“What’s her story?” Beckett asked. There always was one, and it usually was not pretty.
Danielle became serious before she spoke. “She’s here alone. Elaine, Lizette, and Jill all used to live in Rhode Island and ran a non-profit agency helping the needy. That’s where they met Bethy. She’s been in the foster system since she was a baby. Her mother had been on drugs and overdosed. She was not in the States legally and had no documentation. No one ever claimed her, so the state had no choice but to put her in foster care. Elaine has been following her progress all these years. Recently she was diagnosed with low-grade astrocytoma, which is a type of brain tumor, but the good news is her tumor didn’t spread. She has had surgery already, and when she finishes this nasty chemo, she will be cancer-free. It’s hard to believe, looking at her playfulness right now, but she gets really tired when her blood counts drop because of the chemo. Even with all this going on, that little girl has one hell of a positive attitude, always.”
“Wow. She’s had it rough.” Becket had thought she was here with a loving family. Never would he have guessed she was alone in this world. Poor kid. No wonder she and Jamie are connecting. They both need someone. Just for different reasons.
“Elaine made sure Bethy would get the best treatment. They paid for the surgery, of course, and brought her here for her chemotherapy treatments.”
He saw her pain as she spoke. It was painful for him to hear. It was bad enough the kid had to grow up in a foster home, but cancer, too? And yet she still seemed to have a sparkle in her eyes that said she was happy.
When he heard stuff like that, he could kick himself for the pity party he’d had for himself after losing his leg. He was a grown man who had a family who loved him, yet he had spent years being angry. God, I still am.
He was going to have to re-evaluate himself when he got off the island. Here, things were never as clear as they should be. Actually, it had nothing to do with the location and everything to do with Danielle. Being near her threw off all his senses. If he were still serving in the Marines, he would say she was his one and only weakness.
“I’m glad they brought her here. This is exactly what they built this place for,” Beckett said. He reached out and took her hand in his as they walked to the park. “And I’m glad you accepted the position here. You’re a valuable member of this team.”
“Me? What am I doing that’s so great? I don’t save lives.”
He stopped walking and tipped her chin up so he could look into her blue eyes. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
She nodded and tried to look away.
“Then you don’t see what I see. You might not have a medical degree, but what you have is an infectious smile. A person can’t help but be happy when they are around you. You genuinely love and care for others, and people recognize that. I’m not sure you could hurt another person, even if your life depended on it.” That’s why you’ve got me. I’ll make sure you never have to.
“And this helps how?”
He laughed softly. “If you’d spent any amount of time in a hospital, you would understand. The treatments they give you only fix the physical issues. But sometimes what the patient needs most of all is genuine care from someone who is not trying to push a pill down their throat. Don’t cut yourself short. They didn’t bring you here just as a teacher.” Beckett kissed her on the forehead and said, “We’d better keep moving before those two wander too far ahead.”
The rest of the walk was quiet. He was thankful for that because he had no idea what had possessed him to talk so deeply with her. If his men had heard him, he would never be able to lead again. When did I get all soft?
They spent the next two hours watching Jamie and Bethy play. It was apparent that Bethy was getting tired. “How about we head back? Who’s up for a ride?”
Both kids raised their hands.
“Okay. So you’re going to have to share me then. Now I need you both to turn around and face Danielle. I’m going to bend down and pick you both up so you each sit on one of my shoulders. Do you think you can do that?”
There was no fear in either of them, and they turned and did exactly as he had told them. He dropped to rest his prosthetic knee on the ground to steady himself. Then he bent and lifted Jamie first on his right shoulder and then Bethy on his left. He held them around their legs to keep them steady.
Once he was upright, he heard both Jamie and Bethy giggling, as they now were high upon his shoulders.
His phone was vibrating in his pocket. Whoever it was could leave a message. He just wanted to enjoy every moment they had today. Tomorrow he would be gone, back to the task at hand. Saying goodbye wasn’t going to be easy this time. Not that it was last time either, but it still has to be done.
Chapter Nineteen
Beckett said goodbye to Danielle and Jamie. He told them he had to go back to work and would be there in the morning. That wasn’t a lie.
Once he left her villa, he picked up his message. It was from Sarge. No details, which meant it shouldn’t be left on his voicemail. Dialing his number, he waited to hear what his friend had found. “Update?”
“Located and scheduled for thirteen hundred tomorrow,” Sarge said.
“You know where to pick me up.”
“Everything set on your end?”
“Will be once they are asleep.” If he got caught putting the cameras up in the entryway, she might think to look around her other rooms, too. He needed the cameras up and running before he left. If something didn’t seem right, he could call on KJ and Drew. He really didn’t believe anyone was going to come looking for them, but if they found anything they would handle it themselves. If the law wasn’t going to punish that murderer, he sure as hell would. There was the law, and then there was the code of honor. Right now the only thing he was following was his gut. It might not be right, but nothing was going to stop him from getting the answers he needed.
Beckett spent several hours working on the remaining updates to the security software. When they’d hired him for this job, they’d probably never thought he would be using it for monitoring everything happening on the island and the airspace and surrounding waters. Hacking into a major satellite system, especially one that didn’t belong to the USA, was likely against the law, but this was only temporary.
It was late, and he thought they would be asleep, so he headed back toward her place. He only had two more cameras to set up and get online, then he could rest. He needed a clear head for tomorrow.
The great thing about being so tall—he could reach the ceilings without lugging a ladder around. He was just about to leave when her door opened, and there she stood in her little nightgown. Her bare legs were begging to be picked up and wrapped around him. He found himself walking toward her. Sleep is so fucking overrated.
When Blossom had gotten up and guarded the door, she’d had no idea who could be in the doorway. With Blossom beside her, she felt safe opening the door. Who could get on this island anyway? This place is the safest place a person could ask for.
She didn’t expect to see Beckett. Maybe he was missing her as much as she was him. Danielle had been sitting on the couch, wanting to feel him again, and here he was, looking at her with hunger in his eyes.
“I thought you were leaving.”
In just a few long strides, he was by her side and sweeping her into his powerful arms. He leaned back against the door to shut it. “Do you want me to go?”
His voice was deep, filled with need. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist and said, “Not tonight.”
“Good,” he said. Then he lowered his mouth close to hers and said, “I want you. Tonight.” He walked toward her bedroom, nuzzling her neck and setting her on fire with his passionate kisses, but then stopped abruptly. “Jamie?”
“Sleeping.”
“Then let’s make the most of tonight.” He took her to her bed, setting her down gently. He walked over and shut her door and came back to where sh
e sat, waiting for him.
Danielle watched as he unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it onto a nearby chair. Then he unbuckled his pants. Before he slid them off, he pulled out a couple foil packets from his wallet and tossed them on the bed. “We’re going to need these.”
Thank God you plan well. ’Cause I need to feel you inside me so badly it hurts.
She watched him remove the rest of his clothes. This was the first time she had seen him completely naked with the prosthesis on. The lights were still on. Neither made a move to turn them off. He must have seen her look at the light switch, because he said, “Tonight I want to see every beautiful inch of you.”
Instant heat spread throughout her body. Damn, this man can get me all hot and ready with just his words and eyes. Danielle reached out to touch him, but he brushed her hand away.
“I want to see you, Danielle. Take your clothes off. Show me all you have to offer.” It wasn’t a question as much as a demand. Kneeling on the bed, she slowly lifted her short nightgown over her head and tossed it on the chair with his clothes. Then she slipped her hands on both sides of her panties and inched them down. Sitting back on the bed, she planted her feet on the bed, lifting her hips high in the air to give him a sweet view while she removed them.
A husky moan escaped him while he watched her. She saw his cock hard and ready. Knowing the effect she was having on him encouraged her further. She lay back on the bed and opened herself to him.
She heard the strap on his prosthesis being undone as he joined her on the bed. He lay on top of her but held his crushing weight off her, claiming her lips in a deep, passionate, hot kiss. His tongue explored her mouth before tracing her lips. “Baby, I’ve missed you.”
She arched against him, grinding her hips against his hard shaft. “I’ve missed you, too.” More than I can tell you, Beckett.
He trailed kisses down her neck and stopped to take her nipple into his mouth. She dug her hands into the sheets as he nipped her gently. Danielle spread her legs, wanting to feel him inside her.
He refused to give her what she needed right now. She was already wet and on fire. “Please, Beckett. I need you.”
As his lips traveled lower, he said, “And you will have me. But first I need to taste you again.” He kissed the inside of one thigh, then the next. He blew hot breath on her exposed, delicate folds. “I want to make you come. Make you beg for more.”
She reached out and touched his head, arching her hips up to him. She was going to give him all she had, and in return, she was going to take all he gave.
When his tongue licked her, a quiver traveled through her. He slowly spread her apart before finding her hot center. Every nerve in her body was begging for release. He increased the pressure, darting in and out of her. Oh, my God, this feels so good. Moaning his name again and again, she pleaded for release. “Beckett, Beckett.”
“Yes, give it to me,” he said as he slipped a finger deep inside her.
Her body tensed, but he held her on the brink, not letting go. A second finger entered and she opened wider, wanting him deeper. The need was so great she thought she would die if she couldn’t have him.
Beckett sucked her as he worked her with his fingers. Her body shook, and her center tensed around his fingers as waves of her climax rocked her body.
Even before her body stopped twitching, Beckett had sheathed his cock and positioned himself once again between her legs.
“I can’t wait, baby. I’ve got to feel you again.” His voice shook with need.
“Take me. Now,” Danielle begged, her own need increasing.
In one deep thrust, he entered her fully. Her body accepted his large cock, and he began to move within her, faster and deeper. She watched him battling for control. Tonight she didn’t want him to have any. She wanted it hard and fast.
Pulling herself up, she bit into his shoulder just hard enough to sting but not enough to cause any lasting marks. He growled, and she did the same to the other shoulder. He rode her wildly, his hips thrashing against her, her own body begging for another release.
“God, Beckett. You’re killing me.” Then she fell back on the bed and closed her eyes, gripping the sheets and moaning.
He gripped her ass and pulled her even closer to him. “Look at me, Danielle; let me watch your eyes as I fuck you and make you come,” his voice growled.
Opening her eyes and looking at Beckett was her undoing. Her body began to tremble and then tensed again as her climax released. She ran her fingernails down his back and felt him tense as he released all he had within her.
The two of them collapsed, panting, trying to catch their breath. “Baby, you’re amazing; do you know that?” Danielle only smiled.
She wasn’t sure what to say. So many emotions flooded her mind. She loved being with him but was afraid she would wake to find herself once again alone in the bed. It was a pain she could not prepare herself for, no matter how hard she tried. The only thing she could do was close her eyes and pretend to sleep. Maybe then she would allow this dream to continue just a little longer. If only, it could continue forever.
As though Beckett could read her thoughts, he reached out, tipped her chin up to face him, and kissed her nose. “Tonight is all about feeling and letting go.” Slapping her ass playfully, he added, “Why don’t you run a bath for us? I’ll be right behind you.”
His eyes still burned with want, desire, and the promise of more to come. Her exhausted and spent muscles quickly recovered and were replaced with a familiar warm glow. Bolting off the bed, Danielle didn’t have to be asked twice.
She bent over the tub, feeling the water, and heard Beckett enter the bathroom. “Keep bending over that tub, and I’m going to have to use the third condom.” Danielle wiggled her ass, enticing him before she slipped into the tub.
Beckett came and sat on the edge of the tub, his cock already hard again. She watched as he again removed his prosthesis. He sheathed himself and joined her in the Jacuzzi. The farther his large frame sank in the tub, the more water overflowed and began spilling onto the floor toward his prosthetic leg.
She went to get out, but he stopped her. “Water won’t hurt it.”
Danielle eased herself back down, facing him, and Beckett pulled her closer, kissing her deeply before suddenly letting go. He grabbed the soft sponge resting on the edge, lathered it, and slowly washed her body. He wasn’t just bathing her; he was caressing her everywhere. Danielle had never experienced anything so beautiful in her life.
“Stop thinking and just let yourself feel, Danielle.”
What is this man doing to me? It’s almost like he wants to brand my soul. “Now it’s your turn.” Danielle took the sponge from his hand, and just as slowly and torturously as he had, she washed him.
As her hands approached his private area, Beckett stopped her and said, “Enough. I can’t wait any longer.” Pulling her back on his lap, he positioned her onto his ready and waiting cock.
She looked him in the eyes and slid down slowly until she was filled with every inch of him. Neither one moved as they enjoyed the feeling of their union, only holding each other.
He broke the moment by kissing her senseless, his lips crushing hers. She ran her hands up his chest, and he moaned. Together they moved in a rhythm that quickly increased. Danielle arched her back as her sweet spot started to throb.
Beckett whispered, “Let it go, baby,” as he pinched both her nipples.
The sweet torture soon was replaced by an overwhelming sensation. Her whole body was throbbing with the need to climax. Beckett bit her neck, and she cried out in pleasure. “Oh, God, yes! Beckett, yes!” Her body shook, and she clenched around his shaft tightly as her release came.
Before she realized what he was doing, he’d lifted her and turned her around so her back was against his chest. More water splashed over the edge but neither cared at the moment. Once they were repositioned, he slid deep inside her again. This time, Beckett controlled their pace. Each thrust was stronge
r and more powerful than the last. With his hands on her hips, he pulled her to him again and again, until they both cried out as their bodies trembled with a climax that was so powerful Danielle had tears in her eyes.
Both panting, they lay back in the tub, trying to catch their breath. After several minutes, Beckett broke the silence. “We’d better get out or we’re going to fall asleep in here.”
She reluctantly rose first, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around her then grabbed a few more and placed them on the wet floor so he would not slip. “Aren’t you coming?” Danielle asked, as Beckett didn’t appear to be leaving the tub.
“I’ll be right behind you,” Beckett said.
Something in his eyes said he wasn’t going to be following her. Was it possible he planned on leaving so soon? Even after everything they’d just shared? Morning would soon be upon them; would she find herself waking alone?
He made me no promises of tomorrows, so I have no right to be hurt. If only logic worked on a person’s heart.
Chapter Twenty
Beckett was about to board the plane when he noticed KJ talking with Gunny. What the hell is she doing here so early? I know she’s not here to see me off.
When he got closer, KJ left Gunny and walked over to him. “Beck, I want to talk to you before you leave. Do you have a few minutes?”
As if saying no was going to matter to her one bit. One thing about a Marine, once they got something in their head, nothing was going to change their mind. He should know; he was just as stubborn, if not worse than most of them. “You have five minutes. What’s on your mind?”
“I didn’t want to talk in front of Drew. He gets a little—”
“Jealous?” Beckett asked as he cut her off.
KJ laughed. “Of you? God, no. I was going to say he gets a little worried about me. He’s seen me through some rough times. Like a lot of people in our lives, he wants to be there, help me through it, but he truly can’t grasp everything I’m battling.”
All Bets Off: Betting On You Series: Book Five Page 15