"Hi," she said softly.
"Coffee?" he asked.
She nodded.
Watching Ryan move stealthily around the kitchen was liking watching Sean. If she didn't know better, she would have thought they were twins.
Ryan poured her a cup of hot brew then turned and handed her the mug. "Do you take cream or sugar?"
"Both," she quietly answered.
His knowing grin lit up his features. Annnnd there was the obvious difference. Clearly Ryan was playful. A flirt. Probably a heartbreaker. Her Sean had a far more serious nature.
He pulled out creamer and handed her the sugar jar, then watched her prepare her coffee. When she took a sip, she knew she moaned aloud, but the taste hit the spot. Opening her eyes, she found Ryan smiling indulgently at her.
"My brother's head over heels for you," he bluntly said.
She felt her face flush.
"Don't be embarrassed," he said. "It's true. I'm thrilled he's happy."
"Are you dating anyone?" she asked, trying to change the subject.
She watched him chuckle. "I date a lot of women, Beth. Just a warning."
She tilted her head slightly. "Why?"
He shrugged but didn't answer.
"So what are your plans for the day?" he asked while he refilled his cup.
"Sean works later, so nothing really," she said.
"I'm off today, how about if I take you to dinner? We can get to know each other better," he said.
For some reason, she got the feeling no wasn't an option.
"I don't know," she said doubtful. Wouldn't that feel weird?
She jumped when a hand wrapped around her waist. Sean leaned down and kissed the side of her neck then pecked her lips.
"Morning," he said. His eyes shined brightly while he looked her over. When he realized she wore his oxford, those blues widened. She visibly watched him inhale.
Reaching up he tugged at the collar, leaned down and kissed her bare skin then followed that up with a nip and a lick. Immediately her body went wet.
He pulled back, stepped around her, and grabbed a coffee cup Ryan filled for him. "Thanks."
"Welcome." His brother motioned to her. "I'm trying to convince Beth to allow me to take her to dinner this evening since you'll be working."
Sean looked back to her and titled his head. So devastatingly handsome. "You should go."
"Really?" she asked surprised.
His brows knitted together. "Why not?
How did she explain she was nervous that dinner might feel odd? "Well … I … "
"Beth, it's all right. Ryan's my best friend. He'll love you as much as I do. I trust him with you and to look out for you while you're by his side." He took a step closer and brushed her cheek softly with his fingers. "I need you two to get along."
"You know I can take care of myself, right? I've been doing it for years now." She knew her tone had snip to it but didn't care. She didn't need a father. She wanted a lover.
He smiled genuinely. "I know. I admire and love you even more for that independence. But you must realize, Beth, you're mine now." He pointed to his chest. "My girl. And I will take care of you and watch after you whether you like it or not. All part of the package."
Well didn't that just throw her for a loop? She didn't know whether to be outraged or fall to his feet and thank god that she finally found a man who cared enough to be concerned about her well being. Someone other than her father. Crap. She hated internal conflicts.
"Nothing fancy," Ryan said. "Just the two of us relaxing and getting to know one another." He winked. "I can tell you all his dark secrets."
Sean reached over and punched his brother in the arm. "I have no dark secrets."
Ryan laughed off the hit. "He's not going to admit to you he has dark secrets."
She imagined Ryan's tone was that of a playful mad man.
"You know what," Sean said. "I don't think it's a good idea you go out with my jackass brother."
Now Ryan really laughed. She couldn't help but to grin at the easy, playful banter between the siblings. A piece of her saddened at the fact she couldn't hear them. Memories of certain sounds assaulted her. Maybe she wouldn't get so depressed if she'd been born without her hearing, but to know what she'd lost was something she couldn't get over. Even years after the loss. If she could just accept what happened to her and move on, maybe she could live a fuller life. But it was too difficult to pull out of that self depression.
"Hey," Sean said, his hand gripping her chin to focus on him. "Where'd you go?"
"Sorry," she said softly.
He wiped an escaped tear off her cheek.
"What is it, baby?" he asked. "Tell me."
Her eyes swung to Ryan, whose matching blue eyes to his brother looked at her concerned.
She shook her head, not wanting to answer.
"Beth," he said.
"I'm fine, Sean," she tried to assure him.
His eyes narrowed. "I know you're not telling me something, and I don't appreciate you shutting me out."
She felt herself harden, then smacked his hand away. "I never said‒"
"Before you say something you'll regret, stop, Beth," Sean said. His jaw flexed.
Jumping off the stool, she spun and stormed out of the kitchen. Time to leave. She wouldn't be pushed by him, even if his intentions were out of concern and love.
Quickly she made her way up the stairs, but when she hit the top landing, Sean's firm grasp spun her around. He pinned her against the wall.
"Don't," he said.
She went to argue, but his mouth assaulted hers in a scorching kiss. He demanded that she open up to him. He plastered his body against hers, his rock hard erection ground against her stomach. Her kiss was full of anger and pain, his desperate and pleading. She dug her hands into his hair and yanked. Sean lifted her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. Their fused mouths never broke. Reaching down he lifted the shirt, stuck his thumb through her lace panties, tore them off her body, and tossed them aside. He shoved down his boxers and without checking her, slammed into her core. Thank goodness she was wet and ready for him or else he would have hurt them both. Pulling back from the kiss, she screamed out, her head falling back against the wall. This is what she needed. She needed the roughness and demands that she not distance herself from him. She needed his onslaught to show her he wasn't going to put up with her instinct to retreat inward. There was no slow making love. Sean fucked her. Hard. His body thrust into hers, pounding her off the wall. His head fell to the crook of her neck, and his lips sucked and bit her sensitive skin. The feel of his hard, large length sliding in and out of her threw her body into overdrive. She met him thrust for thrust, wanting it harder. She dug her fingernails into his firm ass and pulled him closer with each impale. She was positive she was loud and certain the sounds leaving her mouth echoed throughout the house. At the moment, she couldn't care less if Ryan heard them.
Sean let go of her, and his hand found her tiny nub that protruded out. All it took was a single touch, and Beth flew into an orgasm that wrenched her body. She convulsed around him and felt her body suck him in deeper. His groan against her neck vibrated against her sensitive skin. The sensation of him going stiff, then emptying into her, was something she'd crave without end. She felt her greedy body milk every last drop out of him.
Their breathing was labored while they tried to fill their lungs with air. Sean pulled back and pegged her with a hard stare. "I won't let you push me away, Beth. Don't fucking do it. I love you. You can tell me anything that upsets you and I'll accept it, whatever the hell it is. I want honesty. I want to know what bothers you."
Tears filled her eyes and spilled over. How had this good man found her?
Their moment was interrupted by their mixture of fluids flowing down their legs.
"Eww," she said softly.
Sean grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. "I think it's hot."
"Messy."
"Hot."
She smiled as he pulled out of her. The empty feeling of his body not linked with hers, she hated. Sean led her to the bathroom and cleaned them both. He was gentle as he took a warm washcloth and wiped the apex of her thighs, taking care to thoroughly cleanse her. It was such an intimate gesture. Even more so than making love to him.
After he finished, he picked her up and set her on the double sink. Placing his hands on either side of her, he trapped her from moving.
"Now tell me what upset you," he said.
She imagined that tone was hard, probably some military bite to it. And there was the issue. She couldn't hear his tone and wanted to immensely. Once again tears formed in her eyes.
"I want to hear you," she quietly admitted. "I wanted to hear you and Ryan and the fun you were having with each other. It kills me knowing what I lost." The large tears escaped down her cheeks. She let them go. With a gentle touch she caressed his cheek, the rough stubble scratched her palm, but she relished it. "I want to hear your voice, to know your sound, to hear you say the words 'I love you.'"