Holt's Holding part two (The Holt's Series) (22 page)

“Do I need to make my point clearer? I want no parts of
whatever game you and Sebastian want to play.”

“I suppose not, as I have seemed to win this game already.”

“I wouldn’t be so confident Charlie. Sebastian is more my
type,” that was indeed a low blow on my part and I knew it.

“But, It’s me whom your body wants,” he added again with
that smug tone.

“Get the fuck out Charlie.”

I pushed away from him and walked to my closet.

Pulling my panties and a bra, I reached for my yoga pant
and a t-shirt. Dressing, I couldn’t believe he was still here. He watched me so
intently that it made me feel
weirded
out.

“Why are you still here? Just go report to him what you
think is truth and leave me be.” I ordered.

Trying to walk past him, he grabbed me at the nape of my
neck and pulled me to him. His lips came down fast and hard commanding mine.
The anxiety hit an all-time high and the tremble coursed through me like a
shock wave. The tears were quick and fell down my face.

He pulled from me his eyes widen to see the fear that
painted on my face.

“Get. Out. Now” I managed.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t ,…” his word fell off to the shock
that now invaded his expression.

My tears and terror on my face were too much for me to hide.
I was shocked to my display. I had hoped that this would not be the reaction to
his kiss. Nevertheless, there it was. I was trembling in fear.

“Bloody hell!” he shook his head. “I’m so sorry. I should
have realized.”

“Don’t touch me,” I whispered in fear backing away from
him.

Oh, god here came my full-blown panic attack. His voice no
longer audible and my vision tunneled.

Closing my eyes, the room felt as if it was fully
disappearing.

Shamefully, I wanted to kiss him. I had since my dream two
nights earlier. I couldn’t believe how easily and swiftly the panic attack took
hold.

I could feel his body hold mine firm, I just couldn’t hear
him. My eyes still shut and my body lax, I must have blacked out.

Opening my eyes, I was slow to raise my head off the bed.
The room dark with some bits of light finding their way in.

Taking in the room, it was my room and my bed that had me.
The blinds all pulled. Looking to the clock it was six in the evening.

Shit, I lost my entire day?

That’s right, I had a panic attack. All I could assume was
that the combination of being very hung-over, and the stress, was the reason
why I had been out for so long.

Taking in a deep breath, I sighed. His cologne was all over
me and lingered in the room. I had no idea how to handle him. He thought this
all a game and not once considered that I wasn’t playing one.

Remembering him last night with another woman still boiled
my blood under the surface.

I almost want to laugh. Me jealous, I would have never
thought that I would. However, this was Charlie, this is the man I have
admittedly had a crush on since fifteen. He was indeed a dangerous man, one
that I knew better than to allow anywhere close to my heart. Yet, here I was. I
couldn’t deny it if I tried. He was already in control of my heart and I
willingly gave him that power.

Pulling from the bed, I place my feet to the floor and
stood up. I was still a bit shaky, but forced myself to find my center and walk
from the room.

The hall was bright and lit of the setting sun. The aromas
from the kitchen sparked a new desire in me. I was hungry.

Was he still here?

I walked slow and quietly to the kitchen. Charlie dressed
in jeans and a t-shirt. His hair slightly wet with that very sexy undone look.
A dishtowel over his shoulder, he was cooking away and on the phone.

Listening more, did he say Nana? Was he on the phone with
my Nana?

He turned grinning, and spotted me standing, watching him.

What the hell was this man up too? I cocked my head unable
to voice a comment let alone a question.

Still with that stupid grin on his face, he pulled the
phone and handed it to me.

Shit, he was talking with my Nana.

Taking the phone from and while still giving him a nasty
glare, I answered.

“Hi Nana.”

“There’s my Lilly.
 
I’m sorry I missed you earlier.
 
I
had dropped by and you were napping.
 
Charlie had explained that you were ill and that he had given you a
valium. I’m hoping you feel better love.”

“Yes Nana, I’m feeling better.
 
Unfortunately, valium has a tendency to make
me sleep for hours” I glared to Charlie as he went about fixing dinner.

“Lilly, don’t be mad at the poor boy.
 
He said you had a panic attack.
 
I thought you were finally over having them.”

“No Nana, they sometimes still surface.
 
I rarely have them these days.”

Wait… when had he given me a valium?
 
Thinking back the shake…that had to be
when.
 
He preemptively drugged me.

“Well, I missed you today.
 
Charlie said he was staying with you this evening.
 
I really like him.
 
He’s certainly grown up into a fine man Lilly.”

“Um Nana, Charlie will not be staying much longer.”

“Oh, well I thought he was cooking you both dinner?”

“Oh he’s cooking alright.” I pulled my lips tight.
 
What nerve.

“Lil, I think you shouldn’t be alone.
 
We have severe weather headed our way and
they are expecting flash floods in this part of the county.
 
You know your road always floods out.”

“Nana, I’m a grown woman.
 
My house has backup generators and you have stocked my house with enough
food and water to last me.
 
I could feed
an army.
 
Since when have I needed a man
to take care of me?”

“I’m not saying that.
 
I am just saying it makes me feel better knowing you’re not alone.”

The thunder on queue echoed thru the sky as the clouds came
in. The doors were all still open and the wind now blew thru the house.

“Nana, I need to let you go and close the windows.”

“Take care Lilly.
 
I
suggest Charlie stay since the storm in now inbound.”

“Fine Nana, he’ll stay if he wants to.”

“It makes me feel better.
 
I love you Lil.”

“I love you too Nana, oh what about church tomorrow?”

“If you can’t get out don’t worry yourself.
 
God will understand.”

“Ok, call me if you need anything.”

“I will, but I don’t think I’ll need anything.
 
Have a safe night dear.”

“Good night Nana.”
 
I
hung up the phone and turned to the open windows.

The wind was whipping around angry like the clouds that now
covered the sky.

“Henry…status on generators”

“Status.
 
Auxiliary
power for group A items ready.
 
Auxiliary
power for group B items ready.
 
Auxiliary
power for group c items ready.
 
Initial
protocol for group A items priority.
 
System set.”

“Wow, I have to say I’m very impressed with this
house.
 
That is one brilliant security
feature.” Charlie offered.

Maintaining my view to the storm coming in I was still
stuck on the fact that he had pretty much drugged me.

“Don’t ever drug me again Charlie.”
 
My voice firm, I turned back to him.

“I’m sorry that was beyond wrong.
 
I thought the valium might allow for us to
actually have a conversation without you trying to strike me again.”

“I was drunk last night and not once did I have the need or
want to hit you this morning.
 
I think I
have been more than pleasant.
 
Not that
you deserve anything more from me.

“Your right Lillian, you don’t owe me any pleasantries. I
haven’t earned them. However, please allow me to at least atone for my poor
behavior.”
 
Appraising him, the was no
smug grin, no expression indicating any malice, if anything the look on his
face man the man ridiculously charming.
 
Fuck.

Ok, I was curious as to what his angle was. Walking back
into the kitchen, I pulled the bar stool out and sat down waiting for his
version of atoning.

“Well it seems you have me as a captive audience since
there’s no way for you to leave now. The road looks as if it is taking on water
from the falls. So that there is no confusion, there are four bedrooms
upstairs. One is locked, you may take whichever room for the night. I’m pretty
sure the bathrooms in each are stocked for whatever you may need.”

“Thank you. May I ask why one room is locked?”

“Yes, you can ask, but I don’t owe you an answer. That room
is off limits.”

“Fair enough. You can’t blame me for asking.” He looked at
me and looked like he was genuinely smiling. Nothing-sinister hiding behind his
expression.

He handed me a plate. He had made lamb with red baby potatoes
and asparagus. The sauce on the lamb looked and smelled amazing.

“Where do you keep your wine?” he asked.

Breaking my gaze at the plate of food, I was surprised that
he could cook, let alone this.

“There’s a wine
closetr
to the
right of the kitchen. The reds are on the left. Pick whichever you prefer. I’m
not a stickler on holding certain wines. I see no point. I buy them for their
purpose.”

“Very well. I’ll go take a look.” Again with the smile. He
turned and walked from the kitchen. I could hear him gasp and talk to himself.

I was sure he realized how extensive my taste for wine was.
Most thought me to prefer my tequila, which I did. However, wine I loved.

“You have an amazing collection.” He walked back in holding
one of my favorite pinot
niors
. “Are you sure about
any bottle? This one I know is very expensive.” He looked to me asking.

“That’s one of my favorites. I still have a case of that
one. I was in Italy when I bought it. I knew it would be a long time before I
found myself able to go back, so I have a tendency to by cases of a wine I
love.
 
Brady thinks my casual attitude
about wine, implies that I live in the moment.”

I watched as he opened the bottle and emptied it into the
decanter to air it.

“You and Brady are really close?” he poured me a glass then
pulled up next me with his own plate of food.

Wow, so I guess we were going to actual talk.

“Yes. We are very close. He is like my brother.” Eating my
food while talking, I could tell he was actually interested.

I laughed flashing back on some memories. “He was the first
boy, well only one that I’ve ever slept in the same bed with.”

“Wait really? And your parents found this ok?”

“Yes they did. I was autistic Charlie. Physical contact was
hard for me. Brady was probably the best thing for me. I stopped having
nightmares with him. I started to open up because of him.” I shook head
remember that the first time someone held me was Charlie. That day, when I
fell.

“What did you just remember?” He put his fork down and
looked at me.

“I remember the first time someone held me.”

“How was that experience for you? Did you go into a panic?”
his question was genuine. No sarcastic undertone.

“No, oddly enough and a shock to my father I didn’t go into
a panic. I think it was the way he held me, the look in his eyes.” I stared at
my glass of wine not able to meet his expression. Whether or not he remembered
I wasn’t sure. It was very possible he didn’t even realize I was talking about
him. That fateful day when he became my hero.
 
The hero of a very foolish girl.

“How old were you? I ask out of curiosity”

“I was young and a very naïve girl of fifteen.”

I still didn’t raise my expression and chose to take
another bite of food.

He said nothing and pulled the glass of wine to his lips.

“I had no idea,” he offered softly.
 
“I’m truly sorry about the kiss, this stupid
wager between me and Sebastian. We should have never played with this notion.
Not with you.” His voice sounded sober and apologetic.

“No harm no foul I suppose. We all make mistakes. I should
know I’ve made some big ones. I’m finally realizing the price of what my
choices could cost. I was serious when I said I didn’t want to play games with
you two and I meant it. I was so consumed with the hate I had bottled up that I
finally woke up understanding what it costs in the end. What it had or would
cost.”