Page 12

Yesterday, after a rocky end to our flight, Keeley and I made it safely to her house. I dropped her off. I knew she had things to do and needed to decompress before work the next morning, so I left her to do it. I did tell her to call me if she wanted to talk or anything. I went back to the hotel. I’d checked out when I went after her, but I’d made a new reservation prior to leaving South Carolina. I was amused that they gave me the same room.

After unpacking, I wasn’t sure what to do. I hated to be at loose ends. After an hour of trying to amuse myself with television and online surfing, I gave up and went for a drive. I wanted to see more of Missoula. Hours later, I stopped and had dinner before I returned to my room. I spent a restless night and was up at dawn. The reason for my restlessness was the same as it had been since I first got to Missoula… Keeley.

Faced with another whole day of nothing defined to do, I said the hell with it and sat at the desk, thinking about her. Keeley had been friendly after the initial debacle in Spartanburg, but I was still bugged by something… why she decided to leave and go there early in the first place. She’d been upset but had no idea I lied to her. What caused it? On the return flight, I asked her again. She’d clammed up on me and waved it off. I needed to figure it out.

The time spent with her and learning about her led me to one conclusion. I wanted to know everything about Keeley Mills that I could. She fascinated, infuriated, and ignited a desire unlike any I’d ever had. My sleep was suffering due to the sexy dreams I had about her.

I’d imagined what her naked body would look like dozens of times. When I was near her, it took everything I had not to touch her intimately or kiss her. I knew I didn’t have the right to do those things, but I wanted to have the right to do them. While I felt terrible for Heath, I was secretly glad because it left me alone with her. I hid my glances and kept my touches as impersonal as I could, but I was weakening.

The company had no official policy against personal relationships between coworkers or clients, but it was heavily discouraged. I understood why, but it wasn’t as if all relationships of that type failed. Look at Sean. He was with a coworker. Even though Cassidy didn’t officially own a part of the company, she had worked for them for a while, then quit, and now was back working for them. Gabe had found Gemma on an undercover assignment. She’d insisted on helping him with the case. Griffin had gone to provide protection detail to an extremely important man, only to find out the target was his daughter, the true mastermind the government was trying to protect. She was the client, and he fell for her. And, of course, there was Sloan and Undertaker. If something developed between Keeley and me, it wasn’t as if the four bosses had room to talk or reprimand me.

If it was merely a desire to sleep with her and be done, I would’ve dismissed the idea and walked away. It was more than that. I was wary of labeling it, but deep down, my inner voice was whispering that she could be the woman for me—the one that I would spend the rest of my life with, that I’d be able to build a home and family with.

I admitted that when I saw how happy the bosses or my sister with Storm and Trinity were, I ached to have that. The days of being a carefree, happy bachelor no longer excited me. I’d just turned thirty-eight. Seeing so many successful relationships between work and the clubs we knew had given me a different perspective on marriage. If you found the right person, it was worth it.

Growing up, our parents were polite to each other. We never saw them fight. They treated us well, even if they weren’t super affectionate. However, I couldn’t recall them kissing or touching each other intimately. I was twenty when Dad died in a hunting accident. Mom had carried on without shedding a tear. She lived until Bryony was eighteen, then suddenly succumbed to cancer. She hadn’t told any of us she was sick. It was then that Bryony left California and moved to Georgia. The rest of our brothers and I were all scattered all over the country at various bases.

My dreams last night were extremely hot. I’d woken up in the middle of the night hard as a post and aching. I had to relieve it by giving myself a hand job. The result, while making my hard-on go away, hadn’t satisfied me. I wanted the real thing.

I wanted to spread her out on the bed and explore every inch of her with my eyes, mouth, and fingers. When I was done, I wanted to play with her tits and eat her pussy until she screamed my name. Then I’d sink my cock into her and fuck her until we both exploded. The thought of her mouth on my cock made me ache as well. The things we could do and explore together made me burn. But I didn’t know if she wanted that. I thought I noticed she was affected by me, but I wasn’t sure. Usually, I had no problem knowing when a woman desired me, but she was more constrained.

Thinking about it, I realized it might be due to what she told me about being raped at sixteen. I was still enraged over it. Even though the guy responsible was long dead, if I could dig him up and make him suffer again, I would. What had her sexual relationships been like after that? Had she been a virgin when it happened? Did she even like men? Was she afraid to be vulnerable to a man? I had so many questions, and I needed answers soon. I’d held back from asking, but I didn’t know how much longer I could do it.

I was back to being hard from just thinking about her. I needed to stop. I got up. I’d worked after breakfast on some reports for the office. They were finished. Not having anything else to do, I took a chance and reached out to those handling the DNA analysis on the doll, blanket, and blouse. When it came to the blouse, I prayed it would come back belonging to someone other than Kensington.

I was disappointed to hear that they were still waiting. I called Heath to see how he was doing. They had him working at the office since he refused to take time off, even for a few days. He hated it but told me it was better than sitting at home doing nothing. I agreed with him.

The hours dragged by. I watched the clock, waiting for Keeley to be off work. Five minutes after five, I sent her a message.

Me: How was your day? Off for the day? How about dinner?

There was a lag before she answered me.

Keeley: I wish. Have to work over—the story of my life. Go ahead and eat. I’ll most likely be here late. TTYL.

Me: That sucks. If you do get off early, let me know. Take care. TTYL.

I wasn’t happy about the news. I’d been hoping all day I’d get to spend the evening with her. I knew I had a demanding job that often took me away or required me to work late, but hers seemed worse.

Not able to stand my room any longer, I took a hot shower, got dressed, and went for a long ride. At this rate, I’d know Missoula and the surrounding area better than the natives. After I was done, I stopped off and got dinner. That was another plus, I guess. I was becoming familiar with the best places to eat. Keeley had shared a whole list of them with me before we went to Spartanburg. I checked another one off the list. She was right. They made excellent Greek food.

When I returned to the hotel, it was nine o'clock. As I walked through the lobby, I felt compelled to have a drink. Maybe it would help me sleep, and one wouldn’t hurt. I detoured to the bar. I was glad to see that Mack was working again. Taking a seat at the bar, I greeted him.

“Hey, Mack, how have you been?”

He smiled and came over to me. “Same, same. You? It’s Beau, right?”

We shook hands as I nodded and said, “Yep, Beau. Good memory.”

“I try. Haven’t seen you for several days. You been busy?”

“I had to leave town on business for a few days. I got back yesterday.”

“You gonna be working here long?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“What can I get you?”

I gave him my order. It wasn’t busy, so he was able to stand and talk to me most of the time. I got to know him and told him about myself without exposing too much about my current job. Sometimes, it was nice to chat with a complete stranger. We’d talked for about forty-five minutes when I was faced with something I didn’t want.

My momentary lapse the other night when I debated whether to have sex with someone was coming back to haunt me. It was hard not to groan out loud when I saw Rose come walking determinedly toward me. The expression on her face told me she wanted to go at it with me. Whether it was to tear me up for leaving her that night or to get me into her bed tonight, I didn’t know. But I had news for her. She didn’t tempt me a bit. The woman I wanted in my bed was Keeley. A substitute wouldn’t suffice.

“Watch out, she was pissed that night,” Mack whispered before he went to check on another customer. I wanted to shout coward after him.

If I could’ve gotten up and left, I would’ve, but something told me she’d make a scene. Although there were very few people here, I didn’t want that to happen. I let her come to me. She was semi-glaring and had one hand on her hip. When she stopped next to me, she tossed her head so her hair flipped behind her shoulders.

“Well, look who’s back. Are you out giving other women the come-on only to walk off again?”

“Hello, Rose,” was all I said.

“Is that all you have to say to me, Beau? Do you know how embarrassed I was that night?”

“I’m sorry if you were embarrassed, but nothing happened for you to be embarrassed about.”

“Oh, really. So when you bought me drinks and gave me several hints that you found me attractive, weren’t opposed to having sex, and then left me sitting here alone, it shouldn’t have embarrassed me? I know when a man wants me. You gave every indication you did. Then I asked you to come to my room, and you said no, you were tired. What was up with that?” she snapped.

“Just what I said. Yes, when we first started talking, I was thinking about sex, but by the time I went to my room, I had changed my mind. I was no longer feeling it. Changing your mind isn’t just a woman’s prerogative.” I was getting tired of her haranguing me.

She huffed and sat on the stool next to me. She was in my personal space. I’d let it slide until I had enough, and then I’d tell her to back off. Maybe if she got it out of her system, she’d leave me in peace.

“You made me feel cheap and easy,” she whined.

“I’m sorry if I did that. Why don’t you let me buy you a drink, just as a forgive-me gesture? I’m not looking for anything else,” I warned her.

She glared at me for a minute, and then her anger began to abate. She straightened and gave me a tiny smile. “Make it two, and I’ll think about forgiving you.”

I laughed and called Mack over to us. I felt bad for how I had left her, so this was one nice gesture.

He took her order. I was still nursing my first drink. It only took him a couple of minutes to have it for her. As she sat there drinking it, she began to chat with me.

“I’m still mad at you.” She pouted.

“Let me ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me.” I paused to give her an opportunity to say no. When she didn’t, I continued, “Did you actually end up going to your room all alone that night? Or did you end up having company, either in your room or someone else’s?” I arched my eyebrow at her.

She gave me a sheepish look, which gave me my answer. “Why are you asking me that?”

“Because you say you were embarrassed, but if you slept with someone else, then you really have no reason to be mad at me. Your needs were met.”

She stuck out her lip after thinking for a few moments. “I didn’t sleep alone, but you were who I wanted. He was fine, but I know you would’ve been better. Are you sure I can’t change your mind?” she asked hopefully.

She placed a hand on my arm. I laid mine over hers. “Rose, you’re a very attractive woman. If you only want hookups, then you have to be able to let it go when you don’t end up sleeping with the one you want. It’s just sex. However, if you’re looking for something meaningful, this isn’t the place or way to find it.”

She sighed. “I guess you’re right. Would I mind having a relationship with a man? No, but every time I try, it ends in disaster.”

“Next time, try not to pick the guy up. Make him come to you. It’s worth waiting for if it’s the right person. Appeasing a desire with someone else will only make you hate yourself.”

“You sound like you speak from experience. Who is she?”

“Who?” I pretended ignorance.

“The woman you wanted that night but couldn’t be with, so you thought about sleeping with me. But in the end, you couldn’t do it.”

I chuckled. “That obvious, is it? Okay, her name is Keeley, and she’s amazing. I’m trying to figure out if she has feelings for me as something other than as a friend.”

Rose leaned close and whispered as she smiled at me and rubbed my arm. “Believe me. She’d be a fool if she didn't. Why don’t you just ask her?”

“I would, but—” Mack cut me off.

He frowned and leaned over the bar. “Hey, I hate to interrupt, but I heard what you said. I might be wrong, but I think the woman you were talking about just walked out the door.” He thrust his chin toward the front lobby door behind me. I swung around, but there was no one there.

“What did she look like? How do you know she’s the one I meant?”

“She was staring at you, and she was upset. She came in smiling and headed this way, and then she saw you two. She stopped, watched you, and got this upset look on her face before she left. She was a little taller than average with a killer body and dark brown hair. She was athletically built but with curves. I couldn’t tell what color her eyes were at this distance.”

A sick dread hit me. Christ, please tell me it wasn’t Keeley. What was she doing here? I shot to my feet. I dug in my wallet and threw enough bills on the bar to cover our drinks and a decent tip for Mack.

“Thanks. I hate to run, but I’ve got to go see if it was her.”

“Go. Make sure she knows how you feel and that you only want her,” Rose called out as I rushed away.

“Good luck,” Mack hollered. I threw up my arm to acknowledge that I heard him.

When I got to the parking lot, I scanned for Keeley. A movement caught my eye. A truck was leaving the lot. I saw the red brake lights. Due to the darkness, all I could tell was that the truck was a dark color. She drove a dark blue one, so it was possible it was her. Thankfully, I had my keys in my pocket. I had to go to the far lot, which cost me a couple of minutes overall. As I sped off toward Keeley’s house, I wondered if I was chasing someone who hadn’t even been there. She was probably still at work.

On the off chance she was, I took out my phone and called the number I programmed into it in case I needed to reach her at work. It rang several times before the after-hours service answered. The woman gave the standard opening spiel. I let her get through it before I said anything.

“I’m sorry to disturb you. I was checking to see if the team was still out on a call. I’m trying to surprise Keeley Mills, but I don’t know if she’s home. We were supposed to have dinner tonight, but she had to work late. I wanted to bring it to her,” I told the woman who answered. I poured on the charm even though she couldn’t see me.

“Oh, uh, well, that’s sweet. I wish someone would do that for me. I guess it won’t hurt to tell you this. The last update I had two hours ago was that everyone was headed back for the night after their last call. I hope that helps.”

“That certainly does, Ms….?”

“You can call me Lina.”

“Thank you, Lina. I’m Beau. I hate to cut this short, but I don’t want the food to get cold,” I lied.

“I understand. Have a good night.”

“You, too.”

Well, at least I knew she should be home. Whether it had been her at the hotel or not was a different story. I’d see if she was there. If so, I’d find her something to eat once I knew whether she’d come to the hotel. If she had, I wanted to know why and the bigger question… Why did she leave without speaking to me?

As I headed out of town toward her place, I didn’t note any brake lights ahead of me. If it had been her, she was driving fast. I pressed the gas pedal more. I made it there in record time. As I pulled into her driveway, I saw her truck was in the driveway, not the garage. Getting out of mine, I walked over to touch the hood. The engine was very warm. It had very recently been driven. I went right to the porch. There was a faint light coming through the part in the curtains. I briskly knocked.

When there was no answer after a minute, I knocked again. This time, I added, “Keeley, this is Beau. I know you just got home. I need to talk to you. Please open the door.”

I almost wondered if she was going to leave me standing out here when there was no reply and the door remained shut. I was about to walk around the house to see if I could find a way in when the locks on the door were undone, and the door swung open. Keeley stood there stiff. Although she was trying to act casual, I could tell she wasn’t happy or at ease. She gave me a fake smile.

“Beau, what in the world are you doing out here? I just made it home. It’s been a crazy day, and I’m tired. I’m about to take a bath and then go to bed. Can this wait until the morning?” She held the door open only a foot.

I shook my head as I crowded up to the door. “We need to talk. Let me in. I know you’re tired, but this is important.”

She hesitated, then slowly moved back and let go of the door. I pushed it out of the way and entered. As soon as I was clear of it, I shut and locked it. Keeley had walked off. I followed her into the kitchen. She was in a cabinet. When her hand came out, she was holding a whiskey bottle.

“I’d offer you a drink, but you’re driving. You said it was important. Tell me while I have my drink.” She poured more than a healthy amount into the glass she removed from a different cabinet.

“Keeley, is everything alright?” I asked.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” There was an almost belligerent sound to her reply. If you didn’t know her, it would get past you.

“You’re drinking more than I’ve seen you drink in a single pour. You’re tense and rude.”

She swung around to face me, scowling. “I had a rough day, and I’m not in the mood to talk. Sorry if that offends you. I told you we should wait.”

Instead of asking her what was wrong and getting more of this evasion shit, I went straight at her. “Why were you at the hotel? Why did you leave without talking to me? I followed you all the way from there to here.”

She tried to hide her surprise at my bluntness. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about, Beau. I wasn’t at your hotel. I got off our call less than an hour ago. You’re mistaken. I hate to be rude, as you call it, but I need you to leave. I’m going to bed.”

She paused to throw back her whiskey. I was impressed by how she took it without a sputter. She half-slammed the glass on the counter and marched to the living room where the door was.

I wasn’t ready to be thrown out. In fact, I wanted to get things out in the open. If she wasn’t acting weird, and Mack’s description didn’t match her, I wouldn’t have. She was unlocking the door when I slapped my hand on it to hold it closed. She turned, which placed her between me and the door. I eased closer to her. Her eyes widened. Her breathing hitched, and her pupils dilated. I put my fingers on the side of her neck. Her pulse was racing.

“Why are you reacting like this?” I asked softly.

“L-like what?”

“Your breathing and pulse are increased. Your pupils are dilated.”

“I’m tired.”

“No, those aren’t signs that you’re tired. Try again, babe,” I whispered.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied shakily.

“Oh, yeah, I do. I know these signs.”

“Then tell me what they mean,” she snarked back.

“They mean that you’re aroused. Do I make you feel excited, Keeley?” I half-growled it out.

Being this close to her, seeing her reaction, and smelling her, I was wide awake. If she’d glance down, she’d find me fully hard. My cock was pressing against my zipper. I knew my pupils were blown, too, and my breathing and pulse were pounding.

Her hands came up to rest on my chest. I swore they burned me through the fabric. She swallowed before she said anything. “Beau, step back. You’re crazy. Stop whatever this is. I didn’t see you at the bar.”

Bingo. She’d outed herself. I rattled her enough to make her screw up. Unable to resist a second longer, I smirked as I said, “Liar,” and then I kissed her.

For a few seconds, she remained frozen. There was no reaction at all to my kiss. I didn’t let it stop me. I kissed her hungrily, pressing my lips to hers over and over. When a gasp left her and her mouth opened, I wanted to shout, but instead, I wiggled my tongue into her mouth.

Her mouth was hot, and the taste of the whiskey was intoxicating for a whole different reason. I explored her mouth and teased her tongue with mine. I brought my hands up to yank her against me. The feel of her body pressed to mine made me groan. My cock digging into her stomach made me want to howl.

I was pleased as hell when her hands slid up from my chest to grip the back of my head. She threaded her fingers through my short hair. Keeley was kissing me back, and I wanted it never to end. Well, actually, I wanted it to lead to the next logical conclusion—the two of us naked in a bed, against a wall, on the sofa, or on the kitchen table as I made love to her.

I gripped the back of her head so I could angle her head the way I wanted. I was about to start kissing and sucking my way from her mouth to her tits. They were pressing against me as well, driving me wild.

Abruptly, I was shoved away from her. I wasn’t expecting it, so I stepped back. She wiggled away from me and put distance between us. She was panting, and so was I.

“You, you need to go,” she muttered.

“I’m not going until you tell me why you were at the hotel and left. Don’t lie anymore. If you weren’t there, how would you know I was in the bar?”

She didn’t say anything, but she went back further into the living room. I stalked her.

“Tell me! The bartender saw you leave. He described you. Why not stay?”

“Fine, I was there. I left because you were busy.”

“I was talking, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t have come over.”

“You two seemed involved. I didn’t want to interrupt. You should be there, not here.”

“Stop moving away. Come back here and let me kiss you again.”

“No,” she said.

“You were just as much into it as I was.”

It was hard for me to make coherent statements with the amount of lust flowing through my body. I reached down and tried to adjust my erection without a thought. She saw it. I almost groaned and went to my knees to beg when she licked her lips, and heat flared in her gaze.

“God, Keeley, babe, you’re killing me. Come here. I need you,” I moaned as I held out my arms.

The lust on her face morphed into anger. “What happened? Did she say no tonight, Beau? Did she have other plans, so you thought you’d come here and see if I was desperate enough to say yes to being a substitute? News flash: I’m not. Go find another bar. I’m sure you’ll find someone who’ll let you fuck them for the night,” she hissed.

“Substitute? What the hell are you talking about? You’re not a substitute for anyone. And I sure as hell won’t be going to a bar to pick up some random woman to fuck,” I snapped. My desire was raging and pounding inside of me to be free, but she was making me crazy.

“You did the other night, so why not tonight? I get that you wanted a repeat with her, and she wasn’t available, but it’s low for you to come here and pretend you’re suddenly overwhelmed with a need for me. I’m not a slut, Beau. I don’t fuck any guy who asks. Go back to your friend at the bar. Maybe she’s changed her mind,” she said acidly.

“The other night?”

“Christ, do I have to spell it out? I came to the hotel the other night. I wanted to see you. I told you I had to work late, and I did, but I wanted to see you. Imagine the surprise I got when I walked in and found you and her cozying up at the bar. It was clear you were about to go somewhere with a bed, so I left. I wasn’t going to put a crimp in your game. I should’ve called rather than just shown up both times. Believe me, I’ve learned my lesson. It was silly of you to leave to come to question me.”

She was clear in the middle of the living room. As she talked, she made sure not to make eye contact with me. I silently moved closer. She noted it and steeled herself. Her head came up, and she focused on me. There was tension running through her.

“It’s time for you to go.”

“Oh, no. I’m not leaving until we talk this shit out. You’re not the only one who gets to speak tonight. You just threw accusations at me. I deserve a chance to respond to them.”

“They’re not accusations. They’re facts. I don’t know what you’re playing at by coming here, saying those things, and then kissing me, but I want you to stop.”

“Like hell, they weren’t accusations. And I’m not playing. Is this why you were so pissed that you left for South Carolina early without telling me?”

“Not everything revolves around you, you conceited ass,” she snapped.

“I agree not everything does, but this does. You saw me with Rose and got upset, didn’t you? Your feelings were hurt, so you lied and ran,” I instigated.

“Fuck you. Get out of my house before I throw you out,” she growled.

The more riled she became, the more aroused I got. I wanted that fury and heat to be transferred to us in bed. It told me she’d be a wild one between the sheets.

“Make me. Let’s see what you’ve got. You said your dad taught you how to defend yourself. If you put me on my ass and I can’t get up, I’ll leave. But if I get you down where you can’t get up, I win, and you’ll tell me the truth,” I egged her on. I don’t know why I suggested that.

The next thing I knew, she shoved the coffee table out of the way so the middle of the living area was open. She faced me and wiggled her hand at me in that “come and get me” gesture. I was smart enough not to do it. I had no idea of her level of expertise. Plus, I’d hate myself if I came on too strong. I had to make sure I didn’t hurt her. That was the last thing I wanted to do. But the prospect of getting my hands on her revved my desire higher.