The Choice (Doms of Her Life: Heavenly Rising Book 1)

by Shayla Black

  “Thanks, man.”

  “I’m a bit late in telling you this… I’m sorry I was a douche over Christmas. I had a lot to work through. But I’m proud to call you a partner and even prouder to call you brother.”

  “Ditto, man.”

  As they slapped each other on the back, Seth’s phone dinged. He dug the device out of his pocket and scanned the screen. Beck. What did that fucker want?

  He opened the unwelcome message and saw an image of the man’s mouth covered in peachy-pink lip gloss—the same shade Heavenly wore. The accompanying message read: You’re not the only one who’s kissed her, motherfucker. And when she comes, her moans are so sweet…

  Seth’s blood boiled.

  Beck. Had. Touched. Heavenly. And kissed her, too. Thoroughly from the looks of it. Had he also fucked her?

  He growled at the picture. “Oh, yeah? Game on, cocksucker.”

  As he typed out those exact words, Matt frowned and tried to peek at his screen. “What’s up? Who are you talking to?”

  Seth darkened the device and tucked it away. “Nobody important, just someone out west who needs his ass kicked.”

  “You’ll do that, no sweat.” Matt clapped him on the back. “The guy doesn’t stand a chance.”

  “You’re right. But…this problem might be more pressing than I thought. Can you…um, give me a lift? I need to grab my suitcase and head to the airport.”

  “Today?” Matt blinked in total confusion. “Now?”

  Normally, Seth wouldn’t sweat this stuff. If some girl wanted to mack on another guy, that was on her. But…this was Heavenly, and Beck was the kind of shithead who wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of her.

  “Yeah.” He whipped out his phone again and launched the airline’s app, relieved to see a seat on a flight to LAX in a little under four hours. “I’d appreciate it. I’ll call you when I get settled. Tell Mom I love her and I’m sorry. But I’ve got to get home.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Two days after their lunch date at Angelo’s, Beck’s doorbell rang—right on time.

  Eagerly, he pulled the portal between them open. There Heavenly stood, a golden braid wrapped around her crown while long, loose curls flowed over her mostly bare shoulders. She wore a sunny orange dress with a teasing V neckline, held together by simple straps. Its flirty hem played peekaboo with her slender thighs.

  He almost swallowed his tongue.

  “Come in.” Beck took her hand and pulled her into his arms.

  He couldn’t wait another second to touch her.

  Shutting the door, Beck backed her against it, cupped her nape, and crushed her lips under his. Fuck, kissing her was like instant relief and utter torment at once. He had her on his tongue, but it wasn’t enough. The way he felt right now, he wasn’t sure it ever would be.

  When he finally let her up for air, she was pink-cheeked, breathing hard, and looking both flushed and excited to continue where they’d left off after lunch.

  This was it, the day he’d finally claim her.

  Since she’d agreed to let him cook her brunch today, they were totally alone. He intended to get her into bed. He didn’t want to wait anymore. Hell, he couldn’t afford to.

  Not with Seth breathing down his neck.

  On Friday night, Beck had knocked back a beer with Hammer and Liam while Heavenly was waiting tables. He’d been sure his frenemy would stay in New York for at least a couple of weeks. It should take that long to sell his place and his car, close his business, say good-bye to friends and family…and whatever else. Or so he’d thought, until Liam mentioned that Seth was on a plane back to LAX as they spoke.

  What the fuck? How did it take a mere four days to move across the country?

  Maybe you shouldn’t have lit a fire under Seth’s ass with that picture of you wearing Heavenly’s lip gloss.

  The instant Liam dropped the bombshell, Beck had texted Heavenly and reaffirmed their date to have brunch at his place.

  “Thanks for inviting me,” she said softly, scanning the length of his tri-level contemporary pad. “Wow, your house is so interesting…striking. It’s you.”

  “Glad you like it. Let’s head to the kitchen. I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Hmm,” she moaned as he led her toward the back. “I am. Something smells amazing.”

  “I made you French toast casserole, eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and”—he leaned across the island to pick up the two flutes he’d poured a few minutes ago—“mimosas. Ever had one?”

  She shook her head as she accepted the glass. “Orange juice and…what?”

  “Champagne.” That made her smile, and he held up his drink. “Here’s to a really great day.”

  At least he hoped so. He wanted her beyond all sanity, and his balls were so fucking blue. Gloria thought he’d been crazy doing without sex for weeks last Christmas. If she knew he’d waited months to get Heavenly in bed, his soon-to-be ex-wife would probably assume he’d developed erectile dysfunction.

  Beck was thankful he’d had the foresight to wear his shirt untucked because he already knew getting hard was not going to be a problem.

  “With someone special.” She clinked her glass with his.

  He drank and watched her wrap her lips around the flute as she took dainty sips. He saw the moment the flavor hit her tongue. Her eyes widened and, after she swallowed half the drink down, so did her smile.

  “Everything is just about ready. Why don’t you take a seat over there?” He pointed to the breakfast table near the wall of windows at the back of his house, overlooking the pool. It was a perfect California day, and the sun glimmered off the glasses of ice water he’d poured.

  As he held out her chair, she sat. “Can I do anything to help?”

  “Just sit there and look beautiful.”

  Heavenly rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how successful I’ll be, but I’ll do my best.”

  Beck winked at her, then pulled the hot dishes from the oven, followed by the chilled fruit from the fridge. He refilled her mimosa the instant she emptied it, then dished her up a hearty brunch.

  As they ate, they talked about everything and nothing. He told her some of the stupid shit he’d done as a wet-behind-the-ears intern. She regaled him with the awesomeness of real Wisconsin cheese curds. They discussed what it was like to move suddenly and unexpectedly to LA, hospital politics, and where she might want to practice nursing after graduation.

  As soon as they’d made a good dent in the food, which she’d praised repeatedly as she finished her second mimosa, he offered her a third.

  “Thank you, but I can’t.” She sighed. “I was hoping to have the whole day off, but my boss told me last night that he needs me from three to close today.”

  Well, hell. He didn’t want to rush this…but he also didn’t think he could wait another five minutes to have her naked.

  She tilted her face up toward the sun. Her hair spilled over the back of her chair. The urge to sink his fingers into those curls and drag her to his bedroom rode him hard. Maybe going caveman on her would backfire…but being direct had worked pretty fucking well last time.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course.” The easy answer flowed off her tongue.

  Beck took her hand. “Have you thought about what happened during our last date?”

  She lowered her lashes and nodded.

  “That’s not an answer, little girl.”

  She jerked her stare to his. Color crawled up her face before her gaze skittered away again. “Yes. It’s almost all I think about now.”

  That, right there. Something in her eyes. She hadn’t merely thought of the ways he’d touched her on Friday. He’d bet money she was still thinking of Seth and his kiss, too.

  Goddamn it.

  He stood and extended his hand. “Come with me, and I’ll give you a lot more things to occupy your mind.”

  Heavenly hesitated for long moments, stare bouncing between his outstretched fingers and his fa
ce, which he feared was too naked with need. Had he been too unromantic? Had something he’d done made her change her mind? Or had fucking Seth somehow got to her yesterday?

  Beck slid into his chair again. “Heavenly, if you’re unsure or you’re not interested—”

  “That’s not it,” she assured softly, then swallowed nervously. “It’s just…I’m not ready to have sex yet. I’m sure you’re used to dealing with women who—”

  “I’m not thinking about any woman but you. This is between us. If you’re not ready, then you’re not ready. I respect that.”

  And that was true…but his cock wanted to weep.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. I just want to be clear. Am I moving too fast now? Or does this have something to do with Seth?”

  Heavenly blanched, then sighed. “Do you want me to be honest?”

  “That’s the only way I ever want you to be with me. Tell me anything and everything. When I said we were more than friends, I had in mind the kind of relationship where you’d feel free to share your thoughts and feelings.”

  “Okay…” She sighed. “Maybe I’m naive, but sex, to me, is a commitment. Not like the forever, death-do-us-part kind. But—”

  “I have no problem with commitment.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not asking for one. I’m just saying it implies that I’ve made a choice. It’s not hard to notice that you and Seth have…animosity. He’s already left once because I told him I had feelings for you. If I have sex with you now, he’ll probably take that as me choosing you over him again.”

  Beck tried to bite back his frustration. “You’re not responsible for Seth’s feelings.”

  “I know. And I—”

  “And if he only wants you for your virginity, he’s not worth the bag necessary to take out the trash. I understand you’ve got feelings for him, but you need to think about you, too.”

  “I am. I don’t think he just wants bragging rights about being my first. It’s like he took my feelings for you as a rejection, like he assumed if I wanted you, I couldn’t want him, too. Even though I’ve told him it’s more complicated than that…” She shook her head.

  So basically, the dumb shit was coming between them and he wasn’t even here? Peachy.

  From helping him work with Raine on Liam and Hammer’s behalf a few short months ago, Seth knew perfectly well that a woman could have separate but equal feelings for two different men. Why the fuck had he suddenly gone stupid?

  Of course, Liam and Hammer had solved the problem by sharing the girl who’d been unable to choose between them. That wasn’t happening with Heavenly. Oh, fuck. No. Just no. He’d hardly been able to share a meal with Seth. No way did he trust that asswipe enough to share in her care.

  Beck let out a calming breath. He wasn’t going to push her to give more than she wanted to…but he didn’t want to let her go with a peck and a wave, either.

  “Of course it’s more complicated,” he agreed. “Since you’re not ready for sex, there are plenty of other things I can teach you, pleasures I can give you. Just say the word. And if not…” He shrugged. “We’ll sit by the pool, enjoy the day, and talk.”

  “Thanks for understanding,” she murmured, then suddenly couldn’t meet his stare again. A fresh flash of red surged up her face. “Would you show me your bedroom?”

  Her question made his body ping electric.

  “I’d love to.” He rushed to help her to her feet.

  She cast a nervous glance around his messy kitchen. “Do you want help with the dishes first?”

  “Fuck the dishes.” He seized her mouth with his and curled his arms around her frame, cupping her ass and lifting her against his body. “Hold on to me.”

  Heavenly didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms and legs around him. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and marched to the stairs, taking them two at a time, then all but sprinted down the hall to his bedroom.

  Beside his bed, he slowly lowered her to her feet, dragging every inch of her against him, then studied her flushed face. Already, her eyes were dilated, her lips swollen, her nipples pebbled. He regretted not getting his hands—or mouth—on her breasts last Friday. He was determined to make up for lost time.

  Beck skated his fingers up her waist, tracing the edge of her underwire bra, before he cupped the pert globe in his hand. Staring into her eyes, he thumbed the tight little tip back and forth in slow strokes. “What do you want, little girl?”

  “So many things…” she admitted with a groan, then gave him a self-deprecating smile. “Late last night, after my shift, I laid in my bed and I replayed our lunch over in my head. And for the first time ever, I was able to give myself an orgasm.”

  “Good. You should know your body and what makes you hum.” He pinched her nipple through her dress lightly, relishing the hitch in her breath. “What part of our lunch did you think about while you got yourself off?”

  “The ways you touched me. I put my fingers everywhere you did and thought of all the things you’d said. And…” She sighed, her smile widening. “It was nice. But not as amazing as when you gave me pleasure.”

  Good to know. “You have other fantasies? Things you thought about when you touched yourself in the past?”

  “For a long time, when I tried to, um…”

  “Masturbate?” he supplied helpfully.

  Right on cue, her face managed to turn even redder. “Yeah. When I did, my thoughts were mostly a curiosity. I wanted to know how my body worked. I wanted to understand the physiology. And I wanted to figure out why, if I was a woman, I wasn’t interested in any of the men—or women—around me. It was almost like I didn’t understand myself well enough to have fantasies. Then, you took me to the gallery.” She sighed. “And everything changed.”

  This woman was the most interesting bundle of contradictions. It took her forever to tell him her troubles, but she readily shared her feelings and fantasies. There must be some reason. Whatever it was, her dichotomy intrigued him. Made him harder. Made him more desperate for her.

  “I’m not surprised.” He’d sensed what she was the moment he’d met her. Having her validate that, even unconsciously, renewed his hope. She wasn’t ready for rubber paddles and whips—might never be—but she was ready for him to take control.

  It was so on.

  “You’re not? I’m shocked.”

  “Still not surprised.” He traced the V of her neckline, fingertip grazing the tempting swell of her breast. A wide, wicked smile crossed his face. “Show me.”

  “What?”

  “Show me how you made yourself come.”

  Heat flared in her eyes. “I-I don’t know if I can—”

  “You can.” He dragged his tongue over her collarbone, then whispered in her ear. “Strip off your clothes, lie back on the bed, and show me what you’ve learned.”

  “A-are you going to watch?”

  “Absolutely.” As soon as the word was out, her breathing turned uneven and she bit her lip self-consciously. He skimmed his lips along her jaw. “I want to be the first to see you naked.”

  Heavenly hesitated, then stepped out of her sandals, eased one of her straps off her shoulders, then looked at him for approval.

  “Keep going.” He flicked the other strap down and kissed the cap. “You’re safe with me. Don’t stop.”

  She gave him a jerky nod, then turned her back to him, gathering her hair and holding it up. “I-I can’t reach the zipper.”

  His cock lurched approvingly as he sucked in a shuddering breath. Holy shit. She was undressing—for him. He would see her totally bare. That thought dive-bombed his brain and buzzed his libido.

  Slowly, he reached for the tab and dragged it down her back, the quiet hiss achingly sexual as he exposed inch after inch of her milky, untouched skin.

  Beck’s hand shook. His control felt dangerously close to snapping, but he gritted his teeth, chained down his beast, and told himself to find his fucking patience as he pulled he
r zipper as low as he could.

  The ivory lace skimming the small of her back and wrapping around her hips taunted him. He slipped his finger just under the band. “Next time, leave your panties at home. You don’t need them with me.”

  Heavenly jerked a glance over her shoulder. “Wear a dress without underwear?”

  Her shock made him smile. “That would please me.”

  “I don’t know if I’m that…daring. I’ll try.”

  He didn’t love her response, but he understood he was asking her for something both new and foreign to her good-girl sensibilities. He had to let her adjust to the idea—and to his demands. Nothing with her would be simple or overnight. The fact she was open to the idea at all was a good sign.

  Beck cupped her arm and dropped kisses to her neck. “Try very hard. Now push your dress over your hips. Panties, too. Leave them on the floor.”

  She complied, wriggling enough to have him biting back a groan as she swept the cotton, lace, and silk from her body. It pooled on the floor, leaving her clad in nothing but a strappy bra. He’d get to that in a minute; the hooks were right in front of him. But first, that luscious ass.

  Dear god… He gripped her hips, knelt behind her, and dragged his mouth across each pert cheek. It wasn’t enough. He had to sink his teeth in, nip and lave. In his hold, she trembled, held her breath. Shit, he needed more. He bit harder. And sucked.

  She yelped. “Beck?”

  “Shh.” It was all he could manage to say.

  Fuck, suctioning her smooth, perfect skin between his lips was already heaven, but then he took another sharp nibble and pulled her deeper into his mouth. Oh, yeah…

  He stood back to admire his brand. A possessive fire he’d never felt scalded his veins, urging him to toss her down and mark every inch of her backside however she’d let him—right now.

  But if he didn’t stop fixating on her ass, this was going to get out of control fast. Already, he was riding a dangerous edge.

  Gathering his mental shit, he flicked her bra open and let it fall to the ground.

  Now she was completely naked for him. Beck couldn’t fucking breathe.