Page 10

9

I settled down into the booth at the local game centre where we’d taken Liam for a milkshake to celebrate.

“Oreo for the star, banana for you, and strawberry for me.” Harry placed our milkshakes on the table. Liam wasted no time in diving straight in, giving himself an obvious brain freeze.

“Uncle Harry, can I have some coins to play on the football shoot out?”

“Haven’t you scored enough today?” he teased.

“Nope, I have not.” Liam beamed, holding out his hand, his fingers wiggling and impatient for coins.

Harry handed him some pound coins to keep him occupied for a while before turning his attention back to me.

“Right, now that Liam is busy, what was that at the pitch today?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at my brother.“What about it? I was warning him to stay away from you.” He scoffed, leaning back against the booth.

“I appreciate that and all, but I honestly don’t need you doing that. You’ve been doing it since I was a teen.”

“He should have listened back then.”

“And if he’d have listened then I wouldn’t have that wonderful little boy, would I?” I glanced over at Liam who was enjoying the 2p machines.

“Fair point, but I couldn’t take the way he was looking at you. It’s as if he has no fucking idea what he’s done.”

“Will you calm down? If I choose to speak to Beckett while he’s home, that’s up to me. It has nothing to do with you, do you understand?”

“Em—”

“I said, do you understand?”

“Alright, I understand, but I won’t stand for him hurting you again, especially since it’s taken you this long to get over him.” He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

If only he knew that there was no such thing as getting over Beckett.

People always said you never forget your first love, and I could easily say how true that was, considering I was living it.

Ten years ago…

“I’m telling your brother,” Beckett said with a playful grin.

“You can’t! He’ll beat the shit out of you!” I protested, my heart racing at the thought.

“Do you think that scares me? I’d take a beating from him every day of the week if it meant we didn’t have to hide what we want anymore.” There was a fierce determination in his voice. He knew what he wanted and nothing would stand in his way.

Suddenly, he leaned in, cupping my face gently. Our eyes locked, and I could see the love he had for me shining through.

“I love you, Emily Ryton.”

His words hit me like a wave, crashing over me so suddenly I forgot how to breathe. “You love me?” I echoed, barely recognising my own voice as disbelief flooded my mind.

“Yes, Em, I love you. I love you so damn much.” He brought his lips an inch from mine, the tension between us electric. “Never second guess my feelings for you.” He pressed a soft kiss to my lips, a promise wrapped in tenderness. “Never second guess my love for you, cupcake.”

“I love you too.” My voice was barely above a whisper. A tear escaped and trickled down the side of my face until his thumb caught it.

He kissed me again, deeper this time, pouring all his feelings into that moment. Everything we kept hidden was finally coming to light, and as I melted into the kiss, I knew we were stepping into a new chapter together. One where love didn’t have to be a secret.

Present day…

With Liam at Ashton’s for a sleepover, I relaxed in the bath, letting the warm bubbly water wash away the day. I never imagined seeing Beckett would hurt as much as it did. Seeing the resemblance between him and Liam was startling. I already knew they had similarities, but it was different when the two of them stood next to each other.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the way he looked at me today. As if I was still the only girl in the world to him. I couldn’t help but wonder how true that was.

Stop it! I scolded myself.

He left us both. He didn’t want us. He moved on to new and better things.

I let my head fall back against the tub, not wanting to open my eyes because despite all the heartache and upset, I felt that ache in my chest. The same ache I’d had for the past nine years. Each breath was a reminder of what I’d lost, a sharp pang that resonated in the quiet of the bathroom.

The water swirled around me, warm and inviting, but it was a thin veil over the turmoil beneath. Memories surged like waves, crashing over me—his laughter, the way his eyes glowed with mischief, the promise of forever we once whispered to each other. Those moments were etched in my mind, vivid and beautiful, but they were distant stars now glimmering but unreachable.

I lathered soap over my body, letting my hands trail across my skin. It was the first time in years that I felt that tightness in my lower belly. That urge. Seeing Beckett did something to me. It was like he brought that part of me back to life. It was as if he resurrected it from the grave I buried it in. I circled my fingers over my clit, letting my head fall back once again, my mind going back to our first time together.

Ten years ago…

“Are you sure your parents are out tonight?” I asked, the worry set in as I glanced down the dark hallway.

“I promise, you don’t need to look so worried.” When he aimed his smile at me, the nerves inside my body scrambled. There was something about it that instantly calmed me.

The second after he locked the front door, he had me against the wall, his lips an inch from mine.

“Are you sure?” he asked, searching for my face for any signs of rejection.

“Yes, I’m sure.” I swallowed hard, the nerves niggling away in my stomach, but I was ready.

“Thank fuck,” he whispered against my lips. “You have no idea how much I need you.”

His lips claimed my own. They were gentle but full of need and passion. His tongue danced with mine as he fisted my hair, guiding my head back slightly. I barely noticed when he lifted me into his arms and carried me upstairs to his room, his lips glued to mine until he laid me down on his bed.

“I need to taste you, baby. You ready for that?”

I nodded, open to giving myself to him for the first time and letting him take whatever he wanted.

“That’s my good girl.” He popped open the button on my jeans with ease, yanking them down along with my panties before discarding them on the floor. He pulled me up slightly, removing my top in one swift movement. “So fucking perfect.”

He took my nipple in his mouth, sucking gently as I fisted the sheets. It was a sensation I had never felt before. Pushing my body backwards, he hovered over me, palming my breast as he decorated my neck with rough kisses.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about fucking you.” I moaned as he sucked on my neck, his hands trailing down my front. “Thought about making you come all over my cock. Is that what you want? For me to make you come?”

“Y-yes.” Fuck, I was nervous. He knew it just as well as I did.

“Relax, baby, I’m going to take my time with you. I’ll be as gentle as you want me to be.” His hand cupped my pussy as his thumb circled my clit, causing my back to arch with each soft swipe.

“Ah, Beck.”

“Shh, enjoy the pleasure. Give into it,” he whispered against my skin. “I’m going to bury my tongue in your pussy now. If it becomes too much, you need to tell me.”

How would it be too much?!

Beckett traced his tongue up my inner thigh, his teeth occasionally nipping my skin. I could feel his hot breath on me, making me shiver in anticipation. His hands, strong and sure, pushed my thighs farther apart, and I could see the hunger in his eyes as he looked up at me, his gaze dark and intense.

"You're so beautiful, Em," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "I can see how much you want this. You're so fucking wet for me."

I gasped as his tongue found my clit, circling it slowly and deliberately. Waves of pleasure surged through me, making my hips buck against his mouth. He took his time, licking and sucking, his tongue expertly working my clit.

"You taste so fucking good," he growled, his voice vibrating against me and sending a second round of shivers up my spine. "I could lose myself in your pussy all night.”

His dirty words sent a rush of heat through me. The tension coiled tighter as he brought me closer to the edge. His tongue picked up speed, his movements more insistent and urgent.

"Come for me, Emily," he demanded, his voice rough with desire. "Let me taste you."

With a final flick of his tongue, I came undone, my body convulsing as waves of pleasure crashed over me. “Beck.” I moaned his name as he rode out my orgasm, his tongue drawing out every last tremor until I was spent. “Fuck!”

“Good girl,” he purred against my pussy before crawling up my body, nipping at my neck with frantic kisses. “Are you ready for me to fuck you, Em?”

I nodded as my fingers combed through his hair. My nerves subsided. All I wanted was for him to lose himself with me just as much as I did with him. He never fumbled. He knew how to cater to my every need and desire.

He reached into his side drawer, ripping open the condom wrapper before sliding it over his cock. His hand wrapped gently around my neck as he slammed his lips against mine. “Tell me to stop if you need me to. I don’t know how gentle I’ll be able to be with you, Em.”

“I’ll tell you,” I assured him.

Beckett thrust into me, slowly at first, as the sensation of him filling me inch by inch caused me to whimper. He stretched me, and I felt every inch.

“You feel so fucking good,” he growled against my skin. His rhythm was steady and deliberate, each thrust a little deeper, a little more intense, than the last. It only made me crave him more.

Heat pooled in my core as I arched against him. I was eager for more and urged him on. He understood my silent plea, his pace quickening, his hips meeting mine with a force that sent shockwaves through me at record speed. His voice was in my ear again, dirty and low. "Is this what you want? You want it hard and fast?"

“Y-yes. Please, Beck.” I moaned into his ear, my teeth teasing his earlobe as I practically begged him to fuck me harder.

My body tensed as he thrusted into me, his pace relentless. His words were filthy, his voice a rumble that vibrated through me. "Fuck, Em. You're so wet and so fucking tight." His hands gripped my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh as he took me harder, his body slick with sweat. My breath hitched, and my heart raced as I clung to him, my nails scraping his back as he took me higher and higher, his dirty talk pushing me closer to the edge.

“Beck,” I panted, unable to string words together. “Please. Can I—” I grinded my hips against him, unable to last much longer.

“Does my girl want to come, hmm?” he whispered, teasing my lower lip between his teeth.

“Please… I…” I whimpered as he relentlessly filled me.

“Come for me,” he demanded, his voice a hungry growl in my ear. His breath was hot and ragged as his hands gripped my hips tightly. "I want to feel you come all over my cock.” His words were filled with lust as desire surged through me.

I couldn’t hold back, couldn’t deny him. My body tensed, and the room began to spin as my mouth was torn between moans and whimpers. My core clenched one last time and unravelled as I came undone.

“Ah, Beck… Fu—” My words trailed off as I let the pleasure course through my body, the euphoria unmatched.

“Fuck! Em!” He moaned against my ear, his breathing laboured as his cock pulsed inside of me.

His forehead dropped and rested against my own as we slowly came down from the high, the two of us struggling to catch our breath.

“Are you okay?” he asked. A look of concern was written all over his face.

I smiled as he kissed me gently. “I’m good if you’re good.”