by S. J. McCoy
Missy stuck her tongue out. “None of your business, Hemming.”
Pete gave her a long hard stare, but she just laughed. “You can’t scare me. You should know better than that.”
Pete’s scowl softened into a smile. “I’m not trying. Sorry, Miss. I just don’t like him. I don’t trust him.”
Missy rolled her eyes. “You don’t need to. It’s not like I’m going to up and marry the guy.” She grinned at Ben. “It’s not like him and Charlotte or anything. It’s just a bit of fun for the summer.”
Pete sighed. “I know, but still…”
“I’d quit while you’re behind if I were you, Pete,” said Michael. “Our little Missy critter never was any good at taking advice.”
“Thank you, Michael. At least you get it,” said Missy with a grin.
Ben had to laugh as Michael grinned back at her and said, “The point is, Miss, you’re the one who’s getting it, and lots of it by the sound of things. There’s no point trying to talk any sense into you while you’re all sexed up.”
Missy’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t deny it. “You’re just jealous, Michael Morgan.” She turned around and wiggled her ass at him. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
“Yeah, let me know if Travis is coming will you?” called Michael. “We can’t take the boat out if there are too many of us.”
Missy turned back. “You know he won’t be coming. I’ll see you when I get done with work.”
Ben smiled as he watched her go. Travis would no doubt be waiting at the end of the road for her in his beat up old station wagon. Ben didn’t like him any more than Pete did, but as long as Missy was happy, he wasn’t going to say anything. He thought the same way she did, that it was just a summer fling that would be over soon. Travis had come to the resort to work on the maintenance crew for the busy season. He’d be gone soon enough.
“Do any of you like Travis?” asked Emma, once Missy had gone.
Ben exchanged glances with the others and shook his head.
“I can’t stand the guy,” said Pete.
Michael shrugged. “I don’t think it’s his personality she’s interested in,” he said with a wink.
Emma nodded. “I didn’t know if it was just me. I really don’t like him. I’m hoping that once Charlotte arrives the two of us will be able to talk some sense into her.”
“I don’t think it’s our place to interfere, Mouse,” said Ben. “We can let her know that we don’t like him; hell, we already have, but it’s her choice who she sleeps with. It’s not as though she’s asking us all to become buddies with him, is it?”
Emma shook her head. “No, but I wish he was someone she would want us to be friends with. I don’t like feeling that we’re all breaking up and going our separate ways.”
Pete wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “But we are, Em. After this summer, you’ll be in Oregon, I’ll be in Texas, and Michael will be on the other side of the world in Australia. Ben and Charlotte will be in Washington State, and Miss will be in Sacramento. It doesn’t matter where we are, though. We’ll always be friends, and this place will always be home.”
Emma nodded sadly. “I know, but things are changing, and I wish they didn’t have to.” Ben felt for her as she looked around at the three of them, her big green eyes shining. “I know you’ve all got big plans to be getting on with, and I’m happy for you. I really am. But this place and you guys, you’re my family. You’re my safe place. I’m going to miss this. I’m going to miss all of you. I know we’re all going to go out into the world and do our thing, but part of me wishes we weren’t. Part of me wishes we could all just stay here and live happily ever after, you know?”
Ben nodded, he did know. He intended to get back here to Summer Lake just as soon as he and Charlotte were done with college. Their happily-ever-after would happen right here in the place they loved. He shared Emma’s wish that the others could all do the same, but he knew that wasn’t likely. They all had to go off and find their own way in the world. He could only hope that Pete was right; that they would always be friends and that the others would continue to see Summer Lake as home, no matter where their lives took them.
He checked his watch yet again. He did understand how Emma was feeling, but right now he was more interested in what was happening today, tonight. Charlotte should be here soon and he couldn’t wait.
“I’m going to see if my happily-ever-after has arrived yet.”
The others smiled at him.
“Yeah, there’s no point sitting around here looking at your watch,” said Pete. “We’re all going to have to go soon anyway, my parents have friends over and they’re going to sleep here in the cabin.”
Ben nodded and Emma came to give him a hug. “Say hi to her for me, won’t you? I can’t wait to see her either.”
“I know. She’s already told me I come second to you and Miss tomorrow.”
Emma nodded. “Yeah, but you get her tonight.”
A shiver of anticipation ran through him. He was hoping so, but he wasn’t sure yet.
~ ~ ~
Charlotte rolled the window down as they got closer to the lake. She stuck her head out and breathed in deeply. Her grandad shot a look over his shoulder at her.
“Is it good to be back?”
“You have no idea how good it is.” She scooted forward in her seat to kiss his cheek as he drove.
Her grandma smiled at her from the passenger seat. “And you, young lady, have no idea how good it is to have you back.”
Charlotte landed a peck on her cheek, too, before settling back into her seat. The fresh air blowing in the window smelled like home. The scent of pines and the lake was so familiar, comforting somehow, it felt like a welcome home. This place really was the closest thing to a home she’d ever really known. Her parents never stayed in one place for long, whether it was back in England or over on the East Coast; they were always moving. Summer Lake and her grandparents felt like an anchor in her unstable world. She smiled. They were her anchor, and Ben was her rock. She could not wait to see him.
“That’s a big sigh,” said her grandad. “Or was it a yawn? You must be exhausted after your flight. You’d probably best go straight to bed when we get home.”
Grandma turned to wink at her and she heard Grandad chuckle. They both knew how impatient she was to see Ben. They thought the world of him.
“Are you giving me permission to take Ben straight to bed?” she asked with a laugh.
Grandad’s chuckle was louder this time. “You’d like that wouldn’t you, young lady? Although I’m not sure I should be calling you a lady, coming out with comments like that!”
Charlotte winked at Grandma who had turned to look back at her; she was trying to look disapproving, but had a twinkle in her eye.
“But Grandad, you’ve always encouraged me to be open and honest with you both. That’s why we have such a wonderful relationship, isn’t it?”
“It is. And you know, open and honest works both ways. So I’ll tell you, I think you and Ben should wait until you’re married. You two are solid enough, you don’t need to cheapen the physical side of love by going there too early.”
Charlotte exchanged a look with Grandma. It was a bit late for her and Ben to wait! And she thought both her grandparents already knew that. There went that chuckle again. “Fooled ya! I’m not stupid Charlie-bean. And I don’t think there’s anything cheap or wrong about two young people expressing their love for each other in the way that comes most naturally. Just not under my roof or your father would kill me.”
Charlotte had to laugh at that. Her dad, of all people, would neither know nor care. She loved him, but she was under no illusions that the feeling was mutual. Well, maybe that wasn’t fair, but if her dad did love her, it was because she was a useful accessory, nothing more. When he wanted to portray the happy, successful family man, then he loved her. When he was projecting some other persona, he pretty much forgot she existed. She sighed again. She didn’t need t
o be thinking about that tonight—or ever again, if she didn’t want to. Tonight she was back at the lake and this time the move was permanent!
“We’re nearly there,” said Grandad. “You can stop with the sighing and pining now. I’ll put money on Ben being at the house waiting when we get home.”
Charlotte smiled, so would she.
When they pulled into the driveway to the big house on Main, her heart leaped in her chest. Ben’s car was indeed already sitting there. Her grandma looked back at her. “You go. We’ll bring your bags in; see you later.”
Charlotte kissed her cheek and grinned at her grandad. “Thank you!” she cried as she flung the car door open and ran to Ben.
His smile lit up his face and he held his arms open wide to her. She jumped on him, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs around his waist, making him stagger backwards as she kissed him. When his arms closed around her and he kissed her back, she knew she really was home. He put her down and squeezed her to him as he looked over her shoulder. “Hi, Mr. DeWinter, Mrs. DeWinter.”
“Hi, Ben. Don’t keep her out too late, okay? You kids be safe and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks! We won’t be out too late.”
“You’d better not!” called Grandad with a mock scowl.
Charlotte laughed and grabbed Ben’s hand, pulling him toward his car. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
“Shouldn’t we take your bags in first?”
She shook her head. “They’ll get it! They said not to worry about it, and I don’t want to.” She climbed into the passenger seat and smiled up at him. “Let’s go!”
Ben might be a steadier character than she herself was, but she knew he didn’t need telling twice. He ran around to the driver’s side.
Chapter Five
Ben lifted his head and smiled down at her. She was so beautiful and she was finally back in his arms! Granted, they were scrunched up in the back of his car, parked down by the river, but it didn’t really matter where they were. All that mattered was that they were together again—and this time they weren’t going to say good-bye. This wasn’t going to be another summer that ended in a tearful parting. This was finally their time. When this summer ended, their real adventure would begin.
Charlotte smiled up at him. “I’ve missed you so much, Ben.”
“I’ve missed you more.”
She shook her head. “Impossible!”
He laughed. “Don’t you believe it for a second.” He lowered his lips to hers again. He couldn’t get enough of the way she tasted. Her hands came up around the back of his head, pulling him down so she could kiss him more deeply. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, exploring her. She pressed her body against him, edging her way back so she lay underneath him, spreading her legs so that his aching cock was pressing into her. He moaned as she rocked her hips and tightened her legs around him.
“I’ve really missed you,” she whispered as her fingers found his zipper and began to free him.
He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. He was willing to bet he’d missed her more. He’d wanted this to be special, he’d wanted to take her somewhere he could make love to her properly, but there was nowhere to go. His parents were home. His Grandpa Joe was at his house which was like Ben’s real home. Pete let him use the cabin when he could, but his parents had guests staying there tonight. As her fingers closed around him, he lost all awareness of where they were and where they weren’t. All he knew was the feel of her long cool fingers stroking the length of him. All he wanted was to be inside her. He shifted so that he could push her skirt up around her hips, grateful that she wasn’t wearing jeans.
She let out a sigh when he touched her through her panties. “I want you, Ben.” The heat between her legs confirmed her words as he began to stroke her.
She pushed his jeans and pants down over his hips while he got rid of her panties and positioned himself above her.
She held his face between her hands and lifted her lips to kiss him. He held her gaze and held onto her waist as she lifted her hips to receive him. They both gasped as he entered her with one deep thrust. Their tongues tangled as their bodies moved together. She felt so damned good, so hot and wet, so tight around him as he thrust deeper and faster. She bucked wildly beneath him, carrying him away on a wave of mounting pleasure. The pressure began to build at the bottom of his spine, her gasps and moans encouraging him on. Her inner muscles clenched him tighter and the little ooh sound she made as her orgasm took her was enough to take him over the edge, too. In those moments, as their bodies strained together, as they clung to each other and let the pleasure crash through them, he knew that she was his life. She was everything. They weren’t just kids having sex in the back of a car; they were two people reaffirming their love for each other as they cemented their foundation at the beginning of their life together.
When they lay still, she smiled up at him and hugged him close. “I love you, Ben. I love you with all my heart and soul. I’ve loved you since the day I met you and I always will.”
He dropped a kiss onto her lips and traced a finger down over her cheek. “I love you, Charlie. I’ve loved you and missed you for all this time. Now I don’t have to miss you anymore. You’re here. We’re together. And from now on, we always will be. Nothing can stop us now. Nothing can come between us. We’re forever.”
~ ~ ~
It was midnight by the time Ben pulled up back at her grandparents’ house. Charlotte covered her mouth with her hand in an attempt to stifle a yawn.
Ben smiled. “You’ve got to be exhausted.”
She nodded. As far as her body was concerned, it was eight o’clock tomorrow morning already and she hadn’t slept for twenty-four hours. “I am, but you’re worth it.”
“What are your plans for tomorrow?”
She made a face at him. “Well, since you won’t take a day off, I’m meeting up with the girls. I’m supposed to call Emma whenever I wake up, which won’t be until at least lunchtime. And then Missy’s going to join us when she finishes work. Apparently Michael’s talking about taking the boat out?”
“Yeah, we’re all supposed to meet up at his place when we’re done with work.”
“So I’ll see you there?”
Ben nodded. “Unless you want to stop by the resort once you’re up and about?”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “I’ve just traveled five thousand miles to come and see you. You won’t take the day off work, and you expect me to come and see you there?”
He hung his head. “You know I have to work.”
She laughed. “I know you think you have to. And you should know that I’m only pulling your leg! Of course I want to come and see you.” She pulled him closer and kissed him. She just couldn’t get enough of him.
When she finally let him go, he smiled. “I suppose I’d better let you go get some sleep for now though.”
She nodded. She wanted nothing more than to take him to bed with her, to curl up in his arms and sleep. There had been so few nights that they’d managed to do that. She pecked his lips and forced herself to get out of the car. “I suppose you should. But only because I know I’m not going to be able to persuade you to sneak in with me.”
He shook his head with a smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Goodnight, Ben.”
“Goodnight, Charlie.”
She stood outside the back door watching as he turned the car around and drove back out onto Main. She couldn’t wait until the day they could say goodnight and stay together.
Light was streaming in the windows when Charlotte opened her eyes. Reflections of the lake danced on the wall. She smiled and stretched then turned over and pulled the sheet up over her shoulder. Home. She was finally here. It must be pretty late by the looks of it, maybe midday? She’d known she’d sleep late. She always did when she arrived back at the lake.
She sat up at the sound of tapping on her bedroom door. “Are you awake in there?” It
was Emma.
She laughed and shook her head. “I am now, idiot! Come on in.”
Emma peered around the door with a shamefaced look. “I’m sorry. I was too excited to see you. I couldn’t wait any longer.”
Charlotte laughed and held her arms out to hug her friend. “I told you I’d need to have a lie in.”
“I know, but it’s two o’clock in the afternoon already. Missy’s going to be off work soon, and I thought I was going to get you all to myself for a little while at least.”
She came and sat on the bed and Charlotte hugged her tight. “You are one of the goofiest people I know, Mousey. But I do love you.”
Emma smiled. “And I love you, too. And I am not goofy. I’m just excited! You should take that as a compliment, not call me names for it.”
“Calling you goofy isn’t being mean! Goofy people are the best kind of people. I mean if you weren’t goofy what would you be? Normal? Sensible? Now those are mean things to say about someone in my mind!”
Emma laughed. “Okay. You’ve got a point there. I’ll let you off. So, what do you want to do? We’ve not got long before Missy will be done, and then before you know it, it’ll be time to go meet up with the guys.”
Charlotte leaned back against the pillows. “Do? I’m not sure I want to do anything. I just want to catch up with you. Hear all your news.” She lifted her arm and sniffed tentatively toward her armpit. “I should probably take a shower, but other than that, why don’t we just hang out here?”
“Sounds perfect to me. Your grandma offered to make you some tea. Shall I go see her while you take your shower?”
“Okay. I’ll meet you back here.”
Charlotte felt much more human after her shower. She pulled on her favorite T-shirt, the one Ben loved so much, and looked up when Emma came back into her room. She was carrying two mugs and a plate full of croissants.
“My grandma is a sweet angel!” said Charlotte with a laugh as she grabbed one of the croissants and took a huge bite.
Emma shook her head. “And you are a greedy pig! Slow down would you?” she said as Charlotte took one of the mugs and gulped down her tea.