Page 77 of Redemption

Beck takes a swig of moonshine and passes it back to me. “What’s the next thing?”

“I was talking to my mom earlier about standing on my own for once. I can’t do that if I’m sleeping in my childhood bedroom every night.”

“You’re more than welcome to sleep in my bedroom every night where we can do some very grown-up things.” He winks.

“I will happily spend lots of time with you in that bed, but if I’m there every night, it kind of negates the whole independence thing I’m going for.” I roll my eyes playfully. “Anyway... my mom mentioned the Wilsons’ cottage is up for rent, so I’m going to call them in the morning.”

Beckett searches my eyes for a moment. “Is this something you really need, Pres?”

“It is, Beckett. I’m thirty years old, and I’ve never lived on my own before. I need to know what that feels like.” I weave our fingers together with my free hand. “But you’re welcome to come over and keep me warm at night, any night. Just... maybe not every night. Do you understand where I’m comin’ from?”

He nods. “I do. I won’t pretend I don’t want to share a bed with you every night, but I understand and respect your desire to do this.”

“Thank you.”

Beckett takes the alcohol from me and screws the top back on. The moment he drops it, his mouth is on mine. I moan as one of his hands sinks into the back of my hair to hold me in place. The only time our lips break apart is when we have to pull away to remove our shirts. One by one, our clothing is tossed aside. Each time more skin is exposed, Beckett makes due on his promise to take his time, kissing and caressing every inch of me that’s bared to him. At some point, we burrowed under the sleeping bag with me lying on my back and Beck on top of me, careful not to crush me with his weight.

When he fumbles to retrieve a condom from his wallet, I say, “Wait.”

He freezes immediately. “Are you okay?”

I nod reassuringly. “Yes. I want this, Beckett. I want you.” My eyes flick to the foil square in his hand. “But we don’t need that if you don’t want to use it. I’m on the shot... and when I went for my shoulder check-up, I had them test me, just in case. The last result came back today, and I’m good. I’m clean. So, if everything’s good on your end, and you trust me, I—”

Beck cuts off my incessant rambling with a hard kiss. “I trust you more than anyone else on this planet, Pres. And I’d love nothing more than to take you bare. I haven’t... you’re the only person I’ve been with like that. Ever.”

I don’t know why that statement makes me so weepy, but I have to choke back a sob when he says it. “Then love me, Beckett, with nothing between us.”

I give him one long stroke from root to tip before placing him at my entrance. I’m more than ready, so when he shifts a little and pushes forward, he slides right in.

His head drops to my shoulder. “Fuck, so good.”

I gasp when he deepens the angle. “Perfect.”

Sweat dots my skin as Beckett goes deep and long, toe-curling pleasure slowly building inside of me. When my body reaches the point of no return, I dig my nails into his back and cry out his name as I’m overtaken by bliss. A few seconds later, Beck’s muscles stiffen as he, too, finds release. He places soft kisses along the nape of my neck and my temple before pulling up just enough to look me in the eye.

Beckett leans into my palm as I rest it over his cheek. “I meant what I said earlier. I didn’t mean to just blurt it out in a text message, but I do love you, Beck. I never stopped. I just... I need you to be patient with me. If I seem hesitant sometimes, it’s not because I don’t want to be with you. I want that more than anything. But I’ve spent most of my adult life doubting my thoughts... my worth.” I laugh humorlessly. “I questioned pretty much everything. So, even though I’m sure that I’m right where I belong, sometimes, I might need a reminder.”

“I know, darlin’.” He turns his face into my hand and kisses my palm. “You know what I think we should do?”

I release a breathy sigh as he withdraws from my body. “What?”

He sits back on his knees. “Go skinny dipping.”

I release a shocked laugh. “Beckett! It’s October. And we’ve been drinking.”

“So?” he challenges. “It’s also eighty degrees. Just a quick dip; we’ll be fine. And if we get cold, I have ways of warming you up.”

I sit up with him. “Well, in that case, what are we waiting for?”

Beckett smacks a hard kiss on my lips. “There’s my girl.”

I’m laughing the entire time we’re running down the dock. As I watch Beckett cannonball into the pond, I smile to myself, thinking about how lucky I am, having this second chance with him. Maybe my mama was right. Perhaps there is a God after all.

* * *

“And now it’s time for the entertainment portion of the evening.”

I smile. “I don’t know... I think the last couple of hours have been pretty entertaining.”

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