Just One Scandal

by Carly Phillips

  Being with Chloe Kingston brought back memories he’d always done his best to keep far away. He’d met Linc in college. They’d been roommates and become best friends. While Linc had a family who could pay for everything, giving him time to party as well as study, Beck had attended partially on scholarship but mostly on loans, and he’d had to work for spending money. By sophomore year, he and Linc had formed a tight bond. Took the same classes, had the same life goals, and had found girlfriends at the same time. They’d gone out together as couples and hung out at parties.

  Beck remembered how much his girlfriend, Jenna, resented his need to work because it meant they couldn’t spend as much time together as Linc and his girlfriend, Lacey, did. She was jealous and Beck knew it, but there was nothing he could do, and he would placate her until she calmed down.

  Everything was great until one night when Beck worked late and came home to find Linc and who he thought was Linc’s girlfriend in bed together. No sooner had Beck shut the door than Jenna sat up, looked at him, and began to cry about how she was sorry and they hadn’t meant for it to happen. Even remembering that moment now, Beck saw red, his anger stemming as much from Jenna’s hurt and betrayal as it had from Linc’s. Maybe more so from Linc because nobody did that to his best friend.

  He glanced over at the still-snoring woman beside him, nearly naked beneath the covers. Beck had a cutthroat reputation in business. He’d had to be smart and fast if he was going to make the kind of money he’d craved in a business he hadn’t been born into like Linc had been. Beck had accomplished his goals, exceeding beyond his wildest imaginings by never showing weakness and always using situations to his advantage. But that reputation didn’t extend to women.

  Another guy might use Linc’s sister to get payback. Not Beck. Chloe was safe with him. And Linc Kingston ought to thank his lucky stars that Beck had morals. More so than Linc himself had had back when they were friends.

  He closed his eyes and listened to the rhythmic breathing Chloe had fallen into and drifted off to sleep. Beck wasn’t sure how much time had passed when loud knocking sounded, waking him from a not-so-great sleep.

  He glanced around the room, taking in his surroundings and remembering where he was and who was in bed beside him. Thanks to his remaining above the comforter, they hadn’t rolled against each other during the night, but she had moved closer and he inhaled her fragrant scent.

  The knock that must have woken him sounded again.

  Chloe groaned and shifted to her side. No doubt she would be hurting this morning.

  The pounding continued and Beck slid out of bed, heading for the door to ask housekeeping to come back later. Who else could be there at this hour?

  He wasn’t about to open the door, either. Neither he nor Chloe was dressed.

  “Chloe? Open up!” a familiar male voice called out as Beck touched the doorknob.

  Linc. Well, this was about to get interesting.

  Not caring what Linc thought, Beck drew a deep breath and opened the door for his former friend.

  Linc took one look at Beck and his mouth opened in shock. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Before Beck could answer, Linc brushed past him and walked into the outer room of the suite. “I swear to God if you took advantage of my sister, I’ll kill you.”

  Beck let the door shut behind them before turning to Linc with a scowl.

  Meanwhile, Linc’s hands curled into fists at his sides, reminding Beck of how he’d taken a swing at Linc after finding him in bed with Jenna. “Taking advantage of women is more your style than mine.”

  Linc jerked at the insult. “This isn’t about what happened back then. I left Chloe here against my better judgment, and it turns out I was right.” Linc’s gaze raked over Beck’s lack of clothing. “Where’s my sister?”

  “In bed.” Beck couldn’t help tossing out the words that would rile Linc up more. But before he could react, Beck continued. “You’re just damned lucky I was there to make sure she got up here safely.”

  Linc’s jaw locked in place, and he visibly drew a calming breath. “She’s not safe if she’s with you.”

  Beck laughed but it was harsh. “It’s not like you were there to look out for her.”

  Linc stepped forward, clearly planning to swing, and Beck was ready.

  “Linc, stop!” Chloe’s voice had both men turning toward her.

  She’d obviously found the hotel robe before coming out here, because she was tying the belt around her waist as she stood there, facing them. Her hair was a wild tangle around her face, and despite the crying jags last night, he’d obviously managed to clean her up fairly well. There were black circles under her eyes, but her cheeks weren’t smudged with makeup. Just flushed with embarrassment but still just as attractive, if not more so now that he saw her softer, real side.

  “Are you okay?” Linc stepped toward her but she held him off with her hand in the air.

  She nodded. “I’m fine. What are you doing here?”

  He narrowed his gaze. “I think the better question is what are you doing with him?”

  “If you must know, I drank too much and he … umm … helped me up here.” Her cheeks burned brighter and she couldn’t meet Beck’s gaze.

  “That better be all he did,” Linc muttered. “Come on, Chloe. Let’s go.”

  “What?” She straightened her shoulders.

  “You can come stay with me and Jordan until you get yourself sorted out.”

  She shook her head the way she had last night when Beck had suggested nearly the same thing. “No. You two have a baby on the way. You’re new as a couple. You need your time together. I won’t be a third wheel. And before you say Mom’s, I won’t go there, either. Or Xander’s or Dash’s place. Just no.” She wrapped her arms around herself, looking lost.

  Most likely because, as she’d told Beck, she’d given up her apartment and really did have nowhere to go. “You can stay with me.” The words were out before he could stop them or even think them through.

  But he had to admit Linc’s horror-filled expression made the offer worth it. “I have plenty of room at my place and you won’t be in the way. You can stay until you make a plan of your own.”

  Chloe shot him a look filled with surprise and some gratitude. “I–”

  “No. He’s just using you to get back at me,” Linc said. “I won’t have it.”

  Chloe drew herself up tall, and Beck knew immediately Linc had made his final mistake.

  “You won’t have it? Well, it’s not your decision to make.” She strode up to her brother and got in his personal space. “I don’t know what went on between you and Beck and I don’t care. What I do know is that he was there for me last night, and since he’s still willing to help, I’m going to take him up on his offer. Now it’s time for you to go.” She turned away from Linc, strode to the door, and held it open.

  Linc briefly closed his eyes, then opened them again. “I’m sorry. I know it’s your choice, but please let your family be the ones to help.”

  She shook her head. “I need time to sort out my life without anyone else telling me what they think is best.”

  “I understand that but with him? Not to mention, I came to tell you that the society pages of the papers and social media sites picked up the story.” His tone gentled as he broke the news.

  “Great.” She pressed her hands to cheeks that had flushed in embarrassment. “So now I’m a public laughingstock.”

  Linc shook his head. “I’m sorry. Since Dad died and some asshole named you the Kingston heiress, people have kept an eye on your engagement.”

  Beck felt sorry for her, being in a spotlight she hadn’t asked for, but it came along with her family’s wealth.

  “Well, I’m taking my honeymoon time off from work, so that should help me stay out of sight and make people forget about me. Now, go home to Jordan. Please.” She swept her arm toward the hallway.

  Linc shot Beck a warning glare before walking toward the door. He braced a ha
nd on the frame and turned. “Chloe, I love you and just want what’s best for you.” And Beck isn’t it resounded without him saying the actual words.

  “Then let me make those decisions for myself,” Chloe said, and Linc finally listened to her and walked out the door.

  * * *

  With her brother gone, Chloe groaned and laid her pounding head on her arm against the doorframe, unable and unwilling to face her so-called savior just yet. What she hadn’t said out loud, wasn’t willing to admit, was that she couldn’t remember anything past Beck carrying her upstairs and placing her on the bed.

  She’d woken up to the sound of the two men yelling and realized she wore only her underwear beneath the covers of the hotel bed. Then she’d grabbed a robe and entered the main room to find Beck, one fine male specimen, wearing boxer briefs and nothing more.

  “Chloe?” Beck’s voice called to her.

  Knowing she had no choice, she straightened and turned to face him. “Hi.”

  He grinned at her. “Hi.”

  She bit the inside of her cheek and forced herself to ask the question she needed the answer to more than any other. “What happened last night? I don’t remember beyond you bringing me up here. Thank you, by the way. But did we…” A raging flush rose to her cheeks.

  “Relax, princess. Nothing happened except I brought you up here and put you to bed.”

  “Princess?”

  His low, sexy laugh made her body parts tingle. “That’s what you looked like in your gown.”

  “Umm … did you undress me?” she forced herself to ask.

  He folded his arms across his chest, his muscles bunching in his forearms, his six-pack hard and firm. Never mind the bulge in his boxer briefs she was trying hard not to look at.

  “I unhooked all those buttons. You did the striptease yourself.” He winked and she burned all over.

  “I’m so embarrassed.” She placed her hands on her hot cheeks.

  “Don’t be. Considering the day you’d had, I think you held up well. Except for the crying about how your safe choice in men turned out to be anything but.”

  She winced, the memories of how she’d behaved coming back to her in flashes. “Oh, God.”

  “It’s fine. Everything will work out,” he assured her. And when he said it, she almost believed him.

  “Come on.” He grasped her elbow. “Let’s look at the room service menu. I’m sure you need something to eat. Then we can head back to my place.”

  Her head jerked up. Though she’d told Linc she’d take Beck up on his offer to stay with him, she was far from having decided that yet. She’d just wanted her brother to give her time and space.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Do you have anywhere else to go?”

  “Well, no. Unless I take a hotel room.” She didn’t want a cold, sterile place to stay any more than she wanted her family’s worried looks and attempts at help.

  He shrugged. “Your choice but I have a spare guest room, and the invitation’s open.”

  “I’ll take it,” she said before she could change her mind. “I just have one request.”

  “Name it,” he said.

  “You can’t walk around in your underwear.”

  He burst out laughing and the sight was incredible. He was so handsome with his jet-black hair on the longer side, his jade-green eyes and sculpted features. And when he let go enough to laugh like that? She was drawn to him even more.

  But her brother obviously had issues with the man. She knew they were business rivals and also recalled them being friends in college until they’d had some sort of falling-out. Linc never talked about it. And for today, she didn’t want to know the details.

  But there was something she was curious about. “Beck? Why did you help me last night?”

  His expression grew more serious. “At first you’d just pulled us in to have fun. Once I realized how much you’d had to drink and when I saw someone make a play for you, I decided someone needed to keep you safe. I didn’t want anyone taking advantage.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal.

  But to her it was. He clearly could have had sex with her and left her alone in that big bed. But he hadn’t. “And why did you stay?”

  He ran a hand over his face. “I didn’t want you to wake up alone and be scared. I’m going to get the menu,” he said and disappeared into the other room.

  Clearly she’d made him uncomfortable. Still, warmth settled in her chest, and gratitude that he was a decent guy rushed over her. She knew his business reputation and had heard Linc cursing over lost deals to Beck’s company more than once. So maybe he was a shark in the boardroom.

  But he’d definitely been a saint in the bedroom. Since she’d been drunk, she was thankful. But she couldn’t help wondering what sex with Beck would be like if she were sober. Something a woman who’d been dumped not twenty-four hours ago shouldn’t be thinking about.

  She ought to be beside herself with grief, pain, and hurt. Instead she was pissed and embarrassed, especially since the social media poster who’d dubbed her the Kingston heiress was someone she’d dumped after two dates. He’d started his site after they’d broken up, and because his sense of humor was dry and he was good-looking, people gravitated to him, and he’d gone viral. Well, whatever. She didn’t care what anyone thought. She just didn’t want pity.

  She could take a step back now and admit that she’d never reacted to Owen’s body the way she did to Beck’s. Never imagined getting sweaty between the sheets with her own fiancé. Sex between them was perfunctory at best. Definitely not mind-blowing or life-altering. And something told her that tangling with Beck would be all those things and more.

  Catching herself thinking about Beck again, she shook her head and reminded herself they were acquaintances. He was doing her a favor, giving her a place to stay, and she ought to appreciate him for that. Besides, it wasn’t like he was ogling her body, which was too bad. But still, she needed to focus on herself and her future.

  She and Beck were going to be roommates. Nothing more.

  * * *

  After indulging in a delicious breakfast of pure carbs that helped her hangover, Chloe took a long, hot shower. She lathered away yesterday’s mess and washed the hairspray out of her hair with the hotel-provided shampoo. She used their conditioner, as well, and somehow managed to finger comb her long strands before pulling them up with a hair tie into a messy bun.

  Before she’d gotten into the shower, the hotel had sent her belongings from the bridal room upstairs, giving her the basics she’d brought with her yesterday along with the carry-on suitcase she’d left with the concierge for her overnight stay here.

  She changed into the outfit she’d planned on wearing for the flight to Maui that wouldn’t be happening: a pair of taupe jersey-knit leggings, a matching fitted tank top, a cardigan, and her favorite snakeskin boots. She refused to think about the fact that she and Owen were supposed to be enjoying their honeymoon together. Somehow in the time since he’d texted her and now, her concerns were more about where she’d take her life from here and not about how sad she was over losing her future husband.

  She already understood she’d had a lucky escape with Owen finding what everyone should look for in a partner. How and when he’d handled the breakup, however, was what upset her. She’d have to send back wedding and engagement gifts, and her mother would go through the ordeal of explaining the end of their engagement and non-wedding to people. Not to mention the money wasted. God, Owen was an ass, and Chloe wished she could sue him for the cost but knew she never would.

  When she walked out of the bedroom, she found Beck on the phone, looking out the window at the Manhattan view below. He wore his clothes from last night, a pair of dark fitted jeans that molded to his incredible body, tight ass, and thighs and a light blue men’s dress shirt, untucked, on top.

  “Still at the hotel,” he said into his cell. “That’s right.” He listened, then
said, “None of your goddamned business, Tripp. Talk to you later.” He disconnected the call.

  “Hey,” she said, joining him.

  He turned. “Hey yourself. Feel better?” he asked.

  She nodded. “More like myself.”

  “Well, you look better, if you don’t mind my saying so.” His gaze skimmed the length of her body, obviously taking in and appreciating her curves if the glimmer in his eyes was anything to go by.

  Her body reacted to his appraisal, her nipples tightening beneath her bra. She refused to glance down and see if it was noticeable.

  She forced a smile at him. “I’m pretty sure the black mascara running down my cheeks wasn’t my finest moment.” Neither was how she’d unloaded all her emotional drama on him, but since he hadn’t brought it up again, neither would she.

  He slid his hands into his front pants pockets and chuckled. “You deserved a good cry.”

  “Which I apparently had.” She winced at the memories that had come back to her. “You went above and beyond for someone you don’t know, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it,” she said. Whatever had gone down with Linc, Chloe would always think Beck was a great guy.

  “Ready to go check out your new digs?” he asked. “I live in a renovated loft downtown.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Oooh, sounds awesome.” She couldn’t wait to see it. “Are you one-hundred-percent certain you don’t mind the company?”

  He strode over until they were close and dipped his head. “Your memories seem to have returned. You remember how I brought you here?”

  She smelled the minty toothpaste on his breath. “You carried me up here.”

  “Right. So if you keep asking if it’s okay, I’m going to have to resort to the same caveman approach.” He rose to his full height. “In other words, don’t test me.”

  A weight lifted off her chest. “Okay then. Let’s go.”

  On the way downtown in an Uber, Chloe called her mother and checked in, assured her she was staying with a friend, and promised to keep in touch. And once her honeymoon vacation time was over, she would deal with wrapping up the remnants of her non-wedding.