Holt's Holding part two (The Holt's Series) (9 page)

I watched as he moved from the table answering his phone.
While continuing to eat I couldn’t help hear him as he talked. Curiosity had
the better of me.

Charlie: “I’m handling it”

“There’s no need for such concern. It’s being handled” His
eyes turned to me and I had no idea what he was thinking…let alone who he was
speaking to.

“I need you to do something; I’m sending you an address
have someone from the Hotel send over my belongings. I will have no use for my
suite as I plan on staying here.”

“I don’t pay you to ask those questions…just do it?”

His voice was clipped and commanding, in a way I hadn’t
heard him speak before. I had always heard of how shrewd the Vaihn brothers
were. I had even heard Sam’s description of Sebastian as being intimidating and
controlling. It begs the questions how similar are the two.

I knew of the games, they had played and how they swallowed
up other companies. I would expect nothing less as having personal knowledge of
their father but that much being understood how far did their cruelty reign on
personal matters?

And to what lengths?

In all the research, I had pulled not one woman whom had an
encounter with the two during one of their bets wanted to speak about it. My
investigators had said that these women seemed like they were broken by the
Vaihn brother’s idea of sport.

Therefore, the answer is yes they were cruel. Even so,
these women wouldn’t say one word to demonize them.

My mind was suddenly suspicious and second-guessing the
truth in his words. Words that I now see I truly want to invest in. Another
question formed; had I played this hand too close to the heart?

Staring and playing with the food on my plate; I wasn’t
sure what I could put faith in or was this simply nerves? I had pretty much
asked him to move in…didn’t I? Or was that more him? I looked over to him
forcing a smile as he walked back and forth on his phone. He caught my smile
and slighted his head to the side as if his expression was asking me a
question.

Turning back to the food, I mindlessly ate as I stared out
the windows.

It was getting dark and I need to distract myself from this
doubt now forming in my head. I had to tell myself that this was all caused
from my fear of being close to someone…it was my fear of being hurt. I was
falling for him even though I knew better and I couldn’t guard myself from
that.

“What has you in such deep thought?” His hand was in my
hair and I hadn’t even realized he had ended is call.

“I’m good, nothing worth any consequence,” I offered still
staring out the windows.

“I don’t buy that for one second. You seem off”

“Honest, I’m fine. I suppose it has just been a long day
for me. And I haven’t really adjusted.”

“Forgive me…I suppose it has been a long day for you”, he
shook his head and sat down “You have to forgive my ignorance, as I have no
idea how I would fare in your situation…meaning the coma, pregnancy, and now me.”
he sighed.

“It’s been a lot Charlie. However, I think of myself as a
very resilient person and this is no more than a slight adjustment for me. You
and I…whatever this is…may take me a little longer” I didn’t see the need in
covering…it was the truth. The idea of him and me? I didn’t even know what to
call it. Were we a couple now?

I shook my head to my thought.

“What are you questioning now?” He looked to my
quizzically.

“What are we…let me qualify…you’re moving in, we’re having
a child…but what I don’t know is…what do you want from me Charlie? Not that I
need a label but what do I say when someone asks?” I wasn’t sure what answer
would do but I needed one. Looking to him, he sat back in his chair and cocked
his head with a crooked smile. What I wouldn’t do to know what was running thru
his head right now?

“It’s pretty obvious Lilly that we are not casually
fucking, you are pregnant and with our child. Are you asking how I feel about
you? Then I would say I thought I had made myself clear. If I have not then let
me state it for the record, I care very deeply for you. I think we have skipped
over the entire ‘dating’ process wouldn’t you say? But to answer your question
I want you in my life, I want a future with you and our daughter.” Pausing he
sighed then moved up to me “What do you want Lillian?”

What did I want? I wasn’t sure I had an answer.

“I want to trust you. I want to let go of all this fear…I
want to know that this isn’t some game for you.” Looking down at my now empty
plate I wasn’t sure what more to say.

“This is not a game for me. This is as real as it gets.” He
offered.

Watching him do dishes was rather interesting. I would have
never thought him to be so domesticated.

My mood had instantly shifted from the conversation during
dinner.
 
I found myself teasing him.

It was nice having this moment of just casual play. No
scheming –no motives, just he and I as normal as two people could be.

Henry my computerized security chimed in breaking the
playful banter he and I had engaged in.

“Elizabeth…vehicle approaching, Hotel name registered: The
Hyatt, One male driver.”

“Henry no alert needed lower spikes.”

“Spikes?” Charlie looked to me, eyes wide and shaking his
head.

“Yes…when I’m home the drive way is kinda armed from
unwanted guests,” I laughed

“A bit over the top?” he raised his eyebrows and cocked his
head.

“Maybe” I smirked

I laughed as he rolled his eyes at me in amusement.

I could hear the van doors open and shut, followed by a
ring on the doorbell. Charlie walked up and answered it, as it was his things
being delivered.

“Thank you” Charlie nodded to the delivery guy and tipped
him adding instructions to take the bags to the bedroom. I noticed he had two
garment bags and three large suitcases. I moved to the sofa as Charlie led him
to my room.

I wrapped myself in a blanket and turned the TV on. I
hadn’t watched TV in such a long time I realized that the ‘on demand’ feature
was perfect now. Catching up on last season of ‘True blood’ seemed like a good
idea since I had no idea how long he would be. The delivery boy walked past and
thru the front door closing it. I could assume that Charlie was unpacking if
anything. He struck me as the type that liked to get things taken care
immediately versus later.

Jumping up I realized popcorn would be perfect…shit did I
have any?

Running to the kitchen pantry; yup movie time popcorn. I
put in the microwave just as I heard Sam and Brady come in thru the front door.
From what I could tell, she was riding him hard about something.

“You drive like an old lady” I heard her belt out.

“Do not…it’s icy” Brady was definitely on the defensive.

“You drive a Hummer for god sakes!” she rolled her eyes
walking my way

“And how are you two doing? Dinner? I’m truly afraid to
ask?” I laughed

“How are you love” she came over and kissed me on the
cheek.

“I’m good”

“Glad to hear it…so can I ask what happened?” she sat down
on the sofa.

“Yeah please do tell…I was afraid I was going to have to
bail you out of jail,” Brady laughed as he found a seat on the opposing sofa
pulling his tie loose and throwing his feet up on the coffee table.

“
Ummm
…yeah.” The microwave beeped
and I jumped up running to the kitchen. I wasn’t sure how I was going to
explain.

Pulling the bag from the microwave and emptying it into a
bowl, I grabbed a fist full and started munching away.

Walking back into view they both stared at me waiting for
an explanation of today’s events. Like on queue; Charlie made an appearance in
the hall. He had changed clothes and was in a t-shirt and a pair of drawstring
pants.

Brady must have sensed Charlie and turned to him, rising to
his feet. Charlie quickly came around the sofa and extended his hand.

“Charlie Vaihn, you must be Brady. We met once at the
hospital.” Brady took his hand and smiled politely. I think he was in shock. I
stood in my spot just popping popcorn into my mouth. For some reason I found
this a bit amusing.

I caught Sam’s expression as she mouth holy shit to me and
gave me a quick thumbs up.

Charlie released Brady’s hand and turned to Sam.

“Hello Mr. Vaihn” she nodded

“Good evening Samantha and please call me Charlie.”

“Charlie it is then” She smiled and looked back at me
making teasing gestures the moment Charlie turned from her and back to Brady.

“I see no one got hurt today?” Brady laughed and sat back
down. “She didn’t break anything with that bat did she?” He turned; looked to
me and laughed.

“No – she came to make a point; I believe it was made quite
clear” Charlie smiled at me and shook his head.

I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. I didn’t feel I needed
explain myself.

“Ooh are we getting into True blood? I haven’t seen this
season either…oh; oh –can you pause it?
 
I wanna go up and change out of this.”

“Oh dear lord…Thanks Lil!” Brady scuffed in an annoyed but
teasing voice.

“What?” I looked to Brady

“Watching this is like watching my brain cells fry” Brady
stood up and shook his head “I’ll be back…might as well change too.” He looked
to Charlie “I’m so glad she didn’t hurt you or your brother…shit I’ve never her
seen her remotely lose control of her emotions…ever”

“Hey…I told I wasn’t going to do anything bad…the bat was
only for effect.”

“Are sure about that?
 
You had one serious grip around it?” Charlie laughed.

“Ha ha…funny…funny” I teased walking into the family room.
Stopping in front of Charlie bowl in hand

Brady and Sam had made their way upstairs and it was just
Charlie and me for the moment. I could tell he had something to say but he was
holding back.

“So; Samantha from HR? Your best friend I suppose?”

“Yes, you are correct” I moved to the sofa as he followed.

“Wow this sofa is deep?” his expression was interesting as
I guessed that he wasn’t expecting it. “This is awesome…where in the world did
you buy these?”

“I had them ordered from a specialty catalogue. And they
are insanely awesome. Probably one of my most favorite purchases.”

I sat the popcorn down on his lap as he was angled into the
sofa and climbed in-between him and the back of it.

We both made our selves comfortable; he was more than eager
wanting this type of attention from me.

I snuggled up with him holding me.

“I can’t believe your still hungry…popcorn? That is so
horrible for you”

“Oh please…have you tasted this? Movie time popcorn is
fabulous…have a bite”

“I’ll pass”

I turned up and looked at him… “You don’t get to criticize
when you haven’t even tasted it”

He leaned down and kissed me.

“Salty” he pulled my lip ever so slightly and sucked just
to release… “Buttery” he kissed me again this time pushing his tongue past my
lips, as I was more than happy to take him in.

Sam came in clearing her throat. Charlie broke the kiss and
grinned just so at me. That grin almost had me undone.

Sam sat down in the opposing sofa, making herself at home
as she cocked her head looking from me to Charlie.

“Well it seems this has definitely been an interesting day.
You blow into the office, in full blown rage and now here you are completely
the opposite.” She laughed. “I seriously thought you were going to kill
someone”

“I’ll admit I was a bit dramatic,” I laughed.

“That’s one way to describe it” Charlie shook his head as
he looked down to me.

“What? I was pissed and rightfully so.”

“Pissed? I don’t know what I would call that today…shit
Lilly I’ve never seen you bat an eye lash to shit that perhaps the normal
person would have…then today you go from 0 to 100 in 3 seconds flat.” Brady
commented as he found his way to Sam.

“I’m going to pull hormones as a defense” I slighted my
head towards Brady.

He sat there shaking his head at me. I knew what he was
thinking; Charlie and me on a sofa, together. This was without a doubt the last
thing he thought he would see happen. Hell, I wouldn’t have ever thought myself
to be here like this.

“Oh don’t mind them…they have this freaky silent mind link
thing” Sam offered to Charlie.

“Mind link?” Charlie looked to her confused.

“We do not” Brady looked down to Sam then to me and Charlie
“We’ve just known each other since we were really young, it’s hard not to know
what the other is thinking.”