The Chase

Chapter Six

Shock froze Heavenly’s expression.“W-what are you doing here?”

Seth hurried toward their girl. Beck hung back and observed, torn between wanting to spank her and kiss her.

“Did you really think we’d let you walk away without saying goodbye, angel?” Seth challenged.

Heavenly hesitated, then stepped into his arms and laid her forehead on his wide chest. “I’m sorry.”

Was she regretting her decision to leave? Or saying what she thought they wanted to hear to avoid answering them?

Either way, he was done with the lies, the running, the evading. The three of them were going to hash out every fucking thing now.

Striding off the porch, Beck pressed his chest to her back and cupped her hips, letting her feel his presence and his will. With Heavenly finally wedged between him and Seth—where she fucking belonged—he sighed with relief. The empty spaces inside him that had gaped with worry since she’d disappeared were now blessedly filled with her.

Unable to resist, Beck lifted Heavenly’s pale tresses and buried his face in her neck. Her familiar sweet berry-and-sunshine scent saturated his brain and made him hungry. He probably shouldn’t touch her, but that didn’t stop him from kissing her soft, sensitive nape and delighting in the shiver that wracked her body.

Now that he was holding her again, he didn’t know how he’d find the strength to let her go, even to spread her father’s ashes.

“We have to talk, little girl,” he muttered against her ear.

She turned to him. Her anxious blue eyes were a sucker punch to his gut. When his stare stalled on her rosy lips, she stole his breath. He’d give almost anything to kiss away her uncertainty and replace it with passion. But failing to communicate had led them here. Beck refused to make the same mistake twice.

“I know.”

Seth slid an arm around her waist. “Let’s head inside and work this out. There’s fresh coffee in the kitchen.”

“I could use a cup,” she said softly. “My head is killing me.”

Seth smirked as they led her through the front door. “A whole bottle of vino will do that.”

“I should have guessed the wine was a setup.”

“Designed to loosen your tongue, yes.” Beck palmed the small of her back. “Did you take the ibuprofen I left on the nightstand?”

She looked grateful. “You did that? Thank you. They’re starting to help.”

Beck kicked the door shut behind them. “I figured you’d need them.”

As he split off to grab their girl some java, Seth guided Heavenly toward the pillowy sectional. When he returned, cup in hand, he eased onto the sturdy coffee table and gave Heavenly the mug.

She sipped. “How did you know I was here? Gloria called you, didn’t she?”

“Of course.” Beck nodded. “She knew I’d be out of my mind with worry.”

“I can’t be mad at her. She’s really sweet. I was surprised she knew who I was. And even more surprised that she didn’t hate me.”

“She adores you. But I knew she would.”

Heavenly cocked her head at him. “You two are really close, aren’t you?”

He had to give her the blunt truth. “Yep. We always will be, but that shouldn’t threaten you. Gloria told you about our non-marriage, right? We’re not romantically involved.”

“Yeah. I understand now. I’m sorry I didn’t let you explain.”

“You had a lot going on. But if you have any questions about my relationship with her, no matter how personal or uncomfortable, ask me. I don’t want any doubts swirling through your head.”

“Gloria said she married you for protection. She wouldn’t say why you married her.”