Page 9 of Shadowing Charlotte
Tongue pressed against my teeth, my hands shaking, I pulled the silicone tab out of the vape and inhaled deeply, letting the nicotine ease the tension I'd been carrying. He had some fucking nerve… Still, he'd apologized, something I'd never expected. Shaking my head in self-disgust, I put the Jeep in drive and pulled out of the parking lot.
I drove the entire way to the grocery store without bothering to turn on the radio, lost in thought. He'd stalked me. He knew where I lived. He'd insulted me, and still, I wanted to see him again, if only to unravel the riddle he presented—my own private puzzle to piece together.
Arms loaded, I struggled with the grocery bags as I entered the code on the lock and stumbled into the house. The kitchen light was on. My body went rigid, the blood draining from my face. The jar of jam cracked as the bags fell from my hands. I shouldn't have been afraid. He'd never threatened me. But, after I'd thrown my drink in his face, I didn't know whether I'd pissed him off or not.
He bought me a vape… He apologized…I reasoned as I slowly approached the kitchen, my heart settling in the base of my throat. On the kitchen counter was a dozen cases of fucking Pepsi. I couldn't contain the giggle of disbelief that spilled from my lips. What the absolute fuck?
Shaking my head, I dug into my bag and pulled out my phone. If he wanted to play, I could, too. "Daddy?" I exhaled a long breath the moment my father answered the phone. "I have a question…"
For the rest of the week, I didn't see the stranger once. Whether he was still watching me, or avoiding me altogether, I couldn't be sure.
Mirium, one of the girls who worked in the reception office, had invited me to come out for drinks. I couldn't tell her no. It had been far too long since I'd allowed the world to slip away.
Curling my hair, I danced in the mirror, smiling at my reflection. I knew I looked hot. The blue dress I'd picked barely covered my ass, my heels sky high.
The Uber arrived at ten thirty. Before I climbed inside, I glanced down the street, both relieved and disappointed that the Camaro was nowhere to be seen.
"Eden?" the driver asked, glancing at the address on his phone screen.
"Yes." I pulled the door closed and settled back in the seat. I didn't want to think about him anymore. Strong drinks and music would chase all thoughts of him away.
Chapter ten
Alexander
When the car pulled up in front of her house, my pulse quickened and I leaned forward in my seat. Charlotte stepped out onto the sidewalk, clad in the tiniest dress I'd fucking seen, her ass looking fucking incredible. She stumbled on the asphalt, her heel catching on a crack in the road as she opened the door. Where the fuck was she going dressed like that?
I followed the car, sure to keep my distance, until we were downtown. When the vehicle slowed to a stop in front of a club, I relaxed, watching her step onto the sidewalk.
An Uber.I sighed with relief, the jealous monster inside me settling.
Charlotte pulled open her little bag, gripping something. She lifted it to her lips and sucked, letting out a cloud of vapor as another woman pulled her into a hug. I wondered if she was still smoking the vape I had left in her Jeep.
"Hey, man. This is valet only." I was warned as someone knocked on the hood of the car.
"Where's the parking around here?" I asked as I rolled down the window.
The music pounded as I stepped into Eden, grateful for the low lights. I could keep an eye on her and she'd never even notice me. I made my way to a dark corner, taking a seat, her copper curls barely visible through the crowd. For a while, I drank, losing sight of her every few minutes as she left the floor to order a drink or use the bathroom.
"Hi." The blonde that suddenly appeared in front of me smiled, batting her fake lashes at me. I couldn't help but think if her eyelids fluttered any faster, she could use them to fly away.
"I'm not interested." I turned to look for Charlotte on the dance floor.
"Here with someone?" she asked as inched closer.
"Even if I wasn't, I still wouldn't be interested," I snapped impatiently. Without a second thought, I turned my back on her.
I scanned the crowded space, finally spotting her. Charlotte was sandwiched between two men. Her hands held the shoulders of the guy in front of her, and she was bent over, grinding back against some other motherfucker. The sight made my blood boil.
When his hands gripped her hips, thumbs grazing the swell of her ass, I lost it. I was across the dance floor before I knew what the hell I was doing, grabbing hold of his collar and shoving him away with a glare.
"Touch her again and I'll break your fucking wrists!" I snarled. Charlotte turned to look at me, her brown eyes growing wide in shock. She was slick with sweat, her pupils dilated, her gaze unfocused as she gaped at me. Christ, she was fucking higher than a kite. The music melted into the background of my mind as she stared at me, her chest heaving.
I had no chance to react as she jumped into my arms, her mouth colliding painfully with mine as her hands snaked around my neck, drawing me close. "What the fuck, Charlotte?" I yelled over the music, pulling away from her kiss in shock. She'd kissed me. It was something I'd always dreamed about, but I didn't want her like this.
Gripping the collar of my shirt, she yanked me closer, grinding her body against me as she raked her bottom lip through her teeth. Fuck, she was so damn sexy. When I pushed her away, her expression morphed into a pout.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her half-amused voice barely audible over the music. "Don't you want me, Alexander?"
