Page 23 of Second Chances (Passion and Perseverance #2)

Chapter Twelve

The smell of strong coffee roused Beth from her deep slumber the next morning. Opening her eyes, the first thing she saw was a breakfast tray sitting on the side of the bed where Darcy should be.

Wait, how did I get into bed?

Somehow she had made it into Darcy’s bed overnight.

She’d been so exhausted from the stress ( and then the exertion ) of the evening that she must have not realized when he carried her in here.

Pulling herself up to relax against the headboard, she secured the sheet around her naked chest and reached immediately for the steaming cup of Joe sitting on the tray.

Craving the caffeine, she took a sip, not realizing how freshly made it must have been and immediately burned her tongue, spitting the liquid back into the cup with a pained groan. She heard a small chuckle from the bathroom and turned to see Darcy watching her from the doorway.

“Not funny,” she groaned, unable to stop the smile that spread over her face, too.

“Don’t worry, I did the same thing. Eat something first and then go for the coffee; that seemed to do the trick for me.”

Following his suggestion, Beth pulled the tray table over her lap, eagerly examining her breakfast options this morning. Deciding to tackle the eggs first, she took a mouthful of scrambled eggs, savoring their fluffy texture.

Damn, he’s a good cook.

“How did you sleep?” Darcy asked.

He must have just taken a shower not that long ago because he was wearing a bathrobe and his hair still looked damp.

“Good,” she replied, swallowing her giant bite of food before continuing, “I didn’t even remember you bringing me in here last night; I was so exhausted and out of it.”

“Yeah, you were,” he chuckled, “I guess I might have had something to do with that though. ”

His eyes flashed with heat and a devilish spark of pride.

She responded by rolling her eyes and taking another bite of her food; his head was already big enough, she didn’t need to encourage him.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him take a lazy seat in the armchair in the corner of the room, his robe separating, giving her a dangerously tantalizing view of his nakedness underneath.

Damn him. She didn’t want to acknowledge the obvious move on his part, but she couldn’t stop her physical reaction, and Darcy’s grin widened further as he saw a blush steal over her cheeks.

“So, do you think she will try to contact you again?” Beth asked.

That should tone down your spirits a bit there, Mister.

She was right; even though he made no move to adjust the robe, his grin disappeared as his face became shadowed and serious.

“I hope not, but honestly, if she is back here for me, she won’t stop,” he admitted.

At least he’s able to talk this through much more calmly this morning.

“What are you going to do?” Beth asked as she put some strawberry jam on her toast, still hungry after finishing the full plate of eggs.

“I’ve already tightened security here at the hotel and at my office,” his lips thinned in annoyance over the measures he was being forced to take, “but, I can handle her. It’s you that I’m concerned about.”

“Darcy, I told you, I can handle myself. It’s really ok.” Although, his concern was touching, she could and would deal with this woman if necessary.

She could take care of herself.

“I know. I just don’t want her even fucking near you.

” His anger was starting to seep into his words.

“You have no idea, Beth. She’s fucking manipulative and deceitful and once her mind is intent on something, she will stop at nothing to have it.

I just can’t stand the thought that that something is destroying you. I won’t risk it,” he finished harshly .

“Ok,” Beth acquiesced, “whatever you think is best. I’m not going to change my life though, or hide myself away between here and my office.”

Darcy’s lips thinned at her defiance.

“I’m going to have some of my guys follow you, discreetly of course, so you can continue to do whatever you want. I just need to know that someone is making sure you are safe. Please,” he concluded with a sigh.

The heart wrenching concern written on his face was clear, and Beth’s heart leapt at his show of emotion. Giving him a small nod, she watched him visibly relax when he realized that she wasn’t going to fight him on this.

At least for right now; they could cross that bridge when they came to it.

What Beth really wished was that he would just tell her who this woman was, even show her a photo, so that she knew who to look out for. But she knew how deeply he tried to bury that part of his life and how strongly he tried to keep her and their relationship separate from it.

“I don’t want you to be afraid that she would do anything violent; that’s not her style,” Darcy continued, “but I need this, otherwise I won’t be able to focus unless I know that you are safe from her reach.”

“It’s ok. I understand. What about just getting a restraining order?” Beth suggested. Seems like the simplest way to keep her away…

Darcy ran his hand through his tousled hair. “I wish I could. It’s a little more complicated than that, unfortunately. Let’s just say that other people would be harmed if I went that route.”

Great. More secrets.

“Well, I wish there was more I could do…” she trailed off.

“You’ve done more than enough, Beth. God, putting up with me the way that I am, all the secrets, and now this. I don’t know why you would do it.”

“Oh, I think that you do,” she said softly, letting her love for him show in her gaze.

He returned her small smile .

“I feel so fucking terrible about last night. Our first night out together, in public, and I ruined it. Please tell me there is something I can do to make it up to you.”

“Darcy, please, I’ve forgiven you. I understand what the situation was; it’s ok.”

“I want to go with you to your next event. Please.”

Beth sighed, “Well, I don’t know when that is doing to be. Actually, I might have one coming up that you would enjoy. It’s an art gallery opening,” Beth began, but before she could continue, her phone began to buzz and she immediately recognized the number as Renée’s.

“Hello?” Beth answered, watching Darcy’s eyes narrow on her, wondering who was on the other line.

Beth! How are you feeling?

“Much better this morning, thank you. How was the rest of your party? I hope everything was to your liking. I’m so sorry I had to leave; I felt terrible, but I didn’t want to spoil your night,” Beth apologized, her statement giving Darcy the information to deduce that it was Renée on the other end and nothing to be concerned about.

“Oh, please, don’t even think that! The party was wonderful.

You always do a fabulous job and last night was no exception!

Everything was perfect even though I sprung the bigger party on you this year; thank you so much!

You know, I was feeling a bit under the weather earlier this week, I hope I didn’t pass anything on to you.

I just wanted to call and make sure that you were ok. ”

Beth watched Darcy walk into the closet to change as she listened to Renée babble on.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m feeling much better this morning, thank you. And thanks for calling. I’m relieved to know that everything went off without a hitch.”

Beth was trying to end the call efficiently so she could continue her conversation with Darcy but Renée was making that a little difficult. She watched with frustration as Darcy came out of the closet, dressed, and walked out towards his office .

“Yes, you did an excellent job! Although Patrick was sorry to see you leave so soon. I would expect a call from him in the next few days!”

“Yes, I was really upset that I had to leave, but I didn’t want to ruin the party by getting everyone sick. Thank you for calling to check in with me! I was going to call you Monday and not bother you over the weekend, but at least I can recuperate relieved, knowing everything went smoothly.”

“Of course! Well, feel better and I’ll be in touch sometime soon to reserve your services for next year.”

“Thanks Renée! Happy birthday and congratulations again! Talk to you soon.”

Beth ended the call with a sigh of relief, because the party went well, but also because she was finally off the phone and could go searching for Darcy.

She hopped out of bed and ran into the closet, pulling out a new red thong and an oversized white t-shirt.

Just as she began to walk past the bed, she saw her phone begin to buzz; it was Jane calling.

She almost ignored the call, but then thought better of it when she began to wonder who could have possibly told Darcy’s ex about their relationship.

Hoping Jane might be able to provide a clue, she answered.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Beth. What are you up to?”

“Umm.” Trying to pry information out of my sometimes-intolerable boyfriend. “Not much, what’s up?”

“Well, I know it’s kind of last minute but I was out with mom and Caro who suggested stopping at Kleinfeld’s and trying on dresses; not really to buy something today – just to try different styles and see what I like.

Anyway, Caro called and they have an open appointment if we head over right now, but I wanted to call and see if you could come because I don’t want you to not be there. ”

Great. If she didn’t know how big of a deal trying on wedding dresses was before, the tone of Jane’s voice made it abundantly clear how important it was for her to have her sister there .

“Um, sure, yeah, of course I can be there,” Beth stuttered out as she tried to organize her thoughts. “I wouldn’t miss it. I’ll just change and meet you guys there probably in like 20 minutes.”

“Great!” Jane said, the relief she felt transmitting crystal clear through her voice.