Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series) (27 page)

Beckett felt her eyes on him but kept
his eyes closed as she studied him. Just before dawn he had slid out of her bed and putting his shirt back on settled down on the chair next to her bed. He regretted leaving the warmth of her body but he didn’t want Trixie to find them in a compromising situation. Their night had been disturbed by nightmares that would wake her from her sleep, leaving her body trembling in fear. Each time he held her, speaking softly as he assured her she was safe. She would cling to him till sleep overtook her. He knew he must look like hell, his clothes wrinkled, his hair unkempt and his face in need of a shave but when he opened his eyes she didn’t seem to care. His breath caught in his throat from the desire he read on her face. When she realized she had been caught gawking she looked away as the blush spread across her cheeks.

“Good morning.” He smiled. “How are do you feel?”

“I miss your warmth.” She admitted once again meeting his eyes.

“I didn’t want Trixie to walk in on us.”

“We’re supposed to be engaged remember….she wouldn’t find it odd.”

“Yes but if word got to your grandmother we might have some explaining to do.” He reminded her.

“I’m sorry I kept you awake last night.” She said noticing the dark shadows under his eyes.

“It was worth it.” He said “Do you think you will be up for the
Remington’s visit today?”

Her face paled and he regretted reminding her. Their visit would involve reliving the previous evening which she desperately wanted to forget.
He watched as her mind processed everything before looking up at him. Again he was taken with her innocent beauty and found she was more seductive in her sleeveless cotton nightgown than Macy ever was in her silk teddy.

“What happened after we left?” She asked.

“You mean to Rhett?” He asked seeing the fear in her eyes.

“Yes.”

“After my brothers gave him an education on manners he was left in the care of his uncle. I believe he turned Rhett over to the authorities.”

Bailey panicked at the thought of facing him again. As if reading her mind Beckett sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand in his.

“You don’t need to worry about him…..Trent told me he spent a night in jail before the sheriff drove him to the airport and put him on a plane. They made it clear if he returns to this state they will arrest him. Not only will he face charges for what he did to you but they will convince his other victim to come forward and testify. He’s lucky his uncle decided his fate and not my family.”

“Are you sure he will stay away?”

“Yes.” He said trying to reassure her.

“He knew Jasper….he said Jasper told him about me.”

“Your grandmother said they were friends.” He frowned.

“What if they both come back?”

“They won’t…..Trent made it clear to both of them what will happen….Bailey we’re not like Southern men…we protect our women.” He said touching her face.

“I thought Southern men were gentile….that they put their women on pedestals.”

“The men here are like any other…some are decent, some aren’t, some just don’t care….the problem with Jasper and Rhett is that their families were too concerned with protecting the family name…..you’ll find the same thing no matter where you go when people have money…..the image is more important sometimes than decency and justice.”

“Like Jackson
?” Bailey said remembering.

“Yes.” He agreed. “
Bailey….I won’t let anyone ever hurt you…neither will my family.”

“I know.” She said touching the faded bruise on his face. “I just don’t like seeing you or your brothers get hurt.”

“At least this bruise was for a good cause.” He grinned. “Normally they’re just a result of my brothers.”

“Why do you guys fight?”

“It’s always been our way of solving things.” He said shrugging his shoulders. “My mom used to swear we had a revolving door at the hospital growing up.”

“Your dad never stopped you guys?”

“No…neither did my mom…..they just let us work things out for ourselves.” He said standing. “I thought we could drop the kids off at school then get some breakfast.”

“What about work?”

“I told Trent we wouldn’t be in today. I thought after breakfast we could go to our house. I arranged for the realtor to leave us a key. I need to take some measurements and it will give you a chance to go through it again, get a feel for the layout and what you will need to furnish it. Afterwards we’ll come back here and I can show you some preliminary drawings before our guests arrive.”

“I’d like that.” She smiled
.

“Then I better head to my room and shower….will you be ok?”

“Yes.” She said sliding out of bed.

Beckett pulled her into his arms enjoying the feel of her body beneath her gown.
He loved the way she fit perfectly into him as if she had been made for him in mind. As he lowered his mouth to hers she slid her arms up weaving her fingers into his hair pulling him closer. Unlike the desperation from the night before this kiss felt more like a promise of a passion to come. As he was leaving Trixie was arriving with a tray of coffee for them. He grabbed his cup thanking her before heading for his room. After a quick shower and opting not to shave he changed into a pair of dark jeans and a long sleeve Henley. To his surprise Bailey was dressed and waiting with the children when he descended the stairs.

“I thought you would be still trying to get them ready for school?” He grinned as Tristan ran up to hug him.

“We have a field trip today.” He said excitedly. “We don’t want to be late.”

“I’m sure the bus would not leave without you.” He said lifting the boy up to his shoulders. He was still amazed how frail Tristan was and made a mental not
e to spend more time with him.  When they got to the school he expected to walk them in but Alexis jumped out dragging her brother with her. Bailey put her hand on his arm to avoid his question till the kids were far enough away from the car. She then motioned to a group of boys coming down the sidewalk.

“It
’s childish to be dropped off by your parents….or older sister.” She informed him.

Beckett looked first at Alexis than at the group of boys heading in their direction. He noticed the way one boy seemed to be looking at her and when the other boys began to tease Tristan he tensed. He was about to get out of the car when the boy he gauged to be about 9 stopped them and separated from the group to speak with Alexis. Bailey couldn’t help hide the smile when Beckett frowned.

“She’s only seven.” He said feeling the need to remind the boy.

“Yes I know….they start early down here in the South. Don’t worry, Alexis set him straight.” She laughed and Beckett looked at her. “He asked her out and she told him no, she was way to
o young to be tied down to just one boy.”

Beckett felt relieved as he turned back to Alexis. He watched her now in action and realized she knew exactly what she was doing despite her age. By turning the boy down she made him want her even more and
he was now carrying her backpack as he escorted them inside. He looked back at Bailey who had been studying his face.

“She has more confidence than I ever did at that age. All I wanted to do
was ride horses and climb trees.”

“Quite the tomboy.” He grinned picturing her at that age.

“I never was into dolls like Alexis….I think because for so long I was an only child my father concentrated on treating me like a son much to my mother’s distress.” She said as they pulled away into the flow of traffic.

“And when did you begin to notice boys?”

“Eighth grade…his name was Spencer Wright….he was the star quarterback on our football team.”

“How long did it
last?”

“It didn’t….he was dating the head cheerleader and never gave me a second glance.”

“Really?” He asked looking at her. “Did he need glasses or was it too many head injuries from being tackled.”

“More like glasses and second hand clothes.”

“You wear glasses?”

“Not too often….only if I read a lot and my eyes are strained.”

“Why second hand clothes….your father owned his firm?”

“Yes but he did a lot of
charity work…..my father was a sucker for a sad story. Besides half the fun of finding a good outfit is the hunt. My mother and I used to explore the thrift shops in our towns….then we would go somewhere and get ice cream…or hot chocolate depending on the weather.”

“Did you resent it when Alexis came along….having had your parents all to yourself for so long?”

“No…did you resent Ethan?”

“We were closer in age and Ethan meant I was no longer the youngest to get beaten up.” He laughed. “Did you ever resent knowing your
grandparents didn’t want to see you?”

“Sometimes…I knew about them and my parents were honest about what happened.
When I would visit my friends and they had large family parties I sometimes pretended I was part of them. But seeing my father’s family now….I’m glad….what if we turned out like them?”

“You wouldn’t have….it’s not in your nature.”

“How can you be so sure?” She asked looking at him.

They were stopped at a red light so Beckett looked at her putting his hand to her cheek. For a moment he held her gaze before speaking.

“It’s not in your nature…you are a product of you parents and they never would have allowed it.” He grinned. “I wish I could have met them.”

He noticed the way her eyes misted before replying. “Me too.”

He wanted to say more but the sound of horns behind him pulled his attention to the light that had turned green. He pulled away intent on finding them a place to eat. He had been enjoying their conversation, getting to know her and wanted to continue. Spotting a little coffee shop he pulled into the lot.

“Wait here.” He said as he slid out of the car. He saw her confused look till he came around opening her door. Extending his hand she took it allowing him to help her out.

“It’s hard to get used to that.” She said referring to his manners. “In California men don’t open women’s doors.”

“Men don’t…gentlemen do.” He said taking her arm as he led her towards the diner. Again he opened the door for her then followed behind her. The sign said to take a seat so looking around he picked out a booth away from both the entrance and bathrooms for privacy. She slid into one side and he took the opposite seat as he took the menu she offered.

“Thank you.” He said noticing the waitress heading their way. “Do you want coffee?”

“Please.” She said as the waitress stopped at their booth. “Two coffees please….and could you bring us some cream.”

“My pleasure.” She smiled trying to draw his attention to her cleavage as she placed their utensils on the table. “I’ll be right back.”

Beckett turned his attention to Bailey and noticed she was watching him trying to hid
e the smile on her face. He raised an eyebrow as he studied her face.

“Do you do that often?” She asked innocently

“Do what?”

“Fend off female admirers…..if she had bent any lower she would have fallen out.”

“Depends.”

“On?”

“If I’m with my brothers…Trent is usually the one they are drawn too……Ethan’s next in line.”

He noticed the funny frown on Baileys face as if she disagreed with him. For some reason her reaction pleased him.

“Your brothers are good looking but I think I prefer your looks better.”

He smiled flattered but also curious. On his own he had never had a problem attracting women but with his brothers women seemed to lean towards the large presence they had. As if more muscles and added shoulder width meant better prowess in bed. They may have always attracted more ladies but he seemed to have them keep coming back for more.

“Why is that?” He couldn’t help but ask.

Bailey looked at him as if her compliments might increase his ego. She was given a reprieve when the waitress appeared with their coffee and stood drooling over Beckett as she waited for their order. Beckett noticed Baileys amused look and shaking his head looked at the menu.

“I’d like the special….eggs over easy and wheat toast.” He said looking now at Bailey. The waitress reluctantly looked at Bailey for her order.

“May I have the chili cheese omelet and instead of hash browns I would like fruit instead.”

“And your toast?”

“No toast…unless you would like mine?” She asked Beckett.

“No thanks….Ethan is the one who usually would request it…”

“Can I get you anything else?” The waitress asked turning to Beckett.

“Yes please…could you also bring a side of sour cream and a side of salsa?”

The waitress seemed annoyed but nodded as she again looked at Beckett. She raised her eyebrow as if applying she was offering herself as well. He just smiled in return.