Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Clara
When I got back to the store, there were only a small handful of customers walking around. Though, how I managed to not only keep myself upright, but drive back into town, after Beckett had given me two orgasms, I had no idea.
“Hey, Clara,” Charlene smiled and waved from where she was folding a display of shirts. A few years younger than me, she was still new to the store, but we’d known each other peripherally for years.
I nodded a hello and held up the tray of drinks. “I grabbed you a coffee.”
“Thanks!”
I smiled at the customers, none of whom I recognized, and opened the office door marked for employees only.
I set the tray of drinks on the small table next to the door and plopped in my chair behind the desk, my iced tea in hand.
What the hell happened this morning?
I hadn’t expected Beckett to kiss me like a man possessed, and I really hadn’t expected him to feast on me like a man starved.
And, I’d kind of gotten my answer, hadn’t I? That he did harbor some kind of feelings for me – though whether they went beyond the physical attraction was still to be determined.
Obviously, things will never be the same. Wasn’t that a good thing?
His touch lingered on my skin, and I knew it was going to be a long day. I needed something to distract me. My own fault, though I wasn’t about to complain.
“Hey, you’re back – holy hell, what happened to you?” Margot stepped into the room and closed the door.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re all flushed and your hair is messier than when you left. Did you get mugged?”
I took my hair out of the messy bun I’d attempted in the car. “No, I wasn’t mugged. It was windy.”
Margot didn’t look convinced but dropped it. “Okay, if you say so.” She pulled her coffee out of the cardboard tray. “It wasn’t all that busy while you were gone but I think it’ll pick up soon. Charlene said she saw some groups of tourists walking around before she came in.”
“Great. Let’s get the chalkboard sign out and prop the door open. You get music choice today.”
“On it.” Margot disappeared and closed the door behind her.
A busy day would be exactly what I needed so I didn’t dwell on how I might have imploded the most important friendship in my life this morning.
“Well, Beckett Ashland it sure is lovely to see you, sugar.” Charlene’s flirtatious tone saying Beckett’s name pulled my attention away from closing out a transaction.
“Charlene,” Beckett nodded in reply. His gaze found me a second later, and his grin lit up his face. He waited until the gaggle of customers left before coming to the checkout counter.
I could watch that man walk to me all damn day long. There was something about the confident stride and movement of his hips that had me biting my lip.
“Hey, you,” Beckett’s voice was soft, an invitation to a secret only we shared.
“Hi,” I managed. His green eyes were vibrant and full of mischief. My face and neck heated under his stare, and I tried not to fidget.
“I brought you lunch.” Beckett held up a bag with “Hearthstone Lodge” stamped across the side.
“Oh, that’s so nice of you.” When did I get so awkward? “Margot, will you cover the register for a bit?”
“Absolutely.” Margot gave me a wink as she shooed me out from behind the counter. “Enjoy your meal,” she called after us as I led Beckett to the office door.
He stepped inside after me, his large frame taking up way more space than he used to.
“I thought you might be hungry.” Beckett placed the bag on my desk and waited as I closed the door and stepped around him.
“You were right. I haven’t eaten much today.”
Beckett stepped closer, our bodies nearly touching. “Then I’m glad I’m here.” He tucked a strand of hair away from my face.
“Me, too,” I whispered. My pulse hammered in my throat.
Beckett leaned down as if to kiss me but stopped only an inch away from my mouth. I realized it was an invitation, not hesitation. I wrapped a hand around his neck, lifted myself onto my toes and closed the space between us.
Immediately, Beckett wrapped his arms around my waist and held me against his broad, muscular chest. Everything else fell away as Beckett took his time exploring my mouth.
I wanted more, so much more. But I knew we had to stop before someone walked in on us. I didn’t want anyone knowing about whatever was happening between us before we figured it out ourselves.
I broke the kiss and he pressed his forehead to mine. We were both breathing heavily and if I didn’t back up, I’d kiss him again.
I stepped out of his arms, but he followed with one hand on my waist as if he didn’t want to let go.
When had things between us changed so dramatically? What did it mean? Why now?
“Sorry. I didn’t come here for that. I’m not complaining but it wasn’t why.” He paused and took a breath. “I brought you a chicken salad on a roll and chips.”
“Thank you. I love Juan’s chicken salad.” Juan, the long-time head chef at the Hearthstone Lodge, refused to give up his secret for the best chicken salad to ever exist. I took the bag and placed it on the desk behind me.
“I know.” Beckett grinned at me. “I can’t stay. I have to get back to working on the trail maps, but I needed to make sure you ate something.”
My heart swelled at that last sentence. “You take excellent care of me, Beckett Ashland, thank you.” I kissed his cheek and had to force myself to back up.
He reached for my hand, his fingers twining with mine as he pulled me in and whispered against my ear, “I’ll text you later, little wren.”
And then he was gone, leaving me breathless and the door closing behind him.
I’m so screwed.