Beauty's Beast (Book 5 of The Connor's)

By Rita Hestand

Leann Connor went to the teacher's convention in San Diego with high hopes, only to have them dashed quickly by the dull and boring meeting and get-togethers at the hotel. Inebriated she gave up hope of finding anyone to connect with and went to her room. Or she thought it was her room. But when the door opened she found a man in a towel standing there, with a smile on his face, welcoming her in. Naturally, she had to be dreaming. Things like this didn't happen to her. He seemed to be expecting her. And when he kissed her, she instantly melted into his arms.

The next day she quickly realized she had the wrong room, and it wasn't a dream. But she'd just had the best sex of her life. Well, the only sex of her life, how could she let him get away?

Luckily Travis didn't want her to leave either, and suggested they hook up and have a good time for the next three days of her convention. Leann couldn't say no, she had every intention of making this the best three days of her life. It would be a memory she could tell her children about, if she ever had any children.She was his beauty, and he was her beast and they were going to have the time of their lives for three whole days!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rita Hestand
• Release date: Sep 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463751169

Rita Hestand

Hi friends Check it out for today and black Friday "And Here I'll Stay" is free. Take advantage and rate it please. Wandering Heart and The Lady Train are free right now. So hurry and get yoru copy. Also, I'd like to ask a favor, not just for me but for all writers. Please when we offer a free book, it would be wonderful if you'd take the time to rate the book. This doesn't take much time out of your day and authors really appreciate your time to do this. I know not everyone wants to sit down and write a review, but rating the book will help as well. And a big thanks to all who do this. You never know how much an author appreciates you taking the time to do this. I finally finished The Car Stalker. Hope you'll check it out. This is the second book in the stalker series. Like I said mystery is much different from romance all though there are elements in romance in my stalker books too. Today I finished an another book in my series of Vets coming home, Better Every Day. This book takes the angle of when family interrupts your plans. When a one-night stand is much more. I love this story as it hits home. So two new books out now and more coming. I'm taking the time to write while confined at home. But lack of seeing people outside, and living alone all the time is not new to me. I've got lots of stories to tell so be on the lookout for my newest releases. You might check out my Searchin g for You Indian romance on Amazon too. There are several new free books for you enjoyment, since your stuck at home. Home you enjoy them. As for a bio, suffice it to say, I'm a Texan tried and true. I have grown children and grandchildren and already some great-grandchildren. I've done multi jobs in my lifetime giving me a variety of experiences to write and talk about. I've done many different kinds of work from Texas Instruments, to City of Garland, to working for the Wylie Independent School District. I've worked for a hat factory, filing insurance claims, secretarial work, to waitress work. My writing reflects my varied background. Another note I've had a in home day care for twenty years too. So when I write about something I have a general knowledge of it too, which is a real bonus for me. Just like my public work, my writing varies too from contemporary to historical, I write romance, thrillers, children's. A lot of people might say gee, that's a lot of different jobs, and it is, but, I've learned from them all...

Book preview

Beauty's Beast

Rita Hestand

Beauty's Beast

Book Five of the Connor's Series

Rita Hestand

Smashwords Edition

Copyright© 2016 by Rita Hestand

All Rights Reserved

ISBN # 978-0463751169

Cover Design by: Covered Ink

License Note

This book, Beauty's Beast is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without express written permission of the author. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy or copies. If you did not purchase this book or it was not purchased for your use, please go to Smashwords.com to purchase your personal copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Beauty's Beast is a work of fiction. Though some of the cities and towns exist they are used in a fictitious manner for purposes of this work. All characters are works of fiction and any names or characteristics similar to any person past, present or future are coincidental.

Dedication:

Going to conventions can sound like a lot of fun, but sometimes the thrill of going turn into pure boredom.

What if you were determined to have a good time, what if you let your hair down? What if you did something you would never have done under other circumstances. That's what this book is dedicated to, people who take a chance.

To all the daredevils out there, who are determined to have a good time, I salute you! Take a chance on love, and life!

God Bless

Rita Hestand

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

About the Author

Rita's Other Books

Chapter One

You better slow down on the drinks, Leann, you aren't used to them. Katy Daniels warned as the last call for drinks were announced at the hotel bar.

Leann shot her best friend a quick frown.

The hotel bar was filled with a teacher's convention. It was getting late and many were beginning to scatter. Alcohol permeated the air, as did half smoked cigarettes. People were pairing up and calling it a night.

What the heck, here I am in San Diego, a town full of service men and not one around me. What's wrong with me, Katy? Leann frowned as she glanced around the huge conference room just outside the bar. She saw the same familiar faces every year, the same old boring stories. For some reason there was not a teacher alive here at the convention she wanted to be with. She loved her profession, but she found male teachers a turn off. Perhaps she needed to readjust her thinking, but right now, was not the time. She saw Mark Watson and waved, but even though a lot of women teachers thought he was the prom King, he did nothing for Leann's libido.

We're probably at the wrong hotel for service men. Katy told her with a chuckle.

You are right, this place is full of teachers. That's what's wrong!

Katy looked at her friend, And what's wrong with teachers?

Leann glanced around the room, I don't know, except I'm surrounded by them all the time. I don't always want to talk shop, you know. I came here to get away from all of that. To find something new, something exciting. Something to wake me up and make me take notice.

Yeah, I hear that. Katy smiled sympathetically.

Was that why she came, thinking she'd find Mr. Right waiting for her?

She realized it was a big part of it. She wanted to lose this ice-maiden feeling. She was ready to live again. Jerry was her past, but what was in her future? From the looks of the convention—nothing!

She knew most of these people as she saw them every year for the past six years. Teachers! All of them. Career wise they had everything in common, but emotionally, they had nothing in common with her or of interest.

The new curriculums for the next year, the new schedules, the new computers, the all-new rules. That wasn't worth listening to.

She spent eight hours a day teaching, then another two to four hours on the computer at school. She didn't want to talk about that here.

Her mind rambled, computers, they invented them to make life easier, so why did she spend so much time every day on them. It just doesn't make sense!

The alcohol was affecting her now.

What are you ranting about? Katy came to her side and glanced at her.

Leann stared at her best friend, unable to focus completely. That should have told her she had too much to drink. She sat down on the bar stool, and took the cherry out of her cherry coke, eating it. She had switched to coke when she realized the room began to swim in front of her. The cherry was sweet and delicious. I've been a cold fish since Jerry. She said after swallowing the cherry. It's not that I can't get over him, it's that I feel cold inside. I haven't even reacted to a man in a long time. Maybe I'm too old… Maybe I've lost all my appeal. Every teacher in here has got propositioned at least once, except me. Even you! Not that I'm interested in any of them. I'm not! But a girl does like to be asked.

That could be your problem, you know.

What could?

You aren't interested in teachers.

No, I'm not. That's true. But you'd think one of them would turn my head. Wouldn't you?

Look, Leann, you've had a little too much to drink tonight. And, don't be silly, you are in your prime and you are beautiful. There's nothing wrong, it's just that these conventions have a habit of being the same ole thing every year. They are dull, I'll admit it.

You'd say that, you're my best friend. But there are no men knocking down my door to be with me. I must be destined to be an old-maid.

A young man came up to Katy and before Leann knew what happened, he had taken her best friend to a table and ordered her a drink, even though the bar was closing.

Leann felt the instant loss of her friend. Now she was alone here. This conference was about played out, and she'd arrived at the hotel only this morning. Shrugging she made a sign to Katy that she was going upstairs to her room. She had three more days of this. Why couldn't she enjoy it? Most of the interested male teachers found out she was a cold fish and didn't bother flirting with her any longer. Leann didn't mind, she found them boring. Same line, same old stories. She could no longer pretend interest. What did she expect? At least half of them were married, anyway. And it was the married ones that were the most obnoxious and acting available. Did they really think they were escaping something at a teacher's convention, no less?

Before each convention, she was excited, but it only took a few hours of meetings and drinking to realize that nothing ever changed about them. There were workshops, meetings, dinners, but it bored Leann now. Even the banquet and awards didn't excite her any longer. She realized that a lot of that was political. She was hoping to have just a little fun. Do something different.

Aggravated that she couldn't enjoy herself, she opted to go to bed early.

What had she expected? She glanced out the big window in the front hallway and saw the flickering lights of San Diego. She sighed heavily. This was a beautiful town, with lovely weather and men coming and going in the service. So why, oh why couldn't she find just one, to carry on a conversation, or kiss her silly? In the mood she was in now, kissing wouldn't be out of order. She was long overdue for a romance.

Feeling the drinks now she had to watch her step, her head was swimming. She didn't usually drink so much but boredom had drove her to it. Why had she expected this convention to be any different than the others?

Making her way through the crowd of teachers, she finally made it to the elevator. A few people recognized her and waved to her, but she wasn't interested in hanging out with them. Old maid school teachers, had she become one herself?

She punched the button in the elevator and went to the ninth floor and sighed when it opened, and no one was around. Not a soul in sight. It was unusually quiet on her floor.

Maybe a good night's sleep would improve her disposition.

Trying to shrug the disappointment away, she took her heels off and carried them in her hand. She was dressed to the nines and not one man asked her for a drink or dance. Of course, her quick, sarcastic tongue stung most of them. She felt like an overdressed rag doll. She supposed she deserved being alone, on a night like this. She was an ice maiden! And it seemed everyone knew it, too!

She turned the key to her room, but it wasn't working. She tried again. It still didn't work. She sighed against the door, she could barely see to get the darn thing in the keyhole. Resting her forehead on the frame of the door, she wondered how long it might take her to get inside. Only a few moments away from crying, she sighed heavily. Wasn't anything going to go right for her?

Suddenly the door opened, and she twisted her head in question, as she entered.

But there, standing in the middle of the room was one of the most handsome men, she'd seen, with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. A lovely scrolling tattoo on his big arm stood out. She knew instantly she had too much to drink, but could she possibly conjure such a gorgeous man, and wrapped in a towel, no less! Woe!

She blinked!

He winked!

She refocused. He still looked better than ice-cream.

Not just any man, but handsome, with thick, dark, run your hands through kind of hair, and piercing indigo eyes. A dark shadow on his chin made him even more appealing. He studied her a minute then a brilliant smile broke over his face that seemed to light up the room.

Gorgeous just didn't do him justice. She felt a rippling of reaction through her body.

That stunned her.

Oh yeah, she was definitely dreaming.

He wore gorgeous like it came in flavors. From his hairless chest, to his six pack abs, he stood in perfection.

She felt as if she'd walked into a movie set.

The fact that he dressed or didn't dress had her staring at the rippling muscles in his arms, and the smile that sent a wave of awareness through her. His smile was just a little crooked and sexy as all get out.

Well, I was expecting you, but wow, not this good. Come in, and close the door, honey. He told her, eyeing her up and down. His boyish grin charmed her.

Leann sighed, threw her shoes on the couch and smiled. It was a dream, but a damned good one.

The way he was looking at her made her feel as though she had just stripped her clothes off. His glance undressed her, with those oh so blue eyes and veiling lashes. She loved men with good eyelashes, they were completely sexy. His lashes were thick, but not overly long, they framed that blue-eyed stare he gave her. With one glance he raked her from head to toe, and a slow smile spread across his satisfied face.

Startled she closed the door, then looked around, Uh, I think you're in the wrong room. Her voice went husky. She should leave or make him leave but for the life of her, she couldn't have stopped the chain of events about to take place. She had no idea!

Oh no, he came closer now, staring at her, You're in the right room alright. He kept coming toward her, then he dipped his head and kissed her pink lips. She had no time to pull away, and no inclination either. You're beautiful. He murmured.

Well, umm, thank you. She blinked and savored the kiss. Why object, it was mesmerizing. I mean…I guess. She smiled.

I didn't think I'd be this lucky! He took her hands and looked at her shiny evening gown.

Me either, she barely breathed. She looked around, but the room was spinning a little. I don't mean to complain, she said, giving him a quick once over. But…Why are you in a towel, in my room? she finally found her tongue.

Cause I'm lucky I guess. You're perfect. The man aimed his marvelous smile right at her. And that slight crook to the smile sent a thrill down her back. Her cheeks flushed, she felt the flush, in more places than one.

I am! She almost laughed. How much have you had to drink?

Only one, I just got here, and took a shower. You don't mind, do you? It's hot outside and I didn't want to smell sweaty for you. He asked as he came closer and moved her brown hair away from her face. Then without thought he bent his head and kissed her again, this time on the shoulder and up her neck, to her ear. Threads of delight sped along the same direction, like a live wire. This one was even better than the first. The action woke her senses. Soft lips massaged hers then as he found her lips.

Oh, my word, he tastes good!

When he pulled away, she sighed. Boy, was this ever a great dream, her fuddled mind smiled at her.

A little tipsy her head swam, as she let the sensations of the kiss lap in her mind. Like a tide washing over her, she gave into the man with the lips. Leann's response was to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him back. The man could kiss. Like ice thawing slowly, she felt her body react to him. How could this be. She didn't know him, her brain kept trying to tell her. It didn't matter, this was what she wanted all night. She couldn't refuse him, it would be rude. Besides, things like this didn't happen in real life, this had to be a dream! She'd wake up any minute now.

She allowed herself to enjoy the way his lips took hers, played with them, then melted them into putty. She swooned.

Your sensational, she whispered.

There went that fantastic smile again, and woe what it did to her insides.

A woman couldn't turn away from a kiss like that, her mind exploded.

As though on cue, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, when he pulled down the covers and started undressing her. Her head was spinning and before she could voice her disproval, he had her dress unzipped and his lips followed a long trail down her back. It gave her goose-bumps, and a tingle. This had to be a dream, she decided quickly. Only she didn't want to wake up, if it was. This was what she'd dreamed about happening all along. How could she refuse it? Why not for once, enjoy it!

Even his words were like a well written script.

Sensations rocked her. She was speechless. Who did he think she was? Did it matter, his kisses electrified her. She felt the cool air hit her sensitized skin. His lips burned all the way down her back, sending warning signals to her inebriated brain that paid no attention.

Throwing caution to the wind, she closed off her mind that told her no, this wasn't right. Instead, she scolded her mind for even thinking it. This was exactly what she had wanted. Meeting the perfect man didn't just happen. She dreamed him up, and she'd wouldn't bother waking up until much later.

Before she knew what, he would do next, he turned her around and gently took her dress away. Startled but mesmerized, she stood staring into those blue eyes that nailed her to the spot. So deep a blue, like indigo, his eyes raked her with a gleam.

She had worn a sexy white strapless teddy underneath her black sequined dress and it delighted him as his eyes lit up with a smile. Lady, you are so beautiful. I don't know how I got this lucky, but I’m not about to complain. His voice sounded husky as some of his words vibrated against her skin. He even had a southern drawl.

You are such a dream, she sighed. You know all the right words to say. she started to say, but his lips captured hers as his hands busied themselves with her beautiful teddy. She tried to breath, tried to think of one reason why she shouldn't enjoy this moment. Her mind had slipped quietly away. Just let go and enjoy it! Kelly had told her that.

Suddenly her teddy fell to her feet. She shivered, he covered her with his big hands, feeling all along the way. His hands covered her back, moving up and down even to the round firmness of her backside, and she sighed against his chest. For a second, she thought this erotic dream was going too far and she should object or wake up one, but how did you stop something so perfect? It certainly wasn't the time to object, it was the time to respond. Even she knew that!

He finally stopped the exquisite pleasure and took his towel away. She gasped at the sight of him. She saw how erect he was, and her eyes widened. Wow, she smiled. It was really happening. In her dream of course. Maybe that was harmless. But her mind was too fuzzy to make sense of this moment. Sometimes, you had to just let things happen. This was too good to stop. You couldn't possibly stop a dream like this one, could you?

You cold? He whispered.

Not really, she murmured, between the hot kisses he delivered over and over. She liked the way his lips touched, then drew away and retouched. He picked her up in his arms and laid her against the cool blue sheets. She cuddled into them. She didn't realize how erotic a pose she struck. He stared and smiled.

Before she realized it, she was reaching for him, kissing him back and responding. The way he touched her, kissed her, how could she fight something so beautiful. Wasn't she the ice maiden, well, the ice was sure thawing….

He was so handsome, gentle and saying all the right things her mind exploded. Good sense didn't prevail and for once she was glad. She hadn't felt this alive in a long time. She'd worry about this dream, tomorrow. But how could a dream hurt anyway?

Am I going too fast? He asked softly.

N-no… she whispered enjoying the way his lips moved over hers. I'd say you're doing everything perfectly.

She looked into his eyes and drown in the sexy glance he shot her. Her mind no longer worked, but her body was alive and for once she didn't want to think or worry, she wanted to feel. Her hands went over him, she wasn't shy. But everywhere she touched was a rock-hard body, silky smooth to the touch too.

His kisses were hot and soft. She