Chloe: Tainted Ink Series Novella 1.5 (The Tainted Ink Series)

by Michelle Horst

  I take hold of my jacket’s lapels, pressing down on the twins to give him an even better view. “I’m about to strip down and the only person uncomfortable here is you,” I say, making my voice raspy. “Either you put on clothes or mine are coming off.”

  I reach for my belt when he throws a hand out to stop me. “Okay, you win! I’ll get dressed. But I choose the bar and only a few drinks.”

  “There now, that wasn’t that hard.” I add a little twirl out of happiness and head over to the bar for my drink.

  While Zac disappears to get dressed, I settle on a bar stool and take a sip of the whiskey. I let the amber fluid burn down my throat and start to wonder how I’m going to get Zac out of his shell.

  “There, I got a shirt.” He waves a hand in the air across the length of my body. “Now zip up.”

  I’ve forgotten that my jacket is undone and make a show of zipping it up, real slow.

  “Look, I’m usually a pretty decent guy but for some reason you-”

  I put the drink down and get up stopping him from giving me some big spiel. I’m not interested in what he has to say. “I’m a party girl, Zac. There’s not much more about me. I like to have fun.” I walk up to him and run my fingers up his chest. “You need to have fun, so let’s go.”

  ~*~

  Chapter Four

  Coldplay – Fix You

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY9b6jgbNyc

  Zac~

  Chloe brings out the worst in me, the absolute worst. There’s just something about her that gets under my skin.

  It’s almost midnight and I’m watching her dance. She tried to drag me to the dance floor, but there is no way in hell. Now there I draw the line.

  I nurse the whiskey that was placed in front of me a couple of minutes ago. I watch her toss her hair and tilt her hips from side to side, in the most seductive way. She’s fire and I know I’ll get burned if I stay around her. It’s time to go home. I toss the rest of the whiskey back and then make my way over to her.

  When I get close to her, I hear her laughter. She notices me and locks eyes with me. I’m not falling for whatever seduction spell she’s trying to weave around me.

  I lip-sync “time to go” and point at my watch in a very exaggerated way to show how irritated I feel.

  She grabs hold of my shoulders and presses her body hard to mine. She slowly moves down the length of my body, before coming back up. Then she leans into my ear and yells, “Just another one.” She lets go of me and holding up her index finger, she indicates one more dance with a mocking smile. I swear it’s become a game to her to see how much she can aggravate me.

  I stay standing on the floor, showing her how unimpressed I am with her ‘just another dance’ request. But she couldn’t be bothered. She keeps moving torturously slow to the beat pulsing around us and I have to admit it’s starting to work. I can’t help but let my eyes move down her body and take in the ample cleavage that’s there for everyone to see. Only I know she’s wearing nothing under that jacket.

  The thought hits me hard and I feel a surge of lust I’m not prepared for. Upset with Chloe for winning and myself for feeling anything for her, I turn around and walk out.

  ~*~

  Later the night I wake up tossing and turning with a raging hard-on. Fuck the party girl act, that woman knows what she’s doing and I won’t let her win. Laurie was my life and it will only ever be Laurie.

  I’m up before dawn and running as if Chloe herself is behind me. How can one woman upset my life this way? I only met her yesterday. I decide to shove her to the back of my mind and head into work. Work has always been there for me. Work won’t leave me.

  I make it to lunch time before I’m forced to think of Chloe again. My phone rings and when I answer it’s her voice purring over the line, “Hey there, Mr. Crab, want to come out of your shell and play?”

  “I’m at work. Can I help you, Chloe?” I grind down on my teeth.

  “Just ringing you like you said I should. Tonight at seven. See ya,” she sings in my ear and then the line goes dead.

  “Fuck!” I push my chair back and run a hand through my hair. Not another night with her.

  Aiden looks up from his desk. “You okay there?”

  “No, Chloe is your guest,” I let him have it. “Why should I be her entertainment?”

  He laughs it off as if it’s nothing. “It’s about time you start getting’ out more. I’m not stopping her.”

  “Y’all are going to be the end of me,” I growl before forcing myself to focus on the case we’re busy with.

  I’m hardly home when Chloe’s knocking on my front door. “I thought you said seven,” I snap as I open the door.

  “Well, I’m bored so I came early,” she smiles and breezes into my house. She’s wearing a fuckin’ short skirt and a shirt that again shows too much cleavage.

  “Don’t you own any decent clothes?”

  “I love my body, why should I hide it?” She quirks an eyebrow at me. “You could love it too, just show the way to your bedroom.”

  I wipe over my face. I really don’t have the strength to argue her the whole night. “I need a drink.”

  ~*~

  Chapter Five

  Gabriella Aplin – Lying to the mirror

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCTdih-D5Kw

  Chloe~

  I’ve managed to get eight drinks into Zac and he’s still not loosening up. He’s wound so tight, I’m running out of ideas to get him to have fun.

  We decided to stay at his place and I’m bending over the pool table, making a meal of my shot and my body, hoping Zac would take the bait. His eyes start at my legs and travels up stopping at my arse, where they stay for a while. It’s a good thing he keeps checking me out. I think a good shag will do him wonders and I’m all game to feel his hard body against mine.

  “What’s the use of having,” I line up for another shot, feeling my skirt ride up high, “a pool table if you don’t use it?”

  “I use it. I’m just not in the mood right now.” His eyes make a roadmap of my body wandering the length of me.

  I walk over to him and stroking the stick up and down in front of him, I lean into him. “What are you in the mood for?”

  His eyes goes a darker shade of blue. I’m just about to think I finally have him where I want him when he says, “Don’t play this game with me, Chloe,” he warns. “I think it’s time for you to go home.”

  While I’m leaning closer I take the liberty of kissing his cheek. I don’t beg. “Night, Zac,” I whisper.

  I place the stick against the bar and head out. I need to get laid and it won’t be happening at this address.

  ~*~

  I wake up feeling knackered and pop one eye open to glare around me. I’m still in Jason’s bed. Shit. I must’ve really got sloshed to not go home after my one night stand. I drag my arse out from under the covers and start to search the room for my clothes. There’s nothing. I expand my search to the rest of the apartment and find my clothes scattered at the door. Looks like I had fun, it’s a pity I can’t remember any of it.

  I get outside and find Emma’s car only to realize I haven’t got the faintest clue where I am. The sun is glaring brightly down on me making me feel worse and there’s no way I’m going back inside. I yank out my phone to ring Emma up for directions.

  “You’re in deep shit,” Emma answers clearly upset. “You don’t answer your phone! Is this the time to phone me? Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?” Emma lets me have it before I’m even properly awake. Her pregnancy hormones must be making her overprotective, so I take her with a pinch of salt. My best mate only means well.

  “Sorry, Sunshine. Had fun and got carried away. I’m at some blokes flat and need directions home,” I drop the bomb that’s only going to end up exploding in my face.

  “What? Bloody hell, Chloe! Do you know how reckless that is? Give me the address and we’ll come for you.”

  “Hang ten, I need to l
ook for a street name.” Emma huffs loudly and I know I’m going to pay dearly for springing this shit on her. I walk to the corner quickly and give her the address, then go back to her car to wait.

  The sun is blinding me while I wait and I curse myself again for falling asleep here.

  A car pulls up and to my utter embarrassment it’s Aiden and Zac. Once Aiden puts the car in park, Emma climbs out of the back. She scowls at me darkly and I know she’s going to let me have it all the way home.

  “Are you bloody mental,” Emma’s voice quivers, catching me off guard. I didn’t mean to make her worry. I feel like shit for upsetting her so badly.

  She stalks right up to me and grabs my hand. A tear rolls down her cheek making me feel even worse. “Your parents died and this is your way of coping? I’m here for you to talk about it. Don’t go out and shag every man you can. You’re only hurting yourself more. I’m here for you,” she pleads.

  I sigh loudly. “I’m sorry I didn’t phone. I was just having some fun.” I laugh humorlessly and shrug my shoulders. “There’s no need for you to worry.”

  “No need to worry?” She heaves an angry breath. “You don’t even know where you are. You’re too wild. What happened to my caring friend, she’s got to be in there still? I love you too much to watch you destroy yourself.” Another tear rolls down her cheek. I can only imagine how worried she must’ve been. Emma never cries and now she’s pulling the love card on me, as well.

  “I’m dealing as best I can, Sunshine. Right now having fun works for me.” I walk over to the passenger side of the car. “Let’s go home.”

  My eyes jump to Aiden’s car where he and Zac have been listening to our fall out. I hate that Zac is seeing me like this and heard all of that.

  Emma opens the driver’s door and still scowling at me, she says, “You wouldn’t just stand by and watch me destroy my life. You didn’t, remember? You jumped in and took over my life. You saved me, Chloe, and I’ll be damned if I’m not here for you.” A sob thickens her words.

  I feel like rubbish for putting her through this kind of stress. “I’m not destroying anything. I love you too, Sunshine. Let’s go home now so I can make all of this up to you.” I squeeze out a smile to reassure her that I mean what I’m saying.

  “You’re my family,” she says and then she gets into the car.

  I get in the car and reach out to Emma. I squeeze her hand. She’s the only one that still matters to me. “I’m going to go freshen up and then I’ll spend the day making it up to you. I promise we’ll have fun.”

  ~*~

  I fluff out the teddy bear and place it amongst the others. My eyes flit around the white room perfect for any baby. Taking in the crib and all the carefully placed items, I feel a sharp jab in my chest. I’ll never have this … a baby … a family.

  “Are you feeling better?” Emma asks from where she’s sitting in the rocking chair, folding the last of the baby clothes.

  “I should be asking you that,” I sigh and let my fingers trail softly over the sea of fluffy bears. “I’m so sorry for upsetting you, Sunshine. It just gets hard to cope sometimes.” I look at her from over my shoulder and smile brightly. “But, you know me. I’ve always landed on my feet. I’ve always been one for fun.”

  “Are you really having fun?”

  I look back at the bears so she can’t see my face and the hurt that must be reflecting in my eyes. “Most of the times. It’s what I do best.”

  “You can’t be the people pleaser forever. What about you … your life?”

  “I’m cursed and you know that. Why should I risk wanting something I can’t have? The same will happen to me.”

  “What happened between your parents won’t happen to you. You’ll find someone you can love and trust, if only you allow yourself open to the possibility.”

  “All men are liars. I have yet to meet one who isn’t. They all just want one thing from you and once you give it, they are gone. I’d rather be the one doing the using and deciding who gets what of me.” I turn to face Emma. “I really hope Aiden is the exception. I’ll kill him if he hurts you.”

  “Aiden is perfect. He’ll never cheat on me. It’s not right that you look at all men the same. They aren’t all cheaters. Take Zac for instance, he is just like Aiden, he’ll never cheat.”

  I shake my head. “My mum believed my dad loved only her. She never thought he would cheat on her and he did with two bloody whores. It killed her and it will kill me too if I have to give my heart away only to be cheated on. His whoring around was the end of them both.” My throat grows thick with memories I’d rather forget. Watching my mum die of sadness cured me of the illusion that men could sweep you off your feet and give you the life you always wanted. Watching my dad die because he couldn’t handle my mum’s death, showed me that he loved her. He might have loved mum, but he couldn’t stay faithful to her. If that is love I don’t want any of it.

  “You’ll see one day that not all men are like that. Aiden opened my eyes to love and someone will do the same for you.”

  ~*~

  Chapter Six

  Kevin Costner & Modern West - Palisades

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnqFOKQ4IkI&index=39&list=LL1XibADsNiY6dMiJLgBRhkQ

  Zac~

  I didn’t expect to witness any of that this morning but I’m glad I did. It explains Chloe a little better. She’s hurting just like me under that whole mask of laughter she’s trying pull off. Where I choose to deal with my pain in the privacy of my home, she’s lashing out. I’m afraid Emma’s right, that kind of lashing out might destroy her. If Chloe crashes she will take Emma with her and that doesn’t sit well in my gut. She might bring out the worst in me but that doesn’t mean I don’t care what happens to a fellow human being.

  I can handle Chloe for three weeks, keep her busy. At least if she’s with me Emma won’t have to worry.

  ~*~

  I haven’t heard from Chloe in two days. I’m seeing her today for the party at Aiden’s, that at least will curb the worry in me.

  I get to Aiden’s early so I can offer my help in getting everything ready. With a knock on the front door, I let myself in. Emma teases me a lot, I’m here so often I might as well move in with them.

  I find Emma and Chloe dancing in the kitchen. Neither of them can hold a tune. I stand by the entrance and watch them bump their hips together. Emma notices me first. “You made it early! I’m so glad, Aiden is out back getting everything ready.”

  I wave at them, offering them both a smile. It’s my first step towards making peace with Chloe. With a dishcloth in her hand she waves back. She almost looks shy, that’s if I would believe anything could make her shy. She’s way too forward.

  “I’ll be out back then.” I leave the women to go search for Aiden.

  We get everything done just in time. Wyatt is first, I can hear his laughter all the way from the kitchen. Moments later he comes outside whistling low.

  “Bro, that’s so unfair. You can’t have both beauties to yourself. You should’ve told me Chloe was here. I would’ve come around much sooner.”

  “Why do you think I didn’t say anything. The last thing I need is my brother using Emma’s best friend for a one night stand,” Aiden warns.

  Wyatt laughs and places his hand over his heart. “Like I would do something like that. You think low of me.”

  Aiden points to him with a fork. “I know you would. Emma’s due soon. I want to keep the peace.”

  “But you let Zac meet her?” Wyatt keeps teasing Aiden. When will Aiden learn that Wyatt is only trying to get a rise out of him?

  “Zac won’t jump her like you would. Zac is the last man that would be any threat to a woman.”

  Wyatt pats me on the back. “You’re right. I forgot Zac has sworn of all women.”

  “Now that’s a pity,” Chloe says as she comes out, carrying a salad bowl. “He doesn’t know what he’s missing.”

  “I can see what he’s missing,” Wyatt says as he w
ags his eyebrows at her. “Don’t waste your time with him, darlin’. If you’re looking for a man I’m more than willing to play the part.”

  I frown at Wyatt. I don’t like the idea that he’s flirting with Chloe, not now that I know more about her.

  I slap Wyatt upside the head. “Some of us don’t have to play the part, it comes naturally. Keep your grubby paws off of her. She’s not one of your playthings,” I warn.

  Chloe’s staring at me, her lips parted in surprise. “Did you just defend my honor?” she asks, looking even more stunned than a few seconds ago.

  “Who’s defending whose honor?” Emma asks as she comes out.

  “Zac is defending my honor,” Chloe walks in my direction and before I can guess her actions she places a kiss on my cheek. It tingles just like it did the first time she kissed me. She leans in and whispers so only I can hear. “I do prefer a man that’s all natural and heroic.”

  I shake my head and smile at her, adamant to win her friendship. “I’ll never win with you, will I?”

  “Nope, you make it easy to ruffle your feathers.”

  “Is that so?” I lean more in to her and get a whiff of a sweet scent. It fills my lungs and I quickly take another breath. She smells so refreshing.

  “Uh-huh ,” she mumbles. She settles one arm around my neck and weaves her fingers into my hair. “I just love it.”

  “You two want to get a room?” Wyatt smirks from the side.

  “Not yet,” I play along. “Good things come to those who wait.”

  “You sure can make a woman wait. It better be real good,” Chloe says, not missing a beat.

  “Oh my bloody word, next you’ll be undressing each other.” Emma shoves a beer into our hands. “Here, drink something and cool down. It’s hot enough with me being pregnant in the summer.

  ~*~

  The others arrived shortly after Wyatt. Everyone is taken with Chloe’s spontaneous personality. I’m surprised when Cole and Lily arrive. I really didn’t expect to see them. They’ve only started hanging out with family a few months ago. I really hope they’ve moved on and put the bad that happened two years ago in the past.