Bad Decision: The Carter Brothers Page 10

  Charlie groans loudly. “Don’t do this, bro. I don’t want to be an only child.”

  He holds his hands up as I glare at him and says wearily, “It’s your funeral.”

  Shrugging, I move away to go and fetch my girl.

  We head down the stairs and as I thought are met at the bottom by Jess and her so-called friends. She bats her false eyelashes and says huskily, “Hey, babe. Long-time no see.”

  I stare at her irritably and snarl, “I told you to stay away from my club.”

  She laughs stupidly. “I thought you’d have forgotten our little misunderstanding by now.”

  Charlie snorts and Jess looks at him angrily. “Shut the fuck up, Charlie. This is all your fault, anyway.”

  I think even the music stops to listen as there’s a sudden hush around us. Realizing her mistake, Jess tries to laugh it off. “For fuck’s sake, I was only joking.”

  Reaching out, I grab hold of her arm and pull her close. She struggles against me and cries, “Let go, you’re hurting me.”

  I snarl, “I don’t hit women but I’d make an exception for you. Nobody speaks to my brother like that and certainly not a slag like you. Now I’ll tell you again in a language you will understand. Don’t fucking come near us or any of our establishments again because If I see you, you had better start running.”

  Releasing her, she falls into the arms of security who pull her away and I snap at her friends, “You had better follow her because that applies to you too.”

  Taking a deep breath, I try to get my anger under control as Charlie says softly, “Well, that went well. It’s always nice to catch up with an old flame.”

  Shaking my head, we move through the crowd to find the only woman I want by my side and don’t know how the hell I’m going to achieve it without causing a war.

  19

  Summer

  As I sway in time to the music, I think of nothing else. The horrors of the last few months disappear along with the confusion and fear that’s lived with me since coming here.

  Tracey is dancing beside me and I don’t care if we draw attention to ourselves. I am now officially invincible because what happened back there in the restroom, showed me I don’t need to be a victim anymore. Why shrink back in fear when it all it takes is a moment of bravery to stand up for myself? No, I feel great and its only when the expressions change on the faces of those around me that I know he’s here.

  I feel a delicious shiver bring life to my broken heart as a hand slips around my waist and pulls me against a rock-hard body. I don’t even need to turn around to know who it is. The strong arm that grips me is possessive and holds me firmly against a body mine aches for. The mouth that lowers to my neck is one that tastes of forbidden fruit and as I feel the breath of temptation flutter across my soul, I lean back on the future and close my eyes against the reasons why I should pull away now.

  Then he spins me around and those arms lock me in place. I’m where I belong, safe and secure and my body arches toward his as the music continues to drive us forward to a place we should never go. The air is forced out of any space there was between us and the fabric of our clothes becomes an irritant against the need to feel his skin on mine.

  He whispers, “I’m about to start a war for you, Summer.”

  Leaning against his chest, I feel the need overpowering my logical reasoning. Nothing else matters but him. I see nothing standing in our way other than a misguided notion of what’s expected. Max and I may be related by marriage but the blood we share is completely different. There is no line in the rules of Nature that say we can’t be together, just an addition to the rules in the Carter household.

  Looking up into those dark eyes, I see a spark of life in them that wasn’t there before. The desire and purpose in them make me stand and stare. The lust and promise of what’s coming makes my heart beat faster and the desire shocks my body back to life. The yearning matches my own, and the fear makes me question everything. If we give into this overwhelming need, we could damage something that will never recover. Is it worth destroying something so new and fragile for a moment of lust?

  The trouble is, when destiny comes calling you answer that door and welcome it in, accommodating the baggage that comes with it as best you can. So, I snuggle into Max and sway to the music and harden my heart against the little voice in my head that’s telling me to walk away. I can’t hear it over the sound of destiny telling me to grab whatever this is and fight for it. I just know that Max is the one who was made for me and every road we took in life led us here to this point. Now we must join hands and tread the rest of it together for as long, or as short, as it turns out to be.

  The song ends, and he takes my hand in his and grins. “Come on, we need to get out of here.”

  I’m suddenly aware of Charlie and Tracey dancing nearby and watch as her head lies on his shoulder and his hands are splayed out on her lower back, pulling her body flush against him. Smiling to myself, I know how she is feeling right now. This birthday gift is the best one she could have because the look on her face says it all.

  Max moves and Charlie follows. Tracey and I are pulled behind them as they clear a path to the door, defying anyone to get in their way. The faces that surround us are mixed with curiosity and fear. They stare at Max and Charlie with reverence and it’s like watching a couple of movie stars walk the red carpet. Then I feel the envy, curiosity and longing in the eyes that follow me. The girls sneer as we pass and resentment flashes in their eyes. I’m not one of them, it’s obvious. Tracey is also different. We are no match for the polished exterior of these manufactured women. Their clothes, make-up and hair are carefully crafted into a look of perfection. Tracey and I are mere mortals in comparison to them and yet we walk in the place they want to be.

  The guys stare at us with a different sort of look in their eyes. Desired by association. If the Carters want us, there must be a good reason for it. The looks of approval and envy flash in their eyes and only the tightening of Max’s hand on mine show he notices it and it makes my heart sing.

  We head through the doors and the music cuts out and I take a deep breath. Charlie smiles at me and says softly, “You looked tired. It’s been a long night.”

  I nod and don’t miss his eyes narrow as Max pulls me to his side with a possessive arm and says firmly, “We’ll stay in the flat upstairs tonight. We should be here if any news comes.”

  Tracey looks at me with excitement shining in her eyes and I say with confusion, “What flat?”

  Charlie smiles. “There’s a flat above the club. Max and I use it because it’s convenient. Most of the time we live here and only really go home a couple of nights a week. We’re a little old to still live with our parents so this is the perfect solution.”

  I stare at him in surprise. “How did I not know that?”

  Max shrugs. “It didn’t come up in the conversation. Dad told us to stay close to home to get to know you.”

  He grins. “It wasn’t hard to do what he said for once.”

  Charlie laughs and grabs Tracey’s hand. “Come on, Trace, you and Summer can have my room, I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  The disappointment crawls over me like an unwanted virus and Max says sharply, “No need, I have to stay up to work, anyway. They can take my bed because if you don’t get any sleep after all that alcohol you’ve drank, you’ll be no use to me in the morning.”

  Charlie winks “I’m not going to argue with you there.”

  He grins at Tracey wickedly. “Do you fancy keeping me warm, babe?”

  The longing in her eyes speaks a different story to the words that spill from her mouth. “In your dreams. No thanks, I’m not one of your super sluts that usually warm your bed at night. You will have to try harder than that to stand a chance with me.”

  Charlie pretends to be wounded and throws his arm around her shoulder. “Then it’s a challenge I accept because I think you’re a fight worth winning and I never like to lose.”

  He
pulls her after him and we follow them as they continue to argue all the way, until we reach a locked door at the end of the passageway. My heart thumps as we follow the guys up a flight of stairs into a huge open plan space that looks out across London.

  For once Tracey is speechless as we look around us in awe. The lights of London twinkle like stars in a sky that’s fast turning light as the new day dawns. The apartment is tastefully furnished in a minimal, modern, style and suits the two men who call it home.

  Max heads to the small kitchen that sits at the end of the room and sets about making some coffee to absorb the alcohol we’ve drunk.

  Charlie smiles at Tracey and says sweetly, “You look done in, go to bed and we’ll make sure you get home tomorrow when you’re ready.”

  Grabbing a mug of coffee, she follows him and Max pushes mine toward me and says gruffly, “You should follow them. You need some sleep, it’s been a long night.”

  I see the shadows in his eyes and they’re not due to lack of sleep. Something is causing a huge burden to sit on his shoulders and I say softly, “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Shaking his head, he says wearily, “I can’t. There’s too much going on right now and I need to work out what I’m going to do about it. I can’t do that with you standing two feet from me, so for your own safety, I think you should join Tracey and sleep.”

  His words crush me and I say tightly, “Ok, thanks, I’ll um… see you in the morning.”

  He nods and turns away and it’s like a slap in the face. Now I’m confused because the Max standing before me is a completely different one to the man I danced with just a few moments ago. What’s changed in that brief walk here?

  Sadly, I follow the others to bed and hope that sleep will deliver the answers.

  20

  Maxwell

  As soon as the others head off to bed, I pour myself a stiff drink. Seeing Summer here in my flat and soon to be sleeping in my bed, is pure torture. I try not to imagine her laying where I should be right now but it’s hard. She is so sweet, so pure and everything I dreamed of finding, except for the huge weight of responsibility that comes with her.

  It’s a good job Tracey is here because I know the temptation would be too much and I would be joining her and making what could be either the best or worst mistake of my life.

  Then there’s Melissa. To say I’m worried is an understatement and every word I’ve heard fills me with fear. This Christian guy is not what he seems—that’s obvious. I need to find out who he is and fast because I’ve lived in this shady world long enough to know something’s happened. If my gut instinct’s right, Melissa has paid a heavy price.

  Moodily, I stare at the London skyline and picture her out there, alone and afraid. London’s an unforgiving city to an unprotected girl and maybe I’m wrong but I have a feeling I’m not going to like what we find.

  I can’t sleep and throw myself into work, anything to distract me from my tortured thoughts.

  It must only be a couple of hours later that the door opens and my heart beats a little faster as I see Summer standing there in one of my t-shirts. It sits just under her hips and the sight of those shapely legs make me swallow hard.

  Rubbing her eyes, she looks startled and says shyly, “Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you must be in bed. I couldn’t sleep and thought I’d grab a glass of water.”

  I nod because I can’t trust myself to speak right now. Images of what I want to do to her are playing on repeat in my mind and so, I shrug and turn to the window again. “Help yourself.”

  I recognize the coldness in my voice and it kills me inside but right now I need to put some distance between us. Summer doesn’t need me complicating her life any more than I need the distraction. I need to remain sharp and on edge, if I’m to react when we find Melissa.

  I hear her filling the glass from the tap and feel my heart thumping as she moves toward the door. I think I hold my breath as I try every trick in the book to ignore my natural instincts. I think I’ve almost succeeded and then say sharply, “Wait.”

  Turning around, I see her look at me with a hurt expression which makes my decision for me. Crossing the room, I stand near enough to see every thought flashing across her face and yet far enough away not to give into the strong desire to make her mine, right here, tonight.

  She looks uncertain and I take a deep breath and say huskily, “I’m sorry.”

  She looks at me from under those long lashes and says in a whisper, “For what?”

  “For being a bastard. You know I want you and have done for some time now. The thought of you lying in my bed, tangled up in my sheets, with the fabric of my own clothes touching what I want is sending me crazy. What happened at the Samurai club was my moment of weakness. I gave into what I want more than anything and now this shit with Melissa is my punishment for daring to think I could take what I wanted and fuck the consequences. I was being selfish. I can’t put you through more heartache and trouble because you don’t deserve it. You don’t deserve a man like me because you’re better than that. Joey wants the best for you and that’s not me. I’m not the man your parents would be proud to know. I would be the one they despised and cause them to fear every day you are with me. I am the monster under your bed and the man who lives in the shadows. I can’t ruin your future because of my own selfish desires. So, I’m setting you free to find the man who will be everything I can’t be. It’s the right thing to do for everyone.”

  The sight of those blue eyes shining with tears destroys me far more than any bullet or knife. Her lower lip trembles and I lose my mind.

  She shakes her head and says sadly, “What is the dream, Max? I used to think I had it all figured out. I had a lovely home and family and my life was good. Did I appreciate it? No, I didn’t. I took for granted what I should have thanked God for every day because once it’s gone, only then do you realize how precious it is. When I came here to London, I was alone and grieving hard. Finding my mom’s family was a huge comfort. It was like a piece of her still lived on and seeing Aunt Kim brought a little part of my mom to life again. Then I met my father, and I wasn’t lost anymore - I was found. He welcomed me in and gave me a future. You say you’re selfish, Max but I disagree. If anyone deserves to be called that, it’s me. You see, I want to seize every moment of whatever time I’ve got left because I’ve realized none of us knows how long that will be. If something is right, how can it be called wrong? It just needs to be seen for what it is and understood. No, I’m the selfish one in all this because I won’t walk away. I want to grab my happiness with both hands and to hell with the consequences because every storm passes and the dust always settles. I’m done with being responsible, I want to live again.”

  I’m not sure who moves first but in seconds she is in my arms. I pull those lips to mine and punish them for their bad decision. Pulling her close, I feel her soft curves mold to my body and I’m lost. I cup her ass and pull her closer and her moans are enough to drive me insane. She trembles under my touch and her hands reach under my shirt and stroke my bare skin. I push her gently toward the couch and pull her onto my knee. Running my hands along those shapely legs unleashes the beast in me as I appreciate the softness of her skin and the innocence in my hands.

  She pulls away and looks at me shyly, whispering, “I don’t want to wait anymore, Max.”

  Those words add fuel to an already raging fire and I stare at her with purpose. I pull her up until she is straddling my lap and remove the offending t-shirt. She stares into my eyes as I devour every inch of the perfection before me with my own. She is beautiful and I want to taste everything. Starting at her neck, I brand her as mine, licking, sucking and kissing every inch of skin until I reach those perfect breasts. Groaning, I take a hardened nipple in my mouth and bite gently. She gasps and her gentle moan makes my heart lift. Pulling away, I remove my top and pull her body to mine. The feel of her skin against mine feels so good and her touch leaves burning trails of desire wherever she goes.

>   Laying her gently down, I remove my jeans and watch her eyes widen as my cock springs free. I don’t miss the fear laced with excitement and smile, “Don’t be afraid, it’s going to be the perfect fit.”

  Her eyes shine with a desire and bravery that reels me in and binds me to her side for eternity. She whispers huskily, “I want to feel every inch of it inside me.”

  I grin like a kid on Christmas and say huskily, “You will, babe. It’s all yours but first I want to taste you.”

  The shock in her eyes makes me want her even more as I lower my lips to taste that sweet honey. I flick my tongue on her clit and she shivers. Her gasp of pleasure makes me harder than ever and I take it in my mouth and suck on it hard. She arches her back and gives me everything as I grab her ass and pull her closer.

  Tasting Summer is everything I ever thought it would be. She’s sweet, innocent and pure with a body for sin and a mind that knows what it wants. I can feel the pressure building and know she is close. Her fingers grasp my hair and her breathing intensifies as she explodes on my tongue. As she fills my mouth with her sweet honey it feels as if I’m where I belong. As she quivers beneath me, I reach for a condom in my pocket and make short work of the packaging. Then, I grip her hips firmly and lower my cock between her legs. Her eyes widen as she holds her breath and I growl, “This may hurt a little but it will soon pass.”

  She nods shyly and I whisper, “Is this what you want, babe, I can stop if you want me to?”

  She fixes me a desperate look, “Oh god, please don’t stop. I want you inside me, Max.”

  Tenderly, I grip the back of her head with one hand and look deep into her eyes as I inch in slowly. She is tight and her body resists at first and I watch every expression that crosses her face as she feels me enter her body. A flash of pain is quickly replaced by desire. I feel the slickness of her juices coating my cock and easing me inside. She gasps as I fill that little piece of heaven and starts to tremble under me. Arching toward me, she gasps, “That feels so good.”