34. Luna
CHAPTER 34
Luna
The venue dazzled. Clearly the planning committee knew what they were doing when they chose to rent out the New York Public Library’s main branch and transform it for a night of good food, dancing, and raising a hell of a lot of money for a good cause.
Upon arrival, I towed Beck to the auction area where all the goodies the gala volunteers spent the afternoon preparing were regally presented to lure in prospective bidders. I adjusted table skirts as I inspected the setup, pleased with what I had found.
Then I dragged us over to the bar area, which I’d sponsored, where we had a healthy mix of cocktail and mocktail options. Kiera, one of our best bartenders from the club, was working, so I said hello to her and made sure that she had what she needed. The woman had it handled.
Finally, I approached Khelani, the executive director of the foundation. She’d established it after enduring sexual assault at the hands of the man she should have been able to trust the most—her husband. She’d been lucky in that she got out and had the funds to start a new life. She recognized not everyone was that lucky and decided to create a space for victims of all forms of assault.
The second I made my first penny from Club Deux, I committed to the foundation. A portion of my funds went there every month. Not only did the foundation help survivors, but it also tried to change policies to prevent assault in the first place.
I hugged Khelani and then turned toward my date. “Khelani, I want to introduce you to Beck Bennet.”
They shook hands, and I smothered a smile with my sparkling water as I watched her size him up.
Beck wrapped an arm low around my waist. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m glad Luna let me come with her. The work you do is incredible.”
Her brows raised. “How much do you know about the work we do?”
It was a test, and I found myself holding my breath to see how he’d respond.
“I did my research after Luna told me she was involved, and I have to say the work you’re doing in congress is impressive. Not to mention the individual supports you provide. I work with a lot of veterans and try to do the same with them, making sure they have the housing and financial supports are foundational, alongside making sure they have access to mental health services.”
This piqued Khelani’s interest. She immediately dovetailed into one of her many efforts around universal mental health screenings and linkage to care and Beck animatedly reacted and offered ideas. They were mid-conversation when something drew my attention from across the room.
Carter and Delaney were there, the woman strutting like a supermodel with her attention fully on me, while Carter waved and chatted with people they passed by.
“She’s obsessed with me,” I murmured, only half-joking.
Beck gripped me a little tighter, the only indication that he heard me.
Meanwhile, someone tapped on Khelani’s shoulder and whispered in her ear. “You’ll have to excuse me; duty calls,” she said while pointing at Beck. “I want your contact information to see how we can combine some of our efforts.”
He saluted her, bringing his full attention back to me. “You look beautiful tonight. This is amazing work you’re dedicating yourself to.”
My cheeks warmed, so I buried my face in his chest, carefully not to ruin my makeup.
Beck kissed my flaming cheeks before whispering, “We’ve got company.”
I suppressed a groan, twirling to greet the incoming couple. Hopefully the smile plastered to my face was halfway convincing.
“Carter, Delaney. It’s nice to see you both.” I leaned in for an air kiss. Not usually my thing but it seemed like the right move considering we were wearing gowns and tuxedos.
Beck greeted them with a handshake before tucking me close to him again. The possessive move had me ready to tug him into the nearest coat room.
While Carter appeared genuinely happy to see me and meet Beck, Delaney’s face told a different story. But then maybe I was reading too much into it.
“I have a feeling we will raise a lot of money tonight,” Carter said to me glancing around the room.
“I hope so,” I said, keeping it friendly.
Carter gestured to the room. “The planning committee put so much time and effort into this thing. These last couple weeks I’d spent nearly every evening on some sort of call.”
I nodded. Despite my reduced role in the planning this year, I still received the meeting notes and supported however I could. Carter meant well but I couldn’t shake the irritation that his statements implied. It felt like he was telling me I should have done more.
Delaney kept touching Carter’s shirt, a claiming in her own right. “I practically had to beg him to come back to bed.”
I nodded, struggling to maintain the smile plastered on my face.
The music faded, and Khelani called the room to attention, inviting folks to find their seats.
I nearly sobbed in relief. The last thing I wanted to do was make awkward conversation with my ex. I’d rather talk to Beck, dance when it was time, and sneak off the second the auction ended.
We waved goodbye and Beck’s hand found its favorite place on the small of my back, guiding us to table two. Beck scooted his chair closer to mine, and threaded my hand in his, listening attentively as Khelani welcomed everyone and gave us an overview of the evening.
Beck occasionally glanced at me, surveying me as if to check on my wellbeing before returning his focus to the host. When the announcements completed, Beck began introducing himself to the other folks seated at our table, practically oozing charm like he was completely in his element.
Finally, our food arrived, and we returned to our little bubble, just the two of us.
Beck kissed my temple before lifting his fork. “Carter keeps looking over here at you and his date notices every single time he does. From the frown on her face, I’d venture to say she’s less than amused by that.”
“Where are they even sitting?” As casually as possible, I glanced over my shoulder.
Beck brushed non-existent lint from his shoulder. “They’re just out of my direct line of sight. I can feel them.”
“They’re looking that much?” Rather than take a peek myself, I glanced at his face, trying to decipher what he was really getting at.
“Delaney is.”
“Huh. I wonder why. More importantly, what do I do with that information considering she's a roadblock for my project?”
Beck played with my hair. “Do you want to talk to her here?”
I considered it. While I’d love to nip this all in the bud, I didn't think this was the time to do that. “If it comes up, then I’m more than prepared to talk to her. If not, I'll meet with her next week. I don't want to muddy the waters between the foundation work and the Chateau. There's a time and place for everything.”
He nodded, as if satisfied with my answer. We chatted as we ate.
When the dishes were being cleared by the catering staff, he leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Dinner was good, but I personally can't wait for dessert.”
Someone tapped on a microphone.
“Now we will hear a few words from our amazing auction item lead, Luna Marks.”
I blinked. Beck grinned.
I squeezed his thigh as I stood, making my way to the corner of the room that held the high-ticket items, straightening my dress as I did.
Then Khelani called Carter's name too.
We locked eyes as he approached the auction area.
“I want to give special thanks to Carter and Luna for their tremendous work getting auction items for tonight's event. They’ve truly outdone themselves and I'm sure you'll be very pleased with the offerings. They don't know this yet, but I'm putting them to work. They will be walking around answering any questions you have about the items for the silent auction. As soon as you're ready, I invite you to start perusing, and bidding.” She raised her eyebrows, and the room chuckled.
Small talk ensued and Carter immediately drew closer. “Did you know Khelani was going to do this?”
I shrugged. “I had no idea, but I should have figured she was up to something.”
“Right? Remember last year when she made some of the committee do a choreographed dance?”
I feigned a shiver. “At least it's not that.”
Folks were slowly making their way over although nobody approached us with questions.
Carter gave what I could only describe as a wistful smile. “I can't help but compare this year's event with last year's.”
Fuck .
I held up a hand. “Carter, this isn't about us.”
He pinched his eyes closed. “I know that. Trust me. It's just, I still remember that night, getting to know this amazing woman and feeling hopeful.”
I swallowed. I didn't want to hurt him. Carter was a good person, just not good for me.
There’s no comparison in my mind and yet I still don't want to hurt this man.
He clutched the back of his neck. “I don't want to make this awkward, Luna.”
Too late .
“I just want to know that you're happy,” he said with the earnestness of a golden retriever. “That's all, then I'll never bring up our past again. I promise.”
My eyes searched the room, immediately finding Beck. He tilted his head, a silent Are you okay ? Because you know I have no qualms about making sure this man knows you aren't his .
I shook my head at Beck, just a small movement to call him off. My heart thudded in my chest thinking about how much I adore him. I know standing down was against his baser instincts and yet he did it because he knew I could handle it.
I reached over and grabbed Carter's forearm. “I love Beck,” and I probably should tell him that myself. “He's my person.”
Carter flinched, and then tried to cover it up with a smile that didn't quite meet his eyes. “I'm happy for you.”
I gently knocked him in the shoulder. “I'm happy for me, too. Tell me about your lady friend. You like her?”
He smiled. “Delaney is great.”
Carter segued easily into sharing about how they met and as he did, my shoulders loosened up. I finally felt like we were honestly putting it behind us. We were occasionally interrupted by folks asking us questions. Eventually the interruptions made it impossible to chat, so we went our separate ways.
It wasn't until later, when Beck was helping me with my coat, when I realized I hadn't seen Carter anymore that night.
I needed to stop by the ladies room, so Beck and I walked hand in hand down a hallway when I heard a raised voice.
“You talked to her for twenty minutes , Carter. Twenty full minutes. What on Earth could you possibly talk about for that long?” Delaney hissed.
“I swear to you, there's nothing going on between Luna and I. That's over.”
Delaney scoffed. “You actually think I'm going to believe that?”
“She's in love with Beck,” Carter insisted.
“But are you in love with her?”
Carter sighed. “There's nothing going on between us. Trust me on this.”
I kept a hand on Beck’s chest, despite my bladder screaming at me to find a restroom. They were still talking, so I started shifting on my feet to get some relief.
Unfortunately for me, the library custodian did an excellent job polishing the floors.
The screech created by my heel twisting on the highly polished floor immediately shut down the convo between Carter and Delaney.
I winced and pushed forward around the corner pretending like I was just walking by. With a small smile plastered on my face, I waved and headed straight for the bathroom leaving Beck in the hallway on his own.
A second later, the bathroom door opened again. “You don't need to come in after me. I'll be just fine without my bodyguard.”
I started pushing on a stall door.
“He's still in love with you, you know,” Delaney said from behind me.
What the actual fuck?
I held the stall door open, doing a double take as my brain caught up. My bladder didn't appreciate the ambush and threatened to mutiny.
Delaney waved a pink painted finger in my direction. “He's in love with you. Watching you like a little puppy dog.”
I held up my hands. “The feeling is not mutual. Which I've explained to Carter. He's well aware.”
Delaney's heels clicked on the tile as she closed the distance between us.
Was this really happening right now?
She pointed at her chest. “He's with me.”
I held up my hands. “I know.”
Her hands found her hips. Her head tilted. “Are you messing with me?”
My head started to pound. I hated everything about this. Absolutely everything.
“I'm not trying to steal your boyfriend. I'm very happy with Beck. And if you love Carter and want to be with him, then I'm so happy for you. Honestly. There's no competition here.”
Delaney heaved a sigh and shoved her hair behind her ears. “Damn. I think I believe you.”
My bladder was on the verge of full rebellion. I rushed into the stall. “I know this is the worst timing, but I really don't want to pee my pants while we hash this out.”
My whole body tensed before my bladder finally released. “Oh thank God.”
“Sorry. I guess I should have figured you needed to use the restroom.”
I waved, not that she could see me. “It’s fine.”
The automatic towel dispenser buzzed, and I heard sniffles as I finished up.
When I exited to wash my hands, I sidled up to the vanity. We stood side by side, Delaney dabbing her eyes while I washed my hands.
I leaned my hip against the counter while I dried my hands. “I hope you believe me. I'm madly in love with Beck Bennet, although I won't tell him that to his face. Not yet anyway.”
Delaney managed a small smile, before wiping it clear from her face, a look of horror replacing it. “I can't believe I stormed in here to accuse you of liking my boyfriend. What is wrong with me?”
I waited patiently as she worked it out on her own.
“How insecure am I over this man? I need to check that,” she said, and it felt rhetorical but still…
“We've all been there,” I assured her because it was the truth.
Annoyance and appreciation battled in her eyes. “In high school, maybe. I'm a grown woman.”
I shrugged. “We’re all entitled to make mistakes.”
She rushed me, pulling me in for a hug that nearly knocked me off my feet. “Thank you.”
We left the bathroom together, to find Carter and Beck on opposite sides of the hallway, Carter on his phone and Beck surveilling the room around him.
Delaney flashed me one last smile before catching up with Carter who boasted a confused look on his face.
When there was a safe distance between us and them, I discreetly pinched Beck’s ass. “You let her follow me into that bathroom.”
He pushed off the wall. “I figured I'd come in if I heard shouting.”
“Ppft. Some bodyguard you are.”
He threaded a hand in mine and kissed me gently on my cheek. “A true bodyguard knows when to step in and when to let things be.”
“That's a really annoying and noble trait you have there.”
“Don't I know it.”
I gripped his hand tighter. “And if it had been Carter to follow me into that bathroom?”
He gave a sharp shake of his head. “I’d never allow that to happen.”
Beck squeezed my hand reassuringly and didn't let go even as we entered the limo for the short ride home. The car rocked back and forth as our driver navigated the city streets. There was a quiet comfort between us, our hands still threaded together. Without second guessing myself, I placed my head on his shoulder, enjoying the comfort he was offering me. The adrenaline from the bathroom situation ran its course and yet my body buzzed from the proximity.
When we pulled up in front of our townhouses, he placed a kiss on the top of my head. “We’re home.”
Without so much as a discussion, Beck led me up the stairs of my town house.
I punched the code, and the door opened with a click. Beck held it open for me as I entered, immediately kicking off my heels. My feet finally had a chance to breathe.
“Do you want some water or anything to drink?” I asked as I removed my earrings and set them on the hallway console.
Beck shook his head, his eyes darkening as he took me in. “I have an idea.”
My eyes flitted down to where the outline of his cock was threatening to rip his pants. I sank into my hip. “Is that so?”
He licked his lips and began stalking toward me. On instinct, I backed up, my ass hitting the console and sending it rocking.
Beck stalked closer, staring at me as electricity bounced between us.
My core ached.
God, I want this man.
I wanted him desperately.
Beck pulled something silver from the pocket inside his suit jacket.
My jaw dropped to the floor. “Handcuffs?”
Don't get me wrong, I'd tried them before, but it had been a while.
Beck gently encircled my wrist, turning my hand up and placing the metal bands into my palm. “You're going to tie me up and do whatever the fuck you want with me.”
I gulped. A little thrill zinged between my legs as I examined the handcuffs.
The man was serving himself up on a silver platter.
My heart thumped in my chest. The anxiety that had arisen the last time we tried to have sex was nowhere to be seen.
“Yes,” I said, nearly breathless. Rather than cower, I threw my shoulders back feeling more myself.
I tugged him toward the bedroom, and he let me push him onto the bed.
I tossed the handcuffs from one hand to another deciding what I was going to do with him. “Scoot back and put your hands on the bedposts.”
Beck’s dick twitched. He was just as into this as I was.
The glint in his eyes remained as I grabbed his hand and locked him to the bedpost. Painfully slow, I crawled over him, rather than walking around the bed.
He hissed. “You're a fucking tease.”
I nipped at his ear as my hands clicked the other cuff into place. “You love it.”
The cuffs rattled as he pulled against them, testing them. “I think we're good.”
I sank back onto my heels. Beck had a devious smile on his face as if he couldn't wait to get started.
“I'm all yours,” he said, his voice like gravel.
My dress pooled around me. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the zipper without his assistance. But there was something that I could do. I got out of bed and slowly bent over, giving Beck a view of my ass while my hands slid under my dress, removing my barely there thong. He might as well enjoy the show.
Beck inhaled sharply, his gaze locked on the wisp of fabric.
I stood up, capturing his complete attention. “Want this?” I twirled the thing before dragging it up his chest and flicking it away.
“Told you you were a tease,” he said with a smirk.
Like me, he was woefully overdressed. I climbed back on the bed, lifting my dress to make it easier to straddle him.
The cuffs rattled.
I wagged a finger at him. “Naughty, naughty.”
“Your naked cunt is on my waist, and as much as I love it, I’d love it more if my hands were on your waist while I piston into you, so I could watch those gorgeous tits bounce as I make you come.”
Fuck if that filthy mouth of his didn't make me even slicker.
My hands found the hard planes of his chest. Then I began unbuttoning his dress shirt. He'd shucked his coat off earlier and now he was there, his olive skin beneath my hands. He was mine for the taking.
Beck looked like he should be on the cover of a romance novel. His muscles flexed under my fingers and his cock twitched beneath me.
My nails pressed lightly into his skin. “Patience, Bennet.”
“It's hard to be patient while you're touching my body, Marks,” Beck grumbled.
“I'm taking my time, and you’ll have to deal with it.”
My hands explored more, venturing further south.
I palmed his length through his dress pants, and Beck emitted a hiss.
The sound of him wanting me drove me onward. Had I ever been so nervous and excited?
Blood pumped through my veins as I released the metal buckle of his leather belt. The button came next, and then down went the zipper.
It had been dark when I'd gone down on him the other night and I was desperate to see him again. I stood mesmerized as his cock sprang free of the confines of his pants.
Fuck. He was glorious. Hard, thick, and straining. I would need a warm up first.
I licked my palm before wrapping a hand around his length and pumping it slowly, teasing him.
“Christ, Luna. You have no fucking idea how good that feels.” His eyes fluttered shut as I added a second hand, my grip tightening.
Then I stopped.
Beck's eyes flew open. “What the?—”
“My turn.”
Beck relaxed. “Fuck, yes.”
“I want to feel good, Bennet.”
He nodded. “Let me make you feel good.”
I suppressed a smirk. “I was thinking…”
“Whatever you want. Name it.”
“I want your mouth on me.”
He nodded, eyes darkening. “Come sit on my face. I can't wait to taste you again.”
My heart pounded a little harder. I climbed up his chest, feeling sexy and powerful as I hovered over him. My knees on either side of his face.
Beck wasted no time. He took his wide tongue and dragged it slowly across my seam. I quivered, barely keeping myself upright.
“Careful,” he warned. “Come closer. Sit on my face.”
My legs wavered, the strain of trying to hold myself up. “I can’t actually sit on your face.”
“Do it.”
I rolled my eyes, leaning into him as his tongue ran along my lips before plunging into me.
I tilted my head to my chest. “Fuck.”
He licked and sucked like his life depended on it. Until my legs were shaking and the orgasm I so desperately wanted was on the horizon.
Then I shattered.
I trembled as waves of pleasure roiled through my body. Not until every wave passed, did I sit back, giving Beck room to breathe.
The evidence of my arousal sat on his lips. He nodded. “You going to take care of that?”
I reached behind me to find him even harder than before. With my body relaxed and still ready for more, I eagerly climbed backward, hoisting myself up so I hovered right above the tip of him.
“Do it.”
I felt the blunt head of his penis searching for purchase.
I hesitated. “We don’t have a condom.”
His stormy eyes swept down my body. “Are you on the pill?”
I nodded. “IUD. And I’m clean.”
“So am I, get the fuck on?—”
I sank onto him. Despite his size, my body was ready for him. My hands found his chest again as I shifted my hips, adjusting and savoring the feeling of him inside me.
It had been years since I’d been like this. Since we’d been like this.
My eager hips began to rock.
Beck hissed. “Fuck, yes. Use my cock, Luna. It's all for you.”
I picked up my pace, lifting higher and slamming down on him. My nails dragged against Beck's bare skin.
I threw my head back, so close to another orgasm I could hardly stand it.
“You take me so good.” He’d let me take the lead but as I slowed down, he took over, pistoning into me. The angle was just right, and I found it impossible to catch my breath.
This man. This man.
I fell forward to kiss him as he took over the hard part, his cock hitting exactly where I needed him. I chased my second orgasm of the night just as he reached his.
My muscles finally gave in, and I laid flat out across Beck.
The cuffs rattled. “You have no idea how much I want to hold you right now.”
I began drawing circles on his chest. “Wow. Just wow.”
His muscles relaxed underneath me, his cock still semi hard. “You're wow.”
I pushed back my damp hair. “Next time, we’ll try it without the cuffs.”
Beck shrugged as if he really would do it this way all the time if that's all I had to offer him. If that's all I would ever be ready for. “Ladies choice.”