Page 22 of Sweet Surrender
“Meet me at my office in one hour,” she said, already grabbing her phone and messaging the others.
An hour later everyone was gathered in Taylor’s office staring at her expectantly. Beau sauntered in last, his hair damp from a shower and swept back from his tanned face. He looked like a goddamn movie star. He’d changed into a brown sweater that matched the deep color of his eyes, and black jeans which molded to his solid thighs in a mouth-watering way.Keep your thirsty thoughts to yourself, lady!Even though he’d only seen her an hour ago, his eyes roved over her, cataloging her and she tried to ignore the shivers that coursed through her.
She explained to the group what happened with the squirrels but before she could move on to the next point, Blake came over to her and wrapped her in a big hug. She stood there, shocked. She and Blake were close, but this was uncharacteristic behavior.Maybe approaching fatherhood is changing him?Taylor shot Justine a quizzical look over his shoulder, but Justine just smiled at her.
“If you cared about them the way we care about Penny, then I know how much this must be hurting you. I’m sorry for your loss,” Blake said quietly, for her ears only, before pulling away. The soft look in his gray eyes and his words pricked her emotions.Goddamn him, I was not expecting that.Penny was the wild fox that he and Justine had adopted after Justine had accidentally injured the animal. Blake had nursed her back to health and been a great fox daddy. Taylor was beginning to see what a big softie this badass deputy sheriff really was.
She cleared her throat. “Thanks B, I should’ve known you would understand.”
Beau took over and filled their friends in on the rest of the plan. As expected, Christy and Justine shrieked with joy.
“Oh em gee! This is going to be so amazing!” Christy cried.
Blake looked between the two women. “Am I missing something? They can’t stand each other, right?”
Christy and Justine just snickered like a pair of schoolgirls.
Beau cleared his throat. “We’ll just have to put down our weapons, call a ceasefire,” with a pointed look at Taylor, “and learn to get on for the next few weeks,” he added.
“You know, I could do a couple of sessions with you as, like, couples counseling? Work out some of these issues, build your connection etc, confidentially of course.”
“That’s a great idea, she’s an amazing psychologist,” Blake nodded.
“Thanksmi amor,” Justine said, blowing him a kiss and if Taylor wasn’t mistaken Justine looked like she was about to cry.
“No! We definitely don’t need that,” Beau said, and Taylor nodded in agreement.
“So, just to be clear, as soon as we leave this room, we pretend you guys are a couple and madly in love?” Dean asked. Taylor and Beau shared a heavy look.
“That okay with you, man?” Beau asked him.
Dean slapped Beau on the back good naturedly. “Of course, bro. It was my idea, remember?”
“I cannotwaitto see this!” Justine said, glee dripping from her words and Christy nodded eagerly.
“Try and contain your excitement,” Taylor muttered.
“When’s the first live show?” Blake asked.
“Ooh tonight, please be tonight! We’re all meeting up for drinks again, aren’t we?” Justine asked.
Taylor looked towards Beau, raising her eyebrow in question and he gave her a clipped nod.
“Tonight it is,” Taylor said. Everyone was on board but as they all filed out of her office, Beau hung back.
“You sure? Last chance to back out?” he said when they were alone. She could be wrong but there was an edge of what sounded like hope in his voice.
“I’m sure, just remember the rules. Also, to be clear, this changes nothing between us.”
He clenched his jaw. His nostrils flared. “Then I’ll see you tonight…my love.” His voice dropped seductively at the end and her whole body responded, readying itself. Feeling like she couldn’t wait for tonight and like she never wanted tonight to come.
It’s just anticipation for this whole thing to be over, that’s all.
Even she knew that was bullshit.
Chapter 7
That afternoon Taylor had to duck out of the bar to take Ruby to her doctor’s appointment. She sent her a message letting her know she was leaving.
