Off Base(34)

“It’s just…you were gone so long. I couldn’t just wait around, getting older.” Mary sobbed into the sleeve of her coat and Beck felt a pang of sympathy. He harbored no ill will for her. They’d been children with grown-up plans, and he didn’t fault her for not wanting to put her life on hold for him. “But I know I messed up bad, Beck. When I heard you were coming back, I thought maybe we could have a second chance.”

Beck didn’t answer. Every ounce of his energy and attention focused on Kenna. Come on. Remember what I promised you. Did she think he’d said those words this morning on a whim?

Beck’s reality shifted when Kenna took a step toward the side exit, her gaze bouncing back and forth between him and Mary. She placed a hand on the steel exit bar and his blood went cold. No. If she left now, he would never convince her of his intentions, the truth of his feelings. It would start a pattern and they’d never break free. The rush of sound in his ears started again—

Kenna dropped her hand from the door, saying something under her breath, and Beck’s pulse heated back up, started to race. When their gazes met, he saw bravery there and wanted to shout at the ceiling. Thank God.

Arms locked at her sides, Kenna came closer, staying just out of his reach.

“Hey, Mary?”

His ex-girlfriend jolted at the sound of another female voice, although how she could have missed his rapt attention on Kenna baffled him. Couldn’t everyone tell he was taken? The fact was so carved in stone it had to be stamped on every inch of his body.

Mary swiped a hand across her eyes, darting a look between Kenna and Beck. “Y-yes?”

“I, um.” Kenna shifted in her heels. “You seem nice and all, which kind of blows. I was hoping you’d be evil, maybe wearing a coat made of puppies or something.” She took a step toward Beck. “But I’m sorry. You’re going to have to fight me for him.”

For the first time in his life, he experienced what it felt like to be weak and strong, both at the same time. His limbs shook with the need to hold her, while his heart rumbled like an approaching locomotive, gaining power with each passing second. Kenna had already been his, but nothing would ever compare to hearing her make it official, despite her own fears. Nothing.

Mary gave a resigned laugh. “Looks like someone beat me to it.” She wedged her purse beneath her arm. “I can’t even say I’m the least bit surprised. I knew if it wasn’t me, a good woman was going to snatch you up one day and never let go.”

As Mary repeated the words Kenna had said to him their first night together, her mouth fell open. That’s right, darlin’. You’re that good woman. And I’m the luckiest f*cking guy on the planet.

Neither one of them broke eye contact as Mary turned and left the building. Beck wasn’t sure he’d look anywhere but at Kenna ever again.

“So, yeah. I’m fighting for you,” she whispered. “And I’ll go with you to Georgia on one condition.”

“Which is?”

Her smile melted the remaining ice in his chest. “I drive.”

“Thank Christ.” Beck lunged forward to grip the sides of her face. “You don’t have to fight for me, you crazy, gorgeous girl.” His thumbs swept across her cheeks. “Neither of us has to fight. We won.”

Her laugh sounded slightly incredulous. “I mean, I was really ready to throw down, though.”

Beck shook his head, dying to get started on the next sixty years with this girl. “It’s a good thing you held off,” he murmured, watching her green eyes go smoky. Yeah, she knew what was coming. “You’re going to need your energy.”

She gasped as he dipped down, wrapped his arms behind her legs and threw her over his shoulder. She recovered in time to smack his ass as they strode through the double doors, out into the night. Together.





HUNTLEY & CULLEN





Sophie Jordan





Chapter One




Getting piss drunk sounded like a fine idea.

Not only was Cullen having a shit week, but Huntley had decided to walk into Bombs Away in a skirt shorter than she’d ever worn. Maybe this was part of his punishment. If it wasn’t for him, Xander wouldn’t have been over there. Xander wouldn’t be dead.

The flirty hem danced around a pair of gold-skinned thighs. The soft cotton tank she wore fit her snugly, hugging breasts that she usually hid under blousy tops and sweaters. He had a hard enough time keeping her firmly in the friend zone. This just added to his misery. He had two real friends in this world—Beck and Huntley. The fact that they happened to be brother and sister only added to the utter wrongness of his sudden surge of lust.

He tilted his head back and finished his bottle of beer, trying to tear his eyes off her. He didn’t need this right now. He especially didn’t need all these meatheads looking her over like she was something they wanted to sink their teeth into. Stand down. Not your job to babysit her tonight. Her brother is here.

Despite the voice of reason whispering inside of him, he was tempted to find a blanket and drape it over her.

With a small shake of his head, Cullen turned to glare at the shots lined up in front of him. He downed one in a swift motion, slamming the glass back on the bar.

“Huntley,” her brother began. Better him than Cullen. He wasn’t in the mood to talk right now. “I didn’t expect you tonight.” Beck paused awkwardly. Cullen grimaced. He might as well have told his sister to take a hike for the injured look to cross her face. “There’s something I need to speak with Cullen about. Let’s meet tomorrow.”