Filthy Beautiful Love (8 page)

"Like a fucking rock." He plants a kiss to my temple. "Thank God you’re back."

I wrap my arms around his waist and exhale softly as he pulls me into his arms and holds me tight. Seeing him all buttoned up in his suit and tie makes me want to mess him up, undress him and do naughty things – right here in the kitchen.

"You said today was the day…" I lift my face into his neck and whisper against his ear, letting the words linger between us. The promise of sex later has my body entirely too aware of his nearness, his scent.

Colton’s mouth tugs up in a playful smirk. "Fuck, Soph…"

I toy with the hem of my t-shirt and see his gaze drop south.  Dressed in just an old gray t-shirt, and I’ve never felt sexier. I lift the shirt, revealing the fact I’m not wearing any panties, when Colton suddenly clears his throat, looking uncomfortable.

"What?" I ask.

He releases a sigh. "Marta’s here."

Disappointment courses through me and I almost groan in frustration. I drop the hem of the shirt, covering myself once again and peek around Colton to the kitchen window, which has a direct view of the driveway. Her little red sports car is parked in the drive, but she’s nowhere to be found.
Weird
.

"I’m going to get dressed," I say and leave him in the kitchen. Call me old fashioned, but when one of Colton’s employees is here, I figure I should at least be wearing panties. I draw the line at removing his t-shirt though and just add undergarments and a pair of yoga pants before heading back downstairs.

I run into Marta in the hall outside of one of the guest rooms.

"Sophie?" She sounds surprised and her eyebrows rise as she takes me in.

"Hi." I peek around her and see several suitcases in the guest room and stray articles of clothing on the bed. What in the hell? I don’t understand what’s going on, but rather than stay and chat with Marta, I want to talk to Colton. I head straight for the kitchen.

"Marta looks pretty cozy upstairs."

"She’s going to be staying here," he says, without further explanation.

"Why? Doesn’t she have her own place?" If he gives me some speech about companionship or the house being empty, I am going to lose it. I was already suspicious about what all their relationship entailed and after his marriage fiasco I couldn’t handle anymore bombshells of information being dropped on me at the moment.

"She has a rat infestation in her building and her condo is being restored. It’s just for a few days or so."

Rats? Ew. "Okay."

"What’s wrong? You seem upset."

"She just seemed surprised to see me here, like she didn’t know I was back in the picture."

He shrugs. "You just came back yesterday. I haven’t gotten around to telling her yet."

His response makes sense, I just don’t like the idea that with Colton newly single, Marta’s wasted no time in moving herself in. And judging by the three giant suitcases she brought with her, she’s planning on being here for more than just a couple of days.

Marta chooses that exact moment to enter the kitchen and help herself to a coffee mug from the cupboard. I know it’s irrational, but her familiarity with this man and his home bugs me. "Ready for work, boss? We can ride in together." She treats him to a wide smile.

Colton gives me a peck on the lips and his eyes implore mine to let it go before he turns to face Marta. "Actually, I figured we’d probably be working different hours, so we’d drive in separate."

"No, that’s okay. I don’t mind if you have to work late, I’m game for whatever.  Plus, it’ll be a good time for us to catch up. I can bring you up to speed on the renovations I have planned for the pool house."

"What renovations to the pool house?" I inquire.

"Colton didn’t tell you?"

I shake my head.

"One of the pumps malfunctioned and the pool house flooded. I’ve taken over redecorating it since … never mind." Marta smiles coyly, sharing a secret look with Colt.

"Since what?" I ask.

She shrugs. "Since Stella is the one who decorated it and I didn’t think the purple and gold décor went with Colton’s taste, I figured it was time for a makeover."

Colton slides his warm palm against my limp one, a gesture meant to calm and reassure me. I have no idea why I’m acting so territorial over a man I’m not even sure is mine, but seeing Marta here this morning has all my senses on high alert. If I am going to have an actual relationship with Colton, I need the women of his past to stop showing up here unannounced. I make a mental note to ask Colton for details about his relationship with Marta.

I stand near the front door in my pajamas and watch as Colton and Marta climb into her little red sports car. They pull out of the gated driveway and onto the road and the sound of blaring music lingers until they disappear from sight.

I sigh and shut the door. My new life is going to take some getting used to.

Chapter Seven

Colton

As a successful entrepreneur who runs two companies, who regularly deals with top executives and negotiates with fierce competitors, I find it almost laughable how worked-up one small girl, dressed only in my t-shirt can get me. As Marta drives my thoughts drift to Sophie, as they often do.

I type out a text message to her.

I miss you already.

Her reply is almost instant.

Miss you more.

I smile and type out my reply.
We’ll have fun tonight.

You promise?

Her response makes me chuckle.

All you can handle, sweetness.

"So, Sophie’s back?" Marta asks, adjusting the volume of the radio down and pulling my attention away from my phone.

I’m detecting a hint of jealously stewing between them – something I need to put a stop to right the fuck now.

"Yes, she’s moved back in – for good, I hope."

Marta lowers her sunglasses and looks over at me. "Wow. That’s a big step."

"Indeed," I confirm. "I’m crazy about her, Marta, and I need to know that you understand that. You and I have a complicated past, but that’s where it needs to stay – in the past."

"I see." I detect a hint of disappointment in her voice.

I can’t say I’m surprised by her reaction, I’ve long suspected she’s wanted more with me.

"I value you as a friend, and an employee, but Sophie’s a game changer for me. In fact, I’m finally dealing with Stella."

"I get it, Colt." Her voice takes on a slightly exasperated tone. "Things were over between us long before Sophie came into the picture. And I’m a big girl. I can deal."

"I know you can. Thank you for that." I’m glad that she seems to understand. The last thing I’d want is for things to get weird between her and Sophie. Or between her and I for that matter.

"Besides, it was only a few times," she remarks.

We both gaze out at the road and I sense that she’s recalling the few times we were intimate with vivid detail.

"It’s in the past," I confirm.
I just hope it stays there.
Marta doesn’t respond. "It’s all but forgotten, right?"

She lets out a short chuckle. "I wouldn’t go that far, Colton. I don’t think I’ll forget anytime soon that you’re the biggest man I’ve ever been with or how harsh and commanding you can be when you’re aroused."

Our encounters aren’t as memorable in my recollections. I only recall that in the months after Stella left, I was depressed and lonely. Marta was there and willing and I allowed her to take the edge off a few times, but we never had sex. "I’m serious about this, Marta. If you make things difficult for Sophie, or if you dredge up things from the past..."

She turns to me sharply. "Relax, boss. Leave me with my fond memories and I promise not to say anything."

We share a tense ride to work and I make a mental note to tell Sophie everything tonight when I return home. Now that she’s back and trusting in me to do the right thing, I won’t have something so inconsequential ruining our progress.

***

The day drags by at a snail’s pace as I anticipate my evening with Sophie. My brothers break up the afternoon by surprising me with lunch. Things at work have been so busy that I’ve been pushing off our weekly lunch date. Today they take no chances, bursting into my office with my assistant trailing behind them apologetically.

"They just barged in, sir," he says, looking troubled.

"It’s okay, David."

My assistant, David, is a bit of a nerdy and frail type, and I got the sense he’s overwhelmed in the presence of my brothers. But he’s the best assistant I’ve ever had so I won’t admonish him for the interruption.

"You’ve gotta eat," Pace says, holding up a bag of takeout from one of my favorite sushi restaurants. "And I need an update on what’s going on with sweet Sophie."

He had flown to Italy with me on a whim, so perhaps I did owe him an update. "Is there a spicy tuna roll in that bag?" I ask.

He nods and begins removing the containers of food.

I join him and Collins at the large marble table in the center of my office.

"So?" Collins ask. "Was your impromptu trip to Italy wasted? Or did you get the girl?

"Sophie’s moved back in," I confirm.

"Fuck yeah." Pace’s wide smile lights up his entire face. He’s always worn his emotions directly on his sleeve. It’s both a blessing and curse. He’s a real estate developer, so his gregarious personality often helps him win over clients, but can be a hindrance when he’s negotiating big deals. All the cards are face up on the table with him. You can see every fleeting thought passing through his brain.  

"And Stella?" Collins asks.

My older brother has been riding me for years about divorcing her. Even though he’s only two years older, he’s always acted more like a father-figure to both me and Pace. "I signed the papers."

Pace jumps to his feet. "Holy fucking shit! We need some goddamn champagne up in this bitch."

"Sit the fuck down," I grumble, but am unable to hide the crooked smile lifting one corner of my mouth. "Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s about fucking time."

"I’m so fucking glad Sophie’s in your life," Collins says, helping himself to some of the pickled ginger on my plate. It's obvious he attributes her presence in my life to this change. And of course, he's right.

"We need to celebrate, bro. Seriously," Pace says.

"It’s not a horrible idea. A big bash to mark your freedom from the mega bitch," Collins says, chewing thoughtfully.

"Drop it, boys. I’ve signed the papers and sent them over to my lawyer. That’s celebration enough." No need to celebrate the anal raping my bank account is getting just to pay her to go away.

We eat in comfortable silence for several minutes. At the lull in conversation, my mind automatically wanders to Sophie and what will happen tonight when I get home.

"Marta’s single, right?" Pace asks, popping a piece of sushi into his mouth.

"Why do you ask?" I inquire, folding a napkin across my lap.

"She looks like she could use a good hard ride." He grins.

I set down my chopsticks. "Don’t fuck my employees. Why is that so hard for you to understand?"

He rolls his eyes. "Fuck, dude. You’re worse than a woman. First you curse me out for trying to get with Sophie’s sister Becca, and now you’re whining about me noticing Marta’s pert little ass."

"I’m not whining. I’m pointing out that surely your pickup skills extend beyond the couple of women in my inner circle that I’d prefer not get fucked over by you and then come crying to me. I know your history with women, asshole."

Collins chimes in, coming to my defense. "He’s right, dipshit, your track record is zero and what a hundred?"

"What the hell does that mean?" Pace momentarily stops chewing.

"You’ve had zero successful monogamous relationships and over a hundred sexual partners," Collins says.

Pace shrugs. "I stopped keeping track once I reached the triple digits."

"Listen, asshole. I told you. Marta works for me, so don’t fuck her. And in regards to Becca, she has cancer. She doesn’t need any additional stress in her life from someone who will hit it once and walk away. Not to mention she’s my girl’s sister. If you deflower her and then pull a disappearing act, I’d have to deal with the fallout."

He sulks, sinking deeper into his chair, but doesn’t retort.

Collins and I share a quick look of triumph.

I have no idea if Becca’s a virgin, like Sophie is, and it doesn’t matter. I don’t want Pace anywhere near her. His history with women is deplorable.

"Is Sophie still a virgin?" Pace asks.

"Not for long," I confirm.

Chapter Eight

Sophie

When Colton and Marta arrive home, I’m showered, dressed and waiting in the kitchen, just opening a bottle of white wine and setting out long-stemmed glasses. I frown looking down at the third glass on the island.
Three’s a crowd.

When they enter the kitchen, Marta excuses herself, immediately going upstairs to change, leaving Colton and I all alone.
Bliss
. I’ve been waiting for this moment all damn day, and I don’t feel like I can wait a minute longer.

He stalks over to me, looking delectable in his suit. I might have exercised restraint this morning when I barely avoided tearing it off of him, but I will show no such patience tonight.

Without saying a single word, his hands cup my cheeks and he pulls my face to his, pressing his lips to mine and giving me a long kiss. When he pulls away, I’m dizzy and filled with longing. 

"How was your day?" I ask.

"Way too fucking long. I missed you," he says.

I feel the exact same way. "Would it be rude if we skipped dinner and went straight to bed?" I think about the plates in the warming tray that Beth has left for all three of us. Apparently the household staff knew Marta was staying here. Of course, as his personal assistant, Marta probably told them.