Charlotte (Marked Heart #2)

by M. Sembera

  "Why are your numbers different?" he questioned.

  Hesitant, she replied, "Because you turned every six into a nine and vice versa." Taking note of his confused expression, she added, "No wonder you couldn't get the hang of it, I think you might be dyslexic."

  "There's nothing wrong with me."

  Frustrated for a different reason now, Charlotte snapped, "Whatever, let's just take a break then."

  Grabbing two beers out of the fridge, Auggie set one in front of her at the table before walking to the living room and sitting down in his chair.

  "Drink this one slow," he teased, provoking her to get up and join him in the adjoining room.

  Making her way to the couch, Charlotte made a face at him, saying, "I'm not a light weight, it was late and I was tired."

  "Sure you were."

  With a slight huff, she sat down on the end of the couch closest to Auggie in his chair.

  ~

  Auggie could see all the way up the back of one of her thighs when Charlotte crossed her legs. As he tried to think about anything other than her sitting there, something came to him but it wasn't what he'd expected to think of.

  Mentally swearing he intended to use more tact as he blurted, "So what's with your face?" when Charlotte gave him a crazy look, snapping, "What's with yours?" he took a moment before asking, "What happened to your mouth?"

  Charlotte pulled her lips into her mouth, pressing them together before asking, "Why do you always wear that stupid beanie?"

  Thinking that was an odd thing to counter his question with, she was usually pretty snappy with her comebacks. Recalling the scars he saw on her back, Auggie decided her lame distraction was just like when she told him he smelled. He was getting to know her and little by little he was figuring her out.

  "No big deal, I was just curious," he replied, deciding it was a touchy subject.

  "I'm sure you heard the rumors."

  Standing up to throw his empty bottle away, he shared, "I prefer first-hand accounts," remembering all the trouble Sheryl and her younger sister caused Charlotte by saying it was a sex thing. That she liked it rough right before a group of her sister's friends, pulled her shirt over her head and shoved her into a room with nothing but boys. Now that he'd seen some of what was under her shirt he understood how the rumor caught on.

  By the time Auggie made it to the kitchen and threw his bottle way, Charlotte was standing by the sink.

  Leaning against the counter, she shared, "It's not a very exciting story. My mom told me to shut my mouth and I didn't so she shut it for me."

  All he could say was, "Damn."

  With a slight laugh and a shoulder shrug, Charlotte assured, "It doesn't bother me anymore, it's still a bit stiff on that side but other than not kissing anyone since I was fourteen..."

  "Wait, what?"

  Realizing she had crossed over into TMI territory, she'd already said it so she explained, "It was really painful and it felt like forever for it to heal. Just the thought use to make me a little sick to my stomach and now, it's just as well. Trace has a thing about perfection so there is no way..."

  "He doesn't kiss you?"

  Laughing, she shook her head, "Not on the lips. I even have this special lipstick that hides it. He would probably have an anxiety attack if he saw me without it."

  Thinking back to the first night he saw her at the bar, Auggie remembered full red lips that had a lacquer-like shine as he asked, "But you don't wear it?"

  "It serves a purpose with Trace, but it doesn't feel natural, I prefer my chubby stick."

  Raising and eyebrow at her, he blurted, "Your what?"

  As Charlotte replied with a light smile, "That's just what it's called, it's like lip balm but it has a hint of color to it," Auggie couldn't take his eyes off of her mouth.

  How could any man in his right mind not want to kiss her? They looked so soft and so what if there was a scar, it was barely noticeable. If given the opportunity, he wouldn't think twice about it. Clearing his throat, Auggie realized he was out of his mind for thinking like that.

  ~

  Surprised at how effortless it was to talk to Auggie, Charlotte wasn't really a sharer. There were things that she didn't find worth talking about and her scars were right at the top of that list. Deciding it had to be the bartender in him, when he wasn't being a judgmental ass, he was unbelievably easy to talk to.

  The moment was getting a tad on the awkward side, when Charlotte remembered she had asked him a question.

  "Hey," she seemed to blurt out of nowhere, before saying, "Now, what about that beanie of yours."

  With a blank expression like she had startled him out of deep thought, he walked back to the table, saying, "A couple of years ago, I got into a fight outside The Dog House."

  Joining him at the table, Charlotte turned her chair to face him, interested in his story.

  "This guy was runnin' his mouth about my sister. So we took it out to back. I was whoopin' his ass until he put my head through the passenger side window of Ailin's car."

  Charlotte gasped, "Oh my gosh!" when Auggie pulled his beanie off, saying, "Twenty-two stitches," and held his hair back with his hand revealing a long thick scar that hooked around to the back of his head.

  Without realizing what she was doing, Charlotte reached over and ran her middle finger across his scar.

  "Sorry, go ahead," she quickly spit out when he jerked away and looked at her like she had electrocuted him.

  It took him a few minutes before he continued, "It looked pretty nasty, so Jacks got me a couple of beanies to cover it while I was tending bar. I kinda got used to wearin' 'em and ya know it feels weird not to now."

  Nodding, she turned back to face the table. Charlotte actually felt pretty bad about touching his scar. Knowing she would have freaked out if he had touched her mouth while she was talking to him, she had an understanding of how sensitive something like that was.

  In an effort to get back to the task at hand, Charlotte stared at the ledger and receipts.

  "I have an idea."

  She could feel Auggie looking at her but kept her eyes focused on the table.

  "Let's try this," picking up a receipt, saying, "I'll read them off to you and see if that helps."

  "Okay."

  Aside from reading the totals, not much more was said. Charlotte's idea momentarily solved a problem, but he still didn't quite have the hang of it.

  9

  Intruder

  Another long and boring week had finally made its way to Thursday as Charlotte searched Auggie's front porch for his spare key. Grateful the street was empty at midnight, not only did she not want to be discovered at his house, she was sure she looked fairly suspicious out there. Finding his spare key, she unlocked the front door and let herself in.

  Setting the information she found on dyscalculia, a form of dyslexia having to do with numbers, on his coffee table, she waited for him to arrive. He would definitely fuss at her for breaking and entering. In addition to helping him get to where he could handle the books on his own, she needed to catch him off guard. She needed a favor and let's face it, Auggie wasn't a do a friend a favor type of guy.

  Finally, she heard the door knob turn before the front door opened. Leaning back in his chair, she watched as Auggie closed the door behind him with the back of his boot before walking right past her. Her initial amusement at him not realizing she was there was quickly replaced with a dull ache when he undid the first two buttons on his shirt before pulling it off over his head. Dropping his shirt on the floor, he kicked his work boots off on the way to the kitchen. Charlotte carefully memorizing the way the Celtic cross on his back started just below the nape of his neck, spread across his shoulder blades and ended just above his waistband.

  The ledger, the information she brought, even the favor she was planning to ask all slipped away as he stretched his arms out to the side with a loud yawn. It was a downright sin for him to cover something so glorious with those hideous plaid
shirts. As he continued to the fridge, Charlotte wished she could simply sit and watch what she assumed was his after work routine. Grabbing a beer out of the fridge, Auggie slid the top against the edge of the counter before catching the cap as it popped up off of his beer, in his other hand. After taking a long swig from the bottle, he placed his beer and the cap on the counter.

  Turning back toward the living room, Auggie made his way out of the kitchen before glancing at Charlotte then jumping about two feet back.

  "What the..." Auggie blurted before shouting, "You broke into my house?"

  "No, I used your spare key on the porch," she replied, watching his chest move up and down as his shock wore off.

  "You almost gave me a damn heart attack!"

  Making an absurd face at him, she calmly stated, "I think you're overreacting a bit."

  "You scared the hell out of me!"

  "Sure, any guy would be terrified to come home and find a beautiful woman waiting for him," Charlotte teased, rolling her eyes.

  Reaching down to pick up his shirt, Auggie demanded, "Why are you here?" before pulling it back on.

  "Glad you asked."

  ~

  Still too stunned to be as angry with Charlotte as he should have been, Auggie watched her hop out of his chair, grab something off of his coffee table and walk up to him.

  "First," she said with a hint of hidden motives, "You were right. You're not dyslexic. I think you have dyscalculia."

  "That sounds horrible," he griped.

  "I brought you some information if you'd like to read up on it."

  "And?" he questioned, seeing the spark of something else in her eyes.

  "I found a club twenty minutes from here."

  "Good for you."

  "And...I want you to take me Saturday night."

  Thinking she was out of her mind, he stated, "Nope."

  Waiting for her to pout or start whining, Auggie was surprised when she whipped herself around and walked to the couch.

  Charlotte narrowed her eyes at him and then smiled.

  "Clearly, you have no idea how serious this is," she assured before adding, "I could literally die of boredom here."

  "Now who's overreacting?"

  Raising her eyebrows, she stated, "I have resorted to breaking into houses to keep myself entertained."

  Trying not to smile, he said, "Really."

  Nodding vigorously, she looked around saying, "If you don't say yes, I'll...I'll..." stopping to throw herself onto the couch, "I won't survive."

  He couldn't help finding her amusing. Seeing Charlotte play dead on his couch, made it difficult to keep a straight face when she opened one eye to see his response. Pursing her lips at him when he held strong to his unwavering demeanor, it appeared as though she wasn't ready to throw in the towel.

  Charlotte sat up, crossed her legs and sighed.

  "Okay," she replied in a defeated tone.

  Scowling at her, he didn't believe her for a second.

  "Just know if I go alone, I could end up kidnaped, chained up in somebodies basement."

  "No one here has basements."

  Shrugging her shoulders, Charlotte stated, "In a freezer then."

  "A freezer?"

  Sitting up tall with a serious expression on her face she shared, "I could be enjoying myself at the club, a little tipsy, and up walks a devastatingly handsome and charming man... you know, so I don't know he's a psychopath...stranger. He invites me back to his place and of course, I can't say no because he says all the right things." Then in an over exaggerated execution Charlotte finished with, "Next thing you know I'm chopped up in a freezer! How good are you gonna feel about yourself when on a hot sunny day some sick freak is sitting in his lawn chair enjoying a Charlotte-Sycle?"

  Unable to stand it any longer, Auggie burst into laughter, saying, "Fine."

  With a shocked expression, she jumped to her feet.

  "Fine as in yes?"

  Finding it hard to believe himself, after her display, he couldn't say no.

  "Yes but..."

  Charlotte's excitement faded as she griped, "Ah... But what?"

  With a heavy sigh, Auggie looked her over saying, "You owe me."

  "Anything," she agreed with a smile.

  Shaking his head at himself for his sudden attack of weakness, he walked to his kitchen and grabbed his beer off of the counter.

  ~

  Charlotte's mind reeled with excitement and gratitude towards Auggie. She never expected him to actually say yes. Wanting him to know how much she appreciated his agreeing to go with her, Charlotte glanced in his direction. Before she decided exactly what to say, to thank him, it occurred to her, he probably had nothing to wear.

  Meeting him next to the refrigerator, Charlotte asked, "What size pants do you wear?"

  "Excuse me?"

  Pursing her lips at him, she replied, "Your pants, what size are they?"

  "Why?"

  "I know you have this whole rugged, manly bartender thing going for you but it isn't exactly...You're going to have a hard time getting in, even with me on your arm, if you dress like that."

  "What does that have to do with what size my pants are?"

  Thinking, 'Boys are so dumb', Charlotte answered, "Clearly, you can't be trusted to dress yourself. Give me your sizes and I'll pick an outfit out for you."

  Appearing to be offended, Auggie fussed, "I don't wear outfits and no way in hell I'm gonna let you dress me."

  Giving him an irritated expression, she replied, "Don't get all excited, Augustus. I didn't offer to dress you. I am simply going to buy you something club appropriate to wear."

  Narrowing his eyes at her, he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket, pulled some money out and laid it on the counter.

  Glancing down at the money, Charlotte shook her head at him.

  "What exactly do you expect me to buy with that? A sock?" she fussed.

  Scowling, he griped, "Your socks cost fifty dollars?"

  Placing her hand across her forehead, Charlotte had to take a moment.

  "Since you're doing me a favor, keep your money and consider whatever I buy you a gift."

  "I can buy my own clothes."

  Frustrated, she argued, "I wasn't saying that you couldn't."

  Pulling five crisp one hundred dollar bills out of his wallet, Auggie slammed them against the counter saying, "Here! If it costs more, I don't want it."

  "Fine," she blurted, scooping his money up in her hand.

  "Goodnight, Charlotte," he snapped before walking to his room and slamming the door.

  ~

  Auggie waited to hear his front door close before stepping back out of his bedroom. He wasn't ready for bed yet, but he was ready for her to leave. There seemed to be a give and take pattern with her. Give a compliment and then take it right back. She had called him rugged and manly but at the same time she seemed to insinuate that he was incapable of being either. As he thought to himself, she was a frustrating pain in the ass, he wondered what the hell he was thinking getting involved with Charlotte in the first place.

  10

  Chivalry

  Grateful Jackson asked no questions when Auggie requested the night off as he stood in his bedroom staring at the clothes Charlotte expected him to wear. When she called the bar right at closing Friday night, he had quickly given her his sizes after she threatened breaking into his house, again if he didn't tell her. The dark blue button down wasn't too bad, he guessed but maroon slacks? Who did she think he was? She was lucky he was still going after seeing what she bought him to wear. If she hadn't shown up in those high heels and tiny black shorts, he might have changed his mind. Shaking his head at himself as he pulled his pants off of the hanger, Auggie thought 'Oh lord, this is an outfit'.

  Stepping out of his bedroom Auggie noticed Charlotte sitting in his chair. The second she caught sight of him in his 'outfit' a satisfied smile spread across her face. Every muscle in his body tensed as she stood up and made her way to him
. Stopping in front of him, Charlotte slid the top two buttons of his shirt open before reaching up and carefully adjusting his collar. She was too close for him to think clearly. Between the way she slowly smiled up at him and the way her sweet smell hovered around him, he felt his fingertips start to tingle. Everything about her appeared so soft, he wanted to touch her.

  Clearing his throat, he said, "Thought you weren't going to dress me."

  "It looks better this way and technically I think it would count as undressing you."

  ~

  Charlotte could feel her heart beat faster as the words 'undressing you' left her mouth. He was too close. He hadn't backed away or fussed at her for touching him. His tone was low as he questioned her and when she replied, he stood there gazing at her until she took a step back. Feeling a rush of warmth to her cheeks, she had no choice but to turn away.

  Quickly making light of the moment, Charlotte said, "I have to get a picture."

  "What?" he snapped, back to his normal self.

  Pulling her cellphone out of her back pocket, she shared, "This is a momentous occasion. Years from now I want to be able to look at it and remember the day I got Augustus Caffrey to wear something stylish."

  Auggie cringed, saying, "I hate you right now."

  "You should be thanking me. If you dressed like this more often you probably wouldn't be coming home by yourself every night."

  With an amused expression, he replied, "I'm thinkin' that has less to do with what I wear and more that nine outta ten times a crazy blonde shows up."

  Pretending to be offended, Charlotte huffed, "I am not crazy. I'm lighthearted and fun."

  "Lighthearted?"

  "Okay, maybe not but you have to admit, you like having me around."

  With a low groan Auggie griped, "Let's go before I change my mind."

  ~

  On the way to Club 76 Charlotte couldn't decide if twenty minutes was too long or not quite long enough to ride with Auggie in his truck. The smell of his grey leather interior mixed with his freshly showered scent affected her. Charlotte always enjoyed the smell of cologne but had no idea a man could smell so good without it. Auggie's soap and deodorant aroma suited him to a tee. No frills just him. And it was all him, all man like him.