Page 68 of Beautiful Deceit
Beau fidgets, rolling his head back and forth as his legs stretch out a little. I let go of him and lift up from his chest thinking he needs to move, but he wraps his arm around me and pulls me back so my head is again pillowed on his chest.
"She laughed in my face telling me there was no baby and would never be a baby because she had a procedure years earlier that prevented pregnancy.” His voice is low, just above a whisper. He continues, “When she told me, her face was like she was ecstatic, like she was pleased to hurt me. She said there was no way she'd let a needy little thing like a baby ruin her career or her body. She even went into detail about how she was planning on faking a miscarriage.”
He sits up, continuing to keep his hold on me. I raise with him, turning my head to see him scooting back until his back leans against the headboard.
His eyes are cast down as he stares at his hands resting on his lap.
Without looking at me he says, “I didn't realize how badly I wanted that baby until she said there never was one.”
The statement falls into the quiet of the room. I’m at a complete loss for what to say, so I don’t say anything. I push myself back and align myself next to him. I place my hand on top of his, giving him a gentle squeeze to let him know I’m here, listening, and grateful he’s sharing with me, even though I can hear and see how painful it is for him.
“I was in a pretty bad place for a while. I'd already been thinking about pulling back from acting and only doing the smaller stuff, but she and my agent were adamant that I keep working. They constantly reminded me what I loved about working, so every time I’d try to say no to a role both of them would find a way to convince me to do it. I never imagined the lengths she’d go to get her way.”
Beau leans his head down to rest gently on top of mine, and I tilt over a bit to support him.
“I finished up the film I was on and backed out of the two others I was slated to do. She went nuts. I hadn't made our breakup public, so I think she thought I'd come back. I don't know why it mattered to her so much, but she was fanatic about our public image.” He rubs his cheek against my hair. “I went home to my parents for the weekend and had a dog sitter stay with Ella. I would never fly commercial with her. Lauren found out or she just came over to harass me again. The sitter knew that Lauren wasn’t welcome, so he didn’t let her in. A few hours later he let Ella into the yard.” He breathes deeply, “When Ella didn't come to the door to be let in after a while, he went outside and found her. She was still alive, but she never made it to the vet. She was gone before I even knew she was sick.” He slides down the head board. My arms wrap around his shoulder and bring his head down to rest in my lap.
His voice is slightly muffled as he pours out the rest, “Lauren called me later. She said a whole bunch of crazy shit. I dismissed her like I had been doing. Then she started screaming about how I'll know what it's like to have something taken away and how I'll hurt like she was hurting. That's how I found out."
He heaves.
“I didn't know how to deal with it anymore. Everyone saw me as her surly ex. When Tasha called asking how I was, I jumped at the chance to get as far away from Lauren as possible.”
“Beau,” I whisper, unable to articulate a response. I try again.
"Beau,it's horrible what she did to you. I'm sorry someone you trusted betrayed you." He squeezes me close, staying quiet. "I'm glad she's out of your life. I can't imagine a woman like that caring for a child," I suppress the shutter working its way up my back.
We lay silently in the comfort of my bed. I run my hands over his back in soothing circles. He breathes deeply, pillowed by my thighs. I comb my hand through his sandy blonde hair.
Beau gives me a final squeeze before he moves to sit up, shifting so his legs slide off the bed.
“I’m going to make some coffee. Can I get you anything? You hungry?" I point my toes and stretch, waiting for his reply. When I look over at him he has a small smile on his lips. "What?" I ask his smile grows.
"You're trying to make me fat. Always feeding me." His eyebrows raise. I look down at his washboard stomach and tut. The man doesn't have an ounce of fat anywhere on his body.
"The only thing in danger of being fat is your head," I say playfully, throwing my legs off the edge of the bed. He reaches to grab me, but I giggle and dart away from him.
"Sassy!" Beau snaps, strolling into the bathroom. The shower turns on almost immediately. I stand there imagining how his big naked body looks with water cascading down it. Yeah, that's something I'm going to have to see in person real soon.
I shake my head to dispel my dirty thoughts and make another cup of coffee while I start making us both some breakfast.
He showers quickly. I'm just finishing his omelette when he walks out completely nude. His hair is damp, making it look darker. A few drops of water run down his chest.
"Smells good, Sweets," I stare, undeterred, while he steps into his jeans and pulls them up. He seems completely unaware that I'm melting like hot butter at the sight of him. He leaves his pants unbuttoned and doesn't bother with a shirt. He finally turns, noticing I haven't moved the pan poised over a plate with his breakfast in it. He tilts his head.
"What ya looking at baby?" He grins. I turn the pan enough so the omelette slides on to the dish.
"Your breakfast is ready," I say before turning back around to the cook top, my cheeks pink.
Beau wraps his arms around me from behind, "I love that you like looking at me. It feels good and makes me feel special. I know you actually see me.” He kisses my temple and moves to the table, “Thank you for breakfast."
When I'm done making mine, I join Beau at the table. He hasn't touched his food yet but is waiting for me.
The kind gesture means so much to me, as I'm used to eating alone. It's nice to have someone to sit with.
"You didn't have to wait, but thank you," I say sincerely, looking into his eyes.
"My pleasure. It was hard though. I probably deserve a reward for sitting here and not eating. It looks great and smells even better." His smirk is wicked, telling me what reward he has in mind.
