5. CHARLIE
5
CHARLIE
N o amount of rain can hide the fact that a distinct white Mercedes-Benz G-Class is following me right now. How often I slow down, speed up, or pull over doesnt matterit always finds me again. Its never close enough for me to read the license plate but never far enough for me not to notice that its there.
The massive sign of a nearby gas station comes into view, and I pull into the driveway. I watch with squinted eyes as the Mercedes slowly roll their tires towards the entryway, trying to seem inconspicuous.
Unbelievable, I mutter, climbing out of my brothers car and slamming the door shut.
I stride towards Haydens vehicle, my chest heaving with rapid breaths. He rolls down his window as soon as Im close enough, not an inch of surprise or guilt written on his face.
And what the hell do you think youre doing? My icy tone cuts through the air, unrecognizable even to myself, but Hayden remains motionless.
His gaze shifts from my face to my shorts, and his frown deepens.
I really dont like what you chose to wear, Charlie, disapproval etched into the corners of his mouth. If you plan to be outside like this, it may be best to change into a pair of sweatpants or something.
I cant help but burst into disbelieving laughter.
How about we start by asking why youre following me, Hayden?
Your brother asked me to. The weather hasnt been great lately, and hes worried.
When will the two of you understand that I can take care of myself? I snap, reaching for my phone in my back pocket.
It doesnt matter who you call; I didnt drive all this way for nothing. Im making sure you get to the cabin in one piece, especially since the other men around here have now seen you wearing that.
Its a tank top and a pair of shortsyoure acting as if Im wearing a bikini bottom and nipple patches, I hiss, thinking that I saw something flash in his eyes, but its more than likely a figment of my imagination. Look, Im less than 30 minutes away, just . . .
A whistle erupts in the air as a man exits the gas station. I see him puckering his lips at me while walking over to his bike, and my skin crawls.
You taking home calls? He shouts, and a small gasp escapes my lips.
Get in your fucking car before I drag you into mine, Hayden growls, his mood shift hanging in the air. Id focus on the rude man, but a jittery sensation travels up my body as I take in Haydens glare.
Is he . . . jealous ?
I rise to my full height, tucking my phone into my back pocket and lifting my chin. It takes everything inside of me not to smirk.
Okay, but I should grab some snacks for the road, I swiftly turn on my heel before I can hear anything else he has to say.
Charlie, he calls sternly, the roughness in his voice nearly causing me to stop in my tracks, but I brave through. Charfor fucks sake.
I push my hand against the gas stations crusty door, stopping right in my tracks at the sight of the trio lingering near the cashier.
I clear my throat, forcing a slight smile onto my face.
With each step deeper into the aisle, I regret going in. I grab a packet of Ms and some salted crackers, eyeing the male cashier as he lazily chews on his gum. He grins at his companion on the opposite end, who leans against the counter. As if sensing my gazeboth of them look in my directionI quickly avert my eyes, dread crawling up my spine.
A hand snakes around my arm, pushing me against the shelves with such force that they nearly fall to the floor, creating a massive mess.
Goosebumps crawl over my skin, and my breath hitches in my throat at the sight of a seething Hayden. Those charcoal-colored eyes lock onto mine as he lowers himself to my height, with the vein in his neck fully exposed.
Even when angry, he never fails to make every part of my body respond. My panties are soaked just from his touchthe mere closenessand my nipples are erect, pointing directly at him.
His eyes briefly drop to the needy buds as if reading my thoughts, leaving me vulnerable under his raw gaze.
You seem to take pleasure in making things difficult for me in every possible way, he rasps, shifting his gaze back to mine. What exactly were you hoping to achieve by coming in here, Charlie?
I . . . I just wanted snacks, I lie, aware we must look like a dysfunctional couple.
Dont lie to me. You know how much I hate it when you lie to me, Haydens glare intensifies, and my chest rises and falls at a rapid pace. I should pull down your little shorts and take you right against these shelves since you want to show off so bad.
What the fuck.
My skin should crawl with disgust. His head should be twisted to the side, his face as red as an apple from the slap I delivered. But instead, I whimper.
As soon as it leaves my lips, I am mortified. Haydens grip on my hand loosens, raising his eyebrows.
Um, I . . . I need to pay for these, I stammer as I raise the snacks, and his eyes dart to them. Haydens jaw flexes, and as his hand remains on mine, we proceed toward the cashier.
He dumps a fifty-dollar bill on the counter, not even waiting for the change before walking out. The men at the register dont say a single thingprobably taken aback by our interaction and intimidated by the brooding man who has me captive.
I dont want to hear anything else from you, Charlie, he warns, shooting me a menacing glare as we walk towards the car. Just get in and start fucking driving. I mean it.
Part of me wants to challenge what happens if I dont listen, especially since his threat still hangs in the air, but before I can reply, the rain that had been brewing in the sky pelts down on us in heavy sheets.
A sign from the heavens. A reminder that I need to keep my distance from Hayden Scott.
I quickly climb inside, and he shuts my door before springing back into his vehicle.
I gaze at the rain cascading down my windshield, then at the time displayed on the dashboard, nervously biting my lip.
I guess a little extra safety wont hurt.
We arrive just in time for Hayden to be the gentleman he is, and unload my bags. I insist that he doesnt have to stay. However, he insists on surveying the place before he leaves.
It takes him only ten minutes, and I wait outside on the porch, observing the rain pounding against the ground. Its all I can do to keep my mind off what he said.
I should pull your shorts down and take you right against these shelves since you want to show off so badly.
I just cant get it out of my head. The closeness, his grip, the threat. Would he have really done it?
Ive checked everything. Theres gas for the stove, the hot water works fine, and as far as I can tell, there arent any leaks. I jump, my face turning a bright red, and he stares at me oddly.
Thank you, handyman, for your services, I divert. But you should get going before the weather worsens.
I should, he nods, yet not making any move to leave.
In silence, our eyes linger on each other for a few moments. His tongue grazes his lips, and he breaks eye contact for a second, dropping his gaze to my chest. I dont have to look to realize that my tank topsoakedand clinging to my breasts leave little to the imagination.
A shiver runs down my spine, but I cant blame it on the cold. The tip of my nose starts to burn, and my face grows hot all over.
His damp locks of hair rest on his forehead. The snug black T-shirt outlines his body perfectly. What I wouldnt give to taste every raindrop on his body and . . .
No.
I open my mouth to speak, intending to tell him that he should leave before the weather worsens. However, lightning flashes across the sky at that moment, followed by a deafening boom of thunder, as if the heavens are being torn apart. A scream involuntarily escapes my lips as I lose my balance and fall.
Haydens wild eyes meet mine as he reaches out to me, but a loud crack echoes through the air, much closer this time. Just down the street, a large tree topples over, bringing down another tree with it and completely blocking off the road.
My mouth falls open, and my body trembles against the wooden floor while Hayden simply stares at the scene before him because he knows.
And I know.
Theres no way in hell hes getting out of here tonight.