Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family 2)

The third place was amazing. Modern and not quite ten years old, the condo was a duplex, much bigger, as Beck had demanded, with two bedrooms down four steps, the master on the main level, a beautifully sized living room, state-of-the-art kitchen, and a view of a park. Chloe felt like she had a keeper.

“I love it!”

Amelia nodded. “I thought you would. It’s a condominium, though, so you need to jump through some hoops and get approved. But first we start with an offer. If you’re ready that quickly.”

“I’m sure she needs to see some other places.” Beck spoke up for the first time in this building.

To his credit, he’d allowed her the space she’d needed, from meeting the doorman to discussing amenities and walking through the apartment itself.

“Actually, I don’t. I did research on all the places I looked at, and this one is perfect. This apartment is the only one available, and no others seem to be coming up any time soon.” She turned to Beck.

If he didn’t want her to move out, if he wanted her to stay, this was the time for him to speak up, and she wasn’t referring to him complaining about the apartment itself.

She waited a beat and waited some more. When he didn’t say anything, she ignored the scowl on his face and named a number to offer the condo owner.

“That’s a solid price, and the owner will like it even if he does come back with a counter,” Amelia said. “There’s also a chance that the condo owner may want to sell. Would you be interested in buying outright?”

“Hang on. You need to do a lot more research before you agree to buy something,” Beck said.

She set her jaw. “Do you think I don’t know that? My family is in real estate. I’ll get back to you,” she told the agent.

Amelia nodded in understanding. “It’s just something he mentioned to me when I told him I had a showing today. Let’s keep in touch, and I’ll talk to him about the rental in the meantime.” She smiled at Chloe and ignored Beck.

“Sounds great,” Chloe said.

They stepped into the hall and Amelia locked the apartment. All three of them took an elevator downstairs before Chloe and Beck parted ways with the real estate agent on the street.

Turning to Beck, Chloe opened her mouth to yell at him for his attitude, but he stopped her by bringing his mouth down on hers, his tongue sliding through her lips and tangling with hers. As usual, her body melted into him, her brain short-circuiting thanks to his kiss.

He lifted his head and met her gaze. “I didn’t mean to undercut or underestimate you. I’m just stressed and overwhelmed worrying about tomorrow.”

Her anger fled with his sort-of apology and she sighed. “I know. Trust me, I’m not going to throw away millions on an apartment I don’t know enough about.” Millions she had thanks to a trust fund set up by her father’s father.

“I know. I was looking out for you.” He put a hand on her back and flagged down a taxi and was silent during the ride back to his loft downtown.

* * *

Chloe lay in Beck’s bed. After they’d had an amazing, satisfying round of sex, he’d pulled her into his arms and fallen into a deep sleep. This whole week, she’d accepted that he’d been using her to exorcise the demons that haunted him. Used wasn’t the right word. It wasn’t that any body in bed would do. She knew he wanted only her, just as much as she understood it was temporary.

He’d rolled onto his back, releasing her from his hold, and beside her, he slept hard. She was glad he’d been able to fall asleep given tomorrow was his dad’s surgery. She, on the other hand, was tossing and turning. His moodiness this past week had been emotionally draining, but instead of crashing like he had, she stared at the ceiling because her mind wouldn’t shut off.

She thought back to her lunch with Linc. After their talk, she’d been optimistic about possibilities, and she’d hoped Beck would realize not only did he care about her, he wanted her in his life. And not just on the periphery. After all, when he let down his guard, they had fun, enjoyed meals and the ins and outs of living together, and they were in sync in so many ways. More so than she’d ever been with Owen.

A few weeks ago, she’d been a stranger to Beck, yet he’d stepped up and made her see how much was possible if she’d push past her fear. She’d tried so hard to do the same for him, but he didn’t seem to be willing to try and get past his issues.

Linc was just one example. She’d told him about her brother’s admission about sleeping with Beck’s girlfriend and how he’d known the rift was his fault. Chloe had hoped Beck would soften toward her brother. Instead he’d listened, said he was glad she knew the truth and that Linc would no longer give her a hard time. He’d acted like the story had nothing to do with him at all, because he’d distanced himself so far from the relationship with his one-time friend, he had no interest in any kind of personal détente. And it was sad.