Let Me In

“So, which one of you was doing the Walk of Shame this morning?”

Shifting her gaze from where Nate played happily in the sand, Beth placed her sunglasses on top of her head, staring at Jen as though she was crazy.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh c’mon! It’s fairly obvious that something went down last night, and judging by the euphoric glow you have about you today, I’d say it was him on you.”

“Jen!” Beth cried, lobbing a shell in her friend’s direction as Jen held her stomach whilst she laughed at her own joke.

Watching Nate once more, Beth finally filled Jen in on what had gone on between her and Brian the previous evening, unable to stop herself from smiling at the memory. They had both laid on the couch until gone 1 am talking, until eventually they had drifted off to sleep, Brian holding her close.

“And how was it left this morning?” Jen enquired.

“He had to leave early for work, so I was still half asleep, but it’s his dad’s show in Brea tonight, and he wants me to think about still going. I’m just a little unsure about having Nate stay with mom and dad for two nights.”

Jen couldn’t even begin to imagine how difficult it must be for Beth to feel that she couldn’t put a foot out of place when it came to Nate and Colby’s threat. However, there had been no sign that Colby had even gone to see his attorney in the two weeks since he had visited Huntington Beach, and all Jen wanted was for Beth to relax a little and realize that what she was doing, that taking time out to have a life that didn’t always revolve around Nate wasn’t a crime.

“Sweetie, even Dominic told you that you shouldn’t let Colby try to run your life, that if Nate has a routine then you should stick with it,” Jen reminded her, referring to her father’s friend who had agreed to help her.

“Yeah, mom mentioned that this morning, and when we were leaving to come to collect you, she told Nate she would see him later ready for him to stay, and he didn’t cause a fuss,” Beth stated.

“Then text your man and tell him you’ll go,” Jen encouraged with a grin.

Beth returned the smile, taking her phone from her purse so she could text Brian.

“And what about Brian and Nate?” asked Jen once Beth was done.

“He kinda blew me away a little this morning. He mentioned last night that he wanted to be as informed as possible, so he knows what to expect, that he left with a handful of those damn books Colby never even glanced at.”

“Damn!” Jen exclaimed. “And introducing them to each other, how do you plan on going about that?”

“Well, we both know it’s not something we can rush into. There’s that open day thing at the station next week, and we all know my son loves a fire truck, so Brian suggested I take Nate along, make it all very casual,” Beth stated.

“Shit!” Jen hissed. “I forgot! I need to find me one of those small people for that!”

“What? Just come with Nate and I,” Beth laughed.

“I thought about that, but figured it may look better if I had a kid with me, so that I actually don’t look like a raving nymphomaniac who just wants to go along so she can see the guy she’s been molesting on a regular basis for the past couple of weeks in his uniform,” Jen admitted sheepishly.

“Jennifer, you could have the entire Von Trapp family with you, and people would still know why you’re there!”

“I’m so screwed,” Jen mumbled flopping backwards onto the sand with a groan.

***********

Rain lashed down as Brian drove over to Brea with some caution. The sky was pitch black, illuminated frequently by flashes of lightening, that were quickly followed by deafening claps of thunder. The storm that had rolled in off the coast had taken everyone by surprise, and Brian was beginning to wonder if being out in it was such a great idea. He listened as Beth spoke to her mother, checking to make sure that Nate had settled for the night.

“Is Nate alright?” he asked once Beth hung up.

“He’s fine, things like this don’t phase him at all. He’d probably sleep through a shaker, and wake up the next morning wondering what all the fuss was about,” Beth answered with a smile.

Indicating to turn left, Brian frowned as the Fastback seemed to give a little resistance to being steered. Making the corner with some sluggishness, the car fizzled to a complete standstill a little further along the road.

“What the fuck?” Brian cursed, turning the ignition over a couple of times, but getting no joy.

“Stay here,” he told Beth as he reached under the dash to pop the hood.

Getting out, ignoring the rain that beat down on him, Brian ran round to the trunk to find his flashlight. As he made his way back to the front of the car, he saw Beth standing there waiting for him.

“You’re soaked through,” he murmured.

“Well, I figured you may need me to hold that,” she stated, indicating to the flashlight in his hand.

Brian couldn’t help but smile, knowing that if that had been Clayre she would have stayed put, bitching about the car being a heap of crap and how her night was ruined. He handed Beth the light, lifted the hood and tried to figure out just what the problem was.

“The way it just died, I think maybe it’s your battery,” Beth suggested when it became clear Brian couldn’t seem to find anything out of place.

“I think you may well be right. Fuck! C’mon, let’s get back in, I’ll call Johnny see, if he can bring the tow truck out, get us home.”

Beth sat in the passenger seat, trying not to shiver whilst Brian spoke to Johnny, explaining what had happened and where they were.

“I knew Shortshit would have his uses one day,” Brian joked as he placed his phone on the dash.

Beth just stared at him, a little surprised by his words. Brian chuckled.

“He’s like a brother, it’s just where he’s younger and a little vertically challenged, he tends to be the butt of a lot of jokes, but he takes it well, most of the time,” he explained.

Brian’s faced softened as he noticed Beth trying to not let on that she was cold. He moved a little closer, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, bringing her into him, her head resting on his shoulder.

“I told you to stay in the car,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head.

“I know, but sometimes two heads are better than one,” Beth replied, not seeming to care about how their night wasn’t going as planned.

They sat huddled together, making small talk as they waited for Johnny to arrive. Brian laughed as Beth told him of Jen’s dilemma regarding the open day the following weekend.

“I’m surprised Matt hasn’t already used the uniform in the bedroom, apparently it works like a charm every time,” Brian mentioned.

“Oh I would have known by now if he had, I tend to get all the gory details.”

Beth let out a sigh.

“I really envy Jen at times,” she admitted quietly. “The way she is, how great it always seems to be.”

“What? Hopping from one guy to the next?” Brian questioned, sounding somewhat confused.

“No!” Beth giggled, “just how at ease she is with herself, how being with someone is never dull and boring. I’ve never had that, it’s just always been sex, and nothing special.”

Beth glanced up at Brian.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be talking about this with you, you don’t need to hear this,” she apologized, wondering if maybe she had gone too far.

“Baby, sometimes we need to talk about shit like this so we can both avoid making past mistakes.”

Trying not to smile at the fact he called her baby, Beth continued.

“I’ve never known anyone other than Colby, so I obviously don’t have any other point of reference, but it was always the same, it never differed. There was never any surprise, anything that blew my mind. Just once I would have loved to have had one of those ‘take me on the kitchen counter’ moments, but no. It stayed in the bedroom, and only when he initiated it. If I even tried to suggest it, I just got rebuffed.”

Brian looked down at her, his brown eyes wide with surprise.

“He’s just not fucking normal! A woman taking the lead has got to be one of the biggest turn on’s ever,” Brian commented. “Just so you know, for future reference,” he added with a grin.

The distinct noise of a truck pulling up caught their attention, in spite of the ear-splitting cracks of thunder that continued to rumble on. A figure silhouetted by the lightening ran towards them, rapping on the driver’s side window. Brian wound it down.

“Let’s get this heap hitched up and get you home,” Johnny stated. “The power’s out in Huntington, did you guys want me to drop you off at yours Bri?” he added as Brian got out, Beth following close behind.

Brian looked over the top of the car at her, who just nodded as she wrapped her arms around herself.

“That’s fine,” he answered. “Get in the truck baby, this shouldn’t take long,” he told her, just wanting to get home.

As they reached Brian’s, he asked Johnny if he wanted any help with getting the car off the truck. Johnny declined, saying he would just take it back to his and they could work on it in the morning if the weather had cleared. Thanking him and saying their goodbyes, Brian helped Beth down from the truck, keeping an arm around her as they hurried to the front door. The house was shrouded in darkness, as was the rest of the street. Leading Beth into the kitchen, Brian began searching through cabinets for some candles. Finding them, along with a box of matches, he placed them in a couple of holders and lit them.

“C’mon, let’s find you something dry to wear and get you warmed up,” he murmured, taking her hand once more and leading her towards the stairs.

“Damn these boots!” Beth hissed as she stumbled on one of the stairs a little. “I knew I should have said no when Jen thrust this outfit at me.”

Brian just chuckled, not seeing what the problem was with what Beth was wearing. Entering his bedroom, he handed Beth the candle he held as he rummaged through his closet for something suitable for her to change into. Pulling out a fire dept t-shirt and a pair of pajama pants that hadn’t seen the light of day in a while, Brian figured they would have to do.

“Bathroom’s down the hall,” he stated, going ahead of Beth, taking a fresh towel from the linen closet along the way.

“I’ll see you downstairs in a bit,” he told her, kissing her gently, before disappearing back down the darkened hallway.

Fifteen minutes later, Beth found Brian in the kitchen, which was now bathed in the flickering light of more candles. He had changed into a pair of cargo shorts, his chest bare, allowing Beth to see the full extent of the artwork that adorned his body for the first time. She couldn’t help but drink in his appearance.

“You okay?” he asked, breaking her from her thoughts as he watched over some milk warming in a pan on the gas hob.

“Oh yeah, I wasn’t sure what to do with these, seeing as the dryer will be out,” Beth answered, her clothes in a bundle in her arms.

“Here, I’ll take them, there’s an airer in the utility room,” Brian offered.

“No! It’s okay, I’ll do it,” Beth protested, her face reddening a little before wandering off.

“Oh god,” Brian groaned quietly as it dawned on him she had obviously been soaked right through and was wearing nothing other than what he had given her.

Trying to take his mind off the thoughts that were running through his mind, Brian concentrated on making the cups of hot chocolate he had set up. Placing the pan in the sink, Brian turned and leant against the side of the counter, smiling as he saw Beth emerge from the darkness. He held his arms out, inviting her to join him.

“I’m sorry tonight didn’t go as planned,” he apologized, enveloping her in his embrace, kissing her forehead.

“That’s fine,” Beth answered, looking up at him before snaking her arms around his neck, her lips crashing onto his.

Brian’s hold on her tightened as he savoured the feel of her mouth against his, allowing her to take control as she traced her tongue along his lips. Letting her in with very little protest, Brian’s arms dropped a little, enabling him to pick her up before carrying her towards to the kitchen table. Placing her down gently onto the wooden surface, he growled a little as he felt Beth wrap her legs around him, bringing him closer to her.

Running her fingers along his bare back, Beth smiled into the kiss as Brian shuddered slightly. His lips strayed from hers and found her neck, causing Beth to tilt her head back, allowing him more access. Unsure of where the sudden urgency to take things further between them had even come from, Beth decided to just go with the flow, her fingers tracing along the waist of his shorts before reaching the front and undoing the buttons, slipping them from his narrow hips. She teased him through the soft fabric of his boxers, feeling him steadily harden against her touch.

“Fuck,” Brian breathed, turning his attention to the shirt she wore, taking the hem in his hands and lifting it over her head, groaning as her hands strayed away from him so she could raise her arms.

Lust clouded his eyes as he gazed down at her, watching her as she returned to play with him, inhaling deeply as he felt her slide his boxers down to meet with his shorts on the floor. Brian kicked them across the floor, his hands running down her sides so he could rid her of the pajama pants. Raising her hips a little to let him, Beth leaned back, having never so free or uninhibited as she did in that moment. Gripping the sides of the table, Beth pressed herself against the fingers Brian ran along her, even though she was more than ready.

Rubbing his tip against her, Brian let out a satisfied moan as he entered her, loving the way Beth’s hips instantly fell into a steady rhythm with his, almost as if this wasn’t their first time. His long fingers dug into her lightly tanned thighs as he pushed himself deeper within her, encouraged by the way she moaned his name. Sliding his hands under her, Brian lifted Beth from the table and carried her over to the side of the kitchen. Her back met the wall, the coldness from the tiles not even making her flinch as she gripped him tightly with her thighs.

Beth gasped for breath as Brian thrust up into her, his lips on her neck once more as he bit down into the soft skin. Closing her eyes, Beth allowed the feeling of complete euphoria overtake her, crying out as she let go, Brian pumping faster as he joined her.

Resting his forehead against Beth’s briefly, Brian tried to steady his breathing, before easing Beth away from the wall and walking out of the kitchen. She gave him a quizzical look.

“The power’s still out, so I think a couple more rooms may be called for,” he teased, kissing her deeply.

“Just as long as it’s not the bedroom I’m up for anything,” Beth answered, knowing it was going to be one hell of a night.