“Can I drop you off at home?”
Heavenly shook her head. “The hospital, please. I left some books in my locker I need for studying.”
He opened his mouth to assure her that he’d wait and drive her when she’d collected everything. But he’d already pushed her past her comfort zone. Instinct told him he had to back off…for now.
Shoving down his itching curiosity, he lifted the basket with one hand and held hers with the other as he led her to his car.
He might not have figured her—or this crazy attraction—out today. But he would. No way was he giving up.
On Monday afternoon, Beck sat across from Heavenly in the hospital cafeteria, fixating on the lush bow of her lips and wondering if Seth Cooper had already kissed her.
“When you didn’t text me for lunch on Friday, I worried Manwhore was bothering you again. I asked around, and Jennifer said you left at twelve thirty.” He pinned her with a stare. “Were you studying? Or did you do something fun?”
Yes, he wanted information. He’d spent all weekend gritting his teeth because he knew she’d gone somewhere with that smooth-tongued bastard. As he’d left the hospital’s parking garage that evening, he’d seen Seth drop her off. Their good-bye might have looked like a mere hug and a chaste kiss on her forehead, but there’d been nothing platonic about Seth’s stare as he watched her walk away.
“I went on a picnic.” Her cheeks turned pink, as if the memory had her blushing.
What the hell kind of picnic had that been, the sort where Seth spread her out on a blanket and made a feast of her body?
Beck tried not to growl. “By yourself?”
“No.” She focused on the water cup in front of her. “Seth asked me out the day he gave me the gift basket. I said yes.”
“Isn’t he thoughtful?”
Heavenly blinked at him and smiled, making it obvious she’d missed his dripping sarcasm. “He is. We had a nice afternoon. I even drank wine for the first time.”
Had that prick gotten her drunk so he could take advantage of her?
Beck gripped the edge of the table, biting back a demand that she stay away from Seth. He couldn’t. Heavenly wasn’t his. But Seth had plowed through a whole bunch of panting subs his first few days in LA. Hard not to hear through the walls that the guy enjoyed dishing out spankings. Seth liked the screamers, too. And now the douche wanted to bag Heavenly? Not on his watch.
“Did you like it?” Beck ground out.
“I did. Everything was delicious. I haven’t enjoyed myself that much in a long time.”
Her starry-eyed expression made him want to punch Seth Cooper ugly.
“Are you planning to see him again?” Say no. Fucking say no.
“I think so. He’s fun to be with. And he put so much thought and effort into all the little touches.”
With his hands? With his tongue? Beck gritted his teeth. She probably meant Seth’s attention to detail…but his subversive brain played an image of the bastard lowering his head between Heavenly’s pure white thighs. Beck nearly lost his shit.
“You’re scowling. Is something wrong?”
“Don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t work out between you two. He’s going home to New York soon. You should be careful.”
She frowned. “I-I thought Seth was your friend and he’d be safe to date. Was I wrong?”
The litany of reasons Seth would be terrible for her rolled through his brain. Captain America might not have a sadistic streak, but that hardly meant he was a saint. Then again, every one of the reasons Seth wasn’t good for Heavenly was doubly true for himself. Unfortunately, logic didn’t stop Beck from wanting her. And if Seth had managed to seduce her, he’d skip the man-to-man chat and rip the asshole in two.
“I only met him a couple of weeks ago. But he’s been…very popular with the ladies since coming to LA.”
“He’s already dated other girls here?”
Beck smiled tightly. “I don’t know that I’d call it dating.”
“Oh.” She looked crestfallen. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s handsome. And charming. He made me laugh and… Of course other women would find him as hard to resist as I do.”
How difficult had it been? Too hard to bother?
At the thought, Beck’s stomach turned and he pushed his sandwich away, untouched. “If you need me to tell him to back off—”
“He’s not bothering me. But if he’s really, um…busy and he’s going back to New York soon…” She sighed glumly. “Well, it was just nice to have fun for a change.”
That shut Beck up and broke his heart all at once. He’d love to show her fun, but he doubted she’d enjoy being strapped to a cross while he introduced her to the joys of impact play.
Shit. Time to change the subject before he crawled across the table and did something they’d both regret.
“So, have you talked to Raine since she left the hospital? By the way, if she says anything bad about me, don’t believe it.” He tried to lighten the mood with a wink.
“I’ll ignore every word.” She flashed her dimples. “I have talked to her. She invited me to a get-together at her house on Wednesday.” Heavenly slanted a glance his way. “Will you be there?”
Did she want to know because she was curious? Or because she was interested? “I will.”
Her face lit up. “Thank goodness. I almost turned Raine down, since I usually can’t get away in the middle of the week. But I’ll wrap up my classes for the holiday break tomorrow night. And if you’ll be there, I won’t have to worry about not knowing anyone.”
Unfortunately, unless Seth hauled his ass back East, that fucker would be there, too… Hopefully, once he left for Christmas, he’d fuck off for good.
“Don’t worry, little girl,” Beck assured. “I’ll be beside you.” Superglued to your side every moment.
Her smile turned even wider. “Thanks. You’re such a good friend.”
Just like that, his mood—along with his dick—deflated.
He’d been relegated to the fucking
