She couldn’t contain the laugh that escaped her. “Put me down, Beckett. I am capable of walking.”
Beckett just kept walking through the house, and out to the backyard. She enjoyed the warmth of being surrounded by him and put her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. Her moment of lightheartedness lasted until they walked up the stairs and stepped into the mammoth, open-window building that these people called a gazebo. A couch lined the outer edges and the table in the middle was filled with bottles and glasses.
Beckett plopped down with her in his lap with an exaggerated groan swinging her to sit across his legs. She started to scoot off his lap to the cushion by him, but he tightened the hand across her waist. He reached forward and grabbed a beer bottle and started shooting the shit with the guys.
She was happy to be ignored and looked around to see if Lexi was there. Greer didn’t see her but it looked like the entire cheerleading squad was in the gazebo. And the ones not in heavy make out and petting sessions were glaring at her.
Greer looked down, not sure what to do. Getting up would shine the spotlight on her and she refused to give in to their silent intimidation. Instead, she leaned further into Beckett and let guys bullshitting float over her head. She ignored her haters, closed her eyes, and simply enjoyed the rumble of Beckett’s chest against her cheek.
“Yo, Smith, what do you think?”
The bellowing of her name from Harrison made her jump and straighten up. “What?”
“Are you drunk?” Harrison quizzed.
“No.”
“So, you’re falling asleep at our victory party?”
She could feel her cheeks warming up, but she hoped the soft glow in the gazebo hid it. “Sorry, Harrison I guess I don’t love football as much as you. I do have other interests.”
“Like Dawson? You love Beckett as much as I love football, Smith?”
“No!”
That might have been said too hastily, if the laughter surrounding her was any indication. She was struggling to find a witty comeback when Beckett stood taking her with him.
Lowering her legs to the ground, he swung his arm around her shoulder. After giving her a couple of seconds to find her balance he guided her toward the door.
“I better take her for a walk and wake her up.”
“Maybe you could find a better way to wake her up, Beckett!” someone hollered from within the gazebo as they were leaving.
Greer sprinted for the screen door, she did not want to be involved in this conversation. When she was on the path outside of the gazebo she took in her options. The pool was several yards in front of her. It was too cold to be in, but it was surrounded by crowds of people. Just as she started to take the path to go around the back of the gazebo, Beckett swiped her hand and started pulling her with him. She ignored the little leap of excitement where their hands clasped and focused on her annoyance.
“Hey, I’m not a pull toy.”
There was loud exaggerated sigh from Beckett. “It’s the easiest way, Greer. Otherwise, we play twenty questions or argue.”
She tried to slow down, but Beckett’s grip tightened and he continued. “Sorry, I’m not one of your mindless minions following the great Beckett Dawson.”
Beckett chuckled at her sarcasm. “That would make life easier.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze. “I promise you’ll like this.”
Greer sighed and went along for the ride. Eventually, she saw the glow of a fire and when they cleared the trees, she saw it. A circle of colorful Adirondack chairs and in the middle, was a blazing bonfire, with no one around. Eagerly she made her way to an orange chair.
She pulled her feet up into the chair and enjoyed the heat radiating from the fire and the hypnotizing flames. Beckett was sitting in the chair next to her with one ankle crossed over a knee watching her.
“What?”
Beckett paused a beat before saying, “I can’t figure you out.”
He couldn’t figure her out?
“Why?”
Beckett studied the flames and she soaked in his distinctive cut jawbone, straight nose, and high cheekbones. The man really could be a model. Beckett turned his head and caught her studying him. Her insides squirmed, but she held his regard.
And then, before her eyes, his jaw tightened and his eyes turned thoughtful to suspicious. He brought his leg down and rested his forearms on his bent knees, and turned to stare into the flames. His silent dismissal jabbed her in the gut.
She sprang up from her low-grounded chair, took a couple of steps forward with her arms on her hips and turned to Beckett.
“What? What is this imaginary thing you think I’ve done now?”
««« »»»
Shit, he needed to snap out of the charming spell Greer was bewitching him with. When he put her in his lap she was as stiff as a board, but as she gradually relaxed and molded into him it did things to him. It made him want to pound his chest in triumph, that she was finally trusting him. Even now as she stood above him, she was doing things to him, making him feel things he hadn’t felt with anyone else.
No one stood up to him the way she did. All it took was one look from him and they backed down. Not Greer. Her stance was pure determination even when she impatiently brushed random strands of her hair off her face. The hurt he saw under all of her bristling anger was what he was trying to ignore.
He didn’t want her hurt, but he didn’t want to get caught up in her web. Even as he looked into the foliage trying to convince himself Greer was putting on an act, he was remembering the possessive satisfaction that blazed through him, seeing his jersey on her. Seeing his number on her he knew all of the doubters would be satisfied. She still wore the jersey, but instead of her regulation school skirt, she had jeans on.
She had tucked the front into her jeans, but the neck was slipping off her shoulder, showing him honey smooth skin. Unlike other girls, she wore a cami underneath. At first, he had been disappointed, but then he saw the number of guys looking at the exposed skin. He felt an uncomfortable relief that they weren’t seeing the curve of her breast if she had chosen to wear nothing under his jersey.
More and more he found himself not thinking of her as a gold digger, but as someone who truly wanted the best for her mom and might actually be a good person. Of course, that just made him study her more, dig further, trying to figure out if she was exactly what she seemed to be.
“Beckett! You don’t just get to ignore me!”
Her voice was raising and he knew he shouldn’t care, but he wasn’t ready for her to stalk off. He smoothed out his face and said, soothingly, “Greer, I’m not mad. Just sit and relax.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “I’m not stupid, Beckett. I could tell you were mad.”
He couldn’t deny it, so he didn’t. “What makes you think it was about you?”
Her hands gestured all around her. “I don’t know, maybe because there isn’t anyone else here?” Sarcasm dripped from her voice.
She was more pissed than he thought. He needed to distract her. The only thing that worked, he had discovered much to his satisfaction, was touching her. Suddenly he wanted nothing more than to kiss her into submission, but he needed to proceed slowly.
“Greer, I’m not mad, just sit down.” He slid back into a chair and stretched his feet out. At the same time, he pulled the chair she had jumped from closer to him.
The fire flickering across her face showed frustration, but he also saw weakening. After a few moments of a standoff, he slowly rolled out of his chair and stood in front of her. She tensed but stood her ground. He cupped the back of her head and sincerely said, “I’m not mad. Have I told you how much I love your outfit tonight?”
Greer rolled her eyes and her body relaxed. The tension he didn’t know he was holding left him. Her lips kicked up in a small smile. “Idiot.”
He slid his hand down her arm enjoying the shiver he felt run through her and linked their fingers together. He walked them over to his chair and before she
could figure out what he was going to go, grabbed her under her knees and in one fluid movement sat them in one of the chairs.
She tensed and pushed against his legs. “Beckett, I can sit in my own chair.”
He injected teasing into his voice and willed his body not to give away how much he was enjoying Greer squirming on him. “I’m cold, stay here and warm me up.”
“Idiot,” she said, again, but cautiously laid back against his chest.
Together they stared into the flickering flames. At first, Greer didn’t dare move, unsure what was happening. She was thankful to be away from prying eyes, but not trusting the contentedness she was feeling. Just because she didn’t trust the feeling didn’t mean she wasn’t enjoying it. For once she didn’t feel like Beckett was scrutinizing her, trying to figure her out.
Their simmering undercurrent was there, but between the flickering fire flames and the music of the cicadas, her body was slowly relaxing into Beckett. Just as she was starting to drift off Beckett’s thumb started caressing the skin above her waistband.
Just like that, her entire body came alive and all of her attention was focused on the sensations being stirred in the most private part of her body. She closed her eyes and split her concentration between breathing regularly and keeping track of his hand.
When his whole hand started skimming up and down her thigh, she concentrated on holding still and not moving her body into his movements. With each return up, it came closer and closer to where she wanted him to touch her the most.
Her breathing was no longer regulated. With each agonizing skim up her leg, it would stutter and then when his hand traveled back down, she would release a shaky breath.
She couldn’t take it anymore. She turned her head and pressed her lips to Beckett’s. He quickly put his other hand at the back of her neck and took control.
Greer was past the point of thinking, she was on sensation overload and all she wanted to do was get closer to Beckett. Keeping the scorching kiss going she lifted herself up and swung one leg over Beckett, so she was straddling him.
Scooting up as far as she could she slid her core over his evident bulge and shuddered upon contact. Her body had never felt these delicious, decadent sensations and she wanted more.
Beckett’s hands slid under her cami and she broke the kiss. Greer put her head on his shoulder and stilled in anticipation of his next touch. The only sounds were the crackling fire and their labored breathing as Beckett circled her torso. With each stroke and caress, she became more active. At first, she moved marginally, trying to inconspicuously guide his hand to her aching breasts. When her core started demanding more, she slid back and forth and soon she found herself rolling her hips.
Beckett gripped her hips and stilled her movements. With her whole body aching and screaming for release, she moaned out, “Nooo.”.
Greer raised her head when the plea was forced from her lips and gasped at Beckett’s locked jaw and flushed face. His pupils had only a small ring of bronze, but she had never seen that much fire, that much desire, that much intensity coming from him and it awed her.
Greer’s hand came up and cupped his cheek. She felt his jaw clench down further and felt his cock jump underneath her. Her core wept and pulsed. Instinctively, she started to swivel her hips, only to have his fingers dig into her hip bones.
All she wanted to do was move and she was determined to do it. Her hands slid down Beckett’s arm, savoring the hardness. As her head descended her hands slipped under his t-shirt. Brushing her lips across his she slowly settled in and deepened the kiss.
Her hands lightly skimmed across his abdomen and up his chest, avoiding his nipples. When Beckett let out a cross between a moan and a growl, he took control of the kiss, and her insides leaped for joy.
Her jersey and cami were swept over her head, with a barely a break in the kiss. As her bra followed them to the ground Beckett’s hands came up and finally embraced her breasts, she let out a whimper. Each hand cupped a breast and when his thumbs started simultaneously brushing across her nipples, she had to break off the kiss to suck in a breath.
Beckett’s touch was like kindling. Each brush and stroke along her skin created a new flame and they all congregated at the apex between her legs, just waiting for the right touch to blow. She was at Beckett’s mercy. All of her awareness and attention was focused on what he was doing. A needy whimper escaped her as Beckett’s gravelly voice created new goosebumps.
“Easy Greer. I got you. Is this what you want?”
The moment Greer opened her heavy eyes, Beckett’s heated intensity held her captive. Caging her eyes Beckett pulled her needy nipple between his thumb and forefinger. The sharp pulse of pleasure made her gasp.
“Yes, more.”
His eyes leaped and his head descended. His lips were on her breast engulfing her. Quickly her hands came up to hold his head in place and she was moving up and down. She had never felt this good, and she never wanted it to end. As soon as the thought flitted through her mind Beckett’s hands were at her hips lifting her off of him.
He tried to let go, but she wobbled. Beckett cursed and forcibly sat her down on the chair and then he was quickly gathering her bra and jersey. Numbly, she watched. Her body was weeping and her brain was trying to figure out what was happening. Slowly awareness came when she heard the murmurs.
As soon as it registered that people were coming towards them it was like a splash of water hit her in the face. Greer stumbled over the chair in her quest to get to Beckett. She grabbed her jersey from him and fumbled around trying to get it ready to pull over her head. It was like she had never dressed herself before and more panic enveloped her.
All she could focus on was the people coming down the path. The closer the jolly voices got the more uncoordinated she became. Frantically, she looked at all of the holes trying to figure out which one her head went through. With her eyes darting to the pathway, Greer frantically shoved her flaying arms trying to find the opening.
Beckett’s hands appeared and at first, she stiffened, but then she realized he was turning her jersey, helping her. She stuffed her arms through just as she heard the first, jovial, “Dawson!”
She had never been so thankful that Beckett dwarfed her in size and height. He hid her from view as he turned toward the three guys greeting him. As Beckett sauntered closer to the guys, Greer inched herself further into the shadows. Vaguely she realized he was joking and talking like nothing had happened.
Her body was shaking and she felt cold. Tears were threatening, but she knew she needed to pull herself together. No one could see her like this. Cripes, she didn’t have her bra or cami on under the jersey. Another wave of panic froze her blood and she swiveled her head to search the ground around her.
She didn’t see the missing articles, but she didn’t dare step into the firelight. What she had been doing would be obvious, but neither could she continue to stand there and not say or do anything.
Taking a fortifying breath, she pushed the mortifying pictures replaying in her head away. Crossing her arms in front of her chest she turned and started walking in a wide arch, so she ended up by the path leading to the house.
“Where are you going, Greer? We didn’t interrupt anything, did we?”
Lowell’s suggestive, playful question caused all of the guys to turn and look at her. Thankful for the shadows that hid her heated cheeks she made sure her tone was playful. “It’s a little too late to ask now, isn’t it, Lowell?”
She breathed easier when Lowell’s response was in the same vein. “Well, if I can’t have you then I am determined no one else can, Greer!”
“She’s mine, Lowell.”
There was complete silence as everyone looked to Beckett, whose tone was completely serious.
Lowell held up his hands. “Dude, I’m just playing.”
Greer hastily injected some lightness into her departure. “Well, I’m off to find Lexi and Pepper.”
Beckett’s eyes found h
ers and she could feel him studying her as he said, “I’ll come with you.”
“No!” Shit, that sounded panicky. “I’m fine Beckett, just sit with your friends. I haven’t seen Lexi or Pepper all night. I’ll be fine.”
Without giving him a chance to respond she turned and disappeared through the opening. She needed to get out of here. With each step, she could feel her composure crumbling a little more.
Once she was well away from the fire, she pulled her phone out of her back pocket and texted Pepper. She stared down at her phone and prayed with everything she had for those little dots to appear. Her lips felt bruised, and with no bra, there was no way she was venturing back into the house.
The tears crept closer to the surface the longer she waited. She wiped her eyes when the return message popped up from Pepper. After furious typing back and forth she met Pepper at her car.
“Are you okay?” was Pepper’s first question.
She wasn’t. Her hands were shaking, it felt like everything on the inside of her body was twisting and churning, and she couldn’t get a full breath. But she was not going to talk about it. Instead, she forced what she hoped was a smile. “I am, I just can’t stay here anymore. Are you sure you’re okay with me taking your car?”
“I can go with you.”
Greer shook her head. “No, I need to be by myself.”
“I can go get Lexi.” Pepper offered.
The tears welled again at the sweet offer, but she needed to get away before she fell apart. How could she explain to her best friend that she had acted like one of Beckett’s conquests? She had thrown herself at him and she didn’t even know where her bra was. She couldn’t even be mad at Beckett, this was all on her.
“No. I just want to go home.”
“Okay,” Pepper handed her the keys and Greer wrapped her hands around them. “Promise you will text me when you get home.”
With the jerk of her head, she agreed and with a shaking voice agreed. “I promise. Thank you, Pepper.”
Battling Beckett Page 17