Chapter 6

Damon

"Why am I not surprised that you're interested in my suffering?" Matt lifted his eyebrow and stuffed a whole roll into his mouth.

"Your suffering?" Damon glanced down the table toward his dad, taking note of the warm smile on Karen's pretty face as she leaned in to whisper something to his father. "Dad. You hear this? Matt is suffering because you invited Erica to this wedding."

"Don't start." Matt shook his head and reached for his beer. "Seriously. I've already gotten a counseling session by our new sister."

Everyone stiffened at Matt's remark.

"Your new sister." Damon wrapped his arm around Bethany's shoulders and pulled her closer. "My soon-to-be forever."

Bethany glanced over at Damon, the expression on her pretty face showing discomfort. It was going to be a couple of bumpy months as their family transitioned, but they would make it through. She wasn't his sister; nor would she ever be. Damon had one sibling, and he was chewing through rolls at breakneck speed down the table from him.

"Why are you so upset about Erica going?" Karen's voice was soft, inquisitive. "I thought you guys liked her."

"It's just Matt." Beth pulled from him and picked up her fork. "He's convinced himself that she becomes a three-headed monster when the sun goes down."

"Two head." Matt wagged his eyebrows. "It's just two heads. Let's not get dramatic here."

"Oh, sorry." Karen laughed, and he couldn't help but smile. Matt would always be terrified of Erica. She was his perfect match.

"I think this will be good for the two of you." Damon shrugged and pulled his arm away from Bethany. "She'll let her hair down a little and chill out, and you might see a side of her that forces you to stop being a child about dating her."

"Is Erica interested in dating Matt?" Damon's father glanced up and turned his attention to Matt. "Why didn't you mention that? Are you not interested in her?"

Martha stuck her head through the open door to the dining room. "Oh, he's interested. He's just scared of her."

"Very scared." Bethany threw in her two cents.

Matt's complexion went from normal to pale and then to a darkening pink shade.

Damon lifted his hands. "Hey. Leave the poor guy alone. Women like Erica can be very overwhelming. We're not being fair."

"I'm not interested," Matt barked out and stabbed his chicken breast with a fork before lifting it to his mouth and biting deeply into it.

"Cut that please." His father gave him a stern look.

"He's grown, Dad. Leave him be." Damon picked up his wine and downed the glass before reaching for the bottle. "Erica's had a thing for Matt since the day she joined the firm."

"Can we maybe, just perhaps, change the subject?" Matt picked up his knife and massacred his chicken.

"Agreed." Bethany glanced up and turned to face Damon. "How much longer are you thinking you're going to have to work tonight? Any hope of you getting done and joining us? I could come up to the office after we eat and help you."

"I'm not sure, baby." He set the glass down and reached out to touch the side of her face before realizing that everyone was watching them. Clearing his throat, he pulled back and turned his attention back to his plate. "I'll get out to Jamaica as soon as I can. I don't need anything but time. Just time to sit down and finish my review."

"You sure? I can come-" Kent started.

"No, Dad." Damon glanced down the table and shook his head. "It's going to be fine. I might even be able to get through everything tonight. Doubtful, but who knows."

The conversation shifted down to the other end of the table, and Karen filled everyone in on the decorations that they'd finally settled on. Damon half-listened as he took his time enjoying the meal. Martha was an excellent cook, the best as far as he was concerned. His mother hadn't put much energy or effort into making dinners, and as he and Matt had moved out of the chicken nugget phase, they had finally hired Martha to help out.

Damon stiffened as Bethany slid her hand up his thigh and turned to face him. "I don't want you to go back up there tonight."

"I know, baby." He gripped her hand softly, holding her in place to make sure the little tart didn't finish her ascent and grip his dick right there at the table with their family gathered around. Not that he would have been offended, but walking around sporting a tent in front of his soon-to-be stepmother wasn't happening. Just having Beth so close was a turn on. Anything extra and he'd be lost to showing just how much he liked the pretty girl next to him.

"Let me come with you. I can make copies, take notes-"

"I'd like that, but you and I both know that we wouldn't get anything done." He rubbed his thumb over the top of her hand and leaned in to brush his lips against hers. "How about you meet me in your bedroom for a few minutes after dessert."

"How about now?" She moved back and licked at the side of her mouth, teasing him.

So fucking hot.

"All right," Martha's voice stole him from the naughty thoughts that plagued him when Beth was close by, "everyone has to try my tiramisu. It's a new recipe, so be totally honest with me. You're not going to hurt my feelings."

"Anything you make is delicious, Martha." Matt moved out of his seat to help her serve everyone dessert.

"I'm stuffed." Bethany pulled her hand from Damon's lap and moved to get up. "Save me a piece for later though?"

"Yes, of course." Martha smiled and continued to dish large scoops of the multi-layered dessert out to everyone.

"You need my help with something?" Damon glanced over his shoulder as Beth walked toward the back of the house.

"Sure. I was going to try and get my makeup bag down from the top of the closet. You could probably reach it much better than I can."

"All right. I'll be right there." Damon reached out and took a bowl from Martha as lust burned through the center of his stomach. He didn't have time to properly seduce his girl, but a quickie never hurt anyone. He took a big bite and got up. "This is delicious. Best I've ever had."

"You flatter me, boy." Martha smiled as the rest of the table started to pipe in with their accolades over the dessert.

"I'll be back for more in a few minutes." Damon turned and lifted his spoon to his lips as he walked quietly through the hall toward Beth's bedroom. She was staying with his father and her mother for a few weeks, but the time would come sooner than later where she would head back to campus, or they would get a place together.

The idea of sharing his house left Damon a little on edge. He was in love with Bethany, and wanted her in his bed every morning when he woke but living together?

"It's the next step, asshole," he mumbled and shoved another bite into his mouth.

"You talking to yourself?" Beth turned from the closet and smiled.

"Yeah. I'm the only one that doesn't disagree with me." He gave her what he hoped was a cheeky grin. "You really needed help getting your makeup bag?"

She laughed. "Yes. What did you think I needed?"

He set the bowl down on her nightstand, closed the door behind him and locked it. "That you wanted a quick fuck before I headed back to work."

"You're so vulgar." She pulled her shirt over her head and walked around the bed, reaching for him as he crashed into her.

He pulled her in tight and leaned down to kiss her. The moan that resounded around him as she wrapped her arms around his neck was delicious. He gripped the back of her thighs and forced her to wrap her legs around him as well.

"I might be vulgar, but you're naughty." He moved her to the bed and laid her down before crawling on top of her. "You know I don't have time to take care of you the way I like to."

"Properly?" She ran her fingers through his hair and smiled up at him. "Get down here and kiss me until you have to go then."

He growled softly and pressed himself tightly against her. She stole his breath with her innocent beauty. Did he deserve such an incredible woman? One who had been through so much? Would he even know how to treat her? To love her like she deserved to be loved?

"Stop thinking and start kissing." She pulled him down for a long kiss that left them both panting. "I want more," she whispered against his lips.

"Me too, but I need to get to the office. Hold that thought?" He licked her lips before grinding against her softness. "I'll be in Jamaica soon, and I plan on ravishing every inch of you."

She moaned and slid her hands down his back to cup his ass. "We can't start that process now?"

"No, pretty girl." He nipped at her soft lips and brushed her hair back. "But imagine every bit of it. I expect you to give me full details on your daydreams, and you have to use naughty words when you tell me."

She blushed and laughed. "Stop it."

"Never." He tucked his face against her neck and rocked against her a few more times.

If only life were that easy.