All Bets Off: Betting On You Series: Book Five

by Winters, Jeannette

  “I’ve never listened to a lieutenant before, so why should I start now?”

  “Simple. Because you know I’m right.”

  She turned and walked out the door. It may have worked for her, and he was glad it did, but that didn’t mean it was going to be the same for him. They were on different sides of the memories. She’d had to deal with the bodies coming in from the fight, and he was the one who had put them there.

  He would go back, not for himself but for the others. If he didn’t, they would only hunt his ass down and want to stay with him. At least there he had his own suite to hide in. Four walls are the same. Location doesn’t matter.

  Chapter Eight

  Thankfully it was late when the chopper landed. Only Drew was there to meet them. He wasn’t in any mood for a welcoming committee. But when Drew pulled KJ into his arms and kissed her passionately, he had to admit there was a certain person he wouldn’t have been opposed to having there.

  Right now all he wanted was to get into his room and push any thoughts of that spunky hot blonde out of his mind. No matter what the attraction had been, it was over as soon as she’d laid eyes on his leg. Now, coming back without being able to wear his prosthesis, he was positive she was going to keep her distance. Yeah, not the man you thought I was, am I, Danielle?

  He entered his room and closed the door. Solitude. Just what he needed. He walked over to the couch and noticed someone had already cleaned away all the blood. If only they could as easily wipe away everything else. Like the look of her face when she saw my leg or the lack thereof.

  Beckett needed a hot shower and sleep. He turned on the shower, undressed, and got in. The hot jets beat down on his tense muscles. Why hadn’t he left right after the ribbon-cutting like he had said he would? If he had, none of this would have happened.

  Instead, he gave Gunny the bag with everything that needed to be delivered for the next job so he could stay a few more days, just to be close to her. Her blue eyes sparkled when she asked him to stay for dinner. Those same eyes were dark while he lay on the couch, bleeding. He never used to question his first instinct, yet he was way off the mark with this one. Why the hell didn’t I board that plane?

  Beckett held back from punching the shower wall. A broken hand wasn’t going to make getting around on crutches any easier. He turned off the water and got out. He thought he had put a towel within reach, but it wasn’t where he had left it. He reached for his crutches. They also seemed to have disappeared. Someone was fucking with him, and he sure as hell wasn’t in any mood.

  If this was Trent’s idea of a practical joke, he was going to get his ass kicked. Standing wet and naked, Beckett shouted, “Not cool! Give me my fucking crutches now!”

  The person who turned the corner was definitely not his brother. Danielle stood there, holding the towel in one hand and the crutches in the other. She met his gaze but didn’t let her eyes travel any lower.

  “Which one of these did you want? Choose wisely, because I’m only giving you one of them.”

  He was left standing fully exposed to her. Whatever game she was playing wasn’t a wise one. “Both, now,” he said harshly.

  She took a step closer, still out of his reach, and said again, “Which one?”

  It was too late to cover his scars. She had to have seen them all by now, so he opted for the crutches. At least, with them, he could close the gap between them quickly.

  She extended the crutches to him, and he steadied himself on them. He hadn’t realized how tired his one leg had gotten, trying to hold himself steady. He stepped closer to her, but she didn’t move. When he was only inches away, she took the towel and wrapped it around his shoulders before turning and walking out of the room.

  What the fuck was that all about? Woman, you’re messing with the wrong man. Especially tonight. He was already battling a variety of emotions and frustrations. With her that close to him, he wasn’t sure he would have been able to hold back. Beckett forced himself to remember the look in her eyes before, because if he didn’t, he might have just grabbed her and taken her right there in the bathroom.

  After what he had done to her at the dock, didn’t she realize he wasn’t someone she should associate with? She didn’t even know the darkest side of him yet, the one no one there had ever seen. If she did, she probably would pack her bags and take herself and Jamie far away from him.

  All he had wanted were four walls and a hot shower. He was so close to getting his wish. Never had he expected Danielle to walk in on him like that. And the way she looked at him, without any fear, was almost as if she took pleasure in teasing him. But he also knew she wasn’t as quiet and innocent as she pretended to be either.

  When he had kissed her, she hadn’t resisted. He could only imagine what she would be like in bed, lying beneath him as he rode her, crying out for more.

  His cock sprang to attention. He wanted, needed her. Beckett was glad she had left. He was half tempted to get back in the shower and relieve himself. Get her out of your fucking head, Beck. She’s gone. It’s not happening. Not tonight, not ever.

  He dried himself then wrapped the towel around his waist, grabbed his crutches again, and left the bathroom. He needed sleep.

  When he turned the corner, he found he wasn’t alone. Danielle was sitting on his bed, watching him. He tried to read what she was thinking but couldn’t. Was she hiding her thoughts on purpose? God knows he was a master at it himself. Tonight, he was not holding back. Maybe then she would get the message and leave. “What are you doing here, Danielle? Did you not see enough the other night that you needed to come and see what other wounds I might have? If so, here you go, take a look.”

  Beckett took the towel and tossed it on the floor by her feet. You want to look? Fine, look, and then go.

  He was looking for a reaction, but not the one he got. She had come into the bathroom so confidently; the signs were there. She was about to crumble. He read her clearly now. What he saw was shock and hurt. I seem to be able to do that a lot to you. So why do you keep coming back?

  Although her voice trembled slightly, she didn’t turn away. “I heard the chopper return. I wanted to check on you. Make sure you were okay.”

  Beckett arched a brow in disbelief. “You were worried about me so you took my towel and crutches? Does something about that sound off to you, or is it just me?”

  “That wasn’t planned. But when I saw you in the shower . . .”

  That was the first time she averted her eyes from his. She had been watching him, as he had done to her. But I had a much better view. Every curve, perfect.

  He felt his cock twitch and begin to rise. Why did I throw the fucking towel? He went to pick it up from the floor but, as he bent for it, she reached out and touched his bare shoulder.

  Her hands were cool against his hot flesh. God, he wanted her. If he looked at her now, it was going to be all over. There wasn’t going to be any holding back.

  Before he stood upright again, he said in a deep voice, “Danielle, you need to leave. Now.”

  Don’t let him scare you, Danielle. He’s hurting, and so are you. Any fears she had when she had walked into the bathroom had vanished as she stood there watching him. She knew she should have turned, left him with his privacy, but she couldn’t pull herself away. He was beautiful. It had taken all her strength not to undress right then and join him in the shower.

  She wasn’t sure how he would have reacted to yet another surprise. He hadn’t healed from the first one.

  But looking at him now, she saw that he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. He was telling her to leave, but she knew that wasn’t what he wanted. The sexual tension between them was powerful. Even if it was only for one night, she wanted to escape from everything, be in his arms, and taste his kisses again. She was ready for whatever he was willing to give her, and she hoped he was ready to accept her as well.

  Instead of pulling her hand away, she let her fingers glide over his shoulder gently and across his
strong back. His body tensed at her touch, and she heard him suck in a deep breath. Don’t chicken out now, girl.

  His eyes were still closed as if he didn’t want to look at her. Danielle brought her hand around to trace his jaw and tipped it toward her. She had never been as bold as she was with him.

  “I won’t be able to stop, Danielle.” His voice shook with desire. It was the encouragement she needed.

  “I don’t want you to stop.”

  When he opened his eyes, they were dark and demanding. He stood in front of her and pulled her roughly against his bare chest. “Do you know what you do to me?”

  Danielle reached her hand between them and took his hard shaft into her hand. She looked up to meet his gaze and said, “The same thing you’ve been doing to me all this time.”

  Beckett went to pick her up in his arms, but his balance wasn’t what it should be. Danielle knew he had just returned from the hospital and probably shouldn’t be doing this. Tonight she was going to take the lead in every way. She was going to be someone she’d never let herself be. Someone she was only in her dreams at night.

  She brushed his hand away and slowly unbuttoned her shirt. He stood, holding onto the bedpost, watching her. Danielle was tempted to turn the lights down, but the look in his eyes as she unbuttoned her pants discouraged her from doing so. This was her time. After this week, they would never see each other again. Never again would she be so free to explore things she’d never done before.

  Now, standing in only her bra and panties, she moved closer to the bed. She brought her hands to his chest and pushed him gently, so he fell onto the bed. She smiled a small victory. She knew if he hadn’t allowed it she would never have been able to budge him.

  As he lay there, his eyes devoured her. She unhooked her lace bra and let it fall to the floor. Her nipples were aching for his attention. Quickly she removed her panties and climbed onto the bed next to him. Instantly he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.

  He rolled on top of her, half-crushing her with his weight. Danielle let her hands run down this back. When her hand approached his right side, he grabbed her hand and brought it up over her head. She wanted to explore him, know every inch, yet he refused to let her do so. When she tried to pull her hand free, he only tightened his grip.

  His lips left hers only to trace their way down her throat. Each place he kissed burned for more, his tongue aggressively licking her and his teeth nipping with just the right amount of pain. She sucked in her breath as he licked the peak of her breast before taking it into his mouth. Her body almost exploded. The heat from the pit of her stomach rushed through her veins. Oh, God, I want you.

  “Please, Beckett,” she begged as she wiggled beneath him.

  “What do you want, Danielle? Tell me.” His voice was softer than she had ever heard before.

  Once again she tried to pull her hand free, but he refused to let her go. “I want to feel you inside me,” she declared, her voice shaking with a need almost beyond her control.

  He took her other nipple into his mouth, ignoring her plea. A moan escaped her lips, and she wiggled her left leg free and wrapped it around him. She could feel his hard shaft now pressed against her inner thigh.

  “You wouldn’t have happened to bring a condom, would you?”

  She hadn’t really planned any of this. It was all just playing out like one of her fantasies. Never had they thought to use protection then. God, Danielle, how stupid can you be? She shook her head.

  “Neither did I.”

  She thought he was going to roll off her and end it, but he didn’t. Instead, he adjusted himself even lower on her. When he released her hand, it was only to place it between her legs.

  “Open for me,” he demanded.

  She couldn’t deny him even if she tried. Her legs spread farther apart, giving him full access to her delicate folds.

  He kissed her inner thigh then did the same to the other side. Beckett took his fingers and spread her folds apart, blowing on her clit, sending shivers of excitement through her. “Please,” Danielle moaned.

  His tongue darted out and stroked her clit, circling it before his lips closed around it, sucking hard. Oh, God. “Yes.” He continued licking and sucking her most intimate place.

  “You taste so sweet.” His husky words filled the room. His free hand cupped her buttocks, pulling her closer to him. Shamelessly, she moaned with pleasure. Oh, Beckett. Don’t stop. God, don’t stop.

  He inserted a finger deep inside her as he continued stroking her with his tongue. Oh, God, this feels so good. “Beckett, I can’t.”

  “Yeah, baby, let go.” He inserted a second finger and began fucking her harder and deeper with them. “I want to feel you come on my fingers.”

  “Oh, God! Beckett!” She felt herself tighten around his fingers as he found the spot inside that made her quiver and rock her hips, his tongue still stroking her clit, faster and faster until the waves of her climax shook her body, her legs trembling like never before.

  She was gasping for air, and her body tingled from head to toe. God, that was amazing.

  His breath warm against her stomach, he whispered, “Fuck, I wish we had condoms because you don’t know how badly I want to feel you wrapped around me.”

  “Well, I can return the favor,” she said teasingly. Danielle felt his cock react to her offer as it touched her leg. She reached down to touch him, and again he stopped her. Puzzled, she asked, “Don’t you want it?”

  Beckett rolled off her and brought the bed sheet up around his waist. “Tonight was all about you.”

  She loved it but wasn’t buying his explanation. There was something more going on, and she wasn’t leaving until she found out what it was. She rolled to her side so she could see his face. “If that’s the case, Beckett, then I should get everything I want, correct?” Danielle could see the shape of his hard cock beneath the sheet. Reaching out, she traced it with her fingers, from the base to the tip and back down again. “Tell me, Beckett. Say you don’t want to feel my mouth wrapped around you.”

  Leaning over, she opened her mouth and nipped him ever so softly through the sheets. A deep, husky groan echoed through the room. She continued to play with him, slowly tugging on the sheet, bring it lower each time.

  Before she could remove it fully, he grabbed it and brushed her away. “No, Danielle, not tonight.”

  She was stunned. Obviously, he wanted it. He’d even said he wanted to be inside her, so why not her mouth? She didn’t even think it was possible for a man to refuse such an offer. “Why? I know you want it.”

  “I have my reasons,” he said dryly.

  Danielle sat up and looked at him. He had the same look on his face he’d had the night he told her to get out. She knew she hadn’t done anything this time. Really, she had no idea what she had done the last time either. Maybe it was time to find out.

  “I would love to hear them.”

  He sat up and leaned against the headboard. “Danielle, there are things I don’t like to talk about. You of all people should understand that.”

  She did, but she also knew that there were times she may not have wanted to talk, but it was the best thing for her. Keeping everything bottled up only caused a person to shut down. Like my little Jamie.

  “Okay, if you don’t want to talk, that’s fine, but I have some questions I would like answers to, if you don’t mind.”

  He laughed. “That’s not how I work either.”

  “Really? So you can hurt my feelings and not explain why?”

  He peered at her. “Was there a specific time you’re talking about?”

  It was true, there was more than one time, but right now she was only concerned with the last time. “Why did you kick me out of here when I was only trying to help you, no differently than Lynn was?”

  “Help? Do you think gawking at my leg and scars, with a look of disgust on your face, was help? You looked like you were going to be sick. If you consider that help, then I
didn’t need it then, and I damn well don’t need it now.”

  What is he talking about? I never did that. Never would. Does he think I’m so insensitive? Guess so. “You obviously had lost a lot of blood and don’t remember that correctly.”

  His eyes became dark and distant. “Trust me. It’s permanently embedded in my memory.”

  She became angry. How could he accuse her of such a thing? That night she stood there by Lynn’s side, even though she found it extremely difficult. Oh, God. The look on my face. He thinks it was because of him and not the sight of blood. “Beckett, you have it all wrong. What you saw on my face, the look of fright, had nothing to do with your scars. It had everything to do with the sight of blood. I hadn’t realized how sensitive I was until that moment.”

  He looked at her, studying her face, seeing nothing but honesty and truth. He said, “Blood? That’s all?”

  “Yes. Not everyone can handle it. Before you even kicked me out, I thought I was going to pass out. But I was trying my best to be there for you and for Lynn.” It was the truth. If he couldn’t accept that, it was his problem, not hers.

  “If that’s the truth, then I’m sorry I was so hard on you.”

  “Whether you believe me or not, it is the truth. So what does that have to do with tonight? Why don’t you want me to touch you?” She knew she was going exactly where he said he didn’t want her to, but what did she have to lose?

  He sat, not speaking or looking at her. It was like he was searching for an answer he would allow himself to say. When he didn’t answer, she got up and grabbed her clothes and left the room. She had opened up to him, but if he wasn’t willing, or able, to do the same, then they had nothing.

  As she slipped on her panties, she could not get the look in his eyes out of her mind. He wasn’t angry. It was something else. Then she remembered what he had said: he thought she looked at his scars with disgust. The look in his eyes could only be one thing. Emotional pain.