BeauThe next few hours flew by in a constant sea of buckets of domestic beer and greasy bar food. There was a game on all the big screens - NBA finals, and the bar was steady. We didn't catch a break until seven p.m. after the home team won.And by we, I mean Ruby invited herself to have a talk with me.Was it weird that in the small break we've had from each other I had not missed her?"...God, Beau. He's just so incredible. Treats me like a princess," she gushed while I stuffed my mouth with fries. Not that I wasn't happy for her or didn't like Max, but the guy had the personality of a potato. "This weekend we are heading up to Universal Studios' new water park to celebrate one of his teammate's birthday. Full three days of parks: Island's, Universal, and Volcano Bay.""That's nice, Rubes. Have fun."She clapped her hands and did an excited wiggle in her seat. "Works out perfect for both of us." At my confused expression, she rolled her eyes. "Silly, you'll be covering for me sinc
Beau"That's amazing, pumpkin. When do you start?"When do I start? How to answer that?The truth was out of the question, and so I'd let the lie started by Hendrix himself flow. Made me look good and not like the cheap plaything that was being held onto by strings. Pulled in the direction of her master's liking.An egotistical jerk who cared for himself.One of these days I'm going to trip Zoe on purpose."This Monday actually. Bright and - ""Titi!" Aubrey yelled out mid-giggle a few feet from where we were sitting on a blanket. It was moments like these that I thanked God for Aubrey's fascination with the ocean. Without knowing, she bought me a few more minutes to mentally put the finishing touches on my lie.Little omission.She was in an adorable mermaid-inspired bathing suit and running from her mom and the new family friend, Ivan. The man had become ever-present since meeting him. Always around, eating dinner with Gloria and Aubrey every night - playing house.For a school's d
BeauFor minutes I sat back with her daughter in my lap stewing in my anger. Her selfishness had repeatedly cost me important things.I paid for my first car and its insurance because she couldn't afford her rent. Mind you, my sister's first vehicle came off a lot and was shiny red. Only the best for her.My entire eighth-grade summer was spent babysitting three kids, so I could buy new clothes at the start of the school year because once again, she needed something. That time it was the latest model of laptop and phone with the promise of going to college.Gloria never went, but they gave in.And now, here we were, celebrating her daughter's birthday while she was sneaking off here and there with Ivan.Enough was enough."What time are we cutting the cake?" Everyone but Dad watched me with surprised expressions - I was never in a hurry. He, on the other hand, gave me a subtle nod of approval which warmed my heart. This man understood me up to a certain capacity; his love was just to
HendrixI found her pout the entire way to our destination amusing.In the past, that kind of behavior would have turned me off. Made me dump whatever woman I'd picked up for the night at the earliest possibility. But with her, with Beau, I couldn't do that. Would not.And it had nothing to do with the contract that now connected us.Pulling into the valet parking of the marina, I exited without a word and walked swiftly to her door.A valet, no more than twenty, gaped at my car.Won't deny that I was out to impress and lower her walls. After all, I did coerce her into this contract with less than honorable intentions.Her pussy had made the negotiations for her. Fuck, I'd pay good money and will, just to have that tight little body under my control.However, my nymph once again didn't fit into the mold I'd lumped her in. Beau took one look at my car and shrugged, didn't give a flying one about being picked up in an all-black Bugatti Veyron for dinner.While our valet salivated, she
HendrixThe city's large buildings came into focus then, all lit up in an array of light. She snuggled in closer while taking another sip from her glass, and I followed her lead.Together we drank half the bottle before reaching the start of the seven-mile bridge."So, tell me about yourself, Miss Carter. Likes and dislikes." It was almost painful to hold in my laugh at how her eyes narrowed. "What makes you tick?""That's a question that might require a lengthy reply." Turning sideways in my lap, she curled her arm around the back of my neck. Fingers playing with the short hairs there. "You ready to sit here and be bored by that mumbo jumbo?"This time I laughed. "Find that hard to believe, nymph.""Tit for tat?" she whispered before kissing my cheek. "If I bleed, so do you. Embarrassing anecdotes get you extra points.""Deal." Bullshit.A waiter came out then, in his hands a large tray which he set on a little station near the table. Salad, a lobster bisque, and our entrees of Pan-
Hendrix"Is that the last of it?" Couldn't be right. Where were the rest of her belongings?The movers had come and unloaded her things within the span of forty minutes. Four boxes, two suitcases, some electronics, and an old-looking trunk that belonged on the curb, not inside my house.As a matter of fact, they spent more time smoking a cigarette outside near the curb than in my home."That's all of it." Beau looked confused by my question. "What more would I need for a six-month stay with you?"Ignoring her jab about the end date on this relationship, I walked over and opened the first box. It was all books. Everything from developmental and speech delays to a few raunchy romances.Her interest were vast, which impressed me.Beau didn't say anything as I grabbed that box and carried it deeper into my penthouse. Into my office and straight for the small desk I'd placed across from mine. Beside it there was a small bookshelf that looked similar to my own.Empty, just ready for her to
Beau Three days, and not a word.No call or text.Hendrix never came home to change and head back out. Nothing. Made me feel as if I had done something wrong by just existing.It was as if the ground had swallowed him whole, and at that point I was past worried. Now, I was pissed. How dare he do this to me?How dare his secretary treat me like a nuisance when I called to see if he was in.Sure, I knew men in his position traveled the world while the trophy wife stayed home, but they communicated. Told them at the least how long they'd be gone and why.You're not his real girlfriend.And that stung. Truth always did hurt the most when it smacked you in the face.I was tempted to head back to my apartment. To get out of his luxurious penthouse with too much white. Everywhere. Everything.All expensive. Imported. And white.His home, while beautiful, was sterile. All clean lines and modern design.It was cold. Empty. Lacked warmth and comfort.No splashes of color to give it that lived
Beau"You can't let him see that you do." There was a hint of anger in her voice, and I met Bethany's stare head-on. "Men like him, they smell fear and pounce. Destroy what's in their path to reach the result they wanted to achieve. They don't care, Beau. To them, we are no more than arm candy to show off. We look pretty, hold intelligent conversation, and help entertain other rich people within their social circles.""She's right, you know." My response was a nod. They were both right, and I needed to hear this. Zoe took a bite from her own food while our other companion did the same. Took her time in finding the right words, but when she did, the fierceness in her expression didn't surprise me. She was a true friend. "From the little I've gathered about him, he's a man that likes things done his way. So, play the game, babe. He wants detached, then by all means be that way. Be everything he wants on the outside, but protect what's in here..." she brought her hand to my chest and pl