Mia wasn't sure what to wear. Was this a casual get-together, or was it a date-date? Should she wear a dress? They were just going to be watching the basketball game, right?
She eventually settled on a nice pair of jeans and a sweater, hoping that she wasn't under dressed.
Promptly at 7:00, there was a knock on her apartment door. Mia took a deep breath and went over to answer the door. When she saw Beau standing there in a pair of jeans and a casual polo shirt, she couldn't help but smile. Not only was he smoking hot, he also was dressed similarly to her, which made her feel more relaxed.
"Wow-you look amazing," he said, bringing color to her cheeks. "You are so beautiful."
"Thank you. You look nice, too," Mia said, giving him a hug. He smelled just as good as he looked-a hint of spice and the woods. His arms around her were comforting, and she didn't want him to let go. But she had to if they were going to his house. "Let me grab my bag."
His arms lingered around her for a moment, as if he didn't want to let her go either, but eventually, he let go, his fingertips trailing along her waist and causing a ripple of pleasure to shoot up her spine.
Mia grabbed her bag and her keys and then took the hand Beau offered, pausing at the door to lock it. The feel of his fingers intertwined in hers as they headed down the hall brought a smile to her face. It seemed natural, as if they were meant to be together.
In the backseat of his limo, they talked about the Bulls. Conversation flowed between them. Mia couldn't remember ever feeling so relaxed with a man before. It was as if she'd known Beau her entire life.
But when they pulled up in front of his house, her mouth fell open and she realized she didn't have as much in common with the man as she'd imagined.
It was a mansion, to say the least. She shouldn't have been too surprised. She'd seen Beau's net worth online. Still, she wasn't expecting the mammoth, sprawling structure she saw before her. It looked like something out of a movie, with two wings off of the main part of the house, complete with a wide porch and columns. She loved the Italian style and all of the beautiful plants which were each illuminated with ground lights.
The driver pulled up in front of the door and some other person, she assumed a butler or something, was waiting to open the door for them. Mia stepped out and moved aside so Beau could get out, but her mouth was still agape.
"I, uh... let my mother help me pick it out," Beau said, sheepishly.
"It's beautiful," she said, still taking it all in. She could only imagine what it would look like on the inside.
"Thanks," Beau said, his face slightly pink. Gesturing to the man who had opened the door, Beau said, "This is William. He does everything for me. I'd be lost without him." He wasn't quite as tall as Beau and had graying hair and a kind smile.
"It's nice to meet you," Mia said, offering her hand.
He took it and bowed his head. "Likewise, dear. Please, right this way. I have prepared dinner."
Mia was surprised they'd be having dinner. That hadn't been clear to her, but since she'd been too nervous to eat before the date, she was glad they'd have something.
The inside of Beau's house was just as beautiful as the outside. The door opened into a wide foyer with a sweeping staircase. Everything was decorated immaculately. They walked past a large dining room into a spacious kitchen where a spread of fried chicken, potato salad, and chips was displayed, along with a platter of chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
A giggle escaped her lips. "This is awesome!" she said.
"Well, Mr. Beau said that he thought you might prefer something... less fancy than, say the restaurant last night."
She looked at Beau who shrugged at her. "Yes, this is definitely more my style."
"You can fit in in any situation, Mia."
They fixed their plates and had a wonderful conversation about their lives growing up while they ate the most delicious fried chicken Mia had ever tasted.
After dinner, Beau led her upstairs to a massive movie room. Three rows of plush, reclining chairs faced a large screen. It was like being in a private cinema.
The game was just starting as they sat down side by side to watch. While they were both interested in watching the game, they also continued their conversation. Mia must've laughed a hundred times as Beau told stories about growing up in high society when he really didn't feel like he fit in.
At half-time, William brought them popcorn and refilled their drinks. Mia was drinking wine coolers and thought she needed to slow down a little, but she was having such a great time, she never wanted the game to end.
Once it did, though, she wasn't ready to go home, but she was ready to see what the look in Beau's eyes meant. He'd been holding her hand for most of the game, and once it was over, he turned to her, and smiled. Lifting his hand, he ran his fingertips along her cheek. "You're so beautiful, Mia. Thank you for coming with me."
He still smelled so good, she moved closer to him, wishing there were no arms between them on the recliners. "I had the best time," she assured him with a smile. "I'm so glad you invited me."
Reaching over, Beau wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Mia shut her eyes in anticipation of his kiss. His breath was warm as it caressed her cheek, and then, his soft lips enveloped hers, gently at first, but then the tip of his tongue played along her bottom lip, pressing her to open.
She did, with a hunger she couldn't rein in. Mia plunged her tongue into his mouth, her fingers twining in his hair to pull him closer. Beau let out a small gasp and then a chuckle, but Mia couldn't let it dissuade her. He tasted so good and the feel of his rough tongue against hers had her head spinning.
With one fluid motion, Beau pulled her across the armrests an onto his lip. Now, it was Mia's turn to be surprised she pulled her mouth away for a moment to let out an exhale, but then is mouth found hers again, and she let the passion she'd been feeling inside of her since the first time they met envelop her.
Beau's hand slid beneath her sweater, and trailed up her side, igniting the flesh beneath his fingers. When his hand reached the barrier of her bra, and his thumb pressed against the bottom of her breast, Mia instinctively pulled back and looked at him.
Beau pulled his hand away immediately. "I'm sorry-are you okay?"
Feeling her face flush from embarrassment, Mia said, "Yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--."
"No, it's okay. I'm going too fast. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Sitting on his lap, she could tell he wanted it to go even further, but she knew she wasn't quite ready for that, even if the ache between her legs said otherwise. "No, it's fine. You didn't. I mean... it's just that...."
He was looking at her with such innocence in his wide blue eyes. "What is it, Mia?"
She swallowed hard, thinking she could trust him, but it was such a huge revelation. She finally just let it out. "I'm a virgin."
"You're a... virgin?" he repeated, his mouth dropping open for a second. "You?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mia asked, tipping her head to the side and looking at him sideways. What was he implying? Did he think she was easy or something?
"No, I didn't mean anything bad by it. It's only... you're so beautiful, Mia. It's just hard to believe that someone as gorgeous as you has never... been with a man."
Realizing she'd taken his comment the wrong way, she felt her face redden again. "Oh, well... I don't date much. I had a boyfriend in college, but my mom got sick before too much happened, and then he never came to visit me. So...." She stopped talking there was nothing more to say.
Beau adjusted beneath her, resting his hand on her thigh. "Thank you for telling me, Mia. I can definitely respect that and take things as slowly as you'd like. But I am concerned about Sam."
She could see that concern in his blue eyes, which now looked stormy. "Why is that?"
"Because... if he finds out, it's going to drive him crazy until he... has you."
She swallowed hard. "Do you think so?"
"I know so. You already drive him crazy. Right now, he's just asking you to do the things he's requiring of you because he's attempting to see how long he can deprive himself so that, when he finally allows himself to touch you, it's even more sensual for him. He will move on to touching you. You do know that, right?"
Mia slowly nodded. She had figured as much.
"And you're okay with that?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I can't quite describe how I feel about it, Beau, if I'm honest. Your brother is so different from you, different from everyone I know. Besides, it's my job."
"But it doesn't have to be. I can get you another job. I can give you another job."
Mia blew out a hot breath, not knowing how to explain to Beau that she wasn't ready for that. What would he think of her if he knew that she was secretly excited about the idea that Sam would touch her, and since he was her boss, there was nothing she could do to stop him? "I'll just... take it one day at a time," she finally said.
She watched his eyes fall. "Okay." It was almost a whisper. "What about me?"
"What about you?" she asked, giving him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Do you still want to see me?"
"Of course," she said, running her hand through his hair where it fell slightly over his eyes.
"Good. Because I'm becoming addicted to you, Mia. And I don't know how to let you go."