Chapter 6
6
Charlie
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the trees overhead. Occasionally it tugged at the pages of Charlie’s book, ruffling them before she placed her hand on the edge to hold them still. The words blurred as her thoughts shifted to Ash for the millionth time.
How many times had she read this page? This paragraph? Charlie closed her eyes tight, letting out a frustrated breath as she snapped the book shut. The sound was loud in the quiet space that surrounded her.
She’d chosen a park bench that was on the far reaches of the park. Several yards away, children played on the equipment, watched over by their parents. Far off to her left, there was a track and a handful of tennis courts. The sounds of everyone who had visited the park that afternoon were muffled like she heard them through a tunnel.
Charlie kept her eyes shut as she considered how she was going to survive spending time with the one man she couldn’t get out of her head since that fateful day six years ago. The kiss had been both inappropriate and innocent at the same time. She’d never felt taken advantage of by him—especially because of how he avoided her like the plague since then.
A soft groan beside her had Charlie throwing her eyes wide to glance over at a sudden intrusion as someone sat next to her. She clutched the book in her lap, ready to take off at a moment’s notice. The young man looked to be about her age. He quirked a smile at her. Clad in a T-shirt and a pair of athletic pants, he leaned back and rested his arm across the back of the bench.
His eyes dipped to the book in her hand. “Is it any good?”
She followed his gaze and then let out an embarrassed laugh. “I’m not sure.”
He gave her an amused grin. “How’s that?”
Charlie lifted the book briefly. “I’m a little distracted right now. Can’t get into it.”
The man scooted closer to her, but since she was on the edge of the bench, she had nowhere to move away unless she got to her feet. Her pulse quickened as she kept her eyes on him. “I like to read, too,” he said, his voice coming across way too sultry for the words.
The small smile she offered him was strained. “What do you like to read?”
He twirled his hand in the air. “This and that.” His eyes landed on her. “You know something? You’re really pretty.”
She stiffened. “Thank you.” Her heart hammered, but not in the exhilarating way it did when she was with Ash. Charlie lifted the book again. “Well, I’m going to try to get into my book, so?—”
He took the book from her and flipped it over in his hands to read the title. She made a disgruntled sound to indicate she didn’t want him doing such a thing, but then he commenced flipping through the pages. His eyes found hers, and his smile stretched wider. “There are more interesting things you could be doing.” He leaned a little closer. “Like going out with me.”
“Thanks, but?—”
“Come on,” he purred with a voice that set her teeth on edge. “I don’t bite.”
Charlie frowned. If even one of her brothers were here, they’d pummel this guy. Unfortunately, she’d come to the park to get away from her overbearing brothers and the possibility of seeing Ash. She’d wanted to clear her head, but that wasn’t happening. She lunged for the book, but the man held it just out of reach. “I appreciate the invitation, but I’m not interested,” she insisted. “I didn’t come here for a date.”
He pouted. “That’s no fun. A girl like you? I’d think you’d want to get out and enjoy yourself.”
“Who said I wasn’t enjoying myself?” she snapped, surprising even herself with her terse tone.
His brow lifted, and he let out a dry chuckle. “ You did—when you said you couldn’t get into your book.”
He had her there. Still, she wasn’t interested in a guy who didn’t know how to listen when she said no. Charlie got to her feet and snatched the book out of his hand, prepared to storm away. Unfortunately, he wasn’t ready to let her go. His hand wrapped around her free wrist, keeping her from making her escape.
“Please let me go,” she said, distracted by the anxiety that slowly woke from its chamber deep inside her.
The man tugged her closer, and she nearly fell into his lap. Her heart thundered as she looked around wildly, wondering if she screamed, would anyone come help her. He didn’t seem like the dangerous type—mostly just like someone who thought he could talk anyone into what he wanted.
As much as she wanted to scream or hit him over the head, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. On top of being a people pleaser, she had a hard time putting her foot down. Never wanting to step on anyone’s toes or offend them had gotten her into trouble more than once.
This was the reason she avoided the park and public places when she was alone. There were few moments in her life where she was willing to step out of her shell—out of the happy place she called home. A helpless-sounding sigh escaped her lips. “Another time, maybe.”
She couldn’t tell if he noticed the crack in her resolve or if it was something else, but he saw something. He rose to his feet, his hand still holding hers, his body too close for comfort. Charlie stared up at him expectantly, and he said, “One date. Coffee. Get to know me before you dismiss me.” This time his voice was less cocky and sweeter.
Her mouth went dry, and she couldn’t fight the words that started infiltrating her head—ready to accept the offer of coffee if it meant getting out of this awkward position.
Before she could utter a word, the man’s eyes lifted to a spot above her head. Surprise crossed his face first, followed by a narrowing of his eyes. “Can I help you?” he muttered, his hand tightening on hers.
Charlie didn’t have a chance to turn and take in whoever it was behind her before he spoke.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d release my girlfriend.”
She knew that voice. That voice haunted her dreams both night and day. It could send a ripple of chills or a flush of searing heat through her body. She stiffened, noting how the man before her set his eyes on her once more at the exact moment he released her hand.
Out of instinct, Charlie took a decided step backward, only to collide with Ash’s firm chest. His arm came around her waist, and his head dipped closer to her right ear as he murmured, “Go get in the car, sweetheart.”
Goosebumps accosted her arms and legs. She couldn’t move. Her legs refused to listen to the signals her brain sent down to them.
“Charlie,” Ash murmured, this time with a note of warning. “I’d like to have a word with this young man.”
She blinked, still too stunned to move. Then Ash moved out from behind her. He grasped her upper arms, staring into her face with concern. She could see the question in his eyes. He didn’t even have to speak it.
Did he hurt you?
She gave a sharp shake of her head.
Movement and shuffling behind him caught her attention. Her focus shifted to the man who looked like he was about ready to take off running.
“Don’t move.” Ash’s voice was commanding. From where Charlie stood, she could compare the two. Ash practically towered over the other. His muscular frame and height made the young man look like a scrawny teenager.
It didn’t help that Ash wore a white T-shirt that showed just what he was working with. Paired with his grey joggers, he was what fantasies were made of. Ash rubbed her arms up and down and peered at her closer. Then he jerked his chin to the left. “We’re parked by the restrooms. Go wait for me there.”
Charlie nodded, finally accepting the reality of what she’d been in the middle of. She took a stumbling step backward, then turned around and hurried in the direction Ash had told her to take. She knew what his truck looked like. It was a pewter Ford pickup. It had some black pinstriping along the sides, which made it stand out even more.
She found it and leaned against it, not sure if she dared to look over at where she’d been sitting. As if against her own control, she did just that. Ash was arguing with the guy who looked more and more like a kid when compared to the firefighter. Ash poked him in the chest once and the guy rubbed the spot, his expression heated. He only looked in her direction once, then he spun around and stalked away.
Ash didn’t turn immediately. He raked a hand through his hair and shook his head. She could practically see him buzzing with angry energy. What was his problem? Had he heard her conversation with the stranger? Or was it something else? She refused to believe he’d been following her. That wasn’t Ash’s style.
He had a girlfriend. He wouldn’t be obsessing over her. The idea was laughable. She blushed even though there was no one to witness her discomfort or hear the rationalization in her head. If Ash knew she fantasized about him, he’d laugh at her. Then he’d probably tell her brothers.
Charlie groaned, leaning her head against the truck and closing her eyes again. This was so embarrassing. She prayed he wouldn’t mention this encounter to her brothers. While she didn’t know the guy, the town wasn’t so big they wouldn’t be able to figure out who he was. The last thing she wanted was to have to lock herself away in her house so she didn’t have to participate in any more of these situations.
“Hey,” a quiet voice said.
Her eyes flew open and she jumped. Ash stood in front of her, legs wide and arms crossed. The concern that knit his brow was the only indication of what he was thinking. She frowned at him. “I didn’t need you to step in.”
Ash arched a brow and tilted his head. “I’m sorry?”
She jutted her chin toward the bench where she’d been sitting, all her anxiety and frustration bubbling over. “I was fine. I was handling it.”
He didn’t speak this time, but that look in his eyes said it all. He didn’t believe her. He was being just like her older brothers. Protective. That was how he saw her—a small mouse needing protection.
Charlie moved to brush past him, but his arm shot out, his hand wrapping around her upper arm. She gasped and stared up at him. “What?”
“You want to tell me what was going on back there?”
“No,” she snapped without hesitation. He was the reason she’d come here in the first place. He was the reason she needed to clear her head. Well, that wasn’t turning out the way she’d planned. She glanced down at where he held her arm and yanked it from his grasp. “He wanted to ask me out. That’s all.”
Still he stared, his eyes hard. “Charlie,” he said, that warning tone in his voice again.
She threw her arms into the air. “I wasn’t going to go with him if that’s what you’re worried about.” When he remained silent, she sighed. “What do you want me to say?”
He considered her for what felt like an eternity. Then he took a step toward her. She moved away from him, her back once again against the truck. “I want you to be honest with yourself.”
His words surprised her. Were they code for something? Her thoughts clouded with memories of him from when they were younger to the most recent interactions. He couldn’t be referring to her crush. There was no way he even knew. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she finally stammered.
Ash pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “I was running on the greenbelt. I saw the moment that guy showed up. You were clearly uncomfortable. And you did nothing. Nothing , Charlie. Just because we live in a small town doesn’t mean we’re safe.” His hand dropped to his side, and he frowned at her. “You could have walked away. You could have screamed, slapped him, heck, you could have hit him over the head with that book of yours.”
She glanced down at the object. He was right. She’d gotten so caught up in the moment—and not in a good way—that she’d been unable to act. Charlie worried her lower lip and nodded. “You’re right.”
He sighed, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze.
“Thanks. For helping me.”