by Tara Thomas
“What are you saying?” Keaton asked.
“I think we’re seeing a break in pattern because there is more than one person involved: the mastermind and his minions. I’m also saying that you should be extremely vigilant about your safety. Don’t take unneeded risks. Be on the lookout for anything suspicious. That sort of thing.”
* * *
Alyssa waited until they’d called a cab and it picked them up before she left. On the way to Benedict House, Keaton sent Kipling a text telling him he’d be home in ten minutes, that Tilly was coming to stay, and that he’d explain everything when he got there. Kipling sent back a simple Okay.
His older brother was waiting outside as they pulled up. “Lena is putting some things for Tilly in your room,” Kipling said to Keaton after greeting Tilly. “I trust that’s acceptable?”
“Perfect,” Keaton said.
“Come in and sit down.” He led them into the living room and motioned toward the couch. Keaton took a seat and pulled Tilly into his lap. “You look like you need a drink. Tell me what’s going on while I pour.”
Keaton knew he’d given his oldest brother hell while they were growing up. Heck, he still liked to push his buttons on occasion, but it was times like this when he wondered what he’d do without him. Kipling was often viewed as cold and ruthless, but that was only if you didn’t know him. To family, he was loyal and fiercely protective.
For all appearances, his family now included Tilly. As Keaton and Tilly drank the scotch Kipling poured them, they gave him the rundown of what happened at Tilly’s apartment. When they finished, Kipling didn’t say anything, but stood up and poured his own drink. He didn’t speak again until he sat down.
“I don’t like it,” Kipling said. “Not one bit. You did the right thing, though.” He sighed. “I’m not sure what’s gotten into the Charleston PD. It’s utter bullshit they didn’t do more than they did. Though it does sound like Alyssa has a brain in her head, unlike the other so-called police officers.”
“That’s what I told Tilly.” Keaton stroked her arm. She smiled sweetly at him and yawned. He kissed her cheek. “I think it’s time we turned in. Looks like the scotch made her sleepy.”
Kipling nodded. “Go get her settled. I’ll have your car taken care of.”
“Thank you.” Keaton stood to his feet, holding Tilly close to him. “Come on,” he told her. “Let me show you where my room is, just in case you’ve forgotten.”
“Tilly,” Kipling called out and the couple turned to face him. “It goes without saying, but you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, and she sounded so fragile, Keaton tugged her closer. He couldn’t help but think how perfect she felt in his arms.
He’d dropped her overnight bag in the foyer when they came in and Lena—bless her heart, that woman needed a raise—had already taken it upstairs to his room.
Though she’d been yawning in the living room, the walk to the bedroom seemed to have woken Tilly up a bit. Her eyes darted around the hallways and he wondered how much had changed since she’d last been inside.
“It’s so strange being back here,” she said. “It all looks so familiar, yet different.”
He knew exactly what she was talking about, but he didn’t want to think about the past. Too much wasted time stayed there. He wanted to focus on the future, because the more time he spent with her, the more he saw Tilly being a part of it.
“I hope you don’t mind sharing a room with me. If you do, I’ll have Lena set up a guest room.”
“I don’t mind a bit.”
Keaton smiled and pointed. “There’s a full bath through that door and Lena should have set you out a toothbrush.”
Tilly nodded, wrapping her arms around her body. “Where will Elise be staying?”
“She’ll be at the opposite end of the hall.” At her nod, he added. “Simply because Kipling wouldn’t let me stick her in the pool house.”
That got a smile out of her, but it quickly faded. “Is it stupid that I’m not looking forward to seeing her tomorrow?”
Keaton closed the bedroom door. “No. I’m not overly pleased about her being here, either.”
“It’s just, she went to college and graduated and now she’s interning … and me? I wait tables at a gentlemen’s club.”
She was playing with her nails. Keaton took her hand, forcing her to stop. “And you are sweet and beautiful and determined and strong and smart.”
She held her hand up. “Okay. I get it.”
“Are you sure? Because I’ll keep saying it over and over.” He didn’t like her insinuation that she wasn’t as good as Elise or that she wasn’t good enough for him. Especially since the exact opposite was true.
“I think we better stop before my head gets inflated.”
His plan had been to leave her alone so she could get some rest, but he realized he needed to make sure she knew exactly how he felt. He strolled over to her and lightly placed his hands on her shoulders so she had no choice but to face him.
“You see, that’s where you’re wrong,” he said. “I don’t think your head is inflated enough. Because if you saw what I see, you’d understand just how wonderful you are.”
He knew Mama Ann had been proud of her and he remembered her as being a nurturing and kind woman. But who had been there for Tilly after her mother’s death? Who had supported her, been her cheerleader, made sure she knew how accomplished she was?
He had a feeling it was no one. Especially if that ass of a manager was any indication of the people she’d been around the last few years.
“It’s been so long,” she said and her eyes grew wet.
“What’s been so long?”
“Since there’s been anyone other than me. I’m so used to doing it all on my own, starting when Mama got sick, it’s hard to believe all this.” She waved her hand to indicate the room.
“You better get used to it because I’m not going anywhere and I’m not letting you go.”
She smiled for what had to be the first time since they’d found her apartment in shambles. “That’s good to hear.”
Her fingers brushed up and down his arm and he knew he had to get out of the room and fast before they went too far. He took a step back and she frowned.
“As much as I’d like to stay here and prove to you just how wonderful I think you are, I think I’d better let you get some rest,” he said.
“Rest?” she asked. “Who needs to rest? Not me.” She took a step forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Tell me you’re tired and I won’t say another word.”
He had the strength to walk away before, but not now. Not with her touching him. One touch of her hand and he was done for. “You’re making it difficult for me to remember why not doing this is a good idea.”
“Excellent.” She kept her eyes on him as she moved closer when he was within reach, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling his head down and whispering, “Take me to bed, Keaton.” Before he could say anything, her lips were on his and leaving no doubt that she didn’t mean to sleep.
Any further thoughts of resting flew out the window with her soft-spoken request and the brush of her lips against his. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked. After all, it’d been an emotionally intense day and he never wanted her to look back and feel that he’d taken advantage of her.
Her lips grazed his cheek and she whispered in his ear, “I’m very, very sure.”
“Because we don’t have to do anything.”
She pulled back and he couldn’t help but relax at the playfulness of her expression. Her hands drifted to the waist of his pants. “I think this calls for an alternate plan.”
“You don’t have to…” he started, but let the protest die because she already had his pants undone and was licking her lips even though he still had his boxer briefs on.
She palmed him through the thin material. “What was that?”
“Nothing, absolu
tely nothing.”
He didn’t miss her look of triumph when she replied, “That’s what I thought.”
She eased his underwear down, licking her lips again, and he thought he might lose it at the sight of her tongue. Fortunately, he was able to hold on to some sort of control, because the sweet haven of her mouth was unlike anything he’d ever experienced.
“Tilly!” he panted out as her hands came up to his upper thighs and held him in place.
He wasn’t going to last long. That was the only thought in his head other than the one acknowledging how perfect her mouth was.
Only when his climax approached did he pull her head back, or at least tried to. But she wouldn’t budge.
“I’m going to—” he tried to warn her.
She responded by pulling him deeper into her mouth and holding on to his thighs tighter. He groaned as he realized what she was doing and allowed his release to overtake him.
Tilly rocked back to sit on her heels and gazed up at him with an expression of such satisfaction, he couldn’t help but grin at her. Whenever he looked at her, his heart threatened to overflow with emotions. How was it possible she’d been back in his life for such a short time? And how was it possible he already felt as if he couldn’t live without her? But at the moment, her expression was still playful and he wanted to be playful back.
“Oh, now you’ve done it,” he warned her. “Now it’s time.”
“Time for what?”
Instead of answering he swooped down and picked her up, startling her so much she squealed. In one quick move he had her on top of the bed beneath him. “Payback.”
But instead of doing what she thought he’d do, he pushed himself up on his hands and lowered his mouth to hers. She gave a whimper of surprise before kissing him back. For several long minutes, he got lost in her kiss. Her lips were soft and her body responsive.
He was going to give her as much pleasure as possible.
After a few minutes of kissing, he slowly pulled himself away from her sweet lips, ignoring her soft protests. Ever so gently, he kissed his way down her stomach, giving her skin a tiny nibble every so often.
When he made it between her legs, she sucked in a breath and fisted his hair in her hands. She had the sweetest-tasting skin and he swore he got lost in the sensations that were Tilly: her taste, the sounds she made as he used his mouth to drive her toward her own climax, the feel of her as she came around him, and how right it felt when he gathered her to his side and gave her lips one more kiss before her rhythmic breathing indicated sleep had overtaken her.
He tightened his arms around her and whispered to her, “Sleep well, my Tilly. I have you and I’ll keep you safe.”
* * *
Keaton jerked wide awake the next morning at the sound of someone walking down the hall. It took a few seconds for him to realize it was Knox. Surprised, he rolled over to look at the time. Almost five thirty. That didn’t sound like Knox. He’d never known the middle Benedict brother to get less than eight hours of sleep a night. In fact, Kipling and Keaton had often joked that they weren’t sure how the Benedict DNA managed to create such a straitlaced member.
Tilly was still sleeping and though his body balked, he knew he needed to go for a quick jog before showering and eating breakfast. The last few days had been hell on his workout schedule and if he was going to jog, he needed to get it done before it got so humid outside, he felt like he was breathing water.
He kissed Tilly’s shoulder, and smiled as her eyes fluttered open. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Morning,” she said, still half asleep.
“I’m going for a quick jog. Want to join me?”
She snorted and rolled over. “It’s like you don’t know me at all.”
He laughed and got out of bed to get dressed. On his way out of the house, he passed Lena in the hallway, turning down her offer of coffee and promising he’d be back in time for breakfast. He started with a slow, but steady pace, warming his muscles before settling into the brisk pace he enjoyed.
He loved Charleston. Many of the kids he’d gone to high school with had given him a hard time for enrolling at an in-state university nearby. They didn’t understand why he’d decide to stay in the city he grew up in when he had the grades and money to go anywhere he wanted.
He didn’t even try to explain. Most of them had grown up here, just like he had. Many of them were also from old Charleston families. Frankly, he thought if they didn’t experience the same feeling of just being that he did, there was no point in even trying to explain.
He loved the history, the charm, and the strength of the city. He loved the diversity of the people and the taste of its cuisine. He was proud of his heritage and the role his family had played.
He looked out toward the water as he ran. The water that was life to his family’s shipping empire. He often wondered why, if he was so proud of what his family had accomplished, why he didn’t want a more active role in the business?
That question had bothered him until he went on his first international relief trip. Then he knew the answer immediately.
Deep in his soul, he knew it wasn’t enough to simply make the most money and wield the most power. In order to be fulfilled he needed more. For as much as he loved his city, he wasn’t blind to her problems.
His city was also filled with poverty and abuse and had history that couldn’t be washed away or overlooked. There were still inequalities and perceptions that had to be dealt with. And as much as he’d enjoyed his work overseas, he felt he needed to straighten out the needs of his own home before he tackled someone else’s.
That was what he wanted to do with Benedict Industries. It wasn’t enough that they were shipping giants. He wanted them to be giants of charity, too. But it went beyond charity. There had to be a way, with a business as large and diverse as his family’s, to not only help the people of Charleston but to set them on an upward path.
Sometimes, it felt like a burden too heavy for him to carry by himself.
He should ask Knox. He was the heart of the three brothers. The true do-gooder. If he wasn’t able to help, Keaton was willing to bet he knew someone who would.
He turned and started back toward the house. Maybe Knox would be at breakfast and he’d be able to set up a time to talk with him then.
More people were out and about as he headed home. Several of them looked his way. They probably recognized him from the recent news. Not only had his name been spoken and written by the media, but at its core, Charleston was a small town and everyone knew everyone else’s business. It was always the same, someone’s cousin was on the rescue squad, and so and so heard about it on the prayer chain and it wasn’t gossip if it was on the prayer chain. He could almost hear the sure-to-follow “bless his heart” the conversation would end with.
As he approached Benedict House, he slowed down a bit. He’d have to take a shower before breakfast and he really wanted to talk to Tilly, too. If he managed his time right, he should be able to fit everything in without irritating Lena too much, he decided with a smile.
But as he turned the final corner to the long drive, his heart sank. He dropped his speed from a jog to a walk and then from a walk to a stroll, cursing under his breath the entire time.
There was only one reason for a black limo to be parked in his driveway.
Elise had arrived early.
He considered turning around and heading back out, but before he could get his feet to move, the front door opened and Elise stepped out. She spotted him almost immediately, of course. She lifted her arm in a wave.
Damn it. No way could he pretend he didn’t see her, not with her eyes locked on his the way they were. With a sigh, he continued walking up the drive. By the time he made it to where she was, her father had joined her.
“Keaton,” he said with a nod and a handshake. “Congratulations on your graduation.”
“Thank you, sir. Nice to see you again.”
Mr. Germain nodded towa
rd his daughter. “Look after my girl this summer.”
“We all will, sir.” Keaton didn’t think he’d imagined the look of spite Elise gave her dad before her features settled once more into nothing.
“Oh, I know that. But I was meaning you especially.” He ended his sentence with a wink.
Keaton was glad he hadn’t yet eaten breakfast. He was sure if he had, he would have lost it right there on top of Mr. Germain’s ridiculously expensive Italian leather shoes. As it was, he decided to remain silent.
“Hello, Keaton,” Elise said and he turned to her.
She was so perfectly good-looking, she looked fake. From her perfectly styled blond hair, to her perfect body hidden by her perfectly tailored summer suit. Her perfection did nothing for him.
“Hello, Elise. You look well.”
Elise wrinkled her nose. “You can welcome me after you shower.”
Just as well, he didn’t want to touch her anyway. “Have you had breakfast yet?” Keaton asked. “I was going to get a shower and then eat a quick bite.”
“Yes,” Mr. Germain said. “We ate before we headed out.”
“I’ll sit with you while you eat,” Elise said to him.
“No need for you to do that,” Keaton said. “I’m sure you need to unpack and get settled in.”
“It can wait,” she said in a perfectly sweet voice that make him feel sick. “I’d much rather hear what you’ve been up to since we last saw each other.”
Of course she would.
“And I can put some stuff away while you shower,” she said as if it were the most brilliant idea ever.
“I have to go,” Mr. Germain said. He gave Keaton a slap on the shoulder before turning to his daughter and pointing at her. “Be good.”
“Aren’t I always?”
“I’m not answering that.”
Keaton stood in front of the house with her while she watched her father get into the limo and leave the property. No sooner had the car disappeared, then Elise turned to him.
“I heard about what happened at that club,” Elise said. “Thank goodness you’re okay. I hope they find the person who did it. Scary to think they’re just walking around.”
