Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series)

by L. A. Miller

  “Because you can’t have her.” He muttered unbuttoning his shirt in frustration.

  What was he thinking? He had Macy. Tall, blonde, supermodel. She graced several magazine covers and was pinned up in more locker rooms than any other model in the last few years. He was the envy of every guy he knew and yet he was thinking about the Bailey. Tossing his shirt in the corner he walked out on the balcony and looked out over the grounds. Gripping the railings he thought about the next few weeks and wondered how he was going to get through it. A knock on his door brought him back to reality and without thinking about his state of undress he walked over to open his door. Bailey stood there dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a t shirt. He noticed the ways her eyes quickly roamed over him and her blush brought a smile to his face. Leaning against the door jamb he waited for her to speak.

  “Um…Beckett I’m sorry about earlier.”

  “I’m sorry too.” He said pushing off the door so that he now stood before her. “Want to come in for a drink?”

  Bailey looked into his room and seeing his bed she raised one eyebrow. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

  “Afraid you won’t be able to control yourself.” He joked.

  Taking his challenge she pushed him aside and entered then putting her hands on her hips she looked at him.

  “Are you sure you can control yourself?” She asked as she turned modeling her outfit.

  He glanced over her attire and broke out laughing as he headed to the mini bar in his room. “What’s your poison?”

  “Do you have any beer?”

  He looked at her raising his eyebrows. “Really….I thought you didn’t drink?”

  “I do occasionally and right now I’m in the mood for a beer.”

  Bailey grabbed two Coronas from the mini fridge behind the bar and finding pre sliced lime wedges he added one to each of their bottles. Beckett handed her a beer than grabbing his shirt he headed for the bathroom. Riley was out on the balcony when he returned. He had changed into a pair of faded jeans and a baseball jersey and when Bailey glanced at him he noticed the way she seemed to blush. As her eyes met his eyes the blush deepened realizing she had been caught gawking.

  “So.” He grinned as he joined her on the balcony. “Are the kids down?”

  “Yes….Tristan was a little difficult but Alexis helped.”

  “They’re both good kids….you’ve done a great job raising them.”

  “Thanks…..I’ve tried to raise them like my parents would have wanted.” She said looking out over the grounds.

  “You miss them.”

  “Every day……especially my dad….he made the world magical….he would always create these tents from my mom’s blankets and sheets….she used to get so angry with him when she would walk into my bedroom and see her new sheets tacked to my walls and ceilings.” She smiled remembering. “Once he put fairy dust in the container over my bed….when I pulled on the string it was supposed to release just a hint of dust only it didn’t…the whole bag of glitter dumped out.” She laughed. “No matter how many times my mom vacuumed my room she couldn’t get it all up…even years later I found glitter in the carpet.”

  Beckett smiled at her childhood memory. He saw the subtle shift in her demeanor as her joy turned to sadness from the memories. He wanted to change that, he wanted to see her smile again.

  “Earlier…in the stables…you seemed to have a way with the horses.”

  Bailey smiled and it gave him pleasure to once again see pure joy on her face.

  “My father used to call me a horse whisperer.”

  “Really…did you have horses?” He asked as she sat down. He took the opposite chair on the balcony and watched the way her face lit up when she smiled.

  “No….my father had a friend who worked at the race track…he used to take me there on weekends.” She said thinking back. “The owners and jockeys used to think it was cute with me being so little and showing no fear with the horses…I used to want to be a jockey till I had a growth spurt one summer.”

  “Do you ride?” He asked.

  “Yes, I used to train with the jockeys but after I grew I just hung around the horses. I seemed to be able to sense their emotions and one day I told my father to bet on a long shot…he looked at me suspiciously then did as I said….it paid out 43 to 1 odds…at first he thought it was beginners luck but every horse I seemed to pick won….the favorites didn’t.”

  “Really….can you still pick winners?” He asked amazed. He never thought to doubt her and she seemed surprised.

  “Yes…I just don’t anymore.”

  “Why?” He asked. “Couldn’t that have helped out with the bills?” He said asking the obvious.

  “People began to take notice….the wrong kind of people.” She said seriously. “My dad could have used me to help get out of the mess his partner put him in but he didn’t.” She said sadly.

  “Maybe he wanted to protect you.” Beckett offered understanding just how dangerous her ability could be if the wrong people found out.

  “That’s what my mother said.” She said remembering back. “One night after we were all asleep some men came to talk to my father…I remember my mother was scared…they argued and my father threw the men out of the house….when I asked my parents about it the next morning they told me it was a dream….my father died a few days later.” She said now looking at her beer.

  Bailey didn’t see the reaction on Beckett’s face with those last words. He began to wonder now if a drunk driver had really killed her father. He made a mental note to look into it later. Looking now at her it seemed every happy memory she had was also tied to a sad one. Again he wanted to see her smile.

  “So tomorrow…why don’t we go riding…we could each take a kid and make a picnic of it?” He offered.

  Bailey looked up at him surprised then smiled at the thought. “Tristan would love that….I just don’t know how he will react around the horses.”

  “We’ll we won’t know till we try.” He said.

  “Ok…after breakfast?” She said standing now. He stood with her and took her half empty bottle of beer. “I really should be going to bed.”

  “I understand.” He said walking her to his door. He opened it for her and for a brief moment there was an awkward silence. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her and it seemed she was thinking the same thing. Later he wondered what would have happened had they not been interrupted but at that moment his mother appeared at his door.

  “Beckett….I’m glad I found you up.” His mother said studying Bailey.

  Beckett realized the two had not met yet. “Mother…this is Bailey Montgomery…my uh ...fiancé.” He said awkwardly. “Bailey…this is my mother Kathleen Birmingham.”.

  “I’m very pleased to meet you.” Bailey said smiling as she extended her hand.

  “I think it is I who should say am pleased.” His mother smiled warmly. “I had the pleasure of meeting your brother and sister tonight, they are both charming and by their manners it is a direct reflection on how you raised them…they did you proud.”

  “Thank you….usually Tristan is a little shy around new people and Alexis can be a little overbearing to compensate.”

  “She’s just protecting him.” Kathleen said as Bailey stepped out into the hallway.

  She turned to Beckett. “Thank you for the beer…and for tonight…I did have a wonderful evening.”

  “Then we will have to do it again.” He grinned. “But you still aren’t getting out of Chucky Cheese.”

  Bailey laughed. “I should warn you….I hold the title back home in Skeet ball.”

  “Till now…I love a challenge.” He grinned.

  Bailey turned to his mother. “It was a pleasure…I hope we will have some time to get to know each other.”

  “I agree…why don’t you join our family for lunch tomorrow…Beckett’s brothers will be arriving then.”

  Bailey looked at Beckett and he quickly saved her. “W
e’re taking the kids riding tomorrow and then doing a picnic….maybe we should do dinner?” Then looking at Bailey he grinned wickedly “At Chucky Cheese.”

  His mother just rolled her eyes seeing the challenge had been thrown and sensing Bailey was about to pick it up.

  “I don’t think your parents would enjoy Chucky Cheese.” She smiled

  “On the contrary.” Kathleen smiled. “With his brothers here tomorrow I think it would be fun….besides it would do my boys good to be taken down a notch or two by a woman…Chucky Cheese it is.”

  Both Beckett and Bailey looked at his mother with a surprised expression on their face. Then Bailey looked at Beckett.

  “Alright…but we can’t do a long lunch…I’ll need to let the kids nap first before dinner.”

  “That can be arranged.” He smiled. “Shall we say 9:00 am at the stables?”

  “Alright….good night.” She smiled then walked away. Beckett noticed she seemed to walk with a little lighter step. He turned to see his mother studying him.

  “What?” He asked

  “Oh nothing.” She smiled. “Good night son.”

  “Wait….did you want to talk to me about something?”

  “No…it can wait…sweet dreams.” With that she turned and headed towards her room humming.

  Beckett shook his head baffled at his mother. Then his thought turned to Bailey and he smiled as he stepped back into his room and closed the door. Tomorrow promised to be an interesting day.

  Chapter 11

  Bailey was ready the next morning with both kids dressed and rearing to go. When they reached the stables she noticed Beckett had saddled a large bay for her, the Percheron for him and two gentle ponies for the children. She had assumed they would have the children ride with them and raised an eyebrow when he came out leading the ponies first.

  “I thought the kids would ride with us.” She suggested.

  “Where’s the fun in that?” He said winking at Tristan.

  Bailey noticed how handsome he was in his form fitting jeans and grey t-shirt. With his five o’clock shadow and deep blue grey eyes he only needed a cowboy hat and boots to compliment his rugged looks. When he looked up meeting her gaze she felt her cheeks once again heat up.

  “Beckett….they’ve never been exposed to horses.” She said diverting the subject.

  “Now’s as good a time as any.” He said picking up Tristan and placing him on the saddle. He adjusted the stirrups so that they fit his tiny legs than handed the reins to him. Bailey watched as he patiently explained to Tristan the dos and don’ts of riding. Taking the horse by the tack he led the horse around giving Tristan a feel for the way the horse moved. The smile on his face and light in his eyes was worth the anxiety Bailey was feeling.

  “My turn.” Alexis chimed in.

  Leading Tristan’s horse over to Bailey to hold he turned and swung Alexis up on her horse. Bailey couldn’t help but notice that he had picked a delicate black and white pony that seemed to dance with her steps. Alexis had listened carefully and very quickly got the hang of it. Satisfied Beckett led Bailey’s bay over to her. She was a beautiful horse that seemed to be more spirited than first glance. Bailey realized he had picked a horse to challenge her without overpowering her. She handed him Tristan’s reins as she swung herself up into the saddle. Leaning low over the horse she stroked her neck as she whispered in her ear. As if nodding in agreement Bailey pulled up on the reins then turning the horses head cut her loose to run off her energy. She could hear the kids squeal in delight but swore she heard Beckett curse. It had been so long since she had been riding the freedom of being on her back was exhilarating. She heard Beckett screaming but with the wind in her hair she couldn’t make out his words. Looking over her shoulder she noticed he had taken the kids off their horses, tied the horses to the fence then hopped on the Percheron and was in full pursuit.

  His horse was bigger and stronger but was no match for the nimbleness of her horse. She knew he would catch her if she kept on her straight course so she darted off into the trees then making several sharp turns managed to lose sight of him. Picking her way back through the trees she made it back to the open field and decided to make a run for it back to where the kids stood watching. He came out of nowhere and quickly coming up alongside reached over pulling her up onto his horse.

  “What the hell!” She cried as he slowed his horse down.

  “What were you thinking?” He yelled at her. “Were you trying to get you neck broken?”

  Bailey looked at him and he was clearly mad at her. She didn’t understand his anger and suddenly his overbearing ways began to piss her off.

  “What are you thinking…put me down.” She demanded.

  He held onto her, keeping her firmly planted across his lap as he brought the horse to a stop. The more she struggled to be free the tighter he held her.

  “Stop struggling or I might drop you.” He ordered.

  “PUT ME DOWN!” She ordered back her eyes flashing in anger.

  He studied her for a brief moment then sighing he released her and she dropped to the ground in an unceremonious thud. Her pride injured; she now stood and faced him defiantly.

  “What were you thinking?” She demanded

  “What were you thinking?” He shot angrily back. “You never charge off like that on a horse you don’t know in an area you’re unfamiliar with…you had no way of knowing how she would react nor do you know what’s over the next ridge”

  “I was in complete control…I knew she would follow my lead.” She said defending her actions. “We seemed to have been doing fine till you decided to manhandle me.”

  “You needed to be manhandled after that stunt….what would have happened if you had been thrown or she had stepped into a pot hole and gone down….did you ever think to wonder how Tristan or Alexis would have reacted?”

  Bailey now looked over at her brother and sister who now seemed upset with the interplay going on between her and Beckett. She knew it was reckless but it had been so long since she had been on a horse she had wanted to feel the raw power between her legs. To feel the freedom again of no responsibility. She looked back up at Beckett and could see he was still angry. She didn’t know how to explain this to him to make him understand.

  “Come on.” He said reaching down his hand to lift her up onto his horse. “No point in the kids being disappointed by your recklessness.”

  His words cut and she was about to refuse but knew she didn’t want to disappoint Tristan and Alexis. Reaching up she took his hand and he easily swung her up behind him as if she weighed nothing. As he started back she tried to decide where to put her hands. As if deciding for her he reached behind him and pulled her hands around his waist. She was about to protest but he kicked the horses side causing him to lurch forward. Had she not grabbed on tighter she might have been thrown. Instead of heading directly back he took his horse for a long run and Bailey began to relax as the speed and strength of the horse overtook her. Satisfied he had made some point Beckett finally turned the horse back towards the stable where the kids still stood.

  “Bailey….that was so cool!” Alexis said jumping up and down. “Can I ride like that?”

  “Not till you’re older.” Beckett replied as he reached around and assisted Bailey off the horse.

  Bailey noticed Tristan was looking now at the horse in fear. She realized he had no idea the horses could run that fast and her stunt had now caused him to fear them. She knelt down at his side as he stared at his pony.

  “Don’t worry Tristan….Beckett picked out two very mild horses for you and Alexis….you don’t need to be afraid of them.” She said now looking at Beckett seeing him frown.

  He jumped off his horse and came up to Tristan. Lifting him up Beckett walked over to the pony. When Tristan shied away from the horse Bailey cringed. She could only watch as Beckett whispered in his ear. Slowly Tristan turned and looked at the pony. Tentatively he reached out and stroked the pony’s head. Beckett was pat
ient as he waited for Tristan to once again relax around the pony before placing him on it back. He handed the reins to Tristan and still holding the tack let Tristan walk the horse around getting comfortable with it again. When Beckett looked in Bailey’s direction she felt the shame of her actions. He led the horse over to her and stopping before her she could see he was still angry but for the sake of the kids was not going to let it affect their fun.

  “Shall we?” He asked raising an eyebrow as if asking is she would behave.

  She nodded then walking over to Alexis swung her up on her horse before retrieving hers which now grazed lazily on the grass. She swung herself up and walked over to where Beckett waited already mounted. He took the lead and the kids were in the middle with her taking the rear. She couldn’t help but notice how well he controlled his horse and remembered the way it felt when he pulled her off hers and held her against his chest. As if sensing her eyes he turned and looked at her causing a blush to spread over her face. She quickly looked away but not before she noticed the cocky grin on his face.

  Beckett led them in the same direction of her earlier run but this time she saw the path he had taken when he chased her. He followed it for almost 20 minutes and as they rode in silence she noticed the way the kids kept turning their head back and forth taking in all the sights. In California almost every corner was covered with strip malls, gas stations and 7’11’s. The only wilderness they had seen was when she took them occasionally to the park. The path opened up to a small stream with boulders crossing over to a clearing. Beckett crossed the stream and the kids boldly followed laughing as the water rose up to their ponies knees. Once they reached the other side Beckett dismounted then helped the kids down. They immediately turned and ran off to explore the rock formation as Beckett walked up to her horse reaching up to help her down. Bailey thought to avoid contact with him but thought it best not to anger him any further. She noticed when he lowered her it took longer than it should have as her body now slid down the length of his. When her feet touched the ground she looked up at him her hands still placed on his arms. She could feel the muscles tense beneath and it seemed as if his mind was waging its own battle. Abruptly and to her disappointment he released her and headed back to his horse for the saddle bags. He handed them to her then took the reins to settle the horses. Looking inside Bailey noticed a gourmet lunch awaited them all neatly packed away in Tupperware. There was fried chicken still warm from the oven, mac and cheese for the kids, greens for them, for appetizers they were given cheese, crackers and grapes. The kids had juice boxes and they had a bottle of red wine complete with two plastic wine glasses. Finding a blanket she spread it out on the ground then set up the lunch. Alexis and Travis immediately ran over and grabbing a bunch of grapes took off again to explore. She was sitting there watching him when Beckett sat down and joined her.