Page 5 of Glory Hole

Lucky dog.

Beck smiles and talks to Wookie, and I melt a little more. Could this man be any more perfect? Doubtful. Beck stands and turns to head out of the doorway. I get my first look at his ass in those jeans. Angels sing. It’s that heavenly. I’m blindsided by a visual of holding onto it, my nails sinking in to his flesh, as he takes me to new heights on the Big O scale of greatness.

“Nice to meet you, Evelyn.”

“Nice to meet you too, Beck.” Ev smiles before heading back toward the kitchen where Ti and Jen are laughing, very loudly.

“Your friends seem great.” Beck runs his fingers through his hair, only adding to the messy perfection that it is before tucking his hand into the back pocket of his jeans.

“They are great.” I mean it. They truly are my family.

“Allow me to walk you and Wookie outside, Glory. It’s late, and I noticed a street light was out when I went to the mailboxes.” Beck, once again, places that hand on my lower back.

“You don’t have to do that. We’ll be fine.” I pull the door to my apartment closed behind me. I need to get back inside and cover that hole before the girls notice it. “I’ve been trying to get the city to replace that light for a couple of months now. They say it’s on the list.”

“Really Glory, it’s no problem.”

We walk to the elevator, and he extends his arm when the doors open, ushering me ahead, and, immediately I’m struck with the thought that I miss his hand on my back.

“How long have you lived here?” He bends down to pat Wookie’s head.

“About six years. It’s a good area and within walking distance to work. I love the neighborhood.”

“Where do you work?”

“Just Another Chapter, a bookstore Christina and I own.”

“You own a book store? That’s cool.“ He holds back the elevator door for Wookie and me to exit.

“We have fun. We love indie authors. We try to support them as often as we can. We have book signings and try to highlight several new releases a month on our shelves and web page. How about you? What’s your story?”

“I’m new to the city. I actually lived in a small town about an hour from here when I wasn’t travelling. It made more sense to be in the city, though. My band just bought a studio here. So, the move was logical.” He opens the door to our building, and we make our way outside and down the steps to the sidewalk. Wookie leads us to a patch of grass.

“You’re in a band? What do you play?” I ask while Wookie finishes his business.

“I’m a drummer.”

A vision of him shirtless on his throne behind his drums slams into me. Sweat pouring from his muscled flesh as he hammers away at the skins. Warmth pools in my core as I visualize climbing into his lap and riding him off into the sunset.

“What’s your band’s name?”

“Beauty of Atrocity.” He watches me intently, like he’s waiting for my response.

“Yeah, sounds fun!” I’m not certain what to say. I listen to music but mostly stuff from the eighties with a little classic rock and some rap thrown in for good measure. Christina picks the music played in the store. I’m not even certain who’s in the top forty these days. Unless it’s a book list. That, I know.

“You ever listen to us?” Beck’s hand finds its way to my lower back again and guides me up the stairs back to our building. My heart rate kicks up and goose bumps travel across my skin. I like that hand there, its warmth seeping into my skin.

“No, I don’t think I’ve heard any of your songs.”

“You haven’t? You’re serious?” He smiles slightly while shaking his head.

“Yo, Beck!”

We both turn and damn, if this guy isn’t gorgeous, too.

“Maddox, what’s up?” Beck asks the tall, tattooed drink of water approaching us.

“Just came to check out your new digs. See if you needed any help unpacking.”

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