Carter (The Harlow Brothers Book 1) (21 page)

“I think it would’ve if you hadn’t changed your number and told her to fuck off.”

“I wasn’t that harsh. But I did change my number,” Carter tells everyone. They continue to talk about this Summer chick, and I can’t help but feel sorry for her. Apparently she was obsessed with Carter, but I can’t say I blame her. They crack jokes about how she would randomly show up at the firm, and I don’t miss Bethany getting irritated as they keep going on and on about it.

When I start to get queasy I state, “I have to pee.” I can’t listen to them talk about some girl Carter was with. I awkwardly stand and sway. Caden starts to get up, but I give him a thumbs up letting him know I’m fine. Stumbling into the house, I hold onto the wall, making my way to the much needed bathroom. I suddenly regret drinking so much. My mouth feels dry, and I can barely focus on anything. I’m seeing double, and the booming music isn’t helping. Thankfully, I don’t puke while in the bathroom like I thought I would, but I do pee for a good five minutes though.

Once I wash my hands, a task harder than it should be while intoxicated, I walk out of the bathroom. I hear everyone laughing outside, but I’m not ready to go back out yet. Instead I head to the kitchen, and grab a bottled water out of the fridge. I walk to the side of the fridge, leaning against the wall as I take a few sips. I move my hair out of my face wishing I hadn’t drunk so much. I can’t even drive home now, and I’m going to have to stay here. I’m pretty sure all of us are drunk, and no one will be able to drive tonight. I lightly bang my head on the wall frustrated at myself. I can’t listen to Caden talk about Summer anymore, and I can’t stand to see Bethany hanging on Carter either. I’m stuck here and I don’t like it.

I hear someone call my name, but I don’t know which brother it is. The music drowns out the sound of their voice, and I don’t move from my hiding spot to see who it is. A few heartbeats later, I see Carter beside me. “There you are. Why are you hiding?”

“Figured you wouldn’t notice with you being preoccupied with Bethany.” Shit. I didn’t mean for that to come out, but it did.

He walks in front of me and he has a huge grin on his face. “Are you jealous?”

I frown and shake my head as I say, “What? No, I’m not jealous.” Okay, yeah I am jealous, but he doesn’t need to know that.

He raises an eyebrow, and I know he doesn’t believe me. My heart drums in my chest when he lightly slowly traces his fingertips up my arm. “You don’t have any reason to be jealous.”

“Why’s that?” I whisper.

His eyes stare into mine as he declares, “Because I only see you.” I blink a few times, and I have to remind myself to breathe when he moves closer to me. His hand caresses my face, and his presence is beginning to overwhelm me. His gaze wavers for a moment when I lick my lips, and he whispers, “You’re the only one I want.” Just A Kiss by Lady Antebellum starts playing as his other hand grabs a hold of my waist. The song is everything I’m thinking. I don’t know if I should stop him, or even if I want to. I don’t want to mess things up, and I don’t want to rush things with him either. But I do know I want him. I want to feel his gentle touch and his warmth. Everything about him is calling out to me. His eyes look into mine, seeming to plead with me, or to see if I’m really alright with him being where he is. He leans his head on my forehead, and I close my eyes when he mutters, “Let me kiss you.”

It might just be the alcohol talking, but I breathe out, “Yes.” He wastes no time taking my lips, and his kiss is everything I remembered and more. His lips are soft and greedily take mine, as if he’s been dying to kiss me.

It’s the closest I’ll ever come to feeling euphoria.

I drop my water bottle, and my arms wrap around his neck pulling him closer. I run my fingers through his hair, and moan when he dips his tongue inside my mouth. I feel his fingers digging into my waist, but I don’t care. I’m surrounded by Carter being consumed by his gentle, but demanding kiss. He slows his seductive mouth, and I know he doesn’t want to rush our kiss. Instead he starts to take his time, tasting me, and sucking on my bottom lip. I take everything he gives, wanting, and needing more from him. My body craves him, and for the first time in a very long time, I feel my stomach clench with a familiar ache. I arch my hips towards him and savor the sensations running throughout my entire body. I want him more than I’ve thought possible. But he stops for a moment so I can catch my breath, and his hand on my waist moves to my face. He tilts my head the way he wants me, and sweetly pecks my lips. I don’t want him to stop kissing me, or making me feel in absolute bliss. He slowly pulls away dropping his hands, and I swallow down the protest. I feel a sense of déjà vu, and that’s when I remember our first kiss. Granted it wasn’t as intense as it just was, but everything else was the same. 

He backs a few steps away, as if he’s trying to gain control over himself and his emotions. I’m grateful for the wall behind me, or I would’ve fallen on the floor by now. My head is swimming. It’s a mixture of alcohol and the taste of Carter. “Oh fuck. Were y’all just making out?” We both snap our heads to Caden’s voice, and I’m glad Carter pulled away when he did. Caden smiles, and Carter rubs the back of his neck. Caden holds his hand up and says, “Hell yeah, bro. It’s about fucking time.” Carter grins, shakes his head, and gives Caden his high five.

Carter turns to me and says, “Ignore him. He’s pretty wasted.”

“What? Who’s wasted? Not me, bro. I’m cool as a cucumber.” I laugh knowing Carter’s right. Caden is hammered.

“Alright, I’m cutting you off and putting your ass to bed.”

“Ah man, don’t be a buzzkill.”

Carter takes Caden by the arms and says to me, “You can have my room. I’ll tuck you in after I put this one to bed.” I can only nod. My nerves suddenly coming to the surface.

I laugh as Caden slurs, “Night, Shelby.” But it ends up sounding more like, knife Swelby.

I watch Carter lead Caden out of the kitchen, and I push myself off the wall. I pick up my water, and head towards Carter’s room. I open the door, set my water down on the bedside table, and kick off my shoes before I sit on the bed. I wish I’d brought my pajamas but then again, I didn’t know I wouldn’t be sober enough to drive home. As I wait for Carter, I smile thinking about our kiss. I don’t know if it means anything, or if we’re going to start dating. All I do know is, I want to kiss him again. And again. Maybe in the morning we can talk about what our kiss meant, and where to go from there. I also try to push thoughts of where Carter’s sleeping tonight out of my mind. The drunk me would love nothing more for him to climb in the bed and hold me. And if anything were to happen, let’s say my lady parts are okay with that. But the sober me, the one that’s slowly coming around, is telling me it’s too soon. It’s too fast. I’ve known Carter almost all my life, but we both have changed over the years. I need to get to know him as he is now and not the memory of how he was. I snap out of my inner dilemma when I notice someone has turned off the music and soon after, I hear a light tap on the door.

Carter walks in the room and I don’t try to stop the grin from forming. “Hi.”

He stays by the door, seeming unsure of what to do. “Hey. Comfortable?”

“I should’ve came prepared. Sleeping in jean shorts and a tank isn’t going to be very comfortable.”

“I can let you use one of my shirts if you want.”

“Thank you. That would be much better.” He nods and I watch him as he walks over to his armoire. He opens it and pulls out a plain white T-shirt.

He makes his way back and hands me the shirt, as he says, “I’ll let you change.”

I frown but nod. He quickly leaves the room, and I undress as soon as he shuts the door. I pull his oversized shirt over my head, and I’m glad I’m alone so he can’t see me smell his shirt. It smells of him, his unique scent, and I neatly fold my clothes, setting them on his dresser by his bed. I crawl into bed, and I get under the covers as I wait for him to come back. My eyes start to get heavy as I wait, and I blink the sleep away. I feel my stomach flutter when he finally comes back in the room, and he smiles at me as he walks over to the bed.

Once he reaches me, he brushes my hair back and asks, “Do you need anything?” Well isn’t that a loaded question. I need … him. I need his touch, and his hot mouth on my lips again. I need all of him. He must sense where my thoughts go because he says, “I’m sleeping in the guest room tonight.”

I pout, yes childish but I’m still drunk, as I ask, “Why?”

He takes a deep breath and caresses my cheek and says, “Because you’re drunk and when I make you mine again, I want you sober so you can remember everything I plan on doing.”

I feel my face flush and swallow hard. “When?”

“Yes, Shelby. When. Not maybe, or second guessing these feelings between us.”

I pull away from his hand as I roll on my back. He takes a seat by me and I say, “You sound sure of yourself. What if I wake up and don’t remember any of this?”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll help you remember if you forget, but I have a feeling you’re going to think about our kiss for days.” I lick my lips knowing he’s right. There’s no way I could ever forget that kiss. When I don’t respond, he leans down and I hold my breath as he kisses my forehead. “Goodnight, Shelby.”

He gets off the bed and I say, “Night, Carter.” He shuts off the light and shuts the door. My last thought before I fall into a deep sleep is Carter’s lips taking mine.

I wake with a huge smile on my face. I stretch, remembering everything that happened last night, and blush thinking about me wanting Carter to do more than kiss me. I am glad he was a gentleman and didn’t take advantage of me. I have no idea what time it is, but I’m suddenly energized, and I need to see him. I need to confirm what I remember just to be sure my fucked up brain isn’t playing tricks on me. I toss the covers off me and hop out of bed. I quickly make my way over to the dresser and grab my shorts. I almost trip trying to get them on, but thankfully crisis adverted.

Again, I chastise myself for not being prepared for another sleep over. I desperately want a toothbrush and a hairbrush. I make do again with my fingers, and smooth out my hair with the palms of my hands. I walk over to the bathroom in Carter’s room, and almost jump with joy when I see his toothbrush and toothpaste by the sink. I don’t think he’ll mind if I use his toothbrush. I mean, he kissed me last night, and this is basically the same thing. I think about our kiss again, and smile widely as I quickly brush my teeth. When I’m finished, I clean up after myself and put everything back where it was. I look myself over before going to find him, and smile once more when I see the light shining back in my eyes.

It’s all because of Carter. It’s funny how one simple, but passionate kiss can change things.

I have to stop myself from running out of the bathroom, but I manage to slow down. Before I open the door to find him, I take a deep breath stilling the nerves in my stomach. I haven’t been this thrilled in a long time, and I relish in the rush that takes over me. But when I open the door, I’m not prepared to see him standing across the hall. My eyes graze over him, and seeing his naked chest makes my breath catch in my throat. I recover quickly, and blush when he notices me. He must have slept in the guest room across from his room, but my face falls when I see the look on his face. It’s a mixture of regret and sadness.

I’m confused by his look and I instantly think something’s wrong. He hasn’t moved out of the doorway fully, and before I can ask what’s wrong, I hear her voice. “Carter, come back to bed.”

My stomach falls, and I swallow hard trying to get the lump that’s forming in my throat to go away before I ask, “Please tell me that’s not Bethany in there.”

His jaw clenches and his head drops as the door opens so I can see her. She’s sitting up in the bed wearing Carter’s shirt, and it’s all the confirmation I need. I don’t even say anything before turning around, going back to his room, and quickly grab the rest of my things. “Shelby, it’s not what it looks like.” I still as I hear his voice noticing he’s right behind me. I take a deep breath, trying to keep it together, and push past him. I hear him following me, but I just can’t deal with him. I get to the living room, and slip on my shoes before bending down to grab my purse. I can’t even bear to look him as he says, “Please, Shelby. Let me explain. I swear it’s not what you think.”

I put a hand on the door handle, but before I open it I turn and say, “Fuck you, Carter. Don’t follow me either.” I quickly turn away, not caring to see if my words hurt him. I race out the door and get to William’s truck. I drop my clothes trying to dig for my keys in my purse. Unlocking the door, I toss my purse in the seat and bend down to pick the clothes back up.

Pulling out of the driveway, I see Carter standing on the porch with his arms crossed. I know I’m running, the very thing I was trying so hard not to do, but I cannot deal with this. Carter’s house fades behind me and before I reach Annie and William’s, I pull off to the side of the road. I cut the engine and place my head on the steering wheel. I close my eyes, hating that I fell for his lies. I should’ve known something was going on between him and Bethany. It all makes sense now why she didn’t like me, and why she has been so hateful towards me. She has feelings for him. I should’ve seen it the first time I met her, but I missed it. I don’t want to believe that Carter is that type of guy, but the facts are damning. And this isn’t the first time he’s done this. I should’ve seen there was something between them when he never once tried to get away from her advances last night, and then he kisses me only to sleep with her.