We couldn’t leave for my home in the Keys for another two days, and the holdup wasn’t on my behalf. Not because of a business meeting or my presence being requested somewhere else.

No, it was all because of the sinful woman sleeping to my right inside the cab of my truck.

First, it was her mother and sister, they demanded her presence so she could take care of her niece for a night. Something about having plans that couldn’tbe changed—her father’s job had some company party they were all attending.

Beau had little to no choice and slept in her apartment that night. Pissed me the fuck off, but I wasn’t enough of a total asshole to not understand that her nieceneeded her. Wasn’t the child’s fault that no one else thought about hiring a sitter.

Sadly, I had a feeling they did that to her often.

And second, she had a massive migraine the day after. Debilitating and nausea inducing pain, that forced her to hide in my bedroom for the entire day. Blinds closed, she slept most of the day, only staying awake long enough to take her medication and eat.

That, or she hid in bed watching some atrocious reality TV show.

I had no control of either situation and didn’t like that. Made me feel useless; I couldn’t help her.

So, instead of being a massive dick and forcing her to do my bidding, I packed a bag and carried her out to my truck still half asleep that morning. We had a bit of a drive, and she could use that time to rest.

It wasn’t until we were about twenty minutes from my home that she stirred. Stretching her limbs; a frown formed on her face.

Beau blinked, cringingat the brightness invading the pickup’s cabin.“Too bright,” she groaned, bringing a hand to her face as a shield.“Close the blinds, Hendrix.”

It took everything in me not to laugh. How had she not realized we were inside a moving vehicle?

“Open your eyes, nymph.”

“No. Still hurts a bit…sensitive.”

“For a quick minute, Beau. Just so I can explain.” At that, she turned her head in my direction and peeked at me through long lashes. Three seconds passed before I saw the clarity of our situation dawning on her.

Green eyes widened almost comically, her hand now covering her mouth.“What did you do?” That’s what I heard, but the anger coloring her tone said I’m going to kick your ass first chance.“Where are we? And again with the kidnapping…really?”

“Babe, calm down.” That term of endearment slipped, but thank God she was too preoccupied with being kidnapped to comment on it. I needed to get a better handle of my filter around her.

Stop confusing our situation:

We were not together in the classical sense. This relationship was based on money, and the use of her pussy when I pleased.

“How dare you, Hendrix. You cannot harvest my organs. These kidneys…” she hissed at me from between clenched teeth,hand covering the general area where that organ was“…are not for sale. No, means no.”

“Umm.” I had nothing after that rant, was just mute with what I knew to be a look of horror on my face.

“You will have to kill me first. Don’t blink…” Beau trailed off while making a slicing motion across her neck.

What. The. Fuck?

Taking the next right turn, I drove down a long stretch of beach that was filled to the brim with tourist. I rolled the windows down, and took the salty freshness into my lungs all the while ignoring the loony woman beside me.

She huffed, but I ignored it.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Her manicured nails were knocking on the window and playing an obnoxious rendition of the song on the radio. “Quit it.”

“Quit what?” Another turn two blocks down and my home came into view, adead end where no one trespassed.“Be more specific, Beau.”

“Ignoring me.” Running an agitated hand down her face, she breathed in deeply and let it out slow. Part of me understood the creep factor; I took her from the apartment in the middle of the night without her permission. I wouldeven give her the shock of being disoriented with no clue as to where she was, but I also won’t deny that it stung a bit that she automatically thought the worst of me.“Ignore my rant, but you have to understand that it’s areal fear. Too many documentaries show that the people you trust are the most likely to hurt you. What was I supposed to think? You took me without consent to God knows where and…where are we? Are we even in the U.S.?”

“Uh huh.”

“Answer me.” At my non-committal hum, she took off her seat belt and leaned over the center console. Her lips skimmed my jaw before taking a quick nip.“What did you do?”

That small jolt of pain sent a shiver that settled on the tip of my cock. No matter what, she made me hard. Always.

At the gate of my home, I punched in the security code. The gates opened, and I drove straight through without answering her. Again, she huffed and sat back, all the while taking in the house. My private sanctuary.

“Welcome to my home in the Keys.” But before she could start another barrage of questions, I put the car in park and got out, went around to her side, and helped her. She slid down the front of my body; her toes helping her gain height in order to reach my chin.

Sometimes, I forgot just how short she was. Standing flat on her feet, she reached my chest.

That sinful little pair of sleep shorts had risen high on her way down—the tip of her ass cheek out for my viewing pleasure.

She was a petite little doll with more curves than what should be allowed on a woman of her size.

“What did you say? Your home?” One of her fingers poked me in the chest,and I took a step back.“Why are we here?”

Question after question—she threw them at me much too fast to answer.

So, instead, I picked her up with those thick thighs around my hips and carried her inside, up the four steps, and onto the first floor’s wrap-around porch. Her eyes took in every detail.

The extensive gardening: palm trees, citrus plants, and gardenias I’d planted throughout the home’s front lawn. They not only shielded the house from the high afternoon sun, but at night gave a soft floral scent that was soothing.

Inside, I walked down a step and into the sunken living room, placing her on the grey leather couch before taking my place beside her. For a few minutes, I let her take it all in.

The pictures on the wall.

The splashes of color throughout.

The warmth my penthouse lacked.

“Finished yet,” I teased the moment a hint of a smile peeked through that mock-annoyed expression.

“It’s…yeah. It’s.”

At her loss of words, I laughed, and hard. I pulled her to me, so she could rest her head on my shoulder.“It’s me, Beau. My home, and I brought you here to relax. Enjoy a day or two of just fun in the sun and maybe a barbeque with some friends?”

The smile on her face dropped.“Work,then?”

“No, you brat. My best friend and his girlfriend.”

“Oh.” I had no clue if it was a good or bad, oh, but I’d take it.“Why don’tI give you the tour, and then we have some breakfast? I make a mean bowl of Coco Puffs.”

“Deal.” Beau turned and kissed my cheek before flicking my bottom lip.“Now hurry up.I’m hungry.”

The house was well over three thousand square feet, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It had an open floor plan with pocket doors that let the outside become one with the living room and kitchen area. My perfect place to come and relax.

Each room had been decorated with a nautical theme in mind: shades of blue, green, and sandy colors throughout with dark, hardwood floors to finish it off. A two-car garage housed my jet skis, while a large deck led you directly to the beach and pool.

The house sat on a nice stretch of beach that was private.

I could fuck her outside in the open, and no one would see.

“Love this place,” she sighed the moment we stepped onto the master bedroom’s balcony. Beau took the ocean air into her lungs with awide smile on her face.“So peaceful. Quiet.”

“Glad you approve, nymph.” Wrapping my arm around her tiny waist, I brought the small giftbox I carried since last night, out and presented it to her.“Hope you love this just as much. You earned it.”

The light blue box made it more than obvious as to what my surprise entailed.

“Earned it?” she whispered, her hand shaking.

“Enjoy it, sweetheart.” Making no move to take the gift, I unwrapped it for her. Maybe she was shocked that I’d be prudent enough to buy her something without a hint, without her asking.“No need to be shy, Beau. Want my help?”

A noise I’d never heard before escaped her, and I took that as a good sign. With her front pressed against the veranda, and my cock nestled between her luscious ass, I opened the box and presented her with a pendant that I found to be fitting.

A small gold envelope—reminded me of our emails and very first interactions. How I pursued, and how she tried to deny me. Forced me to play the game her way.

Not that I would ever tell her that. Nor would she ever know that my initials were engraved on the bottom of the charm. Hell, no.

She didn’t need to know that I was marking her. Claiming that which was only meant to be mine for a short amount of time.

Pushing her hair aside, I placed the chain around her neck. Kissed the back where the clasp lay, and turned her around in my arms. There were tears in her eyes, which caught me off guard.

“Did you not like—”

“I need a few minutes alone, Hendrix. Please.” Her smile was forced, pained.

Did she not like the gift? Was it too simple for her taste?

For sure I’d thought she’d appreciate the simplistic design. Maybe I was wrong.

“Of course, but before I go, can I ask you a question?”

“Yeah.” Low, her voice no higher than a whisper.

“Do I need to change the necklace for something more…flashy?”

Beau’s expression was one of horror.“No! Never.”

“Then why are you upset?” Because her reaction made no sense; nothing like I would expect of a sugar baby.

“If you have to ask me that, then you are beyond clueless.” With that she turned, walked straight into the master bath, and closed the door.

Shut me out.

For the next three hours she stayed locked away, and it bothered me. Made me pause and consider that I’d offended her somehow.

So, without a clue or enough patience to deal with a moody woman, I did the only thing I could.

Pulling out my phone, I dialed the number of the sole person in this world I could count on to give me shit or help when needed. He answered on the third ring, laughing at something a female voice said in the distance.

“Yolo!”

“Jax, I need help,” I sighed, rubbing at my temple with my free hand. Upstairs a door opened, then closed, her feet padding on the wooden floors following.“Going to need you here today instead.”

Silence came through the line, and for a second I thought our call had disconnected.

“What did you do?” Why did the ass think it was me?

I did nothing wrong here;Beau’s being moody. Must be PMSing and is embarrassed by it. “Just get your ass over here,and quick.”

“Punk,” he muttered, then yelled Crystal’s name and said something to her that came across muffled before coming back to me.“Give me three hours, and you better have beer. A lot of it.”