The Lake [Part One]

by Lenna Tate

  Megan sighed. “What do you mean why? Wren, it’s not the end of the world if a man likes you. You’re smart, you’re beautiful, you know how to take care of yourself. Of course he’d be attracted to you.”

  “I don’t know,” I groaned.

  “Snap out of it girl,” she scolded me. “You’re a fucking babe and a half and one hell of a good catch. Stop hating yourself and just accept that.”

  I was blushing. “Thanks, Meg. I just want to be careful. I don’t want to be the stupid, love-sick girl that I write about.”

  “You don’t have to be. You won’t be. But you need to let loose. Have some fun for a change.”

  I sighed. “I just don’t want to be hurt, you know?”

  “Well I’m not saying you should go fall in love with a complete stranger,” her voice was soft as she offered the sort of guidance I had needed from my best friend. “I’m just saying you should have some fun. I think you need it. And I think it’ll really help with your writing.”

  The writing. Of course. “You’re right,” I admitted. “I’m just over-analyzing.”

  Megan was silent. “Hello?” I asked after thirty seconds of nothing. I pulled the phone away from my ear and saw that the call had been dropped. “Damnit.”

  I was about to call her back when the phone started ringing. Instinctively, I hit answer, but the voice that rang in my ear was not Megan’s.

  “Wow, you actually answered,” my father chuckled.

  A cold wave washed over my body. “On accident,” I admitted dryly. “What do you want?”

  “Did you get my email?” His voice remained hopeful, excited, despite my obvious disdain.

  “I did.”

  “And what did you think?”

  I rolled my eyes. He just didn’t understand that I wanted nothing to do with him, or his business. “I’m not interested,” I spat.

  “Why not?”

  Why not? I stood up and began pacing through my bedroom. I didn’t know where to begin. I just knew it wouldn’t matter. He was never going to listen to me.

  “I don’t want anything to do with that anymore.”

  “Don’t you need the money?” He was sinister in his speech, knowing how to find my weaknesses. But I didn’t need the money, not so long as I could get my book finished in time.

  “No,” I spat. “I’m doing just fine without you.”

  “Sweet pea,” he used the nickname he had given to me as a child. I cringed. “I really think you should consider this opportunity. It would be amazing for the both of us.”

  “I’ve already considered it,” I was starting to yell. “I’m not interested.”

  “Now, calm down,” he scolded. “You know we have a contract.”

  All the strength drained from my body. I collapsed to my knees, struggling to breath. “How dare you,” I hissed into the phone.

  “I didn’t want to bring it up, sweet pea, but you’re leaving me no choice.”

  “You promised.” I was curling into myself, withering from his threat. “You promised after the last movie, you would never bring that up. That it didn’t exist anymore.”

  He sighed into the phone. “I was worried you might disappear like this. The contract is still intact.”

  “I fucking hate you.” I ended the call and threw my phone under the bed. Tears were springing up in the corners of my eyes, from frustration and fear and outrage.

  I had made him promise me, years ago, that I would do one final movie if he destroyed the working contract we had. Why hadn’t I made sure? I felt so foolish. Of course he didn’t destroy it, of course he was going to use it against me, forcing me into doing something I didn’t want to do.

  I was trapped.

  It would only be a matter of time before he got in touch with me again. I could only ignore him for so long before I would be roped into working for Corbin’s new movie.

  “Fuck!” I threw my fists against the floorboards.

  A knock on my front door made me spring up to my feet. Brushing the tears away from my eyes I stormed out of my room. It was not a good time for anyone to be showing up to my cabin.

  Axton was standing in my doorway. And I looked like a horrid mess. He looked amazing, like he hadn’t been up all night drinking. He was wearing fresh clothes, his dark brown hair pulled back perfectly against his head.

  “Hey,” I greeted as I pulled open the door.

  “Hey,” he answered back simply. His eyebrows furrowed and he frowned at the sight of me, “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” I lied.

  “You look like you’ve been crying.”

  I couldn’t help but notice the concern in his voice. The same worry that had etched into his features the night before as I’d stormed out of his cabin more than once. It was infuriating. “I’m fine,” I repeated. “What are you doing here?” I switched topics.

  He shifted on his feet. “I just wanted to apologize about last night.”

  “Didn’t you do that already?” I snapped without meaning to. My father had ruined my mood. Axton was just the poor victim who had to deal with my wrath.

  “Well, yeah,” he shrugged. “I just wanted to do it again in the light of day. To make sure you know I meant what I said last night.”

  “I’m surprised you even remember.”

  He laughed, that dimple forming in the hollow of his cheek. “I wasn’t that drunk.”

  The confession made me nervous. Did he really remember everything?

  “Okay well, it’s fine,” I reaffirmed. I wasn’t in the mood for this conversation. Not for any conversation. I wanted to crawl underneath my blankets and cry. I wanted to run away from Colorado, to some new place my father would never be able to find me.

  “Listen,” he pressed his hand against the door frame, his blue eyes flashing over my face, trying to gauge where I was at emotionally. “I know we talked about the party thing, and I told you I would ask you next time.”

  I groaned. “Yeah?”

  “There was supposed to be another one this Friday night.”

  “Already?” My mouth dropped. I was incredulous. It had been less than twenty four hours and Axton East was already using his charm to take advantage of me. Two parties in one week?

  I stared at his mouth as it twitched, frowning apologetically. “It was already planned. Everyone has already been invited.”

  A dry laugh escaped my lips as I shook my head in disbelief. What an arrogant asshole. I was ready to slam the door in his face when he added quickly, “But I’ll call it all off in a second. If that’s what you want me to do.”

  I gripped my fingers tightly around the doorknob. “What?”

  “If you don’t want me to throw another party so soon, then I won’t.”

  I sighed out a mixture of surprise and exasperation. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anything, least of all Axton East’s parties. “Go ahead and have it.” I started to close the door, but he threw his hand out and caught it.

  “I want you to come,” he added. “Please.”

  My knees wobbled at his invitation. I couldn’t believe he was actually inviting me to his party. Maybe Megan had been on to something. Maybe he actually was interested in me.

  “I don’t know, I have a lot of work to do.” I tried to find any excuse possible. It was what I always did when it came to dealing with men. Megan hated my ability to make up a quick lie, usually about work, just to get out of a date. She thought I was destined to be alone forever.

  But Axton wasn’t going to accept my refusal so easily. “Wren,” he was grinning, charming the socks off of me. “Please come to the party? It starts at ten.” He wasn’t forcing me. It was an open invitation. He took a few steps backward on the porch, still staring at me through what had become just a tiny crack in the doorway.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” I shut the door quickly and slid down to the floor. I didn’t want him to see me blushing, or the shake making my hands jitter uncomfortably.

  Somehow, he had
managed to get my mind completely off of my father and his threats about our contract. For the first time in years I was experiencing a giddy lightness; my stomach was turning, my palms were sweaty, my heart was racing. Friday felt like it was years away.

  He was taking over my life. He had eclipsed everything that mattered: my writing, my peace and quiet, my complete reluctance to entertain even the thought of a relationship. My entire world was being taken over by Axton East, the very man I had thought I was going to hate.

  Chapter Ten

  Axton

  It had been several days since I had seen or spoken to Wren. It was Friday, the night of my party, and I was listening to a group of my friends all talking about how their work weeks had been in the city, how their trips to Colorado had been, and how in love they were with the rustic cabin I had rented. It all went in one ear and out the other. All I wanted to hear was Wren’s voice. All I wanted to do was see her walk in.

  Compulsively, I kept glancing at the front door every time it opened. But I was filled with nothing but disappointment as people that weren’t Wren wandered in and out.

  “Why the long face, buddy?” Benji spun around my shoulder and dropped a shot of tequila in my hand. “This is a killer party!”

  I glanced around. The speaker system we had set up was blasting loud dance music, everyone looked happy. There were plenty of people dancing, everyone was drinking, and most of them were laughing. “Yeah, I guess it is,” I gave Benji a fake smile and downed the shot he’d given me.

  “You don’t seem to be having much fun, though,” Benji nudged me with his shoulder.

  I stepped away from him with a shrug. “I invited Wren.”

  His eyes widened. “Is she coming?”

  “I don’t know.” I eyed the door again.

  As if all of my wishes were suddenly answered, the front door opened and Wren stepped through. The breath caught in my throat. Benji was saying something, but I couldn’t understand the words; everything around me was a blur. She took two small steps inside and glanced around nervously, pushing her dark hair behind an ear. She was so unlike the last time she had showed up, blasting through the kitchen door ready to start a fight. It was sweet. It was attractive.

  Without speaking to Benji, I pushed through the crowds of people standing between Wren and I. “Hey,” I smiled gently. She was wearing a simple pale linen dress, and her hair was straightened, hanging down her back in a wave of chocolate layers. It was simplistic, and she looked more beautiful than any of the other women at the party.

  “Hey,” she grinned at the sight of me. Her light green eyes were lined with mascara, making them pop.

  “Would you like something to drink?” I couldn’t tell if she was nervous, but I wanted to everything I could to make her comfortable.

  “Um.” She shifted from one foot to the other, but eventually nodded. “Yeah, that would be nice.”

  “Wait here for me. I’ll be right back.” I returned with two opened champagne glasses.

  Wren’s eyes widened as she grabbed the glass flute. “Wow, really scaled up, huh?”

  She was teasing me. It was charming, and I couldn’t help but to grin. “Only the best,” I shrugged nonchalantly. “Would you like to go onto the dock?”

  The room was loud, and I wasn’t in the mood to entertain anyone else. I only wanted to talk to Wren.

  “Sure,” she said with a shy smile.

  I reached out a hand, and was surprised when she actually took it without hesitation. I wrapped my fingers around the side of her hand, squeezing gently as I led her through the crowd of people and out onto the back dock. There were still handfuls of people outside, most of which were drinking in and around the hot tub. I ignored them as I led Wren to the edge of the dock, where no one else was standing.

  “I’m glad you came,” I finally let go of her hand faced her. The moonlight was illuminating her skin, making her look more beautiful than I had ever imagined.

  She took a slow drink of her champagne, looking nervous. “I am too,” she finally admitted between drinks. “I wasn’t sure it was a good idea.”

  “Why not?” I wanted to reach out and touch her, comfort her. Make her realize just how desperately I wanted her there.

  “I didn’t want another incident,” she shrugged. “The last thing I need is to go around punching people.” She made a tiny laugh.

  “I don’t know,” I smirked. “I thought it was kind of hot, honestly.”

  Even in the darkness surrounding us, I noticed the tiny flush of red that popped up in her cheeks.

  “I’m not normally like that.” She frowned and turned to stare out over the lake.

  I stepped closer to her. The wind blew and I caught the scent of her shampoo – lavender and honey. I wanted to reach forward and stroke her hair, catch it between my fingers and inhale the smell of her.

  “If it makes you feel any better, Lindsey won’t be coming here again.” I shot her a smile, hoping to make her feel better.

  She grinned. “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah.” I laughed. “I just want you to be comfortable.” I said the words slowly, hoping she would believe me.

  The look in her eyes said she did. Her pink lips spread into a sweet smile. “Thank you for that.” She held out her champagne flute. “Cheers to getting along?”

  “Cheers.” I clinked my glass against hers and we finished our drinks at the same time.

  “So why are you here?” She raised an eyebrow at me.

  I cleared my throat. It wasn’t a conversation I wanted to get into. Not with her. Not tonight. “I needed a break from life.” I wasn’t lying.

  “Don’t we all?” She smirked playfully.

  “Is that why you’re here?” The dangerous glint in her eyes made my cock twitch with excitement. Like she was challenging me in a single look. Begging me to take the bait.

  “Pretty much.” She leaned back against one of the posts on the dock. “I was tired of that lifestyle. I needed a better place to write.”

  “You write?” I was genuinely intrigued.

  “Yeah,” she grinned with a short laugh. “I’ve gotta pay my bills somehow. We don’t all have rich parents.”

  “Hey, now,” I warned her off gently. “I work, too.”

  Wren’s eyes widened. “You do?” The look on her face told me she was genuinely surprised. It figures. I had made a terrible impression on her, and she thought the worst of me because of it.

  I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, I do. One day I’ll be have my dad’s business to take care of. I can’t just sit at home all day.”

  The more I talked the more her smile stretched across her face.

  “You really are sensitive.” She was teasing, that same challenging look in her eyes.

  I couldn’t wait a second longer. I couldn’t hold back from that look. From her. I stepped forward and ran my fingers up her neck, tilting her jaw in the palm of my hand. She stared straight up at me, her lips slightly parted. I was ready to take her. To taste her.

  “Hey, asshole!” A shriek screamed at me from the other side of the dock as two sets of heels stormed down the wooden planks towards us.

  Wren pulled herself away from my hand. I glared towards the blonde running up at me. “What?” It was all that I had the time to ask before she swung her hand, hard, at my face. The slap stung, and I immediately reached up to touch the pain radiating from my cheek. “What the fuck?” I straightened, glaring at the woman who had just slapped me.

  “Are you seriously about to do what I think you’re about to do?” The blonde screeched at me, throwing her hands in the air and pointing wildly at Wren.

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” My nostrils flared as I tried to control my breathing. The rage boiling inside of me.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about.” She screamed before turning her rage onto Wren. “Don’t you know what you’re doing you little slut?”

  “Excuse me?” Wren was completely taken aback.

&nbs
p; I stepped between the two of them, putting Wren safely behind me. I wouldn’t let this random woman ruin Wren’s night. Not again. “Don’t call her that,” I warned through gritted teeth.

  “I think I can do whatever I want,” she sneered at me. “Or I’m going to call Julia and let her know what it is you’re up to out here.”

  My heart dropped in my chest. How did she know? I gaped, unable to form any words.

  “Julia?” Wren’s voice was meek as it came from behind my shoulder.

  “Oh, you don’t know her?” The blonde continued to yell. “I suppose Axton wouldn’t tell you about his fiancé that he abandoned back in New York City.”

  “What?” Wren’s voice broke, wobbling like a child on weak legs.

  I turned around to face her. I didn’t care about the blonde. I needed to do what I could to repair everything that had probably just been ruined. “I can explain,” I held out a hand, trying to grab her shoulder. To keep her close to me.

  Wren was glaring at me through tears that slid down her cheeks, streaking her mascara into blurry black lines. “Save your breath,” she muttered before side-stepping me and running down the dock.

  For the first time, I didn’t chase after her.

  There was nothing I could say to save what had just happened.

  The only thing I could do was figure out why it had just happened. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I growled at the blonde.

  She didn’t flinch away from me. “Julia is one of my best friends. You would know that if you gave her any attention at all.”

  I shook my head. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening. The point of running away to Colorado was to get away from all the bullshit. The fiancé that my parents had forced onto me, the drama surrounding the engagement, the fact that I was being forced into a marriage I wanted nothing to do with.

  “Julia knows I’m taking a break,” I groaned. Did it even matter what I said to this random girl, this best friend of Julia’s? “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

  “Not doing anything wrong?” She laughed sardonically. “You’re doing everything wrong, Axton East. And don’t think Julia won’t find out about this.”