Chapter Twelve
T he beams of the full moon fell across the bed, illuminating Ellie’s beautiful body. She was sleeping. Turned toward him, her hands tucked underneath her face, she was breathing deeply, her body completely relaxed.
Becket tried to inhale, but his chest seemed way too small. He should get some sleep, let her get some sleep as well, but his body was on fire. Again.
He hadn’t asked her about her house yet.
It hadn’t seemed important anymore. All he wanted was to be with her.
She’d been hurt by the people who had been supposed to keep her safe.
Her parents, the previous boyfriend. She wouldn’t believe him if he told her he had no intention of throwing her away. He could show her, though.
Bending down, he trailed his lips lightly over her face, thinking he’d be satisfied with that.
“Hey, you,” she said sleepily as her hands crept around his neck.
“We should probably sleep,” he murmured against her skin.
“Yeah, you’re right,” she sighed as her body curled into him. “Maybe later?” As she turned her head, their lips met. Intoxicated by her lush curves, he sank into her softness and tugged her closer.
He tried to go slow, to savor and enjoy, but as usual, the moment he touched her, the need to become a part of her was so frantic, so fervent, he lost control. Rolling with her over the bed, he deepened the kiss, trying to convey how desperately he needed her.
It was a wild, frenzied ride. Everything outside the cocoon where just the two of them were gasping for breath, ceased to exit. All he was aware of was the woman in his arms: her smooth skin, her intoxicating scent, the desperate sounds from her throat, the taste of her on his tongue.
When he finally entered her, she was as anxious as he was to get to the finish line.
Those blue eyes were wild, darkened by desire.
For him. For another moment, he tried to keep watching her, but a red haze covered his eyes and with her name on his lips, his head fell backwards as the storm picked them up and swept them away.
*
Ellie was woken up by soft kisses. No, not kisses—licks, if she wasn’t mistaken. Smiling, she opened her eyes. All three dogs were sitting next to her on one side of the bed, panting, and on the other side was Becket, a mug in his hand.
“I’m sorry, I tried to keep them out of here, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer.” He bent forward to kiss her softly. “And it’s nearly eight o’clock.”
She quickly sat upright before she realized she was naked again. Grabbing the sheet, she pulled it up.
Becket chuckled. “I’ve loved every inch of your gorgeous body, you shouldn’t hide it.”
“We have company,” she said primly as she took the mug. “I’m going to be late for work.”
“It’s okay, you’re the boss,” he said.
Sighing, Ellie leaned back against the pillow. “That’s true, isn’t it? But shouldn’t you get to work?” Harper jumped off the bed.
“I’ve been up for two hours already.”
Her eyes widened. “But we’ve hardly slept!”
“I’m not complaining,” he grinned. “When you’ve finished your coffee, I’ll take you back to town.” His smile faded. “I believe you’re moving into your house next weekend.”
Nodding, she took another sip of the coffee. “Yes. I’ve organized the movers to bring the few things I have in storage to Marietta. I hope it all works out and they’ll be here by next Friday.”
“You should’ve told me. I can help, you know?”
Sighing, she looked down at the mug in her hand. “I wasn’t sure whether you’ll still be around by next weekend.”
Harper jumped back onto the bed, a piece of paper in her mouth. She put it on Ellie’s legs.
“Of course, I’ll be around,” Becket was saying. “Damn it, Ellie. I want to be with you; I’ve told you.”
Picking up the paper Harper had brought, she looked at Becket. “From what I’ve heard, you never date anyone for longer than two weeks.”
Cussing softly, Becket got up. “Do you remember last night?” he just about shouted. “And every night before that? Have I given you any indication that I’m moving on?”
Harper barked and Ellie dropped her eyes to the paper in her hand. It was a sketch. If she wasn’t mistaken, the cartoon drawing of a smiling, curly blonde sitting at a table was her. She was wearing the frilly top she’d bought last Monday. Becket was the artist; she recognized his style.
“You’ve made a sketch of me again?”
He nodded.
“Why?”
“Because I have to!” He sat down next to her on the bed again.
“Look, Ellie, I don’t have answers.” His hands slipped around her shoulders.
“I… want you. I want to be with you. You’re all I think about, dream about.
Since we’ve been together, you’re what my pencil draws every time I pick it up.
Each time I see you, I’m like a hormone-filled teenager.
What this craziness is, I have no idea. What I do know is that I’ve never felt like this before.
Talking about my feelings… I can’t do that.
The only thing I am sure about is that I don’t want to stop seeing you. ”
A deep ache nestled low in her belly. “Okay. But promise me one thing?”
“Anything.”
“If you decide you’ve had enough, will you tell me? I wouldn’t want to hear it from Aurelia Hill.”
Frowning, he stared at her. “I don’t think that will happen any time soon, but okay, I promise.”
Lifting her arms she smiled. “Kiss me, cowboy, I have to go to work.”
With a groan, he bent down and brought her closer to him. “And you’ll let me help you next weekend?”
But she didn’t answer him. Instead, she pulled down his head and kissed him. Next weekend was very far ahead. Anything could still happen.
*
Wednesday, a week later, Becket was late for breakfast again. He’d invited Ellie to join him, but apparently she had cleaners and a painter coming today for her new house.
He’d offered his help, but it seemed she had everything under control. If his sister, Willow, had taught him anything, it was never to interfere with an independent woman. And if ever there was an independent woman, it was his Ellie, always insisting she could do it herself.
“Everything okay?” Hayden asked. “You look tired.”
“I’m fine.” Sitting down, he poured himself a big mug of coffee.
Yes, he was tired, but it wasn’t anything he cared to discuss.
Especially not with Hayden. Apart from the fact that he and Ellie got very little sleep at night, once she finally fell asleep, he usually slipped out to finish orders. As it was, he’d been falling behind.
People seem to love the curly, curvy blonde who had by now become a part of his daily sketches, the orders had just about doubled over the last week.
He’d have to make some sort of decision soon.
Either he deleted his page and concentrated on helping his brothers, or he told Hayden he wanted to play a lesser role on the ranch and focused on his art.
Even as the thought entered his mind, he deleted it immediately.
He could never leave his family in the lurch.
“I see Ellie has become a feature in your daily posts on Instagram,” Cooper said.
Willow inhaled sharply, everyone else stopped eating and looked at him.
“What daily posts?” asked Hayden.
Becket took the last sip of his coffee and shoved back his chair. “Just doodles. See you guys out there.” Grabbing a piece of toast, he quickly left the kitchen.
Cooper was on his heels.
“What the hell, man?” Becket growled.
“Damn it, Becket, you’re trying to live Walker’s life, make up for the fact that he’s not here. You’re dying inside. It’s time you tell Hayden.”
“Tell me what?” Hayden asked as he approached them.
“Nothing.” Becket stormed off in the direction of the stables. Damn it to hell. Why couldn’t everyone just mind their own freaking business?
*
With a slightly uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, Ellie drove to her new home after work. She had two suitcases of clothes with her that she wanted to unpack before Becket picked her up.
Early this morning, she’d met the cleaners at the house and they’d promised to do a good job.
They’d insisted on being paid immediately in cash.
Slightly taken aback, she’d nevertheless driven to the bank and got the money.
Maybe she should’ve asked Janice or Arlene for recommendations, but she’d seen the ad on the pharmacy window.
That should be an indication they were trustworthy, right?
The painter looked fine, though. He’d assured her he got the paint she wanted. Painting one room was an easy job, he’d smiled. He’d be finished by the end of the day.
She stopped in front of the house and got out. Hugging herself, she stared at the house. Her house. The same strange feeling of déjà vu she got every time she saw it, was back. Maybe she’d lived here in an earlier lifetime, who knew?
Chuckling, she quickly took out the suitcases and walked toward the front door.
As she unlocked the door, she closed her eyes for a moment. “Thanks, Grandma. Without you I couldn’t have done this.” She unlocked the door and took the first step into her new home.
That was how long the euphoria lasted. The place hadn’t been cleaned. It was clear the cleaners had left right after she’d paid them. Quickly she closed her eyes. Maybe she was dreaming. But when she opened her eyes, nothing had changed.
“My room…” With trepidation, Ellie raced up the steps to the main bedroom.
The door was closed. Taking a deep breath, she opened it. “Oh, no!” Dismayed, she stared at the bright pink and dark blue walls. The floor was a mess, with marks of paint everywhere.
She’d picked out the colors so carefully, written down the names for the painter and showed him the colors she’d found in the hardware store. He was supposed to get a soft green called ‘Sage’ and a pink color called ‘Something borrowed’. What was more, he’d assured her he had what she’d ordered.