by Aria Cole
I found it a little sad that Gran hadn’t greeted me upon my arrival. That she wasn’t here hugging and kissing me meant only one thing: her illness had gotten worse, and now she couldn’t physically afford to disobey her doctor. At least I had Darla to make me feel a little more at home. “How is she, Darla?” My voice was laced with sadness and worry.
“She has good days and bad ones. But she is still just as feisty and fiery.” Darla smiled and winked at me as her eyes twinkled with mischief. Even though Darla was making light of the situation, I knew it was only for my benefit. It was a ruse to keep my spirits up.
After putting away my clothes and washing up in the bathroom after the long train ride, I wandered into the large bedroom that was still a shrine to my childhood, Gran had everything from my childhood out for display. I smiled that everything had remained as I left it, the only thing that changed was my single bed was now upgraded to an opulent king-sized version. I smiled, looking at all the trinkets from my childhood. Gran sure was teetering on borderline hoarder. I smiled cherishing all the love and devotion my Gran felt toward me, my whole life she had been my biggest champion and supporter.
By afternoon, I was disappointed that I had yet to see Gran, but Darla had told me that she slept a lot now due to the medication the doctors had given her. I decided to take a walk around the grounds to dispel me from my dark thoughts and look at the new beautiful landscaping. Whoever the new landscaper was, he had a very detailed eye. Everything was beautiful and perfectly arranged.
I felt a pang of guilt that I hadn’t seen all this in the past years. My friends, school, and summer activities became more important at times, and my family took a backseat. You only realize the mistakes you are making when it’s too late. I trailed my fingertips over the perfectly manicured hedge. I turned the corner and ran right into what seemed to be a wall but was, in fact, a giant, burly man. I stumbled, my arms thrusting out, and was about to fall flat on my behind when suddenly, two strong, rock-solid arms surrounded me. They wrapped around my waist, and stunning green eyes pierced right through me before his lips parted and he breathed, “Are you okay?” His deep voice pounded through my ears, the sprinkling of an accent registering, and I remembered Darla’s comments about the French landscaper. My heart thundered as I lay speechless in his arms, swallowing the utter shock and surprise I felt. His dark emerald gaze held mine for another long beat, his touch on my body the only thing I could feel. I trembled with the new sensations pulsing through me.
“Wow, your arms are huge…” I breathed and instantly wanted to go back in time a few minutes to erase the stupid words that had raced out of my mouth.
I was unable to say anything else, my eyes still trained on his.
His beautiful mouth curled into a crooked grin before his grip tightened around my waist and he hauled me against his body. “But they sure came in handy, didn’t they?”
His words fell upon deaf ears. All I could think and feel was his body, this giant, stunning man holding me against him. His grip tightened again at that moment, almost taking my breath away. His presence was overwhelming, his broad shoulders and chiseled biceps stretching the thin fabric of his white T-shirt.
I’d never seen a man like this before. He was broad and formidable, and I felt remarkably small wrapped up in his arms. I peered up at his face, which was just as stunning as his stature. A dark, well-kept beard and nearly jet black hair had me aching to feel the strands beneath my fingers.
“I’m Beau Loup,” he whispered as a small smile curved his lips. His words danced around the air between us, my mind too scattered at that moment to say anything profound.
“I am Scarlet Fair. My gran owns the house,” I introduced myself, feeling his gaze flutter across my skin, setting it on fire as he went.
“Mm, glad to make your acquaintance, Ms. Fair.” His gaze finally landed on mine again. His intense stare penetrating me to my very core. “I hope to see more of you.” His words twisted in the wind, his tone and the wicked gleam in his eyes implying so much more. This man had a roguish charm about him, and if I wasn’t careful, I would fall as his prey.
“Well, if you work here, it seems you will.” I pulled from his embrace and missed the warmth instantly. Beau Loup didn’t make me feel uncomfortable. Something about him was welcoming. Oddly enough, he reminded me of my father− big, rough, but completely kind-hearted.
“Work and live.” His words pulled me from my thoughts.
“You live here?” I nearly swallowed my tongue.
His eyes rose in amusement before he answered. “I’ve got a place out back. Ms. Fair sold a corner lot to me a while ago.”
I nodded slowly, my eyes tracing the stark lines of rigid muscle decorating his body. I could feel my face getting flushed.
I twisted my hands together, my skin prickling with aroused awareness. “It was nice to meet you, Beau. I hope to run into you again.”
“I’m sure you will.” He took my hand in his and lifted it to his lips. He placed a lingering kiss there, his gaze shooting a blaze of fire straight into my core, and his words hung in the air as he winked at me. Why wasn’t he leaving? Shoo, will you? At that moment I didn’t know what to do, but I knew I had to leave. This man had me trapped, and I needed to get out. “Well, I must be going.” I quickly snatched my hand back from him and spun around so fast that I almost tripped. I noticed him lurch to catch me, and his face had lost that devastating smile, it now seemed to be marred with concern and worry. Just as quickly as that worry came, it vanished when he saw I hadn’t fallen.
I swiftly ran off before I could embarrass myself any further. “Until next time, petite rouge.” As the distance grew between us, I could still hear his laughter following me.
Sensations raced across my skin, curling my toes and prickling the hairs on the nape of my neck. The feeling of immediate danger seemed to course it’s way through my body, as if raging and combusting in my bloodstream.
Chapter 2
Beau
I normally didn’t spend my days up at the big house−I hired people for the menial tasks−but today I needed to work with my hands.
I needed to feel tools in my hands, I loved crafting generic pieces of wood into something beautiful. It was a dream I had for as long as I can remember, to be an artist. The idea of taking something broken and showing its beauty again appealed to me, bringing old, neglected things back to life.
I also found I loved working with Ms. Fair. I’d been taking care of the grounds of the estate for a while now, starting with backbreaking labor before I’d gotten my own landscaping and design company off the ground. Ms. Fair had only recently begun to ask me to custom design pieces for the estate after seeing an old handmade rocking chair I had made sitting in the bed of my truck.
She often had sophisticated parties, with debutantes coming and going from the mansion, the wealthy women getting grabby and doe-eyed around me, acting out their sexy gardener fantasies, I had no doubt, but the gruff, cranky, overbearing asshole in me usually kept them at bay. But Scarlet wasn’t like any of those women, actually, I’ve never met a woman like her before in my life. She was a shy little thing who made me want to play and protect, the red blush and that innocent look in her eyes were sexy as hell. I couldn’t help smiling when she talked to me, I don’t think I had never smiled that long in my entire life. She looked so…cute…standing there with flaming red hair all wild and that cute little blush. I’d chuckled when she said her name, Scarlet. It suited her so well. She seemed to burn with a red-hot fire in a small package. Petite rouge.
I thrust a hand through my hair, stalking off around the corner of the house, my mind still on the pretty little redheaded thing. I hadn’t been with a woman in years, and in truth, I hadn’t missed it much. Not until now.
I turned, about to grab the shovel I’d come for, when I caught a glimpse of the gorgeous little woman walking away shaking that hot little ass. I just wanted to take a bite out of it. Dammit, she was so sexy. If I wasn�
�t careful, I would become consumed with having her in my bed and on my cock. I bet she would look so hot naked, all that milky white skin with the long fiery curls raging around her body.
If Scarlet didn’t stay away from me, I would become consumed by her. There was something about her that made me lose all perspective. I wondered what she would sound like while I buried my tongue deep in her, tasting her sweetness, smelling her scent. I wanted my cock deep in her throat and then buried in what I envisaged was the sweetest pussy imaginable. I wanted her scent to surround me.
I groaned quietly, then stalked off in the other direction, taking the long way back to my project in the backyard just to avoid her. It seems I’d need to do a lot of avoiding the next few weeks if I was going to keep my hands off her. Just feeling her form pressed against mine had launched lust into my system like never before, she just looked so damn sweet and felt so incredibly soft.
After spending most of the day finishing up the brick patio, complete with hand-designed and carefully crafted furniture, I packed up my tools, eager to get home. I was desperate for a shower, layers of grime and sweat covering my skin, but a sense of satisfaction was embedded deep in my bones. Ms. Fair had given me free rein to design things the way I saw fit, which made me even more motivated to make sure things were made to perfection.
Working for her was a complete joy. She was so vibrant and full of life, and a part of me thought she was a little bit on the dirty old bird side. I swear I caught her checking out my ass on more than one occasion.
I dropped the bag of tools into my truck and headed for the front door. The lady of the house had told me to stop by after dinner, which was why I’d chosen to work right through it, before I stopped in to check the architectural plans she’d laid out for a greenhouse in the orchard.
I tapped on the door lightly before stepping in, having felt more than welcomed in all these years I’d been coming here. Ms. Fair had always been generous, and in some ways, I felt more at home here than anywhere else, she had a way of making someone feel really at ease.
I took a few tentative steps into the great foyer, peeking around an open doorway to find the formal dining room empty.
“Oh, I suppose you’ve come for the blueprints. Give me just a minute, Beau.” Ms. Fair appeared out of another door, a small smile on her face as she shuffled through a small side table. “The patio looks gorgeous, even better than I’d envisioned.” Though her body may look weak, her smile was strong, and her eyes still danced.
She passed me the roll of paper. “Thank you.”
I nodded. “Hearing you say that makes all the hard work worth it. I think the hardwood you picked will weather nicely.” I was caught off guard when Scarlet came around the corner, waves of her fiery hair falling over one shoulder. My brain automatically went to thoughts of how those locks would feel in my fist as I kissed her so hard I bruised her lips. Those lips could make a man fall to his knees begging to just get a taste.
“Oh, Scarlet, meet Beau Loup. He owns the company that maintains the grounds. He puts those muscles to good use taking care of this place.” Ms. Fair’s papery palm pressed at my forearm as she winked at her granddaughter.
“I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting your stunning granddaughter.” I smiled at Scarlet, desperate to see the blush rise to her face. She was so adorable standing there, shuffling her feet. My smile got wider as I thought how much this sweet girl wanted to run for the hills with embarrassment.
“Mr. Loup was so kind to catch me when I stumbled.” Scarlet’s honeyed voice floated between us.
“As I said, it was my pleasure. It isn’t every day that a guy can play a knight in shining armor.”
“I was just headed for bed, these days take a lot out of me, but I was just telling Scarlet my plans for the greenhouse. I thought maybe you could show her our plans before you head off for the night?” The elder woman’s warm eyes danced with mischief as she gazed up at me, batting her lashes. I smiled, thinking how she must have had men wrapped around her finger when she was young. She certainly had the charm now.
“Well...” I rubbed at the back of my neck, wondering what in the hell she was up to. I’d been working outside in the sun all day, probably stank like a pig and wasn’t the most presentable to entertain her gorgeous granddaughter.
“I don’t want to keep you out late, Mr. Loup. I’m positive you’re tired from working all day and evening out in the sun.” Scarlet’s ocean-blue gaze locked on mine.
I think my heart nearly fell on the fucking floor. “No, it’s no trouble at all.” I squeezed the old woman’s hand and placed a soft kiss on it.
“Thank you so much, Beau. I know she’s in good hands.” Ms. Fair patted my arm as Scarlet approached, the lavender scent of her hair filling my nostrils and making my cock stand at attention.
“Sure, not a problem. Have a good night.” I nodded at her just as Scarlet slipped her hand through the crook of my elbow. Nerves popped and fizzled with her gentle touch, and it took everything in me not to pull her against my body and fuck her mouth with my tongue.
“Have a nice walk, loves,” Ms. Fair called before heading up the stairs slowly, leaving me and her granddaughter alone.
“I appreciate you doing this, Mr. Loup.”
Without saying a word, I opened the door, standing in a position that ensured she’d have to brush against me as she passed. As she walked by me to head outside, I felt her breast brush up against me, and I nearly lost my mind. I wondered if my presence affected her the way she affected me, one look at her and I could feel myself coming undone. “You can call me Beau, you know. Actually, I think I would like to see my first name rolling off your tongue.” I waggled my eyebrows suggestively, and suddenly the most beautiful thing happened…I saw her smile.
“Well, Beau, thank you for showing me—”
“It’s completely my pleasure, petite rouge.” My eyes crawled down her neck, landing at the soft V of her cleavage. Her full round tits begged for my hands, I wanted to palm them and taste her succulent pebbled nipples with my tongue. “Scarlet, it’s really my pleasure, girls like you don’t come by everyday. You are enchanting.” I pressed a hand across her collarbone, trailing my fingertips at the hollow of her throat, delighting in the hot dew of her skin.
I turned to put the blueprints in my car, but when I turned back to look at her face, she was gone.
“Fuck!” I grunted, frantic to find her.
Chapter 3
Scarlet
I sped down the damp grass, heading for the house and the comforting warmth of my bed. Beau Loup was the most striking, charming, terrifying man I’d ever met. I’d never before felt the things he’d just made me feel in the pit of my stomach.
I pushed a hand through my hair, finally feeling my heart calm enough to allow me to think rationally before I reached the house. I stopped at the newly remodeled patio, resting my eyes as I leaned against the weathered wooden bench and went over his words in my head.
I was curious about his past, his history on the estate. I made a mental note to probe Gran for some answers about the mysterious Beau Loup tomorrow.
I looked up at the sky, marveling at the thousands of stars sparkling in my vision, before I heard soft footsteps in the grass. Sheltered next to a tall juniper, I tucked myself into the branches hanging over the bench, trying everything I could to disappear as Beau approached the house. I watched him as he stalked by, the hard line of his jaw and ripped bulges of his biceps highlighted by the silvery moon.
He was devastatingly gorgeous, so rugged, and manly. I’d seen him pull up his shirt earlier while he drank from the water faucet, and my mouth was nearly salivating again at the memory. I was drawn to him, and as much as I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t. He was larger than life and took up the space around him and swallowed all the air in the vicinity. When he was around, I felt powerless, like a deer caught in the headlights, frozen in place and too scared to move.
I sighed softly, shifting in the
quiet night when Beau finally rounded the corner, and I was safe. He hadn’t seen me, but strangely an unexpected wave of disappointment churned through me. Despite everything, Beau Loup had cast his spell on me.
I spent the next few mornings with thoughts of Beau floating weightlessly in my head but lying heavy in my heart. I couldn’t get the flirty, sexy man off my mind. He’d been busy working on the greenhouse all hours of the day and hadn’t been up to the big house since the night I freaked out and ran away from him. My thoughts had run wild in the hours since then, and I was more than a little ashamed that I’d taken to spending afternoons tucked up in my bedroom, trying to catch a glimpse of him working, from my perch high above the grounds.
Finally, after days of confinement in the house, I slipped out after dinner, dusk just kissing the horizon, and headed for a walk through Gran’s glorious gardens. I did my best to avoid the orchard and headed the opposite way, sucking in the heady scent of lilacs, trailing my fingers along the rows of evergreens that lined one garden wall. My mind wandered to Beau. The warmth in his eyes from the first time we’d met haunted me. Despite his charming and rather cocky exterior, there seemed to be something deep lingering in his eyes. I wasn’t the kind of girl that really craved a man, but the touch of his skin against mine made me feel differently. Made me feel like I’d never felt before. I kept walking, my mind drifting off to school girl fantasies of his broad body pushing against mine as he kissed me, the slow probe of his tongue working my mouth and sending my body into a blaze.
The garden path dipped to the right, and I was surprised to come across a small bubbling pond stocked with fish, a beautiful, intricately wrought wooden bench perched at one edge.
I smiled to myself as I took a seat and ran my hands along the wood grain, wondering if Beau had crafted this piece too, his hands working the wood until it shone with beauty and character. My heart flitted in excitement as I remembered the way his cocky grin lifted one corner of his mouth and his eyes twinkled in mischievous amusement. The low tenor of his voice never failed to send butterflies racing in my stomach, his words dampening my panties. I swallowed the excitement clutching at my throat and slowly pulled the thin fabric of my summer dress up my legs.
