by a dagmara
Charlie sensed the escalating need and unbuttoned his jeans pulling his erection free. His hands on my hips, he lifted my body pressing the head of his arousal at my aching chore, rubbing and teasing me further.
My eyes fell to his lips; I wanted a kiss, his kiss. Looking at me, his own breathing was labored. Placing both hands to his shoulders, I adjusted slightly and lowered down on his poised erection. Inch by glorious inch, the need to feel him in me, stretch me, sent a shudder up my spine. Perhaps it was the sense that we were not fucking that had me suddenly shaken, or my need to feel his lips against mine. Whichever it was, I didn’t care.
He lifted me slowly up and down forcing to take more of him in me.
Slowly, I debated my desire. I lowered my lips to his chin. I felt him tense, hold in the control from kissing me on his own.
Pulling up slightly the debate was had.
My lips fell slowly to his. Closing my eyes and focusing on just him, his lips, and the way his body felt moving in mine. The tremble rocketed through me.
He took such care, affording me the time to work it out before; he took command of the kiss. The anxiety still under the surface but overshadowed with my want, my need. I knew that this was it. There would be nothing more after this night. For one night, I wanted to allow the belief that he felt the same about me. That it was worth my broken heart tomorrow. With that thought, I could help but lose control of my tightly controlled emotions. The pooling in my eyes released.
He pulled from the kiss and forced me to look at him. “What changed and why me?”
I had no answer that I was willing to give.
“I didn’t earn this right Lilly, I’m certainly not worthy of it.” He offered remorsefully.
“You may be right, but I want it. If only for a night, I want normal. I want you.”
“Only a night” He looked curiously to me. I couldn’t tell if it was a statement or a question.
“What more could you possibly be able to give me if not a night?” I meant it as a statement, with an urgency, I kissed him with the need I had. His arms holding me tight to his body, Charlie took command of both the kiss and my body. For a night, I was surrendering fully.
True to form, he gave me all night. By morning, we would part ways. That would be the last time he and I saw each other in this way.
Somehow, this was ok. It was on my terms, no lies or promises of a future he and I would never have. I suppose it made the heartbreak hurt a little less.
Chapter 13
So much had changed and yet so little really had. But isn’t that always the case?
It had been only 8 months, since I had seen or heard from Charlie.
Vaihn Enterprise took control of Holtinbach Industries. To their surprise, they now had control over a few sewage facility treatment plants. Sebastian was less than pleased. My understanding was that Charlie found amusement in the discovery.
Showing up during the finalizing of their take over wasn’t a priority for me. Fortunately, Brady, being both my attorney and business partner took the lead and handled what needed to be, as I couldn’t find enough excuses to be absent. The idea of being in the same room as Charlie, for any amount of time was something I wasn’t ready for. He was only in my life for a weekend, yet his wake would last me a lifetime.
My life was taking a turn away from the Vaihn brothers, I finally felt free of all that it entailed. I made sure not to follow any stories or article about either of them. I didn’t want to get sucked back into the black whole of lies and deception that they embodied. It was better this way. Holt Holdings was exploding, requiring all my attention. I was on my own ride of success. In many ways life was enfolding the way it should. Brady and Sam; now engaged, planning on a winter wedding. As for Julie and Chris, they’re relationship moved very quickly. They were about to be wed this weekend.
I could say everything has been smooth sailing for me, but that would be a lie. Three months ago, grief and tragedy found me. I guess I was a magnet for tragedy. Spending time with Nicholas, my son helped me manage my loss. I had taken a good month with him. Still keeping him a secret from the world, it was wearing on me.
Traveling between Maryland and New York became a common routine these days.
Thinking about Julie’s wedding had me tied up in knots. For the life of me, I couldn’t understand why she picked me to be her maid of honor, even more so the fact that I said yes still boggles my mind. Julie and I did finally become the friends we should have been, now that there was no longer a strife or misunderstanding between us.
Chris’s family was large and all located in Maryland, they were keeping the wedding here. It worked well for Julie’s father, as DC was a close commute. Julie’s mother was the only one that had protested, she would have preferred a New York Venue.
The few times I had met Julie’s mother, she and I seemed to get along better than expected. So much so, that I find myself being swamped with emails and phone calls from her. Grant it, I was the maid of honor and pretty much a go between; more like buffer, between her and Julie. Perhaps it was my position in the wedding that had her so far up my ass. I suppose it didn’t really matter, I found myself actually liking her.
Over the past four months, I found myself having lunch with her at least once a week. She seemed to have my schedule down and I couldn’t ever find a good enough reason to say no to the woman. Holt Holdings had me in New York, once per week sometimes more. Beyond business associates, I really didn’t know anyone in New York, so having lunch with her was nice.
It was almost a bit odd. Our lunch this past week rang longer than normal and again I noticed that she did her best to introduce me to the who’s who of New York’s upper crust. In many ways, I felt like she was showing me off like a new toy. Julie’s take on it was more to the point that her mother was taken with me and I should take is as a compliment. Apparently, Patricia Lever didn’t take to many. I suppose the more I think on it, the more I realize she and I had many things in common even if I didn’t care to admit it.
Finally, home, I pulled up my driveway. Returning from a long weekend in Turks and Kakos for Julie’s Bachelorette party, more like mini vacation was fun but exhausting. I need some re-coop time. It was Midweek and her rehearsal dinner was set for Friday. I couldn’t wait for this wedding to be over.
I suspected Brady would be getting back from Vegas today as well. Chris decided on taking his bachelor party to where else but sin city. I knew Brady had everything to do with that, as he was Chris’s best man.
Parking the car and grabbing my bags from the trunk, I felt so tired. The sun was setting yet the oppressive heat and humidity seem to be as thick as midafternoon. Unlocking the door and stepping inside was an instant relief to the heat. I was more than appreciative of the ac that greeted me the moment I stepped in. Damn it was like a sauna outside.
In the house, I walked my bags back to my room and pulled my cell phone free. Changing quickly into something more comfortable, a strapless white maxi dress, I walked to the kitchen pulling my favorite liquor from the cabinet. My eyes quickly spotted the view of the back yard.
Hell ya!! The pool was now completed and landscaped. Walking thru the French doors into the now balmy evening the water looked pristine and inviting. Putting the pool in was probably the smartest thing I could have done. The pool ran horizontally across the back of the house and the lighting was perfect. Stepping to the edge, I couldn’t resist but dip my toes in. Oh, yes the water was cold.
Walking to the lounge chair, I place my now empty drink down and pulled my dress off. Skinny-dipping was more than acceptable in my opinion. I had no visitors nor could anyone see me as the house sat a ways up from the road. Most of the trees now grown and full of leaves would hide the back part of the house.
Jumping in the water was divine. Swimming a few laps my mind was finally relaxed. Resting at the end of the pool, I simply wanted to stay in a bit longer. Shaking my head, my cell phone was ringing. I needed a just a little more peac
e. Dipping down under the water, I didn’t care who was calling.
I needed a break from everyone and thing. After a few minutes I decided on another few laps, knowing this would help sleep find me.
Pulling my head up and wiping my eyes from the water, I was almost taken off guard. Brady sat on the lounge chair, cigar in hand.
“Jesus Brady! You almost gave me a heart attack!” I swam up to the edge of the pool as he laughed.
“I see you got quite the tan in Turks.”
“Oh fuck off Brady, How was Vegas?” I laughed
“Fun” he raised his eyebrows teasingly.
“Fun huh? I’m almost afraid to ask, so I won’t” I kept myself in the water at the edge of the pool.
“So, you wouldn’t believe whom I spent the entire time with?”
“Truly, I don’t want to know.” I rolled my eyes.
“Sure you do. It seems that both Sebastian and Charlie were invited and stayed with us.”
I really didn’t want to hear about it yet reading Brady’s expression, I could tell he was going to share regardless.
“And how was that for you?” I smirked
“Interesting. Apparently, Charlie and Rebecca are now divorced and Sebastian, well, hasn’t changed much. It seems that the Vaihn brothers are still hung up on you and what you’re up to these days.”
“I don’t see why I would be of any interest to either of them.” I rolled my eyes. I really didn’t need this. Flashes of Charlie popped through my mind, the last time I was with him. Shaking my head, I couldn’t let myself down memory lane.
“I only bring it up because they will both be in attendance and Charlie is part of the bridal party.” His voice was that of a concerned brother.
Looking up at him his eyes were cautiously on me; waiting for a response.
“Charlie is Julie’s brother Brady, and yes, I was informed that he would be there. Hell, it was a no brainer Brady.” Slighting my head at him I could tell he looked worried, “What’s really bothering you?”
“I don’t know exactly. Let say I have a bad feeling.”
“About the wedding? Or me?” I looked to him, as he seemed a little lost in his own mind.
“They’re not done with you yet Lil. My instincts tell me the two of them have been plotting.” He paused before adding, “I’m sorry, I just wished and hope this would have all been done and over. Those fucking bastards are just like Henry and Prescott.” He shook his head. “There is more to all of this than just them taking over Holtinbach. We’re missing something.”
“I think it’s time I have a talk with Prescott.” I sighed.
“What makes you think he’s going to tell you anything? Thus far he hasn’t been very forthcoming.” Brady shook his head in disapproval.
“Brady, what happened in Vegas?”
“I don’t know, I’m not sure what I overheard, but I didn’t like the implications.” He paused rubbing his chin, “Sebastian was on his phone with Prescott Sr., I heard him say something to the effect of making sure that he would handle you”.
“Handle me?” I raised a brow confused. The idea of being handled had me suffused in curiosity. What the fuck was I missing here?
“It was something about the way he said it.” I watched as Brady stood up and paced a bit. “What do you remember about Henry and Prescott when it came to you?” He stopped his pacing and looked down at me.
“Hmm, I’m pretty sure Henry and Prescott once toyed with the idea of me and Sebastian, something about what a great merger that would be.” I laughed cynically at the comment, “However, there was something about Charlie. I got the sense that I was off limits to him.”
“How so?” Brady paused his pacing and looked to me with an intense gaze.
Biting my lip, I frowned looking to the ground. “When I was younger, I had fallen, busted my knee wide open. Charlie was out on the patio and I guess saw it happen. He ran down and picked me up carrying me to one of the lounges and his father and mine looked like he had committed some horrible act by touching me. I thought perhaps it was me and my autistic nature to lose my shit when anyone touched me, but I was fine Brady”, I looked up at him “I didn’t flip out nothing, I remember feeling safe. However, his father just laid into him. I don’t really recall much of anything else. The next time I saw him was at our Prom, remember he and Sebastian were here with Prescott. That night, I had stayed in their room. My memory is fuzzy, but that morning, the two were arguing about me being an off limit and if Prescott found out something, that Charlie would be in some serious shit.”
“Why would you be an off limit for Charlie and not Sebastian?” Brady sat back down to the lounge reaching for my watered down tequila. “There is something to this Lilly.”
“I’m not sure, nor do I care Brady. If this is about Henry and Prescott’s fantasy of Sebastian and me then they both can keep on dreaming. As far as Charlie is concerned, he and I have no future, we had a weekend.” Swimming over to the ladder, I had forgotten that I was nude. “Um Brady, you may want to close your eyes, I’m in the nude.”
“Oh, yeah. Eyes closed”
Pulling up from the water, Brady had his hand covering his eyes while he held out my dress.
Grabbing the dress from him, I lowered it down and stepped into it.
Looking up my eyes caught Sebastian leaning in the doorway of my house by the patio. He had his head slighted and a devious grin on his face. Shit. Reeling in my sense, I pulled my dress over my wet and very naked self.
“I always wondered if the two of you were fucking.” he smirked then made his way to the pool.
Brady was quick to look to Sebastian, “How did you get in?”
He took the words right out of my mouth.
“The door was cracked open, I did knock.” He smiled at Brady then looked back at me.
“So, what do I owe the honor of having a visit from Sebastian Vaihn, un announced if I may add.”
“I see you’re as feisty as ever.”
Crossing my arms, I raised my brows, “And you’re standing in my home, making accusations that are completely unfounded”.
“Hmm. Doesn’t sound like your denying it either. Is Sam aware that the two of you are well…” he paused smirking some more.
“God, I hate you. What do you want?” Reaching down, I grabbed the empty glass from Brady’s hands. As he sat there amused with the entire thing. “I need a drink, do you need anything?”
“I’m good; Sam should be here any minute.”
Walking up, Brady followed behind. Pausing for a moment in front of Sebastian, he stepped aside and let me pass.
“You’ve yet to answer why you are here?” I yelled back to him, as I made my way into the kitchen, fixing another drink; knowing I would need it.
“I was in town and wanted to see you.” He offered in his normal smooth voice.
I laughed to his comment. “Yeah sure, one, you don’t know me, two, I don’t like you in the slightest. So we can beat around the bush or you can just be honest?”
“Wow, I feel hurt Lillian. Have I done something to you to qualify such strong feelings of dislike towards me?” he grinned.
What an asshole. The nerve, he was standing in my home, uninvited and putting me on the spot.
Brady walked over to me and grinned mouthing, “I told something is up”.
Slighting my head and pursing my lips, Brady was right. Something was up. Thinking to what Brady had said it dawned on me. Sebastian was here thinking that Charlie might stop by.
“Let me guess, you’re here checking up on whether or not Charlie would stop by?” I grinned knowing this was the real reason. “As you can see he’s not here. I haven’t spoken to Charlie in over eight months. You can leave now.”
“Oh, Lillian, I’m not here for Charlie, I’m here for you. I thought that maybe we could start fresh. I also thought it might be a good time to put the past away. Our fathers were friends; I was hoping that perhaps we could be as well.”
B
efore I could answer his bullshit, the sound of a car horn grabbed our attention.
The sound of car doors opening a closing echoed thru the house. Hmm, sounded like more than one car.
Sam came running in.
“Where’s my man!!” her voice rang thru the house and she quickly ran in finding Brady. Within moments, she was in his arms. “I missed you baby” she kissed him quick and hard. Yes, she was a woman very in love.
Taking my drink, I smiled to her display.
She broke her kiss and looked over at me smiling. “Miss me yet?” she laughed at me.
“How could I miss you? I was with you no more than an hour ago.” I laughed back at her.
“Um, you have incoming in the drive way.” she raised her eyebrows up and down.
“Incoming?” I asked quizzically as she turned and notice Sebastian.
“What is he doing here?” she cocked her head in his direction.
“That seems to be the question of the day? Apparently he wants to be friends, but only after accusing Brady and I of fucking.”
“Hey she was the one in the nude, when I got here. It was a natural reaction” Sebastian offered.
“Yeah, that’s doubtful and never going to happen.” She laughed and looked to me then Brady “that thought is disgusting.”
“Tell me about it,” I laughed.
“Hey bitches!! Hope you didn’t miss me!!” Julie’s voice rang through.
“Oh, Julia don’t you have any manors?” Patricia’s voice followed.
Fuck, now I had a full house.
Pouring myself another drink, I was going to need it.
Julie came running in and almost shit her pants stopping next to Sebastian. “What are you doing here?”
Sam and I instantly broke out laughing.
“Sebastian, how nice to see you.” Patricia walked up to him as he turned to greet her. “Why don’t you go out to the car and help your brother with the groceries.”
Sebastian looked to me and pursing his lips. His expression was one of “I told you so.”
Before I could say anything, Patricia was pulling me into an embrace. “Oh Elizabeth, I’m sorry for us intruding on you like this. Julie assured me this would be ok. I have to admit, I was excited about seeing your home. I hope you don’t mind our intrusion. We brought groceries and thought perhaps we could have a nice dinner here? Charlie is quite the cook and my son hasn’t cooked for me in ages.”
