You Shook Me All Night Long (Scorned Lovers Book 1)

by Simone Harlow

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Travis couldn’t help it. His heart was racing. He could feel his palms sweating. Hell, he could barely breathe. It was beautiful. This woman’s voice reached into his gut and tore him apart. Charlotte squeezed his hand. He stole a peek at her. A tear was sliding down her cheek. He wanted to cry, too. The last note died out and for a moment there was stunned silence. Then the audience rose and gave her a thunderous applause. The opera singer smiled and curtsied, then blew a kiss to the crowd. A young girl rushed out and handed her a bouquet of red roses. She took the flowers and palmed the girl’s cheek. She took the girl’s hand and then turned to the orchestra of young musicians and gave them a deep curtsy. The applause grew louder and she turned back to the audience, bowed her head, then walked off the stage. For the next five minutes the applause continued.

  Charlotte looked at him and smiled.

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  She kissed his cheek. “Thank you. You made all this possible.”

  “I love you, Charlotte.”

  She squeezed his hand. “I know. You cut your hair.”

  He ran his hand over his shorn locks. “You’re not mad?”

  She shook her head. “My rock star girlfriend dress is a bit silly now that you look like a banker.”

  Oh, hell no it wasn’t. Charlotte always looked beautiful, but at that moment, she looked dangerous and he was chomping at the bit to get some of that danger. “I can’t wait to get you home and peel you out of all that black leather.”

  “Too bad we have to mingle.”

  “The sacrifices I make for you.”

  “I promise I’ll make it up to you.” She winked at him.

  “Yeah, you will.”

  An hour later, Travis was having a hard time believing he was sitting next to a senator, a duke, and an Oscar-winning director discussing art funding. At least Everett was there to hold his hand. The funny thing was that they were listening to him talk about growing up in the inner city and how important it was for him to continue his guitar lessons at school. “I remember reading somewhere that learning an instrument helps kids improve math and science grades.”

  “That can’t be true,” Senator Someone said.

  Travis shrugged. “My grades improved enough for me to get a scholarship.”

  “Where did you go?” Mr. Director asked.

  “I was accepted at Harvard.”

  “Impressive. When did you graduate?” The Duke asked.

  “I didn’t. I came out to L.A. to find a band instead. A few years later, we got a record deal.”

  Everett laughed. “I, for one, am eternally grateful.”

  “Thanks.”

  Senator Somebody leaned forward. “You realize we wanted to be you.”

  Travis shrugged. “I wanted to be Frank Lloyd Wright.”

  The Duke nodded. “I still have my old drum kit.”

  They all laughed.

  A hand descended on his shoulder. Travis turned to find Charlotte behind him.

  “Gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have to steal Mr. Rexford for a moment.”

  Travis stood. “What’s up?”

  She slipped her arm through his and led him through the crowd. “I’m glad to see you making friends, but Ms. Berluci wants to meet you.”

  “Why?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you knew her?”

  “We met once at the agency’s Christmas party. She grabbed my ass and I didn’t even know who she was.”

  She leveled that ‘I’m not amused’ stare at him. “Really?”

  He was he in trouble. And not the good kind. “Did you think I slept with her? She would have eaten me alive.”

  Charlotte giggled. “I knew that. She has quite the reputation for dallying with younger men. You should see the man she has with her.” She fanned herself.

  “You want him?”

  “With you in my bed? Never.” She reached up and adjusted his bow tie.

  “Why do I get the feeling you’re enjoying this?”

  They stopped in front of the door back stage. “Because for the first time in my life, I am the envy of a lot of women. I’m rather enjoying the sensation I have caused. I have you to thank for that.”

  He put his hands on her hips. “Charlotte, you don’t even see the men who look at you. I’m always thinking I’m going to have to fight them off with a club.”

  “They don’t matter. I have you.” Her voice was low and husky.

  He had no idea love would feel this good. This liberating. What the fuck had he been doing all his life avoiding this? Then he thought it would have been nothing without Charlotte. He didn’t want to love another woman but her. He backed her up against the wall. “You wait until I get you home tonight, because I’m going to have you… over and over again.”

  She bit her lip. “Then let’s wrap this up. We have things to attend to.”

  “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

  There was a loud banging on the bedroom door. “What?” Travis yelled as he slipped on a pair of jeans.

  The door flew open. Shane popped his head in. “You gotta come down.”

  “Why?”

  “They’re gonna have a girl fight.”

  When did he become the house referee? “Fuck Declan and his groupies.”

  “No, man, it’s Charlotte and her mother.”

  He grabbed a shirt from the chair and hoped it was clean. “Her mother?”

  “My balls aren’t coming out until we get back to L.A. She’s a dragon.”

  He smelled one of the armpits of the shirt. All good. “Are they yelling?”

  Shane shook his head. “This is the most well-mannered fight I’ve ever seen, but I think it could turn deadly any second.”

  “How did she find us?”

  “Hell, if I know. I’m not going back down there until she’s gone.”

  Travis buttoned up his shirt. “How’s Charlotte doing?”

  “Holding her own, but the Death Star looks like she’s powering up to destroy her.”

  He slipped his feet in his boots. “I’ll be down in a second.”

  “Do we have time for you to groom?”

  “The tats might freak the old girl out and it sounds like I have to be the voice of reason.” How’s that supposed to work?

  “Cool. Declan is trying to mediate, but even he can’t charm that battle axe.”

  Travis pushed his fingers through his hair. “I’m in trouble.”

  “Don’t hate me because I can’t have your back.”

  “I’m cool.” He hurried down the stairs and walked into the parlor. “Mrs. Lambert, it’s nice to see you again.”

  She didn’t say anything. She just raised an eyebrow.

  He saw the empty coffee table. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “What I would like is for my daughter to come home, where she belongs.”

  Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “No.”

  “Charlotte, this is no place for people like us.”

  Declan leaned back on the sofa. “People like us? Is this a plague house?”

  “I’m sure they are all perfectly healthy. They are …” Mrs. Lambert looked at Declan leaning back on the couch.

  “Just not your kind of people?”

  Travis took a deep breath. Declan wasn’t trying to mediate –– he was trying to instigate.

  Mrs. Lambert raised her chin. “Didn’t you used to be an actor?”

  Declan grinned. “There are some people who still think I am.”

  Travis winced. Declan was enjoying this. Mother fucker.

  “Well, be that as it may, Charlotte, you have had your wild time. It’s time to come home and...” She waved her hand around.

  “And what, Mrs. Lambert?” Travis interrupted.

  “I’m sure I don’t have to explain.”

  Charlotte folded her arms over her chest. “Yes, mother, you do.”

  “Not in front of stra
ngers.”

  Travis noticed Vaughn and Gavin standing outside one of the open gallery windows. Both of them had shit-eating grins on their faces. Gavin was eating ice cream from the carton.

  “They aren’t strangers. Declan is my friend and Travis is my boyfriend.”

  Mrs. Lambert touched her throat. “No, Charlotte.”

  Oh God, he thought, here it comes.

  “What are you going to do? Disown me like you did Viv?”

  “This is not the place to talk.” Mrs. Lambert said through gritted teeth.

  “You didn’t even visit her on her deathbed. How could you?”

  “Charlotte, she was an embarrassment to the family.”

  “She was your daughter.”

  Back off, Charlotte, he thought, but didn’t stop her.

  “When you have children, you will see you have to be firm with them.”

  “You were cruel. And I am not a child anymore.”

  He walked over to Charlotte and put a hand on her arm. “You need to stop.”

  “Why, Travis? It’s true. I can pick you or I can pick her.”

  “You don’t have to choose. I’m here no matter what.”

  Mrs. Lambert pointed at him. “Once he gets his fun he will leave you, and what will you have left? A soiled reputation and no man who respects himself will have anything to do with you.”

  Travis saw Charlotte’s fist clench. “Listen …”

  Charlotte shook off his hand. “I can’t have you fighting this battle for me.”

  He was doing a piss poor job at being the voice of reason. “You two should talk this out.”

  “I think my mother’s said everything I’m going to listen to.”

  He looked to Declan, who smiled. Bastard. “Give her a chance to get used to us.”

  “No! She either lets me live my life as I see fit or she is out of my life.”

  “Charlotte, this not up for debate,” Mrs. Lambert said.

  “Fine. I’m leaving. When I get back, you had better be gone.”

  “Charlotte!” Travis said as she grabbed her purse off the sofa.

  “No, Travis, I made my choice. Don’t defend her.” Then she stormed out of the house.

  Mrs. Lambert sneered at him. “I hope you’re happy. You’ve corrupted her.”

  He was done being nice. “Hell no, lady. That was all you.”

  Her body twitched with anger. “Charlotte never acted like this before you barged your way into her life.”

  Now he didn’t care anymore. If there was going to be a fight for Charlotte, he was going to win. “I got news for you, you have no idea who she is.”

  Mrs. Lambert sneered at him. “I know my daughter.”

  Really? he thought. “Then you would have known not to push her.”

  “You have no idea what my family went through with my daughter. Or is it any of your business?”

  “I love Charlotte, and I’m going to make a life with her. You need to be a part of that life, but if you’re going to be a bitch about it, we’re going to be fine without you.”

  “How dare you speak to me like this!”

  How dare he not? “How dare you speak to the woman I love like this!”

  “She’ll come back to her family.”

  “I don’t know if you noticed, I won this war. I’m going to be her family.”

  She lifted her chin. “We’ll see.”

  “Have a good day, Mrs. Lambert,” Declan yelled as she walked out. “You sure you want to marry into that family?”

  Gavin walked into the living room, his spoon stuck in the ice cream. “You know what they say, if you want to know what the girl will be like, look at the mother.”

  Declan leaned back on the sofa. “Do you think Charlotte will ever be like that?”

  Travis sat on a chair across from Declan. “Not really, but I’ve never seen her that upset.”

  “Did it scare you?” Gavin stared at him.

  “No, but honestly, I want her to make peace with her mother. I don’t want her to have any regrets when we get married.”

  “Did you ask her?” Declan leaned forward.

  “No.”

  Gavin sat next to Declan. “When do you intend to ask her?”

  He slipped a hand into his pocket. “Sooner than I thought I was.”

  Declan reached over and took a spoonful of ice cream out of the carton Gavin was still clutching. “How long is she going to be gone?” He popped it into his mouth.

  “I have no idea. I’m kinda surprised she left now.”

  Gavin shook his head. “This can’t be good.”

  “She’ll be back.” If she didn’t come back on her own, he’d go get her. He’d always go get her.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  After three hours, Charlotte was finally able to force her mind to empty. She didn’t want to think about her mother. She just wanted to bond with Mystic. Horses can sense when you’re in turmoil. Mystic trotted over to her and stopped about a foot away. This was the closest the mare had come to her since she sat down in the ring. Charlotte remembered that horses liked to size up people. They were prey animals and humans were predators. It took a lot for a horse to trust. Charlotte could wait. She wasn’t leaving until she rode that horse.

  Mystic inched closer.

  Charlotte smiled. “Come on, girl,” she whispered.

  Mystic came closer and sniffed her hair. Then brushed up against her shoulder. Charlotte slowly reached out and ran her hand down the horse’s foreleg.

  The horse bumped her with its head. “Hello, Beautiful Girl.”

  Mystic nickered and bumped her again.

  She wanted her to ride. Mystic was one of her grandmother’s best training horses for jumping. The Hanoverian mare was calm, steady, and rarely balked at a jump. Her only problem was she couldn’t clear the big fence, but she was good for riders just starting out. When she’d driven out to her grandmother’s after talking to her mother, she wasn’t sure why she came here. But about ten minutes after looking at the horses, she borrowed some riding gear and came out to the ring. Her grandmother had Mystic brought out just so Charlotte could get used to being near a horse. The fear came back to her, but there was something else. She missed riding. She couldn’t believe it had been so many years since she’d ridden, and she was dying to get back in the saddle.

  She stood and ran her hand over the horse’s glossy black coat. She looked into those dark intelligent eyes and smiled. “We’re going to take a twirl around the ring. I just want to find my seat again. If I get scared, you take care of me, okay?”

  The horse whinnied.

  Charlotte took a deep breath, put her foot in the stirrup, and mounted the horse. Carefully, she settled into the saddle and wiggled her butt. The leather cushioned her rear. Her heart was racing. Mystic stomped her foot and Charlotte gripped the reins tighter. She could do this. Closing her eyes, she tapped her heel on the horse’s flank and Mystic started walking. This wasn’t so bad. Just make it around the ring one time and she could say she got back on a horse. God, she wished Viv was here to see her. As Mystic walked around the ring, out of the corner of her eye, Charlotte spotted her family. Even her mother had shown up. Good Lord, Travis was standing next to her mother! She was going to have to talk to her grandmother about keeping secrets. “Should we give them a show?”

  Mystic tossed her head as if to answer.

  If they wanted a show, she would give them one. She kneed the horse into a canter.

  Part of her wanted to wave, but that would have been arrogant. Plus, she was afraid to take her hands off the reins. The wind caressed her face. She felt herself smiling as she urged Mystic faster. She thought she’d forgotten how to ride, but it was all coming back to her and her body. She just eased back into it as if she hadn’t ridden since yesterday, not years. Dare she take a jump?

  Don’t think, do, Charlotte thought. She tugged on the reins and headed for a low jump. She could do this. She was ready.

  Travis couldn’
t breathe. He’d spent a lot of years on a bike going at breakneck speed and he never thought about it. But seeing Charlotte on a horse was as beautiful as it was terrifying. His instinct was to stop her, but he knew he couldn’t. She’d come too far.

  “You did this?”

  Oh, shit, her mother was going to bitch at him again. “This is all Charlotte.” Did that sound like he left his balls back at the house?

  “No, she would have never done this without you.”

  Okay, was that a tone of admiration? “She’s wanted to do this for a while.”

  “You gave her courage to face her demons?”

  He wasn’t sure how to answer. “I helped, but this was her idea.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re okay with this?”

  “I was wrong about you,” she whispered.

  He let those words repeat in his head. Would it be bad to throw his fist in the air in victory? Yeah, he thought. “I’m not good enough for her, but I love her.”

  A tear slipped down her cheek. “I know you love her. Help me make peace with her.”

  Part of him wanted to rub it in, but he could toss her an olive branch. He wanted a happy home life that included getting along with her mother. “I think you being here will go a long way.”

  “Do you think so? I was very cruel.” She wiped the tear off her cheek with her fingertips.

  “Do you love her?”

  “With all my heart.”

  He wanted to drop to his knees and thank her. “I’ll help you anyway I can.”

  “I don’t deserve …” She put her hand over her mouth, cutting off her words.

  He stopped himself from putting his arm around her shoulder. A part of him was scared she’d shoot ice rays from her eyes. He knew he was being stupid, but this woman was the Terminator in high heels. “How come you changed your mind?”

  “I was halfway home when I realized for the first time Charlotte stood up to me. She didn’t stand up to me when I turned my back on Vivienne, but she stood up to me for you. Then, Mary called giving me a piece of her mind and said that Charlotte was trying to ride again. She also suggested that Charlotte wouldn’t have been able to face her fears without you. Only a decent man would help a woman face her fears. You want her to be whole again. That is rare thing, Mr. Rexford.”