The Lovely Garden (18 page)

“Do you have any more pieces here that you’ve designed?” No, I wasn’t trying to suck up to the man. It would stand to reason if I liked one of his designs, I was going to like more.

Uncle Bob’s eyes lit up. “Yes, I do!”

We spent the next hour picking through jewelry, and then two hours after that dress shopping. By the time we got back to my apartment, I was ready for a nap. The bed was calling to me and I answered, flopping down face first. Nice soft pillow, soft mattress, and warm comforter greeted my tired body. Just when I was getting comfy, the bed shook from Charles kicking it. “Get up. We have to put these clothes up.”

I shook my head into the pillow. “Nope. You broke me. I have to lay here until I’m repaired.” I could feel the eyeroll that earned me.

“You’re being dramatic.” Says the person who was used to this kind of shopping. That was the first time I had tried on so many different kinds of dresses in the span of a few hours. I’m a one or two dress kind of girl, not ten to fifteen. And he only bought five to boot. Those five dresses cost more than what I made in six months, and Charles acted like it was nothing. Credit card didn’t even break a sweat. I nearly died when I saw the total. Felt light-headed for a second there. “Get used to it,” Charles had said. “You’ll be helping me spend this when we’re married.” Again, when not if.

The bed bounced as he laid down next to me with a sigh. I turned my head to face him. “Uncle Bob doesn’t like me.”

Charles threw his arm over my waist and pulled me closer to him. “That’s because Uncle Bob,” he interrupted himself to give me a kiss, “is an idiot. Rose kissed everyone’s asses so they all liked her.” Didn’t help that she was genuinely nice. She did make sure I was alright when Ava attacked me and even ran to get Charles when she could have just left me there. “I suspect you won’t do that. I don’t need another ass kisser.”

I shook my head. “I didn’t go into that profession.” Charles grinned and kissed me again, while muttering, “I didn’t think so” into my lips. Our kiss deepened and his tongue slid across my lower lip. My mouth opened, allowing him to explore as I did the same. Just a simple kiss was getting me wet, and I could help but groan against his lips. He smiled and tried to pull back, but I wouldn’t let him. Instead, I pushed him on his back, climbing on top of him. It was my turn to be in control.

“This needs to come off,” I said, indicating toward his shirt that was in my way. Charles quickly moved to do as I told him. Nimble fingers unbuttoned the light blue shirt, only lifting high enough to remove it and tossed it on the floor. As he removed his shirt, I removed mine as well as my bra, wanting to feel his skin on mine. Our lips met briefly when I leaned forward, and then moved to his neck. Little nips and nibbles down the sensitive skin until I reached his shoulder where I sunk my teeth in until he let out a pleasure-filled whimper, his fingers digging into my waist making my panties just a little damper.

Inch by inch, I made my way down his body, licking and biting as I went. When I reached his pants, I stopped, meeting his eyes. “These need to come off, too.” My voice was husky and full of want. All he could do was nod and fumble with his belt buckle. With a lot of wiggling, I removed my pants at the same time, I wasn’t willing to get off of the bed in case I lost the control that was currently mine. With both of our pants on the floor with our shirts I moved back to continue my ministrations. He wasn’t all the way hard like I needed him to be, so I took him in my hands. From base to tip I licked him, then put his head in my mouth. I circled his head with my tongue before sucking on it, earning a groan from him. I inwardly smiled, glad I could still elicit that reaction from him.

For several minutes I worked him. Sucking and licking where I could, and going down as far as I could until he was as hard as I needed him to be. When I stopped, he groaned, “Amy, please.” That please sent a shiver up my spine, my nipples hardening. His fingers were entangled in my hair, and when are eyes met, his were filled with such need it sent another round of shivers down my spine.

Keeping my eyes on him, I crawled cat-like up the length of his body until our lips met once again. I scooted back just far enough that his tip pushed against my wet pussy. His stomach convulsed as my fingers brushed against it while I headed down to reach between my legs. While moving my body back, I guided him inside of me, a whimper passing through my lips once I had his length fully inside of me.

Sitting up, I started to rock my hips forward and backward. Charles grabbed my hips, and I bit my lip to keep myself from whimpering too loud. The walls in the apartment complex are super thin, and I didn’t want to share too much with the neighbors I barely knew.

Charles made it harder when he started to match my thrusts with his own. Harder and harder until I started to feel that familiar build and my legs started to squeeze his hips. Knowing the signs, Charles released one of my hips so he could thumb my clit. It screwed up the rhythm we had created, but that didn’t matter anymore. I was so close. My back was arching, my nails digging into Charles’ chest until it hit me, and I just slumped forward into a heap on top of Charles, who came shortly after I did.

Little beads of sweat had formed on my forehead, one dripping down my cheek and I rested on Charles. When my breath finally slowed, I gazed up at him. He had already recovered, as was the usual, and he was looking down at me with a smile on his face, fingers tracing circles on my back. “I love you, you know that?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I love you, too.” My limbs didn’t want to respond, but I managed to move enough to give him a quick peck on the lips. Rolling off, however, was another matter, though I somehow managed it, and cuddled against his side. “So, what’s the plan, Stan?” I asked once I settled in, which I shouldn’t have asked, considering the expression on Charles’ face. “Oh god, what?”

“I need to go to my house and grab some stuff. I was hoping you would come with me?” That, wasn’t as bad as I had been expecting. I thought maybe we would have to walk on a fire-pit or something.

Unless. “Your sister isn’t going to be there, is she?” Facing Ava once again was not something that was in my agenda, for the rest of my life. That woman needs to go to jail, or at the very least a mental institution.

Heat came into Charles’ eyes. “I’m
never
going to let her near you, again.” Uh-huh. Like he would have a choice. I had a feeling that if Ava wanted to see me again, she would find me without any problems. It’s kind of an ability all psychos seem to have.

“That’s fine. We can go over there.” Even though I really didn’t want to move. My legs felt like jelly and body eyes were heavy. It was a good thing Charles was going to drive. I would have probably fallen asleep at the wheel.

“That's a relief,” Charles said as he sat up. He offered me his hand, which I took, and helped me to my feet. “I was afraid you wouldn’t want to go after your workout.”

That earned him quite the eye-roll. “Let’s just get going before your head gets any bigger.” When he thought of a dirty joke, Charles had a very specific smile. That aforementioned smile appeared on his face right then. I raised my hands to stop him from saying what he was going to say. “Nope. Say another word and I’m going to stay here.” The smile quickly turned into a pout. “No matter how much you pout, I will not hear that joke.”

“I don’t understand how you always know when I’m going to tell a dirty joke.” Yeah, I never told him about that smile. It’s my little secret from him so, I just shrugged shooting a devious smile on my face. “I’m going to find out, and then you’re going to regret not telling me.” I just shrugged again. We would see if he ever figures it out. He’s pretty smart so there was a chance.

It only took several minutes for us to get dressed and get our shoes on. “Ready?” Charles asked, excitement twinkling in his eyes. I nodded and we headed out the door.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Gravel crunched under the tires as we drove up the long driveway, the car bouncing ever so slightly whenever there was a ditch. Trees surrounded the driveway, then opened up to reveal the house. The yard was bright green and perfectly manicured. Flowers in front of the house were bright and colorful, no sign of brown or wilted petals. A dry fountain surrounded by similar flowers was displayed in the lawn as well.  Details that I had missed during my first trip here. To be fair, it was dark and I was a little tipsy. I have no excuse for the rest of the weekend. That was just not paying attention.

Charles pulled to the front of the house and shut off the car. A silence filled the small space between us as he stared up at his house. “Really didn’t want to have to come back here,” he admitted his eyes never leaving the house.

The house that his parents had lived and raised him in. He had many happy memories there with them. But it was also the house that he learned of their death in, and the house his sister abused him both physically and mentally. He had just as many bad memories as good in that house, but the bad was what people focused on, pessimism or no.

I could have comforted him. Could have told him everything would be alright. Instead, I sat there in silence. Nothing I said or did would change the way he felt about that house, so I didn’t even try. He knew I was there for him, and that I loved him. I didn’t have to show him in that moment. Sometimes silence was the best medicine.

He sighed, and I knew he was ready to go in. “Let’s hurry up and get this over with.” Yes, let’s. I didn’t want to be there as much as he did. There was a chance his sister would show up, as she tended to do. Just the thought of her sent my stomach into knots.

The slam of the car doors echoed across the expanse of the yard and the gravel shifted under our feet as we walked to the house. I was much better prepared this time around. Tennis shoes, baby! No way I was going to be caught walking this crap with flats again. That had been a pain in the ass to the nth degree.

When we reached the door, Charles pulled out his key, unlocked the door, and we slipped inside quietly as possible. I had no idea why we were being so cautious. There had been no other cars in the driveway. It was too far to walk from the street. It was pretty obvious we were the only ones in the house. There was no need for us to be acting as if we were intruding, which I pointed out to Charles.

He shook his head. “I know. It’s just a little… unsettling being here after being gone for so long.”

I could see that. “So,” I started while following him up the stairs, “if we stick together and get married, would we move back here?”

“That’s really up to you. I honestly don’t care where we live.”

My eyes darted around me. “It’s really big. Too big. But it’s been in your family for generations. I would hate to see it end up in someone else’s hands.” It’s always best to be honest, so I added, “I wouldn’t mind living here as long as it’s with you.”

By this time, we had reached his room, which looked exactly as we had left it. Small, minimalist, with a four-poster bed. My favorite room in the house, aside from the kitchen. Oh god, that kitchen was amazing! So much room to cook, it was ridiculous. I was not much of a cook, but I would be willing to learn in that place.

Charles turned to me, a small smile on his face. “The sacrifices you’re willing to make for me.” His finger went under my chin and he lifted it for our lips to touch.

“Hmm, well, you’re going to have to make sacrifices for me, too.” Another kiss. “Like a small wedding. I know you rich people like to spend a lot of money on extravagant things and all,” that earned me a chuckle, “but I don’t think I have enough people on my side to do something big.” Aside from my parents, Greg, and Jenny, I didn’t really have too many people to invite to a wedding. Maybe an additional ten people at max.

“I think that’s something I could live with,” he replied against my lips. “What else is there?”

I bit my lip, not sure if I should say the next thing or not. It was a pretty touchy subject. “Kids. I would like some kids.” He froze. Should have just kept that to myself.

“How many kids?” So much caution in one little sentence.

“How many rooms does this place have?” Charles choked. “I’m just joking. I only want two, I swear.” He just nodded, moving away from me and saying something along the lines of two being manageable. “Do you not want kids?”

He headed toward his dresser and started to pull out clothes. “I never really thought about it before.” To himself he muttered, “Where did I put my bag?” And started to look around the room. I pointed to a strap sticking out from under his bed. “Thank you.” He grabbed. “I have never really saw myself having kids with the other women I have dated in the past.”

Well, I didn’t know what to say about that. “What about me?” Okay, I lied. I did know what to say about that. Or ask, rather.

A bundle of clothes was shoved in the bag unceremoniously. He must have been eager to leave, normally taking better care for wrinkles. When the bag was full, he zipped it up and tossed it to the side. “You want honesty?” He asked, finally turning back to me. I nodded. Lying would get you nowhere. “I’m not sure.” That had not been the answer I was looking for. “I know I love you,” he began, walking toward me, “and I can see you being a mother. An amazing one. But I don’t know if I can see you being the mother of my children.” Strong arms wrapped around me, as he started to nuzzle my neck. “I also know I’m willing to give you anything that you want.”