Malik (Carter Brother Series Book 1) (9 page)

“Did you just call her a slut?’’ Denny asks in complete shock.

“Um... did you
hear
the word nympho?’’ he teases.

“I did, but I think it’s rude, and to be honest, the statement coming from you is hypocritical.’’

“Oh babe, I’m playing with my bro. Have you seen the way his hands are clenched like he wants to sucker punch me from across the table? Or that he keeps looking at Harlow expecting her to burst into angry tears? I’m loving it,’’ he laughs, that’s when I notice Malik’s hands are in fact balled into tight fists resting on his knees.

“So let me get this right before you go over to the girl that’s been eye fucking you since you stood up...’’ Denny starts.

“She was doing it before, it’s why I stood up,’’ he grins down at Denny. “Just doing my duty.’’

“Anywayyy,’’ she replies slowly rolling her eyes. “So you liked insulting a girl who doesn’t deserve it to get a reaction out of your brother just so you could get a smack in the teeth?’’

“He won’t smack me,’’ he says confidently, but I notice him giving Malik a quick look to make sure.

“I wouldn’t be so sure,’’ Malik growls.

“Love ya, but I gotta leave ya. Later babes, oh and Myles, can you make sure you take notes in last lesson for me?’’

“Urm, why?’’ Malik asks, his face looking like stone.

“I need to go to the dentist?’’

“You don’t have an appointment for the dentist. Granddad arranges them all and he always has you two go together,’’ Malik interrupts sounding much older than his years.

“I have the shits?’’ Max continues.

“You look fine to me,’’ I butt in rolling my eyes.

“Thanks,’’ he grins giving me a wink. “She thinks I’m fine,’’ he taunts Malik earning a chuckle from Denny.

“Your funeral. Make sure whoever the skank is that she’s worth it because Maverick is going to go nuclear on your ass when he finds out. Which he will, he always does.’’

“Like he didn’t skip school. Sometimes he acts more like a dad than a brother,’’ he snaps before rushing over to the girl that had been eye fucking him.

“Maverick is going to be pissed when he finds out,’’ Myles adds again in a lower tone than Malik used.

“Yeah, well, we’re not his keeper. Maverick needs to know we can’t make him do anything,’’ Malik shrugs.

“Hey, I have to go, want me to walk you to class?’’ Denny asks as Malik and Myles’s end their conversation.

“Yeah. I have free period last lesson so I’m going home early today,’’ I tell her standing up. A hand reaches for me, stopping me, causing tingles to spread up my arm. “Yeah?’’

“I’ll meet you after the next period ends then. I have free period too, so we can go back together to get something to eat and then work on our project,’’ Malik tells me.

“Okay. Um... want to meet me at the Oakland building by the stone bench?’’

“Sure. I’m in Bernard’s Hall, so it might take me a few extra minutes to get to you.’’

“That’s fine, I’ll meet you there,’’ I smile, blushing when he gives me that sexy grin of his.

By the time my last class had finished I was exhausted. Whether that was due to the anxiety attack I had last night or from the long day, I have no clue. My hand is still throbbing and has bruised nicely thanks to it going untreated.

I wait for Malik outside the Oakland building at the front of the school. He said he’d be late, so I take a seat just outside on the stone bench I mentioned to him earlier. I’m just glad I won’t have to wait in the freezing cold. Today is warmer than it usually is, but with it being the middle of Spring that’s not all that shocking. Then again, weather in England is pretty messed up. I’d be surprised if we don’t start having heat waves in the Winter and snow in the Summer. I miss the days when Spring was Spring, Summer was Summer etc. Winter can kiss my ass. It’s my most hated season, but I think it’s only because the majority of the year is freezing. My favourite time is Spring, it’s when my mom would go out in the garden and plant all her favourite flowers. She only got into gardening just before I started high school and it wasn’t long before it came another one of her hobbies.

Five minutes pass thinking about my mom in her garden back home when a shadow falls across me, blocking the sun from warming my skin.

“Hey are you ready?’’ I ask Malik, only to stand up and find Davis instead of Malik standing over me with a sneer upon his face. “What do you want?’’ I ask sounding bored, but inside my mind is screaming at me to walk away.

“You’re a fucking bitch do you know that? You’ve got a lot to learn little girl. I’m sure your boyfriends filled you in on what happened to the last girl that fucked me off,’’ he sneers.

“Do you mean brushed you off?’’ I snap, my stomach twisting. Is he on about the girl Denny was trying to tell me about yesterday? We never did get to finish that conversation and I wish we did now.

“You’re all talk Evans. Once I’m done with you, you’ll wish you never stepped foot in this school. Come in here with your high ass attitude, thinking you can talk to people how you wish. You’re in for a big surprise.’’

“And why is that? Because you’re going to make my life hell? News flash, there is nothing you could do to me that would hurt me,’’ I snap, my voice rising from the anger boiling within me. How dare he? Who does he think he is? I have a feeling not a lot of people listen to his warnings and get beaten down a lot; so he gets his kicks out of picking on innocent girls. It’s the only way boys like him can. I know the sort; after all, we had a few at my old school, but none as vicious as Davis. Something about him though has me feeling on edge. Yeah, he’s creepy, comes across as a serial killer, but it’s more than that. He has so much dark brewing inside of him that I would be surprised if he even had a beating heart.

“Is that a challenge,’’ he sneers stepping into my space.

“Move back,’’ I warn, holding my hand up, but he just smacks it away, hard, making me hiss out in pain when he hits the bruise that he made earlier. “I mean it,’’ I warn, my voice shaky as my confidence fades.

It happens so fast, his hands are on my shoulders, shoving me back, making me fall back until my back lands on the stone bench I had just been occupying. I land on my back with a grunt, the air getting knocked out of my chest.

Looming above me, he gives me an evil grin, his eyes raking my body as a cold chill sets upon me. The way his eyes rake over me is unnerving, and I wish I had the courage to cause a few lacerations to his body. Like a lot. Just the thought of causing him bodily harm has me grinning. On the inside of course, I’m not
that
stupid.

His body moves forward, his face getting in mine with a glare. I wince, my eyes watering as he grabs my face, his fingers digging into my cheek and chin making me look at him. Something tells me him being here isn’t a coincidence. Someone must have overheard mine and Malik’s conversation earlier in the cafeteria. It has to be that or Davis is stalking me. I’d prefer the first if I’m honest.

“I’m going to have fun with you. Bitches like you deserve to be taught a lesson.’’

“Get away from me,’’ I choke out, my nerves sky rocketing out of control.

With one easy swift movement he has me standing back up on shaky legs before pushing himself up against me. “You tell anyone, and I mean anyone, and I’ll make sure your Grandma doesn’t sleep soundly through the night again,’’ he must see the shock written on my face cause he makes a noise that sounds like a chuckle. “Oh, I know all about your busybody Grandma Harlow,’’ he taunts looking smug. “I also know where she leaves her spare key, but even if I didn’t, I know how to break through any lock in the neighbourhood without ever being caught. You should remember that. You’d be wise to, because one word to anyone and you’ll never know when I’ll be coming for you, it will be when you least expect it and mark my words, I’m going to fucking love destroying you.’’

He doesn’t say anything else as he forcefully grabs my face again sharply, most likely leaving more bruises on my pale skin. He pinches so hard that I close my eyes in pain. I should have kept them open and stayed alert when I feel his hands push at my chest.

My first reaction is to try and stop the fall, but his forceful push has my back smacking off the stone bench before I roll off the other side onto the grass. My body cries out in pain, but somehow I manage to keep myself from crying out. I quickly stand up preparing for another physical attack, but he’s gone by the time I look around, causing a rush of coldness to sweep through my body.

Wanting to get home and away from him in case he changes his mind and comes back, I grab my bag, shove the book I’d been carrying from my last lesson and head off towards the exit in a mad dash.

I’m in such a mad dash to hightail it out of there that when I get around the corner I bump into a hard body. I cry out a blood curdling scream when I feel my body being steadied. My whole body flinches from the touch and moves back away from him.

“Harlow? What’s wrong?’ a husky, worried voice asks.

“Malik?’’ is all I manage to cry out when I open my eyes. I fall into his arms, my world closing in around me. I’m praying like hell he doesn’t leave me here, not when Davis is lurking around or when I don’t know what he meant by ‘
the last girl’
when he threatened me.

It’s dark when I wake up in an unfamiliar bedroom. I know I’m not in my room because the bed smells different, but kind of familiar, and the bed feels smaller than my double bed my Gram’s had bought me before I moved in. The smell reminds me of the boy I’ve been infatuated with since I met him just over 24 hours ago. How much my life has changed over the past few weeks?

Sitting up I reach over to the bedside table, my fingers blindly searching for a lamp. When I find it, it takes me a few minutes to locate the actual switch. The room is bathed in light and with my first look around, I had guessed right on where I am.

Had Malik carried me all the way home, or did he get someone to pick us up? The room is empty with no signs of Malik. Getting out of the bed I look down with a loud squeal. I’m naked from the waist down bar my panties.

Oh my God, I am so going to kill him,
I fume. Heading for the first set of drawers I grab out a pair of boxers knowing they’ll just be like wearing a pair of shorts if someone was to see me. How dare he strip me naked? Heading for the door in search of Malik so I can murder him, my eye catches a note with my name on it placed on the bedside table by the lamp. Picking it up angrily, I read the note, an evil smirk crossing my face as an idea pops into my head.

In the shower, so if you wake up don’t panic. I’ll be back in a few.

M

Moving down the hall to where I hear the shower running, I don’t even bother to give him the chance to cover himself as I barge in unannounced. The door to the bathroom slams against the wall with force making me jump. Steadying my nerves I move over to the shower and rip the shower curtain aside only to let out a loud scream, my eyes frozen on the male body in front of me.

Jesus no, this can’t be happening.

Quickly placing my hands over my eyes so I can’t see I’m realising it’s too late. Even with my eyes closed and covered the image of the naked man in front of me will be forever burnt in my mind.

“Well, are you gonna stand there all night or you going to get in,’’ the male teases.

“By your invitation, I’m guessing you’re Mason,’’ I snarl, wondering why I’m so angry when it’s him I walked in on, not the other way around.

“Oh Baby, you’ve guessed right. Now take off your clothes and come on in, you’re making me uncomfortable standing there in all your clothes,’’ he drawls, my body backing away from the shower. I end up bumping into the sink behind me, letting out another squeal when I move my hands away from my eyes to steady myself. Before I know it, a wet body is standing next to me with his hands on my arm to help steady me.

“Woah there. Steady on. I should have taken Max’s warning earlier to heart. Although, he didn’t say how hot you were either,’’ he winks.

Another squeak leaves my mouth making him chuckle, “Please cover yourself up,’’ I beg.

“Hey what’s all the... what the fuck Mason, get some clothes on. What the fuck you doing naked in front of Harlow,’’ Malik growls, his voice full of anger when he sees me.

“She walked in on me bro, don’t lose your boxers,’’ he says, but then I sense him staring at me before he mutters, “Or just get another pair,’’ he says with a grin to his voice.

I want to roll my eyes at him, but I’m too embarrassed to move or to reopen my eyes. His penis was there, right there in full view. My first live penis and it’s with a complete stranger. I never wanted my first penis sighting to be like this. Just thinking about it has my cheeks heating.

“Come on Harlow,’’ Malik growls, snapping me out of my penis trance. I let him drag me quietly out of the bathroom and into his room before I whirl around on him. My anger finally surfacing now that I’m safely away from the penis.

“How could you...’’ we say at the same time, both of us glaring at each other.

“No, how could you? How dare you take my clothes off of me when I’m unconscious? How could you do that to me? Did you get a good look?’’ I snap as I move myself closer to him. “Did you? I can’t believe this. Not only does a boy see me naked, half naked anyway, for the first time, but I’m also unconscious through it. Then, to top that shit list, I see my very first penis, a very fucking frightening one for the first time. They’re big Malik. Fucking big,’’ I cry out, feeling hysterical.

Within a flash I’m lying flat on my back on top of his bed, his body looming over the top of mine with his pelvis pressing firmly against mine, stopping me from moving.

When I feel him loosen his weight off me I try to move out from under him, but it’s no use, he’s a lot stronger than I am.

“Stop,’’ he demands, his voice laced with so much authority I automatically stop struggling, looking at him with wide eyes. “One; I never saw you naked Babe; I wouldn’t do that to you. I laid you down under the sheets to keep you hidden before taking them off you. I swear to you that I didn’t look. You were caked in fucking dirt, but we’ll get back to that part after,’’ he tells me, his face hard.

“I... dirt?’’ I ask confused, but he doesn’t let me finish, instead, he presses his mouth against mine before pulling away just as quickly again, but it’s long enough to submit me to his demands.

“First we’re going to talk about why you were staring at my brothers junk,’’ he growls looking really pissed now.

“I wasn’t staring at his junk,’’ I defend. It’s not a total lie, I tried not to look, but it was there and my eyes were there and it just kind of happened.

“Don’t lie to me Harlow,’’ his voice hard with a hidden warning. “You said it was fucking huge before so you must have gotten a good look. I don’t know whether I want to spank the ever-loving-shit out of you or go beat my brother to a pulp then cut his dick off,’’ he growls.

“I’ve got nothing to compare it to,’’ I snap, “It could be a party sausage for all I know, so don’t get you knickers twisted in a knot.’’

He shocks me by laughing, it’s the first time I’ve seen him full on laugh and he looks beautiful. His laugh earlier this morning in registration didn’t do it justice; in fact, I’m willing to put my life on it that this morning was a forced laugh. Watching him now laughing with a carefree look upon his face has me smiling up at him, wishing I could get him to laugh like this more often. Even the dimples in his cheeks stand out more when he laughs, it makes him look sexier.

Once he realises I’m staring at him with a goofy smile on my face he looks down at me with softened eyes, “Now tell me why you were caked in dirt and why you passed out on me,’’ he demands, not pussy footing around the elephant in the room any longer.

“I had...’’ shit, I’m about to tell him about Davis, but then remember his warning about telling someone. I can’t tell him. My Gram’s is all I have. Do I really believe he would harm her? Yes. Kill her? No, but I’m not willing to take any chances. She’s all I have. “I didn’t feel so good during my last lesson so I started rushing out when class ended thinking I was going to be sick and then fell over the bench outside,’’ I tell him, not looking him in the eye.

“I can tell you’re lying to me which I don’t like babe, but I’m going to let it go this once because whatever happened got you spooked. I saw the fear in your eyes when you rushed around the corner and I also heard the relief when you heard my voice. Just know I’m not going to let anything happen to you.’’

The truth in his voice hits me in the chest with full force that I have to take a couple of deep breaths before looking up at him. How does he know how to say the right things? He’s such a contradiction. On the outside he’s this rugged, broody, bad boy, and then on the inside he’s this loving, caring, and beautiful man. Not that I’d ever tell him that.

“Why does it feel like I’ve known you longer?’’ I blurt out; ignoring the topic we’re on. I’m not changing the topic on purpose either, I genuinely want to know. It really does feel like I’ve known him much longer than I actually have.

“I know exactly how you feel babe. You make me feel like I’ve known you my whole life. I feel like I can tell you things I’d never talk to anyone else about. It’s mad. I don’t even have this big of a connection with my brothers and we’re as close as people can get. I don’t know how you’ve done it, but it’s like you’ve put me under a spell,’’ he whispers, his voice so close.

“I bet you say that to all the girls,’’ I mutter, rolling my eyes.

“No Harlow, I don’t. I’ve never had to talk a girl into bed. I’ve never had a girlfriend either, but I’m not saint. I may not have slept with the girls from our school, but it doesn’t mean I’m a virgin. I’ve had my fair share of girls, but unlike my brothers I can take it or leave it when it comes to the other sex. I don’t make promises I know I can’t keep, and I certainly never lie to them.’’

“So why me then, I don’t get it? If you could have your pick of girls then why would you pick someone who isn’t going to jump head first into bed with you?  I’m not that sort of girl Malik, so if that’s what you think of me then...’’

“Shut up,’’ he growls, pressing his hips into mine. My mouth opens letting out a gasp before I snap it shut to stop the moan from slipping past my lips. Instead, I start whimpering from the pressure of him pressing his body between my legs. “I know you’re not like any of those other girls Harlow. I want more from you than just sex, but don’t get me wrong we will be when the time is right, it’s just a matter of time. I want you for you. I’ve never wanted to be around someone as much as I do you so much in my life. It’s madness. And today, today I never wanted to hurt someone as badly as I did Davis to protect you,’’ he says softly.

As soon as I hear the name Davis I shoot up in the bed. Luckily Malik moves out of the way just in time, before my head connected with his.

“I need to go home. My Gram’s is most likely wondering where I am.’’

“She’s downstairs cooking dinner,’’ he grins, but his eyes look into mine like he’s searching for something making me feel uncomfortable. It’s like he’s searching for answers for my sudden change in behaviour. Not wanting to give anything away I make sure to keep my eyes away from his. I already feel hot under his scrutiny. “You hungry?’’

He doesn’t finish asking before my stomach rumbles loudly embarrassing me.

“I’m taking that as a yes,’’ he chuckles. “Let’s go get some food then head over to yours. I thought we could get started on our project together.’’

“I... yeah,’’ I agree before frowning down at my attire. Shit!

“Don’t worry your Nan brought you some clean clothes over with her. The bag is over by the chest of drawers,’’ he says and for the first time I notice my swim bag on the floor. Grabbing it up off the floor I send a silent thank you to my Gram’s, especially when I find she has put a clean bra in there.

All day I’ve had to put up with wearing a sticking bra thanks to Davis. At one point I wanted to rip it off, but with the size of my chest and the fact my school shirt is practically see-through I left it on. I’ve been picked on for my large chest size before, especially because of my small height at five foot.

Wait; if my Gram’s got me a set of clean clothes then Malik must have filled her in on what happened. Does she know I had passed out again? Fuck, what if she sends me to see another doctor? They’ve wanted me to see a psychiatrist, or a bereavement counsellor since my parents were murdered but I continue to refuse.

As if reading my thoughts Malik holds onto both of my hands supporting me. Leaning forward Malik kisses my forehead before looking into my eyes with a soft and almost understanding look.

“I’ve told your Nan that you felt tired after a long day at school. With everything that happened last night she hasn’t really questioned it. I knew you wouldn’t want her to worry. I hope you don’t mind that I lied?’’

“No, that’s fine. If she finds out I passed out again she’d probably have me admitted,’’ I chuckle, but it’s forced.

“Nah, she’s alright your Nan,’’ he chuckles. “She’d probably have you admitted if you told her you hated Mr. Darcy like us lot did the once. She wouldn’t cook for us for over a week.’’

“Mr. Darcy?’’ I ask confused.

“Oh God, no! Never bring this up with her, please. If she ever finds out you’ve never seen
Pride and Prejudice
she’ll make you watch it until your ears bleed.’’

“You sound like you talk from experience,’’ I grin, sorting through the bag of clothes Gram’s sorted out for me.

“Trust me I am,’’ he shudders making me chuckle.

“Don’t worry I’ve seen
Pride and Prejudice
, but I’ll still keep stump about it. I hated it. I’ve never watched such a boring film in all my life. Seriously, he hardly spoke and when he did he was a jerk,’’ I say outraged.

“Ha, that’s what I said, but your Nan made me watch it again. By the fourth time I realised she was doing it until one of us agreed with her. There wasn’t even any chemistry between the two. They hardly knew anything about one another, yet they spent years pining over each other?’’ he asks, before making a grunting sound.

“Ha, my mom loved it,’’ I smile sadly thinking of how she would gush over it. “We’d debate over it for hours and hours, but I still never understood her infatuation with Mr. Darcy, I still don’t. She’d always say ‘Harlow girl, the story hasn’t ended. It was love at first sight, now they have the rest of their lives to be together.’ I’d just stare at her and wonder what my dad had put in her tea,’’ I laugh, feeling my eyes water from the pain in my chest over losing them. I miss them so much. Every. Single. Day.