Chapter Fourteen
Beckett
Noelle. She’s here. I have not been able to shake her from my thoughts.
Leaving that hotel room the way I did was my biggest regret.
I know how it must have looked, and had it not been for my trip, I’d have tried to track her down right away.
The joys of military life. But seeing her here, looking as beautiful as I remember, this has to be a sign from the universe that this girl is meant to be mine.
I don’t even hear what this woman, Clarice, is saying.
I’m completely star struck by Noelle. The violet gown she was holding is now crumpled by her feet, and it gives me flashbacks to seeing her standing in her red underwear, her own dress on the floor in my hotel, and the memory of that night has my chest so tight I want to rip this security vest off.
My company has been hired for Violet Magazine’s annual fashion show. I have all my best guys working, and it is our job to not only keep the models safe, but staff, guests and our VIP client, Miss New York Darling, Grace.
“… is that okay?” Clarice asks, stroking my arm. She’s been flirting with me since I met her earlier today, but I haven't heard a word she’s said since I clocked Noelle.
“Yes, sorry, please excuse me,” I say, taking strides toward a shocked Noelle.
“Noelle,” is all I manage to say.
She bends down, grabs the dress and tries to push by me. I wrap a hand around her dainty arm to stop her, the feel of her skin making me feel a type of way that only she can do.
I lower my voice and lean into her ear. “Please, let me explain.”
She shrugs me off and glares at me with the same annoyance she did the first time she met me on the train, and it crushes me. It’s clear how big I’ve fucked up.
“Explain what? How you fucked me and then left me without even saying goodbye? I wasn’t expecting a marriage proposal, but just walking out without a word? That was a dick move. I deserved more than that,” she hisses quietly.
Her words are like a slap to the face, because she did. She deserved so much more, and I need to explain to her what really happened. “You’re right, will you give me a minute to explain?” I plead.
“I’m busy.” She holds up the dress.
“So, you work here? For Violet?”
“Yes, what are you doing here? Scoping out the place for your next one night stand?”
I jolt, her words hurt, but how can I be mad. I hurt her.
“No, my company is running the security for tonight.”
Her eyes widen. “Your company?” I nod.
“Yes, remember, I told you I worked in security?”
She scrunches her nose and shakes her head. “No, sorry, you were a little unforgettable, honestly, so no, I don’t remember.”
Ouch. She is pissed.
“Kennedy, Ali needs that dress, now,” Clarice barks and Kennedy looks at me wide eyed.
“Kennedy? That’s your name?” I ask, suddenly feeling like I’ve hit the jackpot. I know her real name.
She waves me off, as if that revelation meant nothing.
“Anyway, Ben, some of us have work to do.” She turns on her heel without giving me a second look and marches off.
“It’s Beckett.” I yell like a fool, and she responds with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Well, looks like Operation 'Get Kennedy to forgive me' has just begun, because now she’s back in my orbit, I am not walking away again.