PassionsPoison Read online

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  Bea plopped onto the office chair and closed her eyes. She opened one to check the time. Three in the morning. Technically tomorrow, but she couldn’t rest until the Larsens returned.

  The evening had gone perfectly for all the guests and special occasions, but for the staff, it had been tough. She must be managing the business incorrectly. That or she’d been lucky to land a crazy night. Either way, she’d done it.

  Sitting up, she opened her eyes and looked at the desk filled with paper and started to organize. She found the day’s mail under a band contract for an event next week and sorted through it.

  She came to an envelope with “To Bea Rappaccini” typed on the outside. That was strange. One of her friends must have dropped it off for her. Curious, she slit it open and unfolded the single page enclosed.

  I know your secret.

  Huh? What did that mean? She turned the page over. It was blank. Okay, this was strange. What secret? She didn’t have any secrets. She had one big secret, but no one could know… She dropped the letter, her breath catching in her throat as a shiver sped up her spine. No. No one could know about her poisonous nature. No way. Yet her fear persisted.

  Had she been followed? But even then, a person couldn’t know. The only people who knew her secret were her mother, her six fathers and Grandma Beatrice. And the only one of that lot who might be upset would be her father Jim, a headhunter by trade and from what her mom said, quite wealthy. They had no communication with him, but then why would he write her a letter like this? He may have been angry about sharing her mom years ago, but that had nothing to do with her.

  Shaking her head, she put the letter back in the envelope and stuffed it in her purse. It was probably a friend joking around about her upcoming birthday. She made it a big secret every year. Yes, that’s all it was.

  She didn’t buy her own conclusion, but what could she do? If someone wanted to threaten her by exposing her unique genetic problem, sending a letter with no instructions didn’t accomplish anything.

  Great, just what she needed, another pool of water she had no idea how to swim in. First, she had her strange attraction and feelings for Zach and now a mysterious message. The letter left her no recourse but to wait and see what happened. But Zach she would see again tomorrow night and was sure to mess that up. Except for Phillip, her high-school boyfriend, she’d never been on a second date or brought a man to Mom’s house.

  What she needed was advice. She scanned the semi-organized desk and decided it looked good enough. Kayla had the night shift. Though a few years younger than herself, Kayla had been in many long-term relationships, including an engagement. She had to know how it all worked.

  Bea turned out the light and headed for the lobby counter, hoping no more customers would check in at such an early hour. Kayla would get off at five this morning. Bea had a feeling she would need the next two hours to learn as much as she could on how to do the dating thing.

  Chapter Five

  Zach spun the steering wheel in the opposite direction as his truck slid across the entrance to the parking lot of the Wrenborough Depot. The large patch of black ice took all control away. Catching clear dirt, he hit the brakes before slowly driving to the side of the building. What shitty weather. The melt-off from the snowstorm had streams appearing out of nowhere and the thirty-degree temperatures didn’t help. He hoped Bea drove more cautiously. What happened to spring? At this rate, he’d have another whole month to carve the birch tree for the inn.

  He glanced at the clock in his truck. Early as usual. He must be crazy to meet the mother of a woman he’d known for five days. He hadn’t met a parent of a woman since Lisa’s, and the last time he’d seen them was at Lisa’s funeral, closed casket. He shut down those thoughts fast.

  Zach tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. And then there was the question of her fathers. She must have a stepdad, but why wouldn’t she know which dad would be at her mother’s house? If her stepfather lived with her mother, wouldn’t he be there? Zach shook his head. Everything about this woman intrigued him.

  Was it Bea or their chemistry that had their relationship racing at warp speed? Not that it was a relationship. Though he had to admit meeting the parents indicated that. Why did he say yes? Maybe he should leave. Standing her up was better than sending her the wrong signals. He had been too anxious to see her again. He should have waited until tomorrow.

  As headlights shined across his window, his gut tensed. No getting out of it now. Bea’s blue Camry negotiated the driveway and came safely into the parking lot. Good girl.

  His pulse raced as the streetlight shone through her windshield and illuminated her face. He forgot all about meeting her parents and remembered only her passionate responses to his touch.

  She stepped out as he jumped from his truck. The sight of her after two days was like honey to a starving black bear.

  She walked toward him. “Sorry I’m late.”

  He closed the distance between them in a heartbeat and wrapped her in his arms. “No problem. You make it worth the wait.”

  He pressed his lips against hers before he slipped his tongue inside and reveled in the taste of…strawberry mint? He lost the question as she molded her body against his and released the softest of whimpers.

  She pulled her mouth from his and laid her head on his chest. “I wish I didn’t have to see my mom tonight.”

  He stroked her hair, enjoying its fine thickness. “I’m sure she’s looking forward to the visit.”

  She shivered against him.

  He eased her back. “Come on, you’re cold, and I believe we’re already late.” He started to lead her toward his truck.

  She pulled away. “Wait, I have to turn off my car.”

  He turned. “Why did you leave it on?”

  She opened the door and took her keys from the ignition before she answered. “Habit. I’m always driving myself. This is a treat for me to be driven.”

  What he’d like to do was drive her right into another orgasm. His truck did have a large bench seat and he could cover her with his own body so no one could see her if they got caught. He could easily picture pulling her pants down over her ass and unzipping his jeans to squeeze his cock between her legs.

  Hell, he needed to focus. But once the scene was in his head, he couldn’t stop the wave of wanting that accompanied it, or the hardening of his cock. Instead of acting on his impulse, he opened the passenger door and helped her climb into the truck, enjoying the sight of her long legs clothed in tight red jeans with matching high heels. The woman was certifiably hot.

  He closed the door and strode around the truck, sucking in deep breaths of frosty air to clear his senses of her intoxicating smell. She wore a type of citrus scent, perfect for lying on the beach naked, which didn’t help the tightness of his jeans.

  As he opened his driver’s door, he made some adjustments, jumped in and started the engine.

  She patted the seat next to him. “What model truck is this?”

  “A Chevy Silverado.”

  “It’s really big. Four-wheel drive?”

  He stared at her. She eyed his truck like she eyed him—with lust. His cock hardened further, actually becoming painful. “Yeah, I use it to plow in the winter. It’s good at pushing a lot of snow.”

  “I bet.” She turned her gaze on him and he wanted to take her. Now. Ah hell, he was supposed to be meeting the parents, for Christ’s sake.

  He cleared his throat. “Where are we headed?”

  She broke eye contact and peered out the window. “Continue down Center Street and then we’ll take a right.”

  “Got it.” He pulled the truck onto the road, carefully navigating around the ice at the exit.

  From the corner of his eye, he caught her reaching for the door handle while her eyes focused on the road. Okay, he’d have to behave on the road tonight. She was a nervous passenger.

  She let go of the handle once they hit dry pavement and faced him.
“There’s something I should tell you about my mother.”

  He kept his attention on the road. “Let me guess. She’s gorgeous, but of course she is. And she’s dyslexic. No, she’s missing a finger. No wait, she loves eating dinner in the snow.”

  Bea laughed, the sound filling him with pleasure. “No, but you’re getting close.”

  He smiled, wishing he could keep the moment alive longer.

  “Zach?”

  “Yeah, so what do I need to know about your mom?”

  “She was born in the 1960s and has kept that decade alive and well, even though she’s now in her fifties.” Bea pointed. “Take a right here.”

  Zach turned down the curvy hill. “So are you saying she’s into peace, free love and burning bras?”

  “Exactly. Only it isn’t so pretty at her age, if you know what I mean.”

  Zach focused as they glided across a good-sized patch of black ice, Bea’s life fascinating him more by the minute. “That’s not too bad. You should meet my friend Josh’s mom. You’d think you were meeting the mummy.”

  “That’s not nice.”

  Zach shrugged. “Not really. I say it with complete affection. What’s your mom’s name?”

  “Susan.”

  He winked at her. “Not Hope or Willow?”

  “Nope, just Susan. She was named after the flower Black-eyed Susan. Take a left here.”

  Zach turned the truck and Bea leaned forward, her white fashionable parka hiding her curvy body. He appreciated the view of her classic profile.

  Her long fingers grasped the dash. “You’d think they’d have streetlights around here. But Mom should have a light on. It’s six houses up on the right.”

  He brought his mind back to the evening ahead of him. “Did you say your father would be here?”

  “Yeah, one of them.” She pointed. “There, it’s that one.”

  Zach turned. “What do you mean, one of them?”

  He couldn’t see it, but he could sense her flush. “It’s kind of embarrassing. You were right when you asked if my mom was into free love. When she conceived me, she had six lovers.”

  “What? You mean you don’t know which of the six is your dad?”

  The motion detector spotlight went off on the garage as he brought the truck to a stop in the driveway, illuminating Bea’s sheepish face. “Yeah, and Mom won’t find out because five of them want to be my father, so she invites them to the house at different times, except Jim and Charlie. They’re married.”

  The front door of the house opened and a woman descended the steps.

  “There she is. That’s Mom.” Bea scrambled from the truck and hurried across the driveway to hug her parent.

  Zach tried to wrap his mind around the six-father issue as he approached, but the idea of having to play nice to six fathers had his neck tensing and his jaw grinding.

  “Mom, this is Zach.”

  Her mom held out her leather-encased arms, six inches of fringe hung from her jacket sleeves. “Zach, it’s so nice to meet you.”

  Her round, warm face welcomed him. He didn’t hesitate, but walked into the older woman’s embrace and found himself the recipient of a soft bear hug, his cheek brushing against her brown, frizzy hair. He stepped back. She didn’t resemble her daughter at all. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Rappaccini.”

  “Please, I’m no Mrs. Call me Susan. Come on in out of this frigid cold. Andy’s inside.”

  Bea laid her hand on his arm. “I think you’ll like Andy. He’s a contractor and a very nice man.”

  Zach snaked his arm around her waist. “I’m sure I will.”

  So, Andy would be number one. No wonder Bea didn’t have any long-term relationships. Who the hell wanted to take the father test six times? He sure didn’t.

  He squeezed her before letting her pass in front of him at the doorway. He didn’t need to dwell on the future. He had her for now and that was fine with him.

  They all entered the house, shedding their coats and gloves. A tall, thin man came over to greet them. Bea gave him a hug, her head coming to his chest. He had to be six foot four because Zach found himself looking up. This father had his brown hair tied back in a long ponytail.

  Bea did the honors. “Andy, I’d like you to meet Zach.”

  Zach smiled and grasped the hand held out to him. “Nice to meet you, Andy.”

  Andy nodded but remained serious. “Same here. Bea doesn’t usually bring a guest with her. I guess you must be something special.”

  Her dad didn’t appear to be too happy about that, but when Zach caught a smirk on the older man’s face, he smiled wider. “That’s one way of looking at it.”

  Andy gave him a friendly shake. “Sit down. Take a load off. Want a beer?”

  Bea watched Zach and Andy. Zach didn’t appear intimidated in the least, but then again, Andy was the most laid-back of all her dads. She released her breath. Andy liked him. If Andy hadn’t, there wouldn’t be any hope for Zach. The toughest dad would be Gerry, but she’d cross that bridge if she ever made it that far.

  Bea couldn’t help comparing the two men. Zach was a bit shorter than Andy, but he was much more muscular and broad.

  Her mother whispered in her ear, “You’re drooling.”

  She whipped her head around. “Shh. Am not.”

  Her mom placed her hands on her ample hips. “Right, and I’m Janice Joplin. He’s really yummy, Bea. I’m so thrilled you brought him.”

  Bea tugged the beaded belt around to the front of her mom’s gypsy skirt. “Don’t make more of this than it is. I don’t know if I can do this yet.”

  Her mother caught her hands and held them. “I know, honey. I’ll try to be good.”

  Zach turned from his conversation with Andy to join theirs. “Did I hear someone was going to be good? That doesn’t sound like much fun.”

  Andy chuckled. “Believe me, it can be. Susan doesn’t know how to behave.”

  Susan sauntered over and let Andy wrap his arm around her and place a kiss on her hand. She snuggled against him. “That’s why he thinks it will be fun, watching me struggle to be normal.” She shook her finger at Zach. “I make no guarantees.”

  Bea studied the three of them and a yearning grew deep in her gut. This is what she wanted. A normal life.

  She and Zach sat on the couch together. As she leaned back, he glanced at her cleavage and a warm, excited buzz commandeered her stomach. She’d been afraid he might be tired of her when he hadn’t tried anything in his truck. She loved that big bench seat. He could easily lay her down and cover her, thrusting between her legs while his tongue invaded her mouth like a new country to be conquered. The feel of his weight on her would be heavenly. She squirmed.

  His brows drew together. “Are you all right?”

  She smiled. “I am now. Thanks for coming.”

  He grinned back at her, his eyes claiming her. The thrill his gaze sent through her had her stomach tightening and her pussy moistening. She stood abruptly. “Mom, don’t you think we should check on dinner?”

  Her mom was perched on the arm of Andy’s chair. “Honey, I didn’t even tell you what I was cooking yet.”

  “True, but I’m sure it needs to be checked.” She lifted her eyebrow at her mom, trying to telepath her need to leave the room.

  “I don’t think so, I mean…”

  Bea could tell the moment her mother’s confusion cleared. In fact, she was pretty sure everyone could.

  “Oh yes, we better see how my lasagna is doing.” Her mom stood and pecked Andy on the forehead. “You never really know about lasagna.” She looked at Zach. “Last time I made it for company, we had to call for pizza.”

  Bea grabbed her mom’s hand and pulled her into the kitchen. She expected an embarrassing night, but she hadn’t anticipated the reason would be because she got hot over her new lover in front of her parents.

  Her mother plopped down at the kitchen table, dinner clearly forgotten. “Okay, honey, I’m here. What’s wrong?”r />
  Bea smirked. “Nothing. I want to see the lasagna.”

  Her mom sat back in her chair. “Why? I made it from your Grandmother Beatrice’s recipe. I’m sure it will be fine.”

  Bea grabbed the potholder from its hook and opened the oven. Susan had a penchant for slipping drugs into her meals and Bea would be damned if she’d let Zach’s first experience with her family be a psychedelic trip. She wanted him sober at the end of the evening. Pulling out the rack, she took a fork and broke into the pasta.

  Her mom jumped up and grabbed her arm, the bell sleeve of her top dipping into the lasagna. “Hey, what are you doing?”

  Bea pulled away. “I’m checking it. Let go.” When her arm was free she moved the cheese around. She spotted a green fleck. “Mom, what is this?”

  Her mother peered over her arm before stepping back a bit to focus. “That’s oregano.”

  Bea let her voice sound its own warning. “Mom?”

  Her mother retreated to her chair and picked the cheese off her sleeve. “Really, its oregano. Ask Andy.”

  Bea breathed a sigh of relief. She pushed the pasta back together as well as she could and closed the oven. At least she didn’t have to worry about Zach getting high off dinner.

  Her mom pouted. “I can’t believe you think I’d add marijuana to the lasagna.”

  “If you remember, that’s exactly what you did when I brought Kayla over for dinner.”

  “Yes, but after you told me not to, I didn’t do it anymore. You need to trust me, Bea.”

  Bea sighed. “I know, Mom, I do. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t forget.”

  Her mother patted her hand. “I understand, honey. You’re nervous.”

  Bea collapsed in the chair across the table. “Nervous would be an understatement. I don’t know how to do this. Except for Phillip, this has been my longest relationship ever and this is only the third time I’ve seen Zach.”

  Her mom rose and went to the sink to wet her sleeve. “Bea, you’ve let your experience with Phillip stand in your way all these years. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, it wasn’t your fault. I just didn’t know how to tell you about our problem. If I had given you the talk, complete with all the poisonous details, you would have known not to have sex with Phillip so many times. You know he doesn’t blame you. In fact, he called again yesterday.”