Page 16 of Cinder & Secrets (Ink & Ashes #2)

River

“What in the world am I going to do with you?” I prop my shoulder against the doorframe, letting my eyes travel the length of Charlotte’s body, naked and spread open on top of my bed, her upper body supported on her elbows, enhancing her perfect tits.

She was asleep when I left the bed. I assumed she’d still be asleep when I returned a few short minutes later. Happy to report, I was wrong.

“I can think of a few things.” She lifts a hand, shifting her weight to one arm as she hitches a finger at me.

My feet move before my brain even tells them to.

She’s been here for less than twenty-four hours, and already I’ve been buried inside of her more times than I can count. I can’t get enough of her. And given the way she’s looking at me, I’d say the feeling is mutual.

“You’re insatiable, Red,” I tell her, stalking up the bed until I’m positioned in my new favorite spot, directly between her thighs.

“And you’re wearing too many clothes,” she replies, grabbing my shirt and tugging upward. I dip, allowing her to pull the material over my head before I lift one arm and then the other, fully surrendering the article of clothing, which she quickly tosses to the floor.

Every reservation I had, every excuse I made to keep this woman at arm’s length, went straight out the window the day I kissed her for the first time. Since that moment, I’ve been caught in a twister, unable to fight against the torrent of wind pushing me toward her.

Even though every fiber in my body is saying there’s no way this ends well, there’s nothing on this planet that could stop me from being exactly where I am at this current moment.

I press my lips to hers, groaning at the sweet taste of her lips.

Charlotte O’Malley is my kryptonite. She dismantles every one of my defenses with a single look. She commands my body with a single touch. She brings me to my knees with a single press of her lips to mine.

I don’t stand a chance against her. I don’t think I ever did.

“What classes are you most excited about this semester?” I ask just as Charlotte shoves a too-big bite of lo mein noodles into her mouth.

She gives me an annoyed look, like how dare I wait until she’s got food in her mouth to ask her a question, which only further spreads the smile teasing at the corners of my mouth.

She was more than a little surprised when I told her to get dressed, that I was taking her out to dinner. I could see the question in her eyes without her ever having to ask. What if we’re seen ...

I assured her it wouldn’t be an issue. Lyric is in Virginia.

My parents are watching the girls tonight because Dalton and Avery went to the symphony, of all places, and there isn’t anyone else around that has a clue who she is.

Even if I see someone I know, they won’t know her, and really, that’s all that matters.

I have no idea how long we’re going to keep this little charade up. It feels shady, sneaking around and lying to everyone. But at the same time, I can’t deny that I like having her all to myself.

“Creative writing.” She waits until she’s swallowed her bite before answering.

“Creative writing?” I arch a brow, a little surprised by this. Charlotte does not seem like the kind of person who would enjoy a class like that.

“I loved my creative writing class in high school. Besides, I’m going to need the credit hours for my major.”

“You declared a major?”

She nods slowly.

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense here.”

“English.”

“English?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while now and I’ve decided I think I’d like to work in publishing.”

“Are there a lot of publishing houses in Virginia?”

“Some. But I have no plans of staying in Virginia.”

“Ah, that’s right. The New York dream.” I tear off a bite of eggroll between my teeth.

During one of our many conversations we’ve had over the last few months, Charlotte confided in me that she has every intention of moving to New York after she graduates. She wanted to attend school there, but her parents refused to pay her tuition if she attended school out of state.

“That’s right.” She twists another bite of noodles onto her fork. “This place is incredible, by the way.” She gestures around the dimly lit restaurant.

“I told you it was good.”

“It’s not just good. This is like the best Chinese food I’ve ever eaten.”

“Perks of living in a touristy area. You get some of the best restaurants.”

“I bet it gets old, though, always having so many vacationers around.”

“I didn’t think so when I was younger.” A smile plays on my lips.

“Oh God, don’t tell me you’re one of those guys who hooks up with the girls here on vacation with their families.”

“Okay, I won’t tell you.”

“Oh no.” She sets her fork back onto her plate. “You are. You’re one of those local guys who prey on young women looking to make the most of their summer vacation.”

“To be fair, I never preyed on anyone. But yes, when I was younger, me and some of my buddies spent a lot of time at the beach, and as such, we met a lot of girls from out of town.”

“And you hooked up with them.” She crosses her arms in front of herself, leaning back in her chair slightly.

“Some of them, sure.” I shrug. “But that was a long time ago. I haven’t hooked up with an out-of-towner in years.”

“Untrue,” she tells me flatly.

It takes me a second to realize she’s referring to herself.

“I was here on a vacation of sorts, visiting my best friend... And well, you know what happened next.”

“Fair. But different.” I grab my water from the table, taking a quick drink. “What about you? Ever gone on vacation and hooked up with a local?”

“Besides you, you mean?” She tries to hide her smile as I nod. “Once.”

“Once?”

“When I was fifteen. I was on vacation with my parents, my aunt and uncle, and my cousins, one of which is only a couple years older than me. We went to the beach, just the two of us, met up with a group of local guys who invited us to a bonfire.”

“And what happened next?”

“One of them took a liking to me. He flirted with me all night. Said he’d never met anyone like me before and he wanted to stay in touch after I left. I’ll admit, I was a little smitten, so I gave him my number. And then later that night, I gave him my virginity in the bed of his pickup truck.”

It takes a lot to ignore the twinge of jealousy that slides through my chest. It’s no secret that she’s slept with other men, just as I’ve slept with plenty of other women, but it doesn’t mean I like hearing her talk about it.

“Let me guess. You never heard from him again.”

“Ding. Ding.” She flashes me her bright white teeth.

“Your adversity to my teenage exploits makes a hell of a lot more sense now.”

“I cried for two weeks after we got home,” she admits softly. “And then I swore I’d never let a guy hurt me like that again.”

“And did you?”

“Nope.” She pops her lips around the P. “I’ve hung out with plenty of guys since then, but with one very big difference. I don’t give them any power. I take what I want and I move on.”

“Just like that?”

“Hard for someone to hurt you when you don’t give them the chance.” She shrugs softly.

“It’s lonely, though, right? Never letting anyone get too close.” I should know. It’s basically been my entire MO since college.

“I don’t think so. I have my friends. My family.”

“But it’s not the same.”

“No, it isn’t. But some things are worth protecting.”

“And what about me?” I ask, curious as to just how honest she’s willing to be with me.

“What about you?”

“You let me get close.”

“And then you ghosted me.” She gives me a pointed look.

“And yet you’re still here.”

“I am.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re friends and friends forgive each other when they mess up. So long as it doesn’t become a recurring theme.”

Friends...

I mean, I know that’s technically what we are, but it doesn’t make hearing her say it any less of a punch to the stomach.

Because deep down I don’t just want to be her friend. But for the life of me I can’t bridge the wide gap that exists between us.

It’s easier this way.

Less complicated.

“Is that all I am to you?”

“No.” She shakes her head, her eyes seeming to take on a mischievous twinkle. “You’re also really, really , good in bed.”

“So what I’m hearing is, you’re using me for sex.” I chuckle low.

“Do you have a problem with that?” She drags her teeth across her bottom lip in a way that has me eager to call for the check.

“Not a single one.” I clear my throat, shifting in my chair as my cock stirs to life.

I open my mouth to say something else, my words disappearing on my tongue when a familiar voice reaches my ears.

“River Parker. I thought that was you.”

I glance up just as a slender brunette with big brown eyes stops next to our table. My chest tightens at the sight of her.

“Annie.” I force an easy smile to my lips despite the fact that I feel like someone has just taken a dagger and ripped open an old scar that took way too long to heal. “It’s been a long time.”

“Five years.” She rocks back on her heels, her hands knotted nervously in front of her. “How are you?”

“I’m well. And you?” I try desperately to seem unaffected by her sudden and unexpected appearance.

“I’m pretty good. I’m actually in town visiting Mom and Dad. They’re just over there if you’d like to say hello. Jared is with them. I’m sure he’d love to see you.”

The fucking nerve... Anger seeps through my posture, making my shoulders go rigid.

“Thanks, but I’m a little busy at the moment.” My eyes meet Charlotte’s.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Annie acknowledges Charlotte with a curt nod, her gaze narrowing in on the redheaded beauty sitting at the table with me. “Annie.” She holds out her hand.

Charlotte stares at it like it’s a snake that’s poised to strike.

Instead of taking the hand she offers, Char reaches across the table and takes my hand. I could fucking kiss her.

“Charlotte. River’s girlfriend .” She gives me a knowing look as if to say I’ve got you , seeming to read the situation perfectly.

Annie is an op. The enemy. The only girl I’ve ever loved, therefore, the only one who’s ever broken my heart. And fuck did she. More like she ripped it out of my chest and impaled it with the point of her high-heeled shoe.

I haven’t seen her in years , but the sight of her standing here still brings back so many memories, memories I’d soon rather forget.

Like walking into my friend’s house to find her bent over the back of his couch while he fucked her from behind, for starters.

I shake off the thought, turning my gaze back to Annie, who draws back slightly, her friendly facade slipping.

“Last I heard, River doesn’t do girlfriends.” She throws it like a dagger, but it just bounces off the target and flops to the ground.

“I wonder why that is,” I grind out, my smile anything but friendly.

I wish I could say the sting of her betrayal didn’t still hurt like a bitch, but fuck me, does it ever. The only reason I’m even still sitting here is because of Charlotte. If I were with anyone else, I would’ve exited the building as soon as I saw her face.

“Well, things change. As you can see. Thanks for giving him up. I won’t be as foolish. Especially with what he can do with his tongue.” Charlotte looks straight at Annie and slides her own tongue dramatically across her lower lip and then winks.

She fucking winks. And it’s all I can do to contain the laughter that bubbles up in my chest.

This woman...

Annie balks, her mouth falling open in surprise.

“Real winner you got here, Riv,” she snips at me.

“Don’t I know it.” I look right at Charlotte as I say it because even though her words were meant as a dig, she’s not wrong. Red is a winner, and if she keeps this shit up, I might be tempted to keep her.

“You can go now,” Charlotte tells Annie, her voice sickly sweet.

“Sorry I came over,” she says directly to me.

“So are we.” It’s Char who answers and again, I have to bite back a laugh.

Annie searches my face, hoping to find pity there, but she finds nothing but hard, cold resentment. Not that she should expect anything less.

Two years we spent together. Two years that I worshipped the fucking ground she walked on. Two years wasted that I’ll never get back. And that’s not counting the months of torture I endured having to watch her and my ex-friend traipse across town, rubbing their relationship in my face.

The day she moved was one of the best days of my life. This is the first time I’ve seen her since.

“Bye, bye now.” Charlotte wiggles her fingers in a patronizing wave, shooing Annie along.

She looks back at me like I’m going to step in, stomping away seconds later when I don’t.

“You beautiful creature. I could fucking kiss you right now,” I tell her as soon as Annie is out of earshot.

“I’ll allow it.” She returns my smile. “But maybe wait until we’re back at your place so you can kiss me good and proper.”

“In that case.” I hold up my hand, signaling the waiter. “Check, please.”

Charlotte drops her head back on a laugh and I take a moment to revel in the sound.

This woman has me hook, line, and sinker, and she doesn’t even fucking know it yet.