Whatever it is, Charlie’s arms are my porn, and somehow, the sneaky bastard has discovered my secret. At least now, I understand why he’s always rolling his shirt up to his elbows.
“You’re drooling, babe,” Xena says, making zero effort to keep her voice low so he doesn’t hear. “Not that I’m denying there is cause to drool, but you look like a dog in heat, and that shit’s never attractive.”
Charlie throws back his head, laughing. Xena grins, ignoring my pout and the punch I land on her upper arm. “What’s your poison, Charlie,” she asks, rising. “My man is behind the bar, so I’ll get an order in.”
Charlie orders a beer, handing her a fifty-dollar bill, telling her to get a drink for me and her too. As soon as she is gone, I quickly fill him in on her ménage situation because Leo is due to arrive anytime.
“Good for her,” Charlie says, winking. “As long as you don’t go getting ideas, Bumbling.” He leans in close to my face, and I stop breathing. “Because I won’t share you. Not ever.”
“Duly noted.” I can’t contain my grin, and I’m not unhappy he came.
He takes my hand under the table. “Why didn’t you mention this to me? It seems like something you should tell the guy you’re dating.”
“Are we dating?”
He wraps his arm around my waist, drawing me in close. “Were you not listening the other night? I thought I made myself clear, but if I didn’t, yes, we’re dating.” His gaze cuts through me. “Exclusively.”
“Also duly noted.”
He raises our conjoined hands to his lips. “Good. Anything else we need to clear up?” His eyes glint with amusement.
“Nothing I can think of, and I’m not in the habit of keeping anything from my boyfriend, because keeping stuff secret is a recipe for disaster.”
“Amen to that,” he agrees before planting his lips on mine and kissing me in a way that is definitely not socially acceptable.
“Whoa. Get a room,” Xena jokes, forcing us apart. She places our drinks down, fanning herself. “I think my ovaries just overheated.”
“I arrived at the perfect time then,” Leo says, coming up behind her and sliding his arms around her waist.
The trivia host kicks off proceedings, and we form a team with Leo and Xena. The night flows by fast, and although we don’t win—much to Charlie’s disgust because we were only one point behind the team who did win—I’m having the best night. The drinks are flowing, conversation is lively, and Charlie is incredibly attentive. He insists on paying for all my drinks and never lets me go near the bar, and he even insists on following me out to the ladies’ room, standing guard outside.
The night draws to a close far too quickly for my liking, but the event was a roaring success, and we raised over ten thousand dollars. I have a sneaking suspicion Charlie made a large donation, but I don’t ask because donations are private and it’d be rude to question him and seem ungrateful.
“I like him,” Xena says when he goes to the bathroom. “I didn’t expect to. Not after the way he’s treated you, but I do. However, all bets are off if he hurts you.”
“He seems like a good guy,” Leo adds. “And let’s not think the worst.” He pins her with a cautionary look.
“He’s sooo into you,” Xena adds. “I think someone’s gonna get lucky tonight,” she singsongs.
I snort. “Not very likely. I’ve got to get home to relieve Mrs. Griffin, and I’m already going to be late.”
“I can drop you home,” Charlie says, coming up behind me. “I have a driver outside.”
“Oooh. He has a driver outside,” Xena teases.
“I can give you guys a ride home too,” he offers.
“Thanks, handsome.” She smushes his cheeks in her hands. “But we’re gonna hang around and wait for Bo to finish his shift.” She leans in to his ear, pretending to be quiet. “Leaving you free to ravish my beautiful, sexy, in-desperate-need-of-a-pounding friend on the ride home.”
“I can hear you,” I drawl. “And you’re dead to me.”
“You’re supposed to, and no, I’m not.” She yanks me into a fierce hug. “You need to climb that hottie like he’s Mount Everest.”
I roll my eyes, pointing at Leo. “No more beer for her.”
Leo chuckles, slapping Charlie on the back. “Good to meet you, man. You should drop by our place with Demi sometime.”
And I grab Charlie out of there as we make vague promises to hang out with them some other time.
Charlie circles his arms around me, guiding me across the road to his chauffeur-driven Merc.
“I like your friends,” he says once we are securely stowed in the back seat and Charlie has given my address to the driver.
“They’re great, and they’ve been really supportive the past few months.”
His arm goes around me again, and I rest my head on his shoulder. “I wish you’d told me about your dad. I didn’t even know he had cancer. That’s why you were upset on Monday?”
I nod as lancing pain rips across my chest. “I took him to the hospital for his appointment that morning. The doctor said he only has three to six months to live. The cancer has ravaged his body.”
“I’m so fucking sorry, Demi. Can I help?”
I almost blurt the words out. About how much money we need, but I can’t do it, because he might feel obligated to help, and as much as I love my dad, I’m not prostituting myself to get him the medicine he needs. And I don’t want Charlie thinking I’m dating him because he’s rich and he can dig us out of a hole.
What kind of start to a relationship would that be?
Plus, I don’t want Charlie feeling guilty. We both know if his dad hadn’t fired mine that the situation might be very different. But that’s not on Charlie, and he’s already carrying enough guilt where his dad is concerned.
“Just hold me,” I say. “Just be there for me.”
“That I can do, babe.” He buries his nose in my hair as he snakes his arms firmly around my body.
We stay locked in our embrace, and I can’t remember the last time I felt so content with a guy. It’s surreal to think we spent months fighting the connection between us.
“You’re not going to ravish me?” I half-joke as we enter the outskirts of Rydeville a short while later.
He cups my face, forcing my eyes to his. “Believe me, I want to, but I’m determined to do this right. We should have dated first before we had sex, and I want to wipe the slate clean. To start over and do it properly this time.”
“How do you do that? Go from being the devil to Prince Charming?” I kiss the corner of his mouth.
“I’ve never wanted to be anyone’s Prince Charming before, but I want to be yours,” he says over my mouth before his lips descend on mine. And I lose all sense of time and reason as he kisses me passionately, pouring everything he’s feeling in to every sweep of his lips, every brush of his tongue, every taste, and every moan.
And I’m in heaven. No one has ever kissed me like this or made my toes curl and my body purr so potently with the barest of touches.
Charlie’s lips glide smoothly against mine, and I could stay here forever, only coming up for air when it’s a necessity.
When we eventually break apart, a couple of miles from my house, we stare intently at one another, clinging to each other, and he’s shielding nothing from me now. His once lifeless face is awash with emotion, and it’s almost too much. He sits back, bringing me with him, wrapping his protective arms around me again, pressing kisses into my hair and sighing contentedly.
I close my eyes, siphoning his warmth and his strength, soaring on cloud nine, basking in our developing connection, praying and hoping this is the real deal and that it isn’t too good to be true.
CHAPTER 12
Charlie
“There is a Xavier Daniels here to see you although he doesn’t have an appointment,” Demi says when I pick up the desktop phone.
“It’s fine. You can send him in. Ensure I’m not disturbed.
”
Demi ushers Xavier into the office with a bright smile, closing the door behind us.
“She’s hot.” Xavier ambles toward my desk with a knowing grin on his face and a battered laptop bag slung crossways over his body. “But it’s fucking creepy how much she looks like Abby.”
I rub at a tense spot between my brows. “So you’ve said, and I’m getting tired of hearing it.” I sigh. “She’s not Abby. She’s her own person. And I happen to care about her a lot.”
“I already guessed that.” He plonks his jean-clad butt down on the seat in front of my desk.
I’m betting he’s the current topic of gossip out on the floor. It’s not every day they see a green-spikey-haired punk in grubby jeans, a rocker tee, and worn leather jacket roaming the corridors around here.
“You wouldn’t have asked me to look into this if you didn’t have feelings for her.” He pulls some papers out of his bag.
“What have you discovered?” I ask, wanting to move this along.
“Her father’s cancer is advanced.”
The first thing I did last night when I overheard Margaret Ann discussing the fundraiser, and the reason for it, was call Xavier, asking him to find out what he could about Henry Alexander’s medical condition. All I knew was he’d had a stroke that meant he was now confined to a wheelchair.
“Demi said he’s been told he only has a few months to live.”
Empathy washes over his face as he rifles through a few documents. “That’s what the consultant’s report says.” He hands me a few sheets of paper. “I copied all his medical files and charts. You should ask Rick to take a look at it. He might be at dinner on Sunday.”
“I can’t ask him there. Demi is coming with me,” I admit, crossing one leg over my knee.
“It’s serious between you?” He looks somewhat surprised.
“It’s new, but I think it could be.”
A genuine smile graces his mouth. “Good for you, dude. I hope it works out.”
“What else did you discover from Henry’s medical files,” I ask, deliberately not commenting on his statement.
“There is an experimental drug trial that might benefit him, but it’s pricey, and after going through his finances, it’s clear that’s a no-go.”
“That’s why she’s fundraising,” I murmur, more to myself. I pin sharp eyes on Xavier. “How much is participation in the trial?”
“Two hundred K.”
“Send me all the details and details of his bank account.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What do you think?” I scoff.
“Wow. You must really dig this chick.”
I flip him the bird. “What else do I need to know?”
“Demi is up to her eyeballs in debt. She’s got loans coming out of her ears.”
“Could you update me with less cliché usage?”
Now, it’s his turn to flip me off. “She topped up her student loans to help with her father’s medical expenses. Her salary barely covers the mortgage and the household bills.”
“Send me her bank details as well.”
“You’re going to clear all her shit too, huh?”
My jaw tightens. “She’s partly in this mess because of my father. Henry should not have been let go. There was no brain damage and no reason why he couldn’t have continued to perform his role. We have flexible working and remote working policies in operation he could’ve availed of. If he was still an employee, he would have full private medical coverage. She wouldn’t have had to drop out of school, and she wouldn’t be drowning in debt.”
“You’d never have met her then.”
“Thanks for pointing that out, Captain Obvious.”
“She deserves a fucking medal for putting up with your grumpy ass,” he adds, chewing on a toothpick he removes from the pocket of his jacket.
“She happens to like my grumpy ass.”
“Guess there’s no accounting for taste.”
“How is Hunt these days?”
He grins. “Hot as fuck. And the biggest pain in my ass.”
I snort. “Literally, huh?”
Xavier leans forward, propping his elbows on the desk. “Charlie boy, are you asking if I’m a bottom?” His eyes glint mischievously.
I crank out a laugh. “As if anyone needs to ask that question!”
He pouts. “Now, you’re just being rude.” He folds his arms across his chest, huffing.
“Relax, dude. I’m just yanking your… Yeah, let’s not go there.” This conversation is quickly sinking to the gutter, and I want to maintain focus. I clear my throat and sit up straighter. “I’m guessing Lauder and Hunt will be at dinner?”
He drops the pout, relaxing back into the chair. “Yeah. You can watch Jackson and Drew snarking at one another. It’s my new favorite hobby.”
What the hell am I getting myself into? “I can hardly wait.”
He hands me a sealed envelope. “I’ve got to get back to work. Thought it best to let you go through this in your own time.”
“What is it?”
“The reason why your father was such an asshole to Demi’s dad.” He stands. “Just so you know, it might upset you a little.”
Bile travels up my throat. “Thanks, man.”
He nods. “Anytime.” He strolls toward the door. “See you, Sunday, boy scout.”
I throw my stapler at his retreating back, but it bounces off the door, crashing to the ground, as he exits my office, whistling under his breath.
I arrive at Demi’s house early on Sunday because I want to talk with her father. Henry opens the door, grinning widely when he sees me standing on his front porch with a massive bouquet of flowers nestled against my chest. “Charlie. It’s so good to see you. Come on in.”
I wait for him to pivot in his wheelchair before entering the house, closing the door behind me.
“I assume Demi isn’t expecting you yet because she’s still out in her studio.”
“Studio?” I inquire, following him into a homey living room.
“She didn’t mention she hand paints furniture?”
I shake my head as he gestures toward the couch. “We’re still getting to know one another.”
“So I hear.”
I put the bouquet down on the small mahogany table before taking a seat on the couch across from him. “She’s mentioned me then.”
“She has. There are no secrets between me and my little girl.”
His eyes well up, and I scan his face, noticing how much he has changed. His skin is ashen, his eyes are sunken and bloodshot, and his clothes hang off his frame. He was always lean, but he’s lost a lot of weight, and he’s near skeletal now.
“I was very sorry to hear about the cancer, sir.”
“When your time is up, your time is up.” He breaks out in a coughing fit, and I move to his side, grabbing a handful of tissues and giving them to him. When the fit passes, he reaches for his glass of water, holding it in shaking hands. “I’m just sorry to be leaving my princess all alone,” he says, continuing where we left off. “But I can’t deny my joy at being reunited with my Luana.”
“I know about her,” I admit, sitting back down. “I know she’s the reason my father treated you so disrespectfully.”
He doesn’t look shocked that I’ve uncovered the truth. “I haven’t told Demi because it’s been irrelevant.”
“Until my father shafted you. He had no right to treat you like that, and I’m shocked, because that’s not the man I thought him to be.”
“Your father was a good man, Charlie, but he was human, just like the rest of us. I forgave him a long time ago.”
“How?” I don’t understand how he could be so charitable.
“Because he did more good than harm. And he gave me a job after my wife died, allowing me to stay close to home so I could be here for Demi. I never forgot that kindness.”
“You’re a bigger man than me, Henry.”
“Oh, I doubt that’s
true. You sell yourself short, young man. My sources tell me you’re continuing your father’s volunteer work.”
I nod. “I go to the women’s refuge center every Monday evening.”
I found out a lot of things I didn’t know about my father after he passed. Like how he donated huge sums to charities who work to protect women and children who have been subjected to abuse and neglect. I learned he and my mother volunteered at the local women’s refuge center every Monday for years, and I didn’t hesitate to step into their shoes. I know why my father did it, and I share some of the same guilt and remorse.
“You’re a good man, Charlie, and it helps to know Demi has you in her life.”
“Charlie?” Demi comes into the room wearing a pair of paint-splattered jean dungarees over a black tank and stained white sneakers. Her hair is tied up in a messy bun perched on top of her head, and she hasn’t a scrap of makeup on her face. A glittery gold streak paints one cheek.
I’ve never seen her look more beautiful, and I know now I’ve fallen hard.
“Hey.” I stand, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I know I’m early, but I was hoping to talk to you both.”
Her brow furrows. “Is everything okay?”
I take her hand, tugging her down beside me. “I hope it will be.” I lace my fingers in hers, staring into the warm depths of her eyes. A moment passes between us as we stare at one another. My heart thuds behind my rib cage, and blood courses through my veins. Butterflies swarm my chest, and the longer I stare at her, the more I realize that I’m head over heels in love with Demi Alexander.
It’s been a slow, gradual incline and then a sudden unexpected fall into this heady feeling.
“You look at my daughter the same way I used to look at her mother,” Henry says.
His words break our emotional eye lock, and we both turn to look at him.
“With an understanding that everything begins and ends with her,” he adds, smiling. I’m grateful he seems to approve and that he’s not wheeling off in search of a bat to chase me out of the house.
If he knew all the stuff I’ve been involved in, he’d do more than take a bat to me.
Charlie Page 11
