Bethany"What about your mother?" Bethany leaned back in her chair as the server deposited her enchiladas in front of her, the smell overwhelming."Damon caught her cheating on our dad several times before she got sick. He wanted to tell Dad, but Mom would beg him, plead with him, not to." Matt shrugged, sadness creeping across his handsome features. "He went to tell him one night, finally. That was the night that Dad broke the news that Mom was dying. I think Damon felt trapped. He hated her by the time she died."Bethany lifted her napkin to her eyes, tears spilling onto her cheeks."He hated her because of the cheating?""Because he had suffered for several years holding her secrets so that Dad didn't have his heart torn from his chest.""And then it happened anyway because of her getting sick?""Exactly." Matt reached for a chip, his eyes diverted from her. "I didn't know any of this until after Mom died. Damon kept all of it to himself.""How did he keep catching your mom? Were t
Bethany"I hate the idea of either of you getting hurt by the other. We have a long life of being a family in one way or the other." Matt pulled out his card, offering it to the server as he approached."I agree. The issue of him being my stepbrother is a whole 'nother concern.""One easily looked over. He's not your brother by blood, and no one would need to know that." Matt signed the bill and stood, reaching for her chair to pull it back. "You feel like shopping?""I feel like sleeping for a week. I'm depressed, confused and have a slight buzz.""Then we're twins. Let's go home, and we'll pick up this date next week sometime."Bethany slept like a rock, Saturday morning coming much too quickly. She lay in bed for an hour after waking, hoping like hell she would slip back into the restful darkness. No such luck.Her phone buzzed on her nightstand, and she flipped across the bed like her ass was on fire, hoping it was Damon.I'm headed back today. I'll be at Dad's before dinnertime.
BethanySickness washed over her as she grabbed her towel and walked quickly to catch up to him."Damon. Talk to me." She pulled at his arm as they moved into the living room. The house was quiet, the only sound being their breathing.He turned, his face a mask of anger. Bethany backed up a step, not sure how to respond to his glare. She had done something to set him off, and yet she hadn't seen him since they held each other all night on Thursday."I just got a call from our lawyers that one of my interns broke another intern’s nose. The intern that's in the hospital is looking to sue my firm because of it. Did you not want to mention that before I had to stand condemned for shitty management skills before the lawyers? Do you think that lying is the way to build a business relationship with me? What else haven't you told me? Care to confess now?" he barked at her, running his fingers through his dark hair and beginning to pace in front of her.Bethany pulled the towel closer, suddenl
BethanyShe half expected Damon to break the door down, the loud pounding of his fists dying off much too soon. Bethany lifted her head only for a moment before letting it drop back on her hands."Pathetic." What did she want from him? Why did she have to be so fucking childish?I quit? A long sigh left her lips as she rolled on her back. Her phone buzzed beside her. It was Philip again. She answered it, stifling the pain and confusion that sat heavy on her."Hey.""Hey. You doing okay?" His voice was much more chipper than she expected it should be."Yeah, just fighting with our boss.""Your boss.""Yeah, that guy." She groaned as she sat up. Philip snickered, the sound causing her lips to turn into a smile much to her displeasure."Enough about him. How about you come have dinner with me tonight? I meant to ask you out since we met last week."A silence sat between them for a few moments, Bethany knowing quickly that having dinner or anything with Philip wasn't the answer. The fact
BethanyThe strong smell of coffee beans washed over her as she entered the coffee shop. The place was packed with people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. She found Philip quickly. He stood up and motioned for her to join him. His blue eyes were electrifying; the joy on his face was warm and welcoming."Hey. Don't you look like a sight for sore eyes?" He winked and pointed to the table in front of him. Three small chocolate donuts sat on a large white napkin.She laughed and dropped her purse in the seat, picking one up and taking a bite before responding. He watched her closely. His attraction to her was nothing to guess about—he made it obvious—but not in an overbearing sense like Damon had. She was a person, not an object, so why was she so smitten with the idea of belonging to Damon?"You look good." She nodded, reaching to catch a crumb that rolled down her chin."You look better. Go get you a coffee, and come tell me about the drama you've been dealing with. I want a full report.
BethanyThe conversation the night before had gone much better than she imagined it might. Where Damon had been accusatory, Kent was understanding and willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. How Damon had turned out to be so different from his father would be a mystery if she hadn't had a heart-to-heart with Matt.She finished packing her things, the house quiet. Not having heard from Damon, Bethany walked to her small dresser and picked up her phone, growling softly. She would have to get in touch with him to see when the flight was, if nothing else. She dialed his number, her stomach flipping in circles and pushing against her chest. The phone rang three times before he picked up. She almost assumed he was asleep or just unwilling to talk to her."Bethany." It wasn't a question of who was calling, but a declaration that he was all business with her."I need to know what time to be at the airport today.""Change of heart?" His voice was deadpan, the lack of any emotion toward
BethanyThe drive to the airport should have been uncomfortable, but it wasn't. Sitting in silence and simply listening to the sound of him breathing had almost offered relief. She was lost to him, and no matter what stupidity she threw at him about the two of them being done, they weren’t. She couldn’t allow it. Her fingers ran along her thigh, her eyes closed as she contemplated reaching over and touching him.His breathing pattern shifted slightly. Looking over at him subtly, she wished for a different situation altogether. Would it still contain explosive attraction if their relationship wasn't so taboo?"What are you thinking?" He glanced over at her, the deep timbre of his voice sliding between her thighs and stroking. She bit her lip and shook her head."I don't want to say.""Embarrassed?""By my thoughts, yes. By my actions yesterday, no."He chuckled, the smile lifting the side of his mouth, lickable. He pulled up to the front of the airport and nodded toward her. "I'll get
BethanyHe released her from his hold. Bethany looked over at him as the flight attendant approached."Something to drink for the two of you?" The thin blonde smiled down at Damon, her hand pressed to his seat in front of him. The smile on the older woman's face was anything but professional. Beth sat up, her eyebrow lifting."I'll have a Jack and Coke." He glanced to Bethany. "Baby, what do you want? Get something strong. I want you pliable for later."It took a moment for Beth to find her words. The flight attendant moved her hand from on top of the seat, Damon's words showing quickly that he was a taken man."Bloody Mary, please."The woman nodded, her sensual smile falling as she walked away. Damon turned, his eyes rolling over Bethany. "Nothing happened with Philip?""Nothing. He wants a relationship. I told him no. He knows I have feelings for you.""What are those feelings, Beth?" Damon ran his palm over his crotch before adjusting himself."I'll let you know when I figure that