Beauty in His Bed

by L. K. Below

  Cover Copy

  TAG: Upon finding a gorgeous woman in his bed, Seb wakes her with a wicked kiss…and it just might lead to forever.

  Devastated by a breakup, plus-sized Amy Somers retreats to New Orleans to visit her longtime friend. But when her friend delivers the key to her apartment and sends Amy on ahead, she doesn’t realize that the apartment belongs to someone else.

  Upon coming home to find Amy asleep on his bed, Sebastien Babineaux entertains lusty thoughts. Bent on seducing her, he never expects to lose his heart – or to work so hard to keep Amy by his side.

  WARNING: Explicit sex scenes.

  Teaser

  Amy stared at the man who had so recently had his mouth between her legs. And he was certainly worthy of being stared at. Dark chestnut hair, broad shoulders, and a lean waist. And an impressive erection tenting his black pants. Had she entered an alternate dimension? Men like him didn’t look twice at girls like her.

  Most importantly, what the hell was he doing in her friend’s apartment?

  Beauty in His Bed

  By LK Below

  Beauty in His Bed

  9781616503925

  Copyright © 2012, LK Below

  Edited by Piper Denna

  Book design by Lyrical Press, Inc.

  Cover Art by Valerie Tibbs

  First Lyrical Press, Inc. electronic publication: July, 2012

  Lyrical Press, Incorporated

  http://www.lyricalpress.com

  eBooks are not transferable. All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  PUBLISHER'S NOTE:

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  Published in the United States of America by Lyrical Press, Incorporated

  Dedication

  To my Prince.

  Chapter 1

  Damn.

  Seb propped his shoulder against the door frame to keep from falling to his knees at the sight of the woman lying half-naked on his bed. Was he drooling? Faced with a sight as delectable as her, he didn’t know how his jaw wasn’t lying on the floor.

  If only she’d been conscious.

  His hands tingled with the urge to strip off the rest of her clothes. After the dry spell he’d been having, he would have considered himself delusional to be handed such a feast. That is, if Monique hadn’t warned him that she’d sent her friend Amy over. Seb needed no help charming women, but with a beauty like the one sprawled out before him, how could he turn her away?

  This woman had been crafted to fulfill his every fantasy. She lay, oblivious to his presence. Her blue baby doll clung to her large breasts, revealing miles of unconquered terrain. Her auburn hair draped over her chin and part of her plump mouth. One hand was tucked beneath her cheek; the other rested between her lush bare thighs. With her legs curled, he couldn’t tell how tall she would be, but one thing he was certain: before him lay a woman who he wouldn’t have to worry about crushing with his six-foot-tall frame. And one he shortly hoped to know very well.

  One question held him rooted in place while his hormones urged him to join her.

  Why would a goddess like her be lying half-dressed on his bed?

  Chapter 2

  Three hours earlier.

  Amy Somers felt as if a meteor the size of Manhattan had been lifted off her shoulders. As soon as the door to Sheer Passions swung shut behind her, she felt like an entirely different person. Hannah was right. Getting away had been the right thing to do. And by the time she crawled back home in three days, every sordid reminder of Tim would be gone.

  As she checked her watch, Amy thought she’d almost lasted five minutes this time without thinking of him. That was what this getaway was about, after all. Getting away.

  Even so, it was hard to blank out her thoughts. Three days wasn’t nearly long enough. Three decades, maybe. How was she supposed to erase the past eighteen months, and the most serious relationship she’d ever had?

  I thought Tim was The One…

  And there she went again, spiraling right back into a well of self-pity. Valiantly, she drew in a breath to stave off the urge to curl into a ball. Not that she would be curling or bending any time soon. How had she let Hannah coax her into these skintight jeans? Skinny jeans just weren’t meant to be worn by girls with her…bone structure, let alone the skimpy blue baby doll t-shirt she’d squeezed into. She’d been able to hide beneath her parka during the plane ride but, well…

  December in New Orleans couldn’t really be called winter. Not when compared to the frigid temperature she had just left.

  “Amy, girl!”

  Instead of wincing, Amy grinned at the high-pitched shriek heralding the approach of her good friend. After setting down her suitcase, she opened her arms and bent to give Monique Soule a hug.

  “It’s been too long!” Monique exclaimed in her southern drawl.

  She was right. How long had it been since Amy had last seen her? They’d been inseparable in college, each working hard to obtain their business certificate. But while Amy had given up her dreams of opening her own store when Monique had returned to her hometown of New Orleans, it seemed her former roommate had not. She was now the proud owner of Sheer Passions, after all. And she hadn’t changed a bit.

  In fact, in a stiff black corset, flowing red skirt and high-heeled boots, Monique didn’t resemble a stuffy business owner in any way. As Amy smiled, she tried hard not to slump in a vain attempt to match Monique’s five-foot height. At five-seven, she felt like a giant next to her friend. She wasn’t used to the feeling. After all, her cousin Colleen was three inches taller than her, even if she was stick-thin.

  No, don’t think about Colleen…

  But it was too late. Her mind was already on her cousin’s fantastic news. Colleen’s success in romance only punctuated Amy’s loss.

  Tim…

  No. She was in New Orleans, miles away from her ex. This was supposed to be a healing trip, if a short one. For three days, she would think of something completely different from her breakup. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile.

  “Thanks for letting me stay at your place, Monique. I appreciate it.”

  Was it her imagination, or did a sly smile cross her friend’s face for a minute? But Amy was being silly. With her sharp chin and twinkling brown eyes, Monique often reminded her of a mischievous imp.

  “Sugar, I wouldn’t hear of anything different.”

  After batting a strand of her short, black bob away from her dark skin, Monique raked her gaze over Amy’s form. Amy fought the urge to cover herself. In her tight jeans, she must stick out like a sore thumb. A swollen sore thumb.

  “Look at you! You look hot.”

  Amy highly doubted that. When she was around someone like Monique–who was as big around her waist as one of Amy’s thighs–she found it hard to feel attractive. Even when she’d had someone.

  Don’t think about him.

  She tried to banish the thought as Monique picked up the suitcase. Linking her thin arm through Amy’s, Monique tugged her farther into the store.

  “So what’s your verdict, sugar?”

  Narrowing her eyes as she glanced around the store, Amy exclaimed, “It’s beautiful!” Sh
e meant it, too, even if her heart broke a little to see it. Mannequins posed in evocative positions as they displayed small, sheer, lacy concoctions. As she admired the lingerie, Amy tried to contain her sad smile. She both loved and hated stores like Sheer Passions. They contained the best and most beautiful, everything a woman could want to entice a man–but rarely did anything come in her size.

  Maybe it was best that this time around, she didn’t have a man to entice.

  Setting that thought aside, she turned to her friend. “You’ve done a great job here, Monique. The business is going well?”

  “More than well. I’ve got no competition in this little corner and the girls on either side only bring in more business for me.” As Monique reached the glossy marble countertop in the center of the store, she set down the suitcase and turned. “The only area I’m missing items in is that one over there.” She pointed to one corner of the store opposite the dressing rooms. “I just don’t get enough pieces to fit plus-size beauties like yourself.”

  Amy sighed. “That’s the way of the world, isn’t–” When she saw the glint in her friend’s brown eyes, she cut herself off. “Monique…”

  “Back when we were in college, all you wanted to do was make plus-sized lingerie.”

  “Well, I realized what a stupid dream that was,” Amy snapped back. “Now I’m a bank teller, and honestly, Monique, I couldn’t be happier.”

  “We have banks here in New Orleans.”

  Amy had always loved the way Monique pronounced the name of her home city as Nawlins. Seeing as the first time she’d said it, Amy hadn’t even been sure she’d come from the United States, it was a bit of a running joke between them. But today, she didn’t smile.

  Nevertheless, her friend continued, “I know at least a half dozen other stores who would love to show your talent.”

  “I live in New York.”

  “Why? It’s obvious you ain’t got any ties there, sugar.”

  “I do have ties there. I have friends and family.”

  Colleen has Dan now.

  And when she’d had Tim, she’d been ecstatic for her cousin. What was it about her boyfriend leaving her for another, thinner woman that made her so bitter? She wanted to be happy for her cousin. Finally, at twenty-six, Colleen had found a meaningful relationship.

  Lifting one thin black eyebrow, Monique said, “Is that why you’ve come crying on my shoulder instead of staying to cry on theirs? You could have a home here, Amy.”

  She didn’t want to talk about this. Sliding her eyes shut, Amy took a deep breath. “I’m only here until Wednesday,” she said calmly. Firmly.

  She shouldn’t have let Hannah talk her into coming in the first place. Coming had been cowardly. I don’t belong here. No matter what Monique said to the contrary. She had a life back in New York. Or she’d had one. With Tim.

  Stop it!

  Monique sighed. “Oh, all right, sugar. You won’t hear another word from me. But I want you to know that the offer still stands.”

  With a thin smile, Amy nodded.

  When she opened her eyes again, Monique tugged on her arm. “Come. I want you to meet the girls.”

  The slender woman pulled Amy with surprising strength out the door and into the balmy New Orleans air. Amy glimpsed a sign reading Madame Danielle’s Charms and Baubles before her friend dragged her inside.

  Unlike Monique’s store, this one was dimly lit and swathed in red velvet, casting a mysterious air over the place. The front sold candles, costume jewelry, and myriad other items. The back was separated by a black curtain. Manning the counter was a slim, ash-blond beauty. Her full red lips were in sharp contrast to her pale skin and light blue eyes, ringed with eyeliner. Grinning, she waved to Monique, the bracelets on her arm jingling.

  “Well, Monique! Who is this?”

  “This is my friend Amy. She’s visiting from New York.”

  Holding out her hand, adorned with many rings, the young woman said, “I’m Emily. Nice to meet you. How do you like New Orleans so far?” Like Monique, she spoke with a drawl.

  “It’s very pretty,” Amy said, even though she hadn’t seen much of the city in her cab ride over to Monique’s store. She’d been too preoccupied with brooding.

  Putting her hands on her hips, Emily said, “You haven’t seen what New Orleans has to offer until you’ve had a tarot card reading.” Cocking her head, she called, “Danielle! Come out here a minute.”

  The black curtain rustled, and out came another woman. This one wore a colorful blouse and skirt, with her hair covered by a scarf. As she viewed Amy, her eyes widened and she let out a squeak. Her hands fumbled with a hanging portion of her scarf as she hurried to draw it across her lower face, but not before Amy caught a glimpse of her mouth. Her features were identical to Emily’s in every way but one. One side of her upper lip was perpetually curled up in a deformity. From the way she’d struggled to cover it, she was acutely self-conscious of that fact.

  Before Danielle could shrink back behind the curtain again, her sister waved her forward. “This is Amy. She’s new in town. I thought we could welcome her with a reading, to give her the flavor of New Orleans.”

  Danielle hesitated, then said, “Three card?” Her voice was softer than her sister’s. Timid. At Emily’s nod, she disappeared into the back room.

  “That’s not necessary,” Amy said, but Emily waved her off.

  “Nonsense. You’re in New Orleans now, darlin’. Have you ever had a tarot reading?”

  Amy shook her head, so Emily continued, “Then let me explain the rules to you. You need to think of a question, something important that you want answered. It can’t have a yes or no answer, and it has to have a timeline, but other than that, your question can be anything. Even something as simple as what you’ll find during your stay in New Orleans.”

  Amy already felt like she was being put on the spot. She didn’t want to voice the other questions running through her mind, they all had to do with Tim. “That one’s good.”

  Emily frowned, clearly about to prompt Amy to a different question, but her sister shuffled out of the back room. Danielle’s scarf was still firmly secured over her mouth, shielding it. As she set a pack of small cards on the counter, she said, “You’ll have to think of a question.”

  “Emily already explained the rules to me. I know what I want to ask.”

  Before she could voice her question, Danielle held up her hand. Unlike Emily, she wore no rings or bracelets. “Don’t tell me. Just think of your question as you shuffle the cards.”

  Amy didn’t know how Danielle was supposed to answer her question without knowing what it was, but she shuffled the cards anyway. Once she was done, she handed them back. Danielle turned over the three on the top, spreading them in a line. As she narrowed her eyes, her pale eyebrows snapped together in a frown.

  After a minute, she looked up. “Has something turbulent happened to you recently?”

  Flabbergasted, Amy felt her mouth drop open. She craned her neck to peer at the cards. Did they show that Tim had broken up with her? All she saw was a bunch of swords and staffs. What did that mean?

  Danielle continued, “I only ask because of these cards.” She pointed at the first two. “This one, representing the past, is the two of swords. You see how the figure is blindfolded? That could indicate that you were once blinded to something or someone. Even so, based on the figure’s position, you also felt defensive. Maybe you’ve felt that way for a long time.” She moved on to the second card. “But here in the spot representing the present, you have the six of swords. It shows that you’re running away from something. See the choppy water on this side of the boat? You’re sailing from something bad into calmer waters. That could be the reason you’re here in New Orleans.”

  Amy didn’t look at Monique, she didn’t have to. Danielle was completely right, she was running from something. Her breakup.

  When she didn’t say anything, Danielle pointed to the third and last card. This one was bright
er than the others, with a yellow background and garland twining around four staffs. “This is your future, the four of wands. It indicates a celebration to come. Normally, this card means there will be a wedding in the future, but it could be any kind of party. A baby shower, a housewarming party, or even the celebration of an accomplishment.”

  Unfortunately, Amy knew which one the card indicated. There would be a wedding in the future, it just wouldn’t be hers. Colleen’s voice echoed in her head, Dan and I are getting married!

  Why did she have to announce it now? No, Amy refused to blame Colleen for anything. She loved her cousin. Colleen deserved every good thing that happened to her. And Amy was sure Dan was good for her, even if she hadn’t met him yet. Well, they’d only been dating for a month. Maybe Amy should have made the time to meet him, but Tim had always wanted to spend their free time together. And she’d been happy to share her life with him.

  Amy sighed softly.

  Danielle’s quiet voice pierced her melancholy. “Why do you look sad? A celebration is a reason to be happy.”

  Amy forced a smile. “I’m just tired from my flight,” she lied. “I am happy. Thank you. How much do I owe you?”

  “Nothing,” Emily said with a laugh. “You’re a friend of Monique’s. Besides, we only charge for eleven card spreads. That one barely took five minutes.”

  “Thank you,” Amy said, though she felt guilty leaving without paying for anything. Maybe the cards hadn’t held the answer she’d hoped to hear, but Danielle had still taken the time to read them. Amy would have to make a point of going back and buying something another day.

  When she and Monique re-entered Sheer Passions, Amy pleaded, “Not to be rude, but I really am tired from my flight.” She hoped her friend wouldn’t catch her in the lie. After her tarot reading, she just wanted to be left alone for an hour or two, at least while her friend was still at work. She didn’t think she could force herself to be cheery to strangers. “Do you think I could crash at your place for a couple hours?”