Roman: Book 2 (The Hunter Brothers Series)

by L. J. Dee

  “Where were we?” he quipped, turning to face me, flashing his eyebrows as Jess pulled Lucas off to the dance floor.

  “We were doing birthday shots, but we’re done now. The next time I lock lips with someone I’ll be making damn sure they don’t have a girlfriend,” I said as Charlie frowned, looking hurt and surprised.

  “I don’t,” he sighed as I shook my head.

  “Then why didn’t you just say that then. I gave you the perfect get out opportunity, Charlie Hunter.”

  “Because I am fucking her, Chas. Putting her straight about the girlfriend thing in front of everyone would have just humiliated her and there’s been too much of that already. I know you think I’m behaving like a prick, but I do care about her. Listen, I’m sorry she called you those names, baby,” he said as I laughed.

  “Coming from her, it meant nothing. It hurt much worse when you said it,” I replied, tilting my head as he held my gaze.

  “Don’t remind me, baby, ” he said, pulling me into a gripping hug that took me aback slightly, and I wasn’t sure whether he was apologising for himself, or Scarlett, or the fact that her little visit had put a severe dampener on my night, but there was no denying how much it warmed me. “If I’m totally honest I hit out that night because I was jealous, Chas,” he said, staring at the table momentarily as I gazed at him wide eyed.

  “And how does that work exactly? You’re sleeping with someone else,” I said, my puzzled frown betraying my shock and surprise at the admission, wondering again what the hell he was doing with Scarlett. She obviously had some qualities I couldn’t see.

  “Life’s just too damn complicated sometimes, sweetheart,” he sighed as I took a deep breath. He wasn’t kidding. I decided it was time to lighten the mood.

  “It’s a shame she turned up, I was having fun until then,” I whispered as his eyes searched mine.

  “Were you? How much fun?” he asked, the playful smile tickling the side of those beautiful lips and I couldn’t help but laugh, trying to distract my mind from just how good they’d tasted.

  “It was pleasant enough,” I said, playing it down as he narrowed his eyes.

  “Just pleasant, Chastity?” he asked seductively as my heart fluttered a little and I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Well, a little better than pleasant, but the lime got in the way,” I grinned as he took my hand, watching me closely.

  “How about we go fruitless?” He asked as I laughed.

  “Best not. I’m sure once you go fruitless you can never go back, Charlie, and there is a five feet, eight inch, red headed problem who is currently standing at the bar with her pretty green eyes boring a rather large hole into your back. If you’re not very careful, in less than a minute your shirt will be on fire and the place will be filled with the smell of burning flesh.” Charlie’s head flew around, a moderately terrified look on his face as I burst out laughing. She was nowhere to be seen.

  “Jesus, Chas, don’t do that to me.”

  “What’s with you, Charlie? You’re here kissing my face off, but you’re fucking Scarlett. Do you want to be with her or not?”

  “Its early days, Chas, and I still don’t know. I know it’s unfair and I’m genuinely trying, but I’m between a rock and a hard place. I need to give it a shot, I owe her that, but I’m just not feeling it as much as I should. I also know that I can’t drag it out; it will only make things worse for her. It hasn’t been long enough for me to make that decision properly, but she acts like we’re a regular couple and I don’t feel that way. It’s hard to explain,” he sighed as I looked him in the eye.

  “No it isn’t, Charlie. You don’t know yet whether your feelings are genuine, or you’re just going through the motions and acting like you think you ought to. She needs to give you space to work that out. You’ve been through a lot and she’s trying to pull you too quickly to a place you don’t even know if you want to be. She’s eradicated the last six months, and you’re seeing it as a few dates. You’re in entirely different places and you need to sort it out.”

  “Yeah, you pretty much nailed it there, Chas,” he grinned. “And by the way, that wasn’t really kissing. If I really kissed you, you’d know about it. That was just a birthday shot,” he winked as my heart fluttered in my chest, my mind suddenly erupting in glorious thoughts of Charlie really kissing me that I pushed away. Not gonna happen.

  “Listen to us, we sound about thirteen. It’s a good job you’re not trying to seduce me. I expect a bit more than a quick grope of my tits behind the bike sheds these days, you know,” I grinned as he shook his head.

  “Yeah, you expect a lot more, you’ve got a damn list, woman,” he laughed as I stared at him hard. “Except when you decide it doesn’t apply,” he finished, wiping the smile firmly from my face. Just as we’d got light hearted he’d brought up Roman again, and it only served to ram home that I needed to rein in my feelings for Charlie. I could care about him, love him even, but those kisses would never be fruitless. The best I could hope for was a taste of those lips on my birthday and since I’d have to wait another year, I decided one more wouldn’t hurt.

  “Tequila?” I grinned, flashing my eyebrows as he nodded enthusiastically and we spent the next twenty minutes working our way through the entire tray.

  It was the last thing I remembered.

  Chapter Twenty

  Work was suddenly manic this week, parties and events that seemed to spring from nowhere. As I crawled into bed exhausted on Wednesday night, I was grateful Jess was still staying over with Lucas and Dex, and I had long lie-ins and not the school run to contend with. Unlike last week, I hadn’t had the chance to miss them. It was Christmas since we’d been this busy, and for some reason the management had seen fit to book in twice the number of events with exactly the same number of staff.

  If I didn’t know better I’d think they were trying to prove a point to someone. All Patrick had been told was to maximise revenue in the short term. He didn’t think the company were struggling and was as dumbfounded with the whole thing as I was.

  He’d reached his fatigue quota too and I had never heard him bitch so much. It was what had kept my spirits up. It was hilarious and a side of him I’d never seen before. He was normally so placid and calm, but I guessed sheer exhaustion could do that to a man. We were covering a minimum of two events a day, and when tonight’s proved to be quieter than we thought he’d given me the nod to head home early. It was an opportunity I took advantage of, crawling straight into bed.

  I fell asleep immediately, more used to being in the apartment on my own now, waking with a start as a small crash fired me to life. I looked around nervously, my eyes adjusting to the dark, but I wasn’t panicking like I should have been. “Roman,” I whispered quietly then louder, pulling back the covers and climbing out of bed, my heart rate quickening when I got no answer.

  “Roman,” I called again, wondering in what twisted life I was half expecting someone to break into my flat for midnight sex as I padded into the lounge and flicked on the light. I screamed; my heart vibrating anxiously as I saw a brief glimpse of a hooded youth before he turned and sprinted out of the front door. I watched from the window, sweating and shaking before I ran to close the door behind him, barricading myself in and praying there was no one else here. The lock was broken. How the hell had I not heard that?

  I was trembling, pulling out my phone to call 999, reporting the burglary and looking around to see if anything was actually missing. I’d disturbed him. There was a little mess, but I couldn’t see that anything obvious was gone, except my feeling of security. That had vanished with him, out into the black night as I tried to swallow back the tears and dialled the only other person I wanted here.

  “Hey, baby,” he said, picking up after several rings as I tried for a second to regulate my breathing.

  “Chas, are you alright?” he asked, his tone flooded with concern as I tried to find my voice.

  “Charlie, can you come over?” I uttered, br
eathing through sheer terror, waiting for his answer through the long pregnant pause.

  “I’m at a charity dinner with Scarlett, sweetheart,” he said and I could hear her nattering in the background, telling him to ‘sssshhhh’ and asking who was calling.

  “Give me a second,” he said as another long pause ensued and the background noise faded. “What’s happened, Chas?” he asked as I tried to swallow back the sob that was lodged in my throat.

  “There was an intruder, Charlie...I was asleep....I disturbed him,” I said, trying to calm myself down.

  “Have you called the police?” he asked hurriedly as I managed a strangled “Yes,”

  “Sit tight, baby, I’ll be right over,” he said, ending the call as a wave of relief washed over me. There was no one I needed more.

  The police were here quickly, taking my statement and dusting the doors for fingerprints. A kind lady officer took my statement, but I couldn’t give her much to go on. I had only seen him for a split second and under incredible stress. I probably couldn’t recognise him if he walked in now. They secured the door the best they could, advising me to change the locks tomorrow before they wished me goodnight. It was unlikely they’d catch him, and Charlie wasn’t here yet as I gripped my legs in my hands, rocking on the sofa in an effort to comfort myself.

  I’d tell Jess in the morning. There was nothing she could do now, and was probably in bed herself. Dexter definitely would be, and I didn’t want my nephew being dragged out to this in the middle of the night. I ran to the door as the cab pulled up outside, watching the long strides of Charlie as he bounded up the steps, falling into his arms as I answered the door. “Oh Charlie, I was so frightened,” I said, relishing the feel of his strong arms wrapped around me as he guided me to the couch.

  “Were you wearing those when you caught him?” he asked as I nodded, looking down at my pink, scruffy scrunched up socks. “Not surprised he did a runner,” he said as I laughed through my tears, punching his arm before I settled underneath it, looking around at the white powder that still littered my doors, table and mantelpiece as a shudder ran through me.

  “I don’t feel safe anymore. That’s the worst thing. He didn’t take anything, but he’s robbed me of my security in my own home. Jess spends a lot of time with Lucas now and I want to feel safe when I’m here,” I said, looking up at him as he pulled me tight, kissing the top of my head gently. “You look lovely, I’m sorry for interrupting your night,” I said as he smiled down at me. I was a sucker for a tuxedo and Charlie wore one better than anyone I knew.

  “Yeah, that went down well, Chas. It was an easy conversation and Scarlett sends her best and hopes you’re okay,” he said as I smiled up at him.

  “Really?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

  “No, not really. I thought she was gonna rip my fucking head off,” he laughed as I smiled softly.

  “I’m sorry you got a hard time, I mean it, but I really do appreciate you coming. You were the first person I thought of, Charlie, and I knew I’d be okay if you came.”

  “I’m not moving in, this sofa is way too small,” he smiled as I rolled my eyes. “But I will send a team around tomorrow. Alarms, window locks, a solid burglar proof door – whatever you need, baby,” he smiled.

  “Thank you,” I said as he moved to check the front door, securing it as the police had done.

  “Come on, let’s get you back into bed,” he said, looking me up and down in my Minnie Mouse shorts and crop top as his eyed brightened, a small curve sitting sexily on the side of his mouth.

  “I got them on sale when I took Dex to the Disney Store,” I smiled, to justify my peculiar outfit.

  “You look cute,” he winked as I smiled. “Apart from the socks, they’re shocking.”

  “It’s part of the grand plan to get my bills down. I have a feeling it might not be too long before Jess announces she’s moving out, so I’m trying to save and cut back, just to see if I can manage the place on my own. Heating has been the first to go and I’ve finally discovered that if my feet are warm at night, I am. I didn’t want to move, but I’m not so sure that’s still the case after tonight,” I sighed as he looked at me curiously.

  “You won’t ever struggle for money, baby, I have plenty,” he said as I rolled my eyes.

  “My names Chastity, not Charity,” I said as he shook his head.

  “I mean it, sweetheart, don’t struggle. I would take great offence if you did.” I knew that he meant it and a surge of affection flowed through me. God, he was thoughtful.

  “Will you stay?” I asked tentatively. I couldn’t bear to be left alone tonight.

  “Sure, I’ll take Jess’s room,” he said as my smile faded.

  “I meant with me, in my bed. Just as friends, obviously, but it’s the only way I’ll get any sleep at all,” I said as he frowned deeply, the ringing phone in his pocket cutting through the tense silence.

  I watched him quietly; assessing his facial reactions and still not certain anything had changed between him and Scarlett.

  “No, I’m staying here. She’s been burgled and she’s terrified, Scarlett.” I couldn’t make out the words on the other end of the line, but the voice was definitely raised. “It is absolutely my concern,” he said, blowing out a deep, irritated breath. “I have friends, Scarlett, and sometimes they have to come first. That’s something you need to get used to. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he sighed, ending the call and switching off his phone as I swallowed hard.

  “Lead the way,” he smiled as I smiled back, flicking on my night light and climbing into bed. Charlie stood by the bed, removing his jacket and tie, then his shoes and socks, his cufflinks and shirt as I gasped out loud. The man was a vision and absolutely not like I expected. I’d seen Roman, I’d seen Tyler and I’d even seen Lucas shirtless, but I had never seen Charlie. My eyes roamed across solid pecs and hard abs, tracing a path over his tattoos. Charlie had tattoos. I had no idea and it only served to make him look even hotter.

  “You like what you see?” he smirked, watching my reaction as I tried to rein it in.

  “I didn’t know you were inked,” I said as he grinned.

  “Why would you?” he asked and it was a fair point. Thick tribal patterns swirled across the right hand side of his chest and the top of his upper arm, with an inscription running the length of his ribs. He looked beautiful, mouth wateringly hot and all but impossible to ignore if he was sharing my bed.

  “What does it say?” I asked as he flashed a killer smile.

  “You don’t know Latin?” he asked as I burst out laughing.

  “No, boarding school boy, I don’t know fucking Latin. Who the hell does know Latin?”

  “I do.”

  “Well, state comprehensives teach French and Spanish, not a pointless language no one uses any more, and before you ask, I didn’t learn those either. Point of fact – I have no qualifications because I was too busy kissing boys, smoking fags and fighting. I spent more time suspended from school than I spent in it, which is why I’m a waitress and not an international business magnate,” I smiled as he raised his eyebrows.

  “Well I’m not telling you. You can learn Latin and look it up,” he grinned as I shook my head.

  “I don’t need to, I can guess what it says,” I smiled as he laughed, raising his eyebrows.

  “Go on then, Chas, dying to hear it.”

  “I am a wanker?”

  “No” he said, casting me a stern gaze and raising his eyebrows as I laughed.

  “I’m sexy and I know it?” I smirked as he shook his head.

  “I’m the best friend a girl could ever hope to have?” I smiled genuinely as he seared me with a warm gaze that stole the breath from my lungs and I swallowed hard.

  “Maybe that’s what I should have had, baby,” he smiled as I forced myself to look away. He wasn’t mine, but more and more I wished he was.

  He started to unzip his fly as my eyes flew open in surprise and his trousers fell to the floor. A pair
of black Armani cotton boxer shorts were all that stood between me and Charlie’s cock, and my mouth was hanging open.

  “What are you doing?” I gasped as he tipped his head, gazing at me curiously.

  “What do you think I’m doing? I’m not sleeping in my trousers. You’re in shorts, I’m in shorts, what’s the big deal?” he laughed as I blinked rapidly. The big deal was hovering at crotch level and right in my eye line until he settled himself under the covers, putting his arm around my shoulders as he pulled me in tight. I snuggled into his hard chest, listening to the sound of his soft heartbeat as I tried to close my eyes. Was he doing this on purpose?

  My fear had dissipated. I knew the terror would reignite when I lay alone in bed at night, but for now it was abated, back in its hole as I turned on my side and he followed suit, spooning my body as I tried to stay still. The feel of Charlie beside me was electrifying and it was almost impossible to hide. We fit like a jigsaw, knees bent into one another with my backside tantalisingly close to his cock. I heard the low groan and I shuffled around, trying to get the most comfortable position, feeling the tenting of his shorts in response. I wasn’t the only one affected here then?

  He smelled incredible, musky and masculine, and I knew it was bad but I couldn’t help myself, sticking out my arse as the solid length behind me grew even harder. It was as irresponsible as it was intoxicating, but the devil inside me couldn’t stop. “Stop it, Chas,” he growled as I grinned silently.

  “Stop what,” I whispered as innocently as I could, his low deep chuckle arousing me even more.

  “You know what, now go to sleep,” he said firmly as I decided to follow his demands. I wasn’t playing fair, although for someone who was spooning a friend, it hadn’t gone unnoticed that his hands had brushed against my breasts more than once, and every time my arse moved back, his pelvis responded by moving forward.

  “I do know some Latin,” I said, yawning. If it hadn’t been for the man beside me, I’d have been up all night, agitated and pacing, but despite the break-in, here in Charlie’s arms I could finally relax.