Chapter 40 Beau
BEAU
I’m not gonna lie. Vernon McAllister fucked with my head.
I drive around town aimlessly for a while to gather my thoughts. Am I hurting Honey by staying with her? Would she be better off with that douchebag Ian? Do I really have anything to offer her?
When I pass her favorite diner, I return to my senses. I’m supposed to get Honey soup. I hit reverse and park.
But now I can’t shake the feeling that her father’s right. That she deserves someone better than me. Someone who can offer her all the luxuries she grew up with.
When I return to my truck with our dinner, it makes me wonder. Did Honey ask for soup because she thinks I can’t afford to get her something nicer?
I get to her house and sit in the driveway for a minute. Get your shit together, man. Honey can make up her own damn mind. Respect her enough to let her decide.
When she opens the door, she has her hair up in a messy bun and she’s wearing pajamas, her fluffy robe, and duck slippers.
She’s fucking adorable. “Hi, princess.” I hug her with my free arm.
“Good to see you.” It feels like a million years since we’ve hung out.
Her sweet smile calms down the hurricane of emotion swirling in my gut.
How the hell do I tell her about that run-in with her father and the gossip column? I’ve barely seen her this week, and now we need to talk about that crap.
She gets us bowls, and we sit on her couch to eat. After that, I reach for the sandwich I brought. “Would you like half of this?”
“No, please enjoy it. I’m really full. The soup was perfect. Thank you for bringing it.”
For a girl who grew up with everything, she’s surprisingly easy to please.
I ignore the little voice in my head that says she asked for soup because she thinks I’m poor.
“It’s my pleasure.” After I down a few bites of my sandwich, I try to take a breath.
“Sorry I’m stuffing my face. I’m starving.
The soup was good, but I need a little more.
” Plus, eating means I don’t have to talk.
Honey squeezes my biceps. “You’re a growing boy.”
I shouldn’t be smiling, but being around her makes me feel lighter. “I’m lucky I burn so many calories.”
She looks so content and sleepy after we eat. I hate ruining the vibe, but I’d rather she hear this from me. “I need to show you something. I’m not sure if you’ll get upset. I don’t like having my business blasted all over town, but you have more on the line right now.”
Sitting up, she frowns. “What’s going on?”
I show her the gossip column on my phone, and her expression flattens.
“Good Lord. What’s wrong with people? Do they really have so little going on in their lives that ours are that interesting?
” She rubs her temple. “People were looking at me funny today. I thought it was all in my head, but it was probably this.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you at work.” Maybe I shouldn’t have kissed her at all.
She shakes her head. “You know what? I don’t care. Yes, I’m dating the hottest man in town. I’m just going to own this, and if it pisses off my family, tough. They can’t tell me what to do anymore. Kiss me all you want.”
I’m about to tug her into my lap when I remember I need to tell her one more thing. “Speaking of your family…” I cough. “I ran into your father today, and he had a few things to say.”
Wincing, she closes her eyes. “It couldn’t have been good. I’m so sorry.”
“I wanted you to know that he and I spoke. And while he’s upset with you, I’m who he’s pissed at. So I don’t want you to take his attitude to heart. I think… I think he’s doing this ’cause he loves you.”
Honey surprises me by crawling into my lap and wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “My father bitches you out, and you defend him?”
“I’m trying to put myself in his shoes. If I had daughters, I’d want the best for them too.”
Her eyes soften. “And you don’t think you’re the best for me?” I look away, not sure what to say. She grabs my face. “Beau Walker, don’t do that. Whatever my dad said is bullshit. I don’t want Ian or some rich rancher to sweep me off my feet.”
I love that Honey’s so fierce, but she needs to know where I stand.
“Look, I’ll never be able to fly you on a private jet or lavish you with jewels.
Are you sure you wanna be with a guy who has about five grand to his name and a fireman’s pension?
” I cup her face. “I’m not trying to scare you away.
I want you to know what you’re dealing with so you can make an informed decision.
I just… I wanna do the right thing here. I wanna do right by you.”
With an angry huff, she kisses me. “I’m a damn adult, okay? If I want to date you, I will. And there’s nothing my father can do about it. I’m tired of him trying to run my life.”
I nod slowly. “Okay.”
She tilts her head. “That’s it? Okay?”
“My woman has spoken, and I’m gonna abide by her wishes.” I’m still uneasy about the disparity in our finances, but I meant what I told her father. I’ll never take advantage of her.
Honey laughs and kisses me again. “Thank you for listening to me. You’re the first man in my life who really hears me. You don’t know how much I appreciate that.”
I was afraid I’d ruin tonight by telling her all the crap that happened today, but for some reason, it’s had the opposite effect.
She straddles my lap and shrugs off her robe. “Enough talk about my family. I haven’t seen you in ages. I’m going to get a cot and sleep with you at the fire station.”
I grin and tug her closer. I’ll get those supplies tomorrow. “Not sure the chief will approve of those shenanigans, but I’m game if you are.” When we kiss, all the stress of my week melts away. I’m about to lay her out on the couch when she puts a hand on my chest.
“What’s wrong?” I stop immediately.
“Nothing’s wrong. I wanted to show you what Paige gave me.”
“Okay.” When she gets up, I adjust myself.
She returns a minute later with a basket. It has chocolate and candies and tea. “That’s nice.” Though I’m not sure why it made her leap off the couch when we were making out.
She gives me a mischievous grin. “She and Baylee felt bad about what happened with my family and wanted to cheer me up. Paige said this would help me relax, and that there were adult things in here I might want to use with you.”
I don’t know how to wrap my brain around that statement.
It isn’t until she pulls out massage oil and a sex toy that it finally clicks.
“Not sure I’ll be able to thank those two for this gift basket, ’cause that would be weird.
Maybe you could pass along my appreciation.
” We both chuckle as she hands me the toy.
It’s purple with a little nub, and when I click it on, it vibrates so hard, I almost drop it. “That’s… powerful.”
Her face goes ten shades of red. “I thought we might like to try it. I’ve never… I’ve never used toys before.”
Fuck. I’m rock hard the moment she says those words.
Then she hands me the massage oil. “Want to start with this?”
I jump up, throw her over my shoulder, and stomp into her bedroom where I toss her onto the bed. She lands with a laugh. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“You can take that as a ‘fuck, yes,’” I say as I strip off my t-shirt.
She grins and kicks off her duck slippers. “I should’ve worn something sexy. I wasn’t thinking.”
I help her tug off her pajama bottoms. “You could wear a paper sack, and you’d look sexy.” I take stock of her now. Button-up pink pajama top and little lace panties. Yup, sexy as hell.
“Hold up. We have to vibe the room.” She pops off the bed, flips on the bedside lamp, and lights a candle. Then she turns on her stereo to play some classic rock softly.
When she returns to my side, I grab her by her pajamas and kiss her. “We blow out that candle the minute we’re done.”
She salutes me. “Yes, sir. Fire safety is my priority.”
“Smartass.” I smack her rear. “Bend over the bed so I can see what I’m working with. I need to inspect everything.”
Her eyebrow rises. “Make me.”
I grab her by the hips and spin her around. A half second later, she’s bent over the bed. Leaning over her, I whisper, “This okay, princess?”
“Ye-yes.”
“If I ever do anything you don’t like, tell me.” She wiggles her ass against me, and I chuckle. I squeeze her tit and stand. “I got carried away a second ago. Let me go grab your gifts. Stay like this.”
I grab her massage oil and toy and return, tossing them on the bed. My little vixen gives me a wicked smile as I round the bed where I get a fantastic view of her tight little ass in those lace panties.
Leaning back against her dresser, I cross my arms. “Very nice. Get up and turn around.” She does as I ask, but now her cheeks are flushed. “Are you wet?”
She nods.
“Put your fingers in your panties and show me.”
Her eyes flare, but she does as I ask. When she pulls them out, they’re glistening with her arousal. I take her fingers and suck it off. “Mmm. Good girl.”
Grinning, she runs her hands down my chest and rubs a palm over my erection. “What about you? I think you should show me what you’re working with.”
I chuckle. “And if I don’t?”
“Then you can’t touch my wet little pussy.”
My dick swells. Fuck, this woman is my kryptonite. I unbutton my jeans and tug down my boxer briefs, and my cock springs out. After I kick off my clothes, she runs a finger over my weeping head, then winks at me as she licks it off.
I’m ready to fuck her ten ways to Sunday, but then she hands me the massage oil and starts unbuttoning her pajama top. “I have some aches and pains. It’s been a long week. Maybe you could work out my sore muscles?” She slides her top off.
I pause to take her in. That messy bun. Her beautiful tits. Her dainty pink panties. Those long, slender legs. Fuck.