by L. A. Miller
“Look….I don’t know what went on back there in the car while you guys were on the road but I’m telling you now to drop it before you go inside or you can all go home. I’m here to have some fun with Tristan and Alexis. Beckett in a few weeks we will be getting married and if you and your family are to be a success here in the South than we need to make it believable.” She said facing him then she turned to Trent. “And if you truly think I would even consider seeing you while I’m married to your brother than you are sadly mistaken, that is one scandal even the South could not forgive. This arrangement is going to be difficult enough without the two of you going all macho on me.” She stopped letting that soak in before she continued. “Beckett we’re to be married in name only and I know I can count on you to be discreet in your relationship with Macy. As for me I have no intention of seeing anyone during the next year. It’s going to be hard enough for me to explain to Tristan and Alexis why we are not living together when we are married then to explain why we are getting a divorce a year later. There would be no excuse for me cheating on my husband no matter how false the marriage is.” She said sadly. “You two decide.” She said then turning went inside.
Beckett felt as if she had just punched him in the stomach as she walked away. She had reminded him of what their relationship was to be and for some reason it felt hallow. He turned to look at Trent who was now frowning. He looked at Beckett and before walking inside he muttered under his breath.
“You’re a fool.”
Beckett watched the door close than looked at his two brothers who also shook their heads.
“Beckett…he’s right….if you can’t see what you got you are a fool.” Ethan said then he followed Trent inside.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He asked Justin who still stood with him.
“Exactly how it sounds….we barely even know her and we recognize Bailey is an unbelievable catch….you have the opportunity of a life time by marrying her and using this next year to get her to fall in love with you…..if you choose Macy over her than you two deserve each other and Baileys better off.”
“Wait a minute….it’s not like I have a choice….there is the matter of a contract…..besides you guys didn’t seem to object when we discussed the contract….as long as we got the business.”
“That was before we met her….just think about it Beckett….don’t throw away the best thing that came into your life because you’re afraid.” He said then he too went inside leaving Beckett to stand alone in the parking lot. Beckett stood there thinking about what both Bailey and his brothers had said. He also remembered what his mother had said earlier. He knew he was at a crossroads and once he committed there would be no turning back. He looked up to see Tristan playing in the tub of balls. When he came up for air he looked at Beckett and waived. Beckett smiled and waved back then having made his choice he went inside.
He found Bailey leaning against one wall watching both Tristan in the tub of balls and Alexis making her way around the tubes to the slide. His brothers were sitting next to his parents at their table waiting for the pizza to arrive. Walking over to Bailey he leaned against the wall behind her.
“I’m sorry….Trent has a way of getting under my skin.”
Bailey sighed then turned to look at him. Even in this lighting he saw the way her eyes misted and without thinking he pulled her into his arms. That was her undoing and she began to cry. Needing privacy he pulled her into the corner where they were out of sight of prying eyes. When she finally stopped he pulled back gently wiping the tears from her face.
“Bailey I’m sorry….I know this whole thing is hard on you….I hadn’t even considered the kids and what you would have to tell them.”
“It’s ok.” She said moving back slightly but still remaining in his arms. “I didn’t really think about it till tonight. When we were driving here with your parents it reminded me of what they have lost. The whole way here all they talked about was you, what we did today and that’s when I realized how much they like you.”
“I like them too.” He smiled.
“No Beckett I mean they are really fond of you. They don’t take to strangers as easily as they have taken to you and your family. Over the next year they will grow fonder and what happens when we divorce? They will lose you…you’re family.”
“They don’t have too.” He said honestly. “We could still be part of their lives. Who knows what will happen in a year. Just because we get a divorce it doesn’t mean we have to say good bye to each other…we can remain friends.”
“Do you really think that’s possible?” She asked.
“Of course I do.” He grinned then added. “Bailey….if it helps the house will have extra rooms and I could always sleep over occasionally. The rest of the time we’ll tell the kids I’m traveling with business. At the end of the year we’ll just tell them we rushed into it without really knowing each other and that we decided we would be better off as friends.”
He seemed pleased he had come up with the perfect plan. He watched as Bailey looked first at him then at Tristan who was in seventh heaven playing in the basket of balls. Despite his solution she still seemed sad.
“Seems you’ve given it more thought than I did.” She said sadly as she pulled out of his arms.
Somehow in solving the problem he felt as if he had put a bigger wedge between them. He truly didn’t know where they would be in a year but he also realized his brothers were right about Bailey and he was being a fool. What he really wanted to tell her was that in a year from now they might decide not to divorce but even in his mind that sounded crazy. All he knew was that he didn’t want to walk away from her right now. As much as he wanted to blame his separation from Macy and lack of sex deep down he knew that wasn’t true. Bailey brought out feelings he long ago buried. Emotions only Lachelle had tapped into yet this was different. Maybe because he was older and more experienced. These ran deeper and he realized if he was wrong would be his undoing.
“Bailey right now all I want to do is enjoy the evening with you and the kids. We’ll take it slowly one day at a time. No matter what we do I promise their feelings will come first.” He said indicating the kids who now approached them. “I won’t let them get hurt.”
Bailey looked from him to Tristan and Alexis who were bursting with excitement.
“Bailey…come on…the pizzas here….and afterwards we get to play games….Uncle Trent promised.”
“Uncle Trent.” Bailey said looking at Beckett to see his reaction. He only smiled as he lifted Tristan up in his arms.
“Oh Uncle Trent promised did he.” He smiled. “Then it must be so.” He said leading the way hoping Bailey would follow. With Alexis hand in hers she had no choice.
Chapter 16
Surprisingly after pizza the night took on a new atmosphere. The tension between the brothers had disappeared and Bailey found that they all took turns entertaining the children with rounds in the arcades. True to her word Bailey was forced to defend her title at Skeet ball and despite her valiant effort she lost to Beckett by 10 points. The kids didn’t care because they got to cash in on the tickets for the trinkets behind the glass. On the drive home the seating arrangements changed with Beckett and Bailey taking one car with the kids and the rest of his family piled in the other car. Tristan was asleep before they exited the parking lot and Alexis was not far behind him.
“Thank you Beckett for tonight.”
“You’re welcome. I meant what I said earlier Bailey they won’t get hurt and neither will you.”
She looked over at his profile and wanted desperately to touch his face. She knew she was falling for him and couldn’t stop herself. She believed he meant what he said but in the end when he walked away she would be the one who was hurt. She couldn’t blame him since he was being totally honest with her. She could only blame herself and knew the wisest thing she could do was walk away now. But she couldn’t, not when there was the slightest possibility things could change between the
m. There were moments when Beckett looked at her that Bailey knew he was thinking of her as a woman, not a contract. Could she make him see her that way all the time? Her advantage was she had one year where he was totally committed to her. The disadvantage was that she couldn’t compete against Macy in the physical sense. Who was she kidding, in one year he would be gone. Why would he want her when Macy would be giving him everything he wanted? She sighed as she turned and looked out the window. When Beckett placed his hand over hers she turned to see his eyes studying her. In the dark they were grayer than blue and almost smoldering. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt her heart pound against her chest.
“Bailey….trust me.” He begged in almost a whisper.
She wasn’t sure she even heard it correctly. She could only nod and keeping her hand gripped in his she looked at the road ahead. He continued to hold her hand in silence until they turned onto the drive. Parking his car near the front door he grabbed Alexis from the back seat while she grabbed Tristan. Careful not to wake them they carried them inside and up to their rooms. He laid Alexis on her bed leaving her it the care of Selene who had magically appeared. He walked out into the hallway stopping outside Tristan’s door. He watched as Bailey undressed him then helped him to the bathroom. Still half asleep he emptied his bladder then made his way back to his bed. Once tucked in Bailey left his nightlight on and made her way to the door where Beckett stood. He stepped out into the hallway and with one last glance at Tristan she closed the door and turned to Beckett. It wasn’t planned but as she turned she caught her foot on the rug and fell into his arms. He caught her then with his arms still around her lifted her face as his lips lowered to meet hers.
His kiss was soft and hesitant at first, testing the waters before he dove in. Bailey felt her arms involuntarily wrap around his neck pulling him closer as her lips parted for him. His tongue began to explore the sweet recesses of her mouth and she tasted the combination of his minty breath combined with his distinct flavor. She moaned as his arms circled her waist pressing the soft curves of her body against the hard muscle of his. His kiss now deepened taking full possession of her as he backed her against the wall. She felt his desire grow and suddenly reality set in. She pushed against him and finally he relented. Pulling back but keeping his arms around hers he stared down into her face.
“Beckett…no….we… can’t.” She said her voice barely a whisper. “The contract.”
Her words were as effective as if she had slapped him in the face. He immediately released her then stepped back leaning against the opposite wall as he tried to regain his emotions. His confusion mirrored hers on what had just transpired.
“Bailey…I’m sorry…that shouldn’t have happened.” He said and she felt the pain stab her heart with his words. “I don’t know what I was thinking…it won’t happen again.”
With that he turned and left her standing there feeling confused and rejected. She ran into her room slamming the door behind her. As her mind replayed what had just happened she realized it must have looked as if she was throwing herself at him. He was a man with urges and she couldn’t expect him to resist when she was so willing. But when her fingers touched her lips she remembered the tenderness of his kiss. The way he was hesitant with her as if he was waiting to pull back at the first sign of resistance. But she had pulled him to her, opened her lips to him. She had let him know she wanted him.
Her cheeks flushed with heat as she realized what he must now be thinking. How could she face him after her wanton display of desire? She was no better than her cousin Alicia who married a total stranger. Bailey had thrown herself at Beckett a man she barely knew. If she hadn’t remembered the contract how far would she have let him go? Bailey now understood the contract and the reason her grandmother added the clause. She was wise enough to realize that Bailey had very little experience with those of the opposite sex and Beckett was nearly an expert. Without the clause he could easily seduce Bailey to his bed and in the end leave her to move on to the next conquest. Hadn’t he told her that after the divorce they would remain friends? He had no intention of staying with her. She had to get the delusion out of her head that she could change his mind. This was a business arrangement and nothing more in his eyes.
With her back against the door she slid down to the floor as the tears fell. How was she going to pull this off? In the next two weeks they were going to have to make several public appearances. They were going to have to appear as if they were deeply in love with each other. She was certain there would be physical contact. How could she be with Beckett, feel him touch her, maybe even kiss her and not react? If she did react how could she then control her feelings without letting her own desires overtake her? How could she also walk down the aisle and pretend to say the sacred vows meant only for those truly in love? She couldn’t do this; it was too much of them all to ask.
Standing up she wiped the tears from her face and opened the door prepared to find her grandmother however she ran right into Selene. From her frightened look she knew immediately something was wrong with Tristan. She pushed passed her into his room and found him sitting on his bed struggling for breath. Quickly she grabbed his inhaler and holding the mouthpiece over his nose and mouth she told him to breathe as she pumped the medication into the device. Tristan struggled to get the medication into his lungs where it could open his airwave letting in the much needed oxygen. Bailey had done this drill enough times to know when to wait and give the medication time or when to drive to the hospital for the nebulizer. Tonight was to be one of those nights.
“He just couldn’t breathe.” Selene said in a panic. “I didn’t know what to do.”
“It’s ok…Selene go arrange for a car…I need to get him to a hospital.”
“Yes miss.” She said relieved to be doing something.
Bailey wrapped Tristan in a blanket and still holding the mouthpiece to his face she lifted him in her arms and began to carry him. She wasn’t even halfway across his room when Beckett appeared at his door his face white with worry. Without a word he took Tristan from her and raced down the stairs to the car. Bailey was right behind him and when she sat down he placed Tristan in her arms. Shutting the door he ran around to the driver’s side and gunning the engine he sped down the drive.
“What happened?” Beckett asked looking over at Tristan. “Was it tonight?”
“I don’t know…he was fine when I laid him down….he seemed tired today after the picnic but after his nap he seemed ok.” She said shaking her head as Tristan struggled to breathe. “Shhh Tristan….slow…slow breaths…just relax….we’ll be at the hospital soon….Beckett’s taking us.” She said trying to soothe his fears.
“Why doesn’t he have a nebulizer? Beckett asked as he ran through a yellow light before it could turn red.
“The insurance wouldn’t pay for one.” Bailey said. “They would rather we make these trips to the hospital.”
“I’ll handle that.” He vowed gripping the wheel as he watched Tristan struggle for breath.
Bailey could see the fear in Beckett and she understood how bad it appeared to people not used to these attacks. Her knowledge didn’t make them less severe it was just that she had witnesses so many of them over the years that she no longer showed her fear. Now she just reacted. She had even let go of the anger at the bureaucracy that thought it was better to make unnecessary trips to the emergency room than let them have a life saving device at their disposal at home. Beckett dropped her off at the emergency entrance then while she carried Tristan inside he went in search of a parking spot. When he raced inside he expected to find Bailey already in a room with Tristan not sitting on a chair with a number waiting to be called.
“Why are you sitting here?” He asked.
“He needs to be processed.” She said rocking Tristan as she stroked his hair. “They’ll call me up as soon as someone’s available.” She explained.
Beckett looked at the room full of people and the number Bailey was holding. Ne
ver one for waiting he took her number and walked up to one of the nurses who was serving another patient.
“Excuse me.” He said politely.
The nurse looked up at him frowning. “Sir….please take your seat, we will call you when your number comes up.”
“Look….I’m sorry.” He said to the patient who was being helped. “But I have a 5 year old boy having an acute asthma attack.”
“Have you given him his inhaler?” The nurse asked.
“Of course and it’s not helping.”
“We’ll you need to give it time….please go sit down and we will get to you as soon as we can.” She said dismissing him.
Frustrated Beckett turned to leave then seeing Bailey rocking Tristan and watching him struggle to breathe forced Beckett to turn.
“Look.” He said putting his hands on her desk.
“Sir….please step back or I’ll have to call security.”
“Good….do that….arrest me I don’t care….just get someone to take care of my child before he turns blue.” He shouted.
“What seems to be the problem?” A male’s voice asked causing Beckett to turn. He expected it to be a security guard but instead found himself looking face to face with a doctor dressed in scrubs.
“I have a five year old having a severe asthma attack, his inhaler isn’t working and he needs to get on a nebulizer.” Beckett said motioning him towards Bailey.
The doctor looked over to Bailey and saw Tristan lying in her arms. He grabbed the stethoscope from the nurse behind the desk and started towards Bailey.
“Doctor!” She protested but one look from him shut her up.
Kneeling in front of Bailey he listened to Tristan’s lungs.
“How long has he been like this?” He asked her.
“It started about an hour ago….he was fine all day….fell asleep in the car ride home and when I put him down he was breathing ok.” Bailey explained. “His nanny came and got me….he couldn’t have been in bed for more than a few minutes.”