Confiscating Charlie Read online

  ****

  For a long time she couldn't seem to catch her breath. Charlie didn't know how long she stayed leaning against the wall for support. It was longer than she cared to admit. Slowly she picked herself and stood up straight. She wanted to go and find Noah, but she'd heard his car outside. He was gone.

  She knew he had done the right thing by leaving, but she couldn't help wishing he hadn't. Which was slightly insane. But she couldn't help herself. Her skin was still hot and her mind kept flashing back to those moments when he had touched her.

  It had been so much more than a first kiss.

  Eventually Charlie turned off the lights and got into bed. There was no way she could focus on her books tonight. For a split second she thought about washing up, but immediately dismissed the idea.

  She could still smell Noah on her. And she didn't want to wash his scent off of her.

  ****

  Noah spent a restless night at the Caislean Hampton’s hotel. Despite the soft bed, he’d lain awake most of the night, shifting back and forth. Two cold showers had done nothing to cool down the fire burning inside him. He’d finally passed out somewhere near dawn. When he woke up the next morning, his head hurt as if he had a hangover.

  But it wasn’t a hangover. It was withdrawal.

  He couldn’t get Charlie out of his head. And not only the physical stuff. He’d gone over every word she’d said to him about her life and her interests. She liked to read and write poetry, but wanted to work in an art museum someday. And there had been her sense of humor. That crack about the unicorn and other little ways she phrased things—she was genuinely funny in a slightly off-kilter cerebral kind of way.

  This was crazy. Twenty-four hours ago, he’d never laid eyes on her. Now he could feel her in his blood. What was happening to him? He’d only meant to give her a quick peck on the lips to make up for what Sammy had done. It should have been easy to charm her and go about his business.

  Women had never been a problem. He’d always had a comfortable relationship with them. It was true they came in and out of his life with great regularity. His relationships tended to be short, but that was because he stayed on the move most of the time. He liked to think a stable, monogamous relationship would be doable if he ever settled down in one place.

  But that wasn’t possible with Charlie. She was a part of his family now—completely off limits. And even if she was over eighteen—almost nineteen—she was still in high school.

  Wait, why was she still in school? Henry had said she had been sick, but Charlie hadn’t mentioned any illness during their conversation. Of course, it could have been a while ago. There was no real reason for her to bring it up. Hell, he never talked about his accident.

  But if Charlie was okay, then why was she spending a Friday night at home alone? She’d dressed for bed, too, in what could have easily passed for a vintage hospital gown. It hadn’t even been nine o’clock yet. Had the thing with Sammy upset her that much?

  Or what if she’s still sick?

  Noah shook his head. He was jumping to conclusions. Even his father wouldn't leave a sick girl home alone for a whole month. And, even if he did, Darla wouldn’t. Right?

  He was seized by the compulsion to call the house to check on Charlie, but if he heard her voice he might crumble and go back there. That was the last thing he should do. He had to stay as far away as possible.

  But he was worried now. Should he call the housekeeper? Would she even know if Charlie was ill? Charlie certainly looked all right—amazing actually—but what if it was one of those diseases that wasn’t obvious?

  Wait. There was someone who would know everything about her.

  Terrence Waters did background checks on all the employees who came to work for his father. It was a little known fact that Terrence also did intensive background checks on all of the woman his father became involved with.

  The security check was insanely thorough. Terrence left no stone unturned when it came to revealing any skeletons in a woman’s background. There was always a rundown of medical histories. As Darla's ward Charlie would have been scrutinized too. His father demanded as much. For the first time, Noah was grateful for that streak of ruthlessness in his dad.

  It took him a while to find the number in his email. Terrence answered on the second ring. He was immediately suspicious about the request.

  “Why do you want it?” he asked.

  Damn. He should have thought of a plausible excuse for wanting Charlie’s file. In the end, he decided on the truth. Or at least part of it.

  “I was at the summer house yesterday with a bunch of the guys. I had no idea Charlie was home. One of the drunken shitheads cornered her in the kitchen and made a pass at her. I think he scared her a little. I stopped him before things got out of hand but she seemed out of sorts afterward. I apologized, but she said she was staying in instead of going out. I was worried she was still upset, but then I remembered what Dad said about her being sick—sick enough to have to repeat her senior year. Is she okay? Cause she’s all alone at the house.”

  He held his breath while he waited for an answer.

  “The year she missed and had to redo was the seventh grade. She’s in perfect health.”

  Noah exhaled silently in relief. “That’s good. I was starting to imagine the worst. I mean who stays in to study on a Friday night?”

  Terrence snorted. “Charlie does. Now you tell me something. Which of your moron friends made the pass? Because if it’s that little shit Sammy, I would tell him to steer clear of her, or he’ll have to answer to me.”

  Noah stopped to stare at his phone for a second before putting it back to his ear. Terrence was a fixture in their lives, but it was his policy not to get close to his father’s wives or any of their dependents. Apparently he’d made an exception in this case.

  “Charlie must be special,” he said before he could stop himself.

  Terrence cleared his throat. “Yes, she is.”

  Noah nodded stupidly before he realized Terrence couldn’t see him. “Can you send me the dossier on her and her sister? It might help me find a special gift or an idea for an outing—something special to make it up to her.”

  The crusty security man paused long enough for him to think his request was going to be denied. “All right,” he finally said. “I’ll email it, but you may as well know now that Charlie’s illness is a cover story. Just keep in mind that your father is happy with his choice.”

  What the hell? Why would they need a cover story?

  “Okay, I’ll remember that,” he said before thanking him and hanging up.

  A few minutes later, the email arrived. It was encrypted, but a separate text of instructions took care of that. He ordered a pot of coffee and some pastries and then settled down to read all of the intimate details of Darla and Charlie Sutton’s lives.

  Chapter 5

  The words of Terrence’s assessment rang in his ears as he picked through an antique book shop in the city.

  While Darla Sutton’s history indicates she is probably not after a big payday, her relationship with her sister raised some flags.

  Charlie has always expressed gratitude that her sister took her in when their parents died, but perhaps it was a mixed blessing for her.

  It is clear from Darla’s past actions, particularly in the years right before she married Martin Shelton, that Charlie is a far second to the men in her life. During that period, Charlie did not attend school with any regularity as Darla went from man to man. Consequently, Charlie fell way behind her other classmates and had to repeat a year. But when people ask why Charlie missed school, Darla tells them Charlie was sick with severe asthma.

  Charlie makes up for missing school by studying at every opportunity, and has distinguished herself in her studies.

  Darla has never fully accepted a maternal role in Charlie’s life. Indeed, it seems as the reverse was true. Before Darla married Martin, Charlie did the cook
ing and the cleaning while covering for her sister when Darla would forget meetings and birthdays. Darla always makes it up to her with lavish gifts when she has the cash, but she spends little to no time with her sister when she’s in a relationship.

  The bit about Darla forgetting birthdays was prophetic. According to the file, Charlie’s birthday was the day after tomorrow. He’d had to call Terrence to confirm that, because he’d had a hard time accepting the fact that Darla was leaving Charlie alone on her birthday. His father yes, that was easy to believe. But her sister?

  After a few hours of arguing with himself he'd decided seeing Charlie on her birthday would be safe. There would probably be a crowd of Dalton students there. They wouldn't be alone. But first he had to find the perfect gift.

  That was why Noah was shopping for a book of poetry, Dorothy Parker, whom Charlie had mentioned was her favorite poet. The store owner claimed to have an autographed first edition, but he was having a hard time finding it.

  Eventually the whiskered old man came out with the volume, complete with authentication papers. It was the first time Noah had bought a book for a woman, but he’d wanted something Charlie would be sure to like.

  He could see why Terrence’s warning hadn’t troubled his father much. Henry had always expected to be the priority to his partner. The fact that Darla’s life revolved around him would have made his father happy. Even if someone else was slighted and neglected in the process.

  In fact, that probably makes it doubly satisfying to him, he thought snidely before reprimanding himself. His dad wasn’t that bad. Darla probably wasn’t, either. She hadn’t let the state take Charlie and put her into foster care. But that didn’t mean Charlie should spend her birthday on her own.

  He left the shop with a gift-wrapped bundle tucked under his arm but delayed getting back into his car to drive back to the Hamptons.

  If Noah was perfectly honest with himself, he was still feeling off balance. He needed a little more time to recover his equilibrium before seeing Charlie again.

  ****

  She hadn’t invited any friends over for her birthday. Charlie was alone, sitting by the pool reading a book. A huge pair of sunglasses covered most of her face. Her hair was wet, indicating that she’d actually had a swim.

  Noah knew plenty of women that bought decorative bathing suits only meant for lounging. They wouldn’t even get them wet.

  Charlie’s swimsuit was a simple black one piece, and it made him want to do unspeakable things to her.

  He had spent the last few nights at the Caislean, convincing himself that he was back in control. He was an adult with plenty of experience. Models and actresses had shared his bed. What he’d felt kissing Charlie was an aberration, a one-time thing.

  All of those arguments fell away to dust as he watched her read a book all alone on her birthday.

  An unfamiliar energy pumped through him. It took him a little while to recognize it. Noah was angry—at his father, at her sister, and irrationally, with her.

  He felt as if he was sliding down a greased ladder. The fall was inevitable. He relaxed as the realization settled in. He wasn’t supposed to do the noble thing and stay away.

  Charlie needed him. And he needed her.

  Alex had said the same thing about Elynn once. He and Elynn had been talking at brunch one day. She had said something that made him laugh, and suddenly Alex needed her.

  Noah hadn’t understood what that meant at the time, but he did now.

  He didn’t remember walking outside. The next thing he knew, he was standing in front of Charlie. He must have handed her the book because she was holding the package. But she didn’t open it. All she did was slip off her sunglasses to stare at him. Those full pink lips opened and closed. But if she said something, it was lost under the noise of blood rushing in his head.

  He caught hold of her face in both of his hands and kissed her as if his life depended on it. She kissed him back, dropping the book to dig her hands into his shoulders.

  He broke the kiss first and looked down at her flushed face.

  “Happy birthday,” he whispered.

  Charlie’s lovely face lit up. “Thank you.”

  For a long moment, they stared at each other. His heart hammered in his chest. “Do you want to come with me?”

  She nodded eagerly.

  “Don’t just agree,” he warned. “If you come with me, it means this is real. There will be no going back.”

  Charlie’s thick dark lashes lowered over her rosy cheeks. “I want to be with you. I can’t stop thinking about you,” she said clutching his hand.

  His answering smile was short. He was relieved, but this wasn’t a fun or lighthearted moment. It felt deadly serious.

  Noah drew her toward the fake waterfall.

  “Where are we going?” Charlie asked confused.

  “Someplace private,” he said as he walked under the wall of water.

  He ducked down, gesturing for her to do the same. A few steps, and the space overhead opened up into a private grotto, complete with cushioned benches surrounding a hot tub that was made to look like a natural pool. A few hidden lights in the water lit the place with a reflected glow.

  “Oh my god,” Charlie exclaimed. “I had no idea this was here,”

  “It came with the house,” he said turning back to her.

  For a moment, they stared at each other, frozen. He took a deep breath. Maintaining eye contact, he began to undress.

  Chapter 6

  Noah was so beautiful. His chest was lean and sculpted, with a defined six-pack underneath. His arms looked strong and lean. She waited, holding her breath as he stripped to his boxers.

  He had a large scar near his left knee that looked as if it had been extremely painful. But she couldn’t think clearly enough to ask if it still hurt. Her eyes were focused on the large bulge in his black shorts. He waited until she looked back into his eyes before pulling them down.

  His cock sprang forth, thick and hard. It was almost as if it were pointing at her. Transfixed, she stared as he waited patiently for her, making no move to come toward her.

  Mechanically, she undid the halter top of her bathing suit, pushing the one piece down quickly, trying to ignore the fact she’d never been naked in front of a man before. But her face felt hot enough to fry an egg on her cheeks. Nervously, she looked down at Noah’s feet until he closed the distance between them.

  In one dizzying move, he picked her up and laid her down on the cushioned bench before turning to get something from his pants. Her breath picked up speed when she recognized the shiny foil packet.

  “This is only for now,” he said gravely. “We’ll look into birth control later. I don’t want anything between us when we make love.”

  Oh my god. Charlie hesitated. “I’m ... I’m already on the pill. Not for sex!” she added hurriedly. “I’m not regular without it.”

  Noah froze. He looked down at the condom in his hand. “We don’t need this. I’m safe.”

  She closed her eyes briefly and then nodded. She didn’t want anything between them, either. Noah put the packet aside and climbed over her. His eyes bore into hers, and then he started to touch her. His hands moved over her slowly, as if he was shaping her body from clay.

  Her breath stuttered as he cupped her breasts. He stared at them with wide eyes as he tested their weight and ran his finger over their fullness. His head bent, taking the tip of one into his mouth before running his tongue over it and sucking firmly. She gasped as his action sent a streak of pleasure straight to her pussy. Growing wet, she shifted under him restlessly as he moved to the other breast.

  Then his hips lowered. Instinctively, she opened her legs to cradle him against her. Noah hissed when his hard shaft touched her already wet center. His hands moved to brace himself before he ran his cock up and down over her moist lips.

  The thick rod teased her clit, sending bliss straight to her brain. She could pr
actically see sparks behind her eyes. He took her lips, his tongue stroking hers, robbing her mind of sense and coherent thought.

  She had never felt like this before. It was as if someone else was in control, a creature that came alive with his touch and took over her mind and body.

  Noah stopped and drew his head back to look into her eyes. “After this, you belong to me. Do you understand?”

  Blindly, she nodded.

  “Say it. Say it out loud,” he ordered hoarsely.

  “I belong to you.”

  A calming trance settled over her as she said the words. They felt right.

  Noah gave her another kiss. This one was harder, soul-stealing. She parted her lips and kissed back, matching his intensity as she wrapped her legs around him.

  His skin slid against hers as he shifted his hips, moving one hand to guide his cock to her small opening. Slowly he pressed against her. Her body resisted him, and he frowned, pushing harder until the head of his cocked opened her up and popped inside.

  “Oh, god,” she moaned.

  There was a slight burning, but there was also pleasure.

  “Charlie? Are you okay?”

  “Yes. Well, mostly okay,” she amended, her heart slowing as she caught the concerned look on his face. “Please don’t stop.”

  He looked worried, but her words seemed to reassure him.

  “No going back,” he said as if repeating an internal mantra.

  She put her arms around his neck. “I don’t want to go back. I’m yours, remember?”

  Noah stared down at her as his fingers tightened on her skin. His eyes flared. “Put your hands over your head.”

  Charlie’s heart skipped a beat.

  In the blink of an eye something had changed in Noah. The intensity of his eyes and voice had kicked up several notches. She put her hands over her head. His forearms braced him as his hands covered hers, holding her down. Pressing a kiss to her lips he began to push his cock father inside her.

  Sucking in a breath, she tried to relax as Noah forged a path inside her. If he broke through some barrier, she didn’t feel it. There was just this immense pressure as he slowly moved forward.