Now that I think about it, I guess what Mom is saying isn’t wrong. Archie does treat his older son like the heir apparent. He’s always crowing about Ari’s latest accomplishment. And Beck is an afterthought.
A kernel of pity blooms inside my chest.
Does it bother Beck that Archie lavishes so much attention on his brother?
How could it not?
“Anyway,” Mom says, drawing me back to our conversation. “Beck seems to be doing well for himself.”
“Yes, he is.” I fall silent as Mom’s words swirl through my mind. It takes effort to push all thoughts of Beck away, but that’s nothing new. “Okay, I’m going to head upstairs for a bath. I’ll be down in a bit.”
“Sounds good, honey.” I take a few steps toward the hallway when she says, “Oh, I forgot to mention that I picked up a dress for you to wear tomorrow. You’re going to love it.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Let me know what you think. It’s draped over the chaise in your room.”
“Will do,” I call over my shoulder before jogging up the stairs.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m soaking in a frothy tub of bubbles. With my head resting against the porcelain edge, I close my eyes and let the tension leak from my body. I hate to admit it, but I can’t stop thinking about what happened at the club. The way Beck set me on the desk and…
Yeah.
What is it about him that makes me lose total control?
Even thinking about the way he buried his face between my legs sends a tidal wave of arousal crashing over me. The pleasure he’s capable of making me feel is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Is it any wonder I find him so damn addictive?
An uncomfortable ache throbs to life between my thighs as I shift in the warm water.
Don’t do it.
Don’t touch yourself and think about him.
With my eyes closed, my fingertips trail across my breasts before carefully circling around the puckered tips.
Hot licks of need spike through me.
It’s one thing to have Beck bring me to my knees and quite another to touch myself while conjuring up an image of him. If I were smart, I would ignore the heat swirling through my core, but I can’t.
I’m too turned on.
My hand disappears beneath the sudsy surface until its able to stroke over the lips of my pussy. When my fingertips brush over my clit, I groan and spread my legs wider. One image of Beck with his face pressed against my core and his tongue dancing across my silky flesh is all it takes to push me over the edge. My muscles spasm as I moan out my orgasm. My fingers keep moving, stroking over my clit until I’ve wrung every shudder from my body.
The moment my mind clears, I groan. Only this time, it has nothing to do with pleasure.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Frustrated with myself for this infatuation that refuses to die, I suck in a breath and sink beneath the surface until my entire body is submerged.
Beck is a weakness I can ill afford. I keep waiting for him to lose interest and move on, but that has yet to happen. What I know is this—if I’m not careful, he could break down every one of my defenses, and I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time before that happens.
Chapter Nineteen
Mia
I stare in the gilded mirror propped against the far wall of my room before twisting and turning, trying to assess myself from every angle. When I saw the gorgeous gray garment Mom had mentioned last night, I’d thought it was a dress. But it’s actually two separate pieces. The top is beaded and sleeveless with a high neck. The skirt is a tulle concoction that flutters around my knees.
There is no way I would have picked out something like this for myself. And yet, it fits me perfectly and transforms me into a fairy princess. Once dressed, I move to the vanity and apply a bit of silvery eyeshadow that glitters and shiny lip gloss before twisting my hair into a sleek bun at the top of my head.
By the time I grab the small silver sequin clutch that has a stash of makeup along with my phone, Mom and Dad are waiting downstairs in the entryway.
Archibald and Caroline’s anniversary party is set to begin promptly at six o’clock and is being held at their estate. I peeked out the living room window a few hours ago and there was a small fleet of trucks parked in front of the Hollingsworth mansion. Caroline is known for throwing elegant and sophisticated parties.
Mom is wearing a chic black shift dress that accentuates her trim figure. Diamonds drip from her ears and decorate her neck. Dad looks handsome in a black suit with a crisp white button-down and purple tie.