Chapter Seven
Alastair had opened the door quietly, leaned against the doorjamb with his hands in his pockets, and watched the two bicker like old friends.
Angus threw his hands up and crowed. “You see, that’s how the game’s played.”
He heard Beth giggle, and it was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.
“You’re right, Angus. I could learn a lot from you,” she said.
He’d never forget that segment of time for the rest of his life because he knew that was the moment he fell in love with her. He just knew she was letting his father win, and he did the same thing for the old guy.
“Hey, you two.”
Beth gasped and stood suddenly, looking stricken.
Alastair smiled and tried to reassure her as he walked over to them. He wrapped an arm around her. “So, you met my Beth.” He hated how much she was shaking.
Angus laughed. “I surmised that this was the woman you were talking about?”
“Yes, this is her.”
“I pretty much guessed it from her attire, and I’d never seen her before. No wonder you were calling her a stubborn brat.”
Beth gasped, and both men laughed.
“I was just teaching her how to play chess. I think with a lot of work, she might become a good player. Nothing like me, of course, but still good.”
“He is very good.” Beth looked up at him and nodded.
He tried hard not to laugh. “I’m glad you’re here, Beth. I was going to introduce you to my father anyway.”
Her eyes widened dramatically, and she tried to pull away from him. “He’s your father. Oh, my God, I’m so sorry.”
“Why are you sorry, baby?” His brows snapped together.
She turned her stricken eyes to him. “I broke into his room.”
“It’s fine, Beth,” Alastair said.
“I know I wasn’t supposed to be out of ours,” she said.
“Beth, sweetheart, it’s okay.”
“But I was so darn bored…”
He grabbed her shoulders to get her attention. “Beth,” he snapped. “It’s okay.”
“You’re not mad?” she asked.
“No.”
She seemed to deflate, making him smile.
The door opened.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Clarice said as she wheeled a cart in for his father. “Is it all right to enter?”
“It’s fine. We were leaving.” Alastair bent and kissed his father’s cheek. “Good night, Dad.”
“Good night, son. You’ll have to make Beth come back often so I can teach her.”
“I will,” Alastair said. He and his father were charmed when Beth bent and kissed his father’s cheek.
“Good night, Angus.”
“Good night, dear.”
Alastair looked back to see tears in his father’s eyes before he heard him murmur to Clarice, “She’s very much like my Bella, you know.”
Alastair smiled. He’d never met his mother since she had died a few days after he was born, but his father has told him about her over the years. Knowing Beth was like his mom cemented his determination to get her to fall in love with him and make her want to stay with him forever.
After closing their bedroom door, he locked it, turned, and leaned against it. Then, he pulled her between his spread legs. He drew her against his chest. “Thank you, baby.”
“Thank me for what?” she asked.
“For letting him win,” he said and chuckled.
Her mouth dropped open. “How did you—”
“I saw you on a camera. We keep them all over the house. We have them in my father’s room in case he falls and can’t get to his phone.”
“How did you know I was letting him win?”
“I saw how good you were and that you let him take the game. I do the same thing,” he told her. “I’m going to kiss you right now. If you let me, no more fighting or running from me. Do you understand?”
She exhaled. “Yes.”
“It’s about time.” His head swooped down, and he took her lips. He had wanted to start off slow, but it went from zero to one hundred in a blink of the eye. Just like he knew it would. He had anticipated what their first kiss would be like, but this surpassed his wildest dreams.
Alastair raised his head and groaned. Her eyes were closed, and her mouth was swollen and red, and it was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.
He lifted her and laid her on the bed before taking a step back and stripping, only leaving his boxers on. “I’ve waited for this for eight long days. Right now, I’m going to make you mine, and you’ll never deny me or push me away. Do you understand, Beth?”
She nodded.
“Good girl.” He pulled off the shirt and the panties she wore and lay down next to her. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
Alastair cupped her face and kissed her again. After a moment, he let his hand roam over her, making them both groan when he cupped her breast for the first time. He bent his head, and his lips sucked on the first nipple and then the other one until they were both red, stiff, and achy.