Love and Other Things (Crystal Lake 4)

“You’re no stranger to heartache either.”

“No,” he admitted softly. “I’m not.”

She exhaled, and though the memories were sad, she felt lighter. “I thought my life was over. I really did. I couldn’t find the joy no matter where I looked. The joy was just gone. And then I came here, and…”

She reached for him and cupped his face between her hands. “And then I came here and met you, and I realized that I’m not dead inside. Not anymore. So thank you for that.”

She kissed him again as desire and want and need and love flooded her body with heat. Beck slowly slid over her, and then he was inside her, and as he rocked into her, his eyes never left hers. He kissed her, the sweetest, lightest kiss imaginable. As she raced toward an orgasm, she thought that she’d never felt so complete.

That maybe she’d cancel her flight back to San Diego on Monday. A flight that had been booked since before she’d come here. A flight she’d forgotten about until the alert on her phone at dinner.

She thought that maybe she should stick around and see where things led. That maybe she was in love.

And that this time, it was the real deal.

Chapter Seventeen

Most Sundays, the Jacobs family gathered for dinner at either Beck’s parents’ place or out at Nate’s. For the last month or so, Beck had missed every single one of them, and he knew that sooner or later, he’d catch crap from his mother.

He was hoping it would be later. And not in person.

But of course, that wasn’t how things worked out.

His Sunday had started out pretty damn good too. He’d woken up with Sidney, and they’d had sex in the shower. Hot. Wet. Sex. And then they’d gone out for breakfast at The Breakfast Corner, a great all-day breakfast place the next county over. He’d chosen it because it cut down on the chance of bumping into folks he knew. And after last night, he wasn’t ready to deal with any of that. Running into Colleen had shaken him a bit, and for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why. He’d been with other women before. A couple of years back, he’d even taken one of them to a wedding that Colleen had also attended.

It was fine. She was fine. Heck, Ike was good with things. None of them expected Beck to live in a box and never venture out.

What was different this time? It wasn’t like he was marrying Sidney. Hell, he wasn’t even sure what it was exactly they were doing, but they were both adults.

Her admission the night before should have sent up a couple of red flags, at least, but he decided not to think about it and to just take in every moment of this lazy, sunny Sunday morning with a girl whose company he enjoyed.

He supposed they’d be having some sort of talk about this thing between them soon enough. But right now, Beck liked things just the way they were. And besides, just like he’d told Nathan a few days ago when his brother had gotten all up in his business, Sidney was headed back to San Diego. It was where she belonged.

This thing between them had a life expectancy, and though he didn’t know her plans—they’d actually never talked about them—he was going to assume the due date was coming soon. How long could she stay away from her business?

So, he’d pushed all that stuff aside and, after breakfast, which was actually more or less a late brunch, they passed by the church once more because he had some measurements to do. Since Jingle was at his place, they picked up Chinese take-out and headed back there, their intention to spend a quiet night in. It just seemed to be the habit they’d fallen into.

Nate had sent at least four text messages asking him to call him back. All of which Beck had ignored on account of him still being annoyed with his brother. They’d just gotten inside and Sidney was unpacking their take-out when his cell pinged again, and she glanced up.

“Who keeps texting you?”

“Nate,” he all but growled.

“Why aren’t you answering him?” She paused, hand in midair. “What if it’s the babies?”

Shit. He’d never thought of that. Beck scooped out his cell and called his brother at the same time there was a knock on the door. He headed over and yanked it open to find his mother and father and Nana Jacobs standing there with big grins on their faces —well, not his father. Samuel Jacobs looked decidedly uncomfortable.

“Beck?” Nate’s voice rang in his ear.

“You’re too late,” he said, stepping back.

“Oh. Well, next time, answer your damn phone.”

Beck pocketed his cell and let his folks have a moment to shed their jackets and boots.

“We haven’t seen you in weeks, Beckworth, so I hope you don’t mind our unannounced visit.” His grandmother smiled up at him.

“No,” he replied. “Why would I?”