Chapter 28
BEAU
The next morning, the sun creeps through the blinds in the living room as I spoon Honey, who’s sound asleep.
We ended up having a second round on the couch, and we were so exhausted afterward, we didn’t bother to make it back to her bed.
We just pulled a throw blanket over ourselves and knocked out.
As I hold her, I breathe in her sweet scent. This woman is incredible. She’s sweet and beautiful and smart. I’ve never had more fun on a date.
And the sex? Fuck me. She’s basically ruined me for all others.
I tighten my arm around her slender waist, relishing how she fits against me. I’ve never stayed the night with a woman, but I can’t bring myself to leave.
I must doze off again, because when I jerk awake, the room is brighter.
But something’s off. I wipe the sleep out of my eyes in time to see Cash McAllister glaring at me from across the room.
“What the fuck is going on?” her brother bellows.
Honey wakes with a start. “Oh my God. What are you doing here?” She tugs the blanket higher.
“I tried your doorbell, but it wasn’t working. So I used the spare key you gave me. I brought you some breakfast tacos. Figured you were in the shower or something when no one answered my knock.” Disgusted, he shakes his head. “Care to explain why Beau fucking Walker is buck-ass naked with you?”
Honey and I both struggle to sit up. I make sure the blanket covers her while I grab a throw pillow to place over my junk. “Morning, Cash. Nice of you to drop by,” I say sarcastically as I stand to go get my clothes, which are strewn around Honey’s bedroom.
I hear him yelling at her while I quickly get dressed. “How could you? Dad is gonna lose his shit. Have you ever heard of loyalty?”
After I slide my shirt on, I grab a robe off the back of Honey’s closet and drape it over her shoulders as I glare at her brother. “Calm the hell down. This isn’t what you think it is.”
He scoffs. “You’re telling me you didn’t screw my baby sister?”
My hands tighten into fists, but I will myself not to make this worse for Honey. “Don’t fucking talk about Honey like that. This wasn’t a booty call. We’re dating. I care about her.”
He stares at me like I have two heads.
Honey tugs on my arm, making me sit next to her. “Aww, that’s sweet. I care about you too.”
I smile at her. “You’re pretty amazing.” Leaning over, I kiss her.
Cash snorts. “You mean she’s pretty rich. Unlike you. Honey, can’t you see he’s using you?”
“The hell I am. I don’t want her money.”
“Good, ’cause you’re not getting any of it. Pretty sure our father will disown her if this continues.”
Honey shakes her head. “Go home, Cash.”
“I’m just trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need protection. I’m a grown-ass woman.”
Cash hangs his hands on his hips. “I fucking knew something was going on when you asked why Trig hit him. Jesus, Honey. Dad’s been saying you’re gonna marry Ian Fairchild. You cheatin’ on that guy?”
“Nobody’s cheating. I told Ian I wasn’t interested.”
“Well, he’s interested in you, and he’s offered Dad a thousand acres of good grazing land in East Texas to make it happen, along with some oil rights.”
Her jaw tightens. “I’m not a cow you can auction off to the highest bidder.”
I wrap my arm around her and kiss the top of her head. “It’ll be okay, baby. We’ll figure this out. I’ll go talk to Vernon.”
Cash laughs like I’ve just told the funniest joke. “You really are a dumbass. My father will shoot you dead on our porch without thinking twice when he hears you’ve debauched my sister.”
“Listen to yourself. I didn’t debauch anyone.
Honey and I are dating. You make it sound like this was a dirty one-night stand.
” Guilt twinges in my gut for the one-night stand we did have.
But I’m doing right by her now. “Besides, you’re the one who slept with Rhett’s ex when they were still married.
At least I’ve never fucked a married woman before. ”
Honey gasps. “Cash, you didn’t!”
He squints at me. “Rhett’s ex said they were splitting up.”
As I button my shirt, I turn to him. “I’m just saying you’re not innocent. Maybe you should pause your accusations for a moment.”
He runs his hands up and down his face. “At the end of the day, y’all are fucked.”
Honey jumps off the couch and tightens her robe. “Cash, please don’t tell anyone about this. We need some time.”
He turns to me. “If you were smart, you’d get some life insurance, ’cause I have a feeling you’re gonna need it when Trig and my father get wind of this.”
Honey smacks his shoulder. “Stop talking that way. This feud is stupid. Someone is going to get hurt. Isn’t my relationship with Beau a chance to put all of this animosity behind us?”
Cash shakes his head. “Little sister, you need to wake up. Ian Fairchild has plans for you. Dad’s on board. When have you ever known our father to change his mind once it’s set?”
My temple pulses at the mention of that douchebag Ian. Would Honey’s father really sell her out like this?
Reaching out, she grabs her brother’s wrist. “Please, Cash. Please help me figure out what to do. I don’t want Beau to get hurt. I care about him so much.”
I stare at the beautiful woman pleading on my behalf. It makes my heart swell.
But I also see the cynicism in her brother’s eyes. He thinks I’m full of shit. I stand to tuck in my shirt. “How can I prove I’m serious about your sister? That I don’t want her inheritance? That I’m not trying to use her?”
Cash laughs coldly. “You’ll never convince Trig there isn’t something sinister behind what you’re doing. There’s too much bad blood.”
“Don’t be so negative.” Honey takes a paper bag out of his hand. “Did you say you brought me tacos? I’m starving.” She glances at me, and I smile, knowing that we worked up an appetite last night.
Her brother motions back and forth between us. “Don’t do that.”
She frowns. “Do what?”
“Make those lovey-dovey faces. It makes me wanna hurl.”
She leans up on her tiptoes to kiss me. “Can’t help it.” I grin like a damn fool. Then she grabs my hand and tugs me down to the couch again and hands me a foil-wrapped taco before she unwraps one for herself. She takes a huge bite. “Mm. These are good. Want one, bro?”
“I’m gonna go.”
She points to the chair. “Sit and eat. I can hear your stomach rumbling from here.”
His head tilts. “Have you always been this pushy and I never realized it?”
Honey laughs. “No. I’m just using my teacher voice on you. Pretty good, right?”
He sits. Shrugs. Holds out a hand. “Give me a taco.”
Smiling, she tosses him a foil package, and he digs in. Every minute or so, he glances at us and shakes his head. She whispers to me, “He’s just hangry.”
As I finish my food, I crush the foil in my hand.
“I know this seems crazy,” I tell Cash. “I can’t believe it myself sometimes.
And I get that Honey’s out of my league.
I one hundred percent agree with you on that.
But here’s the thing—if I ever hurt your sister, I will let you kick my ass.
Can you say the same about this Ian guy?
He’s gonna marry her and, what, move her to East Texas?
You’ll never see her. You’ll never know if she’s doing well.
If she stays here in Wild Heart with me, you’ll know.
’Cause I’m not gonna let anything happen to her. ”
I glance at Honey, and she gives me another sweet smile. “I’m not out of your league.” She hooks her arm in mine and rests her head against my shoulder.
Cash sighs. “Look, Beau, I’m not thrilled about this development, but I’m not gonna lose my shit. Anymore, at least. I can’t say the same about my brother or father.”
Honey tosses him another taco. “Eat one more.”
“I know what you’re doing.”
“What?” She shrugs innocently. When he’s done, she folds her hands under her chin. “I need a favor.”
His expression goes flat. “Of course you do.”
“Can you hold off talking to Dad or Trig about this?”
“They’re gonna find out.”
“Give me two weeks.” She bites the inside of her cheek. “I need to tell Dad I’m in Baylee and Maverick’s wedding first.”
“Jesus, Honey. Are you trying to give the old man a heart attack?”
“I’m just saying I’ll break that news to him first and then I’ll tell him about Beau. But I can’t dump everything on him at once.”
“No shit.”
“So will you help me? Will you keep this between us for a little while so I can talk to him?”
He stands and gets his keys out. “You’d better pray he doesn’t hear this from someone else.”
She runs up to him and hugs him, and he wraps his arms around her. “Thanks, Cash. I owe you.”
He glares at me. “You sure as hell do.”
When he leaves, she collapses on the couch.
“That wasn’t so bad. I could have done without him catching us naked, but all things considered, I’m glad I ripped off that Band-Aid.
Besides, it’s his own fault for showing up unannounced.
I’ve invited him over a dozen times, and he chose today to stop by. ”
I pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry this is all so hard.”
She smiles at me. “I’ve often heard that nothing worth doing is easy.”
“So you’re thinking about ‘doing’ me?”
Chuckling, she elbows me. “Pretty sure I already did you.”
Marveling at this beautiful, courageous woman, I kiss her. “I know this is fast, but I meant what I said. I care about you, princess. We can take this as slow as you want until your family is comfortable with us.”
“I appreciate that.” She gives me a breathtaking smile. “You mean a lot to me too. Thanks for all those nice things you said to my brother about me, but I hope you don’t really think I’m out of your league. That’s not true. You’re amazing. Everyone knows this.”
If I hadn’t seen their million-dollar house or state-of-the-art ranch, maybe I could accept that.
For now, all I can do is hope our differences aren’t too much to overcome.
“If it’s okay with you, I think I should tell my family about us.
My brothers should be on alert in case Trig finds out and does something stupid. ”
She nods. “If you’re sure they can keep it a secret for a while.”
“They won’t talk about it outside of our family.” Frankly, I’m shocked Jace hasn’t spilled the beans to Rhett.
As much as I hate leaving Honey, I have a busy week at the ranch, so I need to get going. We spend the next ten minutes saying goodbye, and by the time we’re done, I can barely walk straight. When we part, she glances down and chuckles at the giant bulge in my jeans. “Sorry about that.”
I reach into her robe and gently tweak her nipple. “No, you’re not.”
Laughing, she shakes her head. “Go home. Call me later.”
I kiss her one last time and then head down the stairs. When I get in my truck, I text the family group chat.
Me: Family meeting tonight. I have some news.
Jace: Did you get the centerfold of the calendar? I can hear the ladies now. Beau the hottie firefighter!!! Heart eyes!
Me: I’m not in the calendar this year. Remember I had that black eye?
Jace: Thanks to that fucker Trig.
I wince, not knowing how to quell the animosity between our families.
Me: So tonight. I need to talk about something.
Jace: Will there be food involved?
Paige: When have I ever not fed you, Jace? You’re like my fourth child at this point.
Rhett: She’s got you there, bro. You’re a damn bottomless pit.
Baylee: I’ll bring some sopapillas. My mom just made them.
Maverick: Bay, keep some at home for me. Otherwise, Jace will eat them all.
Jace: Damn straight, I will.
I tell everyone to get to the house by five, then toss my phone on the passenger seat. I can only hope they take the news about me and Honey better than Cash did.