BreakingBeau (4 page)

“I can, I guess,” she explained. “It just seems like bad
business to do it in a situation like this, especially during the job. I’m here
to work. I want to do a good job for you.”

“It’s your life. I’m totally fine with you dating or
whatever you want to do with your free time, Gigi. You’re here to cook one good
meal a day for us. The rest of the time is your own. We agreed on that from the
get-go. Beau is a great guy, and I liked you from the second I saw you at the
fundraiser. I think you’d be…good for him. Not only that, technically speaking,
I’m
your client, not Beau.” Quinn held out her little finger. “And I
pinky swear not to try and get in your pants. At least until this is all over.”

Gigi let out a snort of laughter and slumped into the chair
next to Quinn. She was relieved the other woman wasn’t mad at her, but it was
also embarrassing to be caught lusting after someone who was so obviously out
of her league. “Do you think he knows I have a crush on him?”

“He didn’t mention it, but he pretty much assumes everyone
does, so probably,” Quinn said with a grin that slipped away as fast as it
came. “I kid around a lot, but seriously, deep down Beau is one of the most
sensitive, sweetest guys I know. I think even the confidence is part of a
persona. It’s like a shield in a way. He’s had to keep it up for a long time
now. He’s been playing music for a living since he was seventeen. It’s tough
sometimes because you never know who’s around for the right reasons.”

Gigi nodded. She’d never thought of it that way.

“I’ll tell you this though,” Quinn continued, “when he
finally finds the woman he loves, watch out. He is going to love her hard, like
no other.”

Quinn’s dark gaze met hers, unflinchingly.

“Quinn, I’m not looking for love. I’m trying to start a
business. Besides, he doesn’t have any interest in—”

“I know what you think, and I know what I know. You are
exactly the right kind of girl for Beau. And you don’t have to decide anything
long-term now. Just test the waters, you know? Have you thought about making a
move?”

“Only, like, every waking moment. Then I think of the
beautiful women he’s probably been with and that brings me back down to earth.
I can’t compete.”

“The groupies that follow him around? They’re like
fireflies. Beautiful at night, but in the harsh light of day, they’re just
another fucking bug. He needs a woman with substance.”

“Is that a fat joke?”

Quinn’s eyes widened in horror. “Jesus, no, I—”

She held up a hand. “Kidding, totally kidding. I think I
know what you mean. Basically, I’m supposed to win him over with my
personality, right? I just don’t know that it’ll work. He’s still a red-blooded
male.”

Quinn was already shaking her head in exasperation. “No, you
got it all wrong. The personality is just part of it. He likes the way you look
too. I saw him eyeballing you the day we hired you. You just have to make it a
little harder for him to ignore.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“I’m going to help you.” Quinn eyed her up and down and gave
her a wicked grin as she rubbed her hands together.

“I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. I’m the best project manager in the world and
you’re my new project. We’re going shopping, and you’re coming to the show
tonight. I’ll get you front row. This is going to be so much fun!”

Gigi tried not to get swept up in Quinn’s enthusiasm, but
already her heart had started thumping faster. She’d spent her whole life
working for one thing. Over the next year or two, she had nothing to look
forward to but more of the same. She was trying to get a business off the
ground and fussing around with men wasn’t going to get her where she needed to
be.

But for the remainder of this trip, things would be different.
There would be no fifteen-hour days. This was as close to a vacation as she’d
ever had. Not only that, she also had Quinn’s blessing. Maybe it was time to
let loose and live a little. Just this once, then straight back to the
grindstone.

A warm, syrupy feeling settled in her stomach as she thought
about Beau. He’d definitely flirted with her over the past couple days, but
that didn’t mean anything to a guy like him. Still, if she promised him
no-strings-attached fun, would he sleep with her?

She thought back to the feel of those strong, slow hands as
he’d massaged her neck and hip, then shivered. It would be good between them,
she felt it deep in her bones. Then, when it was over, her curiosity would be
satisfied and she’d able to focus on her career more fully. Have sex with Beau
so she could stop thinking and wondering about sex with Beau. Now she just had
to convince him.

“Okay, I’m in.”

* * * * *

Six hours later, Gigi stood in line with her ticket and
backstage pass. She was trembling from head to elegantly clad foot. God, she
must have been out of her frigging mind to let Quinn talk her into this. She
looked really stupid and felt even stupider. The G-string underwear rode a
solid inch up her butt crack, her shoes were deathtraps strapped to her feet
and the dress clung to her like hollandaise on asparagus. She would’ve
complained about the bra too, but she wasn’t wearing one. Quinn had said it
would ruin the line of her new halter dress.

She cringed and quelled the urge to run. She was
not
going to chicken out. Her mission wasn’t complete, and besides, if she ran in
these heels she’d break her face.

The line moved quickly and a few minutes later she handed
her ticket to the usher. His gaze swept over her and he smiled. She worked up a
trembling smile in return. Okay, maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad after
all.

He leaned close and whispered, “Your skirt is tucked into
your underwear.”

Of course it is.

She righted herself with a few tugs and scurried through the
double doors, anxious to fade into the crowd. The music was in full swing and
as she entered the second set of doors, the sound of Beau’s violin rang out.
She grinned instantly, charmed by the lilting ditty he was playing. Quinn and
Rex harmonized, singing about the cure for a hangover being more of the same.
They all gelled so well, and Gigi realized with a start that it wouldn’t take
much for her to become a real fan.

She purposely kept her eyes averted from the stage as she
trekked down the dark aisle, flashing her ticket to security then making her
way to the front of the crowd. If she caught sight of Beau, or vice versa,
before she sat down, she might chicken out and keep walking.

The song wound down as she found her seat and laid her purse
on it. The crowd around her erupted into wild applause and she looked up at the
band. Beau’s face was alight with pure joy and she just stared for a moment.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to give a quick shout-out to
the best chef east of the Mississippi, Ms. Gigi Somerville. She’s on tour with
us, so give her a warm welcome, won’t you?” Quinn motioned for her to wave and
take a bow, but she was frozen in place.

All the moisture in her mouth evaporated as panic gripped
her. She tried to smile, but it just wouldn’t come. Until she shifted her gaze
to Beau. His eyes locked with hers, and the shock and heat pouring out of him
melted away the icy terror.

Chapter Five

Jesus Christ, the pistol wasn’t just loaded, it was
loaded for bear.

Gigi’s tawny hair tumbled around her shoulders in soft,
shiny waves. She had on a dress, green and loose-fitting on top but held up by
nothing more than a thin strap around her neck and her magnificent breasts.
Beau found himself craning his neck, rising to the balls of his feet to get a
look at the bottom half, but some guy blocked his view.

He let his gaze slide back to her pretty face with those
pink cheeks and glossy lips until finally her eyes snagged him. God, how he
wanted her. Their kiss had turned him inside out and he couldn’t get the taste
of her out of his head.

Gigi grinned and then broke their stare to turn and wave to
the crowd as they clapped and called her name. He got a long look at her back
and his cock twitched as he noted the way the silky material caressed her plump
ass. Shit, he was onstage in front of thousands of people, it was so not the
time to sport a woody.

Behind him, Rex broke the spell as he led off with a four
count then let loose with a familiar roll. Beau snapped his eyes closed and let
the music ground him. That was better. He and Gigi were DOA. She didn’t want a
man in her life and there was no point in daydreaming about what he couldn’t
have.

For the next forty-five minutes, he managed to only look at
her twice. Both times it was a mistake. The guy in front of her had moved away
and his view of her was unobstructed. Her arms were high in the air as she
swayed to the beat. The movement jacked her dress up to mid-thigh and he nearly
fell off the stage trying to get a closer look.

The second time she had pressed her way to the stage and he
looked down at her, only to get an eyeful of the most spectacular cleavage he’d
ever seen. It didn’t help his situation at all. Lucky for him, it was the last
song, and a few minutes later the band was back in their dressing room.

Some of the crew was already there, sipping bottled water or
beer, waiting for the people with passes to come back, take pictures and chat
with the band.

“Good show, guys,” Quinn said, still panting from her
onstage antics.

“You’re going to need to stop hopping around soon, love.
Stresses me out,” Rex said. His tone was light, but the worry beneath was
evident.

“The doctor said I’m doing everything right, babe. I’m
listening to my body and when it tells me to slow down, I will.”

Rex pulled her close for a hug, then met Beau’s gaze over
her head. “You okay, man? You were acting…weird.”

Quinn struggled in Rex’s arms until he released her, the she
turned to face Beau. “Yeah, Beau. What’s up?”

The innocent expression on her face was so out of character,
the suspicions he’d held regarding the catalyst for Gigi’s new, edgier look
solidified.

“So it was you.”

Rex and Tai both turned to stare at Quinn. She puffed up
like a biscuit in the oven and nodded. “She looks awesome, right?”

“Wait, you did that to Gigi? When?” Rex asked.

“This afternoon, when you and Tai were shopping at
MusicMax.”

“She looks great,” Tai said with a low whistle, holding up a
hand for Quinn to high-five.

She obliged him but kept her eyes on Beau. “What did
you
think?”

“I thought she was pretty before.” He hadn’t realized that
was true until he’d said it. He did like being able to see more of her, but if
she walked around in her apron and jeans with her hair up every day from this
point forward, he was pretty sure he’d be just as hard-up for her. Not that it
mattered any. Still, what was Quinn playing at?

She gave him an assessing look before a wide grin split her
face. “She was. I just wasn’t sure if you noticed.”

“Hey, guys.”

They all swung their gazes to the doorway. Gigi hovered
there, her cheeks lit up like the tip of Rudolph’s nose. How much had she
heard?

“Did you like the show?” Quinn asked, drawing her into the
room.

“Yeah, you were all great.” She was talking to Quinn but her
gaze never left his. She shifted from foot to foot and offered him a shaky
smile. The delicate scent of her perfume crept up on him, and he resisted the
urge to bury his face in her neck.

“Thanks. You want a beer or something?” he asked.

“No thanks. If you have a minute, can I talk to you? Alone.”

Okay, something was definitely up. His mind raced, running
through all the possibilities. After years of groupies coming on to him, his
sex-ometer was pretty refined, and only one possibility made any sense.

She wanted him for real.

The thought that maybe she’d come to her senses and realized
she could date and still start her business sent a thrill through him.

“Absolutely.” He took her hand and pulled her to the exit
and out into the dark lot behind the club.

“New dress?” he asked as he swung her around to face him in
the warm evening air.

“Yep.” She was slightly breathless as she gazed up at him.

“I liked the way you looked before.” He knew he sounded like
an asshole but he couldn’t help himself. She was different than the girls he
was used to and he liked it. There was no question that the clothes showed off
her assets, but a part of him missed sweet-looking Gigi with her spicy side
cleverly hidden by an apron just waiting for him to draw it out.

She moved her hand away from his and cleared her throat.
“Well, you seemed to really like the way I look now while you were onstage.”

“I do.” He reclaimed her hand and ran his thumb over her
palm. “Very much. Your clothes fit you for a change, which is nice. I just
meant that it doesn’t matter to me. You don’t need all this.”

“That’s good.” She took a deep breath and let it out in a
rush. “I want you to have sex with me. I mean, I’d have sex with you too, like
it’s…ugh. Beau, will you sleep with me tonight?”

As he stared at her, he could feel his throat working but no
sound came out.

She continued, the words coming so fast she could’ve been an
auctioneer. “You don’t have a girlfriend, so no worries there. And I’m too busy
for a man. In a nutshell, we’re perfectly wrong for one another, so there’s no
way for anyone to get hurt, you know?”

“No.”

She flinched and guilt stabbed at him like a tack. He was
shorter than he’d intended to be, but the combination of shock and lust at her
suggestion had left him reeling. Sweet Gigi, virginal Gigi, suggesting a
one-night stand?

She began to wring her hands together, and her gaze flicked
to the door. For a second, he thought she was going to turn around and walk
away. Instead she let her hands fall apart and met his gaze head on. “Why not?
I can tell you wanted to when we kissed. Well, enough to manage it at least. So
tell me why not.”