Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family 2)

She turned down the covers, slid beneath, and he gave a relieved sigh. That is, until she wriggled under the comforter and the bra went flying across the room, followed by the garter. As he braced himself for her panties to go next, she lay her head on the pillow, sighed, closed her eyes, and just like that, fell asleep.

His shoulders dropped as his tension eased, and Beck let out a long groan of relief. Now that he didn’t have a hysterical woman to deal with, he turned his attention to where he’d be spending the night. One look at the uncomfortable chair and he nixed that idea. He’d just have to lie on top of the covers with as much space between him and Chloe as he could manage.

After kicking off his shoes, he sat on the side of the bed and took off his socks and shirt, laying them on the chair he’d opted not to sleep on. After debating, he said fuck it and removed his jeans. His boxer briefs were good enough.

Then he climbed on the bed. Using the bedspread that had fallen to the floor as a blanket, he pulled it over himself and settled back against the pillows on his side of the bed. Beside him, Chloe let out little snores that had him grinning despite the situation.

Being with Chloe Kingston brought back memories he’d always done his best to keep far away. He’d met Linc in college. They’d been roommates and become best friends. While Linc had a family who could pay for everything, giving him time to party as well as study, Beck had attended partially on scholarship but mostly on loans, and he’d had to work for spending money. By sophomore year, he and Linc had formed a tight bond. Took the same classes, had the same life goals, and had found girlfriends at the same time. They’d gone out together as couples and hung out at parties.

Beck remembered how much his girlfriend, Jenna, resented his need to work because it meant they couldn’t spend as much time together as Linc and his girlfriend, Lacey, did. She was jealous and Beck knew it, but there was nothing he could do, and he would placate her until she calmed down.

Everything was great until one night when Beck worked late and came home to find Linc and who he thought was Linc’s girlfriend in bed together. No sooner had Beck shut the door than Jenna sat up, looked at him, and began to cry about how she was sorry and they hadn’t meant for it to happen. Even remembering that moment now, Beck saw red, his anger stemming as much from Jenna’s hurt and betrayal as it had from Linc’s. Maybe more so from Linc because nobody did that to his best friend.

He glanced over at the still-snoring woman beside him, nearly naked beneath the covers. Beck had a cutthroat reputation in business. He’d had to be smart and fast if he was going to make the kind of money he’d craved in a business he hadn’t been born into like Linc had been. Beck had accomplished his goals, exceeding beyond his wildest imaginings by never showing weakness and always using situations to his advantage. But that reputation didn’t extend to women.

Another guy might use Linc’s sister to get payback. Not Beck. Chloe was safe with him. And Linc Kingston ought to thank his lucky stars that Beck had morals. More so than Linc himself had had back when they were friends.

He closed his eyes and listened to the rhythmic breathing Chloe had fallen into and drifted off to sleep. Beck wasn’t sure how much time had passed when loud knocking sounded, waking him from a not-so-great sleep.

He glanced around the room, taking in his surroundings and remembering where he was and who was in bed beside him. Thanks to his remaining above the comforter, they hadn’t rolled against each other during the night, but she had moved closer and he inhaled her fragrant scent.

The knock that must have woken him sounded again.

Chloe groaned and shifted to her side. No doubt she would be hurting this morning.

The pounding continued and Beck slid out of bed, heading for the door to ask housekeeping to come back later. Who else could be there at this hour?

He wasn’t about to open the door, either. Neither he nor Chloe was dressed.

“Chloe? Open up!” a familiar male voice called out as Beck touched the doorknob.

Linc. Well, this was about to get interesting.

Not caring what Linc thought, Beck drew a deep breath and opened the door for his former friend.

Linc took one look at Beck and his mouth opened in shock. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Before Beck could answer, Linc brushed past him and walked into the outer room of the suite. “I swear to God if you took advantage of my sister, I’ll kill you.”