Yule Be Mine (27 page)

“Shut up.”

Everyone turned to look at Beth.

Her hands were fisted at her sides and she looked furious.

“Levi has a beautiful house, and a very important job, and he's a good man. An honorable man.”

Levi felt the stares intensifying. True, he couldn't afford any of the luxuries that Brandon took for granted, but he knew those things weren't important to Beth.

He knew Beth better than Brandon knew her.

“It's all right, Beth.”

“No,” she said, “it is not.”

Brandon's eyes narrowed with mean intent. “Did you go to bed with him, Beth?” His voice rose to a high pitch. “Did you?”

Levi said, “That's enough, Brandon.”

“You did!” Incensed, he took two drunken, wobbly steps toward Beth. “Why you little—”

Levi pulled him back before he got close to her, but Ben and Noah, having seen enough, started forward.

In the awkward position of defending Brandon now, Levi said, “Come on, guys. He's had a hell of a blow.”

Noah stared at Brandon. “He's a loud-mouthed idiot and he's causing a scene.”

“And he's insulting Beth,” Ben added. “Reason enough to toss his ass back outside. He can sober up in the snow.”

Just what Levi didn't need: angry relatives. He glanced at Kent, but Beth's father looked ready to take Brandon apart himself. Shit. He could think of better ways to spend this morning.

To Noah and Ben, Levi said, “Back off, I've got it covered.” His take-charge tone stalled everyone. “Look, Brandon messed up and he knows it. He lost Beth, and now she's with me. He doesn't usually drink, but you can see that he's so hammered, he doesn't even know what he's saying.”

“I know the truth,” Brandon slurred while struggling to stay on his feet. “And the truth is that Beth wanted to hurt me, so she crawled into bed with my
supposed
best friend.”

On the surface, that was damn close to the mark. Levi leveled a warning look on him. “Shut up, Brandon.”

“All this time,” Brandon continued, too drunk to show common sense, “she's been pretending to be a goody-two-shoes but she's really no more than a—”

Levi slapped him. Hard.

Brandon's head snapped back, and as if in slow motion, he started to crumble.

Cursing to himself, Levi caught him by the shirt collar to keep him upright. “Drunk or not, Brandon, you won't insult her.”

Practically on his knees, Brandon blinked at Levi. “You slapped me.”

“Be glad I didn't break your damn nose.”

Shrugging free of him, Brandon dropped to sit on his ass. “But you
slapped
me. Like a bitch.”

Levi glanced at Beth, saw her reddened face and narrowed eyes, and wanted to choke Brandon for upsetting her. “Until you get over it, I'm sticking you in a room and by God, Brandon, you'll stay there until you're sober enough to make your apologies.”

No one got in Levi's way as he more or less hauled Brandon with him to the front desk where a clerk quickly assigned him a room. By the time Levi actually got Brandon into the room, Brandon was dead on his feet. Levi let him fall onto the bed, and Brandon didn't move.

Levi pulled out his cell phone and dialed Beth. She answered on the first ring.

“Levi?”

“Yeah, it's me. You okay?”

“I'm fine. How's Brandon?”

Levi worked his jaw. “Passed out on the bed.”

“Good. I hope he wakes up with a killer headache. He deserves it for being such a jerk.”

“Look, honey, I want to talk to you. I want to be with you. But I don't dare leave him. If I do, he might end up right back in the thick of things—”

“No, I understand.” There was a slight hesitation, and then Beth said, “Thank you, Levi.”

“For what?”

“For being you.”

She didn't elaborate on that, so Levi asked, “What do you have planned today?”

“Christmas shopping. I have to catch up to you.”

He grinned. “Be careful. Think about my proposal.”

“Levi.”

“I'll see you later on.” He hung up before she could say anything more, then looked again at Brandon. It didn't look like he'd be stirring any time soon, so Levi turned on the television.

It was going to be a long, miserable day.

 

He fell asleep.

Levi couldn't believe it when he opened his eyes and found the room empty. A glance at the clock showed it was time for dinner.

Damn, damn, damn.

He'd lost sleep the last few days, but that wasn't a good excuse. If Brandon had found Beth and upset her again…

Or worse, what if she forgave him? What if she reconsidered her position?

In record time, Levi was out of the room and heading for the diner. He walked in on a crowd of guests and family alike. Servers bustled back and forth. The clink of forks on plates mixed with the drone of multiple conversations. A quick glance around the congested room helped Levi to locate Beth at a far table with her family.

Brandon stood before them.

As Levi cut through the throng toward them, he saw Brandon gesturing, and Beth nodding.

Fury boiled up.

When he was within a few feet of them, he heard Brandon say, “I got spooked every time I thought of settling down forever. I mean…forever is a hell of a long time, and I'd spent my whole life working toward a goal. There wasn't time for fun, and finally when there was, everyone expected me to settle into married life.”

Levi pulled up short behind him. So far, no one had noticed him. They were all too busy giving Brandon the floor. Somehow, without waking Levi, Brandon had washed and dressed and he looked more like his old stylish self now.

He looked like a very respectable doctor, like Beth's old fiancé.

Beth said, “Go on, Brandon.”

“I know that what I did to you is unforgivable.”

“Unforgettable, certainly,” Beth said. “We can't go back, Brandon.”

Stoic and proud, he nodded. “I understand.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“No.” He cleared his throat. “No, of course not. I need to apologize for my display earlier, too. I've never before overindulged. It's unfortunate that I did this time.”

“Very unfortunate,” Kent said.

“From what I remember, which granted, isn't much, I was a total ass.”

Ben and Noah nodded—until their wives elbowed them.

Brandon ran a hand through his hair, and then he straightened his shoulders and looked only at Beth.

“I'd like to say, with what little dignity I can muster, that I'm the one who was never good enough for you. In the long run, I'll make more money than Levi, but I don't have half his character, honor, or fortitude. In every way that counts, he's a much better man than me.”

Shocked at hearing such a statement, especially when he'd expected Brandon to be schmoozing his way back into Beth's good graces, Levi snorted. “That's bullshit.”

Brandon jerked around to face him. Beth and her family looked at him.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Brandon said, “No, it's true, Levi. You've propped me up so damn many times I've lost count. But you've never needed propping. Not once.”

“Levi is a rock,” Beth said with a smile, and Brandon nodded.

“You've had your difficulties, Levi, but you always work through them.” He pulled his hands from his pockets and held them out in a conciliatory way. “Not to get sappy, but I admire and respect you more than any man I know. If I have to lose Beth—”

Levi took a step forward. “You have to.”

Noah and Ben chuckled at that.

“—then I'm glad I'm losing her to you. The one thing I remember saying that was true, is that she deserves the best.” Brandon nodded. “That would be you.”

Ben cursed, and when everyone looked at him, he shook his head. “I really wanted to hate the guy, you know? But I think his reasoning is starting to make sense to me.”

Both Brandon and Levi grinned.

Turning back to Beth, Brandon said, “I think I knew all along that we weren't really meant to be. But you're a special woman, and even if I wasn't the right man, I hated to lose you.”

“Too late,” Levi said.

Brandon smiled, and turned back to Levi. “I concede the loss. And if you'll have me, that is, if Beth doesn't mind, I'd still like to be your best friend.”

When Levi looked at Beth, she nodded.

He held out a hand to Brandon. “Still friends.”

Brandon accepted the handshake with huge relief. “Not to push my luck, but I'd be honored to be the best man.”

Levi grinned. “Your friends won't have a clue what to think.”

“Yeah,” Brandon agreed, a little sad, a little amused, and happy for them. “But who cares?”

Beth said, “Now wait a minute.”

Levi cut her off, saying to one and all, “She's still resisting the idea of marrying me. But I love her enough that I won't give up.”

Beth's mouth fell open. “What did you say?”

Levi cocked a brow. “I'm not giving up.”

“No,” she gasped out, “the other part. About loving me.”

He shrugged. “I love you. But you already knew that.”

She shook her head. “No. I knew you wanted to marry me. But I wasn't sure why—”

Rolling his eyes, Levi said, “Maybe it's time for us to have that long talk.” He took Beth's hand and pulled her from her seat. To her family, he said, “Excuse us.”

As Levi turned them away, Brandon dropped into her seat. Levi heard him say, “I know I don't deserve it, but I would sure love a cup of coffee.”

Grinning, Levi tugged Beth through the mob of diners, out of the dining room, and down the hallway until he reached the privacy of their room.

Beth pulled back. “What are you doing?”

After unlocking the door, Levi urged her inside. “I'm going to convince you how much I love you.”

Beth closed the door herself, and then licked her lips. Levi saw the start of a smile.

“How much?” she asked.

He cupped her face and held her still. “More than anything else in the whole world.”

“Okay.” She gave in to her smile. “Since when?”

“Since forever. Since I first met you.”

“So even though we only got together because I offered myself to you—”

Levi shook his head in disbelief. “Think about it. Would I have run the risk of ruining a fifteen-year friendship just for a piece of ass?”

She started to chuckle. “Um—”

“And remember,” Levi said, “at the time, I didn't even know what a hot piece you'd be.”

“Levi!”

He laughed, too, knowing by the glow in her face and the love in her eyes that he'd won. “I did know, however, that you were smart and sweet and kind and caring and dependable and loyal—”

“Levi?”

“Yes?”

“I love you, too.”

Finally, she admitted it. “I know.”

Beth laughed. “And I'll marry you.”

He slumped against her. “ 'Bout damn time, woman.”

Beth threw her arms around him. “I guess I get my do-over after all.”

“Your do-over?”

“A chance to change the things I did wrong.” She kissed him. “At first I wanted a chance to do over that weekend with you.”

Levi frowned at her.

“But now I know that I get to do over a real mistake.”

He crowded her back against the door. “Your engagement to the wrong man?”

“Yes.”

He cupped her chin and turned her face up to his. “And marriage to the right man?”

She nodded. “Thank you, Levi, for the very best Christmas present ever.”

And don't miss
THE SECRET LIFE OF BRYAN,
now in stores!

I
mpatience rose up, nearly making his dark blond hair stand on end. “This is no time for games.”

Oh, boy. And here she'd always thought preachers were supposed to be full of endless, unwavering forbearance. Such a contradiction. But Shay didn't scare easily. “I'll go with you. When I know your name.” And then, to soften her insistence: “You can't expect me to just go traipsing off with a stranger.”

“And hearing my name is all the reassurance you need?”

His disbelief and suspicion made Shay grin. “Yeah.”

Rankled, he rubbed his jaw, dragged a hand over his damp hair. Then he stuck out his hand. “Bryan Kelly.” No sooner did he say it than he looked poleaxed, like he wanted to turn around and walk away from her, or curse, or punch the brick wall.

Instead, he just stood there, frozen, his hand extended.

“Bryan.” She tasted the name, watched him watching her, and closed her fingers around his. “I like it.”

“I meant to say Bruce.”

Shay blinked twice. “What?”

With her hand still held in his, he repeated, “I meant to say Bruce. Bryan's…my middle name.”

“Bruce Bryan Kelly?” And she thought her own name was unique.

His scowl was back, blacker and meaner than ever. “I prefer you call me Preacher.”

“Why?”

He appeared to be grinding his teeth. “Because that's what everyone calls me.”

“So?”

“I can't show favoritism.” He seemed satisfied with that explanation, enough to expound on it. “You can imagine how that'd look, all things considered.”

It was difficult not to laugh. “Things being that I'm a prostitute and you're offering to protect me?”

If looks could hurt…“Exactly.”

“I'll call you Bryan—but only when we're alone.”

Seconds passed while he stared at her, probably trying to intimidate her. “Will you, now?”

She met him stare for stare. “Yes.”

His eyes narrowed more, his lip curled, and he turned away. “Good thing we won't be alone much, then.” He still had her hand caught in his, practically dragging her along, keeping close to the buildings and as far from the blowing rain as they could get.

Pulling the tiger's tail, Shay asked sweetly, “Don't you want to know my name?”

They walked another ten feet before he said in distraction, “What the hell? Go ahead and tell me.”

His absent tone was tempered by the protective way he led her down the deserted street. For a preacher, he had incredible instincts, staying alert, constantly scanning the area. Had he maybe served in the service before choosing this vocation? Or was his edgy, suspicious nature just a basic part of the man?

Whatever the reasons for his unique attitudes, Shay liked them. She liked him.

It was the first time since her husband that a man had bothered to show interest in her for any reason other than her money. She was well used to men fawning over her, trying to ingratiate themselves into her life. She had connections and wealth, which meant she had power. The combination served as quite an inducement to most guys.

But Bryan Kelly was unaware of her assets; for heaven's sake, the man thought she was a common hooker in a dirty little neighborhood, desperate enough to be selling her wares on a night like this. It wasn't the most complimentary assumption ever made.

But it was better than being wanted for her money.

And for the moment, she preferred he go on thinking it. Which meant she couldn't give him her full name. “You can call me Shay.”

“Shea what?”

No way would she give him her last name. After recent events, she'd suffered some truly awful publicity and he'd probably read most of it. Knowing how he felt about WAM, it wouldn't be a stretch to think he'd leave her standing in the street alone if he realized her identity. “Just Shay.”

After a furtive glance, he asked, “Just Shea, like the stadium?” Amusement lightened his eyes. “Or just Shea, like Cher, important enough that you only need one name?”

Was he laughing at her? It didn't matter. Laughter was better than disdain any day. “Just Shay, as in short for Shaina.” She spelled out her name for him. No one in the papers had known her full name. No one had called her Shaina since she'd been adopted.

He nodded, then said, “No last name, huh?”

“I like to protect my privacy.”

After a look that could cut, he let it go, and for once, Shay was glad. If he didn't ask any other questions, she wouldn't have to outright lie to him.

He led her along until they came to a fully lit section, leaving the blackout behind. The buildings were close together, some rundown, some tidy, all of them showing signs of poverty.

He released her hand and pointed ahead. “See that tall, skinny building at the end of the street? That's the safe house. You're welcome there any time.”

“Thank you, Bryan.”

His piercing gaze locked on hers, while one side of his mouth curled. It wasn't humor that put that half smile on his hard face. “You're a pushy broad, aren't you?”

Since Shay couldn't deny that, she only shrugged an apology. It was a rhetorical question anyway, given how he turned his attention away.

She liked holding his hand and walking beside him in the rain, feeling his attentiveness to his surroundings and listening to his deep voice and breathing his scent.

She'd like to get to know him better, too, to maybe work with him, maybe be…intimate with him.

Okay, so she'd jumped ahead with giant leaps on that one. The timing couldn't be more wrong, and considering that he was a preacher, those thoughts were even more inappropriate. But these things really didn't wait for perfect timing, she supposed.

It had been a long time in coming, and now that desire was finally hitting her again, it did so in full force. She felt it everywhere, such wonderful feelings. And they were intensifying with each second they spent together.

Watching Bryan's long-legged stride excited her. Hearing his deep-toned, rough voice made her insides swirl. Even his ears seemed sexy, and if that wasn't lust, she didn't know what to call it.

With his palm at the small of her back, he ushered her ahead of him. He was easily six feet tall, which left them nearly the same height. Bryan didn't seem intimidated by that. In fact, he didn't appear to notice. His inattention to her as a woman might be a problem, she decided.

He wrestled a set of keys out of a tight, damp jeans pocket and unlocked the door, then held it open for her. Lights were on inside, and though the room was shabby, it was clean and warm.

Furnished with multiple seating of mismatched couches and chairs and benches, it reminded her of a used furniture store. The scarred linoleum floor had a deep slope and was bare except for an occasional worn area rug. No dust collected in the corners, and no muddy tracks marred the floor. Somehow, the room appeared comfortably lived in, inviting and cozy.

As she slipped out of his now soaked jacket, she watched him. “Do you stay here, too, Bryan?”

“No.” He had his back to her, snapping the door shut and turning all the locks to secure the house. With the brighter lighting, she could study him in more detail. His thickly lashed, dark eyes were made for seduction. His dark blond hair, straight and a tad too long, had lighter sun streaks, making an interesting contrast with his eyes.

“Why not?”

“Staying here wouldn't be appropriate, now would it? And you can just imagine how WAM would slant it. By the time they retold the circumstances, we'd all be involved in drunken orgies or worse.”

He ran his hands through his wet hair to push it out of his face, and turned toward her. Shay held out his jacket—and he froze.

With his hands still in his hair, his gaze zeroed in on her body. Slowly, very slowly, he lowered his arms. His attention was nearly tactile, heating her, making her heart beat fast.

Belatedly, Shay remembered what he'd told her, that the rain had made her tailored, white silk dress transparent. Oh, no. With dread, she looked down, and almost collapsed with embarrassment.