Just One Scandal

by Carly Phillips

  Beck ground his teeth, wishing he didn’t have to go through Chloe’s brothers to get to her. But having just left his sister’s grave, he respected these men and their loyalty to their siblings.

  “You’d better hope Chloe’s more forgiving than I was.”

  Beck’s stomach twisted at the thought of Chloe not giving him a second chance. Instead of focusing on the negative, he latched on to something Xander had said. “More forgiving than you were. Sounds like you have an ex out there who screwed you over.”

  He didn’t expect Xander to elaborate, but the other man leaned forward in his seat, elbows on the table. “When I got my first movie deal, I was out in LA, and I got involved with someone just starting out, too. An actress.”

  “Anyone I’d know?”

  Xander met his gaze, paused, then said, “Sasha Keaton.”

  “Holy shit,” Beck muttered. She was a hot commodity in show business.

  “Right. Except she wasn’t a name then. Just a girl I fell for, but she wasn’t the person I thought she was.” He shrugged as if it meant nothing, but a muscle ticked in his jaw, and Beck knew whoever this woman was, she meant something to Xander Kingston.

  “I won’t hurt Chloe again,” Beck said.

  “You’d better not. I may sound like Linc but I have a much better right hook.” He didn’t look like he was joking, either.

  “Understood.”

  “Beck?” Chloe’s voice had him standing and turning to face her.

  She stood in the entry to the kitchen, her eyes wide as she stared at him, blinking as if she couldn’t believe he was here and not some figment of her imagination. She wore a pair of leggings and an oversized tee shirt that fell just above her knee. His shirt. And since he couldn’t read her expression, he chose to take hope from her choice of clothing.

  “And that’s my cue to leave.” Xander rose from his chair and glanced at Beck. “I meant what I said.”

  “Never thought you didn’t,” Beck muttered, done with the Kingston brothers’ posturing. Although given Xander had opened up to him, he understood where the man was coming from.

  “What’s going on?” Chloe asked.

  “You have a visitor.” Xander kissed her cheek. “I have a feeling you won’t be needing me anymore, so I’m going to get some things together and head back to the Hamptons. You can stay here as long as you want, but if you go, keep the key.” He glanced at Beck. “Just in case.”

  He walked out, leaving them alone with Beck feeling as if the life he wanted was on the line.

  * * *

  Chloe let her brother leave, using the time to gather herself before turning back and meeting Beck’s gaze. She’d woken up this morning to the sun streaming through the window, but her mood hadn’t matched the beauty of the day. She’d wondered if subconsciously she’d been holding out hope she’d hear from Beck by now, because no matter how hard she tried, each day away from him had been more and more difficult. She’d told herself to give up.

  Now he was here, looking handsome in his jeans and a black tee shirt, tempting her with what she couldn’t have. And it hurt.

  “Can we talk?” he asked, breaking the silence.

  “Sure.” She took a step into the kitchen, planning to sit at the table.

  “Somewhere more comfortable?” he asked.

  Chloe nodded, leading him to the family room with a U-shaped sofa and two large club chairs with ottomans. The emotional distance between Chloe and Beck was tangible, and she was tempted to sit in one of the chairs and keep herself safe. In case he just wanted to talk and end things on a friendly note. Nausea filled her at the thought.

  No sooner had she taken a step than Beck grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the sofa, bracing his hands on her shoulders.

  “I need you close.” He swallowed hard. “To say what I have to say, I need you here.”

  At his admission, she dropped to the couch and took a seat.

  He blew out a relieved breath, settling in beside her. “I fucked up. When you told me how you felt, when you said that you loved me, it scared me, so I played dirty. I threw your life back in your face and dismissed your feelings like they were nothing more than a stupid mistake.” Reaching out, he grabbed her hand and pulled it onto his thigh. “I’m sorry.”

  His touch felt too good and his words were just that. “Is that why you’re here? To apologize? Fine. I accept your apology but I wish you’d sent a text or an email.” Anything that wouldn’t have gotten her hopes up, and she attempted to yank her hand away, but he held on tight.

  “Can I finish before you rip into me?” he asked.

  She forced herself to relax, listen, and not jump to conclusions. “Go on.”

  “I love you, Chloe.”

  She stilled, certain she’d heard him wrong. “You love me. As in…”

  “Cross-it-off-the-bucket-list love you. Yes.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “But I couldn’t handle it. I was afraid to admit it and petrified about possibly losing you, too, one day.”

  At the mention of his sister, she lifted her head and met his gorgeous green gaze. “What changed?” She wanted to understand and needed proof he wouldn’t panic later on and push her away again.

  “I went to see my parents last night. Dad got out of the hospital yesterday,” he said.

  She nodded. “I know. I spoke to your mom around lunchtime.”

  “You did?” he asked, obviously surprised.

  She couldn’t believe he’d think she could walk away like he had. “Just because we aren’t together anymore doesn’t mean I don’t care about them. I wanted to know how your dad was doing.”

  “Thank you,” Beck said, his expression soft and filled with gratitude.

  This Beck was so easy to love, and her heart pounded in her chest, suddenly filled with hope.

  He stared into her eyes. “Mom had a lot of wise words. Things I should have listened to years ago but I…” He shook his head. “I wasn’t ready to hear.”

  “And you are now?”

  “I am,” he said with certainty in his tone.

  Certainty that had her believing.

  “Your brother and I met up… We made some sort of peace. And he also helped me see I was pushing you away out of fear.”

  Chloe’s eyes watered. Nothing made her happier than her brother and Beck calling a truce.

  “Then Mom asked if I was hurting without you.” He now held both her hands in his. “And she wanted to know if something happened to you, if I’d be in any less pain because we weren’t together, and in that moment, everything crystallized. I can’t be without you. I need you in my life because I love you.”

  Everything he said made such perfect sense, and tears filled Chloe’s eyes, blurring her vision. She knew how much pain his sister’s death had caused him, and the fact that he was able to come to her this way meant the world to her.

  “I love you, too, Beck. So much.” She threw herself into his arms and pressed her mouth to his.

  He wrapped his arms around her, hauling her against him, and she shifted until she was settled in his lap, her knees on either side of his strong thighs, her sex grinding against his hard erection. His tongue slid past her lips, and she finally felt like she was home.

  “Hey, kids. Give me a chance to get out of here first, will you?”

  Chloe pulled back and glanced at her brother. He passed through, a duffel bag over one shoulder as he headed out.

  She grinned. “Bye, Xander. Thanks for everything.”

  “You’re welcome, sis. Any time.” He paused and looked past her to Beck. “Take care. I’m assuming I’ll be seeing you around.”

  “Count on it,” Beck said and laughed.

  Xander walked out, the door shutting behind him.

  “Know what I really want to do?” Beck kissed her neck.

  “What?” she asked, knowing she’d do anything he wanted.

  “Pack you up and take you back home where you belong.”

  She lean
ed into him, breathing in his familiar and arousing scent. “I want that, too. But I know what I’d rather do first.” With that, she maneuvered off his lap and tugged him to his feet.

  Once back in her room, she began to undress, Beck doing the same, when she caught sight of her cell with a voicemail alert on the screen. Something made her pick up the phone, open the voicemail app, hit play, and put the phone to her ear to listen.

  Shirt already off, Beck paused, watching her and waiting.

  A female voice spoke, and Chloe’s hands began to shake as the words sunk in. “Oh my God. I won! I won the Elevate contest! I’ll be overseeing the opening of their New York office.” She tossed the phone onto the bed.

  Before she could blink, Beck was beside her, picking her up and spinning her around. “I am so damned proud of you.” He kissed her hard and fast. “Do you see how far you’ve come?”

  “You were there for me, understanding what I needed before I did. Supporting me when I needed it. And believing in me.”

  He grasped her hands. “Right back at you, Chloe. We make a perfect team.” He scooped her into his arms and placed her down on the bed.

  Clothes flew and then they were naked, Beck on his back, Chloe’s knees on either side of him as she grasped on to his erection. Thick and smooth in her hand, she settled him at her entrance and slid down, taking him deep inside her.

  His gaze hot on hers, he gripped her hips with his hands and held her tight as she lifted herself up and down, riding him, keeping them joined tight. And it wasn’t long before Chloe felt that familiar stirring inside her.

  “God, Beck, I’m so close.” She slammed down, rocking her hips forward before rising and repeating the motion.

  “Then come, princess. Come for me. I’ll be right there with you.”

  His desire-filled command worked, and her climax erupted, everything inside her soaring. And just as he promised, he thrust up and stiffened, his orgasm hitting at the same time as hers. Together in a way she knew would last forever.

  A little while later, she lay in his arms, his fingers trailing over her skin. “I know you were looking at apartments. Do you like the loft?” he asked.

  “I love it. Is it too soon to say it feels like home?”

  “Once you’re moved into my room and make it ours, then it’s home.”

  She rolled over and pressed her lips to his chest. “I don’t think I could be happier,” she murmured. “We have to tell our families the news.”

  He laughed. “Something tells me Xander already knows and is spreading the news as we speak.”

  “True.”

  “We can tell my parents when we visit my dad later if you want to come with me.”

  “Of course I will,” she said.

  “Good.” His fingers grazed over her arm. Goose bumps formed and arousal peaked once more, but then she realized something important. “Beck, we didn’t use protection … but I’m safe and on the pill.”

  “I’m safe, too, and I’d never put you at risk.” He paused. “Do you want kids?”

  “I do. Very much. Just not right now. After I’ve had some time with my career, I’d love to have children.” She froze, realizing that maybe after losing his sister, children weren’t something he wanted in his future. “Do you?”

  He flipped them over until he was on top of her. “I want to make you happy, Chloe. As many kids as you want, I’m in.”

  She smiled, wondering how life suddenly got so good. And she was very grateful Beck had rescued her when she was at her lowest. Because together they were at their very best.

  Epilogue

  Two Months Later – Summer

  Chloe watched Dash and the Original Kings play a song he’d written just for Linc and Jordan on their wedding day. Her famous brother, always the fun player, flirted with the single women when he wasn’t on stage.

  “I know they wanted a small, intimate wedding but this is actually nice,” Chloe said to Beck, who stood with one arm wrapped around her waist.

  “It is. Your mother can be persuasive when she wants to be.”

  Chloe laughed because her mom had been the reason for the change in wedding plans from a small family gathering to a last-minute bigger event. After all, she hadn’t gotten to celebrate her daughter’s wedding the first go-round.

  The band announced a break. The guys dispersed to get drinks to cool them off, and Dash headed straight for a woman he’d been obviously eyeing all night.

  “He’s going to get himself in trouble one day,” Chloe said, her gaze on her brother.

  Beck nodded. “I hope he doesn’t have to learn the hard way that variety is not the spice of life.”

  “It’s a good thing you realize that,” she said, playfully poking him in the ribs and looking into his eyes.

  “I only need you, princess.” He dipped his head and kissed her on the lips. “Are you sure you aren’t upset about that Page Six article online?”

  She shook her head. “The main focus was on Linc and Jordan’s wedding. But I admit them writing about a potential merger between two Manhattan real estate dynasties if we got married was funny. It’s like reading about strangers. They don’t know us at all.”

  They weren’t even engaged, and with everything happening in their lives, Chloe was okay with that. They were taking their time, enjoying being together without fear hovering between them. Even Beck and Linc were taking steps toward reconciliation, and Chloe was grateful.

  “Good. Because the only thing I care about is if they’re hurting you,” Beck said, a sexy, protective glint in his eyes.

  “I’m fine. I promise.”

  He grinned. “Then let’s dance.” Beck led her out to the dance floor and pulled her tight against his tuxedo-clad body.

  “Did I mention how hot you look?” She stared up at him, lost in those emerald-green eyes.

  “Can’t say I mind hearing it. But you look exquisite, and I look forward to peeling that dress off you later.”

  Her heart skipped a beat and arousal settled low in her belly. “Can we leave soon?” she asked, eager to be alone with him.

  He shook his head. “Not until the bride and groom take off. Wouldn’t want to give Linc a reason to be pissed at me.”

  She treated him to a pout. “Like he’ll notice who’s there to wave them off.” But she pressed deeper into Beck’s embrace and enjoyed the rest of the day.

  She hadn’t been lying when she told him she was good. Beck’s dad was doing well—the surgery had gotten all the cells, no spread into lymph nodes, and in the end, he hadn’t needed chemotherapy after all.

  Chloe had started working for Elevate and had been given all the freedom she needed in hiring designers, choosing clients, and setting up their new office downtown. Keeping busy during the day, going home to Beck at night, she was in a better place than she’d been in a very long time.

  * * *

  Beck thought the newly married couple would never leave the reception. Knowing Linc, he was stalling on purpose to torture Beck one last time. But finally, Jordan changed from a beautiful bride to a woman ready to head to her honeymoon. They were headed to the Greek islands while a pregnant Jordan could still travel.

  Linc and Jordan stopped by Chloe and gave her a hug.

  “I’m so happy for you two. Go have fun and we’ll see you when you get home,” she said.

  “Maybe the four of us can get dinner,” Jordan said, and she and Chloe laughed.

  Beck broke the ice first. “I’d like that.” He hoped he and Linc could get back to what they once had. With the past rehashed and hopefully left there and Linc’s blessing for what Beck planned to do next, it remained a possibility.

  Linc grunted and Beck laughed. “I’m taking that as a yes. Have fun,” he said.

  The couple said their goodbyes and took off in a white 1930s Touring Rolls Royce rented convertible, and the wedding guests made their way back inside.

  The band took the stage. Meeting Beck’s gaze, he tipped his head.


  Beck turned to Chloe. “I’ll be back in a second. Stay put, okay?” He didn’t want her disappearing into the ladies’ room and being missing when he needed her.

  She nodded and sat down in a chair.

  Beck made his way to behind the stage, meeting up with Dash and Xander. Aurora and Melly, Chloe’s mother, had been alerted and were sitting at their seats near the stage.

  To Linc’s credit, upon hearing Beck’s plan, he’d suggested Beck arrange for his parents and brothers to come after he and Jordan left. If they’d been invited to the actual ceremony, Chloe would know something was up, and Beck wanted this moment to be a complete surprise. Damn Page Six for alluding to the moment, but he still didn’t think Chloe had a clue.

  Dash pulled out the box he’d stashed somewhere safe and handed it to Beck. “Good luck,” he said, slapping him on the back. “And take care of my sister.”

  Beside him, Xander’s expression said all Beck needed to know. It was going to take some time to warm up to the more solitary of the brothers.

  He glanced out into the audience and saw his family standing in the back, which meant this was his cue. He didn’t want Chloe to catch sight of them first.

  “Ready,” he said to Dash.

  The lead singer headed up on stage and took the mike. “Thank you all for coming tonight. Before we get to the last set before the festivities end, we have something special for you first.” He gestured toward the side of the stage, and Beck squashed his nerves and walked out to join him.

  Taking the mike from Dash, he turned toward the guests, focusing on a wide-eyed Chloe, who obviously had no idea what was about to happen.

  “Since today was Linc and Jordan’s wedding, I didn’t want to do anything to take away from their moment, but as the oldest Kingston brother, I did need his blessing, which he gave me.”

  “It’s contingent,” a familiar voice said from the back of the room. “Treat her right and we’ll be fine.”

  Beck narrowed his gaze. He hadn’t expected Linc to come back.

  “Do you really think we’d miss this? We circled back around and snuck in. And no, you’re not taking anything from our day. Now get on with it.”