by Vivian Wood
Charlotte’s nails raked his shoulders, marking his skin, a low keening sound escaping her throat. She shattered, her body pulsing around his cock, triggering his own release. Noah lost his breath as he spasmed, grinding up into her, jetting his release into her body in long pumps.
When at last he slowed, pulling Charlotte into his arms and down onto his sweat-dampened chest, she gave a satisfied sigh that stoked his male ego like nothing else possibly could. She was so soft and sweet, lying sated in his embrace.
She lifted her chin to give him a final, drugging kiss before climbing off his lap with a chuckle.
“That was not what I came in here for,” Noah informed her.
“No?” Charlotte asked, arching a brow.
“I meant to be comforting,” he said, his lips lifting at the corners.
“I feel very comfortable right now,” she said.
“You should always feel comfortable,” he said, leaning in to brush a lock of hair that fell across her forehead at a haphazard angle. “You’re incredible, and you deserve that much.”
Charlotte gave him a bemused look, catching his hand and lacing her fingers with his. Her thumb rubbed lazy circles on his palm, the sensation making his heart tighten uncomfortably.
“Uh huh,” was her only reply.
“You don’t think so? You’re enough to make Finn and me both crazy. I staked a claim on you, and now he’s barely speaking to me.”
Charlotte stiffened, her hand slipping from his grasp.
“You’re fighting because of me?” she asked, her expression hardening.
“Well, there are other elements. But right now, you’re the main event.”
“Noah…” she said, her tone growing sharp. “I think you’re incredible, too, but I won’t be the reason you’re at odds with your brother.”
“Charlotte, don’t worry about what’s between me and Finn. It’s complicated,” Noah warned.
“I don’t want to be a problem. I won’t be,” she insisted.
“That’s—” Noah gave a huff of frustration. “That’s not how family works, Charlotte. It’s personal, and more involved than you can know.”
Charlotte’s eyebrows shot up, her offense evident.
“I don’t understand how families work? Jesus, Noah. You are so ungrateful. You know, maybe you don’t understand how relationships work, period.”
Charlotte shot to her feet, Noah rising with a scowl.
“Are you serious right now?” he asked.
“I think you should leave,” she declared, her chin lifting. The dominant bear in him saw her defenses coming up, told him that he shouldn’t push her any harder right now.
“Fine,” he said. He didn’t miss the flash of disappointment on her face, but he didn’t know how to talk Charlotte down from the impasse, either.
Too soon, Noah found himself making a quiet, angry walk out to his car. He glanced back at Charlotte’s house, seeing little movement in the curtains at the front window. When stillness reigned for another half minute, he growled and got into his car, not believing how the evening had ended.
46
Sixteen
Finn Beran frowned as he packed his suitcase, meticulously folding and rolling each item, the monotonous activity soothing his mind. After almost a week of sightseeing and awkward social introductions via the Krall clan, he was ready to return home. He had one final event early in the evening, a date he’d half-heartedly accepted at the last minute, but after that he was catching the red-eye back to Montana. Fall break was almost up, and Finn was required to attend a teachers’ workshop the day before classes recommenced.
A knock on the hotel room door made him pause; there were only a few people who might be knocking, and he didn’t especially want to talk to any of them. When Finn swung the door open, he wasn’t terribly surprised to find Noah standing there.
His twin raised his hands, a conciliatory gesture.
“I just want to talk,” Noah said.
Finn stared Noah down for a long moment, debating with himself. When he stepped back from the door, Noah came in and dropped into a seat by the window, seeming ill at ease. Noah cast a glance the clothes and open suitcase spread out over the king-sized bed, his lips pressing into a grim line.
“I’d think a man who’s gotten the woman he wanted would look a little more cheerful,” Finn said, returning to his packing.
“I’m sorry for what I said.”
Finn looked up at his twin, surprised at the non sequitur.
“Okay…” Finn said, giving him a shrug. He never stayed mad at Noah for long, but that didn’t mean his feelings weren’t hurt.
“I mean it, Finny.” Noah’s green gaze seared into Finn’s, and he stilled his hands to listen. “I shouldn’t have said any of that. I do think you deserve more, but you’ve sacrificed a lot for the family. I didn’t know the extent of it.”
Finn swallowed, his lips turning down into a deep frown.
“It’s in the past,” Finn said.
“No, it isn’t. Just because Pa is feeling better… Nothing has changed for you, and it’s not fair,” Noah told him.
“There’s nothing to be done,” Finn sighed. “Life goes on. School’s starting up again in a few days. That’s just how it is.”
“You’re not going back to teaching,” Noah told him. Finn squared off at his brother, his temper rising.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve already got you another interview at Cornell and Stanford. I’m going to reach out to our brothers, use family connections to get you PH.d interviews at all the top programs in the country. Anywhere you want to go.”
Finn rolled his eyes.
“It’s not that simple. Even if I can get in after taking so much time off, I couldn’t afford to do it now. I have a mortgage, and…” he trailed off, growing frustrated.
“You’ll sell your place, because you’re going to move anyway. And as for the rest of the money, Cameron and I are going to bankroll you for as long as you need. We’ve already worked all the details out.”
Finn gaped at his brother, completely taken aback.
“You— what?” he asked, baffled. Noah raised a dark brow, a trace of amusement on his lips.
“I don’t want hear it,” Noah insisted. “It’s all decided, as long as you have the guts to take what you want. And you do. You’re my brother, every bit as strong as me. I know you like I know myself, and I know that this is what you need. So… reach out and take it.”
“Why are you doing this all the sudden?” Finn asked, perplexed. “You all but left the family years ago, and now you’re playing the doting twin?”
Pain flashed in Noah’s expression, and he gave a slow nod.
“I haven’t been half the brother or son I should have been. For that, I’m sorry. I just got so wrapped up in my job, in the lives of my subjects… I wasn’t even taking care of myself, much less thinking about my future and my family at home.”
Finn came around the bed and sat down across from his brother, reaching out to take his hand, giving it a brief squeeze before releasing him. He could see Noah’s internal struggle, his exhaustion and unhappiness and a dozen other things that made Finn’s heart lurch.
“Noah… It’s really okay. I could never stay mad at you. As for the rest of the family, Luke and Cam and Wyatt haven’t been around much more than you have. Gavin and I are the exception, sadly.”
“At least you have some roots. I quit my job at the Tribune yesterday, and now I’ve got nothing,” Noah sighed.
“You’ve got Charlotte,” Finn suggested.
Noah’s expression pinched, a look that Finn knew all too well.
“Oh, shit. What did you do?” Finn asked.
They sat together in Finn’s hotel room for hours, talking about their lives until Finn was nearly late for his last St. Louis date. Noah told him about Charlotte, about his time overseas, about everything. Finn’s heart grew heavy with the things that Noah had witnessed, but
there was no overcoming the relief and pleasure he felt at mending fences with his twin. As Noah poured out his conflicted feelings about the woman they’d shared just days before, the beginnings of a plan flickered to life in Finn’s mind.
47
Seventeen
Checking the address for a third time, Finn hefted his suitcase as he entered a tiny hole-in-the-wall bistro. Scanning the room, he spotted Abby Krall sitting at a table with several other women. Right on time, as she’d promised as they texted back and forth. Though she’d been surprised at first, when Finn explained his plan and his motives, Charlotte’s cousin had been more than accommodating. Finn wondered exactly how much arm-twisting Abby had done to get Charlotte here on such short notice and at eleven p.m., too.
Finn looked at his watch, realizing that he needed to get this done soon. His flight was leaving St. Louis in less than two hours, and he still had to head over to the airport after this.
Abby spotted him and gave him a subtle wave, to which Finn nodded in reply. Abby jumped up and leaned over to talk to the woman next to her; Finn couldn’t see Charlotte’s face but her silhouette was unmistakable.
Charlotte rose, allowing Abby to lead her to the bar. Finn approached, stepping up behind Charlotte as he admired her long blonde hair and soft curves. A small part of him wished that he’d fought for her, that he could lay claim to Charlotte as his mate, but an equal part knew that if she’d been the right woman, he wouldn’t have been able to resist.
“Charlotte,” he said, keeping his voice low.
Abby took a few steps back when Charlotte whirled, the brunette giving the blonde a shrug that seemed to say, Sorry, I had to do it. Charlotte turned to face Finn, her throat working silently as her wide eyes took in his tall frame and his suitcase.
“You’re leaving,” she said. Though she kept her voice level, her eyes couldn’t hide her hurt and anger.
“I am, but I don’t think it’s going to effect you unduly,” Finn said.
Charlotte’s lips parted, her eyes darkening with understanding.
“Finn,” she breathed. Finn actually chuckled at her relief. As gone as his twin was on Charlotte, she seemed at least as attached to Noah.
“I’m on my way to the airport, so I can’t talk long. I just wanted to ask you to give Noah another chance.”
Charlotte frowned.
“Why are you here apologizing for him?” she asked.
“Because my brother is stubborn idiot,” Finn said, keeping it simple.
Charlotte’s expression eased by a hint, but she was by no means pleased.
“He didn’t send you, did he?” Charlotte asked.
“No. He told me what happened, and I felt bad for him. He’s the smartest person I know, but he has no idea what to do with a woman like you.”
Charlotte relaxed another bare inch, canting her head to the side.
“He wasn’t very nice to me. I mean, he was, but then he said some things that I found… distasteful,” Charlotte said.
“He told me. I think he feels like an asshole, but he doesn’t know how to approach you.” Finn paused. “Listen, I can’t speak for him. I can’t tell you what to do. I just want to tell you that my brother is an honorable guy, underneath all the bullshit. I know he cares for you, and I hope you two will keep seeing one another. That’s all.”
Charlotte pursed her lips, and gave Finn a slow nod.
“I like Noah, too. I’m sure you’ve realized that already. I just need to take a few days to think things over. I want to make a good decision,” Charlotte said.
Finn gave her a soft smile.
“I’m sure you will. See you around, Charlotte.”
With that, Finn picked up his suitcase and headed back outside. He hailed a cab and jumped in, headed for the airport. Pulling out his phone, he shot Noah a quick text.
You’d better make this up to Charlotte. I opened the door for you.
Noah didn’t respond, but Finn hadn’t expected him to. After mulling over his brother’s situation for a few more minutes, Finn turned his thoughts forward. It was time that he focused on his own future, went out and did some work for himself.
48
Eighteen
Charlotte heaved a sigh as she entered the nurses’ locker room. Her feet and back ached, her head throbbed, and after work her third twelve-hour shift in a row, she was exhausted. She’d pulled the night shift last night, which meant that she would get home just as all her neighbors were heading to work. That part always threw her even more off kilter, for some reason. Watching people putting their kids in the car, double checking to make sure they had their science projects and lunches, always made Charlotte feel a strange emptiness in the pit of her stomach.
“As if that’s not already happening right now,” she grumbled.
Charlotte opened her locker and pulled out a pair of flip flops, dropping onto a bench to take off her tennis shoes.
“You okay?” came a voice.
Charlotte nearly jumped out of her skin before turning to find Connie standing behind her, her own tennis shoes in hand.
“Jeez, you scared me,” Charlotte said, shaking her head. “You coming on shift?”
“Yep,” Connie answered, plopping down beside Charlotte to change her shoes. It was a familiar rhythm for them both, as they’d worked together in this ward for over three years. Nurses came and went in Children’s Hospital, but Connie and Charlotte were mainstays in their little section. Not everybody could handle the really tough cases, the ones that ended in tragedy as often as not.
“Charlotte, you look exhausted,” Connie said. Charlotte looked up to find her coworker’s concerned gaze lingering on her face.
“Yeah, I haven’t been sleeping that well. I’m starting to really worry about Max this time,” she admitted. “His most recent round of labs really don’t look good.”
“Shit,” Connie muttered under her breath. “And he’s been in such a good mood the last few days.”
“Yeah. It’s a nice change. A little weird, but nice.” Charlotte shrugged.
“He doesn’t get to hang out with a lot of guys. No father figure in his life. Now your man friend is giving him some attention—”
“WHAT?” Charlotte asked, accidentally flinging one of her tennis shoes across the room.
“Noah,” Connie grunted, lacing up her shoes.
“What about Noah, exactly?” Charlotte demanded to know.
“He’s been here every day this week.” Connie glanced up, giving Charlotte an odd look. “I figured you knew. You’re the one who brought him here in the first place.”
“I—” Charlotte hesitated. She certainly didn’t want to do anything to stop Noah from visiting Max. Especially if it was the reason for Max’s recent change in attitude. “It’s fine. Noah’s great.”
Charlotte tried her hardest not to frown as she said the last part. Noah was actually really nice and great. If he’d managed to show up and apologize, she probably would have already forgiven him. A blush crept over her cheeks when she pictured just what that forgiveness would entail, if she had her way.
“Maybe you should go get some sleep. Take some melatonin or something,” Connie suggested.
“I think a nice hot bath should do it,” Charlotte said. And maybe half a bottle of wine…
Charlotte told Connie goodbye and rushed home, desperate to have some time alone to relax. In short order she was slipping into a hot bubble bath, moaning aloud when she took her first sip of the Malbec she’d uncorked.
She let her mind drift, her lips quirking as she came back to thoughts of Noah over and over again. Her libido was usually fairly quiet, sated with a couple of solo sessions a month, but now she recognized the only tightness and tension left in her body as desire. She wanted Noah again, couldn’t stop thinking of his sleek, muscular body, of how his big frame made her feel small and delicate, of the throaty sounds he’d made as he touched her, fucked her—
Her phone rang. Charlotte’s eyes snapped o
pen, her face flushing as she realized that her fingertips were stroking her own nipple.
Busted.
She knelt in the tub, wiping her hand on a towel and leaning away from the water before answering.
“Hello?” she asked.
“Charlotte,” Noah replied. His voice made her shiver with anticipation. Was this finally the apology and booty call that she so dearly wanted?
“Hi, Noah,” she said. Her voice came out high and breathy, making her feel silly.
“Um… I did something bad,” he said.
Charlotte pursed her lips, thinking that it was a weird way to word an apology.
“Listen, Noah—” she started.
“No, no. Um. Hold on for a second. This isn’t like, a you and me thing. I did something dumb like an hour ago, and I need your help. I’m in way over my head.”
Charlotte was frozen for a moment before the nurse in her kicked into gear.
“Tell me what happened,” she sighed.
“Can you… can I come pick you up? I’m already in your part of town.” Charlotte had never heard Noah so uncomfortable, and curiosity seized her.
“Okay,” she agreed after a beat.
“Dress comfortably. We’ll be there in five,” he warned before disconnecting the call.
We? Charlotte blinked at her phone for a second before scrambling to get out of the bath and get ready. She managed to get herself into a red dress and white flats, and throw a few of her things in a tote bag. Pausing to look in the mirror, she put on a little mascara and ran her fingers through her long, damp locks.
She heard a car horn honk outside and took a deep breath, readying herself. When she stepped outside, she found Noah sitting in the driver’s seat of a convertible, with the top down… and Max was in the passenger seat, waving enthusiastically.
“What in the…” Charlotte’s stomach flip-flopped. Noah jumped out of the car and met her halfway across her yard, his expression nervous.
