9781618857958KissMeLikeYouMeanItLeveyNC (14 page)

“I
swear, twin, if you shed one more tear, I’m gonna smother you with Garrick’s
used boxer briefs. Listen and get a grip. Learn how to use your womanly wiles.
Being a sniveling crybaby isn’t going to do a damn thing but give you a
migraine and make your face look fucked up. However, regrouping may just get
you laid. Beat him at his own game. He really screwed the pooch with his whole ‘that’s
the only taste of my cock you’ll get’ etcetera…however that must’ve sounded hot
as shit and sexy as hell. So now…” She took a breath.

“Respect
the boundaries. Reel him back in, work on innocent touches, his knee, back, shoulder.
Hug him without really going in for the hug. Laugh, ‘cause, sis, your laugh is
sexy incredible. Dress like you do, but leave your stuff everywhere, so he has
no choice but to see your presence in his life.”

“He
hasn’t been home in four days. He could be dead somewhere or something. I’ve
searched everywhere for a clue to where he took off to. Nothing.”

“Did
you call the hotel his daddy owns in New York City?”

“Uh
no. I didn’t think about checking the hotel.”

“You
have to quit obsessing over this. It’s done and by the way that is one hell of a
way to lose your virginity. Is it true?”

“What
true?”

“Rumors
about his dick. I’ve read he’s like a personal studded sex toy. If so, I want a
picture. Just
cuz
I’m curious. I don’t want to try
the hardware out. Shea would not like that, but for real. I don’t know any man
brave enough to endure that process.”

“Gross.
I’m not discussing Jackson’s schlong with you. But yes it is. I don’t know what
one feels like without the extra ridges though.”

“Use
a vibrator that doesn’t have one then. Just saying those things are in for
life. Hope you like them.”

“You
have a man. Can we get back to my earning forgiveness please? I’m almost sorry
I told you now. Besides, it means nothing if I’ve lost him forever. And he’s
leaning to the forever alone direction. He is so livid it defies logic.”

“I
love you and I know men. We both know Jackson is a hothead. He will come home and
you can hash this out when he’s clearheaded. In the meantime, womanly wiles may
have gotten you into hot water, but they can get you out just the same.”

“Are
you sure that will work. I don’t want to piss him off more than he already is.
I want the Jackson I know back.”

“He’ll
get over his wounded pride eventually and be too far gone to keep his hands off
you. By then you’ll have two choices, let him ravage you or coyly back off and
let him chase you.”

“Where
do you get these ideas?”

“Well,
the first one was in BDSM erotic romance. I’m sorry for the
shitstorm
I caused with the whole cuffing act. Shea likes being tied down. The rest, uh,
I can’t reveal my sources but I’m putting that ereader Shea got me to use. No
worries though, sis. We’ll be in your town tonight. Your man doth live, he just
texted Garrick to see some band play.”

“Good
a sisterly hug is so needed right now. I have to study, I’ll talk to you later,
sis.” She ended the call. She stuck her phone on the table and forced herself
to concentrate on homework. The professors gave her extra time to do the past
few days work after she emailed them saying she was under the weather. For the
first time she grasped what her friends went through after a bad breakup or
fight. This by far was the worst feeling ever, even more than the magazine
problem.

She
picked up her cell and texted
please come
home
for the billionth time and hit send. He’d return when he was good and
ready. When her phone chimed, she dragged her gaze away from pharmacology to
see the reply.

How is your body? I saw the blood
on the sheet. Was there more?

Carlie
glanced at her phone and typed back.

No. I was a little tender in the
shower and the next day but that was it. What are you a gynecologist now?

Fucked enough pussy to be an
expert, yours included. Good. I know I didn’t tear you up inside.

If
he came home and let her explain, surely he’d see she never meant to piss him
off. She hit a rapid reply.

Please come home. I miss my friend.

I’ll come home when the urge to
strangle you subsides or when you leave.

She
recoiled as if hit with a physical slap. The sting of his words shouldn’t have
been so unexpected. She just wanted to talk to him.

I don’t know what else you want me
to say or do to fix this.

She
hit send.

There is nothing to say or do,
unfixable.

What? You’re being unreasonable. We
are fixable, totally fixable. Fine. I’ll leave. Carrie,
Nev
,
Shea and Garrick will be here soon. I’ll get out of your hair and stay gone
forever. Going to pack now.

Frustrated,
she wanted to throw her phone until her text chimed.

Don’t show up at the gig. I don’t
want you there.

What
was he five fucking years old? She reread the message a second time.

You can’t have it both ways, either.
I’m at your house or at the gig. What am I supposed to do while waiting to take
the plane home with my family?

Whoever
coined the phrase it’s better to have loved once than not at all should be
hung, drawn and shot for being a liar.

Grow up and quit whining about shit
you do to yourself. Stay there you can go home with Garrick, but when I show up
there is no talking about this shit. Do you understand me?

Loud and clear.

Carrie’s
plan wouldn’t work, since she’d be forced to go home.

Good.

Why do you have to have the last
word?

She
put her hands to her temple to calm down.

He
was taking pleasure in goading her, damn if she didn’t want to scream. She
flipped up her middle finger, took a picture and sent it. A moment later a
flickering light bulb went off in her head illuminating a new idea. Knowing he was
more affected than he thought, she planted a chair right in front of the
camera, stripped naked and sat. With a fuck you expression on her face, she
shoved her fingers in her pussy, brought them out and licked them, giving him
something to really stew on.

The
doorbell rang, ending her moment of defiance. She walked to the bed and slipped
on a robe, padded her way through the house, then took the stairs two at a time
to see who was at the door. She assumed her sister was closer than she said and
swung the door open to greet her. Her hands immediately went to her body and
the satin robe barely concealing her shape. “Mr.
Laurant
.
I’m sorry I was expecting my sister.”

“Please
make yourself presentable.” He brushed past her into the house. “I’ll wait for
you in the den. Do hurry. I am a busy man.”

“Uh,
sir, Jackson isn’t home. He’ll be here later.”

“Home?
You say this as if it’s your home now.” He gifted her with a sardonic grin.

“I’m
just a visitor.”

“Really?
I’ve seen my son splashed with you across the magazines. Go get dressed.”

“I
don’t care and if it’s all the same, say what you must then leave. I’m not
yours to boss around.” Although her heartbeat thudded in panic she refused to
let him know. God what a coldhearted bastard.

“I
can see why he’s smitten with you. However, don’t delude yourself in thinking
you’re good enough for him. I have plans, a future fiancé in the works for
him.”

Carlie
inhaled a startled breath and watched him pour the decanter of brandy. “What do
you mean?”

“Let
me be clear. Your family has had my son’s attention long enough. It’s time for Jackson
to move back where he belongs, and that is not in a rock band. It’s time he
grows up and becomes responsible.”

“You
are cruel and insensitive. You don’t know the work it takes to be in a band or
the responsibility of others under them. His talent provides for many employees
and gives him a chance to inspire people daily. Music is more work than playing
an instrument. It’s like breathing to him and if you think he’d put that aside
to run some stuffy ass hotel and resort franchise you are out of your mind.”
Jackson’s father glared at her as if no one ever spoke to him the way she did.
The thought that this douche disliked lip made her continue her tirade.

She
took a breath. “He is his own franchise, respected and coveted outside your
influence and without your name. He’d wither and die if he couldn’t express
himself, a piece of him would die. Just like your wife did. But you didn’t care
a fuck about her either. You are nothing but an opportunistic user. Go to Hell and
get the fuck out of his house.”

“Don’t
be so melodramatic and don’t get too comfortable here. You don’t belong.”

Carlie
crossed her arms in an effort to shield her body more. His leering gaze made
her uncomfortable. Jackson had his height and his coloring, but thank God that was
all. “It’s you who doesn’t belong. I can see now why he practically lived in my
house growing up. Spending any time in a cold mausoleum with you is a hellish
existence I’d never wish on my worst enemy.”

“Don’t
take my kindness for weakness. Get out of my son’s life and stay out or you
will regret crossing me.” He raised his hand as if to hit her but backed down
as she flinched and shied away from him.

“Get
out,” Carlie screamed.

“You
foolish girl are in love with him. This is rich. He is like me in many
respects. He craves a variety of flesh. Don’t put your hopes all in one basket.
He’ll never settle for one piece of ass for the rest of his life. But in our
world, when he marries who I choose, he won’t have to. Discretion is the key.
He’ll have his lovers and she’ll have hers.”

“How
you could’ve made such a wonderful son is beyond me. My God, you make me sick.
You don’t know a thing about love or him. Except for my brother and Shea, it’s
no wonder he doesn’t trust anyone enough to let them all the way in.

“If
I am given the chance to prove that I love him and it’s unconditional without
strings, I will because he deserves to know how that feels, just once in his
life. I can only imagine how being caught in the war between you and his mom
damaged him. Her legacy or yours. Nothing was ever about him, just what others
planned for him. I said to get out before I call the cops.” Carlie didn’t back
down. “Let’s see what public perception of you is after your name is splashed
all over the papers for trespassing and bullying.”

A
red faced Mr.
Laurant
finished his drink and stalked
out of the den. She followed after him and secured the door as soon as he
cleared it. The man probably never had anyone put him in his place before. Carlie
stormed up the stairs and into the room she shared with Jackson. For once his
scent didn’t calm her. She tuned out her brain and forced herself to focus.
After rummaging through a dresser, she found her running gear and donned her shorts
and tank top and dressed, determined to clear the negativity from her mind. She
pulled her hair into a ponytail and stuffed her feet into her running shoes.
Her phone vibrated on the bed. She glanced down and began to reply but stopped.
In her current mood she’d reply with something that would start a war. Instead,
she dropped it back on the bed and left the room.

Seaweed
and salt scented the air as she left the house. Carlie walked to the front
drive and stretched. As she sprinted down the street, the breeze soothed her
ruffled feathers. Drawing fresh air into her lungs cleansed the tumultuous
emotions surging through her. When she looked up, she didn’t recognize where
she was.

Spying
a store, she slowed her pace to a jog and walked the last two hundred yards to
decrease her heart rate. A young woman at a counter stood as she approached.
“I’m sorry to bother you but I’m lost. Went for a run and I’m not sure exactly
where I am.”

“Hi,
of course I’ll help. Where did you begin your run at?”

“38
Sacket Landing. It’s such a pretty day and I was lost in thought.”

“I’d
say so, that’s about fifteen miles from here.” The young woman looked
impressed.

“I
run a mile in about seven minutes so I’ve been running for a hundred and five.
I was supposed to be somewhere. There is no way I can get back in time. I don’t
even have my id on me.”

“Don’t
panic. Let me get you a bottle of water out of the fridge on the house and I’ll
give you a lift back.”

“You’d
do that? You don’t even know me. I’m sorry.” She forgot her manners. “I’m
Carlie.”

“Nice
to meet you. My name is Sarah and it’s all right. I own this store. Come have
some water, I’m surprised you didn’t drop of dehydration.”

“I
run all the time. I was just worked up and not in the right headspace.” She patted
her neck for her whistle and groaned. She usually never forgets the rape
whistle Jackson gave her in high school when she was running in the dark at midnight.
She learned having one was a mandatory item all through college on the cross
country team. It was like putting on deodorant, she never forgot to wear it or
her phone. Running in anger was not a good idea.