Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series) (41 page)

Bailey
lay in his arms fearing if she moved it would shatter the moment. When she had asked Beckett about Lachelle she had first thought he wouldn’t tell her. To hear him speak of another, one who first held his heart and first loved him hurt. Not because he had loved her but in the way he spoke of her. It was how Bailey wanted him to speak about her and even though Trent had told her Beckett loved her he had never told her. As he spoke she pictured the life they had, the dreams they wanted and she was jealous. Lachelle had everything Bailey desired, how could she throw it all away? Then she saw his pain and when he spoke of her illness her heart broke. She knew better than most the devastation of watching someone you love die to cancer. She understood now why he refused to love. To have planned a life with someone and to lose them so tragically at such a young age would taint your outlook on loving again. He had been so engrossed in retelling his memory he hadn’t realized they had stopped the horses or that she was holding his hand. She wanted to comfort him but knew he needed to get it all out if he ever had a chance to heal. So she sat and listened, holding back her own tears as his fell.

When he began to talk about her she felt the hope she was denying. Slowly as his words sunk in she felt her walls crumble to dust and when he told her he loved her she felt the dust blow away. She went willingly when he pulled her to his lap and when his lips took hers she drank in his kisses as if they were water and she was parched. When he pulled back she
whimpered tempting him with kisses as her hands roamed over the strength of his body. When he stopped beneath the trees she knew they were about to make love and she had no concern for being discovered. She wanted him and knew he wanted her. This time as he made love to her she felt different, complete as if finally her heart was his and his hers. Now laying there with her head on his chest she listened to the steady beat of his heart. She knew he would be a constant in her life, there to hold her when she needed him, to cherish and love her like no other. He would be her friend, her partner, her lover, her husband and one day the father of their children. She knew now his strength and determination would get them through the next year and she didn’t fear faltering.

“Bailey.” He said rolling her over to her back so he could look down at her. “Will you marry me…will you wait out the year for me, will you grow old with me, build a home with me and be the mother of my children.” He asked.

Her heart swelled with joy as she looked into his eyes. “Yes.”

She would remember the smile on his face for the rest of her life. At that moment he surrendered himself to her and she vowed never to let him down. He leaned down kissing her softly at first and then once again their passion consumed them. Afterwards they slept, naked on the grass beneath the tree. Beckett was the first to wake and she sensed his eyes upon her before she opened hers. He smiled down at her.

“As much as I would love to stay here for the rest of my life we need to get dressed and head back. It’s nearly 3:30 and Trent will be bringing the kids back soon so you can get them cleaned up for your dinner with Matt.”

Bailey listened but she no longer heard the hurt in his voice when he mentioned Matt
’s name. He understood now their relationship as she understood his with Lachelle. There was no room for jealousy any longer. She reached up and cupped his cheek.

“Will you come with us….I think you would like Matt.”

He smiled and kissed the inside of her palm. “I don’t doubt that….but I think he may need more time….I’m the one who won your love….”

She understood and knew he was probably correct. Matt would need time to adjust to the fact she would never be his. She pulled Beckett down for one last kiss before they dressed and rode back. Trent was waiting on the porch and when he saw them walk up he tried to control his grin. He cursed when he was unable to and his lip split open again.

“You should put ice on that.” Beckett smiled as they walked up the steps. “Or next time duck.”

“Don’t worry bro…I’ll remind you the next time you forget to duck…..I see my work with the two of you is done and I won
’t be expecting a house guest in the near future.”

Bailey smiled as she walked up to him. “Thank you.” She said before she leaned up to kiss him. As she stepped back she saw the affection in his eyes.

“Lachelle would have approved of you.” He said softly for only her ears to hear.

She felt the moisture in her eyes touched by the compliment. She wondered if it was true and felt a gentle breeze envelope her as if to agree with Trent’s comment. She stepped back and Beckett wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back up against him.

“The kids are already in the bath, I almost had to hose them down outside they were covered in so much dust and dirt.” He laughed. “I made sure Tristan kept his mask and goggles on at all times.” He added seeing Bailey’s concern for his asthma.

“They weren’t too much trouble?” She asked.

“No, they’re bright kids, full of energy and they mind their adults. You did a great job in raising them and I have no doubt you will do the same with my nieces and nephews.”

Bailey could feel the blush creep up her fa
ce at his compliment. She and Beckett had just skimmed over that detail so it was strange to hear it from Trent’s mouth as if it was an everyday piece of conversation. He seemed to read her thought and grinned.

“Someone has to give my parents grandchildren and I don’t see any hope from the rest of us in the near future.”

“That’s because you haven’t found someone yet.”

“Don’t go thinking of playing matchmaker dear sister in law….we’re all happy being bachelors….Beckett
’s the one that wanted kids…”

“Only because you don’t know what you’re missing.” Beckett returned. “I’ve seen you with Tristan and you aren’t as immune as you claim to be.”

“That’s because I get to send them back when I want to.” He laughed. “You two need to come inside, there is something we need to discuss.”

Beckett looked at him and frowned anticipating another obstacle. Bailey felt him tense and her heart now dropped anticipating the worse. Trent refused to reveal anything as he led them into the study where her grandmother was sitting with his parents and family. Bailey also noticed another man who seemed to be studying both and her and Beckett. When she met his eyes she saw a hint of amusement as he fought the urge to grin. She felt Beckett relax as he led her over to the stranger.

“Uncle John….when did you get in.” Beckett asked as he hugged the stranger. Bailey now noticed the resemblance to Beckett’s father. Beckett stepped back and made the introductions. “Uncle John this is Bailey my fiancé, Bailey my Uncle John.”

Bailey wasn’t the only one who noticed the difference in the way Beckett introduced her. For the first time it was if there was actually meaning behind the words. She felt herself being pulled into a bear hug and
sensed true emotion when he spoke.

“It’s a real honor to meet you little lady and to welcome you into our family.”

She stepped back and couldn’t resist the smile that lit up his face. She smiled back as Beckett once again put his arm around her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you….I hope we have an opportunity to get to know each other.”

“Oh my dear, that I do not doubt.” He winked then looked at Beckett.

Bailey saw Beckett raise an eyebrow and she knew he seemed confused for a moment before comprehension filled his face and he smiled.

“You found a back door?” He said happily.

“Actually it was your brother Ethan.” He grinned and Bailey was totally lost.

She looked up at Beckett and he only kissed her deeply despite those in the room. When he pulled back there was a new light in his eyes before he looked to his brother. She turned and saw the smiles on his family’s faces and even her grandmother couldn’t hide the grin on her face.

“Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” She asked. “I feel like someone just told a joke and everyone knows the punch line but me.”

Ethan looked at Beckett for approval before he looked at Bailey.

“For the last week we’ve been going over the contract, looking for an out.”

“A way out?” Bailey asked as fear began to overtake her. She looked up at Beckett suddenly doubting what they had shared. He saw her doubt and smiled as he kissed her cheek.

“Trust me….let him explain.”

He looked into her eyes and she couldn’t help herself. She loved this man and if they were to have a future she would have to trust him and not look for the rug to be pulled out from under at every corner. She gripped his hand and looked back at Ethan.

“
It was mother’s idea.” Ethan began again and Bailey looked at Kathleen. She saw the love in the woman’s eyes and knew she wouldn’t do anything to hurt Bailey. She looked back at Ethan. “Mom figured your grandmother had to have put some type of a back door clause in the contract.”

“A back door clause?” She asked now looking at her grandmother. She noticed the amusement in her eyes and knew she was fighting to give away the secret Ethan was trying to reveal.

“When your grandmother had to replace your cousin and add your name she added the amendment for no sexual contact. When she sent it to Beckett to sign it looked similar to the original contract and he signed it without fully reading it. Your grandmother counted on that.”

Bailey looked now at her grandmother. She was a shrewd woman who had been pulling the strings from the beginning. Suddenly she feared
her grandmother had found a way break the contract with Beckett’s family but if that was true then why were they all smiling.

“Bailey…your grandmother added a line to the contract that Beckett never saw and to be honest we missed the first time we read it too…”

“What did she add?”

“In the event you and Beckett fell in love the no sexual contract would be null and void.”

It took a moment for the words to sink in then she turned to her grandmother who was now smiling at her.

“I don’t understand…..earlier when we talked, you warned me against falling in love with Beckett….why would you add that to the contract?”

“Because even an old fool can believe in the possibility of love and if the two of you actually did fall in love over the course of your year together I didn’t want any piece of paper to stand between you.”

“Then our marriage will be real?” Bailey asked as she now looked at Beckett.

“Yes….and I’m not about to let you back out of it now, not after you accepted my proposal.”

Bailey looked up at him then around the room. Everyone
’s faces reflected the joy she held in her heart. Even her grandmother seemed pleased with the results. She turned and looked back up into Beckett’s face his love for her reflected in his eyes.

“I love you Bailey Montgomery and I vow to make you happy for the rest of our lives.”

She smiled as she threw her arms around him and as she pulled his lips to hers she whispered. “I love you too and always will.”

Book 2 in the Birmingham Brothers Series

To be released end of 2013

Emily Steele has been given one month by her father to find a husband. If she fails she will have to decide to either marry Drayson Collard her father’s business partner or give up her inheritance. Despite the fact they are living in the twenty first century some things still hold true in the South. Emily has been raised for one purpose only, to marry into a family that will add to her father’s power and wealth. Only once did she allow herself the folly of falling in love to someone her father didn’t approve of. That was when she learned that her father’s money could buy anything, including the man who loved her. When her father gave him the choice of her hand in marriage minus the inheritance or a fat check her dashing lover never looked back on his way to the bank.

Disillusioned, Emily locked her heart away never to be hurt again. Over the next five years men had fought for her attention only to rebuff by her cold demeanor thus earning her the name of the Ice Maiden. At first wagers were set to see who could finally melt her shell but even the final stake of $100,000.00 could not entice any more takers. Turning to her brother Harrison for help she soon learns even his friends refuse to pursue her. Sympathetic with her plight Harrison suggests her only option, the Birmingham brothers. Emily recalls the set of brothers who had recently come to town to take over the Montgomery business. Rumors had circulated that Beckett Birmingham had married Bailey Montgomery as part of a business contract engineered by her grandmother Regina. For a time wagers had been made at the club and even her brother had entertained the idea of trying to seduce Bailey away from Beckett.  Emily remembered her first impression of the couple. She was young and innocent, naïve and trusting as Emily had once been. She was truly a beauty with her dark hair and violet eyes and Emily understood why her brother was chomping at the bit for a shot at her. When she first saw Beckett coming towards them she had felt the oxygen sucked from her lungs. She had never seen anyone so handsome
and rugged in her life. The man was a combination of sex appeal and danger rolled into a body that made her knees go weak. They made a striking couple and one look of them together left no doubt they were in love. She envied Bailey in the way Beckett challenged her brother to what was his. If his brothers were like him than maybe there would be hope against her father’s edict.

Trent Birmingham never had a problem finding a woman to warm his bed. With his tall muscular build, sandy brown hair and piercing blue eyes women gravitated to him. The oldest of four boys he was the one who took charge often getting his brothers into trouble where ever they went. Trent was a champion for anyone in distress whether it was a young woman being harassed by her boyfriend or skinny nerd being picked on by bullies. The greater the odds against him he figured the better the fight. The sheriff in their home town even gave him a key to his cell since he was a regular there often.  Trent usually began his days before the sun was up and often was on a site long after the rest of the crews had gone home. Like his brothers he had grown up in the family construction business and he was gifted with the ability to take his brothers vision and turn it into reality. His family specializes in renovating old buildings bringing them back to their original beauty. Trent was in charge of the work force and never expected any man to do any job he wasn’t willing or capable of doing himself. His workers admired him for his work ethics and were extremely loyal remaining with their company despite the many offers they received to work elsewhere.

When Beckett had arranged to purchase the Montgomery firm he had been surprised since both he and his brother Justin had been trying for over a year unsuccessfully. Upon learning the conditions of the agreement like his family he had been shocked first by the contract then by the fact his brother had agreed. Merger by marriage was a thing of the past but the South in most ways still held on to tradition. When the family first met his fiancé Bailey they had expected someone entirely
different. She had quickly won them over when she broke through his brother’s barriers and showed him how to love. Trent was happy for his brother but he had no illusions for himself. He had loved once and vowed never again. His heart had been ripped in half when he walked in on his fiancé and best friend in bed together two weeks before the wedding. To add to his humiliation the two had been having an affair behind his back for nearly a year. Trent would never allow another woman to take advantage of him again. He was upfront whenever he slept with a woman offering them no delusions that it might lead beyond the enjoyment of each other’s bodies. Over the years he had collected a group of women who willingly accepted this arrangement. They were content to enjoy every moment of his expertise in bed without demanding anything more. Since coming to the South he had tested the waters but found the women were either too much into themselves or didn’t have the ability to carry on a conversation past ten words. Only one woman other than his brother’s wife caught his attention. She was small and petite with long blond hair the color of wheat and eyes like cornflowers. He had heard the term Ice Maiden applied in conjunction with her name from more than one gentleman at the club. He was aware of the long standing wager but it wasn’t the money that interested him. It was the challenge of igniting the fire he knew was within. He had only seen her once from a distance and he recognized that her cool demeanor was an act to protect herself.  She had been standing in the garden at his brother reception and thought she was alone. At first he had considered approaching her but when he saw the sadness in her eyes he remained frozen. As he studied her he wondered what had happened to her in her life to have caused that much pain. He knew that type of pain and felt an instant bond. In that moment he made the decision to seduce this woman and would have approached her had her brother not come to claim her. They had left shortly after that moment but the image of her remained burned in his brain.

When Emily approached him with her offer she expected him to refuse. A similar arrangement to his brothers, marry her in name only. She would give him a portion of her inheritance and he could claim the prize money from the wager. She was surprised but no more than he was
when he accepted. Only once their game of deception began did Emily realize the danger she was in of losing her heart to a man who was only interested in her money. Trent was also aware of the danger but his desire over rode his common sense. After a heated kiss he was determined to melt the Ice Maiden and enjoy the heated pleasure he knew was hidden beneath the surface.