The Inheritance (Forever Bound #1) (5 page)

She nodded. “It’d be refreshing.”

“Broke up with my girlfriend a month ago and I’m looking to take away that sting. How’s that for honesty?”

Her eyes hung to his. He seemed honest about that, and she couldn’t fault him. He was out there looking for something to take his mind off of his heartbreak, and she was out there looking for something to take away her own problems. A perfect match. “My fiancé left me a week before the wedding. That was a year ago, and I’m still trying to get over that sting.”

“He must be an ass,” Damian replied, surprising her.

She snickered. “I think so.” She continued to gawk at him, gaining up her courage to speak just as candid. “If you don’t mind me saying…your ex isn’t very smart either. To leave someone as gorgeous as yourself…she must be blind.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I think so.” He chuckled. “But, you’re too kind.”

“Speak the truth,” Charity replied back. She reached for her glass and started to pick it back up, but then hesitated. Being more forward than she’d ever been in her life, she inched closer to him and placed her mouth against his ear. “I live about five minutes from here. Want to follow me home, and we can both help to lose that sting?”

When she pulled back from him. His face read several emotions, but the desire was the strongest one. He nodded. “After you!”

She stepped down from the stool and headed out of the club, with Damian only inches behind her. She made eye contact when she headed to her car and saw that he was getting onto a motorcycle. “A bad boy,” she mumbled, smiling as she got into her car. She was ready to get the night started.

***

Derek sat in his office chair and picked up the papers that Jesse had left earlier in the evening. “I won’t do it,” he said as if to reaffirm his feelings. He didn’t care what he was giving up. He didn’t want to marry some random girl just to get money. That ship had sailed, and he wanted to just put the thought behind him. He let the papers drift back to his desk, then picked up the photo album that he had found earlier. On the first page was a picture of Jenna and him. They were laughing and full of love. She had put it together their senior year. He didn’t know why he kept it, but it felt wrong to throw it away. That was seven years he didn’t want to lose. On the next page, he found them riding their bikes. It was surely a picture her parents had taken.

They were only eleven, but even then it seemed obvious they would one day be together. He flipped the page to several pictures from their seventh-grade dance. He snickered as he peered at the crazy moves they did back then. His hand ran over each picture, and he remembered the sound of the music, the way the decorations glittered in the school auditorium, and the smell of the corsage he gave to her. He flipped through three more pages to a sadder day in their life. Her grandmother had just passed away, and someone caught a glimpse of Derek trying to console her. They were in an embrace that he didn’t expect to ever part from. It was during their Freshman year of high school, and it was around the time he started to realize that he wasn’t too young to know what love was. He wanted to be there for her.

“What happened?” he whispered. He glanced at the pictures next to it. Her Freshman school picture was diagonal to his. Her eyes shone in the picture. Her red hair was long and flowed down her back. When he looked at his picture, he saw someone that was more lonely and sad. It was around the eyes and he never noticed it before. He flipped the page and found a crushed rose and next to it a single concert ticket. It was their first concert together. They saw Garth Brooks, and he remembered her telling him that if Derek hadn’t stolen her heart, she would’ve pursued finding Garth and trying to marry him. Derek laughed at her statement at the time, but he now noticed the hidden meaning. At that point, she was in love with him. He wasn’t alone.

He took to another page, where it was some more pictures. This time, they were pictures taken at a bonfire during their Junior year. Again, each picture showcased two people that would never give up on one another. He flipped the page and found more pictures from birthday parties, vacations, and dances. Then he reached their graduation. Someone captured a picture of the two of them all dressed in their cap and gowns. It was hard to believe that only two days later she was saying goodbye and leaving him there to make a choice. Would he stay or would he go?

So many things kept him from leaving and following her. Most importantly he didn’t want to disappoint his father. Looking back he couldn’t be sure whether he would have made the same choice, but he also never had regrets, and he wanted to believe things always worked out for the better. He closed the album and stood up from his chair. He hesitated at the shelf, contemplating of finally pitching the scrapbook and moving on with his life, but instead he shoved it back into the spot that he got it from. He didn’t know why things happened the way they did, but he did know that the girl in that book took a piece of his heart when she left that day, and he was fine with keeping his decision intact. He couldn’t look at marrying someone else when he wasn’t completely over the girl next door.

***

“Oh God!” she moaned. His hands slithered over her body as his hips bucked sharply against hers. The moment they got back to her place, they had their clothes off and were wildly having sex in her bedroom. “Ugh…” she screamed, grabbing onto his body and gliding under his strong build. His name repeatedly left her lips which was unusual, as she thought that was too intimate.

This time, she didn’t care, she needed him…wanted him. He pumped inside her as his condom filled up and her body shook beneath him, slowly releasing her juices around his erection. He collapsed on top of her and their lips met. His tongue dove into her mouth, and she moaned, breathlessly taking in the taste of his lips. His hands fondled her breasts as they lay there and explored one another. Usually, it’s
wham bam thank you ma’am,
but this time, it was pleasurable and tender.

His hands left her breasts and gracefully washed over the sides of her body. Her legs drifted apart, and his shaft released from her hold. His hands landed on her hips, and they continued the methodic way of kissing one another, then she couldn’t breathe and arched her back, tearing away from his lips. His mouth wandered to her chin and slowly down her neck while she gasped for air. With one hand wrapped around her back and the other snug to her waist, he kissed her sensitive skin.

His tongue swooped out and gently caressed her shoulder, then collarbone. She sighed, enjoying the meaningful moment. He enthusiastically kissed her along her collarbone, then dipped his lips to her breasts. His tongue slithered up her cleavage, wrapping around her breasts, and eagerly feasting on one, then the other. His teeth latched onto a nipple, gently tugging it and noisily releasing it. “Ah…” she moaned, gyrating her body smoothly beneath him. His teeth latched onto nipple number two and again plopped it out of his mouth, leaving another grueling moan from her lips.

He explored his way down her stomach, sliding his tongue around her navel. His hands gripped tight to her waist, and he moved down even lower. At her feminine opening, he teased her clit with his tongue, sliding it up and down the hard nub. “Hmm…” he groaned, rubbing his tongue hard against her.

He inserted his tongue between her folds and she whimpered, opening her legs wider for him to enter. He moved in swift motions, in and out…hard and easy…fast and slow…leaving her thrashing beneath him and screaming out with ecstatic pleas. “Yes! Yes! Holy fuck! Yes!” she cried. Her body shook with emotion, and another orgasm gripped her and she gushed her juices into his mouth. He hungrily and enthusiastically took in her fragrance, and she crashed hard against the bed, panting and begging for him not to stop. She closed her eyes and laid there, calmly coming back to relaxation.

His tongue lapped up her juices, and he pulled out of her, then sexily wandered back up her body and to her lips. “You didn’t disappoint,” he replied with a smile.

Without saying a word, she wrapped her hand around his head and pulled him down to her. She was thinking the exact same thing. Damian had her completely in his grasp, and she didn’t want to let go.

Derek just walked into his office when his phone buzzed in. He hit the intercom button, where Lily could easily get ahold of him. “This is Derek.”

“Boss, I just wanted to tell you that your twelve o’clock was canceled. He said he would call back to reschedule.”

“Okay. Thanks.” He disconnected the call, then realized that he still had to eat so he buzzed into Lily’s phone.

“Yes?” she answered.

“Do you want to order in sandwiches today?” he asked.

“Sorry, but I can’t stay today for lunch. My boyfriend is stopping by and picking me up. I can order something for you, though. Do you want the usual?”

He was a little disappointed that Lily already had plans, but he understood she couldn’t stop her life on his account. “No, don’t bother. I’ll just go out and grab something.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. “No bother at all.”

“I’m positive. Enjoy your lunch.”

“Thanks! I’ll be back before one.”

“Okay, no problem. Thank you!” He disconnected the call, then dialed up Jesse’s cell number. It rang only once before Jesse answered.

“This is, Jesse.”

“Hey. What are you doing today for lunch?”

“Not a thing. Why?” Jesse answered.

“Well, I thought we could meet up and get a bite to eat.”

“What?” Jesse responded. “Mayor Worthington is going to make time for me during his lunch hour? What gives? This is an absolute honor.”

Derek rolled his eyes. “Canceled meeting, so don’t feel too honored.” He laughed. “Come up to the office and we’ll head out.”

“Actually, just heading back to the office. Had a meeting this morning. Meet you there? Say Hacienda Mexican Grill?”

“Sounds good…see you in ten. Bye!” He hung up his phone and left his office. He spotted Lily’s boyfriend standing at her desk. He nodded and waved. “We don’t have anything going on until later today. If you need more time. Feel free to take it.”

She smiled. “Thanks!”

“Good to see you, Brayton.”

“You too, Mayor Worthington.”

Derek got onto the elevator and took it down to the parking garage. He got into his car and started it up, then pulled out of the garage and headed to the restaurant. He hadn’t forgotten the conversation he had with Jesse the night before, so he really hoped he didn’t regret having lunch with him.

When he got to the restaurant, he spotted Jesse’s car already in the parking lot. He parked and got out of the car, then hurried up to the restaurant door. He held the door open as a woman, and her young child was leaving the building. She smiled and looked extra long at Derek. “Good day, Ma’am,” he replied.”

“Thank you!” She beamed as if she had just talked to the President of the United States. He looked away from her and entered the restaurant. The hostess looked up and smiled.

“Good afternoon, Mayor.”

“Good afternoon. I’m meeting Jesse Tremble.”

“Of course. Follow me.” She grabbed a menu and led the way to a table. “The waitress will be with you in a minute.”

“Thank you!” He sat down and Jesse opened his mouth to say something, but Derek quickly put up his hand. “I just want it noted that we are having lunch today, and I don’t expect you to rehash over our conversation from last night. Got it?” He sternly looked at Jesse.

“What? You invited me to lunch, and you’re not even going to give me the opportunity to change your mind?”

“That’s what I said. I mean it. My decision…my call. If you can’t accept that, then maybe this lunch wasn’t such a great idea.” Derek acted like he was going to get back up.

“Wait!” Jesse argued. “Fine. Your decision.”

Derek smiled. “Thank you!”

“Whatever!” Jesse answered back.

He looked down at his menu and tried to decide what to order before the waitress arrived at the table. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jesse watching him. He snickered under his breath and figured Jesse would never truly stop nagging him, but he would have to accept that, after all, it was who Jesse was, and nothing would persuade him otherwise.

***

“Oh my God, it’s noon!” Charity jumped out of bed and turned to face the man that still laid next to her.

He smiled. “Yes, it most certainly is noon, and I’m not even nearly ready to leave this room.” He grabbed her hand and tried to pull her back to the bed. “Just five more minutes.”

She slapped his hand away. “No, you have to leave…now. I have to get to work, and I’m already behind schedule. She grabbed a robe and threw it on over her naked body. She still couldn’t believe she got caught in the moment, lost track of time, and repeatedly found herself caving to his wants.

He groaned. “You have to take a shower, don’t you?” He winked at her and tossed her a smug grin. “I think I could get cleaned up, as well. Imagine, you…me…hot, steamy shower. What do you say?”

She smiled, slowly succumbing to his request, but then smacked herself out of it and stiffened up. “I mean it, Damian. You have to go.”

He sighed. “Fine!”

He crawled out of bed, and it took every ounce of her being not to watch him as he got dressed. There was a reason she lost control and kept him in her bed. His body completely made her weak, and she couldn’t fault herself for that. He finished getting dressed and walked over to her. For the first time, she looked back at him. “What?” she asked when he gave her a sly grin.

“Do I get a kiss for the road?”

She put her hand to his chest and pushed him away. “I’m not that type of girl.”

He laughed. “What type of girl is that?”

“I’m not the intimate and relationship type girl,” she mumbled as she pushed past him. He slowly followed her to the door. She opened it up and remained a lack of eye contact.

“I had fun,” he softly replied. “I thought you did, too.”

She sighed. That wasn’t the problem. She did have fun, but once realization hit that he stayed longer than she intended, she had no choice but put up all sorts of walls. “You did your job well,” she coldly responded. “Good day!” Her voice was dry and calm when deep down she was begging herself to let him stay. She never had a moment when she felt something more than great sex. He was different, but she couldn’t figure out what it was about him that made her quiver with need.

He tilted his head and stared at her, hoping to break her, but she kept her ground. He left her apartment, and she closed the door behind him. She hurried into the bathroom and got into the shower. The thought kept drifting into her mind of how she felt when he held her in her arms. It was strange. After all, they’d only met a little more than twelve hours earlier. She finished her shower in record time and threw on her work clothes, giving herself time to stare long and hard in the mirror.

“I’m going crazy,” she replied to her reflection. “He is no different than every other guy I shared a bed with.” The only problem he was. He was handsome in a way that no other guy could compete with. He was hot. He was a bad boy, showing off his skills on his motorcycle. He was the type of guy that she would’ve longed to be with in her younger days. “He’s not that guy!” She argued to her reflection.

She turned away from the mirror and hurried down the hallway and to the front door. She grabbed her purse, which was discarded on a living room table and raced to the front door. When she opened it up, she was startled to find her landlord standing there, about to knock.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she angrily asked.

He snickered. “I own the building, and I can pretty much go anywhere I see fit.”

She stepped back and stared at him. “Right, so why am I so lucky to find you at my door?”

He pushed his way into her apartment. “Well, I left you a message and since you didn’t bother calling me back…I thought maybe you didn’t get it.”

“I did,” she quietly confessed. “I’ve been busy working, and it simply dropped from my mind.”

He nodded. “I’m sure it did, but you do know that time is drifting away, and you really need to get me your rent. I don’t have a lifetime to wait.” He snarled in her direction. “So, when will I receive it?”

She had to talk to her boss when she got to work. She couldn’t give him a definitive answer. “I don’t know, Richard. I’m doing the best I can. Really…I am.”

He hesitated, staring long and hard at her, making her feel an awkwardness she’d never felt before. She kept her eyes locked on his, so he didn’t see her nervous energy fighting through. “I’m really an easygoing guy, Charity. You can ask anyone.”

Right,
she thought. “I know, and I don’t want to put you off, but I don’t have the money right now. Please, just give me a few more weeks.”

“Here’s the thing,” he started, “I want to be able to help you out, and I think that I might have a solution to your problem.” He lifted his hand and brushed it against her cheek. She froze in place. “I know how you enjoy spending time with the guys. I’ve seen what goes on here.”

Her mouth opened. “You’ve been watching me?” she asked.

He smiled. “Observing…that’s all. The point is…I would be willing to give you all the time in the world if you provide me a little action. What do you say, Babe?”

She put her hand to her face and knocked his hand away. “I say that you’re a disgusting pig, and you better get out of my apartment before I call the cops.”

He laughed. “This is still my apartment complex and frankly…you are running out of time and options. If you sleep with me, then you don’t have to worry about being thrown out on the street.”

“Are you threatening me?” Charity asked.

He shook his head. “Promising. Think about it!” He turned away and left the apartment. Charity stared off in disbelief. She didn’t care what he said, she would not stoop to his level. She would figure out another way. She hurried out of the apartment building and got in her car. Richard stood on the sidewalk, and his eyes followed her, but she made sure not to give him a second look.

She practiced her speech over and over, as she contemplated what she would say to Bill. “I’m a hard worker, and I will diligently work day and night if I have to. Please, just give me the chance to show you that you won’t be disappointed.” She pulled into the parking lot of the diner and took a deep breath. She grabbed her purse and jumped out of her car, continuing to practice her spiel. When she got in the diner, she waved at Tina and pushed her way through the backroom. She spotted Bill at his desk, and her mind went blank. “Think…think…” she muttered under her breath.

She knocked on his door, and he looked up and greeted her with a smile. “Good afternoon, Charity.” He put his pen down and put his attention on her. “What can I do for you?”

“It’s what I can do for you.” She cringed; that sounded so cheesy. He chuckled softly, and she sighed. “I just really need to talk to you.”

He smiled. “I gathered that. What’s up?”

“I was wondering…I was hoping, actually, that we could discuss the possibility of getting more hours. I can work day…night…every weekend. I just really could use the extra money.”

He looked down at his desk. “I was waiting for you to come in here to talk to me.”

“You were?” she asked.

He nodded. “People talk and I have crunched all sorts of numbers, and I have looked into whether I could offer raises. I have tried to work out a schedule that I feel is fair, but the fact of the matter is…everyone could use some extra hours, and I just don’t have any to give.”

“What about Stella? She wants to go visit family. You could give her a vacation and those hours would be up for grabs.”

He nodded. “True, but we’re looking at a couple weeks. It wouldn’t be forever, and you would be back to where you started off. Plus, I can’t work you sixty hours in a week. You’d be burnt out and resenting me.”

She hadn’t thought about that, but he was right. She needed something more permanent that would offer more benefits and more money. “I don’t want to look for another job.”

“I don’t want you to look for another job, but in this economy, I would completely understand. You have to do what’s best for you and maybe down the line, I would have more to offer, but at the moment…I don’t. I hope you understand.”

She didn’t want to show her disappointment, but she couldn’t lie about the fact that it wasn’t the answer she wanted to hear. “Thank you for hearing me out.”

“Anytime, Charity.” He gave a weak smile, and she left his office. She had to fight for the tears not to fall, as they wanted to creep out of the corner of her eyes. She clocked in and walked out of the backroom. Now, she had no other decision to make but what job to apply for. She had to find something else.

***

When Derek got back to the office, he noticed Lily was already back. He headed to his office, and it wasn’t too long before she was at his door. “Did you have a nice lunch?” he asked.

She nodded. “I did…you?”

He smiled. “Refreshing. Thanks!”

“While we are gone, I received a call back from the records office, and they said the property has been abandoned for a little shy of four years. They’re doing some more digging to find the owner.”