Free Forbidden Contract (The Birmingham Brothers Series) by L. A. Miller Page B

on cold winter nights. Private baths complete with a pedal stool tub and separate shower was stocked to the hilt with her favorite shampoos and lotions. She also noted like her siblings her walk in closet was completely stocked with a collection of clothes that ranged from jeans and tops to designer suits and evening gowns. Evidently her grandmother wanted them to play up the part of their status. Part of her wanted to revolt and stick with her wardrobe but the feel of the clothes was too tempting.
    All of her life she had shopped at discount stores buying clothes out of season to get the best deals. The closest time she ever got to designer clothes was when either Ross or Marshalls had the stores left overs. Because she was so tiny she would occasionally get lucky and find a piece or two. However on her budget most of her clothes came from Target. After a quick shower she grabbed a pair of jeans and a pale green sweater. Her grandmother had even thought about her lingerie and when Bailey put them on she couldn’t believe how such fancy clothes could cost so much, cover so little yet feel so wonderful. Slipping into a pair of Nikes she decided to explore the grounds choosing the stables as her first stop.
    Bailey had always had a love for horses and her father used to joke with her that she was a horse whisperer. She walked among the stalls and as she passed each horse they seemed to sense her putting their noses out for her to pet. She was drawn to the back where matching pair of Percherons were housed. She felt dwarfed in their presence but showed no fear as each horse demanded her attention. She stood between both stalls with one hand on each of their noses. Bailey didn’t hear him approach but the horses sensed him and lifting their heads in warning looked in his direction. Bailey turned and found herself smiling as he approached. The horse behind her nudged her back demanding she return her attention to them and Bailey laughed as she turned back to the horses.
    “Ok, ok .” She said once again stroking their noses.
    Beckett stood next to her taking over her role with one of the horses who seemed to protest the replacement.
    “Really…I thought we were past that?” He said grabbing each side of the horses head and staring him down. Bailey couldn’t help but giggle as she buried her face into the other horse’s neck.
    Beckett looked at her then back to the horse . “See what you’ve done...now how can I be all serious when she thinks I’m a fool?”
    Bailey looked back at him and tried to control her laughter. One look of his mocked hurt expression caused her to break out laughing. As if sensing the humor Beckett ’s horse snorted spraying his face and after a moment of shock he joined in the laughter. After a few minutes and with tears in her eyes Bailey finally was able to get control of herself. Beckett stepped back and with one hand on the horses head he studied her for a minute before he asked her.
    “So does that mean if I were to ask you out you would hold this against me?” He asked referring to his snot stained shirt.
    Bailey tried to control her smile as she studied him . “Uh…depends….do you plan on taking me out looking like that?”
    “No… I guess I could shower .” He smiled.
    “Well…what did you have in mind?”
    “I don’t know….dinner….somewhere quiet where we could talk…I guess since we’re supposed to be madly in love with each other we should know a little about each other…it could get real embarrassing someone asks us how we met and we both come up with different stories.”
    “Ah….I see your point….well…..I guess since it ’s purely research how could I refuse.” She grinned. “But I’m not sure with this being our first night here I should abandon my brother and sister”
    “You can always bring them along….I’m sure there’s got to be a Chucky Cheese around here .”
    “Chucky Cheese ?” She said doubting his seriousness.
    “Yeah….and if