Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (13 page)

“My brother never brings anyone here, so I know he's not fucking you. He keeps those girls well away from our family flat and my restaurant.
”
Lexi
e
shook her head, trying to put the jigsaw pieces together. She knew her brother's reputation and she knew his past and the way she had helped him after Sasha. What sway did this young girl have over him?

“I met Zach in his nightclub and I've been doing some dancing for him”

“Well, I'm just going to take this opportunity to warn you. My brother might appear the ruthless business man, a charming womaniser but he has a softer side. He's been hurt in the past and I picked up the pieces. So just take care, friends is good as you're so young but if you hurt him you'll have me to deal with” her eyes deep black now as she stared into Charlotte's green ones. Seeing Zach approaching she giggled and stood up again.

“See you soon, baby brother” she cooed, air-kissing his cheeks.

“We're heading for Saigon's for an hour or two. Lily left us some tickets and said Hi”

“Have fun” she said, air-kissing Charlie's cheeks.

“By
e
Lexie”

Outside the wind had turned ice cold and Charlotte huddled closer in to Zach's side to try and keep warm.

“How far is it?” She asked.

“Just round the next corner”

The club was hidden behind a glossy red door with Chinese symbols painted onto it. Zach opened it and ushered her into the dimly lit corridor. At reception he was acknowledged and they found a small table off to the one side of the stage. They would have a good view of all the performers whilst still remaining fairly anonymous.

Zach ordered drinks, his usual and Vodka for Charlotte. The beat of the music thumped around them and calmed Charlie's nerves at being alone with Zach in such an intimate place. The first dancer appeared on the stage and began an elaborate routine in her sleek evening gown and long white gloves which she exchanged for feathered fans later in the routine. Charlie gazed in rapture at the beautiful, graceful moves of the dancer, and although the nudity was full it was not sleazy, just completed the experience. Soon Lily appeared on the stage and played to her oriental background in a breath-taking kimono.

She interacted with the audience as she asked for a volunteer. Charlie saw her eyes linger on Zach but with other clamouring men she was forced to choose one of them over her preferred choice. Charlie was transfixed by the intricate moves as she spun while her willing volunteer held onto the length of material that made up her obi. All the while Zach drank, stared at Charlotte and let his hand once more trace patterns onto her thigh, bolder in the darkness of the club.

The whole music, dancing and erotic nature of the place had Charlotte edging in closer to Zach, wanting his fingers to go further, to move higher. She was starting to realise that women really did turn her on, with their soft, seductive curves. Zach felt her quivering beneath his touch and tried to withdraw his hand but Charlie covered it with hers to keep it in place. She was far from sober but also not drunk enough to feel reckless, she was intoxicated on the whole night. The dancing of this morning had started the slow burn within her, it grew when she dressed for dinner and every other part of the evening was just building upon her desire.

As the final dancer finished to huge applause Charlie would have happil
y
la
y
down on the table in front of Zach and begged him for release from the slo
w
itchin
g
inside her. He reached for her hand and held open her coat as she slipped inside it, even the soft satin interior seemed to chaff on her nerves. Zach had booked a taxi so although the journey was a short one it meant they stayed warm. Back in the flat Charlotte waited.

“If you want to sleep in the master bedroom go right ahead, I'll take the spare room.

He pulled her into his arms and held her close for what seemed like forever, his breath tickled her cheek and she let out a soft moan of pleasure. Pushing up against him was both joy and torture on her sensitive nipples, hidden beneath the layer of dress and bra. However Zach made no move to seduce her.

“I've got to phone the club and do some paperwork” he said, releasing her and watching as she wandered forlornly up the hallway. He stayed rooted to the spot despite his inward desire wanting to chase her down and feel her silky softness surround him.

Charlotte paused by the bedroom door and looked back at him, she blew him a kiss and wished him goodnight, her final attempt to lure him. She was too proud to beg after his withdrawal at her Mum's wedding. Instead he turned for the lounge, made his call and then sat down with his laptop. However when he opened the screen all he could see was her image, those hypnotic green eyes, the curve of her soft lips. His fingertips tingled remembering the heat of her thigh, pressed against him, her hand atop of his trying to guide it higher. Oh and god he had wanted to go higher, to delve again into her silky wetness.

He poured another JD and listened to her in the bathroom and then closing the door of the bedroom. He put the stereo on and found the track they had fucked to on New Year's Eve. Setting it to loop he closed his eyes, he could not comprehend why he still wanted her, no needed her. Yet his head warned him away, she was still hurting from Mitchell, she was too young, too ambitious and would she really want him if she knew the truth
.
The truth involving her nemesis.

Chapter 18

Charlotte heard the music as she lay on the soft mattress. Why didn't he desire her anymore and yet had treated her like a princess all day? What was in his past that his sister had hinted about? A single tear dripped off her cheek bone and soaked into the pillow. She tossed and turned a little longer before getting up. She looked in the wardrobe and found one of his shirts inside. She shrugged it on to hide her nakedness and padded softly down the hallway to the source of the music.

Zach was stretched out on the sofa, an empty glass on the coffee table. His eyes were shut, so she moved across to turn the stereo off. He heard her and opened them.

“Dance for me” he asked, his voice slurred but coherent.

“Here, now?” She asked, bemused at the request and questioning in case he was sleep talking.

“Please Charlie, for me”

Leaving the music on low she moved the coffee table aside to clear an open space. Realising the song she started a slow grind as it began again from the start.

Closing her eyes she forgot all about her audience of one as the music dictated the steps that she took. The lyrics spoke to her, her mind remembered his moves on her from their night of passion. She let her hands move over her body, pressing her nipples taut against the fabric. She edged closer to him trying out some of the moves she had seen earlier in the evening. He watched entranced, the material of his shirt both swamped and clung to her frame in all the right places
.
Her dark nipples werevisible through the material every time she arched her back
.
When she turned away from him and shimmied he caught a glimpse of her ass, high and firm at the junction of her thighs.

He knew what lay between them, the sweet taste of a girl too good for him. He had tried to resist but here she was temptation incarnate. When the song faded out he reached and pulled her atop of his lap. Her softness soothed as he nuzzled his head into the crook of her neck and let his lips find her earlobe.

“Charlotte, you are glorious” he whispered. At the same time his hand ran straight up her thigh to the pleasure between. His finger casually entere
d
her
,
she was already moist as he gently circled her clit, teasing it out as it thrummed for him.

He withdrew it and bought his finger to his lips.

“Share” he murmured. Charlie delicately licked the one side of his finger, aware of his tongue doing the same until they collided when it slipped away and their lips met. She tasted fresh and minty in comparison to the smoky flavour of the whiskey that stained his breath. Her hands ran through his hair, her nails scraped along his scalp and in turn sent shivers down his spine. Then abruptly she withdrew and slipped out of his grasp. Without words she took his hand and led him to the bedroom.

The glow of the bedside lamp made the room feel welcoming as they both stood and stared at each other.

“We shouldn't be doing this” he whispered, his hand trembled in hers.

“I want too, I need too” she breathed, clasping his other hand. Then before he could protest her lips found his, light butterfly touches like fluttering wings. The delicacy was too much for him and his hands moved from hers to run up into her blond hair. Then tugging the strands as his mouth opened and the intensity increased. They stumbled backwards in the general direction of the bed but before they toppled onto it, he pulled back once more.

“Are you sure?” He questioned, warily watching her facial features for any glimpse of uncertainty. Charlotte just nodded, feeling confused at his tentativeness after their last encounter where he had dominated completely. She watched as he unbuttoned his shirt and then slipped down his trousers to stand naked before her. She reached for the couple of buttons on the shirt that she had done up but he pulled her hand away and drew her in closer.

“Let me” his fingers made quick work of the buttons before he bunched the material into his hands so she couldn't escape.

He leaned into her, his nose touching the pulse point in her neck before his lips took over. He trailed kisses down the edge of the shirt, into the valley of her breasts and then kneeling down to the indentation of her bellybutton and lower to the smooth mound hiding an increasing throbbing that was beating in time with her heart. Zach slipped the shirt off her body and dropped it onto the floor. Her skin was so pale and smooth, like a polished stone taken from a fire. Charlotte shivered, despite the heat in her skin as his hands moved up her legs and parted her thighs. His breath tantalised her as she knew he was so close to taking the first lick.

But he didn't and his hands moved upwards, taking in the curve of her hips and then as he stood again her pert, high breasts. Her nipples waited for his fingers to catch them but instead he wound his arms around her and picked her up, carryin
g
her to the bed. The duvet cushioned her as at last his mouth closed over her nipples, tasting and teasing them to greater peaks. Charlotte ran her hand down his smooth back and found what she guessed was a raised indentation of a tattoo just above his left buttock. He tensed at her touch but relaxed again as she moved lower and pushed him in tighter against her soft skin.

They rolled over so Charlotte was now atop of him, she snaked her tender lips down his chest, her fingers enjoying the texture of his hair as it spread across his chest and then tapered down to the thin line. Zach felt her tongue touch the head of his cock and he groaned and reached down so his hands were on the back of her head. He pushed her lower and marvelled as she took almost all of him in. Her mouth felt like a furnace around him, she remained motionless for what seemed like minutes but was probably only seconds. Then she started to move her mouth up and down, then off completely as she licked his entire length before diving back down.

Charlotte felt in charge, despite the weight of his hands on her head she knew exactly where she had him. But then he tugged her hair a little strongly and in looking up he quickly moved his hands to pull her back onto his body. Then in a swift move she was beneath him. His lips bombarde
d
her
s
with ferocity that reminded her of their New Year tryst. She had woken the wolf with the feel of his teeth moving from her bottom lip to her nipples. Then he was between her thighs, this time no breath just his tongue straight to her very core. He was relentless in his alternating flicks and nips. She arched and came, flooding onto him with abandon and he drank.

His mouth filled with sweet nectar more addictive than alcohol and his tongue searched for more but it was too much for Charlie to bear.

“Zach...ZACH” she cried out and he pulled back and then loomed over her.

“Lottie” he shortened her name as he drove into her very depths. Not gently just hard and thrusting. Relentlessly he pushed into her over an
d
over
,
she held on tightly and let him. Each thrust kept her nerve endings on fire, balancing on the edge of release but not enough to tip her over.

Zach struggled to maintain the momentum and as he tired she took advantage and he let her roll him over once more. She was astride him now, controlling the pace with her measured gyrations. He watched her hair fly from her face, her tongue peeped out of her lips and then he saw her middle finger reach down to find her clit so she could pummel it in time with her thrusts. The look of sheer ecstasy started to form on her features and he reached to cover her finger with his hand.

“Come on, baby. I want to feel you” he urged, his voice hoarse with desire.

“Make me” she commanded, withdrawing her finger and leaving his thumb there to make the final few strokes.

“Make me cum when you do”

Her eyes blazed into his as she arched her back, exposing herself to him like a flower in bloom. Her juice slicked over the ball of his thumb as he maintained the motion and she moved atop of him. She felt him tense beneath her, like his whole body was a coiled spring about to expand. This was it, she let go and throbbed around him, feeling his heat explode inside her. The aftershocks jolted her before she slumped down, resting her head on his chest. She closed her eyes, waiting for her heartbeat to slow and for him to die away inside.

Charlotte rolled off and lay beside him, close but not touching. Her body felt limp, exhausted and satisfied all at the same time, her heart felt empty and longed for Mitchell. She was not ready to let his memories go yet.

Zach felt confused, part of him wanted to flee from the bed, the other just to cuddle up to her, shower her with more kisses and tender words of love he could never utter again after Sasha. He waited until her breathing slowed and then waited longer until he heard a small snore. Quietly he moved from the bed and left the room, finding the spare bed cold and uninviting.

In the night Charlotte rolled over to find the space beside her empty. Her heart made a hollow thump in her chest. She felt something for Zach but she wasn't sure what yet? He was dynamite in bed, but distant. She remembered the words that his sister had said earlier. Who had damaged him so much that loving someone else was impossible? She reached for the pillow and smelt him on it, mingled with the aftershave that he shared with Mitchell. Her throat was dry so she crept out of bed and down the hallway to the kitchen. On the way back she peeked into the spare room and found him sprawled on top of the bed covers. Creeping in she pulled them over his naked body before returning to the master bedroom.

The next morning the smell of coffee woke her, so she pulled on her t-shirt and jeans before scraping her hair away from her face and into a loose, low slung ponytail. Nervously she entered the kitchen and found his dark head buried behind his laptop.

“Morning, there's fresh coffee in the pot” he nodded in the direction of the mugs.

She sat down on the chair next to him.

“Sleep alright?”

Charlotte nodded, not sure if she should acknowledge the sex or ignore it.

“Do you want breakfast? I can call down to the restaurant on the ground floor for something”

“Some scrambled egg on toast would be nice, but don't go to any trouble....you've done enough for me this weekend”

He reached for his phone and ordered for both of them. Ten minutes later there was a knock on the door. Charlie went to open it and found a waiter with a trolley. On it was their breakfast, fresh fruit and orange juice too.

“Just charge it to the flat” Zach said “I'll get the maid to return everything later”

The waiter nodded and left Charlotte with a gaping mouth. How much would a flat like this cost, let alone maid and waiter service, car parking and close to the very heart of London.

They ate in silence but it was companionable not strained, then Charlotte gathered her bag and they were back in the car and on the way home. So many times Charlotte wanted to say something about the weekend but he made her feel distant. Zach was still mulling over everything that had happened and trying not to remember the feel of her on top of him. He could only liken his feelings to an addiction. On reaching the outskirts of Warwick, Zach spoke.

“I'll let you know about the routine you mentioned, but if you want to dance in March you might need to come up with something else”

“Ok, just call or text me” Charlie replied “I'll dance for free if it will help repay the favour”

“Isn't that what friends do for each other?”

“Friends”

“Yes, friends”

As the conversation concluded he pulled into her driveway and stopped the car. He reached for her hand and held it tight in his.

“I hope you get the part”

“Thanks I'll let you know” she covered his hand with her free one. Her smile was sweet and sincere but the glint in her eyes spoke of what they had shared. He let her go as she slid out of the seat's leather grasp and went to the rear to retrieve her bag and her dress in its own expensive suit carrier. She gave him one last smile before turning her key in the door.

She watched as he slowly reversed out into the road and disappeared round the corner, to his flat. The house felt cold and empty without her Mum, James and more importantly Mitchell. She walked through the kitchen and opened the patio door so she could let Pam and Peter know she was home.

Zach opened the door of his flat and was surprised to see a cream envelope lying on the mat. He didn't get much mail, apart from bills so he bent down and picked it up. Opening it he slid out the invitation and a small note attached to it.

“Hi Zach, sorry about the other day at the Church, I was out of order. Hope it has not harmed our friendship as it would be great if you can attend Felicity's last big house party before we head off to America. Dan”