Tudor Redemption (Tudor Dynasty Book 4) (13 page)

“You’ve
got it. I’ll talk to you then.”

I
put the phone in my pocket and began to survey the damage, trying to make sense
of what’d been going on here. Rather than speculate, it would be better to let
them know I was home and that papa bear was not happy.

I
typed out a group text so I wouldn’t have to do it twice.

I see while the
cat’s away the mice will play! What in hell have the two of you been doing?
This house is trashed and I want to know why. Now!!!

I
waited for about a minute. They were probably talking among themselves.

I’m waiting!

Finally,
Courtney chimed in.

Sorry Daddy. We’ve
just been really busy. We planned on cleaning the house this evening.

Busy? With what?
You know what - never mind. I don’t want to hear your excuses. As far as I’m
concerned there are no excuses good enough outside of being in the hospital or
death that excuses this sort of filth.

Sticking
my phone on vibrate, I began walking through the house. Unbelievable. What had
possessed them? It looked like the remains to a party. Little did they know, I
could easily bust them out. Guests had to be on a list and had to sign in. If
they’d had a party, there would have been a list for that day.

I
sent one more text to them.

Checking with
security to see who’s been visiting while I’ve been away.

I
let that one go before sending one last missive.

I’m hugely
disappointed in you both.

Not
waiting for either of them to respond, I did call down to the security desk and
told them what I was looking for. Bingo. Party.

I
decided I could best get out my frustrations by cleaning the kitchen. Yeah, I
could leave it for them, but it would mean my having to see it until they got
home. Meaning my temper and blood pressure would skyrocket, and I wasn’t having
that.

Disgusting.
Trash overflowing, two filled bags that should have been taken out. I took care
of that revolting mess before I tackled the sink. Obviously, they had not used
the dishwasher in the days I was gone because the counters were littered with
plates, coffee mugs, and silverware.

Thirty
minutes later, I had the dishwasher humming, the sinks and counters shining.
The trash was all in a neat pile for two wayward young ladies to take where it
belonged. I would leave the floor and the living room to them.

After
heating a piece of pizza, I grabbed a beer and went to sit in the sunroom which
was now my office. I sat back in the chair and guzzled half the brew. After
taking a bite of the pizza, I decided it wasn’t fit for human consumption. I
threw it back on the plate.

I
was about to get up when I heard the front door open. Not budging or turning
around, I stared out at the sound. I knew it had to be Courtney. Britt would be
working this time of day.

“Hi,
Daddy.”

“Hi,
yourself.”

“Daddy,
we didn’t expect you home until tonight or tomorrow. Britt and I were really
planning on cleaning the house as soon as we got home.”

“Don’t
want to hear it, Court. This makes me wonder what else has gone on when I’m
gone.”

“We
don’t do anything. Ethan had given us a bunch of his CDs and merchandise before
he left. Britt and I thought we’d have some friends over. Play his CDs and have
pizza. We weren’t drinking or anything like that. We really didn’t think you
were coming home until tomorrow, or maybe tonight.”

“Right
now, I’m too mad to talk. I came home, after cutting the best CD of my career,
to this mess. Right now, all I want to do is grab a shower and go out and get
something to eat, since there is obviously nothing here. I cleaned the pig-sty
of a kitchen. You and Britt can wash the floor and clean the rest of the house.
Maybe by then, I’ll be calm enough to talk. But don’t count on it.”

“I
could make something if you want.”

“No.
Please. Don’t. Just do what I ask. The three of us will sit down and talk later
this evening.”

Chapter
Fifteen

Standing
at Beth’s front door, I sucked in a deep breath. I knew Beth liked nice wine,
so I’d bought a bottle before leaving Seattle. I’d also brought a bouquet of
flowers. Thought it would be a nice touch. A good first impression, since this
time it was finally just the two of us.

The
front door opened suddenly. “I thought I saw you drive up. Come on in,” she
said, smiling at me.

“Hi.”

I
started in the door and past her. Whatever perfume she was wearing, it was
faint, but something citrusy. I’d smelled it on her before. I walked to the
kitchen entry to my left.

“These
are for you,” I said, passing the bouquet to her. I held up the bottle of wine.
“This is for dinner. I hope it’ll go well with whatever you’re preparing.”

“Thank
you. Why don’t you put that on the counter while I find a vase to put these in?”
She kissed me on cheek. “These are beautiful, Dame. I love mixed flowers like
this.”

“I’m
glad. I wasn’t sure what to get.” I placed the bottle on the counter and
watched as she pulled a vase out of a cabinet and began putting the flowers
inside.

“How
was your evening with the girls?”

“It
went okay once I calmed down. They’ve never pulled anything like that before.
If they have, they cleaned up before I got back.”

“They
seem like good girls, which is amazing considering what they’ve been through.”

“They
are. I couldn’t ask for better. They have their heads on straight. At least, I
think they do.”

“And
do they know you’re here?”

“No.
Britt was at work, and Courtney had left early to go to some sale with a few of
her friends. I left a note.”

“Pray
tell, what did it say?”

“Gone
out. No parties!”

She
giggled. “Straight and to the point, I see.”

“After
what I walked into yesterday, that’s as good as they’re getting.”

“I
never knew you to carry a grudge.”

“I
don’t. I’m getting my point across. Besides, we’d get no peace if they knew I
was here.”

“I
see your point. Endless texts.”

“Yep.”

“Dinner
won’t be ready for a couple of hours. Can I get you a beer or something?”

“A
beer would be great. I hope you didn’t go to a lot of trouble for dinner.”

“I
didn’t. Homemade lasagna.”

“I’m
impressed. I haven’t had that in, I don’t know when.”

She
walked to the massive Sub-Zero refrigerator and opened it. I watched in awe as she
reached in and found what she was after.

“Here
you go. One cold beer.”

“Thanks,”
I replied. I uncapped it and slowly placed the cap in her hand, all the time
watching her face. Her fingers wrapped around the cap and my fingers.

“Why
don’t we go sit somewhere more comfortable?” She drew her hand back, smiling
sensually. “Let me grab this vase. I want to put these where they can be seen.”

I
stared down at her, never taking my eyes off her. I wanted to memorize this
moment, this day, into my brain. Forever.

Following
her into the living room, I sat down on one of her leather chairs. I glanced
around the room. It was quite eclectic, a mix of styles. Beth made it work
somehow. “So, now that you’ve got Ethan off, what does Beth do to relax?”

“Relax?
No rest for the weary. Had to get laundry caught up, clean this place. Get all
the loose ends with Ethan’s tour tied up. Today’s the first day I’ve had the
opportunity to slow down.”

“Tell
me how it is. I haven’t had the pleasure. It’s looking like it may be a while.”

“That
good, huh?”

“What?”

“This
new CD you just finished.”

“Yes.
I really believe it is. Well, after Courtney’s part is added. Amadeus and Peter
are ecstatic, so it must be. Seriously, it’s the best I’ve ever done.”

“I
have no doubt it is. You had to take a lot of side roads to get to this point.”

“That’s
a good way of looking at it. I did. There were a few years I didn’t think I’d
sing, let alone tour.”

“All
things happen for a reason.”

“I
believe that. Especially since that day in the cafe.” I grinned at her, picked
up my beer, and took a long swallow. All the time I could feel those blue eyes
on me. “That day is forever burned in my brain.”

“It
was life changing. To say the least.”

“For
everyone.”

I
chuckled.

“What’s
so funny?”

“How
well behaved my family is being. Usually, they would be all in my business.”

“What
do you think it means?”

“That
everyone is busy with their own stuff. Mother is helping my sister Mary with
the babies. Otherwise, I’d be getting the questions.”

“I
remember your mother quite well. A very elegant lady to have three sons become
rockers.”

“She
still is, and very much the matriarch of the family.”

“I
was surprised when I read she’d married Peter.”

“We
all were. I believe it even surprised them. Peter’s been good for her. I even
hear rumor he’s encouraging her to pursue her dream of being a concert pianist.”

“That’s
wonderful. Does your family intermingle with his? His children?”

“Oh
yes. Peter and Mother usually try to schedule something once a year for
everyone to get together. I was trying to get his daughter Nora to do the
images for my CD.”

“And?”

“She’s
busy. Quite in demand, from what Peter says.” I took a swallow off my brew. “We
all get along and have a good time when we’re together. I wondered at first how
we would all get along.”

“How’s
that?”

“We’re
a boisterous bunch. I was sure they were reserved and quite proper. But they’re
as bad as us. Loud and fun to be around. They’re all successful at whatever
they do. They’ve all gotten where they are on their own merits and not on who
their father is.”

“I
don’t see Peter as being the sort to throw money at his children’s whims.”

“As
far as I know, he doesn’t. He backs them financially to get started, or if it’s
a special project, but they’ve pretty much done it on their own.”

“Results
in less spoiled kids.”

“Right.
You’ll really like him. He’s down to earth and a lot of fun to be around.”

“I
look forward to meeting him. Everyone else as well.”

“He’s
interested in helping with The Consortium. He’s willing to let me use some of
his resources until things get off the ground. Like a silent partner, but work
together on special projects. He amazes me the ideas he has.”

“Didn’t
he help Amadeus go solo?”

“He
did. He knew Amadeus wanting to add classical music to his set would be tricky,
so he had my brother join him on part of his tour. Worked quite well.”

“You
said he loved your new CD?”

“Oh
yeah. He’s as excited as Amadeus, and all Peter’s heard are two tracks. Unless
my kid brother has shared it all with him.” I snorted.

“I
really think things are about to open up for you, Dame. Of anyone I know who
deserves it, it’s you.”

I
gazed at her, watching her every movement. “Are you ready to be part of it if
it does? And I’m not speaking professionally. I’m talking personally. You and
me. Will you take this ride with me, because I don’t want to take it alone?”

Those
blue eyes locked with mine. “You won’t be alone, Dame.”

“That’s
not what I meant, and you know it.”

“I
know. To answer your question, yes. Yes, I’ll take this crazy ride with you.”

I
was on my feet and next to her before I knew what I was thinking. This was what
I wanted. Some sort of affirmation that I wasn’t crazy. That she felt the same.
Leaning over, I kissed her hard. She didn’t hold back.

“Come,”
I whispered, getting to my feet and pulling her up with me. I wrapped my arms
around her and kissed her again, my hands exploring what they once had known well.

“What
about dinner?” she squeaked when I finally broke the kiss.

“Screw
dinner. It can wait. We have some long overdue catching up to do.” I held her
tight against my chest, my face buried in her hair. I needed to have her, to be
with her.
 
  

“Is
this really happening? After all these years?” Her voice was soft, almost a
whisper. So low I almost missed the words.

“I
guess it is. If that’s what you want, baby. Because it’s sure as hell what I’ve
waited a lifetime for.” I loosened my grip on her and allowed her to take me by
the hand and lead me out of the living room and down the hall to her bedroom.

The
room was bathed in light. On one wall sat a massive, engraved sleigh bed and another
was all glass windows. A slider was slightly ajar. Curtains hung down from just
above the door, moving slightly from the breeze. Other furniture lined the
walls. Like the living room, a mixture of styles.

My
heart was pounding hard by now as I watched her come out of her blouse, letting
it fall to the floor. I held my breath as she stepped out of her jeans. She
stood before me, perfectly still, in nothing but a black, lace bra and thong.

“Your
turn,” she murmured.

Immediately,
I was out of my t-shirt, casting it aside to the floor. Beth walked closer,
stopping right in front of me. I watched as she unfastened and unzipped my
pants. I pulled them down over my hardened cock before kicking them off. As I
did, she unhooked her bra and let it drop.

As
I rolled my forefinger and thumb around one of her erect nipples, she whimpered.
I laid my free hand on her butt and pushed her against my erection. She
responded by grinding her hips against me.

My
mouth covered hers, exploring the depths as I walked her backward to the bed. I
picked her up and laid her in the middle. I stared at her in wonder for a
moment before covering her with my body. I kissed her neck, slowly making a
soft trail to her breasts. I felt her suck in a breath, as though anticipating
what I was about to do. Taking a nipple into my mouth, I ran my tongue around
it then sucked hard until she moaned.

Wanting
more, I spread her legs apart and moved down. I explored her folds, tasting her
as I stuck my tongue inside. I felt her hands in my hair as she pushed me into
her sex. She was on the edge, so I followed with my fingers. Beth pushed
herself into my fingers harder and faster until I felt her body begin to shiver
and quake.

Sitting
up, I looked around and located my jeans. I grabbed them and pulled a condom out
of my wallet. I felt Beth watching as I tore the foil open and rolled it over
my cock.

“I
need to be inside you,” I whispered hoarsely as I covered her body. She arched
as I pushed slowly inside. “Watch me, Beth. I went farther, her sex stretching
around me until my balls were against her. I braced myself on my elbows and
kissed her. I pulled out then slammed into her as hard as I could. I stayed
that way. We were one.

We
came together in a hot, wet, needy kiss. I plunged my tongue into her mouth,
keeping time with my cock. As I did, I felt her legs wrap around me, holding onto
me. I thrust in deeper, faster. She squeezed herself around me as an orgasm
raced through her. I rode with her through it.

I
pulled out of her and turned her around, hiking her hips up. I started again as
we set up a rhythm. Harder and wilder we went, our flesh smacking together. I
reached my hand between her legs, letting my fingers touch her until she was
gone again. I heard myself calling out to her as I came hard, collapsing over
her.

Finally,
I rolled off and pulled her to my chest. Perfection. I felt her lips on my
chest then my neck until she reached my ear.

“My
God, Dame. That was incredible.”

I
leaned down and kissed her. We carried on like that for the next few minutes,
before I found myself back on top of her, with my cock deep inside.

This
time, we made love. Slowly, deliciously. The room smelled like sex. Like us.

After,
we lay on our sides facing each other, just far enough apart to watch the
other. I don’t think I could remember being as happy and content as I was in
that instant.

She
sat up, getting off the bed. “I’m going to put the lasagna in the oven. Can I
get you something to drink? Another beer?”

“That
would be wonderful.”

She
pulled a t-shirt over her head. I lay back, hands behind mine, unaware I had a
grin on my face.

“Damien
Tudor, you look like the cat that ate the canary.”

“Do
I? Perhaps because I did.” I threw an arm out, beckoning her. “Come here.”