Pink Lilies (Beautiful People Book 1)

by Lacee Hightower

  “Morning, Richard.” I dropped off my purse and washed my hands.

  “Hey, Alex. Better give you a heads up. The wealthy Korean businessmen have another reservation at one. You know they always expect you to handle their table.”

  “Excellent,” I whispered, smiling at the amusement behind Richard’s eyes.

  Hours passed, and the restaurant was almost empty after the group of Korean oilmen finally left, leaving me a two-hundred-dollar tip. Luckily, I was clocking out early. After work I planned on stopping by Stein Mart to pick up something new to wear to Tyler’s tonight. Maybe I’d text him and tell him I was picking up Thai food. He was surely going to be tired after a long day in surgery and very little sleep last night.

  I stepped into the ladies’ room for a quick break and a touch-up on my lipstick and hair. The door opened and Katherine walked in. What was she doing here? Dressed in an off-white, slim cut pantsuit, she had to be nearing six feet with the dark brown stilettos she wore.

  She forced an awkward smile, showing off perfectly veneered teeth and clinically over-plumped lips. Looking at her sickened me.

  “Ahhh, Alex. Such a pleasant work atmosphere for the average woman like yourself. Have your tips been sufficient today?” She smirked, rubbing her thumbs across her manicured nails. God, I hate you!

  “My tips have been just fine, Katherine. What do I owe the pleasure of seeing you in such an ordinary place like Bryson’s? Are you slumming it today? How do you even know my name?”

  Her lips formed a hateful sneer that made me shudder.

  “I don’t slum anything, Alex. Tyler makes sure I have everything I need. He’s done it for years. Which is exactly why I’m here. He filled me in on you, and I watched your little fiasco with him at the seafood restaurant.” She pulled out a small silver compact from her handbag and brushed a coat of powder across her face. She had a small scar on her jawline, sparking my curiosity.

  “Tyler and I have known each other for a very long time. We have a deep connection, Alex. Didn’t you sense that when you watched us together at The Dock House?” The look in her eyes suddenly softened at the mention of Tyler. There almost appeared to be just a small trace of a hidden conscience somewhere behind the evil pools of green, but the look quickly vanished.

  “You, on the other hand, don’t fit into his kind of world. It’s only a matter of time before he tires of you. You’ll only end up hurt, just as the others did.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, Katherine,” I expressed. “I probably don’t fit in Tyler’s world, as you put it.” Her eyes filled with viciousness.

  “Listen carefully to my warning, Alex. Don’t be a fool like so many others have been, including your cousin. You could never be enough for him. He has certain expectations that a simple girl like you couldn’t possibly understand.” She promptly turned around and left.

  I splashed cold water on my face as she exited the ladies room, hoping she didn’t notice my shaking legs. A fool like the others? Including my cousin?

  How the hell did this woman know anything about my cousin?

  Another couple of minutes passed as I tried normalizing my racing pulse that wouldn’t slow down. Grateful my shift was ending, I couldn’t wait to get out of here. Even though I didn’t really take her threats seriously, there was something evil behind Katherine’s eyes. Something I couldn’t quite place.

  Suddenly, the realization of her comments hit me. Maybe she was being truthful and really did have a connection with Tyler. Maybe he had taken care of her for years. A cold shiver raced through my chest as I tossed the damp towel I’d dried my face with in the trash.

  Minutes from being dark as I headed out for the night, the unexpected sound of footsteps behind me made my skin crawl. Only distantly aware that I was panting, before I knew it, I was nearly running to my car.

  “Alex! Wait up!”

  I stopped in my tracks, flooded with piercing relief at the welcoming sound of Richard’s voice. Inches from my car door, his hands were instantly on my shoulders, turning me to face him.

  “Hey, hey, what’s going on here? You ran out the door like you’d seen a ghost. Did the oilmen get you this riled up? I know they drank a little too much.”

  Tears flew from my eyes. I didn’t know if they were from fear, or the fact that I was relieved that it was Richard facing me, instead of Katherine. I didn’t know, but either way, I dropped my head onto his chest and wept. His hands lightly rubbed against my back.

  “Tell me what’s going on, Alex.”

  I broke free from Richard’s embrace, sliding my fingers underneath my eyes and wiping away the mess of running mascara.

  “I’m sorry, Richard. It’s just been a bad day.” Just as I returned his gaze, his head tilted slightly, his eyes narrowing to slits. He knew me well enough to know when I was just bothered by a rude customer, or truly upset. His jaw tightened as his eyes drilled through mine.

  “Jesus, Alex. Is this about that guy? The one who came to see you a few weeks ago?”

  “Yes,” I whispered. “Sort of.”

  He stepped closer and returned his hands to my shoulders. Before I could think, he was against me with his arms slowly moving down my back toward my hips.

  “Christ, Alex. You’re a beautiful woman. Someone like you should never be upset.” His face leaned into my neck, his lips lightly brushing across my skin. His erection thumped against my belly and I struggled out of his hold, swallowing back a sound of protest.

  “Richard, I…”

  The somber look in his eyes halted my words. “It’s okay, Alex. I get it. You love him, don’t you?”

  Genuinely a handsome and nice man, my body ached to be held in strong arms right now, but not with Richard. I didn’t feel that way toward him. I glared at the ground. Love Tyler? I hadn’t given much thought to actually loving him. Not really. Not yet. But maybe Richard was right. Tyler was in my head. Every single thing about him was ingrained in my thoughts. In my heart. I did love him. Oh, my God. I love Tyler Yates.

  Richard politely took a step back, dropping his hands into his pockets. “I apologize, Alex. Please. Let’s not let this come between our work relationship. You’re a great employee. And more than that, you’re a special friend. I hope I haven’t ruined that.” His voice faded for a few seconds, his body stiffening.

  “Just be careful. Never just settle. Make sure he’s really the one. Be positive that he’ll treat you the way you deserve. That’s all I ask.” His eyes seemed tired as he leaned over my shoulder and opened my car door. “Good night, Alex.”

  “Thanks, Richard. Our friendship means the world to me.” I squeezed his wrist briefly, my eyes burning again. “You’re the one who deserves everything.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Alex

  Becca’s pink and black journal sat on my kitchen table beside the stack of opened bills and junk mail. Why would she want me to have it? Such a personal thing for anyone to share, it seemed odd. Especially since we hadn’t been close in a good long time.

  Still on edge about both Katherine and Richard, with shaking hands, I poured a small glass of chilled Chardonnay. Hesitantly, I moved toward the small book. A perfect, tiny halo of moonlight peeked through the window, covering the book full of my cousin’s life. Always the happy one, always the positive thinker, whatever possessed Becca to do this should never have happened.

  The closer I got to the table, the harder my heart raced. Uncontrollable pulsating drummed inside my chest and I wound my arms around myself to fight the eerie feeling. Were the answers we all needed somewhere in the small 4” x 6” pink book covered in small hearts? Did the detectives miss something I might recognize? I lifted the journal and stuck it in my bag.

  After everything that happened at work, I blew off going by and looking for something new to wear, but still planned on picking up Thai food. I’d texted Tyler earlier, getting a response a few minutes later that he was running late, and that I was welcome to go on to his house and make
myself comfortable. Three surgeries today, he could cook for me later when he didn’t have an exhaustive day in the OR. Plus, I planned on telling him about Katherine’s weird visit and wanted his full-blown attention. Her threat still had me shook up. Beautiful on the outside, there was a spiritual kind of evil that lurked behind her gaze. Like she could easily reach through and jerk out a person’s heart and never blink an eye. In the back of my mind, I knew he would promise me it wouldn’t happen again, and knowing Tyler, it wouldn’t. Even though I was edgy, I grinned, quickly wishing the evil bitch knew step by step what he and I had done only hours before. Where his mouth had been, along with his rock-hard cock. I highly doubted she would consider having a claim on him if she knew all the things his body had done to mine.

  An hour later, I was standing in the living room of Tyler’s house with a glass of Chardonnay, my stomach grumbling at the smell of spicy basil chicken wafting in the air. Still dealing with an eerie feeling about Katherine, my spirits stayed high. Tyler’s home was lovely. I stared at the surroundings. Bono in front of his favorite chair, his eyes fluttering as he slept peacefully. Large double French doors leading to the perfectly manicured lawn and thoroughly cleaned pool and spa with mature trees on both sides. The perfect house for a family, one day I hoped to have this kind of life. A person couldn’t ask for anything more.

  I lifted the cool fruity wine and took a small sip, sliding the heart-covered journal from my bag, as I sat down on the couch. In the front was a short, handwritten note in pink ink. To my sister Alex. Always kindred spirits. Tears burned the corners of my eyes.

  The first few pages were normal Becca. Talk about school, her dislike toward her roommate for being a slob, transferring to UTA, and normal single-girl talk. I envisioned her silly, crooked smile as I read entry after entry about men in general being dogs and only wanting a piece of her ass. She’d felt that way about men since we were little girls. I had to smile though. Becca never realized just how beautiful she truly was. Even with her cursed dimple, she’d always been stunning. Guys flocked to her even though she chose not to give the majority of them the time of day.

  My hands trembling, I lifted my knees into my chest, sinking back onto the oversized couch and pulling the silky throw blanket over my feet. I sipped on wine and slowly read through the pages of the last months of Becca’s short-lived life.

  For a minute, I could only stare at the paragraph that caught my attention, my breath lodging deep in my throat.

  I met the most amazing man today. Who would have ever known that writing my dreaded thesis would introduce me to such an amazing, gorgeous, and intelligent man? Even though he didn’t ask me out, he took my cell phone number. Guess that means something.

  I read forward. For many pages, there was no worthwhile information on the so-called mystery man. Only words about waiting for his call and thinking about him. Then, she mentioned him again.

  I’m calling him. I’m going to ask him out. Jeez! I’ve never done this before. What if he turns me down? What will I say?

  Page after page, she talked about the man in question. Not calling him by name, they were clearly in some sort of relationship. A Dominant/submissive one by the sounds of it. How deep into it she was, I couldn’t be sure, but it still didn’t seem possible. She’d always been so innocent and passive. Then again, those two descriptions were what made a good submissive, according to erotica books.

  After reading further, my stomach suddenly wrenched at the words staring me in the face. Words I didn’t want to see. Urging myself to calm down, I felt the blood drain from my face and sat my wine glass down. My God, please let this be a mistake. My heart twisted, but yet I couldn’t turn away from the long page of words clearly revealing my cousin’s lover.

  I can’t believe I’m growing to love the whole idea of a Dominant/submissive relationship. Using a flogger on me last night while binding my arms and legs was the most erotic sensual thing I’ve ever thought (or not thought) about doing. I loved it! My beautiful doctor with stunning green eyes and the most amazing set of lips, claimed he was being easy on me afterward. I told him I didn’t want easy. I wanted more. I was ready for him to use a cane. The pain felt good. I want to experience everything I possibly can. Learn all I can about the lifestyle. Who would have known that I’d lose my virginity to a doctor that enjoyed sex clubs, and learn to crave submission? Mortified in the beginning after finding out I was still a virgin at my age, I personally think he was also pretty turned on by the small fact he got to be the one who deflowered me with his majestic penis. Today, I wanted to surprise him by showing up unexpectedly at his place of work. He’d never asked me to come to his clinic, but I figured no harm no foul. After showing up unexpectedly with some gourmet dog treats I’d picked up for Bono, I seduced him right in his office as he took a phone call from a patient. I lowered his scrubs and sucked him off until he violently came in my mouth. Afterward, he spanked me for disrupting him while he was talking business. One of the hottest moments in my life, Alex wouldn’t be telling me I needed to come out of my shell now!

  The air around me disappeared. It was all adding up. Sex club … Clinic … Doctor … Dog named Bono. And lastly, Katherine knowing Becca and the fact that she was my cousin. How would she know that? Unless … Tyler told her. I sucked in a gulp as there suddenly seemed to be a lack of oxygen in the room. Breathing was impossible, the words in front of me clearly sinking in. I couldn’t read any more. Where my thoughts had been full of hope only minutes ago, they now only engaged in despair and doubt.

  Lies … Betrayal…

  Tyler was Becca’s mystery man. He was her Dom. Becca’s Dom!

  Nothing was making sense anymore. Or maybe, it really was. All the hesitation in the beginning. The strange look in the doughnut shop the day I told him my name and he noticed my unusual facial dimple. His widened eyes when I asked him if he knew Becca. My hands trembling, I set the journal down and drained my glass of wine.

  I sat. And sat some more. Waiting for the tears that didn’t come. There was only emptiness. And stabbing pain in my chest. How could something like this happen? Katherine was right. But why didn’t Tyler expect submission from me? How was I different? And most importantly, why hadn’t I used my head? He was a silent partner in a sex club for God’s sake! Not involved in the daily operations of business, he was still a part of it. Still best friends with Justin. My pea brain should have known he was a Dom.

  Was he a sadist?

  I glanced at my watch. Nearly 6:30, my heart howled in agony as I tightened my hands around my mid-section. Only hours ago, I’d admitted that I was falling in love with Tyler. Now the truth burned like a hot poker in my heart. Tyler had been in a relationship with my cousin. And he denied knowing her.

  Lies.

  Betrayal.

  Why was I any different? Or was I? Maybe he was stalling again.

  Ultimately, it didn’t matter.

  Tyler was a damn liar.

  I buried my face in my hands as long, piercing sobs erupted from my chest. The sound of the blood-curdling wailing was unfamiliar even to me. I’d never cried such violent tears. Never felt so used. I’d never hurt on this level.

  My cousin and closest childhood friend had killed herself because the man I was falling in love with broke her heart. He stripped her spirit. Was I next?

  He was sleeping with me. And he damn well knew we were related. There was no possibility that he didn’t. Our rare type of dimple wasn’t just a coincidence. Neither was our last name. Tyler knew from day one.

  Tears dripped from the tip of my nose onto the journal entry as I leaned over the table and gazed at the precise handwriting, the salty drops of emotion smearing the words … that changed everything.

  I closed the journal and returned it to my purse. My stomach rolling, I couldn’t bear to read anymore. How could he do this to me?

  I sat in Tyler’s house and waited. What was I waiting for exactly? For the man I was falling for?

  The man who ha
d just been in a relationship with my cousin a few short weeks ago?

  The man who broke her heart and lied right to my face?

  The one who hurt me like no other ever had?

  Tyler had never tried Dominance toward me. Or had he? Definitely in charge in the bedroom and controlling in every aspect of his life, he didn’t talk down to me. And he sure as hell didn’t try to spank me, even though he had threatened to. I thought he was kidding when he did that.

  I laid my head on the arm rest and closed my burning eyes.

  Something touched my cheek and I jumped, the small throw blanket slipping to the ground. My eyes snapped open and Tyler was standing over me. His beautiful smile was mesmerizing, but ended once he saw me. My eyes were swollen and burning from crying.

  Suddenly, I was angry. Mad at myself. The Bohmann temper was emerging in full fighting force, yet I wanted to talk sensibly before I left. I needed to hear his side of the story.

  Every. Fucking. Lie.

  I wanted to see the look on his flawless face when he explained how, and why, he had betrayed me.

  “What? What’s happened, angel? You’ve been crying.”

  I pulled my legs underneath me, sitting up and reaching for my purse. Slowly, I pulled out the small pink and black journal and sat it on top of my leg.

  “This is what’s wrong, Tyler.” I fought crying again. As badly as I hated to admit it, I was falling in love with the man in front of me.

  A liar.

  A betrayer.

  And it hurt my heart in the worst kind of way. Yet, I didn’t understand what part stabbed at me the deepest. The lying, or the fact that Tyler shared certain intimacies with Becca that he wasn’t interested in with me.

  He sat down next to me, shoving both his hands viciously through his hair. His expression was grim and heartfelt. He’d definitely seen Becca’s journal before.