Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Chapter 2
Being tasked with escorting the bride’s best friend from out of town hadn’t been part of Beau’s plan when he’d accepted the invitation to his frat brother’s wedding. But when Mandy’s date had unexpectedly canceled, Beau found himself pressed into service. His Southern manners had precluded him from saying no. The fact that she was gorgeous hadn’t hurt either.
Unfortunately, there didn’t seem too much going on in the brains department, try as he might to uncover something they had in common beyond simple physical attraction. As they danced, Beau kept a firm hand on Mandy’s lower back to keep her from stumbling. He glanced around, looking for his cousin and the pink-haired hottie. Something about the girl had definitely caught his attention.
Not that he planned to do anything about it. First of all, she was with his baby cousin and certainly way too young for him. And second, he’d been raised to take home the girl he came with, however vacuous.
It was after midnight when Beau finally dropped Mandy at her hotel. He came inside with her, primarily to make sure she made it to her room. Giggling, she fumbled with the key card, dropping it twice. Finally taking the card from her, he unlocked her door and ushered her inside, his hand lightly on her waist.
She turned, throwing her arms around his neck. She pulled him down for a sloppy kiss with plenty of tongue as she pressed against him.
Even if he’d been inclined to accept her implied invitation, Beau had a firm policy never to have sex with a drunk woman. Gently but firmly, he untangled himself from her embrace.
She took a stumbling step back while simultaneously reaching behind herself to unzip her gown. She shimmied a little, causing it to puddle at her feet. Clad only in dangling earrings, high heels, a sheer, lacy bra and a pair of minuscule thong panties, she presented a very tempting picture. He wavered ever so slightly in his resolve as she wove her way to the bed.
Before he could make his excuses, she fell to the mattress and lay still. Mildly alarmed, he moved to her to make sure she was okay. Eyes closed, she muttered something unintelligible as he gently rolled her to her side. Reaching for one of the many pillows, he placed it behind her back to prevent her from rolling out of position. She continued to mutter as he pulled off her shoes and adjusted the covers around her.
He got a glass of water from the bathroom and set it beside her on the nightstand. Just as he turned to leave, she called from behind him, her voice slurred with drink, “You’re not leaving me, are you, darlin’? The night’s still young.”
He turned back with a sigh.
Mandy ran her tongue suggestively over her plump lower lip as she slipped a hand between her thighs. “You can’t go,” she said in a high, wheedling voice. “Come keep me warm, daddy. Your widdle girl needs a big, strong man to keep away the boogeyman.”
Beau shook his head. “You’ve had too much to drink, Mandy. Get some sleep. I’ll see myself out.”
Mandy stuck out her lower lip in an exaggerated pout. “Don’t you dare go. I want… I need…” She trailed off, completing the sentence with a soft snore, eyes fluttering closed once more. Before she woke again, Beau quickly took his leave, closing the door softly behind him.
The following Saturday morning, armed with a mug of coffee, Beau stepped out onto his patio. He’d texted Mandy the day after the wedding just to make sure she was okay. She’d sent back a terse reply that she was fine, thank you. Presumably, she’d flown back to Virginia, and that was that.
Just as he sat down, his phone dinged. It was a text from his friend, Mark Wheeler.
You still able to make it tonight?
Beau quickly thumbed back:
Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it.
Mark’s reply arrived a moment later.
Great! Meantime, want to get together for breakfast at Early Girl Eatery in about thirty minutes? The downtown location on Wall Street. You can meet Jaime.”
Having arrived in Asheville only a few weeks before, Beau hadn’t yet had a chance to get together with his old friend.
Sounds perfect. See you in a few.
Beau was excited about his upcoming adventure at The Enclave, an opportunity made possible by Mark. The two of them had first met several years ago at a private BDSM club in Charlotte.
Lair Sade was a hardcore BDSM venue for serious players, and both Mark and Beau had been serious as heart attacks at the time. After his breakup with Renee, Beau could be found there most weekend nights, attempting to distract himself with intense but casual play. Mark, too, had been dealing with a breakup, though of a different kind. His very successful rock band had imploded with the overdose death of the band’s bass player while on stage. They had bonded not only over their shared love of BDSM, but over the recent tragedies in their lives.