Page 47 of Beautiful Deceit
"I’m not with her Sammy, she’s been gone a long while. I only proposed because she told me she was pregnant.”
I gasp, my fingers cover my mouth, “What? You’re going to have a child together?” I whisper in shock.
His hand reaches forward, and he circles my wrist, “No Samantha, she wasn't pregnant. It was something she and our agent cooked up to try and control me.” Beau mutters softly pulling me to him.
“Oh no, that’s… that’s terrible. Who would even think to do that?”
“A week later, I found her in bed with her costar.” He looks over to the windows, still holding me. “I broke it off immediately,” He looks down at me, “She freaked out. Made all kinds of promises, that it would never happen again. She said I wasn’t giving her enough attention. Essentially blaming me. When that didn’t work, she offered an open relationship, if I’d keep up the public image of us being together.”
Our hands weave together, and I use our connection to pull him over to the sofa, “Here let’s sit.” He drops down without much grace and gives me a small, appreciative smile. It lasts only a breath of a moment, but I sense the gratitude. “That’s enough for now Beau, we don’t have to do this.”
“No, let me get this out. I owe you this much. It’s just, I haven’t really talked about it so it’s… it’s kind of fucked up when I put it all together.” Both of his hands are holding mine over his thigh. His fingers trace over my fingernails and down to my wrist. It seems more of an unconscious movement than anything else. He’s looking out the windows again, not focusing on anything in sight. The silence lasts long enough that I think he might be done talking when he finally begins again.
“That’s when it got really ugly.” His voice is gravely, “She trashed my house and tried to get me fired from projects.” His lips thin to a hard line, I see the muscle work in his jaw. With narrowed eyes he continues, “The things she told people I did”—he shakes his head— “Things I’d never do in a million years. She started threatening to hurt herself and tell people it was me abusing her.”
He looks down at me with honest open eyes, “I swear to god Samantha, I never laid a hand on her.” I rub our already joined hands against my cheek and give him a gentle squeeze, as his rough skin grazes against me.
“She was trying to control me. I don't even know why, she didn't love me. I don't think she's even capable." He stands, releasing my hands and begins pacing. "I don't know how any of it was kept out of the media.”
He laughs bitterly, “She has a really good agent.” His steps slow and faces the door, his hands go to his hips and he slides them into the front pockets of his jeans. His shoulders hunch and his head lowers a bit, “I told her I was done, done with her, with acting, with the business altogether. She really panicked then.”
“Beau,” his head turns to me, eyes seeking mine.
“She’s the one that hurt Ella.”
My brows furrow. Ella, who’s Ella? I see the sadness in his eyes and make the connection.
“Your dog, Ella.” I’m horrified at the implication. I stand, unable to stop myself from going to him.
“I had no idea she was capable of something like that,” His forehead drops to mine, and I wedge my hands between his body and arms wrapping them around him.
I hug him close.
It’s awkward at first. His hands still buried deep in his pockets, but when my cheek nuzzles his chest he pulls them out and returns the embrace. Moments pass in silence, his breathing deep and even. I pull my head back enough to look up at his beautiful face. Once that was all I had seen, a handsome man with a mysterious side. Now I see the weariness in his eyes, the yearning for acceptance and the shield he puts up to keep people away. Beau reaches out, his palm cupping my cheek. He wraps his other hand behind my neck and pulls me close to his chest.
“Everyone thinks it’s so amazing being famous. That it’s all one big party and everyone loves you.” He holds me tight to him, “Nobody talks about how you can't have one private moment, no one warns you about the fans that will rip your hair out just to have a piece of you or spit in your face because you didn't sign an autograph while out to dinner with your parents.”
Beau’s soft voice rumbles in my ear as he continues, “Nothing about it is authentic, nothing. I just can’t do it anymore.”
“I’m sorry Beau, sorry about Ella.”
His hands sweep over my back, and I feel him take a deep breath.
I'm still scared. I'm also feeling a little insecure. I know it’s stupid after everything he just said.
"I wish you would have told me sooner. I wish I didn't have to hear it from Anna, especially in a room full of people at work. That was really hurtful and embarrassing, Beau." He still has me pinned to his chest, making it easier to tell him how I feel. “You didn’t say anything or try to explain, and then you were gone.”
"I know Sweets. It was a dick move. I wanted to tell her to shut her face, but everyone was watching. I was worried I'd lost you before I even really had you, and you called her away to your office. I felt dismissed. I just left, and it was a mistake."
"Is there anything else I should know? I mean you don't have to tell me everything, but I'd rather not have a surprise like that again."
Beau squeezes me tighter, "No Sammy. I think that's it." I sigh into his embrace as he kisses the top of my head and asks, "Can I kiss you Sammy?" His voice is low, and I feel it resound up his chest.
I lift my face as a way of invitation.
His mouth is warm and soft as he explores mine. He steps forward and my back hits the counter, allowing him to apply more pressure between our bodies.
Beau's hands move under my butt. He lifts me up and sits me on the island with my legs wrapped around his narrow hips. The height is perfect, I feel his growing erection pushing into me through my thin pants.
