by KL Donn
“It’s awfully early for you to be out here,” Braxton comments as he comes up behind me. Stealthy as always, I’ve finally grown used to his ghostly approaches.
“Couldn’t sleep,” I respond, digging my fingers in the grainy sand.
“Come on.” He holds out a hand for me, not saying more.
Taking it, he doesn’t let go as we stride to the car he was given to drive me around. “Where are we going?” I’m not permitted to leave the property very often.
“Long Beach,” is all he says as he opens the door for me. Staring from the house to my tutu and back again, I want to grab a sweater to be able to cover up my scars and bruises, but I can’t risk it. Sitting down, I buckle my belt and lean my head on the cool window after turning the radio on. The drive feels like it takes forever as we get stuck in traffic on the freeway.
When we finally turn down enough roads that I’m lost, I don’t realize we’ve stopped until my door is opened, and I nearly fall out. My seat belt the only thing stopping me.
“Where are we?” I ask as I right myself. Seeing a building with the name Controlled Bikes on the front, I have no idea what we’re doing here.
“Go on inside,” he urges me as he leans against the hood of the car.
“You’re getting on my nerves, Braxton,” I say, pulling at the hem of my tank top, wishing I had a sweater. The top is about an inch shorter than I would typically wear without one of my cardigans, and I know the bruising on my back from the last procedure I had done over a month ago shows. It’s been taking more and more time for me to heal this past year.
“Welcome to Controlled Bikes,” a woman with lavender hair and tattoos greets from behind the front desk. “How can I help you?”
“Oh, hi, uhm…”
“Look at your tutu!” a little girl of about five exclaims from the door of an office. “It’s real, isn’t it?” she whispers, placing her hands on her cheeks.
“Uhm, yes.” It’s one of my favorite skirts, given to me by the doctors at the children’s hospital on my seventeenth birthday. It fits a bit looser now because I can’t keep weight on very well anymore.
“Can I touch it?” I nod, and she rushes over, rubbing the lace between her fingers. “Wow, Mom, you gotta get me one of these, please.” The girl looks to the woman behind the desk.
“Talk to your dad.” She grins. “Please forgive Lily; she loves anything to do with ballet.” The adoration on the woman’s face makes me envious.
“Oh, it’s no trouble. I do, too, but I couldn’t dance my way out of a paper bag.” We share a laugh as Lily rubs the material on her cheek now.
“Really, though, how can I help you?” The woman smiles at me with so much kindness.
Unsure of what to say, I stutter, “I have n–no idea. My bodyguard brought me here and told me to come inside.” Turning to look outside, I see Braxton standing where I left him.
“I see,” she says, coming from around the counter. “Lily, go get your brother, please.” The girl rushes back up some stairs behind the counter to do as she was asked. “Well, can I presume you don’t have a motorcycle in need of painting or fixing?” I nod. “Okay, well, you aren’t here for me. What about Calla?” I shake my head. “Cade, Jace, Beckett?”
My gaze flies to hers at his name.
A slow smile spreads across her face. “Beckett. You’re her, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug.
“You are.” The confidence she has is overwhelming.
“Yeah, Mom?” A boy comes down with Lily.
Locking the front door, she tells him, “Watch your baby brother while I take this young woman back to Uncle Beck.” He nods and sits on the stool she vacated. “Come with me.” Taking my hand, she leads me through another door into a garage. “You are way too delicate to be back here, but man, is Beck going to love it,” she snickers. “I’m Petal, by the way, Beck’s sister-in-law. Cade is my husband.”
“I’m Royal.” She stops to stare at me, and I wait for the jokes to begin.
“It suits you.” She nods instead. “Hey, Beck, take a look at the present I found for you!”
“Just a second.” I hear his voice, and an involuntary shiver works through my body.
“Oh no, big boy, you don’t want to wait on this one.” Two other men turn to look at us, and I can feel their eyes working up and down my body to see what’s got Petal so excited. “That one is Cade; the brick wall over there is Jace.” Both men are handsome, covered with tattoos and muscles, and I’m sure turn many heads.
“You have bad timing, Petal,” Beckett calls from the floor underneath a table as we stop a few feet away.
“I must be a royal pain in your ass, huh.” She places major emphasis on my name, and I can see him freeze before dropping whatever tool he was holding, then he slides out.
Jumping to his feet, Beckett stares at me like I’m a figment and not really standing here. In all honesty, it feels just as surreal to me too. Braxton is going to get into a ton of trouble for this.
“Hello, Beckett.” Whatever trance he was in bursts as I speak.
Without hesitation, Beckett steps forward, plowing his hand through my loose hair and pulling me closer as he lowers his head to cover my lips with his own. My heart beats wildly in my chest as I hold onto him, unable to do anything more as he devours me.
Beckett
* * *
After her parents came home, I honestly didn’t think I’d see her again so soon. Let alone have her delicate spirit in my shop. She’s pure perfection against my soiled clothes, but I don’t fucking care as she holds onto me like a lifeline as I take her mouth in a soulful kiss.
Royal doesn’t try to pull away from me, even covered with grease from an engine I’ve been fighting with all morning. Her dainty hands grip my shirt beneath my coveralls, and she pulls me closer as our tongues mingle, playing a game of cat and mouse as we explore each other.
Drawing back, I lean my head against hers, pleased that she’s as breathless as I feel. “Are you really having her baby?” I ask. It’s all I’ve been able to think about since leaving Royal last night. I’ve been obsessing over it.
Clearing her throat, I watch as embarrassment enters her stare and her cheeks turn pink before her eyes flit around the room. I forgot there were other people in here.
“Come on.” Catching her hand in mine, I pull her along to Cade’s office, spotting Braxton outside as I do so. Kicking off my boots as I shut the door behind us, I shed my coveralls before sitting in Cade’s desk chair and dragging Royal into my lap. Her thighs spread as she sits on top of me. I can feel the heat of her cunt as my erection begins to grow.
“You didn’t answer me,” I groan when she shifts, rubbing against my dick. Her discomfort is apparent as my eyes roll across her body. Despising the scars, the bruising, the obvious needle marks, I frown.
“I–uhm, I told them no. I’ve given up enough.” Her voice is quiet, shy as she tries to hide her body from me.
Drawing a finger down her arm, circling the large bruise on the inside of her elbow, I give her a questioning look. “What, exactly, have you given up?”
Her breath hitches as my suspicions rise. “I’m not really sure I’m ready to explain yet. I like the idea of you being just mine. For now, anyways.” She shrugs as her chin drops to her chest.
Tangling my hand in her hair again, I drag her mouth down to mine. “For always,” I whisper before sucking her bottom lip between my teeth. “You got somewhere to be today?”
She swallows roughly. “Uhm, I don’t know. I don’t think I’m even supposed to be here.”
“How old did you say you were?” She acts like she isn’t allowed to do or say anything out of order.
“Twenty.”
“Then I guess the only one stopping you from doing what you want is you.” I stand up. My plan is to keep her with me for the day.
Entering the main office, I notice everyone, including Braxton, standing, waiting on us. “You guy
s good without me today?” My brother and friend both nod.
“She needs to go back home soon.” Braxton steps forward.
“Nah, bro. She needs a day to be a woman. My woman. And we’re going to do exactly that. Cade will give you my number. I’ll check in with you tonight, but Royal ain’t going home until tomorrow. If her dad has an issue, well, I don’t give a fuck.”
Exiting the office, I can feel Royal’s reluctance to go against her family’s wishes. I’m about to blow her world fucking wide open, though, because she matters every bit as much to me now as to them. Maybe even more.
Dragging the coat I keep in one of the saddlebags out, I help Royal slip it on before buckling my extra helmet on her head. Climbing onto my Harley, I hold out a hand for her take as she unsurely slips on behind me. After securing the tulle of her skirt, I drag her hands around my waist and instruct her to hold on tight.
Opening the throttle, we take off, and I can feel her entire body tense as I weave in and out of traffic. Heading south towards Sunset Beach, we ride for an hour before I finally feel her begin to relax and thoroughly enjoy the freedom riding on a motorcycle can bring.
Turning back around to head to my condo on the beach in San Pedro, I graze one hand up her bare thigh as traffic slows us down. I can feel the goosebumps pop on Royal’s flesh, and I can’t wait to see for myself. Stopped at a red light, I lift my shirt and guide her hands up my bare chest, enjoying the feel of her silky fingers exploring me gently this time.
In no time, I’m parking in the garage and helping my lady off my bike as I shut it down. Her windblown hair is a mess as she takes the helmet and jacket off, laying them on the seat she just vacated.
“What’d you think?” I ask her as I unlock the door from the garage leading inside. Walking backwards so I don’t miss a thing about her, I watch Royal as she thinks about her answer.
“Magnificent.” She blows out a breath. “I’ve never experienced anything like it before in my life. I want to do it again. Do you think you could teach me to ride?” She glances back at my beast, and I can’t hide my grin.
“You’re damn right I can. You hungry?” Glancing at my watch, I see it’s nearly lunchtime, but I’m hungry for a completely different reason. “Or would you rather go for a swim first? We can order lunch from the Mexican place down the street after.”
“Swim?” She turns away from me to gaze out the living room window, across the deck, and down the pathway to Cabrillo Beach. You can see the soothing waves of the ocean gliding in and out.
Normally, that’s where my focus is. I covet the beach like a gift, but right now, my entire concentration is on the bruises and scarring across her lower back. They were covered more yesterday, but today it has me concerned.
Strolling up behind Royal, I grasp her hips so she can’t move and glide her shirt farther up her spine, revealing more marred flesh.
“What’s happened to you, Royal?” This woman is such an anomaly to me. The marks on her skin, ones I never saw from a distance, make me wonder what’s happened in her life and if she’s been abused.
She tries to pull away, but I don’t let her. I slip my hands around her front, sliding higher up her shirt until I’m cupping both of her diminutive breasts in my hands. Kissing the side of her neck, along her shoulder, I beg, “Tell me your secrets, Royal.”
“I don’t suppose you have a woman’s suit here?” she asks instead, leaning back into me. I swore I wouldn’t push her, but my frustration grows by the second because I need to know if I have to protect her from someone.
As I spin her around, what I see in her eyes is a plea for patience. “Yeah, Petal and Calla both have a couple here.”
“Calla?” she asks, making me grin.
“Petal’s little sister and Jace’s fiancée.” Gazing at her body, I know she’s more likely to fit Petal’s suits. Which works for me because that woman has no shame in showing off her body and driving my brother crazy as she does it.
Heading to the spare room on the main floor, I pull out the three she left behind and present them to Royal. “Petal is more your size,” I explain as she gapes at them. “Try each on, see which you like more.” I shrug, trying not to make a big deal out of the situation as I place them on the bed. “I’ll be in the kitchen grabbing some water.”
Closing the door behind me, I sprint upstairs and change into a pair of board shorts and sandals before getting the water bottles from the kitchen and putting them and towels into a beach bag. Noticing the umbrella Petal always uses for the kids, I grab it, contemplating Royal’s porcelain skin and not wanting her to burn.
Royal
* * *
The bikinis are beautiful, the material butter-soft, but as I stare at myself in the mirror on the back of the bedroom door, all I see are the imperfections of my body and feel disgusted. People tell me, all the time, how pretty I am with my delicate features. A slight, upturned button nose, full lips, high cheekbones. My complexion rarely needs enhancement, and my hair is a classical golden shade of blonde.
But I don’t see any of it. Instead, I see scars and bruises, the organs I’ve given up. I feel the blood draining from my veins. The exhaustion and recovery after a stem cell withdrawal.
I don’t see me anymore.
I don’t even know who I am with all my body has suffered.
And as soon as Beckett gets a look at this version of me, the real me, the one unfettered by sweaters and long skirts, he’s not going to like her very much either, and I can't blame him one bit. Drawing in a fortifying breath, I slip my flats back on and exit the room. Better to get his rejection over with quickly. Like ripping off a band-aid.
Regarding him standing at the balcony door, his back to me, I get a moment to study his strapping frame. The mesmerizing ink wrapping around his body as his torso expands and contracts with each steady breath.
With arms gripping around my stomach, I walk closer to him, needing just a second to touch his skin before he asks me to leave. Boldly, I rub my hands up his back, closing my eyes and savoring the heat of his flesh as it ripples beneath my fingertips before he turns around.
My lids squeeze tighter as I hear him inhale a sharp breath. I can’t see the matching disgust in his eyes as he observes me for the first time.
“It should be illegal to look so fucking sexy,” he growls, unable to mask the lust I hear in his tone.
“What?” I nearly choke on the question as my eyes pop open to meet his stare. “Sexy?” I couldn’t have heard him correctly.
His finger trails down the center of my chest, across my flat stomach, and around the scar from when I donated part of my liver. “I know you don’t see it, baby. You don’t view yourself the way I do, and that’s okay, but the scars, they don’t detract from my attraction to you. Nor do they scare me off like you obviously expected.”
“How did you know?” Stunned, I can barely find words to speak.
“The way you hide yourself. You’ve done everything to make sure I don’t spy the bruises and scars. I might not know all the fucking things you’ve given up, but I’m hoping you’ll open up to me. Tell me all your secrets, Royal.” I barely digest his words before he’s slanting his mouth over mine.
This kiss is different than before. There’s more emotion behind it, and when I feel a tear fall freely, I let go of everything inside of me. I relinquish my all to Beckett because he is everything I’ve ever wanted in my life, only I didn’t realize it until he came crashing into my world.
His hands slip into the bottoms of my swimsuit as he picks me up. My legs wrap around his waist, and when I feel the cool glass door at my back, I arch into him, dying to get closer. Breathless, he drags his mouth down my throat, nipping and licking along my collarbone before lifting me higher, pulling my top to the side, and sucking the pebbled nipple into his mouth like a lifeline.
As I drop my head back, my fingers clutch his head, needing him nearer. “Beckett,” I moan his name as I feel a deep pull in my womb. Pulsations flu
tter between my legs with each suck of his lips. “Beckett.” I cry out again. An overpowering urge crawls across my skin, and I have no idea how to react.
Easing back, Beckett stares into my eyes, his own hooded and filled with something I don’t think I understand before he buries his face in my neck, kissing the shell of my ear. His voice vibrates through me.
“I have a confession, Royal.” I shiver as his hands massage the globes of my ass, the heat from his fingers precariously close to my sex.
“What?” I barely breathe.
“When I heard your dad say you were having someone else’s baby, I was pissed. Beyond reason and anger. I wanted to whisk you away right then and there.” The more he speaks, the more primal the growl in his chest becomes.
“Why?”
“Because, if you have anyone’s baby, it’s going to be mine.” The declaration in his tone makes me gasp as he pulls away to look me in the eye. “There is nothing I want more right now than to bury my cock in your tight little cunt and fill you with my semen for days on end. I want to fuck you until I’m certain you’re pregnant.”
Wow.
I’m speechless and turned on. I have no idea how to respond.
Chapter 4
Beckett
“Speechless" by Dan + Shay
I knew my confession would override her insecurities. I left her speechless, and I don’t regret a minute of it as we sit in the sand with the warm afternoon sun beating down on us. Royal lies on the towel under the umbrella, and I watch her.
At first, she was uncomfortable in the bikini and with how people would look at her as they passed. They weren’t staring for the reasons she thought, and when she realized that, her face turned a sexy shade of red. After placing my hand on her thigh and rubbing her heated flesh in soothing circles, she finally relaxed, and now all I want to do is lie between her thighs. Make love to her until she forgets her name.