Page 70 of Third Time is the Charm (Passion and Perseverance #3)

Beth slowly drifted into consciousness the following morning, her back tucked snugly against Darcy’s chest, his arms encircling her. She peered over at the clock – it was almost nine.

It had been a rough night – and that was after the still hardly believable incident with Caroline.

She’d fallen asleep quickly, but in spite of the pleasurable precursor to her respite, her dreams took her to a darker place where she stood in front of Caroline and Darcy hadn’t gotten there in time.

She’d seen him coming around the corner just as the bullet bit into her chest. Pain bloomed inside of her – not from the mortal wound, but because she hadn’t been able to save Darcy – to save them – from Caro.

She’d bolted up in the bed, completely awake and gasping for breath, the pain in her chest feeling incredibly real.

Her body was slick with sweat from the fear in her nightmare.

Her head spun to the side, a tremulous exhale leaving her body when she saw Darcy still in the bed next to her, his eyes open and aching with concern.

They’d stared at each other for a few seconds; he didn’t have to ask to know what she had been dreaming about. He’d waited for her to say something, but she hadn’t needed any more words; she’d just needed him.

She bent over to cover his mouth with hers, her tongue demanding entrance. Her hand dove underneath the covers, finding him semi-hard for a moment before her touch had him throbbing in her grasp.

“ What do you need, baby?” he’d asked. She vividly remembered how hoarse his voice had been with sleep and desire.

“ Take me, Darcy. Just take me.”

He didn’t need any more encouragement, rolling on top of her to land between her thighs. He slid himself home inside of her, their lips consuming each other as he plunged into her bringing them both swiftly to another orgasm.

Sliding off to the side of her, he’d pulled her back against him, kissing her forehead as his arms wrapped back around her. “I’m here, gorgeous. I’m always here.” The physical release obliterating whatever fear the nightmare had instilled in her.

She’d woken up twice more over night, but not nearly in the state she’d been in that first time.

The second time, he’d held her as she cried, talking to her, soothing her as her tears soaked his chest – a cathartic release of the stress that had built up and had been restrained so that she could be strong.

The last time, she’d woken up in an eerie calm.

The realization finally sinking in that there was no one after her, or him, or their relationship any more.

They were finally done fighting for their chance; they were finally free.

Darcy hadn’t woken up right away that time…

but she’d managed to get his attention. That time, their lovemaking had been languid.

Whether they were half-awake or half-asleep, they’d been completely consumed; their release finally coaxing her into the dream from which she’d just awoken.

Or was it into a dream that she’d just awoken?

No Caroline. No Mrs. DeBourgh. No walls. No lies. No masks. No Mr. Intolerable.

Only her and Darcy.

She turned in his arms to kiss him gently on the lips.

“Good morning, gorgeous,” came his deep response.

She frowned. “How long have you been awake?”

He groaned. “Since that delicious ass of yours rubbed up against me a few minutes ago.”

“I bet,” she scoffed jokingly.

His hand slid up her side to cup her face. “How are you? I know it was a rough night…”

Her eyes fell from his briefly, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. “I’m ok,” she replied, hesitant to believe her own words.

“Are you?” he asked, his thumb brushing lightly over her cheekbone.

“I think I’m still a little in shock…”

“Well, you had a gun pointed at you less than twelve hours ago, gorgeous. I think that’s understandable.”

“No… not about that. I think I’m just in shock that it’s all finally over.”

“Oh, Beth,” he began, reaching down to grab her hand and pull it up between them. “But us…” He looked pointedly at the ring that sat unwavering on her finger as his intertwined with hers. “Baby, we’ve only just begun.”

At that promise, his lips dropped lightly onto hers with all their love and hope beautifully distilled into that achingly tender kiss.

“We should get up.” His voice rumbled against her lips. “And you should call Jane and your parents.” Beth closed her eyes and nodded.

They rose, keeping their hands intertwined – some part of them constantly touching – until she stepped into the shower and Darcy went to order some room service for breakfast.

Beth still felt like her reality was somehow clouded with the surreal.

So much in her life had changed over the last year or so.

To think that a year ago she was working at Gardiner, content to focus every ounce of energy on her career with no interest in a personal life or romantic relationship…

and now – working for a non-profit clinic with people whose lives are at stake and not just their reputations, not only interested in a romantic relationship but risking her life for one.

She stared down at her hands that were still tinted red from when she’d removed Darcy’s bloodied clothing last night and still darker stains underneath her nails. She began to methodically scrub them, continuing to wipe the skin even after all traces of his blood were gone.

Had she really done that? Had she really lunged at a loaded gun?

She knew she’d been prepared to confront Caroline, but jumping towards a weapon… that was far beyond anything that she had mentally equipped herself to handle.

But what other option had she had?

Run? Duck? Hope that Caro missed? Hope that Darcy or John got to her in time?

No. Even now, there was only one clear choice in her mind.

Fight.

And that’s what she had done.

Had she been brave? It didn’t feel that way; she didn’t feel like she had done anything special. She’d reacted the only way that she could.

Maybe that’s all that bravery really is – action in the face of adversity.

Leaving New York had been massive action. It had gotten her away from Darcy and Caroline and Mrs. DeBourgh… everything that had come against her. Her departure had been her first attack in the fight for herself. She’d fought for her heart, for her career, and for her future.

Her fingers scrubbed over the ring that stood prominently on her finger; she’d forgotten that she even had it on.

To think a week or so ago she’d been concerned about getting back into a relationship with Darcy and how they could possibly make it work.

Now, their relationship, just like the ring on her finger, felt like an inextricable part of her.

Fighting against their connection was like fighting against breathing – a pointless attempt to protect herself from the only thing that kept her heart beating.

She stared at the giant stones on her finger, sparking under the water.

She probably should have taken it off to shower, but she didn’t care.

She stared at the change it signified and the promise it held.

He’d given it to her on her terms; he’d asked her to define its meaning; he’d given her the control of their future.

The funny thing is, she really didn’t want control anymore. This whole time she’d just wanted to know that he was capable of relinquishing it; now, she knew.

Turning off the water, she quickly dried herself off and threw on some comfy clothes, hearing voices out in the living room. Putting her damp hair up in a messy bun, she walked out of the bedroom to see Darcy and Colin in deep conversation – a dialogue that halted as soon as she entered the room

“Beth!” Col exclaimed, walking over to her and wrapping her in a hug. “Jesus Christ. Thank God you are ok.”

Beth hugged him back, grateful for his concern. Her eyes met Darcy’s and even though they radiated possessiveness, he didn’t look like he wanted to rip her from Col’s hug – and that was progress .

“Yeah, I’m alright,” she said softly, pulling back from his embrace with a small smile. “How did everything go last night? I’m sorry I didn’t come back.”

Col scoffed at her apology. He turned to Darcy giving him a look of disbelief.

“Is she serious right now?” His gaze returned to her.

“Are you serious right now? Beth, you were almost shot last night by some psycho. Don’t you dare apologize for not coming back to a work function immediately after. I would have fired you if you had.”

That drew a small laugh from her lips. “Sorry…”

“Seriously, are you ok? I got most of the story from the police after my speech last night. I know they arrested the woman, but are you sure you are ok? Is there anything I can do?”

“Thank you, Col, but I’m fine; we’re fine. ” She looked meaningfully at Darcy. “It was a little rough last night, but I’m just glad that it’s over and that she’s out of our lives for good.”

“I wanted to come up and see you last night, but by the time I could get away from the crowd it was pretty late and I figured that you… ahh… you two would just want to be alone.” He paused, his eyes dropping to the ground for a moment.

“It’s fine, Col. It was a crazy night. It’s still hard to believe what happened, ” Beth trailed off as she walked over to Darcy who immediately enveloped her in his embrace, kissing the top of her head.

“So, everything else with the ball went smoothly? John said he was pretty sure that none of the guests realized what was going on outside the room; I hope he was right…”

She saw the brief flash of sadness in his eyes, seeing the two of them together, but it quickly disappeared as he answered her.