by Tara Thomas
“It wasn’t you.” She straightened her back. “It was on account of me dropping another tray. I’d blame it on the Wonder Twin taking a swing at me, but I probably brought it on myself when I told her to enjoy sucking Granger’s dick.”
“The same blond ones from earlier?” The evil little scumbags.
She nodded. “You know, they aren’t natural blondes.”
“There weren’t much of them that were natural, if you know what I mean.” He waggled his eyebrows to lighten the mood and smiled when that got a laugh out of her.
“True. I remember one of them saying they got boobs for graduating high school.”
“Jesus. Are you serious?”
“Right?”
“Want me to take care of them?” He was joking. Of course he was, he thought. But again, it got a laugh out of her. “I’m sure Kipling knows a few people.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“So, the upside is that you’re free now.” He waved to his car. “I have wheels…”
He needed to get away from the club before he went inside and did something he’d regret. Like give that manager a nice talking-to. And by talking-to, he actually meant threaten. But doing something like that would only make him feel better. It really wouldn’t be in Tilly’s best interest. His heart felt lighter as he remembered the way he looked out for her when they were kids. No one picked on her twice or else they’d find themselves dealing with him.
She held out her hand. “Lead the way.”
He opened the door for her and as they drove away from the club, he felt better with each passing mile. Unfortunately, he couldn’t say the same for Tilly. As they drew deeper into the downtown district, her hands tightened in her lap and her eyes darted around the area.
“Tilly?” he finally asked. “Are you okay?”
“Are we going to your house?” she asked, and he knew he didn’t imagine the distress in her voice.
“I was planning on it.” Where else would they go? Home was the best place to go.
“Can we go somewhere else?”
He frowned, but didn’t want to push her. Later, when they had talked more, he’d find out why she didn’t want to be at his house. “Like a hotel?”
It was the only other place he could think of and he hesitated even bringing it up because it made him sound like he wanted to sleep with her. He glanced over at her to make sure she didn’t take his suggestion to mean he was a creeper, but she’d visibly relaxed.
“Yes, that would be fine.”
It wasn’t anything for a Benedict to be seen getting a hotel room for the night, even as late as it currently was. Hell, he himself had done it a time or two. But this was different. Tilly wasn’t a one-night stand he didn’t want in his home and, in addition, he didn’t want the fact that she was checking into a hotel late at night—with him—to reflect badly on her. More than one of his dates had been photographed leaving a hotel after spending a night with him.
He turned the car around. “Let’s go to Kiawah Island. I don’t want your reputation to be tarnished.”
“Umm,” she said. “You do realize I work at a gentlemen’s club, right?”
“There’s a big difference between that and renting a room for the night with a guy you left the club with.”
She didn’t say anything, but a soft smile covered her face and he knew he’d said the right words. The miles passed quickly. It was after midnight, so traffic was light and it wasn’t long before they arrived.
“I’m only working at the club to put myself through school,” she said with a sigh, out of the blue. “I have two more months left.”
“You don’t have to justify anything to me.”
“I didn’t want you to think less of me.”
“Never.” How could he possibly pass judgment when it had been his family that was probably the cause of her having to work there in the first place?
He’d never completely bought his parents’ story that Mr. Brock embezzled money. Not Mr. Brock, with his easygoing nature and a sense of compassion, whose kindness was surpassed only by his wife’s. And quite possibly, his daughter’s.
Tilly was still as gorgeous as ever and it didn’t surprise him that she was in school. She’d always been smart. Smarter than he’d ever been. She used to sit at the big table in the Benedict House kitchen and patiently go over his homework with him.
He pulled into the parking lot of an upscale hotel. “Stay in the car while I check us in.”
It only took him a few minutes to secure a room and order food and toiletries to be delivered. Tilly was waiting for him in the car and they entered the hotel together. He felt a bit awkward. Normally when he met a woman at a hotel, they’d be all over each other. But this, this was Tilly, and she was different.
With Tilly, he wanted to sit down and talk, find out what she’d been up to, and see how the teenaged girl he’d had a crush on had turned into the intriguing woman he saw today. Sure, she was hot as hell, but that was secondary to everything else.
He unlocked the door and let her enter first. He’d decided to get a suite, if for no other reason than the bed wouldn’t be the focus of the room. This way they could talk. And eat. He wondered when she last ate.
Tilly took in the room with a wary look before sinking into the love seat in the living room and taking off her heels. “Hope you don’t mind,” she said. “My feet are killing me.”
Keaton shook his head. “Make yourself at home.”
She patted the spot beside her. “Why don’t you sit down?”
“I will in a minute. I’m waiting for a delivery.”
She tilted her head, but right at that moment someone knocked to the door.
“Delivery for Mr. Benedict,” a voice said from the hallway.
He smiled. “And there it is. I hope you’re hungry. I ordered us dinner when I checked in.”
“Famished.”
Keaton opened the door and took the offered paper bag and pointed to the coffee table when asked where he’d like the tray. After giving the deliveryman a tip and showing him the door, he took a seat beside Tilly.
She leaned forward toward the silver-domed plates. “What’s for dinner?”
“I went simple.” He lifted one of the lids. “Cheeseburger and fries. Hope you haven’t gone vegetarian.”
She took the plate he offered her. “No way. This is perfect.” She took a bite with closed eyes and moaned. “Oh my God. This is the best. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Pleased that she was happy with dinner, he took a bite of his own burger. “When did you move back from Texas?”
She opened her eyes and swallowed the bite she had in her mouth. “What?”
“When did you move back from Texas?” he repeated, not understanding why she looked so confused.
She slowly shook her head and a strange sense of dread filled him.
“Oh, fuck,” he said. “You didn’t move to Texas.”
At her whispered “No,” he set the burger down, no longer hungry.
“Did your mom tell you we moved to Texas?” she guessed.
“Yes, but it never made sense that you would leave so fast and go so far.” And whenever he’d bring the Brocks up to either of his parents, they would refuse to talk about them.
“I always guessed your mom would say something like that.” Tilly frowned at her burger. “That’s why I didn’t want to go to your house tonight. I’m not ready to see her yet.”
“Mom died,” he said simply. “About five years ago. She and Dad were on a trip to Europe on a private jet. It crashed.”
She grew pale. “Keaton, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. But I’d rather not talk about it.”
She nodded in agreement and he vowed to himself that one day he’d find out what really happened between his parents and the Brock family, but not tonight. Tonight he didn’t want to think about the past. He especially didn’t want to talk about his mother.
But he did
want to know one thing. “How’s Mama Ann?”
He couldn’t help but smile when he thought about her. She’d been so full of life, so carefree and joyous. It was one of the reasons why he loved being around her. She was one of those people who just naturally drew people toward her.
“Breast cancer,” Tilly said, tears filling her eyes.
His chest ached as the truth hit him and he realized he’d never see her again. That he never got to say good-bye. “When?” he asked in a tight voice.
“Two years ago. You really didn’t know?”
She was looking at him strangely, as if she thought he should have known. But why would she think that? Especially when he’d just told her he’d thought she’d been in Texas all these years.
She must have seen the questions in his eyes because she continued, “Kipling sent Mama checks to cover the chemo treatments. She tried to send them back, but he wouldn’t take them. He said she was family and he always took care of family.”
There was little she could have said that would have surprised him more than the statement that his oldest brother not only knew about Tilly and Mama Ann, but called them family and was also sending them money. Why would he be doing that if Tilly’s dad had been embezzling money? It didn’t make any sense. Though, truth be told, little of his conversation with Tilly had made any sense. But she was unexpectedly back in his life and damn it all, he was going to figure every detail out.
CHAPTER 4
One look at Keaton’s face told Tilly all she needed to know. He hadn’t been avoiding her for years. Hadn’t ignored her mother’s passing. He hadn’t known.
“We need something stronger to drink,” she said.
“What would you like?”
“Gin and tonic?”
Without a word, Keaton stood up and walked to the minibar. When he returned, he handed her a glass. She took the drink, enjoying the burn as it made its way down her throat. Beside her, Keaton watched her with careful eyes.
“What are you in school for?” he asked.
She took another sip. “You won’t believe me.”
“Try me.”
“Education. I’m going to be a teacher.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I totally see that.”
“Right. The elementary teacher who works at a gentlemen’s club.” That was another reason she was looking forward to quitting in two months.
“Hey.” Keaton set his glass on the table and turned to face her. “Don’t sell yourself short like that. I think you’ll be a wonderful teacher.”
“Based on what?”
“I wouldn’t have made it through the ninth grade without you by my side.” He scooted closer to her, so close their legs almost touched. “Remember?”
She remembered it had been so easy to talk to him back then. When there were no grown-up worries to weigh on her mind. When they weren’t defined by status and were friends because they liked hanging out together.
Actually, it was still easy to talk to him. Either that or the gin was affecting her already. Come to think of it, she did feel a bit weightless and warm.
“I remember,” she said, looking at his lips. They had only kissed once and they had both been fourteen, but, oh, she remembered that kiss. Back then, she’d thought he was a great kisser. She had a feeling he’d only grown better with time.
He lifted his hand and played with a piece of her hair. “I used to think you were pretty.”
Used to think?
His head drifted oh so near. “But now, you’re downright beautiful.”
She knew they were more than sweet words spoken by a player. She only had to look in his eyes to see the truth of that. And no matter what happened after tonight, for the moment she had her childhood friend and first kiss back. Damned if she was ready to give them back.
So instead of pulling back like she knew she should, she moved closer and placed her hand on his thigh. “You’re not too bad-looking yourself, stranger.”
He dropped the piece of hair he’d been playing with and traced her lips with his thumb. “Remember our kiss?”
She bit the fleshy part of his thumb, surprising herself with her aggressiveness. “Every day.”
His sucked-in breath and low moan might have meant he was surprised as well, but also showed he liked it. His voice was husky when he spoke again. “I think I need a reminder.”
“Yes,” she managed to whisper before his lips brushed over hers. Softly. Almost a tease. In fact, it would have been a tease if they hadn’t touched hers again. Stronger this time as if he’d been testing her, making sure she wasn’t going to pull away.
There was no force on earth that could pull her away from him tonight.
* * *
She woke before he did the next morning. Even though they hadn’t done anything other than kiss and cuddle and talk, she’d feared things would be awkward between them in the morning light. Sure, he’d been happy to see her last night, but how would that translate to the real world?
Though she’d never been his equal economically, she was very much aware of just how far apart they were on that particular scale. The Keaton she used to know wouldn’t care and the man she’d talked with last night didn’t appear to, either, so why was she so worried about it?
“Hey.”
She looked down to find him watching her. “Hey.”
“What’s up with the frown?”
“I don’t want to step outside this room. I like what I found in here.”
He smiled and reached up to wrap his arms around her and brought her to rest where she was almost on top of him. “I like it, too. Let’s stay here forever.”
Her giggles were silenced by his kiss. Soft and gentle, his lips brushed over hers. Her heart sighed and she forgot what she’d been so worried about.
He pulled back slightly. “Of course, they’ll probably want to clean the room eventually.”
“Right. And I do have to go to class if I want to graduate.”
“There is that.” He entwined their fingers. “How about this? We agree to leave the room, but only because I’m taking you to dinner tonight.”
“I have to work tonight.”
“Damn.”
“How about we do breakfast tomorrow?” she asked. “There’s a little biscuit place by the waterfront. Their biscuits remind me of Mama’s.” She normally preferred to go there alone, but Keaton had loved her mom, too. She wanted him with her.
“It’s a date, then,” he said, with a smile on his lips and understanding in his eyes.
She had a feeling they would handle the real world just fine.
Her happy mood continued after Keaton dropped her off at her apartment with another kiss and promises of breakfast the next morning. She breezed through the homework she had planned for the day and before she knew it, it was already time to head back into work.
Raven had arrived before her and she let out a sigh of relief. Apparently, all had been well when Granger arrived. Tilly stepped inside, still smiling. However, seeing Granger standing at the bar with one of the Wonder Twins put a bit of a damper on her mood. The club didn’t open for another hour and the twins wouldn’t dance for at least another two. Why was she here?
“Tilly,” Granger said. “Mindy wanted to come in early to talk with you. I don’t know what went on last night, but you two work it out because if it happens again, you’re both out.”
Tilly nodded and hated that she felt like Mindy was trying to pull one over on her. Even so, she knew she wasn’t able to hide her suspicion when Mindy waved toward a barstool.
“I wanted to apologize for last night,” the twin gushed out before Tilly’s butt hit the stool. “I was way out of line and it won’t happen again.”
Tilly didn’t say anything. Surely, she hadn’t shown up at work hours earlier than she needed to just to say that?
Mindy dabbed an eye. “The thing is, you’re so perfect. I mean, you’re pretty, and smart, and you’re going to school and will be out of here and Mandy a
nd I will still be taking our clothes off and dancing for money.” She took a deep breath and gave a weak smile. “When that hottie showed up last night and only had eyes for you? I kinda lost it. I’m sorry.”
There was little Mindy could have said that would have surprised her more. She reached her hand out and put it on top of Mindy’s. “Apology accepted. I said some hateful things as well and I’m sorry for that.”
“There’s one more thing.”
Tilly bit back the moan threatening to escape. She should have known better. “Yes?”
“I told Mandy I wanted to enroll at the community college. And I heard you tell Raven,” she looked back at the bartender who was doing a horrible job at pretending she wasn’t listening, “that you want to be a teacher. If I take a few classes, will you help me study?”
Tilly broke out into a huge grin. “Of course!”
* * *
Typically, The Gentleman wouldn’t allow for his lunch to be disturbed, but his admin assured him that Jade said it was important. Since he trusted Jade more than the admin, he told her to send Jade in.
He could almost see the excitement radiating from her. “Don’t just stand there. Tell me what you have that’s so important, it couldn’t wait until I finished eating.”
“Keaton Benedict was at the club last night,” she said in a rush.
He blinked and carefully wiped his mouth in an attempt to project the image that he was calm and unaffected by her news. The truth was, that he felt the exact opposite. “Oh?” he asked, sounding bored to his own ears.
“There’s more,” Jade said. He lifted an eyebrow and she continued, “Tilly Brock left with him.”
This time he couldn’t hide his delight and he smiled and templed his fingers. “This is excellent news. Of course, it also means we have to be precise with our plans.”
Jade nodded. “Make Tilly’s death look random?”
“Yes,” he said. “And when she’s finally gone, the Benedict’s grief will be a happy bonus.”
* * *
Keaton was waiting for Kipling in his office when his oldest brother got home that night. It was always his first stop and Keaton was glad some things never changed. He left the door open so his brother would see him before he entered the room.
