“Want to tell me about it?”
She shakes her head no and takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to get into it.”
“I don’t like feeling shut out.”
“I’m not shutting you out. Trust me, if that was the case, you wouldn’t be here tonight. I want you here, and I want to be with you. But I don’t want to talk about yesterday.”
“I do trust you,” I reply gently. “And I don’t say that lightly. Trust isn’t easy for me.”
“Me either,” she says, lacing our fingers. “But I trust you.”
“That’s the most important thing. However, I have another important subject to bring up.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. This could be a deal breaker for one or both of us.”
She frowns and shifts in her seat, facing me. “What is it?”
“What movie are we going to watch tonight?”
She rolls her eyes and slaps my arm. “Damn it, Beau! I thought there was even more drama to deal with!”
“Well, there could be if you tell me you’re going to make me watch all of those sad movies that make girls cry. They’re a snore fest, Mal. I can’t do it.”
“What if we work out a trade?”
“So you’re saying you do like those movies?”
“Well, sometimes,” she says with a grin. “What kind of movies do you like?”
“Action. Lots of action.”
“So, blood and guts and sex?”
“Yes. All of that.” She cups my cheek in her hand, laughing up at me.
“How about if I pick one, then you pick one? We’ll trade.”
“Oh God. I’m going to have to watch sappy Sandra Bullock movies, aren’t I?”
“Some of her stuff is really funny,” Mal says defensively. “Have you seen The Proposal? It has Ryan Reynolds.”
“Reynolds is in Deadpool. That’s better.”
“Looks like those are our picks for tonight.” She smiles smugly and scratches Binx behind the ears when he jumps into her lap. “Your water is boiling over.”
“What? Oh!” I jump up to stir the pasta, surprised that I shifted my focus so completely to Mallory that I didn’t hear the hissing from the overflowing pot.
But then, when I’m with Mallory, all I see is her.
Chapter Sixteen
~Mallory~
I didn’t dream last night. I mean, if I did, I don’t remember it. That almost never happens, and when it does, I wake refreshed and rested.
And I want to lie here, for just a while longer, enjoying the warm sheets brushing over my naked body, and the sexy man currently spooning me. He’s still asleep, but even subconsciously he has a vise grip on me and his face is pressed to my back, just below my neck.
I’m a small woman, generally speaking, just shy of five foot three. I have more curves than I’d prefer, but compared to Beau I’m tiny.
And it feels fantastic.
Not to mention, I can’t keep my hands off of him. My fingertips drag up and down his arm, and after a moment, he presses a sweet kiss to the base of my neck, then higher, just below my hairline.
Cue the shivers.
“Good morning,” he whispers, just as his hand starts a journey of its own, traveling first up over my breast, making the already semi-hard nipple pucker right up. He tweaks it gently twice, and then his hand glides down my side to my hip. He grips me firmly and pushes his hard cock against my ass suggestively.
“Someone’s happy to see me this morning,” I murmur with a sleepy smile. He bites my earlobe and slips his hand over my belly and then lower, where I’m already wet and ready for him.
“I’m always happy to see you,” he whispers and slips his fingers over my clit and down to my slick lips. “And it looks like it’s reciprocated.”
“Mm.”
He rolls me onto my back and latches onto my nipple, sucking in tiny pulses, exactly the way he does to my clit.
It drives me out of my fucking mind.
His hand is playing my core like an instrument, and I can’t handle it. My world splits in two with a beautiful orgasm, surprising me.
Before my feet are firmly back on solid ground, Beau covers me, slips on protection, and slides inside me. He stops when he’s balls-deep and stares down at me with more than just lust in his whiskey colored eyes.
He loves me.
I don’t have to read his mind to see it. To feel it. It’s coming off of him in waves as he begins to move his hips, taking us both on the ride of our lives.
I grip his shoulders, digging my nails into his smooth skin, and arch my back, needing to feel him even deeper.
“More,” I murmur.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he replies, and I smile up at him.
“You’re not going to hurt me.” I lean up to kiss him, then bite his lower lip. “And if you do, well…a little pain never killed anyone.”
He cocks a brow and moves faster, and much deeper, making me gasp.
“You like it a little rough, baby?”
“Sometimes,” I reply and squeeze his ass, inviting him even deeper. “And I fucking love the way you feel.”
“I love your dirty mouth,” he says and grips both of my wrists in his big hand, pinning them over my head. “But I want you to tell me if it’s ever too much.”
“Deal.”
He grins and moves harder, watching my face with every thrust for any discomfort, but it doesn’t hurt at all.
It’s so goddamn good.
Everything about this, every time, is just amazing.
Also, I’m not sure I could tell you my name right now.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he groans and finally closes his eyes in pleasure. “I can’t get enough of you.”
“I love your mouth, too,” I say, panting. “Beau?”
“Yes, baby.”
“Flip us over.”
He frowns down at me, but I push against his shoulder, and he rolls to his back, staying inside me as I plant my knees and begin to ride him like fucking crazy. He plants his hands on my hips and holds on tightly.
“So good,” I moan. My hands are braced on his chest as I grind down hard, loving the depth with this position.
“Jesus, Mallory, slow down.”
“I can’t.” I shake my head and keep the pace, my hips moving fast, my muscles squeezing around him. I want to tell him I love him, but all I can do is show him.
“Mal, I’m gonna—”
He sits up, wraps his arms around my back, and kisses me fucking mad as I bear down on him and we come at the same time, staring into each other’s eyes.
“Damn,” he murmurs, resting his forehead against mine.
“Yeah.”
“As soon as I can feel my body, I’ll get out of bed.”
I smirk. “You can’t feel your whole body?”
“No. I’m pretty sure I just had an out-of-body experience.”
I kiss him and slip off of him, then collapse onto my back so I can catch my breath.
“Do you want breakfast?” he asks.
“Sure.”
“What do you have down there that I can fix us?”
I cringe. “I might have a jar of pickles.”
He stops scratching the sexy stubble on his cheek and stares at me for at least three seconds. “That’s it?”
“I’m hardly here for meals,” I reply. “I guess I’m going to have to start keeping some food here.”
“Maybe some staples,” he says, and just as I’m about to roll away, he tugs me back into his arms and hugs me close. I can hear his heart, still beating hard. He kisses my forehead, and then my cheek, and there it is again: love.
I swear he’s going to tell me he loves me.
Am I ready for this?
Fuck yes, I’m ready for this!
He drags his knuckles gently down my cheek, and suddenly, he jerks back, shouting in pain.
“What the hell?”
Binx has jumped on his shoulder, diggi
ng his claws in so he wouldn’t fall. I reach out and pull the kitten to me.
“Bad kitty.”
Meow.
“I forgot all about him,” Beau mumbles, and just like that, the moment’s gone. “Let’s get ready for the day, and I’ll take you out to breakfast.”
“Okay.” I nuzzle the kitten’s face. “Are you hungry too, Binx? Come on, baby, I’ll feed you.”
“I’ve never been jealous of anyone before,” Beau says, an odd look on his face.
“What could you possibly be jealous of now?” I ask.
“That damn cat,” he says, scowling. I crack up laughing, still holding Binx to me.
“Come on, Binx.” I kiss his furry face and carry him out of the room, still naked. “I’ll feed you.”
“I’m smacking your ass for that later!”
“Promises, promises,” I reply.
***
“These purple wedges are awesome,” Gabby says later that week. We are at Charly’s shoe shop, trying on shoes and getting ready to go out for happy hour. “Are these new?”
“I’ve had them for about a month,” Charly replies and reaches for another pair of wedges, in red this time. “Look at these beauties.”
“I have those,” Kate says and lowers her growing frame in a nearby chair. “They’re super comfortable, and I can even wear them pregnant.”
“Which means I should be able to wear them around the inn,” Gabby says with a smile. “How are you feeling, Kate?”
“I’m told that I’m going to survive this,” she says and pats her belly. “But I have my doubts. My ankles are the size of tree trunks.”
“I remember those days,” Gabby says with a wince. “It sucks. But don’t worry, after the baby is born, it won’t happen anymore.”
“I have two whole months left of this,” Kate says and looks up at us with tears in her beautiful green eyes. “Did you hear me? Two. Months.”
“Okay,” Callie says and squats next to her, patting her hand. “I know it feels like it’s going to be forever, but it’s not. It’s going to be here so fast, and then you’re going to have her here in your arms.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Kate rolls her eyes and leans her head back on the chair. “I know. But I’m already the size of a house. Eli says I’m still sexy, but I’m the size of a house.”
“You’re actually a sexy pregnant woman,” I reply honestly. “You may not feel like it, but I’m an unbiased third party, and I can tell you that I think you look amazing. Your skin is clear and glowing, and you’re very healthy.”
“I’m glowing because I’m always sweaty,” Kate grumbles.
“Well, aren’t you just a little ray of pitch black?” Van says with a saccharine sweet smile. Rather than be offended, Kate giggles.
“I know. I’m sorry. I am thankful for this baby, and that we’re both healthy. I know she’ll be here sooner than I think. I just get tired more easily, and the stretch marks are ridiculous. Not to mention, you guys get to drink crazy amounts of booze tonight and I don’t.”
“But we’re glad you came because you’re fun and it wouldn’t be the same without you,” Charly replies and kisses her cheek. “Cheer up, sugar.”
“Okay.” Kate takes a deep breath. “Thanks for letting me vent. I feel better.”
“Good. We won’t make you walk much tonight.”
“Where are we going, anyway?” I ask. “The Odyssey?”
“No,” Callie says, shaking her head adamantly. “I practically live there. If we’re going out for fun, I want to go somewhere else.”
“I heard a fun spot just opened up a few blocks over,” Van says. “Let’s walk down and check it out.”
“Fine, but I’m not walking back later,” Charly says. “I’m going to be too drunk, and we’re all wearing pretty shoes.”
“We’ll call the guys,” Gabby says. “Rhys will have to come get me anyway. It’ll work out.”
“Fun. Let’s go,” Callie says and the six of us set off, walking two by two down the heart of the French Quarter.
“I’ve been meaning to call you, Mal,” Gabby says. “I would love it if you and Beau could come out to the inn for dinner one night this week.”
“Oh, thank you! That would be fun. I think we’re open just about any night, but I’ll ask Beau to make sure.”
“Great,” she replies with a grin.
“I hear that you’re a we,” Van says, tossing a smile over her shoulder. “I like that.”
“I think I like it too.” I grin as we walk through the door of the bar. Like most bars, it’s dark, but the furnishings are new, and it’s clean. The music is classic 80’s.
“I love Cyndi Lauper,” Gabby murmurs, nodding her head in time with the song. “It’s pretty in here. Not cheesy.”
“Thank you,” a tall brunette says as she approaches, a wide smile on her pretty face. “We just opened last month. I’m Alice. Six of you tonight?”
“Yes,” Callie replies. “If you could put us in a corner somewhere, that would be great. And I apologize in advance for our shenanigans.”
“Sugar, we welcome shenanigans,” Alice says with a sassy wink and leads us to the back corner of the bar. The booth is massive, with rich gold and purple leather. It’s typical New Orleans colors, but not at all cheesy.
We order our first round of drinks and get settled, taking in the scene around us.
It’s not packed, but there are several other full tables. The dance floor is empty, but it’s still early.
“I’m so happy we’re doing this,” Gabby says. “I don’t come into the city to see you guys nearly enough.”
“Agreed,” Van says. “But it’s a long drive, so I get it.”
“We should try to do this once a month,” Charly suggests.
“Sure, until I have this baby and never feel like leaving the house again,” Kate says, then smiles. “Because I won’t want to leave her.”
“Oh, trust me,” Gabby says, “you’ll want to leave her. Not for a few months, but you’ll eventually need a break.”
“I want to know about Mallory and Beau,” Charly says, suddenly changing the subject. “Spill it.”
“I’m seeing him,” I reply, not sure what she wants to hear, exactly, but positive that it’s probably more than I want to say.
“Duh,” Gabby says, rolling her eyes. Our drinks are delivered. “You can go ahead and get round two going now,” she tells the waitress.
“Not for me,” I jump in. “I am a one drink girl.”
“Why?” Van asks. “Can’t hold your liquor?”
I smile and shrug. “It’s a safety thing. It’s harder to keep a grasp on my head when I’m drunk. And I say way too much.”
“An honest drunk,” Callie says with a wink. “I think we want you to be honest, Mal. Plus, there are six of us. Safety in numbers and all that jazz.”
Just then my phone pings with a text.
“No chatting it up with my brother during girls’ night out,” Charly says and sips her cocktail.
“It’s Lena,” I reply with a grin. “Do you mind if I have her join us?”
“Not at all!” They all nod good naturedly, so I shoot Lena a response, tell her where we are, and to get here STAT.
“Thanks, guys.”
“I like her,” Kate says with a smile as she sips her Sprite.
“We all do,” Callie adds. “Bring her along anytime. In fact, we’ll get her number, and include her in group texts.”
“She’d like that,” I reply, surprised to find tears near the surface. “You’re all so nice.”
“Oh, we have bitchy moments,” Charly replies. “But on the whole, yeah, we’re good people.”
I nurse my drink for the next twenty minutes, feeling not a little overwhelmed by these funny, successful women, and the fact that they’ve befriended me, bringing me—and my best friend—into their fold.
“You summoned me, and I’m here,” Lena says when she finds our table.
“Yay!” Gabby
says and scoots over to give Lena space in the booth. “We’re happy you came. You need to give us all your number so we can just include you in the group texts for stuff like this.”
“Oh good, group text hell,” Lena says with a wink. “Thanks for including me. Is Mal shitfaced yet?”
“Whatever,” I reply and throw my lemon wedge at her. “I’m not a boozer.”
Lena smiles, and I can hear her thoughts clearly: I’m here. Go ahead and have fun. You’re safe.
I shrug one shoulder and reply: thank you.
“Why do I think that a whole conversation just took place between you two?” Callie asks.
“Because it did,” Lena says. “Let’s flag down that waitress.”
***
“So, back to you and Beau,” Callie says an hour and several drinks later. “Talk to us.”
“So sexy,” I gush, then clamp my hand over my mouth. “See? I talk too much.”
“Never,” Charly replies and leans her chin on her fist, either listening intently or too drunk to hold her own head up. “I’ll talk about Simon if you want.”
“Yes!” I clap my hands and nod. “Tell us about Simon.”
“Sexiest man ever,” Charly says, but the rest of us shake our heads. “I know, you all think your men are the sexiest ever, but I’m related to most of them, so just… no. Simon has the British sexy factor going on.”
“I love a British accent,” Lena says with a sigh. “Can we meet him sometime?”
“Of course!”
“There, she shared,” Kate says. “Now you, Mal.”
“So, he’s really sexy,” I begin, watching a few couples shake their asses on the dance floor. “And he’s so nice.”
“That’s not what we want to hear,” Van informs me helpfully. “Get to the good stuff, but remember he’s our brother, so leave out the naked parts.”
“But the naked parts are fun,” I reply and blink my eyes several times because I’m starting to see two of each of them.
“Ew,” Gabby says, wrinkling her nose. “But I’m so happy that you like him because we like him and he likes you.”
“I do like him. I like both of him,” I reply, then snort. “I’m seeing two of everything right now.”
“Right on,” Lena says and raises her glass in a toast. “I haven’t seen you shitfaced in a very long time.”