Go out with me, cherie," he whispers, our mouths so close I can practically inhale him. "Let me spoil you."
My nipples harden against the lace of my bra. He glances down and spots the subtle signs of my arousal—visible even through the black wool of my dress. Dammit, his lips are curling into a devious smile. "Let's have dinner tomorrow night, Stella. A few drinks, a conversation, a walk along the boardwalk. Aren't you done surviving?"
"I am."
He plants a soft kiss on my cheek, his eyes drilling holes into mine. "Don't you think it's time for you to start living?"
It is."
He nods and gets up. His absence is quickly filled by a current of cool cold air, the ocean breeze coming in from afar with sharp hints of salt and algae. He stands before me, the sun dancing in his black hair, hands in his pockets as he appears quite satisfied with my response.
"Wonderful. I'll pick you up tomorrow at eight? I'll make sure Bella stays with the little ones for the evening," Beau says.
"Okay."
It's time to give myself what I truly desire. And right now, I desire four gorgeous and powerful men who have been nothing but good and kind and courteous to me. I desire four gentlemen who have dark sides and dirty minds. Four knights to set my body ablaze and soothe my soul at the same time. Just because I'm a divorced single mom doesn't mean I should let myself be defined by my past choices.
"Okay, then," Beau nods politely and walks away.
Lucas is still hypnotized by the beetle, but Ava stirs awake, cooing and bubbling for my attention.
7
Stella
Little Plains Beach in Southampton is one of the most beautiful stretches of golden sand I've ever seen, and it seems even more beautiful when dressed in pristine white snow. The Atlantic Ocean opens up ahead, a seemingly infinite mass of tourmaline waters that tremble under a clear, blue sky. There's barely a fluff of clouds above, and winter is in the crisp, chilly air that makes my cheeks burn pink and my lips quiver. But I love it. It makes me feel alive. I stand before this tranquil beauty with wide eyes and a bright smile as I'm reminded of how easy it is when you just go with the flow.
For too long, I have put myself last. With Elijah, with my mother, even with my own children. Not once did I stop to wonder if what I was doing was in my best interest. This place brings out a part of me I thought I'd lost. The vibrant girl who loved going places, who loved the idea of exploring the world and discovering new pleasures.
"What do you think?" Beau asks as he joins me. We made the drive down the coast to Southampton for the day.
"It's beautiful," I tell him. "I've never been to this part of the coast before."
"Well, then, I'm glad I'm able to offer this experience," he replies with a broad smile.
His natural tan skin has a caramel glow when he wears white, and I have to say, I'm loving this look on him. White slacks and a white sweater, pristine tall Timberland boots, a camel-hair jacket and a brilliant Rolex on his wrist—a simple yet effective combination to get my pulse rushing from zero to a thousand in the blink of an eye. Add his debonair smile on top, and my panties are soaking wet. The previously under-experienced woman in me keeps asking what the hell we're doing here, but she's outnumbered and outgunned by my desire to discover him, to be with him, to find out what he's like on every level. Beau is light years away from the dumb jock's archetype.
"I got this house a couple of years ago, but I only come down maybe a couple of times during the summer. This is the first time I've come in the middle of winter, which is a shame. The pool has a heated glass and steel structure that allows me to use it in the cold months, too," Beau says as he escorts me through the front gates of a sprawling beach property. "The maid service keeps the place spotless at all times, though, just in case I decide to come. They made sure to stock the fridge, the freezer, and the pantries, mind you." He takes my hand. "Come, I'll give you a tour of the house."
I follow him into the foyer first, and I'm instantly breathless by the simplistic beauty of this space. We walk past the round table set in the middle, where the maids made sure to leave a rich bouquet of lilies to fill the entire room with their dizzying fragrance. The kitchen is remarkably simple but fully equipped.
"This is sheer luxury," I mumble as he takes me through the living room next. "I assume it was quite a hefty investment."
"Mostly for the labor, to be honest," Beau replies. "The materials weren't as costly as you might imagine. Given how many hotels we've bought or built or refurbished over the years, I've learned there's a balance between cost, quality, and distance of delivery. Except the marble. I paid a ton to have that brought in straight from Italy. Everything else was sourced from northern New York producers, and the furniture was designed and built in Boston before it was brought down and assembled here."
While the living room was designed around an earthy and warm theme, the bedrooms continue with the property's overall nautical vibe. Navy blue wallpaper with hand sewn motifs. Hardwood flooring in dark and sturdy oak shades. White skirting along the walls. And white fabrics everywhere, while the furniture is mostly teak and walnut.
An hour later, we're downstairs by the pool, having a couple of drinks. The glass and steel structure surrounds the entire swimming area and stretches above the ground floor, seamlessly fusing into the first floor through straight beams. The heating system makes it feel like early summer in here, and I can see so much of the sky I'm about to forget this whole place is enclosed. I lay on the white-wood chaise lounge like a queen, unable to wipe the smile from my face as I glimpse the ocean beyond the tall, trimmed garden hedges. It's so peaceful.
"You look like a completely different person," Beau says at one point throughout what feels like a never-ending conversation. "The change of scenery does wonders for you, Stella."
"I've been living in the same rusty old cage for too long," I reply with a heavy sigh. "Portland, Scarborough… they're all just exhausting after a while."
"Any place can be exhausting if you don't get out of there, at least occasionally."
"I'm not cut out for constant traveling, either. Just the idea of losing my luggage at the airport while changing flights fills me with anxiety. Imagine having that happen with two kids in tow."
Beau laughs wholeheartedly, then refills my glass with bubbly prosecco. The alcohol is getting to my head, but I'm loving the delicate buzz. It unties my tongue and relaxes my muscles. I've been on edge for as long as I can remember, constantly worrying about what my kids are going to eat or how I'm going to pay my rent.