I changed out of my typical travel attire into something more presentable, a cute sweater dress and pair of peep toe pumps. I checked my bare face in the bathroom mirror, pulled my hair out of my trademark ponytail, letting it fall over my shoulders, and grabbed my oversized purse, heading out.
The spring air was slightly cool and the sun was fading fast. I pulled my jean jacket on as I walked, wanting to find something to eat. I had seen a pub on the way to the hotel, and since it was only a couple of blocks I figured I'd just walk. In the time it would have taken to get the car out of the garage and find another parking space I could have been there already anyway.
When I walked into Churchill's I headed straight for the bar. I preferred not to look like a total loser by sitting at a table for one. I slowed as I noticed the breathtaking man who was leaning on the only unclaimed stool.
Holy. Fucking. Hotness.
His strong jaw had a day's worth of stubble framing it. His hair was dark blonde and messy, but thick, and I had to clutch my bag tighter to avoid the urge to run my hands through it. My eyes drifted down over his broad chest, tight abs, and muscular thighs before moving upwards again. His snug white tee revealed the muscles in his upper body and I swallowed hard before landing on his piercing green eyes that were staring intently back at me.
I'd never been affected by a man like this before. I didn't understand the heat that was creeping into my cheeks or the urge to be near a perfect stranger. It was thrilling and intimidating at the same time and all I knew was I wanted more of it.
"Is this seat taken?" I asked, making my way to him.
"It is now," he replied, pulling it out for me, his smile stretching perfectly across his gorgeous face.
Talking to him was easy. He made me laugh, and I felt lighter than I had in years, like a new person actually. When I asked him to go to my hotel later, I don't know what I was thinking. All I wanted was a chance to get away from the disaster my life had become. To feel something good again, instead of frustration, aggravation, or hopelessness. And good lord, when he held me tight and thrust his body into mine, all I could do was feel. It was as if I had been blind and I could finally see.
The next day after the long flight home and sitting in evening rush hour traffic trying to get back to my house, the only thing I wanted was to crawl into my bed and pass out. My muscles were deliciously sore from the things Carson and I had done together but just thinking about them made the heat rush back to my core.
Deep down I had known for a long time that my marriage was over, but I had finally accepted it this morning as I watched Carson while he softly snored next to me, knowing that something better was waiting for me. I had never experienced anything like the connection I had with him and I knew I would never accept anything less again. That feeling of belonging is what I would strive to find. It was what I wanted for the rest of my life and all I could do was hope that I'd find it again someday.
When he began to stir, I pretended to sleep and then snuck out while he was in the shower knowing I couldn't bear to pretend that he didn't change everything I thought I knew in only one night. I didn't want to destroy my memories of how perfect our time had been together with an awkward goodbye.
My interview seemed to go well, but I wouldn't know anything for about six months, and I had school to concentrate on if I wanted any chance of landing the job at all.
Foster & Company Marketing had been the first place I had applied and I was counting my blessings that I was even considered for an interview before completing my education.
It was a family owned business and one of their chief policies was to promote from within and build their employee base through recommendations of their current staff. Therefore, there were a lot of husbands and wives, fathers and sons, who worked for the company. It was like one big family and getting an interview was incredibly tough.
John Foster had opened the company back in the twenties and it had passed to his son and now his grandson, Jack Foster. Jack was young still, but his current board were all in their early to mid sixties, so they were determined to bring in a fresh, young set of minds to help propel the business to future success.
As I turned onto my street, I noticed all the lights were on in the house and there were several cars parked out front. I cringed at the idea of having to pretend with all of Derek's friends when all I wanted to do was crawl in bed.
When I opened the door, Derek was seated on the couch with some blonde bimbo in his lap. He looked over his shoulder at me and then unceremoniously dumped the blonde onto the floor.
"Babe, you're home!" he said to me as he tried to kiss me with the smell of beer on his breath.
"Yep, I'm home," I said, dully, as I dragged my bags to our bedroom, passing the freshly painted wall in our hallway.
"I painted the wall for you," Derek said, following me.
"You painted it for me? You mean, you painted it so your whore won't have to see how poorly you treat the women in your life, namely your wife?"
He walked over to me, sliding his arms around me and kissing my face. He was always overly affectionate when he was drinking. "Don't be like that, babe. I did something nice for you and I missed you so much. How's Charlie?"
I hadn't told him I had gone to Savannah. Instead I told him I went to visit my sister in Raleigh, which was about a three hour drive.
"She's good, Derek. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go to bed. It's been a long day," I said, unwrapping his arms from my waist.
"Want me to help you relieve some tension?" he asked, rubbing his semi hard dick on my hip.
I was instantly repulsed. "No, really. I'm not in the mood. I just want to get some sleep."
"Fine. You're such a cock tease," he slurred."But don't be surprised if I get it elsewhere."
Any woman in that situation would have probably raged at her husband, but I'd been treated so poorly for so long that I felt completely numb to his insults and actions. He wanted a reaction and I wasn't going to give him one.
I exhaled as he slammed the door behind him and went back to the living room to, no doubt, flirt with that bimbo again and probably fuck her in my house.
I slipped into the shower to wash off, and when my head finally hit the pillow, all I could think about was how Carson's hands felt on my body. I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face.
Chapter 7
Present
Lou
When Carson got up to leave the bar my stomach dropped. I needed to talk to him. There was so much to say and explain. I never thought I'd see him again, but the moment I did, I knew I couldn't waste the opportunity. I threw some cash on the bar and excused myself from Anne Marie and Ben, hoping to catch Carson before he got out the door. Luckily I saw him talking to two guys near the front, so I slipped up behind him and took his hand in mine.
"You two are coming to the party tomorrow, right?" One of the guys asked, and I assumed it must be Luke. He was as tall as Carson, but dark headed with a strong jaw and green eyes. I could see why Caroline was all hot and bothered, but he didn't hold a candle to Carson in my opinion.
"I'll be there," Carson said, dismissing me as part of the invite as he tried to shake his hand free of mine.
As Luke and his friend walked away, Carson turned and stared at me.
"Can we talk?" I asked him, squeezing his hand while I searched his incredibly green eyes. He was so tall, well over six feet, and I noticed, just like the first time I met him, that there was some sort of electric pull between the two of us.
"What is there to talk about? You're married," he accused.
"I'm not married anymore," I said softly, searching his eyes and watching a range of emotions pass through them. Then he turned and dragged me out of the bar by the hand he was already holding.
Once we reached the street he turned the corner, into the alley and paused, pulling me to him and then backing me against the side of the building. I was caged between his arms, his bright green eyes searing into m
ine.
"Talk, I'm listening," he said, his breath on my face.
I paused a moment gathering my thoughts. It was hard to think with him in my personal space. I could feel the heat from his body pouring over me and I thought back to the one memorable night we'd spent together over a year ago. I hadn't been with anyone since then, and my hormones were on high alert. I licked my lips, feeling his breath on them.
"I was married to Derek for about three and a half years. The day I met you I had spent the morning trying to scrub some vulgar graffiti, directed at me courtesy of my husband, off the wall of our house. My whole life sucked until I walked into that bar and you bought me a drink. I didn't go there looking for anything, but when I met you the connection between us was something I couldn't deny. I didn't want to deny it. It felt too right, even if it was wrong, but in my mind my marriage was already over."
I reached a hand toward him, twisting the front of his shirt into my fist and pulling him closer to me. His jaw ticked and he took in a breath as I continued to explain.
"Honestly, I didn't want to leave that hotel room," I continued, "but when you said you were only in town for a night I couldn't deal with an awkward goodbye, or with the idea that you might not have felt as moved by me as I was by you, so I left."
His large warm hand moved to my cheek and around the back of my head, cupping my nape. The warmth of his body enveloped me as he took a step closer. My pulse began to thrum wildly and I felt heat slowly begin to coil in my core. I twisted my fingers further into his shirt, arching my back off the wall and pulling his chest flush against me, turning my face up towards his. The sexual tension between us ratcheted up to a roar.
He rested his forehead on mine, his mouth mere millimeters from my own. I could feel his breath against my lips and I moaned into him as he closed the tiny gap between us. Finally.
The kiss was wet and hot, our mouths met openly with a crush of tongues and murmured words of want.
I didn't care that we were outside where anyone could see us, all I cared about was that I was in Carson arms again. Carson was kissing me and a ball of desire was threatening to explode inside me. His hands were in my hair, and mine were in his. His mouth was insistent and possessive, rekindling the connection I had felt to him when we met.
When he finally pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine again. Both our breaths were heavy and shallow, my hands shaking lightly as I ran them down his chest, feeling the thick muscles beneath his shirt and his hardness against my belly. I swallowed, trying to calm my racing heart.
"I tried to find you," he said, just loud enough for me to hear him.
"You did?" I pulled my face back minimally so I could look him in the eyes.
"I asked my dad for the list of interviewees that day, but there wasn't anyone named Meg on it, and none of the other names were female."
"I think I interviewed as Lou Peterson, but it's Lou Evans now. Louise is my full name," I said softly, smiling. "My dad wanted boys, and instead got twin girls. He calls me Lou, and my sister, Charlotte, goes by Charlie."
"Lou suits you," he said thoughtfully, his hand moving to cup my cheek. "I looked for you at the airport too. I sat and waited for you to walk by for hours. I don't know how I could have missed you, but I was distraught when I realized I did."
His admission stunned me, or maybe it was his honesty. It wasn't often that you found a guy who wore his heart and his emotions on his sleeve. I hoped this was a sign that Carson was that type of guy. I didn't need anyone in my life who wanted to play games. I didn't have time for it.
"Let me see your phone," he said, holding his hand out to me.
I pulled my phone from my clutch and handed it to him. He punched buttons on the screen for a second and then handed it back to me.
"I put my info in your phone. Send me your address and I'll pick you up tomorrow at 11. You're going to that party with me."
"Oh I am, am I?" I asked, smirking up at him.
He pushed into me again, trapping me against the side of the building. I breathed him in for a moment, before looking into his eyes.
"You better get used to me, because I'm not letting you get away this time," he said gruffly, kissing my cheek. "See you in the morning."
And with that he left me leaning against the building, panting like a dog in heat as I watched his sexy back and his perfect ass saunter away down the street.
**
"You won't believe what happened," I said to Kelly as I flopped onto my couch.
"Uh oh! What?" she asked, intrigued.
"I saw him again," I told her, a little giddy.
She looked at me a moment trying to figure out who 'he' was.
"Him," I said with inflection.
"You mean Carson? The sexy man from your one-night stand, man of your dreams, him?"
"Yes! He kissed me and it was ah-mazing! Just like I remember. God Kelly, I couldn't believe it. I really never thought I'd see him again and then there he was, standing right in front of me, staring at me just as hard as I was staring at him."
Kelly's eyes widened as her mouth dropped open.
"Oh my god, Lulu! It's like fate or something," she said in amazement.
"I know!" I was totally giddy, clapping my hands together and smiling so hard my cheeks were hurting.
"Are you going to see him again? Did you tell him about Carly? What did he say?"
"No, I didn't tell him about Carly. I just want to wait for the right time. That's not something you spring on someone right away. But, I'll tell him, I promise."
"You need to. She's not something you can keep a secret. He deserves to know," she scolded.
I glared at her with my I know what I'm doing look, and she raised her hands in surrender looking off down the hallway before her eyes snapped back to mine. "So, when are you going to see him again?"
"Tomorrow. Can you watch Carly?" I asked.
"You bet."
Chapter 8
Carson
As I drove to Lou's place I replayed last night's events in my head. When she told me she wasn't married anymore I couldn't stop myself from grabbing her and kissing her senseless. Feeling her body against mine and her response to me instantly rekindled the connection I had been trying to deny since I'd woken up in that hotel room without her. She'd wandered back into my life, and there was no way I was going to let her go again. Ever.
"Ready to go?" I asked, smiling as Lou opened the door and stepped onto the porch of her house.
"Ready." She smiled up at me, her blue eyes sparkling in the late morning sun.
She had on a white tank with the American flag on it and short denim shorts. Her legs looked amazing and it was all I could do to keep from imagining them wrapped around my waist as I pounded into her.
And now I'm hard.
"You look incredible," I said to her, subtly adjusting myself before leaning in and sliding my arms around her waist. I pulled her up against me, nibbling at her mouth until she opened her lips, allowing me to deepen the kiss. She tasted like warm honey and I couldn't get enough of her.
"You're not so bad yourself," she said breathlessly once I released her.
We arrived at my grandmother's house just in time to help load everything in the car for the short drive to Luke's. His house was about a half mile down the road.
"Mom, this is Louise Evans," I said, taking an armload from her and loading the back of her Explorer.
"Hi Mrs. Foster, it's a pleasure to meet you. You can call me Lou," she said, reaching out to shake hands with my mother.
"Honey, you call me Allison, everyone does," she said, accepting the outstretched hand, and pulling Lou into a hug.
My mother looked at me over Lou's shoulder and winked at me and I knew I had her approval. I'd never introduced my parents to a girl before, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
"There you all are!" My dad said, coming around the side of the house. A recent storm had knocked a tree into the house, tearing down part of the front po
rch and smashing in the front door. The repairs were well under way, but not quite complete.
"Hey Dad," I said, shaking his hand and pulling him in for a man hug. "You know Louise Evans."
My dad looked from Lou, to me, and back before a big smile ate up his face. "Indeed I do. How are you Lou?"
"Just fine, thank you sir," she said, returning his smile.
"Well, let's get this show on the road. I'm starving!" My dad said, opening the passenger door of the Explorer for my mom.
No sooner than we had unloaded the car at Luke's, Caroline dragged me aside.
"No offense, but what are you doing with Lou?" she asked.
"For now, I'm just seeing where it goes," I said, hoping to deflect any further questions she might have.
"I really like her Carson. Please don't screw her around. I know you're still caught up on that girl Meg."
If you only knew.
"I know what I'm doing okay? Don't worry," I assured her. I was just about to tell her that Lou and Meg were one in the same when an older gentleman walked in.
"Carson, this is Luke's father, Luke Senior," she said, introducing us.
"Very nice to meet you sir," I said, shaking his hand and then excused myself to find Lou. I'd have to talk to Caroline later.
She was on the back deck, leaning against the railing with her perfect ass jutting out towards me. I walked up to her as quietly as I could, running one of my hands over her left butt cheek, and circling my arm around her waist, pulling her back against my chest.
She sighed as she rested her head on my shoulder.
"How'd you know it was me?" I asked her, leaning down to kiss her ear and then her cheek. She leaned to the opposite side, giving me better access to her neck.
"I can't think of anyone else who would be bold enough to touch me like that."
She turned in my arms then, looking at me with her soulful blue eyes.
"Carson, I don't want to play games with you okay? We've already established that we have a wicked attraction to each other, but there are things about each other that we still need to learn. The only relationship I've ever had was a toxic mess of dishonesty that I never want to experience again. So please, no matter what you are or aren't feeling for me, or about us, please just promise me you'll always be honest and up front with me."
Emergence (Awakening Series Book 2) Page 4