Commitment: The Beauty in Between (A Beautiful Series Novella) Read online

  Commitment: The Beauty in Between

  a Beautiful Series Novella

  by Lilliana Anderson

  Copyright 2013, Lilliana Anderson

  All rights reserved

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means without the prior written permission of the author of this book.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead is purely coincidental. Any actual places, products or events mentioned are used in a purely fictitious manner. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various places/products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission and is by no way sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Contents

  Foreward

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter five

  Chapter six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter twenty-two

  Epilogue

  Dedication –

  Meg and Wade, whose commitment inspired me

  “Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

  -Unknown

  Foreward

  Every time I release a book in my Beautiful Series, I get a lot of readers asking for more about particular characters. This is how The Beauty in Between series was born.

  Commitment came about when readers finished A Beautiful Forever and expressed a wish to see Katrina and David married.

  I felt I couldn’t let you all down, so I got to work.

  I think I should say thank you to everyone for expressing that wish. This has been one of the most enjoyable books I’ve written so far. It’s so full of love and happiness, that even I felt excited as I read through it.

  I hope you enjoy it, as much as I did.

  Acknowledgements

  First and foremost I must thank my beta and proof readers for working so hard for me on this novella. Marion of Making Manuscripts (www.makingmanuscripts.com), Mary, Anna, Betchy, Billie, Celsey, Joy and, Megan. We were on a deadline with this one, and your speedy feedback was amazing!

  Thank you also so my editor Maria Johnson, for working her tail off, and not going too crazy while reading all of my run on sentences!

  Thank you to my street team and to everyone who has agreed to review for me – my heart fills up every time I see your enthusiasm for my work!

  A big thank you also goes out to everyone who has been watching my fan page closely while I wrote this, your encouragement has been what got me through the lonely writing process.

  Especially to everyone who spent time trawling the internet to help David choose the right wedding dress for Katrina! I was so touched with the response and our winning dress, submitted by Tabitha Coots, is just gorgeous!

  I also want to thank my family, especially my husband for supporting me while I write and my kids for cuddling up next to me while I type and waiting patiently until I’ve finished my thought – you’re all beautiful!

  And I can’t forget to thank the company who makes the energy drink ‘Mother’ – without you, I would have fallen asleep!

  The very last thank you is to you! If you weren’t taking the time to read my work, I wouldn’t even be typing this right now - you are the whole entire reason I have worked so hard to create this book. Enjoy.

  Chapter One

  Katrina

  “Are you ready?” David asks me from the doorway of the bathroom.

  I’m standing in front of the mirror brushing my shoulder length blonde hair, and putting my concealer and makeup on. It’s been years now since my ex-boyfriend, Christopher, put me through a glass sliding door. But the scars are still there, running down the side of my face, as well as a large one on my shoulder and light ones on my arms. I accept that they are there and they remind me more of David saving me than they remind me of Christopher, but people always stare at the one of my face, so I keep my hair cut with a side swept fringe and wear make up to hide it.

  “Just give me five minutes and I’ll be done,” I tell him, looking at him via the mirror.

  He moves into the cramped bathroom behind me and slips his hands around my waist.

  “You know you don’t need make up. You’re gorgeous without it.”

  “Yeah?” I grin. We’ve been through this before, but it’s always nice to hear it.

  “Yeah, so gorgeous that we might need to take an extra five minutes – or maybe thirty. Even the rest of the day would suit me,” he murmurs, moving my hair to the side and nibbling gently, just behind my ear.

  Immediately, my breathing grows heavy, and I moan softly as curling waves of desire ripple through my body in response to his touch. He presses his body firmly against mine, and I can feel his arousal against my buttocks. We’ve been together for three years and engaged for two of those and he still drives me wild. I wonder if I’ll ever grow tired of his touch and sincerely hope not.

  I drop the tube of concealer and it slides down the curve of the basin as I reach my arm up and curl my fingers into the thickness of his hair.

  “I’d love to spend all day with you,” I confess, turning in his arms. I move to face him and bringing our lips together, brushing mine against his. I’m teasing him. Although, to be fair, he’s teasing me too – he knows we don’t have time for this.

  David

  Tightening my arms around her waist, I close the distance between our lips, and work my mouth against hers. For a moment she hesitates, we both know we don’t have time for this – not if we’re going to make it on time. But honestly, I don’t even want to go. I’d rather spend my day in bed with my fiancée.

  I slide my hand up her back, my fingertips feeling for her zip. But she pulls back, her fingers still threaded in my hair, and looks at me.

  “We’re going to be late,” she breathes. Her eyes have that lazy lustful look they get when she’s aroused and her lips are perfectly pink. I lean in and nip at her bottom lip then grin at her.

  “They’re not going to care if we’re a little late,” I assure her.

  She pulls at her bottom lip with her teeth. She’s driving me crazy right now. I want her. I always want her. I can’t imagine being this insane over anyone else.

  Katrina

  God I want him. My body screams for him and I’ll be in agony all day if I deny the release that’s coming. It won’t take long. We’ll still make it in time.

  “As long as we’re quick,” I tell him, immediately reaching down to unbutton his pants. His cock bounces out eagerly and I run my hand over his firm length.

  “Lucky you’re wearing a dress then,” he grins, with that dimpled half grin he has that always sends skitters of delight over my body. He slides his hands up my thighs and pulls down my panties. I’m only too happy to kick them aside as he lifts me up onto the vanity and drops to his knees.

  I part my thighs eagerly, I know what’s coming. He always makes sure I a
m ready for him. He still worries he could hurt me.

  As his masterful tongue slides its way between my folds, I drop my head back against the mirror and moan contentedly. The pleasure builds inside me and I slide the fingers of one hand into his hair as the other grasps at the tap which is dripping slowly. It’s the only other noise in the bathroom besides our own heavy breathing.

  “Get inside me,” I gasp, knowing that I’m ready. I want to feel him in my core.

  Wiping his mouth as he stands, he circles his tip at my entrance and then pushes in. As he groans, I gasp. Even after all this time, it takes a while to adjust to his size, but it’s amazing every single time.

  He slides in slowly, watching between us as he disappears inside me. Once he’s made it all the way, he pauses, giving me time to adjust as he looks into my eyes. “I love you like this. You’re always so beautiful when you’re about to come,” he declares, placing his hand on the mirror behind me, he leans in closer and kisses me, his mouth tasting of toothpaste and me.

  Moving his hips back, he glides easily through my juices and lets out a satisfied hum as he starts to move.

  “Oh,” I moan as his rhythm builds. It’s like the gods made him specifically to push against my g-spot. Reflexively, I grip myself around him, deepening his brush against my nerves endings and sending ripples of pleasure coursing through my body.

  My whimpers and moans mingle with his, and bounce off the tiled walls. Oh god, I’m so close.

  David

  I’m going to lose it, and I know she’s not there yet. She has a pussy like a vice, and the sound of her moans almost pushes me over the edge. I focus all of my energy on holding off and keeping the rhythm. I want her to come first. I need her to come first.

  Moments later, she starts to call out. This is the only time she’s ever religious as she shouts to the heavens and says ‘yes’. My own pressure explodes out of me with her calls, pulsing deep inside her as she clenches herself around me, milking me of every drop as I slide myself in and out of her slick wetness.

  I lean back a touch and slide my hands either side of her face, taking my time as I kiss her softly. Sliding my tongue around the sweet dampness of her mouth - I’m lost. I don’t want to leave.

  For a while we just stay connected, kissing, embracing - enjoying the feel of being together. Although, eventually the sound of Katrina’s phone ringing brings us out of our reverie.

  “That’ll be mum,” she whispers, dropping her forehead against mine as she breaks the kiss.

  Sighing, I reach over to the towel rack and grab a hand towel before sliding out of her and placing it between her legs.

  “I’ll answer it,” I tell her, planting a kiss upon her forehead as I tuck myself away and do up my trousers, and make my way into the lounge room to answer the ringing phone.

  “Hi Carol,” I say as I bring the handset to my ear.

  “David! Are you two on your way? We’re just about to leave with Tom and Jenny. Jim wants to make sure we’re all synchronised to arrive together.”

  “We’re leaving in about five,” I tell her.

  “What have you been doing? You should be on the road by now?” she demands, soundly slightly miffed.

  I’m not going to tell her what we’ve really been doing – that would be weird. So I go with the easiest excuse I can think of. “Sorry, we just lost track of time. We won’t be long.”

  Trina is still in the bathroom when I end the call, so I go back to her and lean against the doorway, watching as she leans close to the mirror and applies her mascara with her mouth in a slight O. A grin twitches the side of my mouth. I’ll never understand girls and makeup.

  “Is she pissed at us?” she asks in between eyes.

  “A little, but they don’t have to wait for us. They can go in on their own if they want.”

  “No, she won’t let them. You know how she is – we have to arrive as a family.” She swipes some rose coloured gloss across her lips, and fluffs out her hair while she checks herself in the mirror.

  “I hope you’re not trying to impress anybody,” I blurt out, feeling instantly annoyed with myself the moment the words leave my mouth.

  She turns around and faces me. Looking very unimpressed with her eyebrows high and her head tilted. “Seriously? We just made love right here,” she reminds me, pointing to the bathroom vanity behind her. “I can still feel you between my legs. Don’t insult me. Please.”

  “I’m sorry baby girl, I’m an idiot. Forgive me? I’m just crazy about you is all.” I give her a pleading look and she rolls her eyes slightly, but cracks a smile anyway.

  “Just go and grab my white cardigan from our room and all will be forgiven. I’ll meet you by the front door.” She walks past me, pausing to kiss my cheek on her way past, leaving behind a slight sticky feeling from her gloss.

  I do as she asks and head towards the door where she’s standing with her bag and the keys in her hand.

  Dread fills me, growing heavier in my stomach as I approach her. I so don’t want to go to this, but Katrina’s mum is insisting that we need to be polite. Personally, I don’t see what’s polite about going to a BBQ to honour the return of your fiancée’s ex with his new wife and baby, but Carol is best buddies with his mother. She and Jim have been like a second set of parents to me for the majority of my life. So, if they think we should go, then I’ll suck it up and go.

  I am a little weirded out though, this is going to be the first time I have seen Elliot since I started dating Katrina all those years ago. I met him while they were together, he’s a nice guy. Even so, I really don’t think we need to be at his welcome home party. But, whatever…

  Chapter Two

  Katrina

  “Holy shit. Look at the cars everywhere,” I say as we arrive at Kathy’s house. We’ve been here a couple of times for parties over the last couple of years, but there’s never been this many people here before. I’m really surprised at how huge this seems.

  “You’d think the royal family had returned,” David laughs, driving further along the street in search of somewhere to park.

  “There’s mum and dad,” I say pointing to their car. They’re standing beside it looking bored. Tom is leaning against it playing something on his phone. His wife, Jenny, is shooing away a fly as she chats to my mum.

  I wave as we pass. Mum suddenly comes to life and waves back. I think she’s dying to go inside.

  We have to enter a side street to get a parking spot and then walk back to my family.

  “What took you so long?” my mother asks in exasperation as we make our way toward them.

  “Traffic,” David lies. We can’t really tell them we had to get dressed and cleaned up after an impromptu love making session in the bathroom.

  We share hugs and cheek kisses and make our way to Kathy’s for what seems like is going to be the BBQ of the century.

  “So what’s this Elliot like? Your mum talks like he’s a living god,” Jenny asks me quietly as we walk along the footpath.

  “He’s just a guy. A very good looking one. But just a guy,” I inform her. I’m actually really nervous about going today. I’m worried that it will be really awkward when we meet Paige. Plus I have no idea if Elliot is even aware we’re coming.

  David

  Katrina seems a little on edge. I don’t blame her, this is all a little weird. Although, if I’m honest with myself, I’m petrified that she’d going to see Elliot again and decide she made a mistake being with me. I mean, what if she only chose me on the rebound and because we were best friends all our lives, she now feels stuck with me. What if that’s the reason she keeps putting off the wedding?

  My heart beats a little too fast and my palms start to sweat as we approach the front door. It’s open and people we’ve never seen before are going inside. I can’t spot Kathy or Steve anywhere, but figure we may as well just join in the procession of people and head inside.

  I can see Elliot’s now shaved head above everyone else and nudge Tri
na who has already seen him. She gives me a worried look and nods, taking a deep breath before she pulls me toward him. My stomach churns, as my mind races. Oh god, she’s nervous. Why is she so nervous?

  “Alright, lets get this done,” she says.

  We have to wait a while as he’s talking to other people. Next to him is a woman with masses of curly dark hair. She’s very unusual looking – but in a good way. She’s smiling and talking to another woman and shortly after, they walk away together.

  Elliot watches them and leans down to his much shorter friend to say something that makes them both smile.

  They start to turn away from us, but his head turns when he notices Katrina at the last minute. Her face goes bright red and his looks really confused. My face just sweats as I force myself to stand still. I just want to grab Trina and drag her out of here. Who cares what everyone thinks of us.

  His friend looks from Elliot to Katrina and takes a step back. I can only surmise that he’s met Trina before, because his eyebrows are almost in his hair line. I knew we shouldn’t have come.

  Katrina

  “Hello,” Elliot says carefully, the word is long and drawn out. He has no idea why we’re here.

  Fuck, I think, wishing that I had listened to David and just said no. Better to have my mum annoyed at me than to make people uncomfortable. I take a deep breath and start to speak. I can feel my cheeks burning. I really want to go home.

  “Hi Elliot, I hope you don’t mind – your mum invited all of us when she was at mum and dad’s place a couple of weeks ago. We’ll only stay a little while, I just didn’t want to be rude,” I say in a rush. I’m out breath when I finish and feel so grateful to David when he reaches boldly across me.

  “How are you mate? It’s been a while,” David says, extending his hand in greeting.

  “I’m fine. It's fine,” Elliot replies as he shakes David’s hand. Gary, who I met the last night I spent with Elliot, is just standing next to him, looking at me like I’m from another world.