Chapter Thirteen
Sledge
Today was a rough day. Sledge hated to get out of bed and leave the warmth of Beth, sleeping against his side. But he had a meeting with Reaper and Banjo. Being able to see her at breakfast was definitely a plus. He spent the rest of the day thinking about her. Last night was incredible. They had always had great sex, but last night went beyond that. Sledge couldn’t stop thinking about a repeat all over again tonight.
Once the meetings were over, he and Reaper went searching for the girls. Finding them out at the pool, he couldn’t help but stand there and stare at Beth. She was beautiful and as always, she took his breath away.
Sledge didn’t know how he was supposed to act around her. They never really talked about the future, or even had a chance to. What if she didn’t want a serious relationship with him again? What if sex was all she cared to have between them? He knew he would never be happy with that. He wanted more. But he wasn’t going to have that discussion now. He’d talk to her more tonight.
Diving into the water, he swam over to Derek. He missed him today. He spent the next fifteen minutes splashing and throwing his son in the pool. He noticed when Beth climbed out. He watched as she made her way over to the lounge chair and reclined back. With the sun beating down on her pale complexion, she seemed to glow. She would burn if she wasn’t careful.
Sledge’s spine went rigid when he saw Viper exit the house and approach Beth. He didn’t like the guy. He really didn’t have a reason to not like him, but Sledge didn’t appreciate the attention he showed to Beth. Climbing out of the pool, he made his way over to Beth.
Sledge’s blood ran cold when he heard Viper offer to rub tanning lotion on Beth. There wasn’t a chance in hell that Sledge would allow Viper’s hands to get anywhere near her skin. Before he realized what he was saying, he threatened the man’s life; and what did Viper do? He walked away laughing, after a quick ‘you’re welcome’ to Beth.
“What the hell was that about?” he asked, his irritation noticeable.
“Did you not just hear me ask him ‘for what?’?” she asked, her own irritation showing.
“Easy, Beth,” he warned.
“Why? Are you going to spank me?” she taunted.
Hmmm. So his Beth wanted to play. Okay, he would play. Apparently, she had forgotten, he always won.
Sitting down on the side of her lounge chair, he used his size to block her from everyone else. Placing his hand on her ankle, he skimmed his fingers lightly up the inside of her leg.
Beth tried to grab his hand, but using his free hand he grabbed her wrist. “No. Remember what I said, Beth. You are mine! I will touch you whenever, wherever, and however I want.”
“But everyone will...” she quietly moaned as his fingertips brushed the back side of her left knee.
“They can’t see anything,” Sledge told her as he continued to move his hand towards her core.
Beth was starting to breathe heavily. Brushing his fingers against her heat, he heard her gasp. “Do you like that, Beth? Do you like the feel of my finger against your pussy?” he moaned against her ear, low enough that only she could hear.
“Yes,” she answered on a breath.
Sledge moved her bottoms to the side and shoved a finger deep inside her. Beth brought her hand to her mouth to cover her scream. Just as quickly, Sledge removed his digit from her wet heat and brought it to his mouth. “You taste so fucking good. Like pure honey,” he told her.
Leaning over, he whispered in her ear, “I want so badly to strip you naked and sink my cock into your tight, wet pussy, but we have company.” Sledge kissed her lips. “Have dinner with me tonight? You, me, and Derek - as a family?” he asked, praying she would agree. This was what he wanted. Sledge wanted his family.
Blinking up at him, she looked dazed. “Devin, you have to let me come. Please?”
“Nope. Not now. You taunted me with the comment about spanking your ass. For that, you can wait until we go to bed tonight. Then and only then, will I allow you to have release,” he told her. “Now, please have dinner with me?”
With a sexually frustrated sigh, Beth agreed to dinner. Sledge felt his heart become lighter. If everything went as planned, he would finally have the family he always wanted. Him, Beth, and their children. And there would be more children. If Sledge had his way, Derek would be a big brother in nine months. But honestly, Sledge knew he had to take care of Beth’s father before they could move forward. As long as Jonathan Andrews was still a threat, his woman and son would never be safe.
Sledge lifted Beth from the lounger and sat back, pulling her along with him so that she was resting on his lap. He loved holding her, touching her - it seemed to calm his soul. There was so much he wanted to tell Beth, but he had no clue where to begin.
“Mom! Dad!” Derek was running towards them. “Is it time to eat yet, I’m hungry!”
Laughing they both stood up. Sledge reached down and grabbed Derek, carrying him towards the house. “Then let’s go get changed and we’ll have dinner. What do you say? Me, you, and mom order some pizza and watch a movie in your room?”
“Pizza! I love pizza!” Derek exclaimed. “Can we, mom?” he begged.
“Absolutely!” Beth laughed.
Together they headed upstairs to change out of their wet clothes after saying goodnight to Amber and Reaper. Sledge hurried into his room while Beth and Derek went into theirs. Changing quickly, he placed a call to the local pizza shop. Forty-five minutes later he was knocking on Beth’s door.
“Dinner is served,” he said as she opened the door.
“Please, come in!” she smiled.
Derek jumped off the bed. “Pizza! What kind did you get Dad?”
“I got a pepperoni and a pineapple with Canadian bacon.”
“Pineapple! Yay!” Sledge had never seen anyone so excited for pizza. Derek’s enthusiasm had him chuckling.
Looking at Beth, he saw her shrug her shoulders. “The boy loves pizza.”
Sledge set the pizza boxes on the dresser, then moved to the closet and grabbed a blanket. Making a pallet on the floor, they all sat together. Looking at Beth and Derek, he felt at peace. They spent the next couple of hours laughing and joking with each other. He and Derek wrestled around on the floor while Beth giggled. It was a great night. The best Sledge had had in a long time, a very long time.
Noticing Derek yawn, Sledge stood and started cleaning up their mess. “Time for bed, son.”
Without complaint, Derek climbed into the middle of the bed and snuggled under the covers. “Mom, are you going to tell me a bedtime story before you and dad leave?”
Beth looked at Sledge. Did she want to sleep with him again tonight? His expression was giving nothing away. He desperately wanted her in his bed. Not just for tonight, but for always. Every night for the rest of their lives. “Of course Mom will tell you a story.” Sledge answered.
Sledge listened as Beth’s soothing voice lulled their son to sleep in minutes. He smiled, thinking he was glad he wasn’t the only person who calmed immediately at the sound of her voice. Reaching for her hand, he pulled her towards the door.
“Devin?” she stopped walking.
“Let’s go to bed honey,” he told her, heart pounding. What if she said no?
With a sigh, Beth began walking again. Opening the door, they both stepped into the hallway, closing the door softly behind them.