Pretty Boy Problems

by Michele Grant

  “You have all the time in the world.”

  “Just gotta find the right guy.” I waited for his reaction to that one.

  He blinked slowly. “Indeed. So, a man like your father, or no?”

  My first instinct was to say no, and then I thought about it. “Yes and no. A family man, a man who believes in God, a man who adores every breath his wife takes. Yes please. But I want a man who respects my profession, isn’t locked into traditional gender roles, and is more of a partner.”

  Beau nodded, and we fell into a companionable silence.

  My relationship with my father had always been complex. I knew he loved me but I also resented the hell out of him for driving my mother to an early grave. He had made no secret of the fact that he thought my career was frivolous, but he didn’t refuse the money I funneled toward the family for years. I’d never heard a thank you or a good job out of him. Now, with my sisters and brothers ready to make their own way, I just wasn’t sure what the family dynamics would be. So while I definitely wanted him healthy and whole, I was conflicted about the nature of our relationship now.

  We waited for close to an hour until my father started trying to sit up. I rushed to the side of the bed and raised the angle slightly. I placed my free hand on his shoulder to keep him from trying to get up and kissed his forehead.

  “Hey, Daddy.” Beau came and stood beside me, taking my hand in his again.

  My father’s eyes blinked open and his mouth lifted up in a smile. His voice was a little slurred and raspy. “Baby Girl. Who’s this young man?”

  “Beauregard Montgomery, meet Percival Elias Richards.”

  “Mr. Richards.” Beau clasped his hand.

  “Percy.”

  “Percy. Wish we’d met under nicer circumstances.”

  “Is what it is.”

  I could see the effort that staying awake and talking to us was taking. “Daddy, don’t wear yourself out. We’ll be back in the morning.” I patted his shoulder and took a step back.

  “Dallas?” My father rasped out the single word.

  “We’re not going back to Dallas until we know how you are . . . for sure.” The doctors had given him a good prognosis, but I wanted to see him up and moving before I headed back.

  “I’m fine.”

  “I know but . . .”

  “You made enough sacrifices for us.”

  “It’s not a sacrifice.”

  “I’m gonna be fine.”

  “Daddy . . .”

  “But stay . . . please.”

  My eyes welled up with tears. My father was a man who did not say please ever. He was a man of few words, actually. You never knew what he was thinking. If he was asking me to stay and adding a please, this was serious. “Of course I’ll stay as long as you want. We’ll be back first thing in the morning. You just concentrate on getting well.”

  He nodded and closed his eyes.

  The floor nurse came in, checked his dressings, and gave him some meds while quietly telling us that he was doing well.

  After the nurse left the room, I stood watching my father rest for another moment before squeezing Beau’s hand and turning away. We were a step from the door when my father’s voice rang out stronger than before.

  “Beau?” We turned back around to see him sending a surprisingly lucid and assessing eye in Beau’s direction.

  Beau stepped forward. “Yes, sir?”

  “Watch your step.”

  Beau nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  “Delaney’s very special.”

  “Daddy!” Where had this come from? I felt like a teenager bringing her prom date by for approval. This was crazy. I was very special? That was new also.

  Beau nodded again. “Don’t back talk your father. Sir, I completely agree.”

  My mouth fell open and I closed it quickly.

  Percy’s eyes lit up. “All right then.”

  Beau patted my father’s hand. “Rest well, Percy.”

  I looked from my father to Beau and shook my head. Men.

  “Go ahead on with the man, Baby Girl.”

  Beau grinned, “C’mon, Baby Girl.”

  All I could do was roll my eyes and follow Beau out the door. Before I could chat with him about whatever that macho nonsense was, we ran into Dalton and Tina in the hallway.

  “How is he?” Dalton asked.

  I had to smile. “Nurse said he’s recovering quickly, no complications. He’s well enough to have a word or two with Beauregard here.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  Beau grinned. “Mais oui. Baby Girl here is very special.”

  Tina snorted. “In more ways than one.”

  “Are you going to make that ‘Baby Girl’ thing a thing now?”

  “Maybe. I kinda like it.”

  “And if I started calling you Pontchartrain Poonhound?”

  “Doesn’t have the same zip to it.”

  Dalton sighed. “Not to interrupt y’all’s banter but... so Dad’s sleeping?”

  “Knocked out,” I supplied.

  My sister Loren came striding down the hallway with a blanket, pillow, and duffel bag. “Family, hot dude Delaney brought with her—what’s good?”

  “Loren is coming up to stay the night. We thought we’d do shifts,” Tina said.

  “I drew the short straw; I’m on the night shift,” Loren said.

  “Aw, look at y’all all grown up. I like this new independence but keep me in the loop, okay?” I actually was growing okay with the fact that they didn’t need me for every little decision. Letting go was easier than I thought it would be.

  Dalton rolled his eyes. “Yes, Sis.”

  Beau asked, “Who’s hungry?”

  All of us Richards raised our hands.

  “Least I can do is take Baby Girl and her fam out to dinner.”

  He was really getting into the whole “Baby Girl” thing. I was going to have to squash that . . . soon. “You don’t have to buy us dinner.”

  Beau rolled his eyes. “I know, Belle. I offered—are you turning me down?”

  I dropped his hand and put my hands on my hips. “Why are you so sensitive this afternoon, sugar? I didn’t say all that.”

  “So enlighten me, Belle, what are you saying?”

  “I was just giving you an out in case you didn’t want to buy us dinner!” We stood toe-to-toe, and I pointed my finger in his chest to enunciate every word.

  He took the back of his hand and moved my finger out of the way. “I wouldn’t have made the offer if I didn’t mean it.”

  “Well, fine!”

  “You know what, ma fifille?”

  “What?” I huffed.

  He lowered his voice. “You are driving me absolutely crazy today.”

  “It’s been a long day.”

  “It’s getting longer by the minute,” he agreed.

  Loren’s, Tina’s, and Dalton’s heads swiveled back and forth between the two of us as if they were watching a tennis match.

  “Y’all need a moment?” Loren drawled.

  Beau gave me a whatcha-wanna-do-now look, and I shifted forward to lean my forehead against his chest and wrap my arm around his waist. “I know. I’m sorry. I told you I require patience.”

  He stroked the back of my neck with his hand. It felt amazing. I leaned into the caress for a moment. His voice was a low rumble in his chest when he responded. “You did. I’ll try not to run out.”

  Dalton cleared his throat. “Seriously, do y’all need a moment?”

  I took a step back. “Sorry, let’s go eat. Pretty Boy is paying.”

  16

  You Sure about This?

  Beau—Wednesday, May 4, 4:50 PM

  I finished sending the last e-mail and shut down my laptop. Moving it to the desk in the hotel suite, I also double-checked my phone for messages before setting it next to the laptop. I plugged both of them into their chargers.

  There was no way you could have convinced me that selecting models was hard work... but it was. Belle like
d to create glossy one-page handouts that she called style sheets. She used those in addition to an order catalog, which we would work on next. We selected two male and two female models, sent Katrina out with the photographers to scout locations, and scheduled the shoot. We were halfway to the launch of the spring line.

  Some of the sample garments had arrived this afternoon. We had been ripping open the boxes and examining each one. I have to admit to being proud of my contribution to making these designs come to life.

  “We just got the FedEx. We’ve been running around with my family and taking laps to the hospital. He’s doing great. Beau’s been great.” Belle was on the phone to Yazlyn. “I think the resort collection for the men is my favorite line so far.”

  I opened up the last box and pulled out a shrink-wrapped garment. As I shook it out, my mouth went dry. It was a sheer bustier in pink with an embroidered rose pattern across the straps and down the bodice; there was a matching pair of bikini panties. It instantly occurred to me that Belle would look trés magnifique in these. In fact, she would look better with me taking them off of her. Maybe with my teeth.

  “Belle.” I spoke in a quiet, serious tone.

  She glanced over at me and held up a finger before turning away. “No, hold onto the rest of the samples. They are releasing my dad Saturday morning, and we should be in the office by Monday.”

  “Belle, hang up the phone and put these on.” I walked toward her, unbuttoning my shirt as I went. I’d had it with waiting. For an instant-gratification kind of guy, my patience was sorely tested. I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it. And right now, I wanted Belle . . . with a crucial urgency. Gliding up behind her, I placed my lips on the back of her neck and unzipped her dress. She stopped talking abruptly. I smirked as her dress fell to the ground. I unsnapped her bra and started sliding the straps down her arms. She was beautiful. I looked down and watched as her nipples pebbled into points. I cupped her breasts in my hands; they fit perfectly. Greedily, I feathered my thumbs across the tips. I wanted all of her attention focused on me.

  She looked over her shoulder at me. I lifted my eyes and met her look as I continued to stroke her. The heat between us went from warm to blazing just like that. Her breath stuttered and her eyelids lowered to half-mast. “Yaz, I gotta go.” She ended the call and tossed the phone toward the sofa as she arched into my hands. “Jesus, that feels good.” She pulled the bra the rest of the way off and kicked the dress out of the way. I sent my shirt to join the dress.

  “I can make it feel better,” I promised.

  When she turned toward me, I had to catch my breath. She was a goddess clad in a whisper-thin thong and silver high-heeled sandals. Her skin looked like poured chocolate and I wanted a taste . . . badly. I craved it more than my next breath. Before I could reach for her, she kicked off her heels and jumped at me. She literally climbed up my body before wrapping her arms and legs around me. “You still want me to put the lingerie on?”

  “Later,” I growled and gripped her hips to mold her to mine. I shifted her in tiny increments against me just to drive both of us a little crazy. She was soft and blazing hot where our bodies were smashed against each other.

  “About time; let’s do this.” She attached her lips to the side of my neck and bit down.

  I barked out a laugh as I carried her toward the bedroom. “About time? I was waiting on you, chérie!”

  She licked the small wound the bite left. “I appreciate that. The wait is over.”

  “Certainement.” It certainly was. I tipped her back onto the bed and settled on top of her. My lips met hers in a fiery kiss. We were eager to learn each other’s taste and rhythm. Instead of dueling, our tongues danced. Each foray more heated than the last. Stroking my palm across her face, I had to ask, “You sure about this?”

  “Absolument,” she said with a grin.

  I put her arms up over her head with her wrists together. “Leave them there,” I commanded as I started tasting her. Light licks and kisses across her jaw, down her neck, across her collarbone, nearing her breasts. I wanted to leave a trail of fire everywhere my lips touched. I explored her reverently, learning the beat of the pulse along her throat, the softness at the curve of her shoulder, the slope at the plump swell of her breast where a slight flower scent lingered.

  She squirmed and brought her hands down to my face. “Beau...”

  I stopped. “Where are your hands?”

  With a low moan, she took her hands and placed them back over her head. I knew she would. Belle was the kind of woman who liked to be in control everywhere but in bed. She wanted someone to challenge her comfort zone a little, take her on a journey outside of herself. I was definitely up to the job.

  “Keep them there, or I stop.” I traced her left nipple with my teeth while circling the right with my fingers as incentive for her to comply.

  “Okay, but hurry.”

  I stopped again. “What was that?” I smiled as she groaned deep in her throat.

  “Who knew you’d be a control freak in bed?”

  I kissed my way down her stomach and pressed a kiss in the center of her damp panties. “If you don’t like it, I can stop.”

  She arched her hips up. “Don’t you dare!”

  I moved the panties to the side and dipped down for a taste. The taste of her arousal exploded on my tongue, and I was instantly addicted. With a hum, I settled in to enjoy the feast. I allowed my tongue to scrape and dart and plunge and tease until her breath hitched in her throat and she began to pant. Her legs fell open and then tightened around my ears as I nipped right there and then there and with extra pressure there.

  I reached up and flicked a nipple at the same time that I sucked her nubbin into my mouth and thrust a finger inside her tight passage. She screamed and convulsed around me. I continued the pressure so she could ride the wave as long as possible. After a few moments, she settled and her legs fell limp.

  “Beau?” Her voice was raspy and low. It was the sexiest thing I had ever heard.

  “Oui, ma belle?”

  “Get inside me darlin’. Now.”

  I raised a brow at her tone.

  She shimmied on the comforter. “Please. I need you. Please!”

  I snapped, all thoughts of control and challenge gone. I needed this woman far more than I wanted her surrender. Impatient now, I ripped her panties and flung them across the room. Then I shucked off my pants and boxers. Pulling a condom out of the nightstand and rolling it on, I couldn’t remember being quite this hard before. Settling back over her, I widened her thighs and placed a kiss on her lips. “You ready, ma douce?”

  She opened her eyes and tilted her hips up in blatant invitation.

  “I hear you, baby. Here we go.” Without further ado, I slid in to the hilt. Jesus, she was tight as a fist around me. Belle screamed and I went still as a statue, worried that I’d hurt her in some way. “Are you okay?” I managed to ask as her impossibly wet canal pulsed around me. It was insane for a woman to feel like this.

  “Better than okay; may I have more please?” she begged.

  “Je sais tout faire.” Anything she wanted, I would do. Shifting up, I placed each of her legs over the crooks of my arms and opened her wide. We both groaned at the sensations caused by the deeper angle. I tensed my jaw and slid forward again and then again.

  “Yes!” she hissed between her teeth and lifted her hips to meet each slow stroke.

  “Belle, is this how you like it?” I asked for the first time ever. I wanted to make it perfect for her.

  “I like it however you want to give it to me.”

  Great answer. I grew harder inside her and slowed the tempo more. “All right then.” I inched out of her in a silky withdrawal before sinking just as slowly back into her warmth. I ground against her to plumb her depths. I looked down to where we were intimately joined, amazed that such a simple action could spark this kind of feeling.

  When I looked up, Belle’s eyes were trained on me. Her expression reveal
ed the same awe that I felt, and a warmth that had nothing to do with sex seeped into my veins. Not now Beau, I lectured myself. This was no time to get all emotional. I had work to do. My job here was to dissolve Belle into a limp pool of happy. I altered the stroke to hit her G-spot and her eyes fluttered closed.

  “Keep that up and I’m going to come again,” she warned with a whimper, her hands still above her head and gripping the pillows tightly.

  “Go ahead, Mirabella; there’s more where that came from.” A light sheen of sweat coated my skin as I held back my release to ensure Belle had her fill. She began to throb around me so I leaned down to nip at the sensitized tip of a heaving breast with my teeth. I sucked the nipple into my mouth and rolled it between my teeth and tongue. She gave a keening cry and roared up beneath me; I had to literally brace myself to keep from joining her in orgasm.

  I watched in fascination as she fractured around me. “You like that? Trés bien, maybe just a lil more?”

  Her head flailed from side to side on the pillow. “I can’t, I can’t.”

  I lowered her legs to the bed and slid my hands up to join hers. Linking her fingers with mine on either side of her head, I whispered, “You can. Just a lil more, chérie, for me?” I rocked against her.

  Her knees came up on either side of my hips. “Umm. Maybe for you.”

  “Merci, merci beaucoup.” I continued my slow rock.

  “Beau?”

  How far gone was I that I was starting to love the way she said my name? “Belle?”

  “Let go, baby.”

  “Beg pardon?”

  “I know you’re holding back to make it perfect for me.”

  She saw through me. “Maybe a lil bit.”

  “Don’t. It’s already perfect. It’s everything I wanted and more. Now I want you to lose control.”

  I wasn’t a man to lose control in bed. I enjoyed myself, yes, at all times, but I wasn’t one to forget where I was and what I was doing. At that moment, she squeezed me with her internal muscles and stroked a hand down my back to sneak in between us. As I withdrew, she ran her finger along my base and across my sac, lightly scraping the skin with her fingernail. I lost control.