AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My sisters are the brightest light in my life. They always have been. I’ve struggled since college to maintain a close relationship with them because of the things I did that I didn’t want them to know about or be involved in. That’s all over now. I’m working my ass off to right the wrongs from my past and rebuild my relationships with them.
Blinking, I realize both of my sisters are staring at me now. “What?” I whisper.
“Are you okay?” Adalyn whispers. “You were gone there for a minute.”
I shake my head and straighten myself in my seat. “I’m fine. You two don’t need to worry about me. I was just lost in my thoughts.”
“Quiet in the courtroom.” The bailiff’s voice echoes off the walls.
Bastard. Andrea gives me a look before turning her attention to the trial.
Three bangs of the gavel signals we’re free to go for the day. We stand, ready to file out of our row. Before I can turn to get a glimpse of Charlie, she’s up and moving past me, never turning her head to look at me. I all but push Jack and Andrea out into the aisle and weave my way through the sea of people to go after her.
I finally make my way out the front door and down the courthouse steps. The media reporters block my way to Charlie as they descend on all of us, spouting questions and shoving their microphones in our faces.
I shove past them as quickly as possible, but it’s too late. I make it through the crowd just in time to see Charlie’s vibrant red hair and pert little ass getting into a cab. My heart sinks, knowing she’s running from me. She’s leaving tonight. All of them are flying home to Fraser.
We all wanted to show up for opening arguments. We want to show a strong, united family unit. I’m sure it won’t be missed that Malcom and Mother didn’t show. That’s not within my control. Malcom isn’t within anyone’s control, apparently.
I make my way back up the stairs, wading through the crowd to assist Jack and Nathan. The reporters create a ring around Andrea and Addy, shouting so loudly it could bust your eardrum. My heart rate kicks up, as do my steps to reach them faster.
They knew this would be an issue. Christopher’s case is too high-profile, but it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. Jack and Nathan are blocking most of them, trying to shove their way through.
“At this time, the Shaw family isn’t releasing a statement or making any comments to the press. Please respect our privacy,” I say loud enough for the ones closest to us to hear. We finally break away from the crowd, heading straight to the car.
“Where’s Charlie?” Addy asks, coming up behind me. Concern radiates from her body. “Is she in the swarm of reporters?”
Before I can answer, Andrea does. “She just texted and said she’d meet us at the airport. She’s skipping dinner with everyone.” Andrea lets out a sigh of relief, then raises an eyebrow at me when she realizes I was never worried, and Charlie just ran off.
“She was already in the cab when I walked out.” That’s the truth. Leaving out the conversation from after lunch is best. Andrea doesn’t need to add that to everything she’s already dealing with right now.
“Mmhmm,” Adalyn mutters sarcastically as she looks at me skeptically.
I want to defend myself, but there isn’t really a defense. I’m the reason she left. She wouldn’t have left Andrea and Adalyn like that if I hadn’t upset her.
Jack clears his throat, thankfully taking the attention off me. “We need to get to the hotel, pack our things, and get ready for dinner. Our flight is in just a few short hours.”
I lean in to hug each sister bye. “See you all in a bit.” I turn to walk toward my car. I’ll go back to my place until it’s time to meet back up for dinner.
When I arrive home, I close my apartment door behind me and head straight for the wet bar to pour myself a bourbon. I down it in one gulp and pour myself another to take with me as I head into my bedroom. I strip off my dress clothes, leaving them in a heap by the closet door.
Taking my second double shot of bourbon, I set the glass on the dark walnut nightstand, then lie back across my king size bed. I sink into the plush oversized beige comforter. I scrub my hands over my face, then smooth my beard back down. The shots of bourbon help me calm down from what I can only describe as a mind fuck of a day.
Wanting Charlie the way that I do only complicates things. I need to focus on justice for my sisters and exposing the one secret that’s hiding the deepest. Sitting up, I stare at my reflection in the oversized mirror facing my bed.
The calming navy accent wall behind me gives the room the exact feel I wanted when I hired a designer. All I said I wanted was neutral, warm colors. Masculine and comfortable. A calmness washing over me by being in my own space. My sanctuary.
I shake my head when my thoughts wander back to Charlie. Pull yourself together, Andrew. There’s plenty of pussy throwing itself at you every day. You’ll just have to let Charlie go.
Pushing myself off the bed, I head toward the bathroom so I can shower and get ready for dinner. Maybe if I tell myself enough that I’m going to let her go, I’ll actually start to believe it.
In my bathroom, I pad over the tiled floor and strip off my boxer briefs. My watch goes on the marble countertop. I reach in the double shower and turn on both shower heads and jets this time, hoping it helps to calm me more.
I step under the stream of water hitting me from all sides, letting it wash away this fucking day. The image of Charlie pulling away in that cab replays in my mind. I want so badly to tell her that I want her to be mine. We’ve only been together one time, but that one time… Damn… It was the best, most natural sex I’ve ever felt.
My dick hardens as images flash through my mind of Charlie’s perfect ass slapping against my body while I hammered myself deep into her. Seeing her fists white-knuckled as they gripped and pulled at the sheets, pressing herself back against me to take all of me. Hearing her moan my name on her lips.
I wrap my hand around my cock and stroke myself, squeezing gently at first as I imagine slipping into her tight, wet heat. I groan. Everything about her turns me on, even her smartass mouth. Squeezing tighter, I stroke myself faster as the arousal builds.
