When Beauty Met The Beast

by Khardine Gray

  "It's a motorcycle," she gasped. She'd never ridden on one before and was honestly terrified at the thought. It was too open, with the possibility of anything happening. "Where's your car?"

  "This is today's ride, baby." He smiled. "Put your helmet on."

  Who was she kidding? She couldn't do this. "Wade, I'm…I'm scared."

  She thought he would laugh at her and brush off her fear in his usual cocky manner, but he surprised her by taking her hand again and bringing it up to his lips to kiss.

  "You don't have to be scared when you're with me, Chloe. I won't let anything happen to you."

  All Chloe could do was look at him. His words spoke to her heart and pulled on its strings that already reached out to him.

  "I promise," he added.

  With that, she put the helmet on and watched him swing one powerful leg over the bike to position himself. She thought he looked like an ad for an action film.

  Her head felt swamped in the helmet, and it felt strange on her head, but again she didn't care. She got on the back of the bike and tried to adjust herself, tucking her skirt between her legs. When she slid her arms around him to hold on tight, he put on his Oakley's and revved the engine.

  The sound rippled through her and she held on tighter, pressing her hands into his corded muscles.

  "Hold on, baby."

  That was it. Her stomach jumped into her chest as he leaned forward and the bike shot off down the road. It was so fast, too fast, she couldn't catch her breath.

  Chloe pressed herself right up against him and squeezed her eyes shut, thinking this was worse than going on one of those theme park rides. She couldn't believe she agreed to this. Wade had charmed his way past her natural defenses and common sense.

  No one would believe her if she told them this. They just wouldn't believe that she'd done this.

  The hum of the engine zinged through her body, and as she pressed herself close to Wade, she could feel the steady rhythm of his heart. She listened in, trying to hear but couldn't through the helmet.

  They must have been riding for half an hour before he started to slow down. It was only then that she opened her eyes and saw that they were in Redondo Beach. She'd been here a few times and loved the houses. It would be where she'd choose to live if she could afford it. The houses were all stunning and had that Victorian architecture and design, mixed with a splash of contemporary for a cosmopolitan feel.

  They pulled up outside a stylish house with soft cream and brown colors. It was big and eloquently designed.

  "Who lives here?" she asked.

  It was only when he covered her hands that she realized she was still clutching on to his chest.

  "Me. I live here. Welcome to my new house." He smiled, stroking the top of her hand.

  "You bought a house? Already?"

  "Yup. This is me. Moved in over the weekend."

  He'd only been back a week, but she supposed that when you were as rich as him, buying a house was like buying clothes.

  He continued to stroke her hand, scattering her nerves with each touch. "Do you like it?"

  She was surprised he wanted her opinion. "Yes, it's beautiful." She smiled

  "Let's go inside."

  Inside.

  Chloe was the kind of girl who loved venturing into a new house and seeing what all the rooms looked like. However, complete awareness washed over her and sent her nerves into overdrive, making her take a moment to assess her actions. Not only had she, Miss Down to Earth, all common-sense Chloe, jumped on the back of a motorcycle with Wade Vanderville without so much as her phone or her purse, but now she was going inside his house where they would be alone. All by themselves, alone, and realistically he could only have brought her here for one thing.

  All roads led to sex with Wade, and now she was feeling that sense of being out of control again. He got off the bike and helped her take off the helmet, then he placed his hand in the center of her back and ushered her into the house.

  She wondered what she'd see inside. She imagined Wade to be the kind of guy who pushed the limits and went to extremes with everything.

  As they went in, she was pleasantly surprised to see the tasteful decoration. It had that less-is-more look and looked like someone sophisticated and businesslike lived here.

  "You look surprised," he joked.

  "It just looks so neat and well put together." She smiled up at him.

  "I had a designer fix it up."

  Smart move. She'd do the same if she could. Chloe followed him into the living room and watched him place the helmet on the glass-topped coffee table sitting in the center of the room.

  She looked around appreciating the design, then her eyes landed back on him. His gaze fixed on her even as he shrugged out of his jacket, and that awareness she felt returned.

  A devilish grin lifted the edges of his sensual lips. She looked at him standing tall and deadly handsome before her, priding himself on his good looks and incredible physique with great confidence. With a cool smile, he lifted the end of his T-shirt and pulled it over his head, enhancing the fantasy-like vision she had of him.

  She couldn't hide her desire as she gawked at his body. Chloe was normally more aware of her manners and always thought it was rude to stare, especially the way she was. But like with everything else about Wade, the perfection of him reeled her in and she couldn’t look away. There was every chance she was embarrassing herself further by drooling as she took in his magnificently defined muscles, highlighted by the inky black tattoos scrawled down the line of his taut abs. They were stylish, tasteful, Celtic swirls.

  She'd had a total of three relationships in her life, and none of the men she'd been with had ever looked like him. Not even a fraction of him.

  Her hormones were going berserk, racing through her veins while her nerves scattered. Again, she had that mind control feeling, and she knew she would be his if he wanted her.

  "You look scared, Chloe." He spoke in a cool, calm voice.

  "No," she managed, even though her heart had gone past its preliminary seizure and was now racing within her chest. Maybe she should have thought this through first before she came here.

  Chloe pulled in a sharp breath as he stepped towards her. This was it, he was just going to grab her and take her to his room, and who knew what would be in there. She wouldn't put it past Wade to be one of those men who tied you up and did all that kinky stuff.

  "Oh God," she breathed, saying that a little louder than she planned.

  Her reaction seemed to amuse him. "Chloe, you are far too tense. What do you think I'm going to do to you?"

  "Well, I wish I knew. Wade, you just captured me from the middle of work and brought me here to your house. You have this daring personality that makes you do whatever the hell you want, and then there's stupid me who can't say no. Now you're standing in front of me with your shirt off. For all I know I could end up tied to your bed and handcuffed with an apple in my mouth." She was babbling, talking on fast forward with no alleviation between each word.

  He set his hands gently on her shoulders, bent down, and kissed the top of her nose. "I don't like bondage and kink. It doesn't do it for me, baby. We should both be free to enjoy each other." He lifted his brows at her. "But if that's what you like, Chloe, I'll do it for you." He eyed her with curiosity, and she widened her eyes.

  "No, I don't," she answered quickly.

  "Good, because that's not part of the plan."

  She locked on his gaze. "What plan?"

  "Well, this is the first part. Today we talk, and play." He stared deep into her eyes appealing to her inner desires. Holding her in place from the inside out. Then he released her and walked around to the sofa to pick up two bags, both from Neiman Marcus. "This is yours." He held them out to her.

  "Mine? You bought me something?" This was a surprise. She looked at the bags. They were both medium sized, but one had more in it than the other.

  The smile returned to his face. "This is for today.
" He handed her the bag that had more contents in it. She looked inside and gasped, unable to resist smiling.

  He bought her a super cute, bright pink bikini, which was from the Scarlett Minkley collection. She took it out and looked at it. This was something she would have easily picked on a shopping spree, although she would have definitely needed to save up for a few weeks to get it.

  "You bought this for me?"

  "Yup, that is for you."

  "Thank you. I love it." She did, and hoped it would look good on her. She'd been pigging out over the weekend to pacify her worries and hoped she hadn't gained weight.

  "You're welcome. And this," he handed her the other bag and gave her a lust-filled smile. "Is for next time."

  She took the bag and looked inside. Butterflies filled her stomach as she looked at the sheer pink lace thong. That was from Victoria’s Secret and looked similar to what she'd tried to entice him with when she was eighteen.

  This smile she couldn't resist either. That uncontrollable want for him filled her again and sent the sparks of desire rippling through her. Her eyes met his. "You want me to wear this?"

  "It was for next time, but you can wear it now if you want."

  "Next time?" She had to admit that she admired him for his forwardness and advanced planning. She'd never met anyone with such extraordinary confidence.

  "Yes baby. You like it?"

  "I do." Her eyes took him in and his perfect form. "Do you?"

  His lips slid up into a sexy smile. "Oh yes. Pink is definitely your color. Eighteen-year-old Chloe left a lasting impression on my mind. I can't wait to see what this version of you will do."

  She looked at him, absorbing his words. It was amazing how over the years she thought he'd made fun of her for what she did. But she'd been completely wrong.

  He stepped back. "I'll leave you to change. Join me for a swim when you're ready." He winked at her, turned to reveal a black Chinese dragon tattooed across the majority of his back, and went through the sliding door.

  Chloe stared after him and released the breath she'd been holding onto as she watched him go. Wade was too much for her, too much for her nerves, and too much for her brain to process.

  But she liked him. She was starting to like him a lot.

  On that thought, she found the bathroom and got changed into the bikini, which looked stunning on her. Thankfully it also fit her perfectly.

  Wade looked her over with appreciation as she walked across the poolside and joined him on one of the loungers.

  "Perfect," he said, taking her hand and pulling her down to sit in his lap. He'd traded the jeans for a pair of black shorts, which displayed more tattoos on his legs.

  She slid her arms around his neck, relishing the feel of him and having him hold her like this.

  "Wade, how many tattoos do you have?" She didn't remember him having that many.

  "Is that your first question?" He leaned back against the vinyl material of the chair.

  "It could be? Do I get a set amount?" She giggled. She felt more at ease with him now.

  "I guess that since this is our first date, you should be allowed to ask as many questions as you want."

  She smiled down at him. "This is a date?"

  He nodded. "It was the only way I could get you all to myself."

  Chloe appreciated his efforts. She looked around at the pool and the surrounding plants that hung on the stony walls in pots. It had a European feel to it that she liked. Her parents had a similar sort of arrangement at their cottage.

  "I have fifteen," he stated.

  She looked back to him. "Fifteen?"

  "Tattoos. I'm guessing you don't have any, although there are a few places I have yet to inspect." He looked over her breasts.

  "I hate needles."

  "They're not that bad once you get used to it." His lips slid into a smooth, easy smile. "So, tell me. Why are you so worried about this job?"

  She gazed into those eyes of his wondering if she could tell him.

  "I won't say a word to my mom if you're worried I will." He smiled, running his hand over the hollow of her back.

  She looked at him and decided it couldn't cause any harm talking. So, she started with the thing that was most pressing on her mind. "I'm too comfortable at Runway," she began. "I've been there for a long time, and I work hard. I don't want to miss the chance to see what I can do if I'm in charge. I don't think I can stay there if I don't get the job."

  She'd never expressed that to anyone else and saying it out loud scared her a little, but it felt right as a plan.

  "What makes you worry you won't get it?"

  "The competition. It's fierce." It truly was.

  "Are you good?" He smiled.

  "I'm the best," she replied without hesitation. Chloe was the last person to boast and be arrogant about her work, but she knew her talent.

  "Well, that sounds like you have nothing to worry about. My mom only works with the best. If you know you are, I'm a hundred percent certain that she knows it too. She won't want the best to leave. So stop worrying about it. Things have a way of working out." It was sweet of him to tell her that. She appreciated his comments and insight. It made her relax. "So, is there any chance you could stop worrying, even for today?"

  "I think I can," she smiled.

  "Good, because I want to enjoy you. Come here." He crooked his finger, and she lowered to his awaiting lips.

  This was how they mostly were for the majority of the afternoon—kissing, playing in the pool, and taking turns at questions. She learned a lot about his plans. He told her about his new business and the work he was doing around that. It sounded amazing and like such a good idea. She also enjoyed listening to the stories of his travels and all that he'd experienced in the last five years. She loved hearing about Japan, and his description of it made her want to go even more than she already did. Japan was one of the countries she'd always wanted to visit most because of the natural beauty and the cherry blossom trees. He sounded like he had a good time there, but she couldn't help but notice at times when he spoke that there was something more beneath the exciting descriptions. She sensed pain and guilt, and it was reflected in his eyes.

  As evening drew on, they went inside and lay next to each other on the sofa. He left the sliding doors open so they could enjoy the cool air while they looked out at the approaching darkness of night.

  Wade placed kisses along her shoulder, running his hands across the flat of her stomach. He made her want to feel his touch all over her body.

  "Was it Wesley?" he suddenly asked, lingering at the edge of her ear. He hadn't asked her anything in a while.

  "Was Wesley what?" She didn't understand what he meant. As she turned to face him, she met his penetrative gaze and could tell there was something pressing on his mind.

  "Did you give yourself to Wesley? Did he take your virginity from you?"

  She had to ease herself up from the shock of the question. "No. Why would you think that?"

  "Why wouldn't I? You're always with him." He straightened up.

  "He's my friend." She smiled, looking at him. It was absurd to think it, but the thought entered her mind that he might be jealous. But she brushed it aside. It must have been mild curiosity because she couldn't imagine Wade being jealous of anyone.

  "And he's always been your friend? You never once thought you could be more than that?"

  She started to laugh.

  "Chloe, it's not funny."

  "Yes, it actually is. Wes has always been my friend. I've never seen him like that, and I seriously doubt that he thinks of me in that way too."

  As she sat up, he raised his knee and rested his elbow on it.

  "Okay." He held her gaze again. "So, who'd you give it to?"

  Now that question threw her humor. "A guy in college." Another mistake to file on the shelf of woes.

  Dean Warrington was a wide receiver on the college football team. He was set to go places, and like Wade, he never wanted for a wom
an on his arm. Chloe, however, thought she was special to him. He certainly treated her that way, but she got a rude wake-up call when he dumped her the day after she slept with him. He practically threw her out of his bed, and as she left, there was another girl going in. She was just a number to him. But she made the mistake of thinking he cared for her.

  "Did you love him?"

  She shook her head. "Let's just say it was a disaster." She looked away and gazed out to what she could see of the sky and the twinkling stars above.

  "I'm sorry." His voice brought her focus back to him. "It should have been me."

  Surprise filled her, and she didn't know how to respond. "It's okay. It's in the past." That was the reality of it. It was in the past. She hugged her knees to her chest and continued to watch him, watching his reaction.

  "I was a real mess back then, Chloe. It was the start of my ride to hell." That pain and guilty look returned to his eyes and caught her attention again.

  "Wade." She geared herself up to ask.

  "Yes, doll."

  "Is that why you left, and stayed away for so long?"

  The uncomfortable look in his eyes became more evident, and it made her wonder what had happened to make him look like that.

  "Something bad happened. Something really bad." Instead of looking into her eyes like he usually did when he spoke, he looked ahead of them. She moved closer to him, reached up, and turned his face to her.

  "What happened?" She searched his eyes, desperate to know. The pain she saw there confirmed her suspicions.

  "I can't." He rested his hand on hers and shook his head. "It was an accident that was my fault. Saying more than that is too painful."

  No one had ever said anything about Wade being in an accident.

  "What kind of accident? Were you hurt?"

  Wade shook his head. "No, I wasn't hurt, but I hurt…enough people." He pressed his lips together and looked at her with appreciation. "I promise to tell you one day, but tonight can we just have this?" He motioned from him to her and smiled.

  She wanted to know more but thought she'd respect his request. It sounded like a sensitive matter, and she didn't want to cross the line. Chloe also wanted to enjoy being with him too.