“I know. She told me that. She also told me you got shot protecting her.”
Not that I need reminding, but this is exactly why Abby has always been one of my best friends. I’ve been an arrogant asshole, but she’s gone out of her way to mend bridges, smoothing things over with Demi without me even knowing. Whatever tension existed between us is completely gone, and I owe it to her to make more of an effort. To patch things up with her husband and her brother. To stop being so stubborn.
“Abby will always be one of my best friends, and I want to repair my friendship with her. Would you be okay with that?”
She nods. “I think so. I mean, I’d like to try. I know she’s married, but I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t some doubt about your feelings for her.”
That’s fair, and I think if the tables were reversed, I wouldn’t be so charitable in her shoes.
I press my lips to hers softly. “I hate that my actions have caused you to doubt my feelings for you. All I ask is a chance to prove I’m genuine and it’s real. Because I know I’m not in love with Abby. That I never was.”
She still looks skeptical.
I need to do better.
I kiss her again, more passionately this time. When we break apart, I love how flushed her face is, how bright and expectant her eyes are, and how happy she looks. “I might have been confused before over how I was feeling,” I say, preparing to lay it all out on the line. “But I’m not confused anymore.”
I rub my thumb over her swollen lips. “Because I never felt for Abby the way I feel for you.” I peer directly into her eyes. “I have never felt this deeply about any woman before, Demi. I have never wanted any woman as badly as I do you. And I have never wanted to open myself up to the possibility of something permanent in the way I want to do with you.”
Chapter 11
Demi
“SO, WHERE’S LOVER boy?” Xena asks me Thursday night at the fundraiser. The first step of our fundraising plan was a trivia night at the bar Bo works at. He managed to square things with his boss and get it set up in record time with help from Xena and Leo. I’m so appreciative of their support, and I didn’t have the heart to tell them our plan is futile because there’s no way we can raise the amount needed in time. The money will come in handy for other medical expenses anyway, and I’d be a fool to turn it down after it was already arranged.
“I didn’t invite him,” I admit, sipping on a beer as I wait for the trivia host to start proceedings.
“Why not?”
“I haven’t told him about Dad’s cancer yet.”
“Why the hell not?” she adds, wiggling her fingers at Bo. He’s manning the bar tonight, and he’s gonna be busy because there’s a full crowd.
“I was going to, but it’s not like we’re officially dating or anything.”
“Girl, after what he said the other night, how can you even doubt that?”
I shrug, taking another mouthful of beer. I told Xena everything Charlie said to me, and quite frankly, I’m still having trouble believing it. “I want to believe it, and I want to trust in him, but I’m scared. Scared I’m going to fall for him and he’s going to destroy me. My heart can’t take any more hits.”
“Any time you decide to let a guy in, you risk annihilation, but that’s all part of falling in love.” She slings her arm around my shoulders. “Every guy is a risk. You just need to decide if he’s special enough to gamble your heart on.”
“He is, but that doesn’t eliminate my fear.”
“You’re going through all this shit on your own, Demi, and you need a little fun. Your dad would approve. You know he would. He worries about you so much, and he hates that he’s a burden and keeping you from having a normal life. He would be pleased you’re dating, and you said he already knows and approves of Charlie.”
A throat clearing ends our conversation. I whip my head up, my jaw instantly slackening.
“That’s great to hear,” Charlie says, grinning. “So, when are you taking me home?” He waggles his brows, and his green eyes glint mischievously.
“What are you doing here?” I splutter.
“I’d think that’s obvious.” He pierces me with a dark look. “The more obvious question is why I had to learn about tonight from Margaret Ann. Why didn’t you say anything?” He folds his arms across his lean abs. He’s wearing the same clothes he had on today. A fitted blue suit with a crisp white shirt that clings to every chiseled muscle of his torso. He’s lost the tie, and the top few buttons of his shirt are open, showcasing tan skin I’ve been up close and personal with.
“Sit your gorgeous ass down,” Xena tells him, scooting farther into the booth and dragging me back with her. “You can interrogate her much more comfortably while sitting.” She grins conspiratorially at Charlie. “I’m Xena by the way. Demi’s bestie. We go way back.”
“Nice to meet you,” Charlie says, sliding into the booth beside me. “I’d introduce myself, but it appears you already know everything there is to know.” A smug grin dances over his mouth.
“How do you know it’s not because your reputation precedes you?” I say, needing to rib him because old habits die hard.
His shit-eating grin remains intact as he removes his jacket, folding it neatly and placing it behind him. My eyes are out on stilts as he rolls his shirt sleeves up to the elbows, and I swear he’s doing it on purpose. Like he’s gotten into my head and he knows how much his arms turn me on.
I know most women are into a broad chest, a six-pack, and those little V indents some guys have. I admire those traits too, and Charlie has all that, but his arms and hands do funny things to my insides. Maybe, it’s because his arms are muscular, tanned, and strong with the perfect amount of dark hair. Or it’s his manly hands, long slim fingers, and neat fingernails that get my juices going. Or it’s how skillful those hands are and how they make me feel trailing all over my body.
Whatever it is, Charlie’s arms are my porn, and somehow, the sneaky bastard has discovered my secret. At least now, I understand why he’s always rolling his shirt up to his elbows.
“You’re drooling, babe,” Xena says, making zero effort to keep her voice low so he doesn’t hear. “Not that I’m denying there is cause to drool, but you look like a dog in heat, and that shit’s never attractive.”
Charlie throws back his head, laughing. Xena grins, ignoring my pout and the punch I land on her upper arm. “What’s your poison, Charlie,” she asks, rising. “My man is behind the bar, so I’ll get an order in.”
Charlie orders a beer, handing her a fifty-dollar bill, telling her to get a drink for me and her too. As soon as she is gone, I quickly fill him in on her ménage situation because Leo is due to arrive anytime.
“Good for her,” Charlie says, winking. “As long as you don’t go getting ideas, Bumbling.” He leans in close to my face, and I stop breathing. “Because I won’t share you. Not ever.”
“Duly noted.” I can’t contain my grin, and I’m not unhappy he came.
He takes my hand under the table. “Why didn’t you mention this to me? It seems like something you should tell the guy you’re dating.”
“Are we dating?”
He wraps his arm around my waist, drawing me in close. “Were you not listening the other night? I thought I made myself clear, but if I didn’t, yes, we’re dating.” His gaze cuts through me. “Exclusively.”
“Also duly noted.”
He raises our conjoined hands to his lips. “Good. Anything else we need to clear up?” His eyes glint with amusement.
“Nothing I can think of, and I’m not in the habit of keeping anything from my boyfriend, because keeping stuff secret is a recipe for disaster.”
“Amen to that,” he agrees before planting his lips on mine and kissing me in a way that is definitely not socially acceptable.
“Whoa. Get a room,” Xena jokes, forcing us apart. She places our drinks down, fanning herself. “I think my ovaries just overheated.”
“I
arrived at the perfect time then,” Leo says, coming up behind her and sliding his arms around her waist.
The trivia host kicks off proceedings, and we form a team with Leo and Xena. The night flows by fast, and although we don’t win—much to Charlie’s disgust because we were only one point behind the team who did win—I’m having the best night. The drinks are flowing, conversation is lively, and Charlie is incredibly attentive. He insists on paying for all my drinks and never lets me go near the bar, and he even insists on following me out to the ladies’ room, standing guard outside.
The night draws to a close far too quickly for my liking, but the event was a roaring success, and we raised over ten thousand dollars. I have a sneaking suspicion Charlie made a large donation, but I don’t ask because donations are private and it’d be rude to question him and seem ungrateful.
“I like him,” Xena says when he goes to the bathroom. “I didn’t expect to. Not after the way he’s treated you, but I do. However, all bets are off if he hurts you.”
“He seems like a good guy,” Leo adds. “And let’s not think the worst.” He pins her with a cautionary look.
“He’s sooo into you,” Xena adds. “I think someone’s gonna get lucky tonight,” she singsongs.
I snort. “Not very likely. I’ve got to get home to relieve Mrs. Griffin, and I’m already going to be late.”
“I can drop you home,” Charlie says, coming up behind me. “I have a driver outside.”
“Oooh. He has a driver outside,” Xena teases.
“I can give you guys a ride home too,” he offers.
“Thanks, handsome.” She smushes his cheeks in her hands. “But we’re gonna hang around and wait for Bo to finish his shift.” She leans in to his ear, pretending to be quiet. “Leaving you free to ravish my beautiful, sexy, in-desperate-need-of-a-pounding friend on the ride home.”
“I can hear you,” I drawl. “And you’re dead to me.”
“You’re supposed to, and no, I’m not.” She yanks me into a fierce hug. “You need to climb that hottie like he’s Mount Everest.”
I roll my eyes, pointing at Leo. “No more beer for her.”
Leo chuckles, slapping Charlie on the back. “Good to meet you, man. You should drop by our place with Demi sometime.”
And I grab Charlie out of there as we make vague promises to hang out with them some other time.
Charlie circles his arms around me, guiding me across the road to his chauffeur-driven Merc.
“I like your friends,” he says once we are securely stowed in the back seat and Charlie has given my address to the driver.
“They’re great, and they’ve been really supportive the past few months.”
His arm goes around me again, and I rest my head on his shoulder. “I wish you’d told me about your dad. I didn’t even know he had cancer. That’s why you were upset on Monday?”
I nod as lancing pain rips across my chest. “I took him to the hospital for his appointment that morning. The doctor said he only has three to six months to live. The cancer has ravaged his body.”
“I’m so fucking sorry, Demi. Can I help?”
I almost blurt the words out. About how much money we need, but I can’t do it, because he might feel obligated to help, and as much as I love my dad, I’m not prostituting myself to get him the medicine he needs. And I don’t want Charlie thinking I’m dating him because he’s rich and he can dig us out of a hole.
What kind of start to a relationship would that be?
Plus, I don’t want Charlie feeling guilty. We both know if his dad hadn’t fired mine that the situation might be very different. But that’s not on Charlie, and he’s already carrying enough guilt where his dad is concerned.
“Just hold me,” I say. “Just be there for me.”
“That I can do, babe.” He buries his nose in my hair as he snakes his arms firmly around my body.
We stay locked in our embrace, and I can’t remember the last time I felt so content with a guy. It’s surreal to think we spent months fighting the connection between us.
“You’re not going to ravish me?” I half-joke as we enter the outskirts of Rydeville a short while later.
He cups my face, forcing my eyes to his. “Believe me, I want to, but I’m determined to do this right. We should have dated first before we had sex, and I want to wipe the slate clean. To start over and do it properly this time.”
“How do you do that? Go from being the devil to Prince Charming?” I kiss the corner of his mouth.
“I’ve never wanted to be anyone’s Prince Charming before, but I want to be yours,” he says over my mouth before his lips descend on mine. And I lose all sense of time and reason as he kisses me passionately, pouring everything he’s feeling in to every sweep of his lips, every brush of his tongue, every taste, and every moan.
And I’m in heaven. No one has ever kissed me like this or made my toes curl and my body purr so potently with the barest of touches.
Charlie’s lips glide smoothly against mine, and I could stay here forever, only coming up for air when it’s a necessity.
When we eventually break apart, a couple of miles from my house, we stare intently at one another, clinging to each other, and he’s shielding nothing from me now. His once lifeless face is awash with emotion, and it’s almost too much. He sits back, bringing me with him, wrapping his protective arms around me again, pressing kisses into my hair and sighing contentedly.
I close my eyes, siphoning his warmth and his strength, soaring on cloud nine, basking in our developing connection, praying and hoping this is the real deal and that it isn’t too good to be true.
Chapter 12
Charlie
“THERE IS A Xavier Daniels here to see you although he doesn’t have an appointment,” Demi says when I pick up the desktop phone.
“It’s fine. You can send him in. Ensure I’m not disturbed.”
Demi ushers Xavier into the office with a bright smile, closing the door behind us.
“She’s hot.” Xavier ambles toward my desk with a knowing grin on his face and a battered laptop bag slung crossways over his body. “But it’s fucking creepy how much she looks like Abby.”
I rub at a tense spot between my brows. “So you’ve said, and I’m getting tired of hearing it.” I sigh. “She’s not Abby. She’s her own person. And I happen to care about her a lot.”
“I already guessed that.” He plonks his jean-clad butt down on the seat in front of my desk.
I’m betting he’s the current topic of gossip out on the floor. It’s not every day they see a green-spikey-haired punk in grubby jeans, a rocker tee, and worn leather jacket roaming the corridors around here.
“You wouldn’t have asked me to look into this if you didn’t have feelings for her.” He pulls some papers out of his bag.
“What have you discovered?” I ask, wanting to move this along.
“Her father’s cancer is advanced.”
The first thing I did last night when I overheard Margaret Ann discussing the fundraiser, and the reason for it, was call Xavier, asking him to find out what he could about Henry Alexander’s medical condition. All I knew was he’d had a stroke that meant he was now confined to a wheelchair.
“Demi said he’s been told he only has a few months to live.”
Empathy washes over his face as he rifles through a few documents. “That’s what the consultant’s report says.” He hands me a few sheets of paper. “I copied all his medical files and charts. You should ask Rick to take a look at it. He might be at dinner on Sunday.”
“I can’t ask him there. Demi is coming with me,” I admit, crossing one leg over my knee.
“It’s serious between you?” He looks somewhat surprised.
“It’s new, but I think it could be.”
A genuine smile graces his mouth. “Good for you, dude. I hope it works out.”
“What else did you discover from Henry’s medical files,” I ask, deliberately not commenting on
his statement.
“There is an experimental drug trial that might benefit him, but it’s pricey, and after going through his finances, it’s clear that’s a no-go.”
“That’s why she’s fundraising,” I murmur, more to myself. I pin sharp eyes on Xavier. “How much is participation in the trial?”
“Two hundred K.”
“Send me all the details and details of his bank account.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What do you think?” I scoff.
“Wow. You must really dig this chick.”
I flip him the bird. “What else do I need to know?”
“Demi is up to her eyeballs in debt. She’s got loans coming out of her ears.”
“Could you update me with less cliché usage?”
Now, it’s his turn to flip me off. “She topped up her student loans to help with her father’s medical expenses. Her salary barely covers the mortgage and the household bills.”
“Send me her bank details as well.”
“You’re going to clear all her shit too, huh?”
My jaw tightens. “She’s partly in this mess because of my father. Henry should not have been let go. There was no brain damage and no reason why he couldn’t have continued to perform his role. We have flexible working and remote working policies in operation he could’ve availed of. If he was still an employee, he would have full private medical coverage. She wouldn’t have had to drop out of school, and she wouldn’t be drowning in debt.”
“You’d never have met her then.”
“Thanks for pointing that out, Captain Obvious.”
“She deserves a fucking medal for putting up with your grumpy ass,” he adds, chewing on a toothpick he removes from the pocket of his jacket.
“She happens to like my grumpy ass.”
“Guess there’s no accounting for taste.”
“How is Hunt these days?”
He grins. “Hot as fuck. And the biggest pain in my ass.”
I snort. “Literally, huh?”
Xavier leans forward, propping his elbows on the desk. “Charlie boy, are you asking if I’m a bottom?” His eyes glint mischievously.
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