“But how about the town meeting?”
“I had accidentally stumbled upon the BC’s last meeting and when I walked in, it looked like they were trying to match you and Paul up. Total dumb luck on their part that I came in when I did. A minute later and I would have seen their whole plan on the slideshow. But when I barged in Ellery’s pointing at the screen and there’s you and there’s Paul, taunting me with his cool guy smile.”
“Ugh,” Gia groaned.
“My sentiments were a bit more gut-wrenching. I realized then that I didn’t want you to be with anyone else, even Bob Dylan 2.0. And after dinner with him and Aurora I realized I’d made an even bigger mistake by insinuating that you did the kids a disservice by divorcing him.”
“How exactly did you end up having dinner with him?”
“Aurora wandered off in the park while Paul was watching her and I found her.”
Gia smacked a hand to her forehead. “I knew he couldn’t be trusted with kids!”
“He also let her order a soda and chocolate milk for supper.”
“Ugh, he’s the worst!”
“No argument here. When he visits again, one of us needs to stay with him and the kids at all times to make sure he doesn’t talk them into quitting school and joining a band.”
Gia sipped and laughed.
Beckett continued. “So, after the beating and dinner, I decided I was going to win you back. But my slow, methodical approach to analyzing the situation and getting feedback from all the important players — you, your dad, Evan — was taking way too long. So after the wedding, I called in the big guns.”
“The Beautification Committee?”
Beckett nodded. “Evan was the one who came up with the general idea. He doesn’t put a lot of stock in your ability to reason out logical arguments. He was worried that you’d overthink us to death.”
“Uh-huh. So you both manipulated me with a scripted argument.”
Beckett pushed her hair back so he could lean in and nibble her neck. “A debate, Red. Totally different than an argument.”
“But you still manipulated me.”
She felt him smile against her neck. “I don’t know, Beckett. Yoga is really hard. I don’t think you can handle it because you’re not manly enough,” he said in a high-pitched voice.
She giggled and tried to push him away. “I do not sound like that.”
“You’re a conniving temptress,” Beckett said, taking her glass from her and gently pushing her back on the couch.
“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” she whispered, her voice breathy and low.
“Of the highest kind,” Beckett whispered back, his lips moving gently over hers.
He ranged himself over her and she threaded her fingers through his hair, tugging him down. She’d missed this, the weight of him on her, his scent on her, all of her senses on fire because of him.
Beckett teased the strap of her tank down, his fingers branding her as they went.
“I don’t know how to do this with kids in the house,” he whispered against the upper curve of her breast.
She sighed, her breath tickling his hair. “I’m not sure either. But let’s start by moving to the bedroom.”
Beckett unfolded himself from the couch, keeping his hands on her hips, he followed her into her room. She shut the doors firmly and led him to the bed. While he stepped out of his shoes, Gia worked her magic on his tie and the buttons of his shirt. She moved her attention to his pants next.
The belt hit the floor next to his shoes. She took her time, trailing her fingers down his chest, over his rippled stomach. Her smile was feline when the tickle of her fingertips had him drawing in a sharp breath.
Deftly, she opened his pants, shoved them down. And when he stepped out of them, she skimmed her hands back up his legs to his briefs.
Her purr of pleasure had him gritting his teeth. “Gianna,” he whispered.
“I’m here,” she answered. She slid her hands into his underwear, cupping his ass and then sliding the fabric down, freeing him.
“God, you’re gorgeous,” she whispered. Her breath next to his erection made him tremble.
She skimmed a hand up his leg and over his thigh. But just before her fingers closed around her target, Beckett was pulling her to her feet.
“My turn,” he whispered against her mouth. He drew her tank top over her head and made quick work of her leggings. She had on tiny black briefs and a strappy sports bra with a zipper front. “Oh, I’m going to like this,” he murmured against her neck.
Beckett backed her against the bed and slowly lowered her to the mattress. Gia’s breath was a gasp when he settled himself between her legs. They were separated by just that thin layer of fabric and yet if felt like miles.
“Beckett, please,” she pleaded.
He tugged at the zipper of her sports bra. Inch by inch it lowered until the fabric parted and her breasts were freed.