Bella's Choice (12 page)

She had to get away. “I want to get changed. I am tired, Charles.”

“Come now, not too tired to go out with me tonight, surely.” His thumb stroked her cheek.

She removed it with more force than intended. “Please don’t do that!”

“Why?” A roguish smile played over his features, making her heart thud in her ears as excitement coursed through her veins. He was now the second man her body was reacting to, and she didn’t like it, or did she? Her brain felt frozen, as if all reason had left her, and she couldn’t respond as she knew she must.

“Don’t, okay,” was all she said, trying to move past him, but he blocked her yet again.

“I will not let you pass unless you agree to go out with me tonight. You need some serious relaxation, Anabella.”

He was so close to her that she could feel his warm breath against her face. She closed her eyes to regain control. He mistook it for an invitation, and placed a kiss on her closed eyelids. It was delicate and soft, and her body craved the intimacy he promised with the brush of his lips.

“You are so beautiful, please say you will,” he whispered, and again kissed her nose, followed by a brush of his lips over hers.

It felt purpose driven, as if he knew exactly what he was doing to her, privy to her dreams and thoughts.

“Please,” he begged softly.

The feather-like touch made her knees turn to jelly, forcing her to hold on to his arm. He was so close, she could smell him; his skin taught over his wide frame and sprinkled with small freckles begging for her touch. Her fingers itched to explore the expanse of his chiseled chest―their bodies only separated by a mere inch.

“Yes,” she whispered without a second thought.

Charles smiled as he cupped her face, and whispered, “Make yourself pretty. I want to show you Houston’s nightlife.” He let her go, and she stumbled as he walked away.

She grabbed onto the rail to steady herself once again.

“Pick you up at seven.” He had stopped to say this loud enough for all to hear; several heads turned toward her as he then spoke to a fellow swimmer, delight evident in his voice.

She groaned in frustration. She couldn’t believe the effect he had on her.
How am I going behave myself around this man?
The sexual dream infiltrated her mind once again, along with other more graphic scenes. Scenes she was trying hard to ignore. Ever since Charles had come into the picture and confronted her, she’d felt her treacherous body responding.

To make matters worse, she’d seen a young couple making out the very first night she had arrived, which had only made her arousal peak. As she’d made her way around a corner, she bumped into the couple. The man cursed her to bugger off in a heavy English accent. He’d been thoroughly annoyed that she dared interrupt them.

It seemed that everything was working together to make her body react with each stimulus she received. It was like a drug she could no longer ignore; her body was constantly tense. She felt Charles’ lingering presence, his lips on her face, her body trembling with want for more contact. She inhaled sharply, closing her eyes when the guilt and shame penetrated her mind. Frustrated, she chastised herself.
What is wrong with you, Anabella? Aldrich, remember him? He loves you, and you love him. How can you be so shameless? You are not your mother!

After the long discussion she had with herself, she left. She knew she needed to unwind. Besides, there would be other swimmers with them, so it wasn’t like she’d be alone with Charles.

She met him at the corner he’d suggested. Two of her teammates, Izak and Jeffrey, joined them, together with several of his team, and she found that she could finally relax. Charles never left her side as he led her into the darkened alley of the club, the beat of the music thrumming through her body the moment she stepped onto the first steel, steep staircase. They made their way up, meeting a huge bouncer with arms the same thickness as her waist. He stared down at her from his towering height with a menacing look. His shirt was an extremely tight fit over his beefy chest, of which the buttons fought to hold it together. His hair was styled in a crew-cut, and he sported a stud in his right ear; it glittered in the reflection of the roof’s light.

It was all business with him. He acknowledged Charles with a nod when they walked past him the moment he opened the steel door leading into a hallway. It was lit up with a fluorescent, blue light that gave the place an eerie appearance. With each step, they got closer to the booming sound, making everything within her vibrate. Funnily enough, it somehow forced Anabella to overlook all her troubles and just relax in its overwhelming presence.

The further they walked in, the more people they passed, some blatantly ignoring them. Some checked them out lazily until they reached a wide hall. By now, the music was in her body, making her heart thump to the rhythmic beat.

Charles bent down, speaking directly into her ear, “Take a seat.” He pointed to an empty table where bottles and glasses were still scattered over its surface, as if the cleaning staff had forgotten their job. “I will be right back with drinks!” he announced loudly, and before she could protest, he was gone.

She walked to the empty table and looked at the mess in disgust.

Izak, who had followed her, swept the table clean in one fluid motion, sending its contents cluttering down, the sound drowned by the music.

Grateful, she nodded her appreciation, and he grinned at her. Any attempt to talk was out of the question. When she sat down, she looked toward the dance floor where bodies were bashed together. People were gyrating to the pounding music, as if in a trance. Scantily-clad women and men moved together, some making out, and others holding drinks while they moved to the beat. The chaotic rhythm pulsed through their veins. Everyone was having a good time.

Around her, people stood at railings or tables, some sat on couches making out; one young woman’s breast was on the verge of being exposed as the man touched and kissed her in total oblivion. Another couple was definitely doing it, the woman’s head bounced and swayed from side to side. Anabella started to feel the usual dread when she saw these things, generally within the confines of her house. She looked away, closing her eyes momentarily in futile hope that this would be over soon.

Charles and the rest of the group had returned with drinks. He touched her lightly on the shoulder, and she opened her eyes. “Here you go,” he said, close to her ear, his presence near enough that she could smell his woody cologne, his warm breath tickling her ear. “Relax, Anabella. Enjoy!” he called out, encouraging her to drink the offered glass, but all she did was stare at it hesitantly. He shrugged, and with a tilt of the head poured the liquid down his throat and swallowed. Looking at Anabella, he smiled, smacking his lips in appreciation.

Charles openly looked at her with desire, a desire so strong, she was certain she had to leave.

This is not good.
I don’t belong here
, she thought, as she worried her lip in concern. She felt his hand brush against her bare arm. This did nothing to soothe her concerns, and in fact had the opposite effect. She had become aware of everything he was doing.

When he squeezed her arm, she jumped, looked at him and took the offered glass. With one swig, its contents were gone. It burned as far as it went making her shiver, and her face contort in an ugly grin. Rapidly, her heartbeat thumped in her chest. She had to calm down.

Anabella had just enough time to place the glass on the table, when she was pulled up and dragged away. As she was behind Charles, his lean body sheltered her so she could bypass the throng easily.

Without warning, he turned and pulled her against him. “Let’s dance!” he shouted.

With her body plastered against his, she could feel his every contour, and when he placed his knee between her legs, she felt his arousal; she knew she was in trouble. She tried to push him away, but his grip was firm around her, pinning her against his body in a tight embrace. Anabella could smell the mint on his breath from the drink he’d had, as well as his fragrance intermingled with the sweat in the air. Everything about him aroused her and standing so close, she could see the pulse at his throat.

She turned her head away, and saw a couple having a tongue duel next to them. Their bodies moved to the beat as he held her provocatively against his groin. The young woman was obviously into it as her leg was wrapped around his hip, her hands in his hair holding him close.

Quickly, she returned her gaze to Charles’ chest, and released a groan. This wasn’t good, not good at all. Searching for her team members, she found Izak. He was already following a raven-haired girl on his way to the overcrowded dance floor. Jeffery was trying to get the attention of an auburn-haired female who smiled brightly up at him the moment she turned around. They weren’t going to be any help.

Charles continued to hold her tightly to him, swaying to the beat. “Relax,” he mouthed, as his lips brushed her ear, sending shivers down her spine. His hands moved her hips against his, his erection so hard she couldn’t help but be affected by it.

The moment she closed her eyes, she experienced the dream, and felt her body responding to his wandering hands. Their lips met briefly, her breath hitching as their tongues met. Anabella was lost in the moment he offered, but when his hands landed on her buttocks, she pushed him away. Charles, not yet ready to let her go, grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“Come on, sweet thing,” he whispered seductively, holding her tight.

“No. Please, Charles!” she shouted, but he only smiled down at her.

“You will love it.” He slanted his mouth over hers, entering with his tongue.

Her body tingled, but she knew she had to get away. She pushed once again, this time harder than before, and the moment she felt his release, she moved away. She bumped and brushed against several people as she made her way past, until she reached an empty spot. Scanning the crowd, her two teammates were nowhere to be found. Regardless, she had to leave the club as soon as possible. Spotting the entrance, she took the first step toward it, but Charles was at her side, holding her arm.

“Are you afraid of me?” he asked, so close to her, she could see every line on his face pulled into a grimace.

Yes
would have been her first response, followed by her admittance as to how much he affected her, and this she could never do. He would only continue to try, so it was in her best interest to be open with him about Aldrich.

She shook her head. “No, but I can’t do what you want. I’m in love someone else!” she shouted in his ear.

Stunned, he looked at her for a minute. “Okay. If I were to promise to behave, would you stay?”

He seemed sincere, which made her smile. Somewhat mollified, she willed her heart to slow down. “You, behave?” She raised an eyebrow in question.

“Yes. I promise. Scout’s honor.”

She laughed and asked skeptically, “Were you even in the scouts?”

“Yes, for four years,” he said with a rueful smile, while holding four fingers in the air. Turning slightly away, he added, “I’m sorry, Anabella, but I like you. I just wanted to be close to you.” He watched the dancing cluster, his face unreadable before he turned back to her. “Do you want to do something else?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind,” she replied, “you did promise to show me
Houston, remember?”

“Yes, I did. Okay then, let’s go.” He took her hand, leaving the rest of the group behind.

The remainder of the evening was spent at a restaurant, where the ambiance was quieter; couples sat in small groups, enjoying themselves. Soft music played from the speakers, which was nice as they could talk. Since they were both swimmers with a love for the sport, they had a lot to discuss.

They were still close, though; the table setting not allowing for more personal space. Anabella was constantly aware of his proximity, but gained more control as the evening progressed, was relaxed, and even managed to enjoy herself. He seemed to respect her enough by giving her the breathing space she needed, something she appreciated.

When it was time to call it a night, he bade her farewell with a light peck on the cheek.

“Thanks for the night, Anabella. I hope we can do this again.”

“I would love that,” she replied. “Thanks for understanding, Charles.”