Just One Scandal

by Phillips, Carly

  “Oh.” Her mind homed in on the words bright and beautiful, and some of her anger ebbed.

  “Yeah. Oh. And for the record, if I wanted you gone, I’d have the balls to tell you myself.” He stepped back, one hand on the doorframe. “Come in and let’s talk.”

  Suddenly she wanted to do more than talk. The idea of getting up close with this man, all that bare, hot skin pressing against her, had her hot and bothered.

  Overly aware of him, she stepped into his bedroom, taking in his personal space for the first time. An accent wood wall behind his king-size bed warmed up the room. Earthy tones worked to give it a masculine feel, with a television on the wall across from the bed. Despite the décor being tailored for a man, Chloe felt comfortable in here. Or she would if the bed wasn’t rumpled and unmade, giving her already heated body dirty thoughts of what they could do between those sheets.

  “Like what you see?” Arms folded across his chest, a sexy smirk lifted his lips as he’d obviously caught her staring at his bed.

  “I love it,” she said, leaving what she was referring to purposely vague.

  He walked past her and sat down on the edge of the mattress, patting the space beside him.

  She eased beside him, bending one leg, her knee brushing his hard thigh. “But seriously, you should have come to me with any concerns you had … about me.”

  He nodded. “You’re right. I was thinking more about what your family could do for you than what was the right way to handle it. I’m sorry.”

  Her lips twitched at his apology. “You’re forgiven.” She paused. “You’re still okay with me staying here?”

  “I kind of like having you around.” His eyes glittered with a sudden heat that matched the spark he ignited inside her.

  “And I like being here.”

  He held her gaze and she caught the question in his eyes… Was this the right time for them?

  * * *

  The proverbial devil sat on one shoulder, urging Beck to splay Chloe out on his bed and make a feast of her sexy body. An angel sat on the other, reminding him she was just coming out of a relationship, was vulnerable, and if she were going to turn to a new man, it shouldn’t be one who had issues with her family, or at least with one of the brothers she loved.

  He wanted to help her, not complicate her life. But the thought of Chloe with any guy other than him brought out an inner caveman he hadn’t known existed.

  “You’re overthinking. And I promise you I can make my own decisions.” She braced her hands on the space between them and leaned forward. “I’m looking to let go and have some fun.”

  Her damp lips beckoned to him, but he wouldn’t go into this with anything less than the truth between them. “I don’t do relationships,” he told her bluntly.

  She lifted a delicate shoulder. “I just got out of one. I’m not looking to get tied down again either.”

  “What about the fact that you’re the type of woman who has marriage stamped all over her?” And he’d promised himself not to add to the people in his life he could ultimately lose.

  “And I didn’t think you were the kind of man to stereotype me just because, when you met me, I was wearing a wedding dress.”

  She laughed at her own joke, and he couldn’t help but grin as well. “What about our living arrangement?” he asked.

  “This will only complicate things if we let it. How about we go with the flow?”

  He raised an eyebrow, enjoying this sassy, confident side of her, so similar to the woman he’d met a short week and a half ago. And she was right. It was her choice.

  She moved in, her lips hovering near his. Teasing. Tempting. His dick was hard as a rock, and all he had to do was roll her onto her back and take what she was offering.

  And she was offering.

  “Sounds like we’re on the same page,” he said, closing the distance and capturing her mouth with his.

  This kiss wasn’t soft and needy, it was rough and full of desire and life, something he hadn’t experienced with a woman … ever. With Chloe, it wasn’t a scratch the itch and get over it, it was already more.

  From the minute he’d laid eyes on her, even after he’d realized she was a Kingston, he’d felt protective. Nothing else explained his taking her to the bridal suite. Staying. Giving her a place to crash. Going to Linc on her behalf. If anyone was going to need to get on the same page and shore up walls, it was him. And he would.

  After he took her to bed.

  He lifted his mouth from hers, rose, and pulled her to her feet.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Undressing you so I can see you naked on my bed.” His gruff voice took him by surprise.

  And with that, he slid her cropped jacket off her shoulders, and she shimmied until it fell to the floor. Next he raised the hem of her camisole, and with her help, the silk went over her head and arms, joining the pile he’d started.

  His gaze zeroed in on the sexy beige bra with lace on the edges of the cups, her nipples hard and visible through the flimsy material. Reaching out, he pinched one distended bud, twisting with his fingers until she shifted her hips and moaned.

  Pleased at her reaction, he gave the other nipple the same treatment, holding on as she gripped his shoulders and dug her nails into his skin. He liked that she showed her emotions, that she didn’t hide her responses from him. Undoing the bra and slipping it off, he deposited it along with the rest of the clothing.

  He raised his head and brushed a kiss over her lips before he undid the button on her low-cut jeans. Hooking his fingers into the waistband and grasping her panties along with them, he helped her wriggle out of them until finally she was naked.

  He looked her over and expelled a harsh breath, his cock tenting his sweats, the rush of desire almost unbearable. Dropping to his knees, he grasped her hips in his hands and pressed butterfly kisses over the indentation along her belly where her panties had been. Arousal dripped from her sex, the scent telling him how much she wanted him. As much as his throbbing cock wished he’d give relief and thrust himself inside her.

  She arched her hips, thrusting her sweet pussy forward. Without waiting, he parted her with his thumbs and swiped his tongue over her clit. Her legs shook and she gripped his shoulders again, this time her nails digging in harder, and he wouldn’t be surprised if he had marks later.

  He licked her everywhere, teasing her plump lips and nipping at her clit before soothing with longer wet laps of his tongue.

  “Oh, God. More, Beck, please. I need so much more,” she said, her body trembling and shaking. Her hips arched, and she raised herself onto her toes, grinding herself against his mouth.

  He held on tight, not releasing her, not breaking contact, determined to bring her up and over the edge and give her the release she so obviously needed. He didn’t have to wait long for her climax to hit, and when it did, he glanced up in time to see her tip her head back as she cried out, the pain of her nails scoring his shoulders nothing in comparison to the bliss of her climaxing beneath his mouth.

  He licked her until she came down from her orgasm. Before she could collapse, he picked her up in his arms and plunked her onto the center of the mattress.

  She flung her body back against the pillows with a groan. “You’ve got skills,” she said as she struggled to catch her breath.

  He laughed, liking this girl. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” He pushed his sweats down over his hips, freeing his rigid erection, then kicking the pants to the pile on the floor.

  Gripping himself hard, he closed his eyes to gather himself, and when he opened them, she was staring with a hungry expression on her face.

  “Jesus, Chloe. Stop looking at me like that or we’re not going to make it to the good part.”

  “I already had my good part. I’m waiting for you to top yourself.”

  Her laughter rushed over him, and he groaned before opening the nightstand drawer and pulling out a condom. He didn’t bring women to his private sanct
uary, but he kept protection here to grab before he went out on a night when he needed or expected to find relief.

  Ripping open the foil, he tossed the wrapper aside and rolled the condom over his straining dick before climbing onto the bed. She bent her knees, and he lifted one, pressing it back against her stomach as he knelt over her and settled his cock at her wet entrance.

  He couldn’t decide where he wanted to focus his gaze, on her beautiful face or the sight of her taking him deep inside of her. In the end, he couldn’t tear his gaze from their joined bodies, and as he entered her, the fit was so perfect his eyes nearly rolled back in his head. And then he was buried completely, and he glanced into her blue eyes, hazy with desire.

  He shifted his hips and settled even deeper. Her inner walls clasped around him, holding him tight, and her lashes fluttered closed. “So good.”

  “Fucking perfect,” he muttered before gliding out, thrusting in again, picking up a punishing rhythm she had no problem arching up and meeting. Sex sounds surrounded them. Her moans, his grunts, desire rushing through him so fast he had a hard time keeping up.

  He was more concerned that she kept pace, and he slowed only to have her grasp his face in her hands.

  “Harder please,” she said, and soon he was pounding into her.

  From the cries echoing around him, he had no doubt she was going to come again, and he waited for her to shatter before he let loose the rest of the way. His balls drew up tight, and as she came, she took him along with her.

  Jesus fuck. He’d never felt anything like that before in his life. Sprawling on top of her, he struggled to catch his breath, and beneath him, she did the same.

  “So that’s what makeup sex is like.” Chloe opened her eyes and met his gaze. “Pretty impressive if I do say so myself.”

  Lost inside her, everything had been perfect, but now, with awareness came panic. God, he’d felt too much, and that hadn’t been part of the plan.

  It couldn’t happen.

  He wouldn’t allow it and separated their bodies, rolling onto his back without replying.

  Chloe stared at him in confusion, and he didn’t know how to answer her. Instead he stood, removed the condom, and walked to the bathroom to toss it in the trash before heading back to find her putting on her clothes without looking his way.

  Shit. “What are you doing?”

  “Making sure you don’t freak out. Or should I say freak out even more?” She snapped her jeans and pulled on her camisole, gathering the rest of her things.

  He dropped his shoulders and realized he was being an ass. There was no reason this couldn’t be exactly what they’d agreed on. Fun while it lasted. Even if that meant double pleasure in one night. Or her falling asleep in his bed and his arms.

  “Come back,” he said, sitting down on the mattress.

  She shook her head. “I already told you, I know what this is and what it isn’t. I also know what I want and need. You can relax, Beck. Linc isn’t going to show up with a shotgun and demand you marry me. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She walked out and shut the door, with him cursing himself the entire time.

  Chapter Six

  Chloe hadn’t slept well thanks to what had felt like Beck’s rejection, but this morning was different. She woke up with a whole new attitude. Beck pulling away hadn’t hurt her feelings, or so she told herself. She was just coming off a broken engagement and being left at the altar. All she needed at the moment was mind-blowing sex. And sex with Beck had been just that. Not to mention exhilarating. It would only be life-altering if she allowed it. She wouldn’t.

  With last night behind her, today she was determined to return to the world. She showered, put on makeup, and chose one of her favorite new outfits, a pair of skinny black jeans, Chanel flats, and a white man-style shirt she tucked into the front. Leaving her hair down in natural waves, she pulled up half in JLo style and checked the mirror.

  As it was the first time she’d be leaving the house since it had happened, if one camera caught her, she wanted everyone to know Owen hadn’t destroyed her. She’d taken the time she needed to lick her wounds, and now she was a woman with a plan.

  She might not want to go back to work with Linc, but she needed a place where she could concentrate and hoped Beck would let her come to his offices to work on her submission for the design contest. She also wanted to start apartment hunting. After last night, she couldn’t stay here much longer without losing her head and her heart.

  Walking to the kitchen, she heard the sound of Beck’s voice, and it was obvious he was on a business call. She focused on her phone, looking at social media while she waited, giving him privacy.

  Scrolling through Instagram, she came upon a picture of Owen walking into a trendy restaurant with a woman who was Chloe’s exact opposite. Stick thin where Chloe had curves, brunette to her blonde, shoulder-length hair to her longer locks, and more petite for sure. His arm was around her – PDA that he’d never indulged in with Chloe – and in a way that signaled deep feelings, and the photographer had caught them looking into each other’s eyes.

  She swallowed hard. Why hadn’t she thought to block him? Frozen, she stared at the photo and forced herself to think. It wasn’t jealousy of the man himself—she’d accepted that theirs had been a comfort match—and it wasn’t shock that he was with someone. He’d been up front about why he’d been a no-show at the wedding. But she hadn’t gotten over the callous way he’d handled things, and she’d never seen such happiness on his face. Not when he’d been with her.

  “Chloe?” Beck called her name from the entryway to the kitchen. “Are you okay? I was heading back to my room, and I called your name twice. You’re just standing there in shock.”

  Swallowing hard, she turned her phone screen his way. “You know, it’s not that I want him back. It’s that…” She trailed off, unwilling to finish the sentence out loud.

  Owen had something she feared she’d never find. Joy. Contentment. And the knowledge that the right person was in his orbit and reciprocated all those heady feelings of true love.

  “It’s that what?” Beck asked in a gentle voice.

  She couldn’t meet his gaze, nor would she finish her sentence. She’d told him she wanted a fun affair and she’d meant it, but she’d also denied being a woman who ultimately desired marriage.

  She’d lied.

  But after the incredible experience they’d shared, he’d withdrawn into himself and run away from, not toward, her. Beckett “I don’t do relationships” Daniels was not the man for her.

  “Nothing important.” She snatched back her phone. “Have you heard from your parents yet?”

  His expression told her he knew she was avoiding discussing her ex with him. “No. If Mom reaches the doctor when the office opens, it should be soon. She said they start answering the phone at eight thirty.”

  She nodded. “I’m going to eat something, but I was hoping I could come to the office with you? Maybe you have an extra office or space where I can do some sketching?”

  If he hadn’t shut down on her last night, she’d have shared her contest entry and dreams for the future. She knew he’d be proud that she had taken his suggestion and conquered her fear. Now she just wanted to give him what she’d offered and no more. A roommate with occasional benefits.

  He appeared to think and then nodded slowly. “Yes. We have a place where you can set up. A small conference room that can act as an office. Will that work for you?”

  She nodded. “Yes, thanks.” She needed to be away from the stifling offices where she hadn’t been able to express herself, and she no longer wanted to hide away from the world.

  “What are you working on?”

  She opened her mouth to answer with some kind of avoidance and excuse when his cell rang.

  Shooting her an apologetic glance, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. He turned pale as he hit the accept button. “Mom?”

  She didn’t hesitate.
Stepping closer, she put a hand on his shoulder, silently giving him support as he listened to the news.

  * * *

  Beck disconnected the call with his mother and leaned back, needing the support of the wall behind him as much as he needed Chloe. Even as he didn’t want to need anyone.

  She stared at him, worry in her eyes. No matter how much of an ass he’d been to her, she wasn’t walking away from him now. That showed her strength, and right now she had more than he did.

  “Well?” she asked.

  “Cancer.” The word tasted sour in his mouth, and he still couldn’t wrap his brain around the fact that they’d have to go through this horror again.

  “Oh, Beck, I’m sorry.” She stepped forward and pulled him into her arms, offering him comfort, and he wasn’t tough enough not to take it. “What else do you know?” she asked.

  “Mom didn’t go into a lot of detail. Just that they caught it early. They think it’s stage one, and they want him to see an oncologist, but they expect him to need more surgery around the area of the polyp that was removed. With luck, no treatment after. Yada, yada,” he said, unable to help the sarcasm in his voice.

  She narrowed her gaze. “Okay, we’re going to sit down and talk.” Grasping his hand, she pulled him down the hall and back to his room, pushing at him until he sat on the edge of the bed. “You said before you knew better than to trust what a doctor promises. Now this. Why are you so skeptical?”

  He didn’t answer immediately, not used to discussing his past.

  “Okay, let’s try this. How did your mother sound? Is she worried the doctors are wrong? Does she want a second opinion? Is she scared and disbelieving?” Chloe latched on to the subject and refused to let go.

  He dipped his head. “Mom said she trusts the doctor and kept reassuring me Dad will be fine. But she was the same when Whitney was diagnosed.” Shaking his head, he muttered a curse. “Shit.”