coco tipped her chin down, closed her eyes, and gave in to the soothing massage.
“Your skin’s so soft.” Beckett’s deep voice, nearly a growl, was filled with hunger. Like what he really wanted was to get his hands full of her.
She’d set an entire day aside to set up the ballroom, but thanks to her family, some friends, Beckett, and the Cooters, they’d finished early. Which meant…she was totally ready for the festival tomorrow.
After a whole year of planning, the day had finally come.
She could hardly believe it.
“I loved watching you work today,” he said. “Bossing Tyler Cavanaugh around? Hot.”
As much as she wanted to turn in his arms and kiss that sexy mouth, she needed the pressure of his kneading thumbs. Between the heavy labor of yesterday’s tables and today’s banners, tablecloths, and signage, her muscles ached. Beckett had set Posie up on a playdate and booked them a room in the resort so they could relax, order in, and just take a few hours to themselves.
Steam swirled around them in the glass-enclosed shower stall. His big, strong hands, slick with body wash, felt so good on her neck and shoulders. Was it possible to be relaxed and excited at the same time?
Because, come on. She had Beckett O’Neill naked in the shower with her.
“It’s taking every ounce of restraint and respect I have for you to not fuck you from behind, you know that, right?”
And the things he said. God. Leaning against his chest, she arched her back. “And I appreciate that so much.” Cupping her soapy breasts, she pushed them together and squeezed. “That’s the last thing I want right now. Obviously.”
He practically growled, and she loved teasing him.
“You know all I can see is my cock between those fuck-hot tits, right?” His hands slid down her back, until he cupped her ass. Bending his knees, he slid his hard length between her cheeks and pumped.
“Mm.” The insistent pulsing between her legs drove her wild.
His mouth opened just below her ear, and he pressed wet, hungry kisses along her jaw. “The last thing, huh? You sure about that?”
She turned towards him, pressing a hand against his cheek to guide him to her mouth. God, she wanted him. She was ravenous for his kiss, the possessive grip of his hands. “The only thing I’m sure of is that I want you.” It was her turn to whisper in his ear. “And you can have me anyway you want.”
Lifting her, he pressed her against the warm tile. His passionate kisses turned her blood hot, melting her bones. The softness, the heat and wet of his mouth, it just undid her. She clung to him, desperate to feel him everywhere.
Never breaking their connection, he carried her to the stone bench, out of the spray, and set her down. He dropped to his knees, spreading her legs wide, and licking into her wet, throbbing center.
She cried out, her fingers scraping across his scalp, pushing his wet hair off his face, so she could see everything. He loved bringing her pleasure. It was etched in the skin around his eyes, evident in the lusty strokes of his tongue.
Draping her legs over his shoulders, she tilted her hips and reveled in the sensations racing through her. He cupped her ass, holding her against his face, as he stroked her clit and lavished it with the kind of attention that made her shoulders hit the glass wall and her back arch.
Glittering heat raced through her veins, and desire spun so fast she lifted right out of her body, lost in sensation, and racing for her climax. As it gripped her, her toes curled, her fingers fisted in his hair. “Beckett.” Pleasure spiked so hard and fast it was almost painful, and she rode one wave after another, until her body, spent, slouched back on the bench.
He looked up at her, alert, straining, and pressed a kiss to her mouth. “Get over here.”
She slung her arms around his neck, and he carried her back under the shower head, rinsing the soap off her skin. Kicking the door open, he grabbed a towel and bundled her up, before leading her to the bedroom.
She fell onto the mattress, her body still humming. The way he looked at her, all intense and urgent, made her pull the towel open and bare herself to him.
His nostrils flared, the muscle in his jaw ticked, and his gaze blazed a path from her mouth to her breasts to the patch of hair between her legs. “You. Are. Mine.”
Beckett had never been harder in his life. This woman—Jesus, her wet hair all tousled, her plump breasts bouncing as she shifted restlessly on the bed. “Back in Vegas…” His fingertips circled her nipple. Goosebumps burst, pebbling her skin. “I wish we’d exchanged numbers.”
“You weren’t ready for me then.”
“I’m not ready for you now.”
She stilled.
He leaned over her, planting his hands on either side of her head. “If you were anybody else, I’d be gone already. But it’s you. And what I feel for you is so much more than want, more than need. My love for you is more powerful than my demons.”
Her features softened, and she reached for him.
Yeah. She’s mine.
For the first time, he saw that those ties he’d avoided connected him to something bigger than himself, something deeper, way more important and powerful than anything he’d ever experienced.
And living for himself felt small and inconsequential in comparison.
I love her like I’ve never loved anyone in my life.
“I need to be inside you.”
“Yes.”
“Bare.” He knew she was on the pill. “I’ve only ever used a condom.”
She nodded. “Do it. I want it, too.”
Kneeing her legs wider, he settled between them. He kissed her neck, licked her nipple and sucked it into his mouth, his tongue circling and flicking. When she arched into him, he grasped his cock and slowly entered her slick heat. Oh, fuck. He took his time, savoring every flash of sensation as he pushed into her.
Nothing had ever felt so good. Her hands on his ass pulled him deeper, and he breathed in the scent of body wash rising off her heated skin. His cock ached for friction. He was going to fuck her so hard.
Once fully inside her, he lowered his face into her neck and just savored the moment. Her hips rocked, her hands squeezed, but he forced himself to start a slow, easy rhythm. Jesus, it was so intense, so fucking hot between them.
She sighed in his ear. “You feel so good.”
As pressure built at the base of his spine, as his cock ached for release, he got up on his arms to watch as he drove into her. Her half-lidded eyes, that pretty pout of a mouth, and those jiggling breasts, sent him out of his mind with lust.
“Have to have you. Have to—fuck.” Hands gripping her hips, he sealed their bodies together as he sat back on his heels. Her arms went over her head, her hands flat against the headboard as he pounded into he
r, his cock glistening with her arousal.
He never wanted this to end.
It doesn’t have to.
I can hire people to take all the trips.
And then I can have this every day.
She cried out, her head tipping back. All that dark hair spread out around her, gleaming in the lamplight.
Lust, passion, Jesus, it swept him away, until he was nothing but sensation. Want, need, all of it burning out of control. Jesus, he was going to come so fucking hard.
But he didn’t want to. Not yet.
Pulling out, he leaned forward and cupped her breasts, giving them a squeeze. “Turn over. Want to see that peach of an ass.”
Getting up on her knees and elbows, she looked at him over her shoulder, that tousled hair half-covering her eyes, her mouth swollen from kisses, and she gave him a grin so seductive he didn’t think he could hold back.
He lifted her ass higher and slid back inside her slick heat. Fuck, she felt so good, so tight. The hourglass shape of her torso was so beautifully feminine it turned him into an animal. As he pounded into her, her cries and moans, the slap of their bodies, filled the room.
“God, Beckett.”
His blood quickened, his skin tightened, until the pressure grew unbearable.
“I love it when you fuck me. Love it so much.”
The shock of those words coming out of her mouth—this beautiful mother, businesswoman, daughter, and friend…shattered his restraint.
He fucked her hard, swiveling his hips every time he slammed into her. He fucked her and he fucked her, until her moans turned to cries. He’d already made her come tonight, so to see the tension gripping her spine and shoulders, to feel her body tighten, grow slicker, it just turned him into a beast.
He grabbed a fistful of her hair and tugged her head back. “Want to see you come.” He needed to see the tension break and euphoria hit.
And that was all it took. Her body seized with a climax, twisting and writhing.
It was the hottest thing he’d ever seen in his life. He couldn’t take another second. Slamming hard up against her, he pumped in short, tight thrusts until he came so hard it blinded him.