Instead of answering her, he pulls her into a hug that lasts a little too long for my taste. She struggles out of his hold and pushes him back, but he continues to keep his arms around her, not letting go. He peers over her shoulder with his pale blue eyes, releasing Charlie when we lock eyes.
“It’s so good to see you. It’s been way too long.” He looks her up and down; then glances at me sideways as I continue to shoot daggers at him. The way he leers, devouring her body, I want to grab him by the neck, and throat punch him to the ground.
“Everything okay over here?” I say, stepping closer.
“Fine…I’m fine, Jace.” Charlie shoots me a forced smile.
“Can we talk privately?” I inch closer, making sure to invade the guy’s space, causing him to take a step back.
“In a minute, dude,” the guy snaps, glaring up at me like a challenge. “We’re just catching up.”
“I’m not your dude and maybe the lady doesn’t want to catch up.” I glare at him.
“Jace, it’s fine. Can you wait over there for a minute?” She gives me a stern warning with her expression.
I stand on the side, observing them as the douche actively speaks to her, continually touching and rubbing her arms. Charlotte’s smile is forced, looking uncomfortable, but she continues to listen. At one point, she’s about to cry and buries her face in his chest. If that fucker said anything to her…
The thought of the asshole putting his hands on her makes me want to punch something. Like his ugly face. The creepy way he keeps glaring at her body is making my blood pressure rise. Not sure why I fucking care. She said she’s fine and knows him, so why should I give a shit? Because you're a good judge of character, Jace. My instincts are telling me there’s something off about the guy. If anyone hurts her, they’ll have to go through me first.
Maybe I’m just a jealous prick. What the fuck am I doing here? I don’t do jealous. Fuck ‘em, and leave ‘em. Always been my motto. So why am I letting this woman mess with my head?
After they finish their chat, loser boy walks past me with a smug look on his face. Asshole. Charlie squares her shoulders and heads toward me with guns blazing. It simultaneously scares the shit out of me and makes my dick stir on my pants. I want to pick her up, throw her obstinate ass over my shoulder, and carry her out of here like some cave dweller.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Her hazel brown eyes sparkle with brilliant gold flecks.
“The guy’s a creep.” I fold my arms.
“You asshole.” Her hands snap to her hips. “Where do you get off telling me who I can and can’t talk to?”
“It’s my job to identify any threats. Don’t tell me the jerk didn’t make you uncomfortable.”
“Grrr!” She throws her hands up in the air in frustration. “You're so infuriating. Just because you’ve had those big hands on this body, doesn’t mean…”
“Big hands, huh?”
“You know what they say about big hands, right?”
“What?” I smirk.
“Small brain.” She squeezes her two fingers together. “I’m finished for the day, take me home.” She whisks past me with clenched fists, as I stand here with my mouth hanging open. “Move your ass, Jace!”
Jesus, I’m not sure why I find her anger so adorable. I should run the other way and never look back. But, dammit, I’m like a moth to a flame with this woman. I’m pretty sure I’m about to get burned, and I can’t find the good sense to care.
She needs me in her life. I tell myself it’s for her safety, but for some strange reason, I need her in mine.
My thoughts are starting to scare the shit out of me. I don’t fall for women. Never. Maybe you just haven’t met the right girl. Not that I ever deserved a love like that.
One thing I know, though, no one is going to hurt her. Not on my watch.Protecting Charlie is high priority. I just don’t know why yet.
I’ll let her play her hard-to-get games. But I’m not ready to give up on this pull I have toward her.
Charlotte Brooks…I’m coming for you.
Chapter Eight
Charlotte
After Jace dropped me off last night, I was close to calling Colton and asking him to assign someone different as my bodyguard. I’m trying to be sensible about this. I don’t want Jace fired, but the attraction is way too intense.
I should put my big girl panties on and deal with it. I mean, Jace was the perfect gentleman today, though the mood between us a little awkward. He picked me up like normal, drove me to the track, and dropped me home a few minutes ago.
He worked out with me this morning, which was incredibly distracting to witness. Try running full speed on a treadmill, while a chiseled Greek god with muscles for days lift weights in a snug tank top. And can we talk about the massive bulge in his gray sweatpants, because it deserves a mention. I nearly fell off my machine twice. I kept searching around, hoping no one heard my dirty inner thoughts. The man is a beast in the gym, and he as the body to show for it.
We never brought up the argument we had yesterday when I ran into Zach’s brother, Mason. Seeing Mason was quite a shock to my system. I haven’t seen him since Zach’s funeral, and it brought every memory screaming back. I drank too much wine and cried myself to sleep last night, replaying all the horrible, vivid memories of Zach’s accident.
I paid for it today with terrible track time. It wasn’t all my fault. The guys had to make some adjustments to the car, but I still didn’t have my head in the game. I can’t allow this shit to affect my mind like this. I need to remain focused on racing.
I should go for a run and clear my head, but the burly guy, Chris, sitting in his car outside my house would have to shadow me. I could use some alone time.
Lilly is out for the evening again, so a hot bath is exactly what I need to relax me. I turn on the bathwater and rummage through the mail before shucking off my clothes. I add a lavender bath bomb to the tub and set my phone on the vanity, grooving on some Sam Smith in the background. I love his soulful voice, and I wish the man could come and sing me to sleep every night.
When the tub fills to the top, I immerse my aching muscles into warm, scented water. I lay my head back and close my eyes, letting my body and mind bask for a few minutes in the gratifying indulgence.
I catch myself dozing and quickly open my eyes, wondering how long I’ve been soaking. My gaze lands on the small bathroom window, noticing the blinds are up, and it’s wide open. I usually never open the window because it’s on the side, close to the neighbors’ house, and I don’t want anyone peering into my bathroom.
I sit up in the now lukewarm water, wondering if Lilly had it open and forgot to shut it. Lilly rarely uses my bathroom, but I can’t think of another logical explanation.
I climb out of the tub, quickly drying off, and throw on my robe. I’m trying to remain calm and collected. You learn to have nerves of steel in racing. But my heart rate picks up when the screen is also missing from the window. Fuck.
I snag my phone from the vanity and dial Lilly’s number. “Hey, Sis.” She picks up immediately. “What’s so important you’re interrupting my date?”