I said it again as his fingers moved in and out of me. He groaned. My head pressed harder against Beckett’s shoulder as my legs started to shake. I reveled in the flutter of my muscles this time. There was no fear, only sensation—heat and sparks and life.
I let my eyes close as Beckett drove me higher. The knot he’d so carefully tied unraveled with the flick of his thumb across that bundle of nerves. Everything in me tightened and then fractured, my mouth parting as I held on for the ride.
As I slowly came back to myself and opened my eyes, I met Beckett’s stare.
“There is nothing more beautiful than watching you be completely free.”
I brushed my lips against his. “Thank you for giving it to me.”
36
BECKETT
I dropped a kiss to Addie’s head as I slid a plate in front of her. She looked up at me and grinned. “This looks amazing.”
“I’m feeling a little insulted by your shock. I can cook when I need to.”
The Mediterranean scramble I’d concocted this morning looked pretty damn amazing.
Addie pressed her lips together in an attempt to hold in her laughter. She wasn’t successful. “You have to admit, you’ve done mostly takeout since you moved in.” She took a bite of the eggs. “This is incredible. I might put you in charge more often.”
“I think I’ll stick to mostly takeout.” I might be decent at cooking, but it wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed.
We were quiet for a while as we ate. I couldn’t help but study the woman across from me, searching for any hint that last night’s events had marked her. Addie seemed the same as always—a steady peace radiating around her.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
I blinked a few times. “Like what?”
“Like you’re dissecting me piece by piece.”
I grimaced and took a sip of coffee. “Sorry. I was just wondering how you were feeling.”
She set down her fork. “Then maybe you
should do something novel like…ask.”
I chuckled. “Fair point. How are you feeling this morning?”
“Good. I won’t lie, it scared me. There was a moment there when I thought he might win.”
My gut tightened as my gaze tracked over the faint bruises on her throat. He could’ve taken Addie from me.
She reached out and framed my face in her hands. “But he didn’t win. I’m here with you. And he doesn’t get to have power over us. Especially not this weekend. Today is too important.”
I shifted in my seat. “Are you sure you want to go with me? You might run into people from your past and—”
“Yes, I’m sure.” Addie skewered me to the spot with her glare. “I didn’t think you would mistake me for weak.”
“I don’t.”
“Then don’t ask stupid questions.”
My mouth curved. God, it was good to see her sass in action again. “Apologies for the stupid question.”
The doorbell rang, and I pushed back from the table. “I’ll get it.”
I made my way through the living room and to the entryway. Through the window, I saw Hayes holding up a bakery box. I pulled open the door. “You know how to get me to let you in.”