“I try not to think about it too much,” I lie. The truth is, I’ve thought a lot about why he was there that night. It sickens me to think about what would have happened if we hadn’t bumped into one another. Just the thought of him fucking another woman enrages me.
“I’m sure he was there trolling for a submissive. Who knew Zane was a Dom? Fuck, I get hot just thinking about it.” Kat fans herself with her hand. “Whoever gets tied up and spanked by him is one lucky bitch.”
I choke on my drink, spewing water across the counter.
Katherine’s eyes widen. “You okay?”
I wave her off and clear my throat, trying to recover from the coughing spell. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just swallowed wrong.”
She relaxes back onto the stool. “I’m glad I can talk to you about all this. I was so afraid you would judge me over it.”
“I would never judge you, Kat. You’re my best friend. You can always tell me anything.”
“That goes both ways, you know. I wish you’d talk to me more instead of holding things inside like you do. It really worries me.”
I swallow hard, because she has no idea what I’m holding inside lately. I would give anything to be able to confide in her right now. But my relationship with Zane is a secret no one else can bear.
Katherine reaches for another bagel, glancing at her watch. “Shit. I’ve got to go. I’m going to be late for a meeting with my advisor.” Easing off the stool, she grabs her coat and slides her arms through the sleeves.
I walk her to the door and give her a quick hug. “Thanks for bringing the bagels.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll call you tomorrow with details, okay?”
“You’d better,” I tease, closing the door behind her.
ZANE
The doorbell rings incessantly. I’m ready to kill whoever is on the other side of the door. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and squint at the time on my watch.
It’s ten thirty in the morning.
Shit. I haven’t even slept an hour. I’d been so upset from last night’s argument with Charlotte that I’d had a hard time falling asleep when I got home this morning. Now that someone is practically sitting on my doorbell, it seems I won’t be going back to sleep anytime soon.
Peering through the tiny glass peephole, I spot my younger sister, Lauren, on the other side. She’s dressed in her navy blue airline uniform, which tells me she’s looking for a place to crash for a few hours between flights. I gave her a key to my apartment last year to avoid these instances, but she always forgets it.
Blowing out a long breath, I open the door to let her in. Before I can say a word, Lauren holds her hand up to stop me. “Save your breath. I already know what you’re going to say.”
I smirk and step back so she can come in. With our parents both gone, Lauren is the only family I have left. I rarely get to see her unless it’s on occasions like this. Sometimes I think I prefer it that way. I’m not the same brother she grew up with.
She props her bag by the door and rolls her shoulders with a tired sigh. “You know I hate bothering you like this, but the airline is too cheap to put us up in a hotel for this short a layover. I’ve been flying for sixteen hours straight. I just want a hot shower and a nap before I have to head back out again. I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”
“Help yourself. I’m going back to bed. I’ve got to be up in a few hours for work.”
Lauren places a quick kiss on my cheek. “I’ll be quiet as a mouse. You won’t even know I’m here.”
I let out a chuckle. “You and quiet have never belonged in the same sentence, sis.” I wave my hand and turn to leave the room. “Good night.”
After shutting the bedroom door behind me, I climb back into bed and pull the duvet over my body. I end up tossing and turning for another hour. Rolling onto my back, I throw my arm over my face, begging my body to find a way to give in to the exhaustion.
It’s pointless.
I can’t stop thinking of Charlotte. Everything about her haunts me. The hurt in her voice when I lied about harboring deeper feelings for her. Then the anger drawing color into her cheeks as she kicked me out to spend the rest of my shift posted outside her door. As if wondering what she was thinking that whole time wasn’t torturous enough, now I’m dedicating all entire fucking down time to it too.
I groan and rake my hands through my hair, tugging at the roots out of pure frustration.
My thoughts are as vivid as they are loud. Every time I close my eyes, all I see is Charlotte’s perfect round ass perched up high in the air, her pussy dripping wet from her arousal and my release.
Goddamn. I’m so fucking hard.
I try to fight it, but the heaviness in my balls grows more and more unbearable by the second. I’m desperate for a release, anything for this tension to leave my body. I throw back the covers and slide my boxer briefs down past my hips. My erection springs back against my stomach. I suck in a hard breath when my hand slides over the sensitive head of my dick. Slowly, I inch down until I reach the base of my cock.
Images of Charlotte’s luscious tits are getting me there faster. I drop my head back against the pillow and lift my pelvis, fisting my dick faster, harder. I grip the sheet beside me with my free hand as my back arches up off the bed. One last pump and I feel the hot release shooting up my stomach. Breathless, I collapse back down onto the mattress, still shaky from my climax.
As I lay there staring at the ceiling, all I can think about is the girl two floors above me who’s turned my whole world upside down.
CHARLOTTE
View 17’s fully equipped fitness room is beyond impressive, and exactly what I need to clear my head about Zane. I toss my towel over the treadmill bar, step onto the track, and glance around the room. Other than the guy on the workout bench behind me and Chester lingering near the door, the place is empty.
I quickly power on the machine and work my pace up until I’m running. My ponytail bounces against my shoulders as I continue upping my speed. I stare through the bay of windows in front of me, visualizing myself running far away from everyone and everything in my life. It may be wishful thinking, but it still helps drive me during my workouts.
Sweat beads on my face. I welcome the heavy burn in my chest and the painful strain in my calves. Mile after mile clicks by on the screen. My body begs for me to give up. But instead, I push harder, dig deeper.
My mind drifts to my argument with Zane. Foolishly, I’d expected him to care more about our relationship. His words had hurt, but kicking him out because he didn’t feel the connection that I did wasn’t exactly fair.
I’ve thought of little else today, and the more I dwell on it, the more I realize just how horrible I’d treated him. He’d made me no promises.
I just hadn’t expected to feel so connected to him. But no matter how much I ache for him to return those feelings, I have to accept it isn’t going to happen. I could walk away from our arrangement, but right now having any part of him is better than not having him at all.
Of course, that’s only if he still wants this. After our fight, I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided the relationship was more trouble than it was worth. The thought of never having him inside of me again is too unbearable for me to even imagine.
I hit the power-down button and slow my strides, working my way down to a steady walk to cool off. Once my heart rate begins to return to normal, I step off the treadmill and reach for my towel to dry off my face.
I have to do something to fix this before it’s too late.
I hold my breath as the elevator comes to a rest at the fifteenth floor. When the metal doors open, I turn to face Chester.
“Do you think you could wait here? I’m just going to slide this beneath his door. I promise I won’t be long.”
Nodding, he motions with his hand. All he knows is that Zane and I had an argument and I’m trying to make peace, which is technically true. What Chester doesn’t know could land us all in deep trouble.
“Thank you, Chester.”
My heart pounding in my chest, I proceed down the long hallway toward his apartment. I glance down at the envelope in my shaking hand. Maybe I am taking the cowardly way out by writing out my thoughts. But apologizing to Zane face-to-face is too intimidating to bear. I refuse to let our fight fester until his next shift.
The sight of the bronze apartment sign 15E sends a mixture of terror and exhilaration coursing through my body. I know I’m pushing his new boundaries by coming to his apartment. My intention is to make peace. I worry Zane will only see this as defiance. Either way, I’m willing to take the risk. And the punishment, if necessary.
Just as I’m kneeling to slide the envelope beneath the door, I hear movement coming from inside the apartment.
Shit.
I hadn’t expected Zane to be awake this early. Before I can stand, the door suddenly opens in front of me. My attention lands on a woman’s bright pink toenails, and then rises slowly to follow her long, toned legs. She’s wearing a gray, oversized men’s shirt that hits just above mid-thigh. Her dark hair is long and tousled like she’s just gotten out of bed. When I finally make eye contact with the gorgeous raven-haired beauty, I’m certain my heart has shattered into a million little pieces.
Is she why he doesn’t want me coming to his apartment?
She leans into the doorjamb, causing the shirt to inch up higher on her thigh. “Can I help you with something?”
I rotate the envelope in my hands. “Oh, um… I was just going to leave this for Zane.”
She gives me a lazy smile. “He’s still sleeping. But you can leave it with me if you want. Who should I say stopped by?”
Fuck. What do I say? I can’t give her my name. I’ve got to get out of here.
I take a step back. “On second thought, I think I’ll just wait and catch him another time.”
She tilts her head, drawing her perfectly arched brows together. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I-I’m sorry to have bothered you.” Mortified, I turn and leave.
As I round the corner back to the elevator, I toss the envelope into the garbage bin. How could I have been so stupid?
The elevator door is chiming and Chester smiles as I approach. I do my best to mask my rioting emotions and keep it together.
“All set to head back upstairs?”
I manage a nod and step inside, trying like hell to hold back the tears until I can be alone in my apartment.
Chester swipes the access card through the reader to access the penthouse level. There is a sudden jerk as the elevator starts its journey to the top floor. I close my eyes, but all I see is the beautiful woman from Zane’s apartment. My chest constricts as I fight to hold the sobs in. By the time the door opens on my floor, I’m already losing control of my tears.
“Don’t worry, Charley. I’m sure Zane has already forgotten all about what happened between the two of you.” Chester’s ill-timed words slice right through me.
Zane may forget, but I never will.
I curse to myself a dozen times on the way into my apartment. How could I be so naïve? How could he take advantage this way?
I resolve then and there, I never want to lay eyes on Zane Parker again.
“Chester, do you think you can have another agent cover Zane’s shift tonight? I just don’t feel comfortable with him being around so soon after our argument.”
His eyes narrow when he sees my tears. “What’s really going on here, Charley?”
I’m so desperate to have someone to talk to, but I fight back the urge to tell Chester everything.
“It’s…personal.” I swallow down another wave of tears. “Can you arrange for another agent, or do I need to call my mother?”
His expression hardens. “No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll take care of it.”
Without another word, Chester closes the door behind him, leaving me to deal with my anger and tears alone.
Chapter Seven
Zane
I stagger into my apartment, my legs weak from the crushing workout I’d just endured. The place is empty again. Lauren left as if she’d never been here, as promised. Briefly, I regret that we hadn’t had time to catch up a little. Even coffee would have been nice. With my head so caught up with thoughts of Charlotte, though, maybe it would have been a waste of time. Then again, maybe a little womanly advice could help me figure out what the hell to do with this girl. No, she’s a woman. A spoiled brat, maybe. But Charlotte Daley has the heart and body of a woman, and I’ve never been more mesmerized by any other in my life.
I guzzle down a glass of water, refill it, and reach for my phone. The home screen shows a handful of missed calls from Chester. He never calls before my shift unless something is wrong. I call his number and start pacing the kitchen.
“Where the hell have you been, Parker?” Chester’s sharp tone throws me off. Something has to be really wrong for the old man to lash out at me.
“In the gym. I forgot my phone in my apartment. What’s going on? Is something wrong with Charlotte?”
“I’d say so.”
“Tell me.” I curl my free hand over the edge of the counter and hold my breath, bracing myself for bad news.
“Get yourself cleaned up. And don’t bother dressing for your shift tonight. You’ve got the night off. I’ll be down at your place in a few minutes.”
“Wha—”
Before I can press him, he ends the call.
“What the fucking fuck,” I mutter to myself.
If Charlotte was hurt, he’d tell me right away. I take solace in that and head to the bedroom to clean up. I take a quick shower, dress in street clothes, and pace some more until Chester shows up at the door.
“Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on?” I say the second I open the door.
When I step to the side, he slips past me. He takes a casual stroll across the living room, slowing in front of the windows that look out onto downtown DC. My God, this is maddening. I’m ready to head up to the penthouse and get the details from Charlotte personally. I have a few things I want to tell her anyway.
“She’s got a better view,” Chester finally says, his back still to me.
“She’s the First Daughter.”
He turns slowly, leveling a stony stare my way. “You’re goddamn right, she is.”
I swallow hard, because I don’t like that look in his eye. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he knew I was taking Charlotte to bed every chance I got. Instead of playing dumb, I stay silent. If he knows something, I’ll let him spill it first.
“You know Charley is like family to me, right?” His hands are tucked in his pockets, and his stare never wavers.
I nod. “I do. I get the sense that it means the world to her too, considering the treatment she gets from her parents.”
He looks down at his shiny black shoes and back up to me again. “Are you sleeping with her?”
Fuck.
Chester and I never mince words, but his blatant accusation throws me completely off guard.
Lie. I should lie and save my own ass, but I just stand there like an idiot. I’m certain my silence speaks volumes when Chester’s taut expression folds into a grimace.
“Goddamnit,” he mutters, turning his back to me again.
I shove a hand through my hair and then draw it down my face. How do I excuse my behavior? Chester will never understand my reasons for luring her into bed with me to begin with. I’d be willing to bet he’s never spanked a woman for pure pleasure in his life.
I should explain that I fucked up. I made a huge mistake.
But as I practice the excuses in my head, they sound flimsy and weak. Because I regret nothing. The truth is, Charlotte means everything to me.
“I care about her too, you know.”
He turns back, his expression softer. “I know. I’m not blind.
She may have been oblivious to the way you looked at her these past few months, but I wasn’t. Remember, it’s my job to read people’s intent before they have a chance to act on it.”
I wince, because I had no idea Chester suspected how I’d felt this whole time.
“If you knew, why didn’t you intervene earlier?”
“Because I didn’t believe you’d be stupid enough to act on it. You’re paid to protect her, Parker. What the hell were you thinking to take things this far?”
I lower my head, shame weakening my justifications.
“There’s nothing I can say to make you really understand. I thought I was protecting her. She’s been out of control. You know that.”
He points a finger in my direction, his grimace deepening. “So you take her to bed? You think you can tame her with a forbidden relationship that risks the reputation of the entire administration? You’re going to lose your goddamn job, and she’s going to catch hell from that sadistic mother of hers. And I’ll be lucky if I get to stick around after it all goes down. Then who’s going to protect her? What happens then?”
“No one knows about us. No one but you.”
“Well thank you, Jesus. I’d like to hope neither of you were stupid enough to start shouting it off the rooftops.”
He paces in a circle, and I wait for him to keep shouting, giving voice to all the doubts I’ve been harboring for days.
“What now?” I finally say.
“I’m not going to waste my time telling you to stop sleeping with her, because I know you won’t. And after I saw that look in her eye today…” He shakes his head.
I frown. “What look?”
“I don’t know what you did, but you’d better fix it before she starts getting therapy from her girlfriends about all the heartbreak her bodyguard is giving her.”
My heart starts beating faster. “Katherine…”
“She’s out shopping with her right now. They’re going out for a girls’ night, and I smell trouble.”
“I have this shift. I’ll take care of it.”
“I told you, you’re relieved tonight. Her request. She threatened to get her mother involved if I didn’t find a replacement.”
Misadventures of the First Daughter (Misadventures Book 5) Page 9