Things were a lot different then…
But the game has changed.
And the stakes are now even higher.
I pull past the front door, and she gives me a confused look. “Where are you going?”
I nod toward the parking lot on the side of the main house. “Right there.”
“Why? Is this your version of house arrest? You really think I’m going to try to leave again after what happened?” She scoffs. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I know you don’t,” I say.
“So what, then?” Her eyes, so defeated only a short time ago, now blaze with self-righteousness. “Are you going to tell me you actually care about what happens to me? Because you sure didn’t give off that vibe before at your house. Or when you drove me home the first time!”
I turn off the car, clenching and unclenching my fists. “Charlotte,” I say slowly. “There are a lot of things—”
“You know what, Xander? I don’t give a shit about your things.” She winces, twisting toward the door and pushing it open. “You’re hot, cold, hot again. Maybe one of your things is that you’re a fucking head case, you ever think of that?”
I can’t help but smirk at that because she’s right.
“It’s not funny,” she snaps. “And I’m tired of being treated like a damn yo-yo. I’m not your puppet, even though you can’t seem to get that through your dense skull. I do what I want, when I want!”
“Yeah, and doing that tonight could have gotten you killed!” I shout, fisting my hair. “Fuck, Char, don’t you get it? I’m trying to make sure you stay safe!”
“Why, Xander?” Her quivering voice makes my gut contort like a pretzel. “Why do you care? You’ve made your new life, and I’m clearly not part of it. I don’t want to be half-in because you get a little nostalgic like you did at the beach today. We’ve both moved on. We’re different people.”
“You say that,” I whisper, leaning closer to her. “But then you called me when you were in trouble. So I know you don’t mean all of the bullshit things you just said. We are different than we were, but I don’t think either of us has really moved on.” I tilt her chin upward. “Am I right?”
Her lips tremble, tears springing to her eyes. But still she doesn’t fall into me the way I want her to…the way I need her to. The way she did at the beach. She holds back as if she knows succumbing to what we both crave will detract from any bit of power she has over me.
And she’s got plenty, even if she doesn’t know it.
“I have to move on,” she says, her voice barely audible. “I can’t be held back by what used to be.”
“Why not?” I ask, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “What more do you want?”
She shrugs. “I want my childhood fantasy to come true. But we both know that can never happen. You’ll always bow to your own master, a master I can’t even begin to understand. It was always that way, even though you tried to fight it.” She pulls away from me, averting her eyes. “I saw it again tonight with Jase and Phoenix. You always battled against what they wanted for you. I felt it every time we were with them. I don’t mix with whatever life they’ve created for you. And me leaving let you take your rightful place.”
My mouth drops open after hearing her admission. “Why didn’t you ever say anything to me about it?”
“I never wanted you to feel like you needed to choose. But you really thought I didn’t know, Xander? That I had no clue what your family was all about?”
“You never asked any questions.”
“That’s because I never wanted to hear any lies in response.” She shifts in her seat, a tiny gasp of pain emerging from her lips before she continues to shatter me with her words. “I ignored it all. But even I knew why my father was so against us being close, the damage it would do to the precious and pristine Hawthorne name.” With a roll of her eyes, she scoffs. “As if he’s even worthy of such a reputation, the jackass that he is.”
“Can’t argue that one.” I sigh, leaning my head back. “But as much of an asshole as he is, maybe he’s right. That’s part of the reason why I let you go, Char. Yeah, I was a dick when you told me you were being sent to London. I was angry because I couldn’t stop it. Couldn’t stop any of it,” I muse.
“I should have done something to stop it. It’s my fault for letting him control me.” A single tear escapes her eye. “But part of me just wanted him to accept me. I figured if I did what he wanted, he’d have treated me differently. Better than before. That maybe he’d realize what he lost when I left and would want me home. To fix things with me. To actually have a relationship.” She wiped away the tear. “It was stupid. I was kidding myself. I’ve always played second fiddle, why would I be dumb enough to think it could ever change? That either of them would ever change.”
“Not dumb. Just hopeful.” My finger swipes away another tear. “And if he had half a brain, he’d have realized what he lost.”
“Do you know they came to see me once while I was gone?” she whispers. “One visit. That’s it.” She shakes her head. “I may as well have died along with Andrew for all they care.”
“Don’t you dare say that,” I grunt, taking her by the shoulders. “Never think that.”
“Why?” She lets out a dry laugh followed by a hiccup. “My parents wouldn’t give a damn. I have a housekeeping staff who cares more about me than they do.”
“I’d give a damn,” I say in a gruff voice, dipping my head toward hers.
“Until you decide to jerk me around again, right?”
“No,” I whisper. “And for all you think you know about my life, what you don’t know is everything I’ve tried to shield you from. Things I hate about myself because I can’t fight against them anymore. Expectations my family has, responsibilities I have. It’s in my blood, Char. And I’d never be able to protect you from it. You’d always be at risk, something I could never have on my conscience. I have to show allegiance to my family, as much as I despise what their influence has turned me into. I never wanted you to see that guy…to know that guy. And I tried for a long time to separate you from him. But once you left, I got sucked in. I let it happen because I didn’t have a reason not to anymore. I stayed out because of you, and then you left.” I raise my eyes to hers. “I blamed you for what I became, but it was my choice. I had to accept that, and seeing you back here…” I shake my head. “It made me remember what we had, what we lost. It pissed me off that you got away from your problems, if even for just a short time, and I was left here stuck with my own.”
“I didn’t leave of my own accord, Xander. I was pretty much ordered to leave. It wasn’t exactly a pleasant parting of the ways between me and my parents.”
“I know that. Makes me feel like a bigger piece of shit,” I mutter.
“Good. Because you should feel that way.”
I smirk at her. “You’ve got a really smart mouth now.”
“I told you. I’m not the same girl.”
“No, you’re not.” I trail my fingertips down the side of her cheek. “And somehow, I want you even more now.”
“Doesn’t matter. You can’t go backward,” Charlotte whispers as I inch closer to her.
“I don’t want to.” And I mean that with all my heart. I only want to go forward. I just don’t know how the fuck that’s possible for me, knowing the warnings, the threats, and the risks.
Part of me wants to just say screw it and deal with the consequences.
The other part of me knows the consequences will be too great for both of us.
Decisions, decisions.
I always seem to make the wrong ones.
For the right reasons.
I reach around the back of her head, my lips gently grazing hers.
And here we go again with the bad choices.
But God, she tastes amazing…better than I remember.
I want to devour her, to drink her in and release all of the pent-up emotions that have been coursing through me s
ince she got back to town. But I hold back, not wanting to hurt her…or find out that what she wants isn’t me after all.
And at that moment, her lips part, her tongue dipping into mine. A tiny mewl slips from her lips as it coils with mine — hot, desperate, hungry.
Her fingers tangle in my hair, tugging at it, drawing me closer still.
God, it’s like we’re sixteen all over again sharing that first forbidden kiss.
This one is just as taboo.
And I love her even more now than I did then.
I gently cup her cheek in my hand, careful not to press it against her bruises. But all thoughts of her injuries take a backseat to the lust swirling between us. She drags my lower lip through her teeth, making my cock jump, and a low moan escapes my mouth.
I need to get her out of this car.
Now.
“Xander,” she murmurs against my lips, pulling away the slightest bit. Her eyes glow in the moonlight, the look of defeat replaced with heated desire. “Come with me.” She pushes open the door, her gaze never leaving mine.
Fuck yeah, I will.
We will.
I can’t scramble out of my car fast enough, and I almost trip over my own feet as I rush around to the passenger side door to meet Charlotte. She laces her fingers with mine and leads me toward one of the side entrances to the main house, one that leads directly to her own wing.
And just like that, we avoid anyone on the staff casing the place.
Which is a good thing, because if they knew I was here, if Charles knew what I’m about to do to his daughter…
I smile to myself.
I take that back.
I want him to know, cocksucker that he is.
He’s wasted so much time, and he has no idea how lucky he is to have Charlotte for a daughter.
I realize it and it makes my heart clench to think about how his bad behavior has made her suffer over the years.
I never want her to suffer like that again.
And I especially don’t want to be the one to cause the suffering.
Charlotte presses a few buttons to disable the alarm before sticking her key in the hole. She cracks open the door and we sneak inside, the only light guiding our path is courtesy of the moon shining through a slit in the side panel window curtains.
She twists around, and the sliver of light shines on the bruise on her cheek. Rage bubbles in my veins at the sight, and I blink to erase the image of her lying helpless and unconscious in that alleyway.
What would have happened if she couldn’t make that call?
What would have happened if I didn’t answer it?
I swallow hard, willing the questions to stop assaulting my mind.
Thank God I unblocked her number earlier.
She’s safe.
With me.
And I’m going to make sure she’s never at risk again.
Somehow.
“You look like you’re a million miles away,” she whispers.
I shake my head. Nope, only about five… “I’m right here, Char. Exactly where I should be.”
Her lips curl upward and she takes my hands, backing up the stairs, her lust-filled gaze unwavering. We barely make it into her suite and lock the door before she jumps into my waiting arms, locking her legs around my waist. I back her against the door, and she leans her head back, a tiny moan tumbling from her lips.
I pull away. “Am I hurting you?”
She shakes her head. “I’ve never felt better in my life,” she murmurs, tangling her fingers in my hair and pulling me close. Our lips crush against each other like we’re starving lions attacking their prey. I drink her in, savoring every nip and tug of her greedy tongue. My hands grip her ass tight as she slides her pussy against my dick.
Christ, I feel like I’m already about to blow.
Her breaths turn into short, sharp gasps as her movements speed up. With one hand still on her ass, I slip my fingers into her panties and into her pussy. My knees buckle as they slide right into her slick opening.
“Ahh!” she yelps and I cover her mouth with mine as I delve deeper, caressing her soft folds. My cock pulsates, barely constrained by my jeans, as I drive into her. Her tight walls clench around my fingers and I slide my thumb against her clit, my lips swallowing her cries for more. Her legs quake as her juices flow over my hand and fuck me, the need to taste her crashes over me like an all-consuming wave.
I carry her over to the huge, king-sized bed in the center of the room and lie her down on the mattress, my vision clouded by desire that I’ve kept pent-up for the better part of the past five years. Her eyes flutter open, her swollen lips lifting at the corners.
“Is that all you’ve got?” she whispers, breathless.
“Not even close,” I rasp, tearing off my t-shirt and flinging it to the floor. I slide the straps of her dress off her shoulders, and with a flick of my fingers, I unhook her bra, tossing it aside. I reach around her back, lifting her so I can slide off her dress. My breath hitches as I stare down at her, clad only in a pair of black lacy panties…panties that I’m about to tear off with my teeth.
“You’re beautiful,” I whisper, my hands roaming over her soft bronzed skin. She shivers at my touch and I smile. “More beautiful than you’ve ever been.”
I dip my head over her, swirling my tongue over her taut pink nipple and taking her full breast into my mouth, making sure to give my full attention to the other one when I’m done. She writhes beneath me, her fingertips digging into my back as I drag her soft skin out through my teeth.
I know I have a pretty masterful tongue, but this is nothing compared to what I’m about to do.
I loop my fingers into her panties and push them to her ankles. She kicks them off, her legs falling open, her chest heaving with anticipation. But I take my time, my lips on a determined but slow path down her abdomen.
Char is an impatient one, though. She pushes my shoulders down and I laugh to myself. I’ve waited for this moment for years. There’s no way I’m rushing through this.
My cock is in total disagreement.
I wrap my arms around her creamy thighs, hiking her upward, only to tease her some more. I assault her velvety skin with my lips, coming close enough to her pussy to make her moan, but far enough away to make her beg.
In the end, I decide I’m not only torturing her but myself, as well.
It’s been far too long.
And I’m just as greedy as she is.
I bury my face between her thighs, my fingertips digging into the soft flesh of her ass as I tongue-fuck her. My teeth nip at her clit as my tongue slides in and out of her quivering lips, slow at first, and then faster and faster as her nails slice away at my back.
And damn, that searing pain feels so fucking good.
Her legs lock around my face, the sound of her desperate wailing muffled by the pillow she shoves over her face. My tongue circles her clit, rubbing and flicking it, and holy fuck, her hands fist my hair so hard I almost lose my focus.
Almost…
Her juices flow over my tongue, and I savor every last drop of her desire with a thirst for her that can never be quenched. Fuck, I’ve tried so many times with so many others, but it’s always Charlotte.
Always was, always will be.
“Xander,” she whispers, tossing the pillow aside and sitting up. Her cheeks are flushed a deep pink, her eyes glittering.
I stroke the side of her face, twirling a strand of her hair around my finger. I never want to forget how she looks right now.
The happiness, the hope, the excitement — all of the things she only put on display when she was with me — it’s all there in her expression.
I never thought I’d see that look again.
Truth be told, I didn’t deserve it.
I still don’t think I do.
Shoving up to move over toward me, she runs a hand down the front of my chest, biting down on her lower lip and gazing up at me with a hunger…the same hunger coursing t
hrough me. Her fingers move toward my belt, fumbling with the buckle. Her eyes never leave mine as she works, her hands finally freeing me of the constraint of fabric. My cock springs to life, captured by her warm hands, throbbing against them as they stroke the swollen head and my length. I lean back on my heels, shuddering breaths cutting away at my lungs with each stroke and tug. Precum gathers at the tip, and her hot tongue laps it up, licking and caressing every inch of me, driving me closer to the edge of sanity with that dirty mouth that I’ve fantasized about.
I grip the comforter for balance as she takes me in, the head of my cock hitting the back of her throat over and over. Her hands knead my balls, making them ache with need. I gasp, my teeth clenched as she nibbles at my slit.
I can’t lose it.
Not yet.
Not this way.
I gently push her away from me even though my dick is screaming bloody fucking murder right now.
Easy, guy.
I know what the hell I’m doing.
She falls back to the mattress, one hand still pumping my cock, one hand falling to her breast, flicking at her nipple.
That is so goddamn hot.
I drag my stiff cock up and down her wet slit and she gasps, opening her legs, beckoning me.
But I don’t need an invitation.
I hover over her, thrusting my hips forward into her tight hot pussy.
“Fuck, Xan!” she rasps, wrapping her arms around my waist, pressing me against her. She writhes under me, her hips twisting round and round, keeping me buried deep inside of her. I clench my teeth as blood rushes to my groin.
Oh, no.
Not yet!
I grip her hips, dragging my cock out slowly so it slides against her clit and then diving back into her with long, hard strokes. Her walls clench around me, tight like a vise, and my breath hitches.
So good, so tight, so fucking wet.
I pound into her, thrusting with a growing intensity, her frenzied movements matching mine. Our bodies slap together, her tits bouncing back and forth as I fuck her. My heart thunders in my chest, my orgasm building to the point where thinking is a challenge. Carnal flames roar throughout my body, sparks of lust in my gut igniting and shooting out to my fingers and toes.
Puppet: Ridgeview Prep Book 1 Page 16