New Beginnings (88 page)

“She screwed him?” Blake looked stunned.

I glared at him. “Shut the hell up! Of course not! They just talked.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“He just admitted that he was attracted to her.” I still wanted to hit something.

Blake laughed. “What’s the big deal? I’m attracted to her too. Remember that movie,
Indecent Proposal
? I would so pay a million bucks to tap that sweet as—”

“Get out of here before I knock your perfect teeth out.”

Blake laughed as he got to his feet. “Man, if you wanna hook up with a girl who looks like that, you’d better get used to men hitting on her, like, all the time.” His hand landed on the doorknob before he turned to look at me. “Could be she’ll eventually meet someone who could lure her away from you. You know—a nice, honest, hard-working guy who hasn’t banged half the hot women in the city.”

I felt my gut twist painfully because I knew my friend was right. Mia wasn’t impressed by money or power, so if she found someone without my seedy background who intrigued her, I’d be history.

“I’m sorry. Did you think I was kidding about knocking your teeth out?”

I heard Blake’s laughter echoing all the way down the hall way as I texted Mia.
I need to see you now.

I’m just finishing up downstairs. Had a fitting. What’s up?

Come up to my office. Now.

Bossy, aren’t you?

Now, Mia!

Fine. I’ll be right up.

I threw my phone on my desk before scrubbing my hands over my face. My goddess would be the death of me. Between trying to fend off her would-be suitors and convince her I wasn’t the sleazy dirtbag her friends would undoubtedly try to convince her I was, I didn’t think I’d find a moment’s peace.

I heard her chatting with my receptionist a few minutes later. I walked to the door, grabbed her hand, and ushered her inside before instructing Bernice to take a break.

Mia wrapped her arms around my neck. “Hey, what is it, baby? You look like you’ve been to hell and back.”

“It feels that way,” I muttered, lifting her off her feet so I could bury my face in her neck.
God, I love you so much, theia.
She knew my feelings for her were growing, but I didn’t want to scare her away. “Hmm, I needed this, sweetheart. Thanks.”

She smiled, kissing me quickly as soon as I set her down. “My pleasure. I missed you. So are you going to tell me what’s got you so worked up?” She made her way to my desk and relaxed into my enormous tufted leather swivel chair, which swallowed her up.

I rounded the desk and tugged on her hand, pulling her to her feet before I sat and settled her into my lap. “I saw Nate earlier.”
Better to get this over with
.

She picked up a framed family photo and brought it closer so she could study it. “How did that go?”

“Not well.” I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her back against my chest. “He admitted he was attracted to you.”

“He did?” She seemed surprised.

“Yeah.” I kissed her neck to distract her from a fact I hoped she wouldn’t contemplate too long. “You make guys crazy, and now I’m the one who has to worry about it.”

I kissed a path up her neck to nibble on her ear.

Her hands traveled to the front of her fitted blouse, popping one button after another until she’d revealed a lacy white bra. Releasing the front closure, she moved my hands to her breasts. “Do you ever get off thinking about me?”

“I have too much restraint to settle for less than the real thing,” I whispered, rolling her nipples between my thumbs and forefingers.

“I have a surprise for you.” She turned her head so my mouth met her cheek.

“What’s that?”

“I’d rather show than tell.” She guided my hand down her stomach and beneath the flared black skirt that ended a few inches below her sexy round ass.

“No panties? Are you serious?” I slid my finger between her folds. I realized she was soaking wet already as I pumped my finger in and out of her tight channel. “Don’t tell me you left the house like this.”

Spreading her legs wider, she shook her head. “No, I got rid of them after you texted me. I wanted to make it easy for you to… do this.” She clenched my free wrist as I used the other hand to tease her with tight circles that stalled her breathing. “Oh God, Deacon, that feels amazing.” She lifted her hand to her mouth, biting her index finger.

“What the hell are you doing?” I picked up the pace.

“I don’t want anyone to hear me scream,” she said, panting.

“You think I care if anyone hears me pleasuring you? This is
my
company,
my
building, and you’re
my
girlfriend. Now take your hand out of your mouth and scream for me.”

She caressed her breasts as I alternated between patting and stroking her.

“Now.”

“Yessss…” Surrendering to her release, she moaned deeply, gripping the armrests as her whole body trembled.

I continued pleasuring her until I was satisfied she was spent.

“Deacon, you have to let me have you.”

“Saturday night, after the party. You’ll come back to my place, and we’ll spend the rest of the weekend in bed.”

“Hmmm, I can’t wait,” she said, closing her eyes as fatigue took over.

“Believe me, neither can I,” I muttered, shifting to relieve the intense pressure behind my zipper.

Mia

I was beyond excited to see my big brother, but I was also nervous about how he would take the news that I was now living alone in the Big Apple. He was overprotective, like my parents, who still didn’t know about the breakup.

“So tell me what’s new with you,” Chad said, slicing into his steak. “Why didn’t Drew come with you?”

I popped a bite of salad into my mouth, choosing my words carefully. “We broke up. He moved out a couple of days ago.”

His jaw dropped as he shook his head. “I must be hearing things ‘cause I could have sworn you just told me you broke up with Drew.”

“I did.”

“Honey, I didn’t even know you guys were having problems. What the hell happened?”

My brother’s unwavering support and concern made my eyes fill with tears. I wasn’t crying for Drew. I was crying because I missed moments like these with my family.

“You know he decided to go back to school, right?” I sniffled as I discreetly brought the linen napkin to my eyes to dab my tears.

“Yeah, you weren’t too thrilled about it.”

“Only because I didn’t think we could afford it. It was tough to make it on only my salary, especially with the added pressure of his tuition.”

“You thought he should go back to school part-time and get a job to help out,” Chad said around a forkful of mashed potatoes. “Makes perfect sense.”

“Yeah, well, not to him.” I sighed, thinking about the argument that had ensued when he insisted I was jealous he was getting an education while I sold my body to the highest bidder. God, what an ass. “Long story short, I got tired of his shit and told him to pack his stuff and get out.”

Chad grinned. “Good for you. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, I—”

“Good evening, theia. This is a pleasant surprise.”

I looked up to see Deacon standing over us. A surprise? Like hell. My psycho freak had probably hired another bodyguard to take Nate’s place and track my whereabouts.

“What are you doing here, Mr. Starkis?” I smiled sweetly, but he wouldn’t win this round. He wanted me to introduce him as my boyfriend even though I’d told him I wasn’t ready.

He lifted an eyebrow and set his hand on my shoulder. “I was just having dinner with my partner.” He motioned toward Blake, who raised his glass in greeting.

I didn’t know Deacon’s minority partner well, but from what I’d heard, he and my soon-to-be lover were cut from the same cloth.

“How nice.” I gestured toward my brother. “I’d like you to meet my brother, Sergeant Chad Barnes.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sergeant,” Deacon said, shaking Chad’s hand. “Deacon Starkis, your sister’s boyfriend.”

I opened and closed my mouth multiple times before I realized I must look like a baby bird.

My brother shot me a quizzical look. “Your boyfriend? When did this happen, sis? You told me Drew just moved out a couple days ago.”

“He did.” I glared at Deacon. I was going to kill him when I got him alone. “Deacon and I have known each other a while. He’s my boss.”

“Your boss?” Chad gave Deacon a quick once-over, taking in his impeccably cut gray suit, designer tie, and imported shoes. “Your boss at Alabaster’s?”

I nodded as I reached for my wine. I wished my brother had the good sense to table the third degree until Deacon left.

“That sounds like a recipe for disaster,” Chad said, bringing his beer glass to his lips. “Couldn’t you get fired for that? Surely the company has some sort of policy against employee fraternization.”

I squirmed when I saw Deacon grin. He was having way too much fun with this.

“Your sister’s job is safe, Sergeant. You see, I’m the one who sets the policies, and I’m more than willing to make an exception for her.”

I glared at him, hoping to remind him I wasn’t the first employee he’d dated.

“You set the policies. Does that mean you’re—”

“I own the company,” Deacon said smoothly.

“Oh God.” Chad ran a hand over the stubble covering his jaw. “Sorry, I had no idea. I have to admit I’m not really up on that… market. I knew the owner of the company was some Greek billionaire, but—”

I raised my hand. “Chad, just stop. Deacon doesn’t need an explanation. If you’ll excuse us”—I narrowed my eyes at my so-called boyfriend—“my brother and I would like to finish our dinner. I’ll call you later.”

“Of course.” He bent to kiss my cheek. “There will be a car waiting for you at the curb when you are ready to leave.”

“I’d planned to share a taxi with Chad,” I said through clenched teeth. I didn’t know if I could get used to his constant interference in every aspect of my life.

“Now you can share a limo.” Deacon offered Chad his hand again. “It was a pleasure, Chad. I hope you’ll be my dinner guest the next time you’re in town. Perhaps we can include your parents as well.”

“I’d like that.” Chad grinned. “Listen, can you do me a favor, man to man, since you’re the guy calling the shots?”

“What’s that?” Deacon looked amused as he crossed his arms.

“There’s nothing worse than all the guys in your platoon drooling over pics of your baby sister in lingerie. Can you put her in a parka or something instead?”

Deacon threw his head back, laughing. “That’s the easiest promise I’ve ever been asked to make. Consider it done.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, dumbfounded. I looked from Chad to Deacon and back again. “You can’t be serious! I love modeling lingerie and swimsuits. You can’t dictate what I wear!”

Chad pretended to be confused. “Sorry, sis. I could have sworn you said this guy owns the company you work for. I’d say that gives him the right.”

“But, but…” I sputtered, my eyes pleading with Deacon to drop this stupid façade and let my brother know he was just joking. “This is
my
career.”

“Of course it is, theia.” Deacon indulgently cupped my cheek. “And thanks to Alabaster’s, you’re well on your way. You’re welcome.” He grinned. “I’ll talk to you later, my beauty.”

“Wow,” Chad said when Deacon walked away. “So that’s what a billionaire looks like, huh?”

I downed the rest of my wine. “Don’t be too impressed. He may be rich, but he’s also a colossal ass sometimes.”

“An ass who’s obviously into you. How did it happen?”

“How did what happen?” I reached for the wine bottle in the center of the table when the lax waiter who was supposed to be looking after us didn’t rush to refill my glass.

“How did you guys hook up?”

I sat back. The rest of my dinner didn’t look as appealing as it had before Deacon graced us with his presence. “He emailed me when he spotted me in his magazine mock-up. That was a few months ago. Emails led to texts, and then we finally met.” I contemplated our unusual courtship. “It’s weird. I used to laugh at those people who fell in love online without even meeting, but I kind of get it now. Deacon and I developed this intense connection long before we ever met.”

“Is he the real reason you broke up with Drew?”

“He may have been part of it. I can’t deny I was developing feelings for Deacon while my feelings for Drew were dying. I’m scared though.” I was surprised to hear myself admit that. The wine must have been loosening my lips. “He’s got a history with women.”

“You’re surprised?” He chuckled. “Look at the guy, Mia. I’m a guy, and I can see that he’s a frickin’ Greek god. Add to that the billions in the bank, and I’d consider doing him myself.”

I laughed, mainly because my brother was the most heterosexual guy I knew. “Be serious. He’s the kind of man who could seriously mess a girl up.” I pressed my wine glass against my mouth so my big brother couldn’t see my bottom lip tremble. “I’m afraid he’ll break my heart.”

“If he does, I’ll break that perfect Grecian nose of his.” Chad leaned over to grasp my hand. “Would that make you feel better?”

I nodded, laughing through my tears. “Yes, thank you.”

***

Two hours later, after we’d dropped Chad off at his hotel, I lowered the privacy glass so I could get to know my new bodyguard/driver. He looked to be about fifty, and he had a shaved head and a scary-looking tattoo that wrapped around his neck and covered part of his cheek. Well played, Starkis. Well played.

“Have you worked for Deacon long?” I asked.

“For his family, yes, ma’am. I am his younger brother’s personal bodyguard, but since Damon is in Europe, he doesn’t need my services.”

I was surprised by the sound of his voice. It was much less gruff than I’d expected. “Then you know where Deacon lives?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Kindly take me to his house.”

“I should check with him first.”

I released my seat belt and leaned forward, propping my chin on the seat while I snaked my hand through the window to grip his shoulder. “I kind of want it to be a surprise.” I injected just the right amount of sultriness into my voice. “I know your boss would be pleased to see me.”