“So, that doesn’t mean he knows? And I can’t afford to repair your truck if something happens Beckett.” Why couldn’t he seem to get it through his thick head that she didn’t have the money he seemed to take for granted.
“Because he has been having the same argument with Vivian for months, Greer.”
“She has her own car, Beckett. Why would they be fighting about that?”
Beckett rolled his eyes. “He wanted Vivian to give her car to you.”
“Then what would she do for a car?”
Beckett shook his head. “It’s like you don’t even realize the kind of money David has.”
She was getting a little irritated that Beckett seemed to think she was ignorant. “I get it Beckett, but it doesn’t belong to me. My mom has always been clear that we don’t rely on anyone but ourselves. You do that with hard work and education. We don’t need you Dawsons to take care of us.”
Once again amusement lit his eyes. “Simmer down, Greer. All I’m saying, is they’re engaged to be married and they should be able to share things.”
“And as soon as she takes his stupid, ridiculous car, she feels like she is being taken care of and people look down on her more than they already do.”
All the amusement was wiped from Beckett’s expression. “Is that happening to you?”
He was genuinely surprised. “Of course it is, Beckett. I stepped into a school where everyone had money and your family was the king. The girls are torn between congratulating me for my cunning and wanting to rip me apart for living with you. Brittany wasn’t the only girl giving me a hard time, Beckett. The guys are all curious. I never know if they actually like me, or if they are being nice because I am going to be your stepsister, and it is a way to get closer you.”
“That’s why you went back to Public High.”
“Yes. I like being one of many. One who doesn’t stick out.”
“I guarantee you stick out, Greer.”
It was her turn to roll her eyes. “I’m not a novelty at Public, Beckett.”
Beckett decided to leave that conversation for now and get back to where this had started. “The point is my dad recognized my frustration and he was commiserating with me.” He ignored her grin and continued, “I don’t think he has said anything to Vivian, but it doesn’t matter. We will tell them together.”
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Chapter 34
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With her hands at ten and two and her focus straight ahead, Greer was slowly, but surely making her way to school on Monday morning. The whole weekend felt surreal and had been playing back in her head as she made the thirty-minute trip. She still couldn’t believe her mom’s reaction when Beckett had calmly declared at supper that they were a couple.
David had been the first to respond. “There will be new rules.”
While David had gone on to declare, no closed doors, or sneaking off outside, Greer had been watching her mom.
Vivian didn’t say anything but swung a thoughtful expression between Greer and Beckett. Greer wanted to know what she was thinking, and after supper, she got her chance.
“Greer, do the dishes with me, please.”
Greer cleared the table and leaned against the counter while her mom loaded the dishwasher. “Mom, what are you thinking about Beckett and me?”
Vivian laughed, stood up straight, and turned off the water, “Oh, honey, I’ve seen you two circle each other for weeks. I am not surprised.”
Hmm, she thought she had hidden the Beckett drama from her. Vivian shook her head. “Oh, Greer, you are not very good at hiding your feelings. Anytime you and Beckett are in the same room there is always tension. At first, I was worried because you two eyed each other like wild animals circling each other. Then it slowly changed. Anytime you were in the same room you would both be darting looks at each other when you didn’t think the other was looking.”
Well, so much for thinking she was keeping her feelings hidden. Her mom grinned and then continued thoughtfully, “It is no secret that Beckett didn’t like us, honey. And David was so mad. I convinced him to not say anything. Beckett’s reaction was honest and fair. And I liked that he was protective of David.”
Vivian took her hands. “I didn’t know how poorly Beckett was treating you, I just knew you were distrustful of each other. I was so upset when he told us what had been happening after your attack. When I calmed down, I realized he had real feelings for you. If he didn’t, he would have downplayed his involvement, but he laid it all on the line, risking his relationship with David.”
Mother and daughter gripped each other’s hands and stared at each with watery eyes. “If Beckett is anything like his dad, he will only want the best for you. These Dawson men are pretty rare. They would give you the world and do anything for you, but they respect our need to do it for ourselves. Even if it drives them crazy.”
Her mom was right and together they laughed. Vivian shared a couple of stories about dating David that kept Greer laughing. By the time dishes were done, all of her worry had gone. She didn’t have to sneak around with Beckett, and her mom and David approved.
««« »»»
Greer forced her attention to the road in front of her and concentrated on driving Beckett’s monstrosity of a truck. So far, everything had been fine, but all she’d had to do was drive straight. She was nervous about parking and backing up. Hopefully, there would still be spots that she could pull through. Then there would be no need to back up.
The plan had been to leave fifteen minutes early, but Beckett had been standing by his truck when she strolled out of the house. Between his review of all the fancy buttons, and scorching goodbye kiss she only managed a five-minute head start.
Greer’s lips were still tingling from his kiss, and the rest of her body was humming, waiting for more. It had started out as a quick brush of the lips and then Beckett’s lips lingered.
The next thing she knew her back was against the truck with Beckett towering over her while caging her in with his arms. His lips were on hers, demanding a response and the rest of her body wanted in on the action. Her hands went under his button-down shirt and some of the frenzies in her body calmed down as she made skin-to-skin contact. Her bliss was harshly interrupted when Beckett ripped them apart by taking two quick steps back.
“Fuck!” He threw his head back and put his hands on his hips. After several heaving breaths, he had opened his blazing eyes. Greer stared, fascinated that she could have this effect on him.
“Get in the truck, Greer.”
Her eyes flicked to the empty house then back to him. Their parents went to work long before, maybe they could sneak in and...
“No.”
Her eyes widened. Beckett was the one saying no?
“If we are late, the parents will hear about it.”
Her body deflated. He was right. Greer swallowed her disappointment and climbed into the truck. Beckett strolled forward and she opened the window.
“You know if you went to Oak High there would be a lot of places for us to disappear into.”
Her breathing picked up and her nipples stood at attention and Beckett continued seducing her with his husky voice.
“That’s right, Greer, there are a lot of empty rooms and corners I could be pinching those nipples in and fingering you to a quick release, during the day.”
The scene played out in her head, but then the reality of what would happen after burst her bubble. “And then when we stepped out the eyes of the whole school would be on me, judging.”
Beckett stepped on the running board and his intensity was right in her face. “Who gives a fuck? We know what we have.”
She was ashamed to admit it, but she did. “If it were a few stares I could deal, Beckett. When it is the entire school, it makes me feel cheap.”
“Everyone loves you, Greer. It is a select few who are bitches.”
Greer smile
d sadly. “They like me because of you Beckett.”
“You are wrong.”
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Chapter 35
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The next couple of weeks were a cross between heaven and hell. Beckett used all of his charm and persuasive techniques to convince Greer to come back to Oak High.
It was heaven making Greer become pliable in his arms, but hell when her stubborn streak refused to relent. He could feel and see her yearning to come back, but she refused to believe people actually missed her.
They were frequently out with Jason, Lexi, Mark, and Pepper. The guys backed him up and told her the team missed her. Greer would get a longing look on her face. Then just when he started getting excited thinking she was going to come back her face would close up and she would softly say. “I miss them, but I’m not ready to come back.”
Even Lexi encouraged her. “Greer, I love having you at Public, but it’s obvious it is not where your heart is. Every day you get more irritated with people coming up to you.”
He had stilled upon hearing that and had to clench his body to prevent the growl from erupting. Lexi hadn’t said guys, but Beckett knew that was who was going up to her. They were blind assholes for the first three years she went there, they didn’t get her now.
“That’s because they are just fishing for gossip. It’s not about me.”
Lexi smiled and Beckett knew he was right. Assholes. He needed to make some trips over there. Make his presence known and warn off the fuckers going after his girl.
They were laying in Greer’s bed, later that night, and Beckett was once again trying to persuade her to return to Oak High. Every night he snuck into her room and left early enough in case his dad or Vivian came to talk before they left for work.
“Why are you so determined for me to come back, Beckett?”
“I miss you. I look up at practice expecting you to reward me with your glowing smile and thumbs up for one of my spectacular feats, and you’re not there.”
“Ow,” Beckett growled down at Greer when she pinched him on his side.
While she rubbed the hurt away, he continued. “This is our last year of high school Greer and I want you with me. I don’t know where we will be and I need to decide. I’m getting more pressure from the recruiters on where I’m going to play.”
He felt Greer still and stiffen beside him. “Why haven’t you decided yet?”
Beckett thought through his words. He wanted to tell her the truth but didn’t want to pressure her. “I was hoping you would drop some clue on where you were going.”
Greer scrambled up and sat crisscross looking down on him. “What?”
She sounded stunned. Beckett sat up and leaned against the headboard. He linked their hands. “Greer, I love you. This,” he held up their hands and ignored her gasp, “isn’t some fling for me. I want to make this work. If there is a chance that one of the colleges offering me a scholarship has a major you are interested in, I want us to go together.”
Greer was having a hard time listening with the celebration lighting up her insides. She couldn’t believe it. Beckett Dawson loved her. Every minute they had spent together the last couple of weeks had her falling further and further in love. She had just assumed she would be devastated at the end of the summer when they split ways. It had never crossed her mind Beckett would feel the same way about her.
Beckett was looking at her expectantly. “You love me? Are you sure?”
Well that wasn’t she had intended to say, she looked down to hide her embarrassment.
Beckett held her chin and patiently waited for her to raise her eyes. When she did, the intensity looking back at her made her breath catch, “I’ve never said ‘I love you’ to another girl, Greer. You are it for me. You are beautiful inside and out and you like me for more than my name or my skills on the field.”
Her heart clenched and tears sprang to her eyes. “I love you too, Beckett.”
He sealed his lips to mine with an incendiary kiss. For once, I didn’t have to listen to the voice in the back of my head telling me to be careful, don’t get in too deep. I simply enjoyed all of the heat and emotion flowing through me at his touch.
I concentrated on his hands as they came up and followed my spaghetti straps to my shoulders and then pushed the straps down. The slither of the thin cotton floated down my heavy breasts only to be caught by my needy nipples.
Beckett pulled back and stared at the sight of my nipples holding my top up and trapping my arms. The intensity of his gaze had her panting and she was surprised her shirt actually stayed in place.
Finally, Beckett’s hands came back up, but it was like they were in slow motion as she watched them extend to her arms and place them over the straps. She shivered as his hand engulfed her arm and slowly slide down her arm and graze the side of her breasts. A quiet gasp left her at what the simple touch did to her insides. Everything clenched and then heat exploded in her.
As soon as I felt the cool air hit my chest, I felt my nipples tighten and beg for attention. Every nerve in her body stood at attention waiting for some skin-to-skin contact. Beckett didn’t disappoint and reverently held the weight of my breasts in his hands working his way up to the points. Slowly he brushed over the pebbles and I groaned in frustration.
I swung my leg over his outstretched legs, so I was straddling him, and deliberately laid my chest against his and revealed in the skin-to-skin contact. My body breathed a brief sigh of relief quickly followed by the demand for more.
Unhurriedly I rubbed myself up against his hard, hot chest. Still, my body demanded more. My hands began exploring all of his exposed skin reveling in all of the tight, defined muscles. I leaned into his neck and ran small kisses all over, breathing him in.
Greer paused when she got to the thrumming pulse in his neck. It was going crazy. The urge to make her mark on him had her leaning back down. Beckett reaching to cup her cheeks made her pause as it slowly dawned on her, he was evading her.
“Greer, we need to stop.”
Greer took a moment to revel in his labored, gravely words. It meant he was as affected as her. “No. I don’t want to stop.”
Beckett stilled and his eyes darkened. He drew in an unsteady, deep breath. “What do you want, Greer?”
“I want you. Inside of me.”
“Are you sure?”
Greer gave a little more of her heart to him. “Yes. I was trying to hold something back before, to protect myself. Knowing we are in this together, makes me want it all.”
Beckett’s closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and brought his intensity back to her, “I love you.”
He burned the words into her and her heart clenched. “I love you too.”
Beckett rolled her onto her back and explored every inch of her body. Each time she brought her hands to him he growled, “No. Patience. It’s my turn.”
It wasn’t long before she was a writhing mess. Every time his hands left her, she whimpered and each time they landed on her she moaned in relief.
“Please, Beckett.” Her body was aching with the need to have him.
Beckett had been skimming his lips down toward her belly button and his hazel eyes, rimmed with fire, looked up her body. Her body was trembling and she didn’t hide how much she needed this. After what seemed like an eternity Beckett rolled to the side to get a condom out of his discarded shorts.
Her breath caught and her hand reached out to his cock. It looked bigger than she remembered. How was it going to fit? Her hand barely fit around it. She started to slide her hand, like Beckett had taught her, only to have him put his hand over hers.
She looked up to see his neck muscles bulging and his jaw locked tight as he was shaking his head.
“Fuck, Greer, that feels unbelievable, but if you don’t stop, I am going to explode all over you.”
Having his cum on her again made her core thrum and tighten with
anticipation. She licked her lips in anticipation, but Beckett’s growl made her whip her eyes up to his burning ones.
“Later. Right now, I need to be in you.”
She watched him roll the condom on and settle between her legs. When the tip of his cock settled in her she felt herself contract and latch on. Shudders ran through her and she put her feet flat on the bed, with her knees bent and put her hands on Beckett’s sculpted, heaving chest.
“Together,” she whispered up at him.
Beckett gave her a jerk of his head and put his elbows beside her head. She pushed up at the same time Beckett pushed in and she felt him slide into her. She gasped when the pain ripped through her. She closed her eyes and took some deep breaths as Beckett’s head dropped to her shoulder.
“That’s the only time I’ll hurt you, Greer.”
Slowly the pain dissipated, and she tentatively pushed up again. Relief flowed through her when there was no pain and the flutters of desire started to return. Beckett raised his glazed eyes, linked their hands on either side of her head and slowly withdrew and pushed in. It only took a couple of long, slow strokes and the desire was at full force.
“More, Beckett.”
That seemed to be what Beckett was waiting for. He raised to his knees and in husky voice instructed, “Put your legs around my back.”
As soon as she complied Beckett looked at her wickedly, “Ready, Greer?”
She nodded and he let go. His hips jackknifed into her and she gasped at the feeling of being full of Beckett and the desire tightening her body as it chanted for more.
There were no thoughts in her head. Every molecule of her being was marveling at was happening in this bed. Moans and exclamations of unimagined feelings escaped her.
“It’s only going to get better Greer. Hold on.”
Her body was sensitized to every touch and slide. She closed her eyes and let the simmering sparklers explode into fireworks. Her body lit up as her core erupted. Her orgasm shot through every extremity and when she heard Beckett’s growls it triggered more aftershocks to race through her limbs.
Battling Beckett Page 26