Beck: Hollywood Hitman

by Maggie Marr

  Like heat-thickened air, the tension between them was palpable and yet nothing that either of them remarked upon.

  “Remi has some intel for me. If you need anything, you can text me or pick up the phone. Food. Drink. An outside line.”

  “And what about you?” Natalie spun from the window, her gaze hot with an intensity that bordered on anger. “What if I need you?”

  “You have me.” Beck’s voice was soft. Desire lingered in his eyes. “I haven’t left you, Natalie. I’m still here. My feelings haven’t changed. I’ve only . . . I’ve had to pull back to keep you safe, to protect you. There is a very real threat out there and I don’t want it close to you. Today was too close.”

  She walked to him, and the heat between them grew with each step she took. Her heart expanded with his words. She needed to hear them, needed to know, needed to feel the emotional connection between them.

  “Why didn’t you tell me those reasons?” She set her hands on his chest and tilted her face up to his. The scent of him, strong and good and male, filled her lungs. God but she wanted to climb him like a tree.

  “I assumed you knew.”

  She pressed her lips to his neck. His body tensed. His hard maleness pressed to her and her hips rolled forward. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him.

  “Maybe.” Her lips pressed to the flesh of his neck. “But these are things a woman needs to hear.” Her nipples tightened against the lace of her bra. She wanted him with a deep and fierce desire.

  He grasped her chin and pulled her mouth from his neck. His gaze locked with hers. “I’ve pulled away because I love you.”

  Warmth pulsed through her body. She closed her eyes. Beck’s words were exactly what she needed. They were a couple, she wasn’t alone, they’d be together—

  “But we can’t be together.”

  Her heart careened in her chest and cold thrummed through her veins.

  “But we love each other.” Her words, her tone, sounded petulant even to her own ears.

  “And that’s exactly why.” Beck turned and her hands dropped from his body. She stood alone in the center of the room while the warmth she craved, the man she wanted, the half of her heart she’d given to Beck, walked assuredly through the door.

  ***

  The next morning, sunlight filled her windows. The day was new. She’d already texted Stacia, who promised to come by Greystone later that day if only for the novelty of the place. Ari was in the midst of finalizing the details of her deal for the next two Shemax movies. The premiere was in three days. Her media engagements leading up to the premiere had been canceled. They were telling the press she had the flu, when in reality what she had was a sicko who wanted her dead. Ari had already ordered workmen into the house and Remi had gone with Beck to do a security breakdown of her house, whatever the hell that meant, since someone was obviously still able to get in and out without tripping an alarm.

  Natalie grabbed breakfast downstairs and then strode out the back of Greystone. This place was immense. Tucked up on its own hill with huge, lush gardens, she’d never believe that Greystone sat in one of the world’s biggest cities. This whole backyard was like a gargantuan secret garden. White gravel paths wove between rose bushes and hedges and fountains. Amazing. She strolled along with no agenda. Breathing deeply and stopping to smell the flowers. She stepped forward toward a purple flower—

  “Beautiful, aren’t they?”

  Natalie stopped and turned toward the soft voice that sounded vaguely familiar.

  “Monkshood, incredibly poisonous. Impossible to cure, even if you touch it.”

  Natalie took two steps back. She’d been ready to press her nose to the flower.

  “It would seem you’ve wandered into my poisoner’s garden.”

  “Poison?”

  The woman walked closer. She wore a white hat with a gauzy netting that drifted from the edge of the hat over her face to her shoulders. A breeze caused the cloth to dance.

  “I’ve always been mesmerized by the effects of poisons.” She reached out and tenderly caressed the leaf of a pink plant. “Oleander, not quite as deadly as her bedmate.” She nodded toward the monkshood blossom. “I became particularly interested in poisons after my incident.” She tilted her head toward Natalie. Through the material Natalie saw the hint of a smile. “I’m Estrella, or had you already determined as much?”

  Estrella Leone. The infamous actress and socialite. The woman who’d lit the celebrity scene on fire. Natalie remembered her own mother speaking about the amazingly talented and beautiful Estrella Leone.

  “Do you have time for a walk?” Estrella asked.

  Natalie nodded and fell into step beside the woman who since her abduction had become an enigma to the world.

  “Your suite? You have everything you need?”

  “Oh yes. My room is absolutely beautiful,” Natalie gushed, and she wasn’t a gusher, but just being in the presence of Estrella, a woman who had survived a kidnapping and attack, made a wave of gratitude for all that Natalie had in her own life wash through her. “Thank you,” she continued, and raved about the interior, and Estrella smiled and nodded.

  “Excellent. Remi tells me you’ll return home tomorrow. I was sorry to hear about what happened.” She stopped walking but didn’t turn to Natalie. “I know . . .” She tilted her head toward Greystone. “I know my home is my sanctuary and the thought of anyone coming into it uninvited, well . . . I don’t like that idea, and I can’t imagine that anyone else would either.”

  “You’re right there,” Natalie said. “Maybe that’s why it’s been so tough for me to get used to your security guards in my house.”

  “Hmm.” Estrella nodded and began to walk again. “I can see that. You’ve fought hard for your independence. You’re very strong and very determined.” She paused again. “But you know why my Hitmen are with you? Why they’re important? Your safety, you can’t ever take your own personal safety for granted. Believe me, Natalie, I speak from experience.”

  “I know. What happened to you—”

  “Can happen again.” Estrella stopped, and this time she faced Natalie.

  Through the filmy cloth Natalie saw that Estella’s face was different on each side. Natalie held her breath. Fought hard not to react. Even with the shield of the cloth, she could tell, she knew, what had happened to Estrella’s face would be horrible to behold.

  “He’s still out there, somewhere, this madman, and he’s evil. I don’t want him to ever hurt anyone again. Do you understand? He may have targeted you and until we know or we’ve caught him, it’s . . . we must take every precaution.” Estrella’s voice contained a determined intensity.

  “I’m sorry . . . I . . . you’re right. Of course you’re right. I just . . . I like my privacy and I’ve had a hard time getting used to having a person with me all the time.”

  “Ah, Beck. How do you like having him as a guard?”

  “He’s good at what he does. He’s professional and knows what he’s doing and he’s dedicated—”

  “Are you in love with him?”

  A wave of melancholy mixed with want washed over Natalie. How to answer? Was she meant to be completely honest? Remi said that Estrella knew of her relationship with Beck.

  “Yes,” Natalie said. “I am.” Her voice was soft.

  A smile curved on half of Estrella’s face. “Love is a good thing. A beautiful thing. Love can keep you safe.”

  Love can keep her safe, but it never has. “When I love people, they break my heart.”

  “Not everyone is like your parents or Rico,” Estrella said. “Please forgive me for speaking so freely, but I see a great deal of myself in you. So many opportunities, so many people wanting a piece of you and your success. So many people telling you how fabulous you are.”

  Natalie smiled. Sounded a little familiar.

  “But when you find the one who still thinks you’re fabulous but is willing to also tell you what isn’t right? That’s a man worth ke
eping.”

  “He definitely tells me all that.”

  “Good. Then I still believe you’re safer with Beck by your side than without.” They walked up the back steps to the patio. Remi waited on the lanai. Estrella glanced from Remi’s grim-faced expression to Natalie. “If you’ll excuse me, it would seem I’m needed.” She walked quickly toward Remi and disappeared inside.

  “You can go home this evening if you wish.”

  Natalie spun around, and there stood Beck in jeans and a T-shirt, looking more relaxed than she’d seen him since before she’d left to see Rico.

  “I’m . . . I’m sorry I snuck out that night.”

  Beck nodded. “I know.”

  “And I’m sorry . . . you know . . . I love you.” Natalie said, the tears filled her eyes.

  “I love you too,” Beck said, and walked to her.

  She wanted to lift her arms to his neck, but she couldn’t. They were standing on his employer’s back patio. She couldn’t begin to imagine how many cameras were pointed at them right now.

  “Let’s get through the premiere. And then . . .”

  “And then?” she asked with hope in her voice.

  “And then . . . I’ll always love you, Natalie. I don’t think that can change. But I need to keep you safe. For you and for me. Do you want to go home?”

  “I want to go wherever you’ll be.”

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Her home smelled of paint. After two days, Natalie could now walk by the living room and actually glance toward the giant wall where the horrible words had been painted. No hint of the wicked words remained. How many coats of paint did it take to cover a person’s hate?

  She walked to the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator. Her hair was in curlers and she wore a plush terrycloth robe. It was barely noon and already she was preparing for tonight. Her makeup artist had told her to drink up now, because once she started on Natalie’s face she didn’t want to have to keep doing touch-ups. Natalie grabbed a straw too. She could convince Tabby to let her sip her water.

  Four Greystone guards leaned over the kitchen island. A bevy of male beauty, each of them pure muscled perfection. How many of Greystone’s finest would be at the Shemax premiere? She guessed at least a dozen.

  The four in her kitchen stood around what looked like building plans.

  “Is that the Worldwide Theater?”

  Remi nodded. “We’re doing a final look and then three of us are taking our teams and clearing the building.”

  The Worldwide Theater was a throwback from the Golden Age of Hollywood, and the studio only hosted huge blockbuster premieres in that theater.

  “The fact that we’re on the Worldwide lot for the premiere adds another layer of security,” Remi said, and nodded to Jax, Beck, and Hudson. “After the film, the premiere party is on the patio outside the theater.” Remi ran his fingertips along the perimeter of the building. “Makes everything trickier. But if we can contain Miss Warner to the VIP area?”

  Natalie upended her water bottle. Four pairs of eyes landed on her. She took a swallow. “What? Are you asking? You guys are actually asking me about something instead of just ordering me to do it your way? Wow, that’s a switch.”

  “So.” Remi took a deep breath. “Can we count on you remaining contained in the VIP area for the premiere party?”

  A small smile curled over Natalie’s lips. She looked from Remi to Beck, who had one brow raised, and then she returned her gaze to Remi. “Sure, no problem. I can do that.”

  “The lady makes it so easy.” A smile slow and sweet like honey spread over Jax’s face. “Not sure why you fellas always think she’s hard to handle.”

  Natalie tossed her head, smiled, and turned toward the door. “I mean, guys, all you ever needed to do was ask.”

  ***

  Natalie’s hair and makeup team had packed up their brushes and wands and decamped for the kitchen to drink wine and gossip. They’d wait and do one final pass on hair and makeup before she exited the house. All she needed was to step into her gown, but Stacia was stuck on the 101 and absolutely forbade her from touching her dress until she arrived and could be there to zip Natalie up.

  Natalie’d put on her bustier and hose and now wore an ice-blue slip of a robe. She pulled the sash tighter. The last few days had been hell. Beck had slept in his room and she’d slept alone in hers. Even though he’d explained to her why he was creating space between them, she felt like a little girl being punished.

  She stood in the hallway between the door of her room and his. She wanted to see him . . . wanted to talk to him . . . hell, she just wanted to be near him. Should she . . . yes. She took three more steps and walked into Beck’s room. She didn’t knock. She walked right in. And stopped.

  Her heart catapulted in her chest.

  Holy hell.

  Beck wore black tux pants and had yet to put on a shirt. His body . . . God, his body. He stood at an angle to her and the muscles of his arm were golden in the light from the window. His bare chest and belly were chiseled perfection. His scars simply made him more male, more masculine, more rugged.

  She couldn’t speak. Her mouth failed to form words.

  A week ago she’d had permission to touch that body whenever she wanted, feel the thick muscles beneath her fingertips, press her lips to that golden skin . . . but now? Now that privilege had been revoked.

  A thick desire coiled in her gut. She wanted to walk forward and press her hand on that perfectly sculpted chest, to trace her fingertip over that angry red scar that crossed his chest, and though some might say they made the perfect imperfect, she simply thought of those scars as part of Beck. Part of this man that she’d grown to love and that she was desperately afraid to lose.

  “So . . .” Her breath caught her words and she cleared her throat. “How are we handling tonight?” She crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to shield herself from the desires quivering across every centimeter of her flesh.

  He moved to her with a fluid grace. An electrical pulse curved over her skin and shot out into the air between them. He was close now. So close that the naked flesh of his chest was right before her.

  She took a deep breath. Beck. The strong smell of him, earthy and good and male . . . God. He made her dizzy. Especially after days and nights without him that had created a quivering longing within her body.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, how do we handle tonight? We’ve never done a premiere together and this is a huge public event and I . . .” She pulled her gaze from his chest back to his eyes. “I want to know details.”

  “I’ll be close to you.” He lowered his voice and his breath caressed her. “Very close. But you won’t even notice I’m there.”

  Impossible. She’d always be aware of Beck. His presence, his gaze. He called to her soul.

  “Fine, okay, I just wanted to know.” She pulled her robe tighter and backed away from him. He was too close, she wanted him too much, she couldn’t be this close to him without—

  “Natalie.” He reached out and grabbed her arm.

  She stilled. Looked down at his giant powerful hand clasping her arm, the tight feeling on her skin. The desire that trailed through her body with his touch. She turned back, her mouth open and ready to shoot out the typical hot words that formed when someone grabbed her, but she couldn’t, she wouldn’t. This was Beck and his hand on her meant only protection and love and caring. His touch was never an attempt at control or to overpower her.

  “Natalie, I—”

  Her lips were on his lips. Her body pressed against his body. He grasped her shoulders and she expected him to push her back and for him to step away, but instead that wall of masculine muscle pulled her closer, and it took everything in her not to climb him like a tree. Days of pent-up want, nights of fears that she’d lost him no matter what he said to her, that he’d leave her, all of those misgivings were wrapped in her kiss.

  Her mouth opened to his
and his tongue slid into her mouth and caressed her, took the kiss deeper. Her hand stroked down over his bare muscles to the top of his pants and she clutched his cock. He gasped.

  Yes, God yes, she had to have him. His hand slid under her robe and his fingers traced her belly. His lips pulled from hers and slid hot and wet down her neck and to her breasts. He pulled the lace edge of her bustier down and exposed her breast. He sucked her nipple deep into his mouth.

  A surge of heat flew through her body. Molten and wet and filled with want. Her knees buckled and he grasped her with his other arm.

  “Yes, Beck, oh my God, yes,” she whispered. Her hand in his hair. God, this was exactly where she wanted to be, needed to be, in his arms with his mouth on her. She longed for Beck’s touch more than anything she’d ever wanted in this world.

  He pulled the edge of her panties aside and slid one finger deep into her wet core and pulsed her engorged nub with a fingertip. She clenched, longing to be filled with his sex. She pulled down the zipper of his tuxedo pants and clasped his cock. She stroked him, pulling her hand up and down the hot, hard flesh of his sex. His lips moved from one nipple to the other. God, but she wanted him to take her, to thrust deep and hard into her.

  “Please, Beck, my God, I’ve missed you.”

  He pulled away from her breast and his hand went to her chin and his gaze locked with hers. The want, the desire, the love was in his eyes.

  “I can’t live without you, Natalie.”

  His fingertips massaged her sex and with one quick twist of his wrist her G-string fell to the floor. He spun her around and bent her forward. His mouth on the back of her neck. His hands massaging her ass. He wrapped one arm around her and slid his fingers to her clit. She planted her hands on the bed.

  Yes, fuck yes, she wanted this, she needed this.

  His cock pressed up and deep into her sex, and his fingertip circled her engorged clit.

  “Yes, oh my God, yes.” The tiny voice filled with want almost unrecognizable. With each deep thrust her body quivered and tightened.