by S. E. Lund
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Miranda
The next day, I met Leah at the gym.
“So,” Leah said, her eyes bright. “Is Mr. Viking God coming to do the MCMAP with us again?”
I shook my head, sad that he wasn’t. “No,” I said and looked at the front of the class where Devil Dog stood, speaking to a new student before class started. “He has a meeting this morning.”
“Are you going to see him again before he leaves Topsail Beach?”
I shrugged. “He said we should get together for lunch or dinner but he’s gone on Wednesday.”
Leah pouted. “Brandon’s already gone,” she said. “He’s leaving today. Why is Beckett staying another day? The convention’s already over.”
“Beckett said it was over tomorrow.”
“Brandon said today. I think Mr. Viking wants to stay so he can see you again. You really should try to swap shifts tonight so you can be with him.”
“Can’t do it. Steve is off early tonight because he has a thing.”
“Can’t Mr. Lewis take over?”
I shook my head. “No,” I said with a sigh. “He hurt his shoulder and doesn’t bartend any longer. It’s me or no one.”
“Too bad. Are you going to do lunch with him? Afternoon delight? You have some time…”
I pursed my lips and considered. If Beckett was really going back tomorrow, I wasn’t sure I wanted to see him again. If we weren’t going to see each other when we both returned to Manhattan, it would be awkward saying goodbye. Even though the prospect of sex with Beckett was pretty enticing, I wasn’t the type for an afternoon delight as Leah called it, especially if we were never going to see each other again. Better to cut ties completely.
“He put his contact info in my phone so if I want to connect with him, I can. We’re leaving for Virginia next Thursday and will do the memorial on Friday.”
“Call him when you get back to Manhattan. You’d be crazy not to. He really likes you, hun. Don’t let a man like him slip away.”
I smiled and faced the front of the room when Devil Dog turned back to us, his hands on his hips.
“Okay, recruits! Time to work on your lazy asses!”
When I bent down to do the warm-up, I did ache in all the right places, and that ache made me think of Beckett.
I’d call him later, or text him and invite him for dinner at Joe’s Bar and Grill. It was one of my favorite restaurants and served up great seafood. I had an hour and a half off between shifts and so it would be the only time we could connect.
The workout was grueling and I felt like I’d been through the wringer by the time it was done. Leah laughed and shook her arms out as we walked down the hallway to the locker rooms.
“God, my arms are weak. Gonna have to do this once we go back to school. There’s probably some place that has the MCMAP.”
“I can ask Devil Dog if he knows of anything in Manhattan,” I said hopefully. I really liked the idea of being able to defend myself and getting in better shape. MCMAP was grueling but I knew that if we kept it up, both Leah and I would be toned and strong.
I showered and then went back home for a change of clothes for my afternoon shift.
The night went fine, and I was glad when the clock showed I had only a short while before I could start clean-up and then go home for a much-needed sleep. I was exhausted.
Of course, it was then that Beckett showed up looking like a zillion dollars in his slate grey suit, the one that made his eyes look grey and mysterious, maybe a little dangerous. My heart did a little flip-flop when I saw him arrive just before last call.
He sidled up to my bar, grinning like the cat who swallowed the canary.
“Hello, Mr. Tate,” I said, unable to keep a huge grin off my face.
“Hello, Ms. Parker. You’re looking very lovely tonight.”
I laughed and glanced down at my bar apron. He was a charmer. I had told him I was closing the bar and would be pretty late, but he showed up anyway. It sent a little shock of adrenaline through me that he was willing to come by so late.
“You’re here pretty late. Don’t you have a retreat to finish up?”
“I lied,” he said and leaned on the bar so that his face was just a few inches from mine. “It was finished yesterday. I was trying to find an excuse to stay another day and see you again so I called a few business contacts in Wilmington and had a few meetings.”
I grinned and finished pouring the last drink orders. Before I saw him walk through the door, I wasn’t sure if I had enough energy to go to his hotel room for a bout of sex, even if it was the hottest sex I’d ever had. Now that I saw him in the flesh, looking so delicious, I knew I had the energy and more.
We made small talk while I finished closing the bar, restocking and cleaning, and then I did a quick cash out. Once I was done, I left the bar, switched on the alarm once everything was double-checked, and then locked the doors behind us.
The night was warm and the air still as we walked to his limo, which was parked on the street, the driver popping out when he saw us approach. He opened the door for me.
I hopped in and Beckett got in beside me. As usual, he sat close to me, helping me with my seat belt. I smiled at his chivalry. I wasn’t used to it, but found it charming. He seemed to enjoy taking care of his date. Frankly, after a year dry spell, I enjoyed the attention.
“Will you come to my hotel for a while? The driver can take you back later, if you feel a need to go back to your place.”
I hesitated. “I’d like that,” I said, not committing to staying the night. I still felt uncomfortable staying the night. I didn’t want Dan’s parents to know I was with a new man. I knew that no matter what, it would make them think of Dan and make them sad.
So instead of staying the night the way my body wished I could, I went with Beckett to his hotel, with every intention of staying for a while and then going home before dawn, so Scott and Jeanne wouldn’t know.
The best laid plans…
Beckett ran a bath for me complete with bubbles once we got into his hotel room and then he slowly undressed me and helped me into the warm frothy tub. I laid back, exhaling in pleasure, and then watched as he removed his clothes, hanging his suit up on the back of the door, and kneeling down beside the tub in his boxer briefs.
“You’ve worked a double shift today,” he said and picked up a bar of soap. “Let me pamper you a while.”
“I’m not arguing,” I said and sighed while he began to slowly wash me starting at my hands and working his way up my arms and then down my body to my feet. By the time he was done, his fingers caressing me, slipping between my legs, sliding over my breasts, tweaking my nipples with his soapy fingers, I was relaxed and aroused at the same time.
He practically carried me to the bed and then made love to me nice and slow and deliberately.
I lay beside him, recovering, filled with euphoria and such a sense of release and relaxation that I fell asleep without even realizing how close I was. When I awoke, I gasped and glanced at the clock radio on the bedside table. Seven o’clock in the morning.
I bolted upright. “Oh my God,” I said and slipped out of bed. “I have to get home right away. Scott’s an early riser.”
“Do you think he’ll already be up?”
I nodded, panic rising in me at the thought Scott would wonder where I was. I rushed to the bathroom to quickly wash my face, and get dressed.
Beckett followed me and stood naked in the bathroom door, watching me.
“Why don’t you stay for breakfast? There’s no sense now trying to pretend you were home.”
I stood beside the sink and considered. Scott was always up early. Sometimes six thirty at the latest. He’d be up when I arrived home. Maybe I could tell him I stayed at Leah’s… But I didn’t want to lie.
“I have to do the morning cash out. I need a change of clothes first, so I have to go…”
He made a sad face and shrugged. “We should have set the alarm.
I’m sorry.”
I dressed, and Beckett watched me. “I’ll call for the limo.”
I nodded and gathered up my things. “Thanks.”
While Beckett used the house phone, I took one last look around to make sure I had everything and then went to the door. He came right over to me and pulled me against his body, squeezing me.
“Thank you for coming home with me,” he said in a soft voice. “Don’t worry about things. You’re an adult. You have to live your life.”
I nodded and stroked his shoulders. “I know. It’s just hard to face them, knowing that they know I’ve been with another man.”
“You have to move on.”
I kissed him once more and then left, taking the limo back to the Lewis’ house so I could have a quick shower and change my clothes.
When I arrived home, Scott was seated in the back yard, reading the morning paper with a cup of coffee. Jeanne was sleeping in as usual, so I slipped into my room, and then had my shower. I quickly changed into some fresh clothes and then went to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee. While I was cutting up an orange, Scott came in and went to get a fresh cup of coffee.
“Morning,” he said and smiled. “Looks like another great day in paradise.”
“Sure does.”
“Do you need a ride or are you walking to work?”
“I’ll walk,” I said and smiled. “I need the exercise. Besides, it’s so nice this morning.”
And that was it. He said nothing about the fact I didn’t come home the previous night. He went back out to his lawn chair and continued to read.
I heaved a sigh of relief and then grabbed my sunglasses and bag and was off, walking the mile or so to the restaurant to do daily cash.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Beckett
After Miranda left, I spent the rest of the day on my laptop, reading over briefs on upcoming projects, sending emails and speaking with my admin assistant about rescheduling all the meetings I had on my calendar.
I spent as much time with Miranda as I could. That night, I went to Oceanside again and sat at the bar while Miranda worked her shift, talking to her about everything and nothing, discovering more things we had in common as well as some things we didn’t have in common.
“So tell me a bit about your father’s side of the family,” she asked while she poured a drink order.
I grimaced and gritted my teeth.
“I don’t really like talking about them,” I said, hoping to ward her off. “They’re not the most law-abiding citizens, if you understand my meaning. Given your background, I doubt you’d approve…”
“Organized crime?” she said lightly, not meeting my eyes. I hoped the possibility wasn’t a deal-breaker. She wasn’t the kind of woman a man wanted to lose before he really even got her all to himself.
“Let’s just say my uncle’s involved in shady dealings in Hell’s Kitchen and leave it at that.”
“There are legitimate businesses there, but say no more,” she said and nodded knowingly while she reorganized her work station. “I have a pretty good idea of what you mean.”
“Hope that doesn’t change things,” I said, watching her face for a reaction.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Not at all,” she said and finally turned to me, her eyes meeting mine. “I know it’s possible to escape the influences of your parents, whether good or bad. Take my brother, for example,” she said and I could hear a note of sadness in her voice. “He went the opposite way of my father. If there was a rule? He aimed to break it.”
I nodded in return and relaxed a bit, commiserating with her about having family on the wrong side of the law, wishing I didn’t have my uncle’s skeletons in my family closet, especially considering that Miranda’s family were all law and order types. My uncle was neck-deep in the Irish Mafia and I could only guess how many bodies were buried somewhere in the docks because of him and his fellow thugs. That they were using my father’s business to launder money burned inside of me like a fire that wouldn’t go out. One day, I’d get the business back and then I’d clean it up and make it what my father meant it to be.
“Do you have any days off this week?” I asked, hoping we could spend more than just an evening together, although that would be enough if that was all I could get.
“Tomorrow,” she said. “After I do daily cash, I don’t work at all.”
I sat up straighter. “I just so happen to have the day off, too,” I said with a grin. “Why don’t we pack a lunch and take the bike over to the pier and soak up some rays. You know, last days of summer kind of thing.”
“Sounds fabulous, but maybe we should ride further up the island,” she said, her voice a bit hesitant.
“Sure, anything you want,” I said, wondering why she was hesitating. “It’s just that I like to watch the ships going out and coming back in.”
She made a face. “I know most of the regulars around here. I’d rather go somewhere a bit more private. You understand.”
It was then I did understand. Of course. She didn’t want anyone who knew Dan and his parents to see her with some strange man.
“I understand completely,” I said. I must admit that I felt bad that she didn’t want to be seen with me. She’d mourned long enough, but I figured people were still possessive about her and Dan. Once she moved back to Manhattan, back to school, she would be free once more.
“I can pick you up at Oceanside or at your place,” I offered, wanting her to call the shots so that she felt completely comfortable.
“Oceanside would be best. I’ll make sure to pack a backpack with my stuff and we can go from there.”
She still seemed a bit uncomfortable with me coming to the house. “I get it. You don’t want your in-laws to know. I understand.”
She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I feel a bit awkward about it. It has to bother them to think of me with someone new.”
“Like I say, I understand. What time should I pick you up?”
“I’m usually finished by noon. I’ll text you.”
“What about tonight?”
“I’m busy all day.”
“Will you come to my place after work?” I said, watching her face. “I promise to get you home before the sun rises.”
“I’m closing,” she said and shook her head. “I better go home one night this week and sleep or I won’t be good for anything.”
I let my shoulders sag, pretending to be more upset than I was, but then I smiled at her. “I get it. I’d sleep better with you beside me, but if you prefer to sleep alone…”
She leaned closer to me over the bar. “It’s not that I don’t want to be with you. I do. It’s that I’ve been in late every night since that first night. I’m getting pretty exhausted. I need a solid night’s sleep.”
I mock-pouted. “What if I promised to give you a nice massage and let you sleep the whole night through without interruption? I hate not having you in my bed, now that I’ve had you there a few times…”
She laughed. “I like being there, but I highly doubt your ability to keep your promise, considering my past experience with you…”
I held my hand over my heart. “I promise, on my honor as a Marine, to let you sleep the entire night through. I won’t wake you up until you want to be woken up.”
She smiled at me, her green eyes twinkling. “All right, but if you break your promise, I won’t be all perky and bright eyed for the day, let alone doing daily cash.”
“I promise.”
And so I had her back in my bed again for the night, and I kept my promise, allowing her to sleep the entire night through, despite the fact I woke up with a boner in the middle of the night, unaccustomed as I was to having a beautiful naked woman in my bed for the entire night. I usually kicked them out after the first or second time we fucked.
When I woke in the night and the first thing I felt was her naked skin, heard her slow deep breaths, and felt her warm flesh against me, I was immediately har
d. I wished I could have woken her up for a nice slow fuck. Instead, I took in a deep breath and willed my erection to go away, thinking of the mud and sweat of hell week when I first became a Marine. That always worked to quell whatever enthusiasm I had at an inappropriate time.
When she finally woke up, after the clock radio beside the bed went off at six, we had an extra thirty minutes for a nice shower together and a fuck before she dressed. Then, she grabbed a quick cup of coffee and slice of toast from the tray of food I had pre-ordered the night before from room service, and was gone, taking the limo service to get to work.
I promised to pick her up after she was finished doing the daily cash out, and making the bank deposit for the day.
The only snag in a perfect day came when I went to pick her up at Oceanside. I got her text about a quarter after twelve.
MIRANDA: All done. Putting in an order for a knight on shining chrome to come pick me up for my day on the beach.
I laughed and texted her back.
BECKETT: My lady’s every wish is my command. See you in twenty.
I finished packing my backpack with my swimming trunks, a pair of sandals, a t-shirt and floppy brimmed hat. I bought a bottle of wine from the hotel’s off-sale and stole a couple of disposable plastic glasses from the hotel room. When I was ready, I brought along the spare helmet and drove down the street to a local tourist-trap beach store and purchased a big blanket.
Then, I drove down to Oceanside, and parked on the street across from the restaurant. I waited by my bike, watching the front door for her to come out, texting her to let her know I had arrived – as if the throaty growl of my bike’s muffler wasn’t enough.
BECKETT: Your steed is here, milady.
I waited, and then waited another five minutes, and then texted her again.
BECKETT: Hey, babe. I’m outside. Is everything okay?
Her response came a few moments later.
MIRANDA: Sorry… A bit delayed. Family matters…
I frowned and thumbed a text in response.
BECKETT: Dan’s parents there? Do you want me to come back later?