INEVITABLE: An Alpha Bad Boy Contemporary Romance Book (5 page)

The boys made a path for me to the table and I went over and lined up to take my shot. As I bent over I heard one of them whistle through his teeth. I looked up and Charlie was still at the bar, but he was on his feet now, his body tense as he watched us. The alcohol had a hold of me and I wiggled my ass just a little bit before I took the shot. The cue ball didn’t go anywhere, but suddenly there was a big hand on my ass. I stood up quickly and I as just about to tell the guy off when I heard Charlie’s voice.

“Let go of the lady.” How the hell did he get here so fast?

I heard the kid chuckle.  “Haven’t you heard? This ain't no fucking lady, jack.”

The next thing I knew Charlie had a hold of the kid by the front of his shirt and he was lying back against the pool table with Charlie towering over in his face. Charlie’s bicep was bulging and the vein in his temple ticked with rage. In spite of myself I felt my core temperature rise as I watched him. He was massive.

“Apologize asshole,” he ground out in a voice that left no room for argument. Even that voice gave me chills. I so need to stay away from this guy.

“I’m sorry,” the kid squeaked out.

“You’re sorry…what?”

“I’m sorry…Miss…ma’am…lady?” The kid grunted like he was going to cry. That was when I noticed Charlie’s knee was pressing into his crotch. Charlie let him up and the kid and all three of his friends took off. I looked over and saw Becky staring wide-eyed at me.

Charlie’s brother…I suddenly remembered his name was Bryce. Bryce was grinning, proud of his brother. I couldn’t read the look in Charlie’s eyes, but I was buzzed enough to know he was.... pissed. That only made my rage flare up. Another person I’ve disappointed.

“I didn’t ask for your help.”

His jaw ticked and he straightened, his power bearing down on me. “Well you needed it.”

Sarcastically I said, “Well thanks, Captain America…but I won’t be needing your assistance again. I can take care of myself.” Bryce and Becky both were suddenly nowhere in sight, the damn cowards. When my glanced back up at Charlie I saw why. He had a wild look in his eyes. I wan’t sure if he would spank me or fu...

“You’re right. It’s not my job to look after drunken divas in public.”

“Diva? Are you fucking kidding me? Who do you think you are?”

“Obviously no one to you.” His bitter words cut me deeper than I’d like to admit. He turned and started to walk off and I caught his arm. Damn, his forearm was big and hard… “Charlie..”

He looked down at his arm, his eyes unreadable. He shifted towards me for a moment as he eyed my lips and my pulse spiked. He stopped, just a breath away but his eyes shuttered the growing light. With a shake he tossed my hand off and kept walking. What the hell was that? Was he about to kiss me?

I hated myself for following him. He walked out the back door of the club…and across the gravel parking lot. Crickets and cicadas sang their love songs under a starry sky but the beauty didn’t soothe the ache in my chest.

I was remotely aware of what I was doing but I didn’t care. We walked across a recently harvested field. The plants were gone and the dirt was uneven. My world spun and I stumbled and started to go down. Charlie spun and caught me and put me back up on my feet. I clung to him as I drank in his strong masculine scent. Heaven, I swear. “Damn it Jackie you’re drunk. Go back inside!”

“No! Not until you tell me what the hell you meant by that remark.”

“I meant exactly what I said. I won’t do this dance with you, Jackie. You’ve got some nerve - sashaying right by me in there like I was invisible. That is until you started shaking your ass for those little boys. You wanted me to do what? I don’t do games and I don’t play with attention-seeking little girls who put themselves in dumb situations for my amusement. Go and find yourself a
boy
to play with.”

My mouth was wide open. Who does this man think he is?               “Shaking my ass? Games? Little girl? I’ll have you know that I shook the dust off of this piece of crap town five years ago damn it!  I’ve been living on my own ever since. I am n
o
little gir
l
. I am quite capable of taking care of myself, Bennett. If you want to get all butt hurt because I didn’t.... I don’t know,
call
you and revert to name calling then….”

“Then what?” he said turning sharply, his eyes challenging me. I swallowed air but the monster in my chest didn’t back down.

“Then you can just fuck off Charlie B! I’m going back to L.A. soon anyways.” I started to turned when his grip caught my elbow, ripping my gaze back to his.

“Well that’s what you do Jackie! You push away people who really care about you and then when the shit hits the fan you just hightail it outta here, that right? Isn’t that what you’re doing here? Running away from the crap that you got yourself into in L.A.?”

I was furious and hurt and embarrassed all at the same time. Suddenly I realized my stupid tears were flowing down my cheeks and I couldn’t stop them. I couldn’t stop my mouth either. I scrambled over my words to cover up the hurt but instead spilled the truth.

“Don’t judge me Charlie! You’re just as bad as everyone else. I was with a man who I thought loved me and respected me. Why does everyone want to blame me? He fucked around o
n
m
e
! He made me look like a fool! He’s just like every other man and I hate them all.”

Charlie drew me closer, a pained look of concern marring his handsome face. I pulled back sharply and stumbled, cursing on the way down. He caught me again only this time he didn’t put me back down. He held me in his big arms and I felt our bodies sway gently against the wind. He smoothed my hair as I clung to his hard chest.

“Don’t cry Jackie. Shhhh….I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said all of that. I was I was... jealous. It’s my own stuff. Please... don’t cry. Everything will be okay. Please don’t cry…” Something bloomed inside of me. I needed someone to sincerely tell me that everything was going to be okay. I just needed someone to hold me and tell me that I was okay and not the slut that everyone suddenly seemed to think that I am.

I pulled back just a little bit. I looked up at his face and when I did I saw real kindness there and warmth and... a dark desire. His soft mouth came down to brush against my lips. He kissed me gently at first like he was testing the waters. When I didn’t pull away, he pressed more firmly down against mine. I let my lips fall open and that was all the invitation he needed. He kissed me possessively, crushing me against his hard chest and letting his tongue explore my mouth like he wanted to taste me thoroughly. The air was completely gone from my lungs and if I didn’t have to breathe I would have gladly stood out here and kissed him all night.

When we did finally come up for air, he said in a breathless voice, “Please use my number.” I nodded gently and he grinned. A little part of me melted. He helped me back inside and I told Becky I was ready to go. I apologized to her profusely for ruining her night. She was sweet enough to say that I didn’t, but I was determined that before I left for L.A., I would make it up to her somehow.  

*****

              “Is the cake ready, Desiree?”

              “Just about baby girl, calm down.”

              “I’m sorry, but you know how he is. If we don’t catch him while he’s still sitting at the table…”

              Desiree shook her head at me and laughed. “We all know how he is baby girl. I worked for your daddy before you was even a tadpole.”

              I laughed. “I know. I’m sorry. I just have a really big surprise for him so I’m excited.”

              “Okay honey. You go on back out there and we’ll be out with the cake directly.”

              I kissed her on the cheek and thanked her. It’s Daddy’s birthday. He refuses to let us celebrate it every year…but something that Mama said about him not having any passion in his life stuck with me. I had an idea and I was excitedly hopeful that it would work…for both of us. I pushed open the door between the kitchen and the dining room just in time to see Daddy get up from his seat.

              “Daddy! Wait please. I have something I need to ask you….” He looked annoyed, but he sat back down. I sat down too and while I wracked my brains about what to say, Desiree and Amelia came through the door. They had a beautiful cake. It was three tiers high and on top of it was a perfect replica of a brand new Dodge Challenger…in forest green, Daddy’s favorite color.

              “What is this?” He drew his eyebrows together.

              “Happy birthday sweetheart,” Mom said.

              “Happy birthday Daddy,” Paige and I said in unison.

              He cleared his throat and I could see him actively fighting the surprise. I actually appreciated his effort. “Well…I was under the impression that we all know we don’t do this,” he cleared his throat again as Desiree sat the cake in front of him and then he went on to say, “But since this is a big one, I guess we can make an exception. Thank you, ladies.”

              It was his fifty-fifth birthday. I could tell that’s why he thought we were doing this but it was only a small part of it. We had bigger plans for him.

              “Happy Birthday to you…” Mom and Paige and I sang to him. He looked uncomfortable, but it was nice to do something traditional for a change. When we finished Paige squealed in delight.

              “Blow out the candle Daddy but don’t forget to make a wish!” He smiled at her and then he blew out the big five and zero candles Desiree had put on top of the cake.

              “Desiree, would you like to cut us a piece of the cake?” Daddy asked her.

              “No sir,” she said, placing the cake slicer in his hand, “I think you should do it.” He gave her an amused look, but he took the slicer and started to take a slice out of the bottom.

              “No Daddy! The top!” He was looking more annoyed as he raised the slicer. He realized he couldn’t slice through with the car on top of it. He reached for the car and when he picked it up, it began to talk!

              “Hello Frank Manning! Happy fiftieth birthday! This is Robby Granite and as a special birthday surprise your wife and daughters have arranged for me to pick you up and take you out to the track for a spin in my new Challenger.” Daddy was looking at the car like it was a bomb and that it would possibly explode in his hand. He finally looked up at us, his eyes wide with awe.

              “Is that car serious?” We all cracked up. I saw Amelia step in the door behind him with a young man in tow. Daddy turned to see what we were looking at. He stood stock still for several seconds before turning back towards us with his mouth wide open…and actual tears in his eyes. “That’s Robby Granite!”

              We laughed again and I said, “The car was serious, Daddy. Robby is here to take you for a spin. He even said when you guys get to the track, you can drive.”

              “What…How…?” Robby Granite is a four time Nascar champion. He worked with the technical advisors of the show this season for a special we did for one episode. I called him and asked him for this favor. I offered to pay him for his time…he wouldn’t take any money. I was thrilled to be able to this for my dad.

              “Your daughter thought this might be something you’d enjoy for your birthday, Frank. I thought since you technically own the number 55 car now….”

              “What?” Daddy looked at me now. He almost looked like he was going to have a heart attack and I was afraid it was too much. Then suddenly one of the tears in his eyes escaped and he came around the table and wrapped me up in his arms. He squeezed me so tightly that I thought he was going to crush me for a second. When he let me go, tears were running freely down his face. I’d never seen him cry.               “Thank you,” he whispered. I was crying now too and so were Mom and Paige.

              “I love you, Daddy.”

              He squeezed me again. “I love you too, Jackie!”

              “Are you ready, sir?”

              Daddy grinned. “Hell yeah!” He kissed Mama and Paige and before he went out the door Paige called for him.

              “Wait Daddy!”

              “Yes?”

              “Can we have cake while you’re gone?”

              “Pumpkin you ladies can eat the whole thing!” He said. I’d never seen him smile so brightly. I hadn’t been so happy myself in a really long time.

***

              The other reason I was so happy was that Charlie and I had been talking on the phone every day. He told me that he didn’t read the entertainment papers or listen to any of that stuff on television or radio. He really didn’t know anything much about what was going on with me until the night he saw me out. He was so sweet. He told me that he didn’t for a second believe I cheated on Matt. His exact words put me at ease.

              “I’m a fantastic judge of character Jackie-o and I find yours to be sterling.” I laughed because he’s such a dork, but it touched me deeply nonetheless.

              We scheduled a dinner date for Friday night, two days after Daddy’s birthday. I wanted to meet Charlie out, but he insisted that a gentleman always picks the lady up at the door. I hoped that Daddy would either be busy in his office or too happy still to give me a hard time about going out with Charlie.