Chapter 55 Honey
HONEY
I find my handsome firefighter standing by his truck in the back lot. He gives me a huge grin when he sees me. “How was your first day back?”
He pulls me into his arms, and I smile. “Exhausting, but this way I’ll be able to finish grading all of my assignments by the end of the semester.” As we walk to my house, I lean against him. “I’m really glad you suggested driving because I might fall asleep on the way to your place.”
“When we get home, you can take a nap while I make dinner.”
I love the sound of that. When we get to my house, I head into the bedroom to grab some clothes. Beau stands in the doorway and watches me. “I think there’s something I should tell you.”
I turn around. “What?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I kinda feel bad about this, but I’m never going to be able to buy you the kind of jewelry your father did.” When I give him a questioning look, he motions to my necklace tree.
“My dad didn’t buy those for me. My grandmother left them for me in her will.”
His head tilts. “Really? ’Cause the day he stopped me in his truck, he said he bought you all of this nice jewelry to point out how I don’t meet his expectations.”
I roll my eyes. “The more I learn about my father, the more disappointed he makes me. I swear, every single piece except two necklaces belonged to my grandmother. I got another gift from my mom and one from Aunt June.” I cross the room to hug him.
“You more than meet my expectations, Beau, and I think my opinion is the only one that matters.”
The grin he gives me sets off butterflies in my stomach. “Not gonna lie, Honey. I wanna buy you nice things.”
Draping my arms over his shoulders, I lean up on my tiptoes to kiss him.
“Jewelry is nice, and maybe for a big anniversary, I’d enjoy it, but you know what I really appreciate?
Picnics in tall fields and barbecues in the backyard.
Long Sunday drives with the wind blowing through my hair.
Riding my horse across a quiet meadow. Having fun at ranch rodeos. ”
He cups my face and rubs his thumb along my cheek. “Have you heard from your father?”
“I don’t expect to hear from him, and that’s okay.
I’m still mad at him and probably will be for a long time.
” Especially when I replay that last conversation I had with him.
Did he suspect Melissa was pregnant with Trig’s kid?
Because it sure seemed like he did, and yet he was trying to shame Beau about it.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“It’s fine. My father might be an asshole, but he raised me to be resilient, so I’ll survive.
” My mom has been distant since I told her about Beau, but my father spent decades brainwashing her about the Walkers, so I’m not surprised.
I think she just needs time to get used to us being together.
She says she’s grateful Beau saved my life, and that’s good enough for now.
Aunt June says Beau’s “fine as hell” and cackled wildly when I told her how much this pissed off my father.
Beau pulls me into a hug. “I told Cash I could stable your horse. That way you can ride whenever you want without dealing with your father. Cash is supposed to bring her over next week.”
My eyes sting. “That would be amazing. Thank you.”
“You know…” He pauses a long minute. “You could stay at my place from now on if you want. Though you might miss being a minute away from your job.”
I glance up at him as those butterflies riot. “Beau Walker, are you asking me to move in with you?”
His ears go red. “If you’d like to, but no pressure.”
“My lease lets up next summer. I’m not sure I’m ready to give up my apartment, but maybe I can stay with you over the weekends. And, okay, sometimes during the week.”
He laughs. “Whatever you want, babe.”
After I get my stuff, he helps me carry everything down to his truck. As I buckle my seatbelt, I turn to him. “Paige wants to hang out tomorrow night.”
“That’s cool. I have something I need to do for Rhett then anyway.” There’s something funny about his voice, but I chalk it up to being tired.
We pick up some dinner and debate what movie to watch tonight. I might have a lot of grading to catch up on, but I’m not going to be married to my work anymore. If the car crash taught me anything, it’s that life’s too short.
When we get to his cabin, we unload my stuff, and he’s standing in the kitchen, riffling through the mail when he freezes. “It’s here. The paternity test.”
I rush over to him and grab his arm. “Okay. Let’s do this. And no matter what, we’ll work through what it means.”
He kisses me. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” He tears open the envelope. “There’s a zero percent chance I’m the father.”
Excited, I yell and jump in his arms. He spins me around, then stops suddenly. “I’m not supposed to be spinning you.”
“I’m over the acute phase of my concussion. You don’t have to be so careful with me.”
He chuckles. “I’m not gonna pound you into the mattress yet, Honey.”
I jut out my bottom lip. “That’s so sad. I’m ready for the pounding.” Snuggling up to him every night has been making me crazy. He’s so sexy and always smells so good.
Beau places me on the counter, but stays between my legs. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Love you, baby.”
“Love you too.” I lean over to kiss him. “Not to ruin the good vibes, but do you think we should call Melissa?” I still can’t believe she was also sleeping with my brother. I’m just grateful that didn’t overlap with her dating Beau because… well, I don’t want to think about that.
He sighs, but nods. “It’s probably the right thing to do.” After he pulls out his cell and dials, he puts it on the counter. When she answers, he looks at me. “Hey, Mel. I’m here with Honey. I have you on speakerphone.”
“You got the results too.” She sounds like she’s been crying.
“We did.” He crosses his arms. “You okay? Honey and I wanted to check on how you’re doing.”
“Hey, Melissa.” This is so awkward. “I guess… I guess I’ll be an aunt soon?” I try to sound cheery.
“Um. Yeah.” She sniffles. “I’m sorry. I really thought Beau was the father. I wasn’t trying to jerk your brother around.”
I look at my handsome boyfriend. I don’t blame her for wanting him to be her baby’s daddy.
I love Trig, but sometimes he’s a hot mess.
“Listen, I know we got off to a bad start, but I want you to know you can call me if you ever need anything. I want the best for you and your baby.” It’s difficult to say those words, but she’s having my niece or nephew, and I want to be in that child’s life.
“Th-thank you, Honey. I don’t know what to say.”
When we get off the phone, Beau hugs me. “You’re such a good woman. You handled that with so much grace.”
I run my hand along his beard and kiss him. “It’s easy to be gracious when you won the man.”
“You’re stuck with me now.”
My heart soars. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.”
Grinning, I nibble his neck, and he groans. “The doctor said you should wait another week or two.”
“That’s bullshit. What does he know?”
“I’m guessing a lot based on those medical degrees.”
“Whatever.”
He chuckles. “Besides, you need to save your strength. Next weekend is Baylee and Maverick’s wedding. We have the rehearsal dinner too. Don’t wanna wear you out.”
I drop the subject, but I’m not excited we’re holding off. I feel like I barely escaped death and want to make the most of every moment with Beau.
We eat a quiet dinner before we curl up together to watch a movie, but I fall asleep half an hour in. When I wake up, he’s carrying me to bed.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”
“The movie sucked anyway. You didn’t miss anything.” He sets me down gently next to the bed. “Want me to get you your pajamas?”
“If that means one of your t-shirts, then yes.” I turn on the lamp.
He grins and reaches into his bureau. When he returns, I point to the back of my blouse. “Can you get these buttons? They’re hard to get off.”
“Sure.” I lift my hair while his fingers work down my back. “How’d you get this on?”
“I squeezed my head through, but I can’t take it off that way.”
When my blouse falls open, I shrug it off and drape it on the dresser. Then I unbutton my jeans and wiggle them down my hips. When I turn around, Beau’s standing there staring.
I grin. “Sorry, am I distracting you?” I flick open my bra and let it drop to the floor.
He scrubs his face. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Really? What am I doing?” I walk over to him and take the t-shirt out of his hands.
“I thought I was just getting ready for bed. Thanks for the t-shirt.” I toss it on the bed and motion to the bathroom.
“I think I should wash my face first. Otherwise, I’ll get my clothes wet.
” I wander in there and flick on the lights.
I stand there in my underwear and smile at myself. This is definitely going to work.
After I tie up my hair, careful not to bother my stitches, which are healing nicely, I wash my face and brush my teeth. Take off my earrings and put them in a little dish Beau set out for me. Rub on my favorite coconut lotion.
When I return to the bedroom, I find Beau sitting on the edge of the bed. I wait until he looks at me before I reach up and untie my hair. When I shake it out, I do it like a girl in a shampoo commercial, grinning when I hear his groan. “Honey.”
I walk over and stand between his legs. “Yes?”
He leans his head against my stomach and wraps his hands around the backs of my thighs. “When you’re all better, I’m gonna spank you for this.”
My whole body lights up. “Promise?” Leaning closer so I can drag my hands through his thick hair, I whisper, “But you know what I’ve always wanted to try?” When he looks up at me, I grin. “Ropes.”
His eyes flare, and the next thing I know, I’m straddling his lap. He shakes his head. “I was about to toss you on the bed, but then I remembered that you’re concussed.”
“Lightly concussed. If at all. The tests were inconclusive, remember? The doctor thought I could have been mildly concussed, but I haven’t been dizzy all week. And that nap was quite refreshing.” I scoot closer and push him back until he gives in and falls back on the bed.
“I have a hard time resisting you,” he says as he gently pulls me down to kiss me. A moment later, he rolls me onto my back. “We should see how your head feels after one orgasm. ’Cause maybe we shouldn’t have sex if—”
“Beau Walker, don’t say it. Lick my pussy all you want, but we are definitely having full-on sex.” I unbutton his jeans, and his dick springs out, ready to go. I give him a look.
“I didn’t say I didn’t want to have sex. I just want to be careful with you. You’re my whole fucking world, Honey.”
My heart overflows with love for this man. I reach up and cup his face. “You’re my whole world too, Beau. I love you.”
“Love you so much, baby.” He kisses me long and deep, and I open my legs so he can settle between them. “We’ll go easy, though, okay?”
I nod, willing to give him whatever he wants. Especially when he kisses down my body and sucks on my nipples. It’s been a while since we’ve been together, and it doesn’t take him long before he forgets himself. He squeezes my boob roughly, and I arch my back, ready for where this is going.
His head pops up. “Are you okay?”
“Perfect. Don’t stop.”
He sucks and nibbles me. Squeezes my ass. Whispers dirty words against my skin.
I’m so beautiful.
I’m so sexy.
He can’t wait to fuck me.
By the time he gets between my thighs, I’m on fire. He strips off my panties and groans. “Baby, you’re so wet. Fuck.” He dives face first.
Tonight, he doesn’t mess around. He goes straight for my clit. A moment later, he pushes one finger, then two into my body.
“God, yes!”
“Gonna stretch this tight little pussy to take my cock.” He leans back to watch his hand move in and out of me. He adds a third finger, and I suck in a breath. “This okay?”
I mumble something incoherent and shove his face down. He laughs against my skin and licks me exactly where I need it.
Pleasure shoots down my body, and I come on a scream.
I’m boneless when he slides next to me. “Come here.” He tucks me in close, pulls the blankets over us, and I immediately fall asleep.