Taking Chances (Pleasant Grove Book 1)

by Tara Lee

  I check the door again but they are gone.

  I run and grab my phone, calling Eli.

  “Hey baby, what’s up?” he answers

  I am breathing heavy my heart pounding against my chest. I am so scared.

  “Charli, baby, are you there?”

  “Eli,” I say trying to calm my breathing.

  “Baby, what's wrong?” he says in a panicked voice.

  “It’s Charli, no something is wrong,” I hear him tell someone on the other end of the phone.

  “Someone was here,” I say through tears that are now streaming down my face.

  “Stay inside and lock the doors baby, I'm on my way, okay?” he tells me.

  “Okay,” I whisper.

  Eli is home, I hear his truck pulling up and instantly I feel safer.

  He burst through the door in a panic yelling for me.

  "CHARLI!”

  “I'm here,” I tell him, stepping out of the room.

  He wraps me in his arms and I sink into him with tears streaming down my face.

  “It’s okay baby, you're safe, I'm here. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he tells me running his fingers through my hair.

  He holds me tightly against him while I sob, it’s calming me having him hold me.

  I hear Jensen’s voice, he must have come with Eli.

  “I checked around and I can’t see anyone outside but whoever it was smashed one of your windows,” he says

  I can't help to feel scared. Who is this person, and why are they doing this?

  Eli and Jensen want to call the police, but I tell them not to worry about it.

  Jensen cleans up the mess while Eli calms me.

  Jensen tells me he isn’t going to leave, that is until Eli tells him he won't let me out of his site.

  Jensen heads out the front door and I overhear him say to Eli,

  “I’ll sleep in your truck out front, just to be safe”

  Typical Jensen

  Eli hovers over me all night not once letting me out of his sight.

  I have never felt so scared for my life, first someone leaves me notes and now this but going to bed wrapped in Eli’s arms makes me feel a little safer and secure.

  Chapter 22

  ELI

  OF ALL THE CRAZY SHIT I’ve done in my life, I never thought I could have what I do with Charli. Now, it seems my crazy past is catching up with me, trying to ruin what I have. That crazy past is called Hannah.

  Hannah and I had fucked, but she became obsessed with me

  shortly after. She was determined we would be together. In her mind, I loved her, but I never have and never will. My heart belongs to Charli.

  My bond with Charli is strong, and no one can do anything to tear us apart. Not even crazy Hannah, no matter how much she tried.

  I have placed a restraining order on Hannah. She needs to stay away from both Charli and me.

  I’m not sure if she will listen, but I hope she does. She obviously has problems. I have too much of my own shit, I don’t

  need anyone else’s crazy on top.E

  WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM Hannah, or even seen her, for over two weeks. That was a good thing she listened. I had wanted to take it further, but Charli said it wouldn’t help the situation and we couldn’t prove anything.

  Walking into The Grove bar, I notice the guys at our table and my girl is there looking her gorgeous self.

  No matter what my mood, is she always puts a smile on my face. She is a constant light in my life, taking away the dark filling the void that had always been there from my past. She keeps me from going back to those memories, the ones I hate reliving.

  Charli sees me coming and her face lights up. This is what life is about, having that someone in your life who makes you happy. Charli consumes my body, mind, and soul. Her taste is addictive, her body is enchanting and she is mine.

  I make my way over to her, once I reach her, I pull her to me holding her tight against me.

  Her body pressed into mine I grab her face between my hands and kiss her right there in front of everyone.

  I capture her lips has I pressed my tongue into hers, she let out a soft moan the sound vibrated through my body towards my dick.

  Oh, this mouth.

  She gave me more access her tongue entwined with me, both of us, tasting, taking and giving. It’s a heady mixture of passion and desire the combination strong between us.

  I’m so aroused I could take her right here, right now, in front of everyone.

  With one hand, I hold her at the nape of her neck while we kiss. My free hand travels down her body as I cup her glorious cheek. She whimpers, she wants this too. The feel of her sends pain to my throbbing cock. I’m desperate for her, needy even here it’s just the two of us lost in our own bubble until I hear someone clear their throat loudly.

  “Dude, you keep that up and you will eat her damn face off,” Carter says, laughing.

  My eyes are still closed, still in this kiss with her.

  “Dude seriously, get a room, or you’re going to have to let me join in because that shit is hot,” I hear Lucas retort.

  I pull back and gave her a peck on the nose she giggles, it is the best sound in the world.

  “Shut up, I can do whatever I want to my girl,” I tell them not letting Charli out of my grasp.

  They chuckle while they shake their heads at us.

  “I hope you don't do whatever you like…she is still my sister you know,” Jensen says with a smirk on his face.

  I wink at him, pulling Charli closer to me if that is possible. I kiss her behind her ear as I hear her release a soft gasp as I spread kisses over her skin.

  “Dude just stop already,” Lucas pipes up.

  Charli’s cheeks go red, I glare at Lucas over her head., I hate for her to get embarrassed. I know I can be an overprotective bastard sometimes but I don’t want her embarrassed just because we make out. The other guys are just teasing her, I look down at Charli to reassure her.

  “Seriously that bitch has the guts coming here, is she still stalking you dude?” Max says, pointing his head towards the door.

  I take my eyes off Charli and turn my head to see Hannah walking in.

  I pull Charli behind me protectively.

  What the fuck!

  “Stay here. Max don’t leave Charli’s side” I say, trying to stay, calm.

  Charli nods. I can see the uncertainty in her eyes. I make my way towards Hannah; my blood is boiling. What is her plan?

  Jensen follows me. He is just as angry as I am, she had messed with his sister.

  I let out deep breaths as I make my way to her trying to ease my anger, they don’t help.

  “What the fuck are you doing here? You’re not allowed within five hundred feet of us.” My angry snarl points towards Hannah, I know she can see the rage in my eyes, I want her to.

  She looks at me and smirks.

  “I'm allowed to come out for a drink you know. You don't own this place,” she says, sounding sure of herself.

  Fuck she is a psychotic bitch.

  “Get out, and stay away from us,” I bark at her.

  She had scared Charli to the point she is worried about being home alone. She had tried to ruin our relationship, and now she has turned up here to cause trouble. Hannah has gone too far and I am fucking furious.

  “Listen, you psychotic bitch, stay the fuck away from me and my girl, I’ve had enough of your crazy fucking ass trying to destroy my life,” I scream at her pointing my finger in her face.

  Her eyes go wide from my words. Did this shock her? She slowly nods.

  Good she got the point I was making.

  “Stay the fuck away from us,” I say

  “Let's just go,” Jensen says as he pulls me by the arm and nods his head back to our table. I nod.

  “Yeah, she isn't worth it,” I say, looking at her with disgust. I hate this woman.

  She is one step away from me not caring that she is a woman, not that I
would ever hit a woman not after living through that pain as I child. I swore I would never become that kind of man but this bitch is pressing on my last nerve.

  Jensen pulls me back and we head back to our table.

  “What is she doing here? Is everything okay?” Charli asks with a worried look.

  “Yeah, fine baby, don't you worry about it.” I say, kissing her cheek and pull her into me, close, where I could keep her safe. She wraps her arms around me and I rest my chin on top of her head. I can feel my heart was beating rapidly, I just hope Charli can’t.

  Charli moves her head to look up at me and places her hand on my chest.

  “You okay?” She asks softly.

  I kiss her on top of her head.

  “Fine baby just angry she’s showed up here.”

  Now that Hannah is going to show up around us I must keep Charli safe. I leaned into her so I didn’t have to yell.

  “You're staying with me until all this stuff blows over, I want you safe. If anything were to happen to you because of me….”

  She looks up at me, and touches my cheek.

  “You don't need to worry about me,” she says.

  She is stubborn. I pull her in for a hug and kiss her forehead, releasing a heavy sigh.

  “Yes, I do, I need to keep you safe, and I do need to worry about you. Hannah is crazy she may hurt you, because of me.” I plead with her, I’m not beyond begging. “Please just stay with me until I know she isn't a threat anymore.”

  I could never live with myself if she got hurt.

  She sighs. “Okay, I can do that.”

  I kiss her, “Thank you.”

  Keeping her safe is my number one priority.

  I will talk to Jensen about making sure if I can't watch her then he would or even one of the guys.

  I know she will hate having bodyguards but it is the only way to keep her out of harm’s way.

  I’m not taking any risks, not where Charli is concerned.

  Charli heads to dance with the girls.

  “Stay where I can keep an eye on you,” I say.

  I take this time to talk to the guys.

  Jensen and the guys agreed with me. We need keep an eye on Charli at all times, it is the safest option.

  Hannah is a crazy bitch that could try anything especially if

  Charli is alone. E

  CHARLI AND I LEAVE AND head back to my place. I tell Charli about my idea.

  “I don't need bodyguards, Eli. She won't touch me, and I can't

  have the guys following me around everywhere, they have lives too,” she says waving her hands. “Baby, this is the only way I can keep you safe for now, she may try something and she may hurt you. I can't have that.” I take a deep breath. She needs to understand my side. “I love you too much to have one of my mistake, some psycho chick hurt you. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me.” I say with a sigh. “Please just do this one thing for me baby?”

  “Okay, fine if it means that much to you, I'll do it,” she says, smiling.

  “Thank you.” I pull her to me, I need to have her in my arms, it always calms me.

  “Let’s go shower,” I say, pulling her towards the shower.

  Charli wiggles out of my arms and starts to strip, turning to wink at me as she makes her way to the bathroom,

  I smirk at her and chase her as I strip my clothes off in double time.

  Scooping her in my arms, I carry her into the shower. She giggles as I throw her over my shoulder and slap her ass. She lets out a squeal as she tries to wiggle her way down.

  “Eli,” She says through a fit of laughter.

  I put her down in the shower and turn on the water.

  The water sprays us as our lips mesh together in a crazy frenzy. I wouldn’t call what we were doing kissing, more like we are trying to become a part of one another.

  I turn Charli towards the wall of the shower basking in the glory of her, worshipping her. I enter Charli from behind my cock burying all the way inside of her pussy, it doesn’t take long for us to both reach and orgasm as I explode inside of Charli.

  We clean ourselves and head to bed. Charli cuddles in close to me.

  I stroke her back and pull her to me as I kiss her sweet lips.

  I hear a loud noise coming from outside.

  Charli jumps as the noise grows louder.

  “What was that?” she asks.

  I jump out of bed and throw on some pants.

  “Stay here,” I tell her.

  I turn on my front light and open the front door.

  Walking outside I see my truck is on fire.

  “FUCKING HANNAH!”

  Is she ever going to stop?

  I need to get Charli out of here, Hannah won't stop. I should have seen what a psycho she was from the start. I should have known not to stick my dick in crazy, but I was back then, I was thinking with my dick not my brain and I was an idiot.

  I had been with a lot of women in my past and they all knew the score, except Hannah. Hannah couldn't get it through her head that I didn't want her. I never have and I never will.

  She has messed with me and my girl for the last time. This is the final straw for me.

  I’m not going to let Hannah destroy us, she will not keep me from Charli.

  Chapter 23

  CHARLI

  ELI COMES BACK, FURIOUS, AS he grabs his phone from the bedside table.

  Who is he calling?

  “I’m calling the fire department,” he says as if hearing my thoughts. “My truck is destroyed.” Eli speaks with the police, after he hangs up I wait for him to tell me what had happened.

  “She fire-bombed my truck.”

  I can’t believe Hannah has done this. What did she get out of this? Why is she taking it this far? Is this going to keep happening? How far will she take it?

  I want her out of our lives, I have never despised someone so much, she is a horrible person.

  Eli doesn’t want her but she won’t be taking no for an answer.

  I’m not sure what else we can do, we have spoken to the police and she hasn’t stopped. Are we going to have to leave Pleasant Grove?

  Our friends are here, my brother is here. I don’t want to leave them, but Hannah isn’t backing away, and may leave us no other option.

  Eli tells me he is going to pack a bag and then we will go to my place and pack one for me as we are going to stay in a hotel.

  “We are going to go away for a while,” he says

  “What! I can't go away. Eli, I have a job.”

  “I want you safe. It's just for a few days, or at least until I know she isn't going to try to hurt you.”

  Is it even her? Who am I kidding? Of course, it is.

  “Charli, please baby. I’ll call Harley or Brax and let them know you won’t be going to work, I’m sure they’ll be fine with it,” he says pulling me closer to him.

  I breathe him in, he smells too good. No man should ever smell this good

  Eli wraps his arms around me tighter he moves his hand up tipping my chin towards his lips brushing our lips together. He takes my lips in his as he slips his tongue in as he deepens the kiss. I moan not being able to keep it in.

  His I-own-you kiss is intoxicating it’s helping me forget about what we were talking about.

  My knees go weak, if Eli wasn’t holding me up I’m sure I would have fallen in a heap at his feet.

  Eli’s tactics of distraction are amusing he thought by kissing me senseless he had won.

  Eli is right it is probably for the best that we go away at least for a little while.

  After the fire department has left, Eli grabs his bag and we jump into my car heading to my apartment. I pack the essentials and we get back into my car.

  We make our way to the hotel, the only one in town The Grove Inn. It is beautiful. Like most things in town, the hotel is owned by Aria’s father and she will one day inherit it as she is the only heir to the Fisher Empire.

  El
i makes sure we weren’t followed before we head into the hotel.

  “I wouldn’t put it past Hannah to follow us, she is probably watching our every move,” he says

  The thought she is watching us creeps me out even more. Has she really followed us around all the time?

  The room we stay in is nice and has a spa bath which we will put to good use.

  We curl up on the couch, watching a movie. Eli is massaging my feet and calves.

  He is so stressed out, if he keeps going this way, he will end up in the hospital. He is bound to give himself a heart attack.

  We decide we will just stay here for a few more nights. I have managed to talk Eli out of going away.

  “We don’t have to go away but you are not staying alone, either. We stay at your place or mine, but you will not be alone.” he says.

  His over protectiveness knows no bounds.

  “Just until this blows over or if you want it to be permanent, I won’t argue,” he says

  Is he suggesting what I think he was suggesting? Am I ready to move in with Eli?

  Everything with Hannah is stressful enough. Can we be under the same roof 24/7? Who am I kidding, I’d live inside that man if I could. I’d wear him like a second skin.

  Being apart from Eli for that week had made me realise I couldn't live without him. I need him in my life, I love him so much.

  I will move in with him if he wants me to, I want to be in his bed every night making me feel safe.

  We head back to my place on Sunday night ready for Eli to work Monday morning.

  Eli looks around first it doesn’t look like Hannah has been at my place, not that we can see anyway.

  We jump into the shower together and wash each other thoroughly, being in Eli’s embrace always felt secure his simple touch makes me weak.

  Eli leads me to the bed and lays me down on the end. Eli makes his way in between my legs, I feel him kiss my thighs and slowly make his way to my entrance. I feel myself getting wet.

  Eli licks his way to my swollen bud pulling it into his mouth and sucking, I shoot up off the bed.

  “Oh, my fucking god that feels good,” I scream

  Eli does it again, and I nearly orgasmed right there. Anytime he has his head between my legs is magic.