More Than Once (7 page)

“You’re starting over in a new city where you don’t know anyone. You can reinvent yourself. You can be whoever you want.” Her fingers traveled down to circle my growing hard-on. “But right now, I want
this
bad boy inside me again.”

“Again? You’re insatiable.”

“I blame Andrew for that.”

I gripped her ass, digging my fingers into the soft skin. “Andrew can’t get enough of you either.”

I rolled her onto her stomach and kissed along her spine, making her shiver. She opened up for me, and I took her from behind, hard and rough, just like she wanted. Soon she was screaming my name, my new favorite sound.

But when it was over, her words kept repeating themselves in my head. Could I get really stop being the nice guy?

Could I be Andrew all the time?

Would I want to?

W
hen I woke, every muscle in my body was sore in the best way. It was the kind of ache that only came after a brutal workout—or a long night of amazing sex.

And my god, Andy was incredible. I’d never been with someone who was both so tender and caring, yet so rough and demanding. Now he was nestled against my back, spooning me, and it felt so nice I didn’t want to move, even though I really had to pee.

Last night, we’d both opened up to each other, completely baring our souls for hours. With Andy, I felt an intense connection, a closeness I’d never experienced with anyone before. Which was ridiculous ‘cause we barely knew each other. But we were both moving to Dallas soon; maybe we could see each other again and continue what we’d started. As I dozed in and out, I daydreamed of what might happen when we were both living in the same city, visiting all the restaurants I’d promised to introduce him to and spending more nights together like we’d just had.

I finally climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom, unable to hold it any longer. I took a minute to freshen up, washing my face and brushing my teeth with my finger to get rid of morning breath. Just in case he wanted another round when he woke up.

As I grabbed a towel to dry my hands, I noticed something on the counter—a tiny ring box.

I couldn’t help myself. I had to open it.

Inside, I found a big, sparkling diamond on a golden ring. The ring he’d proposed to Tara with only hours ago.

“Becca?” Andy asked from the other side of the door. “You in there?”

I snapped the box shut.

“Of course.” I eased the door open and smiled at him. “Were you worried I would sneak out without saying goodbye?”

But I wasn’t sure Andy heard a single thing I said because his eyes had dropped to my bare breasts and then lower, to my hand. Which was still holding the box with the ring.

A pained expression crossed his face, and I quickly set the box down on the counter. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I shouldn’t have touched it.”

“It’s fine,” he said, but his voice told me it was not. He didn’t seem angry, though, just in pain.

I took a step toward him, but he brushed past me and into the bathroom, then shut the door behind him. Dammit. I’d really fucked that one up.

I returned to bed, hoping we could talk about what was upsetting him when he got out. And maybe do something about that major morning wood he was rocking. He’d been completely naked, and it was hard to not want that beautiful body of his.

But when Andy walked out a few minutes later, he wouldn’t even look at me. He began gathering up all his clothes off the floor with movements that were frantic and jerky.

“Come back to bed,” I said, patting the empty spot beside me.

“I can’t. I have a flight to catch.” He bent over and grabbed his jeans from the corner, giving me a nice view of his firm ass.

I stood up slowly, letting the sheet slide off my naked skin. He stopped what he was doing to stare at my body.

“Be bad with me one more time,” I said, sliding a hand down my breast to my nipple. “We can make it quick.”

He sucked in a breath, his eyes hungry again. I moved toward him, loving the way his gaze trailed my movements and how his face became more and more desperate the closer I got. I played with my breasts the entire time, making my nipples hard.

When I crossed the room to him, I didn’t have to say another word. He slanted his mouth over mine, yanking me against his body, his hands on my ass. But before it could go any further, he pulled away.

“I can’t,” he said, his eyes not meeting mine. “I really have to go. I’m sorry.”

I could tell he was holding something back. It was strange, since we’d been so open with each other before. Seeing me holding that box must have upset him more than I’d thought.

“Was it the ring?”

“No. Maybe.” He yanked his jeans on, and I knew it was really over. He threw on a polo shirt with a stomping Godzilla for the logo, which was so Andy it made me smile. Once he was fully dressed, he turned back to me and brushed hair away from my face with gentle hands. “I’m sorry. I just… I need some time to get over Tara. It wouldn’t be fair to you otherwise.”

I nodded. He’d asked a girl to marry him yesterday and been turned down. I couldn’t expect him to recover from that right away or to be completely over his ex after only a day. I liked Andy a lot, but I didn’t want to be his rebound.

“I understand,” I said. “I’m kind of a mess right now, too. But maybe once we’re both settled in Dallas, we can get together again.”

“That’s a good idea.”

We traded phones and entered our contact information in them. While Andy finished packing, I quickly got dressed and gathered my things. Neither one of us talked. Our magical night together was over, the mood ruined with the morning sunlight and thoughts of days to come.

And then it was time to go.

We stood at the door, neither one of us opening it, like we both didn’t want to leave. He touched my cheek, rubbing his thumb over my lower lip. “Becca, last night was incredible. Thank you for everything.”

“You don’t need to thank me,” I said, leaning into his touch. He had the most amazing hazel eyes. I could gaze into them for hours, picking out all the different colors and watching the way they changed in the light. Would I ever see them again?

“I do.” He lowered his mouth to mine and gave me a long, lingering kiss. I clutched at his shoulders, not wanting him to let me go. But this kiss wasn’t desperate or hard or rough—he was back to nice guy Andy this morning and something about this kiss felt final.

“I’ll call you,” he said as he grabbed his suitcase.

But we both knew he wouldn’t.

C
hristmas Eve dinner was just as excellent as Becca had said it would be, and then it was on to dessert. Trish and Evelyn had been baking all day, and now they brought out five different pies for us to choose from. I was already full, but I asked for a tiny slice from each, which made both ladies smile.

“These are all amazing,” I said. “I can’t decide which is my favorite.” The ladies beamed even more.

“I want more cider,” Hannah said, as we dug into our pies. “More, more, more!”

“Sorry, baby,” Trish said. “Grandma said you only get one glass. You can have milk now instead.”

“But I want more! Mommy, pleaaaaaaaaaase. It was a present for me. Mr. Brett said so.”

“Just let her have it,” Matt said. “It’s Christmas Eve after all.”

Trish glared at him. “And what about when she’s up all night bouncing around the house? Are you going to get her to sleep?”

“She’ll be fine.”

“Right, because you obviously know better than I do, even though I’m home with her
all day long
.”

Matt’s eyebrows furrowed. “Please let’s not talk about that now.”

“Patricia, is everything all right, dear?” Evelyn asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.

“Everything’s peachy,” Trish said, crossing her arms.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t realize the cider would be a problem.”

“It’s not your fault,” Trish said with a sigh.

Becca twisted in her seat to lean close to Hannah, then whispered something in her ear. The girl scrunched up her face as she listened, and then her eyes widened. She nodded at Becca and then loudly proclaimed, “I’m ready for bed now.”

“Now?” Matt asked.

Hannah nodded quickly. “Becca says the sooner I go to sleep, the sooner Santa will come down the chimney with presents.”

“That is true,” Trish said with a faint smile.

“C’mon, let’s go get Santa some milk and cookies,” Matt said, standing up, his pie untouched.

“Okay!” Hannah said, and the two of them disappeared into the kitchen. The table seemed to collectively relax as soon as Matt was gone.

David cleared his throat. “What are you doing for Christmas tomorrow, Brett?”

“I don’t have any plans, really.”

“No plans?” Evelyn gasped. “It makes me sick thinking of you all alone on Christmas. You must come over again tomorrow. We’re going to open presents in the morning, and then we’ll have brunch together before heading to Austin to visit with my parents and my brother’s family.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I couldn’t impose on your kindness again. Besides, I’m supposed to go in to work tomorrow.”

“Work?” David asked. “That’s just not right. Not right at all. It’s Christmas!”

“It’s no imposition at all, dear,” Evelyn said, smiling at me. “We would love to have you.”

I hesitated. It was tempting and it’s not like I had any other real plans, but Becca had only invited me for one night. I glanced at her, silently asking her what I should do.

“Yes, you shouldn’t be alone tomorrow,” Becca said as her hand slipped under the table. A second later I felt it on my thigh, a warm pressure through my jeans. I gave her a sideways glance, but she smiled at me innocently while her hand crept higher and higher. “You should definitely come.”

I didn’t miss the hidden innuendo there, especially with her fingers inching up my thigh.

“Oh, I’m pretty sure he will,” Trish said, giggling.

Neither had Trish, obviously. Luckily her parents seemed oblivious.

“Okay,” I said. “I’ll be here in the morning. Thanks.”

Becca’s fingers found the bulge in my jeans, which had sprung to life at her touch, and she slid her fingers along it through the fabric. I cleared my throat and shifted, hoping it wasn’t obvious to anyone else at the table. Damn, she was naughty, doing this right under her parents’ noses. I fucking loved it.

“This wine is really nice,” David said. “You’re not drinking any, Brett?”

It took me a second to realize he was talking to me, both because of the name and because his daughter’s hand was in my lap. “No, sir. I have to drive home.”

“You’re so responsible,” Evelyn said, flashing Becca a proud look. “But what about the storm, dear? I haven’t seen it snow this much in December in years!”

“Not sure the roads will be safe to drive on,” David said, nodding. “It’s getting pretty bad out there.”

Trish’s eyes seemed to gleam, and she grinned. “You should stay with us tonight. You’re coming back in the morning, after all, and we have a spare room you could sleep in. The bed is covered in gift wrap, but we can fix that right up.” It might have been my imagination, but I’m pretty sure she winked at Becca when she said that.

I shook my head. “Please don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine driving home.”

“No, that is a wonderful idea,” Evelyn said. “Then you can have some wine with your pie, and you won’t have to drive in this dreadful weather.”

I was about to argue the point when Becca squeezed me in a way that made it hard to think. “You should definitely stay tonight,” she said.

“Is that so?” I found myself sliding my hand over to her lap, inching up her dress. Her legs were bare under it, and I slowly smoothed my thumb across the inside of her soft thigh. I’d never done anything like this before, under a table with people only inches away, but she always brought out something wild in me. She parted her legs, giving me better access, and I rubbed against her panties, feeling how wet they were already.

“Yes,” Becca said, her voice breathy. “Stay.”

“It’s settled, then,” Evelyn said, beaming at us. “You’ll sleep here tonight.”

“Let me pour you some wine,” David said, already reaching for the bottles. “White or red?”

“Red. Will you be staying, too?” I asked them. I wasn’t sure I could do all the things I wanted to do to Becca if her parents were under the same roof.

David poured me a full glass of red and sat back. “No, we only live a block away. We’ll be fine getting home.”

“That’s convenient.” I took a sip while I teased Becca under the table. When my finger dipped under the elastic to seek her out, she let out a soft gasp and dropped her fork. I tried to hide my grin and failed. From the way Trish’s eyebrows darted up, she had a pretty good idea what we were doing.

We finished our pies and everyone began to move into the living room to sit around the Christmas tree, but thanks to Becca, I needed a moment to calm down.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I said, standing up from the table. I tried to maneuver with my napkin so no one could see the tent in my jeans, then asked for directions to the restroom.

“I’ll show you,” Becca said, eyeing the front of my pants and licking her cherry red lips.

So much for calming down.

She led me down a hallway, and the Christmas music and conversation faded to a low hum. “Thanks for helping me tonight,” she said in a quiet voice. “And I’m sorry about my parents. They mean well, but they’re so desperate for me to get married and knocked up they don’t know when they’re crossing the line.”

“It’s fine. They’re good people and they clearly want the best for you.”

“You definitely impressed them. They’ll be so upset when I tell them we’ve broken up.”

“Hey, don’t forget you owe me a date. And after that, maybe you’ll want a second one. But we can figure that out later.”

She stopped and grabbed my tie, sliding her hand down it and pulling me toward her. “I haven’t forgotten. But I also haven’t forgotten that you don’t want anything serious.”

I didn’t. I really didn’t. But god, being with Becca tonight and her family… For a second, I
had
wanted something serious with her.