Closer to the Heart (The Heart Trilogy Book 3) (5 page)

Chapter 7

In a swift move he placed the glass on the side table and her hand found his instead. Off balance now Charlie fell across his lap and tried to twist out of his grip but he held her tight and let his other hand glance across her rear. The one touch had a profound effect as he withdrew it and then replaced it with a light slap of his palm. Charlie drew in her breath and let out a yelp.

“This is for trying to play me” his voice echoed, soft and low, bestowing another on the untouched mound. How he wanted to feel her bare flesh that the fabric protected.

She wriggled in his grip so he released her and she turned over, but instead of moving her legs she left them on his lap. The hem of her dress, wrinkled up to the top of her thighs. All she could do wa
s
star
e
at him in surprise, her arse still smarting for his touch, but spreading its warmth to other places. Innocently she licked her lips, the tip of her tongue cherry red against the pale frosted lipstick. That one movement was all it took t
o
fel
l
him. With both hands he clasped her cheeks and pushed his lips against hers.

Charlie opened her mouth to his probing tongue, she too utterly powerless to resist their attraction. Zach eased her back onto the sof
a
cushions
,
his body weight displaced the air in her lungs. When his lips and tongue started their journey down her throat she gasped to refill them. Her heart felt like it had moved to prevent further long breaths as she panted under his grazing stubble. Each short hair seemed to ignite the nerves just below the smooth surface of her skin.

The straps of her dress gave no resistance to his relentless assault and were quickly followed by those of her bra. He freed her breasts and sank his hot, mouth to each nipple in turn.

“Fuuuuuuuuck” she cried, as his teeth nipped, once more pleasure and pain colliding. Her fingers fumbled with the tiny buttons on his shirt, until he grew impatient.

“Just rip them off”

She grabbed the centre seams and yanked them apart, the buttons scattered over the wooden floor. His chest was broad and well defined beneath the dark mass of hair that covered it
.
It was such a distinct contrast to Mitchell's smoothness.

Her eyes slipped down to the waistband of his trousers, where the hair petered out into a thin line.

“Do you want to see where it leads”

“What do you think?” She quipped.

He eased off her and stood up, kicking off his shoes and then undoing the belt and letting them fall.

“Your turn, unless you'd let me do the honours”

Lifting her hips towards him, she blushed and allowed his hands to pull the dress free.

The sounds from the club beneath them had moved up a level as they both paused for the briefest of minutes, drinking each other in. Desire widened the pupils in his eyes, turning them dark and dangerous. Zach dropped to his knees and crawled to her, his fingers ran up the muscles and traced the sinews of her lower leg. Above her knee the change in temperature of her skin was easy to feel. The scrap of lace that covered her pussy offered no protection against his probing, he yanked it aside and it ripped off. The rest of his body pushed between her legs, spreading them wide.

Charlotte half wanted to scramble away at his fierce pursuit of the goal, but her body was undulating to a different tune. His index finger dipped into her and then pulled back out, he added a second to it and then a third on the push. Charlie bit down on her lip to stop from screaming as he pummelled her, the juice soon running down his fingers and slipping past and onto her thighs. He looked up to see her face, a mixture of pleasure and pain etched in her smooth skin. When her eyelids closed he swapped his fingers for the smoother texture of his tongue and lips.

Her clitoris was easy to find, standing erect to his first flick as he sucked it into his mouth. Charlie found her fingers digging into his broad shoulders, her orgasm building like a tower of bricks. Zach felt this and knew he wanted to feel this when he was fully inside her. He pulled back for a second before slowly inching his cock inside her, each small stroke a strain for him and another step closer to her submission. Then as each thrust got faster and stronger he could hear the shouts of the countdown to midnight begin.

Charlotte just heard the first chime of midnight before her tower shattered, like a wrecking ball hitting its target. She gasped, swore then screamed at him

“Harder” she cried, in a voice that she hardly recognised as her own. The skin of her hips felt bruised against his body, his hands had hers pinned above her head. For a final time their mouths collided as he throbbed inside her, letting his spunk fill her and stifle her muscle spasms around his length. He groaned and collapsed onto her with the twelfth chime leading into joyful cheers and shouts below.

They lay sated on the sofa for a few minutes, before Zach stood up, reached and drained his glass

“You'd better get dressed, it was your Mum on the phone she's going to be picking you up” he paused and glanced at his Rolex watch “She said twelve thirty, apparently something important has come up”

“What?” Charlie asked, her stomach doing a flip, flop manoeuvre as she grabbed her dress.

“I'll go and find your friend. There's a small bathroom through there” he motioned to the door opposite the one they had entered through.

Charlotte watched him casually pull on his trousers and slid into his jumper that was on the opposite end of the sofa. She clung to her dress, suddenly shy and desperately insecure about what had happened. She had only ever found kisses, hugs and words of endearment after making love with Mitchell
.
Zac
h
had done none of that in the aftermath. With his fingers on the door handle he turned to look at her.

“My naughty, sexy new year girl Charlotte, I hope to see all of you again real soon”

In the small bathroom Charlie had a quick wash down and then peeped into the bathroom cabinet and found some deodorant and a small bottle of perfume, along with other women's toiletries. Who did they belong too? How many girls had Zach slept with? Was she no different to them just another notch on his bedpost another conquest in his black book? Her mind shifted to the present as she pulled her dress back on and felt her stomach somersault again. The room was slowly spinning as she rushed to the basin and threw up.

She rinsed her mouth and then found her shoes and slipped them back on before heading for the door and stairs to the lobby area. Snuggling into her new velvet coat she waited for Zach to appear with Julia but in the end it was only her friend that arrived.

“What's up? An
d
wher
e
were you at midnight?”

“Uh, I was with Zach when Mum phoned to say she needed to pick us up”

Julia watched the colour drain completely from her friends face.

“Oh god, you don't think something awful has happened to James or even Mitchell” Julia said, her voice trailing off at Charlotte's distress.

Before Charlie could reply they saw her Mum's car pull up outside the club. Charlotte did one final glance around to see if she could see Zach but the beat was thumping in the club and crowds made it impossible to make out anyone specific. Fuck him, she thought and then let a small smile play onto her lips, in that respect she had. Zach was back in his office, watching the camera in the foyer. Charlie still looked utterly delectable despite her wild hair and pale complexion. He picked up the scrap of lace that had once been her panties. His heart did a double thump in his chest as he held it up and breathed in the scent of her that still lingered there.

Despite her only leaving his arms less than half an hour ago he craved her touch once more. What would it be like to find her on her knees sucking him off, did she swallow or not? All these questions battered his mind, which felt alien to him as normally once he'd fucked someone he moved on to the next object of his desire. Leaning over his desk he tapped the keyboard and found the recording he wanted, the one from his inner office
.
Lounging back on the sofa he watched her light up the screen whilst he slipped his hand beneath his waistband.

Chapter 8

My phone rang at around eleven thirty on New Year's Eve and I picked it up hoping that it was one of two people, Sarah or James. It was neither.

“Is that Stephanie Eden?”

“Yes”

“It’
s
Station commander Eric Last, Its James”

His words started to fade with the increased thump of my heartbeat. My free hand reached to rub my scar as I slipped into free fall.

“Are you able to come over to the station as quickly as possible and if there is anyone who can accompany you that would be best” I heard him say.

“Yes” I stammered, the shock still coursing through my body.

Pam and Peter were out at
a
friend’
s
house, Jack was at the Dusk till Dawn party and all that left was Charlie. That was my only option depending on what the emergency was? A chill travelled down my spine as I found my handbag and pulled out the business card that Zach had given me. With trembling hand I dialled the number and waited for him to pick up.

“Evening, Dusk till Dawn
,
Zachar
y
King speaking, how can I help?” He answered smoothly.

“Mr King, I need your help, it's Charlotte's Mum” I paused for breath and to stop the tremor in my voice.

“Do you need to talk to her, as I would need to put an announcement out and then wait for her to respond” Zach replied.

“Just give her a message that I need to pick her and he
r
Julia u
p
at around twelve thirty
.
It’
s
a family matter”

“Ok, I'll do that”

“Thank you”

Putting the phone down I ran upstairs and found a warm jumper to put on, trying to stem my shivering.

I let Jester out briefly and grabbed my mobile phone and handbag. My car keys were at the bottom and once Jester was settled in his basket I left the house. My scars throbbed in time with my rapi
d
heartbeat
,
surely if James had been injured or killed they would have sent the police
.
It felt like that dark night just over seventeen years ago
.
The bile rose in my throat but I pushed it bac
k
down
,
I didn't have time to throw up. I didn't even want to have time to think but with a drive ahead of me and Charlotte to collect I needed distraction.

Turning on the car stereo I caught the chimes of Big Ben from the midnight news report on Love Shack radio. The show was pre-recorded apart from the news. Then the dance tunes boomed into life as I reversed out onto the deserted street. I arrived at the club early and then just waited for Charlotte and Julia to appear. Every minute just gave me more time for speculation and worry. They saw me from the foyer and dashed out to th
e
car
,
Julia took the backseat as Charlie slid into the front and matched her pale face with mine.

“Oh god Mum, what'
s
happened
.
Is it James?” I nodded as I traversed the city centre traffic an
d
drunke
n
revellers on my way to the Fire Station. She glanced back at Julia, who reached her hand forward to clasp Charlotte's for the rest of the journey. The fire engines were in the yard along with a lone police car. I was immobile in the front seat, frozen in place but wanting to flee. I did not want to hear those word
s
again
,
I could not lose James now after finding him again. It was Charlotte who opened the door and held out her hand.

“Come on Mum, I'm here for you” her voice wobbled as she tried to be my strength. It took Julia's hand in my other to steady me.

My legs felt leaden, the door felt a mile away as I dragged my feet. Rob was there in uniform with another Police Officer. They parted to let me through and a breath of pure relief escaped from my lips. James was there, he was alive but he had his head down and his arms wrapped around a black and red motorbike helmet.

“Sorry we had to call you but I don't think James will be capable of driving tonight” Rob said, his voice echoing in the large expanse of the fire station.

Charlie's hand started to shake in mine before it dropped from my grasp. I watched her walk in slow motion towards James before sinking to her knees in front of him, holding out her hands for the helmet. She knew it belonged to Mitchell. He let it drop from his arms into hers and that was when her scream filled the air, like a wolf in pain. I could see now the damage on it, but where was his body? I turned in confusion to Rob, the sight of my daughter and James in despair too much to comprehend.

“What happened?” were the only words I could utter. Rob took my free arm and ushered me to another couple of seats, Julia took the other.

“The fire crew was called to an overturned car just on the bend by the bridge and the river. The driver was drunk and lost control, no other vehicles involved until one of the fire crew saw another skid mark in the road. They found broken stone on the parapet of the bridge and scrambled down the bank. That's when they found the helmet”

I looked across at James, who raised his tear swollen eyes to me. Rob continued.

“We searched as much as we could in the dark but no sign of a bike or a body at this stage so we will resume the search in daylight. James recognised the helmet from his initials that are incorporated into the design work”

“I kno
w
it’
s
his” James said, raking his hands through his hair. I went to him as Julia made the same short walk to cuddle Charlotte in her arms.

The screams had been replaced my sobs, I had two broken hearts to console it seemed. I looked up at Rob.

“Is there any hope he is still alive?”

“I can't say, at this stage” Rob said “I'm sorry” he hung his head and looked away. I guessed from his posture that he thought not, but I had to try and keep the small hope alive.

“Come on let's go home” I said, my voice wobbled on the last word. Would it ever feel like home again? Julia helped Charlotte to her feet and then prised the helmet from her tight grip and gave it back to the other police officer. James shrugged off my arms and stood up.

“Count me in on the search, I need to help” he said to Rob.

“Go home James, I'll call you tomorrow morning”

“I'll get one of the lads on shift to bring his car over to your house tomorrow” Eric said “and I don't expect to see you for a week, you can't work competently in this state” he said to James.

With a nod of his head James followed me to the car and I drove home in silence, well except for the odd sniff from the backseat. Jester made a beeline for his master and offered his head in James' lap.

“Anyone for a hot chocolate or tea” I asked.

Charlotte and Julia shook their heads.

“I'm going to bed” Charlie murmured, her mind stuck on the image of the helmet. Julia followed “I will keep an eye on her” she said to me. I knew that she meant to sleep in the same room and for that I was glad. She would probably offer more comfort that I could.

I went to the drinks cabinet and poured us a brandy and handed the glass to James. He took a small sip and then put in aside so he could wrap me in his arms. He sobbed silently and I let my tears slid, dropping into his hair.

“Let’
s
go to bed” I said.

He nodded, drained his glass and went upstairs. I retrieved my mobile phone and saw a missed call and a message. I dialled and listened to the joyful voices of my best friends Sarah and Chris. It was almost two in the morning so I didn't phone back, just tapped in a short message.

“Happy New Year to you both, sorry I missed your call. I will ring you tomorrow and explain”

Upstairs I passed by Charlotte's bedroom and heard whispered voices inside. Opening the door into our bedroom James was under the covers. We spooned together and didn't need to say a word, our heartbeats in time but heavy with despair. Julia dragged the duvet from the spare room into Charlotte's and was going to top and tail on the bed with her best friend. Charlie reached for her hand.

“I need a hug” she pleaded, her body shaking as if cold but more from the shock of the helmet. Julia wrapped the two duvets around them and cuddled up, feeling more tears flowing. Suddenly she started to hiccup and cough as she tried to find the words.

“Why, why did I do that?”

“Do what?”

“Zach” she whispered.

“Zach, what”

“I let him fuck me”

The sobs started again, this time it was guilt and shame. If Mitchell was alive he would never forgive her for this. She was supposed to be waiting for him. Her heart thumped heavily in her chest.

“So that's where you were”

“Yes, I just wanted to have some fun.....I just wanted him to be a substitute for Mitch. I thought Mitch didn't want me anymore, now I know that he was coming back”

“So forget it, you told me before that he's a womaniser”

“But....but I enjoyed it”

“Charlie who does your heart sing for?”

“Mitchell” she sighed “It will always be Mitchell”

Silent after her admission Charlie closed her eyes and found her favourite picture of Mitchell there. If the police found him alive she would be the most loyal, unswerving girlfriend ever. If he was dead......she shook her head and opened her eyes again so that it was the moonlit bedroom she saw, not the helmet. Julia was flat out and snoring beside her, but she felt comforted. Closing her eyes she tried to conjure up all the special times she had shared with Mitchell, but then in her dreams it was Zach that appeared, pumping into her like a man possessed.

I hardly slept next to James and I don't think he did either although it was hard to tell when his eyes were shut. Every now and then his body would shake or twitch. When I closed my eyes I was back in a graveyard burying Mark. But if Mitchell was dead this would be twenty times worse. I had grown to love him for the polite and courteous way that he had treated my daughter, then in a way even more as James' son. Even though it now appeared that he wasn't. With my heart only just healed how could I try and help pick up the pieces of two shattered lives.

Creeping from the bed early I sought the solace of a cup of coffee and my morning fix of music. Louise had drawn the short straw this morning getting the first shift of th
e
New Year. I knew that all the staff had jumped at the free nightclub tickets but she had promised to leave early. With Jester close by I picked up the phone and dialled Sarah's number, she would know what to do.

“Hey Happy New Yea
r
Steph” she said.

“Is it”

“What'
s
happened”

“James was on a shout last night and found Mitchell's bike helmet damaged and lying by the river”

There was silence as the information sunk in, followed by a gasp of shock

“Oh mygod
,
Steph
!
How are you? How's James? How's Charlotte” she stammered out.

“Not sure yet, this all happened in the early hours. The police are going back out to the spot to make further searches. James wants to help them”

“I suppose you can't help thinking the worst, but you never know” Sarah said, optimistically.

“I guess
,
the police body language was hard to discern”

Just then I heard footsteps on the stairs.

“Look Sarah, I'm going to have to go a
s
someone’
s
on their way downstairs”

“Understood, I'll ring you later. An
d
Step
h
if you need me just say”

We said goodbye before James appeared in the doorway, looking tired and older than his years. He trudged past me and poured a coffee before finding the seat next to me. Our normal morning kitchen kiss forgotten in the myriad of emotions he was battling with. I placed my hand on his thigh and he looked up at me.

“Has Rob called yet?”

“No, but do you really think it’s a good idea to be out searching with him?”

“Yes, I can't stay here and just wait. I'm going crazy with worry”

The phone rang and James picked it up. After a quick conversation with Rob he got up from the table.