Just One Scandal

by Phillips, Carly

  “It wasn’t over what. It was over who.” He rubbed his hands together before finally meeting her gaze. “And as much as I would like to explain, out of respect for you and your relationship with your brother, it’s not my story to tell.”

  “You argued over a girl?” she asked, putting the pieces together. She was surprised because that thought hadn’t crossed her mind.

  “Chloe … don’t push me on this. You need to talk to Linc.”

  Beck set his jaw in what she’d come to think of as the expression he used when he wouldn’t budge.

  “Trust me, okay? If I thought I should explain things, I would,” he said.

  “But you won’t because you’re protecting my relationship with Linc.” She didn’t understand how but she’d accept his request. “Okay.”

  “Thank you. So did you have that dress, or did you ask one of your personal shoppers to send it over?” he asked, his irises darkening as his gaze came to rest on her breasts, pushed up slightly by the ribbing beneath them.

  Accepting the change of subject, she grinned. “What do you think?”

  He ran his finger along the leather strip, and her entire body trembled at his touch, which deliberately included the undersides of her breasts. “I think you wanted something special just for me.” His thumbs brushed over her distended nipples, hard and aroused from his teasing touch. “And I appreciate the effort because I can’t stop staring.” His gaze was hot and still focused on her chest.

  Despite being completely covered, exposing no cleavage, this dress managed to tease, and that was exactly what she’d wanted.

  “Would you like more dessert?” he asked.

  “No, thank you.” She shook her head and sighed. “This was the best meal I’ve ever had.”

  Beck’s answering smile warmed her inside.

  “That was the plan,” he said. “And since we’re both full, let’s dance before we head home.”

  Full or not, she was all too willing to rub her body against his sexy one.

  He slid out of the booth and extended his hand, helping her stand in her high heels. As if he’d choreographed it, the music became a notch louder, and he pulled her into his arms.

  For the first few minutes, he held her in a respectful position as they swayed in time to the music, but the longer the song went on, the more intimate they became. His hand moved to her lower back, and then his fingers dipped to cover her ass and pull her against his hard body, the swell of his erection obvious and thick against her sex.

  “I haven’t danced in a while,” he murmured in her ear.

  Her hands came to his shoulders. “This no longer feels like just dancing,” she said, and his low chuckle reverberated inside her.

  “That’s because it isn’t. It’s foreplay.”

  The word sent a zing straight to her clit. “Not nice when you know we have a twenty-minute ride home.” And she was already soaking wet for him.

  “The limo has a soundproof partition.” Dipping his head, he settled his lips against her neck, nuzzling behind her ear before nipping at her lobe.

  Her nipples tightened even more, and she rubbed herself against his erection, causing a powerful quiver to pulse through her, and she dug fingernails into the material of his jacket.

  “We need to go.” Her knees were already weak at the thought of having him inside her soon.

  His green eyes, blazing with heat, met hers, and he treated her to a curt nod. “We do.”

  Grasping her hand, he started for the door, pausing only long enough to let her grab her purse before they were rushing for the limo outside.

  * * *

  Beck didn’t know what it was about Chloe, but she pulled him in, bringing them closer without him meaning to let it happen. She was just so damned easy to talk to. Comforting about his dad, curious about his life and work, and down-to-earth despite her upbringing. She didn’t expect the best, was surprised when he provided it, and was utterly grateful for small favors.

  Unlike many of the woman he’d dated, who had obviously been with him for the money and perks that came with it. Which was why he rarely went out with anyone more than twice. Three times, max. He’d heard his brothers use the word fuck buddy, and though he understood the meaning, he’d always been too concerned a woman would assume anything beyond a second date meant real interest on his part.

  Though there were probably females he could trust, there were more women who claimed to be fine with a casual, sex-only situation, but deep down they hoped to be the one to change him.

  Yet here he was, in over his head with Chloe Kingston. The irony was, when she said she wasn’t ready for a relationship so soon after her broken engagement, he believed her. But he also knew whatever this thing was between them, it went deeper than just sex. And wouldn’t that make her brother happy, he thought, aware of the irony.

  She’d asked about his broken relationship with Linc, but he didn’t regret not answering. If all he wanted to do was stick it to Linc, he’d have spilled the whole sordid story and dimmed her view of her oldest sibling. But he cared more about her feelings than taking down Linc in any sort of revenge scheme. That wasn’t in his nature. Torturing him a little? Sure. But that wasn’t why he wanted Chloe with him for now.

  He cut off his thoughts as they approached the limousine and the driver hopped out to open the door and let them inside. Chloe slid in first.

  “Please drive around until I let you know we’re ready to go home,” Beck instructed the man who was paid as much to be discreet as he was to chauffeur.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Beck climbed in and the door shut behind him. He immediately hit the button, closing the partition and choosing the opaque sheeting. Enclosed in luxury and silence, he turned to Chloe. She had a bad-girl gleam in her eye, and before he could consider his next move, she’d hiked up her dress and straddled him, her knees on either side of his thighs.

  He slipped his hand between them, and his breath caught at the wetness he found there. “Jesus.”

  She brushed her lips over his at the same time her hips rocked forward, her pussy grinding over the bulge in his pants, and his cock grew even harder. He hoped he could hold out and curled one hand into a fist. The minx repeated the motion, and a wave of desire flooded his system.

  He closed his eyes and groaned. “I’m not going to survive until I’m inside you.”

  She jerked at the sentiment. Was it his imagination or did his words make her even wetter?

  “I have a solution to take the edge off,” she said in a husky voice.

  “Yeah?” He pushed her hair off her shoulders and gathered the long strands in one hand. “And what would that be?”

  She slid backwards, forcing him to release her hair as she dropped to her knees on the limo floor. Reaching up, she unhooked the button on his pants and eased the zipper over his aching cock. Her intent was more than he’d expected. Tonight was supposed to be about her.

  Still, he lifted his ass, and she slid his pants and boxer briefs over his hips and pulled them down, settling herself between his parted legs. Then she lifted herself on her knees, wrapped her fingers around him, and slid her hand up and down his straining shaft.

  He groaned at how good her warm grip felt and wasn’t surprised when a drop of pre-come pooled at the head. He closed his eyes to pull himself together, but when he felt the warm lap of her tongue, an animalistic sound escaped his throat.

  Opening his eyes and looking down, he found her mouth wrapped around him, her eyes raised as she met his gaze. Needing to touch her and find some sort of control over a situation where, in reality, he had none, he wrapped his hand around her hair once more. As she began to suck him deep, he pulled on the long strands.

  She moaned around his dick and it reverberated inside him.

  “Touch yourself,” he ordered her, knowing he wasn’t going to last, not with those luscious lips enclosing him in wet heat.

  He was vaguely aware of her free hand, which had been on his thigh, lowe
ring to where he couldn’t see. But he heard the rustle of material and her sudden trembling sigh. He envisioned her fingers, coated in her juices, sliding over her clit and moving in small circles that aroused her.

  His imagination melded with reality, and her body began to jerk, her mouth on his cock becoming less steady.

  Knowing she was sliding her fingers over the lips of her sex, his own desire grew hotter, higher, and faster. His entire being drew taut. Suddenly she stilled and shook as she cried out, coming hard, his cock aching as he waited out her climax.

  His hand moved from tugging her hair to sliding gently over the soft strands. And then she was back, slipping a hand around the base of his cock and pumping up and down in time to the suction of her mouth. He pulled on her hair as she moved, pumping his hips until his balls drew up and he was going to come.

  “Princess, move,” he said, warning her, but she merely tightened her hold. Both her mouth and her hand gripped him harder, and she sucked him to the back of her throat.

  Next thing he knew, all restraint was gone as his orgasm exploded, taking him over, pleasure filling him, as his long climax continued.

  Not letting go, Chloe stayed with him, swallowing all he had to give and only releasing him when he collapsed against the back of the seat.

  “Holy fuck,” he muttered, completely spent.

  Rising, she returned to the seat beside him.

  He rolled his head to the side, meeting her hazy gaze. Her lips were red and puffy, a look of sated satisfaction on her face. She shifted her dress and pulled the hem back down, her breaths still coming hard and fast.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  She leaned back against the seat. “Never better, and I mean that.” Her expression softened. “There’s something to be said for mutual satisfaction.”

  He narrowed his gaze, well aware there were many ways for him to take that comment, none of them good for her. Even though her pleasure had come at her own hand, he’d demanded it, and they’d come nearly at the same time. He had a strong hunch that had rarely happened for her before now.

  Acting on instinct, he slid a hand around the back of her neck and pulled her in for a long, deep kiss. One he needed and hoped she did, too.

  Once again shaken by the depth of emotion sex with Chloe brought, it took everything inside him not to pull back and be an asshole again. Instead he gave in to what he really wanted.

  He picked up the phone and called the driver, instructing him to take them home. His bed was waiting and he wasn’t finished with Chloe. Not by a long shot.

  Chapter Eight

  Back at the apartment, Chloe kicked off her heels and was about to turn into her room when Beck grasped her wrist and tugged her into his bedroom.

  “We’re not finished,” he said in a gruff voice.

  Considering her body still tingled but felt surprisingly empty, she wasn’t about to argue. She dropped the shoes beside his big bed and sat down on the mattress. He’d already begun to undress. His shoes and socks were in a pile. He’d shrugged off his jacket, laying it on the dresser, and was in the process of unbuttoning his shirt.

  Propping herself back on one hand, she decided to watch the show. As he shrugged off white material, his tanned skin came into view along with rippled muscles he must work hard to maintain.

  “What do you do at the gym?” she asked, doing her best not to drool at the sight.

  He grinned and started to take off his pants. “Treadmill for cardio, weights with a trainer, and a punching bag.” Hooking his thumbs into the sides, he pulled off the slacks and boxer briefs, letting them fall and kicking them aside.

  And if she thought she’d had an eyeful before, she had an even bigger one now. Much bigger, she thought, holding back an unladylike giggle. His sculpted chest tapered down to one of those sexy vees women loved so much and an arousal that let her know she wasn’t alone with this heady desire rushing through her.

  “Your turn,” he said.

  She shifted until she was on her knees and turned her back to him, pulling her hair out of the way. “Unzip me?”

  He stepped up behind her, his body heat warm at her back as he unzipped the dress and pressed kisses against her neck and trailed down her spine. She shivered and her nipples pebbled into tight peaks, her arousal growing hotter and wetter.

  With a flick of his wrist, he unhooked her bra. From there it was simple to shimmy off the dress and silk undergarment and let them pool at her knees. Wrapping his arms around her, he swiped his thumbs over her breasts. They were already sensitive, and she sucked in a shallow breath at his touch.

  Next thing she knew, he’d picked her up, turned her around, and set her down on the bed, sliding her ass to the edge of the mattress. With the bed up on a platform, he had the perfect height to return the favor from the limo, and she wouldn’t argue that he wanted to. She’d already experienced his talented mouth and tongue and wanted more.

  Dropping to his knees, he spread her thighs and lowered his head until his tongue swiped at her sex. He lifted her legs over his shoulders and proceeded to devour her like a starving man. It didn’t take long for him to send her flying, her climax fast and furious.

  In the time it took for her to come back to herself, he had a condom on and was entering her, and her body responded all over again. This was harder and faster than their first time, the frenzy a result of the buildup all evening. Taking the edge off with an orgasm for each of them hadn’t curbed their desire.

  He thrust in and out, his pace unrelenting, and when he lifted her hips, the angle had him hitting her G-spot, the wash of sensation incredible, and she needed more.

  “Again, Beck. Harder this time.” Her fingers scrambled to grab the comforter, but before she could get a grip, Beck pulled out and pushed back in, over and over, until he was driving into her just as she’d asked.

  She moaned and arched up, meeting him thrust for thrust, clasping her inner walls around his powerful erection.

  “Fuck, Chloe, you feel good.” His grip on her thighs tightened, and it wasn’t long before she was soaring, her climax overwhelming her in the best possible way.

  Three more thrusts and Beck’s groan shook the room as he followed her over. A few seconds of silence passed, with him still inside her, the intensity not something she could easily shake off. But she knew where things stood this time.

  When Beck pulled out and headed for the bathroom, Chloe immediately pushed herself up, grabbing her dress and shoes. With luck she’d be back in her room before he emerged from the bathroom in time for a freak out.

  Deciding she’d rather be covered, even for the short walk across the hall, she put her clothes on the bed and picked up his dress shirt. She pulled it on before scooping up her things again and taking steps toward the door.

  “Chloe, stop.”

  His husky voice compelled her to turn, holding her clothes against her chest.

  “I want you to stay.” His emerald-green eyes stared at her, willing her to believe he meant it.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” For so many reasons, the most important being sleeping in his bed or cuddled in his arms would make keeping her emotional distance that much more difficult.

  And it wasn’t easy as it was.

  He obviously heard her, and to his credit, he paused and debated with himself. She could see the war going on behind his eyes, and she knew the minute he made up his mind. Her heart skipped a beat as he walked over, plucked her clothes out of her grasp, and tossed them on top of his jacket on the dresser.

  Then he held out his arm and waited for her to take his hand.

  She pursed her lips, frustrated at him for making this more difficult when a few days ago all he wanted was for her to leave and sleep across the hall. “We need to keep smart boundaries.”

  His eyes gleamed with determination. “But we only have a limited time until you move out, so why deny ourselves pleasure?”

  He began to lower his arm when she made up her mind
, deciding he was right. “This is against my better judgment,” she muttered, accepting his invitation by placing her palm in his.

  He slid his shirt off her, leaving her naked and feeling extremely vulnerable. And as they climbed back into bed and he pulled her into his arms, she promised herself she wouldn’t read more into these moments than he intended. Losing Owen and being a jilted bride had hurt her pride. Even in this short time, she knew, letting herself fall for Beck could cost her her heart.

  * * *

  Beck slept well and woke up with his arms around a warm female body. It wasn’t something he was used to, but he hadn’t been able to watch Chloe walk out on him again. Last time he’d driven her away, but he knew her leaving had been her attempt to keep one step ahead of him. Protect herself before he asked her to leave. But he’d been mentally prepared and had given it thought beforehand, and he trusted her to hold up her end of their temporary agreement.

  He was going to need her to be strong. Faced with her wearing his shirt, the bottom hitting her thighs, the sleeves too long, and her cleavage visible, all he could think about was how right she looked. In his clothes, in his bedroom, and in his home. They were both going to have to be strong.

  And he’d have to keep his heart caged in his chest. It shouldn’t be hard. He’d become an expert at keeping people at a distance.

  Pushing those thoughts out of the way, he focused on the present and proceeded to wake Chloe by going down on her, something he thoroughly enjoyed doing.

  To her.

  And followed that up with a slower sex session than last night. Now she lay beside him in his bed. They planned to get up soon, but he was content right where he was. She’d pulled her phone from her purse and was scrolling through while he did the same, making sure no work emergencies had cropped up.

  She groaned and he turned his head toward her. “What’s wrong?”

  A frown etched her face. “This.” She shifted the screen of her cell toward him, revealing a photo of her ex-fiancé smiling beside a brown-haired woman with her arms around him, pressing a kiss to his cheek.