Page 20 of Redemption

His muscles tense. “Yeah, I’ve looked at the brochure some, but I can’t say that I understand why it appeals to you so much.”

“Because… this is our chance to see what life’s like outside of the country.”

“Pres, you’re acting like we’ve never been to a city before.”

“Not any like New York, Beckett. And a short trip isn’t enough time to get the full experience, anyway. We’d actually be living in another city during college. It’s our chance to see what’s out there in the world.”

“What’s wrong with this world? It’s been perfect for us.”

“I know it has, but don’t you want more, Beck? Aren’t you curious?”

He shakes his head. “Not really.”

I sigh. “Can’t we just apply and decide what to do from there? If we don’t get in, we have nothing to even talk about.”

He searches my eyes. “This is something you really want?”

“It really is.”

He lowers his forehead to my shoulder. “Okay, Pres. Let’s fill out some more application packets.”

I pull his head away so I can look him in the eyes. “Really?”

Beck smiles. “Haven’t you figured out by now that there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you? You’re my everything, Pres. If New York is going to make you happy, then we’re going to New York.”

“You’re too good to me, Beck.”

“No such thing.” He grinds his stiff length into my thigh. “Are we done talkin’ now?”

I gasp when he begins circling his thumb against my hot flesh. “Yeah, we’re done talking.”

“I was hopin’ you’d say that,” he says, right before pulling me into a drugging kiss.

After that, we’re incapable of words for quite some time.

Chapter Fourteen

Beckett

“Hey, man.” Clay pops the top off a bottle of Coors and sets it in front of me on the bar. “You look like you could use this.”

I scoff. “I could use a lot more than this.”

“Yeah, I thought so. That’s why I have this.” Clayton lines four shot glasses on the bar and fills each one to the brim.

I raise my eyebrows. “You trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me, sweetheart?”

“You should be so lucky.” He laughs, picking up a shot and downing it in one go. “Half of these are for me. The women in my life are driving me nuts.”

I pick up a glass and clink it against his. “I’ll drink to that.”

We each swallow our second shot and chase it with a beer. I’m not sure he’s supposed to be drinking on the job, but the man does own the place, so who am I to judge?

Clayton observes me as I take a long pull from my bottle. “I take it you heard?”

“Yeah, I heard.” I tip my head back as I drain the last drop of beer. “You see her yet?”

He nods. “This morning. I stopped by my folks’ place.”

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