by Swan, T L
“Hello, Charlotte.” They both smile.
“Lovely night,” I say, aiming for casual.
“Yes, and warm for this time of year.”
“Does my brother have company tonight?” I ask.
They glance at each other. “I believe so,” Ryan says with caution.
“Do you know who with?”
They exchange looks again. “A… female friend,” Ryan answers.
I fold my arms over my chest. “And her name is?”
They once again look at each other. “We’re not sure, Charlotte.”
I tilt my chin and think for a moment. “Is this the first time she has been to the estate?”
“No, I don’t believe it is,” Ryan says. The two of them keep walking past in the hope that their interrogation will soon be over. “Goodnight, Charlotte,” Ryan calls out, effectively ending the conversation.
“Goodnight.” I huff, and I turn back into my house.
I head straight for the kitchen and flick the kettle on.
Edward and Lara? Surely not.
She sees other people. It was only last week that she went on a date with someone.
I think back over all the times over the years when they have had aggressive arguments with one another… mostly over me. Although, I must admit, they have always seemed to know a lot about each other.
Why would they hide it if something was going on?
Are they fucking?
No. They’re not. I know they’re not. I’m just imagining things that aren’t there.
God, I really do need to get out more. Lara is right; I’m going crazy cooped up in this castle.
I make my tea and sit on the couch, my mind in overdrive.
I tap my tooth with my fingernail as I think. I wonder if Lara’s car is at his house.
I go into my office and pull the drapes back. I can see the lights from his house in the distance.
He has his own road in and out of his place, just like I do, but because his house is at the end of the estate, I wouldn’t have any clue who he has down there. Until tonight I’ve never wanted to know.
Well, damn this.
I go out to my front porch, sit on the steps, and put my trainers on. I’m going to see exactly who Edward is bedding tonight.
And if it is Lara, there is going to be blood. Whether that’s his or hers, I don’t know yet, but I won’t be impressed if they are sneaking around behind my back.
His, I decide. It will be his blood.
The thought of him sleeping with my best friend boils my blood.
She’s way too soft and sweet for him.
I know for sure if I had someone here for the night, Edward would be here in an instant, ordering them home. I look down at my white sweater. Hmm, this won’t do. I run upstairs and change into a black jumper and a black beanie. If I’m going to go spying, I may as well look the part.
I turn the torch on my phone on, and I look left and right to make sure the coast is clear. Then I slowly start to walk down the road towards Edward’s house. It’s a fair distance from my house, but I know the security staff have done their last check for the night and are tucked back in their office at my father’s. Wyatt finished work at 6:00 p.m. because he thought I wasn’t going anywhere.
I walk, and walk, and walk.
God, this seems it’s a lot farther in the dark.
I finally arrive at Edward’s house and duck behind a tree before I peer around it. Like my house, his house is made of sandstone and covered in ivy. Our houses are near identical, both two storied with four bedrooms. The only differences being that he has had his house updated to his tastes and added another large living area at the back. Unlike me, he won’t be leaving his house, so he has made it his forever home.
I tiptoe across the large circular driveway. There are no cars here, damn it. She must be parked in his garage, whoever she is.
The lights downstairs are off. I walk around to the side of his house and look up to the higher floor. Edward’s bedroom light is on and the curtains are open.
Ugh, damn it, I wish I could just see who he has up there.
I blow out a breath and sit down on the ground for a moment.
I look around and wonder what to do.
About three metres out from his window sits a large tree. What if I climbed it? Just got a look at who is in there and then climbed down.
No harm done.
My heart rate quickens as I walk over and look up at the tree, smirking to myself.
What the hell are you doing, Charlotte?
I put my arms around the trunk and take the first step up, then another, and then another. Before long, I’m way up high. I just need to get to that taller branch and I will be able to see in. I step up and hug the trunk. It’s pitch black outside, but I can see into the lit bedroom clearly.
I watch in silence. Nothing’s happening.
I peer down at the ground. Oh hell, I’m up really high. I cling to the tree as if my life depends on it, because at this point, it actually does.
I didn’t think this through at all.
Then I hear movement. I squat down in a panic.
Edward comes into view, forcing me to hold my breath. He’s facing away from me but… oh no.
He has no clothes on. My brother is naked.
The blood drains from my face.
He turns towards the window, his huge erection standing proud. He’s holding handcuffs and spinning them around his finger as he talks to someone who is obviously still in his bed.
My eyes are as wide as saucers. Oh, dear God.
Not this. Anything, but this.
I step back to try and get away. I slip, and I try desperately to grab the trunk. Unfortunately for me, I miscalculate and go hurdling down towards the ground, somehow managing to grab a branch along the way. It kind of breaks my fall for just a moment before I hit the ground hard with a thud.
“Ouch,” I whimper as I lie in a crumpled heap.
What the fuck did I just see?
I stare up at the stars hurting all over. I get a visual reminder of my naked brother and it makes me scrub my eyes with my fingertips to try and remove it from my brain.
I remain on my back, looking up at the dark sky for ten minutes, in the dark, crumpled on the ground.
That really hurt.
Eventually, I crawl onto my hands and knees and push myself off the ground.
That is the last time I’m ever going to spy on anyone ever again.
What is he doing up there right now?
I scrunch my eyes together to try and block out the image of him with those handcuffs.
I feel nauseous.
* * *
I stand in the afternoon sun on the front landing of my father’s house. My father and Edward are in their customary expensive suits. Their security staff are buzzing around, and the last of their luggage has been packed into the car. Five men are going with them, while the other five stay here to look after the house and me.
I wish it wasn’t like this. I wish we didn’t even have to have security. My father was, and still is terrified that something is going to happen to me like it did to Mum. He knows now that casinos and gambling are mixed in with the family empire, all bets are off. Security is at an all-time high.
My father’s eyes rise to meet mine. “Will you please reconsider coming with us, Charlotte? Six weeks away would be wonderful for you.”
“Dad,” I sigh. “You two are going to be working the entire time.”
“I’ll have the plane pick you up. Maybe you could come out there for a shorter amount of time,” he offers hopefully.
“No.” I smile as I kiss his cheek and wrap my arms around him. “Have a great time, and I will see you soon. I will call you every day.”
I turn and smile at Edward who is unusually quiet today.
Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t picture it.
Last night’s spying activities have traumatised me. “Have fun, Edward.”
I smile.
He frowns, and I know he’s worried about leaving me. “I can be back here in twelve hours if you need me to be.”
“I’m fine.” I step back from him. For all of Edward’s faults and his overbearing ways, I know he really does mean well and is acting out of love for William and me. “It’s six weeks, for God’s sake.”
“Please be careful, Charlotte. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. Don’t go anywhere without Wyatt and Anthony.”
Anthony is Edward’s normal guard, and he is leaving him here to guard me. “I won’t, I promise. I’m not stupid.” My eyes glance over at Wyatt who drops his eyes to the ground. Okay, fine, maybe I’m a little stupid, but I never will be again. I learnt my lesson, and thankfully Wyatt has kept his promise about keeping Spencer a secret.
Edward and my father get into the Bentley. Eventually, it slowly pulls out of the driveway with the security in the car following on behind them.
I give them a wave and a smile as nerves flutter in my stomach.
I’ve never been alone for this long before.
I angle my face up to the sun and smile broadly, feeling the vitamin D sink in.
“Elizabeth is coming over for the night.” I smile over at the boys.
Anthony’s face lights up. “What time will she be here?”
“Around six.”
“Very well.”
Anthony has had a crush on my beloved friend for years, and to be honest, I think she has a bit of a thing for him, too.
I’m going to set them up on a date one day.
I turn and walk towards my house.
Six weeks all alone. I don’t know whether to be thrilled or petrified.
Spencer
I hear the handle turn on my office door, and I glance up to see Sheridan standing before me.
“Hello.” She smiles.
I grin brightly and stand to kiss her cheek. “Hello, darling.” My eyes drop down her beautiful figure which she’s dressed in her usual power suit—a navy skirt and matching jacket with a white silk blouse unbuttoned to tease me just enough. Her long dark hair is up, and she is wearing tortoise-shell framed glasses.
Sheridan is the CEO of a multi conglomerate global company. At the age of thirty-five, that’s a huge accomplishment. My company supplies steel to her company, so we effectively work side by side but for different companies. Listed on the New York Times as one of the most powerful women in the United States, Sheridan works hard and plays harder.
She gets me like nobody else ever has. We have a sexual relationship based on trust and friendship, but we both know this for what it is. No lies, no pretence that we’re going to fall in love, and best of all, no bullshit.
“How are you?” I ask her.
“Why is Electra still here?”
I roll my eyes and drop into my chair. Electra is one of my PAs who gives us all nothing but trouble. She gets under Sheridan’s nose, and the last time she was here Sheridan demanded that I fire her.
“She’s here because I can’t fucking fire her. I gave her a written warning and she brought the damn union in to threaten legal action.”
Sheridan points to the door with her thumb. “She’s sitting out there messing around on Facebook.”
I swing my chair from side to side, holding my pen between my fingers. “Wouldn’t surprise me. Where are the other girls?”
“God knows. I mean it, Spencer, you need to fire her. It’s not fair that your other two PAs have to do her share of the work.”
“It’s just not that easy.”
“Oh, fuck off. It’s dead easy. I’ll do it now for you, if you like.”
I smile as I look up at her. “Not everyone is an ice queen like you, Shez.”
Sheridan makes grown men cry in her company. She’s the hardest woman I know.
She strolls over to the window and looks out across the city, casually flicking through her phone before she hits call.
“Hello, this is Sheridan Myer from Universal Steel.” She listens for a moment. “I need some security cameras installed throughout the offices, please.” She listens.
“Immediately.” Sheridan glances over at me, and I roll my eyes. “I need you here today, please. There are three offices that need to be fitted with invisible cameras after hours. Okay, great. You do know where we are? Yes, the fifteenth floor, and ask for Spencer Jones.” She hangs up without saying a goodbye.
I sit back in my chair. “I don’t need security cameras.”
“Bullshit. That little troll is going to try and sabotage you. Mark my words, she’s a nasty piece of work.”
I smirk. “Because you’re Mother Teresa, right?”
“I won’t have you taken advantage of, Spence, and if she tries to wipe your computers or anything shady, at least we’ll have proof.”
She lets her hair down, kicks off her shoes, and walks back over to the window, leaving me to watch her. She stares out over the city for a moment, and then her eyes drift back to me. “You’re different.”
“How so?” I frown.
“You normally have me pinned to the wall within five seconds flat.”
I sit forward in my seat and rest my chin on my hand.
“Have you met someone?” she asks.
I hesitate before answering, unsure if I want to discuss this with her. “Yes and no.”
She walks back across the room and sits on my desk. She crosses her legs, and my eyes drop to her muscular thighs revealed by the split in her skirt. “What do you mean, yes and no?”
“Yes, I’ve met someone, and no, I can’t have her.”
“She’s married?”
“Just the opposite.” I pause for a moment. “Young and innocent.”
She doesn’t hide her amusement. “How young and how innocent are we talking?”
My eyes hold hers. “Very young, and as innocent as you can get.”
She chuckles. “Oh God, Spence, she won’t be able to hold you sexually. I can’t, and I know how to fuck.”
I run my hand up Sheridan’s thigh and inhale sharply. “That you do.”
She takes a hotel key card out of her pocket and slides it across the desk. “I have a business dinner tonight, but I’ll be back in the room by ten. My usual room, the penthouse at the Corinthian.”
I pick the card up and stare at her for a moment.
She leans down and takes my face in her hands, and then she kisses me slowly.
My cock hardens instantly.
“See you then?” she asks as she tenderly brushes my hair back from my forehead.
I smile and run my hand up her thigh. “Of course.”
She ties her hair back into her bun and slips her high heels back on. “I’ve got to go. My two PAs are in a café downstairs.” She walks towards the door. “Can I fire the troll on my way out?” she asks hopefully.
“No, you may not. Goodbye, Sheridan.”
“Until tonight, darling.” The door closes behind her and I hear her say, “You’re not getting paid to be on Facebook, young lady. Get to work.”
I chuckle for a moment. She’s a hard ass bitch.
I walk over to the window in my office and stare out at the view. The city is bustling down below.
I wonder what Charlotte’s doing now?
I get a vision of the look in her eyes when she thought I didn’t want her, and my heart sinks, forcing me to exhale heavily.
It’s not fair to start something when I already know its fate.
I’m doing the right thing.
It’s best if I don’t go near her again.
* * *
When the clock strikes 11:00 p.m. I walk down the corridor towards the penthouse of the Corinthian.
I know this hall, I’ve walked it many times, and always with anticipation.
Something’s off tonight, though. I see the door up ahead and I stop and stare at it for a moment, sucking in a quivering breath.
I wish I was going to see Charlotte instead. She’s the one I really wa
nt to see.
I exhale heavily, swipe the key card on the hotel door, and listen as it clicks on its release. The light in the apartment is muted when I step into it, with only the lamps lighting up the space, but I know where to find her.
I walk into the bedroom to see Sheridan naked on her hands and knees on top of the bed. Her long dark hair cascades down her back, and a white satin ribbon is tied around her neck, like she’s a present.
My present.
On the side table sits an array of dildos and lubricant.
My cock instantly hardens.
“Hello, darling,” she purrs before she slides a butt plug into her mouth and sucks it. “I was just about to start without you.”
I smile as I take my jacket off and hang it in the walk-in robe. “You know, you really should play hard to get, Sheridan.”
She moans, and I step back into the room to see her on her knees, bending over as she slides the butt plug deep into her ass. Her eyes close with pleasure, and I unzip my pants with a brand new urgency.
“On your back, legs open,” I growl.
* * *
It’s 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning, and I’m lying in my bed watching the morning news. Although I’m not paying much attention. I can hear it, but it’s nothing more than background noise.
It’s as if everything around me is on mute. This whole week has been on mute.
I feel like shit.
I fucked Sheridan, and the only way I could make myself come was by imagining she was Charlotte.
I’ve done it for three nights in a row.
The sex is hot—super fucking hot—but only because, in my mind, I’m fucking my angel. My Charlotte.
Not Sheridan.
And now the sick taste of betrayal rests constantly in my mouth.
I feel like I cheated on Charlotte, even though we are nothing to each other.
I hate that we’re nothing.
I hate that I used Sheridan’s body to ejaculate when I was thinking about another woman.
I’ve never done that before to any woman. I’m always completely focused on whomever I’m with. Thankfully Sheridan has gone out of town now.
Regret runs deep in my blood.