The Girl Next Door
Chapter 45

"Not really." Once we slid between the sheets last night and Beck wrapped his arms around me, I fell i He blows out a steady breath as his face grows serious. "I don't know," he admits. "We have different Thoughts of my sister swirl through my head. Nothing has been the same since Brianna died. Most of Although, the man I saw last night looked nothing like the Dad I know. He looked happier than I've se him.

"Is it possible your mom is aware of the relationship?"

That thought never occurred to me.

"I don't know." It's difficult to imagine that my mother would knowingly sit home alone while my fathe

eep sleep. "If you were me, what would you do?"

ships with our fathers." His voice softens. "And your family has been through a lot more than mine."

e, it seems like my parents are going through the motions of living their lives.

in a long time. Ten years younger, at least. Instead of having his face buried in his phone, he was actually paying attention to the person sitting across from

ved around on her.

"Maybe you need to give it more thought before you make any rash decisions. Like I said last night, what happens in their marriage is between them." "Yeah," I mumble, feeling more confused than ever, "I guess."

Beck reaches out and tangles our fingers together. The moment our skin comes in contact, electricity ups through me. All at once, I'm aware of my naked state. And that he's only wearing boxers. A punch of arousal hits me in the core. Before I can change my mind, I toss the covers aside and crawl on top of him. Beck's eyes widen as I straddle his waist.

"Did I thank you properly for breakfast?"

"Umm..." When he gulps, it's enough to make my confidence soar. "Yes?"

My fingers slide through his hair as my lips hover over his. "You deserve another thank you."

His hands go to my naked back as I press him against the mattress.

"Mia," he groans.

I arch a brow, enjoying the strange power I seem to hold over him. It's a heady sensation. There's noth Instead, I scoot lower, kissing his chest and stroking my fingers over the hard slabs of his muscles. I've A sigh escapes from Beck as he tunnels his fingers through my hair.

I slide lower, kissing my way to his rock-hard abs before arriving at the elastic band of his boxer-brief personal. I tug at the boxers until his boner springs free.

His d**k should come with a warning label-object larger than it appears.

I glance at him and smirk. "Impressive."

Beck releases a strained chuckle. "Thanks. I take great pride in it."

t the thin cotton of his boxers separating my heat from his thick erection. All I want to do is grind myself against him.

ht about doing this for years. My tongue swipes over his n*****s, sucking first one and then the other into my mouth.

my fingers beneath the material, sweeping them back and forth against his warm flesh. I've caught glimpses of his c**k, but never this up close and

I refocus my attention on him before stroking my fingers over his erection. "You should." Wanting him naked, I slide the boxers down his hips and over his thighs before tossing them to the floor.

His c**k is hot to the touch and feels like silk-covered steel. I'm enamored by the feel of him. With soft strokes, I pet him, running my fingers down the length before carefully palming his balls. Beck groans as I worship his body. Moisture beads at the slit of his erection, and I lean down, swiping my tongue over it. There's just a hint of saltiness.

He releases a deep guttural sound that vibrates in my ears and restlessly shifts his hips.

When I repeat the gesture, he growls, "Damn, baby, that feels good."

Surprisingly, I'm enjoying this as much as the chocolate chip pancakes. I can't get enough of him. Luckily for us, we have hours to explore one another before heading back to school later this afternoon.

As I lean down, ready to take him in my mouth, there's a noise from within the house. I poker up and twist around toward the open bedroom door. "Did you hear that?"

Before Beck can answer, a voice calls from downstairs-

"Mia? Are you up yet?"

Dad.

Oh, God.

Beck meets my wild-eyed stare with a version of his own. "Dad?" I squeak, heart pounding harshly against my chest.

"Of course," he laughs, his voice getting closer as he climbs the staircase. "Who else would it be?"

I leap from the bed and stumble, all but crashing against the door to slam it shut. Beck rolls off the edge and jumps to his feet. He grabs his boxers before staggering sideways as he yanks them up his legs. "Get in the closet!" I whisper-yell, grabbing my robe from the chaise and tugging it on so I'm no longer naked.

I can't believe this is happening.

What the hell is he doing here?

There's a rap of knuckles against my bedroom door.

I run my fingers through the tangled length of my hair before forcing myself to walk to the door and pull it open. I paste a smile on my face when I replace Dad on the other side.

"I thought you were out of town until tomorrow." The lie leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, but it's the best I can come up with under the circumstances. Resentment and anger swallow the nerves that had been rushing through my body only moments ago. "Change of plans," he says with a shrug. "The conference ended early, so I thought we could grab breakfast before you leave for school. Sound good?"

Images from the restaurant last night roll through my head. A million questions sit poised on the tip of my tongue. It's all I can do to keep them trapped inside.

Unable to look him in the eyes without exploding, I glance away. "Um, yeah. Give me a few minutes to get ready."

"Great, I'll meet you downstairs."

I watch him retreat before turning toward the staircase. When he disappears from sight, I close the door and lean against it before squeezing my eyes tight. How am I supposed to sit across from him and act like everything is normal? As if he hasn't blown my world apart?

"Hey, are you all right?"

I open my eyes and replace Beck standing in front of me. He cups my cheeks before tilting my face toward his.

"Not at all," I whisper.

"Then don't say anything. Give it some time."

"I'm not sure I can do that." I glance away before shrugging. It feels like the weight of the world is resting on my shoulders. "I guess we'll see how it goes." His thumb strokes over my bottom lip.

"Do you want me to come with?" He searches my eyes. "Because I will."

Warmth spreads through my chest that he would even consider putting himself in that uncomfortable situation. Even though the offer is tempting, I shake my head.

"Are you sure?" His lips lower before brushing across mine. The movement is sexy and comforting all at the same time.

"It'll be better if I go by myself."

"If that's what you want." He presses a kiss to my mouth before murmuring, "Let me know when you return from breakfast, and we'll head back to school."

"You don't need to wait."

"I'm not leaving without you." He smacks one last kiss against my forehead before his hands fall away from my face. "You better get dressed."

Dread settles at the bottom of my belly as I grab panties and a bra from the dresser and pull them on before heading to the walk-in closet and picking out jeans and a sweater. Not bothering with my hair, I grab an elastic band and pull it into a simple ponytail. As I walk toward the door, I glance at Beck as he lounges on my bed. "You'll sneak out after we take off?"

"Yup."

"All right." I have to force myself to leave the room. "I'll see you soon."

"I'll be waiting."

As I descend the staircase, I spot Dad sitting on the antique bench in the entryway. His face, as usual, is buried in his phone. My feet grind to a halt as I'm slammed with a thought.

Is he texting the woman I saw him with last night?

All the calls and texts he's received before shuttering himself away in his office for hours on end whirl through my head. Work was always the excuse he gave for the countless trips he took.

Was it all a lie?

The realization makes me nauseous.

I don't want to view my father as anything other than the man I've loved with all my heart since I was a little girl. But how can I do that with everything I know and suspect?

When Dad glances up and catches me studying him, he stuffs his phone in his pocket and rises to his feet. Carefully I search his face for any trace of guilt, but there is none to be found. Somehow that makes the situation worse.

"You slept late," he says with a smile, eyes crinkling at the corners.

I shrug. "Just tired, I guess."

"I'm glad you got a chance to rest up." There's a pause. "Did you take the Jeep out and make sure it was running all right?"

"No, not yet." The Jeep is the last of my concerns.

"Okay, I'll grab the keys from the kitchen, and we can get moving." He's already walking through the hall when he asks, "Any place, in particular, you want to go?"

Even though I have no idea if Marco's is open for Sunday brunch, I'm tempted to throw the suggestion out there. Instead, I say, "How about The Honeybun?"

"Sure, I could go for that." After a moment, he returns to the hallway with a furrowed brow. "Did you already eat? There are pans and dishes on the counter."

Oh.

My mind cartwheels, grasping for an explanation that will make sense. It would be all too easy to lie and say I made myself breakfast for dinner last night. But I'm loath to do that. Lying has never come easily to me. Especially when it involves my parents. "Yes," I force the words from my mouth, "I ate earlier."

"Oh." His head is turned as he stares at the sink. I know what's coming next. I can almost see the wheels spinning in his head.

"Is someone here with you?" he asks hesitantly.

I blow out a steady breath and straighten my shoulders. "Beck is upstairs."

It's almost comical the way his brows shoot up across his forehead and into his hairline. If this were any other conversation, his reaction would make me laugh.

"Beck?" Shock weaves its way through his words. "Hollingsworth?" He waves his hand toward our neighbor's house. "From next door?"

I wince as his voice continues to escalate.

"Please tell me that he stayed in a guestroom."

Again, I could lie. It would be the quickest way to end this uncomfortable conversation. Dad probably wouldn't believe me, but it's doubtful he would push the issue. We would pretend that I didn't have s*x with Beck and move on with our lives. But there's no reason for me to do that. I'm twenty-one years old. Who I sleep with is none of his business.

"No. He stayed with me." Those five words are like a lead weight that sits uncomfortably between us.

"I don't understand any of this," he mutters, plowing a hand through his hair. "Are you two seeing each other?"

"Yes, we are."

Confusion swirls through his eyes. "How long has this been going on for?"

"It's a relatively new development."

He blows out a steady breath as his broad shoulders collapse. "I have no idea what to say about all this."