The Lovely Garden (13 page)

“Jenny told me about you two,” Frank admitted, earning him a why-didn’t-you-tell-me glare from Debbie. “No offense, but I thought she was fucking with me because I was a dick in high school to both of you.” Jenny got picked on because she was friends with me, though every straight guy in high school wanted to date her. “I thought she wanted me to sweat. And I have to say, I am sweating now.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to fire you over something you did in high school.” That relieved Frank. You could see all the stress leave his body. “But, I’ll be watching you close.” All that stress was right back where it came from.

“Seriously?” I gave Charles a look that said I wasn’t happy about what he had just done.

“What?! I was joking!” He turned back to Frank. “Seriously, it was a joke.”

“Your jokes are almost as bad as my dad’s,” I said into my glass of wine.

Charles cocked an eyebrow. “Do we really want to discuss bad jokes, Ms. Apple.” That one was pretty clever, I had to give him that. And yes, my jokes were just as bad as my dad’s, but not worse. I think my mom would have gone insane if I was worse. She already had enough trouble with the two of us as we were.

“Well, I think I need a drink.” Poor Frank. Getting tossed around like that. I would need a drink if I was in his shoes as well. “It was nice talking with you.” He took Debbie’s hand in his, fingers entwined.

“I hope we can catch up some more later.” Debbie gave me a smile before she allowed Frank to drag her off to the drink table.

“Yeah,” I called after them. Maybe I would get her number so we could hang out some time. If Frank was going to stay at Charles’ company, might as well get used to each other. Besides, she was much different than in high school. Both of them are. They really stepped out of their stereotypical roles of jock and cheerleader after high school. I was strangely proud of them.

When they were out of earshot, Charles turned to me. “Why didn’t you go to your ten year reunion?”

“I didn’t really want to and because my mom broke her wrist.” It was only fair to be honest with the man I was dating. “She told me to go, said I would regret it, but I would have regretted it more if she was hurt while I wasn’t there.”

He squeezed my hip again and kissed my temple. “That’s my Amy. Always caring for other people more than herself.”

“When did I become
your
Amy?” I huffed, not ready to admit that I liked it a bit. I didn’t like the idea of being a possession, but I liked the idea of being his. Confusing, I know.

“The moment I was buried deep inside of you, and you were screaming my name.” Warm breath teased my ears, and I could feel things tighten.

“You shouldn’t talk that way, Mr. Bonner. Unless you want to go for a round two.” Just the thought of him inside of me again sent a shiver down my spine. My nipples hardened.

His mouth left my ear for a moment. “The kitchen appears to be unoccupied.”

I bit my lips. “We’ll have to be quiet and quick.” I didn’t like that idea, but I wanted him inside of me more than an orgasm.

“Let’s see where our hosts-” Charles’ face froze and he went pale. His hand started to shake violently

I turned and followed his eyes, curious as to what had scared him. My eyes fell who was unmistakably his sister, Ava. Her and Charles looked too much alike for there to be any doubt. The same dark blonde hair, light brown eyes, same nose and chin. Her cheekbones were set higher as was her forehead, but there was definitely a family resemblance. And damn did she look good in red. An hourglass figure didn’t hurt things either.

There was a woman next to her I had never seem, but I guessed it was the infamous Rose. If it was Rose, she was slightly less impressive than Ava. She was tall, with dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a pointy nose. A plain black dress was what she wore and it fitted her tightly and showed off a great body. Couldn’t help but be jealous at that. My body was nice, but it wasn’t great like hers.

Well fuck, this party was just turning into a regular people-I-could-have-gone-without-seeing extravaganza.

CHAPTER NINE

“Do you want to go to the kitchen?” My nervousness transferred to my voice quite nicely. I had not expected to meet his sister, or his ex, here at this party. I didn’t even know the pair knew Jenny. It would have been really nice for her to tell me. Just a, “by the way, I’m friend’s with Charles’ ex. Just thought you should know.” Would have made this surprise less surprising.

Charles turned to me, almost in slow-motion. “Yes,” he said, but didn’t make a move. I didn’t either. I felt like a deer caught in the headlights, trying to think of any means of escape, but coming up empty.

When I had finally decided, I grabbed his hand to lead him in the kitchen. But it was too late. Ava had already seen us and was headed our way, waving at us. There was a sweet smile on her face, but a coldness in her eyes that made me want to shiver. “Charles! It’s good to see you,” she exclaimed, making a good show of it. She got on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his cheek. “It’s been awhile since we last talked. I’ve been to the house a few times, and you haven’t been there?”

That was because he had been staying at my apartment. He hadn’t left since the night she had attacked him, only going home when absolutely necessary. A strange way to start a relationship, living together, but it seems to be working out so far. It was, also, closer to his work.

“I’ve been busy,” Charles replied, his best smile on his face. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought this was normal interaction. It just seemed so natural. Spoke volumes on his ability to hide his sister’s abuse. If I were on the outside, I would believe that they were a perfectly normal family. With that stupid smile on her face, Rose must not have been in the know for that either.

“For three weeks?” It sounded as if she were teasing him, but if you paid close attention, you could hear an undertone to it. A threat of violence. “Who is this?” Those cold eyes were now on me, so different from Charles’ warm ones. Made me hate that they were the same eyes. What Charles’ eyes could look like if he had been a different person.

I stuck my hand out, a tight smile on my face. “I’m Amy.” I tried to keep my voice pleasant, my body language as neutral as possible. Hard when all you wanted to do was run away.

She took my hand, returning my smile. Her body was neutral as well, but there was still the threat of violence in her voice. I truly believed that if we had been alone, she would have hurt me right then and there. Anything to drive me away from Charles. “Ava, Charles’ older sister,” she replied. She indicated to the woman next to her. “This is Rose, Charles’ ex.” That wasn’t a jab at all.

Rose took my proffered hand and gave me the weakest of handshakes. “Nice to meet you,” I said with the same tone I had given Ava. It wasn’t her fault she was getting dragged in the middle of this. Might as well be nice to her. “I didn’t know you knew Jenny and Billy,” I directed toward Ava. There was no point in talking to Rose. She wasn’t going to say anything without Ava prompting her first.

“I don’t. Rose here,” she indicated to the statue next to her, “is gym buddies with Jenny.” That would explain why Jenny never told me she knew either of these two. She probably hadn’t even known Rose was Charles’ ex. And seriously, what kind of gym does Jenny go to? I don’t expect Rose goes to your cheap 24-hour place.

“Hi, Charles,” Rose said, ignoring Ava and I. Oh man, that woman had it bad for Charles. So bad. The way she said it reminded me of a puppy greeting its master. It just screamed, “Please, love me!” It was noticeable enough that even Ava gave her a disgusted look.

“Hello, Rose,” Charles returned her greeting. He gave me his best get-me-the-fuck-out-of-here smile. I planned on doing just that.

“So,” I started in my best hostess tone, “drinks are at the table over there if you would like some.” I pointed to the table Debbie and Frank were still standing at, watching the four of us intently. The way Debbie was staring at me, I think she knew something was up, or maybe I was just being hopeful. Either way, I prayed that she tried to distract Ava and Rose. Anything to keep them away from us. “There are appetizers on the table next to it as well.”

Rose turned to me, looking down at me. “I don’t drink.” Possibly the most condescending three words I had ever heard. This woman, who was clinging to a man that didn’t want her, thought she was better than me. You know what, fuck this bitch. And fuck the bitch she came with.

Charles had warned me that Rose would look down on me, but it didn’t stop the anger. “There’s some zero calorie diet water. If you get hungry enough, there’s some ice cubes you can suck on.” I turned back to Ava. “It was nice meeting you,” I said in a finalized tone. I was done talking to these two women.  

Ava seemed to take pleasure in my anger, her eyes twinkling and a serpentine like smile on her face. “It was nice meeting you, as well.” She turned, her light brown eyes still on mine. “Come, Rose, I’m sure there’s something over there you will drink.” The pair left, Rose reluctantly.

A warm hand fell on my shoulder, giving it a strong squeeze. “Kitchen?” All I could muster was a nod. That interaction left me exhausted and I couldn’t bring myself to even form words. That and I was afraid I might snap at Charles, and none of this was his fault. He didn’t need to feel that way either.

Charles expertly led me into the dark, silent kitchen two rooms away. Neither of us bothered with the lights, enjoying the comfort of the darkness and being wrapped in each other. I rested my head against his chest, listening to his slow, steady heartbeat. The tension started to melt away with each beat, my eyes closing and a small smile forming on my face. That was just the medicine I needed. A nice dose of warmth, comfort, and Charles.

There was a failed attempt from Charles to comfort me further by running his fingers through my hair, but it abruptly ended when he ran into a knot. “Ouch,” I giggled, helping him work his fingers out of the knot. This was the danger of having long hair. You never knew when it was going to get knotted. “Geez, I know you like pulling my hair, but that was a bit much, don’t you think?” I turned my face up to him, mischievous glint in my eye. Not that he could really see it.

He laughed. “I only do it because you like it,” he shot back. He started to nuzzle my neck, and the promise of sex in the kitchen came rushing back. Heat pulled between my legs and my breath came out shuddering. “I want you, Amy. Right here.” His lips were on mine.

“We shouldn’t,” I said the moment our mouths separated. Someone could walk in at any moment. There were so many things you could need from the kitchen for a party, and Jenny might not be the one to come in and grab it. Not that I wanted my best friend to see me having sex in her kitchen, with her husband’s boss, no less.

The smirk on his face was felt more than seen. “That’s not what you said earlier.” His hand slithered under my dress and slipped under my panties so he could play with my hip. I was already wet, and I wanted more.

“I also said we’d have to be quick.” I didn’t give a shit if he only got two pumps in, I wanted him. Wanted him so bad at that moment, and I didn’t think I could hold off until we got home. If we didn’t fuck here, we were going to have to in one of the rooms. Here was as good as a place as any. Though, “Someone could walk in.”

“That’s why you’ll be facing this way,” he said as he turned me around. My hands rested on the island Charles had just been leaning against. He was pressed against me, his hard cock pressed against my ass. “You’re the look out. If anyone comes, you’ll just have to let me know. You’ll have to keep your eyes open this time.” Easier said than done.

I rested my most of my weight on my forearms, to give him better access. “I don’t know how you want to have sex already.” Considering it hadn’t been long since we left the apartment.

He took my invitation and unbuckled his pants. When he had his cock in hand, he stroked it, hand brushing against me through my panties. “I always want you, Amy.” He moved my panties to the side, giving him access to my core. “I could live my life buried inside of you.” He chose this moment to thrust deep inside of me, filling my wet pussy. I had to slam my hand against my mouth to keep myself from crying out. “You’re so tight.” His voice rumbled in my ear.

“Oh god. Just fuck me. Please, fuck me.” I started to move, trying to entice him. Charles’ fingers dug into my hips as he started to move with me. I nearly cried out again and replaced my hand over my mouth. His thrusts were short and hard. My eyes threatened to roll in the back of my head. The idea of his fucking me in the open was almost as good as the actual act. I almost wanted someone to hear us, to get that extra thrill.

A shadow appeared on the wall next to the kitchen. It grew larger and larger before it stilled. Someone was standing just outside of the kitchen, listening to us. A woman from the shape of the shadow. “Charles.” It came out too breathy, as if I were moaning his name instead of catching his attention. It just drove him on and started to slam into me harder. I moaned louder than intended. The shadow disappeared and I couldn’t have been more grateful.

Charles was getting close. His thrusts were becoming harder, more erratic. When he did come, he thrust into me so hard it dislodged my arm and sent me forward onto the island, knocking over our glasses. I ended up with wine and whiskey on my arm and Charles rested his forehead on my shoulder, chuckling. Glad one of us thought it was funny.