The Cruel and Beautiful Series Boxset

by A. M. Hargrove

  “You’re never going to let me live that down are you?”

  I shrug. “Maybe you can convince me you can keep your hands to yourself.”

  And isn’t that a dumb remark? I most definitely want her hands on me.

  The waiter comes and we order. I’m surprised by her choices because they mirror my own.

  “Maybe one of us should take a chance and order the snapper. That way we can share.”

  She shakes her head slowly. “I don’t share.”

  And something about the way she says it makes my pants get tight.

  “Okay then. Tell me about yourself?” I ask.

  “Nothing terribly exciting. I’m an event planner. I started my business when I graduated two years ago and things are good. In fact, I should be down at the Yacht Club getting set up for tomorrow’s event.”

  I’m shocked that for someone not long out of college, she seems to know where she wants to go in life and is doing something about it. It makes me more intrigued than I should be for a casual hook-up.

  “Oh. Now I feel bad for taking you away from your business.” Good to know her hesitation to accept lunch hadn’t been because she wasn’t sure about going out with me.

  “It’s okay. I’ll stop over after. What about you?”

  I want to know more about her, but give in to her question. “I’m an investment broker, glorified financial planner.”

  She laughs, which is another win. “Interesting.”

  “It’s more interesting we have a lot in common.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, we both have to do our best to please people in a short period of time and we only have one shot at it,” I say.

  “True.”

  “In the spirit of full disclosure, I should mention I’m a little older than you.” Her brow lifts. “I left my twenties a year ago. I hope that’s not a problem.”

  “No,” she says with a grin and a slight shake of her head. “I’m twenty-four. I hope that’s not a problem for you.” She smiles.

  “Not at all.”

  Our first course arrives and conversation halts as we eat. I can’t help but stare as she puts food in her mouth, making it impossible for a napkin to hide my erection.

  “Tell me more about your business,” I say in an effort to relieve the pressure in my pants.

  Between courses, she tells me all about the impossible older woman in her eighties putting on a tea for her surviving friends.

  “I never do social events, only corporate. But she’s a friend of my grandmother’s, so I couldn’t turn her down. On a Monday, she wants. She didn’t want the weekend because she and her pals usually have extended family that come around for dutiful visits.”

  “Sounds like my grandmother. She’s a Southern belle through and through.”

  Conversation is easy and somehow my thoughts clear of her in my bed and I find myself wanting to know more about this woman.

  When we walk out a long time later, I’m reluctant to let her go.

  “I know you didn’t want dessert, but maybe we can go for coffee.”

  “Oh, Ben, your offer is tempting. But something tells me if I accept, I’ll be doing the walk of shame in the morning. Besides, I have work to do.”

  “Shame?” I feign offense. “Trust me there is nothing to be ashamed of when leaving my bed.”

  She slowly shakes her head. “No way, Ben Rhoades. I’m not that kind of girl.”

  I bring her hand to my mouth and kiss her sweet knuckles goodbye. “That’s too bad. But maybe you’ll pay me a visit there one of these days.” I wink unable to help myself.

  Her flush makes my balls draw up tight ready to explode. I let go of her hand because I need mine to place it in front of my raging hard on.

  “Tomorrow, then?”

  “Shit,” I mutter. Her pretty face sours. “No, there’s nothing wrong. I just completely forgot. I have a dinner thing tomorrow for work.”

  “Oh,” she says and I can see she’s as disappointed as I am.

  “It’s sort of embarrassing, but I need a date. It’s not what I had in mind when I asked you out, and it’s probably more than a little weird. But I was given very short notice. And I can’t imagine anyone else I’d rather have as a companion for the night.”

  Four

  SAM

  There’s something about him with that damn hair that I want to run my hands through. He stands there looking sheepish as he tells me about tomorrow. It is kind of weird.

  “Hmm. A business dinner, huh?”

  “Yeah. I’m really sorry. I didn’t find out about it until a little while ago when I spoke with my father, who happens to be my boss.”

  Lauren’s mom did mention that he worked with his dad. Good to know she had been thinking of the same Rhoades.

  “Will this be one of those stuffy, formal things?”

  The corner of his mouth curls. “Probably. But I can make it worth your while. I promise if you go, I will find some way to make it up to you.” His eyes quickly sweep over me and I know his promise has more to do with his sheets than anything else. “You name it, and I’ll do it. And I’ll guarantee you will love it and beg for more.”

  The way he says those words makes my belly flop. I’m talking take a running jump off the diving board and hit the pool kind of flop. I think back to Trevor momentarily and he didn’t even make my toes get close to the edge of pool. “That sounds kind of risqué.”

  Ben takes a step closer to me. “Samantha, it was meant to sound risqué.”

  My eyes widen and I swallow the knot of desire that’s formed in my throat. “Um, o-okay. I’ll go.” My voice shakes as I answer.

  He leans in and says, “You won’t be sorry. I promise.”

  His fresh, clean scent that reminds me of the beach fans over me. When he straightens, I want to grab him and bring him back closer to me again. He’s stepped out of my personal space, and I inhale, trying to get another whiff of him.

  “I’ll hold you to that promise, Ben Rhoades.”

  He awards me with a smile.

  “Oh, and I assume the attire is business?”

  “Yes, that would be correct.” He takes my hand again and kisses it. “Until tomorrow. I can pick you up at seven.”

  “Perfect. I’ll text you my address.”

  “Until then, Samantha.”

  I head for home only a few blocks away. When I get there, Lauren is waiting.

  “Well, how was it?” She practically pants like a dog.

  I offer her a secretive grin. “It was nice. Very nice. He’s the ultimate gentleman and every bit as sexy as he was in the produce section. It’s good to know I didn’t have this image built up in my mind, only to be blown to pieces by some douchebag idiot, you know?”

  “Yeah, but tell me more. What did y’all talk about?”

  “The basics. It was only our first get together. A little about work and stuff. That’s it. He’s so sweet, though.”

  “Hmm. Are you going to see him again?”

  “Yep. Tomorrow. Like we originally planned.”

  Her tone conveys shock. “Really?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “That’s a lot for just meeting someone.”

  I shrug. “Not if you like him. At least in my opinion.”

  “You’re giving in too easily.”

  I plop down on the couch. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You need to make him chase you. That’s what.”

  “I’m not going to play that game crap, Lauren. If I like him and he likes me, and we want to see each other, then we’ll see each other.”

  She groans. “This is why I want to shake you all the time. You never learn. Guys don’t want a girl who gives in so easily.”

  I lean my head back and close my eyes. “Then fine. If he doesn’t want me the way I am, then he won’t want me. I am not good at this game stuff, and I won’t play them.”

  Her arms wind around me as she hugs me. “Okay, but never fear. I’ll
be here when you need me. And obviously I’m saying things you don’t want to hear, so don’t hate me.”

  “I don’t hate you, you big goon. It’s just that I need to do things my way, you know?”

  “I know.”

  “I gotta run to the Yacht Club. I have an event tomorrow and I need to check on some things. I won’t be long.”

  Monday is hectic at work, and by the end of the day, I’m wiped and having second thoughts about agreeing to my dinner with Ben. When I check the clock, I realize I only have forty-five minutes to get home and change. Luckily I only have a five-minute drive home.

  I dress casually for work, so when I get home I take a quick shower and change into a black pencil skirt, royal blue sleeveless silk blouse, and black pumps. As an afterthought, I grab a light sweater as Ben arrives, just in case the restaurant’s air conditioning has me freezing during dinner.

  “You look the picture of the high-profile corporate events planner,” he says.

  “Thank you, I think. And you’re not so bad yourself.” He wears the traditional dark suit, crisp white shirt, and I have to laugh when I notice his royal blue tie. “Looks like we did some matchy matching.”

  He doesn’t get it at first until he realizes what I’m talking about. “Oh, Dad will love this.” Then he laughs as he opens the car door for me. It’s a two-door sporty Jaguar the color of granite with buttery leather interior. I’m happy he didn’t let me climb in unassisted—Ben Rhoades has manners. We drive to the restaurant, and he displays every gentlemanly characteristic while I make sure to check each of them off my list. Helps me in and out of the car, escorts me by taking my arm, walks on the outside of the sidewalk, opens all doors, and stands until the host seats me at the table.

  A stately couple stands and eyes Ben then each other. I get the feeling they had no idea Ben would be bringing me.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Samantha Calhoun,” he announces, giving his dad a handshake and kissing his mother on her cheek. He says something to her I can’t hear.

  His parents, holy shit, he didn’t mention I would be meeting his parents. Don’t think too much of this. It’s not like we’ve been dating and he wants me to meet them. This is business.

  When he introduces me to them, I realize his father has the same name as he does. Ben explains with a wink that his dad goes by his middle name, Martin. That answers one question.

  “Samantha Calhoun? Are your parents Randy and Michelle?” his mother, Julia, asks.

  “Yes. Do you know them?”

  “We do. From the country club.” His mother’s smile is warm and genuine.

  “Oh. Do you golf?” I’m curious to know if she ever golfs with my mom.

  “Sadly, no. Do you?” she asks.

  I screw up my face. “Not even a bit. I gave it a shot and the best I could do was hit the tee further than the ball.”

  That gets a laugh out of everyone at the table. We chat for a few minutes and just as I’ve told them about my work, their clients show up.

  Julia leans to me and says drily, “Here comes the fun stuff.” I hold back my chuckle.

  “You must be Karen,” the woman says.

  I stare blankly, unsure what to say. Thankfully, Ben steps in.

  “No, Mrs. Sadler, this is Samantha, my date for the evening. She graciously agreed to accompany me tonight.”

  Ben is smooth as he’s easily taken the awkwardness out of the woman’s misstatement.

  “Why don’t we order?” Ben’s dad says.

  We take our seats and I study the menu wondering who Karen is.

  Mrs. Sadler leans over from her seat next to me. “I’m sorry. I thought Julia said Ben’s fiancée’s name was Karen.

  My jaw drops, but thankfully the waiter shows up. Ben reaches over and squeezes my hand under the table while I ponder the million and one questions that have popped in my mind.

  The Sadler’s are interested in converting their investments over to Ben’s firm. I listen with half an ear because this is the type of thing I hand over to my dad and say, Here. Take a look at this for me, please. I can only hope our solo dinner discussions don’t involve this stuff because so far, I’ve counted six yawns that I’ve had to swallow.

  We finally get to dessert and I think my face almost falls into my turtle cheesecake when Martin asks if anyone wants coffee. Thankfully, everyone declines. Then I feel a hand on my leg and I jerk to attention, only to see Ben shaking with barely contained laughter. God, did I almost fall asleep? How embarrassing is this?

  Mrs. Sadler hasn’t given up. “Julia tells me you’re a lawyer.”

  “No, Karen’s a lawyer. Samantha here is an event planner,” Julia corrects.

  Ben’s mom didn’t sound condescending when she said it. So why do I feel so small?

  “That’s exciting,” Mrs. Sadler says.

  I glance over at Ben who looks ready to cut in, but I decide I can hold my own.

  “It is actually. There is a certain thrill in seeing the excitement and happy faces when people enter a space I’ve prepared. And my company is thriving,” I’m compelled to say.

  “I happen to find lawyers boring. Samantha is anything but,” Ben adds.

  I blush because the way Ben looks at me sends a wave of lust washing over me. He has no idea if I’m boring or not, but I give him points for the save.

  Soon, we’re all saying our good-byes, and Julia tells me she hopes to see me again. Is that a message for Ben? I’m not sure, but it sounds as though there’s an undercurrent to her words. Maybe it’s my exhaustion.

  Ben leans over and whispers to me, “Will you excuse me for a minute? I need to have a word with my mother before we leave.”

  “Sure.” I watch him usher his mother aside, and realize what he’s going to do. I don’t have to hear him to know that angry words spill from his mouth. It’s obvious from the way his finger jabs the air and his mouth is punctuated by a scowl. Julia’s head bobs and then her eyes droop in what I imagine to be remorse. Ben turns away, his lips pressed into a thin line.

  When he reaches me, I ask, “Is everything okay?”

  “It will be. Are you ready to go?”

  “Whenever you are.”

  We walk to his car, holding hands. “I’m sorry about the Karen thing. I had a chat with my mom about it.” He blows out a breath.

  I nod. “It’s fine. Who is she by the way?”

  He looks uncomfortable, so I know there’s a story there.

  “She’s someone I made the bad choice of introducing to my mother. And Mom thought she would be planning a wedding.”

  “Oh.”

  I want to ask more, but decide against it.

  “I can’t thank you enough for this. I owe you. Huge. And I noticed that investments really pique your interest.”

  “Oh, you did, huh?”

  “Yeah. The little head bob you did was the dead giveaway.” His deep laugh makes me shiver.

  “Jeez, I’m so sorry.” I shake my head in embarrassment.

  “Hey, I’m the one who’s sorry for making you sit through that. But you were awesome. And don’t worry. Mrs. Sadler let out a snore or two,” he says with a chuckle.

  A gurgle of laugher bubbles out of me. “She did not.”

  “Oh, I’m pretty sure she did. She was just as into it as you were. Thank you for not snoring.”

  When we arrive at my place, he opens my door, and helps me out. As we walk to my front door, he asks, “So, I hope this dinner didn’t scare you off any future dates with me.”

  “Well, now that you mention it…”

  His brows hit his hairline and I can’t hold my serious expression any longer.

  “I’m only kidding.”

  “Thank God.” He exaggerates relief. “How about dinner on Friday, then?”

  Ugh. Friday! I’m supposed to go out with Trevor. Damn it!

  “I can’t do Friday, but Saturday works.”

  His lips purse. “You are the busy one, aren’t you?”

  I add
with a smirk, “I won’t deny it.”

  Suddenly he pulls me into his arms and says, “Thank you for tonight. I owe you and I always pay my debts, Samantha.” Then he kisses my cheek and as if he can sense my disappointment his lips land on mine. They are the perfect mix of firm and gentle, and just when I think he’s going to push through the seam and deepen the kiss, he does the exact opposite. He releases me, steps back, and says, “Sweet dreams. I’ll call you during the week.” I watch as he walks back to the car, greatly disappointed that’s all he left me with.

  Five

  BEN

  KISSING SAMANTHA SHOULD HAVE BEEN a prelude to asking her to come home with me. Thanks to Mom and the Sadlers, I couldn’t ask without looking like a complete douche. They’d brought up Karen. And Mom and I will have another talk later about boundaries and sharing her wedding dreams with potential clients.

  The four walls close in on me as I realize I can’t call Drew and complain about my parents. I can’t tell him about the woman I met that could be what Cate was to him. That thought stops me. No fucking way. I don’t want a woman in that way. I like my space. Still, shucking off thoughts of Drew, I’m left with images of Samantha. I end up jerking one off in the shower as visions of soft curves and honey brown waves that fall halfway down her back flood my mind. She has one hell of a rack too. When I’d pulled her in for a kiss, they pressed against my chest waking my cock to life.

  The next several days at work are brutal. One of the admins has a vicious cough that scares the shit out of me. It’s June and there is no reason for her to have a cold.

  “You should get that checked out,” I complain.

  “It’s just allergies. I swear they get worse every year.”

  She coughs again and I hear something rattle in her chest. I stand. “I’m ordering you to take the rest of the day off. Go see your doctor. Better safe than sorry.”

  My growling tone sends her out of my tiny office with wide eyes. Fuck, it’s just allergies like she said, not lung cancer, you douche.