Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (16 page)

Closing her eyes she leant against the wood and tried to discern the music. It sounding like it was coming from the barn but perhaps her mind was playing tricks on her. Following it round she saw the summer house where she had fled from the last party she had attended. Humming the melody to 'She's like the Wind' she removed her heels and gasped at the cold dew on the grass. She moved gracefully across the lawn, the movement of her body soothing away all the fear.

Mitchell knew there was a party on in the main house, he had heard all the cars arriving and taxi's leaving up and down the gravel driveway. In just over a week he would be boarding a plane for the United States
.
He would be asilent prisoner with a new name and identity
.
He had tried to forget Charlotte but it was no good, her shadow lingered in his every dream. Her scent seemed to evade his nostrils and when he listened or danced to their favourite songs it was almost like he could feel her pressed against him. He was upstairs in the barn, looking out onto the moonlit garden from one of the few windows left for him.

He saw the summer house just on the edge of the shadows cast by the trees and shrubs beyond. He closed his eyes and recalled his brother's eventful Engagement party. As the haunting melody of She's like the Wind woke his heart up once more he gazed back out onto the garden. There before him danced a girl, the fringe of her dress rising and falling almost in time to the music he was hearing. He looked harder and rubbed his eyes, this stranger looked like Charlotte, danced like she did but he knew she was just a figment of his longing.

A sharp shard of moonlight seemed to spotlight her as she danced towards the gazebo. Then he saw a young man in a suit following her from a distance, seemingly transfixed by the silent spell she was casting. When she was almost at the summer house he hurried forward and caught her into his embrace. Mitchell turned away as pain wrenched his heart so hard he needed the comfort of his bed. There in the darkness he looked up at the stars scattered in his roof window. Cold tears of ice burned their path down his cheeks as he wished for death as a release from this hell he was trapped inside.

Chapter 23

Zach found Charlotte's shoes at the side of the grass and then she was ahead of him. She danced to a silent tune across the lawn and Zach followed. When she slowed he rushed to capture her in his arms and picking her up carried her inside the summer house. There was no need for words between them as he felt her heart hammering for release against his own. They had been lucky to escape Daniel and then Felicity and the adrenaline from that only heightened their senses.

With care he captured her lips as he held the weight of her on his lap. She responded with passion and ran her hands through his hair, tugging it gently to keep his lips from straying. When they broke for breath Charlotte looked into his eyes, still framed by the mask.

“So what now”

“I guess we should at least return to the party, but I'll phone for the taxi to pick us up in an hour. We need to leave before midnight”

Charlotte giggled.

“Why do you turn into a pumpkin?”

“No, but the evil queen might restrain us if we don't” Zach replied, enjoying the play on fairy tales.

Picking her up he carried her back to the courtyard and her shoes. For a brief second he pinned her back against the solid wooden doors of the barn, his body pressed against her as his lips marked their claim.

“You'll have to duck back in the bathroom and tidy up” he said, releasing her “Then we'll do a final mingle before the taxi arrives”

Charlotte nodded as they felt the heat of the house caress their cold skin. Zach wandered off in search of the bar area whilst Charlie fixed her hair and make-up. She was about to exit when she heard Felicity's distinctive voice outside.

Pressing her ear to the door she listened in, waiting for confirmation that she had moved away and it was safe to exit.

“So are you excited about the new start in Ne
w
York”

“Oh, yes
I
can’
t
wait to get there and get into their social scene” Felicity replied “Here, let me show you”

Charlie guessed a photograph or something was being produced by Felicity.

“He's s
o
handsome
,
he will break hearts over there with his English accent”

“He will, in all the right circles” Felicity declared proudly “bu
t
let’
s
keep this between us” she let her voice drop dramatically. Giggles from her companion before the sound of their heels heralded their departure.

Was Felicity planning to ditch Daniel over there? Who was Matthew Carmichael-Astaire? Charlotte knew that despite the fact it might get her into trouble she needed to talk to James who would surely know if Felicity's dead husband had a brother or even a son? Stepping out into the corridor she scanned the crowd and located Zach lounging at the temporary bar in the next room. Slipping through the people she reached her hand around his waist.

“You still look pale” he said, passing her the drink. He noticed the slight shake to her hand.

“What's up” he asked.

“I'll tell you when we're far away from here” she whispered.

They strolled into another large reception room to find a quartet playing classical music.

“Can we dance, it will calm my nerves” she asked.

Zach finished his glass of JD and led her to the floor.

“Hope you're not expecting a waltz”

“Hold me as you are and then try and follow my lead”

After the first song Zach picked up the steps and Charlie relinquished her leading role and let Zach do it. She was surprised how comfortable she felt in his arms. When the tempo slowed he moved away from the structured hold as they swayed together. Charlie rested her cheek against his and closed her eyes.

A buzz from the phone in his pocket startled both of them.

“Our taxi is here, I suggest we just slip out”

They almost made it but Daniel was talking to a couple of women near to the door and couldn't help but notice them.

“Leaving so soon”

“Yes, Casey here is still not feeling well so we're going to head home” Zach said.

“Have to say I'm disappointed” Daniel edged closer to Charlotte and placing his hand on her back. Pulling her in for a goodbye kiss his hand wandered to her ass and gave it a rough squeeze.

“Are you sure I can't make you feel better, honey” he whispered in her ear. Charlotte couldn't speak so she just shook her head and willed Zach to step in.

“There will be other times” Zach said, slapping his friend on the back. Daniel straightened up and shook the offered hand.

“Maybe you'll have to come over and visit us in the States, both of you”

“Maybe” Zach agreed.

“I'll tell Felicity, unless you're planning to return once you've dropped your date off?”

“Please and I don't think so
.
It’
s
been a long week and I have my next burlesque night to organise. Why don't you come along for a final drink?”

“Can't promise but if there's naked girls involved then count me in”

In the backseat of the taxi Charlie let out her breath, hardly aware she had been holding it in for the whole of the Daniel encounter.

“He's such a creep, he kissed me at Darren's engagement party and I slapped him”

“I bet that went down well”

“Yeah, Felicity slapped me in return. But she'll regret it one day when I have the last laugh”

“But surely your Mum has done that with her wedding to James”

“I guess, but she deserves to suffer for all the years my Mum spent alone and heartbroken”

Zach chuckled and pulled her close into his side.

“You are such a hot tempered, ambitious young girl”

“Yeah and you love it” Charlotte laughed but Zach went quiet.

The rest of the journey to Zach's flat passed without a word. Charlie realised she had touched a nerve with her comment. Standing awkwardly in the driveway Charlotte spoke.

“I can always walk home”

“Won't that ruin you
r
alibi”

“Yes, but after what I overheard at the party I think I might need to speak to James anyway”

“Come in for a drink before you decide if you're staying or leaving?”

Zach opened the door and ushered Charlotte inside. This was much more a reflection of his personality than the London pad. It was modern and sparsely decorated but everything looked expensive. A large comfy sofa took up the length of one wall in the large open plan kitchen and living room. She kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the cushions, suddenly tired by all the questions in her mind.

“What would you like to drink?” Zach asked.

“Don't suppose you can do me a cup of tea”

He switched the kettle and paused, he wanted a JD but perhaps a cuppa would clear his head.

Placing the steaming cups on the coffee table he sat down on the other end of the sofa. He smiled and plucked a small blade of grass from between her toes. Charlotte giggled and tried to pull her feet back but Zach was too quick and ran a finger up her instep. She shivered at his touch and tried to pull away but he held her ankle firm. Zach watched her squirm as he did it again and then released the one foot to capture the other.

“Stop it Zach” she laughed “I might kick you”

“Oh and you know what bad girls get when they kick?”

Charlie was struggling to free her foot from his relentless tickling but to no avail.

Then his hand started to move higher up her leg, still so lightly that it left her helpless to resist as her belly convulsed. Her knee jerked and caught his arm and his dark eyes met hers. In an instant he had her prone over his lap, she tried to smother her chuckles in the soft fabric of the sofa. She felt his hand pushing up her legs and beneath her dress, then it was on her cheek
,
lai
d
bare by the tiny thong that passed as her panties.

“So soft and smooth” he murmured
,
she had stilled beneath him except for the breath escaping her mouth. She felt him circle the pad of his hand over her skin, moving from one cheek to the next and then back again in a fluid figure of eight.

He pushed her dress higher so it ruffled at he
r
waist
;
she was exposed to him, apart from the small sliver of fabric.

“What are you going to do?” She asked in the pause.

“Something I think you enjoyed last time I did it”

Then before she could utter another word the palm of his hand connected in a sharp smack, first on one cheek and then the other. Charlotte sucked in her breath at the sting, the heat starting to move up through her body. Zach stroked the blossoming pink on her pale skin and then did it again feeling the slight wince of her body. Why did this turn her on? She questioned, feeling the desire for release deeply inside.

Zach felt her passion bubbling to the surface of the rest of the skin he could see. His fingers slipped down the crack and inside the edge of her panties, she was throbbing and a small rub against her lips left a slick film on his finger. Charlotte could feel his cock straining beneath her. She wriggled forward on the sofa so Zach moved quickly, dropping his trousers and laying his one hand on her shoulder. Before she could turn or move he tugged aside the elastic and entered her in a single thrust.

He filled her to the hilt and Charlie felt the heat of her ass even more as each thrust pushed against the stinging his hands had bestowed.

“Touch yourself
,
d
o
it”

Charlie reached down, balancing on her elbow as her finger found the centre of her throbbing. It only took a few quick rubs to release the dam of desire. She was like a helpless leaf flicked up in the air currents, tossing and tumbling. She heard him groan and pull out before he left his next mark on top of the smarting first one. Charlie lay there spent and prone before him.

Zach turned away and pulled his trousers back up, Charlie glimpsed what she had thought was the tattoo she had felt. He turned and saw her eyes watching him, waiting.

“I'll go and start the shower for you”

He left the room and Charlie staggered to her feet and followed him. He watched her undress, making no move to do the same despite his lingering gaze that seemed to touch her body from a distance.

“There's a dressing gown on the back of the door” he muttered as he left the room.

The hot water pricked her warm skin and burned on contact with her cheeks. Reaching down she rubbed the cool mint shower gel onto them. All the while she wondered why Zach made her feel so confused. What were they
?
Friend’
s
with benefits? Some moments she felt he was letting her into his life and then others when he slammed the door shut. Once out she removed the contact lenses and snuggled into the oversized dressing gown that smelt of him. Padding back to the lounge she found him spread out on the sofa, dressed in a pair of pyjama bottoms.

She picked up the mug but the tea had gone cold so she wandered into the kitchen and warmed it up in the microwave. Zach had skipped his in the end and held a tumbler of his usual.

“I guess I'm staying” she murmured, perching on the end. Zach sat up and edged closer to her, his arm resting around her shoulders. She leaned into him and sipped her tea.

“I overheard something while I was at the party” she ventured.

“Felicity was talking about showing someone off in America, someone with an English accent...do you think she's planning to ditch Daniel or is it this mysterious Matthew?”

“Who fucking knows, when it comes to Felicity” he swallowed and emptied his glass.

“So how do you know what goes on at her parties?”

“I've been to a few”

“And, do you just watch?” Charlie's curiosity was piqued.

Zach remained quiet, his eyes never straying from his empty glass.

“That's a long story Charlotte and its late”

“I'm a good listener”

“Maybe” he picked up her free hand and held it in his. She finished her drink and then let him lead her to the bedroom. He threw her a t-shirt and then watched her turn her back to put it on.

“Sorry I only have the one room, so we'll have to share”

He took the left side so Charlie took the right and he turned the light out. In the darkness Charlotte curled up on her sid
e
and fel
l
asleep. Zach took longer, he wanted to reach out to her but the fear he felt was immense, his memories of Sasha and Felicity haunted him. Charlotte woke later in the night and felt his hand on her thigh. It stroked gently before moving up and wrapping around her waist, her body now curved into his.