Chasing Love (Dark Love Series)

Nine Years Ago

There were a million and one jackhammers going off inside my head. Why on earth did I drink that spiked punch? Oh, that’s right, because I had kissed my best friend’s brother.

My best friend’s married brother.

I was so fucking screwed.

I had no time to lay there and think about what I’d done. The house was trashed, and we had three hours to have it back to its original condition or Adriana was toast.

“Morning, Charlie. Would you like a cup of coffee before you start?” Elijah offered.

I looked around, surprised and secretly pleased that he’d done a lot already. God, he was such a good boyfriend. “Wow, you’ve already done so much.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t have Adriana grounded on her eighteenth birthday. What kind of boyfriend would I be?”

I patted him on the back. He was such a great guy.

“Okay, so the kitchen is done. I’ll tackle the rest of the house if you attempt the pool house and pool.” He laughed, knowing he’d left the worst part for me.

I pouted as I walked to the door, opening it to welcome the cool, fresh air. Fuck, the backyard was trashed. I grabbed a garbage bag, walking around placing all the garbage inside. I cleaned up the grassed area, which took me ages, then headed to the pool house. As I walked in, my mouth dropped. The bed was unmade, and sheets were strewn all over the floor. Empty cups lie around the room.

Urgh, and condom wrappers were on the floor.

I seriously didn’t want to think about what I could catch in there right now.

“Looks like someone had a good time in here last night… twice.” Alex laughed. “Wow, four times.”

I’d have no choice but to turn around and face him. Act mature, be a nice friend. That’s all you were.

As I slowly turned, he stood there leaning against the doorframe. He was in his sweats looking like a fucking god. It did nothing to make me regret what happened last night. I felt stupid standing there in my boxers and Ugg boots.

“Well, someone isn’t going to have a good time right now, and that would be me. This is rancid.”

Alex helped me clean up the room, stripping the bed and replacing the sheets. We worked in silence. It was better that way. I didn’t want to talk about last night. We said it wouldn’t happen again, and I was sticking to my word, but damn, he looked amazing.

Alex grabbed a tissue to pick up the used condom under the bed. He held it up in front of me, and I was mortified.

“Eww!” I squirmed, but he continued to dangle it there, laughing as he did. I ran to the bathroom as he followed me, but sense prevailed, and he placed it in the trash. Then he scrubbed his hands vigorously.

“Wash them real good,” I told him. “Oh God, that was nasty.”

He smirked, still washing his hands. “I bet you would be thinking differently if it belonged to Justin Timberlake.”

“Well, dang, he wouldn’t be wearing one if he were with me.”

Alex laughed and splashed me with the water and I screamed at the coldness.

“Now I’m wet!”

He turned the tap off, drying his hands on the towel hanging on the rack. “Weren’t you before?”

“Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?” I teased as I walked back into the room.

Suddenly, I felt his arms around my waist, my body stiffening in his embrace. He leaned into my neck and whispered in my ear, “Yes, I would, Charlotte. You don’t know how much.” His lips brushed against my skin, and succumbing to my desires, I allowed him to do it. Reaching my arm up behind, I pulled him into me. His hands were still around my waist, then I felt them slowly move up to my breasts. I waited in anticipation before I heard a commotion outside. Like a splash of cold water, we pulled away from each other.

I grabbed the garbage bag and pretended to pick up trash as Alex looked at me with a satisfied smirk before walking out of the pool house.

I heard the voices—it was Sam and Adriana.

“Adriana, seriously, we need to get cracking. Andrew and Emily will blow up, and you’ll be grounded for a year if they see the house like this.”

“I know, I know. The house is done. It’s just the pool now.”

“What about the pool house?”

“Charlotte did it,” Alex lied. “I just showed her where to find the spare sheets.”

“Eww, like people fucked in there?” Sam complained.

“I know,” Adriana wailed. “I’m never drinking again. Or throwing a party.”

“Wait till you get to college,” Sam snickered. “The parties there are wicked.”

“That’s what I’ve heard. I better go find Elijah.”

I heard Adriana walk away as I pretended to clean, hoping they would leave.

“Nice influence, Samantha,” I heard Alex say. “Is that really how you want to tell an eighteen-year-old to spend her time in college?”

“It’s more fun than staying in Carmel,” she bit back sarcastically.

“You want to bring that up again?”

“Fuck, Alex. How can I not bring that up again?” she argued back. “I’m tired of this boring place. Being married doesn’t mean you have to stay at home every day. I miss the city. I miss the crazy parties and the drinking.”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’m going to finish cleaning.”

“No, I’m sick of you not wanting to talk or do anything for that matter.” Her voice was loud, carrying through the eerily quiet backyard. “God, I even miss the fucking around. It’s like you came here and became a celibate doctor. Do you realize we haven’t fucked in like a month? Even then, it was a pity fuck. I had to beg you for it.”

“Don’t do this now,” he warned.

“I’m so sick of our marriage, Alex. It’s turned stale.” I heard her storm off.

I stood there awkwardly, trying to take it all in. The door opened, and I shuffled to the bedside, pretending to clean. He came up behind me again, turning me around quickly and he crashed his lips onto mine. I dropped the garbage bag and wrapped my arms around his neck. He tasted so good. I kissed him faster, the urgency and thrill of wanting more. As we slowly stopped to catch our breath, he looked me in the eyes.

“It’s you, Charlotte. You’re the reason behind what she said outside. All I think about is you. I don’t want to stop this. Do you trust me?” he pleaded.

I didn’t know what I was thinking. I didn’t know why I believed him, but I couldn’t help but tell the truth, lay my feelings out in front of him.

“I trust you, Alex,” I whispered, my lips brushing against his. “More than anyone else in my life.”