Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series) (35 page)

“Why do you wear these?” He asked as slid his finger beneath the lace on her thigh.

“They make me feel sexy.” She said trying to control the trembling she felt as his finger roamed to the inside of her thigh.

He looked up at her and she saw the depth of his desire as his eyes raked over her. He pulled her against him and where her flesh met his she felt her skin burn. His mouth took hers again slowly, softly and when she grasped his hair pulling him deeper into the kiss he obliged. With his mouth still on hers he lifted her and carried her to the bed placing her gently in the center. He stood back now admiring the way she looked as his hand slowly undid his belt. Bailey watched unable to resist as he undid his pants and they dropped to the floor. He kicked off his shoe then removing his socks he dropped the remaining article of clothing and stood before her naked.
His desire for her was evident and as he lay next to her she couldn’t resist moving her hand down reaching to feel its strength. When Beckett jerked she released him embarrassed now at her boldness.

“I’m sorry.” She said fearing his reaction.

“Don’t be.” He said gently as he touched her face. “It’s just, I want to take this slow and I’m afraid if you touch me there again I won’t be able to control myself.” He said kissing her softly.

Beckett moved his lips over hers gently, savoring the flavor of them before opening her mouth to explore within. As his lips and tongue moved with hers his hand slid down her neck to her shoulder. When he reached her breast she froze and he pulled back to look at her. His thumb gently stoked the nub of her breast
and it rose beneath the lace for his enjoyment. With one hand he easily undid the clasp between her breasts exposing them now to his touch. He pushed the material aside and as he cupped her breast his head bend down licking the outer edge of her nipple while his fingers rolled her nub into a hard pebble. Taking it now in his mouth he flicked his tongue over it and when he sucked on it she arched against him. She felt the tiny currents of electricity spread down her belly to the apex between her legs. His hand now moved lower gliding down her stomach in small circles caressing her skin as he went. When he slid his fingers beneath her panties to touch her she felt her body tremble. He moved in gentle circles occasionally pinching her sensitive spot as he drove her mad with need. He moved his mouth back to hers stifling her cry as his fingers now entered her. She rocked her hips in motion with his fingers but the constriction of her panties only got in their way. Frustrated he grabbed the material and easily ripped them off allowing him now the freedom to drive his fingers deeper within. He moved slowly as he pumped inside her pulling out to rub her sensitive spot only to drive deeper. Bailey’s body tingled for his touch and she felt a need build up inside her that she didn’t understand. She pushed her hips against his hand driving him deeper. When she tried to increase the speed he pulled back causing her to whimper in frustration.

“Not yet.” He growled against her ear before taking the lobe between his teeth.

“Beckett….please…” She begged and he complied sliding his fingers inside her again.

As his fingers moved slowly in and out she felt his lips leave a trail of fire down her neck across her breast then lower. When his lips kissed her stomach her muscles contracted from the contact. She reached down to pull him back to her lips but he resisted. Throwing her head back she now gripped the sheets as his head moved lower. When she realized his intent she tried to stop him but he held her down with one hand fondling her nipple between his thumb and finger as his other hand continued to slid in and out of her. Her legs parted and his tongue slid over her sending waves of electricity through her body. He tongue worked in conjunction now with
his fingers swirling around, occasionally taking her between his teeth as he pumped faster and harder. Bailey felt the pressure build till there was nowhere to go. Her body now rocked with spasms as her juices gushed over his hand. She felt herself now falling from the height he had taken her to but had no fear of the landing. Every nerve ending in her body tingled as the waves of her orgasm washed over her.

Beckett had gone slow, holding back his own urges as he took pleasure with her body. He wanted her to feel every touch, every kiss,
and every stroke of his finger. He had almost lost control when he slid his first finger inside her. She was warm and wet and he could only imagine what it would feel like to slide inside her feeling her walls wrap around him as they did his finger. Finding her panties a hindrance he easily ripped the thin lace shredding them beyond repair. Sliding two then three of his fingers inside he was amazed how tight she felt. His need for her almost overwhelmed him and he fought to control his desires till she was ready. Her body arched beneath him as she drove her hips up to meet his stroke. As he moved his hands he tasted the sweet nectar of her mouth. His lips grazed her skin and sucked her perfect breasts till they hardened and peaked. She was beautiful and so trusting he wanted to pay homage to her body. As his hand had slid over her he enjoyed the softness of her skin. Though she was thin she had the curves of a woman and she seemed to fit with his body a perfect match made especially for him. Her breast though full molded to the palm of his hand and when he slid his fingers inside her the walls slowly stretched to accommodate him. Unable to resist he had moved lower to taste her and felt her body tense is shock. He let his tongue move over her relaxing her first in this sensation before he worked his tongue and fingers together sending her body over the edge. As her juices ran down his finger he lapped them up savoring in the flavor that belonged to her. Only when her body settled back enjoying the last of her orgasm did he move shifting himself now between her legs.

Beckett bent her knees and angling her hips into position as he pressed against her. He moved slowly allowing her walls to spread for his size. Suddenly he stopped meeting resistance and he looked down at her face. He knew he should stop, there was still time but as if she sensed his hesitancy Bailey used her feet as leverage as she lifted her hip pushing him past the barrier. She cried out and he silenced her cry with his lips. Beckett remained still allowing her body to adjust to his size inside her. He met her eyes waiting for the pain to subside before he began to move. He slid in and out slowly kissing her mouth first then moving to her
neck. With each stroke her walls latched on and he fought his body’s need for release. Slowly Bailey began to move with him lifting her hips with his. Instinctively she wrapped her legs around him pulling him in deeper.

“Beckett…” she whispered. “Please….”

“Not yet.” He growled in her ear. “You feel so good, you are so fucking wet.”

He rolled them over now positioning her now above him. Holding her hips he showed her how to move and once she got the rhythm he laid back enjoying the passion he saw on her face. He reached up holding her breasts in his hands as she braced her hands on his chest lifting her hips and lowering them controlling the motion till she arched her back, throwing her head back as her body again exploded. He moved quickly rolling her back over and began to move. He didn’t let her orgasm end as he now picked up his speed driving deep inside her. Her walls constricted around him with each wave of her spasm but still he moved. Grabbing her hips he held them in place as he pumped inside her. She gripped his wrists digging her nails into his skin as
she felt her body began to contract in another orgasm. Unable to hold back any longer Beckett’s body tensed as drove deep within spilling his seed. He collapsed on top of her gasping for air as his heart pounded against his chest. Realizing he was crushing her he rolled off to her side pulling her gently into the crook of his arm. When their breathing returned to normal he pulled the blanket over them tucking it around her. Neither one of them spoke lost within their thoughts for a moment. Finally Beckett broke the silence.

“Why didn’t you tell me I was your first?” He asked. “If I hadn’t been in control I would have hurt you.”

Bailey was silent for a moment and rolling her onto her back he looked down into those deep violet eyes he loved so well. He saw the tears and frowned.

“I did hurt you, oh Bailey I’m so sorry.”

Her eyes flew to his and she reached up to touch his cheek. “No…you didn’t….really I’m fine.”

He sighed in relief than a new thought crossed his mind. “Do you regret what happened?”

“No.” She smiled and he released the breath he had been holding. “It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.”

Beckett smiled at her compliment. “It’s actually better the second, third and fourth time.”

“Really?” She asked and he couldn’t resist kissing her lips.

“Really….but we should wait….you will be sore.”

“I feel fine.” She smiled as she ran her hand over his shoulder and down his arm. “Will you do it again?”

Beckett groaned in response. “You need to give me time….to rebuild my stamina.”

“Oh.” She said trying to hide her disappointment.

Beckett let his hand slid down her body enjoying the way she shivered in response. When his fingers
slid inside she moaned and her lips parted.

“Oh my.” She said.

“Just because my stamina is not ready doesn’t mean I can’t still please you.” He grinned wickedly. He leaned down kissing her slowly as his fingers toyed with her. When she pressed her hips against his hand he laughed. “What have I done?”

“Shown me what I have been missing.” She smiled pulling his lips back down to hers.

An hour later they both lay limbs entwined, bodies covered with a fine sheen of sweat as they tried to catch their breath. Beckett grabbed the blanket as the chill over took them. Bailey was tucked against him her leg draped over his while her arm rested on his chest her hand firmly clasped in his.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked again

Bailey sighed. “I was afraid…..if you knew….you would reject me again.”

“Oh god Bailey, I never rejected you. The hardest thing I ever did was walk away from you when I wanted you so badly.” He said kissing her forehead.

“What do we do now?” She asked looking up at him.

Beckett thought about it for a moment. “I broke the contract, I’ll tell your grandmother in the morning.”

“Why” She said looking up at him. “She doesn’t have to know.”

“Bailey, my father taught me you’re not a man if your word cannot be trusted.”

“But you will lose the business.”

“Probably.”

“There has to be another way.” She said sitting up.

Beckett found it hard to concentrate with her sitting before him completely naked with only a sheet to cover her from the waist down.

“The contract states that we are to have no physical relations.”

“Does it specify a
timeline?”

“What do you mean?”

“Is that before or after we are married?”

Beckett thought about it for a moment then smiled. “The contract doesn’t become official till we are married.”

“Then you didn’t break the contract and there is no reason for my grandmother to know.” She smiled as she lay back down in his arms. “We have three weeks.”

“What then?” He frowned. “We go back to how we were?”

“We don’t have a choice.” She said looking up at him. “I won’t let you risk everything your family has worked on because of me.”

“Bailey” He warned rolling her over to her back so he could look down at her. “I’m not just going to walk away from you.”

“You won’t be walking away Beckett.” She smiled as she touched his cheek. “We’ll still be married.”

“You know what I mean
.”

Bailey sighed then slid out from underneath him. He sat up frowning as she gathered her clothes.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going back to my room.”

Beckett was out of the bed blocking her path to the door. He stood there arms crossed as he stared her down waiting for an explanation. Bailey sighed as she sat on the edge of the bed.

“Beckett, you told me what would happen if your family didn’t have a position in the South. It’s not just your business that will suffer
; it’s the people who work for you. The people who have put their trust in your family business. I won’t be responsible.”

“You aren’t, we are.”

“But if I let you throw it away because of me than I am responsible.” She said trying to get him to understand.

Beckett sighed. “Please…don’t go.”

“I don’t want to….but will you be able to let me go in three weeks?”

“Will you?”

“I won’t have a choice.” She said sadly.

Beckett didn’t want to argue with her. He had no intention of walki
ng away from her in three weeks. He had no intention of walking away from her ever. He just had to convince her of that. He walked over to her taking the clothes from her hands then pulling her up against his body.

“Let’s enjoy the time we have.” He said before his lips took hers.

Bailey knew she couldn’t be found in Beckett’s room so just before sun up she slipped out of his arms and into her dress before making her way to her bedroom. When she entered she closed the door and leaning back against it she closed her eyes
and gave a silent prayer for strength. She removed her dress then turning on the shower she prepared for the day ahead. She had just stepped out of the shower when she heard Alexis’s screams. Grabbing a robe she ran out of her room and across the hallway only to find Alexis cradled in Beckett’s arms as he rocked her. When she looked at him in question he responded.

“I was heading down to the stables when I heard her.” He said as Alexis continued to cry. “I got this, why don’t you go get dressed.”

Bailey hesitated then decided he seemed to have things under control. Nodding as she mouthed “Thank you.” She returned to her room and after drying off slipped on a pair of jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt. She was brushing out her hair when Beckett slipped into her room.

“She went back to sleep.” He told her leaning against the bed post as he watched her. “How often does that happen?”

“Once….sometimes twice a week.” She said looking at him. “I’ve taken her to doctors, therapists, psychiatrists…no one ever helped.”

“Does she talk about it, what she
dreams?”

“It
’s always the same. There’s a man outside the window and he’s watching us. When I notice him I tell Alexis and Tristan to go to their room and lock their door. I warn them not to come out no matter what they hear. The man breaks into the house and they hear me struggling with the man, things crashing and breaking. Then it’s quiet. They wait for a long time but there’s no sound. Finally they come out and I’m lying on the floor dead.” She said calmly as Beckett’s face when ash white.

“Does she recognize the man?” He asked as an unexplained fear gripped his hear
t.

“No…but from the way she describes him I do.”

“Who is it?”

“Jackson…..her nightmares started about the time I was fired. The calls at all hours, the way he stalked me. She must have seen him once outside our apartment.
Maybe it was when my tires were slashed.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me about this?”

“Because Jackson hasn’t bothered me in a few months and we moved here. He has no way of finding me.”

“Bailey, a man like that is dangerous.  You are probably right and he would never come her
e but I want you to let me know if anything suspicious happens ok.” He said walking over to her and cupping her face in his hands. “Promise me.”

“Ok I promise, thank you again for Alexis.” She said as his hands slid around her waist pulling her against him.

“You’re welcome…..would you mind if I see if I can find someone might help her.”

“No…..but I’m not putting her back on sleeping pills.”

“I wouldn’t think of that either. I was planning on going riding after breakfast, do you think the kids will want to come.”

“Try and stop them.” She smiled as his lips trailed along her jaw line.

“And afterwards I thought.” He said now feathering her with kisses. “We could take them over to see the house.”

She moaned as he moved to her
neck. How could the man carry on a conversation with her while doing this to her body? It took her a moment to process his question and another to respond.

“Ok” She said feeling his smile against her neck. “If you keep this up….we’re not going to make it out of here.” She barely got
her words out before he slid his hand beneath her t-shirt. “Beckett.” She warned. “The door.”

Pulling back he looked over at the open door than back at her. Other than the shade of his eyes he didn’t seem effected
by what he was doing to her. Bailey on the other hands felt like her legs had turned to jelly.

“Come on
” He sighed removing his hand from beneath her shirt. “Let’s get some breakfast.”

Bailey instantly felt the loss of contact and considered closing the door so they could continue. The frown on his face told her he was not as immune to what had just transpired and was fighting for control. She thought to question him but something in his eyes kept her quiet. Taking the hand he offered she allowed him to lead her downstairs where breakfast was being served.
Bailey couldn’t help but notice the way his family and her grandmother were now scrutinizing them as they entered. Bailey saw amusement in his family’s eyes but irritation in her grandmothers. Bailey wanted to drop Beckett’s hand but he held it firmly giving her a gentle squeeze in support.

“Bailey….may I have a word with you in my study.” Her grandmother said standing.

Bailey looked to Beckett who just smiled to her in encouragement. Ignoring her grandmother’s glare he leaned over and kissed her cheek then whispered.

“Remember, we didn’t break the contract.”

She looked at him and nodded before turning and following her grandmother out of the room. Once in the study her grandmother moved to sit behind her desk while Bailey closed the door behind them. As Bailey approached the seat before the desk she knew she was about to receive a lecture.

“I received some interesting news this morning my dear, seems congratulations are in order.”

“Ma’am?”

“I hear I am to be a great grandmother.” She said
trying to control her irritation.

“Oh that…I figured it would be the best way of stopping the wager.” Bailey sighed relieved.

“By starting a scandal?”

“Grandmother, it
’s hardly a scandal, people get pregnant every day and the fact that Beckett and I are supposed to be engaged and will be married in a few weeks…”

“
It leads everyone to believe that it is a shotgun wedding.” Her grandmother said sternly.

“Really grandmother, times have changed.”

“Not in the South my dear….instead of your wedding being the result of a fairy tale romance it will be one of necessity.”

“What does it matter
?” Bailey asked as she stood and began to pace. “What if it was true; so what? Wasn’t the whole point of us getting married was so that his family could build a reputation out here, who cares if he married me for love or because I got pregnant.”

Regina sighed as she watched her granddaughter pace. Unless you had been born in the South it would be hard to comprehend the prejudices that still existed. Bailey was unaware of the class structure that still existed behind the public eyes.

“And how will you explain it when 3 months from now you are not showing?”

“Easy, I miscarried…..grandmother, did you know they were wagering on who could steal me away from Beckett…..like I was some prize horse.”

“Of course.” Regina said waiving off the matter as if it was on no consequence.

“And that doesn’t bother you?”

“Bailey, what the men do in their clubs is no concern of mine. How this family is perceived is.”

Bailey suddenly felt defensive. She stopped her pacing and stared at her grandmother.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means my dear, when you and Beckett are in the public eye you
must behave with the utmost discretion. Your display of indecency added to the revelation of your pregnancy has lowered you to the level of a common gutter rat.”

Her words shocked Bailey as if she had been slapped. She looked at her grandmother trying to control her own anger before she replied.

“Your son has nearly ruined your husband’s company; your granddaughter married a drummer on a drunken whim. Your grandson has a pension for attacking women including his own cousin and you dare call me a gutter rat. I am sorry if our display of affection has offended you grandmother but considering the company we were in it seemed the best way to make a statement. Beckett made it clear last night that their wager was useless; I ensured it with my comment to Harrison. I never told him I was pregnant only eluded.” She said rubbing her temples now to try to alleviate the headache she was getting.

“
Bailey” Her grandmother began as she tried to temper her anger. “There is a lot riding on this arrangement, not just for our family but for Beckett’s.”

“Don’t you think I am aware of that?” Bailey said looking at her grandmother. “But since I have arrived here two men have attacked me and I became the token of a wager….I have begun to doubt
anyone’s sincerity.”

“You seem to trust Beckett.”

“He hasn’t given me reason not to” Bailey said honestly.

“Was it wise to sleep with him?” She asked now her face softening.

Bailey looked at her grandmother and knew there was no point in denying it. “Probably not.” Then she added. “He didn’t break your contract.”

“I’m aware of that
…as long as you are aware that after the wedding, if you sleep with him the contract will be void.”

“I know.”

“Do you believe he will be able to resist you?”

“He won’t have a choice.” Bailey said sadly. “I won’t allow it.”

Her grandmother’s look was now sympathetic. “And when he takes another to his bed?”

Bailey felt the tear begin to slid
e down her cheek. When she encouraged Beckett the night before she had been fully aware of the consequences and she had told herself it didn’t matter. She would not regret that moment and for the next three weeks she would enjoy every moment they shared together. She believed when the time came she could be strong for him. But what would happen when he found someone else and when her heart broke into a thousand pieces.

“I will have no choice in the matter.”

“You always have a choice Bailey.”

Bailey looked at her grandmother. “Yes I
guess I do. I chose to come here because I promised my mother I wouldn’t allow my family to be separated. I chose to sleep with Beckett because I have fallen in love with him. In three weeks when we say our vows I will choose to give up that relationship and help him live up to the contract you forced him to sign. I will not let his family down.”

“I did not force him to do anything.”

“You wouldn’t have sold him the company any other way. His family needed this business to keep a major contract. Without it they would go on but a lot of their employees would have to be let go. They care too much about them to allow that but you knew that and counted on it. You are too shrewd a business woman not to have done your homework. I guess what you didn’t count on was me. Alicia would have been better for the part. Beckett would have continued to have Macy on the side and she would have had her lovers. At the end of the year they would have gone their separate way and everyone would have gained by it.”

“You are right, I didn’t count on you but I don’t regret the change in my plans. It gave me a way to make amends to you and Alexis and Tristan. I hoped it would be a way to start out fresh and hopefully when the year ended we would be a family. I added the clause to the contract only after Alicia got married
and I had to replace her with you. I knew Beckett’s reputation with women and I knew your lack of relationships. I was trying to protect you. I never expected you to fall for him, at least not this quickly.” She said as she rose and walked over to the window. For a moment both were silent as Regina contemplated something. “I assumed once you were married there wouldn’t be a problem with him adhering to our contract and the time the two of you spent together would be minimal.”

“I’ve learned in life grandmother things usually don’t go as planned. When my father fell in love with my mother he never thought it would cost him his family. He never planned on losing his company, never planned on dying. My mother never planned on getting cancer. She
planned to fight it after Tristan was born but it was too late. I never planned on giving up my dream to raise my siblings. I never planned on falling in love with someone that I couldn’t have. Life seldom turns out like we planned. We have choices we make, we live with the consequences and deal with the curves life throws our way.”

Regina turned around and stared at Bailey. For the first time Bailey saw beyond the mask to the woman who had spent most of her life handling
the mistakes of others. She suddenly wondered what had she given up in her life. As if reading Baileys thoughts Regina told her.

“
I was barely 17 when I fell in love for the first time. He was wild and handsome and everything my parents warned me about.  He worked in the stables and for a brief summer he taught me what passion was all about. I would sneak out at night and meet him down by the lake on my father’s estate. He made me promises of the life we would have and filled my head with the places we would see. He was older and knew exactly what to say to a young girl to woo her to his bed. My parents had dreams I would marry your grandfather uniting our families empires. Your grandfather was good looking and kind but there was no excitement when I was with him. He was safe and boring.” She smiled sadly. “At the end of the summer my love left leaving me behind with broken promises, a broken heart and a baby growing inside of me. My family would never have forgiven me if they knew. Your grandfather found me crying one day by the lake. He had a way of getting people to talk and before I knew it I was telling him everything. I knew he was in love with me and like our parents he expected one day we would marry. I saw the hurt on his face when I told him I was pregnant. When I told him I was planning on running away to save my family the shame he gave me another option. He asked me to marry him. He even went to my father and begged forgiveness for our indiscretion and assumed the responsibility of my pregnancy.” She walked over and touched the daffodils on the desk. “We were married in a quiet ceremony and eight months later your uncles Spencer and Braxton were born. Your grandfather loved them as if they were his own and gave them every opportunity life had to offer. We tried for years to have a child together but each time I miscarried and we gave up hope. Then I became pregnant with your father.” She smiled and for a moment she looked younger. “Ryder was everything his brothers weren’t. They had the wild streak of their father in them; Ryder had the gentleness of your grandfather. They took what they wanted and didn’t care who was hurt in the process, your father gave of himself to those in need.  As they grew the differences became more apparent and while your grandfather loved your uncles he favored Ryder. Everyone did. Ryder was dating the daughter of one of our dear friends and we hoped one day they would marry. Then he met your mother.” She said looking up at Bailey. “You look like her did you know that?”