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Chapter1

Damon

amn,woman.Howmuchstuffcanonepersonshoveintoatwo-bedroomcollegeapartment?Don't

theyhaverulesaboutthistypeofhording?"Damonglancedoverhisshoulderandsmirkedatthepretty

girlbehindhim.

Bethanycockedherheadtothesideandputahandonherhip,drawinghiseyesdowntothe

lovelycurve."Itoldyouwecouldgetamovertocomeoverandhelpcleanthisplaceout,butnooooo...

youwantedtodoitinstead.Allthemoneyintheworld,andwe'respendingourSaturdaycleaningthis

placeup."

"Ikindalikeseeingyouworkit."Heshruggedandturnedbacktothestackofboxesinfrontof

him.

"Workwhat,exactly?"Herarmsslidaroundhimfrombehind,andthesoftpressofherbreasts

againsthisbackhadhisheartrateacceleratingalittle.

"Workanything,"hegruntedandgrippedherhands,pullingthemdownuntilshecuppedhim.

"Maybeweshouldlockthefrontdoorandchristenthisplaceforthenexthornycollegekidsthatrentit."

Beth'slaughwasshort,endearing."You'regoingtohell."

Heturnedinherarmsandwrappedhisaroundthetopofhershoulders,thesmileonhisface

feelinggood-right."AmInow?"

Hersmilefalteredalittleashereyesmovedaroundhisface.Shewasnervous.Itwasendearing,

andyetsuchafuckingturnon.Hecouldstillintimidatehersexually.Howlongwouldthatlast?Forever?

Hecouldn'thelpbuthopeseeingthatforeveriswhathe'daskedherfor.

"Whatareyouthinking?"Sheranherhandsuphisbackandpressedherselfagainsthim.

"Iwastryingtodecideifthepaintcolorwascreamormoretaupe."Hesnortedasshepushed

backandgrowled.

"You'reimpossible."

"Nope.Justawarmmeal,softbedandprettygirlonmyarm,andI'mset."Heturnedandpicked

uptwooftheboxesbeforewalkingtothedoorandkickingitcarefullytogetherattention."Open."

"Bossyass."Shepulledthedooropenandgavehimaflirtysmile."AndI'mtheonlygirlyou'll

everhaveonyourarmfromhereonout."

"Thisistrue.There'sstilltimetorun."Hewinkedandwalkedoutintothefar-too-warmOctober

afternoon.Hegruntedandshookhishead.HowthehellTexascouldbeaboveeightyanditbedeepinthe

heartoffallwasaconundrum.

"WhyintheworldwouldIrun?"Bethjoggedpasthimtotheparkinglot,stoppingbesidethetruck

he'drented.

"BecauseIlovethewayyourassjiggleswhenyoudo."Hemovedtothebackandliftedtheboxes

highenoughtogettheminthebackofthetruck.

Sheliftedhereyebrow."I'mthinkingyoudeservetoseeitjigglethisafternoonforhelpingme

moveoutoftheapartment."

Hiscocktwitched."Upcloseandpersonalornotatall."

Shechuckled."You'recorrupt."

"I'mgoingtohell.We'veestablishedthis."Hereachedforher,runningonehanddownherback

towardherass,andtheothercaressingthesideofherface."IshouldbegrantedonelastmealbeforeI

headsouth."

Shesnorted."Iloveyousomuch."

Herwordspenetratedhisheart,wakinghimuplikeshedideverytimetheyweretogether.Having

knownnothingbutlust,hewasoftenshockedbyhowgoodlovefelt."You'renotgoingtoaskwhatI

wantedyoutoprepareforme?"

Bethwrappedherarmsaroundhimandlifteduptopressherlipstohissoftlybeforepullingback.

"Whatwouldyoulikemetocookyouforyourlastmeal?"Herexpressionsaidthatshewasplaying

along,butonlyforhisbenefit.

"Cook?No,baby.Idon'tneedanythingcooked.Justwashuprealgoodforme...ordon't?Icould

carelessifyou'recleanornot."Heleanedinandpressedhislipstohersashereyesgrewwide,her

cheeksflushingaprettypinkcolor.

Nothingwasbetterthanthesoundofherpanting,thefeelofhertryingtocatchherbreathbecause

ofsomethinghedidorsaid.Itwaspowertheyshared.Hejusthidthesideeffectsalittlebetter.

Bethpressedherhandstohischestandtookastepback,breakingthespell."It'salmostfive.Stop

flirtingandteasingmeandlet'sgetthisplacepackedandgohomeandmakedinnertogether."

Home.Together.Weird.

"Yousureyou'restillwantingtodothis?"Heturnedandwalkedbacktowardtheapartment,

forcingairthroughhisnoseandouthismouth.Hehadtocalmdownbeforehestrippedherbareand

lickedeveryinchofherintheparkinglot.

"Tomoveintogether?"Shegavehimaquirkysmileandslippedherarmintohis."We'regetting

marriedinMay.Ithinkseeingifwe'recapableisimportant."

"Hmm...tryingoutthegoodsbeforeyoubuy?Ilikeit."Heopenedthedoorandmovedback,

lettinghiseyesmovedownherback,overthesteepcurveofherrear.Shehatedit,andyethecouldn't

imagineanythingmoresensual.

"Brother..."Shewalkedintotheapartment.

"Speakingofbrothers,whenisourscominghomeagain?"Hestoppedbythekitchentotapeupa

fewmoreboxesandtriedhardnottothinkaboutthefactthatBethanywashisstep-sister.Noblood

relation,andyet,everythingwouldbeoutintheopensoonatthefirm.Theywereengaged,andhe'd

fuckedupprettybadlyoverthelastmonthorsobynotlettingherweartheringortellanyone.Fuckedup

badlyenoughthatshe'dleftthefirm.Probablyforthebest.

"Noclue.Afterhisshowingafewweeksago,I'mprettysurehe'snotcomingbackhomefor

anythingmorethanavisit."Bethranherfingersthroughherlongchestnuthair,causingherbreaststo

bouncealittle.

Damonlickedatthecornerofhismouthandstifledagrowl."Didhetalktoyouabouthimand

Erica?"

"Alittle.Notmuch.He'sgottafinishpatchingthingsupwithher,butyouknowMatthew.He'llwin

herheartbackwithhishumorifnothingelse."Shemovedaroundthelargeboxesinfrontofhimand

reachedforthetape."It'sweirdpackingupKrista'sstuff.Doyouthinkshe'sokay?"

Hetookthetapefromher."She'sinthementallyinsanewardoftheprison,baby.Ithinkshe'sokay

inthatnooneisgoingtohurtherthere,butshe'saroundpeoplewhoarefargonementally.Howmuch

interactionisshegetting?Thatwouldbemyquestion."

Bethletoutasoftsighasherheaddropped."Idon'tknow.Ishouldgoseeher."

"I'llgowithyou."Damonleanedinandtouchedthebottomofherchin."Nextsubject.I'mgoingto

getemotionalpneumonia.Iwasreadytofuckintheparkinglot,nowIfeellikeIneedtofindsome

Kleenexandabucketoficecreamforustoshare."

Shelaughed,andtheroombrightenedalittle."Youdon'tmopearoundandeaticecream."

"No?Okay."Hepulledatthetape,ignoringthewayshewatchedhim.

"Doyou?"

"Accordingtoyou...no."Hegaveheracockysmileandtapedupthebox.

"Wait...doyou?"Shekneltdownandcutthetapewithaknife.Theanglehadherlookingupat

him,whichjoltedhishormonesagain.Itdidn'ttakemuchwithher.

"You'llneverknow,pussycat."Hepulledhisbottomlipintohismouthandgaveheralookhe

knewshewouldunderstand.Iwantyou.

Shepushedatthebox,movingitawayfromthembeforemotioningforhimtocomecloser."I

knowthatlook."

"Suchagoodgirl,Beth."Hereacheddownandranhisfingersthroughherhairassheleanedin

andbrushedhercheekpasthiserection.Agrowlbubbledupinsideofhim,andhetightenedhisfingerson

hersilkylocks.

"Yourgirl,"shewhisperedandnippedathim.

Hestiffenedandsmiled.She'dcomeoutofhershellalotoverthelastyear,andyetsomethingtold

himtherewasstillmoretoexplore."Mywoman."

"Thattoo."Sheranherhandsoverhisarousal,squeezinghisheadassheglancedupandlickedat

herprettymouth."Golockthefrontdoor."

"No.Gettingcaughtishalfthefun.Stoptalkinganddowhatyouwanttodo.I'mallyours.Haveat

me."Hebrushedhisthumbacrossherlipsashekepthistightgriponherhair.Thelookinhereyeshad

hisballstight,hispulsespiked,everypartofhimonguardforwhatwascoming.

"YouthinkIdon'tknowyourtricks?"Shereachedupandunzippedhisfly,leavinghispants

buttoned.

"Youknowthemwell,butthey'reforyou,andyoulikeit."Hereacheddownandpulledhiscock

fromhisjeans,tiltingittowardherandrunningthetipdownhertongueassheextendedittolickathim.

"No,Itakethatback."

"What?"Sheglancedupinconfusionasshewrappedherhandaroundthebaseofhisswollen

fleshandswattedhimaway.

"Youdon'tjustlikeit."Hewinkedandpulledatthebackofherhead,pushinghimselfintoher

mouthalittle."Youloveit."

Shemumbledsomething,buthewaslosttothedelicioussensationofhavingthemostbeautiful

womaninthecityonherkneesbeforehim.Shewouldbehiswifeinsevenmonths,butfornow...her

beinghiswomanwasfarmorethanenough.

Closinghiseyes,helethisheaddropbackashereleasedhisholdonherandreachedbacktogrip

thecounterbehindhim.Thesoundofhermoaningagainsthisflesh,thewetwicked-hotpullofhermouth

onhiscock,allofit,everysensationfromitlefthimdrivingtowardorgasmfasterthanhe'dever

experienced.

Anunfamiliarvoicesoundedbehindhimatthedoor."Heythere.Youguysneedsomehelp?"

Bethstartedtopullback,butDamonreacheddownandgrippedthesideofherfacecarefully,

keepingherinplaceasheundulatedhiships.Nowayhewaslettinghergowithouttastinghisrelease.

Heglancedoverhisshoulderandsmiled."Naw,man.Closethatdoortoo,please.Imusthaveleft

itopen."Hestifledtheneedtogroanasshesuckedhard,pullingathisskin,begginghimtocome.

"Yeah,noproblem.Yousure?Lookslikeyou'reallbyyourself."Theguypressedhishandstothe

doorframeandlookedaround.

"I'mgood.Shutthedoor."DamonturnedhisattentionbacktoBeth,glancingdownandwatching

herenjoytheexhibitionistmoment.Thegirlplayedgoodforeveryoneelse,butshewasn'tasproperas

hermommathoughtshewas."Sobeautiful,baby.Tugonmysack.Bringmeover."

Shemumbledhercomplianceandpettedhim,tuggingcarefullyandthenharderashegroaned

loudly.Socool.Tooclose.Theneedtoglanceoverhisshoulderrodehimhard,butheignoredit.Dude

wouldhaveclosedthedoororgottenashow.Whatthefuckever.Thekitchencounterhidthemwell

enough.

"You'resodamnbig,"Bethmumbledasshedraggedherlipsdownhisthickshaft."Iwantyou

insideofme."

"Good.Finishthejobandwe'llgetthefuckoutofhere.InsideofyouistheonlyplaceIplanon

beingtonight."Heranhisfingersdownhercheek."Drinkme."

Shenoddedandusedbothhandsandhersoftmouthtobringhimovertheedgeviolently.Stars

burstinhisvisionandhereachedbackandgrippedthecountertightlyashisbeautifulwomanfeastedon

him.Everythingaboutthemomentlockedintohismind'seye.Alltheshitthey'dbeenthrough,andhis

fuckupsintherelationshipoverthelastfewmonths.Allofit...gone.Nothingmatteredbutherbelonging

tohim.

Steponewashermovingintothehouse,andsteptwowasthewedding.Hewashalfwaythereand

surprisedhimselfwithhowmuchhewasreadytowrapupthedealandsignthepapers.Whateverthey

hadtodealwithasaresultofherbeinghisstep-sisterandsoonhisbride...fuckit...they'ddealwithit

together.

Chapter2

Bethany

hydoyoukeepwatchingmelikethat?"BethglancedoveratDamonastheywalkedthroughthe

grocerystorelaterthatafternoon.EverythinghurtfrommovinghersandKrista'sstuffoutoftheirold

collegeapartment.SheandDamonhadfinallydecidedtomoveintogether,andwhereshewasexcited,

shewasalittlenervoustoo.Theywerejustgettingbackontrackwiththeirrelationship,butbeingineach

other'sspaceallthetimehadtohelpfacilitatethatbondingfaster.Atleastshehopeditwould.

"Likewhat?"Heranhishandupherbackandgrippedthebackofherneckassheleanedoverthe

shoppingcart.

"Likeyou'regoingtoconsumeme?Youscarepeoplewiththatlook."Sheturneddownanother

aisleandglanceddownatthebuggy,findingitalittlehumorousthatDamonlikedCheetosandicecream.

Hewasbeyondfit,hisbodytightandmuscular,andyetthesnackswereallhisidea.

"Iamgoingtoconsumeyou."Hereleasedherandreacheduptograbapacketofbeefjerky,

tossingitinthecartandmovingupbehindher.Thefirmpressofhisbodytohershadherstandingup

straightandstiffening.Hewrappedhisarmsaroundher,brushinghisfingersoverherbreasts,teasingher.

"Youwantmetostarthereorathome?"

"Youwouldn't,"shewhisperedandturnedherheadalittletocatchaglimpseofhiminher

peripherals."Therearepeopleeverywhere."

"And?"Heslippedhishanddownthefrontofherjeans,brushinghismiddlefingerthroughher

foldsashebreathedindeeplyandbentdowntokissher.

Sheswattedathimandmovedaway,herbodyaching,hercheeksandchestburningwithamixture

ofexcitementandembarrassment."Damon.Jeez."

"What?Noonewasaround."Hegrabbedabagofpopcornandtosseditintothebuggybefore

lickingathisfingers."Iwantmoreofthis."

Pleasuredancedinherstomach.Wouldtheirrelationshipalwaysbesosexuallycharged?

SomethingtoldherthatDamonwouldhaveitnootherway.

"Good.Youcanhaveanythingyouwantifyoucanjustbehaveuntilwegetbacktothehouse.They

havecamerashere."Sheputthepopcornback."Toomanysnacksinthiscart.We'regoingtogobroke,

andyou'regoingtogetfat."

Hetossedthepopcornbackintothecart."We'rewealthy,babygirl,andI'llworkoffanythingIeat

inonewayoranother."Hechuckledandwrappedhisarmaroundhershouldersfromtheside."You'remy

favoriteplaygroundtogetsweatyon.Youknowthat?"

"Youhaveotherplaygrounds?"Bethknewhedidn't,butteasinghimwasarareopportunity.He

wasalmosttooon-the-ball.

"Yep.Thegym,thetrack,thebeach...younameit,Icangetagoodworkoutfromit."Hekissed

thesideofherheadandreleasedher."HowwasKendalthislastweek?"

Achangeofsubject.ThankGod.

"He'sdoingokay.I'mnotsurewhat'sgoingonwithhimathomebecausehekeepstohimself,but

thebagsaregonefromunderhiseyes."Bethshrugged."Maybeyoushouldmaketimetotakehimtolunch

oroutforcoffee."

"Yeah.I'lldothat.I'vebeenputtingallmysparemomentsintoyouandtryingtohelpfacilitatethis

move,butI'msurehecoulduseafriend."Damonslippedhishandsintohispockets.Concernmoved

acrosshisface,buthedidn'tsayanythingelse,andBethanydidn'tpushhim.

KendalwasDamon'sbestfriend,andmostdays,hisonlyfriend.Thepoorguyhadbeenthrough

hellwithlosinghissisterandthenrealizingthatafternotdatingforyears,hewasdatingsomeonewithan

unknowntietohispast.Hejustcouldn'tcatchabreak.

"DidyoufindoutwhathappenedwiththatDanachickhewaswantingtodate?"Damonpulledat

thefrontofthecart,forcingthemtowardthecheckout.

Bethglanceddownintothecart."No,butI'llaskhimsoonifyoudon't.Whereareyougoing?We

havesnacksandsodalikewe'rethrowingatenyearold'sbirthdayparty.Weneedveggiesandsomething

tocookfordinner."

"Ohno,Igotthatcovered."Heglancedbackandsmiled,meltingher.Themanwashotterthansin

itself,hisdarkbrowneyesfilledwithmischief.

"Gotitcovered?"Shestoppedpullingbackonthecartandlethimleadtheway.Afterbeing

raisedtotakecareofherselfandstandaloneonherowntwofeet,shewasreadytohandthereinsoverto

astrongmanthatlovedher.ThatwasDamonwithoutadoubt.

"Yep.Trustme."Hereacheddownandpulledoutafewitems,layingthemonthebeltasBeth

movedupbesidehim.

"Letmehelp."Shereacheddown,butstoppedasheglancedoverandgaveheralook.

"No,woman.Igotthis."Hecontinuedtounloadthecartasshemovedbyhim,makingsureto

squeezehisperfectrearasshedid.Thesoftgruntshegotinreturnwasdelicious.Hewasn'ttheonlyone

withthepowertomakesomeonemoan.

"Hi,there,"thecashiermumbledandglancedup,theboy'ssmilegrowingalittlewider."Find

everythingyouneed?"

"Wedid."Damon'svoicesurprisedher."I'mpaying,baby."

"No,Igotit."Shereachedintoherpurseforherwallet.

"Nope."Damonextendedhiscard."Hereyougo,man,andstopeye-fuckingmygirl.Getyour

own."

"Damon!"Beth'scheeksburnedforthethirdtimethatday.Weremenalwayssostraight-forward

witheachother?Itwasbeyondembarrassing.

"I'msorry,sir...I-"thecashierstarted.

"Iknowwhatyouweredoing.Chargethecardandstoptryingtofixit."Damonhandedhimthe

card,andBethwalkedoff,notsureifsheweremortifiedorturnedonbyDamonbeingthealphaasshole

he'dalwaysbeen.Somepartofherknewthatwouldneverchange,butdidshereallywantitto?No.Not

intheslightest.Hemadelifefun,entertaining,sexy.

"Youready,baby?"Hemovedupbesideherwithafewbagsinhishandandhisotherone

extendedtowardher.

"Yes."Shegraspedhishandandtuckedherselfagainsthisside."Thatpoorguywasn'teye-fucking

me.Hewasjustbeingfriendly."

Damonlaughedsardonically."You'resoinnocent.Ialmostwanttoputyouacrossmykneeand

spankyouforbeingblindtowhatthemoronwasupto.Yougottaprotectyourselffromothermentryingto

getyourattention,lestIbeatupthewholedamncity."

"Protectmyself?"Shestoppedbesidethetruck,alittlewearyasshetookinalloftheboxespiled

intheback.Theireveningdidn'tlookatalllikeitwasgoingtobearelaxingmeal,goodwine,hotbath

andlovemaking.Itlookedlikethey'dbeunpackinghershitforhours.

"Yes,Beth."Hereachedforher,tugginghercloseandcapturingheragainsthischestwithhis

strongarms."Philiptriedtogetyourattention,Ben,hell,I'msureMattorKendalwouldhavetriedifthey

didn'tknowyouweremine.You'rebeautiful,baby.Sexyandfeminine."Hetightenedhishold.

"Can'tbreathe,"shesqueakedout,tryingtobefunny.

Hesmiledandleaneddowntokissherhard.Thesoftpressofhistongueagainstherlipshadher

openingupandtiltingherhead.Theworldmeltedawayashemadelovetohermouth,hisexpertisein

kissingleavingherkneesweak,herchestfilledwiththeflutteringfeelingoflove.

"Protectyourselfforme,allright?"

"Anythingyouwant,"shemumbledandpulledhimdownforanotherkiss.

"Youkeeppromisingthat,butwhatifIwantsomethingnaughty?"Helickedatherlipsbefore

releasingher.

Bethtriedtogetaholdofherselfasshewalkedtohersideofthetruckandopenedthedoor.

Damongotintohissideandleanedover,offeringherahand."Answerthequestion,Beth."

"ThenIguessyougetit."Shetookhishandandhoistedherselfupintothetruck."Whatexactly

wereyouthinking?"

"Idon'tkissandtell.Youwantmyfantasies?Comeafterthem."Hestartedthetruckandpulledout

ofthegrocerystoreparkinglot."Youlikefish,right?"

"Yeah.Anythingsoundsgood."Shebuckledupandpulledherlegsintotheseat,lettingthepeace

ofbelongingtohimrolloverher.Hewouldbeagreathusband,andshewouldlearntohelpsupporthim

inhisobsessionatworkwhilestillforcinghimtospendtimebuildingthebusinessandtheirfamilylife

together.

Hisphonebuzzedasifoncue.Theradiofromthetruckcametolife,thevoiceelectronic."Caller

MitchRobersonfromMcKenzieandBryant."

Damonreachedout,butdidn'tpressthebuttontopickupthecall."I'llcallhimbacklater."

"What?"Bethwasalittlesurprisedbyhisactions."Youcangetitnow,baby.I'lljustbequietand

hewon'tknowthatI'mhere.Unlessyouhadsomethingconfidentialtotalkabout?"

"No.Ijustwanttospendtherestoftheafternoonandeveningwithyou."Heputhishandsbackon

thewheelandshrugged."It'sSaturdayandifitwasanemergency,hewouldhavecalledmyfather.Nobig

deal."

Itwasasmallgesture,andyetitmeanteverythingtoher.Shewasn'tgoingtobetheonlyone

workingtomaketheirlivesallshewantedittobe.Hewouldbechangingandshiftingrightbesideher.

Warmthfilledherchestandtearsburnedhereyes,butsheturnedherfacetowardthewindowbesideher

andforcedherselftocalmdown.Funnyhowitwasneverthebigthings,butthesmall,seemingly

insignificantthingsthatcausedherhearttoswell.

"Hey,Iknowwe'vetalkedalittleaboutyoumovingtomyplace,butit'syourplacenowtoo.So

redecoratehoweveryouwantto,okay?Idon'tgivetwoshitsaboutthecolors,thedecorationsoranything

else.Makeithomeforyou,baby.I'llhiresomeonetocomeanddowhateveryouwant,sohavefunwith

it."Hereachedoutandsqueezedherhandasafewtearstrickleddownherface."Beth?Youallright?"

"Justoverwhelmed."Shepulledherhandfromhisandwipedatherface."I'msorry.Ijustcan't

helpbutfeelgratefulbecauseofallofthis."Sheforcedherselftolookhisway."Byyou.Iwasn'tsurewe

weregoingtomakeit."

Hereachedoverandbrushedhisfingersdownthesideofhercheek."Iwasn'tsureeither,butI

knewwithoutyouinmylife,happinesswouldbeathingofthepast.I'veneverreallybeeninlovebefore.

Shit'sscary."Hesmiledandshelaughed.

"Yeah.Itis."Shecuppedherhandoverhisandkissedhispalm."We'llfigureitouttogether."

"Ilikethesoundofthat."Hepulledhishandbackasheturnedintotheirdriveway.AwhiteToyota

satinthefar-leftcornerofthecircledrive.Martha?

"IsthatMartha'scar?"Bethanyunbuckledasheparkedandgotoutofthetruck,notwaitingonan

answer.

"Yeah.She'shelpingmewithyourwelcomingparty.It'sjustmeandyou,butyouknowIcan'tcook

aswellasI'dliketo."Heshruggedandreachedforherhand."Let'seatandthenwe'llunpack.Wecanjust

takeourtimeandenjoythenighttogether."

"YouhadMarthacomeovertocookdinnerforus?"

"Somethinglikethat."Hewalkedtothedoorandopenedit,movingbacktoletherin."Mylady...

yournewhouseandournewlife."

Bethanyswallowedtheemotionsrisingupinher.SevenmonthsandshewouldbeaBryantinthe

onlywayshewantedto...asDamon'swife,nothisstep-sister.

Thesmellofgarlic,butterandfreshbreadfilledhersenses,andherstomachgrowledloudly."It

smellslikeheaveninhere."Theyturnedthecornerforthekitchentofindthetablesetandthefoodonthe

stove."Where'sMartha?"

Thesoundofacarstartingandpullingoutofthedriveatthefrontofthehousegaveherthe

answershewasafter.

Damonmovedupbesideherandhandedherawineglass."Tothisnextsteptogether.It'sjustthe

firstofmany."

Shehitherglassagainsthisandtookasipofthetartwine."Doesthishaveanythingtodowith

yournaughtydesires,orareyoutalkingaboutourweddingandhavingkidstogether?"

Helaughedandpulledherclose."Alltheabove,baby.Alltheabove."

Chapter3

Damon

SevenMonthsLater

ames,comeonin."DamonmovedbackandsmiledatLinda,hissecretary."Holdallofmycallsfor

thenextthirtyminutes."

"Notaproblem,Mr.Bryant."Lindareturnedthesmileandglanceddownatherdesk.

Shewasabeautifulolderwoman,andshouldhavebeenmarried.Crazyhowmanypeoplehad

beenhandedashittysituationinlifeandyetseemedtostillgetupandsmileinthefaceofallofit.He

neededtogiveLindaaraiseortakeherouttolunchsoon.Thepoorwomanputupwithalotofshit,hisin

particular.

"Howareyou,Damon?Youlookgood.Lasttimewesaweachother,youwerehavinglady

problemsifIrecall."Jamesunbuttonedhiscoatandsatdown,theCEOofZarpethlookingmuchbetter

thanDamonhadseenhimlookinmonths.

"I'llalwayshaveproblemsifaladyisinvolved.It'sjustthenaturalevolutionofthings.Youknow

this."Damonsatdownandpressedhisforearmstohisdesk."BethandIaregettingmarriedinacoupleof

weeks.Didyougettheinvitationwesenttoyou?"

"Suredid."Theoldermanleanedbackinhischair,claspinghishandstogetheroverhisstomach.

"I'llbethereforsure.Mywholefamilywill,actually."

Damonliftedhiseyebrow."Includingyourwife?"

"Yeah."James'smiletoldDamonallheneededtoknow."Everythingisgoinggreatbetweenthe

twoofus.Iwasn'tsurelovewasenough,butitseemslikeitis."

"I'mnotsureIagreewiththat."Damonleanedbackinhisownchair,studyinghisclientandgood

friend.

"Explain."

"Lovepushesyoutodoallthethingsyou'redoingtomendtherelationship.Withoutlovingyour

bride,youwouldjustwalkawayandfindsomeonenew.That'sprobablytheeasieranswer."

"True."Jamesnodded."Loveistheinstigator,butit'salsothethingthat'sfixing,binding,reviving

ourrelationship.Istillstandbymystatement.Loveisenough.It'sallyouneedtopushyourselfinto

action."

DamoningestedJames'thoughtsandnodded."Maybeso.Eitherway,webothlookbetter,and

thankGodourlovelivesarebackontrack.Leavesusmoreenergytoruletheworldofbusiness."

"Speakingof...YouknowI'mwalkingawayfromZarpeth.Junefirstismylastdaywiththe

company."James'expressionwashardtoread.Relief?Sadness?Numbness?

Damoncouldn'thelpbutdiveintohisownthoughtsforamoment.Howwouldhefeelleaving

M&B?Asickeningfeelingrolledacrosshim,butheforceditbackdown.

"Myfathertoldmeaboutyourdeparturearoundtheholidays.Iwantedtowaituntilwehada

chancetotalkfacetofacebeforebringingitup."Damonranhisfingersthroughhishairandstudied

James."Youknowthatwecanhelpgeteverythinginlinewithyourfirm,James."

"It'snotthat.IhavemoremoneythanGod.I'mgoingtoretirealittleearlyandspendmytimewith

myfamily.Theydeserveit.I'vereachedthetop,whichwastheplaceIwasafter."

"Andhow'stheview?"Damoncouldn'thelpbutask.

"Beautiful...andlonely."Jameswinked."Youdon'twanttotraversethemountainalone."

"Idon'tthinkI'mgoingtohaveto,thoughBethstillhasn'tdecidedifshe'scomingbackfully.She's

workingonaspecialprojectdownthehall,whichisfarmorethanshewaswillingtodobackinOctober

whenwereconciledandgotbacktogether."

"It'sastart."Jamesleaneddownandpulledsomethingoutofhisbriefcase."Iownfifty-one

percentofthesharesinZarpeth,soIwashopingIcouldtwistyourarmtorecommendaprivate

accountantthatwouldhelpmewithmypersonalaffairs.I'mwillingtopaytopdollar."

Damonsnorted."Youcameallthiswaytotryandmoochoneofmystaffoffofme?"

"Notoneofthem.Yourbest."Jamesextendedthepacket."Herearethedetailsofmypersonal

assetsandliabilities,aswellastheofferI'mextending.Idon'twanttointerviewanyone.Ijustwantyou

andKenttohelpmefindsomeone."HeliftedhishandasDamonstartedtospeakagain."Iknowyou're

notintheHRbusiness.Igetit,butyou'vebeengoodtomeandmyfirm.GivemesomeonethatIcantrust

andthatwilldothingstheM&Bway."

"Areyoustillwantingus,thefirm,todoyourpersonaltaxesandinvestmentaccounting?"Damon

wasn'tquitesurewhattomakeoutofJames'request.Itwasn'ttoosurprising,butitwasn'teverydaythata

clientshowedupwantingtopoachoneofDamon'sstaffmembers.

"Absolutely,andthenewaccountantdoesn'thavetoliveinFloridaorSeattlewhereIlive

throughouttheyear.Theycanstayhereandworkremote,maybehaveanofficeherewithyouguysthatI

canreimburseyoufor?"

"LetmelookattherulesofengagementbeforeIsayyes.We'restillyourauditingfirm."Damon

tappedthedeskinfrontofhimashismindmovedthroughwhowouldbegoodforJamesaswellaswho

itwouldbenicetogetridof.Philip'sfacepoppedinDamon'shead,butitwouldhavebeenforselfish

sillyreasons.

ThekidhadacrushonBethany,ordidatonetime.

Aknockatthedoorsurprisedhim."Comein."

Bethpokedherheadinandsmiled."Sorrytobotheryou.Lindawasn'toutheresoIwasn'tsureif

youwerealoneorwithaclient.I'llcomebacklater."

Beth.Bethanydidn'twanttoworkforhim,andyetshewantedtobeclosetohim,tobean

extensionofhiscompany.

Damonmotionedhertocomecloser."No,it'sfine.Comeonin,Bethany.Letmeintroduceyouto

JamesTalling.He'sthe-"

"TheCEOofZarpeth.I'maware."ShegavehimacutesmileandextendedherhandasJames

stoodupandturnedtogreether."It'sapleasuretomeetyou,Mr.Talling.Ienjoyedyourarticlein

Entrepreneurlastyear.Itwasbrilliant."

Jameschuckled."Well,that'snicetohearthatsomeoneenjoyedit.IswearIhadtoupmysecurity

measures.Peopleinmygenerationdon'tliketheideaofremoteworkingarrangementsandemployee

ownershipplans.It'sthewayofthefuture,butit'sgoingtobelikepullingteethtogetsomeoftheoldguys

onboard."

"Wejustneedmoretrend-setterslikeyoutoleadtheway."Bethshookhishand,herexpression

softandwelcoming.

Damonstudiedher,fallingevenmoreinlovewithher.Shewasn'tjusthiswoman,butcouldone

daybecomehispartnerattheofficeifheplayedhiscardsright.Itwasasimpleexchangebetweenher

andJames,andyeteverycompanyinitiativehe'dworkedupoverthelastfiveyearscenteredaround

excellentcustomerservice.Shegotit...withouteventrying.

"Ilikeher."JamesglancedbackandwinkedatDamon.

"Well,don'tlikehertoomuch.I'mquiteprotectiveofher."Damonwalkedaroundhisdeskand

pulledBethanytohisside,leaningovertokissthesideofherhead."Thisismyfiancée."

"What?"Jamesputhishandsonhiships."You'remarryingthisscoundrel?Abeautiful,intelligent,

youngwomanlikeyou?Brother...whatistheworldcomingto?"

"Iam,andIcan'twait."BethturnedandwrappedherarmsaroundDamon'swaist,makinghimfeel

liketheonlymanintheroom."He'sbrilliant,boldandeverythingI'vewantedmywholelife."

Damonchuckledandkissedthetipofhernose."Yourcheckisinthemail."

"Well,I'llbeattheceremony.IlovethatDamon'sfoundsomeone.Heisagoodman."James

reachedoutandpattedDamon'sback."Now,isn'tBethhereaCPA?"

"Shewillbesoon,butit'sBethany."DamonreleasedherandturnedtofaceJames."She's

graduatingwithhermaster’sinaweekorso."

"FromUThereinDallas?"Jamessmiled.

"Yes,sir.It'sbeenalongfiveyears,butI'malmostdonewithmymaster’s."Hersmilecaused

Damontosmileaswell.

"She'sgota4.0,James.Notonlyisshebeautiful,butbrilliantaswell."Damonreachedoverand

ranhishanddownthebackofherhair."Andbossyashelltoo."

"Hey!"ShepoppedhiminthechestandextendedherhandtoJamesagain."It'snicetomeetyou.

Don'tlethimtellyouanyliesaboutme."

Jamesshookherhand."Somethingtellsmethathewouldn'tdaretry."

Bethanygaveasoftlaughandturned,walkingoutandleavingDamonstaringafterher.Itwas

weirdtofeelsomanythingsatonce,especiallyinthemiddleofhisoffice.Itwastheonlyplacehewas

steady,secure,strong.Theotherpartsofhislife,itappearedhewasthatway,butittookalotofeffortto

keepupthefacade.Attheoffice,hewassimplyhimself.Bethwasunravelingthat.

"Ilikeher."Jamespattedhimonthebackagain."HowaboutwhenshegetsherCPAcertificate,

wetalkaboutherbeingmyaccountant?It'snothealthyforyoutwotoworktogetheratM&B,butmaybe

shecanworkformeandstillberightdownthehallfromyou.Whatdoyouthink?"

"I'mnotsureyet,butIthinkshewouldlovetheidea.Let'sgetthroughhergraduationandthe

weddingandrevisitit.I'llbringitupwithhersoontooandseewhatshethinks."Damonextendedhis

handtohisoldfriend."AnythingelseIcandoforyou?"

"Nope.You'vedoneenoughalready.Takecareofthatone...sheseemslikeakeeper."James

shookDamon'shandandwalkedovertogethisbriefcase.

"Sheis...andlet'shopethatloveisenough."

"Let'snothope,let'sjustacknowledgethatitis.That'sthegreatestbitofwisdomIcoulddropon

anyone."HepattedDamon'sshoulder."Loveisenough.Believeit."

"Boss?"Lindastuckherheadintotheofficealittlelaterthatafternoon."Youfreeforaminute?"

"Ofcourse."Damonfinishedtypingtheletterhewasworkingonandstoodupfromhisseat,lifting

hishandsintheairandstretching."What'sup?"

Lindawalkedinwithanotepadandpen,tappingitfranticallyasshesatdownacrossthedesk

fromDamon."Youknowwe'rehavingBen'spromotionpartyonFridaynight,right?"

"Yeah.I'llbethereforsure."Damoncrossedhisarmsoverhischest,waitingforLindatotrickle

outthenews,theissue,thewhateverthathadheranervouswreck.

"Right,well,therestaurantweweregoingtouseisclosingdownbecauseofsomethingwiththe

owners.I'mnotsurewhat,butdoyouhaveanotherplaceinmind?Iknowyouwantedthistobereally

specialbecauseit'sBen,andhe'sbeenwithyouforalongtime."

"Hmm..."Damonwalkedtothewindowsinhisofficeandlethiseyesmoveoutacrossthecity.

"WhatwouldBenenjoydoing?"

"Officepartyinstead?Icouldgetitcatered."

"No,that'ssooverdone."Damonreachedupandpressedhishandtotheglass,tryingtomull

throughalloftheeventsBenhadscheduledfortheinternsoverthelastfewyears.Someofthemwere

simplybecausetheinternswereyoungandwildandenjoyedcrazyteambuildingactivities,butsomeof

themwerebecauseBenenjoyedthoseactivitiesandwantedfriendstojoinhimindoingthem."Let's

reservethetopfloorofMasquerade.It'sanightclubdowntownthatIknowBenenjoys.Hetriestogetthe

grouptogoallthetime.Hell,hetriestogetmetogoallthetime."

Lindachuckled."Ilovethatplacetoo.Idoubtthey'regoingtohavethetopflooravailable,butI

cancheck."

Damonglancedoverhisshoulder."Offerthemmorethanthey’reaskingforit.Makeithappenfor

us.ForBen."

"Okay.Willdo."Shestoodup,hershouldersstraighter,hernervousnessgone.

"Linda,"Damoncalledafterherasheturnedtofaceher."Youokay?Youseemalittleofftoday."

"Idon'tknow.There'sjustsomuchchangelately.Ijusthopeeverythinggoesokay."Sheshrugged

andwalkedtothedoor.

"Whatareyouspecificallyworriedabout?"

"Anything.Everything."Sheopenedthedoorandturned,smiling."It'snothing.Ijusthopethat

you'remakingtherightdecisionwithBeth."

"Youdon'tthinkIam?"He'dneverhadLindavoiceaconcernaboutBeth,andwasalittle

surprisedtohearshehadanyconcernsatall.

"Ithinkit'sagooddecisionforyou,butshe'syoung.Peoplechange,Damon."Lindashrugged

again."Imarriedyounganditdidn'tworkouttoowellforme."

"Whenisthelasttimeyouwentout?"

Sheseemedstunnedbythequestion,butDamondidn'tbacktrack.Lindahadnevermentioneda

dateoraboyfriendoranything."Idon'tknow.Twoyears."

"Why?"Damontiltedhishead,studyingher.

"Becauseitdidn'tworkthefirsttentimes.Whywoulditworknow?"Shecrossedherarmsover

herchest,hervoicegrowingtight-defensive.

"Becausethenextguyisn'tthefirsttenguys.Takeoffthisafternoonandgetonadatingsite.By

tomorrowmorningyouneedtotellmethenameofthreeguysyou'regoingtohaveacasualdatewith.It's

required."Damonturnedbacktothewindow,tryingtohidehissmile.Helovedherasafriend,andshe'd

beenbesidehimfortheentiretyofhiscareer.Sheneededtruthinherlife.Hecouldbethattruth.

Timetogivebacktoafewpeople...

"Um...Yes,sir?"Hervoicewasunsteady.

"Perfect.Closethedoorbehindyou."Hewaiteduntilshelefttogrinlikethetom-cathewas.

Everyonedeservedlove,evenhim.

Chapter4

Bethany

herewassomethingaboutJamesTallingthatBethanyliked.Heseemedalmostlikeawarm,fatherly

figure.

"What'sthatsmilefor?Looksliketrouble."Benglancedupfromthelargeconferenceroomtable

wherehe,PhilipandSadieweregatheredaroundhiscomputer.

"What?"Bethforcedhersmiletofade-alittle."IjustmetMr.Talling.Ilikehim."

"ShouldweinformDamon?"Sadiegaveashit-eatinggrin."Kidding."

Bethanychuckled."No,butifwe'regoingtolunchandstilltryingtomaketheAccountingControls

meetingatUTthisafternoon,weneedtogetamoveon.Who'sdriving?"

"Damoncomingwithus?"Philipstoodandtwistedhistorsoasheswunghisarmsaround.

"No,he'sstilltalkingwithMr.Talling,Ibelieve.I'lltexthimwhereweare,buthecouldprobably

leadthemeetingordiscussionthisafternoon."Bethanyreacheddownandgrabbedherpurse."Sadie,you

comingwithus?"

Itwasalmostcomicaltowatchthewaythegirl'seyeslitupwhenBethanyspokedirectlytoher.

ShehadtohavebeenthebiggestbullyinthewholedamncompanywhenBethstartedasanintern.Theold

adagemusthavebeentrue-smackthebullybackandtheybecomeyourbestfriend.

"Yeah,Ithinkso."Shestoodandpickedupherpurse."I'mgoingtodinnerwithanewguytonight

atsix.Youthinkwe'llbedonebythen?"

"Anewguy?Jeez.What'she,thefifthonethisweek?"Benwinkedatherandstood,walkingtothe

door."I'lldrive."

"Fifthone?Youonadatingspree?"BethanyfollowedafterBen,ignoringthewayPhilip'seyes

lingeredonher.Theycouldhavesoeasilymovedintohavingarelationship,butthesexyAussiebecame

thefriendsheneededinstead.Shestillwasn'tsurehowhefeltaboutherandDamonmovingforward,but

hewasplayingthesupportivefriendrolefromtheside.

Shewasgrateful.Thelastyearhadbeenmoredramathanshewantedtothinkabout.

"Yeah."Sadiemovedupbesideherandbrushedherthickredhairovertheshoulder.Thegirlwas

beautifulandknewit."Idon'tknow...I'mjusttiredofbeingalone."

"Isecondthat."Benliftedhishandintheairabovehim."However,I'vedecidedtoturnanew

leaf."

"Bydoingwhat?"PhilipmoveduponBeth'sothersideastheystoppedattheelevator.

"Bybeingtruetomyself."Benpressedthebuttonandturnedtofaceeveryone.Thetight

expressionheworeleftBethanyalittleconcernedaboutwhathewasgoingtoconfess.

"Keepgoing..."Sadiewalkedintotheelevatorandturnedtofacethem."Stopleaving

breadcrumbsandspititout.You'regay,aren'tyou."

"Sadie.Shit."Bethrolledhereyesandwalkedintotheelevator."Benisn'tgay."

"Yeah,Iam."Benshruggedandjoinedthegroup."Timetostoplivingalie.Ihatemyselfevery

dayIgetupandthink,'todayI'mgoingtoaskawomanout’."Hevisiblyshivered."Gross."

Bethanylaughedandreacheduptoclampherhandoverhermouth."Sorry."

"Goodforyou,man.I'mnotgay,butI'mproudofyou."PhilipreachedoutandpattedBen'sback.

"There'snothingworsethanwearingafuckingmaskallthetime."

"Here.Here."Sadiewavedherhandaround."I'mjustgoingtostopdatingifthisguytonight

doesn'tworkout.Ikeepthinkingthenextoneisgoingtobetheone,butit'sjustnothappening."

"CanIbehonest?"Philipspokeup,hiseyesonSadie.

"Ohhell,"Benmutteredandpressedhishandtohisface."Thisisnevergood."

Bethanycrossedherarmsoverherchestandleanedbackagainstthewallbehindher,waitingon

theshowtostart.Philipwasaballsyguy,andSadiewasafirecracker.

"Yes.Pleasedo."Sadieturnedtofacehim,herexpressiongrowingtight.

"Youthrowyourselfatguys,andwhereyouthinkthattheywantthat,infact,theydon't.Playhard

toget.You'reworththechase,Sadie.Don'trunafterthenextguythattakesyouout.Lethimcomeafter

you."Philipgaveheraknowinglook,andBethanyheldherbreath.

ThelookonBen'sfacesaidthathewasboltingtheminutethedoortotheelevatoropened.

Nothingbutsilence.Tense,thick,uncomfortablesilence.

ThedooropenedandBenjoggedthrough."I'llgetthecar.Meetyouguysoutfront."

"Metoo."Bethanymovedoutoftheelevator,readytojogafterBen.

"No.Youstayherewithme."Sadiereachedoutandgrippedherwrist,pullinghertoastop."And

tellmethetruth.DoIthrowmyselfatguys?"

Fuck.BethanygavePhilipa'really,rightnow'lookandforcedherselftofaceSadie.Thegirl

didn'thavemanypeopleinherlifefromwhatBethanycametoknowoverthelastyear.Andofthepeople

shedidhaveinherlife,rarelywouldanyoneconfrontherortellherthetruth.Shewastoomeanforthat

shit.

"DidyouthrowyourselfatPhilip?"Bethanyasked,keepingherexpressionwelcoming,hervoice

soft.

"Yes,"PhiliprespondedasSadieresponded,"No!"

"Right."Bethanyletoutaquicksigh."Let'swaitoutsideforBen."

"Ididn'tthrowmyselfatyou,youbig,uglyoaf.YouweretheonethatwantedtosexitupinBen's

office.Notme."Sadie'svoicewasalittleloud.

"Didyouthinkthiswouldgowell?"BethanyglancedoveratPhilip,wholookedsickallofa

sudden.

"Yes.Istilldo."PhilipreachedoutandgrabbedSadie'shand,pullingherclosertothem."Stop

screamingandactyourage.I'mtryingtohelpyoubecauseIcareaboutyou.Youcan'tthrowyourselfon

thebedforanystiffdickthatshowsup.Youhateyourselfbecauseofthatshit.Don'tactlikeyoudon't."

Hereyesfilledwithtears."Ihavetogo."

"Sadie."Bethanyreachedoutandpulledthegirltoher,huggingherandgivingPhilipthebiggest

'gotohelllook'shecouldmuster."It'sfine.Philipisjustjealous.He'sinterestedinyou,andyougiving

attentiontoeveryguyintheworldispissinghimoff.He'slashingout."

SadiepulledbackandglancedoveratPhilipasshewipedathereyes.

BethanywassimplytryingtothrowPhilipunderthebus,eventhoughtherewasnowayinhell

Philiphadfeelingsforthewildredheadthathadmostofthemrollingtheireyesattheoffice.

"Youdo?"Sadie'svoicesoftened,herexpressionchangingfromangertoneediness.

Ohhell.BethanystartedtoanswertosaveSadiefromreallythinkingthatPhiliphadanyfeelings

forher.

"Yeah.Ido."PhilipglancedoverandstuckhistongueoutatBethany."I'mtiredofyoulooking

everywhereelse.I'mrightfuckinghere."

Bethanystoodinstock.Philiphadbeenafterhersevenmonthsago.

Sevenmonths.

Thatwasplentyoftimetomoveonandfindsomeoneelsetofallfor.ButSadie?

"Wow.I'msosorry."Sadieshookherhead."Ididn't-"

"Iknowyoudidn't."PhilipreachedoutandgrabbedSadie'shand,turninghisfacetowardBethany.

"We'llcatchupwithyouandBenlater.Weneedtofigurethisout."

Bethanydidn'tgetachancetoanswerasPhiliphalf-draggedSadiebacktowardtheelevator.Were

theysleepingtogether?

"Didn'tseethatcoming,"Bethanymumbledandwalkedtowardthedoor,numb.Shepushedthe

dooropenandwalkedtowardBen,whowaswaitinginhiscaroutfront.Openingthedoor,shepausedto

glancebehindher."Weird."

"Whathappened?Didtheyblowupateachother?"BenaskedasBethanygotinthecar.

"Yeah,buttheycareabouteachother."Bethclosedthedoorandbuckledup."Howweirdisthat?"

"Notthatweirdatall.Youhaven'tbeenaroundlately.They'vebeensleepingtogetherforthelast

fourmonths,moreofa‘friendswithbenefits’typethingfromwhatPhilipsaid."Benpulledoutinto

downtowntraffic."Theyneedtoworkitout.Sexwithoutcommitmentalwayshasconsequences."

"Icouldn'tagreemore."Bethanysettledintothecomfortofherseatandturnedherfacetoward

Ben.Hewasalittleoverweightandnottooterriblyattractive,buthehadagreatheartandhewouldfind

someonetolovebeforetoolong."Hey."

"Yeah?"Heglancedoverather,hischeekspink.

"Thanksforsharingyournewswithus.Ithinkit'sgreatthatyou'regoingtostartbeingmorethe

manyouknowyouare."Shereachedoverandsqueezedhisarm."Ithinkyou'llfindsomeoneinnotime."

"Right,butifIfindsomeonebeforethewedding,doyouthinkDamonwouldfliphisshitifI-"

"What?No,notatall.You'reoneofhisgroomsmen,Ben.He'splanningapartyforyourpromotion

forFriday.Hecaresaboutyou,nomatterwhatchoiceyoumake.That'syourbusiness."Shesmiledand

droppedherhandsintoherlap."I'mstillinshockthatSadieandPhilipare...were..."

Hechuckled."Youjealousthatyoudon'thavetheofficeforeignerwiththesexyaccentchasing

afteryou?"

"Hellno.IlikePhilip,butthatwasmiserable,honestly.Damonisextremelyterritorial.Iwas

concernedforPhilip'ssafetyonmorethanoneoccasion."Shewrappedherarmsaroundherselfandlet

outasigh."Anyway,I'mlookingforwardtothissessionatUT."

"Metoo.Isn'tKendaldoingit?"

"Yeah."Bethanysmiled,unabletohelpherself.StiffDr.KendalTarrington,alwaysonhistoes

andbeyondproper.Hewasfinallycalmingdownsome,thankstohisnewloveinterest.Danawasexactly

whatheneeded.

"Whythegrin?IswearyouwearyouremotionsonyourfacemorethananyoneelseIknow."Ben

chuckled."Damondoesn'thavetoguessmuchwithyou,doeshe?"

"Hecan'tfigureoutwhattheexpressionsmean.Heneedsatreasuremapkeytodecipherme."She

laughedandsatup,rollinghershoulders."Iwassmilingbecausemylifehaschangedsomuch,butforthe

better,Ithink.Kendalisabigpartofit.YouknowITA'dforhimthislastyearinhisCostAccounting

class,right?"

"Yeah,Iknewthat.Itwentwell?"

"Ilovedit.Icouldseemyselfbecomingaprofessoraftertentofifteenyearsinthecorporate

world."Sheshrugged."Iliketheclassroom,butIlovecustomersandthepuzzlestheythrowourwayall

thetime."

"Sodoboth.Youhavethefreedomtochoosewhatyouwanttodo.ComebackandworkforM&B

untilyou'resickofit,andworkonyourdoctorateontheside."BenpulledintooneofBeth'sfavorite

restaurants,aquainttapasbarnearthecampus.

"I'mnotsureworkingwithDamonisthebestidea."Shesmiledandunbuckledasthevaletwalked

towardthecar.

"Maybeyoushouldtalktohim.Hehasopportunitiesallthetimetodonewthings.Maybehe'sgot

onethatwouldfityouperfectly."

"Youknowsomethingyou'renottellingme."BethanyturnedandpinnedBenwithahardstareas

thevaletopenedherdoor."Spill."

"Tallingislookingforapersonalaccountant.Maybethat'syou."Benwinkedandgotoutofthe

car.

FirstBenbeinggay.ThenSadieandPhilip.NowJamesTallingneededapersonalCPA?Things

justcouldn'tgetweirder...orbetter.

Chapter5

Bethany

endal'sspeechwentwellthedaybefore,buttherewasnogettingtohimforthehordesofpeoplewho

crowdedthestagewhenhefinished.BethanygaveupafterafewminutesandleftwithBentoheadback

totheoffice.AfteralongafternoonofworkingthroughthespecialprojectshepromisedDamonshe

wouldhelpwith,sheheadedbacktotheirplaceandspenttheeveningunpacking.Somethingcameupat

theofficethathadhimtiedup,andateleven,shegaveupandfellasleeponthecouch.

Shewokeinthebedthenextmorning,thesmellofhiscolognelingeringintheroomaroundher.

Hemusthavetotedhertothebedroomsometimeduringthenight.Whereshemissedseeinghimlike

crazy,sherefusedtogetpissedoverit.Hehadtodowhathehadtodo.She'dalreadywitnessedhim

tryingtobehomemoreoftenandignoringthebusinesswhentheyweretogetherifatallpossible.

"So...nobeingupset."Sherolledoverandsatup,stretching.Thememoryofhimstrippingher

downandwrappinghimselfaroundherthenightbeforeracedthroughhermind."Oh."Shesmiledand

laidbackonthebed,lettingthevisualwarmher.Theyhadn'tmadelove,buttheymightaswellhave.The

stronggripofhishandsonherskin,hismouthagainstherneck,thesoftpromisethathewouldmakehim

beinglateuptoher...itwaseverythingtoher.

Thephonebuzzedbesideher,pullingherfromherreverieandcausinghertogroan.Shewasdue

tobeatUTforherlastsessionasKendal'sTAinanhour.Therewasjustenoughtimeforaquickshower

beforeshehadtoheaduptotheschool.She'dgrabamuffinandacoffeeforbothherandKendal.

Thenumberonherphonewasn'tonesheknew,soignoringit,shegotupandstrippedontheway

tothebathroom.Graduatingwithhermaster’sshouldhavefeltlikeamonumentaloccasion,butinlightof

thewedding...itdidn't.Shewasthrilledtobedonewithherstudies,butnotworkingwithKendal

anymorewasdepressing.

"Maybeinthefuture,"shemumbledandturnedontheshower.Thephonebuzzedagainandshe

paused."Whothehell?"Sheconsideredgoingbackintothebedroomtocheck,butthethickhazepouring

fromthetopoftheshowercalledtoher.Theonlythingbetterthanahotshowerwasahotshowerwith

hermanbehindher.

"Youlook...alive."KendalsmiledasheopenedthedoorforBethany."Gettingexcitedaboutthe

weddingorgraduation,orboth?"

"Alltheabove?"Shewalkedintotheauditoriumandbreathedindeeply."Ican'tbelievethisismy

lastdaywithyou."

"Don'tsoundsosentimental."Hechuckledandwalkedupthestairsontothestage.Hisbrownhair

wasamess,andhisglassesalittlecrooked.Hewasbeyondcute.Danawasaluckywoman,butonethat

hadbetterdoKendalright.

BethanyforceddowntheneedtoprotectDamon'sbestfriend."MaybeI'malittledownaboutnot

beingherewithyou."Sheputherhandonherhipandgavehimherfullattention."Ilikedyoufromthe

firstdaywemet.Youknow,thedayyougavemeyourspeechaboutwhoyouwere,whatyouputupwith

andhowyouwerecompletelyhandsoff."

"Hey.Iworkedhardonthatspeech."Heglancedupandsmiledasheadjustedhisglasses."It's

workedforthelastfewyears."

"Andnowit'stimetoretireit.Youdon'tneeditanymore.You'rewithsomeone.Agood

someone?"Bethanyliftedhereyebrow.

"Yeah.Dana'sincredible.MorethanIdeserveafteralltheshitwe'vegonethrough."Heturned

andwalkedtothewhiteboard,scribblingoutsomethingthatwashardashelltoread.

"I'mjustgladeverythingworkedout."Shemovedtowardthestage."Youhaveyourtuxand

everythingforthewedding?"

"Suredo.Danahelpedmegeteverythingtogether."Hechuckled.

"What?"Bethanycouldn'thelpbutgrin.Kendalhadbeensodamnseriousfromthefirstdayshe

startedtoworkforhim.Hewaschanging...theyallwere.

Heglancedoverhisshoulder,hisexpressionkind."Iwasjustthinkingabouthowridiculousthis

lastyearhasbeen.Imean,whataretheoddsthatyouwouldendupTA'ingformeandyoujusthappento

bemybestfriend'sgirl?Mindyou,mybestfriendthatsworehewouldneversettledown,notinamillion

years."

"Thingsjustworkoutsomehow."SheshruggedandturnedtofindJakestrugglingtoholdthedoor

andwheelintotheauditorium."Hey.Letmehelpyou."Shejoggedovertohimandpulledthedooropen

wide."Iwashopingyouwerecomingtoday."

"Wouldn'tmissitforanything,silly."Heturnedandreachedup,rakinghisthinfingersthroughhis

floppyblondhair."Youexcited?"

"Yes.You?"SheglancedovertofindKendalwatchingthem.BothherandJakewouldgraduate

withtheirmaster’sinaweekorso.Itwasthenextstepintheirjourney,andyetherpathlookedso

differentfromJake's.

"Absolutely.Igoinforonemoresurgerytwoweeksafterwegraduate.Iwashopingtheycould

getitdonebeforesothatIwalkacrossthestage,"hesighed,"butitwasn'tmeanttobe."

"You'llgetitdonesoon,man."Kendalhoppedoffthestageandwalkedtowardthem."Now,stop

talkingaboutthefutureandgetyoursightsfocusedontoday.Wehavefinalsandwordintheprofessors’

loungeisthatsomeofthefinalsgotoutamongthestudentsaboutaweekago.Youguysknowanything?"

Jakesnorted."No,butI'dloveoneforDr.Dickman'smarketingfinal.I'mlostinthere.I'mgoingto

havetobetheworkerbeeinafirm,becauseifI'mlefttosellmyownservices,meandmyfamilyare

goingtogohungry."

Bethanysmirked."Ihaven'theardanything,butseeingthatyouhave...whatareyougoingtodo

aboutit?"Herphonebuzzedinherpocket,andshepulleditouttoseeanotherunknownnumber."Sorry

aboutthat."Sheputitbackandignoredit.Billcollectors?Krista?No.Maybesomeonejusthadthe

wrongnumber.

"Ichangedthetest.WhatelsecouldIdo?"Kendalputhishandsonhishipsandliftedhis

eyebrow.Hisdevilishexpressionhadtobeoneofthemanytricksheusedonwomeninhisyoungeryears

whenheandDamonweresluttingitupincollege.Bethanyhad,unfortunately,heardafewtoomanyof

theirstoriesoverbeersandburgersbefore.

"Thatwasaforty-pagetest,Dr.Tarrington.Youchangedallofit?"Jake'seyeswidened.

Bethany'sphonebuzzedagain,andshegrowled,pullingitfromherpocketandturning."I'llbe

rightback.Ineedtogetthis."

"Yeah,Ichangedit.There'snowayinhellI'mgoingtogivesomeoneatestIknowthey'vealready

seen."Kendalsnorted.

"Heloveshisrules,"Bethanycalledoverhershoulderbeforepushingthedooropenandputting

herphonetoherear."Hello?"

Nothing.Silence.

Shepulleditawayfromherfaceandcheckedtomakesuresheconnectedwiththecaller.Yep.

Telemarketer?Shepressedthephonetoherearagain."Hello?Who'sthere?"

Nothing.Softpanting,butitwasmorethesoundsomeoneafraidwouldmake."Krista?Isthat

you?"

Aclickresoundedinherearandthecalldied.

"Really?"Shesearchedthroughhermissedcallsandrealizedthatsamecallerhadbeentheone

callingallmorning.Somethingdidn'tfeelrightaboutit,butsheforcedherselftoignoreit.Ifsomeone

wantedtogetintouchwithher,evenKrista,theywould.

ShedialedDamon'snumber,wantingtohearhisvoiceasshefoundabenchtodropdownonto.

Hepickeduponthesecondring.

"DamonBryant."

Asmileliftedherlips.Hisvoiceevensoundeddelicious.

"Hi,Mr.Bryant.Anychanceyoumightmakeithometoyourgirlfriendbeforethesungoesdown

tonight?"Sheglancedaroundasnostalgiaracedthroughher.FiveyearsofstrugglingherassoffontheUT

campusandshewasalmostdone.Itfelttoogoodtobetrue.She'dalmostdoneit.Andhonestly,mostofit

hadbeenbyherowndoing,withherownstrengthandmoney.

Damonchuckled."Hi,baby.I'mnotsureabouttonight.I'mtryingtoworkthroughafewnew

accountssothatIcanhaveoffforourhoneymooninafewweeks.I'lldomybest,allright?"

Sheheldinthesighthatsatontheedgeofhertongue."Absolutely.I'llcooksomedinnerandif

you'renottherewhenIgotobed,therewillbeaplateinthefridgeforyou."

"Soundsamazing.AreyounotworkingwithKendaltoday?"

"Iam.Ijustkeepgettingcallsfromsomeunknownnumber,soIfinallydecidedtoanswerit."

"And?"Hisvoicegrewtight.

"Andwhoknows.Theguyorgirlneveranswered,justbreathedonthephone."Shestoodup.

"ProbablyKrista."

"Shewouldn'thaveaccesstoaphonewithoutsomeonenexttoher,Beth."

Whyhadshementionedittohimagain?Heoverreactedworsethanshedidinmostsituations.

"Right,then,Ihavenoclue.I'mnotworriedaboutit.I'llseeyoutonight,okay?Nothingtobe

concernedabout."

"Idon'tlikeit,"hebarkedout.

"ThenI'llletyouansweritthenexttimewe'retogetheranditrings."Shewalkedtowardthe

accountingbuildingasthewindpickedup,blowingherhairabout.

"Allright.Becareful,okay?Iloveyou."

"Metoo."Shedroppedthecallandsmiledatabigfootball-lookingguywhoopenedthedoorfor

her."Thanks."

"Youbet."

Sheshookhershouldersandletoutthebreathshewasholding.Graduationwascomingsoon,then

theweddingandthenthehoneymoon.BacktoJamaica,butthistime,justherandDamon.Funnyenough,

thebestpartaboutalloftheupcomingeventswasthatMattwouldbebackintown.Himmovingto

Seattleleftaholeinherheartshehadn'texpected.Beinganonlychildleftheryearningforasibling,and

Mattwasjusttheguy.

Toobadabeautiful,creative,dominantwomanhadhimwrappedaroundherfingers.No,that

wasn'ttheroughpart.Thatwasgreat.ToobadshelivedinSeattle.Itmightaswellhavebeenamillion

milesaway.

Therestofthedaywentoffwithoutahitch,andBethanyconsideredjustgoingovertohermother

andKent'sfordinnerinsteadofeatingatDamon'saloneagain,butDamon'swashome.Shehadtoget

usedtothat.

"Feelsmorelikehomewhenhe'shere."Shewalkedlanguidlytothefrontdoorwithalarge

bouquetofrosesinherarms.Kendalhadoutdonehimselfandthewholeclassgottowitnessherblushing

becauseofit.Hewasagoodman."Ineedtogetadog,oracat,orsomething.Somethingtogreetme

whenIwalkintothehouse."

Bethanyhadbarelygotteninthehousewhenthedoorbellrangbehindher.Sheputherstuffdown

andwalkedbacktothedoor,peekingthroughtoseehermomstandingontheothersidewithabagof

groceriesinherarms.

"Mom."Bethanypulledthedooropenandreachedouttotakethebags."Whatareyoudoing

here?"

Hermothersmiled."IheardKentsaythatDamonwasworkinglateagain,andIthoughtyoumight

likesomecompany?"Sheshruggedandwalkedin,huggingBethanyaroundthebags."Thatokay?"

"Ofcourseitis.Iwasjustpreparingmyselftobeagoodsportaboutanothernightaloneinhisbig

beautifulhouse."

"Speakingofthehouse,"hermothermovedpasther,"weneedtogetanewcolorschemegoing.

Thismodernwhiteandcream-coloredboringnesshastogo."

"Agreed."Bethanywalkedtothekitchenandsetdownthebagsbeforediggingoutthecontents

inside."Yum.IlovegoatcheeseandCanadianbacon.Whatarewemaking?"

"Pizzas.Yourfavorite."HermommovedupbesideherandpressedhershouldertoBethany's.

"Onlynowtheyarealittlemoreupscale.NomoresauceandParmesanpacketsstolenfromthepizza

placedowntheroad.Man,lifesurehaschanged."

"Thiswasourreallifeallalong."Bethanypulledoutabottleofredwine."I'llopenthisandyou

finishgettingeverythingoutsoIcanogleatitbeforewestartmakingourpizza."

"Soundslikeadeal."

Bethanyworkedonthewineashermotherwentonaboutgraduationandthewedding,justthe

soundofhervoiceacompletecomfort.

"DoyouthinkDadwillshowupatthegraduation?"Bethanyturnedandliftedhereyesasher

motherglancedoverhershoulder.

"YourfatherorKent?"

"Mydad."Bethpickeduptwowineglassesandhandedhermotheroneastheolderwomanturned

around.

"No,baby.Ihaven'theardfromhimsincethedaybeforeheleft."Shereachedoutandtouchedthe

sideofBethany'sface."Don'tcountonthat,okay?"

"No,ofcoursenot."Bethanyscowled."It'snotlikeIwanttoseehimanyway.Heabandonedus."

"Hedid."Hermomliftedherhandsandglancedaround."AndasmuchasIhatetogivehimany

credit,becauseofallhedid...weendeduphere.Itsuckstohighheaven,butalotoftimesourbrokenness

becomesamosaicofbeauty...ifweletit."

"Wow.Didyoucomeupwiththatyourself?"Bethanypouredthembothaglassofwine.

"What?Hellno.Ireaditonaplaqueatthemalltoday."

Theybothcrackedupandliftedtheirglasses,toastingthepast,thepresentandthefuture...

together.

Chapter6

Bethany

oucameback?"BenglancedupasBethanywalkedintotheofficethenextmorning.SadieandPhilip

werehuddledatoneendofthetabletogether,deepinconversationoversomethingworkrelated.

"OfcourseIdid.Idon'thaveanotherjobrightnow."Shesmiledandsetherbriefcasedown.

"HaveyouseenDamonthismorning?"

"Yeah.Hewasinameetingearlierthismorning,butI'msurehe'soutbynow."Benturnedhis

attentionbacktohiscomputer.

"Hey,guys."BethanywalkeddowntowardSadieandPhilip."Everythingokay?"

"Couldn'tbebetter."Sadiesmiled,butcouldn'tseemtotakehereyesoffPhilip."We'vedecidedto

trydating."

"Workplaceromance."Bethanyputahandonherhip."They'realittletricky.Letmetellyou.I

knowfromexperience."

"Youknowwhat?"Damon'svoicesurprisedher.

Sheturnedandlethereyesmoveacrosshim.Perfection.Hisdarkslackshuggedhiships,hislight

bluebutton-upshirtlookingasifitweremadeforhim.

"Iknowyou."Sheturnedonherheelandwalkedtowardhim.Hewasn'toneforlettingbusiness

andpleasuremix,butthingschanged.Peoplechanged.Shestoppedinfrontofhim,whisperingsoftlyso

onlyhecouldhear."Imissedyoulastnight.Andthenightbefore."

"Same."Hereachedoutandtouchedthesideofherface."Myoffice.Tenminutes."Heturnedand

walkeddownthehall,hisbroadshouldersstiff,hischinup.Asifheownstheplace.Andme.

"Allright.We'regoingtohaveaconferencecallwiththepartnersthismorning.Youdown?"Ben

stoodasBethanyturnedtofacehim.

"Nope.Yougotthis.I'mgoingtoworkonafewdetailswithDamonontheeventtonight."She

waggedhereyebrows."Youexcited?"

"Aboutapromotion?No.Themoneythatcomeswithit?Helltotheyes."Bensmiledandshutthe

topofhislaptop."Anyclueonwherewe'regoing?"

"Nope.DamonandLindahavebeentight-lippedonit.Iknowit'sasurprise."Shewalkedoutin

thehallandBenjoinedher.SadieandPhilipseemedtobelosttotheirownworld,whichwasodd.

Almosttooodd."Havetheybeenlikethatallmorning?"

"Yes,andalldayyesterdaywhenyouwereout."Herolledhiseyes."Ialmostwishtheywerestill

ateachother'sthroats.Iwalkedinafterlunchyesterdayandtheyweremakingout.Ihadtohaveaserious

chatwithPhiliplastnight.He'sluckyitwasmethatcaughtthem.Damonwouldhavekickedbothofthem

out."

"True."BethanystoppedbesideDamon'sdoor."I'llfindyoulater."

"Ridewithmetotheeventtonight?I'malittlenervous."

"Nervousaboutwhat?You'vebeenhereforever.Everyonelovesyou."Shereachedoutand

squeezedBen'sshoulder.

"Iknow,butstill.Ihatesurprises."

"Metoo."Shereleasedhim."I'lldrive.Meetmedowninthelobbyatsix."

"Howareyougoingtodriveifyoudon'tknowwherewe'regoing?"Bengaveheralookand

walkedoff.

Damonmoveduptostandbesideher,justinsideofhisoffice."Benstilltryingtodragtheinfoout

ofsomeone?"

"Ofcourseheis."Bethanywalkedintohisofficeandturnedtofacehim."Closethedoor."

"That'smyline."Hewinkedatherandclosedthedoor,lockingitashewatchedherlikethe

predatorhewas."Youknowwe'regoingtohavetohireafewmorepeopleuphereifIeverexpecttobe

athome."

"Thenhirethem,becauseI'mtiredofsleepingaloneandit'sbeentwodays."Shereachedoutand

slidherhandsuphisstrongchestandoverhisshoulders."Ilovethatyouwakemeupinthemiddleofthe

nighttosnuggleme,butI'mgreedy.Iwantmore."

"Whatmoredoyouwant?"Hesmiledandgrippedthebackofherhead,pullingherinforalong

probingkiss.Theywerebothpantingbythetimehereleasedher."Justaskandit'syours."

"Youcookingdinnerwithme."Shepressedherhandtohischestandpushedhimbackstepby

step.Hesmirked.Shewasonlyincontrolbecauseheallowedhertobe.

"Done."

"Cleaningupwithme."

"Maidservice.Don'tbesilly."

Shelaughed."WatchingTVonthecouchafterdinner."

"HowaboutIworkonmylaptopandyousnuggleupbesideme.Nowomanshouldaskamanto

watchnever-endingrerunsofTheBachelor.It'spurehell."Hereachedupandgrippedherwrist,

squeezingsoftlyashisbackhitthewallbehindhim.Heusedhisholdtospinher."Whatelse?"

"Takingahotbathwithme."Shegaspedashepressedhishipsagainsther,hiserectionthickand

hardasitlaytrappedbetweenthem.

"Showerplease."Heleanedinandnippedathermouthashishandsraceddownhersidesand

aroundtocupherass."ThatwayIcanhaveaccesstoeverypartofyou."

"Thenwemakeloveinthebedforhours."Sheclosedhereyesandletoutasoftmoanasherolled

hishipsandranhisnoseupthesideofherneck.

"Intheshower,thenthehall,thelivingroom,thekitchen,andthenmaybeifyou'reagoodgirl...

thebed."Helickedatherearandsheshivered.

"Definegoodgirl."Sheliftedaleg,wishinglikehellshe'dwornaskirtinsteadofslacks.Damn

complicatedwashingmachineatDamon'splace.

Ourplace.

"You,lover."Hegrippedthebackofherthighsandhoistedherup,pinninghertothewalland

pressinghismouthtohers.Theslowthrustsofhishipsleftherachinginalltherightplaces.

"Letmegetmyslacksoff,"shewhisperedroughlyagainsthislips.

"Notachance.Youhavegraduationrehearsalattwo.There'snotnearlyenoughtimetodoallI

wanttodotoyou."Hebrushedhisnosebyhers."TonightI'llbehome.Iswearit."

"Lies."Sheheldbackherdisappointment.Hewasright.Shehadgraduationrehearsalandthen

theyhadBen'sparty.She'dsimplycomebackuptotheofficeandtheycouldfuckonhisdeskifhedidn't

comehomeafterBen'scelebration.

"YouknowIhatelies."Hemovedherawayfromthewall,holdinghertightlytohim.

Sheclaspedherhandsbehindhisheadandleanedinforafewmorekissesashemovedthemto

hischair.Hesatdownandsherockedagainsthisarousal."Areyousurewedon'thavetime?"

"Notevenclose."Heleanedbackandranhishandsdownhershoulders,overhercollarboneand

downtokneadatherbreasts."Icansmellyourperfumemixedwithyourlust."

"Ihaven'tbeenwithmymaninthebetterpartofaweek.Itsortofcausesagirltogonutswhen

he'snear."Shepressedherhandsintohischestandletthefeelofhimbetweenherthighsdragherinto

depravity.Hecouldsoquicklydoit.

"Ioweyousomeattentionforsure."Hemovedhishandsupandcuppedherthroatcarefully."Get

upandtakeyourslacksoff.I'llcleanupthatmessyou'vemadeinyourpanties."

"No.It'sokay."Shemovedoffhislapandtookastepback,onlytohavehimreachupandgrabher

wrist.

"Iwasn'tasking,baby.DowhatIsaid."Hetiltedhisheadtotheside,watchingherintently.

Herpulsespiked,andshenodded,unbuttoningherslacksandglancingbacktowardthedoor.Had

theylockedit?

"It'slocked,"hemumbledashepulledatherwaistband.

Theslacksdroppedtothefloor,andshestoodthere,notquitesurewhattodo.SexinDamon's

officealwaysthrewheroffalittle.

"Icanmakesure."Shereachedforhimashegrippedherhipsandpressedhisfacetoherpanties,

breathingindeeplyandgroaning.

"Hushtalking.Nooneiscomingin.Ilockeditalready."Henoddedtowardthedesk."Getonthe

deskunlessyouwantmeonmyknees."

Thethoughtwasalmosttoomuch."No...Imightcomejustseeingthat."

Hechuckled."Naughtyself.Getupthereandtrynottoscreamtooloudly.Idon'twanttoscare

anyone."

Sheignoredhiscommentandleanedovertocleanoffthepapersscatteredonhisdesk.Herwhite

g-stringwasuselessagainsthimashepoppeditinseveralplacesandtosseditacrosstheroom.

"Handsandkneesonthedesk,baby.ThenshiftbacksoIcantasteyou."Hegrippedherwaistand

helpedherontothedesk.

"Ifeellike-"Hervoiceshook.

"Likeawomanwho'sabouttomakeherman'sweek.Good."Heranhishandsoverherass,

squeezingsoft,thenharder."Goddamnyou'refine,Beth.I'mtheluckiestbastardever."

"Shutupandtasteme."Shetensedasheranhisfingerdownherfoldsbeforereplacinghishand

withhismouth.Shecouldn'thelpbutcryoutashetookhistime,lickingandsuckingatherwhilehis

fingerstookturnsencirclingherass,dippingin,butonlyalittle.

Shemoanedloudlyandtuckedherhipsashepressedhisthumbinsidehertightslit,openingherup

andbeckoninghertowardrelease.

"Slowdown."Sheletherheaddrop,theideaofsomeonecomingintotheofficeallbutgone.She

didn'tcarewhowalkedin.Aslongashedidn'tstop.

"Who'sincharge?"Hesuckedherclitintohismouthandassaultedherwiththestrongflickingof

histongue.

"Youare."Shewhimperedandpressedbackonhisfingers,acceptingthepleasurehesoreadily

offeredher."God,youare."

"AndIalwayswillbe."Helickedherafewtimesbeforegrippingherasstightlyandburyinghis

faceinherwetness.

Bethanycriedoutandgrippedtheedgeofthedeskastheroomexploded.Amyriadofcolors

movedaroundhervisionaspleasurerolledthroughhercenterandouttotoucheverypartofher.She

rockedagainsthim,ridingthehighforaslongasshecouldbeforepullingaway.

"Notyet,"hegrumbledandpulledherbackdown,lickingatherinaslow,methodicalrhythm."I

wannatasteit."

Shewhimperedandgrippedthedesktighter.Neverinamillionyearswouldsheunderstandaman

likehimwantingasimplegirllikeher.

"Enough,"shewhisperedandpulledforward."Youkeepitupandthisisn'tgoingtobeenough."

"Itneveris."Hegrippedherhipsandhelpedheroffthedesk."Leanforward."

"What?Why?Ineedtogetto-"Sheleanedforwardashishandpressedthetopofherback,

forcingherdown.

"BecauseIthoughtIcouldbegoodwithdrinkingyouandlettingyougetonwithyourday.Iwas

wrong."Hisvoicesoundedasifhe'dchewedonbrokenglass."TellmeifIhurtyou.It'sbeentoolong."

Shemoanedloudlyatthesoundofhimunzippinghisslacks."God,yes.Don'tstopuntilyou

explode."

"Youfirst,babygirl."Hegrippedthebackofherneckandpressedintoher,histhickshaftopening

herupwide.

Theycriedouttogetheraspleasurerolledthroughherstomach.Nothingfeltbetterthanhavinghim

completelytuckedinsideofher.

"Iloveyousomuch,"shemumbledandpressedback,wantingmoreofhim.

"Youhavenoidea,Beth."Hegrippedthebackofherleftleg."Kneeonthedesk.Iwantindeep."

Sheliftedherlegandpressedherkneetothedesk,ignoringthebiteofthewoodagainstherflesh.

Histhrustsforcedhertofocusonnothingbuthim.Hisfingerspressedintoherupperbackashereached

aroundandsqueezedoneofherbreasts.

"Feelgood,baby?"Hepressedhisfaceagainstthesideofherhair,fuckingherslowandhard.

"Tellmeyouenjoyit.Thatyoucraveit."

"Icraveeverypartofyou."Shepressedbackandrolledherhips,smilingashegrowled.

"Good,becausewe'rejustgettingstarted."Heslidhishandholdingthebackofhernecktothe

sideofit,forcinghertoturnherfacealittleasheleanedoverfartherandkissedher."YouknowwhereI

want."

"Ido.Soon."Shekissedhimastheworldexplodedagain,herbodyhistoplaywith,totrain,to

enjoyeverynightfortherestoftheirlives.Hewantedhertoopenupfully,andshewould...soon.

Chapter7

Damon

hesmellofBethclungtohim,leavingtherestofthedaydifficulttogetthrough.Focusingwasn't

usuallyanissueatall,buthewantedmore,somuchmoreofher.Somethinghadtogive.

Afterkissinghergoodbye,heclosedhimselfinhisofficeandmuddledthroughafewmore

projectsuntilitwastimetoheadovertoMasqueradeforBen'sparty.BethanyhadpromisedtogetBen

overtotheclubandtoblindfoldhimjustforshitsandgiggles.Everyonewouldbethere.Benwasoneof

thebelovedmembersofDamon'sstaff.

Aknockatthedoorcausedhimtoglanceup."Comeonin."

Surprisinglyenough,Damon'sdadstuckhisheadintheoffice."Yougotafewminutes?"

"Ofcourse,Dad.Youdon'tneedtoknock."Damonleanedbackandletoutasigh."What'sgoing

on?"

"You'regoingtoBen'spromotionparty,right?"Hisfathergavehimasternlook.

"OfcourseIam."Damonsnorted."Youshouldbetoo."

"Iam,butonlyforafewminutes."Hisfatherdroppeddownintheseatinfrontofhisdesk."I

learnedalongtimeagothatgettinghometotheprettywomanwaitingonmeisfarmoreimportantthan

anythingelse.Weddingsareamaybe,butfuneralsareamust."

"Wait.What?"Damonbrushedhishanddownhisface,tryingtoclearhismind.ThescentofBeth

onhisfingerscausedhiscocktoswell.Notnow.

"Theoldsaying,‘Weddingsareamaybe,butfuneralsareamust.'You'veneverheardthat?"His

fatherseemedamused.

"No,Ihaven't.Doyoumean,literally,IshouldgotoallofthefuneralsI'minvitedto,butnoneof

theweddings?"

"Basically,butitcouldbesaidforbusinesstoo.Dropinforaquickhelloatthepartiesand

celebrations,andbeattheofficewhentheshithitsthefan,butonlythen.Imessedupwithyourmother.I

wasneverthere."Kentshruggedandreacheduptorunhisfingersthroughhishair."Shemadethedecision

tocheat,butIcanhonestlytellyouthatIdon'tblamehermuchforit.Shemusthavelivedalonelylife.I

wasneverthere,andImeannever."

"Dad.Cheatingisachoice."

"Soisabandoningsomeone,Damon.I'vethoughtaboutitalotovertheyears."Heleanedback.

"ThethingsIwouldhavedonedifferently.Mymistresswasthisplace."

"AreyouinhereliketheghostofChristmaspasttowarnme?"Damonsmirked.

"Somethinglikethat.Iknowyou'vebeenherealotlately,andIhonestlyappreciateit,butyour

happinessisfarmoreimportanttomethanthisplace.Karenwentoverlastnighttohavedinnerwith

Bethany,andtheyhadagoodgirls’nighttogether,butIknowyoursoon-to-bebridemissesyou,son.

That'snotagoodwaytostartyourmarriage."

"Iunderstandthat."Damonnoddedandtriedtotakehisdad'sadviceforwhatitwasworth.No

needtogetdefensiveorexplainhisactionsinbeingattheofficehalfthenight,thoughhewantedto.His

dadwasonlytryingtohelp."I'mworkingonit."

"No,you'renot."KentrubbedhischestandwatchedDamon."Butyouneedtobe.Whydon'twe

talkaboutbringinginafewmoreseniorexecutiveswhenyougetback?"

Damonchuckled."Right,becauseyourselectionofpeoplehasbeenstellarlately."

"Okay,soIdeservedthat."Kentsmiled."But,youcaninterviewthemwhenyou'rebackfromyour

honeymoon.Thisplacecan'tbeyourmistress,oryou'regoingtorepeatmymistakes,andthat'ssomething

Iwouldn'twishonmyworstenemy."

Damonnodded."Allright.We'llbringinsomemorepeople,butfornow,getoutofhere.Ineedto

finishafewbigprojectsbeforetheweddingnextweek.I'mrunningoutoftime."

"You'rehorribleatdelegating.HaveLindahelpyou.She'snot."Hisfatherstoodupandwalkedto

thedoor."SeeyouatBen'sevent.Don'tbelate."

"Iwon't."Damonwaiteduntilhisfatherlefttogetbacktowork,hisfocusspotonanddesireto

getoutoftheofficestoked.Hadhisfatherjustpickedupsomeoftheblameforhisparents'divorce?

Hehad.Interesting.

"Iseveryoneinplace?"Lindaglancedbackandsmiled,herexcitementalmostpalpable.Benhad

madeanimpactoneveryone'slifeatthefirm.Itwasobviousbythehordesofpeoplegatheredonthethird

flooroftheclub."Herehecomes!"

DamonpressedhishandtohismouthasBenstumbledoutoftheelevatorwithBethanyholdingon

tohim,SadieandPhilipbehindthem.Benwasblindfoldedandlessthanhappyaboutit.

Damon'sfatherpressedhisshoulderagainstDamon's."Whoseideawastheblindfold?"

"Whoknows."Damonchuckled.

Bethcaughthisattentionandhewinkedather.She'dfoundtimetogohometochangeintoapretty

blackcocktaildressandheels.Shelookedlikeagoddess.Onehewantedtospendalongtime

worshiping.

"Youready?"Bethcalledout,butpoorBenmusthavethoughtshewastalkingtohim.

"Yes.CanIpleasetakethisdamnblindfoldoff?IfeellikeI'minanS&Mnightmare,"hebarked

andeveryonelaughedasshepulleditoff.

"Surprise!"thegroupyelled,andDamonjoinedin.Itwasnicetobearoundeveryoneina

differentsetting,buthecouldn'tstophimselffromwantingtothrowBethoverhisshoulderlikeacaveman

andtakeherhome.They'dfuckedoffandonforthelastfewweeks,butmakinglovewasoverdue.It

wasn'taboutgrindingbodyparts,butconnectinginawaythatremindedherthathewasherman,her

numberonefan,herfuture.

"Nofuckingway."Benglancedaround,hiseyeswide,hisfacered."It'sjustapromotion,guys."

"Seniormanagerisabigdeal,dude.It'spartnernextordeath.We'relikethemafia,moveup,but

youdon'tgettomoveout."DamonmovedthroughthecrowdandwalkedtowardBen.

Theguy'ssmilewidenedasDamonapproached."Thanks,boss."

"Bossattheoffice.Friendeverywhereelse."DamonreachedoutandpulledBenintoaquickhug.

"Thenight'sonthefirm,sodrink,eat,bemerry."

"Justdon'tgetthecopscalledonus,buddy."PhilippattedBen'sbackashewalkedtowardthe

largedancefloorinthecenter,pullingSadiealongwithhim.

"Arethey?"Damonturnedandputhishandonhiship."Really?Ithoughthewasintoyou?"

"Hewas.ThanksforthereminderthatI'moldnews."Bethanypushedoutherbottomlip,looking

toocuteforherowngood.

"You'realwaysfrontandcenterforme."Damonreachedforherhandasthemusicstartedtoplay

fromthespeakersintheceiling."Ben...theDJisoverthere,man.Tellhimwhatyouwanttohear.It's

yournight,buddy.Congrats."

"Thanks,bo-Damon."Hesmiledandjoggedtowardthebarasseveralofthestafffollowedhim.

Thedancefloorfilledup,whichwasgood.Damonwasusedtoplayingthestiffassholeatthe

office.Nooneatthefirmhadseenhimlethisguarddown,andhewasn'tsurehenecessarilywantedthat

tostarttonight,butdancingwithhiswoman?Hellyes.

"Rememberthisplace?Bottomlevel,thedancefloor,youinaskimpysomethingwithamaskand

mepressedtothebackofyou?"HemovedbehindBeth,wrappinghisarmaroundherandpressinghis

handtothefrontofhertightstomach."Youweresofuckinghotthatnight."

Shemoanedandrolledherhipsasmorepeoplepiledinaroundthem.Glancingback,shestolehis

heart.Everythingabouther.Hedidn'tletheranswer,butleanedinandpressedhislipstohers,kissingher

severaltimessoftly.

"Whatwasthatfor?"Sheturnedandwrappedherarmsaroundhisneck.

"BecauseIcouldn'thelpmyself."Hememorizedthewayshewatchedhimwithinterest,thelook

ofloveinhereyes,thesexysmiletuggingatthesideofherperfectmouth."Youwerehornythelasttime

wewerehere,remember?Demandingandshit?"

"Youwereabastard."Shepressedherselftohimandlickedatherlipsseductively."You

threatenedtotakemeonyourdeskorinyourbed,andthenyoutookmehomeandleftmewanting.

Asshole."

"Ihadtomakesureyouwantedmeformeandnotmymoney."Hebrushedherhairback."Never

inamillionyearsdidIexpectthis."

"Youthoughtwe'djustsleeptogetherandthenbecomefamilyandwhat?"Shelaughed,thesound

ofitcausinghishearttoflutter.Howthewomanhadsomuchpoweroverhimwasamystery,a

concerning,disturbingmystery.

"No...Ithoughtwe'dfuckafewtimes,you'dgetaddictedandbecomeastalker,andI'dhavetoput

arestrainingorderonyou."Helaugheddeepinhischestassheyelpedandpulledaway."I'mteasingyou,

baby.Ididn'tknowwhatwouldhappen."Hewrappedherinatighthug,movingheraroundthedance

floor,butnevertakinghiseyesoffofher."Istilldon'tknowwhat'sgoingtohappen,butIwouldn'tbe

anywhereelseintheworldbesidesherewithyou."

"You'regettingsappyinyouroldage."Shegavehimacheekygrinandpulledhimdownforafew

shortkisses."Ilikeit.Alot."

"Good.I'mprettysureI'mjustgoingtokeepaging."Hewaggedhiseyebrowsasshegrumbled

somethingsoftly."It'sthebestoptionIcansee."

"Myturn,boss."Bencutin,stealingBethanyfromhim.

Damonmovedbackandsmiled.Benwasabouttheonlyguythatcouldtakehisgirlforaspin

aroundthedancefloorandDamonnotbeupsetaboutit.Hewouldcomeoutoftheclosetsoonerorlater,

butthatwouldbehischoice.Damonwouldsupporthimnomatterwhat.Ben'sfuturewaslockedinwith

M&Bwithoutadoubt.Theguyhadgiventhem150%ofhimselfsincethedayhewashired.

"Boss."Philipmovedupbesidehim,abeerinonehandandtheothertuckedintohispocket.

"YougetthroughthatauditIputonyourdesklastweek?"Regardlessofthefactthatheactually

likedPhilipandfoundhisworktobeoutstanding...theguyhadbeeninterestedinBeth.Therewasno

gettingaroundthat.

"Suredid.Lindahasthefinalfilesforyou.Shewastypinguptheopinionletterandthenit'sall

yours."Philipgrinned."It'stwodaysearlierthanthedeadlineyougaveme."

"Yep.Buyyourselfabeeronmetonight.Goodjob,kid."Damonpattedhisbackandwalked

towardhisdadandKaren,whowerelaughingaboutsomethinginthecornertogether."Whatareyoutwo

upto?"

"Justenjoyingeachother."HisdadmovedtowardKarenandpulledherintoasidehug.Bethany's

motherlookedlikeanolderversionofBeth.Itwasalmostuncannyhowmuchtheyresembledoneanother.

"It'snothardtodo."Karenglancedupathisfather."Ithinkwe'llalwaysenjoyeachotherthough.

He'ssoftwhenI'mnotandhardwhen-"

"Toomuchinfo."Damonpressedhisfingerstohisearsandgavethemalookoffalsedisgust.

"Oh,hell."Karenpressedherhandoverhermouthasherprettyfaceturnedbrightred.

"Damon.Jeez."HisfatherrolledhiseyesandpoppedDamoninthechest."You'dbegroundedfor

aweekforthatcommentifyouwerejustalittleyounger."

"Alittleyounger?"Damonsmiled."Iwasteasing."Heglancedaround."Iknowthisisanoffice

party,butI'mreadyforMatttogethisasshome.Whendidhesayhewouldbein?"

"SometimeonSunday.We'repickinghimupunlessyouwantto."

"ThisSunday?"Damon'sinterestwaspiqued."Sohe'llbehereallweekwithus?"

"Yeah,Bethanywantedhiminvolvedinallthestufffortheweddingthisweek.Youknowshe

didn'twanttodomostofthestuffuntiltheweekof,whichisinsane,butsheenjoysthelastminuterushof

gettingthingsdone."Karenrolledhereyes.

"She'sapantser."Damonglancedoverhisshouldertofindherdancingwithanotheroneoftheir

associates."GoodthingI'maplanner."

"Yeah,well,justletherbewhosheis.That'swhoyoufellinlovewith."Damon'sdadpattedthe

sideofDamon'sfaceasheturnedbacktothem.

"You'rejustfullofadvicetoday,aren'tyou,oldman?"Damonresponded.

"IguessIam."Damon'sdadshrugged."Itfeelslikeyou'regrowingup,finally.You'llhavekidsof

yourownsoon,andthenyou'llunderstand."

"Waitaminute.Letusgetmarriedfirstandthen-"Damonstarted.

"Kids!Icannotwait.Pleasetellmeit'sgoingtobesoonerthanlater."Karenmovedtowardhim,

pressingherhandstohischest."Iwouldlovetohearthesoundoflittlefeetfillingupthehallways.You

havetohavethree,ormaybefour,orfive."

"Ormore,"Damon'sfatherchimedin.

"Ormorewhat?"Bethmovedupbesidehim,herbreathingoffkilterfromdancing.

"Fiveormorekids."Damonwrappedanarmaroundhershouldersandsqueezed."Yourmom's

request."

"What?Notonlyno,buthellno."Bethanyreachedoutandtookhermother'sdrink."Youwant

morekids,youhavethem."

Tohissurprise,KarenglancedupatDamon'sfatherandsmiled."Youwanna?"

"OhGod,"BethanymumbledanddraggedDamonbacktothedancefloor,savingallofthemfrom

yetanotherawkwardconversation.Itwouldseemtheyweregettinggoodatthem...withoutMatthew

beingtheretofacilitate.

Theworldwassuddenlyastrange,strangeplace.

Chapter8

Bethany

idyouhavefuntonight?"DamonreachedforBethany'shandastheywalkedtowardthehouse.

"Yeah.Yousureyoudon'tneedtogobacktotheoffice?Ihonestlyunderstandifyoudo,Damon."

Shesqueezedhishandandmovedinfrontofhim.

Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherasshefumbledwiththekeys.Assillyasitwas,therewas

somethingsorightaboutthembeingtheretogether,waitingtowalkintothehousetheyshared.Itwas

dreamyandalittleoverwhelming.

"No.I'llputinsomeextrahoursnextweek.TomorrowisyourgraduationandthenMattcomesin

onSunday.IhavemyofficehereatthehouseifIneedtowrapsomethingup.Stopworrying.I'myoursfor

thenextfewdays."Hekissedthesideofherneck,causingchillbumpstoracedownherback.

"Good.Thatsoundsincredible."Shepushedthedooropenandwalkedtowardthekitchen,the

soundofherheelsfillingupthehallway."Yougochange,andI'llmakeussomethingtodrink."

"That'smyline."Hepoppedherbutt."Gogetoutofthoseheelsandthatdress.I'llmeetyouinthe

livingroominafewminuteswithabottleofwine."

Shepurredandwalkedtowardthebedroom,shakingherhipsalittlemorethanwasnecessary.

Herphonebuzzedinherpurseasshewalkedintotheirbedroom.Pausing,shepulleditouttoseethe

samenumberthatkeptcallingthedaybefore.

Bethanydroppeddownonthebedandpressedthephonebetweenherearandshoulderasshe

workedonherfirstheel."ThisisBethany.Hello?"

Nothing.Completesilence.Then...breathing.Soft,masculine?

"Hello?Whoisthis?I'mhangingupandblockingyournumberifyoudon't-"

Thecallended,leavingherwithsilenceagain.

"Howfrustrating."Shereachedupandgrabbedthephone,tossingitontothebedbehindher

beforegettingherheelsoff.Itrangagainandsheturnedandfloppeddownonherstomach,barelyableto

reachit."Whatdoyouwant?"shescreamedintothephone.

"Um,acheeseburger,amassageandforyoutoenjoyyourgraduationtomorrow?"Matthew's

voicesurprisedherbutbroughthertohersenses.

Shenarrowedhereyes."Haveyoubeencallingmeandbreathingintothephonelikeaweirdo?"

Shegotupandpressedthephonebetweenhercheekandshoulderagainasshestartedtoworkongetting

herdressunzipped.

"What?Ohman,Iwish.Hellno.I'vebeenkneedeepinthisartshowingtomorrowwithJonathan.

Ericawastoobusywiththefirmtohelpmewiththisone,soit'sbeenallme.Ithoughtyouweren’t

actuallyanadultuntilyouhitforty.I'mnotsureit'sfairtohavetoactlikeonethisearlyinthegame,"he

growled.

Bethanyfinallygotherzipperdownandmovedbackasherdressfelltothefloor.Itwouldhave

beentheperfecttimeforDamontocomeinandfindherhalfnaked,buthewasinthelivingroombythe

soundoftheTVinthebackground.

"Okay,well,someonekeepscalling.Nevermind."Shehuffed."Iwishyoucouldbehere

tomorrow.Iknowit'sselfish,andI'msorryforthat,butImissyou.Like,bad."

"Imissyoutoo.I'msosorryIdidn'tcoordinatebeingbackhomewithourshowingsbetter.That

wasstupidofme.IswearIonlyhavesomanybraincellstouse,andwalkingandbreathingaretakingup

ALOTofminerightnow."HechuckledandBethanysmiled.

TherewasnouseintryingtobemadatMatt.Itwasimpossible.

Shewalkedtoherdresserandpulledoutablacknightie,thesilksoftinherhands."It'sokay.I'm

justreadytoseeyou."

"Good.IcalledtomakesureyouorDamonwerepickingusupfromtheairport."

"Us?IsEricacomingearlywithyou?"ExcitementfilledBethany'schest.

"I’mnotsure.Ithinkso.Eitherway,she'sgoingtoworkfromthedowntownofficeformostofthe

week,butshe'llbefreewhenweneedtodothisorthat.It'sgoingtobeaprettybusyweek,right?"

"Yeah.IsavedalotofstufffortheendjustbecauseIworkbetterunderpressureandIhatemaking

decisionstoofarout.Ialwayschangemymindtentimes,sothistimeIjustwaited."

"Smartgirl."Mattclearedhisthroat."IsDamonaround?He'sbeensofuckingbusythatIhaven't

talkedtohiminaweek.It'sgettingoldtryingtoleaveavoicemailmessageonhisalready-filledup

phone."

Bethanywalkedtowardthelivingroomwithhernightgowninherhand,hopingtogivehermana

show."Letmeseewhereheis.Hemissesyoutoo.Hementionedityesterday."

Sheroundedthecornerandstopped.Thewineglassessatonthetable,thewinenexttothemand

theTVplayingsoftlyinthebackground.Damonwasonthecouch,hishandsclaspedacrosshisstomach,

hiseyesclosed.Thesoftsnoringcomingfromhimwasendearingandyetdisappointing.He'dputhimself

undertoomuchasoflate.Whywouldn'thebeexhausted?

"Well,notsureifyou'llbelievethis,buthe'spassedoutonthecouch."Sheturnedandwalked

backtothebedroom,tryingtokeephervoicedown."He'sbeenworkingnon-stoptryingtogetreadyfor

thetimeoffthatIaskedhimtotakeforthewedding."

"Guessthat'sgoodandbad.Atleasthewaswillingtotakethetime."

"True.I'llhavehimcallyoutomorrow."

"No,I'llbeintheshowingallday.I'lljusttextyouthetimeandflightnumberforSunday.Just

makesuresomeoneistheretopickusup.Ifnothingelse,sendoneofmydad'sdrivers."

"Allright.Besafe.Loveyou."Shetossedthenightieontothechairbesideher.

"Loveyoutoo.SeeyouSunday.Ican'twait!"

Shesmiledandpulledthephoneawayfromherearbeforesettingitdownandundoingherbra.No

needtowearsomethingsexyseeingthatDamonwasn'tgoingtogetupagainuntilmorning.Sheyawned

andwalkedtoherdressertopulloutacottont-shirtandsleepingpants,almosthappytogettowearthem

instead.

"Maybehimfallingasleepearlyisn'tsuchabadthing."Shesnortedasshepulledtheshirtover

herheadandthepantsupherlegs.She'dmusclehimintothebedandlayinthecircleofhisarmsuntilshe

passedout.Itwassomethingshelovedtodo...watchhimsleepandwonderwhathewasdreamingabout.

Hopefullyher.

"Youreadytogo?"Damonmovedaroundthebed,workingonhistieandtryingtogethisfeetinto

hisshoesasBethanystoodbehindhim,checkingoutherdressinafull-lengthmirror.

"Yeah.I'msorryaboutthealarm.Thatwasstupidofme.Ifinallygotyouinthebedlastnight,put

thewineupandcrawledinthebedtosnugglewithyoualittlebeforeyoufellbackasleep.IfiguredI

wouldgetbackupandreadalittle.Inevergotbackup."Shehuffedandbrushedherhandsdownthefront

ofherdress."Doesthis-"

"It'sbeautiful."Hemovedtowardher,grippingherhipandpullinghertowardhim."Fixmytie

andlet'sgetoutofhere.Youhavetolineupinthirtyminutesandtrafficisgoingtobeabear."

"Okay.I'msor-"

"Nomoreapologies,Beth.Itwasanaccident."Hetouchedthesideofherface,smilingasshe

workedonhistie.

"What?IkeepthinkingIknowthatgrin,butitmeanssomethingneweverytimeIseeit."She

suckedherbottomlipintohermouthandtiltedherhead,tryingtoconcentrateongettinghistiejustright.

"I'mnottellingyou.Mysecretsaremyown,butIwillsaythis...I'mproudofyou.You're

graduatingwithyourmaster’sfromagreatschoolandyou'redoingitwitha4.0.I'mrarelyimpressed,but

youjustkeeppullingofffeatafterfeat."

Shefinishedwithhistieandtouchedthesidesofhisface."Ijustexpectalotfrommyself.High

standards...highrewards."

"Whotaughtyouthat?"Hepulledherhandsdownfromhisfaceandleaneddowntokissherafew

times."Youknowwhat?Tellmeinthecar.We'relate!"

"Mydaddid,thoughIdon'tknowwhy.Heobviouslyhadnostandardsatall."Shepulledbackand

walkedtowardthehallway."We'llbefine.It'snotliketheceremonystartsanytimesoon.Wepracticedthe

lineupyesterday.Whatintheworldcouldtheywantfromusnow?"

"Ittakestimetogetthatmanyexcitedpeopleintherightorder."Damonmovedupbehindher.

"Justlookforusinthestands."

Shesmiledandreachedforthedoor."AmIgoingtobeabletofindyououtofthethousandsof

peoplethere?"

"Yep."

"Whydoesthisworryme?"

Helaughed."Becauseitshould?"

ThebigpinksignsDamon,KentandBethany'smomwavedforherasshewentacrossthestage

weren'teasytomiss.Theirvoicesweren'tveryloud,buttheireffortswereheardloudandclear.Hereyes

filledwithtearsasshewalkeddownthefarendofthestage,diplomainhand.Itwasagreathonorto

completehermaster’s,butevenmorethanthat,shehadthreepeopleinthestandsthatthoughttheworldof

her.Andafewmorecomingintotownthenextday.

"I'mproudofyou."Kendalstoodatthebottomofthestagewithasmileonhishandsomeface.He

wasdeckedoutinhismaster’sattireandlookedstudious.

"Thanks.I'mprettyproudofmetoo."Sheextendedherhand,knowingthathehatedanypublic

displayofaffection.Hispastdidn'tallowfortoomanyquestionstobeaskedaboutinvolvementwitha

student.

"Cockything.You'retakingafterDamonnow."Kendalshookherhandbeforepullingherintoa

quickhug."YouknowIcouldalwaysgetyouajobatthecollege.Justsaytheword."

Shesmiled."Maybedowntheline,butfornow,I'mgoingtofigureoutwheremyplaceisbeside

DamonatM&B.I'mnotsureit'sthere,butwe'llsee."

"Good.We'lltalksoon.Congratulations."Kendalmovedbacktoletherpass.

Sheglancedbackandnoticedthatthelinewasgettingalittleridiculousbehindher.Timetolet

everyoneelsehaveDr.Tarrington'sattention.Itwascovetedintheaccountingdepartment,nodoubt.

Bethanymadeherwaytowardherseat,butsomethingcaughthereye.Amanstoodbytheexit

closesttothegraduateseats.Heturnedaboutthetimeshereallygotagoodlookathim,butshedidn't

needmuchmorethanafewseconds.She'dknowhimanywhere.

"Dad?"Shewalkedpastherrow,ignoringtheurgingoftheprofessorinchargeofgettingthe

graduatesseatedagain.

Theguywalkedoutofthecoliseumandintothechillynightair,stoppingjustoutsidethedoorand

glancingupatthesky.

Bethanypickedupherwalktoajog.Maybeshewasseeingwhatshewantedtosee.Maybehe

wasn'twhoshethoughthewas,butshecouldn'tnottestoutthetheory.Ifitwashim...whatthefuckwas

hedoingthere?Didshereallywanttoseehimafteralltheyearsoflivingwithouthim?Shewasonly

twelvewhenheleft.Seemedlikeagesago.

Shestoppedjustinfrontofthedoor,herhandsonthebar,shaking."Noway.There'snoway."

Theguystiffenedasifhefeltsomeone'seyesonhim.Heturnedslowly,themomentengraving

itselfinBethany'smemories.

"Bethany."Hiseyeswidenedandthehorroronhisfacetoldherallsheneededtoknow.

Shepushedthedooropenthougheverythinginsideofherscreamedtopullitclosed.Toprotect

herself."Daddy?"

"Yeah,baby."Hestoodstonestill,onlyhislipsmoving.Amillionwordscrossedbetweenthem,

butnothingwassaid.Theairaroundthemcrowdedwiththewhitecloudscomingfromtheirlipsastheir

breathhitthecold.

Shewaitedaslongasshecould,hermindtryinglikehelltoprocesswhattodonextasherheart

rippedopeninherchest.Sheaskedthequestionthathadplaguedherforyearsafterheleft,nightafter

night,cryingherselftosleepwiththesameuselessquestiononhermind.

"Why?Whydidyouleaveus?"Thesadnessinhervoicemeltedintoanguishasshereachedup

andpressedherhandtohermouth.

WherewasDamon?Orhermother?OrMattforcryingoutloud.Anyonewouldhavebeena

comfort.

"Ihadnochoice,baby.Ihadtorun.ImadesomehorriblechoiceswhenIwasyounger,andyour

motherputupwiththem,butonenightIdecidednomore.Ididn'tdeserveeitherofyou,andyoudidn't

deservethelifeIledyouinto.So,Iran...sotheywouldfollowme.IgotwhatIdeserved."

"AndwhataboutwhatIdeserved?"Angerburnedthroughhersobrightitalmostblindedher.She

steppedforward,closingthegapbetweenthemandslappedhimashardasshecould."Whataboutwhat

momdeserved?Wewentthroughhellwithoutyou,becauseofyou."

Henoddedandglanceddown,hisshouldersrounding."Andforthat,I'msorry.Youcan'tseeit

frommysideofthestreet,Beth.Becauseyou'veneverstoodoverhere,andIpraytoGodyouneverhave

to.I'msorryforcomingtonight.Theyhadyournameinthepaper,andIreallywantedtoseeyou.Forgive

me."

Heturnedandwalkedtowardthestreet,hisdemeanorthatofabrokenman.

"No.Youdon'tgettoshowupandwalkawayagain,"shecalledafterhim.

"Whatwouldyouhavemedo,Beth?TellmeandI'lldoit."

"It'sBethany,andIdon'tknow!"Sheforcedhertearsbackdown.Shecouldcrylater.Shewasn'ta

brokenlittlegirlanymore,andhewouldn'tgetanothertearfromher.

"It'salwaysbeenBeth,baby.That'smynicknameforyou."

"Well,don't-"

"Beth?Youokay?"Damon'svoicepulledherfromherthoughtsandsheturnedtofacehimasasob

roseupinherchest.

"Iwasjust...thisismy..."sheglancedbacktofindhimgone."Wait.Wait!"Shejoggedtowardthe

street,half-trippingonhergownasDamoncalledafterher."Wheredidhego?"

"Who,baby?"Damoncaughtuptoherandpulledherintohisarms."What'sgoingon?"

"Mydadwashere,Damon.HewatchedtheceremonyandIfollowedhimout."

"Yousure?"Hepulledherintighterandkissedthetopofherhead."Comebackinsidewithme."

"Fine,butyes,I'msure.Hewasstandingrighthere.Islappedhiminthefaceandtalkedtohimfor

fivefullminutes."Thefactthatshe'dslappedhimhurther.Shecouldhaveletoutherrageanotherway.

Hewasstillherdad.

"Bethany?"Hermothercalledfromtheexitdoor,herandKentwalkingout."What'swrong?"

"Don'tsayaword."SheglancedupatDamon."Promise?"

"Anythingforyou."HeleaneddownandkissedherbeforeturningtohermomandKent."Nothing.

Shegotalittleoverheatedandcameoutforair.Everythingisfine.Nobiggie."

Bethanylethereyesscanthestreetonemoretime.Itwasabiggie.Areallybigbiggie.

Chapter9

Damon

ousureyoudon'twantmetogo?"Bethliftedherhead,hereyessleepy,hervoicethickwith

exhaustion.

"No,baby.I'llgetMattandEricaandwe'llcomebackheresoyoucanseeeveryone.Sleepin.

Lastnightwascrazy.Ididn'tknowyourmothercoulddrinklikethat."Damonleaneddownandkissedthe

sideofherheadasshegrumbledsomethingincoherent.

Thegirlwassexybentoverhisdesk,butnothingbeathermorninglook.Soinnocentandbeautiful.

Heforcedhimselftotakeafewstepsbackfromthebed.Ifhedidn'tleavesoon,he'dfindhimselftucked

upbehindherinexplorationmode.Nothingsoundedbetter.

"Loveyou,"shemumbledandrolledovertoherotherside,leavingherbacktohim.

Hewaiteduntilherbreathingslowedtoliftthecovers.Hershortshadtangledaroundherthighs,

andalittlebitofherasswashangingoutnearthebottom.Suckinghisbottomlipintohismouth,hestifled

agrowlandreachedouttocaressher.

He'dalmostmadecontactwhenhisphonebuzzedandshewokeup.

"Bye,baby."Heturnedandwalkeddownthehall,cursingthesituation.Heshouldhavelethis

fatherandKarenpickupMatthewandErica."No,youknowMattwouldhavebeenpissylikeaschool

girlwholostherfavoritetoy."

Thecallwasfromhisfather.HegrabbedhiskeystotheMercedesandwalkedoutofthehouse

beforeanswering.

"Hey,Dad.What'sup?"Thesunwasout,butitwasstillchilly.

"I'mturningoffthefreeway.I'llgowithyoutopickupMatthewandErica."

"Yousure?"Damonunlockedhiscarandgotintofindhissunglasses.

"Yeah.Iwanttoseeyouboth."

"Somethingserious?"Helocatedthemandgotbackoutofthecar,puttingthemonandlockingup

hisbeauty.

"No,notatall.Justwantedtospendsometimewithyouguys.Karenisdeadtotheworld."He

snorted.

"SoisBeth.Ididn'trealizetheycoulddrinklikefish."Hewalkedaroundthecarashisfather

pulledup.Damondroppedthecallandgotin."Yousureyou'reupforbeingaroundtheliving?Youdrank

likeawhaleyourselflastnight."

"Yeah,right."Hisfatherrolledhiseyes."Boy,I'vebeendrinkingsinceIwasinjuniorhigh.Last

nightwasnobigdeal."

"Lush."Damonpulledonhisseatbeltandleanedback."Matt'sbringingEricawithhim,right?"

"Idon'tthinkso.ShewasworkinghardtofixafewblooperswehadonanewTVadthisweek.

Nothingthatendedupbeingherfault,butIputherinchargeofcleaningitup."Damon'sfatherpulledthe

caroutofthedrivewayasthesunblindedthemboth.

"AnythingIneedtogetinvolvedwith?"Damonreachedupandflippeddownhisvisor."Ican

headupthereforadayorsothiscomingweekif-"

"Noway.KarenandBethanywouldbothkillme.No,Ericacanhandleit,andshe'lljustbealittle

lategettinghere,butshe'snotgoingtomissanyofthefestivities."Damon'sdadglancedoverathim."Are

youhavingabachelorparty?"

"Why?Areyouwantingtocome?"Damonsmirked.

"Hellno.I'mtoooldforthat.Besides,Idon'twanttoembarrassyouinfrontofyourfriends."

"Dad,youwouldn'tembarrassme.Comewithus.We'rejustgoingtohangoutandmaybegotoa

barforafewdrinks.Nothingbig."

"Embarrassyoubydrinkingyouallunderthetable.Youboysjustcan'tholdyourliquorlikewe

couldintheolddays."

"Olddays?"Damonlaughed."Okay,Dad.Thinkwhatyouwant.I'ddrinkyouunderthetableany

timeyou'dliketotrymeout."

"Nowwho'sthelush?"Hisfathersmiledandturnedontothefreeway."WhatairlineisMatthew

flying?"

"Idon'tknow,butI'llcheckmyphone."Damonleanedbackinhisseatandranthroughthe

messagesonhisphone.

"Whoallisgoingwithyouguystotheparty,anyway?NotthatI’mreallyinterested."

"Tothebachelorparty?"Damonglancedoverathisdad.Theywereclose,buthisdadwasalmost

tootalkative.Somethingwasup.

"Yes."

"Me,Kendal,MattandBen."Damonshiftedalittletoturnmoretowardhisfather."Okay,spill.

What'sgoingonwithyou?"

"What?"Hisfathersoundedsurprised.

"You'vebeenchattinglikealittleoldladyandyoukeepbringingupFridaynight.What'sgoing

on?"Damonpinnedhisfatherwithahardstare.Hewasalmosttoopredictable.

"Nothing,I'mjusttryingtogetmymindonsomethingfun.Yourweddingisthatthing.Isthatnot

okay?"

"No.It'snot.Somethingisup.Tellme,orI'llhaveMattplagueyoutodeathuntilyouwantto

throwhisassinthenearestlakewecometo."

"Fine."Hisfathersighed,hisshouldersrounding,hisexpressionsoftening."Karenthinksshesaw

herex-husbandlastnightatthegraduation.She'snotsure,butshewasprettytornupaboutit.Don'tsay

anythingtoBethany,please.Sheshouldn'thavetobearthat,seeingthatitwasjustafigmentofKaren's

imagination."

"Andthatupsetsyou,why?Doesn'tseemlikesomethingthatshouldaffectyouatall."

"Seriously?"Hisdadglancedover,thelookonhisfacetellingtoomuch.

"Areyoujealous?Nofuckingway.You'reeverythingthisguyisn'tandalotmore."Damonturned

backtofacethefrontwindowashechuckled."Pleasetellmeyou'repullingmyleg."

"Karenlovedhimdeeply,Damon.He'snotsomepunkthatwentinandoutofherlife.Theyhalf-

raisedeachotheraskids.Experienceandhistoryadduptoaprettybigconnection."Heranhishandover

hischinandletoutasigh."Ifitwereme,Iwouldbeconfused.Discombobulated."

"Right,butit'snotyou.It'sKaren,andthismanputherthroughabsolutehell.Heabandonedthem."

"There'sareasonforeverythingthathappens,Damon.Youknowthis."

"NotthisshitwithMomagain."Damonglancedoutthewindow,feelingallofseventeenagain.

"Let'stalkaboutsomethingelse.Seriously.Youhavenothingtoworryabout.Karenlovesyou.I'veseenit

overandoveragainoverthelastsixmonths."

"Iknow.I'mjustbeingstupid.SeemsweirdhavingyougetmarriedandMattinarelationship."

Anothersoftsigh."Idon'tknow...Iguessit'sagoodthing,butitfucksmeupalittle."

Damonchuckledbeforereachingoverandsqueezinghisdad'sshoulder."Well,itshouldn't.You

shouldbeproudandrelieved."

"ProudofyouandrelievedforMattortheotherwayaround?"

Damonsmiledandpointedtotheairline’ssign."Bothforbothofus.That'sourturnthere."

Theyrodeinsilencetherestofthewaytotheterminal,butDamoncouldn'thelpbutnoticehow

withdrawnhisdadwas.ItwasalmostasifhewaswaitingforKarentoleavehimforthethugthatlefther

andBethanyhighanddry.

Hewasbeingridiculous.Therewasnowayinhellthatwouldhappen.

Notinamillionyears.

"Hey,you!"Damonwalkedtowardhisbrother,Matt,asthebigoafjoggedofftheplaneandused

theropeasahurdle.

"I'mhome!"MattwrappedDamoninatighthugandliftedhimoffthegroundasDamongrunted.

Mattmighthavebeenthelittlebrother,buthewasn'tlittleatall.Notbyalongstretch.

"Hi,son."Damon'sfathermovedupandwrappedMattinahugassoonasDamonreleasedhim.

Matt'ssmilewassobig,ithadtohavehurthisface,buthedidn'tseemtonotice.

"SickofSeattlealready?"Damonaskedastheywalkedtowardbaggageclaim.Hecouldonly

imaginethatMattwouldhaveonetotwobags.HewasagroomsmanintheweddingandKarenmightkill

himifhedidn'thavehisshoesandaccessoriesthatsheandBethanyhadpickedoutandshippedupto

Seattle.WhyinthefucktheyexpectedMatttokeepupwithanythingwasbeyondDamon.

"No,it'sbeautifulupthere,butthere'snoplacelikeTexas.It'searlyspringanditfeelslike

heaven."Mattgaveagoofygrinandglancedoverattheirfather."Where'sKarenandBethany?Ifigured

theywouldbewithyouguys."

"Toomuchtodrinklastnight."Damon'sdadshookhishead."Thesearesomewildwomenyour

brotherandIhavechosen."

"Metoo.Ericais..."Mattletoutalongwhistle."She'ssomethingelse."

"So,howdidtheshowinggolastnight?Yousellout?"DamonwrappedhisarmaroundMatt's

shoulders,ignoringthefactthathisbrotherwasactuallyatinybittallerthanhim.

"Isuredid.Jonathanactuallyhadapre-sale,sobythetimeeveryonegotthereandtheshowgot

started,weonlyhadtwoofmypaintingsstillforsale.Themanisagenius."Mattpulledawayfrom

Damon."Mybag’salreadycomingdowntheshoot."

"Good.Gogetit."DamonreachedoutandpulledMatt'sbackpackoffhisshoulders."I'lltakethis

one."

Mattstartedtowardthebaggageclaimandglancedback."Youexcited?Terrified?Exhausted?"

"I'mgood.Peaceful,funnyenough."Damongavehisbrotherawarmsmile,excitedtoseethe

nugget-headforaweek.Thoughhewouldneversayitinamillionyears,hemissedMattlikecrazy.

"Peaceful,huh?"Damon'sfathermovedupbesidehim."Idon'tthinkI'veeverheardyouusethat

termwhenreferringtoyourself."

"IhaveBeth.I'mgood.She'shonestlyallIneed."

"Nowthat'snew."Hisfatherglancedoverathim."I'mgoingtogetthecar.I'llmeetyouguysup

front."

"Really?Playingchauffeur?You'reabillionaire,Dad."

"Yeah,butnotthetypicalone.You'renoteither."Hewalkedoff,turningbacktowinkatDamon

beforehedisappearedintoaseaofbodies.

"WheredidDadgo?"Mattstoppedbesidehimwithabigsuitcasefitforahordeofwomen

travelingtogether.

"Hewenttogetthecar."Damonbackedupandlethiseyesmoveacrossthesuitcase."Whatthe

fuckareyoudoingwithabagthatbig?"

"What?This?"Mattsaidinahigh-pitchedvoice."Leavemealone.Ineedmystuff!"

"Ohshit.Seattleischangingyou."DamonreachedouttotakethesuitcaseasMattswattedhim

again.

"Naw,IpaintedyouandBethanysomethinganddidn'twantitjackedupontheflight,soIbrought

Erica'sluggage."

"Andwhat'sshegoingtouse?"Damonmovedtowardtheexit.

"Mine,Iguess.Shouldbeinteresting."Mattlaughed."Iwishshecouldhavecomedownwithme,

butshe'sworkingonsomethingforDad."

"Youguysdoingokay?"Damonwasn'tsurewherethingslaidafterallMattandEricahadbeen

through.Forroughstarts,theirstookthecake.Well,Kendal'sandthenMatt.Nooneseemedtohavea

normalcourtship.Maybethatmeanttherelationshipwouldlast?

"Hellyeah.She'smylady,andI'mherman."

Damoncouldn'tgethishandupfastenoughtotellMattnottostartsingingCelineDion.Hebelted

it,andDamonsimplywalkedbesidehim,ignoringthelookstheygot.Afewpeoplegawkedandseveral

clapped,butMattenjoyedhimselfnevertheless.

"Iseeyou'restillonstrike?"Damonheldthedooropenforhisbrotherandstifledhissmile.

"Togrowup?Ohyeah.That'snevergonnahappen."

"NotevenforErica?"

"ShelovesmejustthewayIam.It'soneofthereasonsIkeepher."Mattmovedtowardthecaras

theirfatherpulledup."Don'ttellherthatthough.Shethinksshe'sdoingcharityworkbykeepingme."

"That'sbecausesheis."Damonsnortedandmovedtowardthetrunk."Dadneedstogivehera

raise.Someoneshouldshowhersomeappreciation."

"Oh,Ido."Mattwaggedhiseyebrows."Icouldgiveyoudetails."

"Nope.I'mgood."Damonliftedhishandandwalkedtohissideofthecar.

TheywouldbeintheireightiesandMattwouldstillbeaschildishashewaswhentheywere

teenagers.Itwasjustpartofhischarm.

Chapter10

Bethany

FourDaysLater

heweekhadbeenfartoomuchfunwithMattbackhome.Shoppingandmoviewatching,eatingoutand

goingthrougholdphotoshadbeenthego-toactivities.Damonhadbeenthereforthemajorityofthetime,

buthadtoslipofftotheofficeeveryonceinawhile.WithMatthome,itwashardtobeupsetabout

Damonneedingtowork.Theonlyproblemwasthattheweekwentbyfartoofast.

BethanywokeuponThursdaymorningandlayinthedarknessbesideDamon,hermindracing

withthefactthattheyweregoingtobemarriedonSaturday.Shewasthrilledandyetterrified.Shewas

justlearninghowtobeagoodgirlfriendtothewaywardalphamale.Butbeinghiswife?

"Isthereanydifference?"Sherolledontohersideandreachedouttorunherfingersdownhis

arm.Hismusclesflexedandhegroanedsoftlyasshetracedhisbicep.

"Youtalkingtoyourself,sweetheart?"Hewasstillhalf-asleepfromwhatshecouldtell.

"Maybe."Shemovedupbehindhim,pressedherchesttohisbackandleaneddowntokisshis

neckbelowhisear."Iwascoachingmyselfonhowtobeagoodwifetoyou."

"Andwhatwasyouradvice?"Heyawnedloudlyandmovedover,rollingontohisbackand

reachingforher.

"Idon'tknow,honestly.Doyouhaveanyadvice?"

"OfcourseIdo."Helickedathislipsandmovedthecovers,leavinghishardbodyonfull

display."Let'sstartwithyoucrawlingupheretositinmylap.I'mthekindofmanwholovestohavehis

womaninhislapwheneverpossible."

"Easyenough."Shemovedontohislap,spreadinghersoftnessoverhimandrollingherhips.She

rarelysleptnaked,buthe'dtalkedherintoitthenightbefore.Hiswarmskinpressedtohersthroughout

thenighthadherconvincedthatitmightbetheonlywaytosleepinthebedwithhim.

"Andthenallyougottadoisloveme."Hereachedupandpalmedherbreasts,squeezingbefore

tuggingathernipple.

"AndhowwouldyourecommendIdothat?"Sheleanedtowardhimandpressedherhandstohis

chestasherhaircascadedforward.

"Takemeintoyouandmakelovetome."Hereachedupandpulledherdown,grippingherass

withonehandandtanglinghisfingersintoherhairwiththeotherashekissedherdeeply.

Theideaofmorningbreathbeingaproblemleftherasheshiftedhishipsandimpaledher.All

consciousthoughtleftandsheletherneedtakeover.

Theyworkedtheirhipsagainsteachotherasshepressedherhandstothebed,andhetouched

everypartofher.

"It'sassimpleasthis?"Bethaskedbeforesittingbackupandliftinguptoworkthefulllengthof

himwithherbody.

"Absolutely.I'mnotcomplicated.Ijustwantyoutolovemewithyourheart,"hereachedupand

touchedherchest,"yourmind,"hetouchedthesideofherheadandgroanedasshebobbedonhiscock,

"andyourbeautifulbody."

Hegrippedherhipsandjerkedherdown,fillingherupbeforerollingthemoverandpressingher

tothebed."Thatsoundlikesomethingyoumightbeinterestedin?"

"Howlongisthejob?"Shewrappedherlegsaroundistautwaistandtriedtostillherracing

heart.Itdidn'ttakemuchattentionfromhimandshewaspantingandshaking.

"Well,that'sthecatch."Heliftedupandglanceddownthelengthofherbody."Openyourlegs

wide.Iwannawatchyoutakeme."

"There'sacatch?"Shemoanedashepresseddownintoher,takinghistime,inchbyinch.

"Alwaysacatch,babygirl."Heglancedup,hiseyesdarkwithdesire."It'sajobthatlastsforever.

Youthinkyoucanhandlethat?"

Hedroveintoheragainasshedughernailsintohissidesandcriedoutinpleasure.

"Harder."

"Answerme."Hepulledout,rubbingthetipofhisdickalonghercenter."Now."

"OfcourseIcanhandlethat,andmuchmore."Shepressedherheelintothebedandrolledthem

backovertogaintheupperhand."Now,stopteasingme.I'msupposedtobeatthespainfortyminutes."

"Smellinglikesexandcandy?"Hesmiledandgrippedherhipsagain,fuckingherfastfrombelow.

"Better?"

"Much."Shepressedherfingersagainstthestrongmusclesofhisstomachandwhimperedashe

broughtherovertheedge."Sogood."

"Youaresogood,Beth.Youshouldseehowwellyou'retakingthisbigdick.It'sfuckinghot."He

pulledherdownandkissedherhardasshejerkedagainsthim."But,it'smyturn."

Herolledthembackoverandreacheddowntogripherhandsbeforepullingthemfaraboveher

head.Hetookbothofherwristsinonehandandpinnedherdown."Milkmebeforeyougo,lover?"

"Hellyes."Shejerkedherhips,workinghimasherolledhisbody,fuckingherfastanddeep.His

eyesflutteredshutafewminuteslater,andsheenjoyedeverysecondofwatchinghimlosehimselfabove

her.Hisgroansfilledtheair,accompaniedbythedeliciousscentoftheirsexandherpanting.

"Damn,woman."Hecollapsedontopofher."Remindmewhywe'rejustnowfindingeachother."

"Becauseyou'reoldandI'mnot?"Shelaughedashecametoandgaveheralookofchallenge.

"Oldisrelative.Let'sseewhocankeepupandwho'slaggingbehind."

"That'saboutexperience,andI'mnotexactlyrunningwiththechampsonsexualexperiences."

"Ilikethataboutyou."Heleaneddownandkissedherafewmoretimes."Lockthebathroomdoor

behindyou."

"Why?Youleaving?"Sheranherfingersthroughthedamphairatthesideofhishead.

"No.I'llfollowyouinthereifyoudon't.Thenyou'llbelateandI'llhavetohearitfromEricaand

yourmother."Hekissedheragainandrolledoff.

Sherolledofftheothersideandwalkedtothebathroom,waggingherassforhim."AndwhatifI

wanttobelate."

"Lockit!"Heleaptoverthebed,lookinglikeasexgodashebarreledtowardher.

Sheyelpedandslappedthedoorbehindher,lockingitbeforelaughinghard.Itfeltgoodtobelong

tohiminthebedroom,butevenmoreso,outofit.

"Youalmostgotme."Shepressedherforeheadtothedoor.

"Almost?Woman,youunderestimateme."Thesoundofthelockpoppinghadherscreamingin

delight.

Itwasgoingtobealongmorning...inagoodway.

"Hi,baby!"Bethany'smomstoodupfromachairinthelobbyofthespa."Ericagotinthis

morning.She'llbehereanyminute."

"Hi,Mom."Bethsmiledattheattendanttoherleft."We'reherefortheBethanyBryantspaday?"

Whyhermotherhadforcedhertoputitinhersoon-to-benamewasbeyondher,buttherewassomething

rightaboutit."

"Ofcourse.Wehaveeverythingreadyforthethreeofyou.Didyouwanttowaitontheother

memberofyourparty?"

Bethanypulledhermomintoaquickhugbeforeturningherattentionontheattendant."Yeah,I

guessweshould.Doweallgointoaroomtogether?"

"No.Thefirstpartofthespadayisforeachofyoutogetanhourandahalfmassageofchoice.

Thenwe'llputyouinaprivateroominthebackforlunchandsendinournailandhairspecialistsoneata

time.Areyouthebride?"

"Iam."Bethanyfeltoddevensayingit.

"Good.Soit'suptoyouwhatyou'dliketodo."Theladysmiledandglancedovertoward

Bethany'smother.

"Ithinkweshouldgoback.They'llputEricainaroomassoonasshegetshere,andwe'llgofrom

there?"Bethany'smomwrappedanarmaroundhershoulder."We'llbegoodandrelaxedbeforesheeven

showsup."

"Ilikethesoundofthat."Bethanyshrugged."Okay,solet'sgetstartedthen.Oh,wait.IsAuntPatty

notcomingintoday?"

"No,butshe'llbeheretomorrowforyourbacheloretteparty.Whoalldidyouinvite?"Hermom

turnedtofaceher,reachinguptosmoothdownherhair.

"It'sreallyjustafunnightoutwithdinneranddrinks.I'mnotinterestedindoinganythingtoo

adventurous."

"Iunderstandthat,butwho'scoming?IsitallrightifPattyandIcome,orwouldyouratherwejust

stayatthehouse?Itwon'thurtmyfeelingsatall."

"It'sme,Erica,youandAuntPatty.There'snowayIwouldaskyoutostayathome.Youguyswill

bethelifeoftheparty."Bethanysmirkedbeforeturningtofollowtheattendanttowardtheback."Iwish

Kristawaswithus,butthat'snotgoingtohappen."

"No,baby.It'snot.Don'tevenfocusonit.We'llhaveagoodtimetogethertomorrowjustlikewe

willtoday.ThisisaboutyouandDamon.Nooneelse."

"You'reright."Bethanyletoutalongsigh,releasingthetensioninhershouldersandlettingher

mindwanderthroughtheeventsofthelastyear.Lifehadbeenawhirlwindofactivityandnotallofit

good,butitendedupbeingincredible.

"Justgetundressedandonthetableandoneofourmasseuseswillbewithyoushortly.We'll

knockbeforewecomein."Thewomansmiledandopenedadoor,movingbacktoletBethanyin.

"Great.Thankyou."Bethwalkedintosoftmusicandabarelylitroom.Exhaustiontuggedather

andshehappilystrippeddownandgotonthebed.Shecouldn'trememberhavingamassagebeforeinher

life,notonethatwasn'tfollowedupbysomeone'sstiffypokingherinthebackinexpectation.

MemoriesofherandDamon’sfirstmeetingrolledthroughhermindashereyesgrewheavy.She

didn'tevenhearthedooropenandclosebeforesheslippedintothedarknessandletsleeptakeher.

Bliss.

"Youfellasleep?"Bethany'smomchuckledastheysatacrossasmalltablefromeachother,Erica

sittingtoBeth'sleft.

"Ididtoo."Ericaliftedherhand.Herthickblondhairwasinamessybunontopofherhead,but

shelookedincredibleregardless.Bethanywasn'tsurethewomaneverhadabadhairdayinherlife.It

waspartofhercharm.

"See?Thankyou,Erica."BethanyliftedherhandtowardEricabeforeleaningbackinherchair

andstudyinghermom.Shewasagingsome,butstilllookedlikeamillionbucks."I'mgladyouguysare

herewithme.It'sbeenaweirdyear,losingmybestfriendtoherbeinglockedupforattemptedmurder

andhavingtosurviveKendal,MattandDamon."

"Yeah,oneisbadenough,butallthree?"Ericapickeduparollfromthebasketbetweenthem,her

robesleevedippingintotheoliveoil."Damn.Itneverfails.MattandIhaveajokeonwho'sgoingtoend

upcoveredinthemealfirst.Himorme."

Bethanyandhermotherlaughed."KentandIdothesamething."

Afterreachingforaroll,Bethshrugged."DamonandIhaveourquirkstoo,butgettingmessyat

dinnerisn'toneofthem."

"Sotellmewhatelseweneedtogetdone.AnythingIneedtodofortomorrownight?IsDana,

Kendal'sgirlfriend,comingwithus?OrSophia,Matt'sbestfriend?"Ericaasked.

"Shit.Ididn'teventhinkaboutthem.I'vebeenoutofit."Bethanyranherfingersthroughherhair.

"Ineedtoinvitethemboth."

"I'llinvitethem,"Ericaoffered."I'vemetthembothandknowSophiethankstoMatt."

"Idon'tknowhertoowell,butI'vebeenaroundDanaquiteabitthisyearbecauseofKendal."

Ericatookabigbiteofherrollandtriedtotalkaroundit.Bethanywasgratefulthatshewasn'tthe

onlyoneassuredtogetintroublefortalkingwithhermouthfull."It'sbeenaroughyearforeveryone."

"Notalkingwithyourmouthfull."Bethany'smomraisedhereyebrow.

"Ha!Iknewyouweregoingtogetbusted."BethanypointedtoErica."Iloveit."

"Iwaskidding.Dowhatyouwant."Bethany'smomchuckled."Ijustdidn'twanttoletBethany

down.ShethinksI'msodamnpredictable."

"Well,let'sjustproveherwrongtomorrownightatthebar.It'sbachelorettepartytime."Erica

liftedherhandsintheairanddancedtothemusicwhichhadtobeplayinginherhead.Hermovesdidn't

matchthesoft,serenemusicpumpingoutofthespeakersabovethem.

"OhLord."Bethanyrolledhereyes."It'sjustdinnerandsomedrinks."

"Andstrippers?"Ericacockedherheadandsmiled.

"Yes.Wemusthavestrippers."Bethany'smomclappedherhandsandbouncedinherchair.

"That'sit.I'mdreaming.I'mstillonthetablelosttoadream."Bethanyglancedbetweenhermom

andErica."I'mgoingtowakeupanyminute."

"Sure,it'sadream."Hermotherlaughed."Seemslikeitmightbemorelikeanightmare!"

Chapter11

Damon

amonwaiteduntilBethanylefttomeetupwithhermomandEricatotakealonghotshower.He'dbeen

honestaboutherlockingthedoor.Somethingaboutwantingmoreofherrodehimthehardestafterjust

havingher.Itwaslikeanaddiction.Onehedidn'tmindatall.Aslongashisneedtofeelheragainsthim

didn'tgetoutofcontrol,he'dbegood.She'daccusedhiminthepastofusingsextosettlehardemotions

betweenthem,andtruthbetold,hehad.Itwashislovelanguageandthedeepestwayheknewhowto

connectwithher.

Maybethatwouldchangeoverthefuture,butforthetimebeing,hewashappywithwhohewas,

andthrilledwiththewomanshewasbecoming.

Hetookhistimeintheshowerandlethismindwanderthroughhislife,enjoyingeachandevery

partofitashefocusedonhisrelationshipwithBeth,thenwithfriends,thenworkandthenfamily.

Everythingwasinplace.Nowallheneededwastoenjoythenextfewdayscelebratinganewlifewith

hisalmost-bride.HangingoutwithKendalandMattwouldbeablast.Thetwoofthemapartweregreat,

buttogether...hewasinforawildride.Theywouldeggeachotheron,andhimaswell,untiltheyall

endedupknee-deepintrouble.Maybethethreeofthemhavingwomennowwouldchangethings.

"Doubtit."Damonreachedupandturnedtheknobontheshower,cuttingoffthewaterflow.He

driedoffanddressedinjeansandat-shirtbeforedroppingdowninfrontofhiscomputer.Mattand

Kendalwouldn'tbebytopickhimupforanotherhourtoplayaroundofgolf.He'dusethetimetoget

throughafewmoree-mails.Wherehewastryinglikehellnottofocusonthefirmduringtheirwedding

week,hedidn'thaveachoiceonsomematters.He'dhitthoseupandlettherestrotinhisinboxuntilhe

couldgettothem.

Thesoundofsomeonebeatingonhisfrontdoorhadhimgroaning.Mattwasearly."Somuchfor

gettinganythingdone."Kendalwouldhaveploppeddownonthecouchwithamagazine,ortheTVfor

entertainment,butMattwouldwantattention,andrightlyso.Hewasn'tlivinginDallasanymore.Histime

withDamonwaslimited,andthisweekwaspromisedtobefocusedonfunandfamily.

"I'mcoming,youbigoaf."DamonpulledthedooropenandmovedbackasMattandKendal

walkedin."Youguysareearly."

"Yep.Wefigureditwouldbebettertobringbreakfastoverandinterruptyourworktimethanhave

youthinkyougotawaywithsomething.Causeyadidn't."Mattpokedhiminthechestandcarriedafew

boxestothekitchen."Comeeat.WeemptiedouttheKolacheshopdowntheroad.FreakingWashington

doesn'thaveKolache.Whatthehell?"

KendalsmiledandfollowedafterMatt."MaybethatmeansyouandEricashouldgethitchedand

movebackhere.WehaveartgalleriesinTexas,Matthew.Hello."

"NotlikeSeattle."MattturnedasDamonwalkedintothekitchen."Youreadytogetyourass

handedtoyouingolftoday?"

"Nothappening."Damonmovedpasthisbrotherandopenedoneoftheboxes,grabbingtwolarge

Kolacheoutandshovinghalfofoneinhismouth."AndyouandEricabelonginSeattle.InTexaswe're

interestedinbusinessandmakingmoney."

"Ohyeah?"MattsnatchedtheextraKolachefromDamon'shand."You'retryingtotellmethatyou

don'tmissme?"

DamonpoppedhiminthestomachandgrabbedtheKolacheasMattletoutagroanandbentover.

"Imissyoueveryday,butyoumovedupthereforareason.Yourdreamsareupthere.Keeplivingthem."

"Ohbrother."Kendalrolledhiseyes."Livingyourdreamsisoverrated.Theminuteyougetit,you

gottacomeupwithanewdream.Withsomethingbiggerorbetter.It'sexhausting."

"No,youdon't."Damonturnedtofacehisbestfriend."Andyou'rereallyonetofuckingtalkright

now.Yougotthegirlyouwanted."

"Againstallodds."Mattthrewinhistwocents."Prettyfuckedupsituationandshit."

"Yeah.That."DamonnoddedtowardMatt."Andyou'reteachingatthecollegethatyouwantedto

teachat.Tellmeyou'renotlivingyourdreams."

"Iam,butIcan'thelpbutthinkIneedtostartlookingforanewdream."Kendalshruggedandtook

abiteofhisbreakfast."Notanotherwomanorcareer,butsomethingmore.Somethingbigger."

"Notthisshitagain."Damonwalkedtowardthelivingroom."Youtalkedyourselfoutofbeing

contentincollegetoo,bro.That'swhyeveryrelationshipbeforeAnawasastruggle."

"Andafterher?"MattfollowedDamon,Kendaltakinguptherear.

"Ididn'tdateafterher."Kendalleanedagainstthedoorframeattheentranceofthelivingroom.

"Enoughofthisgirliebullshit.Getyourshoesonandlet'sgoplaygolf.Ineedtogetsomeaggressionout."

"Aggressionout?"Damonsnortedanddroppeddownonthecouch,enjoyinghisbreakfast.He

liftedoneofthehalf-eatenKolacheintheair."Thanksforbreakfast.Ilovethesethings."

"I'mnotsuregolfistherightsportforyouifyou'relookingtoletoffsomesteam.Maybeboxing?"

MattofferedandsatdownbesideDamon,leaningbackandputtinghisfeetonthecoffeetable.

"Orfuckingmoreoften?"Damonshovedtherestofhismealinhismouthandworkedonhis

shoes.

"Wefuckallthetime.She'sfarmorewomanthanIdeserve,butshe'sgivingandI'mnot.MaybeI

shouldfindacharitytogetinvolvedwith,youknow?"Kendalfinishedhisbreakfasttooandwrappedhis

armsaroundhimself."Doyouguysdocharitywork?"

"No.Ihangoutwiththetwoofyou.That'scharityenough."Damonstoodup."Let'sgo.Ben's

meetingusoutthere,orthat'sthelastthingIheardfromhimlastweek."

"He'scoming.Itextedhimthismorning."Mattstoodupandwalkedtothekitchen,grabbingthe

boxes."Wetakingtheseinthecar?"

"Aslongaswe'reridinginsomethingbesidesmyMercedes.Youbotheatliketen-year-oldboys.I

don'twantgreasyfingerprintsonmyshit."Damongavethemalook.

"Yes,yourhighness."MattpoppedDamoninthechestandwalkedtothefrontdoor.

Damongotarunningstartandjumpedonhisbrother’sback,wrappinghisarmsaroundMatt's

neck."WatchitorI'llmakesureEricacatchestheflowerthingthisweekend."

"ShealreadydidatDadandKaren'swedding.Youdon'tremember?"Mattopenedthedoorand

walkedout.Hewasstruggling,butDamonwasn'trelenting.Notyet.

"Igotit.Justtotehischildishasstothecar."KendalsmiledatbothofthemandtookMatt'skeys.

"Wecantakemytruck.Igrewoutoftheneedtobefancyalongtimeago."

DamonsnortedandslidoffMatt'sbackastheyreachedthecar."Speakingoffancy,"Damon

started,"didyouguysgetyourshoespolishedandyoursuitsfittedforSaturday?"

"Yep.Alldone."Kendalnoddedandgotinthedriver’sseat.

"Yeah,aboutthat,"MattmumbledandjumpedbackasDamongrabbedforhim.

"Matt.YouknowBethanywantseverythingperfectforthiswedding.Youdickitupand-"

"Igotitdone.Jeez.She'smysistertoo."MattsmirkedandgotinthebackofthetruckasDamon

walkedtotheotherside.

"Ohfuck."KendalglancedDamon'swayashegotintothetruck."What'sthedealwithtellingthe

officethatyoursisterisnowyourwife?Sorisqué."

"ThatisagreattaglineforyourTimeMagazinefeature."Mattsnorted.

"Keepitupandyoutwowillfindyourselvestiedtosomerandomgirl'sbedwithyourown

underwearinyourmouthasagagtomorrownight.I'mnotbeyondroofieingyouandpayingsomeoneto

playalong...oraretheyplaying?"Damonglancedbackathisbrother.

KendalliftedhishandintheairandflippedDamonoff."Promises,promises."

"Naw,I'mgood.I'llshutup."Mattliftedhishandsintheair."Iwouldn'tputanythingpastyou.

Sickbastard."

"Justdon'ttellBethanyhe'sone."Kendalchuckled.

"Shealreadyknows."Damonshrugged."It'soneofthethingsshelikesmostaboutme."

Damoncouldn'thelpbutlaughasbothMattandKendalgavehimshitforthenexttwentyminutes

onthedrivetothegolfrange.Bethmightknowhissecrets,butshecertainlydidn'tlikethem.Nowoman

inherrightmindwould.Bethwasn'tjustanywoman.

"So,JamesTallingreallygotbackwithhisfamily?That'scrazy."MattwalkedbesideDamon

downthefairwayasKendalstoppedtopickuphisball.

"Yeah.Hecutbackoneverythingattheofficeandmadesurehiswifeandkidsknewtheywere

first."Damonshrugged."AsmuchasIenjoymywork,I'mgoingtohavetodothesame.Dad'slookingat

bringinginafewmoreexecutivesthisyeartohelpbalancethingsout.IthinkheandKarenrealizehow

muchI'mworking,andwhereitwasn'tthatbigofadealinthepast,itisnow."

BenmoveduponDamon'sotherside."You'rethereallthetime,butalotofthatisyourown

doing.Youhavecontrolissues,dude."

"Nooooo..."Kendaljoggedtocatchup,findinghisplaceonthefarsideofBen."NotDamon

Bryant.Headofeverythingandfollowerofnoone."

"Keepitup."Damonglancedoverathisbestfriend,enjoyingtheteasingmorethanhe'dever

admit.

"Ithinkmaybethistimeyoushouldinterviewthecandidatesfirst.Dadhiredsomeidiotsthat

almostfuckedupmyrelationshipandyoursthislastyear."MattgaveDamonahardstare."I'dstillloveto

wrapmyhandsaroundMitch'sthroatforjackingwithErica."

"Metoo,"Damonadmitted."Dad'sbeenoffalittlelately,buthe'sstillgotagoodeyeforpeople.I

justneedtobehissecondonthereviewchain."

"Mitch,theguythatpropositionedEricaforsex?"Kendalasked,hisvoiceinnocent.

"Wedon'ttalkaboutthat,really."DamonsmirkedasMattgrowledlowinhischest.

"Newsubject?"KendalaskedbeforeturninghisattentiontoBen."Whataboutyou,man?You

finallyfoundawoman?"

"Oraman?"DamonstoppedasBenwhippedaround.

"Bethanysaidsomething,didn'tshe?"Hiseyeswentwide,andDamonalmostfeltbadabout

springingitonhim,butsomeoneneededtoripthefuckingband-aidoff.They'dbeenfriendstoolongfor

BentowalkaroundwithabigsecretthatDamonwasn'tprivyto.

"Thatyou'regay?"KendalaskedandmovedaroundtostandbesideDamon.

"Iknewthattoo.Wait...wereyounotgaylastyear?"Mattcrossedhisarmsoverhischestand

gaveBenanapologeticlook.

"Really?It'sthatobvious?"Benranhisfingersthroughhishairandgroanedbeforeturninghis

backtothem.

"Yeah.We'redudes,Ben."Damonreachedoutandsqueezedhisoldfriend'sshoulder."Andit's

fine.Honestly.Youarewhoyouare.It'snotforme."

"Orme."Mattpattedhisownchestasifremindinghimselfthathewasalady’sman.

"Orme."Kendalraisedhishand."Butifit'sforyou...whatever."

"Agreed.Stopholdingthatnewstoyourself,actinglikewe'regoingtodisownyou.You'restupid

andwe'veknownforever."DamontuggedonBen'sarm."Let'sgo.You'remypartnerfortheday.Wegotta

whoopMattandKendal'sassgood.Theywerebragginginthecar."

"Braggingiswhatyoudo...whenyou'rethebestintheworld!"Matt'svoiceboomedacrossthe

quietnessoftheday.

"Shhhhhhhhh,"resoundedallaroundthem.

Theycrackedupandwalkedtothenexthole,talkingaboutthebachelorpartyandhowitwasnot

goingtogetoutofcontrol.Theywerealltakenmen,well,allofthembesidesBen.Theirwomenwould

haveameltdowniftheydidanythingstupid.

"Wait."KendalpulledDamontoastop."Whatarethegirlsdoingfortheirpartytomorrownight?"

"Dinneranddrinks,Ibelieve."Damonshrugged.Bethanywasn'tapartyanimal,andhermomand

auntweregoingwiththemforshit'ssake.

"No,Iheardtheyweregoingtoamalestripclubandthenbobbingforcocks."Mattrolledhis

shoulders."ItoldEricathatwasfine,butonlyforthisnightbecauseitwasforBethany.Ididn'twanther-"

Hedidn'tgetanotherwordoutbeforeDamontackledhim.

"Ohshit."KendalreacheddownandtriedtopullDamonoffhim,buthewasonamission-to

makeMattsqueallikeapig."Ben...alittlehelp."

"Don'tyoudare."Damonglancedbackandgavehisco-workerawickedsmile."He'sgoingto

screamlikeagirlbeforeIlethimup,andanyoneelsethatwantstotalkaboutmygirlbobbingforcocks

withsomeotherguy."

"Guys,notguy."KendalbackedupandshruggedasDamongrowledathim."What?It'sjusta

friendlyblowjob.Shit."

"Ohhellno."DamonscrambledupandturnedasKendallaughedandturnedtowardthelake

nearby.

Heranhard,andDamonbarelyreachedhimbeforehetookoffintothelake.Thesoundofhim

yellinghadDamonlaughingsohardhissideshurt.

"Youthinkthislakeisgoingtostopme?"Damonputhishandsonhishipsandgavehisbestfriend

thedeathstare."Yourassismine."

Kendalyelledonewordbeforeduckingunderthemurkywater.Asifitwouldhelphimatall.

"Matt!"

Funnything...Mattcouldn'tswim.

Chapter12

Bethany

hespadaywasrelaxing,butmorethanspendingtimewiththegirls,Bethanywasreadytospendtime

withherman.BetweenafewneedsattheofficeandDamon'sgroomsmentakingupallofhisday,she

didn'tgettoseehimuntillunchthenextday.

"Youlookingforwardtoyourbachelorettepartytonight?"Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherfrom

behindandkissedthesideofherneckastheystoodintheirkitchen.

Sheslatheredmustardonhalfasourdoughloafandpressedbackagainsthim."Notreally.I'dmuch

ratherbeherewithyou.We'renotgoinganywheretooexciting.Justtodinnerandmaybetohaveafew

drinks."

"What?Noclubwhereyoucanshakeyourasssafelyforthelasttime?"Hecuppedherbreastsand

movedhiskissing-assaultuptoherear,lickingafewtimes.

Chillbumpsraceddownherbackandcoatedherarms."I'mnotexactlytheshake-my-asskinda

girl."

"Ilikeitwhenyoushakeit."Hekissedheragainandmovedback."Youwantsomethingtodrink

withyoursandwich,baby?"

"Yeah."Shefinishedmakinghisandstartedworkingonhers."Whatdoyouboyshaveplannedfor

tonight?"

"Men.Ihaven'tbeenaboyintwentyyears,andMattwasgrowingabeardatthree."

Theychuckledtogether."HowisMatt?Youguyswentgolfingyesterdayandthentotheofficeand

thebar.Ididn'tevengettoseehimlastnight,whichisalittleupsetting.Iwashopingforafamilydinner

outatyourfather'splace."

"Thenyoushouldhavesaidsomething,beautiful."Damonwalkedpastherandmovedaroundto

theothersideofthebreakfastbar,takingaseatononeofthestoolsandwatchingher."We'regoingtograb

abucketofbeersandjustchilloutatasportsbar,I'msure.Noneofusaredancers,notthatwe'dgo

withoutourwomenanyway."Heshrugged.

Bethanyslidhissandwichtowardhim."Everythingokayattheoffice?"

"Sureis."Hepulledtheplatetowardhim,butkepthiseyesonher."Haveyoutoldyourmother

aboutyourdadshowingupatgraduation?"

Shestiffened.Itwouldhavebeennicetopretenditwasadream,ormoreanightmare,butithadn't

been.Guiltrolledthroughher.Sheshouldhavementioneditthedaybeforeatthespa.Nowshewas

holdingbackinfofromhermom,whichwasnodifferentthanlying.

"No."Sheshookherheadandpickeduphersandwich,nibblingontheedge.

Damon'sstarewasalmostheavyasitrestedonher.Hisdarkeyesfilledwithabitofconcern,his

expressioncaring."Doyouthinkyoushould?Whatifheshowsupatthewedding?DoIneedtohave

securitydetailoutthere?"

"What?"Shecametofromherthoughts."No.He'snotdangerous.Idon'tthinkhe'sintodrugs

anymore,oratleast,itdidn'tlooklikeit.HewasdressedincleanclothesandlookedmorealivethanI

rememberhimlookingwhenIwasakid."

Atorrentofemotionsracedthroughher.

"Dadmentionedittomeinthecaryesterday,butIdidn'tsayanythingaboutyouseeinghim.I

guessyourmomthoughtshesawhimtoointhecrowdatthegraduation."Damonreachedoutandtookher

hand,brushinghisfingersacrossthetopofhers."Youneedtotalktoyourmom.Iknowyouhate

deceptionasmuchasIdo.She'snottellingyouwhathappened,andyou'renottellingher.Youguysneed

totalkitout.Youknowthat."

Bethanynoddedandsethersandwichdown."You'reright.IneedtowashmyhandsandthenI'll

joinyou."Shepulledherhandfromhisandwalkedtothebathroomastearsfilledhereyes.

Whatwasherfatherdoingthere?Simplycelebratinghersuccess?Aftertenyearsofbeinggone?

Amixtureofangerandsorrowwrestledinsideofher.Therewasnoeasyanswertoit.

Ahugepartofherwantedtopullhimintoahuginsteadofslaphim.Shithappensandwhatever

madehimleaveallthoseyearsago...withoutadoubt,sheknewitwasn'ther,norwasithermother.She

madeittothebathroomasasobroseinherthroat.

Afterclosingandlockingthedoor,sheturnedonthewaterinthesinkandpressedherhandstothe

coldcountertopastearsrolleddownherface.Itwasn'tatimeforbeingbroken.

Butmaybesomewhereinthepiecesofherheartshecouldfindhealing.

"Iwantto,"shemumbledandlookedupatherself.Shehadtotalktohermom.Maybetherewas

moretothestory.Apartsheneverheardbecauseshewasalittlegirl,orbecauseshewastheirlittlegirl.

Eitherway...Damonhadclosureonhismom.Sheneededitonherdad.

Nomatterhowshelookedatit,hisactionsandhermom'sreactionsledhertothatverymoment,

andwherehatinghimsoundedappropriate,thankinghimforforgingherintothefightershewasand

causinghertosurviveDamonBryantlongenoughtolovehim...priceless.

"Dana,thisisErica.Iknowyouguyshavemet,butjustincase."Bethanymovedbackasthedark-

hairednursewho'dcapturedKendal'sheartsmiledandextendedherhandtoErica.

"Nicetomeetyou.I'veheardalittlebitofyourstorythroughKendal.You'reupinSeattle?"Dana

askedandmovedclosertoErica.

Bethanymovedoutofthewaytoletthetwogirlstalkandlifteduponhertippytoes.Hermother

andAuntPattywereflirtingwiththebartender,orrather,AuntPattywas.Itwasalmostfunnytowatch,

andyetBethany'sauntwasalooker,astrongwomanwithasenseofdirection,butquitedemandingon

men.Shewouldfindsomeoneeventually.Shehadto.

"Damn...Ishouldhavejoggedwiththem,"Bethanymuttered,referringtoMattandSophia.She

hadn'tmetthegirlbefore,anditseemedoddtoinvitehertothebacheloretteparty,butshewasMatt'sbest

friendfromgradeschoolandatonetime,shepracticallylivedwithDamon'sfamily.Sheneededtobe

there.Bethanywasjustaggravatedthatshe'dneverseenthegirl.Tryingtofindanewfacewhenshedidn't

knowwhatshewaslookingforwasdamn-nearimpossible.

"Bethany?"Theunknownvoicewasalmostwelcomed.

Bethspunaroundandsmiledasaprettybrunettewitheyesthecolorofalightblue-greenocean

extendedherhand.

"YoumustbeSophia?"

"Yeah.Nicetomeetyou.Matt'stoldmesomuchaboutyou."Sheglancedaround."I'mgoingto

grababeerandthenI'llmeeteveryone.Isthatokay?"

"Absolutely."Bethanymotionedtowardthebar."I'llgowithyou.We'rejustgoingtohaveafew

drinksandthenheadtodinner.Nothingtooexciting."

"Shit,IjustgotoffaflightfromSaudiaboutfivehoursago.AnythingAmericanisexciting."She

chuckledandwalkedtowardthebar.Shewaspetite,butveryfeminine,almostlikealivingdoll.Beth

wassurprisedthatMattwasn'tinarelationshipwiththegirl,butmaybetheirfriendshipwasmore

important?That,andnowEricawasinthepicture.

"Matttoldmethatyou'reareporter."

"Yeah,foroneofthemajornetworks,butittookallofmytwentiestogetthere."Shemovedupto

thebarandorderedaCorona."AreyouworkingatMcKenzieandBryantagainor-"

"Sortof."Bethanysmiledbeforeliftingherbeertoherlips."I'mworkingonaspecialprojectfor

Damon,butI'mnotsurewhat'sgoingtohappenafterthat."

SophiatookherbeerfromthebartenderandliftedittowardBethany."Well,congratson

graduatingwithyourmaster’sandontheengagement.Howexciting."

"Andstressful."BethhitherglassagainstSophia'sandpointedtowardherfriends."Everyoneis

overthere.Mymomandheryoungersister,Patty,arewithus,thenDanaisthedark-hairedgirl.She's

datingKendaland,ofcourse,youknowEricaiswithMatt."

"Yeah.Ilovethatgirl.WeonlygottogetheralittlebitbeforeIleftinJanuary,butshe'sperfectfor

him,andIswearhe'shadacrushonherforthelastfiveyearsorsomethingnuttylikethat."Sophiagave

Bethanyasidewayslook.

Bethlikedher.ItwaseasytoseewhyMattgotalongwithhersowell.Whereshelookedlike

perfection,astuckuptypeofgirlthatnoonewouldwanttobearound,shewasn'tthatatall.

"WhatareyoudoingoverinSaudi?That'salongwayfromhome."

TheymovedthroughthecrowdandBethanystruggledtohearheranswer,butgotenoughofitto

knowonething,shewantedtoknowmore.

"...sotheyaskedmetocheckhimout...andhonestly,he'sabastard,butwhatdoyouexpect?"

Sophieturnedbackaroundandwalkedfartherintothecrowd.Shepausedattheedgeofthebartopsand

turned."He'saprinceandoverthere,theyworshiproyaltyasifhewereadescendantfromthegods."She

snorted."Hedoesn'texactlylikeme,buttheywantthepublicity,sohe'sputtingupwithme."

"ThisistheprinceofSaudi?"BethtookanotherswigofherbeerasDanaandEricawalkedtheir

way.

"Yep.He'sunderinvestigationfortrafficking.Hesayshe'snotinvolved,butI'mtheretofigurethat

out."Sheglancedaround."Keepthattoyourselfthough.I'mhorribleatkeepingsecrets.IsweartoGod."

"Hey,Sophia."EricamovedupbesidethemandhuggedSophia.

"Hey,yourself.Youlooklikeamillionbucks.WhyintheworldareyoudatingMattBryant?"

Sophiachuckled,andBethnoticedtheuncomfortablelookonDana'sface.Sheneededtobepulleddeeper

intothegroup.Thefourofthemwouldbefriendsforeverbecausetheirmenwereclose.

"Didyoufinishupyourresidencyatthehospital?"BethmovedaroundEricaandSophiatostand

closertoDana.

"Yeah.Finally."Dana'sshouldersloweredalittle."It'sbeenalongyear,butI'mgladit'sover.

AfterKendallostAmandalastfall,Iwasn'tsureanythingwasgoingtoworkout."

"Iknow.Itwashorrible.Hehadthatandthehearingformybestfriendstodealwith."

"Ohright.Jeez.Itwasonethingafterthenext,andthentofindouthedatedmyoldersisterafew

yearsback."Shereachedupandranherfingersdownherface."Iswearyoucan'tmakethisstuffup."

Bethchuckled."Andyet,everythingworksoutbecauseloveforcesitto."

"Agreed,andusuallylovehassomehelpfromademanding,needyguywithgreatteethandasexy

voice."Shesmirkedandtookadrinkofhertea."Thanksforinvitingmetonight.IknowI'mnewtothe

group,butitmeansalottome."

"I'mthrilledyoucouldcome."Bethscannedthebarforhermother."Weneedtofinishupandget

uptotherestaurant.It'sonthesecondfloor.I'mgoingtofindmymotherandherwildyoungersister.You

grabSophiaandErica?Meetyouupthereinfiveminutes?"

"Justoverthere?Thosestairs?"Danapointedtowardthestairs.

"Yep.That'sthem."Bethanywaiteduntilthewomannoddedtoturnandgoinsearchofhermom

andaunt.Shefoundhermombesidethebar,nursingahigh-ballglassofCoke."Thereyouare.Where's

AuntPatty?"

"Neckingwiththebartender."Hermomsmiledsobigithadtohurtherface.

Bethanyreachedoverandrubbedthetopofhermom'sback."Brother.Weshouldhaveknown

better.Bringingherherewheretherearemenandalcohol."

"AlwaysadangerouscombinationforPatty.She'sgreatatmakingmistakesoneglassatatime."

HermomlaughedandBethanydidtoo.

"Mom."Bethmovedaroundtostandbesideher."Ineedtotellyousomething."

Thesmileslidoffhermom'sface."Metoo."

"Mefirst."Bethtookadeepbreathandletitoutslowly."IsawDadatmygraduation.That'swhat

IwasdoingoutsidealonewhenyouandKentwalkedup."

"Isawhimtoo."Hermom'sexpressionsoftenedasshevisiblydeflated."IwashopingIwas

wrong,butI'dknowhimanywhere."Thehurtwasalittletoorawonhermom'sprettyface.

"Wespokeforafewminutesand-"

"What?Youspoketohim?Whatdidhesay?"Hermomputherglassdownandreachedoverto

gripBethany'sshoulders."Youshouldn'thavedonethatalone."

"Hewouldn'thurtme,Mom.Idon'tbelievethat."

"Thereyougirlsare!"Bethany'sauntwrappedanarmaroundbothBethandhermom."Let'sget

somethingtoeatbeforeImakeanotherlifemistake."

"Iknowhewouldn'thurtyou.Helovedyouwithallofhisheart."HermomignoredPatty."What

didhesay,Bethany?"

"Thathewassorry."Beth'seyesfilledwithtears."Islappedhimandscreamedinhisface.Iwas

horrible."

"Good.Youneedtogetitout.I'msureheunderstood."ShepushedPatty'sarmoffhershoulder.

"Justaminute."

"Helookedsohurt."Bethtookashakybreath.

"Whoishe,guys?"Pattylookedbetweenthem.

"We'lltalkaboutitlater.Tonight'snotthenightforthat,butthanksfortellingme..."Hermom

glanceddownatherhands."There'smoretothestory,buttherealwaysis,right?"

"Right."Bethanyreachedoutandtouchedthesideofhermom'sface,wipingawaythesingletear

thatdrippeddownhercheek.Regardlessofthestory,hermotherhadbeentheonetopickherupwhen

shefellandloveherwhenshefeltcompletelyunlovable.Thestorycouldbetold,buthonestly...it

wouldn’tchangemuch.

Chapter13

Damon

et'sgetthispartystarted!"Mattwalkedintothekitchenattheirfather'shouse,afloppyclownhaton

hisheadandapartytoystickingoutofthesideofhismouth."Here.Wegotyouthis..."

Damoncaughtthet-shirtMatttossedtohimandglancedovertofindKendalholdingbacktears.

"Youguysarefuckingstupid.We'reinourthirties.Weshouldbeplayinganotherroundofgolf,eatinga

steakdinnerandflippingeachotheroff."

"What?"Kendalchokedonalaugh."We'vebeenwaitingforthismomentsincewemet.Remember

weusedtotalkaboutfuckingupthetownatourbachelorpartiestogether?"

"That'swhenyouguyswerestillfuckingwomentogether.Duh."Mattrolledhiseyesandwalked

tothefridge.

"Wait.What?"BenglancedupfromthepaperandgaveDamonanoddlook.

"Longstory,andnotoneyouwanttohear.Ipromise."Damonhelduptheshirtandrolledhiseyes

beforetossingitbacktoMatt."I'mnotwearingthatshit."

"No?CanI?"Matthelditupandchuckled."Ilovethisthing."

"Lemmesee."BengotupfromhisseatandwalkedaroundthebreakfastbartostandnexttoMatt.

"Ohshit.Pleasedon'twearthat."

"What'sitsay?"Kendalleanedagainstthecounter,lookingmorealivethanDamonhadseenhim

inyears.Danawasdoingsomethingtobreathelifebackintohisbestfriend.He'dhavetopullheraside

andthankher.

Mattturnedtheshirtaroundandsnortedbeforelaughingagain.

Kendalrolledhiseyes."Touchmyballsforadollar?Fuckme.Nooneiswearingthat."

"Iam."Mattpulledthepartytoyoutofhismouthandtuggedthet-shirtoverhishead.

Damonwatchedinhumorashisbrothersqueezedhisfatassinthet-shirtthatwasobviouslymade

forhim.Matttriedtoputhisarmsdown,butgotnowhere.Hewasstuckwithhisarmsout.

"Takesomepictures."Damonpulledouthisphoneandtriednottocryhewaslaughingsohard.

"Postthemupeverywhere."

"No.Don'tyoudare.Ericawillkillme."Mattspunaroundandwrestledthet-shirtoffofhimself

astherestofthemlaughedtheirassesoff.

"Youdon'tevenneedliquortobethelifeoftheparty,buddy."KendalwalkedpastMatt,patting

himonthebackandheadingtowardthedoor."Let'sgo.We'llgrababurgeratthebar.Thestrippersare

dueinourprivateroomatten.Weneedtoroll."

"Strippers?"Damon'sheartskippedabeat.Nowayhewaswatchingsomeonestrip.Bethany

wouldfliphershit,andhonestly...hewasn'tinterested.He'dseenamillionnakedwomenduringhis

singleyears,whichwasplenty."Fuckthat,guys.I'mgoodwithdrinksanddinner,butnostrippers."

"Ohcomeon,bro.Someofthesegirlsarejusttryingtomakealiving."Mattwrappedhisarm

aroundDamon'sshouldersastheywalkedtothefrontdoor.

"Theyshouldgetaneducation."Benwalkedbehindthem,hisvoicetightwithwhatDamon

assumedwasangst.

"Andpayforithow?"DamonsnortedandwalkedouttofindhisMercedesdoneupforthenight.

Therewasn'taninchtheguyshadn'twrittensomethingoffensiveacrossthewindowsinshoepolish.

"Awwww...fuck.Notmybaby.I'mgoingtogetyoudicksbackforthis."

"Yeah,yeah.Stopbitchingandgetin.Thestrippersarejoiningusfordinner.BJsonme."Kendal

gotinthedriver'sside.

HiswordsgaveDamonpause.NofuckingwaywasKendalorMattgoingtocheatontheir

women,andhesureashellwasn'tgoingtogetwithintenfeetofanotherwoman.Theywerepullinghis

chain.Timetopullback.

"Youguysaren'tserious,right?CauseI'mnotgoodwithawomanrubbingherselfalloverme

whilewetryandeatdinner."Benwalkedaroundthecar,givingDamonanilllook.

"It'llbeallright."Damonnoddedathisfriend."MattandKendalwillkeepthegirlsoffofyou."

Damoncouldn'thelpbutnoticeMatt'ssmilefading.Itwouldn'ttakemuchandKendalandMatt

wouldbecryinguncle.Tryingtoplayatrickonhim?Nofuckingway.

"Soyoureadyforthis?"Kendalglancedoverandwaggedhiseyebrows.

"Hellyeah,Iam.Lastnightoffreedom.Goodthingyoutwoassholesaren'tmarriedyeteither.

Mightbefuntoshareagirlonelasttime.Maybethreeorfourofthem."Damonbuckledupandwatched

hisbestfriendthroughhisperipherals.Kendalvisiblypaledashemutteredhisagreement.

Ohyeah...letthegamesbegin.

"Hi,boys.Anyspecialoccasionforvisitingustonight?"Abustyblondstoppedbythehigh-top

tablethey'dfoundatthebar,alongwiththerestofDallas,whowasobviouslytherethatnight.

"Mybachelorparty."Damonwinkedatthegirl."We'lltakeabucketofbeersandfourburgers.

Thatallright?"Damonglancedaroundattheguys.

"Yeah.It'sgreat,"Mattmuttered,lookinglikesomeonehadswipedhisfavoritepairofjeansfrom

highschoolandburnedtheminfrontofhim.

Suchpussies.Damontappedthetable."Whatthefuck?Youguysweredryhumpingtheairatthe

houseandnowyou'relikeabunchofwetrags.What'sup?"

"I'mnotlettingastrippertouchme.Nofuckingway."Benglanceddownatthetable,buthewas

theonlyonetosaysomething.

"Ohhush,Ben.It'sgoingtobegreat.Youcanjuststandguardandmakesurenoonewalksup.

Mattcantakethegirl'smouth,Kendalherass,andwe'llleavethegoodstufftome."Damonwaggedhis

eyebrowsandhoppedoffhisseat."Funtimescomingup.Igottapiss.Makesuretheybringketchup."

Hewalkedoffandbeforehecouldgetoutofearshot,allthreeofthemwerelosingtheirshit.

Damonpressedhisfisttohismouthashewalkedtowardthejohn.Justpullingthewooloverhisfriends

wasenoughtomakethenightahit.Asifhe'dgetanywherenearanotherwomanwhenhehadBeth.Fuck

that.ItwasalmostcrazythatKendal,orreallyMatt,wouldbelievehim.ThefactthatMatthadn'tblown

upandactedlikeacompletepsychooverDamon'ssuggestiontoldhimthatMattwasstillchewingonthe

truthofDamon'swords.Hewasn'tquiteconvincedyet.

"Hithere."AcutebrunettewithanicebodyandveryfewclothesmovedinfrontofDamon."I'm

Lyndsay."

"Hi,Lyndsay.I'mengaged."Hesmiledandpulledherhandfromhischest.

"Ohshit.Allthegoodonesaregone."Shehuffedandglancedaroundthebar.

"YouassumeI'moneofthegoodones."

"Thisistrue."Shesmirked."Iwasn'treallyhittingonyoutogetanywhere.Ilockedmykeysinmy

car,withmywallet,andwashopingtogetcloseenoughtopickyourpocket."Shegavehimagrinasif

shewereproudofhernefariousways.

"Andyou'retellingmethiswhy?"Damonpattedhispocketsjusttomakesureshewasn'tthe

diversionandfourofherfriendshadn'tmovedpasthim,draininghimdryofhiscashandcards.

Sheshruggedandlaughed."Notsure.Okay,well,haveagreatnight,Mr.Engaged.Ifyouseea

singleguywhoneedsacutegirltoflirtwithhim,just-"

"Wait.Howmuchdoyouneedtogetintoyourcar?"

"Aroundahundredbucks.Iswearthelock-pickguysarecompletecriminals."Sherolledher

eyes.

"Howaboutthis...I'llpayyouahundredbucksifyou'llpretendtobethestripperformybachelor

party."Damonliftedhishandasshestartedtoprotest,herhandalreadyonherhip."Wait.Youdon'thave

tostrip.Justletmerunintothebathroomandgrabahandfulofcondoms.Wegotothetableandyoujust

snuggleuptomysideandplayalong.I'mjustfuckingwithmyfriendswhothoughttheyweregoingtofuck

withme.Yeah?"

Shesmiled."Ilikeit.I'llwaithere.Hundredbucks,right?Nostripping?"

"Iwouldneveraskthatofyou,andanymanthatdid,youneedtopunchhiminthedickandwalk

away."Damonleftherandwalkedinthebathroomasexcitementbubbledupinsideofhim.Ifonlyhe

couldrecordthewholeevent.Bethwasgoingtoloveit.

Hegrabbedahandfulofcondomsfromabasketonthesinkandtuckedtheminhispocket.He

foundthegirlwaitingpatientlyoutsidethejohnandreachedforherhand.

"What'syourname?"

"Let'sgowithCandy?"Shesnickered,andhedidtoo.

"Awesome.Thanksagainfordoingthis."Hepausedandpulledoutahundreddollarbill."It's

goingtohelpmemakesomegreatmemories.Justactobliviousandplayalong.Theseguysaregoingto

shitthemselves."Hefeltlikeafifteen-year-oldboyplayingpranksonhislittlebrotheragain.Nothingfelt

better...nothingbutBeth.

"Youbet."Thegirlshovedthemoneyinherpocketandsnuggledagainsthissideastheywalked

backtothetable.

Everyone'seyesgrewwideasDamonmoveduptothetablewithhisarmwrappedaroundthe

girl."Guys,notsurewhoyouhadstrippingforustonight,butCandyherefoundmenearthebathroomand

istotallygame."Damonglanceddownatherandlickedhislips."You'regoodtakingonthreeofus?"

"Whynotfour?"Herlipturneddowninapout."Icanstripforallofyou,butIreallylikea

challenge."

"Ohno,Benhereisn'tintowomen.Nooffensetoyou,angelcakes,buthe'sjustnotinterested."

DamonglancedupatBen,wholookedcompletelypetrified.

"Whatthefuckareyoutalkingabout?"Mattexploded."Wehavewomen.There'snowayinhell

we'resharinganyonetonight.You'velostyourfuckingmind.Ishouldbeatyourassalloverthisbarfor

eventhinkingaboutdoingthatto-"

"Wait.Thiswasyouridea."Damonreachedintohispocketandpulledoutthecondoms,tossing

themontothetableandglancingoveratKendal,whowascompletelywhite,hiseyeswideandmouth

agape."Comeon,buddy.Youwantedastripperthatwouldbendoverforus.Igotusone."Damonsmiled

wickedlyandgaveKendalthenodheusedtogivehimbackincollegewhenitwasgotime.

Kendalliftedhishandsasheswallowedhard."You'velostyourmind,dude.Wewerekidding.I

ain'ttouchinganyone."

"Youaren'teither."Mattgotup,hisfacecompletelyred.

Damonliftedhisphoneandtookapictureofeachofthem,theoneofMattaclose-upthanksto

himgettinginDamon'sface."Andthisiswhatachumplookslike."Damonchuckledandglanceddownat

thegirl."Thanksamillion,Candy.Goodluckgettinghome,sweetheart.Needoneofustowalkyouout?"

Shelaughed."No,butthanksforthehelp.Goodluckwithyourparty."

"Oh,it'salldownhillfromhere."Damonreleasedherandturnedtowardhisbrother."Not

interestedinalapdance?"hemockedMattandthenKendal.Everyonedeflated.

"Nofuckingwayyoujustturnedthatonus."Kendalpressedhisfingerstohisforehead."I

seriouslythoughtyou'dgoneoffthedeepend."

"HellyeahIdid,andyoubitchesfellforit.Tryingtopulloneonme.Thatshitisn'tevergoingto

fly."DamontookhisseatandreachedbacktopushatMatt'schest."Where'syourt-shirt,bro?"

"Fuckyou.Thatwasn'tfunny."MattwalkedaroundtotheothersideofthetableandgaveDamon

thedeathstare.

"Damn,man,"Kendalstarted,"whenyougavemethelook,youknowthelook,Iknewwewerein

trouble.Ihaven'tfeltthatsicksincefindingoutDanaandAnaweresisters.Shit.IthinkIneedtogohome

andliedown.Fuckme."

DamonlaughedlowinhischestandglancedovertowardBen,whowasnursinghisbeer."And

you,buddy?Youokay?"

"Yep.Yougavemetheout.Ioweyouone."Benliftedhisbeertowardthecenterofthetable."To

DamonBryant.There'snoonequitelikehim,andthoughhe'sacompletebastard,he'sourbastard.Here.

Here."

Theyallliftedtheirbeersandsmackedthebottlesagainsteachother.

SomerandomdudejackedthemomentbyleaninginbetweenDamonandKendal.Thepoorguy

couldn'thavebeenovertwenty."Dude!Aretherereallycondomsonthetable?Fuck-freaking-tabular!"

Damonreachedoverandgrabbedallofthem,handingthemtothekid."Knockyourselfout,man."

"Awesome!"Theguytookthemandturned,runningthroughthebar,yellingsomethingincoherent.

"Ahhhtobeyounganddumbagain."KendalsmiledoveratDamon."Youreallyalmosthadmea

fewminutesago."

"Iwasreadytobeatyourass."Mattwasstillinamood.

"Youwerereadytotry.Therehasn'tbeenadayintwenty-eightyearswhereyou'vebeatenmy

ass."

"Yeah,butyou'regettingold."MatttiltedhisbeertowardDamon,whoreachedoutandsnatchedit

fromhim.

"JustmeansI'mmorewisewithmymoves."DamonfinishedMatt'sbeerandsettheemptybottle

infrontofhim."I'llalwayswin."

"Ibelievethatshit,"Benmuttered.

"Yep.Nothinghaschanged...noteventhegirl’sname."Kendalsnortedandmovedbackasthe

foodwasdelivered.

"PleasetellmeyouguysbonedsomepoorgirlnamedCandybackincollege."Mattleanedbackin

hischair,amusementonhisface.

"Several,"DamonandKendalsaidatthesametime.

Thetableeruptedinlaughter.Therewasnoneedforstrippers,loosewomenorcondoms.They

hadgoodwomen,andnothingwasgoingtofuckthatup.Notever.

Chapter14

Bethany

eteveryoneupfrontplease."Theweddingcoordinatorwasn'texactlythetypeofpersonBethanywas

excitedtoworkwith,butKent'ssister,Allison,hadbeenadamantabouthiringthechick.Theyweren't

doingarehearsaldinnerbecausetheworldwasstarvingforauthenticity,sotheceremonyshouldbe

donefromscratch.

Damon,Bethanyandtherestoftheirweddingpartywerewalkedthroughthedetailsofwhat

wouldhappenattenthatnextmorning,thedayofthewedding.Itwasfastandfurious,butthatwasusually

thewaytheydidthings.Whychangenow?

"Youallright?"DamonturnedandranhishandsdownBeth'sshoulders.

"I'mready."Shesmiledupathimandmovedintokisshim.

"Nokissing!Savethatfortonight.It'sbadluck."TheweddingcoordinatorpulledBethanyback.

Damongrowledbeforepursinghislips.

Itwasgoingtobealongdayofdealingwithher.Bethanycouldn'tevenrememberthelady'sname,

butmaybeitwasforthebest.Damon'sAuntAllisonwalkedintothechurchandglancedaround.

"Wherearetheflowers?Havethebowsbeenfluffed?Isyourdresshere?"Sheturnedandpinned

Bethanywithadeathstarebeforewalkingintothesanctuary."Whyisn'ttheunitycandlecenteredonthe

table?Goodgrief."

Damonrolledhiseyesandturnedtowalkouttheothersideofthechurch.Hepausedandglanced

back."Justafewmorehoursandyou'remine."

"I'vebeenyourssincethemomentIfirstsawyou."Bethwrappedherarmsaroundherselfand

tiltedherheadtotheside."Itwasjustahardroadgettingyoutoseethat."

HewalkedacrossthefoyerandpulledBethintohisarms,leaningdownandbrushinghisnoseby

hers."Iwrotevowsforyoutoday.YoujustdotheonesthepreachergivesyouandI'llsaymine.Ihada

fewthingsIneededyoutoknow."

"What?"Shestiffenedashekissedher,softlyatfirst,andthenwithabitmorehunger.Itwasa

goodthingeveryonewasrushingaroundtryingtogetthingsready.Foranengagementthathappenedseven

monthsbefore,everythingseemedlast-freakingminute.

Bethanymeltedagainsthimandopenedhermouth,welcominghiminsideofher,wherehe

belonged.Sheranherfingersupthesideofhissmoothfaceandtuckedherselfagainsthim,prolongingthe

kiss.

Hefinallybrokeit,hiseyesglossy,lipsalittlered."God,Iloveyou.TonightI'mgoingtoworship

everyinchofyou.Let'sjustgetthroughtheformalities."

Shesmiled."Let'senjoythem.We'reonlygoingtogettodothisonceinourlifetimes.Let'ssavor

themoment."

"Howaboutyoudothat,andIsavoryou?"Henippedatherlips."Don'toverdoyourselfforthe

ceremony.You,firstthinginthemorning,isenoughtostopmyheart.I'dhatetokeeloverupthereatthe

frontofthechurch."

"You'renotallowedtodieuntilwe'reoldandcanlookbackonafulllifetogether."Sheleanedin

foranotherkissasalumpformedinherthroat.

"Thankyou,baby.Forgivingmethis."Hereachedupandpressedhispalmtoherchestaboveher

heart.

"Mybreast?"Shesnortedandhelaughedashiseyesfilledwithtears.

"Yourheart.It'shealedmine."Heleaneddownandkissedheragain,jerkingbackasthewedding

coordinator'sshrillvoicefilledthefoyer.

"Nokissing!It'sbadluck!"

DamonsmiledatBethany."Wemakeourownluck.Seeyoutonight."

"Iloveyou,"shecalledafterhim.

"Notasmuch,butthat'sallright.Youcanmakeituptomeinotherways."Heshookhisassbefore

walkingoutofthechurch.

BethanylaughedandglancedoveratDamon'sAuntAllisonandthecoordinator."What?Heloves

sex."Sheshruggedandturned,enjoyingthegaspsbehindher.HowintheworldKenthadaneccentric

sisterlikeAllisonwhenhewassolow-keyandlaidbackwasbeyondBethany.Itwasonlyadaytheyhad

togetthroughwiththewholefamilyandthenherandDamonwouldbeonabeach...justthetwoofthem.

"Thereyouare."EricawalkedoutintothehallfromoneofthelittleSundayschoolrooms."The

make-upladywillbehereatfour,butthestylistneedsustocomedowntohersalon.It'sjustfiveminutes

downtheroad.Youready?"

"Yes."Bethanystuckherheadintothebride'sdressingroomtheyfixeduptofindhermomand

AuntPattylaughingaboutsomething.Theyalreadylookedlikeamillionbucks.

"Youguysreadytogetourhairdone?"Bethanyliftedhereyebrowashermombentover,laughing

harder.

"We'regood.We'vealreadygotourselvesready.We'rejustlaughingaboutsomeofthetimeswe

hadwhenwewereyourage."Pattyliftedherhandandwipedafewtearsfromherface."Lifehasbeen

good."

"Andit'sonlygoingtogetbetter."Bethany'smomstoodupandwalkedtowardher."Youand

Ericago.We'llstayhereandmakesureAllisonandherpetdon'tchangeallofthecolorsorthrowoutthe

flowersbeforeyougetback."

Pattylaughedloudlyinthebackground.

Bethanysmirked."Right?IswearIdon'tknowwhatgetsintoher."

"Control,babydoll."Pattygotupandwalkedtowardthedoor,movingupbesideBethany'smom.

"It'sallaboutcontrol.Somepeopleneedittofeelimportant,buttherestofusknowthatwe'realready

queenoftheworld...insomepartoftheworld."

"Hellyeahtothat."Bethany'smomliftedherhand,surprisingheralittle.

PattyhititandBethanymovedback."Okay,youtwoweirdos.EricaandIaregoingtogetourhair

done.Themake-upchickissupposedtobehereinacoupleofhours,somakesureyouhelpherfindher

waybackhereifyouseeher."

"Willdo.Havefun,baby."Bethany'smommovedupandpulledherintoawarmhug."Iloveyou.

I'msoproudofyou."

"Thanks,Mom."BethanyglancedbackatErica."Youready?"

"AsreadyasI'lleverbe."Sheliftedherhandanddangledasetofkeys."Damon'sgoingtobe

lookingforthese,butweshouldtotallyusethattoouradvantage."

Bethsnortedandputherhandout."ArethesetohisMercedes?"

"Yep.Iknowit'shisbaby,butthethingrideslikesexonwheels.He'sgoingtobehereforthenext

fourhours.Let'stakeit?"Shesmilednefariously.

“Ithasshoepolishalloverit.”Bethrolledhereyes.“Yousurewewanna-”

“DriveDamon’scar?Areyoukiddingme…”Ericalaughed.

"Alright.You’reright."Bethpulledoutherphoneandtextedhim,askingiftheycould.He

respondedbackrightawaythatanythingthatwashis,washers.ShehandedthephonetoEricaand

waggedhereyebrowsasEricaglancedupwithsurpriseonherface.

"You'reamagicwoman.Aregularwitchfromthedaysofold."Shesmiledandhandedthephone

back."IneverinamillionyearsexpectedsomeonetotameDamonBryant."

"I'mnotquitesuretameistherightword.He'sstillhisownmananddoeswhateverthehellhe

wants.It'spartofhischarm."

"Andyou'regoodwiththat?"Shesmiledandwalkedaroundtotheothersideofthecar.

Bethnodded."It'soneofthemanythingsIloveabouthim."

"Youknow,thisishonestlyunfair,"BethanygrumbledassheturnedherheadtolookatSophia

whosatbesideherinthebride'sroomlaterthatafternoon.Hairandmake-upweredone,andhertoesand

fingernailslookedlikeamillionbucks.Shefeltlikeaprincess...agrumpyoneatpresent.

"Iagree,butlet'sdothebestwecan.Here,letmeseewhatyouhave."Sophiasnatchedthepaper

infrontofBethanyandgaveheralook.Theywerebecomingfastfriends.Toobadthewomanwas

workinginSaudiforthenextyear."Youdon'tevenhaveanythingdown.It'sjustabunchofdoodles."

"HowamIsupposedtowritemyownvows?Ijustkeephearingthewordsfromthetraditional

vowsinmymindplayingoverandoveragain.It'suseless."

"Whatarewegettingupsetabout?"EricawalkedintotheroomandsatdownacrossfromBethany

atthetable.

"Damonjustsprungonmeafewhoursagothathe'swrittenhisvows,butit'sokay...Icanjustuse

theold,crusty,traditionalones."Bethanyhuffed."I'mbeingdramatic."

"Very."Sophialaughedandstoodup."We'regoingtoleaveyoualoneandwe'llclosethedoor

behindus.JusttextmeorEricaifyouneedanything.Getyourvowsdone.Justthinkabouthowyoureally

feelaboutDamon.Concentrateonhim,notthetask."

"You'reright."Bethanytookthepaperbackandwaiteduntilthetwoofthemwereoutoftheroom.

Shesatbackandclosedhereyes,lettinghermindwanderthroughtheirlastyeartogether.Fromthefirst

dayofmeetinghimattheofficetothateveningathomefortheirfirstfamilydinner.Desireracedthrough

herassheenvisionedhimpressinghertothebrickwallofthehouseontheoutsidepatio,andMatt

interruptingthem.

Sexinhisbed,onaplane,inhisoffice,inthepool.

Shewhimperedandsetherpendownasherskinfeltprickly."Stopit.Thinkoftheotherstuff.The

fightsandroadblocksandpeoplewhotriedtotearusapart."Sheletoutashortbreathandletherhead

hang,herchintouchingherchest.

They'dbeenthroughsomuch.

Andeveryturnintheroadwasanothermomentofvalidationthatthingsshouldn'thaveworkedout

buttheydid.Everyobstacleonlymadethemstronger.Hisobsessionthatshewouldcheatandlielikehis

motherdidwithhisfather.

Herworrythathismoneymadehimdifferentandnomanaswealthyandaccomplishedashim

wouldeverreallywantapoorgirllikeher.

Shepressedherfingerstohereyesandtriednottolethermake-uprun.

"Shit."Gettingup,shewalkedtothemirrorandsnatchedaKleenexfromaboxofthem,being

carefultowipeupthetears,butnotthetwohundreddollarsofmake-up.

Ridiculous.

Asoftknockresoundedatthedoorbehindher,andshehalf-hopedthatitwasDamon.

"Comein."Sheturnedashermotherslippedintotheroom.

"Don'ttellEricaandSophiathatIbotheredyou.They'restandingguard,buttheyaren'tverygood

atit."Hermotherlaughedandclosedthedoorbehindherbeforewalkingacrosstheroom."Youlook

incredible.Likeaprincessfromastorybook."

"Thanks,Mom."Bethmovedtowardhermom,lettingtheolderwomanpullherintoalonghug.It

wasaplaceshe'dgonemanytimesinherlife.Itwashomewhennootherplacewas."Iloveyou."

"Metoo.NothingsadorI'llcryandmessupmytendollarmake-up.Shit'sexpensive."Hermom

movedbackandtheysharedalaugh."Igotacallfromyourdadwhileyouweregettingyourhairdone."

"He'snotcoming,right?"Bethanystiffened.ThedaywasaboutherandDamonandtheirfuture.

Notaboutherpast.

"No,he'snot.Wehadagoodtalk.Heapologizedforcomingtothegraduation.Hefeelslikeshit

forwantingtoseeyouandpotentiallymessingupyourspecialday."Hermomreachedoutandsqueezed

hershoulder.

"Hemesseduplotsofdaysbeforethatone,Mom."Bethanypulledfromhermom'stouchand

walkedbacktothemirrortostraightenherdressandcheckoutherhair.

"That'strue,butyou'vemessedupbeforetoo.AndsohaveI."Hermommovedupbesideher."He

didn'twanttoleaveus,baby."

"Itwasachoice,andhemadeit."

"Andhowdoesthatmakeyoufeel?"Hermom'svoicewassoft,butfirm."Thinkingthatyourdad

didn'twantyouandlefttopunishyoufornotbeingenough?"

Bethany'sheartachedinherchest.Hermotherhadslammedthehammerintothemostsensitive

nailthatpokedoutofher."Iamenough."

"Oh,Iknowyouare,Beth.Buttellmehowitmakesyoufeeltothinktheotherthought.TheoneI

justofferedyou."ShewrappedherarmsaroundBethfrombehindandpressedhercheektoBeth'shead.

Theembracewaswarm,andyetBethwasstrugglingwithkeepingherselftogether.

"Deadinside."SheliftedtheKleenexbacktoherface.

"AndwhatifItellyouthatyoumeanteverythingtohim?Thatyouwerethereasonherushedhome

afterhisshittyjob?Thathestartedsellingdrugssothathecouldbuyusabiggerhouseandgiveyou

anythingyouaskedfor?Itwasastupiddecisiononhispart,butwhatifItoldyouthateverythinghedid

wasforyou?Forme?"HermomsqueezedhertighterasBethletoutasob.

"Thenmyangerandhatewasfornothing."

"No,notfornothing,butitdoesn'tserveyou,baby.It'skillingyou.Youhaveabrightfuturewith

Damonandwithallofus.Letthepaststaywhereitisandofferyourdadforgiveness."

"Haveyou?"

"Yes.ThenightIsaidyestoKent...Iforgaveyourfatherforeverything.Itwasn'teasy,butmy

chestdoesn'thurtsomuchanymore,mydreamsaren'tsotaintedwithpainandloss."ShekissedBeth's

headagainandforcedhertoturn."Unforgivingislikedrinkingpoisonandhopingsomeoneelsewilldie.

Theywon't...butyouwill.Letitgo,becauseyourunderstandingofitiswrong.Ishouldhavecorrectedit

alongtimeago,butIwantedhimtoloseyou,tohurtbecauseIwashurt.I'mbetternow.Kent'slove,and

yourlove...they'vefreedme."

Bethanyglanceddownandletoutanothersoftcry."Ican'tmessupthismake-up.Damn."

"Thendon't,buttonightwhenDamonisasleep,spendsometimelettinggo."ShekissedBethany's

foreheadandmovedback."Now...let'sgetthisweddingdonesoyoucangoloungeonabeach

somewhereasabillionaire'swife.It'sfun.Ishouldknow."

Bethanyglancedupandnodded."Iloveyou.Thanks,Mom."

"Anythingforyou."Theolderwomanturnedandwalkedtothedoor,pausingonlywhenBethany

calledouttoher.

"Mom."

Sheturnedback."Yeah,baby?"

"IsDadhappy?Doeshehaveanotherfamilynowandstuff?"Bethanyheldherbreath.

"Yeah,hedoes.Hehasthreekids.Allteenagers."Hermothersmiled."Hedeservesthathell."

Bethanynoddednotsurewhattosay.

"Igothisaddressforyoushouldyoueverwanttovisithim."Hermomopenedthedoor."Seeyou

inthesanctuaryinafewminutes.It'salmosttime."

Assoonashermotherleft,Bethmovedovertothetableandsatdown,pickingupthepenand

scriptingouthervows.Theyflowedoutofherasifshewerecreatedtowritethem.Theknockatthedoor

scaredher,butshewasdone.

"Youready?It'stime."Damon'sAuntAllisonstoodtherewithtearsinhereyes."Damonlooks

amazing,butnothinglikeyou."

"Thanks."Bethanysmiledandstoodup,walkingtowardthedoor.ShehuggedDamon'sauntbefore

movingoutintothehall.

Ericaturnedandsquealedsoftly."Youlookamazing."

"Thanks."Bethanymoveduptohugher."Matt'supfrontwithDamon?"

Thecoordinatormovedupbesidethem,thewomanmorecalmthanBethanyhadseenherallday.

"Yes.Theguysareupfront.Ericaisgoingtowalkdowntheaislebeforeyou,andthenwe'llhave

everyonestandandcuethemusic,anditwillbeyourturn."

BethanynoddedandmovedupasEricawalkedin.Thechurchdoorshutandeverythingseemed

almosttooreal.Everythinghadfallenintoplace.Allofherhardworkhadpaidoff.Nomorepovertyin

herbankaccountorbankruptcyinherheart.Damonhadhelpedtofixallofthat.

"Youready?"Thecoordinator’sfacelitup."It'stime,dear."

"Yes.Morethanready."Bethanymoveduptothedoorandtookadeepbreathastheyopenedthe

doorsandthemusicstartedtoplay.

Kentreachedforherarmandsmiled."Youlookbeautiful.I'mgladtocallyoumine."

"Thanks.Ifeelbeautiful."Sheslippedherarmintohisandwalkedtowardthemainaisle.They

pausedatthebackandBethanyglancedup,hergroomwaitingatthefront.Thelookofanticipationmixed

withdesireonhisfacemeltedher.

Withshakykneesandherhearttryingtopounditswayoutofherchest,shetookthefirststep

towardforever.She'dneverbeenmoreterrifiedorelatedbeforeinherlife.Thiswasit.

Justdon'ttrip.Justdon'ttrip.Justdon't...trip.

Chapter15

Damon

isbreathcaughtinhischestasBethanyroundedthecorneratthebackofthechurch.Thecrowdof

peoplethathadgatheredinthechurchhadhelpedtoblockhisviewuntilthatmoment.He'dneverinhis

lifeseenanythingsobeautiful,soperfect.

"Wow.Damn..."Mattmumbledbesidehim.

Damon'shandswereclaspedtightly,hisarmshangingcomfortably.Hehadtolooklikethepicture

ofconfidenceandassurance,buthisinsideswereafuckingmess.

WhatifhemessedthingsupwithBeth?WhatifhelostherlikeJamesalmostlosthiswife?What

ifshecheatedonhimlikehismotherdidwithhisfather?

Wasloveenough?Washeenough?

He'dnevercontemplatedthequestionsbefore,butstandingthereatthefrontofthechurchwithhis

bridewalkingtowardhim...itwasallhecouldthinkabout.

Hereyesneverlefthim,herlipsturnedupinabeautifulsmileasthecrowdshiftedtofaceher

witheverystepshetook.Hisfatherheldontoher,hisownfacefilledwiththetypeofpridethat'shardto

catchoncamera,thekindpeopleonlyseeafewtimesintheirlives.

"Youokay?"MattwhisperedsoftlybesideDamon.

"Neverbetter."DamonmoveddownthestairsandstoppedbesideBeth,leaningdownandkissing

herafewtimes,lockingeyeswithher."Youlookincredible.Notasgoodasyoudidthismorningall

sleepyinthebed,butstunningnevertheless."Hiswordsweresoft,whisperedjustforhertohear.

Hereyesfilledwithtears,andhisheartswelledinhischest.Hecameoutofthetrancewithherto

hearthecongregationlaughingandthepreacherfocusedonhim.

"Thekissusuallycomesattheend,son."Theoldermanchuckled.

"He'salwaysbeenonetoraceahead."Damon'sfatherglancedoverathim."I'mproudofyou."

AnddowntoBethany."Andyoutoo,sweetheart.Thisisthebestdayofmylife."

"Whogivesthiswomantobemarriedtothisman?"thepreacherspokeup.

"HermotherandIdo."Damon'sfatherbentdownandkissedBethany'scheekbeforehandingher

offtoDamon,pattinghisshoulderandwalkingtositdownbesideKaren.

"Youokay?"Damonglanceddowntowardhisgirl.Shewasshakinglikealeaf.

"Yes.Neverbetter.Justalittleoverwhelmed."

"Well,focusonmeandthepreacherandyou'llbefine."Hesqueezedherhandandturnedbackto

thepreacherasthemandoveintotheceremony.Damon'sthoughtsscattered,hisdesiretothinkabout

worknowheretobefound,thankfully.

Bethhadputupwithalotofshittobecomehis.He'dpushedbackhardwhenshewantedanything

morethansex,andseveraltimes,he'dattackedherintelligenceandherworth.Hehatedhimselfforit,but

itwasadefensemechanism.Afterwatchinghismomanddadtearapartthefamilyinhisyoungeryears,

hejustwasn'tinterestedingoingthroughthesamethinginhisownlife.

Theerrorofhispastthinkingwasever-presentashestoodthereinfrontoffivehundredpeople

withthewomanofhisdreamsholdinghishandtightly.

Allofthemhadbeenthroughshit,andyetheknewwithoutadoubtthathisandBethany'swedding

wasjustthefirstinastringofweddingsthatwouldoccur.KendalandDanawouldhookup,nodoubt,and

EricawouldstealMatt'slastnameifshehadtoforceitonhim.

Allwasrightintheworld.Atleasthisworld.

"Nowcomesthetimeintheceremonywherethevowsareproclaimed."Thepreacherturnedand

walkeduponthestage.

BethanytuggedatDamon'shandasasweetsmilespreadacrossherlips."Youcoming?"

"Yeah."Hebithistongue,wantingtoanswerwithsomethingnaughty,buthistimingwasoff.No

needtohaveanaudiencetowitnesshisdepravity,thoughitwasn'tsomethingheusuallyhid.

"DamonandBethanyhavedecidedtowritetheirownvowstoday,solet'shavetheringsandwe'll

letyougofirst,Damon."TheoldermanturnedasEricaandMattmoveduponthestageaswell.Erica

placedDamon'sringinthepreacher'shand,andMattputBethany’sdown.

Damonsmiledathisbrother,whoseemedasnervousasDamonwas."Yourturnsoon,buddy."

MattgruntedandDamonlaughed,asdidBethany.

"PlacetheringonBethany'slefthandandpleasereadyourvows."Thepreacherbackedupas

BethanyandDamonturnedtofaceeachother.AmildlookofpanicracedpastBethany'sexpression,but

Damonignoredit.Heshouldhavegivenhermoretimetocomeupwithvows.Shewasanoverachiever.

Therewasnowayinhellshewasgoingtolethimdosomethingspecialandhernotmatchitoreven

overdoitifpossible.

Hetookherhandandslidtheringhalfwayonit,pausingasheglancedupandlookeddeepinto

hereyes."FromthemomentImetyou,you'vechallengedme.Notonlytobeabetterman,buttochange

mywayofthinking.Loveisn'tgivenjusttobesnatchedaway,andhappinesslastsformorethanafew

moments.Forgivenessisn'tthewayoftheworld,butit'syourway."Hepausedandtookashakybreath.

"You'rebeautifulandkind,beyondbrilliantandwillsoonrulenotonlymyheart,butmyhome,my

businessandanythingelseyouwantthatbelongstome."

TearswelledupinBeth'seyes,spillingoverandstealinghisheart.Hemustnotbedickingitup

toobadly.

"Whereareyournotes?"shewhisperedandhelaughed.

"Idon'thavenotes,silly.Doyou?"

Herlipspursedtightly.Himmemorizingitwasn'tagoodthingfromwhathecouldtell.

"Webothhadsomuchtoovercometobringthisrelationshiptogether,butIwantyoutoknow,that

Iovercameeachobstaclebecauseofyou,foryou.Iwantwarmthandloveinourlives,playfulnessand

passioninourbedroom,andthesoundoflittlefeetfillingupourhallways.You'veopenedanewworldto

me,Beth,oneIdidn'tevenknowexisted.You'remyeverything,andItakeyoutobemywife.Iwantto

holdyou,careforyou,provideanythingyouneedfromthisdayforward,ingoodtimesandinbad,when

we'rerollinginwealthyandwhenwe'renot,whenwe’restrongandhealthyandwhenwe'renot.From

todayon...Itakeyoutobemywife,mypartnerandlover,mybestfriend.Untildeathdouspart."

Heleanedinandkissedherasthecrowdchuckledandthepreachergrumbledplayfully.

"Notfair,"Bethwhisperedandreacheduptowipehereyes.Herhandsshook,asdidherlip.

Damonpulledhercloserandkissedthetopofherhead,wantingtocomforther,tohideherfromthe

crowd,todoanythingtogiveherasenseofsecurity.

Hemovedbackasshenudgedhimtodoso.

"Okay.Myturn."Shetooktheringfromthepreacherandputitonhisfingerbeforelookingup."I

wrotemyvowstwentyminutesagowhenyouinformedmeweweredoingthis-"

Thecrowdchuckledagain,andDamongaveheracheekygrin."Youloveagoodchallenge."

"WhichiswhyIloveyou."

Anotherroundoflaughter.

"AndIthoughtIwouldneedmynotes,butIdon't."Shetookadeepbreathandliftedherchin,

stealinghisheartforthemillionthtime."I'veneverwantedtobewithamanthatscaredme,that

intimidatedmeandhadthepowertomeltmyheartwithinafewminutesofnothingmorethanbeinginhis

presence.IwantedcontroltorunmylifethebestwayIsawfit,whichincludedputtingsafetyasmy

numberonegoal.Ichosethosetypeofboyfriendsinthepast.Safe."

Damonheldhisbreath,hisheartracingsohardithurt.Theyshouldhavegoneovertheirvowsthe

nightbefore.Hearingthemfreshwashard,scary.Itlefthimfeelingvulnerablenotonlyforhimself,butfor

hertoo.

"Butwhenwemet,IknewIwouldneverbethesame.I'velivedinascarcitymindset,always

afraidthatmylifeofpovertywouldnotonlystainmypast,butbepartofmyfuture,butitwasn'tabout

money.Itwasaboutlove,freedom,happiness,joy.Thosethingswerehitandmissbeforeus.Neverinmy

lifehaveIfeltsuchpassion,neverhaveIbeensopissed."

Damonsmiledasthecrowdchuckled.Hereachedupandtouchedthesideofherface.Therewas

nothinghewantedmorethantopickherupandfindaroomtostripherdownandworshipher.It

screamedhisfeelingswherewordswereonlyawhisper.

"Andthroughthelastyear,I'vecomealiveagain.Myhearthasbeguntobeat,andit'sbecauseof

you."Shepressedherfaceagainsthishandashiseyesfilledwithtears."You’restrongandbrilliant,

capableanddetermined.You'remyprotector,myrock,thebiggestchallengeinmylife,andtheloverof

mydreams.Mypastmattersnomore.Ionlyseemyfuture.Ionlyseeyou."

Sheswallowedhardashereleasedhisholdonhercheekandletoutabreathhedidn'trealizehe

washoldingin.

"SotodayItakeyou,Damon,asmylawfulhusband.Iwanttohaveandholdyouforever.Starting

today.Iwantustoclingtoeachotherwhethertheworldisright,orraincloudshoveraboveus.Iwantus

tostandstrongbesideeachotherinsicknessandinhealth,inrichesandinpoverty,nomatterwhatformit

comesin.Fromtodayforward,I'meternallyyoursandyou'remine.Untildeathdowepart."

ThecrowdwentwildasBethanypushedtheringontohisfinger.Damonletthetearsspillontohis

cheeksashepulledhisbrideinforalongkiss.

"Well,let'sjustgoaheadandpronouncethemhusbandandwife.Youmaykissyour...wait,you're

alreadydoingit."

Morelaughterfilledthesanctuary,butDamonwaslosttothewomaninhisarms.Itwasnothing

new.Hehadbeenherssincetheirfirstencounter.

"Inowpresenttoyou,Mr.andMrs.DamonBryant."DamonturnedandclaspedBethany'shandas

shebeamed.Theplacefilledwithclapping,andDamonwalkeddowntheaislebesidehisbestfriend,his

girl,hiswife.

Chapter16

Bethany

ouokay?"DamonaskedherforthetenthtimeastheywalkedintooneoftheSundayschoolrooms.

Bethanylaughed."Yes,baby.Areyouokay?Youkeepasking."

Hewasalittlewide-eyed."Ithinkso.Youwerejustshakinginthere.Iwasworried."

"Iwasnervous."Sheslidherarmsaroundhiswaistandpulledhimintight."Yourvowswere

beautiful."

"Shit..."Hescoffed."Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantogivemybeautifulwifeachallenge.You

blewmeoutofthewater.Iworkedonmineforafuckingweekandyouhadtwentyminutesandtookme

downfast."

Sheliftedtohertoesandhemoveddown,pressinghislipstoherashisstronghandsgrippedher

lowerback.Sherelaxedagainsthim,enjoyingthefeelingofhimholdingherup.

"Ifeelsodamnsentimental."Shemovedbackandwipedathereyes."It'sdrivingmecrazy."

"It'sjustgratitude."Kentwalkedinbehindthem."Whenyougetsomethinginlifethatmakesyour

lifebetter,you'reoverwhelmedwithgratitude."Heshrugged."It'sabeautifulplacetobe,butit's

emotionallyexhausting.Hanginthere,kiddo.You'llfeelbettertomorrow."

"Ikindalikethefeeling,butIkeepwantingtocry.That'sannoying."Bethanymovedintoaside

hugwithherfather?Father-in-law?Itwastooconfusingtofigureout,anditdidn'tmatter.Kentwas

family...afatherfigureinsomewayoranother.

"It'sagoodthing."Bethany'smomwalkedupandwrappedherarmsaroundBethanyandKent,

smilingupatthem.

Mattbouncedthroughthedoor,hisvoiceloud,hissmilehuge."Yeah!I'msoexcitedforyoutwo.

Congratulations.Theceremonywasbeyondbeautiful."

Ericajoinedthem."Icouldn'tagreemore.Itwassimpleandsmallinthewayofthewedding

party,butsomanypeoplecametohelpcelebrate."

"Yeah.Whowereallthosepeople?"Bethanymovedoutofthegrouphugandtookherplace

besideDamon."Didyouinviteallofthem?"Sheglancedupatherhusband.

"Me?No.Iknowtwentypeople,tops."Damonchuckled."Mostlikelyyourmomandmydad."

Bethanyglancedovertowardhermomandliftedaneyebrow."Isittrue?"

"Maybe."SheshruggedandturnedtowardKent."Let'sgogetafewpicturesonthestagebefore

thekidscomeintherefortheirpictures."

"Raceyouthere."KentreleasedherandjoggedtothedoorasBethany'smomtookoffafterhim.

"IhopeIcanstillrunlikethatwhenI'molder."Kendalwalkedintotheroom,barelymissing

gettingrunover.Danamovedupbesidehimandsmiled,butremainedsilent.Thepoorthingstillwasn't

comfortablearoundeveryoneyet.

"They'renotthatold,"Bethanypointedout."Allright...sopicturesandthenovertothereception

hallatthehotelonthecorner?Wehaveituntilmidnight."

"FreeliquoronDamon'stab?"Mattwaggedhiseyebrows.

"Yep.It'sallsetupforyourpleasure,buddyboy."DamonreleasedBethanyandmovedoverto

resthishandonMatt'sshoulder."AndthenBethandIflyoutinthemorningattenforJamaica.Canyou

takeustotheairport?"

"Surecan."MattglancedoveratEricaandofferedherahand."We'restayingwithMomandDad

tonight,butI'llcomebyyourplaceinthemorning?"

"Soundsgood."DamonglancedoveratBeth."Readyforpictures,baby?"

"Yeah,butwhyarewemakingplanslikewe'renotallgoingtoseeeachotheratthereception?We

havethenextfourhoursdancingandeatingtogether.Weirdos."Shesmirked.

"Haveyoueverbeentoabigreception?"Ericaasked,hersmilewelcoming."Wewon'tget

anotherwordinafterthepictures.IfyouandDamonaren'tdancing,thenyou'llbehuggingnecks,eating

cakeandkissingrandombabies.Itgetscrazy,andifIheardright,youhaveaboutsixhundredpeopleat

yours."

"Damn!"Bethanyyelledwithasmileonherface.

"Sixhundred?"DamonreleasedMattandputhishandsonhiships."Idon'teventhinkDadknows

thatmanypeople."

"You'dbesurprised.Theystartcomingoutofthewoodworksforweddings."Kendalpatted

Damononthechestandwalkedout."We'llmeetyouguysoverthereafterpictures.DanaandIwillget

youaplatejustincaseseeingthatyou’regoingtobebombardedwhenyoufirstgetinthedoor.It'shardto

findtimetoeatfromwhatIheard."

"Ipayforthefoodanddon'tgetany?"Damonshookhishead."Thisistheworstbusinessdeal

ever."

"It'snotadealatall,andithasnothingtodowithbusiness.Getreadytomingle,Mr.Unsocial."

Ericawalkedtowardthedoor,directingherteasingtowardDamon."Matt,comeon,handsome.Iwanta

fewpictureswithjustyouandmetoo."

BethanyletoutasoftsighaseveryonelefttheroombutDamon."Thatwasbeautiful.Thankyou

foraperfectwedding."

"Thankyou,Mrs.Bryant."Hemovedtowardher,reachingoutandrunninghishandsdownher

backtosqueezethetopofherrear."Iknowwehavetomingleandchokebabiesandshit-"

"Kissbabies."Bethanylaughed.

"Thattoo,butwhenwegetbacktomyplace...I'mgonnaneedtoseewhat'sunderthisbigfluffy

whitedress."

"You'veseenitamilliontimesalready."Shesmiledupathimandpressedherselfagainsthis

strongchest.

"Thatdoesn'tmeanIdon'twanttoseeitagain."Hebrushedhisnosebyhers."HowmuchwouldI

havetoofferyounottohavetotaketoomanypictures?"

"Nothing.You'restuck."Sheliftedupandkissedhim."Italkedtomymomaboutmydadbeingat

thegraduationtheotherday."

"And?"Damon'seyebrowlifted.

"AndshethinksIshouldforgivehim.Kindalikeyoudidwithyourmother."Sheglanceddown,

notquitesureshefelttheneedtobringupthesituationwithherdadagain.Itwastheirday,andhad

nothingtodowithhim.

"Ithinkthat'sagreatidea.Itfreesyoutoheal."Hepressedhisfingerssoftlyunderherchin."But,

that'ssomethingonlyyoucandecideforyourself,baby.I'mheretosupportyou,butit'sgoingtobeupto

youhowyoudealwithyourfatherandyourpast."

"Iknow.GivemeaminuteandI'llbeinthereforpictures."Sheleanedinashemoveddownto

kissherafewmoretimes.

"Anythingyouwant.It'syours."

Shewatchedhimgoandwaiteduntilhelefttomovetowardthelargestained-glasswindowsin

thesmallSundayschoolroom.

"Idon'twanttoforgiveyou,butsomepartofmeknowsIalreadyhave."Shereachedupand

brushedherfingersbyherlips."Forgivingyoudoesn'tmeanIhavetoletyoubackintomylife,itjust

meansthatIdon'thavetohurtbecauseofyouanymore."

"Baby?"Bethany'smom'svoicecausedhertoturn."YoutalkingtoGod?"

Bethanychuckled."No,Mom.Ithinkhe'sprobablybusywithpeoplethathaverealproblems."

"Baby,theonlypeoplethatdon'thaveproblemsareincemeteries."Hermothersmiled."Youwant

metoleaveyoualone?"

"No.I'mgood.IjustneededaminutetoforgiveDaddy."Sheshruggedandwalkedtowardher

mom,notatallsurprisedbytheexpressiononhermom'sprettyface.

"Oh.Wow.Youwanthisnumberoraddress?"

"MaybehisaddresswhenIgetbackfromourhoneymoon.Idon'twanttoseehimortalktohim,

butmaybeIcanwritealetterandgeteverythingout.I'mnotreallysurehe'dwanttogetanass-chewing

fromme,butwhoknows."Shesnuggledagainsthermomastheywalkeddownthehallwaytowardthe

soundoflaughter.

"Ithinkyou'dbesurprised.Atenserelationship,attimes,isbetterthannorelationshipatall.At

leastwiththeopenlineofcommunication,there'ssomehopestillalive."

"Hopeforwhat?"Theystoppedoutsidethelargesanctuarydoors.

"Hopeforreconciliation,Bethany."Hermomtouchedthesideofherface."You'realwaysliving

inthefuture,sweetheart.DealwithyourdadwhenyougetbackfromJamaica,butrightnow,stopthinking

aboutanythingbutthehereandnow.Thismomentrighthereispreciousandyou'renevergoingtogetit

back.Clingtoit."

Bethanynodded."You'reright.You'realwaysright."

"Yeah,canyoutellKentthat?"Bethany'smomlaughedastheywalkedintothesanctuary.

Kent,Damon,MattandKendalwereupfronttryingtolooklikegangstersforthenextpictures.

Bethanyranherfingersdownherfaceandsnort-laughed.

"Youhavegottobekiddingme,"shecalledout.

"What?"Mattresponded."We'retough.Wecouldbeinagang."

"Yeah,maybethechain-gang."EricalaughedasshewalkedtowardBethany."Youneedanything?"

"NothingotherthanafunnightwithmyfriendsandfamilybeforeIheadofftoaweekofsun,fun

andfruitydrinks."

"Makeussomegrandbabieswhileyou'rethere."Bethany'smomwaggedhereyebrowsand

walkedtowardthestage.

"Ugh.Really?Gross."BethrolledhereyesasEricaslippedherarmintoBeth's.

"Thatwasgross,butyoushouldhaverespondedwith,'We'lltry’!"

Bethnodded."ThepracticingpartisDamon'sfavorite.MinetooifI'mbeinghonest."

"It'sallofourfavorites."Sheshookherhead."WhatarewegoingtodowiththesecrazyBryant

men?"

Bethsighedsoftly,lettinghereyesroamalloverDamon."Theonlythingwecando.Lovethem."

Epilogue

Bethany

ell?Thatwasahit."BethanyreclinedinthebackofthelimobesideDamonastheypulledaway

fromthereception.Therehadbeenfartoomanypeopletoreallykeeptrackofanyone.Afterhuggingthe

hundredthperson,thefacesandconversationsstartedtoblendtogether.

"Itwasincredible.I'mfuckingbeatthough."Hereachedoverandtouchedthesideofherface.

"Howaboutaquickshowerandbed?"

"Howaboutalongshowerandbed?"Shemovedcloser,pressinghershouldertohisasthey

slumpedagainstthesoftleatherbehindthem.

"Ilikethesoundofthattoo."Hisfingertipsskimmeddownhercheek."Ourflightleavesattenin

themorning,soweneedtogetupatsixorso-"

HepausedasBethanysatupandmovedintohislap,herhugeweddingdressbillowingdownthe

sidesofhislegs.

"Stoptalkingaboutalltheto-dosonourlisttomorrow.Tonightisourfirstnightasamarried

couple."Sheranherhandsdownhisfirmchestandpurred."Idon'twanttofocusonanythingbuteach

other."

Hiseyesdarkenedasheranhishandsupherskirt,dippingunderittobrushthebackofhisfingers

byhercenter."You'renottired?"

"I'mbeyondtired,butI'mnotgoingtosleepwithoutfeelingyouontopofme,burieddeepinside

ofme,moaningallaroundme."

"Fuck,woman."Heslippedhisfingersintoherpantiesandlickedhislips."I'mnotsurewecando

toomuchwithoutyoumakingamessofthisprettydressthatmydaughter'sgoingtowearoneday."

Shewhimperedashepushedherpantiestotheside,addinghisotherhandunderherskirt.

"Ilovehowyoutouchme,"shewhisperedandleanedback,reachingbehindhertograsphisknees

forstability.

"Good.I'mgoingtobetouchingyoufortherestofyourlife."Hepressedhispalmtoherclitand

slippedtwofingersinsideofherfromhisfreehand."Rideme,Beth."

Sheclosedhereyesandletherheadfallback,notcaringaboutanythingotherthanbeingcloseto

him.Therewasnothingshewouldn'tdoforhim.

"Iwantyousobad."Shemoanedandrolledherhips,forcingmoreofhiminsideofher.

"Youneedmycock,lover?Justsaythewords."

"Yes."Shesatupfartherandreachedforhim.

"Notenough.Saywhatyouwantandit'syours."Hepulledonehandfromherbodyandreached

up,pullingherflushagainsthimashecontinuedtopumphisfingersinandoutofher."You'resowet.Tell

mewhatyouneedfromme.Noneedtobeg,baby,justdemandit."

"You'rethedemandingone."Shereachedbetweenthemandundidhisslacks."Iwantmycock."

Hechuckled."Yourcock?"

"Youheardmeright."Shesmiledandmovedback,moaningloudlyashemovedhisotherhand

fromunderneathherskirt.

"IguessIdid."Hekepthiseyesonher,butreacheddownandhelpedherpullhisarousalfromhis

pants."Comegetit."

Shegrowledasexhaustionbeatagainsther.Itcouldtakeabackseat.Therewassomethingso

thrillingaboutmakinglovetoDamoninacar,oraplane,oranywhereforthatmatter.

Movingup,shestraddledhiswaistandpressedbackonhisshaft,lettingthegirthofitopenherup

fully.TheygroanedtogetheraspleasureshotacrossBethany'scenter.

Damonpulledherdownandmadelovetohermouthashetookcontroloftheirsex,hishands

grippingherassunderthedress,settingtherhythmsoslowanddeep.Sheshookwithneedbythetimehe

releasedhisholdonherandsmiled.

"Dowhatyouwannado,baby.Icanseeitinyoureyes,feelthetensioninyourbody.Comeforme

andthenI'lltakebackover."Helookedupfrombeneathher,themanagodinhisownright.

"Yes,"shemumbledandreachedup,grippingthetopoftheseatbehindhimasshepumpedher

hips,bouncingonhiscock.Betweenthepressureandthedeliciousencouragementshecontinuedtogive,

shedidn'tlastmorethanafewminutes.

Hercriesfilledupthebackofthecab,andsheglancedoverhershoulder,findingreliefthatthe

darkenedwindowwasraisedbetweenthemandthedriver.

"Focusonme.Comeagain."Damongrippedthesideofherneckandforcedhertoturnback

towardhim.

"No.It'syourturn."Shecuppedherhandoverhisandliftedupslowly,justthewayhelikedit.

"Therearenoturns,Beth.Iwanttofeelyoucomeagain,toexperiencehowgooditiswhenyour

bodycontractsaroundmine.There'snothingbetter.Nothing."Heliftedhiships,pumpingintoherbodyas

shehoveredabovehim,preparingforthenextwaveofheatanditdidn'tdisappoint.Itblastedthroughher,

andshecriedoutagain,soclosetotheedge.

"Iwantyouinthebed,intheshower."Shepressedherfingersintohischest.

"Andyou'regoingtohavemeinallthoseplaces.Moanforme.Ilovethesoundofyougetting

off."Hereachedupandsqueezedherbreast,brushinghisthumboverhernipple."I'llcomewithyou,just

beloud.Letyourselfgo.Nooneiswatchingbutme.Iwannaseeit.Feelit.Hearit.Comeforme."

Sheglanceddownathimandcriedoutasherorgasmhit.Iftheshowwasonlyforhim...itneeded

tobefromdeepinsideofher.

Liftingup,shelockedeyeswithhimandletherselfgo,rollingherhipsandworkingthemboth

overtheedgeoforgasm.Sherolledandbounced,moaningandwhimperingashepantedandheldon

tightlytoher.

"That'sit,beauty.Givemeyourall."

Shemoanedandpressedbackasthehighfaded."I'msotired."Sheslumpeddownagainsthim,

restinginthecradleofhisarms."Iloveyousomuch."

"Metoo,baby.Thatwasamazing.Youwereamazing."Heheldherforafewmoreminutesuntil

thecarstopped."Rolloverandletmeputmyselftogether.We'llgetyououtofthatdressandintothe

showerinafewminutes,okay?"

"Okay,"shewhisperedbeforerollingbacktoherseat.Shecouldn'trememberbeingsoweary

before,butthey'dbeenthroughalotoverthelastfewdays,andevenmoresothatday.Ithadbeenpicture

perfectthough.Nothingwasoutofplaceorgotmesseduporfellapart.

Funnyenough,ifithad,shewasn'ttoosureitwouldhavemattered.Aslongassheendedthenight

asMrs.DamonBryant,allwouldbewell.

Damonputhimselfbacktogetherandhelpedheroutofthecar,thankingthedriverandwalking

withhertothehouse.Heunlockedthedoorandpausedtoputthekeyinhispocket.

"Whatareyoudoing?"Shesmiledashereachedforherandpickedherup.Excitementfilledher,

forcingthetirednesstofadeaway.

"Carryingyouacrossthethreshold."Hesmiledandkissedherbeforewalkingtowardthedoor.

"Ithoughtyoudidn'tliketradition."Shereachedupandtouchedhisface,herheartswellinginher

chest.

"Somethingsareworthrespecting."Hewalkedwithherintothehouseandputherdown,

wrappinghisarmsaroundher."Likeawomanwho'scommittedtoanassholelikeme.Whoknewyouhad

thepowertochangeme."

"Areyouchanged?Idon'tthinkso."Shelaughedandranherhandsdownhisback.

"Youdon't?"

"Nope,andIwouldhopethatyouneverchange.Iloveyoujustlikeyouare."

"Whydoesthatturnmeon?"Hegaveheracockysmile.

"Becauseeverythingturnsyouon?"

"Right.Youcangetaheadstart."Henoddedtowardthebed."Buttakeitnow."

"What?"Sheturnedandjoggedtowardthebedroom,squealingashebarreledafterher.

Nothinghadchanged,andyeteverythinghad.

Bethknewwithoutadoubtthatnothingwouldeverbethesame.

ShewasaBryantnow.Intherightway.AsDamon'swife.

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Document Outline

Chapter 1 Damon
Chapter 2 Bethany
Chapter 3 Damon
Chapter 4 Bethany
Chapter 5 Bethany
Chapter 6 Bethany
Chapter 7 Damon
Chapter 8 Bethany
Chapter 9 Damon
Chapter 10 Bethany
Chapter 11 Damon
Chapter 12 Bethany
Chapter 13 Damon
Chapter 14 Bethany
Chapter 15 Damon
Chapter 16 Bethany

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