The Proposal (Forever Bound Book 2)

by Bree Callahan

  Damian: I’ll provide the wine and see you six thirty?

  She twirled around the apartment, nearly bumping into Ana as she exited her bedroom. “Someone’s in a good mood,” Ana replied with a chuckle.

  Charity grabbed Ana by her shoulders and twirled her in the living room. They fell into a fit of giggles, landing on the couch. “I. Just. Got. Another. Job.” Charity spoke in staccato fashion.

  Ana’s jaw dropped. “You’re quitting the job with Derek. That will put him in a bind, won’t it?”

  Charity laughed, shrugging. “I suppose so, but come on…who’s fault is it?”

  Ana frowned. “I get you want to punish him…”

  “I’m not trying to punish him,” Charity quickly stated. “Yes, he infuriates me, but this job will be the best thing to come out of the lies and deceit.”

  Ana crossed her arms, giving Charity a, you’re lying, look. “So, you’re getting a pay increase?” Charity tilted her head and stared at Ana and Ana nodded, shooting her a knowing expression. “So, you’re not getting a pay increase?” She shook her head. “Don’t answer that. It’s pretty obvious. Are you losing more than five thousand dollars a year?” she asked.

  Charity didn’t care what Ana said, she wasn’t going to ruin this moment for her. “I’m making more than Bill’s Diner,” Charity shot back.

  Ana laughed. “That’s not saying much, is it?” Ana heaved a sigh. “I can’t tell you what to do, as I’m not your mother, and you’re of age, but I speak to you as a friend and Charity there comes a time when you have to be practical. You just signed on the dotted line for this place and while I would never let you get kicked out on your ass…sooner or later my money is going to run out, too, and my parents can only help out for so long.”

  “I’m not asking for your money, and I’m not asking for your parent’s help,” Charity quietly reacted.

  Ana smiled. “I know, but you might not have any choice.” She got up from the couch and headed back into the bedroom. Charity just continued to sit there and think about Ana’s words. She needed the support, not the slap back into reality.

  She stood up and went back to the box, where she had left it half opened. She opened it up and pulled out some pictures she had packed away. Damian would make her feel better. She was sure of it, and she couldn’t wait to talk to him about it.

  Chapter 6

  After Derek’s afternoon meetings, he decided to leave work for the day. The only problem was, as he decided to leave, he got into his car and didn’t go home. He found himself heading back to Charity’s new apartment. He had pretty much agreed that she wouldn’t be pleased he had her followed, yet he couldn’t keep himself from driving towards her place…instead of away from it. He pulled into her parking lot and this time nabbed a parking spot far enough away from her vehicle, let close enough to watch her place.

  As he did continue to watch her apartment building, he silently questioned what he was doing there, but it didn’t cause him to start the car and leave. The minutes ticked by until it was just after six o’clock and he saw movement. She walked down the stairs. No, she hurried down the stairs and went to her car. Her hair blew in the wind, as she slid into the driver’s side. He quickly started his vehicle and waited for her to bypass him. He slouched down a little so she wouldn’t recognize his vehicle, then pulled out after her.

  He didn’t want her to catch on that she was being followed, as she had with Calvin, so he was careful to keep far enough back. It wasn’t until twenty minutes had passed that he realized they weren’t staying in town. He had no idea where she was headed, so it was possible he was following her out of state, but he remembered she didn’t have luggage with her, simply a small brown bag, so he continued to drive on. When she reached the outskirts of town and headed into Briar Ridge, her speed slowed down.

  “Who do you know in Briar Ridge?” he mumbled. It was such a small town that it didn’t even register on the map. Most people drove right past it and didn’t even notice they had hit another town, but Charity turned the corner and headed into an addition.

  It was like she’d taken the trail a million times before and he wondered if she had. She pulled into a driveway, and he hung back, three doors down. She got out of the car, carrying the paper bag and heading up to the front door. It was at that moment that he wished he had binoculars, but he could still make out the image as she approached the door. Before she even grabbed the door knob or fumbled with a key, the door opened. A man stepped out onto the porch.

  It was like a bad car wreck, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away, even though that’s exactly what he wanted to do. With one arm around his waist and the other one holding onto the bag, they kissed. It was deep, long, and out there so all the neighbors could see. Derek looked around, even feeling a bit embarrassed for them, but they didn’t seem to care.

  His eyes went back to them, and they were holding hands and walking into the house. He just stared at their backs, then the door closed behind them. “Who the hell is that?” he mumbled.

  He slid down into his seat and kept his eyes focused on the house. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t leave now. At least, not until Charity was out of there and heading back to her own place.

  ****

  Damian grabbed the bottle of wine from her hand. “So, what’s the celebration?” he asked, uncorking the bottle and pouring them two glasses.

  She hadn’t wanted to confess she was quitting her job with the Mayor to work at a Daycare because he wouldn’t get it and she feared he would find out the truth about why she felt the need to quit. However, she knew he had to know. “Let’s drink the wine first,” she replied softly.

  He raised an eyebrow but handed her glass. “I want to make a toast,” he started. She dropped the glass from her lips and waited for him to continue. “To..you, my dear.” He smiled. “Thanks for keeping my nights warm and my days filled with lingering thoughts.” He clinked her glass with his and she just stared back at him. He laughed as his glass touched his lower lip. “What?” he asked.

  She quickly took a drink and shook her head. “Nothing.” The truth was she was wondering why he had to be so sweet. It made her forget that this was simply an arrangement. After he had taken a couple more drinks, he moved closer to her. With his hand cupping her chin, he pulled her up to him and their lips met. She moaned nearly dropping the glass from her grasp. He smiled, parting from the kiss.

  “What do you say we take these two glasses to the bedroom, and you tell me all about what we’re celebrating.” She could only nod, as he grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stairs. When they entered the bedroom, he grabbed her glass and placed both of them on the nightstand. He turned to her and slowly started undressing her. Her eyes remained locked on his, but neither one said a word. Her top fell to the ground, followed shortly by her bra. His eyes dipped down to her breasts, and he stared at her naked breasts, while his fingers worked on removing her jeans. “So…you were saying? There’s a celebration?” he asked, slipping his fingers in the sides of her panties and sliding them down her legs.

  “Um…” She lost her train of thought, then he sat down on the bed, and he pulled her onto his lap. She laughed, falling on top of him. He was still fully clothed, and she could feel the cusp of his erection hidden beneath his pants. Her voice caught in her throat, then his mouth went to her neck. She groaned, forgetting he was waiting for her response. “What celebration?” she asked, groaning as his tongue slid across her collarbone. She slipped her hands under his shirt and lifted it up. He broke away for a moment so she could slip it over his head. Once it was on the floor, his mouth went to hers, making her dizzy. His tongue dove in between her lips. As his one arm held her close to him, with his hand caressing her back, he lifted her up and turned her around.

  He tossed her down on the bed, and she breathlessly gawked at him. He took his pants and boxers off, then reached into his nightstand drawer and grabbed a condom. She didn’t stop him. She simply watched his every move. As he ap
proached her, her legs drifted open, and he moved in between her thighs. He guided his cock into her and then his lips went back to hers. Nothing else mattered at that moment, and she wasn’t going to stop him from telling her that she was changing jobs.

  She dug her nails into him as he bucked hard against her hips, sending out a shrill scream between their kisses. When she needed to catch her breath, she tilted her head back, breaking from the kiss. “Oh God…” she whimpered. His lips found other places to tantalizingly kiss her, and her nails dragged down his back, growling out her ecstasy-filled pleas.

  An orgasm raked through her body, and she bit back a groan. She panted with every thrust, as he slowly dwindled his plunges from frantic to smooth. His lips broke off a scream of hers, and her juices covered his condom. She crashed down on the bed and settled into the taste of his lips. Her hands wandered over his body, pulling him to her and enjoying the peaceful moment of after sex.

  When their lips parted, a smile remained on his lips. He lowered himself down and rested against her, His arms remained around her. One was wrapped around her back and the other around her stomach. He snuggled against her, and his breath brushed against her neck. She sighed, closing her eyes. She was about to drift off to sleep when she heard his soft mumble. “I love you so much.”

  Her eyes darted open, and her mind raced. Her first thought was she heard incorrectly, but as she played the words back numerous times in her mind, she couldn’t picture him saying anything else. A soft sigh came from him, and she stayed motionless. She wasn’t sure if she was there ten minutes, or maybe an hour, but she knew she needed to get out of there. She felt claustrophobic in that bedroom, and the deal was they wouldn’t fall in love with one another. That was the agreement. She glanced down at his arms still clinging to her, and she wasn’t sure the best escape route, but she had to do some quick damage control.

  She slowly lifted his arm up, that was resting on her body and ever-so-slightly attempted to slide out of his arms. She slithered off the bed and breathed a sigh of relief. It was easier than she expected. However, as she was about finished getting dressed, he coughed and woke up from his sleep. “What are you doing, Babe? Come back to bed.”

  He reached up for her hand, but she pulled back. “I have such a busy day tomorrow. Derek wants me there earlier,” she lied.

  He laughed. “It sounds so funny when you call him Derek.” His eyes were still half closed, and she was frozen there. “Aren’t you sure you can’t come back to bed for just five minutes?” he asked. He winked at her.

  His eyes locked on hers, and she slowly shook her head. “I really should be going.” She couldn’t get those three little words out of her mind, and she couldn’t stand back and watch him acting so nonchalant with her; especially when she heard them.

  “Alright, Babe, but give me just one more kiss before you go.”

  She walked over to the bed, and he situated himself on his back. He reached up and wrapped his hand around her neck, pulling her down into a kiss before she could even fight it off, she was lost in the feeling of his lips on hers. “Goodbye!” he whispered, breaking from the kiss. Their eyes locked, and she had a moment where her knees felt weak.

  “Goodbye!” she replied softly, clearing her throat and backing away from him. “I’ll call you later,” she said, then turned away from him and headed out his bedroom door. Her heart raced, and her mind felt foggy. Was it because she was still confused by the words he uttered in his sleep or the fact that she felt it, too. She wasn’t sure, but she had to get out of there and gain some space.

  ****

  Derek felt like he had been staring at the house for hours before he finally saw some movement. The front door opened, and Charity stepped out onto the porch. Her pace quickened, and she hurried to her car. She backed out of the driveway and was already heading down the street before he had his car started and he got to following her. He worried he was going to lose her, but then as the familiar streets came into view, it became evident she was heading back to Buxton and most likely back to her apartment.

  He discovered he was right as she turned into the parking lot of the apartment building. He hung back, slowing his speed until she had parked and gotten out of the car. She went up the stairs and a moment later disappeared into her apartment. He found a parking spot and turned his car off. He sat there for some time before glancing down at his radio clock. It was almost nine o’clock. He could sit there and continue that belief that he was a stalker, or he could just man-up and talk to her.

  He opened up his car door, taking that option. The whole way to her door, he fought internally with himself. His conscience told him to leave, but his heart told him he had to finally talk to her. He didn’t go through all this, just to chicken out. He paused at her door, then knocked. When the door opened, he didn’t anticipate Ana being the one to stand before him.

  He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Ana’s jaw dropped slightly before she called out Charity’s name. “Charity, you have a visitor.”

  “A visitor? What…” Charity's words trailed off when she spotted him standing at the door. “What the hell are you doing here?” she asked. Her words were filled with anger, but there was also a slight notion of hurt behind her question. “How’d you find me?”

  He didn’t answer her last question, as he spoke. “I need to talk to you,” he replied quietly. His eyes shot to Ana’s, then back to Charity.

  Ana stepped back from the door. “I’ll give you two your space,” Ana spoke.

  “Ana..wait!” Charity argued. “You don’t have to go anywhere. Mayor Worthington isn’t staying.

  The sting of her calling him Mayor Worthington hurt him more than he thought it would. “Charity…please…” he begged. “Let me talk to you.”

  She rolled her eyes and looked away from him. He took it as his opening and stepped into their apartment. She glanced at him, and her eyes proved she wanted to stop him, but she didn’t. “I’ll give you two a minute,” Ana replied again, then disappeared into a room.

  Charity turned back to him. “You have five minutes…start talking.”

  Derek slowly closed the door behind him, then moved closer to her. However, when he took a step closer, she took a step back. He eventually stopped and realized she wasn’t ready to get him too close. “Charity, you have no idea how sorry I am. I’ve messed up by not telling you about the inheritance…I get that, but please look at it from my side. I didn’t anticipate caring for you, Charity, I didn’t.” Her eyes remained on his, but she didn’t move. “When I started to develop these feelings, I should’ve told you everything, but all I can do now is apologize and tell you that I meant every word. The inheritance means nothing if I don’t have you.” She opened her mouth, but he held up his hand to stop her. “You don’t have to believe me, as I realize how crazy you think it sounds. If I were in the same situation, I would find it crazy, too, but when you love someone nothing else matters.”

  Her mouth opened. “Love?” she whispered.

  He nodded. “Charity, I love you and the moment it hit me I had no reservations. Screw the money. You’re the one I need.”

  She bit her lower lip, and he moved closer to her. He tried to read her mind and make sure they were on the same page, but he could only take a chance. He moved in for a kiss. The kiss only lasted about five seconds, before she pushed him away and her hand went up, slapping him across the face.

  He touched his face, where the feel of her hand still remained. Her eyes widened, and her intensive stare remained focused on him. She wasn’t going to forgive him anytime soon. That was loud and clear.

  ****

  “Ouch! I deserved that!” he replied, still rubbing his cheek.

  “Damn right you did!” she snapped. Derek opened his mouth, but she glared at him, and he shut it again. “It’s my turn to talk. Who the hell do you think you are? I get that you’re the almighty Mayor and all, but you can’t walk all over people and expect them just to take it. You should’ve t
old me about the inheritance because now every time you open your mouth, I’m going to question whether any sincerity is in your words. Like right now. You love me? Come on, Derek, you don’t even know what love is.” He didn’t open his mouth to object, so she continued. “You’re worth billions…not millions…billions and you want me to believe that you’ll give it all up for love?”

  She stared at him long enough that he did ask the question. “Am I suppose to answer that?”

  She shook her head. “Don’t bother. I know that answer. You went years being alone. You didn’t need someone to fulfill that need. There’s no shame in that, but you can’t speak to me as if you think I’ll buy what you’re selling. It’s ten billion dollars, Derek. I may be gullible, at times, but I’m not stupid.”

  She moved past him and opened the apartment door. He turned around and stared at her. “If you want to be angry with me…fine, but it doesn’t appear you were too honest with me either.”

  She gawked at him with her mouth half hanging open. “What are you talking about? I was completely honest with you until you screwed things up.”

  He crossed his arms and kept his eyes intent on her. “Oh…is that, right? So you met this guy after I screwed things up?”

  She frowned. “Guy? What guy?”

  “The guy who I saw you with earlier this evening. He lives in Briar’s Ridge, and you seemed comfortable with him.”

  Her jaw dropped. “You have no right to follow me, and you definitely have no right to question who I can and can’t hang around.” She was livid. She couldn’t believe the audacity of him.

  “I know.” He quietly responded. “I’m just trying to—.”

  “You’re just trying to control me,” Charity interrupted him. Derek tried to argue, but she continued. “It’s just best that we cut ties right now. You go on being Mayor, and I’ll go on being a citizen that you barely know.”