Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Clara
A knock at my door interrupted my sit-in-a-towel-on-my-bed post-shower routine. I nearly jumped out of my skin. I grabbed my robe, the initial shock turning into anger because who the hell is knocking on my door before seven in the morning?
Cinching the belt of my favorite plaid robe, which I’d stolen from Beckett when we were in our late teens, I checked the peep hole on my apartment door.
Beckett.
I undid all three locks that Beckett himself had installed the same day I moved into the apartment and about flung the door open.
Holy shit.
He looked incredible. One of my favorite long-sleeved shirts was unbuttoned over a plain white tee, the sleeves rolled up. The blue, green, and brown checkered pattern brought out the flecks of amber in his green eyes.
His jeans were well-worn but still snug across his muscular thighs.
And the man had replaced his usual cowboy hat with the baseball cap I’d insisted on buying for him at the first Colorado team’s game we’d ever been to.
There were some frayed spots along the edge of the curved bill that made my heart swell.
My anger at the early visit dissipated into slight annoyance. I said softly, “You’re here early.”
“I know, and I’m sorry to break your ‘no-visitors-before-eight-am’ rule. I did bring coffee.” He held up the drink carrier I’d somehow missed, and also a bag with the name and logo of my favorite bakery. There were two iced drinks and a hot drink in the tray.
I stepped back to give him space to walk into the apartment. I didn’t miss the way he looked me up and down, his gaze heating. I froze as he stepped into my space, very aware that only a thin layer of cotton covered my otherwise naked body.
Beckett bent down to whisper, “Good morning, beautiful,” before placing a kiss on my temple.
My entire body warmed, the heat radiating outward from my chest, but not with desire – well, not only desire. That simple press of his lips made me feel cherished.
I closed the door slowly and locked two of the bolts. Beckett was in the kitchen, clearly comfortable as he gathered plates, my reusable cloth towels, and my favorite mug.
The sight of his broad shoulders, and just the sheer size of him in my cozy kitchen space was overwhelming. I looked down at myself. I couldn’t stay in this robe, or I’d end up straddling his thigh, begging for release, again.
“I’ll be right back,” I said and escaped to my bedroom. As the door snicked shut, I took a deep breath in and let it out.
It was too early in the morning for whatever was going on in my head and body.
I put the robe away and dressed in a too-big-on-me t-shirt with a faded image of the Rocky Mountains and my favorite pair of sleep shorts.
I didn’t need to open the store for a few hours, and I preferred comfort in my own apartment.
Why the hell is Beckett here?
My brain would not fire on all cylinders this early without coffee. Even my shower hadn’t been enough to fully wake me.
I brushed through my still-damp hair with my fingers, not even bothering to grab a brush. I twisted it into a loose bun, securing it with a clip, and put on lip balm. Out of reasons to delay, I stepped out of my bedroom.
Beckett leaned back against the kitchen counter, one leg crossed over the other. The smile he gave me warmed my entire body. His eyes roamed over my change in clothes, my bare legs, and finally settled on my face.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi,” I replied, a bit sheepish.
He held out the mug he gave me one year for our annual Friendship Day, our attempt at replacing Valentine’s Day as lonely high school seniors. Pale blue, and larger than a standard ceramic mug, I loved it more than was probably healthy.
“Coffee.”
I walked over to him and took it, our fingers brushing as he released his grip.
“Thank you,” I said before I took a sip. The warm and sweet drink was perfect.
Beckett brushed a loose tendril that had escaped the claw clip. “You’re welcome. You look beautiful in my old shirt.”
I blushed. I’d forgotten it was originally his.
He pulled me closer, the warmth of his hand on my lower back seeping into me. “I can’t stay too long.” There was a gleam in his eyes. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
“Like, a date-date?”
“Yes,” he chuckled. “Like a date-date, little wren.”
“Where …” I mentally tallied all of the different restaurants in town and compared it to how badly I did not want people to see us out on our first official date. I wanted us to figure this out on our own before everyone we knew would have an opinion.
His grip on me tightened. “I think we should stay in, but I’ll pick up whatever you’re in the mood for.”
I relaxed. “Oh, okay.” I considered the options of having dinner here or at his cabin. True, his place was larger, but there were also brothers with easy access. “How about dinner here?”
“Perfect.” He slid his hands along my waist, his green eyes darkening with desire. All thoughts emptied out of my head.
I lifted onto my tiptoes, wrapped my hand around the back of his head and pulled him down so I could reach his mouth with mine. Beckett cupped the back of my head, his fingers threading into my hair and tugging just a bit.
My entire body heated, and I moaned at the feel of his lips on mine, his other hand gripping my hip.
Beckett lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He carried me to the couch and settled with me on his lap.
I adjusted to straddle him more comfortably, and ran my hands along his shoulders, back, and arms – wherever I could reach.
A loud ringtone shattered the moment.
Beckett cursed. I shifted so he could get the still-ringing phone out of his pocket. I couldn’t see the name, but I knew Beckett had to answer it.
I started to scoot off of him. “I’ll give you a second.”
“Don’t you dare move.” Beckett tightened his grip on my waist, and I settled back into place, a blush creeping over my cheeks.
He answered the phone with a brusque, “What?”
I could make out the voice on the other end – Thatcher. But I couldn’t hear what he said.
“I’m in town, can’t someone else – no, no, it’s – I’ll be there soon.” He hung up before his brother could reply again and tossed his phone onto the floor. “I have to go, little wren, I’m sorry.”
“I have to get ready for work, anyway.” I hesitated, my fingers playing with the buttons on his shirt.
“I’ll be here at six and I’ll bring dinner.” Beckett kissed me again, and then stood, carrying me with him.
He set me down gently, and I missed the warmth of him as he gathered his phone, gave me another knee-buckling kiss, and headed to the door.
Beckett was going to have dinner here, in my apartment, as a date. Sure, he’d been over plenty of times for things like game night and helping me fix one thing or another, but this felt different.
As I went to strip the sheets off my bed and put on a fresh set, I noticed the baseball cap he’d left on the kitchen counter.