“Really? For you and Beth?” Britt asked.
“No, it would be for me. The three of us. I wouldn’t sell the condo if I can work it out. That would give me a place to stay in town and a place for you two to continue living. If you wanted.”
“You and Beth aren’t going to do this together?” Court sheepishly wondered.
“I don’t know, Court. Right now, she doesn’t seem to want to make any changes. I know if I don’t at least see if I can’t get this place, I’ll kick myself for not trying.”
“And Zara and Amadeus will end up with strangers for neighbors,” Britt quipped.
“That’s true.”
“Do it, Daddy. Beth will come round.”
“Yeah.” I remembered the CD and held it up. “You guys want to listen to a couple tracks before you go?”
“Is that your new stuff?” Courtney’s eyes lit up.
“Yep, final mix. Have to say, I’m pretty damn proud of this.”
“Do you know what you’re going to use for the single?” Court asked.
“Yep, I’ll play it for you. We’ll listen to the whole thing when you have time. This is the only copy I have right now, otherwise I’d give you each one.”
A while later, the girls left for their concert, leaving me to tie up some loose ends. I was pleased to find a response from the agent. No offers had been made on house. I told her to put together a contract and send it to me. We continued discussing price, what she thought I could or could not get. Straight up, the house was at rock bottom price, and the owners were not willing to negotiate. It was getting late and if she got the offer drawn up, I told her I’d have it back so she could forward it to the seller’s agent this evening. This was going to work.
I decided I needed to see what I had in the way of dinner prospects. Looking into the refrigerator and pantry, I found not much. I started to grab a beer, but instead dug in the pantry for a bottle of whiskey I kept there. I reached for a glass and filled it half way.
As I took a sip, I felt my phone vibrate. I pulled it out and looked down. Beth. I toyed with the idea of not responding. For a second.
I’m downstairs.
I responded, trying to make sure I was comprehending correctly.
You’re here?
Yes. In the lobby.
I got up and grabbed the phone that we used for the desk down in the lobby. I told them to let Ms. Asher up, and to put her on my list.
Come on up.
Swallowing the contents of my glass, I rushed to the front door and opened it. I didn’t have to wait long. The elevator doors opened and out she stepped, her arms loaded.
“Here, let me help with that,” I said, taking two of the sacks from her. I wanted to kiss her, but didn’t want to push my luck. She looked as though she had something heavy on her mind.
I followed her inside, leading her to the kitchen.
“I got on the ferry and thought about everything. I couldn’t leave things the way they were. So, I took the return ride, walked around for a while. Decided I was getting hungry, so I stopped and got us some Thai, and a couple of bottles of wine. And you know the rest of the story.”
“Beth, I’m flattered. Understand me when I say I can’t take this back and forth, the indecisions. If you’re afraid of making a commitment, tell me now. I’ll slow it down, but I won’t stop. Not unless you tell me to.”
I watched her as she laid out the food containers on the counter. It was easy to see she was nervous. I didn’t want to add to it, but I was going to be damn sure we got on the same page.
“I understand.”
“What changed your mind?”
“I got to thinking about how hard you’ve been trying and how I’ve been a flaming idiot. I’ll be the first to admit, I’m scared to death of change. I suppose I’m afraid to commit again as well.”
“I understand. I know what you’re feeling. I have a horrible track record with women. Julia up and left me with the girls and little more. The house was about to go into foreclosure, and I had no funds, nothing to get out of it. Thanks to her. Lucky for me, Amadeus and Zara helped. Then, there was Alana, and that was just another classic example of a woman using me for what she could get out of me. I’ve been burned twice. Badly. I don’t intend for it to happen again. I know it won’t with you, but you’ve got to trust me, Beth.” I dug around and found the wine opener and two glasses.
“I suppose I haven’t been completely honest with you either, Dame. There was a guy I was seeing about five years ago. I thought for sure this was a new chapter in my life. What I got was verbal abuse. Ethan wasn’t old enough to be much help. He was just a hormone-enraged teenager. But one night, he heard how Chuck was belittling me, and confronted him. Ethan had seen things about him I hadn’t because I thought I was in love. What I was feeling was nothing more than wanting someone to fill a very deep void.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that. What happened to ol’ Chuck?”
“He walked out after I wouldn’t make Ethan back down. He texted me the next day, telling me the relationship I had with Ethan was unhealthy. If Ethan was his son, he would have found himself on the floor for speaking to an adult that way. I blocked his number and never heard from him again.”
I passed her a glass of wine. I was torn, not knowing what to say, and for having been such a complete ass. “I’m sorry you had to experience something like that.”
“I’ve tried not to let it interfere in my judgments, but it really did make an impact on me. That’s why, when you started going on about the fact I couldn’t make up my mind, it made me think.”
“About what?” I asked as I lifted my glass and took a long sip.
“That I was allowing your real concern and compassion to be drowned out by what Chuck had done. You’re nothing like him.”
“No, I’m not. I apologize if I brought any of that experience back to life. I didn’t know. It wasn’t my intention to beat you down with it. I love you and want you in my life. I want you to share in everything that’s happening to me. And yeah, I get a little headstrong about it.”
Before I knew what was happening, she had put her wine down and had her arms around my waist. Fuck, yes. I set mine aside and responded in kind. We stood like that for what seemed like forever.
When I loosened my arms, I noted tears in those blue eyes of hers. I leaned down and kissed her before wiping them away with my thumb.
“I do love you, Damien. I’m feeling like I’m on overload right now.”
“Then I’ll try and not be so forceful, but I can’t promise anything.” I kissed her again. This time, a little more passionately. “Why don’t we eat this great smelling dinner you brought? I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
“Me too. Show me where your silverware and plates are. You take everything to the table.”
“Deal.”
A few minutes later, we were sitting at the dining room table eating Thai and drinking the plum wine she’d brought.
“Man, this is great. Did you get it from the restaurant down the street?”
“Yes. You’re not going to believe this, but Ethan and I have eaten there a few times.”
“You’re kidding?” I chuckled. “That’s wild.”
“It is.” She took a sip and put her glass down. “So, what have you been doing besides getting everything to Zara?”
“I talked to the agent about the house.”
“And?”
“I’m going to make an offer. In fact, I need to check my email after we finish to see if she sent me the contract.”
“Wow. When you make up your mind, you go with it.”
“Yes, I do. I miss being out there. To be honest with you, Beth, Bainbridge is too inhabited anymore. It lost some of its charm when it became such a tourist trap. I miss my quiet cove and the quiet lifestyle.”
“I can see your point. Have you spoken to the girls?”
“Yep, and they’re fine. Especially when I told them I was going
to keep this place. At least that’s my plan. Let’s face it, they’re grown young women, and like you said, I think part of the reason they’ve stayed at home is they’re afraid to leave me by myself. That and the fact they pay no rent.” I grinned, trying to lighten the mood.
“You’re probably right, Dame. Speaking of them, where are they? Work?”
“No, they went to some free concert at the university. Tried to get me to go along with them.”
“Why didn’t you go?”
“They were just feeling sorry for their old man. I assured them I had more than plenty to keep me busy for the evening.”
I swallowed the contents of my glass. I caught the time out of the corner of my eye. “If you want me to take you home, we need to think about going. There are only a couple more ferries this evening. I’m not letting you go back alone. Not this late.”
“If you take me back, you’ll have to turn around and head back. Or drive the long way through Tacoma. Or stay the night.”
“Why not stay with me here? I’m sure we can find you something to wear, and if you’re that uncomfortable about sleeping with me, you can sleep in one of the girls’ rooms. They won’t mind.”
I stared at her, waiting for her response. “Why don’t we enjoy our wine? We can clean this up shortly,” she said.
At last, victory. “You’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m quite sure. Now, why don’t we go sit in the living room?”
“Sounds good. I need to check my email for that contract first.”
“It can’t wait until morning?”
“Perhaps, but right now, there are no offers on the place. The agent mentioned, and I agree, that once word gets out it’ll be gone fast. I don’t intend for my brother to have strangers as neighbors.”
“Good call then.”
I walked over and checked my email. Sure enough, the contract was there. Printing it out, I took it over to where Beth was waiting.
“I just need to read this first. Then, I’ll sign it, scan it, and get it back to her.”
“And the wait begins.”
“Hopefully not for long.”
I read through the document. Fairly standard, since I wasn’t asking for anything. Then, I texted the agent, telling her how much money I’d put down to show them I was serious. That had to wait until morning, but the contract was on its way.
Beth poured us fresh glasses of wine and was studying a wall lined with family photos.
“All finished,” I announced as I sat down. I leaned forward and picked up my drink, taking a long swallow.
“Your mother looks much the same as I remember her. Hard to imagine her married to a rock icon. They look quite happy.”
“They are. Did I tell you that no one suspected a thing until Zara caught them red-handed, kissing in the kitchen at a place Peter owns? She and Amadeus were staying there. They confessed everything, and the rest is history. I think Peter is a good influence. He knows how to get my mother unwound.”
“How’s that?”
“My mother’s a matriarch. At times, she gets a little too involved and concerned about her cubs.”
“I can see that. Especially with you and all you’ve been through.”
“Yeah, she was overly protective of me for a long time.”
“What does she think about all this you’re doing now? The business, record label, your solo album, Ethan.”
I chuckled. “She’s so wrapped up in Mary’s triplets and helping her, I don’t think she knows what’s up with any of the rest of us. Which is very good for us. I’m sure she’ll try to scold me about Ethan like she did Amadeus and Logan. In the end, she took Logan in as though he’d been in our family since birth. She’ll do the same with Ethan.”
“I remember that about your mother. Kind, non-judgmental.”
Again, I had to laugh. “Trust me, Grace Tudor can be a real snob when it suits her. But for the most part, with family, she tries to listen to all sides. She may not like certain things, but she accepts our choices in the end.”
“Do you think she’ll like me? Coming back into your life and all?”
“Yes, I do. She wasn’t fond of Julia, but tolerated her because of the girls. Alana, she had no use for, but would have tolerated her if she’d been my choice. That’s where Peter’s influence comes in.”
“Thank goodness for Peter then.”
“Hmmmm,” I replied leaning down and covering her mouth with mine. The kiss started out slow as we explored each other then became deeper and more passionate. My hand found one of her breasts, cupping it, causing her to moan as I tweaked the sensitive point. Her hand was on my thigh, slowly inching up to my now visible hard on. She cupped my cock and squeezed, causing me to thrust my hips towards her hand. I didn’t know how much more of this I could endure.
And then, a phone rang. It was Beth’s. I recognized the ring as one of Ethan’s songs.
“I’m sorry. He always checks in after a show.”
“That’s fine.” I watched her walk toward the windows overlooking the sound.
As she was talking with him, the girls walked in, giggling. Seeing me and Beth, they ceased all silliness.
“How was the concert?” I asked.
“It was pretty lame,” Britt said.
“There’s some Thai over on the table if you’re hungry. Just get a plate and heat it up.”
“Cool,” Court replied. She glanced at me and then at Beth, smiling.
The pair looked in the cartons before clearing off the table and heading into the kitchen.
Beth got off the phone and sat back down next to me. She reached for her wine, taking a long drink.
“Everything okay with Ethan?”
“Yes,” she answered, smiling smugly. “Everything is perfect.”
I didn’t know what that meant. Women and their code could be confusing at times. I didn’t know if that meant she’d told him where she was, and he was okay with it, or what else. I just wanted the outside world to go to bed and let me take her to mine and make love to her.
Instead, I spent over an hour listening to three women giggle and speak on such things that made only them happy. I didn’t even begin to try to understand what it was about. They spoke in some foreign language. I sighed, nodded my head at what I hoped were appropriate times.
Finally, seeing how late it was, the girls said their goodnights and headed to their bedrooms. I turned to Beth, who was seated at the end of the sofa, her legs tucked underneath her.
“I suppose we should clean the kitchen.”
“No need. The girls and I did that while we were talking.”
“I’m glad.”
“About what? That we cleaned the kitchen?” She giggled.
“No, that you’re talking and seeming to enjoy each other’s company.”
“I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know how to talk to young girls. The only experience I’ve had are Ethan’s lust infused fans.”
“Do you feel more at ease with them now?”
“Yes. They’re very smart, sophisticated young women. They also know what they want to do with their lives. Which says a lot.”
“Thank you. I am grateful. They could have just as easily gone in the opposite direction. There were a few times with Britt I was afraid that just might happen.”
“But she didn’t.”
“Thank god.” I stretched out my arm toward her, beckoning her to come closer. “Do you want to sit out here and talk for a while, or should we shut everything down and retire to my room?”
“I think the second option is a far more inviting choice, Mr. Tudor.”
Quickly, I went about shutting off lights. Beth waited patiently at the edge of the hallway. Taking her hand, I led her down to my bedroom, shutting the door and locking it.
“I don’t know how long I can wait. Take off your clothes. Now.”
As soon as we were both naked, I slammed my mouth over hers in a brutal, wet kiss. Surprisingly, she returned it with much ent
husiasm. I laid her on the bed and spread her legs. I had one thing on my mind and that was to drive her crazy.
I growled and plunged my tongue deep inside her wetness. I pushed her thighs open farther as I twirled my lips around her nub. I gazed up and caught her watching me. I licked her one last time, setting my lips over her clit and sucking hard. Her body clenched as an orgasm ripped through, and she gripped my head with her hands.
I pulled away and threw her legs high as I centered my cock and thrust in. I wanted her deeper, so I pulled out and flipped her over. I held her hips up as I slammed into her again. I heard her moan as I began pushing in and out of her. With my free hand, I rubbed her tender nub and sent her into her second orgasm. As she was in the midst of her bliss, my balls tightened up as I came. My entire body shook with the release. If this was heaven, I didn’t want it to end. Ever.
I awoke to an empty bed the following morning. Beth’s scent still lingered on her pillow and the sheets. I noted her clothes were still in a disheveled heap on the floor.
Wandering out to the living room, I found her and Courtney sitting at the table, coffee in hand, talking. Beth had on an old t-shirt of mine and what looked like a pair of shorts from one of the girls.
“Good morning,” she greeted me with a smile.
“Morning, Daddy.”
“Good morning, you two. Britt leave for work?”
“Yes. I’ve got a piano lesson in a couple of hours, and then I’m going to an audition.”
“Audition? For what?” I inquired, sitting down next to Beth.
“There’s a small orchestra forming. They’ll play at one of the theaters in town. My teacher got me the audition.”
“I thought you weren’t too interested in classical after you got your theory finished.”
“If it gets me into Julliard or another good music school, I’ll take it. It doesn’t seem as though I’m ever going to get any serious respect from the rock or pop communities around here.” She flashed me a smile as Beth set a mug of hot coffee in front of me.
“Court, I thought I’d explained that. My CD had no room for female background vocals. You did an excellent job on keyboards. Which, by the way, gives you something for your resume. Your time will come, I promise. If that’s what you want, it’ll happen.”
Tudor Redemption (Tudor Dynasty Book 4) Page 16