Page 13 of Beckett the Bad Boy (Suitor’s Crossing: The Caldwells #4)

BECKETT

I watch Beth through the kitchen window as she laughs with my brothers and Gramps around the firepit. Dinner has been devoured, and now everyone is ready to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and some s’mores.

Everyone except for my sister.

Kennedy joins me at the kitchen sink, where I volunteered for dish duty, and motions to the group outside.

“Makes for a pretty picture…” Her elbow digs into my ribs. “Beth’s different for you, but I like that, and you do, too, huh?”

Her smug words shatter the carefree facade I've been wearing all evening, so I don’t respond, just keep looking out the window and scrubbing a sponge over the same damn plate.

Maybe she’ll take the hint.

“Oh, yeah, you definitely do,” she says, ignoring the hint completely.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I refuse to acknowledge how right she is.

Because I absolutely do not need relationship advice from my little sister.

“Really? Your eyes haven’t left her from the moment you guys arrived.” She crosses her arms over her chest and faces me. “I’m guessing you’ve never felt this way before, and it probably confuses the hell out of you. Close enough?”

I shrug.

What can I say? She’s right.

I haven’t understood a damn thing happening to me since Beth crashed into my life. All I know is that I want her to be happy. Taken care of. And, as selfish as it is, I want to be the man who makes all of that happen for her.

Which makes no damn sense.

Because I’m not that guy. I never have been.

Until one woman changed everything.

“Mind your business, sis,” I say with little heat then escape outside. The rest of the dishes will have to wait as Kennedy's knowing laughter dogs my footsteps.

Footsteps that lead straight to Beth.

Looping an arm over her shoulders, I hug her close. “Are you having a good time?”

“Yeah, your family is great.” Her smile beams up at me, and my heart stutters then thumps to life again with a painful throb. Goddammit. I’m so fucking screwed.

“They’re also a lot. Do you want to get out of here?” I ask, suddenly desperate to get her alone.

The weight of my family’s speculative stares is a vise around my lungs. They see too much. Know me too well.

Realize the significance of bringing Beth here.

When I don't even think Beth understands the importance of her presence.

Her face falls as she bites her lip and nods. “Sure. Let me say goodbye to everyone.”

A round of hugs and farewells take place before we’re in my truck and driving aimlessly back to the main part of town.

My synapses are in overdrive.

My heart is pumping blood like crazy, and I rub a hand over my chest to dissipate the burn.

“Is everything okay?” A small voice floats from the passenger seat.

I know my weird behavior is freaking Beth out, but it’s hard for me to put into words what’s going on. Not when I barely understand it myself.

“Yep,” I clip, then frown at the snappish tone. “Sorry, I’m fine. Just thinking.”

“About what?”

The turn for Oak Park and the famous Suitor’s Crossing bridge appears on our right, and on impulse, I signal and pull down the gravel lane to the parking lot, despite the fact that we were here earlier.

Silence fills the truck cabin once the engine shuts off.

Silence but for the harsh exhales pushing through my lips.

“Beckett?”

“ Heart sparks ,” I blurt out.

What the hell?

I scrub a hand over my face and groan.

“What about heart sparks ?”

Meeting Beth’s eyes in the shadowy truck cab, a world of excuses pops into my head. Reasons for heart sparks being on my mind.

Like how we’re yards away from the Suitor’s Crossing bridge where they originated. The legend of love and soulmates is so close that of course I can’t help thinking about it.

Except that’s not entirely true.

“Beth… I like you. A lot.” Inhaling a shuddering breath, I plunge forward, praying I don’t regret diving headfirst into this.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that first moment at City Hall.

I’ve never been a huge believer in heart sparks , but damn, if you don’t make me feel like they’re as real as us sitting here under the moonlight. ”

“But I thought you didn’t do relationships,” she says blankly, twisting in her seat to face me. “This is a fling.”

The words are so hesitant. Unsure. I wonder if she even believes what she’s saying.

“Is that why we spent today together? Is that why I loved waking up with your head on my chest this morning? Is a fling what you want?” A nerve pinches near my heart at the possibility.

“No. I want what my friends have. I want love.” She ducks her head, her hair spilling over her shoulder to hide the blush I’m sure is staining her cheeks.

My finger brushes below her chin to tilt her gaze up to meet mine.

“Don’t hide from me. Wanting love isn’t something to be ashamed of.”

“Of course not, but we’ve only had one official date and a few hook-ups. It’s too soon to bring up love.”

“I'm the one who brought up heart sparks ,” I point out.

“Because you think I’m yours? Your… soulmate?” Cautious hope shines in her eyes.

“I don’t know. Maybe. This is the closest I’ve ever felt to love and forever. You are the closest I’ve ever felt to those things. Are you willing to see this through? Are you willing to take a chance on me?”

A scoff of laughter bubbles from her chest before she covers her lips.

“Sorry, when I'm nervous I laugh. Ramble and laugh… Oh, god, I'm doing it again.” She stops and takes a deep breath.

“Love is what I’ve yearned for from the moment I moved to Suitor’s Crossing. Caroline, Amelie… They took risks and found love. Heart sparks found them when they least expected it. Truthfully, I’ve been envious of their good fortune, even if it makes me a bad friend.”

“You’re not a bad friend,” I defend her automatically.

A self-deprecating smile hooks along one side of her mouth. “Thanks, but that’s beside the point. What I’m trying to say is that yes, I’m willing to see where this goes. I’ve had a crush on you for months.”

“My little stalker,” I tease.

“Oh, god, shut up.” She playfully pushes at my shoulder, but I don’t let it stop me from leaning forward and capturing her lips with mine. Relishing the sweet taste of my girl.

“I like that you’re obsessed with me, baby. It makes me feel like I’m not alone in this crazy obsession I have for you.”

“You're definitely not, and now I don't have to feel guilty for staring so much when you train outside the fire department.”

Chuckling, I brush my thumb over her bottom lip. “I’ll be sure to put on a good show for you. It’s only fair since I love watching you, too.”

And touching her.

And kissing her.

I want everything with my curvy little rambler.

I may not know the first thing about love, relationships, and forever, but with Beth by my side, I’m confident I’ll figure it out.

There’s no other choice when she’s my heart spark .