Page 9 of Morning Wood

“Oh yeah?” I can’t help but giggle a little at his answer.

Stepping up to the stove, I turn off the burners and prepare to dish out our food. It's then I remember I don't have any plates. The pots and pans were already here and just needed a good soak and scrub to be usable again. I didn't find any plates while cleaning, but it wasn't a big deal. I've been eating out or ordering in my meals while I figure out what else needs to be done and what I need to stock up on.

“Looking for these?” Beck says, handing me a stack of paper plates and a box of plastic silverware. “I wasn’t sure if you had a chance to get dishes yet,” he explains.

“Um, thanks,” I say, surprised at his thoughtfulness.

“Of course. If you need any other household things, let me know. My mother and aunt have a habit of hitting up every garage sale in town just so they can negotiate. It’s a sport for them, I swear.” Beck rolls his eyes, but his playful smile tells me he doesn’t really mind. He clearly has a lot of love for his mom and aunt, which softens me toward him. “Suffice it to say, the basement is filled with things they don’t need. I’ll take you shopping down there soon.”

“You want me to meet your mother?” I say in shock. “I mean, not like that. Not like you’re bringing me home to meet the family like we’re dating or whatever. I didn’t… I was just… yes, that’s thoughtful of you to… think of me,” I end lamely. I cringe at my stuttered words, wishing I could take everything back.

Focusing on the task at hand, I open the paper plates and proceed to scoop copious amounts of pasta and sauce onto them so I have something to do instead of stewing in my awkwardness.

I turn around to hand Beck his plate, and he takes it from me before setting it back down on the counter. He holds out his hand, palm facing up, encouraging me to take it. I'm almost afraid to, but I find I can't stop. I place my hand in his, a jolt of electricity buzzing up and down my spine. Beck draws me in closer, closer, closer, and for a moment, I think I'm back in my dream and he's going to kiss me.

“Beatrix,” he says softly, his voice calm and soothing. “I want to make my intentions clear. I very much want to take you home to meet the other two most important women in my life.” My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline and I forget to breathe. Did he really just say…? “But I want to earn your trust first. I get the sense life hasn’t treated you very well up until now.”

It’s not a question, but I nod my head anyway. “It’s been… a struggle,” I admit, tilting my head up, way, way, up, to meet his gaze. Beck leans down, resting his forehead on mine.

“I’m here now. The struggle is over.”

His warm breath tickles my lips, making my skin break out in goosebumps. “Are you going to kiss me?” I whisper, feeling foolish as soon as the words tumble out of my mouth.

Beck makes a pained groaning sound, then rubs his nose against mine in the lightest of touches. “Would you like that, beautiful?”

I nod, wanting more of this man’s touch, more of his words, just… more. “I might not be any good at it.”

“Are you telling me I’ll be your first?”

“Is that bad?” I whisper, feeling more vulnerable than I ever have. He could crush me in this moment. Or maybe, just maybe, he’ll be the one to help me blossom.

“It’s good, sweetheart. Really damn good. Are you sure this is what you want?”

Instead of answering with words, I lift myself up on my tiptoes and wrap my arms around his shoulders, pulling him down as I meet him halfway. Our lips touch, and for a moment, nothing else happens. Did I do it wrong? Does he think I’m naive? Does he–

Beck takes over, gently sucking on my bottom lip and then my top lip before slipping his tongue inside my mouth. I moan softly, tightening my grip on his shoulders. His hands grasp my hips, urging me backward a few steps until I’m leaning against the counter.

I gasp for air while Beck continues licking and nipping at the sensitive skin on my neck. I unwrap my arms from his shoulders, sliding them down his chest and gripping his shirt in my fists. When his lips meet mine for the second time, I gasp at the shockwave of white-hot bliss traveling through me and landing between my thighs. I rub them together, hoping to alleviate the dull ache there, but it only makes it worse.

Beck slides his hands up and down my back, pulling me closer and drawing out whimpers and moans from my lips. “So beautiful,” he rasps in my ear, wrapping his hands around my hips once more. He helps me grind against his solid length, the pressure building in my core until I can hardly breathe.

One second I’m putty in his strong, capable hands, and the next second, Beck is gone. My knees are a bit wobbly but I manage to stay upright by leaning against the counter once more.

“Sorry,” Beck says, still out of breath. “I got carried away. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“I’m perfectly comfortable,” I say, my words a bit slurred from the aftermath of my first kiss. God, it was incredible. Much better than my dream.

“You dreamt about me?” Beck asks, prowling forward once more.

“Oops. I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

"I had a dream about you, too. It was a bit filthier than a kiss, though." His eyes are ablaze with lust and good lord, I feel it, too. "But we should probably eat before the food gets cold.”

“That’s not fair,” I say with a pout. “You can’t just say something like that and not back it up with some action.” I have no idea where this brazen, wanton woman came from, but I can’t seem to control my words around Beck.

He just grins at me and takes our plates to the dining room, where I managed to clean off the table and chairs the night before. Beck tells me more about his mom and aunt and how he grew up here in Winifred before joining the Army.

The more he talks, the more I want to know. I ask him question after question until we’re done with dinner. Talking about his past is a lot more pleasant than talking about mine. Of course, Beck doesn’t let me get away with that for long.

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