I roll my eyes. “What are we doing?”
“Just meet me at the Green Cactus at one. We’re meeting a friend there.”
“Who is—?” But before I can ask the question, he hangs up on me.
Dick.
The red light in front of me turns green, and I press my foot on the gas, accelerating through the intersection when another car comes barreling past me, swerving right and cutting me off. I clutch the steering wheel and throw my car into park, grabbing the gun under my seat and sticking it into the waistband of my jeans.
There are no other cars around, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t on the way.
I watch for a second, my fingers gripping the gun handle.
Does the ‘friend’ we’re meeting have friends of his own who are trying to keep me away from the Green Cactus?
Tiny hairs on the back of my neck prickle as the door of the other car swings open.
If I stay here, I’m a sitting fucking duck.
I push open my own door, pulling out the gun and holding it close to my side, ready to jump out and crouch down next to my door. My index finger cocks the gun, my throat tight as a pair of long legs step out onto the pavement, followed by a tall, lanky frame.
I blow out the breath I’ve been holding.
Fucking Blaine Montrose.
I stuff the gun back into my jeans and slide out of the car, stalking over toward him. I shove his chest backward as soon as he’s in range and he stumbles backward slightly before getting his footing and then launching himself at me.
Rookie mistake.
I pound my clenched fist into his jaw, the satisfying crack making my lips curl upward. “Don’t you fucking ever try to run me off the road, Montrose. I’ll pull your fucking lips through your asshole if you pull that shit again!”
He straightens up, swiping a hand over the drizzle of blood and spits to his right.
“Did I see a tooth fly out along with your pride?” I taunt him.
“Fuck you, Xander,” he rasps.
“Is this you showing your strength like you did back at the hospital? You come here to tell me more about what you think you know about me? Are you trying to scare me, Montrose?” I step closer. “If you haven’t guessed yet, I will fuck you up if you try any of the above!”
“Stay the hell away from Charlotte,” he hisses. “She’s too good for you.”
“And you think if I step aside, you’re gonna slide into my place?” I let out a dry chuckle. “Trust me, dude, you’d never fill my shoes.”
“You’re not the guy for her! You can’t give her what I can!” He screams, rushing me again, fists flailing. I sidestep him as he lunges toward me with a loud grunt.
“I can do this all night,” I say, just pissing him off that much more. He swings at me and I grab his arm, jerking him forward into his car.
It doesn’t stop him.
Does he think that he’s gonna win Charlotte by getting his ass beaten to a pulp?
He swings again and I back away from his fist. I smash my own right into his gut and he hunches over with a loud groan. “You’re too stupid to realize that you’re fucking done, Xander. All of you — your whole criminal family. It’s only a matter of time, but you’re too stupid to see it coming.”
“Oh, and you’re here to give me a friendly warning?”
The red flags sprout up around him, just like they did that day at the hospital when he was spouting shit about my impending downfall, but I don’t let the doubt creep in just yet. For all I know, he’s making shit up to distract me.
“There’s nothing friendly about it,” he says, struggling for breath. “And she’s not yours. I know she thinks she cares about you, but you’ve fucked her over one time too many. She’s gonna realize what you are and that her life would be better without you in it. She needs someone more like her, not some thug who’s on his way toward being killed or thrown in prison.”
“And you think a pussy like yourself can satisfy her?” I smirk, folding my arms over my chest. “After she’s already had the best? She’s not gonna be interested in your cocktail weiner, Montrose.” I let out a snort. “If you’re so worried about what’s best for her, just step aside and let her keep feasting on the foot-long.”
He lets out a loud roar and drives a fist into my side and I move out of the way a second too late. Not that it’s crippling. I mean, Christ, if you’re gonna take the shot, make it count, at least.
I shove him backward so he can see exactly what’s coming next. “I’m gonna give you a chance to walk away now,” I seethe, pulling the gun out of my jeans.
His eyes widen, his hands flying into the air as he trips over a stick in his path. He backs away, jogging toward his car. “You’re a fucking lunatic,” he screams.
“Self-defense, Blaine.” I shrug. “You ran me off the road and attacked me.”
He pulls open his car door. “You won’t get away with this. Your father doesn’t own this place.”
“Oh, and yours does? Funny, I thought your father was always playing second fiddle to Hawthorne. Always trying to keep up with the Joneses but never quite making it. Hawthorne just has the advantage, doesn’t he?”
Blaine’s eyes darken, his mouth twisting at the mention of Charles. “Shut the fuck up!”
“Looks like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. You’re pretty comfortable being second best, too.” I snicker. “Case in point. Charlotte.” I cock the gun. “Nobody’s around. Do you really wanna stick around here to prove that you’re as big of an idiot as I already think you are?”
“You’re going to be sorry, Xander. This isn’t the end.” His lips curl into a smile. “But the end is coming. Oh, yeah. It’s definitely coming.”
Chapter 14
Charlotte
I pace around my room. Over and over. Circling around on the plush white rug at the foot of my bed.
What a fucking asshole.
Pulling my fingers through my hair, I let out a loud grumble.
I can’t believe he had the balls to say that shit to me. I’m allowed to be happy that my mother is actually being motherly. Why can’t he just be happy for me? Why does he have to ruin it like that?
Forcing out a sigh, I grab my worn hardback copy of A Farewell to Arms off of the bookcase.
Sinking down onto the armchair in the corner, I flip to the first page.
Maybe a little Hemingway will calm my nerves. It’s an escape that I have been craving for far too long, and it’s been a while since I let a classic soothe my soul. I used to read every night before bed. It’s a habit that needs to start again.
Right as I am about to finish the last paragraph of the first chapter, a hear a knock on the balcony door. Throwing the book down onto the side table next to me, I roll my eyes. There’s only one person who would scale the trellis and I don’t know if I really want to deal with him right now.
I pull back to the curtain to see Xander standing with his fists clenched and his jaw churning.
“What do you want, Xander?” I whisper-shout through the locked door.
“Just let me in, Char,” he sighs, dropping his head. “Please. I don’t like how we left things.”
“Oh, you mean when you turned into a prick and pissed on my happiness? You didn’t like that ending? You want a do-over?” I snap.
Then he flashes the look, the one I am fairly certain that he knows is my undoing.
Reluctantly, I give in to him.
As usual.
Taking me into his shaking hands, Xander pulls me over to my bed.
“What’s going on,” I ask, sitting a few inches away from him.
His hand slides over his face as he lets out a forced, sharp breath. “Fucking Blaine Montrose.”
“What does Blaine have to do with any of this?” I ask, my tone sharp.
He shows me freshly busted knuckles. “He tried to run me off the road,” Xander growls.
“What the fuck?” I furrow my brow. “Why in the world would Blaine
do something like that?”
Xander rakes his fingers through his short hair. “Because he is in love with you, Char. He told me to stay away from you and that you deserve someone more like you, more like him.”
I jump back a little. “No fucking way is that even remotely true.”
Xander growls a little. “Charlotte, you’re just going to have to trust me on this one. He wants to be with you and he’s told me that a few times now. Open your damn eyes.”
“Don’t you dare come into my room and jump down my throat. Once is more than enough for one day. I am sick of this shit. First, you tell me to not trust my own mother and now you’re trying to tell me to believe that Blaine is in love with me? Blaine, whom I’ve known for my entire life? Jesus, he is just a friend, Xander! Stop being so damn suspicious of everyone! One of us needs to get their head out of their ass and it sure as shit is not me.” I get up, walking over to the door that leads to my balcony. “I think it’s time for you to leave and let me get some rest.”
Xander crosses his arms over his chest, rooted to his spot on the bed. “I’m not leaving. Not like this. I am not going to just walk out of here and let you go to bed mad. That is not how it is supposed to work in relationships, Charlotte.”
Popping my hip out, I glare at him. “Relationship? Is that what we’re calling this now?”
Xander shrugs. “Isn’t it?”
I shake my head. “I don’t fucking know. I feel like we have a long way to go. This back and forth fighting and the secrets...it’s not a good foundation to build on.” I trudge back over to his side, sprawling out next to him. “Why is this our go-to? Why can’t we just be like a normal couple and live in a little bubble of a honeymoon period?”
“Because we’re not normal high schoolers.” Xander falls back onto the bed in a huff. “I don’t like fighting with you, Char. And I’m sorry for the things I said about your mom. I just don’t want to see you get hurt or let down by her anymore.”
“You just don’t get it because your parents love you,” I sigh.
Xander scoffs. “My dad treats me like an employee, not a son.”
I lean up on an elbow to look at him. “I didn’t know that. I’m sorry. I always felt like you had it pretty great. I mean, your mom is amazing.”
“She is, but my dad, not so much.” His thumb brushes a loose piece of hair behind my ear. “I don’t like talking about it.”
“There are a lot of things you don’t like talking about, Xan. But if we’re going to actually try to make this work and be in a relationship, we’re going to have to start breaking down some of these fucking walls.”
I search Xander’s eyes as they soften.
“You’re right,” he mutters, letting his lips crush into mine briefly. “I’ll try to do better.”
“Maybe we just need to get the hell out of this town after we graduate. Ya know, get a fresh start.”
I close my eyes, letting the fantasy of jetting off with Xander to a new city settle in. Finding a tiny apartment and just being on our own. It’s an incredible image. One can dream, right?
Xander chews on his bottom lip. “That sounds fucking great. Just leave all of this behind. No more family obligations, no more bullshit.”
“So, how badly did you hurt Blaine?” I ask quickly and Xander’s gaze darts around the room.
“Not as badly as I wanted to. Fucker really gets under my skin.”
“You know that you have nothing to worry about, right?” My hand lands on Xander’s chest. I can feel his heart racing.
“It’s nice to hear,” Xander admits. “But, yeah, I know.”
I curl into his side. “I really do love you, Xander.”
Tucking me into him, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist, Xander breathes out, “And I really love you, Charlotte. We’ll figure this whole thing out.”
“We will and it’ll be wonderful.”
Kissing my cheek, I can feel Xander smile. “You got that right, babe.”
* * *
Xander
My fingertips trail down Charlotte’s soft, blushing cheek. I could get lost in her baby blues for hours, but judging by her pupils dilating and her grip tightening on my forearm, Char has other plans for us and I am totally game.
I let my hand travel down her neck, over her tits and down to the clasp on her skirt. A shuttering breath escapes her lips as her eyes flutter closed. Lacing her fingers into my short hair, she pulls my mouth to hers. I drink in her hunger as my pulse quickens and throbs against my neck. Our lips crush against each other as if we’d die without the other’s touch. I soak up her desire, savoring every nip and tug of her greedy tongue. Rolling her on top of me, my nails dig into the tender flesh of her perfect ass as she grinds against my dick.
Think about dead puppies.
How does this woman get me so close with our clothes still fucking on?
Her breath hitches as the slightest hint of a moan sings out. With one hand still gripped tightly onto her ass, I push her panting to the side, rubbing soft circles over her swelling clit.
“Oh, Xander,” she groans into my ear as her head falls onto my shoulder. I engulf her mouth with mine as I plunge my fingers into her wetness, caressing her soft folds as her body starts to shake on top of me. My dick twitches, begging to be let out of my confining jeans, as I drive into her harder and faster with every passing second. Her tight walls hug my fingers, and I slide my thumb against her clit, my lips savoring every cry she lets out begging me for more.
She is intoxicating. Her knees tremble against the outside of my thighs as her sweet nectar drips down my hand.
Rolling her over onto her back, I rip my shirt off, throwing it onto the floor. Her gaze rakes over my bare chest as she bites her lip.
Fuck. She’s so damn sexy. And all fucking mine.
I slide her skirt down, discarding it with my skirt. There’s no time to deal with the rest of our clothes just yet. They will have to wait.
Kneeling down on the floor, I pull her hips to the edge of the bed. Kissing up from her knee, along her inner thigh, I finally get to my salvation. Starting slowly, I let my tongue glide over her delicate folds, savoring every moment of it. Her hips buck against me as her moans and pleas grow with desperation. They cheer me on as I pick up the pace, letting two fingers fill her.
“Xander,” Charlotte breathes out sharply. “I need you inside me. Now!”
As badly as I want to give in, I am not ready for this to be over yet. It’s too perfect. She’s too incredible to rush anything with.
I peek up as a smile slides across her face, her fingertips tangling into my short hair. Try as she might, she’ll never be able to outpower me. It’s adorable that she even tries.
I give in a little, unbuckling my belt and letting my jeans fall around my ankles. Stepping out of them, I crawl up Char’s body, lifting her to finish undressing her petite frame. Hovering, I let my tongue trail over her taut nipple. Making sure to give the same attention to the other once I am done.
“Not yet,” I finally reply against her creamy skin. “I’m not finished with you.”
Diving back down, I drink her in more. I can feel every muscle in her body tighten as I work my magic on her clit perfectly. As she cries out and shakes uncontrollably, I slow my tongue and kiss back up her body.
“You’re incredible,” she sighs, her eyes hooded and drenched in euphoria.
“And you’re gorgeous.” Leaning down, I let my lips crash onto hers. Charlotte’s legs wrap around the backs of mine, pulling me in closer to her.
The perfect invitation that I didn’t really need, but feeling how much she needs me sends chills down my back.
Dragging my hardening dick over her slick slit, her head rolls back. I take the opening to sink my teeth gently onto the nape of her slender neck.
I finally give in to both of our desires, thrusting my hips forward into her tight, hot pussy.
“Fuck!” she rasps, wrapping her arms tightly around me, pressing me a
gainst her even more. She writhes under me, her hips grinding into me, forcing me deeper inside of her. Gritting my teeth, I suck in a sharp breath.
Hell no.
Not yet!
Blood is pulsing through my veins straight into my groin.
Gripping her hips harder, I slowly drag my cock out of her. I let the head tease her clit for a few seconds. It was the little break I needed, and having Char squirm and beg for more was a perfect perk. Forcefully, I thrust back into her with long, hard strokes. Her walls clenching around me, tight like a vise, and my breath catches in the back of my throat.
So damn amazing, so tight, so fucking wet.
I pound into her, thrusting with more intensity than ever, her feverish movements mimicking mine. Glancing down, I watch her tits bounce back and forth with every move. Best fucking view in the entire goddamned world.
My heart thuds in my ears, as I get completely lost in Charlotte, my orgasm building to the point where thinking is a challenge. Primal, devious, and dirty. Exactly how I like it.
I drive into her breathlessly as her perfect pink pussy wraps tighter around me like a glove. I can feel her begging for the release that only I can give her, and I need it more than anything else in the entire world right now.
Her pussy pulses, quivering around me as a hot, wet rush blankets my dick in everything that is her. As she lets out a deep cry, I let my thirsty lips consume hers. She pants into me, matching my hunger with her tongue as it battles against mine.
“Fuck!” I roar against her plump lips. Pulling out of her quickly, I grip my shaft, giving my cock a few long, hard strokes before losing myself. Cum spurts from the head, shooting over her gorgeous chest. I groan, squeezing my eyes shut as the orgasm tears through me, making every nerve in my body buzz from ecstasy.
And when I finally open my eyes, her seductive stare meets mine.
Dipping down, I kiss her soft lips quickly. “One second.”
I dart into the bathroom, retrieving a hand towel. Kneeling back onto the bed, I first clean her up before myself. I fall next to her, grabbing her hips, tucking her into my side and pulling the comforter up over us.
Princess: Ridgeview Prep Book 2 Page 10