Most days flew by for Beth while she was at the café. There was plenty of work to keep her busy, and for the months since the fallout with Ben her business had been the only real bright spot in her day-to-day life. Her customers were always able to lift her spirits.
Today had been different. From the moment she awoke, Beth’s mind was on her upcoming meeting with Drew. She’d enjoyed her time with him the day before, and despite her reservations, she was looking forward to seeing him again.
She worked doubly hard to stay on top of her work throughout the day so that she could leave a little early. Even Tommy noticed and commented that she must have a date with her firefighter. Beth tried to ignore him, but inside she felt a little giddy. Every time she caught herself getting too worked up¸ she’d remind herself that she still didn’t know all that much about Drew. But even she knew that excuse wasn’t going to hold true much longer. He’d told her about his job, his family, and some of his hobbies. How much more did she need to know?
The sad reality was that no matter how cautious she was, there was always the chance that he’d hurt her—especially now that he was worming his way into her heart. It was crazy really. The man would be a handful for whatever mistress chose to take him on. So why was she beginning to consider it?
Even with the extras she’d done throughout the day, it was after two thirty by the time she was able to leave the café. Having rushed home, Beth jumped into the shower and got herself ready as quickly as she could for her non-date with Drew. She chuckled to herself as she pulled one of her favorite pairs of shorts up over her legs and took a glance in the mirror to see how they made her backside look. Each meeting with him felt more and more like a date no matter how much she insisted otherwise. She cared about her appearance. She cared what he thought of her appearance.
After a final check in the mirror, Beth grabbed her purse off the table and headed for her car.
She spotted him standing near the entrance of the movie theater as soon as she pulled into the parking lot. After finding a place to park, she went to meet him. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He smiled, but it wasn’t the full of life smile he normally flashed her. This one didn’t set off butterflies in her stomach.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Drew shook his head. “Nothing. Are you ready to go in? There are a couple of movies starting soon.”
“I’m not concerned about the movies at the moment. I want to know what’s wrong.”
“I told you. It’s nothing.”
She gave him a look that made it clear she wasn’t buying what he was selling.
He ran his hand through his hair. “Look, can we not talk about this here?”
Beth glanced around. While there weren’t a lot of people in their general vicinity, there were enough within hearing distance.
“Where would you feel comfortable talking?” She tried not to think too much about the leap of faith she was taking. Or what it would mean in regards to their relationship.
“We don’t—”
“Where?”
Drew sighed. “There’s a park a few miles from here. Would you be up for a hike?”
“I’ll follow you there.” Without further comment, she turned back toward her car, and waited until he maneuvered his own vehicle out into traffic.
The drive wasn’t far. As Drew said, the park was only a few miles away. There were three other cars in the small lot, but no sign of people. She guessed they were already on the trails.
Beth turned off the engine, exited her vehicle, and joined him a few feet away. “Lead the way.”
He released another loud sigh, and began walking across the parking area to a marked trail.
They trekked down a small hill and around a bend before Drew started talking. “I want you to know that I’ve been completely honest with you in regards to our friendship. I’m completely okay with us being friends.”
A tinge of unease began creeping up her spine. “Why am I sensing a but?”
“I called my mom before I came, and I sort of let it slip that I was meeting you this afternoon.”
He looked incredibly guilty. While Beth wasn’t sure how she felt about his mom knowing about her, she didn’t understand what was causing him to react the way he was.
“I tried to explain that we’re just friends, but you know how mothers are.” He stopped to meet her gaze. “Anyway, I’m supposed to invite you to my family’s Memorial Day barbecue. It’s a huge affair with all my cousins and many of the surrounding farmers.”
Not what she’d been expecting.
“I don’t expect you to go . . . not that I don’t want you to . . . I do . . . but . . .” He shook his head and began walking again. “Mom will want to know if I asked you the next time I talk to her, and I don’t like lying to my mom.”
“So you knew you needed to ask.”
“Yes.”
They strolled side by side in silence for several minutes. Beth didn’t know what to think of the invitation. Of course, she knew that his mother thought they were an item even if Drew had told her otherwise. And Beth thought it was incredibly sweet that he was nervous about saying something to her, yet he did it anyway because he didn’t want to have to lie to his mother. It said a lot about him.
“I’ll think about it and let you know.”
He stopped again. When he faced her, his eyes were wide with disbelief. “What?”
Beth tried to stifle her laugh. “I said I’d think about it. I’m assuming it’s on Memorial Day, correct?”
“Well, yes. It’s—”
“So I have about three weeks before I have to make a decision.”
When he realized she was really considering going to meet his family, he perked up considerably. “You mean you might actually want to go?”
This time she restarted their forward progress. “This thing between us. I’ve been thinking a lot about it. I’m not sure I’m completely ready yet, but I’ll admit, I’m getting there. At this point, I think we should play it by ear and see what happens.”
Drew groaned.
“What?” Beth couldn’t imagine what she could have said that would make him react like that. She thought he’d be thrilled. Wasn’t that what he wanted?
“I have an insane urge to kiss you right now.”
This time she didn’t hold back her laughter.
It took a few seconds, but eventually he joined her. “Sorry, but it’s the truth.”
When she got a hold of herself again, she was feeling lighter than she could remember being in a long time. “I know it is, and believe me I appreciate it. I’m getting there. Just please be patient.”
He reached out and touched her arm, causing her to halt her movement. The look in his eyes caused her breath to hitch, and all thought of patience and waiting flew out the window. She took two steps forward, closing the gap between them. Beth could feel his warm breath brush against her face.
She lifted her right hand and ran her index finger along the seam of his lips. They were soft, and they parted as she continued to rub back and forth. It was as if something was drawing her in . . . something unseen yet irresistible.
Drew closed his eyes, and her gaze fell to his mouth. Despite her earlier assertion, she wanted to kiss him. It was almost a craving it was so potent. She’d never felt anything like it before.
Beth was moments away from succumbing to what she wanted when the sound of someone coming jarred her back to reality. With it came the knowledge of what had almost happened . . . what she’d almost allowed to happen.
Allowed. That was comical. She’d pursued it. She’d let her growing feelings for him and the situation to completely unarm her. What was happening to her?
Frustrated with herself, Beth took off at a faster than natural pace. It didn’t take long for her to hear Drew racing to catch up.
“Beth. Wait. Please.”
As much as she wanted to run away and forget it ever happened, that wasn’t her style. She slowed down and waited until he was beside her again.
“I’m sorry.”
She looked over at him, but didn’t stop walking. “Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything.”
“I stopped you. None of that would have happened if I hadn’t—”
“Drew, you have nothing to apologize for. That was all me. I set up these rules for our relationship and, apparently, I can’t seem to follow them. That’s my fault, not yours.”
“Still.”
They were coming to the end of the trail. She wasn’t sure if she was glad about that or not. “Maybe there are a few things we need to talk about.”
“Okay.” He sounded as if he were waiting for her to chastise him or something.
“What you did—stopping me—was perfectly normal. I’m the one who stepped over the line and didn’t stick to the limits we’d both agreed to. Just because you’re a sub doesn’t mean you have to be the one always to apologize. It’s me who should be apologizing to you, not the other way around.” She was hoping he understood the weight of what she was saying. Although they were technically alone, she didn’t want to get into a full-scale discussion about the lifestyle out here in the middle of the woods.
“I understand what you’re saying but, Beth, I just told you that I wanted to kiss you. I’m pretty sure that would qualify as a green light on my side of things. And it was your limit, not mine. I have no issues with you kissing me anytime you feel the urge.”
When she glanced up at him, the sparkle in his eyes was back. “Fair enough. But still, if I mess up, now . . . or later . . . don’t hesitate to call me out on it.”
“I can agree to that.”
“Good.”
The trail opened up and Beth realized that they weren’t back at the parking area as she’d originally thought. It was a large open space. The grass had been mowed, and there were a couple of tents along the opposite tree line. Apparently, their hike wasn’t over.
***
Drew had walked the path they’d taken many times over the years. It led to one of his favorite local camping spots. Granted, he had a few, some a lot more remote, but this was where he liked to come if he was limited on time but needed to get away for a day or two. It had seemed logical to bring Beth here.
She glanced up at him and then back at the campsite. “Do you come here a lot?”
“At least once a month when it’s nice. It’s not too far from home, but it’s away from the noise of the city.”
Without further comment, she started toward the small pond on the far side. It was a good distance away from the tents, and it would give them privacy to continue their conversation.
She found a large rock and sat down. Instead of joining her—because if he did he was afraid they’d end up right back where they’d been a few minutes before—he strolled over to the bank and knelt down. “I’ve spent many hours fishing here.”
“Did you use to fish with your dad when you were younger?” Beth asked.
He picked up a stick that had washed up along the bank, tossed it out into the water, and stood. “Almost every Saturday morning when there wasn’t snow on the ground.”
“I’ve noticed that you never mention your brother when you talk about these trips with your dad. Why is that?”
Drew waited to answer her until he was back at her side. She scooted over to make room for him. He sat down, and he instantly felt that electric pull toward her. Taking a deep breath, he looked out across the pond, and tried to concentrate on the conversation. “He used to go when I was younger, but as Seth got older, he lost interest. By the time he was sixteen, he was off doing his own thing, leaving me and Dad on our own.”
“You would have been six then, right?” Beth smiled, and he felt the muscles in his stomach clench.
“Right.” He swallowed and pressed his hands into his thighs to keep from reaching for her like he wanted to. “The age difference meant we didn’t have much in common. I think that was part of the reason he didn’t want to go camping and fishing with us. I mean, what fun is it when you have your six-year-old little brother tagging along?”
“I bet you were cute when you were younger.”
He drew back and pretended to be offended. “Are you implying I’m not cute now?”
Beth pressed her lips together and studied him in a way that had his entire body vibrating.
The air around them felt as if it could ignite at any moment. Drew didn’t know what it was about Beth, but being with her was both comfortable and excruciatingly frustrating at the same time.
She closed the gap between them once more. This time her lips came within an inch of his. Drew held his breath waiting to see what she’d do.
Her eyes met his. “I’m not sure I’d use the word cute to describe you.”
His palms were itching, but he tried to remain still. All those years of learning to work under pressure were coming in handy. Who knew he’d be relying on his crisis management training to navigate a relationship? “What word would you use?”
“Hmm. I have a few words I could use, but I think I’ll keep them to myself for now.”
The look in her eyes had him desperate to close the distance between her lips and his.
Right when he thought he couldn’t take it anymore, Beth’s mouth made contact with his own. Before he knew what was happening, she was framing his face between both of her hands and straddling his lap.
Instinctively, he brought his arms up to embrace her.
“Hands on the rock. Keep them there,” she ordered.
It was absolutely insane, but her words caused his cock to swell. He groaned in frustration, but did what he was told.
She plunged her tongue inside his mouth and took what she wanted. It was the hottest thing Drew could ever remember experiencing in his life.
The kiss didn’t last more than a minute or two, but it was long enough for him to know he wanted more.
Beth rested her forehead against his. She was breathing just as hard as he was. Her chest was heaving up and down, brushing against his chest. Not to mention that she was still straddling his lap.
“Please tell me you want to do that again.”
She laughed. It was so nice to see her happy and carefree.
“Is that a yes?”
“Don’t get cocky on me now.” She ran a single finger down the side of his face and over his lower lip.
He closed his eyes, trying not to push.
“Open your eyes,” she whispered.
When he met her gaze, he noticed the amusement was gone. He was instantly on alert. “What’s wrong?”
Beth shook her head. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just . . . considering my options.”
“Options about what?”
“You.”
“Oh.” He wasn’t sure he liked the fact that thinking over her options had banished the fun they’d be having.
Before he could formulate another question, she explained. “Things between us are moving faster than I thought they would.”
“Is that bad?” He needed to know. In his opinion, things between them weren’t moving fast enough.
She sighed. But Drew also noted that she hadn’t removed herself from his lap. That was good, wasn’t it?
“I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not.”
Since they were no longer in the heat of the moment, he took a chance and brought his hands up to rest on her hips. She didn’t protest, so he settled in and enjoyed finally being able to touch her. “We’re friends, right? So talk to me.”
Beth released a single, rather sarcastic-sounding laugh. “Last time I checked, friends didn’t do what we just did.”
He decided to try to lighten the mood. “Well, some friends do. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”
She gave him a small smile. “I don’t do friends with benefits.”
“Good,” he said in all seriousness. “Neither do I.”
They were both quiet for several minutes. As much as he wanted to say something, he knew she had to process this thing between them in her own time. He was hoping after the kiss they shared that she’d be ready to move to the next level with him. As much as he enjoyed their friendship, he wanted more with her. And after that kiss, he knew the potential was there.
Beth sat back, resting her ass on his thighs. The serious look was still there, and he wanted to wipe it away. He wanted to go back to when he’d seen the passion and teasing in her eyes.
“What’s your schedule this week? I know you said you had the next couple of days off.”
He had no idea why she was asking, but he’d gladly tell her anything she wanted to know. “I work Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday. Then I’m off for four days.”
“So you don’t have to work this Saturday?” she asked.
“No. I get off around eight in the morning and don’t have to be back in until about seven Sunday morning.”
She nodded, and he waited to see what she’d say next. “Did you still want to go out on that date?”
Was she serious? “Yes. Of course I do.”
Beth nodded. “Okay.”
He tried to contain his excitement. “Does this mean you want to go out on a date with me Saturday? A real date? Not just meeting up at the club?”
“Yes, if you want to.”
Without thinking, Drew pulled her against him and gave her a solid kiss.
Luckily, she didn’t seem upset.
“Thank you. For trusting me, I mean.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him another kiss. It wasn’t as heated as the first one, but this time he was able to hold her in his arms. Drew couldn’t imagine it got much better than this.