Page 105 of Always Beth
‘I know, but that’s what you do when you love someone.’
My mind casts back to the funeral and Jacob’s revelation in the kitchen.My sister told me he’s in love with you.‘You love me?’ I glance up hopefully.
He nods, looking between myself and Lorena. ‘I do. More than I ever thought possible.’
Stepping towards me, he takes both of my hands in his and pulls me into him. ‘I’ve wanted you since the moment I first saw you. I don’t think I realised it at the time but now I know, it was always going to be you, Beth. There you were waiting for me like an infuriating ray of sunshine at the darkest time of my life. Lauren knew how I felt, she said—’
‘She chose me.’ Wiping the tears hastily from my cheeks, my chest begins to heave at the memory.
Confusion sweeps across James’ face and my chest tightens at the thought of revealing her last words, which I’ve kept sacred until now. ‘The night she died, the last thing she said to me wasI chose you.’
He pulls a piece of paper folded multiple times from his wallet and hands it to me. ‘She deliberately picked you as the tenant. She pretty much confessed it in her letter to me. It wasn’t until the estate agent emailed me saying you were not their recommended choice, that I realised, she’d planned it all.’
I stare at the scrawl of her handwriting as the realisation hits that this was her plan all along. ‘She set us up?’
‘She found me my person.’ He smiles. Pressing his forehead to mine, he exhales slowly and it washes away any of the last reservations I have about us.
This is it now.
‘I can’t believe how close I came to losing you, I love you, Beth. From the very first time I saw you, deep down, I knew,’ he whispers.
Tilting my head, I brush my lips across his. ‘I love you too. Always.’
ChapterTwenty-Nine
James
The last time we were alone in this apartment we behaved like sex-starved teenagers. Now we have a two-month-old daughter to put to bed, our priorities have changed, but I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind. How long exactly after birth are you supposed to wait?
After bathing and feeding Lorena, we both put her to sleep in the guest bedroom. The fact that Beth set the bassinet in there in the first place tells me she has plans for tonight that involve more than sleeping.
‘I might take a shower if that’s okay?’
‘Of course it is.’ Taking a fresh towel, she disappears into the en-suite with her bag.
Since I didn’t get an invitation to join her, perhaps I’ve misread the signs. She’s going to come out fully dressed in those ghastly penguin pyjamas I just know it. After all this time though, lying next to her will be enough. I strip down to my underwear and slip underneath the covers. I run my hand through my hair, propping myself up against the pillows, then I hear the water shut off, reposition myself and quickly grab my phone to appear occupied. I scroll through my messages and hover over the unopened texts from Jacob. Now things are back on track with Beth, he’s next on my list. I’m going to have to make things right.What the hell is she doing in there?
Finally I hear the lock click and glance up as the door opens and steam billows out into the bedroom.
‘Jesus Christ, Beth, how hot’ – my mouth goes dry as she stands in the doorway wearing the most incredible figure-hugging lace number I’ve ever seen and it shows off every single one of her curves that motherhood has accentuated – ‘are you.’
‘I wanted to remind you what you’ve been missing.’ Walking slowly towards the bed, she throws her leg over the top of me and straddles my lap. The blood immediately rushes to my dick and her lips curl as she feels me harden against her.
‘Consider me reminded,’ I mutter hoarsely as I breathe in her scent. I’m unsure of what I want to do to her first, completely blindsided by her sudden initiation. ‘Are you sure you’re ready, you know?’ I nod downwards, unwilling and unable to remind us both of the traumatic birth in the kitchen.
‘So fucking ready, I’ll never not be ready for you,’ she whispers against my cheek, her words setting my body alight.
I trail my finger across the lace, pausing momentarily as her nipple hardens from the contact. It’s then that I remember how sweet she sounds when she’s aroused and every whimper that escapes her lips only spurs me on to drop my hand lower. Her breath hitches as I graze the outline of the fabric.Well this is unexpected.
‘Are these crotchless?’ My eyebrows raise in surprise. She smiles with confidence and my heart immediately warms. This is the Beth I always knew was in there.
‘I like to call them easy access.’ She giggles.
Rolling my lips, I stifle a laugh, flipping us until she’s pinned beneath me. ‘I think I’ll need a closer inspection.’ As I slide down her body, I feel her tense, her hands weave into my hair and she tugs so firmly that it’s any wonder there’s any left on my head.
‘Is it—’
‘It’s as perfect as I remember.’ In one soft motion I sweep my tongue through her folds, causing her hips to arch upwards.
