Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
CARSON
“What the fuck?” Flynn snarled, and then he was on me, his forearm pressed against my neck, my back against the wall near the refrigerator.
The only reason it had even gotten to this point, was that I let him.
Flynn deserved the first punch, maybe the second.
After all, if I had walked into my sister’s house and seen my so-called friend with Cora, I’d have an issue.
Then again, Cora always made better decisions than I did.
“I let you have that one, but that’s it,” I said softly, grateful that I could even breathe with the pressure at my neck. I had taught Flynn well, after all.
“Ease up, Flynn,” James warned as he moved forward and put his hand on his brother’s shoulder.
He still glared at me, however. I was not out of the doghouse.
Not that I deserved it. I had just slept with their sister, and now stood in nothing but my pants, still smelling of sex, while in her kitchen.
“I can’t believe you fucking touched her. My sister.”
James pulled his brother back, a scowl on his face. “Flynn. Stop. We’re going to wake the girls. That’s why we walked in without ringing the doorbell to begin with.”
Flynn moved closer again, the snarl on his face deepening.
“Flynn? James? What are you guys doing here? Oh my God. Get off Carson. What the hell do you think you’re doing?
” Sophia came in then and pushed herself between Flynn and me.
She lifted her chin, not a single ounce of fear in her body, and I cursed.
With one movement, I twisted Flynn’s wrist not to give pain, but so he would move back, and gently pushed Sophia to the side.
“Don’t put yourself in between us,” I ordered.
“Don’t tell my sister what to do,” Flynn snapped.
“Sophia? What’s going on?” James asked.
I looked between the three of them and held back a curse. What the hell had I been thinking? No, I hadn’t been thinking. That was the problem.
Here I stood in Sophia’s homey kitchen, with her large island and deep green lower cabinets with lighter glass cabinets above, and felt as if I had never been more out of place.
I knew I shouldn’t have touched Sophia. Hell, I had told myself repeatedly that I should walk away.
But over a year ago, I had seen her and had wanted to hold her.
I’d wanted so much more. All because I saw the fire in her, and that connection had clicked in an instant.
It shouldn’t matter though, because when it came to Sophia Cage, I was not the right person for her.
And yet here I was, taking what I wanted because I was just as much of a fucking asshole as everyone had always accused me of being.
The moment that I wanted something I took it. I had either worked hard for it, or called it my own by right.
It was just how I had built my business, my gym, and my friend circle. I had done everything in my power to create what was mine, and hadn’t let the consequences matter.
Clearly they did.
Because here Sophia stood in her home, her hair looking as if I had run my hands through it for the hours that I had, her lips swollen, her legs bare, and she was here, standing up for me.
As if I had any claim to that heart of hers.
As if I had earned her protection. But I hadn’t.
I had been the one to pursue. I was the one here now, and I would be the one to deal with the consequences.
Sophia waited. No matter what I did, Sophia would have to be safe.
I might not be able to promise her forever, or even beyond this moment, but I could promise her that.
“So? Is anybody going to answer me?”
“We were just checking on you,” James said simply, as if there were anything simple about what was happening.
“By breaking into my home?”
“And you just let him in?” Flynn asked, the derision in his tone hurting more than it should. They were my friends, but then again, I’d gone behind their back and slept with their sister. I deserved a punch and hadn’t gotten it yet.
“We weren’t breaking into your home,” James said softly. “We didn’t want to wake the girls. And when you didn’t answer your phone or your door, we got worried.” James met my gaze and glared. “Clearly we were unaware of the changes in circumstances.”
“As in our friend taking advantage of our sister.”
“You’re lucky that I’m trying to be quiet because I don’t want to wake the girls, but don’t you ever say anything like that again,” Sophia said softly, her voice fierce. “What happens between Carson and me has nothing to do with you.”
“So something is happening?” Flynn asked.
“As if you couldn’t see it for yourself?” I drawled.
Sophia elbowed me in the stomach, though it didn’t do much. I looked down at her, and she glared up at me. “You’re not helping.”
“What is there to help? I sullied their perfect sister.” I leaned forward and brushed my thumb along her jaw. “But I’m not sorry about it.”
“Stop touching her,” Flynn bit out.
“What the hell is happening here?” James asked.
“It’s none of your business,” Sophia said. “We are two adults, and again, none of your business.”
“It is our business. You don’t know what Sophia—” Flynn stopped himself, and Sophia stepped in front of me.
I put my hand on her shoulder to steady her, because I knew she shook, but from the way that both Flynn and James glared at that action, I knew it was a mistake.
But not for her. And whatever happened, Sophia was the important one here.
I might have just broken my friendship, potential business assets, and so much more, but I would not break Sophia.
“Don’t. I might have made a terrible decision once, but I will not make that same mistake again.”
Both faces paled, and James swallowed hard before holding up his hands. “That is not what we meant.” He looked over at Flynn and raised a brow. “Correct?”
“Right.” Flynn nodded tightly, and then glared at me. “We’re just worried about you.”
“Then don’t be. I’m sorry I didn’t answer a text, or the door. Although it is late enough that maybe I was sleeping. Or, I don’t know, being an adult and having an evening to myself. But don’t worry, it’s never happening again.”
The certainty of her tone slapped at me, but it was nothing I didn’t already know. It was what we had already decided. So I nodded and stared at both of them. “I’m sorry that you walked in on me in her kitchen getting water. Now, if someone will point me to the broom, I’ll clean up my mess.”
Sophia whirled at me, and I reached for her, so she didn’t step to the side and onto the broken glass with her bare feet. “Watch out. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“So now you care,” Flynn muttered.
Sophia went to turn and say something to her brother, but I kept her steady. “Broom?”
“You don’t have to clean this up.”
I knew she wasn’t speaking of just the glass, but I had a feeling there wasn’t much to fix after this.
“Sophia. Go put on clothes, and I’ll clean this up, and then I’ll leave. I’m sorry for hurting your brothers.”
She studied my face, her eyes covering every inch, before she nodded tightly, her throat moving as she swallowed hard. “Fine. Thank you for reading to the girls.”
And with that, she moved towards her bedroom, ignoring her brothers completely.
I didn’t glance at them as I went to the pantry, and was grateful that I happened to find the broom as nobody had pointed the damn thing out to me.
James was already on the ground, picking up the large pieces and using a paper towel.
We each worked to clean up my mess, at least this part of it.
“Why don’t you walk outside with me once you find your damn shirt,” Flynn said softly.
“Flynn—” James began.
“No, that’s fine. I’ll meet you outside.”
“If you kill each other, it will only make things worse.” James shook his head and helped me take care of the rest of the broken glass.
“I’m not going to kill him. I like your brother, contrary to what it may be looking like at this moment.”
“You didn’t like me enough to stay away from my sister.”
“I wasn’t aware I was warned off from her. Next time maybe you should be a little more territorial when it comes to your family. Then again, I never did like rules.”
“You are not this much of a psychopathic asshole,” James said with a dramatic sigh.
“Go put on your shirt, get your things, and talk calmly to Flynn. Neither one of you are going to hurt one another. That would just harm Sophia and the rest of this family. However, we both know that you being in this house right now isn’t going to help anything.
Especially since Sophia seems to have already said her goodbyes. ”
With a glance at both of them, I moved back to the bedroom, knowing that tonight hadn’t ended how I wanted, but perhaps it was for the best. Sophia stood there now, in soft linen pants and a tank top, her arms folded underneath her breasts. She’d put her hair up in a bun. “I’m sorry about them.”
“Don’t be. It’s good you have people in your corner.”
“You say that, and yet, I’m not used to people walking into my house to be so growly and protective.”
I reached forward and cupped her face. “It’s okay that you do.”
“I…” She blushed. “I had a lovely time tonight. If we ignore the whole brawl that was about to happen in my kitchen.”
I leaned forward and took her lips with mine. Just a gentle kiss, a caress, a goodbye. “I had a good time tonight too, Sophia. I’ll never forget.”
She studied my face but I couldn’t read her eyes. Maybe that was for the best. “Considering you are so entwined with my family, I don’t think I’m going to be able to forget either.”
I let my thumb glide over her lower lip, loving the way her mouth parted.
“Thank you. For tonight. For sharing yourself and part of your evening with me. Those little girls are amazing.”
Sophia’s entire face brightened. “They really are, aren’t they? I just… I’m not good at this.”
“Neither am I. I’ll fix this with your brothers. They’re not going to hurt you.”
“They never would. I just don’t want them to hurt you.” She hooked her fingers into my belt loops, and I leaned down, pressing my forehead against hers.
“It was a pretty damn good evening even if it was just for one night.”
“I guess you’re right about that. I’ll see you around, Carson Woods.”
I kissed her again, because I couldn’t help it.
“You too, Sophia Cage.” And then I shifted back and grabbed my clothes. I quickly dressed as I walked out through the kitchen, and then to the porch. James had clearly stayed in the house to grill Sophia, or maybe just to comfort her since I was leaving like the recluse that I was.
Flynn stood by my car, arms folded over his chest much like Sophia’s had been.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You slept with her?”
“We both wanted each other, and we both said it would be just for one night. There were no broken or hurt feelings until you walked in and embarrassed your sister.” The snap in my voice increased, and I realized that’s why I was angry. Or at least part of why.
Yes, I would regret walking away, but it was the smart choice.
But they had embarrassed her, and I couldn’t let that slide.
“You’re a fucking asshole. You’ve told me more than once that you don’t want to settle down. That you don’t see yourself as a one-woman man. Or even someone who wants a relationship. And then you go and sleep with my sister.”
“Sophia is a grown woman and we both made a choice.”
“And you were never going to tell us?”
“Why would I tell you about what your sister and I do? It’s none of your business.”
“She’s family. Of course it’s my business.”
“You say that, and yet you’re never going to tell your family about—”
Flynn’s fist slammed into my jaw. I regretted the words as soon as they were out, and I staggered back, knowing I deserved the hit.
“I’m sorry.” I held up both hands. “I won’t mention it. I’m sorry,” I reiterated.
“Don’t you ever…” Flynn’s hands shook as he took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders back. “I didn’t see what Cale was doing until it was too late.” He held up his hand before I could snap out my anger. “And I know you would never do what he did. But she’s still in a vulnerable place.”
“And she’s a woman. Who asks and gets what she wants.”
“I like you, Carson. I really do. But I don’t want my sister to get hurt.”
“And I don’t want to be the one that hurts her.”
And with that, I pushed past him and got into my car. As I drove away, I watched Flynn stand there, his hands in his pockets, looking far more defeated than even I felt.
I knew I should have never gotten close to Sophia, and I would regret part of it till the end of my days. But I would never regret touching her. Being with her.
Walking away however? This was what would break me more than ever.
My phone rang as I turned towards the highway, and I answered on Bluetooth. “Cora? Are you okay?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Just hadn’t heard your voice in a couple of days. Juliet is working, and I was craving ice cream. I thought maybe my big brother would want to come over and have a sundae with me?”
“What happened?” I asked, knowing she wouldn’t just call out of the blue and invite me over like this.
“Mom called. I answered because I’m an idiot. She didn’t say anything new, but I really want ice cream.”
“I’ll be there soon. I promise.”
“I know you will. I love you, big bro.”
And just like that, she believed in me. Because she could trust me.
But she couldn’t trust our family. No matter what she did to reach out, to try to prove to them that she was worthy of their love, they hit back, and they proved that they were nothing in comparison.
And that was why I would never settle down. I would never give in as Cora had with Juliet. Those two were luckier than most.
Love and family would break you. I had my sister, and I would protect her to the end of the earth. Just like Flynn and James were doing with Sophia.
They were doing the right thing by protecting her. And if I made a move towards Sophia again, or gave in to the temptation burning within, I knew it would only break us. Because one of us would disappoint the other, and then it would be all for naught.
No, this was better. A single taste, a single touch. And now I was walking away. But why did it feel like I was making another mistake? One that would possibly break both of us in the end?