Beck

by Toye Lawson Brown

  Abbie drew her legs up to her chest. “A man singing ballads doesn’t mean they’re sappy. It was sweet when I thought Eddie was singing those songs for me. It made me feel special. Now I feel stupid.”

  I took the phone from her hand and turned it off. “If you stop watching movies and listening to music that reminds you of him, your heart might heal a little faster.”

  “I doubt it,” she said.

  “Like I said, men can be dicks. But you’ll find the right guy.”

  “Thanks, Beck. And you’ll find the right girl. Speaking of which, you aren't going to take the bakery girl up on her offer? She could be the one.”

  I released a slight yawn. “She could, but I don’t want to use her good heart to make me feel better. I have to step back from the love game for a while.”

  “Aw, that is sweet and sensible logic.”

  “Not really. If I were younger, I probably would’ve jumped on her offer. But her body language said she wanted something deeper. I’m not ready to go deep again, so it wouldn’t be fair to use her.”

  “So that’s why you only want a bed buddy? No strings attached, no attraction, just sex.”

  I nodded. “There has to be an attraction, but definitely no strings attached.”

  Abbie stilled next to me. I couldn’t read her eyes. Did she think I was a douche? Then she grabbed me, planting a hell of a kiss on my lips.

  Wrong thing to do—my dick couldn’t stop thinking about dipping into her sweet sex. It’d been too long since I’d been intimate with a woman, and there was nothing more on my mind than getting laid. However, my problem was that my sex-deprived mind was wrapped around a client’s daughter.

  She had made it clear she wanted me, no strings attached. She was mine temporarily if I made a move, and with each passing moment of her pushing closer, I wanted that too. I blew out a breath. I couldn’t believe I was about to do this. Crap! I couldn’t take advantage of her, not while she was so vulnerable and broken.

  If we were meant to be together, it would happen naturally.

  Reluctantly, I broke the kiss. “Abbie, you don’t want me like this.”

  “What do you mean?” she whispered.

  “The week for you has been hell. I would just be a body for you to use to ease your pain. I can’t be a substitute for Eddie.”

  “I’m not using you as a substitute for that ass. Beck, we are definitely attracted to each other. And I’m not looking for love either. We can enjoy each other with no strings attached just like you want.”

  “That’s true. If I were a different type of man, I’d let you use me however you wanted. But I won’t do that to you. It’s too soon, the wounds still too deep. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  She pulled away from me, and my arms suddenly felt empty without her warmth. “What am I doing? I’m smarter than this, I swear.”

  “Hey, the kiss was nice, and I enjoyed it, but we need to stop before you regret anything or end up hating me.”

  She touched my face with tender fingers. “You are too sweet to hate. But thank you for slapping some sense into me. I’m going to go to sleep and promise not to touch you.”

  “Come here.” I gathered her in my arms and snuggled her close to me. “There is nothing wrong with a hug between friends. Sleep tight.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Abbie

  One week later

  “Thank you so much for calling, Mr. Wilson. Have a great day.” I hung up the phone, dancing in my chair. My condo was repaired and ready for me to move back in. I loved my father’s place, with the heated pool and millions of cable channels, but I was ready to go home.

  I was not sure when they were returning, and I didn’t want to be there when they did. If I could avoid running into Trina, that would be a bonus.

  “Hey, what’s the smile for?” Stella asked. “Please tell me it has to do with Mr. Handsome quietly sitting in the corner. Who is he anyhow?”

  I poked the dimples on my cheeks with my fingers. “This smile is because my home is finally finished. And Mr. Handsome over there is none of your business; ignore him.”

  Stella’s perfectly arched brow rose. “Come on, Abbie. You have been hush-hush about him for days now. Tell me who he is.”

  I adored Stella. She was the sister I’d always wished I had, and we were the only two black females who worked at the station. Her position as the evening and weekend broadcast meteorologist didn’t give us a lot of time to hang out, but when we did, we had fun. We clicked the moment we’d met.

  She knew about my issues with Eddie, but I hadn’t dropped the latest gem on her yet.

  “He’s shadowing me for a book he’s writing. My mother sent him.”

  “Girl, can your mom send me one just like him? He’s hot,” Stella said.

  “You’re silly. I’ll introduce you to Beck later. Stella, please don’t flirt with him.”

  “You take the fun out of everything. Are you and Eddie going to Edith’s retirement dinner Saturday night? I actually get to go.”

  Heck, with what was going on with me lately, I had forgotten about the retirement dinner. I had to attend—Edith had been with the station longer than anyone presently working here now. She’d worked her way up from secretary to chief editor and writer once she received her degree in journalism. Not going was not an option.

  “Um, I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it,” I lied.

  “You know it will be mandatory, even when they say it isn’t,” she said. “So dust off your formalwear and have Eddie get his tux together.” Stella released a low chuckle. “Although I can’t understand why you are with him romantically, but he does look good in a tux.”

  It had been a week, and Eddie still texted me. I ignored them, changing the ringtone, so I knew not to bother looking. When I heard the theme music to Jaws, I knew who it was.

  I bit my lower lip, deciding to finally come clean with my bestie. “Stella, sit down.”

  She pulled the stool over to my desk and sat. “What’s up?”

  I rubbed my forehead. “Eddie and I have split for good.”

  Stella laughed. “What does this make… split one hundred? You two never stay apart long.”

  “Not this time. I caught him in bed with another woman. I cannot unsee that, or forgive him.”

  “Dang it, Abbie, why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I was embarrassed and ashamed to tell anyone. I have given Eddie so many chances, and all he does is step on me like a bug.”

  She caressed my shoulders. Some of the pain had subsided, but I still cried at sudden reminders of him. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry you had to go through that alone. I would’ve been there for you had I known. And I would’ve beaten his nasty ass. I never liked that guy.”

  “I know, and that’s why I didn’t tell you. You’re my bestie and have my back always. Bailing you out of jail for beating his ass, would surely end our careers here at Channel 7.”

  As I told Stella the short version of catching my cheating boyfriend, I almost spilled the beans regarding Beck. During a break in the story, I glanced over at him. Our eyes met, and my skin prickled. Soon his bodyguard duties would be over. Briggs and Davonte were convinced what had happened was not related to my father but a series of home invasions targeting upper-class neighborhoods.

  I had yet to tell Beck I would be returning home. After that, I probably wouldn’t see him again. My heart sank; I’d gotten accustomed to him being around. He listened to me, let me cry, and didn’t complain once. And not to forget that kiss. Kissing was an art form, and he had it down to a science. No flat, wet lips pressed and sliding together; no, he used the right amount of touch to open my mouth, demanding more without resistance from me.

  Lord, that man. Maybe it was best he’d be moving on to another assignment. Another woman. A woman who would be kissed the way I was.

  I felt my shoulders sag. A part of me would miss having him around. It was wonderful to wake up with him in the house. He didn’t b
ellow at me to fix breakfast or ask where his clothes were like Eddie. I got to smell his woodsy cologne, and the bonus was catching him shirtless. He didn’t see me checking him out. The door to his bedroom was open, and I happened to walk by, more than once, as he was getting dressed.

  “Abbie!”

  I snapped out of it at the sound of Stella’s voice. “Yes?”

  “You zoned out right in the middle of your story.” She smiled wryly and asked. “What is up with you and that guy? He is more than a writer shadowing you for notes. You were looking at him like he was a hot biscuit and you were the butter.”

  I flipped my hand at her dismissively. “Stop. After what I’ve been through with Eddie, getting involved with another man is out of the question.”

  She leaned in closer to me. “Answer one question, and I’ll leave it alone if you’re honest. Do you have a small attraction to him? Be honest, Abbie. The man is hot as hell, you cannot say you haven’t had naughty thoughts about him.”

  My cheeks heated. “If I did, I can’t act on any of it, Stella. His girlfriend recently dumped him. And Beck recently learned she’s getting married to a doctor. He is in the same boat as me.”

  “Interesting. Two wounded hearts destined to console each other. Y-e-a-h, I could take pleasure in those arms.”

  I pulled out my satchel and stuffed files into it. Since I edited my own work, I had a lot to do before my piece on Water Works, the new water park that had opened months ago, aired.

  “I’m out of here,” I said, standing. “I want to get a couple of hours of sleep before I pack my stuff.”

  “You aren’t going to stay put until your dad returns home?”

  I shook my head. “No. I don’t need his wife walking through the house like I stole something. She seems to forget that it was my mother’s home before she shoved her out.”

  Stella laughed. “They’ve been married how long, and you still won’t say her name? Too funny.”

  “Because she’s nameless to me. Besides, the name I want to call her is ugly and disrespectful.” Beck startled me as he took my shoulder bag. I jumped. “Beck, I didn’t see you walk over.” Stella cleared her throat, batting her long lashes flirtatiously. “Beck, this is my best friend, Stella. Stella, this is Beck Pavlov.”

  Stella took his hand in her small one. “Hello, Beck, nice to meet you.” Her voice was syrupy sweet.

  “Same.” Beck’s voice was firm but kind.

  “So you are writing a book. Is my girl giving you any good material to work with?” Stella asked.

  “Ms. Parker has been a big help in showing me what I need to know,” he said.

  “Abbie is the best.” She released Beck’s hand and tapped a manicured finger to her chin. “If your book is about working in a newsroom, you should come to the retirement party for our chief correspondent. You would get to meet more of Channel 7’s staff, make some connections, and get more stories.”

  I wanted to gag Stella and shove her in a closet. What the hell did she think she was doing by putting Beck on the spot? My eyes bored into hers, but she avoided my stare and kept talking to Beck.

  “So what do you say, Beck? Take Abbie to this party and really get to know the ins and outs of working in a crazy environment with people who have huge egos.”

  Beck gave a sexy smile. “With an invitation like that, how can I refuse?”

  The sound of his deep voice reverberated through me. It had hit every sexual nerve inside me. What the hell was wrong with me? I should hate all men and not want them to touch me in any way. Yet I wanted Beck. I dreamed of his sexy body, those manly hands doing things to me.

  My fingers running through his lush black hair. Oh, man, I needed help.

  I snatched a tissue from the box and dabbed my face. The hot flash that took over my body was swift and dampened my skin. If I kept telling myself Beck would be gone soon, so would the urge to jump his bones.

  “Stella, enough, please.” I turned to Beck. “I’m ready to go.” Taking him by the arm, I led him away from Stella and to the door leading to the stairs bypassing the elevators. The quicker I got out of the building, the better.

  Stella wasn’t flirting with Beck, but her come-hither lips and outgoing personality were her nature. She was a natural beauty, with short black hair, large, expressive brown eyes, coffee-colored skin, and an hour-glass figure deadlier than a Venus-fly trap.

  Yeah, I didn’t want Beck comparing the two of us side-by-side. There was a time I had caught Eddie checking out Stella. He swore he wasn’t, but I now know that was probably a damn lie.

  If Stella weren’t a true friend that I cared about, he would’ve hit on her. But she couldn’t stand Eddie and would’ve ratted him out the instant he made a move on her.

  We arrived at my father’s house, and a dark sedan was in the driveway. Beck put the car in park. “Wait here,” he said.

  My heart was thumping for another reason now. “Shouldn’t you call Mr. Biggs for backup first?”

  “No. I want to catch this bastard off guard. I’m tired of playing with him.”

  He grabbed a gun from the glove box, and I about pissed myself. Weapons were dangerous, and I didn’t like them. The thought of Beck confronting whoever was inside that house scared the crap out of me. What if they had guns too?

  I clutched his wrist. “Please don’t go in there. Call the police if you can’t wait for your people.”

  He frowned. “I was a cop, Abbie. I know how to handle myself.”

  Our eyes were locked as he peeled my fingers from around his wrist. I had a firm grip on it, unwilling to let go. Just as he got out of my grasp, the front door of the house opened, and my father walked outside.

  The weight from the breath I’d been holding lifted. Dad was back, which meant Trina was back too. My defensive shield went up. I was not in the mood to deal with her condescending behind.

  Beck and I got out of the car, but neither of us made a move for the porch. We stood together at the front of the vehicle. The relationship I had with my father was not healthy, and he knew why.

  Then Trina appeared and stood behind my father like he was her king, and she the queen. It took all my strength to swallow the bile rising in my throat.

  Beck looked at me. “Are you okay?”

  My head nodded a response since my mouth wouldn’t open.

  “You look pissed as hell. Do you want me to talk to your father?” he asked.

  I inhaled a deep breath and released it slowly. “No. Let’s just get it over with. My bags are packed and ready to go.”

  “Go where? Do you want to check into a hotel?”

  “My condo is ready for me to move back in. I was going to tell you, but Stella interrupted me from doing that.”

  He seemed shocked by my news. “Oh, okay. I’ll get my stuff and follow you home. I can’t leave unless your father dismisses me from the case.”

  “Won’t you stay here with them? I mean, he felt the threat was against him.”

  “I was hired to protect you, not them. So I still go where you go unless I’m dismissed.”

  This day couldn’t get any better if I planned it. This marked the end to Beck and me. My father would dismiss Beck for sure, since no further threats had been made. Trina would put a stop to Dad spending money on me, and I wouldn’t keep Beck around just because I had an attraction to him.

  “I guess today we’ll be saying goodbye,” I said.

  Dad bounded down the front porch steps to greet us midway. It felt unnatural when he took me in his arms, pulling me to him.

  “You are okay. I was worried about you,” my father said in my ear.

  His body was hard and lean as he held me tight, almost suffocating me. At sixty, he took care of himself. He ran, swam, hiked, and biked. I guessed that was why I liked to swim early in the mornings before work. I wasn’t into running or on a regular gym routine but preferred aqua aerobics and swimming.

  “Hi, Dad. Glad you made it back safely. And I’m fine. Beck has taken
great care of me.” I pushed away from his arms when I saw Trina frown. The man was my father, but I felt I was invading her territory.

  “Of course he did. Beck, thank you so much for stepping in as fast as you did,” Dad said, and reached out to shake Beck’s hand.

  Beck took his hand and gave it a firm handshake. “No problem, Dr. Parker. I’m glad I was able to step in and help.”

  “However, we don’t believe there is a threat now, and neither do your bosses, so your services won’t be necessary any longer,” Trina said. The smirk on her face could not have been uglier.

  Trina was a tall, slender woman, and younger than my father, but not by much. Her black hair was relaxed and cut in a stylishly short bob. Her light skin was obviously tanned from the sun of Dubai. Not too dark a brown more like a kissed sand color.

  Another reason I hated her. She felt her light skin made her better than my mother. Mom and I had darker skin and curlier hair. Mom’s hair was more natural, and she’d always worn it in an Afro style, cut neat. It fit her.

  Mom suited Dad fine until Trina came along changing his taste in women. Fashion was Trina’s thing. Not that she worked in fashion or any job. When she’d met my dad, Trina worked in the cafeteria of the hospital. Her style then was a black hairnet and a matching vinyl apron. She clung to him, knowing he was married, hanging on until the time was right to strike.

  When Dad began doting on her, Trina soon became a walking mannequin for Vera Wang, DKNY, and many other designer icons. She quit her job slinging hash to hospital staff and visitors and moved into an upscale apartment he paid for until the divorce was final. Dad couldn’t give Trina, enough but gave Mom and me less.

  My coldness toward him was hard to put aside. My bitterness for Trina would never go away. I loathed her and didn’t hide it. Thank goodness they hadn’t reproduced. Dad might have been a better father to Trina’s kids, but the witch wasn’t the motherly type, so it worked out that I was the only heir. Trina would make sure I wouldn’t inherit a dime, but I would fight the bitch if it came down to it.