Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series)

by L. A. Miller

  “Your safe Bailey….I’m here and no one will hurt you ever again.” He said kissing the top of her head.

  She grabbed onto his shirt knotting it in her hand as she clung to him fearing he would leave her again. The heat from his body warmed her and she settled in needed the connection to him. For almost an hour they sat there as his hand moved down her back gently rubbing until the tension subsided. When Beckett lifted her chin till her eyes met his Bailey saw the concern on his face. She also saw the guilt he felt assuming responsibility for leaving her alone.

  “Bailey…can you tell me what happened?” Instantly the fear returned and she saw the frown on his face as he regretted bring up the subject. “I’m sorry, we don’t need to talk about it right this moment.”

  She hesitated knowing he needed the information but she needed to forget. Taking a deep breath she bit her lip to prevent the trembling than began.

  “Rhett overheard Jefferson tell me about the ghost that haunted the blue room. He offered to show me the room. You and Trent were busy with the ladies. I planned on going with him and once he showed me the room I would come get you.”

  “I never saw you leave.” He apologized.

  “You were talking to the redhead.”

  “Annabella.” He groaned remembering her persistence. During their conversation she insisted on touching him as she recalled her summer in France. “She thought to impress me with her worldly travels. Hoping to entice me away to a secluded room despite the fact I was engaged to you.”

  Annabella was strikingly beautiful. She was nearly as tall as Beckett with a body that rivaled a Victoria Secret model. Her dress was cut low in the front revealing an ample display of her bosom and the back dipped indecently low. She was impossible to ignore with her flaming red hair and emerald green eyes and never in the evening had she lacked a suitor. Bailey had noticed her attempts to catch Beckett’s eye hoping he would ask her to dance but other than the elderly matrons present he had reserved his dances for her. Not daring to ask if he had been tempted she continued.

  “I was stupid….I should have known better…the way the other men seemed upset when I agreed should have warned me.”

  Beckett tensed. “No they should have stopped you or at least come and got me knowing Rhett’s past.”

  “Past?” She asked noticing his frown as he revealed too much. She waited and by the look on her face he relented.

  “Seems he and Jasper have something in common, he attacked a young girl and was arrested but his family paid off the girl’s family so the charges were dropped.”

  Bailey felt the blood drain from her face and Beckett pulled his arms tighter to comfort her. She knew he hadn’t planned on telling her that information hoping to shield her. She waited till her heart stopped pounding before she continued.

  “When we entered the room and he closed the door I should have seen something was wrong but then he started talking about the couple that fell in love. The tragedy of forbidden romance and I got caught up in their story. But then the room got cold and that’s when I noticed the way he was looking at me.” She shivered as she looked at him. “It was like the ghost was trying to warn me.”

  “Maybe she was.” He said.

  “I tried to leave….he blocked my way.” She said as she looked away concentrating on the button on his shirt. “Then he pinned me and I couldn’t get away….I tried to scream but…..” She stopped swallowing the bile that now rose to her throat. “His mouth…..his hands….” She cried.

  “It’s ok.” Beckett said as his body tensed in anger. “We don’t have to talk about it right now.”

  “If you hadn’t come in...” She said looking up at him. She needed to forget, needed him to wipe away the memory. She sat up and searching his face she saw his hesitancy. After Jaspers attack she had needed him then too but things progressed and in the end he left her. She couldn’t face that rejection again. When she bit her lower lip his eyes darkened as his gaze fell to her mouth. When she leaned towards him his reserve fell and he pulled her too him caressing her lips slowly. Bailey entwined her fingers in his hair pulling him deeper into the kiss. She needed him to erase Rhett’s memory and sensing this he deepened the kiss. Bailey moved now to straddle his lap as her hands moved to his shirt. Her fingers began undoing his buttons as his hands pushed her nightgown up giving him access to her legs. When the last button was undone he sat forward allowing her to remove his shirt. Bailey marveled at his body enjoying the feel of his muscles as the flexed beneath her hands. Digging his hands into her ass he pulled her closer till she felt his desire press against her. His lips moved to her neck and as he kissed the sensitive spot beneath her ear she moaned. Suddenly he stopped and pulling back fought to regain his control.

  “Bailey….we can’t.” He said gently holding her at arms distance. Again she felt his rejection and tried to move away but he held her in place. “God Bailey you don’t understand how much I want you. But your emotional state is driving this and I would be taking advantage of you if we proceeded.”

  “I don’t care.” She cried.

  “I do and later you would too. There’s no rush…we have time.” Bailey felt embarrassed by her wanton display and sensing this he reached up forcing her to look at him. “When it happens…..I don’t want any regrets.”

  “Ok.” She said then fearing he would leave she asked. “Will you stay though….I don’t want to be alone?”

  “Of course.” He smiled. “Lie down.”

  Bailey slid off his lap and lay down. Grabbing the blanket he laid down next to her pulling her into the security of his arms as he covered them. He kissed the top of her head then stroked her hair as he whispered. “Go to sleep Bailey.”

  She closed her eyes listening to the sound of his heart beneath her ear. The rhythm of his breathing and the warmth of his body soon lulled her to sleep. When the nightmares came he was there to hold her, soothing her back to sleep. When she awoke in the morning he was still with her but had moved to the chair next to her bed.

  Chapter 34

  Beckett felt her eyes on him but kept his eyes closed as she studied him. Just before dawn he had slid out of her bed and putting his shirt back on settled down on the chair next to her bed. He regretted leaving the warmth of her body but he didn’t want Trixie to find them in a compromising situation. Their night had been disturbed by nightmares that would wake her from her sleep, leaving her body trembling in fear. Each time he held her, speaking softly as he assured her she was safe. She would cling to him till sleep overtook her. He knew he must look like hell, his clothes wrinkled, his hair unkempt and his face in need of a shave but when he opened his eyes she didn’t seem to care. His breath caught in his throat from the desire he read on her face. When she realized she had been caught gawking she looked away as the blush spread across her cheeks.

  “Good morning.” He smiled. “How are do you feel?”

  “I miss your warmth.” She admitted once again meeting his eyes.

  “I didn’t want Trixie to walk in on us.”

  “We’re supposed to be engaged remember….she wouldn’t find it odd.”

  “Yes but if word got to your grandmother we might have some explaining to do.” He reminded her.

  “I’m sorry I kept you awake last night.” She said noticing the dark shadows under his eyes.

  “It was worth it.” He said “Do you think you will be up for the Remington’s visit today?”

  Her face paled and he regretted reminding her. Their visit would involve reliving the previous evening which she desperately wanted to forget. He watched as her mind processed everything before looking up at him. Again he was taken with her innocent beauty and found she was more seductive in her sleeveless cotton nightgown than Macy ever was in her silk teddy.

  “What happened after we left?” She asked.

  “You mean to Rhett?” He asked seeing the fear in her eyes.

  “Yes.”

  “After my brothers gave him an education on mann
ers he was left in the care of his uncle. I believe he turned Rhett over to the authorities.”

  Bailey panicked at the thought of facing him again. As if reading her mind Beckett sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his.

  “You don’t need to worry about him…..Trent told me he spent a night in jail before the sheriff drove him to the airport and put him on a plane. They made it clear if he returns to this state they will arrest him. Not only will he face charges for what he did to you but they will convince his other victim to come forward and testify. He’s lucky his uncle decided his fate and not my family.”

  “Are you sure he will stay away?”

  “Yes.” He said trying to reassure her.

  “He knew Jasper….he said Jasper told him about me.”

  “Your grandmother said they were friends.” He frowned.

  “What if they both come back?”

  “They won’t…..Trent made it clear to both of them what will happen….Bailey we’re not like Southern men…we protect our women.” He said touching her face.

  “I thought Southern men were gentile….that they put their women on pedestals.”

  “The men here are like any other…some are decent, some aren’t, some just don’t care….the problem with Jasper and Rhett is that their families were too concerned with protecting the family name…..you’ll find the same thing no matter where you go when people have money…..the image is more important sometimes than decency and justice.”

  “Like Jackson?” Bailey said remembering.

  “Yes.” He agreed. “Bailey….I won’t let anyone ever hurt you…neither will my family.”

  “I know.” She said touching the faded bruise on his face. “I just don’t like seeing you or your brothers get hurt.”

  “At least this bruise was for a good cause.” He grinned. “Normally they’re just a result of my brothers.”

  “Why do you guys fight?”

  “It’s always been our way of solving things.” He said shrugging his shoulders. “My mom used to swear we had a revolving door at the hospital growing up.”

  “Your dad never stopped you guys?”

  “No…neither did my mom…..they just let us work things out for ourselves.” He said standing. “I thought we could drop the kids off at school then get some breakfast.”

  “What about work?”

  “I told Trent we wouldn’t be in today. I thought after breakfast we could go to our house. I arranged for the realtor to leave us a key. I need to take some measurements and it will give you a chance to go through it again, get a feel for the layout and what you will need to furnish it. Afterwards we’ll come back here and I can show you some preliminary drawings before our guests arrive.”

  “I’d like that.” She smiled.

  “Then I better head to my room and shower….will you be ok?”

  “Yes.” She said sliding out of bed.

  Beckett pulled her into his arms enjoying the feel of her body beneath her gown. He loved the way she fit perfectly into him as if she had been made for him in mind. As he lowered his mouth to hers she slid her arms up weaving her fingers into his hair pulling him closer. Unlike the desperation from the night before this kiss felt more like a promise of a passion to come. As he was leaving Trixie was arriving with a tray of coffee for them. He grabbed his cup thanking her before heading for his room. After a quick shower and opting not to shave he changed into a pair of dark jeans and a long sleeve Henley. To his surprise Bailey was dressed and waiting with the children when he descended the stairs.

  “I thought you would be still trying to get them ready for school?” He grinned as Tristan ran up to hug him.

  “We have a field trip today.” He said excitedly. “We don’t want to be late.”

  “I’m sure the bus would not leave without you.” He said lifting the boy up to his shoulders. He was still amazed how frail Tristan was and made a mental note to spend more time with him. When they got to the school he expected to walk them in but Alexis jumped out dragging her brother with her. Bailey put her hand on his arm to avoid his question till the kids were far enough away from the car. She then motioned to a group of boys coming down the sidewalk.

  “It’s childish to be dropped off by your parents….or older sister.” She informed him.

  Beckett looked first at Alexis than at the group of boys heading in their direction. He noticed the way one boy seemed to be looking at her and when the other boys began to tease Tristan he tensed. He was about to get out of the car when the boy he gauged to be about 9 stopped them and separated from the group to speak with Alexis. Bailey couldn’t help hide the smile when Beckett frowned.

  “She’s only seven.” He said feeling the need to remind the boy.

  “Yes I know….they start early down here in the South. Don’t worry, Alexis set him straight.” She laughed and Beckett looked at her. “He asked her out and she told him no, she was way too young to be tied down to just one boy.”

  Beckett felt relieved as he turned back to Alexis. He watched her now in action and realized she knew exactly what she was doing despite her age. By turning the boy down she made him want her even more and he was now carrying her backpack as he escorted them inside. He looked back at Bailey who had been studying his face.

  “She has more confidence than I ever did at that age. All I wanted to do was ride horses and climb trees.”

  “Quite the tomboy.” He grinned picturing her at that age.

  “I never was into dolls like Alexis….I think because for so long I was an only child my father concentrated on treating me like a son much to my mother’s distress.” She said as they pulled away into the flow of traffic.

  “And when did you begin to notice boys?”

  “Eighth grade…his name was Spencer Wright….he was the star quarterback on our football team.”

  “How long did it last?”

  “It didn’t….he was dating the head cheerleader and never gave me a second glance.”

  “Really?” He asked looking at her. “Did he need glasses or was it too many head injuries from being tackled.”

  “More like glasses and second hand clothes.”

  “You wear glasses?”

  “Not too often….only if I read a lot and my eyes are strained.”

  “Why second hand clothes….your father owned his firm?”

  “Yes but he did a lot of charity work…..my father was a sucker for a sad story. Besides half the fun of finding a good outfit is the hunt. My mother and I used to explore the thrift shops in our towns….then we would go somewhere and get ice cream…or hot chocolate depending on the weather.”

  “Did you resent it when Alexis came along….having had your parents all to yourself for so long?”

  “No…did you resent Ethan?”

  “We were closer in age and Ethan meant I was no longer the youngest to get beaten up.” He laughed. “Did you ever resent knowing your grandparents didn’t want to see you?”

  “Sometimes…I knew about them and my parents were honest about what happened. When I would visit my friends and they had large family parties I sometimes pretended I was part of them. But seeing my father’s family now….I’m glad….what if we turned out like them?”

  “You wouldn’t have….it’s not in your nature.”

  “How can you be so sure?” She asked looking at him.

  They were stopped at a red light so Beckett looked at her putting his hand to her cheek. For a moment he held her gaze before speaking.

  “It’s not in your nature…you are a product of you parents and they never would have allowed it.” He grinned. “I wish I could have met them.”

  He noticed the way her eyes misted before replying. “Me too.”

  He wanted to say more but the sound of horns behind him pulled his attention to the light that had turned green. He pulled away intent on finding them a place to eat. He had been enjoying their conversation, getting to know her and wanted to continue. Spotting a little coffe
e shop he pulled into the lot.

  “Wait here.” He said as he slid out of the car. He saw her confused look till he came around opening her door. Extending his hand she took it allowing him to help her out.

  “It’s hard to get used to that.” She said referring to his manners. “In California men don’t open women’s doors.”

  “Men don’t…gentlemen do.” He said taking her arm as he led her towards the diner. Again he opened the door for her then followed behind her. The sign said to take a seat so looking around he picked out a booth away from both the entrance and bathrooms for privacy. She slid into one side and he took the opposite seat as he took the menu she offered.

  “Thank you.” He said noticing the waitress heading their way. “Do you want coffee?”

  “Please.” She said as the waitress stopped at their booth. “Two coffees please….and could you bring us some cream.”

  “My pleasure.” She smiled trying to draw his attention to her cleavage as she placed their utensils on the table. “I’ll be right back.”

  Beckett turned his attention to Bailey and noticed she was watching him trying to hide the smile on her face. He raised an eyebrow as he studied her face.

  “Do you do that often?” She asked innocently

  “Do what?”

  “Fend off female admirers…..if she had bent any lower she would have fallen out.”

  “Depends.”

  “On?”

  “If I’m with my brothers…Trent is usually the one they are drawn too……Ethan’s next in line.”

  He noticed the funny frown on Baileys face as if she disagreed with him. For some reason her reaction pleased him.

  “Your brothers are good looking but I think I prefer your looks better.”

  He smiled flattered but also curious. On his own he had never had a problem attracting women but with his brothers women seemed to lean towards the large presence they had. As if more muscles and added shoulder width meant better prowess in bed. They may have always attracted more ladies but he seemed to have them keep coming back for more.