HE’D BEEN the one to say the L word first. I didn’t know why that was important, but it was. He’d actually said it.
“What are you grinning at?” Beckett said, pulling back from the kiss, but still holding me in his amazingly strong arms.
“You said you loved me. What’s better to grin about?” I answered, and then realized I was waiting for him to clarify what he’d said or to say I misheard him.
“I guess it is,” he said, grinning back at me.
“Is that it?” I asked.
“If you expected fireworks, I’ll be getting to those in a little while once you decide the time for talking is over and the time for me to make you moan my name while I’m buried deep inside you has begun.”
“I like that time.”
“Me too.” His lips hovered right above mine, and he opened his mouth, teasing my lips with the very tip of his tongue. I opened my mouth and sucked on his tongue, taking him in.
Beckett pulled back just enough to whisper, “Are you done talking for now?”
“I guess.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down. Talking was overrated. I kissed him almost as hard as he’d kissed me, tugging on his lower lip.
“You guess?” Beckett asked, teasing me. “You need to stop worrying so much.”
“I know.”
“And maybe stop thinking so much. You chew on everything until all the flavor’s gone and then wonder what happened. Just enjoy and be happy with what you’re given, because sometimes you win the jackpot if you’re willing to see it.”
That was one sentiment I could agree with. I seemed to have won a giant jackpot, and as that winner, I got to lose my pants. I smiled as that thought flicked through my head. Beckett slid his hand into my sleep pants, shoving them down over my butt. He left them there, spreading my cheeks, tapping my opening lightly as I whined softly.
I let go of Beckett and grabbed at his shirt, tugging it upward. He released me, and I managed to get his shirt over his head before working on his pants. My hands shook as I got the damn things opened and shoved them down his legs, Beckett’s cock springing out. I went for it, sucking him as deep as I could.
“God, your lips are pure magic.”
I hummed some sort of agreement, tasting all of him.
Beckett pushed me back, and my lips slipped from around him.
“What was that for?” I asked as he did some kind of dance to get out of his pants. Then he placed his hand on the center of my chest and climbed on the bed, straddling me, guiding his cock to my greedy lips. Fuck and hell. That was one amazing sight. Beckett, all muscle and ripples, as he slipped his cock between my lips. All that power hovered above me, and it was mine—he was all mine.
I got comfortable and sucked him in, cupping his weighty balls. One thing I really loved about Beckett was the way he kept everything manscaped. His balls were smooth, and I caressed them with my fingers. “Put your hands behind your head for me,” I said after taking a deep breath. “Oh, yeah, that’s gorgeous.” Beckett thrust his chest out, and I took him in deep. He moved his hips slowly, rolling his belly, his abs becoming more pronounced as he moved.
Beckett lowered his arms. I growled at the loss of my view, but then it turned to a whimper when Beckett reached behind himself, sliding his hand down my belly, moving my loose sleep pants aside and grabbing my cock firmly in his hand. He stroked me while I sucked on his balls, the silky orbs popping in and out of my mouth. Beckett slowly withdrew, leaning down to kiss me while positioning me so my head was on the pillow. Then he sat back, staring at me. At moments like these, I was never sure if I should be embarrassed or not. Too often I slipped into the image of myself as I used to be.
“Don’t,” Beckett murmured, taking my hands gently in his. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“It’s hard not to,” I whispered.
“I know. Our vision of ourselves is always difficult to change, but you did the hard part already. The package has changed already. You need to see yourself the way the rest of us see you.”
“I know.”
Beckett leaned closer, and I shivered with heat and excitement. “You don’t. It isn’t what you look like, because I’d like you no matter what. It’s the person you are. That’s what matters, and you can be so fierce. I like that.”
“So you’re saying….”
“Just let yourself be you and be happy. Accept that I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to go. I don’t have one eye on you and the other on the door.” I had said something like that, I remembered, and I wondered for a second if Beckett had heard me. “I know how people are here. But that’s not me.” He leaned closer, pressing against my bare chest.
“It’s hard to accept sometimes, but I’m trying. Maybe if you showed me.”
“Baby, I’ll show you again and again, for as long as you’ll let me,” Beckett told me. He shucked my sleep pants down my legs, and I got them off. They crumpled to the floor, but I paid little attention. Beckett rolled us on the bed so I was lying on top of his mountain of muscle. “I want to taste you.”
“Yeah,” I said, my voice quivering along with the rest of me. I knelt around him and Beckett cradled my ass, bringing me closer. I thought he meant sucking my cock, but he guided my ass to his mouth and drove deep. I screamed with pleasure I couldn’t hold inside any longer. I clamped my hand over my mouth, biting it to keep from waking the entire building. “Jesus,” I whimpered, resting my hands on Beckett’s thick legs to keep from tumbling backward. Breathing was difficult, and got more so when Beckett gripped my cock, stroking me as he rimmed me to the point where seeing straight was difficult. “I had no idea….”
“You will, baby,” Beckett crooned, blowing hot breath on my wet skin. “Show me you like it.”
“Yeah.”
He slipped what I guessed was his pinkie into me. I gasped, wide-mouthed, not knowing what the hell to concentrate on. His hand, the finger, his lips—all of it threatened to overwhelm me. “Come for me, baby. You’re strung too tight. I want you nice and relaxed when I fill you, because I intend to stay inside this tightness.” He withdrew his finger and inserted a thicker one.
I threw my head back and moaned loudly, trying to control the rising tide. I couldn’t. Gasping, I thrust my hips, pressing my cock into his hand for that little bit of extra sensation… I went flying within seconds. I remembered coming, my brain sizzling as excitement and heat bloomed throughout me. I remembered Beckett being there, holding me, and then the floaty feeling as afterglow settled in. I was afraid to move in case this wonderfulness ended, but it didn’t.
Gently, Beckett moved me until I lay on the bedding. He stroked my belly and chest as I kept my eyes closed, luxuriating in the warmth and intimacy of a simple touch.
Slowly the warmth and buzz began to fade. Beckett was right there. He took me into his arms, shared a smile, and then kissed me, hard. I could feel his excitement, his cock sliding along my hip. But even more pronounced was the energy that raced through him. “Beck….”
“You do this to me,” Beckett whispered. “I’m likely to fly apart at any second, and that’s all because of you.”
“Me?”
“Oh, yes. You do this to me. Make no mistake about it. I can’t get enough of you. At night when I’m home, I think of you.”
“I dreamed of you… a lot.” I slipped my arms behind his neck and then down his back, muscles rippling beneath my touch.
“Can you feel that? Even when I can’t see you, my body knows your touch. It aches for it.” He crushed me closer, holding me, petting me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, opening myself to him. I felt rather than saw Beckett reach for the drawer next to the bed. I closed my eyes. I didn’t want anything to intrude on the fantasy of being with Beckett at that very moment. I heard the package open and felt his slight fumble as he prepared himself, and then his breath was back, warm against my lips. I held still with anticipation, waiting. Beckett pressed against me and then slowly entered, stretching me.
The burn was magnificent, something I had begun to fear I would never feel again. Beckett was a big man, and I adored the way he filled me. “Yes,” I whispered.
“I won’t hurt you.”
“Never hurt,” I whispered back, holding Beckett’s shoulders, digging my fingers into the flesh as he sank deeper and deeper inside me. I kissed him. It was sloppy, and in the middle, I cried out. Beckett stilled and then continued. I rolled my head back and forth on the pillow, holding Beckett and breathing through my mouth until his hips pressed to my butt. “God,” I breathed. “You’re huge.”
“Too big?”
“No such thing. I like you big,” I whispered and held Beckett firmly. He made love to me slowly, deeply. There was no rush. At times I wanted to scream at him to go faster, to move more, but he had his own internal pace, and no pleading would make him go faster. When I did beg, he simply kissed away my words and continued at his infuriatingly measured pace, pushing me to the edge, but never over.
“Not yet,” Beckett scolded, brushing my hand away from my cock yet again.
“I need it,” I whined.
“So do I,” Beckett confessed.
“Then why aren’t you going faster? Fuck me, for God’s sake!”
“Pushy bottom,” Beckett said, snapping his hips hard, and I grunted and sighed at the same time.
“Damn controlling top,” I countered. “I think I read somewhere that the guy on the bottom was really the one in control, so get on with it.” I gritted my teeth and clenched hard around Beckett. He gasped and I held him tight. “That’s more like it.” Beckett sprawled over me, holding my hands in one of his, lips right above me, snapping his hips, sending ripples of desire through me as his cock slid across the spot inside.
My head felt ready to explode. I tried to wrench my hands away, but he held them just tightly enough that I couldn’t get free easily. Not that I really wanted to. Beckett’s eyes glassed over, his body glistening with sweat. He smelled amazing, powerful. I breathed through my nose to take in all of him.
“Oh God!”
“You got that right,” I whispered hoarsely. “Now let me go so I can come when you do.”
Beckett released my hands, and I began stroking myself. Beckett’s movements were ragged, and I could tell he was seconds away. It wasn’t long and I was right there with him, the tingling starting at the base of my spine, radiating outward.
“Come on, baby, let me see you go,” Beckett said.
I squeezed lightly, twisting my hand around the head of my cock, and tumbled right over the edge. I felt Beckett come with me. My body tightened and spasmed, my release painting my chest and belly. When it passed and the warm glow took over, I clutched Beckett to me and held him as tight as I dared.
“Am I crushing you?” Beckett whispered.
“Maybe a little,” I admitted, and he rolled us on the bed so I could use him like a hard mattress. I didn’t move an inch, listening to him breathe, letting our musky sex scent wrap comfortingly around us.
After a few minutes, Beckett shifted and took care of the condom, dropping it in the bin near the bed. “We better clean up,” Beckett said, but my eyes had drifted half closed. I didn’t want to move. Beckett had other ideas, and he sat up, taking me with him. “I can carry you.”
“Don’t you dare! I’m not a doll and you’re not a Neanderthal.”
“Then come on,” Beckett said, standing and tugging me up into his arms. “Let’s get wet. I’ll make sure you are good and clean.”
Wet with Beckett—now that I was up for. I led him into my small bathroom. The tub was standard sized and I wondered exactly how I was going to find room with Beckett in it. He started the water and stepped under the spray. When I followed him in, he hugged me tightly to him, and I had my answer.
I got some soap, rubbing it between my hands, lathering up well before stroking over Beckett’s strong chest. “I love this, you know.”
“What?”
“That you’re big, strong, and yet gentle with me.” Hell, I loved that his muscles danced under my hands. Some big guys were too much, their chests way too developed. “You know, you look more like a Marine than anything else. A big Marine. A guy who earned his muscles.”
“I’ve done plenty of hard work in my life. I didn’t get my body just in the gym. I had to use gyms to get ready for competition, but that was mostly BS stuff. It’s politics, and whether this muscle and that muscle look just right. Most of those guys juice, and that wasn’t what I wanted.”
I continued downward, washing his belly, which was nearly as hard as his chest. I knew mine was soft, if relatively flat, but not his. “Turn around,” I whispered. “And put your hands on the wall for me.”
“What do you have in mind?” Beckett asked as he turned. I soaped my hands once again and started down his wide back, soaping his smooth skin, loving the flex of his muscles, knowing he cared about me and that all this power could be unleashed, but that I had nothing at all to worry about.
Beckett’s ass. What could I say? Bubbles would be jealous. I soaped it two or three times, copping a feel, kneading the cheeks, pressing to his back so my reawakening cock rested along his cleft. I slid my still soapy hands around to his stomach and left them there. “I love you, Beck,” I whispered. “Please don’t turn around,” I said when I felt him move. “You always hold me, and that comes with being so much bigger, but now I get to hold you and I like it.” Beckett put his hands over mine, and I closed my eyes. Beckett slowly stepped backward, and I did the same, the water sluicing over both of us, washing away the soap. My erection abated, which was fine. I didn’t have the energy to go again. What I wanted was right here.
“Baby,” Beckett whispered, and this time he did turn around. He lathered his hands, and then it was my turn to receive a very thorough washing. When Beckett knelt to get my legs, his magic fingers revived my dick, and once it was pointing upward, he leaned in and slid his lips along my shaft.
“Beck, I don’t….” God, I wondered if I had it in me, but the sight of Beckett on his knees was too much to resist. He sucked me and washed up my legs to my butt, massaging the cheeks as he took me deeper. Breathless, I stood still and let him take me for an amazing ride. When I came, I would have fallen if Beckett hadn’t caught me, held me up, and rinsed me off before turning off the water.
Beckett reached for towels, and I grinned. My bath towels looked like hand towels on him. My legs decided to cooperate, so I patted his back dry, and then he did the same for me. I opened the bathroom door and was assaulted by the sex smell from the rest of the apartment.
“Jesus,” Beckett whispered.
“Give me a minute.” I opened the small closet next to the bathroom door and pulled out a fresh set of sheets. I stripped the bed and put the old sheets in the laundry hamper in the corner of the bathroom. Then I remade the bed with Beckett watching me the entire time. I tried not to feel self-conscious, especially when the towel I’d been wearing slipped to the floor. Beckett picked up the towel and hung it in the bathroom. By the time he returned, I had the bed made and was changing pillowcases. He’d opened the door to the patio a little way, and fresh air drifted in.
“I love the way you smell,” Beckett said after closing and locking the door once again. His massive arms enveloped me. “And I love holding you.”
“We need to go to bed. Do you have rehearsal tomorrow?”
“They asked me to be there at ten for some one-on-one time with the director,” Beckett said, and I snuggled closer into his warmth. “Kendall is flying to LA for some work this weekend, so we’re going to run some blocking. Hiram seems very pleased and asked if I could spare a few hours tomorrow for some fine-tuning. Is that typical?”
“Each director has their own style.”
“Hiram said he has another show that will go into production after this one, and there’s a part that could be perfect for me. I really like him. He’s loud sometimes, but he’s good and he gives direction really well. There’s no ulterior motive or trying to find out what he really wants. I like that.” Beckett released me and got into bed. I climbed in after him, and instantly Beckett was there with me, an arm around my waist, hand on my belly. He yawned. “Do you want to do something after I’m done?”
“I have theater tickets for tomorrow afternoon and evening. You can come with me, if you like.” I followed Beckett’s lead, yawning as well. “The matinee is for one of the big Broadway shows. I forget which one, but that should be fun.”
“No drag?” Beckett asked sleepily.
“Not that I expect,” I told him, closing my eyes. Beckett kissed my shoulder, and I slowly rolled over. He kissed me again, gently, and I fell into a deep, contented sleep.
A KNOCK on the door startled me awake. “Payton.”
“Just a second.” My eyelids felt like sandpaper. I got up and pulled on my sleep pants, after finding them under the edge of the bed. I tied them and then opened the door. “Yeah, Val?”
“I was wondering if you wanted to go to breakfast.” He peered inside and then at me. “Do you have company?” He looked at the room divider that created my bedroom.
“Yes.” I checked the time. “Beckett came by after you left.”
“So that was you I heard,” Val said with a grin. “I was hoping so.”
“God,” I whispered. I checked the clock, groaning. It was way too early on a Saturday morning. “How about breakfast tomorrow?”
“Sure.” Val smiled and then turned to leave.
“Why don’t you set up your double date with your friend from the gym? Maybe for next weekend.”
“With Beckett and you?” Val whispered, and I nodded. That lifted Val’s spirits, and he bounded up the stairs. I closed the door and climbed back into bed. Beckett hugged me close and growled, pulling at the sleep pants until he had them off me. What a wake-up call.
ONCE BECKETT left for the theater, I got some cleaning done in the apartment. It needed it. I also did laundry and the other mundane things in life, which in New York could be a chore. I ate a quick lunch, and when Beckett called to say that he wouldn’t be done until one, I agreed to meet him at the theater and said we’d head to the show from there. I rode the subway downtown and emerged a block from where Beckett was working. He was waiting out front, and we fell into easy step together.
“How did you get the tickets for Matilda?”
“Another potential client. This one has a pretty major role and is looking for new representation. I’m not familiar with him, so he got me tickets.” We stopped at Seventh Avenue. “Do you need some lunch?”
“I better get something,” Beckett said. We stopped for a couple of kosher hot dogs, which Beckett tried not to inhale but did anyway. He must have been starved. I got him some water, and we continued to the theater. We waited outside for them to open the doors.
“Hi, guys.” I turned to see if that was meant for us and groaned. Garren stood just a few feet away. “Taking your client to the theater again?”
Beckett shifted closer. I was glad he was there, but pissed that Garren was as well.
“Are you following me?” I asked.
“Please.” Garren rolled his eyes. “I took Claude’s advice to heart, and he passed on some extra tickets. I didn’t know I was going to see you.” I could already see the wheels turning in Garren’s head.
“You okay?” Beckett whispered.
“Yeah. You remember Garren from my office.”
Beckett held out his hand, and Garren shook it for about a second. The line began to move, and we headed into the theater. I bought a soda before we made our way to our seats. I was supremely glad Garren wasn’t sitting anywhere near us.
“What’s with that guy?”
“He’s lazy, and he thinks he can get ahead by taking out anyone he sees as competition. A few weeks ago I wasn’t on his radar, but now I am because of you and a few others.”
“So?” Beckett asked, shifting in a seat that was definitely made for someone smaller than him.
“I’m breaking the rules by dating a client, and he thinks that he has some leverage against me now.”
Beckett’s expression became very serious. “Are we back there again?”
“No.” I inhaled deeply. “I’ve decided to talk to Claude and tell him about you and me. I was hoping to give us a few weeks, but….” I figured it was best to be honest. “This is so new, and I didn’t know you were going to come over last night…. Anyway, I wanted to make sure things were truly good between us before I talked to Claude. But I plan to tell him. It’s less of a conflict if everyone knows and we’re out in the open. But I wanted to talk to you about it first.” I looked up at the stage. “I guess I was hoping we could do it in a better place than a theater.”
“I think it’s perfect. This is Garren’s little melodrama, so why not have it happen here?” Beckett took my hand. “You talk to Claude and tell him whatever you need to. I’ll be there too, if you want.”
“You will?” I asked, more than a little surprised.
“Unless what you said last night was the sex talking,” Beckett whispered into my ear, and damn if just the way he said “sex” wasn’t enough to get me going. I shifted a little to try to get comfortable.
“It wasn’t and you know it. I’m just nervous about how Claude will react.” I knew what Gloria had said, but it still worried me. I wanted it all—my job, Beckett as a client, Beckett in my bed, in my life. Maybe I couldn’t have it and would need to make a choice. Hell, I’d already made the wrong one once before, when I let Beckett go. That wasn’t an option this time. God, I hoped Gloria was right.
“Stop being nervous. That’s just that Garren guy messing with your head.” Beckett threaded his fingers into mine. “On Monday I’m not expected until ten. I’ll go in with you, and we can talk to Claude together. That should put an end to Garren and all his petty mischief.” Beckett gently touched my chin. “As long as that’s what you want.”
“I think I need to talk to Claude by myself, but thank you for offering to go with me, and yes, you’re what I want,” I whispered to him. “I’m just not used to getting everything I want. Usually something goes to hell.” But at that moment I was extremely happy as I sat back to enjoy the show.
The actor I was there to see did an amazing job, and I made a note to get back to him first thing on Monday morning so I could find out what he needed me to do for him. I half watched for Garren as we left, and I was a little relieved that I didn’t see him.
“What are you supposed to see tonight?” Beckett asked.
“Something I’m not hopeful about, but I got the tickets from Claude, so I have to go.” I wanted to go back to my apartment and spend the evening in bed with Beckett. Instead, we got dinner and he accompanied me to a play that had me yawning halfway through. I did something I rarely do—left the theater at intermission. That train wreck wasn’t going to get any more interesting, no matter what.
Sunday’s performance was better, but unfortunately the person I’d been there to see had been shifted out of that performance, so I once again left at intermission and headed home. Beckett had left that morning because he had things to do, and I spent much of the day alone. Val came down for dinner, and we had a good time.
“So are you and Beckett together?” he asked from the sofa.
“He told me he loved me,” I said.
Val squealed like a teenage girl, which of course had me doing the same thing. “So everything is good?”
“Yeah. I need to tell my boss about us tomorrow. Gloria said I shouldn’t keep it a secret, and she’s right. I’m just nervous. Beckett said he’d go with me if I needed him to, but this is my job and my decision, so I need to face the music.”
“Do you think it will be that bad?” Val asked.
“I don’t know, and I’m nervous about it.” I had purposely not had anything stronger than soda, but now I was wired on caffeine. I finished my glass and went to get some water. “Gloria thinks it won’t be that big a deal, though Garren obviously believes it’s something he can use against me.”
“You know, worrying won’t help.”
“I know, and I’ve been through every argument I can think of in my head half a million times.” I sat back down and wished like hell Beckett was here with me.
“When is Beckett’s opening night?” Val asked.
“Saturday night.” That only added to my nerves. I was going to fly apart within seconds if I didn’t calm down.
“Take it one thing at a time. You know you have to talk to your boss, so do it right away, and get it over with. At least then you’ll know where you stand and you can deal with it.”
I knew Val was right, but that didn’t calm the butterflies in my belly. For the first time in my life I knew exactly what I wanted, I was happy, and I didn’t want it to end.
I WOKE early Monday morning and went right into the office. I wanted to have my day organized and my plans set before my big talk with Claude.
“I need to see you in my office,” Claude said sternly as I walked through the front door. He had to have been watching for me. Great.
“Let me drop my things,” I told him and hurried to my office. I checked my schedule quickly and then raced back to Claude’s office, closing the door behind me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he began, even before I could sit in one of the chairs. “Garren called me yesterday and told me that you’re dating your clients and that he’s seen you out more than once with them. We don’t do that.” Claude was red-faced and his head seemed about to explode. “I thought you were smarter than that and showed a lot of promise. But decisions like those are not conducive to the business of this office.”
I lowered myself into one of the office chairs. “Excuse me?” I began. “Garren called you on a Sunday to tattle because he’d seen me at the theater with Beckett?”
“He said it was more than one client,” Claude said forcefully.
“Well, Garren doesn’t know crap,” I fired back. “And he’s a jealous little weasel who’s mad because I turned him down.”
“I beg your pardon?” That was apparently news to him.
“Yes. He asked me out, but I suggested we could go to the theater together as friends. He hated the play and made a scene in the lobby. Furthermore, doesn’t it seem strange that he would call you on a Sunday because one of your employees was out on a date?” My heart pounded in my ears as I tried to keep all of this from exploding in my face.
“So you aren’t dating your clients?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Beckett Huntington.”
“Your new client.”
“He and I went to high school together, and we’ve started seeing each other.” I swore Claude looked ready to explode again, but I had to continue. “I planned to come in today and tell you about it.”
“You were,” Claude said flatly.
“Yes. I love my job and I’m good at it. But I love Beckett as well, and I’m not giving him up, either as a boyfriend or as his agent. He’s aware of it, and now so are you. There’s nothing secret or hidden about it. I have no idea where things will go with Beckett, but either way it won’t affect my ability to do my job.”
“Wait a minute,” Claude said. I could see him calming down. “When you got that young man a job, were you already seeing him?”
“No. It happened afterward.
“What about this other man you were out with?”
“Claude, I didn’t know my personal life was completely open to everyone in the office. I don’t know what Garren saw, nor do I care. But I have to ask again, why is this so important to Garren that he feels he needs to call you about it on your day off?” I intended to keep the pressure on him for as long as possible. “Can I ask you something? When you decided to let Jane go, was there a similar type of incident with Garren, where he was feeding you information?” I don’t know why I asked, but the expression on his face told me I’d hit a bull’s-eye.
Claude cleared his throat. “Jane isn’t the topic of discussion, and that was a different situation.”
“But Garren did figure into it?”
He didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to. I had my answer.
“I intend to see Beckett. I walked away from him once because I was afraid of losing my job, based on something Garren said. I’ve brought in a lot of new talent, as you said last week, and I have more talent that’s interested in coming our way.”
“But dating clients is against the rules. You knew that.”
“I didn’t set out to date him. Heck, when I first met him, I loathed him. It’s a long story, but it comes down to this: If you want to fire me, go ahead. I’ll find another job and take my clients with me.”
“There’s no need to fly off the handle,” Claude said as he leaned forward. “What concerns me is what happens if this relationship ends or if you have two clients up for a role. Which one will you push?”
“The director and producer make casting decisions, not me. Yes, I’ll be dating Beckett, but if there’s a conflict, I’ll talk to you and we’ll figure it out.”
“This is a tough business, and people can be cruel. It’s always best to avoid the appearance of impropriety.”
“I understand. But if we’re out in the open and it’s general knowledge, then there’s no issue.” God, I hoped that was true. Claude put his hand to his brow. “Besides, I think you have a bigger issue than who I’m dating.” I figured I might as well go for broke.
“How so?” Claude asked.
I didn’t want to mention Gloria’s name. It wasn’t fair to her, and if Claude was really as blind to what was happening in his own office, then he probably wouldn’t believe me if I told him. “I think a lot of this drama could have been avoided without the interference of a certain other person, and I think you know it too. Everyone in this office works hard and does an excellent job. It’s why this is one of the top talent agencies in the city, and why it’s still growing.”
“True….” Claude sat back in his chair.
I took that as my cue to leave. I was pretty sure I’d kept my job, and he hadn’t said anything more about seeing Beckett, so I decided I was ahead at the moment and was happy for things to stay that way. I left the office and was on my way to mine when Millie hurried up behind me and directed me to the lobby.
“Claude wants you again,” she said, and I sighed. I should have known it was too good to be true. I stopped by the lobby and saw Beckett in the waiting area through the glass. I pushed open the door, surprised to see him.
“Why are you here?”
“Did you see him yet?” Beckett asked right away.
“Yes, and he wants to see me again.”
“Then I’m going with you,” Beckett answered firmly. “I’m a client of this firm, and he needs to hear what I have to say.”
“You know he could let you out of your contract.”
“Then he’s a fool,” Beckett said, louder than necessary.
“I am no fool, Mr. Huntington.” Claude joined us, and I willed the floor to swallow me whole. Claude had a half smile cocked onto his lips. “Why don’t both of you step into my office?”
I shared a glance at Beckett and waited a second for Claude to step away. “It seems like there’s going to be a joint funeral. You could have just stayed out of it and saved yourself.”
“Please. Let’s face the marauding Huns together.” Beckett paused, and I rolled my eyes. “Too much?”
“Just a little,” I told him and let Beckett enter Claude’s office first. Gloria sat in one of the office chairs, a coffee cup in her hand.
“Close the door,” Claude said, and I did. “Well, it seems I’ve been somewhat blind. Gloria came in just after you left and told me I was being a damned fool.”
“I did not. I said you were acting like a stupid ass.” She sipped from her mug as though she’d just told everyone good morning. “Now, let’s get down to business. Payton and I have calls to make and appointments to follow up on. You have a mess to clean up.”
I was on the verge of laughter, but kept my mouth shut. Claude cleared his throat and shot daggers at Gloria with his eyes. “It seems Gloria has a similar opinion to yours with regard to Garren.” I nodded. “But you didn’t tell me that.”
“Gloria’s opinion is not mine to tell,” I told him. Beckett lightly touched my hand and I got the feeling my career wasn’t about to be flushed down one of the agency toilets.
“See, I told you we need more people like this young man.” Gloria stood. “I really think we’re all done here, don’t you, Claude?”
“Yes, Gloria. I think we’ve hammered out this issue for today.”
She stood and slowly walked to the door.
“I know when I’ve had enough,” Claude continued.
“That’s good, Claude. We all want what’s best for the agency.” She pulled open the door and strode out. I followed, with Beckett behind me, wondering what in the hell had just happened.
Gloria paused when we reached my office, patting me on the shoulder. “I kept quiet for too long about our friend.” She motioned toward Garren’s closed office door. “I hoped he would grow up and become part of the team, but he never did.”
“What will Claude do?” I asked.
Gloria shrugged. “You needn’t worry about it.” She turned to Beckett. “I’m hearing some wonderful things about you, young man. Hiram and William are impressed with your ability and work ethic. Keep it up—those things will take you far in this business.” Gloria turned and took a few steps toward her office, then paused. “I tell this to all my clients, though. Don’t let your head get too big. The ones who do are the assholes no one wants to deal with, and eventually they crash and burn. Happens all the time. That whole thing about nice guys finishing last is crap. Nice guys get more work. Assholes get the shaft because they’re too difficult to work with.” She turned away and headed toward her office, while I opened the door to mine and we stepped inside.
“You didn’t have to come,” I told Beckett as soon as he closed my door.
“Yes, I did. The situation you’re in is as much my doing as yours.” Beckett moved closer. “This isn’t just about you or me—it’s about us.”
“Us?” I asked, a little surprised at the plural.
“Yes, us. First-person plural.” Beckett smiled, and I found myself doing the same. I tried to think back over my life, and other than with my parents, I didn’t think I had ever been part of an “us.” “If Claude had fired you, there would have been consequences for him as well.”
“I see.”
“Yes. But he’s a smart man.”
“I somehow doubt retaining me, or you, was his sole motivation. In fact, I think Gloria had a lot to do with what happened.”
“I think you underestimate your value to everyone in your life, and it’s time you stopped doing that. It’s time we stopped doing that. You and I are going places—me on the stage, and you in the theater business. We’ll do it together.” Beckett kissed me gently and pulled back. “If I do any more than that, I’m afraid things will happen that shouldn’t happen in a place of business.” Beckett checked his watch. “I need to get going. I have some final fittings and then run-throughs. We’re working up to final rehearsals, and I’m going to be busy all week.”
“I know. But it’s important,” I told him. “So you do your best, and I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done at night.” I hugged him, resting my head on his chest. “Now go on and make some magic. I have some out-of-work actors who are hoping and praying that I’ll be able to find them the job of a lifetime.” I smiled, and Beckett grinned at me. He kissed me once before opening the door and hurrying out of my office so he wouldn’t be late. I sat behind my desk and sighed like a teenager before getting to work.
“That’s quite a young man you have,” Gloria said as she stepped inside. “I saw him leave.”
“Yeah, he is.” I smiled like an idiot.
“Sometimes it isn’t what we say that’s important, but how we behave, and he was here for you. Granted, he didn’t need to be here, but that wasn’t the point.”
“I know. Actions definitely speak louder than words.”