A/N I do thank you all so much. I know I made you mad at the end of the last chapter, and I was pretty darn happy none of you knew where I live ;) We left our couple in a helluva mess, let's see how it plays out.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Beth, aw shit please, sit with me n talk, please. I had no idea whatever this was was gonna happen. Tell me what the hell an lemme have a chance ta answer for it. I got nuthin' I'm tryin' ta hide from ya about Paula or anythin' else. Please." He'd been blindsided and he was scrambling for words, wanting desperately to fix whatever had gone so wrong.
They'd agreed to never "do that thing" again. The thing where they just assumed something. They'd both made that mistake in the beginning and nearly missed the opportunity to even give this relationship a shot. Beth pursed her lips, nodded and sat down with him. "Okay, I'd like to know."
She told him about Cicely approaching her at the party and mentioning Paula and how devastated he'd been when the relationship ended. And then she told him exactly what Beverly had said to her, about her being his "latest" and if Paula couldn't hold him she surely couldn't, "She said some men, and she was definitely talking about you, just can't settle down."
He saw what was going on now. Cicely had asked him about Paula, let him know the woman was interested in trying again. That she wanted to make it all up to him. He'd made it clear to Cicely he had no interest in resuming anything with Paula. He was with Beth. Not only that, he told her he had never really felt "it" for Paula, that as far as he was concerned there had never been anything romantic or even remotely "real" between them.
But the woman wouldn't let up, she'd just kept touching his arm and his hand, and telling him she was sure it could work between him and Paula, all he had to do was give it a chance. Never did it occur to him Cicely had said something to Beth.
He didn't need to tell her, Beth could see just by looking at him how angry he was. His eyes had squinted to a hard glare, he was rubbing his hand over the back of his neck and chewing that lip.
He knew he was on thin ice, he knew how much he cared and he sure as hell didn't want to lose what he had with her. "First off, I'm sorry Beth. I had no idea you'd have ta put up with any a this bullshit. That was three years ago an it was never like that with her an me. There was no love there, emotional or any other kinda way. Nuthin'."
Daryl didn't hold back, "I met Paula cuz she kept comin' around my shop, wantin' ta talk about art an the business side a bein' an artist. She was just gettin' started in the art world where I's already successful. She seemed nice enough and yeah, even pretty. She showed me some a her pieces one day an I could see she had talent. "
"At first it was like she was just wantin' ta talk ta me about all that stuff, an she seemed nice enough. I thought she was sincere. Pretty soon she was askin' me ta please take her here n there ta meet the 'important' people in the business. It seemed like she always knew about every gallery openin' or art gatherin' of any kind."
"I's doin' alotta that stuff back then, tryin' ta keep my name 'out there' an hopin' ta get some commission work. She'd ask ta tag along an truth is I liked not havin' ta always go alone. She seemed real nice an I didn't mind helpin' her out. But then I started ta see she wanted sumthin' more'n what I wanted. She made me feel real uneasy. I didn't wanna hurt her feelins, an I think ya know me well enough now I ain't real well versed on how ta handle this stuff. It was embarrassin' for me, the way she'd hang on, holdin' onto my arm, standin' way too close, rubbin' on my back. Lookin' back later I knew she was puttin' on a show, tryin' ta play it like we were together an serious an all. But at the time I just felt bad cuz I didn't have any kinda romantic feelins for her."
"Then she started pushin' real hard for the, ya know, physical stuff. It ain't that I don't like that stuff, it's just that I didn't want that with her cuz I's tryin' not ta hurt her."
"Merle tried warnin' me she was up ta no good, he called her a famewhore. We damn near had it out. I thought he was just bein' an asshole when he said she was usin' me ta try an get her own career goin'."
"Then one mornin' Tara come ta me an said she wanted ta show me sumthin' in private. She showed me these pictures on the Internet a me n Paula, they musta been photoshopped cuz it did look like we had sumthin' serious goin', an there was even a film on YouTube. An the interviews with her, the quotes an whatnot, she made it sound like we were a real serious deal. That's when I knew Merle was right all along."
"I's devastated Beth an it wasn't cuz I had feelins for her an she broke my heart or sumthin'. It was cuz I'd been tryin' ta be a good person, help someone out, an I just felt so damn used. I's hatin' on myself thinkin' I's the world's biggest idiot. A real sucker who couldn't spot a fraud."
"That's when I got my reputation for being a recluse. I kinda retreated from life. I quit goin' ta all the stuff, the parties, the showins, the gallery openins. Everyone just thought I's that stereotype, the reclusive temperamental artist. I didn't care what they thought. I's angry, bitter, my self-confidence was in the hopper an I just wanted ta be left alone."
"Ever since I just left the runnin' a things ta Tara an I did my art. That was it, well an huntin, fishin an hangin' in the courtyard with the few people I trusted. Shit I had no intention a even showin' ya the apartment that day ya come in. Tara come an got me an said she didn't have time, she was in the middle a some real important paperwork. I's pissed off at her. Anyway, when I seen ya I knew why she done it." He got the tiniest of smiles on his lips then.
Beth interjected, "At dinner Beverly definitely talked like you were quite the lady's man."
He almost laughed, "Yeah that's me alright, quite the smooth talker, ain't I? It seems both those women was tryin' ta start trouble with me an you. They was wantin' me ta give Paula a chance. I told that Cicely I wasn't interested, that it never had been like that an I's only interested in you."
Beth was confused, "I don't understand why they'd do that. Why would they be so mean?"
"Well Cicely's made alotta money sellin' Paula's work, an she probably thinks it'd help Paula's career. Get her in the spotlight more if she was with me. That sounds like I think I'm some kinda big deal, but its' how the game is played. An I think she an Paula are good friends, as good a friends as real shallow people are ta each other. Paula lives down in Miami these days."
"As for Beverly, well I know she bought alotta Paula's work early on when it was still cheap. I'd bet she's hopin' that it'll turn into a real good investment. She might think, or Cicely mighta encouraged her ta think, bein with me would somehow give Paula a career boost. Then when Paula's career is at its peak, she could start sellin' off those pieces she has an make a big profit. She ain't the kind who buys art cuz she appreciates it. Ronald he's more of a real art lover. Beverly's in it ta make money."
He took a deep breath and looked at her thinking he would have never shared all of that with anyone but her. He could imagine himself being put in this same position with someone else, he'd be saying "fuck it" and walking away. But he could never do that with Beth. He didn't want this thing he'd started with her to end. He was willing to explain himself, explain the situation and above all be open and honest with her.
"Shit, now I thought a sumthin' else I gotta tell ya. Man, I don't wanna bring it up but I promised I'd tell ya everythin' an so I'ma keep my word. Three years ago I come down here for another party an Paula came too. She an I stayed here in this guest house. At least that's how it started. I told ya she wanted her an me ta be ya know, together, she made it real clear that night. It got kinda ugly an I ended up leavin', goin' ta a little out a the way motel. She was madder'n hell at me but I had ta get out cuz I's just too uncomfortable. The next mornin' we went back ta Georgia. It was only a week or so after that Tara showed me the stuff on the Internet."
He could see the tears in her eyes and he felt like the world's biggest asshole, but he'd promised not to hold anything back and he was keeping his word. The way things had gone he figured it was only a matter of time before someone somewhere mentioned it.
"I'm sorry Beth, I never thought about anyone bringin' her up. It's been a long time. As far as me havin' a buncha other women, shit I ain't been out with a woman since that whole Paula deal blew up. I hadn't really been much a one ta date anyway, an I never thought I'd ever date anyone again. I's sure I'd never trust anyone ever again. But when I met you ya changed my mind. Please forgive me for not tellin', I woulda an shoulda an I'm so fuckin' sorry."
She was quiet, alternating between looking at him and looking down. He had already become such an important part of her life. She believed him. She'd watched his face, looked in his eyes, and listened to the timbre of his voice as he told the story. And it was her gut, she'd felt it since that first night in the courtyard, he was an honest man who may not talk real openly, but it wasn't because he had something to hide. It was just the person he was. She knew how hard it had been on him to tell her everything and in a way she admired him for it. "Thank you for telling me all that Daryl, I know it was hard for you. I can't believe someone would treat another person that way, use you that way. I also can't imagine talking to anyone like those women talked to me. All of it just baffles me."
"I don't want to fight with you, but I'm still hurt. I had a certain idea in my head of how this evening would go for us, with us, and none of what I'd thought was what happened. So besides feeling hurt I'm feeling down. And I sure don't want to stay here in this place, not tonight and not ever."
"We can go but I can't drive all the way back ta Savannah. It wouldn't be safe. I'm tired, I been drinkin' some, I just wouldn't take that chance with ya."
Her stomach growled loudly and she immediately turned red, "I didn't eat and I'm so hungry."
"Alright we'll get our stuff an get the hell outta here. I know where there's an all-night café. We'll grab a bite an find a place ta stay. K?"
"Yes, that sounds good."
They changed their clothes and packed quickly, he hurriedly loaded their things in the SUV, and they were off.
He didn't say anything on the ride to the café, he wasn't going to push it. He knew she wasn't happy with him or the situation, but she hadn't balked at going to eat and then getting a room. That was all good as far as he was concerned. He was just going to wait now and let her say whatever she needed to say.
He helped her from the pickup and they went in the small restaurant, taking seats across from one another in a far booth. When the waitress came he ordered decaf and she ordered an herbal tea. They continued in silence as they looked at their menus.
He hadn't eaten much at the party either and he was definitely hungry, but he was also real nervous, worried about what she was thinking. He was afraid she might decide he wasn't worth her trouble. That he had kept too much from her and she'd have all those trust issues that he used to have. The ones he'd had before he met her, the ones he didn't have with her.
She'd been playing the evening over in her head, well the whole day really. Thinking about their joking that morning as he loaded the vehicle for their trip, how he'd playfully gotten her out of her crabby mood. The fun lunch they'd shared and the silliness when they saw their bedrooms. She thought about him making sure her paintings were well-displayed, and the fact that he'd walked her around and introduced her to as many people as he could. She realized he hated these events and yet he'd come to this one just for her, so she could have her work "seen." He certainly didn't need the exposure for his art. He was quoting people a two to three year lead time on commission jobs.
She knew Daryl was a good man, and she knew he was also a man who was not especially socially adept. And the biggest truth she knew was that she cared about him, a lot, that she wanted him in her life. She was still upset, a little sad and disappointed, but that didn't mean she was ready to give up on him.
They offered breakfast 24 hours a day and she ordered the spinach and mushroom omelet, he ordered a ham and cheese. When the waitress left Beth looked in his eyes, "I know you didn't mean for this to happen. I know you wouldn't have put me or yourself in that position if you would have had any idea what was coming. I believe everything you told me about Paula and your relationship with her, that it was nothing. But it hurts, and it was all just so unexpected and I didn't know how to deal with any of it."
"Thanks for believin' me Beth cuz I swear I wouldn't lie to ya. From what ya told me ya handled those women just right. They was tryin' ta get a rise outta ya, they wanted ya ta react an ya didn't. That's why I'ma suggest sumthin' now, you can think about it, it's up ta you."
"Okay."
"I think we should go ta the brunch tomorrow an act like nuthin' happened, like ya never gave anythin' they said another minute a thought. Don't let 'em win this dumbass game they're playin'. I promise I won't leave your side an we'll get outta there as soon as we can an get ourselves home."
It did make sense but she just didn't know if she could stand it, "I'll think about it, maybe a full stomach and a night's sleep will help."
"Alright, I'll do it whatever way ya want Beth."
They fell back into silence as the meals were served and they ate. But at least it didn't feel like this silence was uncomfortable. It felt relaxed, natural. He was just hoping that the worst of whatever was over. He understood she was hurt, and it might have been avoided if he would have thought about things a little more carefully. But she'd said she believed him and he hoped that was enough.
He took her to the nicest hotel he knew of and pulled in front. "I'll go see about gettin' a room."
"I'll go with you."
He got to the desk and it dawned on him then, "I s'pose I best get two rooms."
She took his hand, "I think we can share."
He thought maybe he felt his heart leap but he was trying to be careful not to read too much into it. Maybe she was just trying to save money. Maybe she thought he could sleep on the sofa. Who knew? But what he did know was that at least she didn't hate him.
The bed was already turned down and there were two of those fluffy guest bathrobes laying on it. She took one and her suitcase in the bathroom. When she came out she had her nightie on, the oversized bathrobe that could hold at least two of her, a pair of fuzzy looking slippers, and she was carrying the bottle of champagne that had been in the guest house.
He broke into a smile when he saw her, he just thought she looked so damn cute. She tried to look tough as she held up the champagne bottle, "That mean old Beverly owed me this."
It made him laugh, "Darlin' she owed ya that an then some. I'll go get some ice in the bucket, chill it down."
Her tension had eased too and she smiled, "Sounds good to me."
He stuck the bottle in the ice and then he went in the bathroom, coming out in a pair of sleep pants with his robe hanging open.
He turned the TV to a music station playing some soft instrumentals and opened the bottle. "Stayed pretty chilly, I think we're in business."
He poured them each a glass, they sat on the sofa and he raised his glass in a toast to her, "Ya mean so much ta me Beth I can't stand that I hurt ya. I promise I'ma try my best ta never hurt ya again. I don't wanna lose ya."
She raised her glass to him, "I know you didn't mean for it to happen, and I know you weren't deliberately trying to hide something from me. I already forgave you because Daryl, I don't want to lose you either."
It was like they could feel the tension leave the room with her statement. They clinked glasses and each took a swallow before he set his down on the cocktail table. He slipped an arm around her shoulders and leaned in, drawing her close as he kissed her with an intense blend of passion and tenderness.
He hated to pull his lips away but he didn't want to push it, he was testing the waters a little. And he sure didn't want to rush her. "Tell me the good things that happened tonight Beth, I heard Archie bought all your paintings for his wife. That's damned impressive cuz Archie knows good art."
"He was very nice and also interested in buying more. He said he was going to be bringing his wife to my studio. Then there was a gallery owner from Atlanta who showed interest. I was expecting her to tell me to bring some of my work to her and she'd decide if there was anything she cared to display, but instead she said she was coming to the shop on Tuesday."
"And ya had one a the top art critics in this part a the country interviewin' ya an takin' pictures. I tell ya girl you're gettin' phenomenal interest. I'm impressed, I'm thinkin' I better hurry an buy some a your work before the price goes up."
She playfully pretended to punch him in the shoulder and smiled, "When you say those perfect things I think about you telling me you don't have any game. Not true Mister Dixon, not true at all."
"Oh yeah, well how's this for game? I'm tired."
She smiled, "I bet you are, you had a long day of driving and then a big evening at the party, being the Belle of the Ball."
"Quit that. " But he was smiling as he stood and then held a hand out to her. They each carried their glass and he grabbed that bottle of champagne, setting it on his night table.
He went to her then, wrapping his arms around her, holding her close. "I's worried I'd never get ta hold ya again an I knew that would kill me." He kissed her with a hunger that left her no doubt where he wanted this to lead and she wasn't inclined to pretend she didn't want the same thing. She kissed him back with equal need.
He leaned back, shrugged out of his robe and let it fall to the floor before untying hers. He slipped his hands inside the robe and rested them softly on her shoulders while he asked, "Is this okay?"
"Yes." Was all she said, and that was all he needed to hear and her robe lay at her feet. He leaned in and kissed her shoulder and whispered, "You're so beautiful." His lips went to the delicate skin of her neck and ear, lightly sucking and nibbling at the soft skin. When his mouth moved to her lips again he kissed her hungrily, and then he looked at her, searching those blue eyes, "Will ya lay with me?"
She whispered, "Yes," and he knew he'd never felt as happy as he did in that moment.
He was lying with her next to him and again he was kissing, lightly nibbling and sucking at her neck and ear as he slid the nightie's strap off her shoulder. He propped himself up on an elbow, looking down into her eyes as he slowly ran his fingers through her hair. He placed soft kisses on her forehead and along her cheek and jawline. "I want this with ya Beth, I wanna make love with ya if it's what ya want too."
Again her answer was simply, "Yes," and again it was all he needed to hear.
They took their time, they both thought of this as the start of something that would last, just their beginning. There was no need to rush, this was the time to explore, to get to know each-others bodies and what brought them pleasure. They were expressing their emotional love, the deep feelings they had for one another, in a physical way.
And when they had taken each other to that place of the greatest physical pleasure, and they were lying spent in one anothers' arms he whispered those words to her, "I know it seems soon but I also know it's true, I love ya Beth."
Now she was the one with a hand on his cheek, looking in his eyes and she whispered, "I'm so happy because it's not too soon for me, I love you too."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
They overslept, the brunch was at 11:30 and it was 10 when they woke. They hurried to get ready and when he saw her he said, "Darlin' ya make that dress look so good. I think my beautiful date is the one who's gonna be the Belle a the Ball today."
She loved the way he'd said it, it made her feel happy because whether or not it was really the case, she knew he meant it. It was true for him.
And she did feel pretty in the dress she felt so lucky to have found. It was black silk with splashes of tiny, brightly colored flowers. It was sleeveless and the bodice and waist were tight. The skirt was full and only about a half an inch shy of being dangerously too short, she'd paired it with ankle strap heels and the look really showed off her toned legs.
He was wearing a gray suit with a darker gray shirt and a narrow black tie. It seemed like an almost conservative look for an artist, but he somehow managed to make it look so incredibly sexy. "You look quite handsome yourself. I'm going to enjoy being your date and making all those other women green with envy."
She smiled and he was instantly embarrassed, "Quit."
They managed to arrive right on time and were ushered into a reception room where a few people were already gathered. He kept his arm loosely around her back with his open palm resting on her hip, holding her close to him. Almost immediately a waiter was there with a tray of mimosas. When they each had one in hand he lifted his to her, "Ta my favorite artist."
She was smiling that big beautiful smile just for him when Beverly approached them. She sounded quite catty as she remarked, "I'm so pleased you two made it, I was worried you may not come. I thought there was trouble. Gerald, the grounds man, said you two left last night." Beth thought she looked quite pleased with herself.
Daryl didn't miss his chance, "Well I wanted ta take this beautiful woman for a walk along the beach. I hadn't had a minute ta spend with her all evenin'. We got down there an well, it was all real romantic, an she just looked so damn good. I didn't think I could wait ta get her back here. I had ta get us a room."
Beth couldn't believe he'd said that, and she thought under any other circumstance she and Daryl would both die of embarrassment, but the stunned look and disappointment on Beverly's face was just so enjoyable.
The woman had lost a of bit of her composure, swallowing hard before saying, "Well we're so happy you're here." And she hurried away to chat with other guests.
"Oh my gawd Daryl, I can't believe you said that." She was red-faced and embarrassed but she couldn't help laughing.
"It worked didn't it? An I thought I's bein' real sweet when I shot her ass down." After their night together he was feeling a new sense of self-confidence.
Suddenly Cicely was there and she had a little surprise of her own, "Look who was able to make it today Daryl, oh and yeah Beth, it's Paula!"
Beth felt his arm tighten around her just a little as his palm rested more firmly on her hip. "Nice ta see ya again Paula. I been wantin' ta thank ya." Paula smiled then, anticipating something good was coming next. "Thanks for teachin' me about what's real an what ain't. Ya showed me exactly what I didn't want. So when a real woman walked into my life I recognized her right away. This here is Beth, the love a my life."
He'd even shocked himself. He didn't think he'd be able to pull it off, but the words wanted out. He wanted to shut these women and whatever plan they had down. And more important than that, he wanted Beth to see he had no reservations about their relationship or making it very public. She leaned into him a little more, amazed that he would say these things. She knew Daryl, he was awkward and shy but he'd said it with conviction and she fell for him even harder.
He kissed the top of her head. "Well it's been nice ta see y'all, me an Beth are gonna go mingle now. C'mon Darlin'."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A/N Better? Am I off the naughty list yet? Gosh I hope so. Thanks so much for hanging in and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please comment / review x gneebee
The chapter photo is posted on my tumblr bethylmethbrick, and thanks to some art by andsowewalkalone it's pretty dang sexy! If you get a chance please check out some of my other stories, including my other two current Bethyls, Trouble in Mind and Little Love Stories. I hope to see you next Thursday for more of The Wood Sculptor. Until then, I love ya large! xo gneebee
