Chapter Ten
Brenna sat on the sofa, watching TV and waiting for Beau to return. She hoped it was soon because she was hungry. As that thought entered her head, she heard a vehicle pull up and knew by the sound, it was Beau.
She got up, walked to the kitchen and the back door opened as she entered. She smiled when she saw Beau enter carrying a white bag with Clifton Diner scrolled on it in red.
"I'm starving," she said as he set the bag on the counter.
"Me too. I hope it's still warm."
"That's what microwaves are for," she said with a smile, but noticed he seemed preoccupied. "What's wrong, Beau?"
Beau sighed as he hung up his hat and removed his coat, then hung it on a peg and turned to face her.
"I had a run-in with Eric."
Brenna gasped. "What happened?"
"I punched him. Twice," he muttered.
"I'm sorry, did you say you… punched him? Twice?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Beau frowned. "Why? Because he started shit."
"You can't just go around hitting people because they start shit, Beau. Never throw the first punch."
"Are you serious? Brenna, he has been egging me on for a long time now and I was tired of it."
Brenna sighed. "I get that, but I don't want you getting in trouble for it."
"I won't. He threw the first punch but missed." Beau shrugged. "I didn't. Then he threw a second punch and missed again. I didn't."
"Oh! Well, I understand then." She tilted her head. "Did you get in good ones?"
Beau grinned. "Knocked him on his ass the first time. The second time, I broke his nose."
She snorted out a laugh and hugged him. "Maybe he'll leave us both alone now."
"He said he wants you back."
"He can say it all he wants. That will not happen."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, I am. Are you sure you don't want Liz back?"
"Hell, yes."
"I feel the same about Eric. He is in my past and you are in my future."
Beau pulled her into his arms. "I sure hope so. I'm crazy about you."
"You know I feel the same about you. Now, let's have some breakfast."
"Yes, ma'am."
After cleaning up the dishes, Brenna and Beau sat in the living room. The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on the walls as they sipped their coffee. The snowfall outside intensified, creating a serene and intimate atmosphere.
As they gazed into each other's eyes, their body heat seemed to rise. Without saying a word, Beau set his mug down and kissed her. She gasped as his lips pressed against hers, hungrily devouring her mouth. His hands slipped under her sweater, caressing her bare skin. She moaned in response, arching her back to press her breasts against him.
Without breaking their kiss, Beau lifted Brenna and carried her toward the bedroom. As they entered the room, he kicked the door closed behind them.
As their lips crashed together, Beau's tongue slid past Brenna's parted lips, engaging her in a deep kiss that sent shivers down her spine. Her heartbeat quickened as she moaned into his mouth, her body pressing against his firm chest. Breathlessly, they fumbled with buttons and zippers, desperate to feel bare skin against bare skin. Clothes were tossed everywhere as they revealed each other's bodies. Their ravenous need drove them to the bed, where they tumbled in a tangled heap of limbs and heat; his body pressing hers into the mattress.
Beau traced his fingertips down Brenna's spine, causing goosebumps to erupt on her skin. Her nipples hardened in anticipation as he teased them with feather-light touches before closing his lips around one. A gasp escaped her lips as he licked and sucked, grazing the peak with his teeth just enough to send electric shocks straight to her core.
Brenna pushed Beau onto his back and straddled him. She thrust her hips forward, feeling his throbbing cock against her thigh.
"I want to feel you inside me," she whispered, her voice husky with desire.
Beau moaned in response as she arched her back. He sat up and took one hardened nipple into his mouth while his hand expertly slipped between her legs.
Brenna's breath caught in her throat as Beau's thumb circled and caressed her swollen clitoris. Pleasure radiated throughout her body as she let out a loud moan.
"Please," she begged, unable to form any more words.
He growled against her skin and intensified his movements, driving waves of ecstasy through her body. Brenna threw her head back and screamed as an orgasm consumed her.
"Now it's my turn," Beau growled fiercely, flipping Brenna onto her back and entering her with one swift thrust.
She cried out in pleasure as he claimed her body as his own, their movements becoming more primal and urgent. The room was filled with the sounds of their whispers and moans as they lost themselves in the moment.
"Look at me," Beau rasped, his intense gaze locking with hers.
Brenna met his eyes, their passion and desire fueling each other as she shuddered under another powerful orgasm. She cried out his name as she surrendered to the overwhelming pleasure.
When they finally came down from their shared high, they were both flushed and breathless. Beau gazed into Brenna's face with a look of awe.
"That," he said hoarsely, "was fucking amazing."
"Yes," she said when she was able to talk.
With each breath, Brenna's chest heaved against Beau's as they lay tangled in the sheets. His lips were soft and warm against hers, his eyes gazing into hers with a deep adoration.
"I love you," he whispered, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead.
Her heart swelled at his words. "I love you too," she replied, smiling as she traced the contours of his face.
Beau rolled onto his back and pulled her close, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
"Shit. I didn't wear a condom," he muttered.
Brenna tensed for a moment but reassured him. "It's okay, I'm on birth control."
"Good. As much as I wouldn't mind having a baby with you, I think we should wait."
"Wait. You want to have a baby with me?"
Beau met her gaze. "If you do."
"What are we talking about here?" Brenna asked, sitting up.
Beau rolled to his side to face her. "I want to marry you, Brenna, and have kids. If that's what you want."
She was stunned into silence for a moment. "I... I do want that. I never thought about marriage, but I love kids."
Beau sat up and leaned against the headboard, taking her hand in his and rubbed his thumb over her palm. He looked at her and she could see the love in his eyes.
"Isn't that what people in love do?" he asked.
Brenna felt tears prick at her eyes as she nodded. "Yes, it is. I just haven't thought about it before."
"Hell, it's all I've thought about since I knew I was in love with you," Beau admitted. "But if you don't want to get married, we won't. I just want to be with you for as long as you'll have me. I never felt this way about Liz. Sure, I loved her, but it was nothing like this love I feel for you. I can't imagine my life without you."
Overwhelmed by his words, Brenna couldn't help the tears that fell from her eyes.
"Don't cry, baby," Beau said, brushing a tear away with his thumb. "I won't bring it up again."
But she shook her head, smiling through her tears. "You'd better, Beaumont Daniel McCallister, because I want that too."
A grin spread across Beau's face. "Glad to hear it."
Brenna leaned in and kissed him deeply. "I'm so happy with you," she whispered between kisses. "I know we'll argue, but as long as you know that I'm always right—" She squealed with laughter as Beau growled playfully and pulled her into his arms.
"A wise man knows a woman is always right, even when she's not."
Brenna laughed. "That's how it should be."
"I'm not going to argue with you. I know I'd lose."
"You're a smart man, Beau."
"My mama didn't raise no fool," he said with a grin.
Brenna snuggled against him, placed her cheek on his chest, and smiled when he pulled her closer to him. This is where she wanted to be, with Beau, for as long as she lived. She smiled, thinking that even though they both had been hurt, they were truly happy now and she knew they always would be. She would never cheat on Beau, and she knew he'd never hurt her in that way.
"What are you thinking?" his deep voice rumbled under her ear.
"We keep saying that Liz and Eric deserve each other, but you and I do too. We deserve each other, Beau. We're good together, and we should be together. The only difference is, I don't think they'll stay together, but we will. I know that in my heart."
"It's funny how I can look back now and be happy they had an affair. Otherwise, you and I would be missing out on this. I don't mean to sound sappy, but it's how I feel. I won't lie, it hurt, but I wouldn't change anything."
"I wouldn't either. I was so hurt by what they'd done, but now, I'm glad they did. I can't imagine not having you with me."
"You'll never have to worry about that, Brenna. Never."
"I know. I honestly know that's the truth."
As they lay there together, Brenna couldn't stop smiling. The warmth of Beau's body against hers, the feeling of his hand intertwined with hers, it all felt like home. She had never been happier than in this moment, wrapped in his arms.
Despite the pain that Liz and Eric had caused them, Brenna couldn't find it in her heart to hate them. In fact, she was almost grateful to them. If it weren't for their betrayal, she may have never realized she was meant to be with Beau. Liz and Eric had unknowingly pushed them together, and for that, Brenna couldn't help but feel thankful.
Brenna was content being with Beau, knowing that they were meant to be together. And as she lay there with him, she smiled as she couldn't help but think that maybe one day she would thank Liz and Eric.