Beautiful Deception Read online

  Life truly didn’t get any better than this.

  Two

  Eric

  Pulling open the top drawer of my desk, I fished deep in the back and extracted the little black box. Using my thumb, I flipped it open and gazed at the sparkly diamond inside.

  “Finally going to ask?”

  Lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t heard Riley enter. Snapping the box closed, I dropped it back into the drawer and raked my hands over my face. “Fuck. I don’t know.”

  Riley sank into one of the hard plastic chairs and stared at me across the desk between us. “How long have you been holding onto that thing now?”

  Nearly a month. I’d lied to Jules and told her that I got called into work one day. Instead, I’d gone down to Kalispell and spent nearly six hours looking for the perfect ring.

  “Too long,” I responded, and Riley laughed.

  “What the hell are you waiting for? Gotta lock your girl down before someone else does.”

  I knew he was just yanking my chain, but I couldn’t help the sudden surge of jealousy. Jules was smart and beautiful, and I sure as hell didn’t deserve her, but I wasn’t about to give her up. She was mine and mine alone.

  Falling for her was never the plan. When she showed up last December, she was cool and distant, hiding from a past she refused to reveal. Much too young and utterly vulnerable, she was completely off limits. But no other woman made me feel the way she did. She’d managed to worm her way into my heart with her sweet smiles and guileless green eyes, and I’d fallen hard and fast. She meant more to me than anything on earth, and I wanted her by my side forever. Though she still hadn’t opened up to me about what had brought her here to Pine Ridge, I decided it wasn’t important. I hoped that one day she would be comfortable enough to tell me the truth, but the past was the past, and now it was just Jules and me. Nothing else mattered.

  “I’m taking her out to dinner tonight. I plan to ask her after that.”

  “Good luck, man,” Riley said as he stretched one hand across the desk. “You deserve it.”

  I slipped my palm into his. “Thanks.”

  I wondered if Riley could feel my hand shaking, and I yanked it away. I was nervous as fuck. What if she said no? It was part of the reason I’d waited so long to ask. After everything she had been through, I wanted to make sure that she was making the right decision. Now that things had returned mostly to normal and we’d fallen into a kind of routine, I was a little more confident. Jules and I had begun as roommates, and we soon became friends, then lovers. Each day with her was better than the last, and I wanted to see her beautiful face every morning until I took my dying breath.

  “What are you waiting for? Get out of here.” Riley hitched one thumb over his shoulder toward the door.

  I grabbed the black box out of my drawer once more and shoved it into my pocket as I stood. With a nod to my deputy, I slid my arms into my jacket, then strode out the door and climbed into my cruiser. My thumbs tapped an impatient rhythm on the steering wheel as I drove home. The little black box burned a hole in my pocket, and I was a nervous wreck by the time I pulled up in front of the large log cabin that had once belonged to Mia Prescott’s father. This house held memories too, but not like mine.

  We still hadn’t listed my house for sale, but I knew without a doubt we would never go back there. I’d never get the image of Jules’s terrified face, the dark stain of blood saturating the bedroom carpet out of my mind. I felt like we needed a fresh start as a couple. If everything went well tonight, I would soon have a fiancée. The idea of starting a family with Jules turned my blood hot. I climbed out of my car and placed a hand on the hood of Jules’s older blue Cavalier. Still warm. She must’ve only beat me home by minutes, and I went in search of her. Pushing the front door open, I saw her in the kitchen to my immediate left, and I automatically gravitated toward her.

  She smiled up at me as I approached. “Hey. How was your day?”

  Afraid to open my mouth, terrified that I would spill the secret if I did, I slipped my hands into her hair and crashed my mouth to hers. Her body melted against mine under the force of the kiss, her mouth hot and sweet. I loved the feel of her, the taste of her. I would never get enough. A few seconds later, I lifted my head, and Jules looked up at me, a tiny smile lifting the corners of her mouth. “That good, huh?”

  “That good,” I agreed as I dipped my head to kiss her once more. “Are you ready for dinner?”

  Her hands splayed over my pecs, and she pouted playfully. “Or we could just stay here and finish what you started.”

  It was an easy out that I was tempted to take, but in the end I shook my head. “No, baby, you deserve this.”

  It had taken me weeks to convince her to go on a date with me—a real date. Pine Ridge had exactly two restaurants, not counting the restaurant that had just opened at Briarleigh. Rosie’s Café closed down daily at two o’clock, at which time the adjoining bar would open. I wasn’t about to take her to a bar for our first date, and I sure as hell couldn’t propose in front of a hundred people we knew and saw every day. Though she would’ve been happy enough to have dinner at the resort, I wanted to do something special for her and take her down to Kalispell.

  I glanced at the clock. “Reservations are for an hour and a half from now, so get that cute ass in gear.” I gave her bottom a little swat to get her moving, but it had the opposite effect—not that I was complaining. Her arms wound around my neck and she pulled me down for another long, slow kiss.

  She broke away with a soft, sweet little sigh and spoke against my lips. “I love you.”

  Twining one arm around her tiny waist, I pulled her flush against me and brushed my nose against hers. “Love you, beautiful.”

  I’d almost lost her once, and I wasn’t too proud to tell her every day what she meant to me. I’d do it every day for the rest of my life if she’d let me.

  I growled as I gently pushed her away. “Go before I throw you over my shoulder and carry you to the car.”

  A broad smile curved her mouth, lighting her eyes, and the sight of it made me go weak in the knees. She slowly backed away, then flounced toward the loft so she could change. As soon as she’d disappeared up the stairs, my hand went to the box concealed in my coat pocket. I drew in a deep breath, trying desperately to calm my fraying nerves.

  That look on her face told me everything I needed to know; she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I hung up my coat and jogged upstairs, then quickly shed my uniform. Twenty minutes later, I’d showered and shaved, and we made our way out the door.

  During the ride to Kalispell, we chatted amiably, Jules telling me all the plans for Briarleigh’s new spa. I was nervous as shit and feeling more tongue-tied than ever, so I gladly let her fill the silence. As soon as we were seated and had a bottle of wine delivered and poured, Jules folded her hands and placed them in front of her on the table. She tipped her head slightly to one side, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she peered at me.

  “So, we have something else to celebrate tonight.”

  I felt the blood drain from my face. How the hell had she found out? I decided to do what I did best: play dumb.

  “Oh? What’s that?”

  “Well...” Jules dragged out the word, and I found myself holding my breath. “You’re looking at Briarleigh’s new Special Events Coordinator.”

  I blinked, so totally consumed by relief that it took me a moment to respond. “God, babe, that’s awesome. I’m so happy for you.”

  I reached across the table and took her hand in mine. It was her left hand, and I eyed her ring finger for a minute before giving her a gentle squeeze. I wouldn’t do this now; I wanted her to revel in this special moment, about her and her alone. “I’m so glad it’s worked out for you. You deserve it.”

  That smile I loved so much lit her face again, full of pure joy and happiness, and it served only to reinforce my decision. This was her time. But later... later she would be mine.


  Three

  Giuliana

  My heart beat nervously as I stared across the room at Eric. He’d been acting strange the whole evening, and he’d barely spoken a word during dinner. He’d congratulated me, of course, and seemed to be truly happy for me. Yet... something seemed off.

  I rolled the hem of my shirt between my fingers as Eric built up a fire in the large stone fireplace. He stood and wiped his palms on his thighs, a movement to me that appeared agitated, nervous.

  His gaze shot to me, the green of his hazel eyes boring into me. “Will you help me grab some firewood?”

  “Sure.” Pushing down my anxiety, I stood from the couch and approached him. I stepped into my boots, and Eric held the door for me as we moved out on the porch. The cold air hit me like a punch to the gut, freezing the air in my lungs. I briskly rubbed my arms as Eric looped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close.

  Tipping my head up, I gazed at the stars shining brightly in the winter sky, only two tiny wisps of clouds marring the endless black expanse. Once upon a time we had a discussion about thermal energy, and the memory brought a smile to my lips.

  I tipped my head up to him. “Going to be cold tonight,” I said teasingly.

  Eric looked at me, but he didn’t smile. His expression was solemn, and it kicked my pulse into a rapid tempo.

  “What’s wrong?” I whispered. A thousand thoughts flooded my mind, none of them good. My breaths came stilted and shallow, my lungs threatening to hyperventilate as I contemplated his reaction. Eric was serious, but this... I’d never seen him so stoic before. Fear flashed, rendering me motionless. Was he leaving me?

  Eric turned to face me more fully, an emotion in his eyes that I didn’t recognize. He lifted his hands and cupped my face, his long, strong fingers cradling my neck and jaw. His head moved in a jerky motion as he stared intently at me, and he tenderly brushed his thumbs over my cheeks. “You are everything right with the world.”

  Relief cascaded over me, pushing away the fear as I took in the love in his eyes. His hands slid down my neck, over my shoulders, and coasted along the length of my arms until he took my hands in his. “I love you more than anything, and I want to spend every day making you happy.”

  Even when he bent to one knee in front of me, it didn’t fully click until he began to speak. “I had a whole speech prepared.” He let out a self-deprecating little laugh. “I recited it to myself a thousand times over dinner, and now I can’t remember a damn word.”

  My lips parted into a little O, but no sound came out. My eyes misted over, and I pressed my hands to my lips as Eric released me to withdraw a little black box from the inside pocket of his jacket.

  “I’m no good at this, so I’m just going to ask. Jules... Will you marry me?”

  Eyes wide, I opened and closed my mouth, but nothing came out. It was literally the last thing I had expected, and surprise halted the words on my tongue. Finally, I managed a shaky nod.

  Eric stared up at me and quirked a brow. “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes,” I whispered, my voice breaking on the word.

  Eric grasped my left hand where it still covered my mouth and brought it to his lips. He pressed a kiss to the back of my fingers before slipping the ring on. Still holding my hand, he climbed his feet and pulled me into his arms. “You sure about this?”

  His quiet words jerked me from my stupor and I threw my arms around his neck, a huge grin overtaking my face. “Yes!”

  Eric caught me as I threw myself at him and wrapped my legs around his waist. Our mouths fused together in a heart stopping kiss, and I felt him moving toward the front door.

  I lifted my head and peered at him. “I thought you needed wood?”

  He shook his head as he shifted me lower so I could feel his erection pressing into the vee of my legs. “Got it right here.”

  A silly grin curled my lips, and I crashed my mouth to his. Without breaking the kiss, he shifted me in his arms to open the front door, then kicked it closed behind us. His hands slipped beneath my bottom, his long fingers stretching down and brushing my center through the material of my pants. His hair was too short to pull, so I settled for raking my nails across the base of his scalp. I wiggled against him, and his low growl rumbled across my lips. His arousal between us seemed to grow impossibly thick and hard, and I rocked my hips against his.

  He paused with one foot on the bottom step. “Keep it up, and I’m going to fuck you right here.”

  I grinned. It wouldn’t be the first time we’d made love somewhere unconventional, but I imagined the hard treads weren’t exactly conducive for sex. “I’ll be good.”

  He nipped my bottom lip and carried me up to the loft bedroom without another word. As soon as we reached the foot of the bed, he set me on my feet. His hands grasped the hem of my sweater dress and drew it hastily over my head. It landed on the floor with a whisper, but I didn’t even notice as he dropped to his knees. His hands went to one boot and he tugged it off before moving to the other. They, too, landed in a heap by the closet, and he began to attack my leggings. He delved inside the waistband then drew them down my hips, trailing kisses over my flesh as it was revealed to him. I pulled one leg free, then the other, and stood before him in only my bra and underwear.

  “Turn.” His voice was husky as he made a circle motion with his finger, and I bit back a smile as I followed his instructions. I made a full circle, then faced him again. He loved sexy underwear, and I hadn’t yet had a chance to surprise him with these. The red lace panties had ties on each side, much like a bikini. Three little bows ran vertically, like a ladder, connecting the material of the front to the back. As each bow came untied, the panties became looser, just like unwrapping a Christmas present.

  His eyes were hot and dark as they moved to the laces on one hip. “New?”

  “Mhmm...” I hummed out a response as he leaned forward and pressed an open-mouthed kiss to my hip bone. He trailed lower and took the tie of one bow between his teeth, then pulled. My hands moved to his head as he loosened the second, then kissed his way across my stomach and performed the same actions on the other side.

  His fingers trailed up the backs of my legs, and I shivered as goosebumps rose in their wake. It wasn’t from the cold—oh, no. Everything about Eric was hot and hard, and he made me feel things I’d never experienced. I was a virgin when I showed up three months ago, and I’d dreaded ever being with a man. But Eric... He was so much more than I could have ever asked for. He was my first lover—and he would be my last.

  He glanced up at me as the remaining two ties pulled loose, and the fabric slowly slid from my body. My bottom bumped the bed as he gave me a gentle shove, and I collapsed backward as he’d intended. Propping myself up on my elbows, I watched him pull my hips toward him so I was suspended just over the edge of the mattress.

  One eyebrow ratcheted toward his hairline, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a sexy smirk. It was a look I loved on him, because it meant he was about to get his way. It also almost always led to an immense amount of pleasure for me. He pushed my knees apart, and I bit my lip as his hands coasted up the inside of my thighs. He stroked and massaged his way upward until he finally found my folds. Using his thumbs, he opened me to his perusal. His tongue darted out, and I jumped as he flicked the sensitive nub, now completely exposed.

  Eric let out a rusty chuckle. “So sexy.”

  One thumb slid through my slick entrance, and I could feel the wetness there. I closed my eyes against the sensation and let myself drift. I let out a soft hiss as his mouth came down on me and he lapped at me with long, languid strokes. Fisting my hands in the bedspread, I braced myself against his onslaught.

  His hands roamed my body, stroking and teasing just like his tongue. One slipped northward and circled my nipple through the fabric of my bra. Pulling the cup down, he plucked and tweaked the tip until I was writhing beneath him. An electric current shot from my breast all the way down to my core, and each stroke of his tongue again
st my most sensitive spot stoked the fire within until wildfire roared through my veins.

  He knew I was getting close; two huge fingers sank deep inside me, filling me up and stretching my inner walls. I let out a whimper and sank my teeth into my lower lip as he withdrew his fingers then thrust deeply. He sucked hard, and the push/pull motion sent me over the edge. My back arched, and a keening cry ripped from my throat as pleasure slammed into me, exploding in a shower of stars.

  He rubbed gently through the slick folds, drawing out my orgasm until I collapsed, boneless and sated. I felt his fingers leave me, and he slowly prowled over me, kissing and licking his way up my body. His mouth landed hard on mine, and I tasted myself on him as his tongue slid between my lips.

  I pulled my knees up to grip his hips as he settled his weight over me, his erection prodding my entrance. Flattening my hands on his chest, I pushed him away—no easy feat, considering he weighed damn near twice what I did.

  He pulled back and arched a brow. My only answer was a gentle shove to his shoulder, and he fell to his back, pulling me with him. I slithered my way down his body until I was settled between his legs, and I smiled up at him. “Your turn.”

  Four

  Eric

  Goddamn. That sexy little smirk would be the death of me. It made me want to dominate her, bury myself so deep inside her that she would feel me for weeks. I was her first—and I would damn well be her last. No other man would ever touch her; I would never give her up.

  Eyes locked on mine, she slithered down onto her belly and propped her feet in the air behind her, suspending them over that gorgeous ass of hers. It was sexy as fuck, and the little tease knew it got to me every time. I shoved a second pillow behind my shoulders and laced my fingers together behind my head as I settled in to watch her.

  Her tiny pink tongue darted out and flicked against the head of my cock, making it jump. Her plump lips opened and slid over the rounded head, taking in just the first inch before releasing it. It bobbed and waved in front of her, and she fisted my shaft in her hand. The ring on her finger sparkled as she ran her left hand up and down my cock in a firm stroke. The sight of it sent a thrill of possession through me.