Embrace Me (30 page)

“
I will have you and Charlie by my side. What more protection will I need?” I breathed, forcing a smile.

“
Okay, then. I’ll arrange a meeting,” my mother winced. Why did it suddenly feel like a bad idea?

“
So?” Charlie asked as I walked into his study at home. “How did it go?”

“
She’s arranging a meeting for next week.”

Charlie watched me in shock for a few moments before he finally spoke. “Jennet thinks it’s a good idea?”

“
Not really, but she can understand the logic behind it.” I sighed, sliding onto his lap while he sat behind his desk.

“
If Will so much as looks at you in the wrong way, I swear…”

“
Charlie,” I giggled, interrupting him. “Somehow I don’t think Will would dare do that.”

“
He is still in love with you, Shannon. How am I meant to deal with that?”

“
Easily,” I beamed. He looked up at me, his hands slowly weaving into my hair. “By knowing how much I love
you
.”

“
You really have an answer for everything, don’t you?” Charlie smirked as he pulled me down towards him.

“
Well, I do try,” I teased against his lips before I became lost in the kiss. “I have to say, I love what you have done to your study,” I whispered as his lips began to move down my neck.

“
Are we really going to talk about my taste in furniture, Shan?” he chuckled, his hot breath tickling my skin. “I was hoping I was taking your mind somewhere else.”

“
And where would that be?” I teased, leaning into his embrace as his hands slowly began to undo my shirt.

“
To a place that I’m sure heaven couldn’t even compete with,” he whispered, and I was lost in his words and kisses.

“
You don’t have to come,” I whispered as Charlie slipped into our bed later that night. “I mean, if it will be too much for you, I’d understand. I expect Megan and Will will be attending the meeting, too.”

“
I wouldn’t miss it for anything, Shan,” he cooed, pulling me into his loving arms. “I want to be able to keep a close eye on Will. If he tries to…”

“
Charlie,” I interrupted, turning to touch his lips with my fingertips. “Will won’t do anything. He hardly spoke to me at the airport in LA last month.” I gasped, realizing I hadn’t told Charlie about that meeting.

“
You saw him?” His hold became firm, his voice deadly. “And you didn’t tell me.”

“
I forgot,” I stressed, knowing how stupid it sounded. As if I would ever forget a meeting with the man who blackmailed me and almost destroyed my whole life.

“
Please,” Charlie huffed, getting out of bed.

“
Where are you going?”

“
To my study. I’m suddenly not tired.” He didn’t even turn to look back at me as he left the bedroom.

It hurt that he wouldn’t even hear me out. A few months ago, he would never have reacted that way.

I lay staring up at the ceiling for what seemed like hours. I knew the reason I didn’t go to speak to Charlie downstairs; I didn’t want another fight that could result in him leaving me again. Once was enough for me. I was wiping my eyes, clearing away the few stray tears when the bedroom door finally opened. Closing my eyes, I tried to pretend I was asleep.

I felt the bed jiggle and the covers move slightly before his breath was warm in my ear. “I know you’re awake, Shannon.” Still, I kept my eyes shut. I didn’t want to fight tonight. I was too emotionally drained with all the events of the week. “I’m sorry. I was being an idiot earlier. As soon as I stormed out, I wanted to come right back in and apologize.” I felt Charlie’s hand run over my stomach, pulling me to him gently. My body was too willing as it molded with his. “I love you so much, Shannon.”

I couldn’t help but smile against his chest. “We will talk about Will in the morning. Sleep, Sweetheart,” he cooed, kissing my forehead. I fell into a deep sleep, content in his arms.

Charlie was already up when I awoke. I decided to have a shower before going down for breakfast.

I was towel-drying my hair as I walked out of the bathroom and jumped at the sight of Charlie, who stood holding a breakfast tray.

“
Oh,” he pouted. “I was hoping to surprise you. I even cooked it myself, seeing as how the chef is off today.”

“
Sorry,” I smiled, brushing my hair while he placed the tray on the bed. “Wow,” I beamed, sitting on the bed and taking in the gorgeous spread in front of me. “You didn’t have to do all this.”

“
I wanted to,” he muttered. “It’s the least I could do for acting like a prick last night.”

“
You didn’t act like a prick. I should have told you. I can’t believe it slipped my mind.”

“
What happened, Shan?” Charlie asked, looking sorrowful. “Will didn’t…try anything, did he?”

“
No, Mac warned him off.” As soon as I said his name, I watched for Charlie’s reaction.

“
Mac did what?” he looked stunned.

“
He protected me.” Charlie’s eyes widened with anger, but I spoke before he got the wrong idea. “And before you say anything, it wasn’t because he wanted to jump into my pants,” I cautioned, looking sternly at him so he was actually listening to me. “My mother told him about our struggle to be together. I know she shouldn’t have, but she must have been trying to help.” I couldn’t really read Charlie’s eyes, but he didn’t interrupt me, so I carried on. “He felt he needed to protect me for
you
.”

“
Shannon, really,” Charlie laughed, shaking his head. His tone seemed annoyed. “Don’t tell me you’re falling for his charms. Whatever you think, you’re wrong. I have no doubt that Mac
is
trying to get into your pants.”  

“
I’m not stupid. I am telling you Mac cares about you…a lot. You’re the only family he has left.”

“
Mac isn’t family, Shannon. He never will be,” Charlie glared, biting into his piece of toast.

“
That’s your choice. Like I said, I’m not getting involved. I am not willing to let this come between us.”

“
Why does it feel like it already has?”

“
It’s because we haven’t really spoken about it, Charlie,” I sighed, looking down at the tray.

“
I know. You’re right.” Charlie took a deep breath. “How about I take you out to dinner tonight and we can talk.” I looked up at him, nodding slightly. “Finish your breakfast. I have a few phone calls to make.”

I had finished my breakfast and managed to get dressed by the time Charlie came back upstairs.

“
It’s all booked. I’ve managed to get us a private booth at Chateau de Castel Novel for nine o’clock.”

“
How do you do it?” I gasped. “There is a three month waiting list for that restaurant.”

“
I have my ways,” he smirked, kissing my lips. “I have to go, but I’ll see you later, Sweetheart.”

“
You sure will,” I murmured against his lips, breathing in all the love I felt from him. Charlie would always be my world. His arms would always be my safe harbor. I was sure that once we had everything out in the open, we could get back to our blissful happily ever after.

Chapter Twenty-Three

I sat in the glorious, fine French restaurant, taking in the splendor. Charlie looked a little nervous as he sat across the table from me.

“
You really do look breathtaking tonight, Shannon,” he grinned, pouring me some more red wine.

“
Well, I wanted to make an effort. You look pretty striking yourself.” Charlie looked dreamy in his dark blue suit. It reminded me of the one he had been wearing the night I first laid eyes on him.

“
Where did you want to start?” His eyes looked sad as he voiced the question. We had made light chat for the last half hour, but I knew we had to start somewhere. We couldn’t keep pretending this was just a nice meal for us to enjoy.

“
Why you left.” My voice was a whisper as I subconsciously reached for my wine and took a large sip.

Charlie exhaled before he began. “I had to, Shan. My head was all over the place…I didn’t want to say something I could never take back.”

“
I wanted to tell you so much, but Rachel begged me not to. She wanted to tell you herself.”

“
I know, Sweetheart. It only took me a few days to realize how hard I had been on you. I can only
imagine
how difficult it must have been for you. My mother should never have put you in that position. I blame her completely.”

“
You are going to forgive her, though, aren’t you?”

“
It’s getting easier. Once she sat me down and told me everything, I felt sorry for her. She was the other woman. All Mac’s father did was use her to gain information about your mother’s business.”

“
Why do I have a feeling the Fields are going to come into this conversation?”

“
Because they are. It would appear that Sir Phillip was paying off a lot of people in those days, trying to worm his way into your mother’s company.” I shuddered, knowing his biggest payoff was faking my death with my mother’s doctor.

“
I have no idea how we are all going to be civil to each other next week.”

“
It will be interesting. It’s your mother and Sir Phillip I am looking forward to watching,” Charlie smirked. I had to giggle. My mother would eat Sir Phillip for breakfast. We both knew that.

“
Is there anything you need to ask me?” I questioned once our mains had arrived.

Charlie looked torn for a moment so I steadied myself before he spoke. “I don’t like the relationship that’s developing between you and Mac. He’s using you, Shannon. He wants you because you’re mine.” His words left me speechless; I had no idea what to say to him. How could I make him see how ridiculous he sounded? “I know you have to work with him, but I want you to keep your distance…for me. Please?”

“
Mac isn’t who you think he is.”

“
You see?” Charlie’s voice was slightly raised. “He is getting to you already. Why can’t you see it?”

“
I do keep my distance. I’ve told Mac that I can only converse with him on a business level, but it doesn’t stop him from asking about you.” He huffed, laughing. “He asks about you every time I see him.”

“
He is brainwashing you…”

“
You mean like Megan did?!” I glared, my voice more irate. “Do you have any idea how much you hurt me when you compared me to Megan?” His gaze dropped from my face in shame. “Out of all the things you could say to me, why that?”

“
I’m sorry, Shan. I regretted it the moment I said it. I was hurt and lashing out. You

are nothing like Megan. Not even the wealth has changed you. You’re still that same girl I fell in love with.” I sighed, shaking my head but so blissfully happy at his words. Megan’s words to me at the airport had still been affecting me until now. I shouldn’t have been surprised. After everything that happened, she still knew how to get to me. Hearing his words, though, made me realise I wasn’t who Megan believed I was.

“
What?” Charlie asked, watching my reaction.

“
I thought you might be falling out of love with me because I had changed.”

“
Never
doubt my love for you, Sweetheart.” His eyes were intense as he looked at me. “That is the one permanent thing in my life.”

“
I know,” I blushed, overcome by his powerful gaze.

“
Can you forgive me? I was hurting, and knowing Mac was with you while I was hundreds of miles away…it drove me a little insane.”

“
I forgive you,” I smiled, reaching for his hand over the table. “Just never say that again.”

“
I promise. I will never hurt you like that again.”

We made small chat while we waited for our desserts. I knew there was one other question I needed to ask, but it was the one I feared the most.

“
Was there something else bothering you?” Charlie asked as he began to eat his rich chocolate torte.

“
Um…no.” My voice was too weak, so he chuckled while shaking his head.

“
Out with it, Shan. I thought that was what tonight was about—clearing the air so we can both move on.”

“
Okay.” I inhaled and took two large gulps of my wine.

“
Is it that bad?” he teased. “You can tell me, Shan. Don’t be afraid.”