Chapter 30
Paisley
M y nails dig into the soft sheets of his bed, trying to get some traction. Our sleepy morning cuddle has turned into him fucking me from behind while I hang on for the rough ride. There is nothing better to wake up to. Especially now that I know he’s not going anywhere.
“Yes. Don’t stop.” His arms encircle me tightly, pulling me closer as he moves forcefully inside me, one arm around my neck, the other toying with my breast roughly. My eyes roll back in my head, an overload of pleasure thrumming through me. I’m already raw from the elevator then the three times we fucked when he brought me home, but I don’t care. I want more. With him like this, I’m alive and everything is right in the world. And with all the messed-up stuff going on, this is exactly what I need. To feel safe in his arms, protected from it all.
“You’re so wet for me, baby.” He shoves me forward so I’m on my front and picks up the pace, our bodies slapping together brutally. With a firm grip on my hips, his fingers bite into my skin. He knows what I like, what I need. This is what I have been missing in my life.
I cry out with every deep thrust, him filling me deliciously with his massive cock. My head spins, and I bury it in the bed.
“Cum for me, baby,” he grunts. And that’s it for me, my body convulses around him, waves of pleasure wracking over me like a tidal wave.
He collapses onto the bed next to me, sweaty and exhausted. “This is how I want to wake up every morning.”
“You’d get sick of me.” I laugh.
“Never. Not your sassy mouth, not your eye rolls, or even the death stares. I will never get sick of you, baby.” He places delicate kisses down my neck, and I snuggle into him, enjoying how close we already are.
“That’s lucky, ‘cause I’m kinda getting used to the idea of you sticking around.” I smile dreamily. How quickly he’s been able to convince me to trust him. But everything he explained to me last night made sense, and we can’t let our fathers’ mistakes destroy our future anymore.
He moves so we’re face to face, and his eyes meet mine more seriously. “I’m not going anywhere. Once I win this election, you will move in here with me, and we can get married and have a family of our own. This is the start of our future.”
I sit up abruptly, shocked and confused by what he’s saying. “Wait, what!”
He smiles softly, like he just got the exact reaction he was expecting from me. “This, us. This is happening, baby, so you better get with the program, because I want it all with you.”
“Noah, we literally made up last night. One step at a time. Let’s see if we can go a week without ripping each other’s heads off before we talk about life-changing events, like kids.” But the warmth of his words spread through me. This is what I have wanted for so long, and to know he wants it as well fills me with hope.
He takes my hand. “I’ve waited three years, Paisley, I know what I want. I knew the day I left here I was coming back for you.”
I smile back at him as he pulls me in for a kiss. His words are everything I’ve needed to hear for so long. I relax back into him and let him pull me back to the bed. Silence hangs in the air between us. “What are you doing today?” I ask, needing to change the subject. I’ve heard all he is saying before, and I’m not so easily convinced this time. He might be riding high after the night we just had together, but he’s not thinking straight this morning. He’s probably weak from dehydration.
“I’m meeting Margo to go over the dinner we have on Friday night.” He watches me as I slip from the bed and pull on my dress from last night. “You should come with me. It will be fun,” he suggests, and I’m surprised by how serious he looks.
“Go to your campaign night? I’m the opposition, in case you’ve forgotten, don’t think that would go down well.”
I don’t miss the flash of disappointment wash over him. We might have worked out our past differences, but trying to see each other while this election is on is not going to be easy. “Maybe, but the night’s not going to be any fun without you by my side.”
“I’m sure Margo will keep you busy.” I roll my eyes. The thought of them going to a formal event gets under my skin. I don’t like her, and more than anything, I wish she wasn’t his campaign manager. But I know I need to trust him.
“Do I detect some jealousy?” He smirks playfully.
My face hardens, not seeing the funny side of this. “Nope. But you need to watch that one. She has a thing for you big time.”
“It doesn’t matter if she does. I only have eyes for you,” he says, and I look him over cautiously. He already knew she was hot for him. I wonder if something’s happened between them. “Are you working today? I was thinking I could drop in for lunch, take a proper look at this shop you just bought. Have I told you how proud of you I am?”
I smile back at him. “Thank you. I have work at ten, but I need to duck over to Savannah first to see Beckett.” He tenses as soon as I mention Beckett’s name. And I know this issue is only going to get worse now that we’re together.
“What for?” he grumbles.
“To go over a few things with him. Campaign stuff.” I shrug, but it’s more than that. There is so much playing on my mind since my conversation in the elevator with Noah last night. I need to catch Beckett up to speed.
Noah gets out of bed and strolls over to me. My eyes roam down his body; he’s one gorgeous man. He takes out a pair of gray sweatpants and pulls them on. “So, you’re not going to quit, like we discussed?” There is an edge to his voice I don’t appreciate.
My eyes roll automatically. Is he fucking for real? We never discussed this. He suggested it, and I said no. “Why would I do that? I started this thing, I’m going to see it through. I’m a lot of things, but I’m no quitter.” I grasp his hand, hoping for his understanding. “This is really important to me, Noah.”
“I don’t want you working with him. Everything I told you last night about your father. Parker and I have reason to believe the Prescotts are involved somehow as well.”
My heart kicks up a beat. “How?” I ask nervously.
“I can’t prove it yet, but I think daddy Prescott is funding a lot of the illegal shit they’re doing.”
“So, you have nothing to pin on Beckett himself. You’re warning me away from him because of something his father might be involved in?” I raise a brow, hoping he can see the irony here.
“Paisley. You must have seen by now the way Beckett operates, he’s just like his old man. You know as well as I do he would be involved in whatever his father is.”
“We don’t know anything,” I snap, feeling protective over Beckett. “He’s never given me any reason to believe he’s not perfectly legit. And you don’t know shit about his relationship with his father. If we were all judged off what our parents did, you wouldn’t even be running for mayor, and imagine what people would think of me. I get that you and Parker feel the need to protect me from him, but there is absolutely no need. He’s a good guy, just trying to separate himself from the legacy he was born into and make something of his life. I’m not walking away from him.”
He pulls me close. “If he lays a finger on you, I swear, Paisley.” I feel the depth of his words. He’s not messing around, but I’m grateful I don’t have to keep fighting for what I believe.
“Look who’s getting all worked up now. He’s not interested in me; trust me, you have nothing to worry about. It’s all work when we’re together.”
“It’s more than that, Paisley. Of course he wants you, look at you. You’re amazing, but I’m really worried he’s going to… I don’t know. I don’t trust him.” His worried eyes meet mine, and I can feel the emotion in them. “They hate me. I would never forgive myself if they did something to you to get at me.”
I smile, kind of loving how much he wants to protect me. “You don’t have to worry about me. I can handle myself with Beckett. I know how he comes across, but he’s been fantastic to me. I trust him.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. Why did he just come out and loan you all that money? Did you ask questions? What are the terms of the agreement?”
“Noah. Please stop worrying. I have it all under control.” I kiss him once more, then I walk out of the room. It’s getting late in the morning, and I have a truckload of stuff to sort out today. I also don’t want to ruin my happiness of finally being with him by talking about Beckett. It’s one of those things we will need to agree to disagree on, because we will never see eye to eye.
As I reach Beckett’s office in Savannah, I feel a flutter of nervousness in my stomach. It feels like a whirlwind of events has taken place since the last time I was here. I catch the receptionist’s attention, and she gestures for me to take the elevator. I called ahead and warned Beckett I was going to be dropping in this morning. He must have given her the heads up. I make it to the sixth floor and stride out of the elevator with purpose, a small thrill of excitement running through me. I can’t ride one the same again after my steamy time with Noah locked up in one. Of all the things, a fucking broken elevator was what brought us back together, even if it was some massive set-up by him and Emerson. I’ll have to thank her later.
“Miss Whittaker, if you can just take a seat, Mr. Prescott will see you shortly,” the fashionable girl on reception tells me before I even have a chance to say my name. This place is run like a well-oiled machine. I’m not surprised; for all his shortcomings, Beckett is very organized.
I sit with one leg crossed over the other, my body aching deliciously from a night of Noah. I glance around the space to distract myself from the inappropriate slideshow of memories I have playing on repeat in my head. Everything looks so expensive. Glass offices that look out over the park, well-dressed people in their expensive suits and dresses. The place even smells good, vanilla or something. Then I spot Beckett’s office. He’s in there with someone, an older gentleman in a black suit. It looks like they’re in a heated discussion. The man opens the door to leave, and the two of them come out into the hall still arguing. Beckett’s face changes when he spies me. “Paisley.” He comes toward me, all smiles, and I stand. “This is Mr. Prescott, my father,” he introduces me, his tone polite but with an edge that tells me he’s having a bad morning.
His father scrutinizes me, then his lips twitch into what I guess you could call a smile. “So this is the Paisley I’ve heard so much about. I understand you’re keeping my boy in line. We might just have to keep you around once he’s won the campaign. No one’s been able to do it before.”
I laugh lightheartedly and shake his hand, not sure what to say. I’m suddenly out of words. Even though he would be in his sixties, he’s tall and imposing, a no-shit look about him. And Beckett’s words come back to me. I know what this asshole did to his kids. The thought makes me feel sick. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Prescott.” I force out a grin.
“I’ll be with you in a second if you want to wait in my office,” Beckett tells me, but he’s not his normal self, he looks rattled.
I take the hint to exit and casually stroll into his office. I’m curious about the intense conversation he was having with his father. Especially after what Noah told me this morning. Could his father really be involved with the Rebel Raiders somehow? And even with what my father was doing, I can’t see it. He’s been a pillar of society around here for years. Very well respected. His company is worth billions; I’m sure he would have no need to mar his reputation by getting involved with the most notorious gang around. But I wouldn’t have thought my father would either, and I was dead wrong about that.
Taking a seat at his desk, Beckett joins me. Looking tense, he runs his fingers through his hair.
“Is everything alright?” I ask, worried about him.
“Yeah, fine,” he lies. It’s obvious it’s not, but I don’t want to push it if he’s not up to talking about it. I’m surprised he admitted to me what his father was doing to him and Hamilton when they were kids. For a guy like Beckett to open up like that, he must really trust me. He will talk to me if he needs to.
“Sorry to interrupt your morning, but we have a giant problem. And I don’t know how we stop it from getting out, but when it does, I’m scared it will affect your campaign,” I tell Beckett with sickness in the pit of my stomach. I’ve felt like this since Noah told me yesterday. All night I tried to come up with a solution that would stop this coming back on Beckett, but I can’t think of any. First my daddy pledges a huge sum of cash toward his campaign, and now we find out he’s been involved in all sorts of criminal activity, including working for a gang. Could it get any worse?
With curiosity, he scans me from head to toe. “You went home with Noah last night,” he says, a bitterness to his tone I was expecting. It prickles my skin. I don’t like letting people down, and the way he’s looking at me, I know I have.
I examine him, feeling unsure about what words to choose. He was already stressed, and now I’m here to make it so much worse. “That’s not what I’m talking about. But that could be a problem as well,” I admit, the guilt eating at me.
“What’s the issue you’re talking about, then?”
“My father. Apparently, he was messed up with some biker gang, the Rebel Raiders. Have you heard about them? I’m sure Prescott Media would know their names. I don’t know what to do, Beckett. If this gets out, and I’m sure it’s about to now that he’s been arrested, what will it mean for you? I’m so sorry. If you need me to quit to save your campaign, I will, and I’ll find someone perfect to replace me. Me staying could be detrimental to you.”
His face remains unchanged, like this isn’t new information to him, and that thought makes me feel even more uneasy. Can I trust him? Or is Noah right, and he’s keeping stuff from me? “You’re not quitting. We can work this out. I’ll get a hold of Hamilton, make sure no stories run about your father.”
“It’s that simple?” I ask, confused. “I thought you didn’t have any influence at the moment?”
There’s a menacing smirk on his face. “Don’t believe everything you hear. I stepped down from the company for the meantime, but I still have the same influence. Hamilton will sort this all out for us. Don’t you worry about a thing.” He dismisses it as if it’s insignificant, but he should be raging right about now. This could literally end his chances. Why is he so calm about it?
“Okay,” I say, unsure. “I’m glad, I was so worried it was going to be me who messed this all up for you.”
“Not a chance, kitten. And that’s why you understand you need to keep your distance from Noah while we wrap up the campaign, right? It’s a massive conflict of interest for you, hopping into bed with the opposition. You were supposed to cause a scene, not go home with him,” he says, a little more seriously.
I feel like a child being told off. And I’m sure he has every right to be acting that way, but it gets my hackles up. “Maybe I need to quit. I really don’t want to cause a problem for you,” I say, with more of an edge to my tone.
His eyes meet mine. “You’re not quitting. I’m relying on you to get me through all this, Paisley. Think about how strong you’ve become working on this campaign for me. You’re not the girl who started the journey off with me. I’m so delighted with your performance. Now let’s finish what we started together. I’m sure if there really is something between you and Noah, he will wait for you at the end of all this. You can be his shoulder to cry on when we beat him.” He offers a cheeky wink.
I swallow the lump in my throat, not so sure about all of this anymore. Last night, I convinced myself that I could do this, just keep pretending, but how am I supposed to stay objective when we’re competing against the man I’m in love with? I don’t want to be the one to rip his dreams away from him. Not really. This is so messy, and it’s all my fault. I wanted revenge, but I’ve landed myself in an impossible situation. I believe in Beckett; he’s been so damn good to me, why shouldn’t I? But I love Noah, and the truth is he would make an amazing mayor. He would also get the chance to make all his father’s wrongs right, and I know how important that is to him.
Beckett’s hand comes to my shoulder, and I flinch. I hadn’t realized he was standing. “Didn’t mean to scare you, I was just going to say we need to get going.”
I turn to face him. “Yes, of course.”
“Are we still on the same page? I believe in you, Paisley. I know you can help me win. Just like I knew you would be a great business owner. And you are because I’m always right.” He grins at me, all cocky.
I can’t help but laugh at his confidence. “You’re so conceited,” I tease, but he knows it’s all in good fun. “Thank you for giving me a chance. Most people underestimate me.”
“They’re idiots. I know potential when I see it.”
“Where are we going? I have a shift at the florist.”
“I’m coming with you. I organized a reporter to do a write-up about you for Sunday’s paper, thought it might give you some new business and let this town know firsthand how incredible you are.”
I smile back at him. This man constantly surprises me with his kindness. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it, kitten. I have the power to change lives, so why wouldn’t I use it?”
His last comment sticks with me. He has the power to change lives. I guess that’s exactly what this media company has the power to do. Change them for the better or worse. I’ve seen them do it, with the way they affected the Alexanders’ hotel last year, and even with the way Miss Turner is able to influence the gossip being spread through the hair salon as the clients chat over her latest article. The Prescotts already have more influence than anyone, and I start to see Noah’s point. Even if Beckett would be good for this town, is it right to give him even more control? I guess that’s a question this town will have to answer.