Together Forever: Billionaire Alpha by Ali Parker

naughty girl.”
    “I love you too, overly competitive jack-ass.”
    He laughed and walked into his room. Bethany stood there for a minute, taking in the joy that raced around inside of her chest. She wanted to analyze every bit of it, but decided to just let it be. Damon was hers and unless she walked away, it seemed he would be forever.
    She moved into the room to find Erica laid out on her bed, her eyes closed and a huge smile on her pretty face.
    “What are you smiling about? We lost!” Bethany asked, moving to the small kitchenette to start a pot of coffee. It was ten thirty, but her cup hadn’t been strong enough at breakfast. She needed something to kick-start her brain or she would soon find herself in a zombie state. No sleep and loads of sex didn’t bode well for being on point should her mom or Kent need something of her.
    “Just thinking about Matt. He’s so docile at times, but at others, when he’s not concentrating on how intimidated he is, he comes out of his shell.” She opened her eyes and turned on her side. “I just want to pry him open faster.”
    “He’s a good man, one of the best I’ve been around. He’s definitely the brother I’ve always wanted.” Bethany started the coffee pot and walked to the back door, opening it and tugging the screen door into place. “Just be careful with him. He means the world to me and Damon.”
    “Of course. I’m just going to be myself and if he doesn’t like me for who I am, then I guess it wasn’t meant to be.” Erica’s voice grew softer.
    Bethany glanced over her shoulder and smiled at the pretty woman. With her blond hair flayed out on the bed she looked almost angelic. “How long have you had feelings for him?”
    “Since we met five years ago.” She rolled onto her back and lifted her hands in the air. “I’ve dated a few men since falling for Matt, but nothing seems to work out. I think I’m just at the point where I’m going to shit or get off the pot, you know?”
    “I do know - completely. I did that my graduation night. The pot exploded. It was ugly.” Bethany let out a short laugh, glad that Damon couldn’t hear her talking like a fifteen-year-old boy. He would most likely laugh, or find her completely disgusting. Bethany chuckled at the thought and poured her a cup of coffee before offering one to Erica.
    The other woman got off the bed and walked to the back door, glancing toward the kitchen. “What do you mean? Something happen with Damon?”
    “No, it was before I met Damon. I’d been seeing one of my best friends off and on throughout my bachelor’s program. We were study partners and though he really wasn’t my type, I wanted a relationship, or affection really.”
    “Sex?”
    “Exactly. I stripped and walked to my room in front of him and… nothing.”
    “Wow. Really? Nothing? You’re really hot. He didn’t take the bait?”
    Bethany felt heat rush up her cheeks. Erica’s comment wasn’t lost on her. It was nice to hear you were pretty from others, but to be told you were hot by someone who was hotter than you? Brilliant.
    “Nope. He was supposedly falling for our other friend, Krista, who happened to be my roommate.”
    “Oh shit. Plot twist.”
    “It gets better, or worse, really.” Bethany handed Erica the other cup of coffee. “Krista is bipolar and on medication, but she stops taking it and Jake tells her that he’s not interested. She’s been too aggressive and extremely overbearing. She goes off the deep end and stabs him twelve times in the chest and stomach.”
    “No way. You’re making this shit up, right?” Erica took a tentative sip of the coffee and smiled. “This is delicious. Remind me to hover around you when you’re making coffee in the morning.”
    “I’m not kidding at all. Horrible situation. He’s alive, but still in the hospital. That’s been the drama at the edges of my world for the last week.” Bethany let out a long sigh and joined Erica at the door.
    “I’m sorry