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Of all of the absurd things she'd done, this one topped the list. According to the media this was the wedding. Even her friends, who like her didn't care about the actions of the rich and famous, had been talking about this wedding for months. And it was hard not to. The President's formerly unknown illegitimate daughter was marring billionaire CEO Dylan Talbot who just happened to be the President's stepson.
Charlie couldn't help but think that she shouldn't be going. She had no ties to the family and had only known Jake for a couple of weeks. Yet even though she planned to tell Jake she'd changed her mind, each time she tried she couldn't bring herself to do it. How often did someone like her get to attend a wedding like this?
The prospect of seeing the wedding wasn't the only thing that held Charlie back from canceling. Though she hated to admit it, she was looking forward to spending a few days away with Prince Charming as the media like to call him. She knew he would be returning to Virginia soon. While the town wasn't yet back to normal, everything continued to improve and the day-to-day recovery operations didn't require Jake's attention. Besides who knew when his foundation's help would be needed elsewhere.
When he left she'd miss him. While they didn't live that far apart in Virginia they didn't exactly travel in the same circles. The likelihood of them seeing each other again was remote, which shouldn't have bothered her. Or at least she kept telling herself that as she packed.
You've got to get your head on straight. Enjoy your time with him but don't get attached. Once he leaves, that's it. Chances are he won't even remember your name.
A wave of sadness crashed over her at the thought of him forgetting her. Charlie knew she wouldn't forget him or the kisses they'd shared. Then again she didn't have gorgeous men throwing themselves at her feet left and right. Jake on the other hand had no shortage of women looking to spend time with him. Though he'd downplayed the number of relationships he'd been in, Charlie didn't doubt the number still far surpassed her not insignificant total.
Charlie balled up a t-shirt and shoved it into her bag, then zipped it closed. Damn that hurricane. It had upset more than just the town. It'd even managed to wreak havoc on her usually well-controlled emotions.
From now on she was going to keep her emotions in check. No longer would it bother her that Jake would soon be just a pleasant memory that she could share with her friends when she got home. With her mind made up she pulled the bag off the bed and headed downstairs.
***
Somebody needs to wake me. Charlie fidgeted in the front seat, her stomach churning with anxiety as Jake drove the Escalade through the security gate at Cliff House. Before she could stop herself she turned to look out the back window as the gate closed, keeping out any unwanted visitors including the numerous news vans parked on the street.
“I can't believe the reporters are here already,” Charlie said turning back around. “The wedding isn't until tomorrow afternoon.”
Jake reached over and took hold of her hand. Charlie knew he could feel how clammy it was yet he didn't comment. Thank God. Just having him know she was nervous embarrassed her. She didn't need him commenting on it too.
“They've probably been here all week. Imagine the disaster it would be if those vultures missed something.” Jake's tone told her all she needed to know about how he viewed the reporters.
After traveling down a long winding driveway, Jake pulled into a garage bigger than her house and filled with expensive cars. At the far end sat a black Aston Martin and next to it was a bright red Ferrari.
“Did you tell your family you were bringing a guest?” Butterflies took off in her stomach at the thought of meeting the owners of the cars parked around them.
“I told Callie. I'm sure she told everyone else.” Jake pulled the keys out of the ignition but didn't make any move to get out. “Don't tell me the doctor is nervous?”
Charlie licked her dry lips and looked everywhere but at him. She never suffered attacks of nervousness, yet a mammoth butterfly fluttered around in her stomach now.
Reaching out Jake cupped the side of her face. “You shouldn't be nervous. My family is a little annoying but generally harmless.”
A sarcastic laugh escaped Charlie. “Your father is the President of the United States. He's the most powerful man in the world. I wouldn't call him harmless.”
Jake shrugged and threw her a carefree grin. “Don't worry Doc, I'll protect you. Promise.” Without hesitating he leaned closer and sealed his promise with a gentle kiss. A kiss that turned from gentle to hungry and urgent in the blink of an eye.
Man that guy kisses like nobody’s business. Charlie didn't want to think about all the practice he must have had to get that incredible. If she did, the ugly jealousy monster would begin to make an appearance again. Jealousy wasn't a rational emotion and definitely not one she had any right to feel.
Charlie knew the minute he decided to end the kiss. There was a subtle change in the pressure of his lips. It was always that way. For a moment she toyed with the idea of trying to get him to continue his heavenly onslaught. More than once she'd been able to do it. But today she doubted she'd be able to.
“I'd love to stay here with you all day, but they'll be wondering where we are. The Secret Service will have let them know we've arrived.”
Charlie nodded, not wanting to speak. If she did, Jake would know just how breathless his kiss left her and she didn't see any need to stroke the guy's ego.
“Just relax. Everything will be fine. You're going to have a great weekend.”
Jake didn't wait for a reply; instead he opened his car door.
“Enjoy yourself and think of all the stories you'll be able to tell people later,” she said under her breath as she waited for Jake to open her car door. A few weeks earlier she would have done it herself, but since spending time in his company she'd gotten used to him opening doors for her. While she'd nev
er admit it to anyone, she liked having him do it. It made her feel pampered and special. When they parted ways she would miss these unfamiliar feelings. I'm not going to focus on that now. This weekend is all about having some fun. Jake reached for her hand and they walked out of the garage and into the bright sunshine together.
They hadn't even made it out of the grand marble-tiled foyer with its pillars and vaulted ceiling when a petite woman with long mahogany hair and eyes identical to Jake's greeted them. Charlie may not read popular celebrity magazines often, but even she recognized Callie Taylor, Jake's half-sister. She'd thought the woman was pretty when she'd seen her in photos but they didn't do her justice. It was no wonder Dylan Talbot had fallen in love with her.
Jake enveloped the petite woman in a warm hug making it clear to Charlie just how much he cared about her. When was the last time Sean hugged her like that? The question popped into Charlie's head out of nowhere. Her brother never showed his emotions, even when they were younger. He didn't hug but rather gave a slap on the back. Watching Jake with his sister sent her back through her memories searching for the last time Sean had given her a hug even remotely close to the one Jake shared with Callie. It'd been right after their parents' divorce when she'd realized her dad wasn't coming home. Sean had hugged her as she cried and he promised that everything would be fine. Up till that day she had secretly hoped her dad still might come home even though he'd been gone a year. That somehow things would go back to the way they were before he walked out on them without even saying goodbye. Yet when her mom and Sean returned home from the courthouse that afternoon, she'd known life would never be the same.
