"That's not what I meant," he scoffs.
"Get out," I say, my discomfort making my voice shaky. I hear his footsteps followed by the front door closing soon after. I wait a minute more to make sure they're gone.
I open the door and go back to my closet, hastily grabbing the things I'd already planned to wear.
"That really wasn't at all what I meant Samantha." Beau says from behind me. I'm not surprised this time. "I didn't like the thought of Brain seeing you, but not because I was ashamed of anything. Sam you have no idea how gorgeous you are, not just to me.” His arms curve around me and kisses my neck, “It was stupid jealousy." He breathes in, "I know you wouldn't have come out here if you'd realized Brian was here.” Beau turns me around and hugs me, “I'm sorry baby." My nearly naked body presses to his clothed figure. His apology and explanation surprise me.
I realize that I've just heard Beau Winchester apologize for the first time, never has he uttered those two simple words. His explanation sounds honest, if not a little strange and was very flattering.
He holds me for a few moments, and I kiss his throat to let him know I accept his apology, "I should get dressed." He squeezes me and steps back. I grab a light pink bra with sheer back lace overlays and twist it on, my back still to Beau. I shimmy into my jeans as he moves around in front of me, and watches as I grab my shirt and pull it over my head.
"You are beautiful baby," He purrs and kisses me slowly, his tongue tracing my bottom lip, and I open for him. His hands rest at the small of my back, and they clench the fabric of my shirt, as our kiss evolves to something else as we express our shared need for each other. Before we can give into that need, he slows the kiss. I pout as he pulls away, my lips swollen, the kiss cut off much sooner than I'd have liked.
He kisses my temple, "I'm gonna let Bri back in."
Hearing him use the nickname reminds me of something I’ve been wanting to ask about, "Why does he call you Beau? Is it weird I still do, or should I call you Chris?" I make a face at the strangeness of it, and he chuckles.
"I can tell you wouldn't like that very much. Actually, he has always called me Beau. We grew up together, and most of my family calls me Beau. I don't know why my mother even named me Chris. I don't think she ever calls me by that name.”
I raise up on my toes and plant a soft kiss on his lips.
“You can call me Beau or Chris. Hell, you can call me anything and I’d come,” He murmurs before sealing his lips over mine.
Brian explains in detail everything he's dug up on Darryl. He’s still living in my family home, still the local sheriff, and is a seemingly a model citizen. There have been no complaints made against him. Without a personal visit, he's hit a dead end. He doesn't have any contacts in the area, so for now he suggests we wait. He doesn't want to start snooping around raising suspicions.
He brings up the possibility that I might have picked up a fan, from working in the store, since that's where flowers were left. Other than the flowers being nasty the second time, there hasn't been any threat implied. There's a possibility it is just a coincidence.
Beau doesn't seem convinced, "Don't you think it's strange, Bri?" He drops his hands on to his thighs running them down to where he grips his knees in growing agitation He obviously doesn’t like writing off the flowers as being coincidental especially with their personal significance to me, but Brian can’t say for sure with Darryl playing model citizen over a thousand miles away and the only evidence being the flowers.
"Yeah Beau, I know it’s shit, but right now I think we need to wait. I'm not saying forget about it, I'm just saying we keep working on the problem. We need to recognize it might not be him. It would be foolish to just assume.” Brian spreads his hands open and gives a slight shrug, “So we keep vigilant. We've already added security here. Monday they'll be at her shop. We need to start taking a closer look at who comes through the shop. Does anyone harass her, stare too long, or ask for her help when there's someone else available?"
Beau huffs, "I've been there a few times. She has no clue how many men pay attention to her, she's clueless." I’ve sat quietly while digesting Brian’s advice, patiently, but that’s all I can take.
"I am not! Stop talking about me like I'm not sitting right here." I am grateful for their help but find Beau’s comment patronizing. “Sure, I’ve gotten rude comments, a few catcalls before; no one has ever really approached me at the store like that.”
"Sweets, you put out the not interested vibe in spades. If I wasn't so determined to be around you, I would have run with my tail between my legs the first time we met at the market." He smirks, "So I'm sure you've had plenty try, but none succeeded before me." He finishes sounding very smug.
I roll my eyes at his ridiculousness and say, "Good thing your ego can fit in here with us."
Brian laughs and pats Beau on the shoulder.
Brian then tells us, "We've done everything we can for now. I need to head out and find a more permanent living arrangement if I'm going to be staying here. My hotel sucks ass."
Why not just stay with Beau? I wonder.
"Where have you been staying?"
"Some hotel a few blocks up," he answers obviously unimpressed with it. I look at Beau to see if he'll offer his place. When he doesn't, I offer one of mine
"I have a place you could stay. You're welcome to use it. I never stay there."
He looks a little taken aback, "You're sure?"
I nod, "Of course. Stay as long as you like. I haven't even been there in years. Why don't we head over, and I can introduce you to the doorman, so they don't give you a hard time. There's a few things I'd like to get when I'm out anyway." He tries to offer me money repeatedly, which I refuse, "It’s paid for, plus it's the least I could do for you helping me. The big man’s face softens, and he shares a look that I don't really understand with Beau. I feel the need to say something, “I am truly grateful for you helping me, Brian. Thank you."
With our plans made, I call for a van cab pick up, so he'll have plenty of room for his belongings.
They arrive fifteen minutes later, and we head to theElementwhere Brian was staying. Brian runs in quickly to collect his stuff. Beau and I wait in the cab while he checks out.
