12. Wood
Chapter twelve
Wood
Owen
Blowing off the last fragments of dust from my workbench, I feel the grain of the wood beneath my fingers. It feels good. Smooth and warm from the heat of my hands working the tools, getting the design just right. There’s something I love about working with my hands. I’ve always loved it. I don’t think when I work on a project; I like that it can take me away from the invading thoughts, especially lately. I need the peace it brings me.
I’ve not seen Charlie all weekend.
Fuck, I hope she likes it. It’s taken me weeks to complete. In between everything I have going on, I’ve been working on this, as a little surprise for her. After three failed attempts to craft the delicate magnolia flower from oak, I finished it today.
Looking up, I catch a glimpse of Cole's green truck when he pulls up to the side of the house. What’s he doing here? Turning round, I knock my drill off the workbench. The noise it makes causes me to flinch and stumble backwards. My breath gets stuck in my throat, choking me for a split second before I realise it was just the drill. Steadying myself on the wooden surface, I take some calming breaths. This is getting out of hand.
Taking the newly carved sign for Charlie, I place it under a towel to keep it from prying eyes. I want hers to be the first to see it. I still need to apply the oil and attach it to wall fixing I’ve had made for her. It will be as unique as she is when it’s finished.
I wanted to give her something special. The way she’s handled all the work that’s been done in the shop, as well as starting a new business on her own is inspiring. Charlie’s already got orders for when she opens in a weeks’ time. I know she’s excited about the opening event she’s been planning with Millie.
Sliding the sign back against the wall, Cole’s frame comes into view, walking into the attached garage I’ve converted into my workshop.
Frowning at him, I start to clear away the shavings and tools.
“Thought I’d check in,” he says, looking around.
“Not you too?” This is getting stupid. I don’t need to be checked on like a child. Leon's been on my case. No matter how many times I tell him I’m fine, he still asks the question.
It’s what good friends do.
“What do you mean? I’ve been away on a job for the last week. I’ve not seen you, man.”
“Right, sorry.” Fuck, I’ve not even noticed he’s not been around. Now I feel like shit.
“I had today planned out: the open road, my bike, and a pub lunch.”
“What changed?” I ask, sweeping up the last few bits into the bin.
“My bike had other ideas. It’s in the shop being repaired.” He looks miserable at the thought.
“You not doing it yourself?”
“Nah, I’ve got my mate doing it. He owed me a favour.” Fixing bikes for Cole is like me working with wood. He loves it.
“I thought I’d come to pester your ass instead. What you been making?”
“Nothing much, just working on my carving technique. It’s not gone well,” I say, pointing to the pile of broken wood in the corner that will now be used in the fire pit.
“Better than I could do. Do you remember when you tried to teach me?” I do vividly.
“Never again. You ruined almost all of my tools. You’re lucky you’re allowed to set foot in here.” Yet give him a bike and he can fix it, no matter how intricate the work is.
“What were you trying to carve? It looks complicated. A flower?”
“Yeah, I thought I would to start easy. Apparently, it's not as easy as it looks.” Looking me over, he’s sussing me out.
“You did it though, didn’t you? You did it, and you don’t want to show anyone.” Moving to stand in front of the covered sign, Cole catches what I’m doing and laughs.
“Let me see. I bet it looks badass.” Cole’s the youngest of us all. He was only on his second tour when our unit was ambushed on our last mission in Afghanistan. There was no way I was going to leave him behind.
“No way. You’ll see it soon enough,” I say. Taking the hint, he moves to lean against the bench.
“How’s things with Charlie? Leon said it was serious.”
“Fuck, that dick’s the biggest gossip.” we all know it. I had no hope of ever keeping us a secret. It’ll just make it harder.
“If you're up for it, I thought we could head out to the pub. Mike's got a new mega club sandwich I want to try.”
“What the hell is a mega club sandwich?”
“Three layers of sourdough bread, avocado, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, salad, and chips on the side.” He licks his lips like he can taste it already.
“Fuck, that sounds good, but you can take the Avocado out. I’ll have extra bacon.”
“Deal. Let’s go.”
“Edward, it’s good to see you.” I shake his hand as we sit at my desk, a little more relaxed than we normally would be for a business meeting, but I’ve known Edward for some time. We work in security and our paths cross from time to time.
“You too. How are things?” Ed asks. We have so many NDAs between us, we need to keep it simple.
“Good, busy, but good,” I reply. I have no idea why he’s here today. This is unlike him. He even made an appointment, but gave no details as to what it’s about. “Everything okay?” I add, prompting him a little.
“Not sure. I may need your help.” His brows drawn together as he leans forwards.
“May? What’s happened?” I’m confused. Usually it’s a we do or don’t have a job, never a maybe.
“The guy I’m working for, he’s recently taken on a new business partner.”
“Let me bring in Leon, so I don’t have to relay this info later.” Picking up the phone on my desk, I dial the number for Leon. “Can you come into my office? Edward’s here,” I say when he picks up.
“On my way.”
A few minutes later, Leon walks in, sitting across from Edward, on the other side of my desk.
“Carry on, Ed. What’s been happening?” I nod as Leon gets comfy.
“That’s the confusing thing, I don’t know. I just feel like I’m going to need you soon.”
“Why? Are you stepping away from the family?” Ed’s been head of security for the same family for a long time. He and his team cover it all. Family, house, events, away, everything.
“No, I couldn’t. She’s like a daughter to me.”
“Okay? Sorry, Ed, I’m not getting it.” Me and Leon share a look. This is out of character for him. He’s usually on point with what he knows.
“I know. I’d like to keep you on retainer. This new partner of my boss, he’s had some ideas I’m not happy about. Nothing set in stone, but I’d like a back up plan in place just in case.”
“And you want us to be your back up plan? What about your team?” Stress shows on his face and he hangs his head slightly, giving it a slight shake as he says, “It can’t be my team. I’ll need an external team for this.”
“Okay,” I say again.
“Look, I know it’s not much to go on, and I’ll tell you more if and when things change. If I have you on retainer, how quick can you get cover for someone when it’s needed?”
“We can have a full schedule worked out in a few weeks once we know what we’re dealing with,” Leon says. I only nod in agreement, still confused as fuck.
“I can work with that. Thanks Guys.”
“I’m confused, Ed. What happening?” Leon adds. I’m glad it’s not just me.
“All I know is that this new guy has other ideas about the security we have in place, and for whatever reason, my boss is listening. I can’t let her out in this world without some sort of protection, and I know Cerberus are the best.”
“Then you have us on retainer whenever you need us.”
“Agreed,” Leon says.
“Thanks. Look, I need to get going. Send me over any paperwork I need to fill out. I’ll get it back to you in a few days.”
“Done. You can count on us, Ed.” he’s up and out the door before we can say a proper goodbye.
“What do you think of that?” Leon looks as baffled as I do.
“No idea. We just need to make sure you can be free when he needs you.”
“Yeah, you mean us, not me personally.” he laughs.
“Sure, maybe put Cole on it. He’s been doing loads of aways jobs. He might like the change to a few local jobs when they turn up.”
“Done, done and done.”
The light’s fading when I walk into Charlie’s, the night sky growing darker. I fucking love watching her; she’s graceful in everything she does. Even standing on a dining chair reaching to hang a picture on the wall behind the table.
Her long slender figure’s striking. My eyebrow arches when she lifts onto one leg, extending further onto her toes to reach a little further, pressing the frame to the wall.
My tongue darts out to lick my lips when the shirt she’s wearing rides up her creamy thighs, revealing her perfect peach of an arse in a thong. My cock is instantly screaming at me to be released.
Not saying a word until she steps down, I walk a little closer. “Hey, Angel”
“Hey yourself, OG,” she says, with a small gasp. I think she may be getting used to me just turning up.
“Fancy telling me what that means yet?” she smirks, shaking her head. I can think of a few ways to get the information out of her.
“It’s what I have you saved as in my phone as,” she says, moving to the opposite side of the table, trying to set some distance. I think she knows what’s coming.
“I know,” I tell her, placing my hands on the table, my eyes focused on her.
“You do? Do you know it’s something you do very well?” I’m getting a better idea of what it could be just from the way she’s crossed her legs, squeezing her smooth thighs together.
“And what do I do very well, Angel?” I tease, following her around the table. My dick loving the chase.
“Many things, Owen. Many, many things, but this one is specifically in relation to me.” She smiles, standing behind the chair that’s now separating us, the room crackling with tension.
“Hm, is it something between the two of us? Something only I’m going to give you?”
“Fuck, you know, don’t you?” she’s breathing heavily, a sure sign she’s as turned on as I am.
“No, but I’m guessing it has something to do with the way you’re pressing your thighs together right now.” Spinning the chair to face her, I stand in front of it.
“Maybe?” she says, as I sit down and pull her between my thighs. Slowly unbuttoning the shirt she’s covered herself up with.
“The way your breathing has escalated, just at the thought.” Undoing the last button, I pull it apart to see her. Fuck, she's stunning, she’s everything.
“Maybe.” She’s almost panting now, I place my lips on her stomach, pulling her closer, my hands on her bare arse. The need to dominate her is overwhelming. It’s even better that I know she’ll let me. Licking my way up, she gasps when I take her nipple between my teeth and pull.
“How you’re already wet for me?” I add, moving slowly over to the other nipple, drawing it into my mouth, circling it with the flat of my tongue.
“Maybe…” she whimpers
“Soaked, there’s no maybe about it. I know you are. I know how I make you feel. I know that I’m the only one going to give it to you.” Tracing my fingers lower over her abdomen, she moans, tilting her head back.
“You are…” she breathes out, as I stroke my fingers over her silk thong, feeling just how wet she is for me.
“I am what, Charlie?”
“You’re the only one giving them to me.” Her words rushed as I press a little firmer into her clit.
“What’s the OG, Charlie?”
“Orgasm Giver.” Her words are quiet, but fuck if it doesn’t make me proud that she calls me that.
“Fuck, yes. Only me, Angel” My finger traces the wet line of her centre.
“Only you, Owen.” I remove my hand and she moans in protest.
“On your knees, Angel.” She does, no questions asked. I love that this strong woman wants to submit to me.
“Take off my jeans.” I instruct, watching her hand slide over my thighs, as she works her way towards my belt, her fingers grazing over my dick on the way. Undoing my belt, then my jeans, shifting slightly when she pulls them over my boxers, she leans forward, placing her hot lips on my cock.
Hissing out a breath, my voice rough. “Do that again, and I won’t last long enough to give you what you need, Angel.” My jeans come off, and she sits back on her heels.
“Now my boxers, slowly,” I demand. It's killing me. I want to fuck her, but seeing her like this sets me on fire.
“That’s it, good girl.” It's the first time I’ve called her it, and the reaction she gives me is pure perfection. She shivers, closing her eyes and taking the praise I’m giving her. She peels off my black boxers slowly, her eyes fixed on my erection. It’s almost painful holding back, but I want to savour this.
“Stand up.” She gracefully stands. “Strip.” Dropping the shirt to the floor, she hooks her thumbs inside the thong and glides it down her toned legs.
“You see this, Angel?” I ask, taking my cock in my hand. “This is what you do to me, every goddamn second of the day. You’re all I think about.” She is naked in front of me. Her beautiful body on full display just for me. “Turn around, Angel.” she does, looking back over her shoulder at me. Fucking hell, she’s… breaking me.
“Spread your legs.” With my cock in one hand stroking myself, I glide my fingers through her soaking wet folds. She whimpers and I watch as her legs tremble.
“Straddle me.” She’s perfect, doing as I ask without hesitation. She hovers over me, my hand reaching between her open legs. She’s soaking already. Her back to my chest, her breasts a vision as look down her beautiful body. My hand reaches for her perfectly slender neck, holding her to me. Her head tilting backwards allows me more access as my fingers dance on her throat. My heart is racing just as much as hers. Positioning myself at her entrance, my hand on her hip, I bring her down hard against me, filling her in one perfect, smooth action.
“Owen…” She groans my name out, my fingers tightening just a fraction around her neck, feeling her breath hitch just a little more, giving her time to adjust to the intrusion. Her legs spread wide over mine, she has no control, her toes grazing the floor. I push up, making her groan again, her back arching as her head rests on my shoulder. Tracing my hand over her stomach, moving down her tender skin, I feel us connected. Pressing her clit, I thrust again, her walls tightening around me like a vice.
“Fucking… fuck!”
Charlie reaches down, supporting herself with one hand on my thighs. Her other hand reaches for my balls, squeezing them, sending white-hot heat up my spine.
“Angel, fuck yes,” I yell. It’s taking everything to keep control and fuck her like she needs me to. Thrusting up into her harder, she shouts my name, so I do it again and again, my hand at her neck, holding her to me.
“Detonate, Angel. Come all over me.” Tilting her head, I kiss her hard. It’s messy and everything I want it to be. “Good girl,” I whisper into her mouth.
She grips me with her fingers, her pussy tightening as her orgasm takes over. I watch as she loses herself, taking me with her. My vision blurs, my hands holding her hips tightly to me. Pounding into her, a primal instinct takes over, fucking her harder, filling her with everything I have.
Charlie leans back against me, breathless. Gripping her chin with my hand, I turn her head, devouring her mouth with mine. She tastes just like sweets and warmth. Slipping out of her, my warm cum leaks out between us. Using my fingers, I spread it around her already slick folds. Fuck. I’m almost ready to go again. When we part her lips are swollen, my favourite look on her. Flushed and fucked. Lifting her carefully on shaky legs, I move us to the bedroom, where I watch her fall asleep.
I won’t let myself stay the night. I leave before she wakes.