Holt's Holding part two (The Holt's Series) (26 page)

Looking up at Brady, I could see the tension drain from his
face. Breathing a sigh of release, “We try not to make it public knowledge for
credibility reasons.” He added.

“Well, I’m assuming this must be from Alex’s side of the
family, as I could have sworn the two of you look like siblings.” Patricia
added.

“You are probably the first to have ever made that comment,
but to answer your question our mothers were sisters, well half-sisters.” Brady
offered and released me.

“I see. Well, it’s nice to see family so close, especially
since our Elizabeth here doesn’t have much family.
 
So tragic.” She shook her head as Brady.

“He’s all the family I need Patricia.” I smiled to him then
Sam. “Since we all seem to be having dinner here, Julie, Sam, would you mind
setting the table under the patio?”

“Oh sure” Julie offered, “Where are all the plates?”

“I got this” Sam offered “Over here” she walked and opened
the large cabinet doors.
 

Julie followed her over as Patricia looked to Charlie,
obviously noticing something as she smiled then looked back to me.
 
I pulled pans out for him.

Everyone found his or her way outside leaving Charlie and
me in the kitchen. Working together, I helped prep the food and ingredient as
he instructed.
 
Not once did we talk
about anything other than the dinner he was preparing.
 
From time to time, Sebastian would make his
presence known by coming into the kitchen, offering that he was getting drinks
or wine refills. After the third time, I think he realized that nothing was
happening beyond us just cooking.

The IPod blasting to the speakers, I found myself sing
while cleaning pots as he finished with them. It was somewhat weird how in tune
we were of the other. With a glass of wine in my hand, I pulled the spoon into
the sauce for a quick sampling, as he wasn’t looking.

Shit, he could cook. Closing my eyes and tasting his sauce
was close to heaven.
 
He was making seafood
marinara for the main course.

Wow, it was amazing.

Savoring the taste, he startled me when his hands landed
around my waist. “How is it?” he whispered into my neck.

“Fucking amazing…it’s better than sex,” I offered.

“Really?” he laughed amused with my obvious enjoyment.

“Oh, god yes!” Again, I
 
offered with my eyes still closed, savoring
the taste in my mouth.
 
Ok, I was tipsy
and very hungry.

His hands snaked around tighter pulling me into him.
 
How I missed his feel.

Charlie’s head pressed against mine and I could feel the
release of tension when he finally let the air out of his lungs. “I miss you,”
he whispered. I could feel him kiss my head. My heart skipping a beat and my
lungs felt tight.
 
 
I couldn’t deny it.
 
I was in love with him. No matter how much I
tried to suppress it, there it was.

Putting the spoon down along with my wine glass, I was
nervous.
 
I missed him, hell, I finally
admitted to myself that I was in love with him. Yet the idea of letting go
completely, scared the shit out of me.

“Charlie, I…” shaking a bit, my words dropped off as his
lips moved down my cheek. His hands wondering, one up and round my neck,
turning my head slightly towards his; the other now cupping my breast. Shit, I
was like an addict and he was my drug of choice. “I just want a taste,” he
offered in the most seductive voice.

His lips landed on mine, taking what I suspect he knew was
always his. His lips commanding and soft against mine. I almost forgot that I
had a full house.

“Is dinner done?” Julie’s voice quickly broke our kiss as
he stepped back releasing his hold.

Turning back towards the stove, I shook my head bringing
myself back to reality. Fuck, what power did he have over me?

“Actually it is done, can you take out the pasta and
bread?” he reigned in his composure quick. Too quick; if I was to offer an
opinion. I walked from the stove pulling a large serving bowl to pour the sauce
into it. Turning, back with the bowl in hand, I caught Julie’s eyes as she
teasingly raised her brows at me. I simply shook my head.
 
It was obvious she was setting both Charlie
and I up.

Sebastian entered asking what he could help with.

Charlie was quick ordering him to take out things to the
table.

“I’ll grab another bottle and bring it out.” I offered,
trying not to look at Charlie.

Back in the wine closet, he followed me in.

“Do you have a good dry white?” he asked.

“Sure.” I walked to the back cooler doors pulling out two
bottles. Turning, I placed the bottles on the side table I had built into the
wall, turned to grab a third when his hands came around me quick and turned me
back around. His lips landing on mine, and his hands swiftly picking me up
around my ass. He walked me up against the closed cooler door as I wrapped my
legs around his waist.

Charlie’s lips pulled from the kiss, he had me pinned up
against the door. “I want you” he labored.
 
Claiming my lips once more with urgency, his hand held me with complete
possession.
 
Lost to the kiss, who the
hell was I kidding, I missed him just as much.

“Charlie we
can’t…your mom, everyone is outside.”

“I know” he sighed. “I know” he released me. “I’m sorry; I
shouldn’t have forced myself on you.”

I didn’t know what to say. I just shook my head looking at
him.
 
Where the hell was myself
control?
 
He was the man whom broke my
heart…could I ever really trust him? The answer was simple…No.
 

Brady and his concern started to swirl around in my head.
Releasing my lungs, I adjusted my dress and reached back to the cooler grabbing
the third bottle of wine. Charlie grabbed the other two, and I followed him
out.

Joining everyone on the patio, they were in full
conversation.
 
It seemed more like a
debate about sports.
 
Of course, the
conversation was over baseball. My least favorite subject.
 
The Baltimore Orioles were set to play the
Yankees this weekend.
 
I shook my head
setting down the wine on the table. Charlie found a seat between Julie and his
mother.
 
I sat down at the head of the
table. Brady, on the opposing end, next to Julie and Sam. I was forced to be
seated next to Sebastian and Patricia.

Patricia’s hand was quick and landed on my hand as she
squeezed it affectionately, offering a smile with her gesture.

“Patricia, I have to ask, you and Lillian seem to know each
other rather well. How did the two of you meet?” Sebastian looked very curious
to her obvious display.

“I met Elizabeth,” she over stated my first name. As it was
clear, she preferred it to the casual tone of my middle name. “I guess it was what
seven months ago.” She looked to me for confirmation and I nodded. “I was at a
charity event that Elizabeth was also attending in New York.” She laughed
remembering, “I must say it truly is a small world.
 
After speaking with her, I realized why she
looked so familiar to me. I had originally met her when my Julie had moved in
with her. I do admit it took me a moment to realize that she was no less than
Alex’s and Henry’s daughter.
 
She looks
so much like her mother.” She looked back at me once more. “We’ve been having
lunch on almost a weekly basis for months now.”

“Really?” Charlie chimed in.

“Why are you so surprised?” Patricia looked to Charlie
“She’s an amazing young lady. I absolutely adore her. Unlike that spoiled wench
you married.” Patricia rolled her eyes taking a long sip of her wine. “I knew
that wouldn’t last,” she added.

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped me. Trying to cover,
I raised my glass mimicking Patricia and pulling a long deep sip of my wine.

Holding the glass, I raised it. “To Julie and her upcoming
nuptials and to Charlie for cooking.” I smiled hoping to change the mood and
conversation. Everyone raised the glass and repeated.

Looking at Charlie, he nodded his head. Offering that famous
grin of his.
 
Damn him!
 
The casual side of Charlie was the side I
adored.
 
Placing my left hand down on my
lap, I was shocked when Sebastian’s hand landed on mine under the table.
Looking at him, I was surprised.
 
What
was he up to?

I moved my hand and placed it on the table stilling looking
at him confused. He simply sat back and grinned at me. “So Lillian are you
bringing a date to the wedding?” Sebastian asked as if he knew the answer.

Before I could even respond, Brady jumped in. “No worries
Sebastian she has a date.” He smirked putting his fork down. “She’s been seeing
someone for a few months now.”

“I didn’t know?” Sebastian looked to Charlie with
satisfaction then back to me. “Do tell Lillian, who is this man that has caught
your attention.”

“Wesley Ensor. He and I met back a few years back, and
reconnected during a conference in Vancouver.” I offered taking a huge bite of
food.

“Why does his name sound familiar?” Sebastian sat back.
Dumb ass, I knew he knew Wesley.
 
“Hold
up, Wesley, he owns a manufacturing plant…um, his company makes some kind of
components…Software?” he looked to me. “
Boach
Technologies”

“That would be him,” Brady confirmed. “Great guy, he and
Lillian seemed to have hit it off.
 
I
really like him, not that my opinion matters.”

“Oh please, if you had it your way you would have poor Lil
married off to him,” Sam laughed.

“Oh, Wesley is quite the catch.” Patricia chimed in. “he’s
very attractive Elizabeth.”

“He’s a good guy.” I offered un convincingly “We’ve only
been out a few times here and there.
 
He
and I have crazy schedules and do our best to fit each other in between
business trips and such.
 
Brady knows him
better than I do, if we want to be honest. And yes Brady would have me married
off to him if it was his choice.” I laughed.

Looking over at Charlie, he seemed to be in deep
thought.
 
Perhaps, he was traveling back
to when I had actually met Wesley.
 
That
fateful alumni event in London.

“So he’s accompanying you to the wedding?” Patricia looked
more than eager.

“He’s tentatively coming.” I smiled “He seems to have a
crazy schedule and there is always the possibility of it not working out.”

“Well, if he doesn’t make it, I have no date Lillian, I
would be more the honored to escort you.” Sebastian was quick.

“Isn’t that so sweet of you.” Patricia offered.

“Thank you for the offer Sebastian, but I don’t need a
date. I’m flattered, but I think you would have a better time finding a date
other than myself.” I smiled as pleasantly as I could. Looking over at Charlie,
his eyes met mine and if I was judging correctly he looked defeated and angry.

Wow, it had just dawned on me he was jealous.
 
He honestly thought I wouldn’t be dating
anyone.

The rest of the dinner conversation shifted back to
baseball and some intense arguments that made me laugh, spilled over.
 

It was getting late and it was clear that no one here was
capable of leaving, as everyone had way too much to drink.
 
It looked like I would be having everyone
stay the night. Thank god, this was a Five-bedroom house, as I would put them
all too good use.
 
Patricia was the first
to head up.

Walking her up, I gave her the first room in the center of
the landing upstairs.
 
Julie was the next
to go up. I pretty much set everyone up in his or her own room.

Finally, at three in the morning everyone was up in their
rooms, and hopefully asleep. I found myself still wide-awake.
 
This was too weird. I had Patricia, Julie and
the Vaihn brother’s all in my house. The lights all off; I walked out of my
room to my private patio, guitar in hand, overlooking the horse pastures down
the way.
 
The moon high in the sky, I sat
on my lounge chair hoping sleep would find me and soon.
 

I was sure to lock my bedroom door, as I didn’t trust to
leave it unlocked. I think I sat there for about thirty minutes playing softly,
when I notice Charlie by the pool.
 
It
looked like he couldn’t sleep either.

His eyes turned and spotted me on my end of the house. He
seemed debated and walked over.

“Can’t sleep?” he offered quietly.

“Not so much.” I smiled up at him.

“I can’t either. Want company?”