Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series) (9 page)

“Yeah….I guess you’re right
.” She said still doubting.

“So marrying me saved you
?” He grinned.

“Ye
s.” She smiled. “My grandmother paid the bills, her lawyer dealt with social services.”

“And I’m supplying the house and allowance
.” He said watching her reaction.

Bailey looked at him and despite the lighting he could see a blush spread across her cheeks. She was embarrassed and he knew her pride was also hurt at the idea of the arrangement.

“Beckett….I promise….I’ll pay you back.”

Beckett was now offended. “Bailey….this is a business deal….my family can afford it….and what you’re getting out of the deal compared to the rest of them is peanuts….”

“It’s just….I’ve never been beholden to anyone before… it makes me feel like a kept woman.”

“
Look at it as payoff from your family for what they did to your father.”

“Yes but you are the one making the payout
.” She protested.

“
For the company.” He reminded her. “You know.” He said looking at her desert. “I don’t think you plan on eating that….do you want to get out of here?”

Bailey looked at her desert which was now a mangled mess and laughed
. “Yes.”

Beckett pulled out a credit card and motioned for the check. Instead of waiting they took it to the front where he paid for their meal while Bailey used the ladies room.

Bailey was still going over the conversation while she used the ladies room. She was surprised
how genuinely nice Beckett was. She also couldn’t help but notice the way women’s eyes followed him as they entered the restaurant. He was good looking she had to admit with his dark unruly hair and five o’clock shadow. Very few men could pull that off and he was definitely one of them. Even beneath his tailored shirt she could make out the hard planes of his chest that led to his narrow sculptured waist. His black chinos hugged his hips suggestively and when he walked he oozed sex appeal. During dinner she had studied his hands, strong and though groomed she could see the calluses on his palms from manual labor. She began to wonder again what they would feel like running over her bare skin. She hadn’t realized she was blushing till the woman grooming herself in the mirror at the vanity laughed.

“Dear…you hang on to that stallion….men like him are hard to find, especially in this town.”

Bailey met her eyes in the mirror and saw raw desire there. Understanding what she had just insinuated made Bailey blushed even more. Grabbing her clutch she smiled politely then headed out to find Beckett. He was standing with his back to her holding her wrap and as if sensing her he turned and flashed a dazzling smile. She shook her head to bring herself back to reality. This was a business arrangement and he already had a woman in his life. She repeated in her head as she approached him. As he held up the wrap she stepped into in enjoying the way his fingers remained gently on her shoulders. To all in the restaurant that saw it this was a simple gesture but it spoke a thousand words.

“Shall we
?” He said offering her his arm.

Bailey slid her hand through his arm and allowed him to lead her outside where the chill of the night cooled her inflamed cheeks.
If Beckett noticed the slight flush to her skin he didn’t comment.

“So…we could either go dancing…or…just walk for a
while?”

“Walk please
.”

“Not a dancer?”
He asked amused.

“Oh no I love to dance….it
’s just….here there’s too much smoke in the air, I would go home smelling of it and with Tristan’s asthma I don’t want to risk setting it off.”

Beckett studied her for a moment then asked
. “It’s been bad?”

“He goes in spurts….every time I think I know the pattern as to what causes them he changes….it’s just hard…when he can’t breath
e…when the medicine isn’t working fast enough.”

“I can
’t imagine what that would be like....you’re very brave.”

Bailey looked at him then shook her head
. “No…just a sister who loves her brother….he’s the one that’s brave…..living with that pain.”

“You do that a lot
.” He said.

“Do what?”

“Don’t give yourself enough credit…why do you do that?”

“I don’t know….maybe because it seems egotistical….I’m just doing what any other sister would do under the circumstances
.”

“I don’t think so…most girls given the responsibility of a younger brother and sister at your age would
have run for the hills.”

“You haven’t met very many nice girls have you
?” She said now studying him. “What’s she like?”

“Who
?” He asked frowning. “Macy?”

“Yes
.” She said noticing he seemed uncomfortable discussing her. “I’m sorry…I had no right to pry.”

“No…I guess you have a right to know….Macy is high maintenance….I guess you might say she was born with a silver spoon in her
mouth….her father was in politics so she traveled a lot…went to the finest boarding schools money could buy.” He said and Bailey caught an undercurrent there she couldn’t explain.

“Is she beautiful
?” She asked studying the displays in the window.

Beckett studied her and she knew he was mentally comparing her to Macy. Bailey suddenly felt inferior even before she met this woman. She regretted asking and was about to change the subject when he surprised her.

“Yes…she’s beautiful…in a cold sense of the word.”

Bailey looked up at him and her surprise must have been written on her face because
Beckett smiled as he reached up tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“She lacks warmth
.” He said studying her for a moment before turning to look at the display

“So….how long have you two been a couple?”

“About three years.”

“How did you two meet
?” She asked as they started walking again this time without her hand through his arm.

“
At a party….a friend of hers set us up.”

“You actually needed to be set up
?” She asked surprised.

“Yes…you know…with a face like this it
’s hard being taken seriously.” He joked. “All the women see is a pretty face.”

“I can see that
.” She grinned. “There was a woman in the restroom that was literally dripping in desire.”

“Really…
.you think I should go back?” He joked as he headed back the way they came.

“I could always introduce you
.” She giggled pulling him forward.

He looked at her and placing his hand over hers allowed her to lead him away. Bailey walked with him in silence for a moment then continued on with her questions.

“So why did you tell your mother you’re not the marrying kind?”

“I don’t know….the idea of being with one person for the rest of your life.”

“So you don’t ever want to have kids?”

“
You don’t have to be married to have kids.”

Bailey stopped and studied him for a moment before she said
. “Who was she?”

“Who was who?”
He asked.

“The one that hurt you so badly that you
run from relationships.” Bailey saw the defensive wall come and regretted her comment. “I’m sorry….sometimes I say things without thinking.” She said trying to get back the relaxed moment they had been sharing.

“I think I should be getting you back
.” He said heading towards the car.

Bailey followed in silence and when he opened her car door she wanted to say something but couldn’t think of anything so she slid into the seat and he closed the door. As he walked around the car Riley noticed the way his m
uscle flexed as he tried to reign in his emotions. He sat down gunning the engine as soon as his door shut. Bailey could feel her eyes begin to water and she turned her head looking out the window. Once again she had opened her mouth and pushed someone she was beginning to care about away.

After driving in silence for a few minutes Bailey felt Beckett slow down the car to a normal speed and heard him sigh.

“I’m sorry.” He finally said. “I think if this is going to work we need to set ground rules.”

Bailey wiped the tears then nodded in agreement.

“I think we’ve learned enough about each other’s past so we should just concentrate on the things that might trip us up.” Bailey looked at him and her expression told him she was confused. “Likes and dislikes, favorite foods, what you don’t like.”

“Ok
.” She agreed.

“We’ll just call it a night….tomorrow we can meet up after lunch…that should give us time to compile cheat sheets for each other
.”

“Alright
.” She said now looking out of the window again. She didn’t trust looking at him fearing the tears would start to flow.

They drove the rest of the way in silence and when he pulled to a stop she didn’t wait for him to open her door. She jumped out and ran inside flying past her grandmother as she went up the stairs. Regina looked at her retreating back then turned to face Beckett who was now heading up the walk.

The last thing Beckett wanted to face was Regina standing there on the porch but he knew there was no way around her. Steeling himself for what was to come he headed up to the base of the porch then stopped and stared at her.

“Evening Ms. Montgomery.”

“Beckett….how was your evening
?”

“Over all
it went very well thank you.” He said.

“
Then why is my granddaughter crying?”

Beckett frowned looking past her towards the stairs where Bailey had fled. He wanted to run after her and explain but one person now stood in his way and she wasn’t giving him any quarter.

“We just had a misunderstanding about the parameters of our relationship.”

“Beckett…I know you may think I’m cold where my granddaughter is concerned but I’m warning you right now….if you hurt her….I will end the deal and see to it you and your family do
esn’t do any business ever in the South.”

Beckett was amazed at how passionate she was being towards Bailey
. “Careful Ms. Montgomery…people might think you have a heart.” He grinned.

“Bailey is the best part of this family….she is everything her grandfather wanted the rest of his family to be….she is th
e best of her father and mother.”

“Do you ever plan on telling her how much you care for her
?”

“Bailey is better off not knowing….it gives her strength
.” She said smiling.

“I have no intention of hurting her….I agree… she is the best thing to come out of your family
.” He said and when he saw her bristle he added. “But she has some heavy shoes to follow after….goodnight Ms. Montgomery.”

“I think you should start calling me Regina
.” She smiled as he walked up the steps.

Beckett stopped at her side smiling
. “Regina.”

H
e moved past her and headed up the stairs. When he reached the top he wanted to turn and head towards Baileys room but decided against it. Instead he turned towards to his room and replayed the evening. When he had first seen her in her dress she had taken his breath away. He had stood there speechless for a moment just looking at her surprised some guy hadn’t snatched her up a long time ago. When he had driven them into town he actually found himself nervous. It had been a long time since he had been with anyone who wasn’t looking to him for either his money or sex. She wasn’t going out with him to be seen by the media and had no ulterior moments. But she had put him at ease from the moment they sat down at the restaurant and he found he fell into an easy conversation with her. He also couldn’t help notice the way the other men at the restaurant had been checking her out and he felt a rush of pleasure she was with him that night. He found her intelligent and humorous. She easily fell into his routine when he wanted to keep things light and funny.

When he placed the wrap around her he felt a hint of possessiveness towards the others who now watched them. He knew they made a striking couple and where Macy was tall, thin, blonde and all legs Bailey was the opposite with her long dark hair, petite body and curves in all the right places.
She made him feel strong and protective towards her. Things had been going so well and he forgot that this wasn’t a real date till she started probing about his past and came dangerously close to his relationship with Lachelle. Suddenly he closed off and felt an intrusion to a memory he wanted to keep to himself. He knew he had hurt her with his abruptness but he couldn’t help himself. When she tried to apologize he couldn’t find a way to bridge over the break he had caused. When he saw the tears he had grown angry with himself and as hard as he tried he couldn’t think of a way to comfort her. He wasn’t used to women crying unless he was breaking up with them and usually they chose to throw things at him instead. When he had pulled up the drive he had planned on talking with her but she was out of the car before he could turn off the engine. He would have run after her had Regina not stopped him. Now alone in his room he wondered why he was hesitating.

“Because you can’t have her
.” He muttered unbuttoning his shirt in frustration.

What w
as he thinking? He had Macy. Tall, blonde, supermodel. She graced several magazine covers and was pinned up in more locker rooms than any other model in the last few years. He was the envy of every guy he knew and yet he was thinking about the Bailey. Tossing his shirt in the corner he walked out on the balcony and looked out over the grounds. Gripping the railings he thought about the next few weeks and wondered how he was going to get through it. A knock on his door brought him back to reality and without thinking about his state of undress he walked over to open his door. Bailey stood there dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a t shirt. He noticed the ways her eyes quickly roamed over him and her blush brought a smile to his face. Leaning against the door jamb he waited for her to speak.

“Um…Beckett I’m sorry about earlier
.”

“I’m sorry too
.” He said pushing off the door so that he now stood before her. “Want to come in for a drink?”

Bailey looked into his room and seeing his bed she raised one eyebrow. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea
.”

“Afraid you won’t be able to control yourself
.” He joked.

Taking his challenge she pushed h
im aside and entered then putting her hands on her hips she looked at him.

“Are you sure you can control yourself?”
She asked as she turned modeling her outfit.

He glanced over her attire and broke out laughing as he headed to the mini bar in his room. “What
’s your poison?”

“Do you have any beer?”

He looked at her raising his eyebrows. “Really….I thought you didn’t drink?”

“
I do occasionally and right now I’m in the mood for a beer.”

Bailey grabbed two Coronas
from the mini fridge behind the bar and finding pre sliced lime wedges he added one to each of their bottles. Beckett handed her a beer than grabbing his shirt he headed for the bathroom. Riley was out on the balcony when he returned. He had changed into a pair of faded jeans and a baseball jersey and when Bailey glanced at him he noticed the way she seemed to blush. As her eyes met his eyes the blush deepened realizing she had been caught gawking.

“So
.” He grinned as he joined her on the balcony. “Are the kids down?”

“Yes….Tristan was a little difficult but Alexis helped
.”

“They’re both good kids….you’ve done a great job raising them.”

“Thanks…..I’ve tried to raise them like my parents would have wanted.” She said looking out over the grounds.

“You miss them
.”

“Every day……especially my dad….he made the world magical….he would always create these tents from my mom’s blankets and sheets….she used to get so angry with him when she would walk into my bedroom and see her new sheets tacked to my walls and ceilings
.” She smiled remembering. “Once he put fairy dust in the container over my bed….when I pulled on the string it was supposed to release just a hint of dust only it didn’t…the whole bag of glitter dumped out.” She laughed. “No matter how many times my mom vacuumed my room she couldn’t get it all up…even years later I found glitter in the carpet.”

Beckett smiled at her childhood memory. He saw the su
btle shift in her demeanor as her joy turned to sadness from the memories. He wanted to change that, he wanted to see her smile again.

“
Earlier…in the stables…you seemed to have a way with the horses.”

Bailey smiled and it gave him pleasure to
once again see pure joy on her face.

“My father used to call me a horse whisperer
.”

“Really…did you have horses?”
He asked as she sat down. He took the opposite chair on the balcony and watched the way her face lit up when she smiled.

“No….my father had a friend who worked at the race track…he used to take me there on weekends
.” She said thinking back. “The owners and jockeys used to think it was cute with me being so little and showing no fear with the horses…I used to want to be a jockey till I had a growth spurt one summer.”

“Do you ride?”
He asked.

“Yes
, I used to train with the jockeys but after I grew I just hung around the horses. I seemed to be able to sense their emotions and one day I told my father to bet on a long shot…he looked at me suspiciously then did as I said….it paid out 43 to 1 odds…at first he thought it was beginners luck but every horse I seemed to pick won….the favorites didn’t.”

“
Really….can you still pick winners?” He asked amazed. He never thought to doubt her and she seemed surprised.

“Yes…I just don’t anymore
.”

“Why?”
He asked. “Couldn’t that have helped out with the bills?” He said asking the obvious.

“People began to take notice….the wrong kind of people
.” She said seriously. “My dad could have used me to help get out of the mess his partner put him in but he didn’t.” She said sadly.

“Maybe he wanted to protect you
.” Beckett offered understanding just how dangerous her ability could be if the wrong people found out.

“That’s what my mother said
.” She said remembering back. “One night after we were all asleep some men came to talk to my father…I remember my mother was scared…they argued and my father threw the men out of the house….when I asked my parents about it the next morning they told me it was a dream….my father died a few days later.” She said now looking at her beer.

Bailey didn’t see the reaction on Beckett
’s face with those last words. He began to wonder now if a drunk driver had really killed her father. He made a mental note to look into it later. Looking now at her it seemed every happy memory she had was also tied to a sad one. Again he wanted to see her smile.

“So tomorrow…why don’t we go riding…we could each take a kid and make a picnic of it
?” He offered.

Bailey looked up at him surprised then smiled at the thought
. “Tristan would love that….I just don’t know how he will react around the horses.”

“We’ll we won
’t know till we try.” H
H
e said.

“Ok…after breakfast?”
She said standing now. He stood with her and took her half empty bottle of beer. “I really should be going to bed.”

“I understand
.” He said walking her to his door. He opened it for her and for a brief moment there was an awkward silence. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her and it seemed she was thinking the same thing. Later he wondered what would have happened had they not been interrupted but at that moment his mother appeared at his door.

“Beckett….
I’m glad I found you up.” His mother said studying Bailey.

Beckett realized the two had not met yet
. “Mother…this is Bailey Montgomery…my uh ...fiancé.” He said awkwardly. “Bailey…this is my mother Kathleen Birmingham.”.

“I’m very pleased to meet you
.” Bailey said smiling as she extended her hand.

“I think it is I who should say
am pleased.” His mother smiled warmly. “I had the pleasure of meeting your brother and sister tonight, they are both charming and by their manners it is a direct reflection on how you raised them…they did you proud.”

“Thank you….usually Tristan is a little shy around new people and Alexis can be a little overbearing to compensate
.”

“She
’s just protecting him.” Kathleen said as Bailey stepped out into the hallway.

She turned to Beckett
. “Thank you for the beer…and for tonight…I did have a wonderful evening.”

“Then we will have to do it again
.” He grinned. “But you still aren’t getting out of Chucky Cheese.”

Bailey laughed
. “I should warn you….I hold the title back home in Skeet ball.”

“Till now…I love a challenge
.” He grinned.

Bailey turned to his mother
. “It was a pleasure…I hope we will have some time to get to know each other.”

“I agree…why don’t you join our family for lunch tomorrow
…Beckett’s brothers will be arriving then.”

Bailey looked at Beckett and he quickly saved her. “We’re taking the kids riding tomorrow and then doing a picnic….maybe we should do dinner
?” Then looking at Bailey he grinned wickedly “At Chucky Cheese.”

His mother just rolled her eyes seeing the challenge had been thrown and sensing Bailey was about to pick it up.

“I don’t think your parents would enjoy Chucky Cheese.” She smiled

“On the contrary
.” Kathleen smiled. “With his brothers here tomorrow I think it would be fun….besides it would do my boys good to be taken down a notch or two by a woman…Chucky Cheese it is.”