The meaning of that last statement was clear. It was the same old bullshit and she was sick of carrying this secret. “You know what? You’re right.” She flung her arms wide. “I did tell you the night before the big game, knowing you’d lose your shit.”
There was an audible gasp from the crowd around them.
“I knew it. You ruined my life.” Derek sounded whinier than any of the little girls in the room.
“Yeah, well, you tried to ruin mine too.” She stepped into his space. “But you know what, you didn’t succeed.”
She waited for the shame that had dogged her for the last ten years, but it never came. In fact, she’d never felt freer.
She glanced around at the accusing faces. “Instead of blaming a scared, pregnant sixteen-year-old for causing the hometown football star to lose the game, you might want to ask why your star player was so weak-minded he couldn’t handle his life.” She looked Derek up and down. “I know I have.”
Beau’s warm arm slid around her waist. “You ready to get Lottie and get out of here?”
She smiled up at him. “Almost.” The women who had been talking about her earlier were standing just behind Derek. “And Marla, you can take my name off every committee I’m signed up for.”
The bottle blonde’s eyes bugged out of her head. “But what about the teacher appreciation lunch next week? You organized the whole thing.”
“I’ll send you my notes. I resign as the slave girl for this whole damn town.” She took Beau’s hand. “Find yourselves another sucker. I’m done.”
And she was.
She was so freakin’ done.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Beau leaned against the doorframe of Lottie’s room while Hailey tucked the girl into bed.
“But I’m not tired, Mom. Please, can I stay up a little longer? I promise to go to bed early tomorrow night.” He had to give it to the kid, she was a world-class negotiator.
Hailey fussed with Lottie’s blankets. “Baby, it’s way past your bedtime.”
“But I want to talk about the show. It was sooooo fun.”
Beau bit his lip to keep the smile away. “We can talk in the morning, squirt. You do what your mom says tonight.”
Sunshine poured from the smile she gave him. “Okay, Beau. Goodnight.” She flipped to her side and closed her eyes.
“Hey.” Hailey playfully shook Lottie’s arm. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
The giggle that came from the rascal in the kitty cat pajamas sounded like music to his ears.
Lottie sat up and threw her arms around Hailey’s neck. “Goodnight, Mom. I love you.”
Hailey kissed Lottie’s head. “Love you. Sleep tight.”
Beau stepped out of the way to let Hailey pass. “Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”
“Okay.” The little girl who’d come to mean so much to him burrowed under the covers.
“You did good tonight, Lil’ Bit.”
“Thanks, Beau.” Her words were as airy and dreamy as cotton candy, and she was asleep before he flicked off the light.
He followed Hailey into the kitchen. “She’ll probably sleep for twelve hours.”
Hailey opened the fridge and withdrew two beers. She handed one to Beau, then twisted the cap off the other. “From your lips to God’s ears. Tomorrow’s the first day of fall break, so I’d like to be able to sleep in.”
“How long is she out of school?”
Hailey sipped her beer. “A week.”
A plan began to form in Beau’s head. “Are you closing for Thanksgiving?”
“Nope. The only night we’re not open is Christmas Eve.”
He twisted the top off his beer and took a long pull. “Not Christmas Day?”
“Lord, no.” She chuckled. “There’d probably be a riot if we were. Folks need a place to drink after dealing with family for the day.”
He laughed. “I guess I can see that, even though I loved holidays with my family. It was one of the times that it didn’t feel like it was just me and Clyde.” He picked at the label on the bottle. “It was nice to be around everyone. Besides, Aunt Mimi’s one of the best cooks in three states.”
She sat her beer on the counter and leaned her butt against the edge. “You’re close to them.” It wasn’t a question. She knew his family was important to him.
“Yeah.” He moved to her and sat his beer next to hers. He placed his boots on either side of her feet and moved into her space so she had to look up to see him. This woman. She never backed down, and he loved that about her. His hands went to her sides. “So, are you spending Thanksgiving with your dad?”
The smile on her face flipped upside down in a heartbeat. “Yes, an appearance at Dad’s is required. Totally sucks. Believe me, if I could figure a way out of it, then I would.”
He liked the sound of that. This plan of his just might work. He wrapped one of her dark curls around his finger. “So, you know how the awards show is Sunday?”
Her whiskey eyes searched his. “Uh-huh.”
“And you know I’m performing.”
Now suspicion slid over her face. “What are you up to, Beau?”
He laughed and kissed her neck. He didn’t miss how she pressed her body into his. “Why do I have to be up to something?”
She turned her head and gave him better access to the place he was tasting. “I know you, Heartbreaker. Mmmm, yes, right there.”
“Well, I was wondering if your manager could cover the bar, so you and Lottie can come with me to Nashville.”
Both her hands went to his chest and she pushed. “What?”
The lack of anger and indignation in her voice gave him the courage to continue. “I was thinking we could make a fam—um…a trip out of it. Like a mini vacation. You and I are already going to the awards show. We could just include Lottie.”
Her brow crinkled. “What about Lottie? She can’t go to the awards show.”
“I was thinking maybe May would like to go with us.” He gave his best you want to say yes smile. “Come on, Hay. It’ll be fun, and Nashville’s on Lottie’s ‘To Visit’ list.” He went back to that curl he loved so much. “I’m just asking for a few more days.”
“That would be nice—oh, crap, Lottie’s with Derek this year.”
“That’s a bummer, but you and I can still go.”
“Ummm…” Her plump bottom lip slid between her teeth. “I really shouldn’t leave the bar for more than a night or two.”
“I get it.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to go. It’s just the bar…”
He knew this woman, and if he pressured her, she’d run. “Hey, I get it.”
She stared at his chest and seemed to be having some internal conversation. “I’ll ask Newt if he minds covering for me.” The statement came at him so fast he wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly.
“Yeah?” His heart kicked like a pissed-off bull.
A smile that he’d never seen from her split her face. “I’m saying yes.”
He bent his knees so he could look her in the eye. “Really?” She was in his arms and he spun her around. “Yeehaw!”
Her hands covered his mouth. “Shhhh, you’ll wake Lottie.”
He nipped her finger. “I wouldn’t want to do that.”
“Why is that?”
“Put your lips where your hands are, and I’ll show you.” He lifted her higher. “And wrap your legs around my waist.” She did, and the heat of her nestled around him perfectly.
She gave a little wiggle. “You like that?”
He closed his eyes and took several long breaths through his nose. “So much.”
Her fingers went into his hair. “Hey, look at me.”
The seriousness of her tone had him flicking open his lids. “Yeah?”
“I have to make sure Newt doesn’t mind. When were you thinking we’d leave?”
“What’s best for you?”
“Thursday morning?” She rested her forearms on his shoulde
rs. “I need to get my orders in and make sure they’re ready for the weekend. Thankfully, I’ve already booked the talent to play, since mine is skipping off to play hooky and be a famous, award-winning country music star.”
He couldn’t control the grin that pulled his lips up at the corners, even though he knew the chance of him winning was slim. The competition was just too stiff. But it did something to his heart to know she believed in him. “Yeah, well. It’s hard to find good help these days.”
She unhooked her legs from around his waist and slid down his body. He knew by the wicked glint in her eye that the slide down the front of his jeans was intentional. She wove her fingers with his, traced and kissed his knuckles, then brought their joined hands to her heart. Her eyes were full of something new when she raised them to his. “Stay.”
“What?”
“Stay with me.”
He couldn’t have heard her right. They were never together when Lottie was home. “But Lottie…”
“Will be fine.”
“If that’s what you want.” He smoothed her hair from her face. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
It was all he could do not to pick her up and run down the hall to her bedroom before she changed her mind. But the look in her eyes said this meant something to her too, so he let her lead the way.
Hailey led Beau into the bedroom and closed the door. “Sit.” This was important. She wanted to show him how much she loved him even if she could never tell him. Telling him how she felt would be a gross violation of the rules. Rules she’d created.
He sat on the end of the bed and leaned back on his hands. “Whatcha up to, Hailey, girl?”
“You’ll see.” She turned the bedside light on and kicked off her shoes. The air caught in her chest at the sight of him. Like a derelict king, he leaned back on his hands, his long legs spread in front of him. His tracked her movements like he was an addict and she was his next fix.
She picked up one foot and pulled off his boot, then his white athletic sock. She did the same to the other foot. He never spoke, only continued to stalk her with his lust-filled gaze.
She positioned herself between his jean-clad legs. “You’re awful quiet, cowboy.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed twice before he spoke. “Just enjoying the show.”
“Oh, you want a show?” She grabbed the bottom of the lace camisole she wore and pulled it over her head. “How’s that?”
The groan that rumbled up from his core fueled her exhibitionism. “What if I did this?” She flipped the front clasp of her bra, then slid the straps from her shoulders. The black lace fell into a puddle on the floor. He never took his eyes from hers. Smoldering steam pulsed between them, and caught them in a rhythm of pounding hearts and ragged breaths. She pointed at him. “Now you.”
He reached behind him and yanked his t-shirt over his head. So. Freakin’. Sexy.
His hands went back to the bed, so his chest was on perfect display. He kicked his chin up. “Your turn.”
She slid the button of her pants through the hole and wiggled them over her hips and down her legs. A quick kick and they were out of the way, and she stood in nothing but a black lacy thong.
His chest rose and fell in hard, labored respiration. His hungry gaze ate her up from her head to her toes. Powerful. The word flashed in her brain. With him, she was powerful.
“Turn around.” It was a command not a request. “Fuuuckin’ hell,” he growled and went to his knees behind her. Two big hands palmed the globes of her butt. The heat of his mouth on her lower back stoked the desire burning her alive, until she was pliable and willing in his hands.
His lips replaced his hands on her ass. “Beau.” Her needy plea reverberated off the walls of her bedroom.
“Shhh. I’ve got you. Put your hands on the wall.”
She did as she was told. Every nerve ending fired at once when his fingers went to the top of her thong and he slid it down her legs. He worshiped her from her backside to her feet. With every lick of his tongue, every caress of his lips, she fell a little more in love with him.
Careful, girl. This will not end well.
She shoved that thought far, far from this moment in this room with this man. There was only one thing she knew for sure. She’d never regret one minute she spent with him.
“Spread your legs, baby.”
She didn’t hesitate to comply.
His finger glided down the cleft of her ass and didn’t stop until he was at her entrance. His clever fingers teased and played, making her crazy with need. She dropped her head to the wall in front of her and concentrated on staying upright. He stole her ability to think and left her only with the golden glow of sensation. “Beau.”
“Hmmm?”
“I… I want…” He slid his other hand up her back then scraped his blunt nails down her spine and she almost came right then.
“What do you want, Hailey?”
“I want your mouth.”
“Where?”
“Where your fingers are.”
He drummed his fingers on her lower back. “Here?”
“Beau, put your mouth on me right now or I swear I’ll kick you out of here right this minute.”
He chuckled. “I’m not going anywhere, baby.” He stood and hooked his arm under her legs, while his other arm caught her around the back. Their faces were mere inches from each other. Electricity crackled and flashed between them. His lips crashed down on hers. Her fingers tangled in his hair. All of her love lived in that kiss. She communicated everything she wanted to say, and never uttered a word.
He lowered her to the bed without breaking the connection. The bed dipped when he placed one knee on either side of her. The golden cage of his arms and legs as he held himself above her was everything she ever wanted.
“I believe you gave me an ultimatum.” The devil danced in his eyes.
“I did.”
“Then I better get to it.” His lips were an inferno on her skin. He slid down her body leaving fire in his wake. It was the hottest thing she’d ever lived through, until he pressed his mouth to her core, and she forgot she’d lived before that moment.
Her fingers dug into the comforter. “Beau.”
He glanced up her body at her. His hair hung in his eyes. He grabbed his bangs and pulled them out of his face. “Do you need a minute?”
She needed forever, but she’d take right now. “No. Now. Right now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Time ceased to exist. He could’ve been there five minutes or five hours, she had no idea, she was too busy riding on a surge of desire so intense that she thought it would consume her. Then the wave crashed, and she broke into a million pieces. “Ohhhhh.” It was the only sound she could make. On and on it went. He stayed with her and never let up until she came back to herself.
Then he crawled up her body. “Hey.”
“Hey.” His mouth glistened, his eyes blazed, and his hair was a total mess—perfect. “Kiss me.”
Warm, strong hands cupped her breasts. The combination of his mouth on hers and his fingers toying with her nipple wound her need for him tighter and tighter. “I want you inside.”
He stood up and reached for his jeans. The cool air of the room blew over her overheated skin. The loss of his body on hers physically hurt.
There was a rip of foil, then he moved over her. “Mmmm. Missionary, nice.”
A hot flush rushed up her neck and burned her face. “I’m…we can…we can do something else…if it’s too boring.”
He silenced her with his lips. “Hailey, I’ve been dreaming of laying you out on a bed and making love to you right and proper since the first time I touched you. This isn’t boring, it’s all my fantasies come true.”
“Oh.” Tears pinched her eyes. She’d never been treated so sweetly or carefully. No wonder she was crazy in love with him.
Slowly, torturously, he entered her. “This never gets old. It’s like coming home.”
When he began to move it all changed. The sensation that’d taken over her soul grew, multiplied, and infused every cell in her body. She didn’t fight it. She welcomed it, reveled in it, and held it close to her heart. This was her choice and it was the best decision she’d ever made.
He moved his hand between them and began to circle the bud of nerves that sent her over the edge again. “Beau.”
“I’m with you, Hay.” He pumped into her faster and harder. His groan came from deep, deep inside him. Then his big body collapsed on top of her. “I’m with you.” The whispered declaration fanned across her neck.
His weight pinned her to the mattress. It was hard to pull air into her lungs.
Who cared?
She was exactly where she wanted to be.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Beau slowly peeled open his eyes in the bright morning sun. It took him a few seconds to realize he wasn’t in the slut hut. A throat clearing had him sliding his gaze to the right. A dark-haired beauty with a plastic tiara in her curls stood with her arms crossed over her chest, the toe of her fuzzy slipper tap, tap, tapping the hardwood floor.
A quick check to make sure the blankets covered all the necessary parts. Hello, déjà vu. “Whatcha doin’, Lottie?”
She didn’t say anything, just gave him the same mutinous glare she’d given him the morning she found him in the princess bed.
“Darlin’, are you alright?”
“No.”
Crap. Where was Hailey? He heard the shower and knew his lifeline was not coming to his rescue. He pushed himself into a sitting position. Hailey’s pillow went into his lap to cover any sensitive parts. “Wanna tell me about it?”
“You had a sleepover.”
He caught his hair in his hand and pulled it out of his face. “Yeah. Well, it wasn’t exactly a sleepover.”
Running After a Heartbreaker (Brides on the Run #4) Page 21