Bad Decision: The Carter Brothers

by Stella Andrews

  As Summer pushes past us angrily, Joey catches our eyes and his meaning is clear. Watch her from afar and keep her safe. What she doesn’t know is that if word got out she was his daughter, every chancer on the street would be looking to use her to get to him. She needs our protection because, without it, she’s a sitting target.

  15

  Summer

  I know Tracey thinks Christmas has come early but I sit fuming beside her on the back seat. I pointedly ignore the guys and just concentrate on talking to Tracey who is beyond excited.

  I know she likes Charlie; I see it in her eyes. The trouble is, Charlie is a flirt and spends most of his time hooking up with different girls every night. I don’t want Tracey to be just another one of them and keep them apart as much as possible.

  Maxwell being here disturbs me for another reason. He makes breathing difficult when he’s around because his very presence sucks the air out of a room and leaves me a wanton mess. He’s kept his distance like he said he would and I am frustrated beyond belief. The last three weeks have been the most difficult of my life because of him.

  Just seeing him around the house makes my heart beat faster. When he heads back from the gym, I can’t take my eyes off his impressive body. Even watching him relaxing in front of the tv makes me want to sit snuggled up next to him as close as I can get. The few times I’ve caught him walking from the bathroom in just a towel left me breathless at the sight of his hard body begging to be touched. Just imagining those strong arms wrapped around me makes me almost hyperventilate and imagining what lies beneath his towel, sends me running for a cold shower of my own. This is one crazy situation, and it’s no wonder I’m pissed.

  Luckily, it doesn’t take long before we’re at the Samurai club and I don’t even give them time to comment before I open the door and shout, “Thanks for the ride.”

  Grabbing Tracey’s hand, I pull her along with me and she laughs as she struggles to keep up. “Whoa, slow down, you forget I’m wearing show heels tonight. I’m liable to break my leg if I have to actually walk in these.”

  Sighing, I slow down and look at her apologetically.

  “I’m sorry, Tracey, they just annoy me. All I wanted was one night away from all of them and they won’t even give me that.”

  Tracey looks sympathetic. “It must be a lot to deal with. I sort of understand where they’re coming from though. I don’t think you realize who they are, Summer. The Carters are local legends and get treated like Demi-gods. They’ve made many enemies over the years who would love to get one over on them. They must worry for your safety because if word got out, every Tom, Dick and Harry would be beating a trail to your door just to get in with them. Either that or use you against them. If I were you, I’d just accept the situation and enjoy the ride.”

  I look at her with confusion. “Who the hell are, Tom, Dick and Harry?”

  She bursts out laughing. “Figure of speech, babe. Anyway, it’s my birthday and time to get this party started.”

  We join the line for the club and I feel myself relax slightly. Maybe Tracey’s right, they are just being kind and if they’re a little overprotective, it must be because of what Tracey says. I should cut them some slack, I’m just not used to this much control in my life. I’ve always been free to come and go as I please and never thought much about it. Now it’s like living in a gilded cage and is taking some adjusting to.

  It doesn’t take long before we’re inside and meet up almost immediately with Tracey’s friends. We find a booth in the corner that we make ours and concentrate on having a good time.

  Hearing the throbbing beat of the music makes me happy. I love to dance and it’s only when I’m on the dance floor I can truly relax and be myself. As a precaution after what happened when I first arrived, we don’t leave any drinks unattended and make sure to buy our own from the bar. The last thing I need is a repeat performance of what happened at Honeys and this time I don’t have Max looking out for me.

  Soon I relax and just settle into my normal routine. The company is good, the club amazing and the music the kind I could listen to all night.

  We get our fair share of attention but nothing that steps outside the boundaries and I’m just happy to see Tracey having an amazing birthday.

  When the music slows down a few of the girls drift off to dance with various guys and I settle in the booth feeling tired. My feet ache and I relish the short break it gives me. Tracey smiles happily. “This has been a great night, have you enjoyed yourself?”

  Nodding, I stretch out and smile. “Thanks, it’s been great.”

  Suddenly, two guys slip in beside us and smile. “Hey, girls. Fancy some company?”

  Tracey smiles and I can see why. One of the guys is throwing her a look that spells out his interest and she is obviously happy to return the favor. The other one also looks nice and so I just smile and say, “If you like.”

  One of them says brightly, “I’m Mark, and this is Rob.”

  Tracey says quickly, “Tracey and Summer.”

  Rob stares at me with undisguised interest. “Pretty name for a pretty girl. It’s unusual though.”

  I laugh. “Not from where I’m from.”

  Noticing my accent, Rob says with interest. “Where’s that?”

  “California.”

  He grins. “That figures. You look the beach babe type.”

  He leans forward. “Do you fancy dancing with a British lad, Summer?”

  I actually don’t because it hits me like lightning when I realize there’s only one man I want to dance with but Tracey nudges me and says in a whisper, “Dance with him, Summer. He seems nice and you could use some fun in your life.”

  As they all wait for me to speak, I sigh inwardly. “Ok, thanks.”

  We head onto the dance floor and I immediately regret my decision. Rob seems nice enough, good looking, friendly and like a regular guy. However, I appear to have developed a taste for a different type of guy and my heart sinks as I wish it was Max in his place.”

  He takes me in his arms and we start to sway to the music. I squirm a little because it feels awkward and I don’t want to appear rude but wish I hadn’t agreed. Rob pulls me a little closer and whispers, “You’re like a breath of fresh air in this place, Summer. I’m glad we came here tonight otherwise I’d never have met you.”

  I say nothing and wonder what the protocol is here. Should I reply or just stay silent? It doesn’t appear to matter because he grinds his body to mine and says huskily, “Look at me.”

  I look up in surprise and before I know what’s happening his lips claim mine, and he forces his tongue in my mouth, holding me tightly against him, giving me no room to struggle. I try to pull back but he’s too strong and kisses me relentlessly, despite me trying every trick to wriggle out of his grasp.

  Then, before I know it, I feel a rush of air as he is pulled quickly away and held in an iron grip by Charlie while Max looks at him with murder in his eyes.

  I look on in disbelief as Max snarls. “Maybe we should teach you a lesson in not forcing yourself on a lady who obviously doesn’t welcome it.”

  Rob’s eyes widen in fear and he says sharply, “What are you talking about? She’s up for it, aren’t you, love?”

  I look in horror as those words are enough to unleash the power of Max’s fist as he punches Rob in the stomach and says darkly, “I beg to differ, you slimy bastard.”

  The music continues but suddenly every eye in the place is trained on us. I look around and see even the security are standing at a respectful distance until one nod from Max brings them running toward us. Charlie shoves Rob at them and growls, “Dispose of him before we do.”

  They bundle Rob away and I stare at them in utter disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Max grabs my arm and Charlie pulls Tracey after him as they shepherd us toward a staircase similar to the one in Honeys. As we leave the main room behind, they pull us into the VIP area and into an empty booth before sliding in
next to us. I stare at them angrily as Charlie laughs. “This is becoming a habit.”

  Tracey laughs nervously and I see the muscle twitching in Max’s cheek as he fights to control his anger. Sinking back in defeat, I say wearily, “Great, thanks, guys. You’ve just made us look like complete idiots. The whole club just saw what you did and if you think we can have a normal night now, you’re mistaken.”

  Charlie laughs softly and grabs a glass of champagne. He offers it to Tracey and then one to me and says, “Get used to it, sis. You’re family now and if we see a creeps hand all over our sister, we will react as any caring big brother would. Admit it, babe, you were happy we saved you from that guy because by the look on your face you were in a situation you had no control of.”

  I can’t argue with that and feel annoyed by own weakness. As Charlie chats softly to Tracey, Max leans in and whispers, “You’re just lucky I didn’t kill him because the sight of his hands all over you made me lose my fucking mind. I’m sorry if you don’t like it but if I can’t have you, I’m not gonna stand by and watch someone else do what I’m fighting hard not to do myself.”

  The pressure of his leg next to mine and the sound of his heavy breathing makes me melt into a pool of desire. I want him so badly it hurts and what just happened makes me want him even more. There was something so incredibly sexy about seeing him pull that guy off me and I loved the possessive look in his eyes.

  I’m not sure what to say and then watch helplessly as Charlie drags Tracey off to dance. She throws me an excited look as she almost skips with happiness toward the dance floor. Max runs his hand around my waist and pulls me closer and whispers, “You have no idea of what I want to do to you, Summer. If you saw what was in my mind right now, you would be terrified.”

  I almost choke on my words as I say breathlessly, “What do you want, Max?”

  He runs his hand along my leg that’s hidden by the table and I feel myself tremble as it reaches higher and disappears under my dress. He whispers, “I want to kiss every inch of you slowly and deliberately. I want to brand you as mine and taste the desire between your legs. I want to wrap this golden hair around my fist and hold your head in place while I claim your lips. Then I want to make love to you all night and worship your body like the goddess you are. I want to be so deep inside you it will fill you completely. I want to fuck your brains out until you scream my name over and over again. Then I want to wrap you in cotton wool and keep you safe by my side forever.”

  I’m almost panting as the desire fills my whole body and I shift closer. I think I moan as his hand hovers outside the part of me that wants him so badly and I feel my nipples harden. All I want is for his words to become a reality and every reasonable thought leaves my mind as I say huskily, “Then why don’t you?”

  This time he groans as he says in a tortured voice, “You know why. I would burn in Hell for eternity and your father would send me there.”

  I can’t think straight and say in a whisper, “Then we had better make sure he doesn’t find out.”

  I feel Max tense beside me and wait in limbo for his answer. He draws a sharp breath and says huskily, “If that’s what you want then follow me.”

  He slips out of the booth and I don’t even think twice and follow him from the room. Charlie and Tracey are dancing cheek to cheek on the dance floor but I barely register anything than that as Max leads me through a door into a corridor.

  He says nothing as he pulls me after him until we reach a door at the end of the hallway. As he pushes his way inside, I feel myself shiver as he locks it behind him. He stares at me like a panther stalking his prey and his dark eyes flash across the room. There is no sound in this room just delicious silence and as I look around, I can see why. It is set up as a private room, obviously designed to offer a different type of comfort to its VIPs.

  I swallow hard as I see the large round bed that dominates the room and feel the blood rushing to my head.

  Max just stands there watching me and then says darkly, “Is this what you want, Summer? For me to fuck you in a whore’s room?”

  Swallowing hard, I just nod my head. “I would let you fuck me in a dark alley or on a crowded street. I want you inside me so badly I don’t care where it happens. If it’s here, then I couldn’t care less because all I want is to end this frustration that being around you fills me with. I need you to finish something that started weeks ago and I can’t move on until you do.”

  I hold my breath as he advances across the room, slowly and deliberately. He reaches me and pulls me tightly against him and his breath sears my mouth as he groans, “I want you more than anything and to hell with the consequences.”

  16

  Maxwell

  When Charlie and I saw the girls into the club, we headed straight to the VIP area where we could watch from afar. It was agonising as we watched her having fun with her friends and the sight of her dancing crushed all my resolve into dust. Fuck my father because Summer’s mine. I don’t care what he thinks and just because he married my mother; it doesn’t mean he can interfere with what is obviously my destiny. I’ve never felt like this and I can’t handle it.

  Even Charlie is quiet beside me and that’s unusual in itself. He’s always been a talker and the fact he’s silent means he knows there’s a storm coming.

  When the guy grabbed her to dance, a red mist cast a veil over my eyes and the blood was sent roaring to my macho pride. No fucking way.

  As we flew to her side, I could think of nothing but causing him everlasting damage. Charlie was right beside me as usual and didn’t even question something he’s known about since we first met Summer.

  Punching that creep just wasn’t enough and has built up so much emotion in me I’m not thinking straight. As soon as Charlie dragged Tracey off to dance, I couldn’t stop myself from the inevitable.

  Now, as Summer trembles before me in this whore’s paradise, I’ve got what I want. She wants me too and at this moment everything I want in life can come true. I don’t need to ask because it’s written in the desire in her eyes and the way her nipples have hardened beneath her dress. Summer is ready and willing and I’m definitely able but something is stopping me. She deserves more. She deserves more than a quick fuck in the back room of a club. If I’m right and Summer’s a virgin, she deserves the fairy tale.

  Just one taste is all it would take and nothing is tempting me more. I take another step toward her and stroke her hair softly and watch her lip tremble as she gasps softly. Stroking the side of her face, I touch her soft skin and feel the blood roaring to every part of me that counts. My hand circles her waist and settles on her hip and I pull her closer. She shifts until she is flush against me and my dick presses into her stomach and demonstrates my interest in her. She shivers with desire and licks her lips with a tongue I want to twist in mine. Her eyes are closed which is a good thing because I don’t need any reminders of what a shit storm I’m about to unleash. Just one kiss, that’s all I want. I need to know what she tastes like and if nothing else; I deserve that at least.

  I swear I hear Hell calling as my lips touch hers and cause an explosion in the atmosphere. Something is happening that is more devastating than any natural disaster. It’s the knowledge that Hell is opening to claim its newest soul as I lower my lips to hers and taste the forbidden fruit. Her soft moan cancels out the darkness that threatens to draw me in. The sweetness inside pours calm waters on a turbulent sea. Destiny gasps with relief as our two hearts meet and as I taste the promise of the ever after, I feel a rush of something no drug can create. This is forbidden, dangerous and catastrophic love and I can’t stop myself.

  The chime from my phone brings me to my senses and I pull back with a curse. I know it’s Charlie before I see his name because his ring tone is one of a kind.

  Summer looks at me desperately and whispers, “Ignore it.”

  Shaking my head, I growl, “I can’t.”

  Fighting to breathe and speak in a calm voice, I say, “Yeah
,”

  Charlie says angrily, “For fuck’s sake, bro, have you got a death wish? Get back here immediately before I kick that bloody door down.”

  I snarl angrily, “Back off, Charlie.”

  He sighs. “Listen, if you want to sign your own death warrant then who am I to interfere? But not here in this fucking cesspit. Haven’t you got any class, brother? Summer doesn’t deserve this and neither do you. Anyway, apart from interrupting your certain death, I’ve had a call from Tony. Someone’s been asking for you at the club and won’t leave until they see you.”

  I feel the irritation saturate me inside and bark, “So what? Tell them to fuck off.”

  He says in a low voice. “They’ve come to ask about Melissa. Apparently, she’s gone missing and they need your help.”

  A feeling of dread settles in the pit of my stomach and I say in a low voice. “I’ll be right there.”

  Seeing the confusion in Summer’s eyes almost makes me lose my mind and I pull her tightly to me and say desperately, “Not like this. When we finally give in to the inevitable, it will be in a much more memorable place than this. You’re no whore and I’m not gonna treat you like one. But know this, it will happen and soon. You and I are on a collision course and the coordinates are set. Nothing will change our direction and when it hits, you had better be ready for the devastation it will cause.”

  Reaching out, I pull those lips to mine and feed off them like a frenzied beast. All the anger, desperation and frustration build inside me and unleashes itself in this kiss. I want Summer to know what a kiss from me involves. I’m a ruthless bastard who takes what he wants and fuck the consequences. She is mine and when I claim that innocence she’s protected so well, it will be with the knowledge it’s the right place and the right time. It’s the least she deserves.

  17

  Summer