Inked Obsession by Carrie Ann Ryan

Chapter 21

Eliza

Ishook my hips to the music, and Brenna laughed.

“You have so much more rhythm than I do,” she said as she grinned at me. I winked and continued shaking my booty as I pressed the roller to my wall and added another coat of paint.

“I can’t help it. These hips don’t lie.” I paused. “Does that make me sound old? How old is that song?”

“We don’t ask things like that,” Brenna said, her eyes dancing with laughter. “I love the color you chose for your office.”

I looked around, grinning. Annabelle and Jacob had allowed me to paint, and though it had been a couple of months since they had first given me permission, I had taken some time to think about it. Beckett would be over soon to help with the ceiling because, even though I had the stick for the roller, I didn’t like looking up and hurting my neck. Beckett was taller and better at it anyway.

It had been a couple of months since I had broken down in front of him. Sixty or so days since I had started to fall.

We were still finding our way. In reality, I had fallen for him long before those months. Because he had always been here. There’d always been that moment where I knew I shouldn’t look at him a certain way or notice how he filled out his jeans. Where I shouldn’t have noticed the glances. The touches. Or how he bit his lip when he was thinking.

I had. Even when I had been mourning and figuring out who I was. I had noticed it all.

And now, he was mine.

I hadn’t told him what I was feeling because I still couldn’t process what I was going through. I was making it work.

Somehow, we were making it work.

“What’s this color again?” Brenna asked as she worked on the trim.

“Flannel gray. It doesn’t look too purple?” I asked.

“I don’t think so. It’s so hard to tell what grays are like, even with a patch test. The light hits it one way, and it turns blue or green or taupe or purple.”

“You just said this wasn’t purple,” I said with a laugh.

“Because it’s not.”

“Okay, whatever you say.” I moved.

“Hey, don’t get paint in your hair. After you’re done painting with Beckett today, you said you and he had a date.” She waggled her brows, and I laughed.

“Yes, a fun date.”

“I thought a fun date wouldn’t be out in public. I don’t really know what the two of you have going on.”

I looked at her then, and she smiled. I had once thought Brenna wanted Beckett in a way that went beyond friendship. I had been wrong. I hadn’t hurt her by falling for Beckett or being with him. If anything, it had made our relationship stronger because of their connection.

Something else was going on with Brenna. Something that made her a little hesitant to do certain things. It had nothing to do with Beckett or me. Hopefully, she would tell us one day. Until then, I would be her friend and do whatever she needed me to do.

I just hoped that she would tell us what was on her mind someday.

“Okay, that’s the last of this brush. I need to get the other one out.”

“We did sort of go a little rough on the brushes.”

“It’s the texture on the walls. They tend to do that. It’s a beautiful look.”

“Don’t comment on how the Montgomerys build their homes, considering they actually own this one.”

“True, but without the texture on the walls, the house would have lacked life, been too flat. It was a good choice. It just doesn’t like my paintbrush. Or maybe I’m being a little too rough.”

I gave her a look. “Something on your mind that you need to get out using a paintbrush?”

Brenna shook her head. “No. Everything’s fine.”

I gave her a look. “If you say so.”

She shook her head again. “Seriously. I’m good. Now, I’m going to get rid of this, and then I need to head out. Beckett will be here soon, right?”

“Yes. And then we can get the ceiling done, and then we’re going out for lunch. You’re coming too, right?” I asked.

“On your date?” She raised a brow. “Apparently, yes, I am.”

I laughed. “We’re just going down to Colton’s friend’s restaurant. Sitting out in the sun on the patio and enjoying ourselves. We told Paige we would.”

“Okay, I’ll be there. Are all of us going?”

“No, I think people are staggering their visits throughout the week, depending on their schedules.”

“Okay. I’ll be there later. Have fun.”

“I will.”

“And make sure you make Beckett do all the hard work.”

“Always.”

After I walked Brenna out, I cleaned up a few of the messes we had made and smiled as I heard the knock at the door. Beckett knew he was always welcome to just let himself in. After all, it was his sister’s home—my home. And he had a key. We liked our slight boundaries, whatever they were. I smiled at him as I opened the door.

“You look adorable. I didn’t know you owned overalls.”

I laughed and looked down at myself. “I look a little ridiculous. These are some of my paint-stained clothes.”

“With your work, I assumed most of your clothes would be paint-stained.”

“True, but these are my house-painting clothes. Sometimes, I unhook one of the straps and pretend I’m Tom Sawyer.”

“Meaning you get someone else to do the painting for you?”

“I have you here, don’t I?” I teased.

He laughed, leaned down, and kissed me. It was a deep one, no warm peck to say hello. I groaned, barely holding back a sigh.

“The bed was cold when you left it this morning.”

He smiled against my lips, his beard slightly rough in a way that sent shivers down my spine. “Well, somebody has to work. You were sleeping in lazily.”

I stretched. “It was comfortable. I wish you could have stayed.”

“You know you’re spending the night at my house, right?” he asked.

“Yes, because you promised me two dates today. Lunch and dinner.”

“And dessert, of course,” he said, waggling his brows.

I laughed and tugged him into the house. “Honestly, we only have the ceiling to do. If we don’t want to get too much paint on ourselves and make it to lunch on time to meet everybody, I should probably shower.”

His eyes darkened. “Showering sounds good.”

I held up my hands. “Whoa, I said we don’t want to be late. If you’re busy eating me out in the shower, we’re not going to make it on time.”

He licked his lips.

“I could use a pre-lunch. And that pussy of yours sounds pretty wonderful.”

“Beckett,” I said, blushing.

“What? I promise to feed you, too. You liked my cock in your mouth.”

“And on that note, I’m going to shower. Alone.”

“I’ll finish checking the office to see what needs to be done when we get back.”

“You are too good to me.”

He met my gaze and shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. I could be better.” He kissed me again, and I was lost in him. I told myself I didn’t have to be, that we didn’t need more than the words we had, but that wasn’t enough. I wanted more. And I hoped he did, too.

I quickly showered, did my hair up in a quick braid around the crown of my head, and came out wearing jeans with strategically placed holes, a cute flowy top, and wedges that I knew Beckett liked because they made my ass look great.

At least, that’s what he had told me once.

And given how his eyes darkened, and he let out a little grunt, I assumed the wedges and jeans did their job.

“You’re killing me,” he rasped.

“What? Is there something on my jeans?” I asked, laughing as I spun around on my toes.

“You’re going to be the death of me.”

“Well, it’d be a good way to go,” I said on a laugh. He bit my lip before he kissed me hard, and I pushed him away. “Okay, we are going to go meet everybody. I was promised food.”

He sighed. “Fine. Food it is. Only because I like you.”

“That’s so kind of you,” I said on a laugh. He kissed me again, and we made our way to his car, and then to the restaurant.

“Who’s meeting us here?” I asked as Beckett turned off the engine.

“I think Benjamin said he was coming. Archer and Marc have something to do with Marc’s friends.”

I frowned at his tone. “Something wrong there?”

He shook his head. “No, I just don’t see Archer as much as I’d like to these days. Even though we work together, he’s usually off with Marc.”

“They’re happy. In love. That’s sort of what couples do. They spend time together.”

“Yes, but I’m selfish. I want my family to spend time with me.”

“That wasn’t always the case with you.”

“Well, I’m done keeping secrets.” He kissed me again, and we made our way inside. They had our names on the list, and we sat down, waiting for Beckett’s twin to arrive. Benjamin showed soon after, Brenna on his heels.

“Hi, there,” I said as Benjamin leaned down to kiss my cheek. Beckett growled a little, but I knew it was only for show.

“Colton and Paige said this place was great,” Benjamin said as he pulled Brenna’s chair back. She gave him a look, and he just raised a brow. “Come on, sit down.”

“Okay,” she said before taking the seat daintily. “This isn’t a date.”

“Oh, don’t worry, it isn’t,” Benjamin said, laughing.

She rolled her eyes, and I just shook my head. “Nobody else is coming?” Brenna asked, giving Benjamin a pointed look.

Benjamin just shrugged. “Annabelle and Jacob are at their ultrasound. Paige and Colton have already come a few times. And I don’t know about the others.”

Beckett nodded. “Mom and Dad came yesterday, Archer and Marc are doing something, and I know Clay and the kids wanted to come, but there’s a birthday party for one of the kid’s friends.”

“And I’m sure Riggs would have wanted to join, too,” I teased, and Brenna lifted her water glass to cheers with me.

“Pretty much,” Brenna said on a laugh.

“Okay, stop matchmaking, you two,” Beckett said, his hand on my thigh.

I looked at him then, and everything felt wonderful. We were here, together, and though I didn’t know what would happen next or where Beckett and I were going, we were happy. I hadn’t spoken to my in-laws since the incident, and I didn’t know if I would. There had been no lawyers. Nothing. I still hadn’t made a decision about the money, but I needed to come to terms with my life first before I thought about anybody else’s and the things piling up on my plate.

I was in a new relationship, I was falling in love, and I was figuring out who I was. Thoughts of who Marshall had been didn’t need to take over my life. Beckett held me close as we waited for our order, laughing and enjoying our mimosas.

This was a perfect day. I was happy. After so long, I finally realized what I had been missing. Peace.

Beckett leaned down and looked at me. “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

“Everything. You. Just being happy.”

“Y’all are so sweet, it’s making me sick,” Brenna said, and Benjamin just shook his head, quiet as usual.

Beckett opened his mouth to say something, and then his eyes widened before he shouted. There were screams, and I looked over my shoulder, but I couldn’t get any words out. I couldn’t do anything.

A car came right at us, hopped the curb, the driver’s head down. Everything moved fast then. Beckett pulled my shoulder, wrenching my arm practically out of its socket. I pushed at the metal railing that separated the patio from the street, trying to get away, but the car was coming right at us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Benjamin throw Brenna to the ground, covering her with his body as glass shattered and metal clanged and twisted. There were screams, and Beckett’s arms were around my waist, and then I was falling. I hit the ground, my palms scraping. Then there was a shout, an oath, and then Beckett was gone.

I looked around, and the car was over the table where we had just been. Benjamin and Brenna were slowly getting to their feet, but Brenna was still screaming. There was a sharp sound, and I realized I was screaming, too.

Because Beckett was passed out beside me, a jagged tear on his side, blood pooling under him.

I kept screaming.

Beckett wouldn’t wake up.

It had happened again. It was happening again.

I was losing him. And I hadn’t told him that I loved him.

I kept screaming.

Even as I put my hands on his body, trying to do something, calling for help. Others came, but I couldn’t do anything. When the screaming finally stopped, I held my hands over his wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

I was going to lose him. Just like I had lost Marshall.

And I hadn’t even told him that I loved him.

I was going to lose him.

Lose everything.

Again.