Page 2 of Coming Home to You
“Sorry, Kelsey,” she says with her perfectly clueless-about-life smile plastered on her face.“There’s someone at the front desk who wants to see you.”
I roll my eyes and let a small huff escape my lips before acknowledging her comment.“Did you tell them the inn is full?We have no vacancy.Don’t these people know it’s Memorial Day weekend?Damn tourists.”
Abby laughs and I realize how bitchy I sound.Without these people I would have nothing, but that doesn’t mean they don’t drive me crazy.
“No, it’s not like that,” Abby says as we step inside.I can see a twinkle in her eyes and her smile widens as she says, “It’s a guy and he’s hot.”
“What?”I practically shout and Abby laughs again.“He’s looking for me?Are you sure?Did he ask for me by name or just to speak to the owner?”I sound a little too overzealous, a bit too excited for my own good.
Could it really be him?Could it be Beck?My Beck, coming back the same weekend he left so many years ago.He’s always been a hopeless romantic and I’ve always been a dreamer.
I feel myself smiling as my heart begins to race.The excitement that flows through me ignites my entire body with sparks as hot and bold as the fireworks in the sky.
“Yep.That hot boy down there asked for you by name.And he’s got the best Boston accent I’ve ever heard.Like melt your panties hot.”Abby winks at me as I push past her and haul ass down the stairs.
It can only be him.
Beck.
I can’t move fast enough and my nervousness begins to take over.My heartbeat is out of control, pulsing thick and fast in my chest, reverberating through my ears, drowning out any other sounds.
I can picture him, the line of his square jaw, the masculinity of his face, his perfect blue eyes and that small bump on the bridge of his nose from when he broke it during a fight with Tommy Prescott when we were kids.It all makes him heart-stoppingly beautiful, and coupled with his tanned skin and light brown tousled hair; I can’t stand it any longer.
I imagine his arms around me, his hands exploring my body after all this time.I feel my nipples harden under my shirt and press achingly against my bra.Just the thought of his hands makes my body grow weak with need.Desire pools hot and wet between my legs.It’s been too long and in this moment I can’t even remember why he left or why I was angry.None of it matters.
I hit the first landing on the staircase and nearly stumble.Catching my balance, I try to compose myself.I can’t see him for the first time in ten years all flushed and looking like all I want is to be fucked by him.Long and hard and desperate.Oh my God, what is wrong with me?
I pull in a few deep breaths and exhale each one slowly before continuing down the stairs.When I hit the main floor, I stop breathing.
My heart stops, the hard beat that had taken over ceases instantly and I suddenly feel like I might vomit.It’s not him.It’s not Beck.It’s my worst nightmare.
My body finally catches up and my heart begins to beat again.Fast and violent as sweat builds throughout my body; my hands are shaking and I swallow hard.I want to scream, I want to run, but my body won’t comply.
He grins at me, that disgusting coy smile, that makes my stomach churn, and as he steps closer, I recoil immediately.
“Kelsey, doll-face, I’ve missed you.”His voice is like slime, smarmy and sick just like him.
“Jason, you can’t be here.”I turn around searching for Abby, the closest phone, something, anything to make me feel safe.I hear Abby’s feet behind me and without turning around, I yell to her, “Call the police!”
“Aw, come on, Kelsey, don’t be that way,” he begs as he takes a step closer.
“Don’t come any closer!”I scream, but the fear slips through and it comes out shaky and feeble.
Jason laughs as he closes the small distance between us.“Some things never change,” he says smugly.As he approaches, his chest is out and his eyes are trained on my mine.His loud voice fills the room and his arrogance is stifling as his mouth twists into an evil smile.“I always loved when you put up a fight, but I think we both know, I’ll win.”
“Not this time.You need to leave, Jason.The police will be here any minute.”I try my best, but he’s right, I’m weak and scared.My shaking hands and the tremble in my voice do nothing to hide this and Jason moves closer, until he’s standing directly in front of me.
I can feel his hot breath against my face when he speaks and it causes a shiver to run through my body.His words are laced with disgust and the seriousness in his tone makes me shudder.
“Kelsey, you can’t get rid of me that easily.Did you really think a piece of paper would keep me away?If you did, you’re far more stupid than I thought.Don’t underestimate me.”
Jason takes my face in his hands and a whimper leaves my mouth as tears pool in my eyes.He can’t be this close to me.I was supposed to be safe and protected, but something failed.
Just as Jason tightens his grip on my face, the sound of sirens wail through the quiet of the night, startling me and jarring Jason.
He narrows his eyes and releases my face, but the scowl remains.His words come out in a growl as he moves towards the entrance of the inn.“Don’t think this is the end of this, Kelsey.I know where you work.I know where you live.One day you’ll be alone and I will find you.”
He disappears out the door and I scramble to the front desk, gripping the counter tightly because I feel like my legs might give out.I close my eyes and pray that what just happened was a dream, a nightmare, anything but real.But when I take in Abby’s wide-eyed, pale face, I know it all happened and it not only scared the shit out of me, it also shook her to the core.
