Touched by You

by Elle Wright

  Just standing there with him, the early morning breeze against her skin and the slow rise of the sun as the backdrop, she wanted nothing more than for him to make a move. She knew he wouldn’t, though.

  “What are you doing up so early?” he asked, brushing his thumb over hers.

  “Trying to get some work done.” It wasn’t a complete lie. Just a tiny omission of the truth. “Hungry?”

  Something like desire flared in his dark eyes. And it made her feel woozy. “I believe I owe you breakfast.”

  Grinning, she thought back to his face when she kicked his butt at the pool table. “If I remember correctly, you owe me three. Is it safe to say I’m collecting on one of those this morning?”

  His smile widened. “You know I’ve never lost to anyone except my mother.”

  “There’s a first time for everything,” she teased.

  His bark of laughter made her giggle. “I think we need a rematch. This is going to your head.”

  “How about Thursday at Brook’s Pub?”

  “You’re on. I went easy on you last night.”

  Getting her butt spanked on the pool table was exactly what she wanted. Literally, and eventually. But as much as she wanted him, she’d still kick his ass in the actual game.

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  His fingers brushed up her arm to her shoulder. “Me too.”

  “Just kiss me.”

  His head jerked back and his eyebrows rose.

  “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

  He laughed. “You did. But I’m not complaining.”

  Tipping her head up with his index finger, he leaned down and placed a chaste kiss to her lips. She moaned at the light touch, immediately wanting more. But he didn’t give her what she wanted. Instead, he kissed her forehead.

  She frowned, opening her eyes to find him waiting, a secretive smile on his full lips. Lips that she wanted to kiss. Lips that she wanted to hear talk dirty to her. More than just dirty—filthy. Yeah, she wanted to hear him melt her panties off with his words.

  “You know you’re wrong for that,” she said, finally finding her words. “But it won’t last. Before long, you’re going to be trying to hop across the balcony to get a taste of me.”

  “I already want to.”

  “Tell me how much,” she said on a shaky breath.

  He blinked then. “Tell you how much?”

  “Yes. I didn’t stutter. The dirtier the better. Tell me how much you want to taste me.”

  The challenge was clear. Sometime in the last few minutes, she’d decided that she wanted him to truly let go with her. They didn’t really know each other, but when she thought about him, when she was this close to him, she wanted to give herself to him. She wanted him. This would be a start. She wouldn’t push him to take it further than he was ready for, but he’d opened the door when he admitted that he wanted to taste her.

  His jaw ticked, but she knew it wasn’t because he was disgusted with her. It was just the opposite if the grip he still had on her hand was any indication. If he wasn’t turned on, or even curious, he would have let her go when she’d thrown down the gauntlet.

  “Okay,” he said, tracing his finger down her arm. “I can’t wait to taste you, to lick you until you scream out my name.”

  “Carter,” she said, shocked by the words that had just come out of his mouth. He’d risen to the occasion—her gaze dropped down to the front of his pants—literally and figuratively. The soft, shy smile that graced his face, heated her as if he’d lit a flame inside of her.

  He leaned low, his lips now against her ear. “Is that good for you?”

  Brooklyn’s head fell back as he kissed her ear. “Yes. That’s good.”

  His phone rang from inside his condo, and he grumbled a curse. “I have to get that. I’m expecting a call from my business partner.”

  “It’s cool. I have to get ready for work. But I’ll see you later?”

  “Count on it.”

  * * *

  Carter had taken two cold showers after the little liaison on the deck that morning. Neither of them helped because he was still on fire for Brooklyn—three hours later. She’d asked him to put into words how much he wanted to taste her. Before she’d asked him to do that, he hadn’t really thought about it. Now, it was all he could think about.

  He tried not to think about her, but inevitably his mind would drift back to her smile, her smell, her laugh. He was trying to work, trying to do what he’d came all the way to Wellspring for. But he thought about her on his commute and he was currently thinking about her during his meeting with Parker Wells Sr.

  Today was his first meeting with the man, and he wasn’t impressed. He wasn’t sure why, but it appeared that everyone in the room was scared. Everyone except Parker Jr., who’d sat in the meeting detached and emotionless. He wondered about the dynamic between the two and wondered if the senior Wells was like that with all of his children.

  He glanced at the face projected on a television hanging on the wall of the conference room. His partner, Martin, sat relaxed but focused. Which was more than he could say for himself. Martin reiterated their mission and assured the room that Marshall and Sullivan was the right firm for the job and added, “We won’t leave until everything is up and running.”

  Being distracted by his next-door neighbor didn’t bode well for him or his business. He’d come there to do a job and to decompress, not become enamored of a woman he didn’t really know much about. Maybe that’s the reason why. I don’t know her, and she doesn’t know me. That could be a good thing.

  He was sure Martin had caught on and he’d be asking questions later during their afternoon conference. Carter wasn’t sure he’d actually be able to tell his best friend everything. Once he put words to it, once he admitted out loud that there was a woman, it would make it real.

  As Martin yapped on about business, he scanned the room. It was Parker Sr.’s personal conference room, connected to the older man’s office. It was painted a taupe color, outfitted with the newest technology, but it was cold. Just like the man himself.

  When Carter’s gaze locked with Parker Sr.’s, he straightened in his seat and focused on the screen. “Martin will be here on Monday,” Carter said. “We will present our recommendations next Friday.”

  Parker Sr. nodded. “I trust you’ve been getting the cooperation you need from our employees.”

  “They’ve been very cooperative, yes. You have a great staff. I’ve already identified several ways to streamline processes and make their workday more efficient. The system you’re currently using is difficult to navigate. It is our hope that the changes we make will decrease the time spent working on a single project.”

  A loud commotion from outside of the room drew their attention to the door. The woman on the other side of the door wasn’t talking loud, but she was insistent. He could tell in her voice. A very familiar voice. Is that Brooklyn?

  Before Carter could rise to check it out, Parker stood, and excused himself from the room. Parker Sr. didn’t even seem phased. He continued talking to the room as if there was nothing going on outside the door. He heard glass break, and then he heard Parker’s voice before it went eerily quiet.

  Carter glanced at the door, then back at Martin, who shrugged.

  Parker Sr. crossed one leg over the other, steepled his hands together. “I like the plans that you’ve mapped out. I look forward to hearing your recommendations next Friday.” He turned to Carter. “I trust you’ve enjoyed your stay in Wellspring. Parker told me you’re residing in temporary housing. I hope the accommodations are sufficient for you and your team.”

  “I appreciate the hospitality. I’ve enjoyed seeing the town. It’s quite impressive, the history and the people.” Carter closed his laptop and packed his bag. “I’m planning on bringing my sister out for a visit as well.”

  Martin added, “I’m looking forward to visiting Wellspring myself.”

  “Great. When you arriv
e, we’ll set up a dinner or something.” Parker Sr. tapped his pen against the table. “My wife loves to entertain.”

  Carter opened his mouth to say something, but he was rendered speechless when the door burst open and Brooklyn stormed in with Parker right on her heels. She stopped in her tracks, then faltered back a step when her furious gaze locked on his.

  “Brooklyn, you know better than this.” Parker Sr. leaned back in his chair, as if he didn’t care that the meeting had been interrupted. “I’m in the middle of something. Get out.”

  Brooklyn’s eyes widened and her chin trembled. And Carter wanted to throttle Parker Sr. “Senior, you have taken this too far.” Her gaze met Carter’s for a second before she turned it back to her . . . father?

  Parker Sr. eyed Brooklyn, unbothered by her obvious distress. “You did this to yourself. I warned you to fall in line. There are consequences to every action, my dear daughter.”

  It was a loving term, one he’d used for his own daughter, but there was no love, no warmth in the older man’s tone. Carter clenched his fists and drew in a deep breath. His next move could make or break his relationship with Wellspring Water and with Brooklyn.

  “You got me fired from my job!” Brooklyn shouted, pounding her fist against the table.

  “What?” Parker roared.

  Brooklyn looked at Parker, tears in her eyes. “I went in to work this morning and was informed that my services were no longer needed.” A sob tore from her throat and Carter stood to his feet. “Parker, he donated thousands of dollars to the clinic for much-needed renovations, on the condition that they let me go.”

  “This can’t be true.” Parker turned an angry glare on his father. “Tell me this isn’t true, Senior?”

  Parker Sr. smiled. “Son, this is no concern of yours. This is between me and Brooklyn.”

  Brooklyn laughed. The sound was harsh and humorless. It seemed so unlike her it took him by surprise. She was pissed. “You mean, it’s between you and the King family. Right? I wouldn’t agree to marry a man I don’t love, for the benefit of Wellspring Water and your business endeavors. So you decide to not only wipe out my bank accounts, but take away my job.”

  Parker Sr. shrugged. “It’s the economy. The clinic was forced to make a hard decision. You or a new building. They can easily hire another social worker. But when will they ever raise enough money to repair the furnace or the air conditioning system or the bathrooms? It was an easy decision for them, once I assured them that I had another job lined up for you at Wellspring Water.”

  “Another position? That’s rich. The only position you want for me is Stepford Wife so that you can have more power. Well, I won’t do it. Wellspring is not the only company in town. I can work somewhere else.”

  “Where? My reach is farther and longer than you think, Brooklyn. Your best bet is to come home from wherever you’re staying.”

  Carter’s best bet was to get the hell out of there before he jeopardized his job. But he couldn’t. He stepped forward.

  Brooklyn pinned him with her gaze and shook her head slightly. All the color seemed to drain from her face. Her arms fell to her sides, like her father had stolen her breath, her life. With a downward gaze, she said, “I won’t return to your house. If that means I have to leave Wellspring and everything else behind . . .” She glanced over at Parker, then back to Parker Sr. “I will do that. And I won’t look back. So what is it, Senior? Are you so heartless that you’d rather I leave town with nothing, risk never seeing me again, and still not get your precious wedding?”

  “Brooklyn, don’t,” Parker warned. “Can we talk about this? It doesn’t have to come to that.”

  “You’re damn right it won’t come to that,” Parker Sr. said, finally standing to his feet. He stalked toward Brooklyn, but Carter stepped between them.

  “I wouldn’t do that.” Carter glared at Parker Sr.

  “Carter,” she hissed, from behind him. “Don’t.”

  Parker Sr. took a step back. “When did the two of you meet?” he asked.

  Carter glanced over at Parker, because if he had to look at Parker Sr. again, he’d pummel him to the ground. He wasn’t going to stand there and let him continue to denigrate Brooklyn. “What I won’t do is let any man treat a woman like this in front of me. I’m sure she got the picture. She can’t depend on her family to have her back.”

  Parker stepped closer. “Don’t you dare talk about my sister like you know her or anything about our relationship.”

  “Parker, please,” Brooklyn said, her voice weak. “Don’t make this worse.”

  “I only go by what I see and hear,” Carter continued, not giving a damn about the job anymore. “And from where I’m standing, you’re not doing or saying anything that would lead me to believe that you would protect her.”

  He felt Brooklyn’s hand around his forearm. “Please, just go. This is not your fight. I can handle this.”

  Carter wouldn’t look at her, because he’d be a fool to take his eyes off of Parker Sr. or Parker at that point. “Brooklyn, I don’t think you understand. Your father looks like he would have no problem beating you into submission. And I’ll be damned if I let that happen.”

  “I’m only going to ask this one time,” Senior growled. “How do you know my daughter?”

  “I met him when he moved to town,” Brooklyn answered. “He actually saved my life the night of the charity gala, pulled me out of the way of an oncoming vehicle. That’s how I know him.”

  Carter ground his teeth together. Brooklyn had simplified their interactions for a reason, so he wouldn’t say more than she did. “Step back,” Carter ordered. “We’re going to leave, and you’re going to let us.”

  “You’re making a huge mistake, Mr. Marshall,” Parker Sr. sneered. “You don’t want an enemy in me.”

  “Then you don’t know me well. I don’t need your money, or this job.”

  “Well, then this won’t hurt you one bit. You’re fired.”

  Parker spoke up then, directly to his father. “You won’t fire him, Senior. Not because of this. The contract has already been signed. The work has started. And you put him the position to have to defend Brooklyn. I can’t believe you went this far.” Parker turned to Carter and Brooklyn. “Go home. I’ll come by to see you later.”

  Chapter 13

  Brooklyn paced her living room floor. She still couldn’t believe the mess she’d caused. She’d barged into her father’s office and dragged Carter into her drama. And now his job was in jeopardy. No matter what Parker had said, she knew it wouldn’t stop her father from exacting revenge on Carter for daring to even get involved in the first place. Now, she just had to get Carter to understand what was going on.

  She rubbed a hand through her short curls. She hadn’t missed her father’s unappreciative glance at her short hairstyle. The man was a monster, worse than any boogeyman she’d ever been scared of. She didn’t doubt for minute that her father had done worse things than forcing her to marry a man like Sterling. He was a cold, unfeeling bastard.

  “Are you going to stop pacing now?” Carter asked from his seat on her couch. He’d been sitting there quietly for the past thirty minutes, just watching her, an unreadable expression in his dark eyes.

  “What possessed you to risk your job?” she yelled, her arms out at her sides in frustration. “He will destroy you.”

  “I’m not scared of your father.” Carter folded his arms over his chest. “I’ve gone up against worse.”

  Brooklyn plopped down on the couch and buried her face in her hands. Tired. She was so damn tired of everything. “You don’t know my father. You don’t know what he’s willing to do to get his way.”

  “I have a pretty good idea,” Carter said.

  “What is your deal?” she asked. “You’re so guarded. You don’t know me, not really. You didn’t even know I was a Wells before today. By all rights, you should be angry with me for keeping my last name from you. But instead, you’re all knight in shining ar
mor, fighting for me. I didn’t ask you to put yourself on the line for me. Don’t you see that it only makes me feel even more shitty?”

  “I’m sorry, Brooklyn. I don’t mean to make you feel shitty. I just want you to be okay. Your father basically strong-armed you, like you were a stranger on the street, to do his bidding. And he walked up on you like he was going to hurt you. What kind of man would I be if I let that happen? And I’m sure Martin would agree with me. I’m sure he already does, because he was in the room, and he heard everything.”

  Brooklyn flinched, shaking her head. She had forgotten about the man on the television. They’d been having a video conference. “I shouldn’t have barged in like that. I didn’t think. I was just so angry, so damn pissed.”

  Carter scooted closer to her and pulled her against his side. “I know. I’m sorry you have to go through this.”

  Brooklyn relaxed into his arms. “You are wrong about one thing.”

  “And that is?”

  “Parker. He’s always protected me. He’s the reason I have a place to stay, the reason I have money in my pocket right now.”

  “You have no money?”

  “I do. Well, I thought I did. I had an account in another city. But my father got to it.” But seeing how she had no job to go to anymore, she could take the afternoon and head to the credit union and get some answers.

  In a way, this may have been a blessing in disguise. At least the clinic would be able to do some good in the community. She didn’t blame her boss for taking the offer. The funds her father offered would be used to benefit the many people who needed their services.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  She peered up at him. “All the good the money will do for the clinic and the community. There are so many people out there who need access to things we take for granted. I’m glad some of them will get the help they need. I’m glad that the clinic will be able to update their facility.”