by L. A. Miller
“Wine?” He asked as he found the opener.
“Please.” She said trying unsuccessfully to ignore his presence. When he handed her a glass she had no choice but to meet his gaze. She noticed the way his eyes now smoldered as he watched her. “I’m sorry….about earlier…it’s just.” She said now looking at her glass. “It’s been so long since I’ve felt that freedom.” She said once again looking at him.
He seemed to be deep in his own thought for a moment before his eyes lightened and he smiled.
“It’s ok….it just…I’ve grown up around horses and Regina’s stable is full of some spirited horses.”
“I knew she wouldn’t throw me.” She smiled now looking up at him. “She told me.”
“Ahhh yes…I forgot.” He smiled. “Did she also tell you if you hadn’t done the evasive maneuvers you did to lose me you would have ridden right into a ditch that was too wide to jump?” He asked.
She looked at him to determine if he was being truthful. “No…she didn’t…”
“Regina’s property has plenty of room to ride but there are areas that she should have roped off….I discovered the hard way.” He grinned.
“Really?” She asked surprised.
“Yeah….Zeus decided to stop on a dime….I did not.” He grinned looking over at the Percheron. As if realizing they were talking about him he looked up at them, snorted and shook his head. Bailey couldn’t help but laugh.
“You have a nice laugh…you should do it more often.” Beckett said as he studied her.
Again a blush crept up her cheeks and she looked over at the kids to hide her embarrassment. To her relief both Tristan and Alexis came running in their direction preventing the conversation from evolving as they took over relaying their finds. After a lazy lunch Bailey packed up the remains while Beckett went off exploring with the kids. As she watched him she thought it was such a shame he never wanted to marry. He would make a great father. Realizing where her thoughts were heading she turned as they approached folding up the blanket as a diversion.
“We should head back….give the kids a chance to nap before tonight.”
“Oh.” Alexis groaned as she rolled her eyes. “Do we have too?”
“Yes….if you want to go to Chucky Cheese tonight you do….I’m not bringing cranky kids along to meet Beckett’s family.” Bailey said firmly.
“We already met his folks.” Alexis chimed back in a southern accent.
“Folks?” Bailey said frowning. “You mean his parents.”
“People don’t say that here.” Alexis argued.
“And you were raised with better manners….no nap, no Chucky Cheese.” She said firmly.
Alexis looked in Beckett’s direction for help but he held up his hands in defeat. She looked at Tristan but he was already showing signs of fatigue so she knew he would be of no help. Stomping over to Beckett she allowed him to put her on her horse. Noticing Tristan Beckett suggested he carry Tristan while she led his horse back. Bailey was about to refuse when she saw the excitement on his face.
“Alright.”
Beckett climbed up on Zeus’s back and Bailey handed her brother up to him. He sat him across his lap, his arms securely around him to prevent him from falling. Walking back to mount her horse Bailey couldn’t help but remember what it felt like to be held in those arms. Muttering to herself she climbed up on her horse than rode over to Tristan’s pony and took the reins. Again Beckett took the lead, Alexis in the middle and Bailey in the rear. When they reached the stable she had every intention of taking Tristan from Beckett but he easily slid off the horse holding Tristan securely in his arms. Somewhere on the way he had fallen asleep and now he clung on to Beckett as if he was his favorite blanket. While Beckett carried him into the house Bailey led the horses to the groom then followed with Alexis. Beckett had already taken him to the bath room, stripped him of his shoes and had him tucked into his bed when she reached his room. She watched as he moved a stray strand of hair from his face before he turned and joined her in the hall. Alexis was already tucked in her bed and she too had quickly fallen asleep.
“We still have a little wine…care to join me on the porch?” He asked.
As much as she wanted to she didn’t trust her feelings now and declined.
“I’m a little tired…I think I’ll just lie down too before we go.”
She thought she saw disappointment in his eyes but it was quickly masked. “Alright….I guess I’ll meet you downstairs….shall we say around 5:00.”
“That will be fine…..Beckett.” She called as he turned to leave. She saw his eyes lighten when he looked at her in anticipation. “Thank you.”
His eyes once again masked but not before she thought she saw disappointment. “You’re welcome.”
Turning now he walked down the hall to his end of the house. Not wanting to be caught gawking she turned and went into her room missing the moment when he stopped to look back at her.
Chapter 12
When Bailey had taken off on the horse earlier Beckett had been filled with a sense of dread fearing she would be hurt. As he chased her he couldn’t help but notice how well she sat on the horse but he also knew the terrain could be dangerous and he didn’t want to see her break her neck. When he had caught up to her he had been both relieved and angry at her stunt. Had she remained calm he might have given into to his relief but when she had turned on him in anger he had responded in kind. She was stubborn and reckless reminding him of a wild stallion that needed to be broken. His frustration came with the realization it wouldn’t ever be him that broke her in. He had taken that frustration out on her and to prove his prowess he had deliberately taken Zeus out for a run once she was sitting behind him. He knew she would have to hold on to him and he could feel the softness of breast as they pressed against his back. He rode to quell his desire, rode to end his frustration. He didn’t calm down till he felt her relax and only then did he enjoy the feel of her body as she clung to him. He told himself it was purely the excitement of someone new. His relationship to Macy had grown almost monotonous over the last year and Bailey was forbidden fruit. That’s what added to the temptation he told himself.
When he had helped her off her horse he had deliberately let her body slide down against his. He wanted to see the same desire flair in her eyes that he was feeling. He hadn’t been disappointed. On more than one occasion he had seen her studying him. He had seen the open desire on her face and it only added to the fuel. The afternoon had gone too fast for his liking and now the idea he had to wait a few hours before he could see her again was torture. Turning he watched as she walked into her room and groaned as his thoughts pulled him back to her. Running his hand through his hair he headed down to the study where he found his brothers standing around beer in hand as they commented about the estates.
“There he is…how was your picnic?” Trent joked. “Not even married and already being domesticated.”
Beckett flipped him the bird as he grabbed a beer from the fridge. “It was interesting….when did you guys get in?”
“About the time you decided to chase your fiancé down with your horse.” Ethan joked. “At least she can ride.”
“Yeah.” Beckett admitted not caring to elaborate.
“So Mom says we’re doing Chucky Cheese tonight….something about a challenge?” Justin asked trying to change the subject.
“Yeah….seems Bailey holds the Skeet ball record back where she lived.”
“Really?” Trent smiled. “She’s going down….so what’s crawled up your ass.” He goaded. “Can’t control your woman?”
“Drop it Trent.” Beckett warned.
“Cause….I’m sure one Birmingham man is as good as the next for the agreement…if you want to bow out I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if I stepped in….she’s a hell of a lot better looking than Macy and the fact she rides is a bonus….wouldn’t mind seeing her legs wrapped around me as she rides me.” He grinned.
No one saw it coming or wa
s more surprised than Beckett when he connected a left hook into Trent’s jaw. Trent stumbled back and landing on his butt on the floor he held his jaw as he looked up at Beckett.
“What the hell did you do that for?”
“When you’re around Bailey you will treat her with the respect she deserves….she’s not some back bar whore you sleep around with.” Beckett said angrily
“You’re getting a little too serious brother.” Trent said now standing as his anger started to rise “If you remember this is just a contract agreement….you said it yourself she’s only in it to keep herself in the lifestyle she accustomed to…that kind of puts her in the category of my back room whores!”
Beckett was about to charge him again when Justin grabbed him and Ethan held Trent. If their parents hadn’t entered at that moment it easily would have turned into a free for all. It was their father’s voice that ended it.
“Just what the hell is going on in here?” He demanded.
All eyes now turned to see him standing there hands on his hips with his wife at his side. No one knew for sure if it was Roark’s size and anger or Kathleen’s gaze that ended the fight. Beckett just shook his head and stormed past them as he left the room. Before the door closed he heard Trent try to explain and his father’s angry response as he too now defended Baileys honor. Beckett headed out to the porch hoping the outside air would calm his anger. Trent was worse than him when it came to womanizing and his level of women usually were easy targets he could pick up at the local taverns. Like Beckett he didn’t believe in marriage but unlike Beckett Trent became disillusioned when he came home one night to find his fiancé in bed with his best friend two weeks before the wedding. She had cried, told him she still loved him and that she had made a terrible mistake. Once was a mistake but he learned they had been carrying on for over a year behind his back. Now all women in his eyes were deceivers. All but Lachelle and she had hoped one day he would find the right woman. When she died she took that hope with her. Beckett didn’t really think much about Trent’s lifestyle; he was always careful to use condoms, got himself checked routinely for diseases and made sure the women he slept with were at least as cautious as him about those things. The fact that he tried to link Bailey in with that group had brought Beckett to a blinding rage. When his mother came out to join him he looked at her rolling his eyes.
“You can’t apologize for him and don’t expect me to go back in there and apologize for what I did.”
“I don’t expect you to….I’m proud you defended her, his comments were uncalled for.” She smiled as she studied him. “But in all fairness to Trent….he hasn’t met Bailey yet and his only impression of her is what you first told us about her.”
“I was talking about Alicia.” He said.
“Yes I know that but he didn’t…I promise Trent will behave tonight as will the rest of your brothers.” She said sitting down. She watched as he began to pace. “What’s going on with you Beckett?”
“I don’t know….when I signed the contract it was so easy…so cut and dry….but…”
“Meeting Bailey puts a new light on everything?”
“She’s not what I expected.” He said running a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Are you attracted to her?” She asked knowingly.
“Who wouldn’t be….but she’s not my type….Baileys the girl you bring home to your parents, the one you marry and have kids with….no I have Macy….she and I are more alike.” He said trying to convince himself. His mother’s smile just irritated him more. “It’s just been too long since Macy and I were together.” He muttered.
“You mean it’s been too long since you had sex.” She corrected.
His head shot up as he looked at her shocked at her words. She only laughed at his expression.
“Beckett…if you were truly honest with yourself you would see you use Macy to keep other girls away…it’s your way of protecting your heart from ever getting hurt again…..you don’t have a relationship with Macy….she’s your fuck partner.”
“Mother!”
“What….I call them like I see them….yes Bailey is the one you marry, have kids with….and that scares the living hell out of you because as much as you want to deny it you are attracted to her…you may even be falling for her….and the idea that you can’t have her and in one year she will walk out of your life makes it worse…”
“Mother…” He began to reply but she cut him off with her hand.
“No you listen to me Beckett for once…..if you have a shot of real happiness Lachelle would have wanted you to take it….she would have hated seeing you like this…you don’t do her any honor by your womanizing……as for Bailey….if she’s the one than you should take the chance.”
“If you recall…there is this small little thing called a contract….even if I was interested in pursuing her there’s that no sexual contact clause.”
“You’re happiness is not worth the business.”
Beckett shook his head. “Mother…it’s all about the business….if it wasn’t we wouldn’t be here….no….I stick to the contract….all I would do is cause Bailey pain when I couldn’t be the man she deserves.” He said sadly then walked into the house.
Chapter 13
Regina watched from the shadows as Beckett entered the house and ran up the stairs to his room. She smiled pleased her plans were coming together nicely. She knew the moment Beckett met Bailey the sparks would fly which was why she added the additional clauses to the contract. As she expected Beckett had never read the final contract she had presented after replacing Alicia with Bailey. He would have noticed the verbiage looked similar and assumed the only change she had made was in the name of the granddaughter he was to marry. She also knew Bailey wouldn’t read them fully trusting Graham to walk her through all the paperwork. She had even had Graham delay delivering the final copies to his office till after he arrived at Briar Rose. As expected he just had his secretary file the copies away.
Walking back to her parlor she thought about her next move. Graham had been a problem wanting to divulge everything when he had met Bailey on the plane. Since he represented Regina he was bound to his silence. Still she wasn’t sure his good conscious wouldn’t interfere and she had him transferred to the New York office. The next obstacle she faced was Beckett’s relationship with Macy. She knew her photo shoot would soon be over and Macy would be booking the next flight to Alabama. Picking up her phone Regina sat down calling upon her connections to land Macy a new lucrative shoot in Europe. It promised to keep her away till after the wedding. With that out of the way she looked over the itinerary for the next two weeks leading up to the wedding. It promised to put both of them into very compromising situations. Still she needed one more angle for her plan to work. Picking up the phone she called her best friend.
“Jason….how are you….it’s been too long.” She smiled sitting back and relaxing as she let her flirtatious voice take over.
Kathleen watched as Beckett ran up the stairs to his room. She knew he was still angry with Trent and she couldn’t really blame either of them. Trent was way off base where Bailey was concerned but he only had Beckett’s original description to go off of. When they had arrived Roark had witnessed the exchange between Bailey and her cousin Jasper. He had been about to intercede when Beckett arrived. When he had retold the story she was intrigued to meet this young woman. The way Roark had painted her she was an innocent damsel in distress and she wondered what circumstances led her to the arrangement. She learned later from Beckett about the debt she owed from her brother illness. While Beckett had been out with Bailey they had been entertained by Tristan and Alexis. Kathleen found both children charming and her heart went out to young Tristan. He was smaller than most kids his age and she could see the years of his illness had taken its toll. She had also noticed the fierce way Alexis protected him and could only imagine Bailey’s response to the two. Despite her youth she had done a remarkable job raising the two childre
n on her own. She wondered about the sacrifices she had made in her own life to fulfill her role in theirs. When she had finally met Bailey she was charmed. The girl was beautiful and radiated an inner strength of one who took on responsibility at too early an age. Again she was angry with Regina for making the girl go through with this contract. She had met the other grandchildren Jasper and Travis and while both men were good looking they had an air of superiority about them that made her skin crawl. She was surprised at Beckett’s restraint with Jasper that first day but realized Baileys shattered state had been his first concern. Since that day both men had moved out of the manor and despite keeping a watch full eye neither had returned. Kathleen knew Regina had her hand in this and for that she was grateful.