16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
Lina
I woke up in the middle of the night, covered in a puddle of sweat. Carter and I assumed that my fever had finally broken. By the time morning arrived, I was feeling better. The bright sun shined through the slits in the shutters and warmed my face as I rolled over, half expecting Carter to still be in my bed, but he wasn’t.
On the other side of the bed, on top of my nightstand, was a beautiful bouquet of two dozen white roses. A smile stretched from one corner of my face to the other. A flurry of butterflies filled my stomach. He knew white roses were my favorite.
He’s unlike any man I’ve met before.
Carter spent two full days with me. He cooked, gave me round-the-clock fever reducers, and slept beside me the entire time. Although I have mixed feelings about how he kept his distance a few times, I woke up comfortably snuggled under his arm, and it felt so fucking good. I rarely moved throughout the night, but he’d hold me tighter when I did. His body heat wrapped around me was a level of intimacy I’d never known. It was dense and crushing—but in the most incredible way.
I’m not sure how he knew that white roses were my favorite, but I’ve had the biggest smile all morning despite being weak from getting over the flu.
I walk out of the bathroom with a towel around my torso to see my sister opening my bedroom windows. “Let’s clear this place out,” she says, flipping up the shutters. I’m sure you want some fresh air.”
“Thank you.” A light breeze sweeps across my bare skin. “I feel like a new woman today.”
She plops down on my bed. “Thank god. I thought your dad’s friend was never going to leave.”
My heart skips, but my stomach turns. My dad’s friend. “He was trying to make sure I was okay.”
“Really? Because you usually don’t do what he did unless you have a thing for someone.” She smacks her gum.
I stroll over to my dresser, rolling my wet hair in the towel. “I think we’re friends.”
“More than a friend, if you ask me,” she quips.
Carter and I have a palpable energy that passes between us. It happens every time we’re in the same room—like we’re drawn to each other. We can sense each other’s movements and anticipate each other’s needs.
I blink those thoughts away. “I didn’t ask you.”
“Lucky for you, I will give you all the unsolicited opinions you need.” She gives me a lopsided grin. “Does Brian know how close you are with Carter?”
Panic zips up my back. “No. And we’re not that close . We work together, and he’s my friend. That’s it.” Not to mention that I let him go down on me in a library at the masquerade ball.
“Those are some elaborate flowers to get from a friend. ” Zoe motions to the bouquet .
I roll my eyes. “Don’t you have school or another college guy to fuck?”
“I do, actually. Thank you for the reminder.” She jumps off my bed with one finger in the air. “I’m meeting a guy about an Anthropology paper at noon.”
“Okay, well, he better be good, and you better get an A.”
She stops at the doorframe. “Oh, I will. He’s a good writer and takes his schoolwork very seriously.”
“You’re so gross.” I playfully shove her the rest of the way out of my room. “Remember to be safe, and I’ll be back on Wednesday!”
Avery perches herself over the top of one of the empty seats. “We don’t have to report back until close to three in the afternoon tomorrow. Do you want to go do something tonight?”
“I’m still getting over the flu, and you want to drag me out?” I wince. “For a late night?”
Christian, one of the other pilots on our flight crew, and Carter walk by us on their way out of the plane. “Come on, Lina,” he comments over his shoulder. “It’ll be fun!”
Carter glances over at me. “She’s getting over being sick. Give her some time.”
It would be nice to go out, even if for a little while. “Having some fun tonight after being stuck in my house for the last four days does sound good,” I say, shooting a soft look in Carter’s direction.
His eyebrows raise, and I can tell he’s asking me if I’m sure.
I give him a quick, reassuring nod.
Christian flips on his cap. “Are you joining us, Hernandez?”
“Sure.” Carter glances in my direction with a smile.
“Fabulous.” Avery clutches my arm, jumping up and down. “But for real, if you aren’t up to it, please don’t feel like you have to.”
I bend to remove an empty pretzel wrapper from the pocket on the back of a seat. “I promise, I’m feeling better.”
My eyes focus on the last few pieces of trash on the floor, but I can feel Carter’s stare burning a hole in the side of my face. I blush and fight a grin because his attentiveness toward me is comforting.
Rubbing my lips together, I straighten to make eye contact with him. He cocks his head slightly. Pulling my lips to one side, I playfully tuck a piece of hair behind my ear like a young girl in the presence of her crush. A flirty gesture that he returns with a wink.
Christian pats Carter on the shoulder. “Okay. Let’s go have some fun then.”
The group of us take the airport shuttle over to the hotel. After checking in and dropping off our stuff, Carter and I are the first back down into the lobby.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, leaning against the side of the counter.
“I’m doing better, thank you.” I click my heels on the tile floors, pacing in a small circle. “My sister said that you insisted on making all my food. ”
“I did. I couldn’t trust her to do it.”
I focus on the floor and fold my arms across my chest. “You didn’t have to take care of me.”
“Yes, I did.” I only see his shoes step closer to me. “Sorry I left before you woke up. I give Christian’s nephew flight lessons twice a month.”
“That’s nice of you.”
Carter slips his hands into the pockets of his pants. “Well, he’s young and I’m sure not many pilots will want to teach someone his age. And honestly, I enjoy it.”
I can’t explain the warmth that fills me when I hear that. Many times, I’ve seen Carter compassionately care for the elderly passengers, greet families, and go out of his way to help others. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. Not all men are like him.
I step back, letting my back rest against the counter next to Carter. Shifting some of my weight to the side, I press into him. He brings his chin down to the top of my head. In silence, we stand here barely touching, but it’s all I need to blanket me in solace.
“How did you know that I like white roses?” I whisper, as the memory settles in my nostrils, filling them with hints of honey and jasmine.
“I heard you and Piper talking about flowers one day, and you mentioned that white roses were your favorite.”
I swallow hard. “They were beautiful—”
“Ready to go?” Avery calls out, walking toward us. Christian is quick to follow.
Simultaneously, Carter and I separate at the sound of her voice. I’m left wanting more, and by the way he hangs back, strolling behind Avery and Christian, I can tell he does too.
The four of us head out into the rainy Seattle weather. Avery and Christian do most of the talking while Carter and I walk in an oddly comfortable silence. We’re at a crossroads—it’s getting harder and harder to deny what’s between us. The energy is being pushed aside and will eventually combust.
I glance up at the night sky, hoping it doesn’t storm tonight. I fucking hate storms—one of the reasons why I love living in Phoenix. We get monsoons, but nothing like the weather the rest of the country receives. I’ve been exposed to it all while traveling so frequently, but that doesn’t mean I’m used to it. If anything, I’ve become more afraid of heavy thunderstorms. It doesn’t help that the night my virginity was taken from me was the night of a terrible storm—and no one heard me screaming.
The dark sky is cloudy, but the rain is only a light mist. A few minutes later, we all walk into a vibrant and crowded lounge. Luckily, we find empty couches toward the back.
Christian and Carter remain standing as Avery and I slide onto either side of the red velvet couch.
“What do you ladies want?” Carter asks, his eyes bouncing between Piper and me.
“I’ll take a dirty martini.”
“An old-fashioned for me, please.” Avery smiles.
The guys head over to the bar, leaving her and me alone.
“How are things going with your dad?”
That’s a loaded question. “As good as they can be.” I shrug. “We’re still getting to know each other. We don’t know whether we should have a father-daughter relationship or a friendship.”
She frowns and rubs my leg. “Yeah. I can see why that would be tricky.”
“He’s always trying to get me to meet his new girlfriends, and not that I don’t want to, but I’d rather spend the time getting to know him. Ya, know?”
“For sure. He’s probably trying to navigate a new normal like you are.”
“I think he feels like he has to spoil me to get me to love him. It’s like he’s trying to make up for lost time by buying me things.” I shrug my shoulders and cross one leg over the other. “And that’s not what I need. It’s important to me to get to know my dad and to have him in my life, I’m just unsure of what that looks like.”
“It’s such a delicate situation. He’ll never have that father-daughter relationship with you like he would have had if he had raised you, but what you guys have now can still be good.”
I nod. “Exactly. I’m trying to get him to realize that—”
“Hello.”
I hear an unfamiliar voice interrupt me. From over the side of my shoulder, I see a good-looking blonde guy with ice-blue eyes and bright white teeth.
“Hi,” I return, unsure.
“My name is Blake. Can my friend and I join you two beautiful ladies?” he asks, wafting a subtle scent of whiskey into my nose.
Avery opens her mouth to speak, but I talk first. Leaning back, I stick my hand out between us to introduce myself. “I’m Lina, and this is my friend Avery. We are here with two other guys, but you’re welcome to join us.”
“Nice to meet you both,” he says, straightening. A taller guy in a plaid shirt and jeans walks around the side of the couch. “ This is my friend, Craig.”
“Are you going to a rodeo in that shirt, Craig?” Avery taunts—or maybe she’s flirting? Her level of sarcasm makes it impossible to tell.
A devious smile slowly crawls across Craig’s face. “I call dibs on that one,” he says, gesturing toward Avery. Dibs on us?
“No one is calling dibs on either one of us. We’re not looking for that type of night, guys. Sorry.”
Blake slides in next to me, coiling an arm around me while I scoot closer to my friend.
“Can I help you?” That rough voice shoots a bolt of electricity up my back, and I rise from my seat on reflex. Carter and Christian have rejoined us in the small lounge area.
Blake quickly puts his hand on his lap. “Are these ladies with you?”
Christian opens his mouth to speak, but Carter cuts him off.
“Yes. They are.” His tone is clipped and threatening.
Christian hands Avery her drink and then turns to them. “You’re more than welcome to stay and hang out—don’t try to hit on our friends,” he warns.
Craig cocks his head to the side. “We’ll leave.”
Blake turns and makes eye contact with me. “Can I give you my number—”
“No.” Carter’s face hardens.
Before I respond, Blake and his friend walk away, presumably to their table. Was that jealousy that I saw? I’m all about the sweet protectiveness of him, but I am my own woman and can answer for myself.
I turn, rise to my feet, and take two steps toward Carter, leaning in close to his ear. I grab my drink from his hand, then whisper, “That is not your decision.”
As I pull away and fall back onto the couch, I notice a smirk on Carter’s face. What the hell is so amusing?
Carter calmly sits in the spot next to me. He’s close enough that his legs are pushed against mine. They’re warm, causing my pussy to clench. I flash with the memory of the library and the feeling of his mouth tasting my insides. Bracing himself on the back of the couch, he twists over me, caging me in between his large arms.
I withdraw, mirroring his movements until my back is flush against the scratchy fabric.
He slowly brings his lips to the side of my face. His breath dusts all the way up to my earlobe. “I licked it, baby. It’s mine.”
I feel my eyes grow wide as my air is cut off.
My head slowly turns to the side, falling into his line of sight. Our eyes meet, his nose barely touching mine. “What did you say?” The smooth sounds of a saxophone and an upright bass send vibrations along my bones as my brain catches up to what Carter said.
“You heard me.” His voice is thick with confidence.
Now it’s real.
Panic grows as he gives life to our little secret. Something we both knew but hadn't verbalized it. Not to one another, at least. I don’t know what to feel. Maybe I thought a part of me wasn’t sure and hoped it was him, but I didn’t want to admit it to myself. Both of us keeping it quiet was one thing, almost like I didn’t let him know that I knew it was him—which made it nearly unreal. It’s a little fantasy I could live with. Countless emotions bowl me over.
“I did hear you.” I evaluate my voice, but it barely comes out higher than a whisper above the live jazz band. “I knew it was you. How could you do that to me?”
“You liked it.”
Oh god. It’s real. We did that. I can’t let him know I fucking loved it. Or that I crave to have his mouth back on me every minute of every day since that night. That would be admitting to what we did more than just a lapse of judgment or alcohol induced—which would be easier to excuse, I guess?
My palms sweat as I turn away from him and to Avery. “I’m going to walk back to the hotel. I’m still under the weather.”
She frowns. “Bummer, okay.” She frowns again and starts to slide off the couch. “I’ll head back with you.”
I’m frustrated, but it doesn’t mean Avery has to leave too. Our hotel is only a block away, so I can go by myself. I duck my head under Carter’s extended arm, then scoot my body over. “No, babe, stay. I’ll be fine.”
Carter watches me lift off the couch in silence.
“You’re not walking back to the hotel by yourself at night.” Avery arches an eyebrow. “Even if it’s only a block down.”
Carter presses a gentle but firm hand on my lower back. “I’ll walk you. I’m ready to go anyway.” Of course, he will .
My mind is swirling, and all I want to do is put some space between us so I can have a moment to think. “Fine. Let’s go.”
As soon as we’re thrust out of the dark lounge and into the damp, cool air, I spin on my heels. “Now that this is out in the open, why the hell did you do that? What if I really didn’t know it was you? ”
I don’t know how to feel or act right now, and knowing it was Carter down there made it a thousand times better. But I can’t have these feelings about him.
“I asked you to tell me to stop.” He brings his index finger and thumb to my chin, tilting my head up. I stare up at him, towering over me.
“I thought you were Max.” Desperation fills my voice.
He slowly shakes his head, keeping me firmly in his grasp. “No. You didn’t.”
“Yes. I did.” My words are weak. A fat raindrop falls directly into my open eye, causing me to blink a few times.
The corner of his mouth slightly lifts. “You knew it was me the second I entered that library.”
I hate that he’s fucking right. And I hate that he finds it so fucking funny. If I knew for sure that it was Max, I wouldn’t have let him touch me like that. I let it happen because I knew it was Carter. The raindrops become heavier and more frequent.
“Fine! I knew it was you,” I admit, my face is now wet. Water rolls down my face and Carter’s. “Why did you do it?”
“I was going to play around—but then I felt you, tasted you, and nothing was going to stop me from finishing, especially when you let me.” The firmness of his face is breathtaking. “That was my one chance to be with you without acknowledging it.”
His words feel like hot lava as they travel through my ears. We’ve been trying to suppress the undeniable attraction for so long. “It was wrong, Carter.”
“You didn’t stop me.” Puffs of air escape his mouth as his breathing picks up. “And I loved every goddamn minute of it.”
My heart falls from my chest. Now, the rain isn’t the only thing making my body wet. My panties are soaked with desire— need . Panting and drenched from the rain, I bring my hand to Carter’s cheek.
Without a word, he slowly dips his head down, stopping before reaching my lips. I can barely see him in this downpour. I raise my tiptoes, connecting my mouth with his. A light shock hits my bottom lip, and I lean in for more. He’s hesitant at first, but then his palms reach up to cup both sides of my face.
I no longer hear the tapping from the rain or the street cars driving past us.
Everything goes silent.
Carter’s warm, slick lips glide over mine while my body shrinks into his. With a gentle force, he pulls me closer like he’s afraid I’ll float away. A kiss so deep and desperate I forget to breathe.
A short murmur escapes between our tightly connected mouths before a hungry urge overtakes me. I swing both arms around him, gripping the back of his head, deepening our kiss. Carter’s tongue moves around my mouth like he already has it mapped. My knees weaken. My thoughts cloud.
Yanked back into reality, he pulls back. Our clothes are soaked while we stand less than a foot apart. His eyes are as wide as mine feel, and the expression on his face tells me everything he’s thinking.
“This isn’t a good idea,” he says through labored breaths.
Now wet and cold, I wrap my arms around my shoulders. “You can go down on me, but you can’t kiss me?” I reply. How is this worse than his tongue between my legs? There is something between us, and I know there shouldn’t be, but I won’t deny it anymore. All the decisions I make with Carter are calculated and thoughtful.
“I don’t know.” He wipes the wetness from his face. “I can’t think straight.”
Defeated, my posture falls. What am I thinking? It’s not like me to get hung up on someone. This is a terrible idea. We can’t give in. It’s not okay. “You’re right.”
He removes his jacket and slips it around my back. Tucking myself under his arm, he ushers me toward our hotel. By the time we get back to the lobby, I’m shivering, but I stay safely in his arms until we reach the door to my room.
“You should probably get in the to warm up. I don’t want you to get sick again,” he tells me.
I remove my keycard from my purse, then turn to him, still wearing his jacket. “Do you want this back?”
“I do, as long as you don’t wipe your nose on it again.”
I smile. “I won’t.”
“Good night.” His voice is low when he turns and walks down the hall. I stand at my door, watching him with an ache in the pit of my stomach. He flashes me a quick smile before entering through a door only a few rooms away. I make a mental note of which blue door he walks into .
When I get into my room, I take a hot shower. After getting out, I text Avery to tell her I made it back safely. She replies that Christian is walking her to her room right now.
I change and crawl into bed—thunder pounds on the outside of the windows. My body hums and my lips still tingle from our powerful kiss. It makes me anxious and on edge. Already in an active and alert state, I restlessly toss and turn in bed.
What would I give to kiss him again? Fucking anything. I think to myself, blocking out the cracks of lightning and the bellowing rain outside. Thunderstorms like these always take me back to the night in high school, which I’ve tried to forget for years.