Beautiful Deceit, page 22
I'm boxing up one of the small orders when Brian's massive frame fills the door. He has a large black leather duffle hanging from his shoulder. He scans the area, likely looking for Beau when his eyes land on me. He walks over to where I am stationed behind the check out desk.
"Samantha," he greets.
"Hey Brian. How's it going?"
"Good, doll. Where's Beau?" He asks, still scanning the room.
"He's in the back, in my office. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen him. Come on and I'll show you." I quickly inform a wide-eyed Erin that I'll be right back and lead him there.
I rap on the door gently then open it slowly, "Beau, Brian's here," I say then see him with the phone to his ear. “Sorry,” I mouth to him, turning to Brian to signal that Beau is on the phone.
"Yeah, yeah. He's here now. I'll call you back." He hangs up and greets us with a grateful smile on his face. He glances down seeing the bag Brian drops in an empty chair. "Thanks man," he says to Brian. Neither says anything else, and I get the feeling they are waiting for me.
"Ah well, I have some stuff to finish up so...." I trail off, making a weak excuse to leave.
"Thanks, Sammy. I just want to fill Brian in about last night. We'll be out soon," he adds almost apologetically.
"Alright then. Do either of you need anything, a drink?" I ask before leaving.
"We're good. Thanks," Beau replies.
It's an hour before they both walk out and head to the drink counter. Having them here feels nice, even if the reason they are isn't.
Beau walks over to me looking fabulous, even in days old clothes. It’s unfair.
"Sammy, I have a few things I need to do. Brian is going to stay here with you. He will take you home if I'm not back before you leave for the day." I look over at Brian who's made himself at home with a mug and a newspaper that must have been left on the table.
"That's not necessary. He doesn't need to sit here all afternoon."
Beau grunts and takes a sip from the white mug in his hand.
He looks at me from under his brow then says, "I want him to."
"Beau seriously, I'll be fine. There are cameras here, and I’m not alone. He doesn’t need to sit around here all day.”
He sets the mug on the desk and snaps, "He's staying. Please stop being difficult."
"I'm not trying to be difficult, you jackass," I whisper. "I was trying to make it easier on y'all."
"Please don't," He says and walks over to Brian who's shaking his head at Beau.
Beau grabs the bag from the chair next to Brain then holds his hand out. Brian sighs deeply, giving Beau a pointed look, but pulls a set of keys from his pocket.
Beau walks out without looking back. Brian makes eye contact with me, and I shrug as a reply. Beau must be having a hard time dealing with his longtime friend’s death. I can't be upset with him for being snippy. Brian shakes his head like he can hear what I'm thinking. He gives another deep sigh, and an annoyed sound comes with it.
I get back to work quickly, hoping to get out of here early so Brian doesn't have to waste his day.
At one o'clock, two men walk through the door asking for me by name. I am reminded that I called last week to add more security to the store.
"Shit."
Brain is at the register next to me before I can begin to explain what I'm looking to add. He listens while I struggle to order a few extra cameras inside and outside of the store. I glance at him a few times, aware that he likely has way more knowledge in what the store might need.
When I'm done, he asks if I mind him adding a thing or two. I tell him to do whatever he thinks will work best. He follows the men out to the truck, so they can gather supplies. I'm sure he wants to monitor what they're doing anyway. I find myself grateful that he is kept busy with them. His presence in the store, especially with him monitoring each person that comes in, wasn’t the most welcoming sight for customers.
I have dinner delivered around five, and to Brian’s bemusement, I also order food for the installers. I eat with Brian and the two men in the lounge, then watch the storefront while George, Jude, and Molly go to the back and eat.
I interrupt Molly once when I can’t figure out a complicated order, and she’s able to whip it up no problem. She doesn’t seem to mind though. My hope for leaving early is banished completely. As I stand at the register rubbing my feet, I text Jess asking if she will open tomorrow with the spare key I gave her.
Brian escorts me home after eight. I invite him up since Beau isn’t home, and I feel a bit more comfortable with him. I smile, thinking about how much I have improved. He accepts saying he'd like to talk to Beau anyway.
“He didn't answer his phone when I tried calling a while ago.”
As we settle in, I turn on the tv and hand him the remote.
"I don't really watch much tv. You can turn on anything you'd like."
He takes it from my hand and says, "I thought you were a Top Shot girl. I missed all last season. Beau said you have it DVRed." Beau mentioned that? What else have they talked about?
"I do actually. I've seen most of them, but I don't mind a repeat. I won't tell you any spoilers," I say with a small laugh. "I'm just gonna change. Can I get you anything?"
He leans back, getting comfortable, "Nope, I'm good."
I grab a few things and head to the bathroom. Once I'm inside, I decide to take a nice long shower. The mirror is fogged when I get out. I take my hair out of a high knot and braid it. I'll wash it tomorrow morning before work.
As I have company, I grab one of the few comfortable bras I own and throw a shirt over it. As long as I don't jiggle around too much, I should be okay. I check the mirror to make sure, then pull on some lounge pants and open the door.
The cold air hits me, making me shiver.
Brian's head is tipped back, and it looks like he might be sleeping. His feet are up on the edge of the ottoman. I walk over quietly and sit on the opposite end. His eyes are closed so I stay quiet and watch the rerun of my show.
I wake up to Brian's voice sounding particularly irritated, "What do you think I'm doing buddy? I'm curled up on the couch next to your girl. She looks real cute tucked up next to me." I open my eyes and see him across the room grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
The intercom buzzer starts trilling. Brian laughs into the phone.
"Yes, I'm fucking with you, you asshole.... you deserve it, that's why. You can't treat a woman like shit just because you're pissy. She probably would have let your ass get away with it, but I won't.” He gets up, stretching leisurely. The trill of the intercom repeats incessantly. “Stop with the fucking buzzer. I'm coming!" He smashes his finger on the phone, ending the call.
Brian surprises me when he bypasses the button to allow Beau entrance. Instead he unlocks the door and stomps down the stairs.
I get up and grab a water before walking over to the bed. I strip out of my pants and bury myself under the covers.
I'm back asleep before the door opens.
Chapter 21
Tuesday morning I wake up later than usual. I didn’t set my alarm last night. Once I am up, I text Jess to let her know I'd be in before noon to help with the lunch rush. She promptly replies.
No worries, boss lady 😉
I roll my eyes and start planning my outfit with a little more comfort in mind. We typically see higher sales on Tuesday, because that's when most books are released. I will most likely be on the floor or at the register all day, so I need to be more prepared to be on my feet than I was yesterday.
Beau is still sleeping. I’m not sure what time he got in, but I do wonder where he was all day. I make toast and coffee, before logging on to my computer. I look for any news about Tasha. I find nothing. I am relieved that her death hasn’t turned into the media circus Beau described.
I check the store’s Facebook page to distract myself from my worries. Jude's announcement that the coffee counter will be selling small food items and pastries at the beginning of November has lots of likes and a few comments.
My phone vibrates from an incoming call. The screen lists a number, but no name. So few people have my number, with all that is going on, I am hesitant to answer.
Keeping my voice just above a whisper I say, "Hello?"
"May I speak with Miss West," A man’s voice asks.
"May I ask who's calling?" I end with a little, “Please.”
"This is Detective Cortez."
"Oh yes, sorry. This is she."
"Miss West, I have a few more questions for you. Would you have time today?"
"More questions? Oh, well yes, I suppose. I could make time to see you today. Anything I can do to help."
"Good. The address you gave is to your home, correct?"
"Yes."
"My partner and I should be there before noon."
"Alright, detective."
"Good bye, Miss West. I'll see you soon."
"Bye," I say out of breath.
I hang up the phone and dial the store to let Jess know that I'll be later than I had anticipated. I don't explain why, and she doesn't ask. I'm pretty sure she just assumes it’s because I had another long night with Beau. I don't correct her.
I rush to clean up my breakfast and tidy up in general. I walk over to Beau and stroke my finger along the line of his broad cheek bone, following the curve down to his top lip. He burrows deeper into the pillow without waking.
I giggle, quietly climbing on the bed. He's lying on his stomach, so I throw my leg over his thighs. Settling myself on my knees above him, I run my nose up his back, stopping at his nape. I rub and massage down his spine. He moans.
I lean back to sit on his firm butt as I continue to rub his toned back. He rolls his shoulder, bringing his hand back to cup under the back of my thighs. Beau's hand travels over the curve of my butt, he applies pressure. I lay forward, covering his back. Most of my weight is on my knees so I don't have to worry about crushing him.
I kiss and nip his nape before whispering, "You gotta get up sleepyhead. The detectives from the other day should be here soon. He called saying he had more question for me."
He stills and tenses, "Why?" His voice is pure heaven, all gravely and deep. I can feel it rumble up his chest. I want him to keep talking in that tone.
My fingers dip under his torso, feeling the bunches of muscle beneath his smooth skin. He lifts up, allowing me free range of movement. I feel the short hairs below his belly button.
"I don't know," I finally answer. I move down so I'm straddling his knees and calves. My long hair trails over his warm skin. As goose bumps raise, I lick his lower back, the small birthmark that tempted me becoming too much.
He lifts his hips as my tongue circles the skin. He lets out a groan as my teeth toy at the remaining skin left covered by my comforter.
"When?" he growls, and I can feel his muscles tense as he starts to turn over onto his back. Before he can, I wrap my arms around him, hugging him close to halt the movement.
My body is on fire for his touch, begging me to let him flip over, so I can feel him beneath me. I want to see his face, and I want him to feel how drenched I am, just from touching him.
I sigh, "Too soon. I let you sleep as long as I could. I didn't think you'd like to be in bed when he showed up." His hand reaches back to stroke the back of my head as it lays on his shoulder. I arch into his touch.
"Lift up baby," I do so, thinking he’s getting up. I'm on all fours over him as he flips to his back. Kicking off the comforter to reveal he’s entirely bare, my body freezes over him, looking down at his face.
"Mmm," he purrs, grabbing my hips to tug me down. He settles me right over his center. He can feel me entirely, how wet I am for him.
I'm still only in my panties and t-shirt from last night. I feel all of him between the thin fabric of my panties. My head tips back as I seek out friction.
"Come here," he orders in that same raspy voice I’m getting to know so well. I lay over him, bringing my mouth to his. His neck arches, and he catches my lips in a bite. I pull back, so he just grazes me with his teeth. I move back in to tease at the very bottom of his lip with the tip of my tongue. His chin dips, in attempt to capture my tongue in his mouth. I pull back again before he can capture me. He pulls away with a growl. I ghost my lips over his as a sweet apology for all the teasing, but the sentiment fails as I rock against him on instinct. I'm working myself up just trying to turn him on.
I feel his large palm slap my bottom in a quick sting. I gasp, and he uses my distraction to grasp my nape and take my open mouth, sealing me into a hard kiss.
He kisses me deeply then pulls away to nibble at my lips before licking at the swollen skin aroused by his bites. Heat floods my lower belly, my ass smarting from the slap.
I groan as he pulls away.
"No teasing me Sweets. I am desperate to be inside the sweetness between your legs. I want to feel you whither under and around me." He grabs onto my long ponytail using it to pull me back to him for one last sweet kiss.
He then tilts my head to the side and exposes my neck. His nose runs along my collarbone, his facial hair tickling the underside of my jaw. He kisses up my neck, biting down on the jugular. I arch up from the sensation as he licks at the spot, leaving a mark. He moves up, latching on to my ear lobe with his teeth as his breath ghosts along my neck. I shiver.
I curve my short nails into his chest, scoring the skin. He pulls a breath through his teeth, and I feel it hissing against my ear. He jerks his hips up.
"I'll have you sweet Sammy, but if he's to be here soon or anytime today, he is going to find me inside you, because I don't plan on going anywhere once I have you."
I nod dumbly, agreeing with anything and everything he says.
He sits forward, holding me on his lap and kisses me once more before patting my butt in the same spot he slapped.
"You need to get dressed Sweets," I grumble a response that is anything but agreement. I don't want to put more clothes between our bodies. I want less. He smirks, looking down into my eyes, "So needy Sweets? Do you want something?" He pumps his hips, bouncing me on his lap.
He's playful this morning, so easy and sweet, a little arrogant too. It’s good to see some of his playfulness return, with how stressed he seems lately.
I shrug, "No, I'll just jump in the shower really quick," I scoot off his lap and turn to walk away then add, "and take care of that pesky need myself." His head snaps around, and the grin is gone as his eyes rake down my body.
"I don't think so Sweets. If I have to suffer, so do you." He jumps up and beats me to the bathroom. By the time I mosey in, he's standing naked with his back to me, testing the water temperature with his hand. I lean my shoulder against the door frame and watch as he steps in, closing the glass door behind him.
He turns, seeing me, and tips his head back and lets the water cascade down his hair, while ripples trace the lines of his body. He turns his back to me. I see his back and butt flex with the movement. His head falls forward, and the water runs over his shoulders as he places a hand on the tile wall to steady himself.
With the other he lathers my body soap in his palms. Placing the bar down, he turns to face me and starts rubbing his hand over his chest. I watch him, transfixed as he lowers his hand to his erection and strokes.
"Maybe you did have the right idea," he smiles looking like every woman's dream. I nod my head, hoping he'll finish for me. "You like watching me, Sweets? Cause I gotta tell ya, I like the way you're looking at me."
"Yes. I want to watch.” I rub my thighs together and moan out a breathy, “Please."
He closes his eyes, "So sweet, Sammy." Beau opens his eyes, looking at me appraisingly while his hand continues to work. My eyes rove over his body, from head to toe, but admittedly they linger longest on the way his wrist twists just the slightest bit when he reaches the tip. I lick my lips, watching his thumb trace the tip. He hisses.
His free hand comes up to brace on the glass that separates us. His head dips lower, making his smoldering gaze light with a predatory gleam. His eyes are intent on mine, making it impossible for me to look elsewhere.
A sharp buzz makes me jump, and I turn to see the blinking red light of my intercom.
"Eyes on me baby," Beau barks, and coupled with the threat of getting caught, it makes me breathe heavily. I take one step closer to him, pressing myself close to the glass. "That's right. I can't stop thinking about how your mouth felt on me or how I'm the only man that will ever get that pleasure from you. You know you're mine, right Sweets? You know I won't let you go. You can’t look away from me." His words sound wonderful. I want him to keep me, to stay with me. I turn away, knowing how much I want those word to be true. My back pressing to the glass, he growls out, "You don't believe me yet, but you will."
"I want to," I say in a small voice, and he curses. I hear the shower door open. Beau’s wet arm wraps around my waist, pulling me in. He removes his arm once I am inside, leaving a line of wet fabric. His hand tilts my face up to meet our lips. His mouth is wet on mine as he leans forward kissing me. I feel his other hand at my back as it continues to work himself.
The intercom buzzes once more.
He comes.
I run from the room, trying to ignore the feeling of his come running down. I hit the screen to turn on the cameras. I then tap the button and try to calm my panting breaths.
"I'm so sorry, I was in the shower." It's the first thing that comes to mind. I instantly regret it, as he will notice Beau was with me. "I just need a few moments before I can open the door." I let the intercom button go and hit the other button for a long second to open the outside door.
I fly to my wardrobe and grab jeans and a t-shirt. I peel off my panties and wipe my thighs, then throw them under my bed. The sexiness of what just happened has turned to utter embarrassment as I try to conceal it.
