Page 43 of Always Beth
‘James?’ I run my fingertips along his spine until he gradually pulls back to look at me.
‘So wanted, Beth.’
My eyes follow as he makes his way to the bathroom, his words filling me with a warmth I haven’t experienced before. The room falls silent as doubt begins to surface; I hope these aren’t just words and that I’m not the only one feeling whatever is happening right now, because I don’t think I could cope with another heartbreak. My mind casts back to the bar and the overtly tactile Melanie and how unaffected she was by my presence compared to how concerned I was with hers. The coldness of this apartment hasn’t gone unnoticed, it screams bachelor pad. Maybe he charms women into his bed for a good time, not a long time. Is this any different?I’m not in a position to offer you more right now.His words come back to me as clear as day.
The bed dips and his voice dusts the back of my neck. ‘Beth, are you awake?’
I still against his body and hold my breath tightly, my fears stopping me from asking him what’s going on between us. As the silence extends, rather than roll away, he shifts in closer, wrapping his arm around my body and pulling me in close.
‘Goodnight,’ he murmurs, nuzzling himself into my hair. He breathes deeply, as though inhaling me, before finally falling to sleep. Glancing down at his strong forearm protectively curled around me, my concerns slowly disappear as I relax into his embrace. No matter how many doubts creep into my mind, nothing can detract from this closeness. I may be lying here staring into the darkness worrying about the future, but for the first time in a long time, I’m not alone.
James
Jesus, she can sleep and then some.
If I stare at the clock any longer, I think I might go crazy. I’ve fresh pastries, coffee and orange juice waiting on the breakfast bar and the dining table set up like a mini office. Today we’re going to thrash through the technicalities of this divorce, and she will walk into Caroline’s office tomorrow with all the confidence in the world. If she ever wakes up that is.
Opening my eyes and finding her in my arms this morning reminded me what I’ve been missing. As I watched her sleep, I realised I haven’t launched myself out of bed at the first opportunity after a night with a woman, in what seems like forever. For the right woman I could stay in bed all day. If things were different she’d probably be the first woman since Grace that I’d allow myself to fall for. My cock awakens at the memory of her beneath me last night, taking everything I could possibly give her without so much as a smart remark or scolding word. During the day she can push against me as much as she wants, but once she’s in my bed, it’s game over. She might just be per…
‘Why the hell didn’t you wake me?’ Squinting, she shields her face from the Sunday morning haze and glances back and forth between the breakfast bar and dining table.
‘Sorry, I didn’t realise I was your personal alarm clock.’
‘But you’re my personal chef, it would seem.’ She grins wildly as flakes of pastry fall everywhere.
‘Chef, legal counsel, orgasm provider, there is no end to my talents.’
She splutters as she tries to stop herself from choking on her croissant. Rendering her speechless seems to be more and more common these days and all it takes is the mere mention of anything sexual.
‘So, er…what’s the plan today then?’ she asks, nodding towards the dining room table. It’s clear I don’t exactly have a fun day planned.
‘We need to discuss the d-word before tomorrow.’
Her breath catches as her eyes drop to my crotch and back up again quickly.
‘Not that d-word Beth.’
Her face turns a dusky pink and she turns to busy herself with the coffee machine. I slide up behind her and pull her flush against my body. My erection from earlier is still lingering and she pauses as she feels me hard against her.
‘Divorce first, dick later,’ I whisper against her ear.
Her mouth curls into a soft smile and she turns in my arms, sandwiching herself between me and the cool marble of the worktop. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she glances up at me, I’ve seen this expression on her more than once in the last twelve hours.
‘I’ll just go take a shower.’ She smiles, pointing towards the bathroom.
Tease.
I step back, allowing her to pass. ‘Don’t be long, I’ve been up hours waiting for you.’
I can’t help but smile as she walks away.
Perfect. That’s what she is.
Beth
This wasn’t what I had in mind. This isn’t what Sundays were invented for.
‘I need a timeline of events,’ he says, studying the papers in front of him. He holds my stare across the table and the longer I remain silent, the worse it becomes. How many times exactly am I expected to relive this sorry tale? I’ve kept the specifics to myself until now.
