Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sloan
I’m wiping down the counter of WaggingWithWords.
Every swipe of the cloth on the counter has my muscles screaming and my core clenching.
I can’t stop thinking about all of the positions Beck bent me in yesterday, which causes my skin to heat.
I can still feel some of the bite marks and the scruff of his short beard between my thighs.
I’m so distracted I think I’ve been cleaning the same spot for ten minutes.
Beck carries me the entire way back from the gym. Not even putting me down when we pick up the pizza from Zio’s. I don’t even bother fighting him. My entire body aching in the best way from the thorough fucking he gave me. I have never experienced anything like that in my entire life.
When we get back to the apartment, Beck fills the tub for me with Epsom salts and bubbles. Feeding me amazing pepperoni and banana pepper pizza as I soak.
After I finish eating and am almost completely pruned, Beck washes my hair like he promised he would.
Massaging every inch of my scalp and shoulders.
I almost fall asleep because it feels so good.
When Beck is finished, he drains the tub and scoops me up and out, wrapping me in the fluffiest towel then carries me to my bedroom.
Sitting me on the edge of the bed I take in how gorgeous he is.
Beck stands in front of me, taking his soft gray T-shirt off, and pulling it over my head.
I slide my thumbs in the waistband of his shorts pulling him closer to me, tracing my fingers through the definition of his abs.
The muscles in his neck flex, as if he’s holding back restraint from touching me as he allows me to explore him on my own terms without saying a word.
Beck finally breaks the silence, pulling me to him.
He cradles my face in his hands as he takes me in a burning kiss, biting my lower lip and tugging it between his teeth.
Beck releases my face and lifts me, moving me up the bed.
He begins to crawl over top of me, crushing his lips back down on mine.
“I need to stop, Little Dove. You’re already going to be so sore tomorrow,” Beck groans out.
“I’ll be fine, Beck,” I whimper, holding back a wince, lifting my arms to drape around his neck and pull him back down to me.
“You’re already sore, baby. You can’t hide from me,” Beck says, getting up and pulling the covers down on the opposite side of the bed.
He crawls into the bed next to me. “Come here, Little Dove. Just let me hold you.”
“What about Mayhem?” I question, as Mayhem pokes his head into the bedroom.
Beck taps the bed and Mayhem hops up. Laying down at the bottom of the bed, against his legs. A squeak leaves me, as Beck lifts me up from where I’m laying, setting me on top of him. Beck pulls back the covers where I was just laying and lifts me up and puts me back where I was.
“What are you doing?” I giggle.
“Get under the covers and get your fine ass over here, Little Dove. Don’t make me ask again.”
“Yes, boss.” I pull the covers up over my legs and scoot over and rest my head on Beck’s chest.
He grabs my face, tilting my head up so my lips can meet his.
It was so…perfect.
I don’t think anyone’s ever kissed me or taken care of me like that. Almost like I was this precious heirloom that needed to be handled with care.
But I know Beck doesn’t think I’m fragile because he’s training me to wield my own sword. Regardless, he still plans to be my backup shield and that does funny things to my heart.
I remember sitting in the nurses’ station with the girls when they were interrogating me about James. They had asked if he set my soul on fire and I never even knew what that meant. More like James turned my life into a dumpster fire.
But kissing Beck… It’s like sitting cozied up around a campfire eating s’mores with the perfect gooiest marshmallow.
Warm, sweet with a little cinnamon spice and so comforting.
My heart always turns to goo the second Beck cradles me to him and then is set ablaze the second his lips meet mine. My soul comes alive when he kisses me.
Maybe that’s what they meant?
I never knew a kiss could feel so good. I never want to stop kissing him. Never want to leave his arms. And Beck always seems to kiss me like we have all the time in the world.
Snapping me out of my daydream, a familiar voice calls out, “Who put those hearts in my Sloan’s eyes?”
When I look up, Sutton and August are strolling through the front door of WaggingWithWords with Khaos walking right between them.
“You’re back,” I squeak out, rushing Sutton and pulling her into a hug.
Khaos barks out a hello and I rub his big blond blockhead.
I have missed them so much.
“That proposal was pretty magical, August. 20/10! Engaged looks good on you.” I smile, pulling August into a side hug.
“Sunshine’s the real magic.” August smiles, wrapping his arms around Sutton and tucking her into his chest.
“It was a good PR stunt.” Sutton gently elbows him.
Chuckling, August says, “I tell you time and again, Sunshine. It was not a PR stunt. The world just needed to know you were mine and I was yours.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Sut giggles, her eyes so lit up.
Their love is contagious. Magnetic. You can’t help but just be consumed with happiness for them.
“How are my famous friends?” Quinn shouts, running out of the kitchen, full force at Sutton, wrapping herself around her.
“I missed you too, Q.” Sutton squeezes Quinn back just as hard.
“Dark and gloomy, you’re looking a little less moody,” Quinn jokes, pulling August into a side hug.
“It’s kind of hard to be moody when your fiancée is made of fairy dust.” August kisses Sutton in a chaste kiss.
“Ew. Didn’t you kiss enough on stage? Get a room!” Quinn gags jokingly.
“Oh, Shoot. Speaking of rooms,” I blurt out. “Beck is still staying in your room. His apartment won’t be ready for another week.”
“Beck can always sleep on the couch if he needs to,” Sut says, glancing at August to make sure he wouldn’t mind.
“Or…” Quinn smirks mischievously.
“Or?” Sutton questions her.
I immediately know what she’s going to suggest. “No, Q.”
“What am I missing?” August asks, eyeing all of us suspiciously.
Sutton and Quinn both smile deviously at each other.
“Or the bed in your room is a king. You and Beck have been a little cozy lately so you could share.” Quinn grins almost maniacally.
“No, Q,” I grumble, but secretly loving that idea.
“Ooooh, interesting. I can see it,” August says, rubbing his jaw.
“See what?”
“I think what Auggie is trying to say is that we can see how you and Beck would actually be a perfect match,” Sutton suggests.
“We’re just friends, guys. Beck’s been coaching me in the gym. I mean sure, we do have most meals together, watch movies sometimes, but that’s because we’ve been staying under the same roof,” I trip over my words.
“Okay, but you were daydreaming about someone when I walked in.” Sutton smirks.
“How could you possibly know that?”
“Because Sloan, you look different, but like good different. You look healthy. Less like a cornered animal. Lighter. Still jumpy, but lighter. And from what I’ve heard”—Sutton’s eyes wander to Quinn—“you and Beck have been spending a lot of time together. So, it would make sense to maybe have a crush on him.”
“I do not have a crush on…” I start to deny them.
Who am I kidding? I think it’s more than a crush.
“Oh, hey. Welcome back,” Beck says, walking through the door from the apartment into the café.
The air escapes my lungs at the sight of him.
He’s dressed in a navy button-up with deep gray chinos that hug his thighs just right as he walks up to us.
“And where are you off to looking so spiffy?” Quinn quirks a brow at Beck.
“Always so nosey, Q. Hopefully my last neurology appointment. Crossing my fingers for clearance,” Beck offers.
“I hope everything goes well.” I smile at Beck, blushing slightly at the look in his eyes. Wondering if he’s thinking about last night, like I have been all morning.
“Thank you, Little Dove. I’m sure it will, thanks to you keeping me in line.” Beck kisses my cheek.
My cheeks must flush even more at his affection in front of everyone.
James always kept his arm on my lower waist to make sure everyone knew I was his at parties, but he was never openly affectionate. Never held my hand. Never kissed me. Mostly treated me as if I wasn’t there.
“I moved my stuff out of your room into Sloan’s room for now. Quinn said you guys were going to be back sometime this week. Is it cool if I crash on the couch?” Beck asks Sutton and August.
“Yeah, it’s no problem,” August replies, in solidarity with Sutton.
“Or…” I barely make out.
Quinn and Sutton gasp at the same time and their eyes light up.
“What?” Beck questions, eyeing all of us girls.
“Or…the bed is…big…um… I could share…but if you’re not comfortable… Actually…I probably shouldn’t be asking…you know, in front of everyone… I’m so sorry,” I ramble off flustered. Opening the front door, I step outside, taking in a deep breath of fresh air.
My eyes meet the windowsill of WaggingWithWords closest to me and lying perfectly posed is a white rose with the smallest amount of red staining one of the petals.
Is that blood?
I feel hands on my shoulders. An ear-splitting scream leaves me and I rip away from the touch.
“Sloan, it’s me. Don’t run,” Beck tries to soothe me.
“Beck…” My voice cracks, barely sounding like my own. I turn around to face Beck, throwing my arms around him as I tremble in fear.
“Hey, what’s…?” Beck starts to ask but goes rigid. He must notice the rose on the windowsill too.
“What the fuck.” Beck grits out, looking up and down the street. Keeping me tucked against his chest, he walks us over and picks it up where a Post-it note lies underneath. The note reads:
I’ll never let you go.
XO, J
All of the blood must drain from my face because Beck lifts me up from the ground and carries me into the café, instantly locking the door behind us.
James. Found. Me.
“What is it?” August asks, concern in his eyes.
“Her ex… He found her,” Beck grinds out.
“Fuck,” Quinn curses.
“Sut, can you please call and reschedule my doctor’s appointment?” Beck requests.
“No,” I hiccup in between a sob. “Please go to your appointment. Your clearance is more important,” I say, trying to calm myself.
“No, actually. Your well-being is more important,” Beck says with so much conviction. Making my heart melt the slightest bit.
“Beck, please. At least go to your appointment. Please,” I beg.
“We can stay here with her. James obviously hasn’t tried to come inside. So, as long as Sloan doesn’t go anywhere alone she should be fine,” Quinn suggests.
“How about you come to my appointment with me? So I can keep an eye on you.” Beck requests.
“Can you girls handle the café for a little?” I ask quietly.
“Yep. I’ve missed this place. Put me to work.” Sutton tries to lighten the mood.
“Khaos and I will chill in the book room and keep an eye out,” August offers.
“Mayhem’s upstairs if you want to bring him down too,” Beck suggests, nodding upstairs.
“I’ll go grab my other handsome boy,” Sutton squeals, taking off for the stairwell to her apartment.
“Oh, and by the way…” Beck starts. Stopping everyone in their tracks.
All of our eyes are on Beck when he growls, “Yes, Little Dove, I will share that room with you. James will not get near you if I have anything to do with it.”
“Okay,” I whimper.
“I will keep you safe. Mayhem will keep you safe. You will keep you safe. You are safe,” Beck says, gently stroking my cheeks with his thumbs, as tears run down my face.
“We will all do our absolute best to keep you safe. You’re one of us now,” Quinn says.
“Forever,” Sutton offers from the stairs.
“Thank you,” I cry.
“Come on, Little Dove. Let’s get this appointment over with, so we can get back and have a nice night in. The lot of us,” Beck suggests, lacing his fingers in mine.
“Movie night. I’ll text Ash,” Quinn shouts.
“You all will never know how truly grateful I am for you.” I smile through my tears, squeezing Beck’s hand tighter, leaning my head against his shoulder.
“We have you, Little Dove.” Beck kisses the side of my head, keeping me tucked into his side. Where it feels like what I’ve always dreamed home would feel like.