by T. L. Haddix
They finished dinner, the conversation moving quickly. As their dessert plates were cleared away, Lauren and Annie excused themselves to powder their noses.
“So what’s going on with you and Charlie Clark?” Annie asked as they stood at the mirror touching up their makeup.
“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Lauren said carefully, putting her lipstick back in her purse. “Are you interested in him?”
“Me? No.” Annie shook her head vigorously. “Not like that, anyhow. Are you?”
She hesitated. “I don’t know. He… does appeal to me.”
Annie grinned. “Really? Do tell. I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you say something like that in years, if ever.”
Lauren smiled then faced her friend. “So why do you tense up every time his name comes up?”
Going to the cushioned bench in the anteroom, the petite redhead sat down. “You know that Ralph is my stepfather, right?” Ralph Tucker had adopted Annie when he and her mother married, and Annie was small. Lauren nodded and sat down beside her, and Annie continued. “Well, Ransom Clark is my biological father. Charlie’s my half-brother.”
“Wow. That’s, um… well. I did not know that. How… your mother? I don’t know how to ask. It’s none of my business, anyhow.”
Annie shrugged. “I don’t mind. We’re friends. I don’t know why we haven’t talked about it sooner. When my mom was young, she had an affair with Ransom after he and his wife lost a son. I’m the result. When Hazel, Charlie’s mom, found out about me, it pretty much put ‘paid’ to their marriage. It wasn’t an ideal situation for anybody. Shoot, we’ve never really even met, other than just knowing about each other.”
“It had to be a hard situation. When I found out about David’s affair, it was devastating, and our marriage was already essentially over when it happened. As it was, the bitterness made it nearly impossible to stomach seeing him for the first couple of years. I can’t imagine growing up having to face all that.”
“It was a lot harder on Charlie. He’s about six years older than me. Ransom’s an alcoholic, you know. He’s sober now, but back then… the man could put it away. From what Mom’s said, he was a mean drunk, too. I imagine it wasn’t pleasant growing up in that household.” She sighed. “So now you know. That’s why Charlie and I avoid each other.”
Lauren squeezed her friend’s shoulder. “Thanks for telling me. Are you okay with me possibly being interested in him?”
Annie’s smile was bittersweet. “Yeah. Charlie’s a good guy, from what I’ve seen, and if you’re interested, then you should go for it. Like I said, I can count on less than one hand how many times I’ve heard you say that about a guy, so I know it must be a pretty intense attraction.”
As they left the bathroom, Annie glanced at her watch and laughed. “If we don’t get back soon, our dates are going to think we skipped out on them.” Lauren laughed and, as they left the bathroom and rounded the corner in the hall, they met Charlie coming the other way with a case of wine.
“Oops, excuse us.” She and Annie moved to the side of the hall to let him pass. Charlie did the same, and an awkward moment passed in which they all just looked at each other, no one moving. Finally, Annie grabbed Lauren’s hand and tugged, and they moved past him. As they reached the end of the hall, Lauren turned, watching him disappear into the kitchen.
When they got back to the table, the men got to their feet.
“Everyone ready to go?” Jason asked. “I hate to call it an evening, but I have an early shift tomorrow.”
“I think we all do.” Jeff smiled.
As they walked to their vehicles, Annie pulled Jason ahead, giving her cousin and Lauren some privacy.
“I had a very nice evening,” he said. “Annie’s been trying to set this up for a while now, and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to accept, now that I’ve met you.”
Lauren laughed. “I’m ashamed to say that I know exactly what you mean. It has been a nice evening.”
“Do you think it would be okay if I called you sometime?”
She hesitated, thinking about Charlie. “I guess it would be okay. I just can’t promise anything.”
He nodded. “That’s fine. I understand.” They exchanged phone numbers and he bent down, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. “It was nice to meet you, Lauren.”
“You, too, Jeff.” He waited until she was buckled in before joining Annie and Jason.
Pulling out of the parking lot, she drove toward home, her mind on the evening’s revelations. Remembering the turmoil David’s infidelity had caused in her own life, she could only imagine how hard it would have been to find out he had fathered a child with the woman. It had taken them several years, and a lot of deep soul-searching, to rebuild their friendship, even with the goal of having Ava grow up in a stable environment as motivation. Now that Lauren knew about Annie’s parentage, Charlie’s attitude toward his father suddenly made a lot more sense. She wondered just how deeply his scars were buried, and whether or not they would make a relationship with him impossible.
~ * * * ~
The Lighthouse had closed its doors for the night when Sonny eased down onto a barstool. He watched Charlie polish the last of the clean glasses and put them away. Neither man spoke as the sounds of the restaurant settled down, quieter now that the crowds had gone. Even the noise of the vacuum cleaner running in the entrance seemed muffled.
“You’ve got a pretty solid team here.” Charlie propped his hips against the counter behind the bar, crossing his arms as he looked around the dining room. “I’ve hardly needed to do anything more than show up while you’ve been out.”
Sonny snorted. “I think you’ve done a little more than that.”
Charlie acknowledged his words with a grin. “Maybe a little more.”
The older man continued. “It is a good staff, though. Most of them are here because they enjoy the work, and it shows. Some of ’em, well, some are just kids working their way through college. I appreciate you taking the time to help out. Knowing you’re here to watch over things has really let me relax and take it easy. I know it hasn’t been as simple as you’re trying to make it out to be. You have responsibilities of your own.”
Charlie shook his head. “It’s your baby. Helping out was a simple choice, when it came down to it. You saved my life way back when, Sonny. This,” he said, gesturing around the restaurant, “this was the least I could do, and I’m glad I got the opportunity.”
When Charlie was a teenager, he’d started hanging out with a rough crowd, angry about his father’s betrayals. Wyatt Dixon, now the sheriff of Olman County, had busted him and a few of his friends one evening. Wyatt had seen something in Charlie, he’d said, and brought him to Sonny, who had given the surly young man a job washing dishes. Sonny had also provided an unbiased, supportive shoulder to cry on, and Charlie had straightened up his life largely due to Sonny’s influence.
The older man looked away. “Well, I guess we both got pretty lucky that things worked out the way they did. You coming back here when you did and all. Now, if we could just find you a nice lady to settle down with, we’d be set.” A teasing glint entered his eyes. “You act like you might have someone in mind. Maybe a certain café owner?”
Charlie scowled. He turned to the counter and started straightening bottles. “What makes you say that?”
Sonny laughed. “Maybe it was the way you couldn’t tear your eyes off her the whole time she was in here. You gonna ask her out?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe I was more interested in who she was with. You know how I feel about her,” he said, referring to Annie.
The older man sighed. “I know how you feel about your sister, yes, and I’ve told you my take on it.” He had encouraged Charlie numerous times to meet with Annie and get their issues out in the open. “You need to give the girl a chance. She’s no more responsible for her birth than you are.” He held up his hand. “I know, I know, leave it a
lone. I will for now. However, I doubt that was the reason you were so preoccupied this evening. What are you going to do about it?”
Charlie stopped moving the bottles around and shrugged. He ran his hands through his hair then folded his arms loosely on the counter. “Seems to me the choice is hers. You saw the guy with her tonight. They seemed pretty interested in each other.” He was startled when Sonny laughed, head thrown back and holding his sides.
“Son, trust me on this. Just ask the girl out. She was as interested in you as you were in her.” He stood and stretched. “I can’t wait ’til the doc releases me to come back to work full-time. I miss this place.”
Charlie straightened. “You’ll be back before you know it. I’m heading out. Unless you need me for something else?”
“Nope, not a thing. Just do all of us a favor and ask Lauren out, would you? You’re as grumpy as a bear lately.”
The server who had been vacuuming walked by in time to hear that last comment, and stopped long enough to agree vehemently. “He needs to get laid,” the boy said. Catching Charlie’s scowl as it darkened again, he hastily made his way toward the kitchen.
Watching him go, Sonny chuckled. “He’s not wrong, you know. I know how traditional you are, so I know it isn’t as simple as calling up a lady friend, but you may want to think about what the boy said.”
“I’ve been that bad?” He fished his keys out of his pocket, and they walked to the front door.
“Well, maybe not quite that bad, but bad enough.” Opening the door, Sonny stood back to let Charlie pass. “See you tomorrow.”
As he went to his truck, he pored over what the older man had said. Unlocking the door, he got in and looked in the mirror to study his reflection. He did look out of sorts, and he certainly felt it. Maybe it was time to stop thinking about what he wanted and go after it.
Chapter Seven
Charity Vaughn was tired. It had been a long week, even though it was only Wednesday. She was tempted to take a few days off and get out of town, just steal a little time to herself to breathe. Raven and Cara, her assistants, could handle the gallery for a few days. Tonight, though, it was all her—and the building needed to be locked down for the night.
Shortly after nine, she shooed her last customers out the door. Simone Grayson, the mayor’s wife, and Simone’s best friend, Olivia Hudson, wife of a prominent attorney, had been in the gallery since before seven, lingering over the bottle of champagne mistakenly provided by Raven. Charity would have to talk to him and make sure it didn’t happen again. Not only had she endured their drunken behavior, they’d not purchased a single item.
As she locked the doors and turned off all the gallery lights except the ones highlighting the display windows, she thought about the mayor’s wife—and the mayor himself. She’d had a brief liaison with him when she first moved to Leroy three years ago. For an older man, he kept himself in decent shape. It had been an advantageous affair for both of them. She gave a brief snort of amusement, considering the shrewish demands his wife made that evening. Seeing her up close and personal for more than five minutes, Charity could understand why the mayor strayed.
She set the security system and made her way to the back of the building, climbing the flight of stairs to her apartment. Her shoes she kicked off as soon as she was inside, and she picked them up, carrying the three-inch heels to the closet. Just as she pulled off her dress, her phone rang. When she checked the caller ID, she was pleased to see it was her latest conquest. Their date a few nights ago had gone well, better than expected.
“Hello, handsome.”
“Hey, gorgeous. You busy tonight?”
“Well, now, sugar, that would depend on what you have in mind.” She deliberately exaggerated the southern drawl she’d picked up when she lived in Florida, knowing its effect on men.
“Nothing in particular. I just thought it would be nice to see you. I get off work in an hour.”
“Uh-huh, really? Nothing in particular? Now why don’t I believe that?” They both laughed.
“Maybe I’m thinking about one or two things, after all.”
Pursing her lips, she decided that a few hours of mind-blowing sex might be a fun way to unwind. “You could only stay for a few hours.”
“I’m fine with that. I’ll see you soon?”
“I’ll be waiting.” Hanging up, she hurried into the bathroom, where she took a quick shower. After drying her hair, she sat down at the vanity to do her makeup.
One of her most important rules was that no one, especially no one in Leroy, ever saw her without makeup. There was too great a chance that she might be recognized. The contacts were always first. Hair color and even skin color could be changed, but eyes were a dead giveaway. Applying the cosmetics quickly with an experienced hand, she studied her reflection clinically.
Satisfied, she sat back and gazed down her body, stretching her neck and pushing out her chest, looking for flaws and imperfections. Next, she reached for her favorite perfume, a heady and seductive scent. Spritzing it on her pulse points, she closed her eyes, inhaling the musky scent.
She strolled from the vanity bench to the closet and pulled out an elegant silk negligee. The expensive fabric slipped over her head, settling over her curves. Glancing in the mirror, she fluffed her hair, pleased with the image she presented.
Money bought the best of the best. A little nip here, tuck there, and a significant increase in her bust size changed her appearance so much that she doubted her own mother would recognize her. She laughed humorlessly at the thought. She was everything her mother had once accused her of being. The only difference was that now she could control her own body instead of being someone else’s pawn.
She was in charge of who she let into her bed, and had been for a number of years. As an innocent teenager, she’d had no idea the power a woman could wield over men. She learned that lesson well, thanks to some benefactors, and she fully enjoyed her power.
Checking the bed to make sure it was neat, she turned down the covers so the sheets were exposed. She removed the throw pillows, placing them in the chair next to the bed, and reached into the nightstand drawer for the bowl of condoms she always kept on hand. The bedside lamps were already on, casting a soft glow over the room, and all she had left to do was check her personal security system.
Once that was done, she looked out over the apartment, pleased with the way it had turned out. The loft style, open and airy, still had an intimate feeling, thanks to the warm, dusky colors and strategically placed lighting. She had completely remodeled the building when she purchased it, knowing specifically what she wanted. It was all one big open room, with high ceilings and hardwood floors. The bedroom was on a dais, about four steps up from the main area. The bathroom opened up off the bedroom and, aside from the closet, was the only closed off area of the apartment.
She hurried into the kitchen and selected a chilled white wine and two glasses, placing them on a small tray. She quickly rinsed some fresh grapes and strawberries she had purchased the day before and put them in a nice serving dish. Adding a corkscrew on the tray, she carried the ensemble into the living room and set it down on the coffee table.
On her way back to the bedroom to recheck everything one last time, she lit several candles. Atmosphere was important, after all, even if just for a quick romp in bed with someone who was practically a stranger. She knew better than to entertain the notion that tonight was about more than sex. A realist, she knew what most people thought of her, how they viewed her. She didn’t believe in love, and the idea of casual sex didn’t bother her overmuch. She encouraged men to see her as a woman to be enjoyed, and she used that perception to her advantage.
Hearing his footsteps on the outside stairs to the private entrance, she went back to the bedroom, reached for the phone, and hit a series of buttons on the keypad. Three lights flashed, letting her know that her security system was online and running. She waited for him to ring the bell, and not wanting to appear too eager,
she made herself walk to the kitchen before going to open the door.
He stood on the deck. The ambient lighting from the sconces on the exterior wall struck the planes of his face. They looked at each other for a few moments, and she finally spoke.
“I didn’t think you’d be calling quite so soon.”
He gave her a boyish grin and leaned his tall frame against the doorjamb. “I didn’t expect to be calling so soon, myself.” He leered down at her, eyes full of appreciation.
“I take it things didn’t work out the way you wanted them to with your little girlfriend, or you’d be with her. I’m glad.” She tugged on his shirt, pulling him into the apartment. “What happened?” She faced him, her back against the cold metal of the door.
“Let’s just say that she’s not the kind of woman a man feels comfortable calling in the middle of the night and asking if he can come over. I’d rather not talk about that, though.” He touched her shoulder, trailing his hand down and cupping her breast through the silk.
She absorbed his words with only a tiny pinch of hurt, coolly acknowledging the confirmation that he was just like all the others. Telling herself that she was reassured by his behavior, she pressed her breast against his hand.
“What would you like to talk about, then? The weather? Sports?”
He laughed huskily as she slid her hands up his arms and across his shoulders, then started unbuttoning his shirt. “I’d rather not talk.” Tilting her face up to his, he kissed her. As his lips moved down her neck, she closed her eyes, unable to hide the sadness and thankful he wasn’t looking at her face.
“Shall we go to the bedroom?” His mouth pressed against the sensitive spot where her neck joined her shoulder. She sighed as he scraped her skin with his teeth. Picking her up, he carried her across the room and into the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and started stripping off his clothes.
