Claiming Beauty (Taking Beauty Trilogy Book 2)

by Nikki Wild

  “Sure,” I said. I didn’t know, but if he said so, I believed him. “They didn’t think my designs were too ‘West Coast’?”

  “No way,” he said. “Everything can be adapted. We can change fabrics and colors and make it more sophisticated, if that’s what you mean. Everything is so casual on the West Coast, isn’t it?”

  I nodded again, my head spinning.

  “So what are you saying exactly?” I asked.

  “I’m saying, get me more stuff to look at. You’re in the running for a job at Armani. If all goes well, we’ll bring you in, give you space and time, and let you work your magic with an entire team supporting you in every way. We’ll make you the next face of the Armani’s women’s line, Chloe!”

  “That’s huge,” I said. “Levi, this is crazy! I can’t thank you enough.”

  “No thanks necessary, love! You’re the one making my job easy by being so talented. And you practically fell into my lap! I should be thanking you!”

  He reached over, grasping my hand and squeezing it, the heat rolling off of his palm shooting right through me.

  A wave of queasiness washed over me.

  “Excuse me,” I said, sliding out of my seat and racing to the ladies room.

  Breathe through your mouth, breathe through your mouth, I told myself as I ran inside. I ran into a stall and sat down, putting my head between my legs. My legs were shaking and my palms were sweaty and I was fighting to keep my food down.

  I should have stayed in bed, I thought to myself. Raw fish probably wasn’t the bed thing to be eating right now.

  After a few moments and a lot of deep breaths, I felt a little better. I made my way back to the table and explained to Levi that I wasn’t feeling well. Like a complete gentleman, he escorted me outside and after I refused a ride all the way home, he hailed me a cab and gave me a gentle hug goodbye.

  I promised to be in touch soon and half an hour later, I was at home.

  My bed had never felt so comforting. I sank into the soft downy comforter, my head melting into the memory foam pillow, the mattress enveloping me in warmth and softness.

  I feel asleep hard and fast, dreaming of Bear’s kisses, his masterfully sculpted abs, and his perfect cock that I hadn’t felt inside of me in way too long. If I didn’t feel better soon, I was surely going to die from missing him.

  And that cock.

  That perfect, skillful cock.

  I missed it like I’d never missed anything and I awoke the next morning, finally feeling better and desperately needing to see the love of my life.

  Chapter 20

  Bear’s voice was thick with sleepiness when I called him early the next morning.

  “Beauty,” he growled. “Good morning, babe.”

  “Good morning,” I said. “I can’t take this anymore. I need to see you.”

  “Are you feeling better?”

  “For the most part. When can I see you?”

  “I’m swamped at the office all day. Dinner tonight?”

  “Okay,” I said, disappointed that I had to wait so long.

  “Sorry, love. Pick somewhere to go, okay? Maybe sushi?”

  “No!” I cried, my stomach churning at the thought of last night’s dinner. “I think I need something simple.”

  “Okay, whatever you’d like, love.”

  “Thank you. I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too, babe. Everything okay?”

  “Yes, I just miss you. I can’t wait to see you tonight, babe.”

  “Me too, Beauty,” he growled. “Have a wonderful day, love.”

  “Thank you, you too,” I said, hanging up the phone.

  I started my morning with a cup of tea, the nausea hanging on but a little better today. I ate toast and jam, which thankfully stayed down, but only made me even hungrier. By the time I’d cooked eggs and bacon, I was ravenous. I devoured my breakfast and then set to work.

  I finished the dress I was working on by noon, feeling ecstatic about the progress I was finally making. I started another one, hoping to finish it within days, so I could take it to Levi. I wanted to give him something new, something I’d just done, to show the level I was working at now.

  Tonight, I’d tell Bear about my dinner with Levi. I knew he wouldn’t be too happy about it, but I didn’t want to keep anything from him. Besides, the news was so big there was no way I’d be able to keep it from him. I was bursting to tell someone.

  Marie, I thought, grabbing the phone and calling her.

  She answered right away. I hadn’t talked to her since she’d gone back home and a wave of emotion hit me when I heard her voice. I missed her so much.

  “Chloe!” she answered. “Hi, baby!”

  “Hi, there!”

  “How’s New York?” she asked.

  “Cold. Still cold.”

  “I don’t know how you can be cold when you have that big hunk of man to keep you warm.”

  “I’ve been kinda sick. I haven’t seen him in a few days. I’m definitely cold.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know. Just a virus or something, I guess. I’m feeling a little better today. We have a date tonight.”

  “I wish I was there,” she said.

  “Me, too,” I replied.

  “I’ll come back and visit again soon. I can’t wait to experience more of New York.”

  “I think you got the best part already,” I teased, referring to our little sexcapade.

  “You might be right,” she said. “May be hard to top that.”

  “I’m sure Bruce will give it a try,” I said.

  “Fuck, I hope so. Did you see that man’s cock?” she asked.

  “I did,” I said. “It’s huge.”

  “Well, he’s no match for Bear. That’s guy’s sporting a monster between his legs. No wonder you’re so enamored.”

  “I love Bear for his personality, not for the size of his cock, Marie,” I said.

  “Oh, please, you know the love of the cock came before the love of the man!”

  I laughed, unable to stop myself.

  “Stop,” I said, finally, clutching my queasy stomach. “I called to give you some news.”

  “Oh, yeah? Tell me!”

  “Well, do you remember that guy Levi from the club? He works at Armani and he wants to show my stuff to his team. I might be the face of the next women’s line at Armani, Marie!”

  “Armani! Are you fucking kidding me?” she exclaimed. “That’s incredible!”

  “I know!”

  “Wait, I’m confused, though,” she said. “I thought you were going to open your own store? And aren’t you supposed to be planning a wedding, too? Oh, my god, did you even tell Matilda yet?”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “No, I haven’t told Matilda. Bear and I are going to tell her together. She’s busy with her new job and boyfriend, she doesn’t care what I’m doing. Typical Matilda, right?”

  “I guess,” she said.

  “Anyway, the wedding is on hold. Well, not on hold, but we haven’t even set a date yet. It’ll happen. We’re going to have a long engagement, I think. We’ll see.”

  “Have you even talked about the wedding since he asked you to marry him?”

  “Well, no, but he’s been very busy.”

  “You went to a fucking island together for a week, Chloe. You didn’t talk about it then?”

  “No! Marie, God, can you just stop interrogating me? Fuck.”

  “Okay, okay, sorry,” she said. “It’s hard to keep up, there’s so much going on with you. Now, what about the store?”

  “I haven’t decided. I mean, yes, I’m opening my own store, but then I met this guy and this Armani thing just happened and now I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

  “How so?”

  “Bear wants me to keep going full steam ahead with the store. He’s not too fond of Levi.”

  “Levi? That dreamboat you met at the sex club?”

  “Yes, that’s wha
t I just said! Pay attention, Marie!”

  “Well, for fuck’s sake, look at him! He looked like he just stepped out of GQ or something. Of course Bear doesn’t want you hanging around him. Even men like Bear get jealous. Especially men like Bear!”

  “Hmm, you may have a point. They do have a bit of a history together. They’re definitely not friends.”

  “Sounds like you’re playing with fire to me, Chloe,” she said. “Be careful.”

  “Shit, I hope not. It’s fucking Armani, for fuck’s sake.”

  “So what? Wouldn’t you rather be your own boss? Have complete creative control?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “But what?”

  “Well, the thing about opening my own place is that I’ll be totally financially dependent on Bear for everything.”

  “So what? Aren’t you already? He pays your rent, your bills, takes you out, buys you things. He’s going to be your husband, Chloe.”

  “That’s very nineteen fifties’ of you, Marie.”

  “Oh, fuck that. Listen, if you can work for yourself do it. Forget all that independent woman bullshit. Let Bear help you. You’re fucking great, Chloe. You’ve got mad skills. Use them. Believe in yourself. Pretty soon you’ll be doing so great, you won’t need anyone else, even Bear.”

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re the best friend in the whole world?”

  “Once,” she replied. “Seems like it’s been forever, though. If only I could remember who said that…”

  “Oh, hush. I love you. I gotta go now.”

  “Okay, love you too. Tell Bruce I said hello.”

  “I’m sure you can tell him yourself. There is a thing called the telephone!”

  “Yeah, yeah,” she said. “You know I like to play hard to get.”

  “Play being the operative word. You’re the easiest girl I know.”

  “I don’t think you have much room to talk, Beauty,” she said.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I laughed, hanging up the phone and feeling much better now that I’d talked to her. I was even more confused, but I felt better.

  One out of two ain’t bad, right?

  Chapter 21

  “Chinese or Pizza?” Bear asked. I was snuggled up on his couch next to a roaring fire and he was looking through takeout menus.

  “Chinese,” I said, smiling over at him.

  It was so good to see him, to just be near him. I knew I missed him but I hadn’t really realized how much until he showed up at my front door tonight, looking like a dream. He looked amazing, he smelled even better and when he kissed me, I thought I might die of happiness right there at his feet.

  “Chinese it is, then,” he said. He picked up the phone and began ordering in Chinese and my eyes widened as I listened. When he hung up, I whistled.

  “I’m impressed,” I said.

  “I spent a summer in Beijing,” he shrugged. “I picked up a little Mandarin while I was there.”

  “What else don’t I know about you?” I asked.

  “Oh, I’m sure there’s lots of things,” he said, sitting on the couch next to me and pulling me close. “Good thing we have the rest of our lives for you to discover them, huh?”

  “Yes,” I said, nodding emphatically. “Absolutely.”

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better tonight, love,” he said. “I’ve been pretty lonely around here without you.”

  “I’m glad, too,” I said, leaning into him. He felt so real, so solid, so strong, and yet every time I was with him, it was like I was suspended in a dream. Some fantasy come to life that hadn’t fully formed and taken residence in my brain just yet. Like I had to keep convincing myself that this was all real, that it was really happening.

  “How was your day yesterday? Are you learning your way around town now?”

  “For the most part,” I said. “My GPS helps.”

  “Ah, yes, the joys of technology. Amazing, isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” I said, growing quiet. “So, I have to tell you something.”

  “What’s that?” he asked, brushing a kiss across my lips. I wanted to melt into him, let him sink into me, lose myself in his embrace for the rest of the night, but guilt was gnawing at me and I needed to make it go away before I could get on with my night.

  “I know you told me not to give Levi’s proposal any weight, but I had to at least hear him out.”

  “What are you talking about?” he asked. I was still leaning into him and I felt him tense, but I soldiered on.

  “He told me he had good news, a proposal of sorts.”

  “And what did he propose?”

  “He told me he had some people that were interested in seeing more of my stuff. To maybe give me a position. He said I could be the next face of the women’s Armani line.”

  I’d said it a few times out loud by now but this time, it all just sounded funny to me.

  “You’re kidding, right, Chloe? Tell me you aren’t serious.” Something about the tone of his voice bothered me.

  “I’m not kidding, and yes I’m serious.”

  “Chloe, we talked about this already. There’s no reason for you to get mixed up with Levi. You’ll better serve your career by doing things yourself. You don’t need to pay your dues, you don’t need to learn from some old, outdated company. And I’m sure he’s all talk anyway.”

  “He already showed my stuff to some people who like it. It’s not just him, Bear. I’d be doing business with other people in the company, too. I’m going to finish up a couple of pieces I’m working on and have dinner with him again next week to give them to him. It’s worth seeing what they say, don’t you think?”

  “What did you just say, Chloe?”

  “What?”

  “Did you say you were going to have dinner with him? Again?”

  “Well, yes, I—.”

  “—When did you have dinner with him the first time?”

  Fuck! Didn’t I mention that at first?

  “Last night,” I said. “Sorry, I thought I said that.”

  “No, you didn’t. You told me you weren’t feeling well yesterday and that you couldn’t see me. Instead, you had dinner with Levi?”

  “I’m sorry, Bear, I meant to tell you—.”

  “Hush!” he said.

  He stood up quickly, pacing around the room, walking back and forth in front of the fireplace. The crackle of the flames behind him was the only sound in the room. My heart skipped a beat as he stopped and stared down at me.

  Slowly, he shook his head.

  “Beauty, you know what this means, don’t you?” he asked, his eyes peering straight into my soul. I saw everything in his. He was an open book.

  He was angry. He was disappointed. I’d lied and he caught me. He wasn’t pleased.

  I guess I understood. We’d not seen each other for days and I was out with someone else. Another man that he despised. Of course, he would be angry, right?

  When I saw him looking at me, when I heard his question, I knew the answer. Of course I would be punished. But my heart skipped a beat with the anticipation of the pleasure that would come after.

  I nodded slowly, rising to stand in front of him.

  God, I’d missed him. I’d missed his touch, his kiss, his smell, but most of all, I realized I’d missed that fiery look in his eyes. That darkness that ripped through me every single fucking time, melting everything in its path.

  “Yes, I know what this means,” I said, lowering my head, my nipples hardening in anticipation.

  “Go,” he said. I nodded, walking out of the living room and down the hall, past the abstract paintings and past the normal guest rooms until I reached his room.

  His secret room that I’d grown to love and lust for all at the same time.

  I couldn’t wait to feel the slap of his hand on my naked flesh.

  I couldn’t wait to shudder at the sound of the blow.

  I couldn’t wait to feel his cock grow against my belly with each resounding smack.

&nbs
p; He grabbed a heavy, thick whip from the wall. The smell of leather washed over me and I inhaled deeply, the heady aroma had quickly become an aphrodisiac for me.

  “Strip!” he said, turning to face me. Pleasure washed over me as he sat down, silently gesturing for me to lie on top of him.

  I stripped off my clothes quickly, letting them fall in a heap at my feet. I was disappointed to see he didn’t take his off, but I didn’t dare say a word about it. He wouldn’t look at me, he stared straight ahead with an angry grimace and my stomach flipped as I realized he was truly angry this time.

  “Bear, I’m sorry…” I muttered, as I crawled onto his lap.

  “Shut up!” he barked. I jumped, my legs wiggling as I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the blow.

  Silently, he began, using the whip right away.

  One. Two. Three. Four.

  I held my breath, the leather slapping against my bare ass like a snack bite. I cringed with each blow, stiffening against him.

  Five. Sex. Seven.

  I cried out, the last blow hitting so hard I felt it ricochet into my brain. He kept going.

  Eight. Nine. Ten.

  “Bear!” I cried, whipping my head around to look at him. His gaze was focused on my ass and he wouldn’t look up at me at all. Tears streamed down my face.

  Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen.

  My head fell back down, and I clenched my eyes shut, trying to melt into the pain, waiting for it to turn into pleasure like it always had before. But instead, it just kept hurting more.

  Fourteen. Fifteen.

  “Stop!” I cried. “Please! I’m sorry!”

  Sixteen.

  “Bear!” I screamed.

  Seventeen. Eighteen.

  “Peaches!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. “Peaches, goddammit! Peaches! Stop!”

  He stopped, suddenly standing up as I fell in a crying heap at his feet.

  “Bear!” I cried, tears streaming down my face. He looked down at me, his eyes a violent storm of anger and pain.

  The man I loved wasn’t there.

  The darkness was too dark this time.

  We’d gone too far.