Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series)

by L. A. Miller

  Bailey looked back at him and tried to control her laughter. One look of his mocked hurt expression caused her to break out laughing. As if sensing the humor Beckett’s horse snorted spraying his face and after a moment of shock he joined in the laughter. After a few minutes and with tears in her eyes Bailey finally was able to get control of herself. Beckett stepped back and with one hand on the horses head he studied her for a minute before he asked her.

  “So does that mean if I were to ask you out you would hold this against me?” He asked referring to his snot stained shirt.

  Bailey tried to control her smile as she studied him. “Uh…depends….do you plan on taking me out looking like that?”

  “No… I guess I could shower.” He smiled.

  “Well…what did you have in mind?”

  “I don’t know….dinner….somewhere quiet where we could talk…I guess since we’re supposed to be madly in love with each other we should know a little about each other…it could get real embarrassing someone asks us how we met and we both come up with different stories.”

  “Ah….I see your point….well…..I guess since it’s purely research how could I refuse.” She grinned. “But I’m not sure with this being our first night here I should abandon my brother and sister”

  “You can always bring them along….I’m sure there’s got to be a Chucky Cheese around here.”

  “Chucky Cheese?” She said doubting his seriousness.

  “Yeah….and if you’re good I might even challenge you to a game of Skeet ball.”

  “You’re serious.” She said suddenly surprised.

  “Yes.” He said. “Look Bailey…this doesn’t have to be an awkward situation between us….it’s purely a business deal…and the more convincing we appear the easier it will be for all concerned…what do you say….I promise to behave…..besides you will have Tristan and his superhero powers to guard you.” He said sincerely.

  Bailey looked up at the horse as if asking for advice before she looked at him. “That would be nice I’m sure the kids would be satisfied with any pizza place we find.”

  “They may but I won’t….I had my heart set on Chucky Cheese.” He said. “Would 5:00 be too early?” He asked as they both started out of the stables.

  “No…we should be ready.”

  “Good.”

  “Beckett…..what you did earlier for Tristan…thank you….it was very kind of you.”

  “No problem….I remember the day my brothers told me I wasn’t a superhero…it crushed me.” He said walking by her side.

  Bailey stole a glance and seeing he was being genuine she felt her heart once again flip. She had to remind herself this was all an illusion, not really a date. He wasn’t truly interested in her or her family, his family wanted the company and this was the means to the end. She began to wonder why her grandmother had added this clause to the contract. She meant to find her once they were inside and she was alone with her grandmother. When they reached the house Beckett excused himself to go shower and she went in search of her grandmother. She was pleased to find her alone in the study. Closing the door to prevent any interruptions she cautiously approached her grandmother. Regina looked up and seeing the closed door raised her eyebrow.

  “Why the marriage?” Bailey said choosing not to beat around the bush.

  “What do you mean?” Regina asked.

  “You could have easily signed a contract with them selling them the company and over the next year gradually introduced them to society.”

  “True.” Regina said putting her book down. “But at the end of the year when they took over the company and our family had pulled out so would the business.”

  “How can you believe that?”

  “Bailey you have a lot to learn about the South….no matter how they try to paint themselves the Birmingham’s are Yankees….only by marrying one of our own will my kind overlook that.”

  “That’s ridiculous…what’s the difference between them buying you out and us getting a divorce….they will no longer be married to one of your kind.” Bailey argued.

  “True….but it won’t be for want of his trying…people here are fickle in that way….people get divorced and remarried here all the time and no one bats an eye.”

  “Why would you care if the Birmingham family is successful anyways….especially since they are Yankees?” Bailey asked

  “I don’t care about them….I care about your grandfather’s company…..he built that up from nothing…had your father not run off and gotten married he would have helped him run it and we wouldn’t be in the situation we’re in now….your father always had a good head on his shoulders…..not like the rest of my useless children.” She noticed the way Bailey reacted. “I’m not so proud that I can’t admit how useless my children and grandchildren are….I have spent years bailing them out of their troubles….looking back maybe I would have been better off letting them learn from their mistakes….but at the time I had the family to think about…..now all I have is your grandfathers name and his company….I will not see that dragged through the dirt.”

  Bailey shook her head as she tried to understand her grandmothers rational. “What would you have done if I had said no?”

  “You wouldn’t have….I didn’t just find you randomly….I have followed you since you were born.”

  “What?”

  “Your grandfather was a very proud man….he couldn’t admit when he made a mistake….I always figured one day they would make up….even accept your mother….but neither one of them budged and then it was too late….I had kept tabs on your family….when your mother got ill I almost came to the hospital.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “Your grandfather was ill then …when your mother died and you were left alone to raise your brother and sister I didn’t know what to do….I didn’t want to make the same mistakes I made with my children and your cousins…what you went through made you stronger.”

  Bailey was crying now. “Grandmother….do you realize how hard it was for me…I was only 19…I gave up every dream I ever had?”

  “Would you have done anything differently……be honest?” Her grandmother asked.

  Bailey thought about it for a moment, all the hard times she had gone through. Then she began to think about the rest of their life and the good times. She knew they were sweeter because of the combination of the good and the bad. She suddenly realized she wouldn’t have.

  “No.”

  “Bailey…you are like your father and grandfather….you can get thrown into a trashcan and somehow find art in it….when you’re cousin Alicia pulled her stunt at first I was angry….then I saw an opportunity for me to contact you….I don’t regret any of it.”

  Bailey studied her for a minute then had to admit to herself neither did she. The kids were in a better place, the bills were all paid and all she had to do was give up one year of her life in payment. She then began to wonder about Beckett.

  “Why did he agree?” She asked her grandmother.

  Regina smiled. “Ah yes young master Beckett…he was very smart…unlike his brothers he did all his homework….if it wasn’t for him I still wouldn’t know about the business and what your cousins and uncle had done….one day I would just get a knock on the door and they would have evicted me to pay for all their debts….so I have to thank him for that.” She smiled. “Why did he agree…the truth?”

  “Yes.”

  “It was the only way I would agree to sell the company….and since he has spent his life moving from one bed to another he had nothing to lose.” Regina said carefully watching her reaction. “In fact he actually has something to gain by this….it will keep his mistress from trapping him into marriage.”

  “Mistress?” Bailey said as she felt the stab of pain. Graham had said he had a girlfriend. What was the difference if she was his girlfriend or his mistress, he was still taken. Maybe because in Baileys eyes a mistress was less honorable.

  “Bailey…Beckett Birmi
ngham is a player….for most of his life he has jumped from one bed to another….then a few years ago he found a female counterpart and they have made a life of enjoying each other in every way possible….but I believe she is looking to make things permanent and I don’t believe he feels the same….so by marrying you he gets to enjoy the benefits of his relationship with her without worrying about the possibility of her trapping him.”

  Bailey sat down on the chair suddenly as all the illusions she had created came crashing down. He had been playing her, playing her brother and sister. Was it some game to get her into his bed?

  “He wants me to go out with him…..to talk.”

  “Yes I know…I told him that would be a good idea. If you two are to pull this off you need to know a little about each other.”

  “It was your idea?”

  “Yes…I advised he suggest it when I came home….you will be going.”

  “I don’t know…..I’m not sure it’s such a good idea exposing the kids to this.”

  “Then leave them at home…I’m sure they will be fine with me…it will give me a chance to get to know them better.”

  Bailey thought about it and the more she did the angrier she got. There was no way she was going to expose her brother and sister to his deception. Then again now that she knew, why couldn’t she just play him, teach him a lesson? She made the decision she would go with him but leave Alexis and Tristan at home. Suddenly an idea came to her head.

  “Grandmother, will you excuse me? I think I should change for dinner.”

  “Of course dear.” She smiled.

  Bailey left the room and before going to her room to change she checked in on the kids. They were both sleeping and knew they would still be asleep for another hour. Heading in her closet she sorted through the new clothes till she found the perfect little black dress. An hour later she was showered and dressed for a night on the town. To her surprise Alexis and Tristan were ok with her going out because their grandmother had promised a movie and popcorn night. Beckett was by the door when she descended the stairs and by the look on his face she knew he was impressed. If she hadn’t known the truth she would have admitted that his dark good looks made her heart race a little faster and the desire she saw in his eyes was flattering.

  “Wow!” He said looking at her. “That definitely is a little too fancy for Chucky Cheese.”

  “Change of plans….grandmother is watching the kids….I figured we should enjoy our evening while we talk.”

  “OK….uh…maybe I should go change?” He said looking at his dark jeans and Henley.

  “I’ll wait.” She smiled.

  With one more look he turned and raced up the stairs. Fifteen minutes later he was coming down the stairs in a pair of dark chinos and a grey dress shirt. Beckett led her outside where his Audi was parked. He opened the door for her watching as she slid inside. Bailey couldn’t help but notice the confidence he showed as he walked around to his side. For a brief moment she panicked unsure she could pull this off. Just as she was about to flee he opened his door and slid in behind the wheel.

  Chapter 8

  The moment Beckett had seen her at the top of the stairs he hadn’t been able to think of anything else. Her dress definitely wasn’t Chucky Cheese attire and when she had told him the kids were staying home he couldn’t believe his luck. Now sitting next to her in his car he was extremely conscious of the warmth of her body and the scent of her hair. There was something different in her attitude though and he just put it off to nerves. Wanting to put her at ease he decided to try small talk.

  “I thought we should try the new Italian restaurant ….unless of course you prefer Mexican?”

  “Italians fine.” She said looking out the window.

  “Would you like to go dancing afterwards?”

  She looked at him and couldn’t believe how sincere he looked. He actually was trying to put her at ease. She wondered how many times he used that trick to get someone in his bed.

  “I don’t dance.” She said not because she couldn’t but because of the layer of smoke that usually resided on her clothing when she came home. She knew it might set off Tristan’s asthma.

  “I could teach you.” He grinned. “We’re going to have to dance this Friday, we might as well make it look like we’ve done it before.” He said starting the engine.

  “Ok.” she said deciding she would come to that bridge when and if they crossed it.

  Beckett frowned. He knew he was a little rusty in the dating world but the way she was acting made him feel like a leper”

  “Bailey…is something wrong….did I do something to upset you?”

  Bailey looked at him and never one to play games decided to be direct. “Tell me Beckett….just exactly what did you think would be the outcome of tonight?”

  Confused he looked at her. “Dinner…maybe a little dancing and good conversation.” He replied.

  “And that’s all?” She accused as he pulled out of the drive and onto the main road.

  Beckett raised his eyebrow understanding the meaning of her question. “Yes that’s all…just exactly did you think I had in mind?”

  “I don’t know…why were you so nice to my brother and sister?”

  “Because they’re cool kids….besides…I told you I remembered when my brothers told me I wasn’t a superhero and how it felt.” He said upset she thought he was playing games with her. “Whatever gave you the idea I wanted anything else?”

  “You do have a reputation as a ladies man…you made me believe this was all your idea when in fact it was my grandmothers.”

  “I see….so it was your grandmother who planted this idea in your head.” He said understanding. “Bailey….I’m not interested in sleeping with you now or ever…I have a girlfriend whom I have been with for the last three years and have no intention of dumping….this.” He said pointing to her then to him and back to her again. “Is purely business…a means to an end…I just figured since we had to pretend to be married we would get to know each other but if you’re uncomfortable with this then we can just turn around and head back.” He said stopping on the side of the road.

  Bailey looked at him and he could see her process what he had just told her. He didn’t know if it was relief or disappointment in her eyes. He was angry she had jumped to that conclusion especially since he had never given her any reason to think that low of him. He waited for her response and even though he was angry he was also worried she may agree to go back. Even angry at her he didn’t want the night to end. If he was being totally honest with both of them he had considered taking her to bed but he also knew in doing so it would void the contract and his family had too much invested to lose this deal. He hadn’t realized he was holding his breath till she looked at him.

  “I’m sorry….I was wrong…. you have been nothing but a gentleman with me and I had no right to jump to conclusions…I apologize.”

  He let out his breath and then smiled. “Ok…so can we both just relax and enjoy the evening?”

  “I’d like that.” She smiled as he pulled back onto the road.

  With that out of the way she seemed to relax and he found now when he talked to her she replied in more than monosyllables. By the time they reached the restaurant he had her once again laughing at his antics. They were given a seat in the back near a window which gave them the privacy they needed to talk. After the wine was poured the meal ordered Beckett decided to begin his line of questions.

  “Ok…so I guess the best way for us to do this is first tell each other about ourselves and we can ask questions afterwards….then we can figure out a story to tell people about how we met.”

  “Alright who goes first?”

  “I will.” He said and proceeded to tell her his life story. He glossed over his relationship with Lachelle and downplayed his relationships with women. Mostly he told her about his family, how they worked together in the family business and how they supported each other. By the time the meal came he was finishe
d. “So any questions?”

  “Just one….why did you agree to marry me?” She asked.

  Beckett hadn’t expected that, like all women he knew she was more curious about his love life but she seemed to refuse to ask those questions. He studied her for a moment before he replied.

  “Well…your grandmother made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.” He said in his best Al Pacino imitation which brought out a smile. He liked it when she smiled. Somehow he figured she didn’t do it that often “Truthfully?” He asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Ok….at first when she made the offer I thought she was crazy….I mean I went to her and made her a deal I figured she couldn’t resist. My brother Trent had already tried to buy the company and my brother Justin had spent the last 6 months underbidding their contracts and still they wouldn’t sell….so I did my homework…I learned your grandmother didn’t know how badly her son and grandsons had run the company in the ground….I knew she had a tendency of bailing everyone out and if the company failed not only would the family be broke but the name would be disgraced….she had spent too many years covering up for their mistakes….what I hadn’t counted on was her doing her history on my family….she knew the problems we were having establishing our business here in the South.”

  “Yes….Yankees.” She grinned.

  “Yeah…the more she talked about an alliance between the families and the benefits the more she made sense. I figured what the hell, it’s not like it’s going to be permanent and if it achieved the ends to the means why not?”

  “What did your family say?”

  “They thought I was nuts….my mom was totally against it….she worried what my future wife would think.” He grinned.

  “Your girlfriend.” She said and he knew she would somehow find a way to bring it up.

  “Macy…yeah….well I reminded my mom I wasn’t the marrying kind and that’s not the type of relationship we have.”

  “And just exactly what is your relationship?”

  “Open.” He said honestly.