19. Beau
nineteen
Beau
S tasi and I leave a trail of mud behind us as we rush across the green space toward Liam’s patio. She’d parked on the side street next to his house after he’d texted us with instructions to remove our boots at the back door so he could wash them.
I can respect his cleanliness. Hell, I’d strip down naked right here if not for the neighbors living on top of him.
Note to self, I need to pay for interior detailing on both of their cars with the amount of mud we tracked home.
Kicking off my boots on the patio, I pause as I notice price tags dangling from black cushioned metal chairs and the leg of a square glass table. “Did he…buy patio furniture?”
And if so, when did he manage to haul it back here? He could have asked me for help.
For his sneakiness, I plant my muddy ass in one of the chairs. Then I make grabby hands at Stasi while she fights to untie her mud-crusted shoes. She tucks herself onto my lap so I can work on her laces.
“Tell me if I’m too much, okay? Just want you close.”
“Beau.” She curls a hand in my shirt. “Have you been told that before?”
“Hmm?”
“That you’re too much? ”
I rest my chin on her shoulder after successfully removing both of her boots. “Not out loud. But I sense it from people.”
My longest relationship was with a ranch hand when I was eighteen. A pretty, freckled guy hired to help my dad for a summer.
It ended just about as fast as it started. I was out and proud. He wasn’t. Without thinking, I’d snuck a kiss from him while we were picking up supplies at the local farm supply store. He’d blown up about how I have no respect for boundaries.
Not sure much has changed, to be honest.
Still, it hurt being dumped and left there for my dad to pick up. Hey, it’s your bi son messing up again. Sorry about running off your help.
My dad didn’t even chew me out. After he picked my sorry ass up, he swung us through the drive-thru of an ice cream place and got us both Reese’s peanut butter shakes.
Now that my life has slowed down, I kind of miss the ranch. The endless stretch of wild land surrounding a generational home. The itch of tall grass brushing my skin. The scent of wildflowers and earth. The buzzing songs of crickets and June bugs.
Or maybe I just miss the calm. I never took time to slow down after my mom passed away. Just kept churning out music and hopping between stages.
Brushing my lips over Stasi’s skin, I picture her sitting on the tailgate of my old rusted truck I’d left on the property, those long legs dangling and those brown eyes a melty caramel in the Arizona sun.
Stasi catches me off guard as she shifts on my lap to cradle my cheek in her hand. “Don’t ever feel like you need to hold back with me.”
I turn my head slightly to kiss her palm. “Liam warned me you were too fucking sweet.”
She lets out a huffy laugh. “Liam thinks you’re corrupting me. ”
As if on cue, the man himself comes stalking around the side of the house, caked in mud and hauling grocery bags.
A laugh punches out of me. “They let you walk in like that?”
Eyeing me darkly, Liam turns his key in the back lock. “No one’s going to tell me no.”
I chuckle, nodding. “Yeah, that tracks.”
He is one intimidating motherfucker.
“Told you the spare key was under the mat,” Liam mutters, kicking off his shoes and sliding the door open.
A rumble of thunder cuts off my response. We all turn to look at the ominous wall of dark clouds headed our way, lightning spider webbing through them.
“So much for grilling steaks tonight,” Liam says, dipping into the house.
Seconds after, fat raindrops smack onto the patio. I haul Stasi upright as cold rain pelts us. We’re both soaked before I can push her inside the house.
Grinning, I step back from the door into the onslaught of rain.
“What are you doing?” Stasi asks, eyes wide.
I keep moving backwards until my bare feet touch the wet grass. Tipping my face up to the angry sky, arms spreading out wide, I let the rain cleanse the dirt and sweat from my skin.
My smile grows when soft lips press to my jaw. I lower my head and blink at the beautiful woman standing with me amidst a storm, little snakes of rain slithering down her cheeks and dripping from the loose tendrils of her hair.
I welcome her into my arms. Soon, I have her skipping and dancing across the grass with me like we’re unburdened kids in the summertime. No worries over lost jobs or unrequited love .
We’re just living .
She spins with her tongue hanging out to catch the heavy droplets.
I’m not sure I believe in perfect moments, but this has to be as close as it gets—a reminder that while life can be cruel, beauty still exists beneath the surface.
A current you can’t see. You only feel it when you wade a little deeper.
I feel the tug of it now, bringing my gaze to the back door where Liam stands, arms crossed and muscles flexed. I’m not sure how long he’s been watching us, but simply observing the fun isn’t gonna cut it.
I jog over to him. “You are not too cool for this.”
“This isn’t a thing. People don’t play in the rain,” he replies.
“Were you never a child?”
His jaw tenses. “I didn’t get that luxury.”
And just like that, joy is stripped from me.
“Jesus, Liam.” I step right in front of him. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s in the past. Buried six feet under.”
Holding his hard gaze, I wait for him to give me more. When he doesn’t, I slowly bring a hand to his forearm. “Do you trust me?”
He pushes out a deep breath. “Honestly? Instinct tells me I shouldn’t.”
“Well, fuck. That kind of stings.” I pout.
Liam molds his warm body against my wet one. His big hands take my face, and then he kisses me. His tongue glides over my bottom lip, caressing mine when I part for him.
I’m left light-headed when he draws back, staring up into tender eyes that don’t match the aloof metal head from my memories.
“I trust you, Beau.”
“Then get your ass out there in the rain. ”
He doesn’t move, so I yank on his arm. “ Jesus . What are you made of? Sweetheart, I need that sexy strength of yours.”
Stasi bounds over and latches on to his other arm.
Liam smirks down at us in challenge. My grip slips first, and as I stumble back, Liam takes the opportunity to haul Stasi up in his arms. He spreads those inked hands over her thighs and walks her out into the grass, holding her captive under the downpour.
She drops her head back on a laugh, and Liam kisses between her breasts.
Longing burrows through me. Do they know how perfect they are for each other? How she moves, and he shifts with her, almost like their souls are tied together? How she exhales, and he breathes in her air, starved of her essence?
Does he know he’s in love with her?
Does he even know what love is ?
Heat prickles behind my eyes. It hurts to think Liam didn’t have a happy childhood. To add to that pain, I’ve already done the worst thing possible and let myself hope that this thing between us will continue.
I’d say I didn’t come here for this, but it’s a lie. I knew I would fall for Liam again. I’m not sure I ever fell out of love with him.
And now Stasi’s etched her mark into my heart right next to his.
I shove these thoughts aside, choosing to focus on the two people standing in the rain, mouths locked in a passionate kiss.
“Ah, hell.” I rub a fist over my heart. I don’t want to be sad right now. I don’t want to think about going home. I want to be present and live in the moment.
Suddenly, I’m grabbed by the shirt and dragged into the grass. Before I can protest, Liam claims my mouth. I cling to his soaked shirt for dear life, only letting up when our kiss unexpectedly turns into something softer .
Light fingers dance along my cheek in addition to Liam’s callused ones, brushing my outgrown hair behind my ear. Smiling, I close my eyes and lean into Stasi’s touch.
As soon as Liam’s sure I’m stable on my feet, he releases me. I wrap Stasi up in my arms and give her all the tender kisses Liam gave to me.
“Want you both,” she whispers.
Blood rushes straight to my groin. I glance over at Liam. “Can’t say no to that.”
A muscle in his jaw twitches. “Inside. Now .”
I crack a smile. “I get to taste her first.”
I steal Stasi away toward the house, giddy for his wrath. He can come try to take her from me.
And he does. Within seconds .
Hands slam me into the kitchen wall, and a hot mouth meets mine. Eager to match his energy, I curl my fingers in his belt and pull him flush against me as I roll my tongue against his own.
Shoving up the wet material of my shirt, he draws back momentarily to pull it over my head and smack it down on the floor. I hiss as he runs the pad of a rough thumb over one of my hard nipples.
“Anastasia, come here,” he rumbles.
Stasi moves between us, melty brown eyes blinking up at me from under thick lashes.
I lick my lips, gaze dropping to her parted mouth, still wet from the rain.
“Strip him,” Liam commands.
My smile returns as she brings a hand to the zipper of my jeans. “Go ahead, sweetheart. I’m all yours.”
I’m practically high off the anticipation of a repeat between the three of us. Who would have thought this would be my life? Forget touring. This right here is better than any adrenaline rush I’ve experienced on stage.
Stasi lowers to her knees to peel off my pants and boxers. My chest rises and falls with labored breaths at the sight of her staring up at me, those pretty lips so close to my cock.
And then she’s stolen away, ensnared by inked arms and placed on the edge of the kitchen island. I’d cry out in sexual frustration if not for this new desire to watch Liam get her out of those wet clothes.
I shove locks of hair out of my eyes, not wanting to miss a single interaction between them—the consideration he gives her and the gentleness she returns.
Can you fall in love with the way two people love each other?
Drawn to them, and maybe a little desperate for punishment, I fit my body to Liam’s backside. Carefully, I touch my hands to his sides to start. When he doesn’t yell at me or push me away, I brush my lips along his neck.
Liam rumbles in approval, so I work my hands up the front of his shirt, coasting them over his rigid abs and pecs. I fully expect him to turn around and shove me to my knees, but Stasi seems to be enough of a distraction to curb any discomfort he may have from letting me have my way with him.
Would he let me fuck him one day? I don’t need it, but I’ve spent a good amount of time fantasizing about it.
Heart thudding faster, I drop a hand to unbuckle his belt as his big hands glide up Stasi’s body to remove her shirt. My mouth waters at the sight of another lacy bralette. I bite down on the muscle between Liam’s neck and shoulder .
Liam runs his mouth over Stasi’s goose bumped skin, and my cock throbs against his ass. I flick open the button on his pants, swiping a thumb along the hot, smooth skin exposed there.
“Beau,” Liam says in a low tone.
Is this where his line is now? I can hold him and touch him when he has clothes on, but when he’s naked, he wants to be in full control?
I sigh, resting my forehead against his wet shoulder. “Just wanted to touch you a little.”
A tense pause follows. “Then quit fucking around and touch me already.”
Fuck . I dive a hand into his boxers and grip his cock. “This thing is perfection.”
He rocks his hips slightly, so I squeeze him hard like he would do to me. Jerking him a couple times nice and slow, I lower my hand to cup his heavy balls. Then I massage them, suddenly wishing I could be on my knees for him, sucking them into my mouth.
Stasi and I work together to remove the rest of Liam’s clothes. Shockingly, he even lifts his arms in the air for her.
I’ve seen him naked probably half a dozen times, but never in the daytime like this. It’s a religious experience. My eyes follow the intricate swirls of black and gray on his skin, no spot of other color to be found. There’s no question his tattoos cost him a fortune.
Brushing my palms over the designs, I notice something off. Scars hidden in the artificial lines. I run a finger along one of them, and Liam tenses. My stomach churns. I count three more. Make that six…
Dark eyes bore into me as Liam turns. He slips an arm around my waist and heaves me up onto the kitchen counter next to Stasi .
Does she know about his scars? Does she know what happened to him? I mean, I have a hypothesis, and I really don’t fucking like it. Liam’s the strongest person I know, inside and out.
If someone managed to hurt him…
I can understand why he might struggle with connections now.
Fighting back enraged tears, I let my head fall to the side with a deep breath. Stasi looks like a goddess sprawled out next to me, warm brown eyes staring back at me and locks of hair clinging to her flushed skin.
“So gorgeous,” I murmur.
Her fingertips touch my cheek, stroking lightly over my dimples.
A groan rips free from me as Liam unexpectedly sucks my cock into his mouth.
“Fuck. Fuck me. Fucking fuck me,” I spit out, gripping the edge of the counter while he works me over with brutal suction.
Stasi shimmies closer to kiss my bottom lip. “Foul mouth.”
The instant Liam pops off, I seize my chance to roll on top of her. I notch my cock against her hot, slick center. “Already so wet for us. Let’s see what kind of noises we can get you to make, sweetheart.”
With a groan of disappointment, I’m grabbed by the hips and dragged off the counter.
“Upstairs,” Liam says firmly. “I want both of you on your hands and knees in my bed.”
Lust tumbles through me, and I glance at Stasi. Grinning, we lock hands and race for the stairs.
I play with fire all the way to his bed, stealing kisses and sinful touches from her.
By the time Liam joins us in his room, we’re both grinding against each other in his bed, lip-locked and whining for release .
I spot his glorious, naked backside slipping into his closet, and my pulse quickens when he returns with two small, black silicone plugs.
“Oh, fuck,” I utter.
Stasi’s eyes blow wide as she notices the toys he’s holding.
“You tell me if anything I do is too much. I only want to make you feel good,” he says.
He waits for a nod before those scary eyes dart to me in question. I nod so hard it brings a pain to my skull.
“Hell yeah, I want to be stuffed.”
Liam grins and crawls onto the bed with us, those big thigh muscles at work.
“Flip over, trouble. I’m gonna plug you first. Then you’re gonna watch me make Stasi come before I fuck all the thoughts from your pretty head.”
My heart stutters. I’m not sure if Liam’s an angel or the devil. Either way, he’s taking something precious from me tonight.