~ ~ Beth ~ ~

I gently lifted Nix out of the car seat. Our trip into Lockwood had tired him out and he'd fallen fast asleep on the drive home.

Chris was working today, having agreed to cover a colleague because of some emergency.

These last few days had been uneventful. Me and Chris were getting along fine, talking, but avoiding all and any conversations about us.

Thankfully, he hadn't invited Heather back since she came over for dinner two nights ago. And oh, boy, she hadn't looked happy when she was going home. I think she was hoping for more than just dinner and his sparkling conversation.

And whatever the reason Chris didn't want her to stay over, I was grateful for it.

Walking toward the front door, I spotted a box sitting on the doorstep. It had a fancy bow around it and a note slipped underneath. I carefully bent down and plucked it free.

The note read: Do not open till later. It's a surprise. Love Riley Jo xx

Okaaaay. What was she up to?

Making sure not to wake Nix, I opened the front door and then bent down to pick up the box. It felt light as a feather. Inside the house, I gently teased the door shut with my foot and headed upstairs with Nix and the box.

In my room, I put the box on the bed and then settled Nix into his mobile cot, happy I didn't wake him.

Looking at the box, I fished inside my jeans pocket for my phone. Shooting off a text to Riley, she replied straight away, reminding me not to peek inside the box and I could only open it when it was the right time... and I would know when that was.

It was all very cryptic, and I wondered if it had anything to do with Chris.

Not having time to think it out, I knew it wouldn't be long till Nix woke up and today was the day I was gonna make a start on his bedroom. Chris had agreed I could personalise it, make it baby-friendly—and what better way than to add a little colour?

Quickly changing into some old jeans shorts and a vest, I grabbed my sketchbook that had all my ideas inside and my box of art supplies. Inside Nix's room, I cleared some space along one wall. I'd already decided on a dinosaur theme for one wall and on the other a rocket. I mean, all kids loved rockets and dinosaurs, right?

So hitting up some tunes on my phone, I got to work, and it didn't take long before the outline of a life-size sketch took shape.

Standing back to assess what I'd done so far, I felt a tickle making its way around my waist. I jumped, gasped and almost had a mini-heart attack.

Spinning around, I saw Chris was behind me. "Chris—are you trying to kill me!!"

"Scare you, sweetheart?" he teased, grinning from ear to ear and lightly jabbing me in the ribs before he seemed to realise what he was doing and stepped back, clearing his throat.

Pressing a hand over my chest, I asked. "What are you doin' home?"

He shrugged. "Surgery was straightforward, and I wasn't needed, so I came home." Chris had reduced his working hours for the next few months to spend more time with Nix.

I moved toward the dresser and picked up my phone, pausing the music.

Chris's eyes shifted over to the cot. "Where's Nix?"

"Oh, I have him in my room. I didn't want to disturb him whilst I got started in here."

"Ah right." His eyes moved past mine onto the wall behind me. "Wow." He walked around me, his eyes fixed on my first sketch.

I flipped around and with his back to me, my eyes swallowed up his form. Even wearing a shirt, the corded muscles in his back flexed as he lifted a hand and pointed.

"Damn, Beth. You did this?" He turned, looking at me in awe.

I didn't know what to say, but nodded, feeling a flush of pride. I never normally showed anyone my sketches.

"It's good. You're very talented."

Swallowing past the lump in my throat. "Thanks. But it will look even better when it's finished."

I moved to stand next to him and he returned his attention to the sketch. "I appreciate everything you're doing for me and Nix, Beth."

He then shifted to stand in front of me and stared. I tried to get a read on his expression. Something was going on behind his eyes. And I wished I knew what it was.

His throat moved slowly. "I hope you know how special I think you are." His gaze travelled across my face he'd done many times before, but this time, his perusal felt intimate. So intimate my body broke out in goosebumps.

Then those brown eyes dropped to my lips. My lips.

Was he studying my lips? Oh God, had he ever done that before?

The tingles I felt along the seam of them made me think that yes—yes, he had. Only I'd never caught him in the act.

My feet gravitated toward him because that was what happened whenever Chris was near me. I wanted to be closer. He didn't move back and this close I had to tilt my face up, leaning more into his body.

His smell mixed with a hint of cologne drifted between us to meet my nose, creating a scorch deep in my belly. But as soon as I got too close, he moved away.

He shook himself out of where his mind was just at and in a roughened voice, "Adam's invited us to join him and Riley tonight—but when I say Adam, you can bet it's Riley. She thinks you need to sample the delights of Lockwood cuisine." He rolled his eyes.

Oh.

Was that the surprise?

"But," he started. "If you don't want to go—"

I cut in. "What, No. I want to. It will be fun, like a date. A double date." I cringed when I realised what I'd said and tried to back up.

"I mean, not like a date, date, although people might think y'know it looks like that—a date." I started speaking faster, digging an even bigger hole for myself. "Not that I think it's a date, no, I just think it might look that way and you're okay with that?" I sucked in air, feeling stupid about verbal vomiting all over him.

Chris's eyes went comically large. "What!?" He shook his head. "People won't think that, will they? And if they do then I'll set them straight."

My chest deflated under the weight of his words, but tried not to let it show. "What 'bout Nix?"

"Oh, Maddy and one of her husbands, Jackson, I think. They will be here for seven." His eyes drifted off as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

The room grew silent and awkward. Was he now thinking the same thing 'bout what folks might think?

Why did I have to open my big mouth?

I drank in the silence and tried to listen to what it was telling me. Chris looked like he wanted to say something but Nix's cries cut him off.

Chris jumped on it. "You finish up here and I'll see to Nix." And he scurried from the room.

He returned a few minutes later with a sleepy Nix resting his head on Chris's shoulder with Chris rubbing his back soothingly and whispering to him. He was getting good at calming him down. Although Chris would most likely disagree.

I changed the subject. "Y'know if you have any ideas for his room, I'll be happy to listen and—" he cut me off.

"—No. I love your ideas." He nodded. "And Nix will too."

He walked Nix closer to the wall and adjusted him so he could see. "What do you think, Nix, huh? You like it?" Nix made a gurgling sound. "I think he likes it." Chris flipped his head over his shoulder and grinned, and I mirrored his grin with one of my own.

Wiping my hand over my shorts, I held out my hands. "Do you want me to take him? I'm done here for the day."

Shaking his head. "No. I'm good. I was thinking of taking a walk with him. Showing him around the neighbourhood. There's a park nearby."

Oh. Okay.

"And you can carry on doing this or just take some time for yourself."

It warmed my chest to hear him wanting to spend more time with Nix. "Let me get his stuff ready. He'll love that."

"Stuff?"

"Yeah, just a change of diaper, a drink." I shrugged. "Stuff you might need."

Chris got changed whilst I got Nix ready in his stroller, adjusting his little sun hat and popping his bag between the handles. I was ready at the door when he came downstairs.

"Are we good?" asked Chris now dressed casually, but no less sexy.

"Yep—y'all good to go." I stood at the door and pretended to wave them off, but truthfully, I was checking out Chris's ass. Then I remembered something...the box.

Riley said I would know the right time to open it. I shut the door and dashed upstairs. Kicking off my shoes, I headed toward the bed and sat my ass down, pulling the box onto my lap.

I could open it now. It was later, right?

When I flipped off the lid, I discovered fancy tissue paper with silver writing on it, hiding whatever was inside. Victoria's Secret.

The underwear place?

I carefully unwrapped it and reached in and instantly filled my hand with soft fabric. On a gasp, I pulled out the lacy, white-coloured panties and matching camisole that didn't look big enough to cover much. The cleavage was low, and the top wasn't even long enough to cover my stomach.

I gulped, holding them up.

They were pretty. And sexy. Not to mention skimpy as hell.

I owned nothing like this.

Duh, I did now.

Any man would love to come home and find his girlfriend or wife wearing them. It was foreplay in material form.

Not that I'd know anything about foreplay. Heck, my body had only known the touch of my own hand.

Hanging onto my V card this long hadn't been a particular goal of mine. Honestly, I had never given it much thought. However, my mother's endless stream of worthless boyfriends most likely had a hand in it.

And then there was Chris. Realising I was in love with him didn't help any, as I measured every possible would-be boyfriend against him.

None of them stood a chance.

Looking back inside the box, I spotted a small white card. Putting the underwear down, I picked it up. It read:

Every girl needs a little something sexy and when I spotted this, it screamed. Buy me for Beth!

And, I'm hoping you haven't cheated and opened this box before knowing my first surprise!!

Was she talking about us all going out tonight?

This will be your first date! I'm so excited! So dress sexy, make those lips pop and let's make that man's mouth water.

First Date!? Was she crazy?

With heat rising and my stomach worming its way up my throat, I re-read the note.

First date.

It couldn't be a date if the other person didn't know about it, right? And she and Adam were gonna be there too. It was hardly gonna be an intimate affair.

I snatched up my phone and dialled her number. When she answered, I jumped straight in. "Have you lost your mind!?"

Riley laughed. "I guess you opened my gift, huh?"

I remembered my manners. "Yes. They're beautiful. Thank you, but don't you think calling it a date is a stretch?"

"Pfft. No, of course not. You'll dress up pretty. Have something to eat. Talk... and you know how dates work, right?"

No, not really.

"You do remember, you and Adam are gonna be there too?"

"Nope. We're not."

"What?"

"Chris thinks we're gonna be meeting you there, but at the last minute I'm gonna fake not feeling well and Adam will text our apologies."

Oh. Oh. Oooh.

"It's just gonna be the two of you. No distractions." I heard Gracie in the background trying to get her attention. "Hang on Princess, Mama will be right you any minute," she said and resumed talking to me. "Oh and make sure you wear that sexy underwear I got you."

She made it sound easy. "I don't think a dinner date is gonna lead to him seeing my underwear?"

"I didn't buy the underwear for Chris, although I know he will appreciate it," she hummed. "No. I bought it so you would feel sexy. Confident. Because whenever I put on sexy things under what I'm wearing, I feel like a goddess!"

I wasn't so sure that would work for me.

"Look. Trust me, Beth. Put them on and you will feel sexier and if you feel it—then Chris is sure as hell gonna notice the difference in you."

Was she right?

She carried on talking. "We've got to get to him to see past the girl he's watched grow up. See the woman. The beautiful woman you are—you get me?"

That made sense. And Riley had way more experience than I did.

"Okay. Well, thank you."

"I don't want your thanks," she batted back just as quickly. "I ain't doing this for nothing."

Huh?

"This is gonna cost you."

Oh, right. "How much do I owe you?"

"Oh, you are precious. I don't want your money." She clucked her tongue. "I wanna be along for the ride. Love is a beautiful thing and I want to hear all 'bout yours and Chris's unfolding love story. I want details!"

I rolled my eyes.

"I know you're rolling your eyes right now."

How the heck did she know that? And my gaze flitted around the room looking for hidden cameras.

But back to the conversation. "It's been so long since I've been on a date with anyone I don't even know what I'm supposed to do."

"Look, I gotta go, but just be yourself and hell, flirt a little."

Flirt? Be me? My stomach started twisting in on itself. It was easy for her to say.

"You got this, Beth."

God, I hoped she was right. We said our goodbyes and not thirty seconds went by before a text came through.

It read: If all else fails, just kiss him!!!

Little did she know, I'd done that already—twice!

"Waaay ahead of you," I said to myself, giggling under my breath.

I stared at the underwear lying next to me. I should try it on. I mean, no one was around. Up off the bed, I made sure the blinds were shut and pulled off my vest and unbuttoned my jean shorts. Letting everything fall to the floor, I reached behind and unsnapped my bra and dropped that too.

Last but not least, my panties. Off they came, and I reached over and grabbed the new underwear and carefully removed all the tags, which meant...

No going back now.

I carefully pulled on everything.

Standing in front of the mirror, I fluffed my hair and combed my hands through it, adjusting the fabric on my hips and my breasts in the wireless cups. I flipped around, looking in the mirror over my shoulder. Sticking my ass out, I didn't even try to stop the smile that snook its way onto my face.

Riley had amazing taste. She knew what she was doing when she bought this for me. It fit like a dream.

The panties sat perfectly on my hips and even with little support in the top, my breasts sat perky and flattering. I ran my hand over my smooth, flat stomach and up the curves of my waist, wishing someone was here to appreciate the view.

Well, not someone. Chris.

A pool of warmth settled between my thighs, and I couldn't help but think how a simple change of clothes made a world of difference to how you saw yourself. I brushed one strap off my shoulder, loving how sexy I felt.

Hooking the strap back on my shoulder, I dashed to the bed and grabbed my phone and returned to my reflection to do something I'd never done before.

I took a selfie of me in my underwear.

Crazy, but weirdly empowering.

Laughing to myself, I walked back to the bed and threw myself on it and rolled over to lie flat on my back.

I felt sexy as hell and now turned on too.

Trying to distract myself, I grabbed my phone again and put on a song I liked.

With closed eyes, I allowed the music to penetrate my senses as my fingers danced along my leg, creating goosebumps.

Gently cupping myself between my legs, I rolled my hips and rubbed a little. It wasn't long till my blood got heated and my heart pumped faster and a familiar throbbing between my legs had my breaths speeding up and my cheeks flushing.

I moaned, feeling my hardened nipples chafe against the lace. My other hand reached up to squeeze my breast, and I twisted my head to the side letting my hair fall across my face.

Feeling like this was gonna be over too quickly, I flipped over and pushed myself up to my knees as I leaned over with my hands on the bed between my thighs. I pressed my arms into my breasts, forcing them together, full and about to pop out of the top and I sang along to the music.

Every time your lips touch another,

I want you to feel me

I want you to feel me

Every time you dance with somebody,

I want you to feel me

I want you to feel me

Rolling my head, my hair caressed my back as I kept my eyes closed and swayed to the music, wishing sometimes I could be one of those exotic dancers that you saw in films.

Would Chris like it if I danced sexily for him? Have him watch me with possessive eyes as I danced for him?

And my imagination took flight, playing out its own fantasy.

Keeping my eyes closed, he was watching me as I moved onto all fours, crawling and biting my bottom lip as I leaned forward, spreading my thighs and my knees pressing into the bed.

I started to roll my hips slowly, taunting and teasing him, and then moved back onto my knees, grabbing the headboard to hold on to as I moved seductively or at least tried to.

The strap of my top fell down my arm, and I cupped my naked breast, looking over my shoulder at him, knowing he only had eyes for me.

I loved that he could see me like this. I wanted him to want me. I felt him wanting me, and I liked it. God, I liked it. My nipples tightened and ached, wanting to know what it might feel like for him to touch them, kiss them.

Moving my hand lower, I slipped my hand inside my panties and used my other hand to lean back. Rolling my hips faster and harder, and I could feel my skin growing hotter as I rubbed my clit.

"Oh, God," I whimpered, not stopping myself this time. "I'm coming, I'm coming...Chris... please."

And it hit hard. Full body shivers all at once. It was for sure a ten on the O scale.

Falling back to lie on the bed, I lay there breathing fast.

The song ended, and then I heard something.

Shit.

The floorboards in the hallway creaked as someone moved down the hallway.

No. It couldn't be Chris. He hadn't been gone long enough

But it couldn't be anyone else.

Embarrassment burned like fire on my face, and I flew off the bed and made a dash for the bathroom and stared into the mirror.

My face, lips and chest were flushing so much, I'd be visible from space.

I cupped my cheeks, trying to imagine what he might be thinking.

Or maybe he hadn't heard me?

But just in case, I decided to hide out in my room as long as possible.