Fall Into Temptation (Blue Moon #2) (9 page)

Gia and Evan air high-fived each other across the table drawing a laugh from Beckett as he reached for the salad.

“Just like Summer and Carter’s piggies,” Aurora announced, lifting her head and proudly showing off her pizza-stained face.

“I’m really impressed, Rora.” Beckett’s praise had the little girl giggling.

Gia winked at him. “Okay, my little piggy, let’s get you cleaned up before you smear pizza sauce all over Beckett’s nice house.”

“I got her,” Evan said, pushing back his chair. “Come on, Roar.”

“You forgot to ‘fro pizza at Mama,” Aurora reminded him as they pushed through the door to the kitchen. “You’re twelve.”

“I’ll get her next time,” Evan promised his sister.

“Sorry about that,” Gia apologized to Beckett. “Sometimes Evan and I have to get a little creative to make sure she eats enough. She’s easily distracted.”

“They are great kids,” Beckett assured her.

“They really are. For every time I want to lock them in the basement, they’ve made me laugh until my face hurt five times.”

“Sounds like extreme highs and lows,” he commented.

“The bipolar experience of parenting. Is it a pool you plan to dip your toe into someday?” Gia asked.

“I haven’t really given it much thought.”

“A man doesn’t buy a five-bedroom house without giving it a little thought,” Gia countered, nibbling on the rest of her breadstick.

“I bought a one-bedroom house with a man cave, a home gym, a second office, and a sex room.”

Gia laughed. “Oh, I like you, Beckett. And under different circumstances I’d really like to see your sex room.”

She enjoyed his groan. “You’re making me regret doing the right thing.”

“Mission accomplished. Now, the least I can do is your dishes.” She got up from the table and collected the plates.

Beckett followed her with the glasses and utensils. They found a damp Evan mopping up a lake-sized puddle on the floor.

“Sorry, Bucket,” he said. “She got a hold of the sprayer.” Aurora was gleefully dancing around the edges of her self-made water park.

“Say you’re sorry, Aurora, and clean up your own mess,” Gia said sternly.

“Sorry, Bucket,” Aurora chirped with a happy grin, obviously not the least bit apologetic. She took the towel from Evan and sloshed it through the water.

“I promise I’ll actually clean that up,” Gia whispered to Beckett as Aurora splattered water over the bottom cabinets. “Aurora, you owe Evan five minutes of peace and quiet.”

“Yes!” Evan pumped his fist in the air.

“What does Rora get when Evan’s in trouble?”

“Five minutes of playtime,” Evan answered, rolling his eyes.

“Usually tea party or dollies,” Aurora said conversationally as she swiped the sopping wet towel through the puddle that had now spread to the refrigerator.

“Okay. Thank you for cleaning up your mess, Aurora. Can you guys thank Beckett for dinner?”

“Thank you, Bucket.”

“Yeah, thanks, Bucket.”

Beckett ruffled Evan’s hair. “No problem. See you around.”

Gia shooed them out the backdoor. “I’ll be right over,” she told Evan. When the door closed behind them, she grabbed the roll of paper towels on the counter and went to work sopping up the puddle.

“You don’t have to do that,” Beckett said, his voice strained.

Gia scrubbed hard at a stubborn stain she found, a flyaway curl tumbling free. “I don’t think my security deposit covers damage to your home caused by my kids.”

“Seriously, Gianna. I need you to get up.” His voice was low, rough.

Gia sat back on her heels and looked up at him. He was looming over her and he was hard. She could see the impressive length of him as his erection strained against his chinos. “Oh,” she said again.

He grabbed her by the elbows and hoisted her to her feet.

“You should go now,” he said quietly.

But he didn’t let go of her arm.

Gia’s body was on high alert. Every thump of her pulse, every shaky breath was magnified. She felt like prey. Prey willing to be sacrificed in the heat of the chase.

“Red, if you don’t go now, I’m going to pick you up and put you on the counter there.” He nodded toward the space next to the pantry. “Then I’m going to put my hands and my mouth on you until you’re screaming my name.”

Her indrawn breath was a squeak. Never had any man made her feel so desired, so craved, so hunted.

She moved her mouth to speak, yet no words came out.

“Gianna,” he said her name like a threat. “I’m trying to do the right thing.”

“Sorry,” she stammered. “You still have my arms. If you want me to go, you’re going to have to let me.”

Beckett loosened his grip and dropped his hands to his side. She felt his eyes on her as she slipped out the door. She didn’t dare to look back, because if she did, Gia knew she’d beg him to touch her.

She waited until she got to her own front door before turning around. He was there in his open doorway, watching her with an unreadable expression on his perfect face.

Gia brought her fingers to her lips and blew him a kiss before darting into the safety of her home.

G
ia tiptoed
barefoot into Beckett’s office late the following morning and waved a greeting to Ellery.

“Morning, El,” she said, taking in Ellery’s pink skull cardigan.

“Hey, Gia,” Ellery greeted her. “What’s up?”

“Is Beckett around?” She pointed down at her feet. “I think I left my shoes in his kitchen last night.”

“You did,” Beckett said, stepping into the reception area from his office holding her sneakers in his hand.

“Oh, thank God!” Gia sighed with relief. “We got a late start today. I couldn’t sleep last night and forgot to set my alarm. So I had to drive the kids to school and we got all the way to drop-off before I realized that Rora’s lunch was at home and Evan’s gym clothes were still in the dryer. So I had to run back home and — oh, never mind.” She took a breath.

She was babbling. But she couldn’t help it. She’d spent all night tossing and turning, thinking of how it felt to have Beckett’s hands and mouth on her. The lack of sleep had left her a scattered mess. And now he stood before her looking perfect and well rested in another sexy suit.

“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?” he asked.

“Because you’re holding them in your hand.”

Beckett frowned. “These are your only pair of shoes?”

“Of course not!” Gia was indignant. “I just can’t find any of the other ones.”

She was becoming vaguely aware of the fact that Ellery was following their exchange with marked interest and a big grin.

“How messy are you? Do I need to do a walk-thru of your place?” Beckett teased.

“Very funny,” Gia said, glaring at him. “I packed them in a box marked ‘shoes’ and haven’t seen them since. I’m hoping they’re at my dad’s house. It’s on my list.”

“Can you find your list?”

“You’re hilarious for an attorney. Ellery, I don’t know how you get any work done with all the laughing you must do here,” she said, snatching the shoes out of Beckett’s hand. She hurried over to the faded couch against the window and sank down to put on her shoes.

“It’s a laugh a minute around this place,” Ellery quipped.

“Thank you for finding them for me, Beckett. I’ve gotta run. I have a class at noon. El, will I see you tonight?” The words tumbled out in a stream. Apparently knowing what it was like to kiss Beckett had made her even more nervous around him. Great, and now she was blushing furiously.

“I’ll be there,” Ellery said, putting her chin in her hand and grinning.

“Great!” Gia jumped to her feet. “See you then.” She dashed out the door only to pop her head back in a second later. “Bye, Beckett,” she said softly.

* * *

B
eckett watched Gianna leave
. And then watched her hustle off the porch, her red curls streaming behind her.

Ellery cleared her throat twice before he turned back to look at her.

“Sorry. Did you say something?” he asked, snapping back to reality.

“Keys.”

“What?”

“Gia left her keys,” Ellery said, pointing at the couch.

Beckett picked up the Om symbol key ring and twirled it on his finger. “How about I pick up lunch today?” he offered.

“Righteous Subs?” Ellery asked hopefully.

“The usual for me,” he nodded. “Call it in and I’ll be back shortly.”

He missed the curve of Ellery’s black lipstick as he grabbed his wallet and hustled out the door.

Beckett made a quick pit stop at Blakeley’s Hardware before continuing down the block to the yoga studio. As he approached, he spotted a small crowd of people clutching rolled up mats gathered at the front door.

Gianna was on her cellphone frantically pacing in front of the building. She stopped mid-step when she spotted him. Wordlessly, Beckett held up the keys and the smile that bloomed on her flawless face was like sunshine.

“Never mind,” Gianna said into the phone before hanging up. She launched herself at Beckett, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a smacking kiss on his cheek.

He chuckled and lowered her carefully to the ground.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she chanted. “Mr. Mayor saves the day,” she announced to the crowd. He gave a mock bow, acknowledging the cheers and whistles.

Gianna unlocked the front door and started herding students inside.

“Isn’t that lucky that you found Gia’s keys?” Willa said sweetly. Her waterfall of pale blonde hair was pulled back into her trademark braid and she was wearing a Blue Moon Boots tank top.

“I must have left them at his office when I stopped by,” Gianna said cheerfully.

Willa’s curious expression was making Beckett sweat.

“Oh,” Willa smiled. “Were you there on business?”

“Oh, no. I just left my shoes there last night,” Gia answered, holding the door for Willa.

Gianna obviously had no idea the train wreck she was setting into motion, Beckett thought as panic gripped him. It had been funny when it happened to Carter, hilarious even. But to be in the sights of Blue Moon’s diabolical Beautification Committee himself? To be a target of their overt and ridiculous matchmaking attempts?

It was no longer a laughing matter.

“I see,” Willa said, eyes glittering.

“It was just dinner,” Beckett said quickly. “Pizza. We had pizza.” He was babbling. Lawyers didn’t babble. At least, not good ones.

“The kids loved it,” Gia said, beaming up at Beckett.

Beckett wished Gianna would just go inside instead of looking at him like he was some kind of Greek god.

“How sweet,” Willa said. Her phone was already out and he had a sneaking suspicion she had captured Gianna’s greeting on camera. “I guess I’d better get inside. Have a great day, Beckett,” she called over her shoulder.

Beckett felt his blood pressure spike and was about to stop Willa to set the record straight when Summer and Joey jogged down the sidewalk.

“We’re not late, are we?” Summer asked, gasping for air.

“I didn’t know you two were coming!” Gia said. “What a nice surprise! You’re right on time. Just go on in and pick your spots. If you need a mat they’re on the shelves along the wall.”

“She bribed me with lunch,” Joey said, glaring at Summer’s departing back. “You should come, too.”

Gianna blinked. “Well, sure. I’d love to.”

Joey glanced up at Beckett. “You coming?”

He shook his head rapidly from side to side.

“Beckett’s had his fill of yoga for the time being,” Gianna explained, winking up at him. “He suffered through two hot power classes.”

“Hot power yoga?” Joey looked scared.

“Don’t worry,” Gianna reassured her. “Lunch Hour Yoga is a relaxing vinyasa class.” She gently prodded Joey through the door.

“Vin-what-a?”

“Thanks again, Beckett,” Gianna shot him a sweet smile over her shoulder. “You’re my hero of the day.”

He stood rooted to the spot, staring at the glass feeling a mixture of panic and defeat. His phone signaled in his pocket.

“What?”

“That’s not a very Mr. Mayory way to answer the phone,” Carter answered.

“Sorry. I just had a … conversation with Willa.”

His brother’s gleeful chuckle further rankled Beckett. “She works fast. I take it you haven’t seen Facebook yet?” Carter asked.

Beckett swore and pulled the phone away from his ear.

“What am I looking for?” he asked, switching to speakerphone.

“You’ll know it when you see it,” Carter returned cryptically. “I gotta go. Good luck.”

“Good luck?” Beckett muttered.
Good luck with what?

Shit.

Blue Moon’s Gossip Group was faster than a Ferrari on the drag strip. Two minutes ago, someone — presumably Willa — had posted a picture of Gianna in his arms exactly where he stood.

Could Blue Moon have a new first lady? It looks like Beckett Pierce might finally be off the market.

The previous post from the night before announced that Beckett and Gianna were sharing a “quiet family dinner.”

His phone rang again and he bobbled it.

“I didn’t interrupt you two working on your wedding registry, did I?” his younger brother snickered.

“Fuck you, Jax,” Beckett growled. He stalked down the street.

“Now don’t tell me the gossip group got it wrong.”

“There is nothing going on between Gianna and me.”

“Oh,” his brother said innocently. “So you didn’t have dinner last night?”

“It wasn’t a date. The kids were there.”

“A nice, quiet family dinner,” Jax quoted.

“I wish you were here so I could punch you in the face,” Beckett muttered. He crossed the street to cut through the square.

Was it his imagination or was everyone looking at him
? he wondered.

His brother’s laugh told Beckett that his threat wasn’t being taken seriously.

“So if nothing’s going on, what were you doing making out with her on Main Street?” Jax asked.

“She was thanking me for dropping off her keys.”

“That’s a really friendly thank you. I’m starting to feel shorted. Fitz didn’t thank me like that when I picked up the twenty he dropped at Karma Kustard yesterday. How did you end up with her keys?”

“She left them at my place when she stopped to get her shoes,” Beckett snapped.

“She left her shoes at your place?” Jax’s gleeful tone grated Beckett’s last nerve like lemon juice in an open wound.

“Ask him if they’re going steady!” Beckett heard Carter yell in the background.

“Don’t you assholes have farm things to do?”

“We’re multitasking,” Jax snickered.

“Yeah, well, why don’t you multitask someone else? I’m busy.”

“Busy making out in front of a crowd.”

“Nothing is going on!”

“Uh-huh. So you haven’t kissed her?”

“How did you —”

Jax whooped on the other end of the line.

“I hate you both,” Beckett snarled and hung up.