“Hey,” I said.
“Hi,” she replied. The sound of her voice did strange things, libidinous things, to my groin. “Is it okay that I called?”
“Sure. It’s fine,” I said, even though I never took personal calls during work hours—unless it was Sam, Tucker or my family. But she was family now. My family. “What’s up?”
“I felt it today. The baby.” Wonder and awe filled her voice.
My chest constricted and stole my breath.
“Beckett?”
“Really? Are you sure?” I lingered near the elevators, not wanting to share this private moment with anyone except her.
“Yes. Pretty sure.” The pitch of her voice lifted with excitement. “It’s real, Beckett.”
“What did it feel like?”
“Beckett, let’s go.” Daniels waved an impatient hand in my direction. I lifted a finger, asking him to wait a second. Nothing seemed more important than her answer.
“Kind of like a tickle, I guess.” Even though I couldn’t see her, I heard the smile in her words.
“Baby, that’s great.” I couldn’t wait to check out this phenomenon for myself, but I had business to address with her father first. Every time I thought about him, about his secret, my insides twisted into knots. “Look, I’m going into a meeting. Can I call you back?”
“Sure. Wait. I have this thing to go to tonight, and I was wondering if maybe you could go with me?” The question ended in a hopeful lilt. I smiled. “I know it’s last minute, but I don’t want to go by myself. I meant to ask you earlier, but I forgot.”
“Okay,” I said, even though I had briefs and depositions backing up by the minute. “Define thing?”
“I need to take a potential client and her husband to dinner. It’s nothing intense, just to schmooze a little.” I pictured her winding a strand of hair around her index finger while she talked. “Do you have any suggestions for a restaurant?”
“Chez Renault,” I offered. It had the perfect mix of coziness and elegance, and Venetia would go ape-shit over the upscale, eclectic decor. “I know the owner. I’ll get us a table for, say, eight o’clock?”
“Great.” I heard her sigh of relief. “Beckett, you’re the best.”
I wanted to be the best, her best. Not for my pride, but for her. I wanted her to look at me in a way no woman had ever looked at me before. She mattered more than work or success, and it scared the fuck out of me. “I’ll pick you up at seven thirty,” I said. “And I’m driving.”
Daniels and I followed the receptionist down cold marble hallways to an enormous corner conference room. Two walls of windows offered the best view of the city. A mid-morning winter sun formed pools of yellow light on the charcoal tile floor. After offering us beverages and breakfast from a full buffet, she pressed a button to smoke the interior glass wall and shield the meeting from prying eyes. Five minutes later, Rayna entered the room, a flank of attorneys on her heels. We shook hands, made pleasantries, and took our places around the massive table. Twenty minutes after the proposed start time, Maxwell entered the room without apology.
“Let’s get this over.” He took his seat at the head of the table and twitched the knot of his tie.
I’d negotiated premarital agreements dozens of times, so I knew the drill. It was similar to buying a car, but the stakes were much higher. Both parties presented their expectations, and we haggled the details until a satisfactory resolution had been reached.
“In the event of a divorce, Rayna would like to receive a sum of ten million dollars for each year of marriage,” Eckstein said. Everything about him was round, from the shape of his head to the style of his eyeglasses.
I squinted at him, blinded by the glare of overhead lights bouncing off his bald head. “Mr. Seaforth is prepared to offer five million for each year of marriage,” I countered, a paltry sum considering his vast wealth. “And not a penny more.”
Although the meeting consisted of standard fare, it was the ultimate lack of warmth between Rayna and Maxwell that unnerved me. Aside from their initial greeting, they hadn’t spoken directly to each other. There were no covert glances, no mild flirtations, nothing at all to suggest a romantic relationship between the couple. This was a straightforward business deal. If I ever married—which would never happen, I assured myself—my relationship with my wife would be warm and caring and never negotiated by a team of strangers.
Maxwell studied me with cool green eyes. I met his stare, struck once again by the similarity of features between Sam and his father. Venetia looked so much like Sam, but nothing like Maxwell. Now that I knew why, the dissimilarity was glaring.
“And has Mr. Seaforth’s will been adjusted to reflect her status as his wife?” This gem came from Coburn, the senior member of Rayna’s team. He peered across the table at me, waiting for my acknowledgment. I nodded and tried not to stare at the coffee stain on his tie. “And has Mr. Seaforth provided a full and detailed disclosure of assets and liabilities including subsidiaries and satellite interests?”
“He has,” I stated, knowing these questions were only a formality.
“Done.” Daniels jumped in for the first time. It was well past lunch time, and I could hear his stomach growling from three feet away. “Why don’t we adjourn for today?”
“Great idea.” I needed time to go over Rayna’s assets before the merger could be completed and a final agreement presented to both parties. “Let’s reconvene next week at the same time. Does that suit everyone?”
We left the details to our assistants and shuffled out of the room.
Seaforth followed at my heels. He clapped a hand on my shoulder and pulled me to the side. “Enjoying your new car, Piers?”
“No, but I’m sure the City Center Mission is. I donated the car to the homeless shelter.” I squared my shoulders and stared down at him.
His hand fell away. I might not be a billionaire, but I could be an intimidating motherfucker when I wanted. He stared at me, brows lowered. “Is that so? That’s a generous donation you made.” He reached past me to open the door beside us.
The office inside gleamed with brushed metal fixtures and leather upholstered furniture in a space larger than my apartment. A bank of windows overlooked the city. The wall across from the desk boasted no less than six flat screen televisions.
“This could be yours, Beckett. You and me as a team. I want you here. In this office. Leading my legal team. Think about it.” He gestured to the matching desks outside the door, where two blondes dressed in sharply tailored black suits sat. “Everything your heart desires is right here waiting for you. Money, prestige, power. I’m offering you the world.”
“I know what my heart desires, and it’s not here with you.” I shook my head. A vision of pretty blue eyes and the swell of a pregnant belly hovered in my mind’s eye.
The gleam in his gaze hardened. “You never fail to surprise me, Beckett.”
“I don’t know why. I was up front about my ethics from the start.” I turned my back and continued down the hall.
“How’s Venetia?” His footsteps echoed in my wake, close enough to lift the small hairs on the back of my neck.
I recognized the edge of danger in his voice. The mere mention of Venetia’s name on his lips turned my blood to ice. “She’s fine. What do you care?” I stopped at the elevator bank and pressed the button, keeping my back to him.
“I don’t, but you do,” he said. “Why are you wasting your time with her? That girl has expensive tastes. Hell, I should now. She’s out of your league.”
Hatred bubbled up inside me, a feeling unlike any I’d ever known. The bastard had put a finger on my biggest weakness, my secret insecurities. I drew in a sharp breath through my nose to cool my emotions. “You’re right. She’s way too good for me.” I stared at the numbers above the elevator door, cursing the slowness of its ascent. “But I’m sure you had nothing to do with how well she’s turned out. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for another meeting.”
I remembered Sam’s caution about joining the dark side. Nothing could ever persuade me to go against him or Venetia. “Then that was your mistake.” The doors opened, and I stepped inside.
“No one walks away from me, son.” When I turned to meet his gaze, he wore a smirk but his eyes were deadly. “Remember, your success is as great or as limited as I choose it to be. I own this city and everyone in it.” Including you. He didn’t say it, but I heard the inference in the silence after his words.
“Good luck with that,” I said as the doors closed. Cocky bastard. He didn’t even bother to veil the threat, and I didn’t bother to hide that fact that I didn’t care for his ultimatums.
One would think, after knowing the Seaforth family for years, I’d be accustomed to their opulent style of living. However, as I stood in Venetia’s living room, the disparity of our lifestyles had never been more apparent. Maxwell had touched a nerve, stirring up my deepest insecurities. Ten years ago, a farm boy like me would never have had a chance with someone like her. The thought gave me pause. Was this where I was headed? Did I want a chance with her?
“What’s wrong?” Venetia asked from beside me.
“Nothing.” I turned to face her and let out a low whistle. She stood barefoot on the marble floor in a blue cocktail dress, the vision of class. The silky fabric clung to every one of her numerous curves, especially the round bubble of her belly. The neckline dipped low to hint at full breasts underneath, and the hemline was short enough to show tanned, toned thighs. By the time my eyes made it back to her face, her forehead had puckered into a scowl.
“Is this okay?” She fingered the hem in a gesture so appealing I cleared my throat to squelch a groan. “Should I change?” One of her hands swept over her stomach. “I should change. It’s a little tight here.”
“No. Don’t change. You’re perfect.” My voice cracked on the last word. The sight of that small bump filled me with a rush of pride. She was utter perfection, from the top of her blond head to the tips of her red-polished toes. I couldn’t wait to walk into Chez Renault with her on my arm.
“Good. I wasn’t sure.” She put one hand on my shoulder for balance as she slipped on her shoes.
A thrill of attraction rippled down my arm. This feeling, this yearning—it had gotten way out of control. I’d fallen in deep. My ribs felt too small to contain my lungs. I swallowed and tried to breathe through the panic. I was one hundred percent in love with her. We belonged together—her, me, the baby—the three of us.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Her hand slid down my arm in a caress while her gaze searched my face. A tiny furrow deepened between her eyes. “You’re so pale.”
“I’m good. Just hungry.” Hell, yes, I was pale. My life was spiraling out of control. We needed to tell Sam about the pregnancy. Until we did, we couldn’t move forward. Then there was the matter of Maxwell. I needed to tell her about his will. The longer I waited, the harder it was going to be. I wouldn’t risk our relationship over him. Not when I had everything to lose. Better she hear the news from me, than find out by accident or from him.
“Beckett, are you listening to me?” She placed a hand on her hip and tapped a toe on the floor.
“Yes. No.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I’m sorry. It was a rough day.” Gathering my courage, I took her hands in mine, forcing her to stand still. “Look. I need to talk to you about a few things.”
“Why?” A flicker of fear passed through her eyes. “You’re scaring me. Is it something bad?” She swallowed. “You don’t want to see me anymore?”
“Oh God, no.” I pulled her into my arms and crushed her against my chest. “No way, baby.” I smoothed a hand over her hair. “I adore you, and I’m not going anywhere. You’re going to have to kick me out before I leave you.” I felt her smile against my chest and her fingers tightened in my shirt.
“I adore you, too.” She slipped her arms inside my suit jacket and around my waist, clutching me tight. Her shy confession sent my heart rocketing into the stratosphere. “I feel safe when you’re here.”
I held onto her, curving my body around hers, attempting to absorb her into me. Her baby bump pushed against my abdomen, safe and secure between us. I struggled to talk myself out of telling her about Maxwell. I’d do anything to protect her from that pain. Maybe she didn’t need to know quite yet. Maxwell was an evil son of a bitch, and everyone knew the evil ones lived longer. He’d probably live forever or at least another thirty years, in which case I might never need to tell her at all.
“We need to make a plan to tell Sam,” I said. “And there are some things I need to tell you that I haven’t.”
“Am I going to be upset?” she asked. Tension radiated through her shoulders.
I planted a kiss on her temple. “Probably. At least in the beginning.” I pulled back enough to give her a weak smile. “But it’ll be fine, I promise.”
“Well, can we talk about it later?” When she looked at me with those large, bright eyes, I melted. How could I ever deny her anything? “I don’t want to ruin this day. It’s been perfect so far.”
“Whatever you want, baby,” I said, but I had the uneasy feeling I was making a mistake.
Chapter 32
Venetia
BECKETT SAID little during dinner and the drive back home. I tried to pass his silence off as fatigue. After all, he worked hard, long hours. His laptop and phone were never far from his side, and he was always texting clients or answering emails late into the night. As a child of the most successful businessman in the nation, I understood ambition and drive. They were qualities I admired in a man. Beckett possessed both, but they were tempered by an innate kindness my father had never shown to anyone.
After the meal, we said goodbye to my new client and returned to my place to celebrate the start of Venetia Designs, Inc. I watched Beckett shrug out of his jacket. His shoulders slumped as he tossed it onto a chair in my bedroom. I caught his glance. For one unguarded moment, I recognized a flash of concern in their chocolate depths. What was he worried about? Was he rethinking his part in raising this child? I knew his career was important to him. He’d have to readjust every aspect of his life to make room for the baby. His earlier reassurances did nothing to ease my insecurities.
“Beckett?” I bit my lower lip and hovered near the adjoining bathroom door. My legs ached from wearing too-high heels, and a cramp squeezed my lower back. I rubbed a hand over the curve of my spine to ease the tension. “Can you unzip my dress?”
“Sure.” In one long stride, he was behind me, big hands fumbling with the tiny zipper.
I let the dress drop to the floor and turned to face him, wearing only my lacy bra and panties. His gaze drifted down my body before returning to my face, pupils large and black. His nostrils flared. We stared into each other’s eyes. Unable to keep my hands off him, I cupped his face between my palms and tried to hold back the tears threatening to spill. This tall, handsome man had become my rock. He’d given me the courage and confidence to embark on a new life. The least I could do was return the favor, give him comfort and solace when he needed it. I wanted nothing more than to be there for him.
“Do you want me to rub your feet?” he asked. His concern tugged at my heart. He wrapped his arms around my waist and grabbed a handful of my bottom. My breathing quickened.
“No. That’s not what I had in mind.” I lifted on tiptoe to press a kiss on his lips. For once in my selfish life, I only cared about him, about making him feel better, about easing a little of the worry he carried without complaint.
“Mmmm.” He groaned into my mouth as I pushed against him. When we parted, he lowered his brows. “We need to talk, baby, and if you keep doing that, it’s not going to happen.”
“Not tonight.” He tried to protest, but I pressed two fingers to his lips. “Whatever it is, it can wait until the morning.” Before he could say anything more, I placed a hand
on the center of his chest and gave him a playful shove. He bounced onto the mattress behind him and lifted onto his elbows. I unhooked my bra and tossed it to the side then straddled his thighs.
“What the hell’s gotten into you?” The lines around his mouth faded, replaced by the sexy grin I adored.
“You. You’ve gotten into me.” I wrapped his necktie around my hand and gave it a jerk, pulling him into a sitting position. His hands gripped my hips and pressed me down onto the erection tenting his pants. The friction of his zipper against my panties sent a surge of need into my core. “Sit back and relax while I show you a few things.”
“Sounds promising.” His chest rose and fell with each ragged breath as I removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. I slid my hands along the hard ripples of his chest and into the waistband of his pants. He hissed when I curled my fingers around his shaft and squeezed. “Damn, you make my blood boil, V.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet. I’m just getting started.” I placed a kiss beneath his ear and dragged my lips down the column of his neck, tasting the salt of his skin.
“I can hardly wait.” He gasped as I circled his nipple with my tongue and swept my hair away from my face so he could watch me kiss a trail down his belly. “How did I get so lucky?”
“I’m the lucky one.” I unzipped his pants and dragged them down to his knees. His erection sprung free of his boxers and bobbed in front of me. I captured the tip in my mouth and sucked, hard enough to make him growl. I let it go with a pop. “You’re a good man, Piers Beckett, and now it’s time for your reward.”
A few minutes past midnight, I awoke to unbearable warmth burning my backside. Beckett was curled around me, his chest to my back, a leg thrown over my thigh, and his hand spread wide over my belly. The coarse hairs on his chest tickled my spine as I inched away from him. I threw off the comforter and shifted, not wanting to disturb him but needing relief.
“Where are you going?” His arm tightened around my waist and his face burrowed into my neck. “Come back here,” he murmured in a voice rough with sleep.
Pretty Dirty Secrets: An Unconventional Love Story (Pretty Broken Book 3) Page 19