Beck

by Toye Lawson Brown

  “I don’t talk about Joanie because I’m over that part of my life,” I said.

  Slowly, she reached behind her back and tugged down the zipper of the sundress. The material slid down her body, and her dark nipples tightened with pleasure as my heated gaze raked over her. Lord, the woman never wore a bra when she wasn’t working.

  My breathing hitched and my jaw clenched as tight as the rest of my rigid body. As the dress pooled around her ankles, she stood in front of me in nothing but tiny yellow lace panties and sandals.

  I was tired of just staring. I closed the distance between us, devouring her mouth in an intense kiss that had all the blood rushing to my ears. I slid my fingers into her hair, cupping the back of her head tight as she arched into me.

  Hard nipples rubbed against my shirt. The stimulation of them sent a rush of heat to the already building inferno in my cock.

  Franticly, she grabbed at my shirt, pulling it from my pants, but I beat her to my belt, undoing it and then tearing the shirt over my head. In seconds I was out of my shoes and pants, my hard cock jutting against my stomach.

  Before I could stop Abbie, she went down on her knees and wrapped those delicate fingers around the base of my erection.

  I slid a hand into her hair as if to stop her. “Abbie, baby—”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Abbie

  I cut him off as I sucked just the tip of his cock between my lips. Swirling my tongue around the head, I grinned when he groaned, letting out a curse in that savage tone that made me even wetter. So far he’d been the dominating one, taking control of everything, including what we did as adults in the bedroom. I wanted a turn to get him as worked up as he got me.

  Pulling him deeper into my mouth, I savored the way his lean body shuddered under my touch. As I started to stroke him with my mouth and hand, his fingers tightened in my hair, tugging me slightly back.

  When I looked up at him, his dark eyes seemed darker. “I need to be inside you.”

  While I wanted to drag this out, he looked as if he was on the brink of losing his control. “Okay.” I’d barely gotten the word out before he lifted me up and had me flat on my back.

  The bed was soft, and the comforter was cold from the air conditioning, all in direct opposition to the raw heat and hunger rolling through me as Beck crushed his mouth over mine, pinning me to the bed.

  The skin-to-skin contact was enough to overload my senses. I’d lost count of how many times we’d been in this position, but I always felt frantic to have him pushing deep into me.

  Now was no different. Groaning, Beck reached between us and cupped my pussy. When he slid a thick finger into my wet heat, he pulled back from my mouth and nipped along my jaw.

  “Baby, you’re already so wet for me.”

  I made a strangled sound, unable to find my voice. He always took away my voice, my strength, my control.

  “I like when you take me in your mouth,” he said in a wicked tone, thumbing my clit, slow and teasing, as always.

  I made another sound I hoped passed as an affirmation to his confession, and he began rubbing my sensitive bundle of nerves in a slow, torturous rhythm. My nipples tingled, begging for attention too.

  “I can tell you like it.” His voice was a low whisper as he nipped my earlobe between his teeth, sliding another finger inside me.

  I felt my muscles clench around him, his words washing over me as I silently begged him to give me what I wanted.

  He let out a low chuckle next to my ear. “Tell me what you want next,” he murmured. His warm breath tickled my skin.

  “You. Inside me.”

  I surprised myself at hearing the words and finding my voice.

  “I am inside you. Don’t you feel it?”

  He pushed his two fingers deeper, the penetration making me roll my hips, demanding more.

  “You’re driving me crazy,” I growled, sheer frustration welling up inside me.

  “Say what you want, and maybe I’ll stop.”

  His teeth slid against my jaw as he made his way back to my mouth. “I want your cock deep inside me.” My voice was a breathless whisper.

  Beck let out a triumphant sound before his mouth was on mine again, his tongue stroking in a rhythm that matched his fingers. My inner walls clenched even tighter at the erotic rhythm, my muscles pulling taut. It wouldn’t take much for me to come, not when he had me so primed. And I wanted him inside me.

  Beck suddenly tore his mouth from mine, his breathing harsh as he stared down at me, his black-as-coal eyes piercing. “I’m going to be inside you with no condom. I want to feel every inch of your flesh around my cock.”

  My nipples pebbled even tighter at his words. I was dying to feel him inside me without anything between us again.

  “Yes. Now.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Everything about Beck was always rock steady, so it amazed me that he seemed unsure now.

  “For heaven’s sake, yes,” I said.

  I watched with hunger as he stroked a hand down his length, then back up again. Reaching up, I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him down to me.

  “No more teasing.”

  He gave me that damn grin, the slow, wicked one that should be illegal. It spread across his face as he positioned himself at my entrance. He cupped my breast, his thumb strumming the nipple as he pushed inside me.

  The moment he filled me, his grin fled as the sweetest groan tore from him. The sensation of him stretching and filling me pushed me to the edge. The chemistry between us was undeniable. It had sparked from the day we laid eyes on each other.

  The fact that he was going above and beyond to help me made me want him more. I arched my back and grabbed the back of his neck, pulling his head to meet my mouth in frenzied need as he began thrusting.

  Stroke for stroke, our tongues danced with the same frantic rhythm as our bodies. Beck pulled his mouth from mine, his thrusts growing more ragged as he buried his face against my neck.

  He rubbed against my clit, stimulating the nerves with a pressure that had me arching off the bed.

  “Every fucking time. Every time I feel like I’ll die if I don’t get inside you,” he growled against my neck. “Damn, baby.” His words made me lose it, my orgasm suddenly surging through me.

  My toes curled as I tightened my legs around him. I never wanted to let him go. His thrusts and groans of pleasure increased as he let go of his restraint, and the growl that vibrated against my neck sent another shock of sensations through me.

  He continued thrusting into me as my orgasm surged higher and higher. When it finally faded, I felt boneless against the sheets. Beck stilled inside me, his forearms propped up on either side of my head as he looked down at me, his expression intense.

  Leaning down, he gently brushed his lips over mine before he slowly pulled out of me on a groan. I didn’t want to let him go, but I did.

  I watched him slide off the bed and head for the bathroom door. Another rush of heat slid through me at the sight of his tight backside. I really hoped we were just getting started tonight. Even with everything going on, I felt incredibly safe with Beck, especially now that I knew he wanted me. I lay back on the bed, realizing there was no place I’d rather be than in his bed and in his arms.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Beck

  She was set on killing me, and I was okay with it. I took Abbie’s hand as we strolled through the walkway and to the party center. I could feel how nervous she was. Her hand was damp, and she held on to mine tightly.

  I didn’t understand why she was nervous; she was beautiful, intelligent, and resourceful. Abbie Parker was the entire package. I wasn’t fooling myself—the initial shock of me being in an interracial relationship hit me sideways, but it was true that love was color-blind, or at least it should be. Because when I looked at Abbie, all I saw was the woman I had fallen in love with. The color of her skin would never change what I felt for her.

  “Relax—no need to be ner
vous,” I reassured her.

  She bit down on her lip. “I’m trying, but my heart won’t stop racing. You have that effect on me.”

  I grinned. “And here I believed it was my family you were afraid to face. But I’ll let you in on a secret—you make my heart race too. If only you knew what you were doing to me in that damn dress.”

  The little black dress—and I was not exaggerating on the “little” part—clung to her like a second skin. The strapless garment was tasteful but sexy as hell. It reached mid-thigh and showed off her curves, especially her round ass.

  Abbie had pulled her hair into a tight bun and wore silver jewelry that enhanced her slender neck and delicate ears. The black stilettoes gave her more height. And, just as I’d imagined, she looked perfect on my arm, and her attire matched the black suit I wore.

  Her brows knitted. “Behave, Beck. No flirting.”

  “Damn, you take the fun out of everything.”

  “Tonight is about your sisters, not us.”

  I swung the gift bag in my hand. “Well, later, can it be about us?”

  She smiled. “I suggest you drink more punch than beer.”

  I winked. “Gotcha.”

  The music was loud and bumping when we entered the hall. For a classy affair, there was a lot of hip-hop music playing. Guests were dressed in elegant attire but were already on the dance floor getting sweaty.

  Two giant balloons in the shape of the number eighteen stood taller than me. Tables were covered in white and gold cloths. A huge three-tiered cake decorated with the same accent colors was the centerpiece.

  Most of the crowd was young and friends of my sisters, but other family and friends were here.

  “Wow, I wasn’t expecting this,” Abbie said. “I haven’t been to a teen party since I was a teen.”

  I nodded. “My mother probably lost the battle when it came to music. The twins aren’t exactly Lawrence Welk fans.”

  Abbie laughed. “Do they know who he is? Heck, I barely know him.”

  I scoffed. “Me and you both.”

  Finally, I found my mother seated at a table away from the dance floor and DJ. When my mom’s eyes locked with mine, she shot up and ran over to me.

  “Beck,” she cried, her arms tight around my neck. “My baby came home.”

  “Mom, how are you? And don’t squeeze the shoulder too hard,” I teased. Although it was already sore from the earlier activity I’d had with Abbie.

  Mom released me and stood back. “Sweetheart, you’re so thin. You are eating, right?”

  I nodded. “I’m eating and doing well. Just busy. Mom, I want you to meet Abbie Parker.”

  Abbie came from behind me and stretched out her hand. “Hello, Mrs. Pavlov. I’ve heard so much about you.”

  I didn’t expect my mother’s jaw to hit the floor the way it did. Maybe I should’ve warned her Abbie was black.

  “Hello, Ms. Parker,” Mom finally said. “I’m glad you could come tonight. Are you the woman my son is protecting in Cleveland?”

  Abbie’s smile was weak as she drew back her hand. Had she detected my mother’s tone? “Yes, I am. He had no choice but to drag me along. I’m truly sorry about it.”

  “Nonsense. Any friend of my son is welcome to join us tonight,” Mom said.

  As Abbie was about to speak, the high squeal of my sisters’ voices interrupted her.

  “Beck!” they said in unison. They tended to do that a lot, and it got annoying.

  “Hey, kiddos. Happy birthday,” I said, giving them a hug.

  Beatrice and Barbara were identical. I’d had a hard time telling them apart until I learned their different quirks. I made the introductions to Abbie, and the twins freaked.

  “Wow, a news reporter? That has to be an awesome job,” Beatrice said. “I can’t believe our brother is dating a celebrity.”

  “Whoa, wait a minute,” I said.

  “Too cool,” Barbara chimed in. “You get to be on television, travel, and meet all kinds of people.”

  Abbie smiled. “I do enjoy my work, but it’s not all glamorous. I have to report tragedies that affect people. And I get up awfully early in the mornings. Then some events happen that’ll keep me at the station all night.”

  “Yeah, but still an awesome job,” Barbara said.

  “Totally,” Beatrice added. “Beck, you hit the jackpot with her.”

  Finally, friends came to drag the twins away. I scrubbed a hand down my face. This was not going the way I’d planned. Everything was rapidly unraveling as my family got the wrong idea of why Abbie was with me.

  Perplexed, I asked, “Mom, where are Dad, Braxton, and Braden?”

  Her smile was full when she turned her attention back to me. “Dad should be on his way. He got called into work. Braden and Braxton are here somewhere.”

  I slid my arm around Abbie’s waist, pulling her closer to me. “I’m going to look for them before the crowd gets any bigger,” I said.

  “Beck, we need to talk,” my mother said in a voice I knew too well.

  Abbie pulled away from me. “Hey, I need to use the restroom. You two go ahead and talk.”

  I watched her walk away like a fire had been set under her feet. My attention went to my mother. “What the hell was that about, Mom?”

  “Watch how you talk to me, Beck.”

  “I mean no disrespect, but you were rude to Abbie.”

  “I didn’t mean to be; I was caught off guard. I didn’t expect her to be—”

  “To be black? I’m protecting her, Mom. If anything happens to her while in my care, it’s my ass.”

  Her blue eyes picked up the colors bouncing off the strobe light in the dimly lit room. “Boy, you cannot tell me that lie with a straight face. You have feelings for that girl.”

  Her intuition was sharp. Many times I’d said she should work for the FBI. “Mom, don’t go there.”

  “I don’t have to go there. It’s written all over your face.”

  “That obvious?” I looked around for Abbie but didn’t see her.

  Mom put her hand on my arm. “You should’ve told me. And I see why you’re attracted to her—she is gorgeous, and the two of you make a beautiful couple. But are you prepared for what a relationship with her will bring?”

  I shook my head. “I should ask her that. She is successful, comes from a wealthy family, and is so sweet and down to earth. The thought of someone hurting her makes me mad as hell.” I felt my jaw tighten from the building anger.

  My mother laughed. “Oh, darling, you are so into her. How does she feel about you?”

  A grin slid across my face, replacing the anger. “I’m certain she feels the same.”

  She sighed. “Then go get her. I want to get to know the woman who has stolen my son’s heart.”

  *****

  I found Abbie sitting alone at a table. Behind her stood three teenage boys gawking at her, shoving each other like they were planning to make a move on her but were scared to death to approach a female. Like I would let that shit happen anyhow.

  I strolled over to the table, and the three pimple-faced geeks took off. They weren’t as stupid as I thought. “Hey, why are you sitting here by yourself?” I asked.

  “I wanted to give you and your mother time to talk. Obviously, she didn’t know about me.”

  I reached for her hand, and she pulled away. “Are you mad? I honestly forgot to tell her with all I had to do to arrange this trip.”

  She tried to keep her voice below the music. “I’m not mad. This has happened. Garo was my first love, and first interracial relationship. His parents hated we were together and tore us apart. I know we aren’t together, but it feels the same.”

  “Baby, Mom isn’t that way. Okay, it did take her by surprise, but she’s cool. She sent me to find you.”

  Abbie shook her head. “I don’t know,” she said, picking at the sparkly glitter on the table. “I should’ve stayed at the hotel.”

  My heart sank. She felt rejected by my mother. �
�Please, Abbie?”

  “Give me a minute before we go over.”

  I squeezed her hand. “Sure, whatever you need. I have to warn you: once Mom starts talking, you won’t get a word in. That’s where my sisters get it from. So nod and smile.”

  She laughed, and that was more musical to my ears than the awful song playing.

  “Will you dance with me?”

  “You want to dance to this song?”

  “You don’t like this song?” I asked.

  “Actually, I love it,” she said.

  “Then dance with me.”

  I led her to the dance floor as Cardi B and Bruno Mars’ “Please Me” blasted through the speakers.

  I moved my hips to the music, feeling the beat and letting go of all the shit that overwhelmed me for once. Abbie was a great dancer. Smooth moves, sexy, and soulful.

  I put my hands on her waist. She turned to press her back against my front as we swayed to the music.

  “You’re a good dancer, Pavlov.”

  “I can’t let you know all my secrets at once,” I replied.

  Eyes were on us as we danced seductively, but I didn’t care—we were at a party to have fun, so that was what I intended to do.

  As the song flowed into Chris Brown’s “Wobble Up,” Abbie had a smug smile on her face. That could only mean trouble.

  She pretended to pat my ass and said, “Twerk for me, baby.”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  She flipped her hand. “You’re too conservative to be that loose with people watching.”

  Ha! She thought she knew me. When the song hit the beat, I turned my back, lifted my suit jacket, and bent my knees to twerk my ass like a pro—albeit a bad pro.

  “How you like me now?”

  Abbie roared with laughter, clapping and cheering me on. Beatrice and Barbara were hooting it up too, with their phones aimed at me. I’d made a fool of myself and didn’t care.

  When “The Git Up” by Blanco Brown came on, I took Abbie’s hand and went to the table where Braxton and Braden were seated. That song was a no-go for me. But watching the left-foot dancers destroy the dance made me think I probably could’ve done a better job.