Reluctant Desire [Desire, Oklahoma 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Leah Brooke

  Beau’s stomach knotted even tighter. “I’m taking her home with me.” His tone dared his friend to argue.

  Ace turned to him, nodding once. “I expect so.”

  Beau shook his head. “I didn’t expect it to be so easy. Hope told me that I’d have to go through you to get to Charity.”

  Pursing his lips, Ace stared thoughtfully toward the street. “My wife says a lot of things. She also likes to meddle, something I thought I’d gotten under control. She and I are going to have a nice talk when she gets home.”

  Beau blinked. “I don’t think it’s meddling to take her sister to the hospital when she needs it. I owe her.”

  Ace turned his head, smiling faintly. “Yeah, she took Charity, and I’m glad she did. Don’t you think it’s a bit odd that she didn’t call me until she was already at the hospital? That no one called you? I’ll be willing to bet my next paycheck that she reamed you a new one about leaving Charity and going off with Anna.”

  Frowning, Beau got to his feet. “She did and I deserved it. But, Anna needed me, and I didn’t want to leave her like that.”

  “What happened?”

  Beau shrugged, trying to ease some of the tension in his shoulders. “I brought Anna to the club because I thought it would do her some good to get out. She’s been really down about the divorce. I also wanted her to meet Charity.”

  Cursing the fact that his face burned, he stared out into the night. “Anna’s made a few comments about wanting a man like me, and she’s tried to flirt a couple of times. I told her that I was engaged, but it didn’t seem to make a difference. I thought that if she met Charity, she would realize that I’m in love with someone else. I’d hoped she and Charity could be friends.”

  “Does Charity know you’ve been giving her money?”

  Nodding, Beau took his seat again, anxious for Charity to get back. “Yes. I told her that Jeffrey didn’t leave any money for the bills and that Anna was broke. I’ve been honest about everything.”

  “Except that Anna wants to get her claws in you?”

  Beau got to his feet again, to restless to sit still. “I’d hoped that after today, it wouldn’t be an issue anymore.”

  Ace’s brow went up. “So why did you stay so long?”

  With a sigh, Beau leaned against the railing. “Anna wanted to leave because she had another migraine. She’s been getting them ever since she started the divorce proceedings. By the time I got her back to her house, it was worse. She couldn’t even open her eyes. I helped her into bed, and was just about to leave when Jeffrey showed up. He didn’t appreciate that I was there, and started screaming, waking Anna up. She came out and fainted. I tried to get Jeffrey to leave, but he wouldn’t. Christ, I’ve been so stupid.”

  Ace raised a brow, saying nothing.

  Amused at his friend, Beau shook his head. “It turns out that Anna’s been playing me all along. Jeffrey showed me receipts and bank statements. He’s been paying the bills all along. She’s the one who wanted more money. She married him, thinking he was rich, and when she found out that I was the one with the money, she set her sights on me.”

  Straightening, he went back to his seat again, suddenly weary. “She’s been spending the money I gave her on new clothes and tucking some away for a rainy day. Jeffrey showed me her bank book, with Anna screaming at him the entire time to get out, and begging me not to believe him. But, it was all there in black and white.”

  Clenching his jaw, he met Ace’s gaze. “I can forgive her for the money, but I can’t forgive her for causing this rift between Jeffrey and me, and I sure as hell can’t forgive her for keeping me away from Charity when she needed me.”

  Ace got to his feet as Hunter’s truck pulled up, catching Beau’s arm as he started to race forward.

  “Charity needed you, but I have a feeling Hope made it out to be worse than it was. She wanted you to feel guilty because she absolutely despises Anna, and knew what she was up to. She wanted to shake you up. She loves her sister, and in her own way, tried to protect her. I’ll deal with her, but don’t let yourself feel too bad. Charity knows that if she needed you, she could have called you. She didn’t. If I were you, I’d be pretty upset about that.”

  Beau forced a smile. “I’ll be upset tomorrow. Right now, I just want to take care of her. Hunter and Remington look furious.”

  “I’ll explain things to them. Just get Charity home.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Good morning.”

  Charity blinked against the bright sunlight pouring in from the window, trying to focus on Beau. “Good morning.” Her pulse tripped at the sight of him. “We’re at your house.” Frowning, she looked around as she realized she was naked. “I don’t remember getting here.”

  Sitting up, she rubbed her forehead where the remnants of her headache still lingered, unnerved by the way Beau stared at her. “This is getting to be a habit. That stuff they gave me last night really must have knocked me out.”

  Beau shrugged and handed her the cup of coffee he held. “It did. It probably wouldn’t have if you’d eaten something yesterday like you promised me you would.”

  “I tried.” She fell back against the pillows, wondering if he’d bring up the subject of Anna. “Hope brought a bunch of little sandwiches. She eats like crazy when she’s nervous, but I couldn’t eat a thing. I promised myself that I’d get something as soon as everyone left.”

  Beau’s expression never changed. “Hmm. Didn’t quite make it, did you?”

  “No, but—”

  Beau got to his feet, his expression so cool that it sent a chill through her. “Your breakfast is almost ready. Do you need help getting dressed?”

  “No, I—”

  “Good. Come out when you’re ready. I have a few things to talk to you about.”

  Charity watched him go, her stomach fluttering with nerves. Wondering if he’d decided to call their engagement off because of Anna, she eased herself from the bed, surprised that her muscles didn’t protest.

  By the time she got to the kitchen, she was shaking. Standing in the doorway, she crossed her arms over her chest to hide it as she watched Beau fill a plate with scrambled eggs, bacon and sliced strawberries, lifting his gaze to hers as he set it on the table.

  “Come sit down, Charity. I won’t bite. Yet.”

  “Just say whatever it is you want to say.”

  Beau’s brow went up. “I will. As soon as you sit down and start eating.”

  Feeling as if anything she ate would come right back up again, Charity plopped into the chair and reached for her orange juice while Beau refilled her coffee. “Fine. Say it so I can go.”

  “Excuse me?” Beau set her coffee in front of her and gripped her chin, lifting her face to his. “The only place you’re going is the doctor. You have an appointment in about an hour, so get going on that breakfast.”

  Charity blinked up at him. “But I thought…you and Anna—”

  Beau lifted her left hand, running his finger over the huge diamond. “I’m engaged to you. Or have you forgotten?”

  Yanking her hand away, Charity started to jump up from her chair, but Beau pressed a hand to her thigh, effectively stopping her. “I didn’t forget! You’re the one who disappeared on a day that you knew was important to me. You were gone for hours. With her.”

  Dropping into his seat, he kept his hand on her thigh. “Is that why you didn’t call me when you weren’t feeling well?”

  Uneasy at the unfamiliar edge of steel in his tone, Charity went on the offense. “Don’t you dare turn this around! I wasn’t going to call anyone. I had a headache and got dizzy when I got up too fast.”

  “Perhaps because you hadn’t eaten, like you promised me you would?” Leaning back, he sipped his coffee. “I don’t like that you didn’t call me, Charity, and before you get your panties in a bunch, let me tell you what happened last night.”

  Charity listened as Beau told her about Anna and Jeffrey, stunned that he’d suspected Anna’s
intentions. She picked at her breakfast, her jaw dropping when he told her about Jeffrey and what he’d told Beau about Anna.

  “Oh, Beau. What a night you had!” She’d been busy feeling sorry for herself and mad at him while he’d been dealing with something that must have been a very painful experience. “Is she still going to divorce him?”

  Beau shrugged and got up to refill their cups before she got a chance to get up to sit on his lap. “She and Jeffrey have a lot to work out, but she won’t be calling me anymore.”

  “Holy shit. I can’t believe she was so conniving. Nat knew it after five minutes with her.”

  Beau nodded. “Yeah. It was a very revealing night.” He came up behind her, rubbing her shoulders, his touch both comforting and exciting, warming her through and sending little sizzles of electricity through her. “If you’d called me, I would have come home right away. I should have watched the time better, but Jeffrey and I started talking and I lost track of time. We haven’t talked like that in years.”

  Struck by Beau’s pensive tone, Charity tilted her head back to look up at him, smiling apologetically. “And then you called to find that Hope had taken me to the hospital.”

  Taking his hand in hers, she turned to face him. “Hope kind of hustled me along, and my head hurt so much that I didn’t put up the fight that I should have. Part of it was because I was mad at you and hurt, too. Nat told me how Anna went on and on about you, and I was afraid you were falling for that giggle, and the way she kept clinging to you made me want to hit her.”

  Bending, he touched his lips to hers, pausing to brush them back and forth. “I’m always here for you, cher.” Straightening again, he gripped her chin when she would have turned away. “But you play games like that with me again, and I’m going to turn you over my knee. Understood?”

  Unconcerned by his threat, Charity waved her hand and reached for her fork again, frowning to realize that she’d eaten everything. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Picking up her glass of orange juice, she rose from the table with her plate. “Why did you make an appointment with the doctor? I just got checked out last night.”

  Raising a brow again, he crossed his arms over his chest and gave her the arrogant look he’d adopted since her accident. “I wasn’t there. I want to ask the questions I want to ask, and I want to make sure your own doctor sees you. This isn’t up for negotiation, Charity.”

  Feeling bad about what a rough night he’d had, and her part in it, Charity nodded. “Okay. I’m sorry about last night.” She smiled as Beau gathered her close.

  Rubbing his hands up and down her back, he buried his face against her throat. “So am I, cher. So am I. I hate that I wasn’t there for you.”

  “And I’m sorry I didn’t call.” She rubbed against him, lifting her face for his kiss. “I love you. I should have known better.”

  “Yes, you should have. Maybe one day you’ll believe that what I feel for you is real. Until then, I’ll just have to keep trying to convince you.”

  * * * *

  “Told ya.” Charity grinned at Beau, as they walked out of the doctor’s office. She’d just gotten the all clear from her doctor, who fielded all of Beau’s questions about her recovery.

  Beau, who’d shortened his steps for her, moved the hand he held at her back in a gentle caress. “I still want you to be careful. Now that you’ve had the Grand Reopening, you can settle down a little.”

  “I’m just fine.” She moved to stand in front of him, effectively forcing him to stop. Smiling up at him, she slid her hand inside his open jacket and ran it over his chest, loving that everything had started to get back to normal again. She missed the intimacy, and she couldn’t wait to get back to it. “You heard the doctor. I can have sex and everything.”

  Beau grinned, his eyes dancing. “I can’t believe you asked him that. You’re just not the type, cher.”

  “And you’re the type who would have asked him right off the bat.” Sliding her hand higher, she stroked his nipple, thrilling at his sharp intake of breath. “Don’t you want me anymore?”

  Wrapping his arms around her, he bent to brush her lips with his. “Don’t be ridiculous. I always want you.” Stepping aside, he began walking again, the hand at her back urging her forward. “I’m just in a mood. I’ll pick you up for dinner tonight, and then we’ll go back to my house.”

  A thrill went through her at the thought of making love again, and she couldn’t resist teasing him. “You don’t want to make love in my bed?”

  Beau opened the door of his SUV and helped her inside. “There isn’t enough room to move in your damned bed.” He helped her fasten her seat belt and paused, lifting his gaze to hers. “Now that you’re healed, there’s no reason for me to stay with you any longer. Your fathers have already voiced their opinion about us living together, or I would have asked you to move in with me already. It looks like we sleep in separate beds until we’re married, but that doesn’t mean I’m not making love to you. I won’t, however, be doing it in your small bed.”

  Gripping the front of his jacket, she pulled him closer. “As long as you make love to me, I don’t care where we do it.”

  They drove back to Desire, both looking toward the place where she had her accident as they passed it. Since most of the snow had melted, with only small patches remaining, the area looked nothing like it did that night.

  She’d never forget that spot, though, and judging by the way Beau’s jaw clenched and his white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel, he wouldn’t either.

  “Beau, don’t look that way. It’s over and I’m fine.”

  “Yeah.”

  He didn’t sound too convinced, and Charity didn’t know what else to say, so they made the rest of the trip back to Desire in silence.

  After he dropped her off, Charity stared at the back of his SUV as he drove away, hoping that after they made love tonight, Beau would relax.

  A hand touched her arm, startling her. “So what did the doctor say?”

  Charity turned her head at Hope’s question and smiled, her thoughts still on Beau. “He said I’m good as new.”

  “Great. You have to call Mom. She keeps calling to see if you’re back yet. She wasn’t real happy that we went to the hospital last night without telling her.”

  Nodding, Charity turned back in time to see Beau turn the corner. “I’ll call her now.” She turned back to Hope, noticing that a small smile played at her sister’s lips. “Okay. What happened?”

  Hope shrugged. “Ace figured out what I did.” Frowning, she shifted her feet. “I don’t quite know how he does that. Scary. He decided to teach me a lesson.” Her grin turned into a yawn. “He kept me up half the night. By the way, he told me what happened with Beau. Made me feel like crap. I’ll apologize when I see him.”

  “Good.” She stared down the road toward where she’d last seen Beau. “He’s really still upset about not being there, and he blames himself enough. I don’t want him to think that you blame him, too.”

  Hope touched her arm, waiting until Charity turned to her. “You don’t sound too happy. What’s wrong?”

  Charity sighed, feeling the muscles in her neck and shoulders tightening again. “Beau. I told you that he’s changed since the accident. He doesn’t play anymore. He’s too serious. He’s too careful. It’s like he’s afraid I’m going to break or something.”

  “Isn’t that what you wanted—someone as much a killjoy as you are? They always say to be careful what you wish for.” Hope grinned at Charity’s glare. “Don’t look at me like that. You got exactly what you asked for.” Taking her arm, Hope led Charity up the stairs to the club. “Beau was fun, wasn’t he? I’ll bet he used all those toys he sells in his shop, didn’t he?”

  “I told you to stop asking me. I’m not telling you about our sex life.”

  “You owe me.”

  Charity paused, blinking at her sister. “How the hell do you figure that?”

  Hope grinned again and put a hand at her back to urge h
er up the steps and into the club. “Because you lied to me about seeing him. I’m your sister so you’re supposed to tell me the truth, and you’re supposed to give me all the juicy details when you have an affair. You didn’t, so you owe me.”

  Turning as Hope closed the door behind her, Charity smiled at the smug look on her sister’s face and shook her head. “You’re unbelievable.”

  Hope leaned back against the door. “So, what toys did he bring home?”

  Charity sighed. “A bunch. I have no idea how many there are, but Beau seemed to know how to play with all of them.” She went behind the bar and opened the small refrigerator there. “You want something?”

  Hope looked up from where she sorted through the mail. “No, I’m good.”

  Reaching in for a bottle of water, Charity watched her sister. “Does Ace ever get upset with you for playing too much?”

  Hope looked up again, and smiled. “Upset—no. Amused at my attempts is more like it. I egg him on until I cross the line and earn the appropriate punishment.” Grinning, she winked. “Then we play—his way, which is fine with me, because it happens to be my way, too.”

  After kicking the refrigerator door closed, Charity twisted the top from her bottle of water. Taking several sips, she made her way to the new window. “I think I ruined Beau. He doesn’t want to play anymore.” Turning her head, she met her sister’s knowing grin. “What the hell are you smiling about?”

  Tossing the mail aside, Hope sauntered toward her in that easy stride Charity had never been able to duplicate. “People don’t change, Charity. They might try, but people don’t change. Hell, I’ve been trying to change you for years. People. Don’t. Change. That’s how I knew Ace was right for me. He tried to change, too. Tried to pretend he didn’t need to be so dominant, but I knew he couldn’t change. I just hung in there and kept pushing him.”

  Charity felt a stirring of hope. “Daring him, more likely.”