Chapter Twelve
Beth
Beth woke the next morning to the realization that she was alone. Reaching a hand across the bed, all she could feel were the cold sheets. Devin must have left a while ago. She sat up in the door and felt the soreness between her legs. Last night was the first time she’d had sex since she picked Devin up from the airport, eight years ago.
Leaving the warmth of the covers, she found her clothes and quickly dressed. Seeing no note or any message to explain where Devin had gone, she quietly left his room, pulling the door closed behind her. Entering her room, she found it empty, too. Derek must be downstairs already, she thought. She needed a shower before she even considered heading in that direction.
Walking into the bathroom, she stripped off her night clothes, but her reflection in the mirror had her stopping. Love bites marred her skin. On her right shoulder was the perfect outline of Devin’s teeth. Beth ran her fingers over the mark. She felt a twinge of pain, but it was a good pain. Sex with Devin had always been that way. Rough, intense, incredible. Pain and pleasure. He didn’t even know it, but he ruined her for anyone else; hence, why she hadn’t had sex with anyone since him. He was her first, and her last. She was his submissive, and that was just the way Beth liked it.
Turning away from the mirror, she stepped in the shower and turned on the spray. She watched the water travel down the wall, waiting for it to heat. Once warmed, she stepped under the spray. Her thoughts returned to waking up alone. What did that mean? Where was he now? Was last night just a quick fuck for Devin?... So many thoughts ran through her head. What now, she thought as she washed the conditioner from her hair. Well, she wouldn’t find answers in the bathroom. So she turned off the water and grabbed a towel. Drying herself, she heard Amber calling her name from the bedroom.
“Hey Am,” she said walked out of the bathroom. “Whatcha need?”
Amber just looked at her. “What is that?” she pointed to the mark on Beth’s shoulder. Beth could feel the heat climb to her cheeks.
“Um...” she stammered.
Invading Beth’s personal space, Amber took a closer look. “Is that a bite mark?” Beth couldn’t have missed the surprise in Amber’s voice if she wanted to.
But honestly, she was a grown ass woman who had sex last night. Really good, brain explosive sex! What did she have to be embarrassed about?
Lifted her face, she looked Amber in the eyes, “Yeah, it is,” she said simply, walking to her dresser to find clothes.
“Who the fuck bit...” realization dawned on her, and Amber didn’t finish the question. “Beth! If Devin finds out that one of the Henchmen touched you, especially like that,” she waved her hand towards Beth to indicate the mark. “He will literally kill whoever it was!”
“Amber, no he won’t,” she said trying to calm her friend.
“Beth! Yes, he fucking will! You are the mother of his child. Therefore, you are off limits!” Amber was close to hysterics.
“Oh for the love of all that is holy! Amber! Calm yourself, woman! Devin is the one who left the marks!” This conversation was getting crazy.
“Devin?” Amber asked, sitting on the bed. Suddenly, she busted out laughing. “Oh shit! My brother is a kink!” Amber fell backwards on the bed holding her stomach and tears of laughter rolling down her face.
“Oh shut up!” Beth laughed as she finished getting dressed. “I’m hungry,” she said as she walked out of the bedroom with Amber close behind her.
Her interaction with Amber helped to relieve some of the uncertainty she felt. If Devin didn’t care about her, why would he care if she had sex with someone else, right? Or maybe Amber had it all wrong... Ugh! Beth thought as she walked into the kitchen. Why couldn’t Devin have just stayed in the bed? Why didn’t she ask what he wanted from her before they had sex last night? Because she was horny and craving what only he could give her, that’s why, she concluded.
“Mom!” Beth heard as she entered the kitchen. Looking over, she saw Derek sitting next to his father. Beth felt the tension leave her. Of course, he woke up with Derek and the two were just finishing breakfast. Waving to her son, she went to the coffee pot. She needed liquid energy, stat! Walking over to the table, butterflies started to take flight in her stomach. How was she supposed to act? All the previous questions came back to her mind.
Leaning over she kissed Derek on the temple. “How did you sleep?”
“Good! Dad woke me up this morning so we could eat breakfast together. He said we should let you sleep in.”
Meeting Devin’s gaze, she smiled at him. “Well, that was very sweet of you both. Thank you.”
“Did you not sleep well?” came the innocent sounding question.
Beth almost choked on her coffee. “I slept fine, buddy,” she coughed out.
Zander cleared his throat, bringing the attention of the table around to him. Beth was glad for the distraction, but it didn’t last long.
“You ready?” Zander asked Devin.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Devin said standing up from the table.
“Where are y’all headed today?” Beth wanted to thank Amber for asking because she didn’t think she would have had the courage to.
“Duty calls,” Zander told her, leaning down to place a kiss on her lips.
“Okay,” Amber answered breathless.
“Ewww!” Derek said, making gagging noises and causing everyone to laugh. Leave it to the little boy in the group to break the awkwardness.
Devin ruffled the hair on top of Derek’s head, “Remember, I’ll see you at dinner, okay?” he asked.
“Yes Sir,” Derek replied.
Turning to Beth, he gave her a wink and walked out of the room. A wink! What the hell was a damn wink? Fuck her into oblivion, and then give her a wink? Seriously?!?! Beth was stunned. She really had no idea what to think anymore. Feeling her heart sink, she needed a distraction.
“How about spending the day at the pool?” she asked Derek, who gave an excited “Whoop!”
“Let’s go get changed,” she told him. “You coming, Amber?”
“Hell yeah! A chance to spend the day with my favorite nephew and my best friend? Hell yes, I’m in!”
Everyone headed to their rooms to change with the agreement to meet down at the pool. Beth kicked herself in the ass for suggesting a swim. How was she supposed to cover the bite mark? She didn’t want to have to explain it to Derek. Deciding to wear a tank top over her swimsuit, they finally made their way outside.
The trio spent the entire day laughing, splashing, and having a great time. Beth was right, it was just the distraction she needed. It worked so well, none of them even noticed that Zander and Devin had joined them until a huge splash sent water flying; and Zander surfaced from a cannon ball.
Looking to the side of the pool, Beth’s lungs completely stopped functioning. Devin stood along the edge in nothing but his boxer briefs. Last night, she wasn’t able to see him because of the darkened room; but out here, with the sun shining, she could see every magnificent inch of him. Devin Parks had only gotten better with age.
She watched as he dove into the water, barely making a ripple. He surfaced next to Derek and splashed water in his face. The two continued to play, neither paying any attention to her. Beth was torn. She was elated that Devin and Derek had bonded and were having a good time, but her heart was heavy because Devin had barely spared her a glance.
Climbing out of the pool, she walked over to the lounge chair and sat down. She was trying to get some sun. Determined to not let Devin’s lack of attention ruin her afternoon, she leaned back and enjoyed the sun against her face. A few minutes later, she saw darkness come over her and knew someone was standing next to her. Opening her eyes, she watched Viper sink onto the chair next to hers.
“Need any help rubbing in some suntan lotion?” he asked.
Laughing, Beth shook her head. “Nah, I’m good for now.”
“Are you sure? Because I really don’t mind.” He tried again.
“You even attempt to touch her, and I drop you,” Beth jumped, startled at hearing the promise in Devin’s voice. She never even heard him approach.
Viper bellowed a laugh, causing Beth to look at him like he lost his mind. He just winked at her and stood up. Raising his hand in surrender, he turned his gaze back to Beth. “You’re welcome,” was all he said as he walked away.
“For what?” she called to his retreating back. But he never answered, he just walked back into the house.