Beneath Your Beauty

by Alexa Keith

  I smiled. We had done a good job.

  My phone rang, and I jogged to it. Looking at the display, I answered, “Looks good, right? God, I hope she likes it. Maybe there are too many candles? Yeah, twenty was probably a bit much. Fuck, I can blow some out or maybe just move them.”

  “Steele!” Lisa yelled through the speaker and stopped my nervous rambling. “Calm down, sweetheart. It’s good, and she’s going to love it.”

  “You sure?” I asked hesitantly.

  Lisa assured me, “Yes.”

  A lot had happened in the past seven months—well, six. This past month, things had just started to settle down.

  Two days after we’d gotten home, Kayden had confessed to me that she had taken out a loan to pay Marco off. The next day, I’d made her cancel it, and I’d given her shit about it, too.

  The next two days, I’d spent making it up to her, apologizing for what an ass I had been and for how wrong I’d handled the situation.

  Since then, I had been doing pretty good, and I’ve only been in the doghouse once. That was when she’d found out I’d paid off both loans for the boys’ college education, but her anger had only lasted until we got into bed that night. I knew just the right buttons to push, and I’d pushed them all, twice.

  The first two months, I’d dealt with righting the contract to the Steele Waters name to how I wanted it. We had to fly back for the Adult Video News award show and expo. Kayden had been great. She’d stood by my side, even during all the uncomfortable interviews, signings, and shows. However, I’d always made her my main priority. She had even posed with me for a few fan photos when asked. In addition, I had the chance to show off the woman I planned to spend the rest of my life with.

  I never did buy into Burn. If I had, I would have had to either stay in California or fly back and forth. And I hadn’t wanted to do either one. I’d needed a clean break from my life, and that was exactly what I was doing.

  While we had been out there, I had packed up my house, which hadn’t been much. My house was never a home because I never felt settled anywhere.

  Now that I was settled, I fuckin’ loved it, and I had gone a little overboard with our home. We had a huge pool, bar, and grill put out back. We painted the outside and added to the landscaping. We had redone the kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances.

  Since I’d been helping Kayden with her baking, she had been able to take on three more accounts.

  Ha!

  It was funny that I had gone from porn star to bakers assistant. But I got to spend every minute with her, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Plus, the taste-testing was one of my favorite parts. I could do a lot of kinky shit with the icing and batter.

  Wednesday was my favorite fuckin’ day of baking. I’d bought Kayden a cute purple-and-pink frilly apron, and I had convinced her to wear it naked. Since Wednesdays were our lightest baking days, I turned it into naked baking day. Proudly, out of all the Wednesdays, we had been late with our deliveries only six times. I couldn’t be blamed with my woman’s luscious body in only an apron.

  Four months ago, Lisa and Aunt Sally had moved twenty minutes away from us. Sally had been tired of working, and Lisa had wanted to be closer to us. That was what she had said anyway. She spent most of her time with Bull. They’d been together ever since Lisa crossed the Florida border.

  Sally filled in at Hunter’s bar from time to time, but she spent most her time with a group called Age Is Just a Number. That group was nuts and fit her perfectly. They would go on more field trips than all the fuckin’ schools put together. Nevertheless, she was happy, and it kept her busy.

  The boys were doing great. Kayden and I had visited them a few weeks ago and had an awesome time. I had grown on them as I’d known I would because I wouldn’t give up. There were plenty of times they would call to talk to me, and Kayden pouted. But I knew she was smiling deep down because of the relationship I’d formed with her boys.

  Next month, they would be coming home for a few days. I couldn’t fuckin’ wait. Bull, Dalton, Jeff, Hunter, Spencer, and I were going to go on a two-day fishing trip. The only sucky part was it would be two days away from Kayden. However, she didn’t know yet that I would be sending her, Lisa, and Sally on a spa vacation while I was gone.

  “Shit, she’s home,” I said into the phone when I heard Kayden’s car pulling up.

  “Okay, sweetie. Now, go make my daughter one happy woman.”

  I took a deep breath. “That’s all I want out of life, Lisa—her happy and with me forever.”

  Lisa sniffled and cleared her throat. “Good. Now, we’ll all be at Murrays, waiting for your call.”

  “Okay,” I quickly said.

  Lisa said to me, “Love you.”

  Those two words coming from her meant the world to me. The first time she’d said them was a few weeks after she moved here.

  “Love you, too,” I replied because I really did. I hung up just as I heard the door open.

  Kayden walked through the door. “Bull and Aunt Sally were at the bar, and Hunter didn’t need those extra cookies.” She made her way through the house. “I don’t know what he was in a panic about. He still had three dozen in the stockroom.” Her voice became louder as she got closer to the French doors. “Mom wasn’t even there. They sa—” She stopped in the doorway and took in our lanai that Lisa and I had transformed into a romantic setting. “What…” she breathed, and her eyes came to mine.

  My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that I felt it throughout my body. There was a brief second I thought I might pass out, but when I looked into those brown eyes, I calmed.

  “I never wanted this,” I started.

  Her hands came up and gripped the doorframe.

  I stayed a few feet in front of her, standing in the middle of the lanai. “A home, one woman, homemade dinners, snuggled on the couch every Friday night while just watching movies.” I paused and took a deep breath. “Until you walked onto the set that day and changed everything I always thought I didn’t want.”

  She kept her eyes on me, searching for what I was getting at. A show of uncertainty played across her expression.

  I went on, “You, Princess, made me want a home and dinners at the kitchen table. You made me crave Friday night movie-watching. Most of all, you made me want to spend my life with one woman and one woman only. You showed me what’s beneath your beauty, and I showed you, only you, what’s beneath mine.” I slowly started toward her. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Kayden Brewer, by my side.”

  When I landed in front of her, I removed her death grip from the white trim, held her hands, and guided her out onto the lanai. Her eyes roamed the area again. I knelt down in front of her, and she sucked in a deep gasping breath. Her glistening brown eyes came to mine.

  I let go of her right hand and reached into my pocket. “You made dreams come true that I didn’t even know I had. There’s one dream I have left, and I was hoping you could help me fulfill it.” I held up the ring with my thumb and index finger. I had the red ruby heart pendant she had worn the night in Vegas made into an engagement ring.

  Her eyes went wide as she recognized the ruby heart. She gasped out a broken sob, and a tear fell from her eye. Her right hand came to cover her mouth.

  “My dream is to have you be my wife, to love you forever, to fuck as often as we can—”

  She let out a small chuckle.

  “And to fill this house with kids.”

  Her hand fell from her mouth, and she was smiling. Wet tears sparkled on her cheeks, as her eyes welled with more.

  “Princess…will you marry me?”

  She started by nodding her head.

  “Is that a yes?” I asked with a grin.

  She nodded faster, and with a husky, broken voice, she said, “Yes.”

  I slid the ring onto her trembling finger and kissed it. I stood up and wrapped my arms around her waist. Her arms came around my neck.

  “Forever,” I told her with a
whisper.

  She whispered back, “Forever.”

  Then, I kissed the shit out of my future wife.

  Where to start?

  I have so many people who have helped me along this journey. However, I will start with two amazing people—my parents. Thank you for your love and support—not just through this journey, but also in life. I love you both to the moon and back.

  Great big thanks to my betas—Becky, J’nai, and especially, Kimberly—Whether you were there from beginning to end, I appreciate all you have done.

  A huge thanks to Pam—I will not forget, and I will be forever thankful for all your help.

  My FictionPress followers—Thank you for keeping me writing. All your encouragement kept me going. You’re the best.

  My editor, Jovana—It’s been a long, rocky, and fun road we’ve gone down. I couldn’t imagine sharing that experience with anyone else. Thank you for all your endless hard work and for helping me with my freak-outs. You are an amazing woman.

  To a very special friend, TC- Even if you haven’t been there from the beginning, I am grateful that you were there for the end. You kept me grounded and stable, and made me laugh when I needed it. You my dear, I will always hold deep in my heart. And no, I haven’t forgot about all the coffee I owe you.

  To my children—I couldn’t thank you enough for your patience and understanding. You make me a proud mom. I love you with all my being.

  My other half—Without you, I would have totally lost my sanity. You pushed when I thought it wasn’t possible. You pulled when I had gone too far. Thank you for all the nights you cooked because I was so involved in this story. I will forever be thankful to you for encouraging me to follow my dream. I love you with all my heart.

  Last, but by no means least, to the talented author, S.C. Stephens—There aren’t enough words to describe how truly thankful I am for all that you have done. You opened me up to a world where I was able to fulfill my longtime dream. Thank you for all the endless crazy questions you answered. You, my friend, are a true gem. There’s not a Thoughtless bone in your body. :) Saying thank you doesn’t seem like enough. In all honesty, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  Alexa Keith is an independent self-published author. She spends most days locked away in her own head. When she does venture out, it’s always a new adventure. Alexa loves to spend her free time with family and friends. When she has time to herself, she enjoys reading a good book.

  Her love for writing started at an early age. She would stare out the window in school as her imagination ran wild, and she can’t count how many times she was lectured for her lack of concentration.

  To this day, her mind is still running. Alexa has come to the stage in her life where she has finally been able to put those thoughts and stories in black and white, so keep your eyes open for more.

  Alexa Keith can be reached at alexakeith@live.com

  You can also visit her Facebook page for updates of her work at www.facebook.com/pages/Alexa-Keith-Author/206597179517416. Or you can follow her on Twitter @Alexa_Keith_.

  What if you had the chance to walk away from the only life you’ve ever known, would you take it?

  Allison Winters, didn’t have that option. Her husband came home one night with divorce papers in hand. He told her- she had fifteen minutes to pack herself, and their three kids up, and get out.

  Allison, did it in ten.

  Being on the road, and living free for three months, Allison and her three kids happened to stumbled upon a quaint little town called, Birdsfall. Loving the pure and simplicity of their new life style, things couldn’t get any better, until she got pulled over.

  Hunter Quaid was in no hurry to find a girl and settle down. He lived the life most men dreamed of. Being a cop in a small town, owning a bar, and having his piece on the side, things couldn’t get better, until he pulled her over.

  Hunter flashed his lights, the vehicle pulled over, and he approached the car. What happened next, he wasn’t prepared for.

  When pasts are brought back to haunt them.

  New situations arise to complicate them.

  Will they both be ready to have the strength to hold on?

  Inside Your Beauty

  ~An Ecstasy Pictures Novel~

  By

  Alexa Keith

  Allison

  “Forty-two…number forty-two, please come up to the window.” The squeaky voice blaring from the intercom bounced off the boring, beige-painted cement block walls.

  Let’s go, number 42.

  As I tap my fingers on my knee, willing the line to go faster, I glance down at my pink, white, and purple Hello Kitty watch. I have exactly forty-five minutes to get to the bus stop. Technically, the school bus doesn’t arrive until three, but I like to be there fifteen minutes before. Just in case the bus does show up early. Molly will freak out if I’m not there.

  Molly is my youngest daughter; she’s seven, and in the second grade. My fraternal twins, Brianna and Ryan, are sixteen, and juniors in high school. I count my blessings every day that I have great kids who get along and stick up for each other. Since our drastic lifestyle change, however, Molly is suffering, more than the older kids.

  Honestly, I kinda am, too, but I would never let my kids see that.

  The four of us have been on our own since my husband of seventeen years kicked us out three months ago. Ray came home unexpectedly one night with divorce papers, the title to my 2012 Cadillac Escalade changed over to my name, and a check for ten thousand dollars. He told me to sign the papers, grab the kids, and get out. And that I had a total of fifteen minutes to do so.

  I did it in ten.

  And grabbed all my jewelry while I was at it. As a result, my kids and I went from living in a five-thousand-square-foot home in the most esteemed development in northern New Jersey, to being homeless.

  From the outside looking in, it probably looked like we had it all. We had a housekeeper—at my husband’s insistence because “Everyone has one,” he said—as well as gardeners, landscapers, and maintenance men on call. The kids went to private schools, and were never without designer clothes and all the new, up-to-date electronics.

  As for me, I wore only the best designer clothes. I had a personal trainer who came to the house four times a week (my husband’s doing again). Gaining a pound was not an option for me. I was expected to get my hair trimmed and styled every two weeks, and to have a manicure, pedicure, and a facial every week.

  Several times a month I had lunch with the “girls.” Out of all the eight in our group, I only ended up becoming real friends with one, and she left her husband five months ago. Nicole was like me, down-to-earth and didn’t give a rat’s ass about the money. We both hated the materialism and the fakeness of our lives, as well as the perfection that was expected—no, demanded—of us by our husbands, not to mention the pressure that was put on us by the watchful eyes of those in our social set. Nicole and I have stayed in touch; she’s now living in Texas and loving her freedom.

  “Number forty-three. Would number forty-three please come to the window?”

  I sighed and glanced at my watch again. At this rate I was going to be late picking Molly up.

  Great.

  So, what in the world did I have to complain about? Being perfect wasn’t easy.

  I didn’t work, so I was expected to cook every night during the week, which is fine but, not your normal, everyday dinners. They had to look and taste like they came out of a five-star restaurant’s kitchen. No, tacos, hotdogs, hamburgers, or pizza for us. And I wasn’t allowed to make the same thing twice in a month. Gourmet cooking became my hobby, and I hated it.

  The weekends were spent kissing asses at the country club, or going to business dinners or family picnics hosted by Ray’s company. Whatever Ray wanted us to do, we did.

  Was he controlling? Absolutely.

  Obsessive? Absolutely.

  Materialistic? Absolutely.

  A work-a-holic? Absolutely.


  A perfectionist? Absolutely.

  An asshole? Abso-flipping-lutely!

  After being expelled from our home, the kids and I were on the road for the first month. We stopped here and there, eating take-out like it was going out of style, which led to my gaining a quick thirteen pounds. Ray would be highly pissed, not to mention Dale, my personal trainer.

  My mother and father couldn’t understand why I wasn’t moving out to California to be near them, which led to a lot of argumentative long distance phone calls. It’s not that I didn’t love my parents, it’s just that they drove me crazy and it was time I grew up. I had been under Ray’s thumb for nineteen years. Unlike my friends, I never went to college or had any schooling after high school. I started out in high school as Ray’s trophy girlfriend and soon graduated to his trophy wife, which was my job description for the next seventeen years. Until three months ago.

  “Number forty-four. Would number forty-four please come to the window?”

  Move your ass, number forty-four.

  By the time the second month on the road with the kids rolled around, we began looking for a town that would be our home. And we found it in Birdsfall, Florida, a relatively quiet small town where everyone knew everyone. No more designer clothes for us; casual was the thing in Birdsfall: Jeans, shorts, T-shirts, and tank tops for everyday wear, and sundresses if you wanted to dress up. It was perfect! Today I was wearing shorts and a tank top, thrilled inside at the thought of how mortified Ray would be if he could see me now.

  “Number forty-five? Number forty-five, please come to the window.”