9781618857958KissMeLikeYouMeanItLeveyNC (15 page)

“Here
is your water.” Carlie took the water and took a long luxurious sip. “Thanks, that
is some great water.” She wiped sweat off her brow.

“Let’s
go. I’ll run you home, then head on home early.”

Carlie
thanked her lucky stars. Things could’ve been worse. No phone, no id, no note.
Well it wasn’t like anyone was waiting for her back at Jackson’s place. She
climbed into the passenger side of a chic sporty car.

“So
are you a new resident to the area?”

“No,
just visiting friends. I’m flying home tonight or tomorrow but I’ve enjoyed
being here.”

“That’s
too bad, I enjoy new faces now and then. You can pick a station if you want.”

“That’s
all right. I’d rather just relax and figure out how I’m going to get ready in
time.”

“Big
plans?” As Sarah drove she saw how far out she came, she didn’t recognize a
damn landmark.

“My
brother’s band flew up to see another band play. My twin sister and future
sister-in-law will be here too. I’ve missed her the past few months.”

“Oh
that’s nice. What type of music?”

“Rock
and roll. Do you listen?”

“No
but my nieces are in love with a few rock bands and some rappers, although I’ll
take rock over rap. I’m more of a Journey and Bee Gees type of girl, some
Chicago too.”

“Nice
listing. I listen to everything but I’ll never tell my brother my favorite
music is country, it’d probably wound him.” Carlie looked around in confusion
wondering how she got so far off the mark.

“Hey,
it’s okay. In a few minutes you’ll see where you turned wrong. I’m glad our
town is pretty safe. I’d hate to think of one of my nieces getting hurt and
never knowing.”

“I’m
sorry. It’s just been a rough few weeks for me. How do you know where to go?”

“Rye
isn’t very big. Plus I have GPS.”

Carlie
laughed. “Thank you so much. I really am a lucky duck.” When Sarah turned a
corner, she recognized a park and sighed in relief.

“I
told you.”

“Yes,
you did. So have you always owned your store?”

“My
dad and mom owned it before me. They’ve retired to Florida so it’s all mine and
let me tell you how wonderful owning your own business is. Stressful at times
but wonderful.”

“Sounds
wonderful. Okay, you can turn on the next street and I’ll get out and punch in
the code.” Sarah followed her directions and put her car in park. Carlie dashed
out and around to the driver’s side to punch in the sequence. Wrought iron
gates swung open. She motioned for Sarah to drive through while she walked
through and waited for the door to swing close behind them. When all was secure,
she hopped back in the car. “Thanks. Okay the house is all the way up this
winding trail at the top.”

“You
should add another mile onto what you ran.” Sarah shook her head and sped up
the drive. “Beautiful land.”

“I
love it here. I have grown used to waking up to the smell of the ocean every
morning and the wind on my face when I come out to enjoy the sun.”

“Then
why leave?”

“Complicated
relationship that didn’t work out.”

“Would
that complication be the shirtless piece of sin standing in the middle of the
driveway wearing a pissed off expression?”

“What?”
Carlie snapped her head up.

“I
was wrong, make that three half naked sinful men standing in the driveway all
wearing the same expression.”

“How
about we turn around and you can take me home with you. I don’t have to go to
the gig.”

“Girlfriend,
I don’t think we’d make it to the gate in enough time. Who are they?”

Carlie
sighed. “The tall dark broody one on the end is my big brother Garrick. The one
in the middle is my twin’s boyfriend Shea and the one stalking toward us is
Jackson.”

“Ah
the complicated relationship.”

“The
one and only.” Carlie took a deep breath. “I can do this. I am brave. They,
well two of them love me.”

Sarah
laughed. “I think they’re a bit relieved to see you’re okay.”

“Yeah.
Don’t bet the farm on it. Thank you for seeing me home.”

“Safety
in numbers. I’ll get out with you and they’ll have to remain calm for a few
minutes.”

“You
are my new best friend.” Carlie gave her a devoted look of thanks and climbed
out. Jackson was on her in seconds. He spun her around and appraised her from
head to toe. She saw worry in his eyes and maybe a little panic. Followed by
ice-cold rage. Again. His jaw clenched.

“Where
have you been, princess?”

“I
went for a run.” She shrugged.

“Hear
that, bros? She went for a run.”

“I
heard loud and clear,” Garrick snapped and stepped forward to back up Jackson.

“No
wallet, no phone, and your whistle was on the bed. Clearly, you left to run
over an hour ago.” Jackson’s instant calm voice terrified her, reminded her of
the eye of a storm.

“I’m
a big girl, Jackson. I know how to get out of a bad
sitch
.
Meet this lovely lady, Sarah, she brought me home.”

“Thank
you.” He flashed her a winsome smile and turned his attention back to Carlie.
“Where were you that you needed a ride?”

“Not
that I owe you any answers. I don’t know. I kind of got a bit lost.”

“What
happened between the time you were in the camera to when you left. I texted you
a dozen times and got no answer.”

Oh hell no he didn’t. “
Wait.”
Carlie held up her hand. “No, you didn’t go there. I texted you for four days and
you finally grace me with your acerbic asshole tendencies, that you get from
your father by the way, and then have the gall to ask me why I went for a run?”

“Twin.”
Carrie came behind Carlie and stood toe to toe against Jackson. “Back off. We
have a guest. This is private.”

“It’s
okay, sis,” she said over Carrie’s shoulder. “You know what you kicked me out
of your life earlier today. Watch your security footage. I don’t think you’re
entitled to any answers from me. Now if you’ll excuse me I want to introduce my
sister to my new friend. Remember you asked me to leave. That gets your shit out
of my perspective.”

Jackson
spun away and stormed into the house. Garrick and Shea followed behind him.
Carlie heaved a sigh of relief and turned to Sarah. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s
all good. I need to get going in a few. If it’s any consolation, as an outsider,
that man is so far gone I doubt he wants you out of his life.”

“Yeah,
well tell that to his brain.” Carlie hugged her. “This is my sister Carrie.
Carrie, Sarah, who is an awesome people savior. Next time I’m in town I’ll come
to your store by car. I’d invite you in but it’s not my house and I have a
feeling they’re not done with me.”

“Aww,
sis. I totally have your back, besides we have to go soon.”

“Bye.”

“Thanks
again.” Carlie watched Sarah get in her vehicle and drive away.

“So
how far out were you this time?”

“I
ran fifteen miles without knowing how far I’d veered off the path. I was so
pissed off after Jackson’s father left.” Carrie knew how distracted she got at
times when running. She had hoped no one else in the family noticed her long
absences.

“Oh
crap, he’s a rat bastard. I’m sorry.” Carrie hugged her. “Let’s go inside, you,
stinky lady, need a shower. I’ll pick out an outfit for you.”

“You
are the
bestest
and I’ve missed you so damn much.
Let’s go to the same college this time and get an apartment together. No
plastic bitches allowed.”

“I
don’t know if I’m going back, but I’ll room with you so long as we’re not far
from home. Or you could come home and figure out what you want to do, finish
your online classes home with me, Garrick, Mom and Dad. Plus Jordan is dying to
make sure you’re okay.”

“I’ll
think about it. I’m going to miss being here. I love the East Coast, sis, more
than the Midwest.”

“Well
let’s go get you a shower. The rest will work itself out somehow.”

As
they entered the house, she put a finger up to Garrick. “I’m a grown ass woman,
you have to stop getting all possessive and protective. I am fine. Same for you,
Shea. And you, Jackson, I just don’t have the energy to deal with right now.
I’m going to take a shower so we can head to the gig. When we return, I will
pack and be out of your life. Don’t follow me.” She dashed up the stairs to get
ready.

Chapter Seven

“Dude,
what part of don’t defile my sister did you not get?”

“I
kept my word, bro.”

“Really,
cuz
all I see is my sister is a hot mess and you aren’t
faring any better than she is.”

“Yeah,
well take that up with her. Not me.” He loved Garrick like a brother but some
things weren’t his damn business.

“I’m
taking it up with you. What the fuck! There are a million women you can fuck.
You don’t do relationships. Ever. She isn’t strong enough to get over you.”

“What
the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“The
only emotion you show is when you’re playing. I don’t want to pick the broken
pieces of her up when you walk away, and you will walk. It’s been your pattern
for years.”

“You’re
worrying for nothing. She is free to leave when she wants and I imagine she’ll
be leaving soon.” He wasn’t prepared for the
fist
Garrick slammed in his face. Jackson’s head snapped and blood spurted from his
lip. He let Garrick get another hit in.

“Stop
it,” Carrie screamed. “Shea do something.”

Her
boyfriend stepped between them for a moment. “Chill out, Garrick.”

“Garrick.
Stop. Please.”
Nevaeh
put a hand on her baby bump and
blew out a breath. “I go to take a quick nap and all I hear is fighting.
Stressing me out isn’t good for the baby.”

Garrick
lunged for Jackson again but stopped at her words. “You’re right, doll, I’m
sorry.”

Jackson
felt like a heel and backed down. “Sorry, Nev.”

Carlie
came barreling back down the stairs wrapped in a towel. One look at her
dripping wet body and flushed face and he wanted to take the towel and fuck her
even though he was pissed as hell. “I can’t even get in the shower. What is
wrong with you two? Ya’ll are like brothers.” She noticed
Nev
and lowered her tone. “Garrick, he did not do anything to me. I messed up big, and
now because of that stupid promise he made you he can barely look at me. She
turned to Jackson. He saw the regret but it changed nothing. “I’m so sorry,
Jackson. I can’t make you see what happened was a crazy spur of the moment
decision aimed at getting around your stupid promise to Garrick. That didn’t
give me the right to take away your choice. I know that now.”

“I’m
going to go back upstairs to take my nap before the delivery men come to
assemble the new beds for the guest rooms. Try to keep it down, consider it
practice.”
Nev
pointed at all of the men and winked
at Carrie and Carlie.

“What
in the hell are you talking about, Carlie?” Garrick quietly raged.

“Nothing.
Garrick. Drop it. Carlie don’t you dare say another fucking word,” Jackson
hissed in a near whisper.

“You
and me, to the other room, now.” Garrick pointed to his sister.

Carlie’s
sad face softened his anger a tad but not enough to forgive her actions and his
loss of trust with her.

He
heard her softly weeping and Garrick’s harsh questions. She told him
everything, and he had to relive how she’d cuffed him to his bed while he slept
and manipulated his body. How he woke to nearly being fully seated in her
virgin flesh and the pain that flashed in her eyes. He couldn’t move to prevent
the pain she put herself through. Bare, she’d fucked him bare, with no regard
to protection against pregnancy. He’d been checked so disease wasn’t a factor.
She was a virgin so her needing to be checked was a non-issue. He never fucked
bare and she didn’t give him a choice. She took, and in her pain he couldn’t
allow his anger to make her first time traumatic. He responded and when she
refused to
uncuff
him, he threatened her.

His
gut clenched as she’d told him she need him this way. He hated her manipulation
but wanted her so damn bad he couldn’t fight the need to possess and own. That was
his fault, she was a virgin and after he broke free of her bondage attempt, he single-mindedly
possessed every inch of her as if she’d been fucking for years instead of
easing into his brand of sex. She’d been with him the whole way, taking and
giving back, molding her body to his in perfection. The sounds that came out of
her mouth seduced him, drove him to unleash her passions until she couldn’t
take anymore. To punish her for what he’d expect a groupie to do, not the one
girl he trusted more than anyone. He shook himself out of his haze and
continued listening.