He shrugged. “I got a date without any effort, and she was guaranteed to put out.”
“A mistake. Clearly, I forgot to teach you that women need to be charmed. If you want to keep one, the quality time you share out of bed is important, Ken. An art gallery? Really? Watching a round of golf would be more entertaining.”
“It was a BDSM exhibit.” He paused. “I had to know her reaction. I had to know if there was any chance…”
“Ah. And what did Heavenly think about kinky art?”
“Mixed bag, but mostly positive. She’s got a few surprisingly edgier fantasies buried deep down.” Those kept niggling at him.
“Don’t we all?” Gloria chuckled. “Be specific.”
“Either being helpless at the mercy of a Master or being forced into that position flips her switch. I need more information to know for sure.”
“Intriguing. So what’s next?”
“Well, the Disney date proved we have chemistry and made her more comfortable with me outside the hospital. The art exhibit told me exactly what she’d respond to sexually…and probably gave her more than an inkling about what I want from her.”
“Inkling?” Gloria snorted. “Unless she’s stupid, you beating her ass with a paddle that reads I’M A SADIST would have been more subtle.”
“Funny. Now I just have to know how much she trusts me, so I’ll know how far and how fast I can take her.”
“How do you plan to do that?”
“Something unexpected,” he replied cryptically.
“Do I need to warn her?”
“Nope. It’ll be a surprise.”
“You’re being awfully cautious…and you’re overanalyzing the situation. Heavenly is the one. You know that, don’t you?”
“I want her to be.” He sighed and stared at the rug between his feet, gathering his thoughts. “I think she is…but I can’t say for sure yet. She’s got a lot of secrets. Then again, so do I. It’s too soon to spring everything on her. Hell, I still haven’t kissed her yet.”
Gloria’s mouth dropped open. “Even after two dates? Do we need to talk about the birds and the bees, Ken?”
“Hey, I’m wading through uncharted territory here. Like you said, I’ve never had to romance a woman,” he grumbled. “My gut tells me if I screw up with Heavenly, I may not get a second chance. At least Seth is back in New York, and I have all the time in the world. Patience…not as much. But I’m digging deep. She’s worth it.”
She gave him a sleepy smile. “It’s good to see you finally in love.”
Beck opened his mouth to argue, but it was pointless. First, because Gloria had already dozed off again. Second, because she was probably right.
Fuck.
As the sun set, he was still mentally gnawing on the L word. Buddy staggered out of the bedroom and headed straight to the coffeepot.
“Morning.” Beck chuckled.
“I don’t know how Gloria keeps these vampire hours.” Buddy shook his head, obviously trying to clear it. “Maybe she should retire.”
“Good luck convincing her of that.”
“I think I know how.” He took a long sip of coffee and even longer to swallow it down. Finally, Buddy raised his head. “I’d like to marry your wife.”
“Well, she’ll need to be my ex-wife first, but…we’re going to work on that. Have you asked her yet?”
“No. I figured I should talk to you first since…”
“I’m technically her husband?” Beck couldn’t help but grin. “We sound fucked up.”
“Yeah.”
He clapped Buddy on the shoulder. “Go get her, man. But you better make her happy or I’ll have to hurt you.”
Gloria’s boyfriend laughed. “I got it. Thanks.”
Twenty minutes later, the groom-to-be helped Gloria into a kitchen chair. She thanked him with a smile and a kiss. Beck sat across from the lovebirds.
“Ken, I really appreciate you dropping everything to take care of me. But you’ve been here for two weeks, and I’m feeling much better.”
“It’s no problem. I’d do anything for you.”
“I know. And you mean the world to me, but…Buddy and I want some alone time. And, well, you’re cramping our style.”
Beck raised a brow. “You’re kicking me out?”
“Think of it as me letting you get back to your life. To Heavenly.”
“Uh-huh. You just want to fuck Buddy’s brains out.”
“Yep.” She grinned.
Buddy choked on his steak, then tried to recover. “I’ll take good care of her, now that she’ll let me. I popped the question a few minutes ago and she said yes.”
Gloria flashed a modest engagement solitaire and a beaming smile.
“Congratulations!” Beck hugged Gloria, then clapped Buddy on the shoulder.
“Thanks,” the other man continued. “I’ll be moving in with Gloria. And I’m going to take her to the ‘office’ with me tomorrow night. Her girls are missing her something fierce.”
“Don’t scowl at me, Ken.” Gloria shook her finger. “There’s a bed in my apartment. I can convalesce there as easily as I can here. But you need to worry about your own problems. I’ve kept you from your job, your life, and your girl long enough.”
“I wanted to ensure you got the best medical care. And I knew I’d have to stand over you to make your stubborn ass follow doctor’s orders.”
“Stubborn?”
“I know you too well.”
“True. I’m glad we got everything straightened out. After dinner, you can pack your shit and go back to LA so Buddy and I can get naked.”
Beck pinned the other man with a pointed stare. “You sure you know what you’re getting yourself into with her?”
Buddy settled a delighted smile on Gloria. “I do.”
After dinner, Beck packed, then paused in the doorway, duffel in hand. “I’m leaving. No going to the grocery store alone anymore, all right?”
“You got it,” she promised.
“I’ll make sure of that.” A beaming Buddy slung his arm around Gloria’s shoulder. “Now go home and get your own girl.”
December 22
Seven weeks earlier
Seth flew all night to reach home, getting zero rest on the plane. Every time he shut his eyes, he saw Heavenly’s last forlorn glance.
He’d
