Together Forever: Billionaire Alpha (9 page)

She moved into the room to find Erica laid out on her bed, her eyes closed and a huge smile on her pretty face.

“What are you smiling about? We lost!” Bethany asked, moving to the small kitchenette to start a pot of coffee. It was ten thirty, but her cup hadn’t been strong enough at breakfast. She needed something to kick-start her brain or she would soon find herself in a zombie state. No sleep and loads of sex didn’t bode well for being on point should her mom or Kent need something of her.

“Just thinking about Matt. He’s so docile at times, but at others, when he’s not concentrating on how intimidated he is, he comes out of his shell.” She opened her eyes and turned on her side. “I just want to pry him open faster.”

“He’s a good man, one of the best I’ve been around. He’s definitely the brother I’ve always wanted.” Bethany started the coffee pot and walked to the back door, opening it and tugging the screen door into place. “Just be careful with him. He means the world to me and Damon.”

“Of course. I’m just going to be myself and if he doesn’t like me for who I am, then I guess it wasn’t meant to be.” Erica’s voice grew softer.

Bethany glanced over her shoulder and smiled at the pretty woman. With her blond hair flayed out on the bed she looked almost angelic. “How long have you had feelings for him?”

“Since we met five years ago.” She rolled onto her back and lifted her hands in the air. “I’ve dated a few men since falling for Matt, but nothing seems to work out. I think I’m just at the point where I’m going to shit or get off the pot, you know?”

“I do know - completely. I did that my graduation night. The pot exploded. It was ugly.” Bethany let out a short laugh, glad that Damon couldn’t hear her talking like a fifteen-year-old boy. He would most likely laugh, or find her completely disgusting. Bethany chuckled at the thought and poured her a cup of coffee before offering one to Erica.

The other woman got off the bed and walked to the back door, glancing toward the kitchen. “What do you mean? Something happen with Damon?”

“No, it was before I met Damon. I’d been seeing one of my best friends off and on throughout my bachelor’s program. We were study partners and though he really wasn’t my type, I wanted a relationship, or affection really.”

“Sex?”

“Exactly. I stripped and walked to my room in front of him and… nothing.”

“Wow. Really? Nothing? You’re really hot. He didn’t take the bait?”

Bethany felt heat rush up her cheeks. Erica’s comment wasn’t lost on her. It was nice to hear you were pretty from others, but to be told you were hot by someone who was hotter than you? Brilliant.

“Nope. He was supposedly falling for our other friend, Krista, who happened to be my roommate.”

“Oh shit. Plot twist.”

“It gets better, or worse, really.” Bethany handed Erica the other cup of coffee. “Krista is bipolar and on medication, but she stops taking it and Jake tells her that he’s not interested. She’s been too aggressive and extremely overbearing. She goes off the deep end and stabs him twelve times in the chest and stomach.”

“No way. You’re making this shit up, right?” Erica took a tentative sip of the coffee and smiled. “This is delicious. Remind me to hover around you when you’re making coffee in the morning.”

“I’m not kidding at all. Horrible situation. He’s alive, but still in the hospital. That’s been the drama at the edges of my world for the last week.” Bethany let out a long sigh and joined Erica at the door.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope this place gives you some rest. You need it.” Erica wrapped an arm around Bethany’s shoulders and squeezed softly. “I’m here if you need to talk more about it too.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

“On a lighter note, what does the bridesmaid’s dress look like?” Erica moved back and took another drink of her coffee.

“It’s actually white, funny enough. Mom wanted to wear a muted rose color since this isn’t her first wedding. She bought me a pretty white dress that is relatively comfortable to wear.” Bethany shrugged and turned her attention back to the beach as a large gaggle of girls jogged by in skimpy bikinis. Christa was at the front of the pack.

“You have to be kidding me. Ugh.” Bethany turned from the window and walked to one of the chairs at the kitchen table, sitting down.

Erica moved to the door, looking out and shaking her head. “Desperation always screams louder than any other emotion.”

“That pretty blond leading them is Damon’s ex.”

“Oh. The chick from breakfast?” Erica moved closer to the door, peering out. “Hopefully she trips and eats it. I’m watching just in case. I’ll replay the visual for you if it happens.”

Bethany laughed and nursed her coffee. “I’m not going to let it worry me. It’s stupid.”

“I agree. I’ve known Damon Bryant for five years and have even seen him with a few other girls, and it was never like what I see in you guys.” She turned and walked into the room, taking a seat across from Bethany. “He’s in love with you. Don’t miss the way he looks at you, the lightness of his spirit when he’s with you, the twinkle in his eye.”

“You saw the twinkle too?” Bethany chuckled and got up to answer the door as someone knocked on it.

It was her mom and Aunt Patty. “We’re going to the beach. Come join us?”

“I might. I’m talking with Erica right now. I’ll catch up with you shortly.”

“All right.” Her mom smiled and slipped her arm into her sister’s. “No rush. Just wanted to see if you wanted a break from all the new faces.”

Bethany chatted with them for a few more minutes before walking back into the room and picking up her wallet. “I’m going to grab a coke. You want anything?”

“No. I’m good.”

Slipping out into the open-aired hall, Bethany glanced to her left and right, trying to figure out where the hell to go. She heard a coke drop from a machine nearby and smiled, turning left and heading to the small opening.

The sound of two men talking caught her attention, the voices far more than familiar. She paused beside the opening and pressed her back to the wall, knowing it was a horrible decision.

“Are you upset that Christa’s here?” Matt asked.

“Not at all. I hate that bitch,” Damon responded as the sound of one of them opening a coke filled the air.

“I think Bethany is dealing with it well.”

“She is. I’m hoping she continues to. I don’t want to have to keep reminding her over and over that I’m into her.” Damon let out a long breath. “I wish she would just hear me when I say it.”

“She’s young, Damon. We were worse than her when we were younger.”

“Yeah, but Christa never needed so much reassurance. I’m just not sure how many more times I can say the same thing. I’m with her… doesn’t that speak volumes?”

“I think so. I’ll talk to her. She knows you care about her.”

“I don’t just care about her, Matt. I love her.”

“Love is a big word, bro. You just met her a few weeks ago. You should be careful slinging around the ‘L’ word. I don’t want her hurt.”

“Fuck you, dude. I know my own heart.”

“You told Christa you loved her a few days after you got together all those years ago.”

“True.”

Bethany turned and walked down the hall, slipping back into the room and pressing her back to the door as her eyes filled with tears. Was Damon’s expression of love nothing more than words? He was just bitching about her not getting it, but was there anything to get or was it hallow, an empty promise with no backing?

Wiping at her tears, she tore off her shirt and shorts and slipped into her bed, the smell of him rising up and wrapping around her. She forced herself not to cry. It was just a conversation between brothers. He didn’t love Christa anymore, but how long would he “love” her? If the words were so easy to mutter, then how much did they really mean?

She remembered the look on his handsome face, the pale sickness when she told him that she loved him back at the house during their large fight. Had she misread him? Was the illness on his handsome face more a fear of having to share empty feelings instead of his concern over truly being loved by someone?

Letting her thoughts go, she closed her eyes and forced her mind to relax. She would sleep the day away. Surely her high emotions were due to lack of sleep and over-stimulation thanks to Damon, and now, Christa’s presence.

Damon loved her. That was enough, right?

CHAPTER TWELVE

Bethany woke to the quiet room around her, Erica nowhere in sight. The crimson rays of light coming through her open door brought in the awareness that it was close to dinner time. Bethany slipped out of the sheets and picked up her phone, three messages from Damon looking for her. They stopped just after lunch. He must have realized that she was taking a nap.

Running her fingers through her long hair, she yawned loudly and walked to the bathroom as the conversation with Matt and Damon rolled over her again. She was making too much of it.

“Let it go. Stop letting shit threaten to ruin what you guys have going.” She looked at herself in the mirror before picking up a container of powder. She brushed some over her nose and put her earrings back on before dressing in a coral sundress and slipping on her sandals. The cut of the dress made her breasts center stage for the outfit, but it wasn’t slutty or inappropriate, just extremely feminine.

She walked out of the room and texted Damon to find out where they were. He was on the beach just outside of the dinner patio. She walked down the long hall, breathing in the salty smell of the ocean and wishing she had another week she could lay on the beach and soak up the sun.

School would be back in session next week, which not only meant a thick load of classes for her, but working for Kendal and Damon at the same time. It was sure to be a testing period for her patience and ability to survive on little to no sleep.

Bethany walked out onto the warm, white sand and moved toward the dark-haired man who had stolen her heart. She slid her hands around his waist and pressed her cheek to his back. His hands brushed over hers, holding her to him.

“I was getting a little concerned,” he spoke, but the wind carried away the strength usually found in his voice.

“Just tired from last night.” She snuggled in closer.

He turned and pulled her against his chest, kissing the top of her head. “I think I’m just on a high from being here. I feel great.”

She glanced up at him, a smile moving across her lips. “You look great.”

“So do you.” His eyes moved down her as he pulled back a little. “Your breasts look huge. I love it.”

She smirked and moved to stand beside him, slipping her hand into his. “Your breasts?”

“Now we’re talking.” He winked and moved toward the waves, stopping short of where the sand darkened. “Have you figured out your schedule for school starting next week?”

“Somewhat. I’m going to meet with Ben early next week to lock everything down.”

“Sounds good. Just let me know if you need me to help somehow.”

“You have enough to do.” She turned her gaze to move across the horizon as the sun began to pull behind the edge of the earth.

“Yeah, but I want to do you more than any of those other things.” He moved in behind her and slid his hands around her, his fingers pressing into the bottom of her breasts as he leaned down and kissed the side of her neck.

“I like the sound of that.” She turned her face a little and kissed the soft skin beside his eye.

“We’re due at dinner in a few minutes, but how about me and you come out here and walk the beach afterward? I have a bet that’s owed up on…”

“Surely you’re not expecting me to get naked on the beach with you.” She leaned against him, honestly not caring if he did. He was adventurous and she wanted to experience anything he had to offer.

“I most certainly am. Sand has a certain attraction. It just feels so good in your ass when you’re trying to limp back to the room.”

She laughed and moved from his hold as Kent called for them to come join the family.

“You’re too much.” She slid her hand into Damon’s as he chuckled.

“You seem to take every inch of me quite well.”

She groaned at the thought and moved up to the patio as everyone started to arrive. Damon released her and moved to help with a few things. She huddled close to her mom and Aunt Patty, listening to their adventures with a sexy lifeguard. Patty was single and damned and determined to find a man half her age. She needed someone to keep up. When she started talking about her overly aggressive sex drive, Bethany excused herself, not wanting to lose her breakfast.

She moved toward Matt and Erica, the two of them talking casually. She almost turned away, but Matt called her over, putting an arm around her.

“We were wondering where the hell you had slipped off to.” He gave her a warm side-hug and released her.

“I tried to sneak out when I realized you were sleeping.” Erica took a drink of something fruity looking, her glass matching Matthew’s.

“I just didn’t get much sleep last night. I’m in college and still not able to pull all-nighters without suffering.” She smirked and turned as a server moved toward her. She ordered whatever Matt and Erica had.

“I thought you didn’t drink fruity drinks.” Matt lifted an eyebrow.

“I don’t usually, but those look really good.”

“They are.” Erica took another drink and gave a soft snort. “There’s the DJ. Dance floor is ready and the buffet is almost set up. You guys ready for a long night of partying?”

“I don’t think we have a choice.” Bethany let out a short laugh and pointed as her mother and Aunt Patty pulled Kent out on the dance floor. Everyone joined them as the food was being uncovered. Bethany walked over to check out the goods, snagging a strip of grilled chicken and turning to find Damon walking toward her.

“Looks like dad pulled out the stops for this one.” He smirked and pulled her against him. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

“I’m not sure, but I’m happy to hear it again.” She smiled and licked at her fingers.

“Watch it, vixen. Your little pink tongue makes my heart race.” He wagged his eyebrows. The man with too many burdens and an aggravated disposition was nowhere to be seen. She needed to get him away from the office more often. Hopefully she could be a part of alleviating some of his stress in the future.