by L. A. Miller
“Is she ok with this?” She asked pointing back and forth from her to him and back.
“Yeah…we figure we’ll have to sneak around to maintain the cover….it should add a little spice to the relationship.” He joked.
“I see.” She said and he wondered what she really thought.
“Ok so your turn.” He said as desert and coffee was brought.
Beckett watched as she added cream and sugar to her coffee then once satisfied it was the perfect blend she inhaled first before sipping it. How was it possible she made drinking coffee erotic? When she smiled as the blend slid down her throat he felt his body respond and frowned. When she opened her eyes and saw his face she tilted her head.
“Something wrong?” She asked.
Trying to cover up his own emotions he shook his head. “No…but I think you’re stalling.”
She smiled as if she had been caught. “Let’s see….I’m the oldest of three kids….you’ve already met my sister and brother…..when my father met my mother he was forbidden to marry her by his parents. Mom was from the wrong side of the tracks you might say.” She frowned. “So my dad married my mom and once he was disowned by his family they moved to California….he had his own construction firm and it was pretty successful….after I was born my mom had a few miscarriages so they kind of gave up thinking I would be an only child….then Alexis was born.” She smiled then slowly the smile faded as she remembered. My mom found out she was pregnant with Tristan and my dad was coming home from a business trip to celebrate when a drunk driver killed him.” Beckett watched the pain on her face and was about to reach for her hand when she clasped them together and placed them on her lap. She stared down at the desert that sat uneaten before her. “That’s when we learned she had cancer.”
“Bailey…I’m sorry…look if you don’t want to talk about this.” He began seeing the hurt in her eyes.
“No.” She smiled sadly as she looked at him. Tears were brimming but she managed to keep them from falling. “They wanted to do chemo but mom refused…it would have meant killing Tristan….I had just been accepted to college and had to quit to help out….that’s when I learned that my father’s partner had embezzled money from the firm and my dad had mortgaged our house to keep the business going. My mom’s health began to deteriorate and when Tristan was born it took the fight out of her. She died two months later.”
Beckett began to do the math in his head. “You were what 19 when you got left with a 2 year old and a 2 month old?”
“Yeah….with her bills and the home mortgaged there was no way we could keep the house…..I got two jobs and found us a small apartment….our church helped out…they provided day care for free….then Tristan started having problems breathing….he has asthma….the bills kept piling up and I did what I could to stay ahead of them….I landed a job in Newport Beach and was doing really good on tips…I also had a friend who owned a cleaning company…Matt got me jobs and sometimes he would help out by bringing over pizza and watch the kids for me so I could have a breather.” Beckett noticed her voice had changed as she began to tell the story as if she was reading from a script. “I lost my job when a customer got to fresh with me one night and even though Matt tried to help by finding me more jobs I couldn’t replace the tips…Tristan got worse and the medical bills got worse….that’s when my grandmother found me….she made me an offer and here I am.”
Beckett waited a minute trying to fill in the gaps of her life she didn’t divulge. He couldn’t hold it against her since he hadn’t been forthcoming about Lachelle and he had basically glossed over most of his life too. He wondered though how tough it had to be to raise two kids alone. She had basically sacrificed her youth for them. She was nothing like anything he had imagined and he found he wanted to know her better, peel away the defenses she had put up around herself. There was a moment of awkward silence and he realized it was his turn to ask questions.
“So no boyfriends? He asked and realized when would she ever have had time. “I mean…this Matt guy….nothing?”
“Matt is a good friend” She smiled and for a moment he felt a stab of jealousy. “Someone I knew from high school.” She said refusing to elaborate on him anymore. Beckett suspected there was more but didn’t push the issue. Later there would be time for further questions.
“What about your family…couldn’t you have gone to them for help?” He asked unable to comprehend what life would be like without his families support.
“My mom’s parents were killed shortly after they were married…she was an only child.”
“And your grandmother….did you ever consider going to her for help?”
“No.” She said playing with her desert with her fork. “The day she showed up at my door I would have closed it if she hadn’t just walk in….I knew enough from my parents to know she wouldn’t welcome us with open arms.”
Beckett grinned at the image. Regina needed Bailey and he wondered had it killed her to ask her for help.
“How did she ask you?” He wondered.
“You mean….to agree to marry you?” She said studying him.
“Yeah.”
“I was one step ahead of the collection agency….then some parent must have complained to the authorities about me….social services showed up on my door step the same day she did….if she hadn’t been there they would have taken Alexis and Tristan away.”
Beckett thought about that for a moment. “Bailey…what the odds your grandmother would arrive at your doorstep the same day social services showed up?”
Bailey thought about it for a moment before she raised her eyebrows as the meaning of his words sunk in. She had also wondered about her grandmother having everything prepared when they arrived.
“You think she’s the one who turned me in?”
“Well I wouldn’t put it past her…but…no….there wasn’t enough time between the time she and I made the deal and Alicia went to Vegas and got married…..she substituted you at the last minute….there wouldn’t have been enough time for the government bureaucracy.”
“Yeah….I guess you’re right.” She said still doubting.
“So marrying me saved you?” He grinned.
“Yes.” She smiled. “My grandmother paid the bills, her lawyer dealt with social services.”
“And I’m supplying the house and allowance.” He said watching her reaction.
Bailey looked at him and despite the lighting he could see a blush spread across her cheeks. She was embarrassed and he knew her pride was also hurt at the idea of the arrangement.
“Beckett….I promise….I’ll pay you back.”
Beckett was now offended. “Bailey….this is a business deal….my family can afford it….and what you’re getting out of the deal compared to the rest of them is peanuts….”
“It’s just….I’ve never been beholden to anyone before… it makes me feel like a kept woman.”
“Look at it as payoff from your family for what they did to your father.”
“Yes but you are the one making the payout.” She protested.
“For the company.” He reminded her. “You know.” He said looking at her desert. “I don’t think you plan on eating that….do you want to get out of here?”
Bailey looked at her desert which was now a mangled mess and laughed. “Yes.”
Beckett pulled out a credit card and motioned for the check. Instead of waiting they took it to the front where he paid for their meal while Bailey used the ladies room.
Chapter 9
Bailey was still going over the conversation while she used the ladies room. She was surprised how genuinely nice Beckett was. She also couldn’t help but notice the way women’s eyes followed him as they entered the restaurant. He was good looking she had to admit with his dark unruly hair and five o’clock shadow. Very few men could pull that off and he was definitely one of them. Even beneath his tailored shirt she could make out the hard planes of his chest that led to his narrow sculptured waist.
His black chinos hugged his hips suggestively and when he walked he oozed sex appeal. During dinner she had studied his hands, strong and though groomed she could see the calluses on his palms from manual labor. She began to wonder again what they would feel like running over her bare skin. She hadn’t realized she was blushing till the woman grooming herself in the mirror at the vanity laughed.
“Dear…you hang on to that stallion….men like him are hard to find, especially in this town.”
Bailey met her eyes in the mirror and saw raw desire there. Understanding what she had just insinuated made Bailey blushed even more. Grabbing her clutch she smiled politely then headed out to find Beckett. He was standing with his back to her holding her wrap and as if sensing her he turned and flashed a dazzling smile. She shook her head to bring herself back to reality. This was a business arrangement and he already had a woman in his life. She repeated in her head as she approached him. As he held up the wrap she stepped into in enjoying the way his fingers remained gently on her shoulders. To all in the restaurant that saw it this was a simple gesture but it spoke a thousand words.
“Shall we?” He said offering her his arm.
Bailey slid her hand through his arm and allowed him to lead her outside where the chill of the night cooled her inflamed cheeks. If Beckett noticed the slight flush to her skin he didn’t comment.
“So…we could either go dancing…or…just walk for a while?”
“Walk please.”
“Not a dancer?” He asked amused.
“Oh no I love to dance….it’s just….here there’s too much smoke in the air, I would go home smelling of it and with Tristan’s asthma I don’t want to risk setting it off.”
Beckett studied her for a moment then asked. “It’s been bad?”
“He goes in spurts….every time I think I know the pattern as to what causes them he changes….it’s just hard…when he can’t breathe…when the medicine isn’t working fast enough.”
“I can’t imagine what that would be like....you’re very brave.”
Bailey looked at him then shook her head. “No…just a sister who loves her brother….he’s the one that’s brave…..living with that pain.”
“You do that a lot.” He said.
“Do what?”
“Don’t give yourself enough credit…why do you do that?”
“I don’t know….maybe because it seems egotistical….I’m just doing what any other sister would do under the circumstances.”
“I don’t think so…most girls given the responsibility of a younger brother and sister at your age would have run for the hills.”
“You haven’t met very many nice girls have you?” She said now studying him. “What’s she like?”
“Who?” He asked frowning. “Macy?”
“Yes.” She said noticing he seemed uncomfortable discussing her. “I’m sorry…I had no right to pry.”
“No…I guess you have a right to know….Macy is high maintenance….I guess you might say she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth….her father was in politics so she traveled a lot…went to the finest boarding schools money could buy.” He said and Bailey caught an undercurrent there she couldn’t explain.
“Is she beautiful?” She asked studying the displays in the window.
Beckett studied her and she knew he was mentally comparing her to Macy. Bailey suddenly felt inferior even before she met this woman. She regretted asking and was about to change the subject when he surprised her.
“Yes…she’s beautiful…in a cold sense of the word.”
Bailey looked up at him and her surprise must have been written on her face because Beckett smiled as he reached up tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“She lacks warmth.” He said studying her for a moment before turning to look at the display
“So….how long have you two been a couple?”
“About three years.”
“How did you two meet?” She asked as they started walking again this time without her hand through his arm.
“At a party….a friend of hers set us up.”
“You actually needed to be set up?” She asked surprised.
“Yes…you know…with a face like this it’s hard being taken seriously.” He joked. “All the women see is a pretty face.”
“I can see that.” She grinned. “There was a woman in the restroom that was literally dripping in desire.”
“Really….you think I should go back?” He joked as he headed back the way they came.
“I could always introduce you.” She giggled pulling him forward.
He looked at her and placing his hand over hers allowed her to lead him away. Bailey walked with him in silence for a moment then continued on with her questions.
“So why did you tell your mother you’re not the marrying kind?”
“I don’t know….the idea of being with one person for the rest of your life.”
“So you don’t ever want to have kids?”
“You don’t have to be married to have kids.”
Bailey stopped and studied him for a moment before she said. “Who was she?”
“Who was who?” He asked.
“The one that hurt you so badly that you run from relationships.” Bailey saw the defensive wall come and regretted her comment. “I’m sorry….sometimes I say things without thinking.” She said trying to get back the relaxed moment they had been sharing.
“I think I should be getting you back.” He said heading towards the car.
Bailey followed in silence and when he opened her car door she wanted to say something but couldn’t think of anything so she slid into the seat and he closed the door. As he walked around the car Riley noticed the way his muscle flexed as he tried to reign in his emotions. He sat down gunning the engine as soon as his door shut. Bailey could feel her eyes begin to water and she turned her head looking out the window. Once again she had opened her mouth and pushed someone she was beginning to care about away.
After driving in silence for a few minutes Bailey felt Beckett slow down the car to a normal speed and heard him sigh.
“I’m sorry.” He finally said. “I think if this is going to work we need to set ground rules.”
Bailey wiped the tears then nodded in agreement.
“I think we’ve learned enough about each other’s past so we should just concentrate on the things that might trip us up.” Bailey looked at him and her expression told him she was confused. “Likes and dislikes, favorite foods, what you don’t like.”
“Ok.” She agreed.
“We’ll just call it a night….tomorrow we can meet up after lunch…that should give us time to compile cheat sheets for each other.”
“Alright.” She said now looking out of the window again. She didn’t trust looking at him fearing the tears would start to flow.
They drove the rest of the way in silence and when he pulled to a stop she didn’t wait for him to open her door. She jumped out and ran inside flying past her grandmother as she went up the stairs. Regina looked at her retreating back then turned to face Beckett who was now heading up the walk.
Chapter 10
The last thing Beckett wanted to face was Regina standing there on the porch but he knew there was no way around her. Steeling himself for what was to come he headed up to the base of the porch then stopped and stared at her.
“Evening Ms. Montgomery.”
“Beckett….how was your evening?”
“Over all it went very well thank you.” He said.
“Then why is my granddaughter crying?”
Beckett frowned looking past her towards the stairs where Bailey had fled. He wanted to run after her and explain but one person now stood in his way and she wasn’t giving him any quarter.
“We just had a misunderstanding about the parameters of our relationship.”
“Beckett…I know you may think I’m cold where my granddaughter is concerned but I’m warning you right now….if you hurt her�
��.I will end the deal and see to it you and your family doesn’t do any business ever in the South.”
Beckett was amazed at how passionate she was being towards Bailey. “Careful Ms. Montgomery…people might think you have a heart.” He grinned.
“Bailey is the best part of this family….she is everything her grandfather wanted the rest of his family to be….she is the best of her father and mother.”
“Do you ever plan on telling her how much you care for her?”
“Bailey is better off not knowing….it gives her strength.” She said smiling.
“I have no intention of hurting her….I agree… she is the best thing to come out of your family.” He said and when he saw her bristle he added. “But she has some heavy shoes to follow after….goodnight Ms. Montgomery.”
“I think you should start calling me Regina.” She smiled as he walked up the steps.
Beckett stopped at her side smiling. “Regina.”
He moved past her and headed up the stairs. When he reached the top he wanted to turn and head towards Baileys room but decided against it. Instead he turned towards to his room and replayed the evening. When he had first seen her in her dress she had taken his breath away. He had stood there speechless for a moment just looking at her surprised some guy hadn’t snatched her up a long time ago. When he had driven them into town he actually found himself nervous. It had been a long time since he had been with anyone who wasn’t looking to him for either his money or sex. She wasn’t going out with him to be seen by the media and had no ulterior moments. But she had put him at ease from the moment they sat down at the restaurant and he found he fell into an easy conversation with her. He also couldn’t help notice the way the other men at the restaurant had been checking her out and he felt a rush of pleasure she was with him that night. He found her intelligent and humorous. She easily fell into his routine when he wanted to keep things light and funny.
When he placed the wrap around her he felt a hint of possessiveness towards the others who now watched them. He knew they made a striking couple and where Macy was tall, thin, blonde and all legs Bailey was the opposite with her long dark hair, petite body and curves in all the right places. She made him feel strong and protective towards her. Things had been going so well and he forgot that this wasn’t a real date till she started probing about his past and came dangerously close to his relationship with Lachelle. Suddenly he closed off and felt an intrusion to a memory he wanted to keep to himself. He knew he had hurt her with his abruptness but he couldn’t help himself. When she tried to apologize he couldn’t find a way to bridge over the break he had caused. When he saw the tears he had grown angry with himself and as hard as he tried he couldn’t think of a way to comfort her. He wasn’t used to women crying unless he was breaking up with them and usually they chose to throw things at him instead. When he had pulled up the drive he had planned on talking with her but she was out of the car before he could turn off the engine. He would have run after her had Regina not stopped him. Now alone in his room he wondered why he was hesitating.