Twisted Fire (25 page)

Charlotte heard Lucas leave and then Jared coming towards her room, so she sat up. “Do you still think it could be him?” she asked. “I just can’t believe it.”

“
Why? Because he was such a stand up guy or because you slept with him?”

Her breath caught sharply and she frowned with confusion. Her face flushed in anger and her full lips pressed together as she attempted to get up from the bed.

“
What are you doing?” he asked her, coming around to help.

“
I’m leaving. You just don’t stop, do you? How much longer do I have to listen to your insults? I’m not the promiscuous, shallow, uncaring person you seem to think I am and I can’t take it anymore.” She began to cry in frustration at not being able to exit the room with dignity. “What makes you think you’re so special and important that I should be sitting here pining after you like some lovesick fool. I’m leaving and if you’re not going to help me, I’ll do it myself.”

She stood up before yelping from the stabbing pain in her leg and promptly sat on the bed again.

Jared forgot all about his caution and fear once he saw how his foolishness had hurt her. She was a beautiful, intelligent, sensitive, wonderful girl and he was throwing her away. What was he doing? She was in danger, scared, hurt and he loved her, he must protect her, love her, not push her away. No more thinking - it was time for action.

He lifted her off the bed, crushing his mouth to hers with everything his heart possessed.

She turned her face away from his. “Why are you doing this to me?”

“
Because I’m crazy in love with you.”

She turned back to look at him with confusion and doubt in her eyes. “You don’t treat someone you love like you treated me.”

“
I know and I’m sorry. I saw that man on you and my possessiveness and jealously overwhelmed me. I have never loved anyone like I love you and the thought of you being with someone else was just too much. Then, when I thought you were going to die, I just couldn’t … ”

She cut him off with a kiss and threw her arms around his neck. He pulled her to him tight before gently easing her backwards onto the bed. He lay beside her so he wouldn’t hurt her injured leg. He wanted to tear off her clothes, make love to her all night but she was injured and he didn’t want to cause her any more pain.

“
Thanks, I love you too.” She smiled at him.

“
That’s the first time you’ve said it to me, so thank you.” He kissed her gently.

“
I told you in the hospital,” she said.

“
I wasn’t sure I heard you right or whether you still felt the same way. I was scared to reveal my feelings to you in case you didn’t return them. That’s why I only told you how I felt when I thought you couldn’t hear me.” He twirled her curls around his fingers as he gazed deeply into her eyes, aching to touch her but not wanting to hurt her.

“
So it wasn’t a dream. I did really hear you.”

“
Yes.”

“
Why have you been so … ”

“
Stubborn?”

“
Yes.”

“
I was scared, you reminded me of … ”

“
Emma, yes I know all about her and, yes, I may have some of the same character traits but I’m not dishonest or unkind. I’m loyal, not fickle, as you seem to think I am. I just never met the right guy until now.” The truth of her conviction was in her eyes. His love for her overwhelmed him.

“
I don’t think you’re fickle, not now anyway. I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered.

“
I missed you too and I’m happy to see this Jared again.”

“
Only for you, baby,” he said and kissed her tenderly again. “Please don’t tell anyone - it might ruin my reputation.”

She laughed her full throaty laugh, which sent his senses reeling.

“
I really need to love you right now but I don’t want to hurt you.”

“
Let’s just be slow and gentle, then.”

* * *

Charlotte woke weary but happy the following morning in Jared’s room. During the night they’d moved to his larger, more comfortable bed and she had fallen asleep in his arms, the same place she found herself when she opened her eyes.

She looked up to see he was still asleep. She began kissing and nibbling on his neck. He opened his eyes, gazed down at her and kissed her lovingly.

“
Good morning, Blondie, it’s nice to have you wake up in my bed again. I don’t think I want you to sleep anywhere else.”

“
I don’t want to either.”

“
Maybe I should bring the rest of your things over,” he said as he wound her curls around his fingers.

“
Really?”

“
Yes, I want you to move in.”

“
Are you sure?”

“
Yes, I’m sure. I don’t want to lie around pining after you either.”

“
Did I really say that?” she asked in disbelief.

“
Yes, honey, you did. I liked it.”

“
You would.” She poked him in the ribs and he laughed.

“
I’m going to have to be serious for a minute.”

“
Only a minute? More like most of the time.”

“
Charlotte, this is important.”

“
OK, I’m listening.”

“
With Dr Shaw unable to be found, you could be at risk. I need to be sure you’re safe at all times. I have to protect you.”

“
We don’t know if Dr Shaw is involved. It was Stevens in the fire. It could all be over anyway.”

“
Yes, but with him missing Lucas is concerned and suspicious. I trust his instincts.”

“
Me too. It was his instincts that helped find Chelsea.” She paused. “OK, if you are going to use that to get me to say yes then by all means collect my things.”

“
The fact that I love you isn’t enough?”

“
Yes, darling, of course it is.”

“
Don’t tease me, babe.”

“
But it’s my favourite thing to do,” she said biting his chest. “You’re so easy.”

After finally dragging themselves out of bed around lunchtime, Jared cooked brunch while Charlotte watched.

“
You know what would be even better than you cooking for me all the time?” she asked.

“
What would that be, Blondie?”

“
If you did it naked or at least without your shirt.”

“
That’s very dangerous, Charlotte. Do you know how many people get badly injured when they don’t have adequate protection while cooking?”

She laughed heartily. “Spoil sport.”

“
I take fire very seriously.”

“
I know you do, Montgomery. Your serious side is very sexy. I’m growing to like it more and more.” She smiled. “Speaking of Montgomery, where is Mitch?”

“
Away doing a modelling shoot somewhere. He’s due back tomorrow.”

“
I thought he wanted to find a gallery for an exhibition.”

“
He does, but this is for the extra money so he can buy a place.”

“
Oh, so I’ll have two big strong men protecting me.”

“
Mitch won’t be doing anything for you, honey. That’s my job.”

“
Possessive much?” she asked, one eyebrow arched.

“
Absolutely, if you hadn’t taken it upon yourself to flirt with him at your sister’s wedding, we might not be where we are now.”

“
I know. That’s why I did it.”

“
You are a little devious after all.” He smiled, coming over to kiss her before returning to brunch.

“
When I want something bad enough I can be.”

Jared served her another scrumptious meal and he joined her while they ate. When they had finished, he cleared up and then re-joined her.

“
I think you should call Chelsea and arrange for her to pack your things, that way I can collect them while Mitch is here. I don’t want to leave you alone,” Jared told her as her began to rub her shoulders. He was hopeful that a massage would help warm her to the idea.

“
I really think it can wait,” she told him, “at least until my arm is healed enough for me to do it myself. Chelsea has done enough for me. Besides, I have enough clothes to last me for a week at least. My arm is starting to feel better so by then I should be able to do it. What’s the hurry?” She knew she was prattling on.

As much as she wanted to live with Jared, her feet were a little cold. She didn’t want to rush. Apprehension was the winning emotion at present.

“
When I decide to do something, I do it, I don’t wait.”

“
Impatience, another wonderful trait.” She rolled her eyes. “You took long enough to decide you believed me, so you can wait a bit longer for me to move all my stuff. I won’t need any of my furniture because yours is nicer anyway, so it’s just my clothes and other personal things.”

“
I just want to get it done. You won’t be ready to do much in a week and you will need help anyway, so it may as well be now.”

“
You are so stubborn, Montgomery. Fine, I’ll ring her now. What day is it anyway?”

“
Are you serious?”

“
Yes, I have kind of lost track of time being a lady of leisure.”

“
It’s Friday.”

“
Oh well, she’ll won’t be off from work until Sunday, so she won’t have time to do it till then.”

“
I’ll go and help her. You don’t have much, so it won’t take long. I would prefer to do it tonight but I guess Sunday will have to do.”

“
My God, you’re pushy.” She winked.

“
I just want you here with all your stuff so I know you won’t leave.”

“
You need my possessions here to know that?” she asked brusquely.

“
No, Blondie, but I’ll say whatever it takes to get you to do it.”

“
Just being insistent has done it.”

She picked up the phone next to her on the generous breakfast bench. She was sitting on one of the comfortable, cream, leather stools which ran along its length. Although more like a lounge chair than a stool, she remembered how ostentatious she had thought they were until she sat in one, now she wanted to live in it. She completely understood his need to make the purchase now.

“
Bloom, Chelsea speaking.”

“
Hey, Sis.”

“
Hey, Charlotte. How are you feeling?”

“
I’m great and sick of being asked, but thanks.”

“
I won’t ask again.”

“
Good. I need a favour.”

“
What is it?”

“
Could you pack the rest of my clothes and stuff?”

“
Of course. Why?”

“
Because I’ve been told I’m moving,” she replied, giving Jared a derisive look. “And for some reason it couldn’t wait until I can do it.”

“
Really, well if it’s an emergency, I’ll do it when I get home.” She laughed to herself. Her sister had finally met her match, someone who got their own way with her which no-one had been able to do for almost twenty-four years.

“
It can wait till Sunday, even though it almost couldn’t. You’ll have some help too.”

“
I’m glad to hear that. Who’s babysitting?”

“
Ha ha, Mitch will be home.”

“
OK, tell him to drop around after lunch and help me finish up.”

“
Thanks, Chelsea. I owe you.”

“
No, you don’t. You’ve worked enough times at the shop for nothing. This is my payment to you and, besides, we’re sisters, no tallies.”

“
Thanks. Come over and visit me on Monday. I miss you.”

“
I assume this means you have made up, then.”

“
Yes, he finally came to his senses.” She smiled.

“
Glad to hear it, honey. I’ll see you on Monday.”

“
There, happy now?” she asked Jared a little defiantly.