Page 26 of Consumed By Fire
Two hours later, I’m about to walk upstairs when a woman stops me. I turn with my back to the staircase, looking at this lady, whom I recognize from the photos in Charlie's room.
"Who are you? I don't remember my husband hiring someone so palatable.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Beckett,” I greeted her a bit stiffly. I'm still angry at the way she treated my Charlie.
"Good morning to you, Sunshine,” she says, approaching me. "So, will you tell me who you are?"
"Dylan Cooper, ma’am. Charlotte's boyfriend."
“Hmm, I see she's improved her taste in men,” she says, walking around me as if I were a statue on display in a museum. "It’s nice to meet you, Dylan," she says in a sexy voice that makes me so uncomfortable. Is she alluding...? No, that’s impossible. I get sick just thinking about it.
Charlie’s mom approaches me and I look at her as she tries to touch my chest.
"Get your hands off me now!" I growl at her with a disgusted face.
"Don't do that. You'll see. We'll have fun, you and me,” she says in a sensual voice, making me shiver.
"I wouldn't touch you even if you were the last woman on earth," I told her, nauseated.
"Logan said the same thing and yet we enjoyed ourselves for many years together."
Her words make my stomach tighten. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
"Listen ma'am, I love Charlotte, and she's all I need in my life. My one and only!" I say and turn around, climbing a few steps.
“Everyone loves Charlotte. Charlotte, always Charlotte! Poor sweet Charlotte. The world seems to revolve around her when she’s nothing more than a spoiled and stupid little girl.”
“Thank God she’s not like you! Charlie is anything but spoiled and stupid. Think about it. You fucked her boyfriend. How sick can you be?" I tell her as I go up the other steps. Then I spot Charlotte at the top of the stairs with tears in her eyes. Oh no. No, baby.
I run to her as her mother says something I can't hear. Fuck!
I hold her close to me, taking her in my arms and carrying her to the room. She holds me tight. It breaks my heart to know that she heard what her mother did.
I set her down and take her face in my hands, lifting it, seeing myself mirrored in those beautiful eyes.
"She doesn't deserve your tears, love,” I tell her and she shakes her head.
"Zelda told me about her suspicions years ago. Logan was here often while I wasn't here and there was only one possible explanation."
"I'm so sorry, baby," I whisper, wiping her tears.
"Is that true, Dylan?"
"What?"
"Do you love me?” she asks and my heart skipped a beat.
“I loved you from the first day I set eyes on you. I can't explain it. You've been in my blood since you smiled at me at the bar,” I confess and she kisses me.
"I love you too, Dylan, and I'm so scared.”
My heart is exploding. “Scared of what, baby?"
"Don't break my heart, please, or I won't be able to recover this time," she confesses to me.
“It will never happen, love. You’re mine, and you always will be. I love you!" I say, kissing her.
"Only yours,” she moans on my lips. Only mine for eternity, baby.