“I love this song,” smiled Natie. “It’s a new local artist, and she is just as beautiful as she is talented.”
“You’re beautiful,” Sean said quietly; too quietly to be heard above the music filtering through the yard.
Unsure of how to respond, Natie sidestepped the issue by commenting, “What could Becki possibly be doing in there? I’m ready to get this show on the road.”
Flashing Sean a conspiring look she called, “Royce, why don’t you go let Becki know dinner is almost ready; if you go in through the back door, she should be right there in the kitchen.”
Sean grinned, and said softly, “She is going to kill you.”
“Nah,” Natie said, and then tipped her head back to drain her glass, “Becki’s bark is worse than her bite.”
Sean caught his breath when twin dimples broke out as Natie grinned up at him.
#
Becki was seated on the couch between Mandy and Leann as they played games on their respective laptops.
“Ohh, get that one, Mandy,” she suggested as she pointed to a funny looking creature floating across the computer screen.
“Good job!” She cheered, as “Welcome To Level 10” flashed on Mandy’s screen.
Becki gave the girls a hug before standing up to make her way to the kitchen.
“I’m so pumped about Frogmore Stew tonight! I think I’ll whip up some brownies to go with the ice cream.”
As she stretched to reach for the mixing bowl on the top shelf of the pantry, the back door opened.
“I’ll be right there, Natie. I’m just goanna throw in some brownies super quick. Believe me, I need a chocolate fix after the eff’ed up day I’ve had,” she confided.
Suddenly a large body sandwiched her against the pantry shelves from behind. An arm extended over her head to grasp the mixing bowl she had been reaching for.
“Let me help you with that,” a familiar voice whispered in her ear.
Becki let out a bloodcurdling scream as she spun around to face Royce.
Because of their height difference, her nose was buried in his chest, and OMG did he smell good. Becki closed her eyes, and could not stop herself from inhaling his masculine scent.
Never one to waste an opportunity, Royce dropped his lips to her ear and began nibbling.
She gasped and pushed against him, successfully dislodging his lips, but not his arms, which were currently wrapped around her waist.
“Shit, Royce! What are you doing here?” Becki sputtered.
“Language!” Leann reminded.
Becki rolled her eyes. Leann didn’t pay attention when you wanted her attention but never failed to hear every word of something you didn’t want her to hear.
“Yes! Language,” Mandy piped up adding her two-cents.
“Sorry,” Becki apologized to the girls.
“What are you doing here?” she asked again, taking care to watch her language and speak more softly this time.
“I needed to see you,” Royce answered honestly.
“Oh for God’s sake,” Becki responded angrily, rubbing one palm over her forehead, “I’m so over this. Really, I’m not having this conversation with you.”
“I needed to see you because--” Royce began.
“Suddenly you need to see me?” Becki interrupted with heavy sarcasm and a rapidly paling face.
Fury settled over her and she began tossing his own words, his own excuses, back in his face.
“You didn’t have any desire to see me earlier today!” she reminded.
“Do the words ‘hell no’ ring any bells for you? What about; ‘I can’t get involved.’ Do you remember saying that? ‘I can’t, get involved,’ you said. You gave me some bullshit about secrets, and treasure hunting, and danger. Remember? Do you remember all that? No? Well I remember,” she concluded.
Becki struggled to free herself from his embrace. She had become more and more upset as she hurled excuses at him as if they were daggers.
Mad did not even begin to cover the emotion she felt boiling over, the emotion currently threatening to spill from her tear-filled eyes. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. She was absolutely not going to do this…not here, not now, not in this lifetime.
With one mighty push, she broke free.
“Leave me alone, Royce,” she hissed through gritted teeth. “Seriously, just go away and leave me alone.”
Assuming he would do as she asked and leave, she spun toward the refrigerator and began pulling out butter and eggs, only to slam them down on the cabinet.
“Becki, do I need to go get Dad?” Leann asked looking concerned. She stood poised ready to race out the back door for help.
Becki took a calming breath and turned to reassured her. “No, honey; I’m fine, just mad