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Moonlight danced across the top of the high grass and crept up the cracked wall in the cells. Beau was glad he had forgotten to bring a flashlight. Mother Nature had set the mood for his tryst with Taylor.
He’d enjoyed flings behind Dawn’s back, but none had been with her circle of friends. This could be an exciting challenge.
“What is this place?”
The ethereal light shimmered in her hair. She glanced at him with a slight crease in her brow. He ignored her concern and pictured how her hair would feel in his hands.
“This is the remains of the seminary school used by some monks. They abandoned it years ago. Just behind The Abbey is the priests’ cells. I’ve got a place in there.”
Right before they reached the fountain with the angel on top, Taylor yanked on his hand, stopping him.
“Are you kidding me? Priests’ cells?”
He hadn’t expected someone from Los Angeles to be as skittish as a high-strung racehorse. He thought West Coast people were mellow.
He put his arm around her. “It’s real cozy and very quiet.”
Her hands twisted and she eased away. “Sounds creepy.”
Instead of getting angry, he remained the picture of calm, honing in on a possible way to make her trust him.
“I know it sounds creepy, but it’s not. I’ve a cot and music, candles and even an ice chest. For me, it’s a place to get away—a sanctuary. I only bring special people here.” He gauged her reaction and decided to give her something to win her over completely—honesty.
Well, she would think it was honest.
“I just want to be alone with you without all the noise and interruptions of the others around. You ever just want to get away from all the bullshit? The constant pressure to be one way, act a certain way. Please your parents, your teachers, your coach—all of it. I get so sick of fighting to be the person they want me to be. So, I created this place where I can be me. Can you understand that?”
She hugged herself and slowly nodded. The aggressive tigress retreated and the quiet girl fighting to fit in came to light.
“I understand a lot better than you think.” Her smile was tentative but genuine. “I didn’t want to move here. I was happy in LA. My dad made us move.”
He inched closer, encouraging her to open up to him. “My dad wants me to take over the family business. No matter how much I hate it.”
She unwound her arms and walked to the fountain. “Yeah, well, your dad is successful. Whereas mine ...”
He detected a slight sniffle as she kept her face hidden in the angel’s long shadow.
He went up to her as she gazed into the black water. Beau placed his hand on her shoulder. “What is it?”
She faced him and the faint light revealed her trembling lips. “I can’t say anything. My dad works for your dad.”
He lifted her chin, antsy to discover her secret. Anything could be twisted and used against her, guaranteeing her complacency.
“They’re not us. What they do has nothing to do with you and me.” He gently kissed her lips. “Whatever it is, it will never affect us.”
Her eyes searched his. “My dad couldn’t get a job in LA. He’s had problems before ... with alcohol. He’s sober now, but his reputation was ruined. That’s why we came here. He needed a fresh start. But I sure didn’t.”
He put his arm around her and crushed her to his chest, feeling empowered. “Your secret is safe with me.” He nodded to the crack in the wall just ahead. “Let’s go inside.”
She slid her arms around his neck. “What does a guy like you see in Dawn Moore? I would never have pegged you for the mousy kind.” She bit his lip. “I’ll bet you like a woman who knows her own mind.”
Unlike other girls who had fallen into his arms because of his name, looks, or money, Taylor offered a different kind of challenge—a mental one. She made the game of seduction a whole lot of fun and gave him a taste of things to come with Leslie.
Done with waiting, he picked her up and her squeals carried across The Abbey grounds. Hiking her over his shoulder, he pressed on for the crack in the cell walls.
He remembered the first time he’d stumbled on the opening. Crammed with cobwebs and dead leaves, the numerous cracks in the walls had given him pause about the integrity of the site, but the dilapidated condition had a plus side—no one would ever venture there. It would be his place, untouched by others.
The first girls he had brought there balked at the conditions; after a few days of cleaning, and some homey touches, they seemed more intrigued than put off.
At the narrow opening, he put Taylor down. “Stay here and I will get some light, so you can see where you’re going.”
She stubbornly crossed her arms and turned her lips downward. “You want me to stay out here alone?”
He kissed her, biting her bottom lip. “There’s nothing out here that can hurt you. The only person to fear is me.”
Taylor relaxed, and her arms fell to her sides. “I don’t scare easily.”
Oh, yeah. He liked her. “I’m counting on it.”
Beau ducked inside the wall, pulling a slow-moving Taylor behind him. The blackness of the cells took a moment to adjust too, then ribbons of moonlight seeped in through cracks in the wall, allowing just enough light to help him make his way.
He crept along, keeping a firm hold on her hand until a remnant of light caught on the metal frame of his cot.
He let her go. “Wait here.”
In the room, he shuffled across the floor to where he’d left the candles on top of his ice chest. Feeling around the uneven surface, he found the box of matches.
The brilliant flare of light took a second to get used to.
He lifted one of the candles and checked the contents of his cell. Everything was where he’d left it.
“Are you sure this is okay?” She came inside, inspecting the room.
He went to his cot and reached underneath where he kept his CD player and a flashlight. “Everything’s fine.”
She caressed the cracks along the doorway. “How’d you find this place?”
“One of the first parties I attended at the river was when I made the varsity football team as a backup quarterback. I got bored when everyone got drunk and went exploring. When I found the opening in the wall, I decided to check it out and discovered this.” He flipped on the flashlight and pointed it around the room. “Cool, huh?”
She nodded, not appearing as enthused about the locale as he was. “It has potential.”
Done with waiting for her, he put down the flashlight. “I promise you will grow to love it. I’m going to give you the night of your life in this very room.”
Taylor faced him, her apprehension all but gone, her lips spread into a wide grin. “I like the sound of that.”
He flipped her around, curled into her back, and wrapped her in his arms. He kissed her neck as he ran his hands up and down her chest. He liked the feel of her. She had curves and sweet-smelling skin.
His kisses became more urgent, and then he bit her neck, hoping she liked it.
Taylor sighed, sounding bored. “Is that the best you can do?” She turned around. “I thought you were into playing hard to get.”
Beau pinned her arms behind her. “I always play hard.”
She rocked her hips into his crotch. “Then play hard with me.”
The request did more than excite him; it freed him. The girls he’d known didn’t ask for it rough. They wanted sweet and gentle, the way Dawn always liked it. But this was an invitation to be who he really was; to let the true Beau out and allow him to run wild.
“Are you sure you want the real me?”
Taylor tilted her head. “The real you?” Her lips lingered temptingly in front of his. “Yes. I want to see who’s hiding behind that popular, rich boy persona you do so well.”
He tightened his grip on her wrists, squeezing just enough to hurt. “Then let’s have some fun.”
She wiggled against him. “Hey, no bruises.” She got her hands free and pushed him away, not hard, but hard enough to make him angry. “We’re gonna do this my way.”
Like a rubber band pulled to the breaking point, his self-control snapped. Beau gave in to his rage.
“No, we’re gonna do this my way.” He picked her up and threw her to the ground.
She hit the floor and immediately looked up at him. Fear—dark, cold, and brutal—widened her eyes. The thrill of seeing her huddled on the floor, no longer the assertive flirty girl, her terror charging the air in the room, made him hard.
This is my kind of fun.
He crawled on top of her. “Let me explain something to you. You’re in my world now. I own you, your family, your reputation, all of it. After I’m done with you, we’ll see if you’re still in the mood for games.”
He tore at her blouse, ripping the silky material to shreds.
“Get off me!” Taylor tried to crawl backward to get away from him.
Beau held her down and struggled to get her bra off when she punched him in the stomach.
He used the back of his hand to slap her across the face. “Hard enough for ya?”
The sound of her head smacking against the floor sent a satisfying tingle through him.
She quieted down, rolling her head around, groaning.
He got her bra off and used it to tie her hands behind her. Then he dragged her across the floor to the wall.
She struggled a little when he lifted her onto the cot and secured her hands on the sealed off pipes jutting from the wall above.
Taylor glanced up at the pipe holding her and fought to free her hands.
He slapped her again, determined for her to comply. “You had the opportunity to do this the easy way. Now you’ll do it my way.”
Beau wrestled her jeans and underwear over her ankles. He noted the way her blue eyes bulged as her exasperation turned to abject horror. He even found the blush of her cheeks attractive.
“Stop it!” She writhed beneath him.
“Scream all you want; no one will hear you.” He licked her cheek, tasting her sweat and fear. “You’re mine. I’m going to make sure you never forget tonight.”
Taylor fought against him, kicking at his head. Aroused by her spirit, he snapped up her underwear and shoved it in her mouth so he could have fun without bite marks.
He backhanded her one more time, and she crumpled against the cot. Beau laughed and patted her cheek, eager to make sure she was awake when he took what he wanted.
When he spread her legs apart, Taylor stopped fighting him. He didn’t like that. He wanted her to struggle like he’d pictured Leslie would.
She turned her head and closed her eyes as he put on a condom. Then he slammed into her. He thought she would whimper or at least make a noise, but she didn’t. So he did it hard to make sure it hurt.
When he was done, Beau untied her hands and took the underwear out of her mouth.
Tears stained her cheeks, and a trickle of blood ran down her lower lip. Every muscle in her body quivered. Her whimpering echoed around the room, adding to his sense of achievement. He’d shown her his true self, and she’d been too weak to take it.
His Leslie wouldn’t have acted like such a blubbering mess. She would have looked up at him with her surly eyes and begged for more.
“If you mention this to anyone, you’ll lose more than that fine ass of yours. I’ll make sure your father gets fired, and his reputation as a drunk smeared across the country. No one will ever hire him again.” He tossed her shirt in her face, and she flinched. “And when I come to you wanting another go, you will give it to me, without the struggle.” He grinned. “Well, not completely without it. I liked it when you fought back.”
Taylor grabbed her jeans and bra. With her hands trembling, she held her torn shirt to her chest and stood from the cot.
“Go on. Find your way back to the party. And don’t let the dogs get you. They hunt around The Abbey at night.”
Her bloodshot eyes glared at him.
“Oh, I forgot to mention the wild dogs roaming the grounds.” He smiled, taunting her. “You’d better make a run for it. They’ll make a meal of you.”
She didn’t even put on her clothes before running out of the room.
Beau stayed behind, blew out the candles and straightened up. The rush of power, the pure pleasure coursing through his veins, was better than the sex. More uplifting than the strongest opioid—he would have to have it again.
Once the blanket was neatly folded, and order restored to his little room, Beau put his flashlight back under the cot and quickly checked the corridor outside.
Quiet. Not a sound slipped through the night.
The air was crisp and not chilly against his sweaty skin when he stepped out from the opening in the wall. He felt strong, powerful, and like a king.
He returned to the isolated scrap of beach where he’d left Dawn sleeping. She was in the same position—on her side with her hand tucked under her chin. He settled in next to her. How could he go from so much fun in the cells to this?
With a sigh, he spooned behind her, his arm around her shoulders.
She stirred at his touch and rolled over.
“What happened?” She pressed her hand to her head.
“You just had a few too many.” He patted her shoulder, already bored. “I’ve been here watching over you the whole time. Do you know you look like an angel when you sleep?”
Dawn rubbed her eyes, smudging her black mascara. “Did I miss anything? I mean, did we have a good time before I passed out?”
He sometimes wondered why he put up with her heavy makeup and lackluster mind, but through her, he was getting closer to what he really wanted.
“We had a great time.” He sat up, wiping the sand from his long-sleeved shirt. “One of the best evenings I can remember.”
“I’m glad you’re pleased.” Dawn snuggled into Beau’s shoulder.
The weight on his shoulder got heavier.
He shrugged. “Dawn?”
She didn’t move.
He put his arm around her. The play of moonlight on the water brought back a memory of the terror shining in Taylor’s eyes.
Why was hurting her so much fun?
The rush of power awakened something in him.
He glimpsed Dawn’s silky hair tucked against his chest. Would she like it rough with him? She would do anything to please him, and he could try different things with her to see what he liked. The surprise, the fire in Taylor, had made the sex worthwhile. He wondered how to introduce Dawn to new things. Might be worth looking into.
The chill in the air slipped under his shirt. Beau grew restless. He needed to get back to his party.
“Baby, get up.” He nudged her shoulder. “I have to get you home before your curfew.”
Dawn sat up, a little woozy. “Mom doesn’t mind if you bring me home late.”
He stood and tugged her to her feet. “No, but your dad minds. And I don’t want him to think less of me.”
Dawn tossed her arms around his neck. “I’m the luckiest girl in the world.”
Beau loosened her suffocating grip. “Lean on me.”
He guided her off the beach and helped her through the thick brush back to the path, leading to the party.
The music pounded in his ears by the time they returned. Couples danced in the water, some with clothes, some in their underwear. He checked the tubs of beer and wasn’t surprised to find most of the stuff already gone.
Beau negotiated Dawn through the crowds gathered around the bonfires to stave off the cold. She stayed tucked into his side, not putting up any protest.
He had to help her up the slim path. Her footing wasn’t so good on the slope, and she slipped on the pine needles twice, but he caught her in his arms before she hit the ground. He carried her the rest of the way, gazing down at her raccoon eyes as she tucked her head against his chest.
There were times he did find her appealing. Like a lost puppy in need of love.
When he reached the clearing, Beau searched for his BMW. Thank goodness he wasn’t blocked in by other cars.
He set Dawn in her seat. Her head wobbled, and she leaned back, closing her eyes.
“I feel sick.”
Beau cursed under his breath. “Don’t puke in my car. I’ll leave the door open while I’m gone.”
She grabbed the sleeve of his T-shirt. “Where are you going?”
He pried her fingers off, hating when she got clingy. It reminded him of his mother when she drank too much.
“I got to find Josh and Mitch and tell them I’m taking you home. They can catch a ride with someone else.”
Dawn wiped her hand over her face. “I should tell Taylor I’m leaving with you. She gave me and Zoe a ride here.”
He patted her shoulder and stood. With no intention of finding Taylor, he said, “I’ll let her know. I’m sure she’s still at the party.”
Her head rolled to the side, and he guessed she had fallen back to sleep. Good. He didn’t need her getting together with Taylor, but he believed the girl would be too afraid to tell Dawn anything.
Intimidation would keep her quiet. It worked on everyone else in town.
Beau left Dawn and headed back to the beach. He wished he could stay, but he had to get her home. He made it a point never to give her father any reason to doubt his integrity. The last thing he needed was John Moore speaking to his father.
His feet hit the sand at the edge of the beach and he set out for the bonfires, checking out the faces lit up by the flames. He found several members of his football team, all pairing off with girls, but there was no sign of Mitch or Josh. At the picnic tables, he searched the revelers gathered there. Some were sober, most were drunk. A few lay passed out in the sand or strewn across the picnic tables.
No discipline.
He found Mitch and rushed up to him. A redheaded cheerleader from Dawn’s squad was all over Mitch, but his friend’s glassy eyes and clumsy movements bothered Beau more than the girl.
“Hey, there.” Mitch slapped his shoulder. “Where you been?”
Beau pulled his arm off the girl and dragged him away. “Have you seen Taylor?”
Mitch nodded. “Wise choice, my friend.”
Beau checked a few picnic tables around them. “No, I was just wondering if she’s still here. Dawn got a ride with her, and I’m taking her home. I just wanted to let Taylor know.”
Josh stumbled onto their spot, hooking his arm around Mitch’s waist. “Dudes. Great party, huh?” He then fell to his knees, gripping a can of beer.
Mitch giggled like a little girl as he pointed at Josh.
“You’re drunk.”
Beau snatched Josh by the shoulders to keep him from tumbling forward. “Josh, have you seen Taylor?”
Josh’s face sobered. “Yeah. I saw her headin’ to her car a while ago. She was upset about ripping up her shirt. She said she got caught on a branch or somethin’.”
Beau contained his grin. He loved being right about people. “Can you guys get home without me? I need to see to Dawn.”
Mitch waved his hand and almost fell backward. “We’ll be fine.”
Idiots! Why do I waste my time?
He knew why. They were part of the Beau Devereaux package. He’d spent years meticulously cultivating his outward persona—the good student, considerate son, best friend, football star, and respectful hometown boy. Suddenly the self-restraint he had fought so hard to maintain had slipped, and an addicting outlet for his ever-present rage had presented itself. From now on, the parties at the river wouldn’t give him the thrill they once had.
Beau headed back to the parking lot, wearing an exuberant grin.
I’ve found a much better game to play.
