Chapter 27
twenty-seven
. . .
piper
I can’t believe he called my brother out on his bullshit. Nobody else, besides Paula, has ever really done that. Sure, they’ve talked shit about him when he’s not around. But nothing like what Beau did. And they sure as hell didn’t stand up for me.
“I told him he was a dumbass. You have so many great ideas, and there wouldn’t be the massive growth the winery is seeing without you.”
Paula was right. I needed to hear his side of the story. I haven’t even talked to Pierce about this whole ordeal. We’ve kept it strictly business since I came back to the office. He’s going to wish he had fessed up to me about this when I see him again.
“Thank you.” My voice is barely above a whisper.
“So, are we good? Do you forgive me? Because as much as I love sharing puppy gifs with you, I miss my friend. I miss my girlfriend. You have no idea how much this has been eating me up inside.”
Do I forgive him? He should have told me all this from the beginning.
I’m not sure why he thought I wouldn’t find out.
My family is a lot of things, but good at keeping secrets isn’t one of them.
Although, I don’t think any of them knew about the threat of being fired or that Pierce actually knew about it this whole time.
“Clearly not enough to break down and tell me. Instead, I had to find out from overhearing the two of you.”
Is it a bitchy come back? Yes. Do I regret it? Not at all. Even if I was already leaning toward forgiving him after my talk with Paula, he doesn’t need to know that. He can squirm for a bit.
“I know. You have no idea how sorry I am.” Now he’s looking at the mirror behind me. The only reason I know is because I can see his reflection. “I’ve been a mess at work all week. And I turned down the promotion.”
“What? Why?” We were supposed to discuss it that night, but then everything happened and it slipped my mind.
“Because I don’t want to have to choose between working long hours and spending time with you. That position would have never brought me the joy I get from being near you, or working with businesses who actually need my help.”
He leans his forehead against the glass, caging me between him and the mirror. I don’t push him away. “I would have never made you choose.”
“I know.” His voice is soft. “I’m putting money back to go out on my own, but not in the way I’ve been working at the firm. I want to help people figure out their strengths to make their business a success without throwing a bunch of money at it. I’ll never be able to do that where I’m at now.”
Now he leans back and meets my eyes. “You are my success story. Not just in business, but also in life. You are the only person who has ever shown me unconditional love, and not treated me like I’m a burden.”
Well, shit. What am I supposed to say to that? Nothing.
I throw my arms around him and pull his lips down to mine, doing the one thing I’ve wanted to do all week. Yes, I was pissed, but deep down I knew he was doing what he thought was right…for me.
He pulls back and grins. “So, I guess we’re okay.”
“Yes, we’re okay.” I walk him backward until we are on the blanket and push him until he’s sitting on the blanket. I straddle him and place my hands on the mirror on either side of him. “But if you ever lie to me again, I don’t think I could come back from that.”
“Never again.” He groans as I grind into him.
He reaches for my shorts, trying to undo the button, and I push his hand away. “Not yet.”
I leave a trail of kisses along his neck before my lips join his once more. It’s probably wrong to torture him like this, but it serves him right. His hand wanders all over my body. Caressing. Gripping. Each touch a sign of how much he wants me.
My hands find their way to his jeans and I unbutton them, ready to put him out of his misery. He doesn’t hesitate undoing the button on my shorts and I lift up enough to help him work their way down my legs and he kicks off his own.
The sound of glass tinkles in the background, barely audible over the music playing on the speaker. Oh well, we can worry about that mess later.
“Shit,” Beau hiss and scrambles for his jeans. He pulls his wallet out of the pocket and produces a condom. At least he’s always prepared.
He tries to lean me back so I can lie down, but I yank the condom out of his hand and slide it over him. He groans as I lower myself on him and his head falls back hitting the mirror with a soft thud.
I rock my body into him while bending down to kiss him. I expect him to close his eyes, but he doesn’t. He’s focused on the mirrors and watching the two of us from every angle. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t turn me on.
His hands grip my hips, quickening the pace. My hands drag down the mirrors as I keep myself steady and I break the kiss. Wanting to see what he does.
Passion and love. The awe on his face as he watches me watch him. If I needed proof that he sees me, this moment is it. Beau gets me on a level nobody ever has. He knows when to be strong for me, and when I need to be the strong one.
His grip tightens as the pressure builds and we’re both tumbling into our release. That has never happened before and I hope like hell this isn’t the last time.
“I love you, Piper.” The words are breathless as he tries to catch his.
“I love you, too.” I give him a quick peck before climbing off him. I search around in the dim light for my shorts and use the edge of the blanket to clean myself off.
Beau cleans up while I get dressed and start cleaning up the spilled wine. At this point, we should probably throw away the blanket. Those sangria stains are never coming out of there.
His hand covers mine until I give him my full attention. “No, I really love you.”
“I know.” And I do. He proves it in the way he’s always taken care of me. Met my needs before I even realized I needed them. He feeds me because he knows I can’t cook. All those small things have shown me just how much this man loves me.
Without another word he helps me clean up the mess we’ve made. Once everything is inside the basket he pulled from some hiding place, he pulls me toward him. “I think fun houses are my new favorite attraction. You’ve helped me create some pretty amazing memories.”
“For sure. Also, how do you feel about adding mirrors to our bedrooms?”
“I’m not opposed.” He brings his lips to mine. We stand there, wrapped up in each other, tongues dancing, enjoying the moment. Enjoying us and knowing everything is going to be okay.
“Good.” I check around the area to make sure everything is cleaned up. I’m sure he paid a pretty penny to rent this thing, but I’m not going to ask him how much. It’s not business. “Now, I need to find my big brother.”
Thank God Parker left the golf cart. Though I can’t believe he walked all the way back to the main house. It’s way too hot for that.
“Where’s Pierce?” I don’t bother hiding my anger as I stomp into the office.
Parker looks me up and down before shaking his head. “You were gone way too long to be coming in here with that much attitude.”
“Just tell me where our big brother is.” I roll my eyes and put my hands on my hips. It’s the same stance I’ve taken since I was a child and wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Beau?” Parker asks as if looking for approval.
I glance behind me to see what Beau’s reaction is.
His hands are up as if he wants nothing to do with this conversation. “This has nothing to do with me. And she really needs to talk to Pierce.”
“I guess I better prepare for the battle that’s about to happen.” Parker sighs and stands up. “I think he’s in the stock building. Please don’t break any of the merchandise.”
“I’m not dumb, Parker.”
I turn to head out of the office and Beau stops me. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Shaking my head, I give him a quick hug. “This is something I need to do on my own. It’s time I take a page out of my sister’s book and stand up to him.”
“Good luck.” He kisses the top of my head and lets me go.
That is the support I need right now and I’m grateful he has my back.
Parker can stuff it. I have a feeling he’s going to follow me up there, though.
Not to offer a helping hand, but so he can hear the details and tell the rest of the siblings.
He’s so freaking nosey. Can I really blame him, though?
When you have this many siblings, it’s best to know everyone’s secrets.
Pierce is putting together boxes when I open the door. I make sure it slams shut behind me. If Parker wants to know what’s going on, he’ll have to work for it.
“Can you tell me why my marketing plan was a good idea when it came from Beau and not me?”
“No, I can’t.” He’s not even raising his voice. What the hell is going on?
“Seriously, that’s all you have to say? Especially after you told Beau you were going to fire me if I didn’t stop live posting.”
“I was wrong.” Not a single emotion.
My shoes thud against the concrete as I stomp to the work table and slap my hands on top of it. “Dammit, Pierce, give me a real answer because you have no idea how bad it hurts to be shot down by my own brother. Then turn around and find out he okayed it when it came from a man.”
Now he meets my eyes and there’s a sadness in them. “I didn’t think you could handle the pressure. You’ve always been one to come up with these big ideas, but when they don’t work out, you’re crushed. I didn’t want you to fail.”
“It was the same exact plan Beau mentioned.” I point toward the door because I’m sure he followed Parker behind me. “We worked on it together. So, if you didn’t want me to fail what the hell changed your mind?”
Pierce runs a hand through his hair and glances at the ceiling as if asking a higher power for patience. “I saw it was working. After you made those stories replying to questions, the orders came pouring in. I knew the reason.”
“Then why not tell me you were approving the plan? All of this could have been avoided.”
“Because I’m stubborn. It’s a shitty reason, I know.
But there it is.” He sets the box he was building aside and leans his elbows on the table.
“I’m supposed to be someone you look up to, and I keep fucking up at every turn.
How am I supposed to run this business when I can’t realize what is a good time investment and what isn’t? ”
Whoa. I didn’t realize how stressed he’s been about Dad retiring. I’m sure the accelerated time frame isn’t helping matters. Now I feel kind of bad for him.
“Last time I checked, there are six of us. Dad never meant for you to be the one making all the decisions. You’re at the top because you’re the oldest. But the rest of us can also carry some of that burden.
” Well, except Paula, but I don’t mention her.
She’ll come back into the fold when she’s ready.
“You shouldn’t have to, though.”
“Stop being a baby and let us take some of it on. It’s not like you’re going to win a prize for being the best boss and most asshole brother.”
“I should if there was actually an award for that.”
“Look, what you did was shitty. I’ll eventually forgive you for it. But…don’t toss aside my ideas because I’m the youngest. I do actually know what I’m talking about from time to time.”
I move around the table and give my brother a hug. Mom always made us do it when we got in disagreements as kids, and it seems like he might need some comfort.
“I’ll try.” He hugs me back.
“Good.”
Do I think he’ll change overnight? Not a chance in hell, but maybe he’ll actually work on not being such a dick.
“Aw, everyone has made up.” Parker runs to us and wraps his arms around the both of us. “Get in here, Beau. You’re pretty much family, too.”
Beau joins us, but his arms are only around me. It’s going to take a while for Pierce to get back in his good graces.
This is part of having a big family, though. We may fight and disagree most of the time, but we can move mountains when we stick together. I just hope my big brother realizes it or it might bite him in the ass.
“You wanna get out of here?” Beau whispers in my ear.
“Absolutely.” I pull us out of the huddle. “I’m taking the rest of the day off.”
“You literally just came back yesterday.”
“Consider it payback for being an asshole.” I wave behind me as I pull Beau with me toward the door. I can practically hear my brother’s eyes roll, but he doesn’t try to stop me.
We have a lot of making up to do, and I want him to tell me all about his plan to leave the firm he works for. Despite all the ups and downs, he’s still my best friend, even if he’s also my boyfriend, and I’ll support him the way he’s always supported me.