AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I lean back, letting the warmth of the sun lull me almost to sleep. It’s so peaceful, floating aimlessly in the pool as I close my eyes and relax. I have no idea how long I’ve been out here when I hear the familiar toe-curling sound of Beckham’s rich voice.
“Happy birthday, Brontë.”
My heart feels like it skips a beat, but I play it cool. In fact, I don’t even bother opening my eyes. I simply smile and let my head fall back an inch further.
“Thank you, Mr. Archer.”
He chuckles. I can hear the smirk on his face as weird as that sounds. “Back to Mr. Archer, is it?”
I shrug nonchalantly when I feel a spray of water across my face. I flinch and remove my sunglasses.
“I asked you a question,” he says, crouched down next to the water.
“What the hell?” I don’t attempt to hide my annoyance at him. “Around my family, yes, you’re Mr. Archer. We are merely boss and employee… or friend of my father in this current situation since it’s out of the office. I thought we were attempting to regain some professionalism after Vegas anyway? Remember, the fun stays there.”
I push my float over to the ladder and climb out. I squeeze out my hair, letting the water run onto the cement beneath my feet.
Beckham’s eyes are hidden behind his sunglasses, but if I had to guess, he just dragged them up and down my body. He stands, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“You have fun last night?” His tone is clipped.
“Yes, I did. Why? Did you?” I ask curiously.
“How was your date?”
“Date?” I ask, confused, shaking my head. “I didn’t have a date.”
“I overheard you tell Trish you did.”
“Oh, yeah, I was supposed to, but the guy canceled on me last minute so I just went out with Taylor and Sylvia.” I am suddenly very aware of my half-nakedness as I reach for my towel and wrap it around my body.
“So you just danced with a complete stranger and let him feel you up and kiss you?”
My head snaps up so fast. “You saw me last night?” He doesn’t answer, his lips set in a hard, thin line. “What were you doing at O’Malley’s?” I narrow my gaze at him and take a step closer to him.
“I came over to talk to you about something and you came out of your building with your friends as I arrived.”
My mouth falls open. “You fucking followed me?” I want to shove him into the pool, but I know that will cause a kind of commotion that will bring my family outside. Nervously, I glance over my shoulder to make sure nobody can hear us, but we’re the only ones outside.
“I hadn’t planned on it, but you’re welcome I did, considering that piece of shit you were with was planning on getting you drunk and taking you back to his place. I mean, come on, Brontë, did you learn absolutely nothing from our talk in Vegas about these boys? Hmm?” He reaches out to hook his finger under my chin, but I push his hand away.
My cheeks flush with anger as I point a finger in his chest. “I am not yours to protect or follow. I think you need to leave.” I don’t wait for an answer. Instead, I turn and walk toward the house. “And don’t follow me this time,” I say over my shoulder, but he doesn’t seem to hear me, or if he did, he doesn’t care as he marches after me, his toes on my heels.
I walk through the French doors that lead into the kitchen, my family gathered around the massive granite island that’s filled with food.
“Hey, I was just about to head out with these steaks, burgers, and dogs. Grab a beer and help me grill,” my dad says to Beckham as I round the island, grabbing my bag and making a beeline toward the stairs.
“I’ll join everyone outside soon. I just want to change and meet the kittens really quick,” I half shout as I take the stairs two at a time. I head down the hallway, finding an empty guest room to change in. I close the door behind me, resting against it as my heart thuds loudly in my chest.
“Brontë.” Beckham taps lightly on the door behind me as he turns the handle and presses against it. “Let me in.”
I don’t know why, I know I’m asking for trouble, but I step away from the door and let him come inside. He closes it behind him, his eyes no longer hidden behind his glasses.
“Let me just say that I didn’t intend on following you last night.” He runs his hand through his disheveled hair. “I truly came over to talk to you. I know I don’t even have a right to do that, but I was worried about you.”
“Worried about me? Why?”
“Because I thought you had a date and after the way things went down between us in Vegas, I thought that I not only owed you an apology for my behavior, but that I should warn you away from men like me.”
