Safe With You: Winter's Rose #1 Read online

  “David cheated on me, Adds. It was horrible walking in on them. What if the same thing happens again with Alex? I mean, look at him… If he cheated, I could lose the shop.”

  “Charlie…” She took my hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “If you keep measuring every guy up against what happened with David, you’re always going to be the one who loses.”

  I stared at her for a moment. She seemed so open and honest.

  “How do I fix it? How do I stop being so scared about messing this up? How do I get over him?”

  “Sweetie.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and pulled me into her side. “The only person holding you back is yourself. The first step is the hardest, but once you take it, you can be free. Free of him. Free of what he did to you.”

  I looked up at her.

  “But first. You need to take that arse over to Alex’s and take that first step.” She tapped me comfortingly on my leg before she left me and headed to her bedroom.

  Take that first step.

  She made it sound so easy

  Standing in front of my mirror, I turned to the side, checking my reflection. I frowned at the sight that reflected back at me. I was dressed in a loose, red top with a white bow on the collar and I had paired it with a pair of skinny jeans that were way too tight.

  Shaking my head at myself, I was halfway to pulling my jeans down when Addie walked in.

  “Leave them on!” she yelled while pointing her finger at me. “You look super-hot with them on and he won’t be able to refuse you.”

  I rolled my eyes at her theatrics. “You sound like my pimp.” I walked past her and took a seat on the sofa. After pulling my Ugg boots on, I did a little twirl. “How do I look?”

  “If I was a lesbian, I’d go for you.” She giggled before she tossed my jacket at me.

  “Thanks.” I slipped my denim jacket on and grabbed my purse. After adding a coat of lipstick, I gave her a wave and left the building, making my way down the street to Alex’s bar.

  I came to a stop outside and took a sneaky look through the window. I was hoping he was working tonight. I would much rather do this in the bar than someplace more private. I didn’t think I was ready to be alone with him just yet. I think we’d have to work up to that. I rolled my shoulders before walking inside.

  He was standing at the bar, laughing at something that James was saying. It was hard to think of them as brothers as they didn’t really look alike.

  Alex looked over James’s shoulder, the smile dropping from his face when he saw me.

  “H-hi.” I lifted my hand and lamely waved at him.

  “Charlie.” He walked up the bar a little, coming closer to where I was standing. “What can I do for you?”

  “It’s quiet tonight.”

  “Tomorrow it’ll pick up. Thursday nights are for our curry people. The place will be busy.” He winked at me. “It’s a good job I have a decent cook,” he said in a louder voice.

  “Decent?” James laughed. “You’re bloody lucky I went to cooking school.” He gave me a salute and picked his plate up and walked to the kitchen.

  “Take a seat,” Alex said, waving his hand toward an empty stool. “What can I get for you?”

  “I’ll have a raspberry gin and lemonade, please.” I took a seat and placed my purse on the bar-top. “Am I too late for food?”

  I watched him turn and pour some gin into a glass and added some lemonade and ice to it. He popped a straw in and slid it across to me. “The kitchen is still open.” He stared at me for a moment before speaking again. “I’m sorry about earlier,” he apologised. “I shouldn’t have pushed.”

  “You don’t have to apologise.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry. Earlier just surprised me is all.”

  “Surprised you how?” He leaned his elbows on the bar, resting his weight against it.

  “When I was with David...” I looked at his chest, attempting to avoid his gaze. “I’ve only ever been with him and...” I sighed. “I just didn’t expect to find someone so soon that would make me want that again.”

  He reached across and tilted my chin up. “Is it too fast?” he asked. His chocolate brown orbs stared into mine, stripping me bare.

  “No.” I shook my head. “Just unexpected.”

  “So, would it be unexpected if I asked to join you for dinner?” He smiled at me.

  I shook my head. “No. That’d be really nice.”

  4

  Alex

  “So, what did you think?” James asked. He reached for our empty plates.

  “It was very yummy,” Charlotte replied. “Although pineapple is also very tasty on a pizza.”

  “What?” James looked insulted. “Pineapple does not belong on a pizza. That’s vile.”

  She giggled at him before she looked at me. “What do you think, Alex?” she asked, putting me on the spot.

  I laughed, shaking my head. “I think I’d have to agree with James. I've never tasted it, but fruit on a pizza?” I wrinkled my nose at her in distaste.

  “Don’t knock what you haven’t tried.” She wagged her finger at me in a teasing way and reached for her glass. “Can I have another?”

  “Sure. Gin?” I reached for her glass but stopped when she shook her head.

  “Can I have a coke instead?” She opened her purse. “How much do I owe you?”

  “Nothing.” I filled her glass with coke and ice and placed it in front of her. “It’s on me.”

  She pulled a note out and reached over, stuffing it in the tip jar. She grinned at me wickedly. “Tonight has been fun,” she admitted. “Maybe we can do this again some time?”

  “Are you asking me out on a date, Miss Chase?” I teased. I loved the blush that appeared on her cheeks.

  “I guess I am.” She bit her bottom lip, looking sexy as fuck when she did that.

  I reached across the bar for her hand, loving when she immediately offered hers to me. I gently grasped her fingers and brought her knuckles to my lips, kissing her soft skin. Before I could try for more than her hand, we were interrupted by the doors opening behind her.

  “Well, well,” a voice slurred. “What’s going on here?” David leaned his drunken self against the wall and walked towards the bar. He wobbled over to us and took the stool a few seats down.

  Charlotte sat with hunched shoulders, staring down at her drink.

  I fucking hated it. The second that arsehole appeared, all her confidence just drained from her. Right now, she wasn’t the sexy woman that had me tied up in knots. Instead, I was looking at David's victim. I knew it was more than a case of him cheating on her. I could imagine him putting her down and hurting her emotions.

  “I can throw him out,” I said quietly. I wouldn’t lose anything by tossing him out on his arse.

  “No.” She shook her head forcefully. At the same time, she reached out and grabbed my arm. “Just serve him. It’s not worth it.”

  I walked down the bar to him. “What can I get for you?”

  He stared at me for a while before he curled his lip. He looked disgusted. “Are you fucking her?” he muttered quietly.

  “Excuse me?” Was he for fucking real? He did not just fucking say that to me.

  “I said,” he yelled loudly, “are you fucking my girl?”

  Charlie squeaked in surprise, staring at us. She looked mortified. She also looked scared.

  “You had best lower your tone,” I threatened. We were attracting the attention of several customers. “If you can’t be civil, I’ll be forced to throw you out.” I was relieved when I saw James coming out of the kitchen and heading in our direction—not relieved because I couldn’t throw this arsehole out on my own: more relieved because I was afraid that David may lash out at Charlie from their side of the bar.

  “It didn’t take you long to find someone else, did it?” he muttered at her.

  “That’s it. Get out.” I walked around the bar and grabbed him by his arm, helping him off the chair and escorting him to the exi
t. I yanked the door open and tossed him through. “Stay out. You’re barred.”

  James nodded his head at me and planted himself in the doorway. He would stay there for a while to keep him out.

  I turned back to face Charlotte, hating the way that she had closed in on herself. Her shoulders were still hunched, and she was fiddling with the strap on her purse. “I’m so sorry, Alex,” she whispered.

  I walked over and placed myself in front of her. I reached down and tilted her chin up, forcing her eyes on me. “Stop apologising for that waste of space.” I tilted my head in the direction of where I’d tossed him through the main doors. “If he ever bothers you again, I want you to tell me. Okay?”

  She bit her lip and slowly nodded her head. “Okay,” she whispered. “I’m still very sorry about...”

  “Hush.” I lifted my hand and pressed a finger against her lips. I felt them morph into a smile before I dropped my hand... “Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?”

  She giggled before responding. “I think I was asking you out on a date.”

  “You free tomorrow? I thought that we could go out and toast your new venture.” I was fucking loving the blush.

  “I’d like that.” She nodded her head. “I should be going home now.” She slid off the barstool and grabbed her purse from where it was sitting on the bar-top.

  “I’ll walk you home. He should be gone by now but better safe than sorry.” I walked her out the door, stopping by James. “I’m going to walk Charlotte home. Watch the bar until I get back.”

  He nodded at me and waved at Charlotte and walked back inside.

  We fell into sync together and began the walk up the block to her apartment. I wasn’t normally a paranoid person, but after tonight, my paranoia was knocked up a few levels. Since I’d seen David hanging outside her building, I hadn’t thought anything of it. After tonight, though, I was confident that he could be a problem.

  “You okay?” She looked up at me. “You’re kind of freaking me out with the way that you’re looking around.”

  I laughed. “It’s nothing. I didn’t mean to freak you out.” I paused before changing the subject. “So, earlier you said that you had an early start tomorrow. What are you doing?”

  The corners of her lips turned up before she spoke. “I am making some tasty desserts for my first customer. The sign fitters are also coming. I’m so excited to see it! ‘Sinfully Sweet’. Do you like it?”

  I loved the sparkle that she had in her eyes when she talked about her shop. “I love it.” We came to a stop outside her building. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow now, then.”

  “Okay. Come by and see me around three, and I will have your desserts boxed up and ready for you.”

  I reached down and tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “Maybe some caramel bites, as well?” I teased.

  She giggled. I loved hearing that sound. She had a child’s laugh and I wanted to hear it on repeat.

  “I may have made some extras for you.”

  “You spoil me.” I looked down at her lips before looking back up at her eyes. “I’m going to kiss you,” I whispered.

  She nodded her head and reached her hand out, sliding it up over my chest and resting her hand on my shoulder.

  I took her face in my hands, dipping my head and pressed my lips to hers. I kept it soft and gentle, not wanting to push it too far. I pulled back before the temptation could get too much. I wanted to crush her to me and show her how much I wanted her.

  “Go on inside. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I gave her a wink, attempting to keep things light.

  She nodded and ducked her head and went through her main door, taking the stairs and disappearing from sight.

  I turned around and walked back to the bar, eager for tomorrow.

  Walking inside, I walked past the bar where James was standing. “All go okay?” I asked, referring to David.

  “Yeah. I think you may have a problem there. I’ve seen him hanging around here a lot lately.”

  “You and me both.” I looked around and saw that it was still pretty quiet. “Do you mind watching the bar for the rest of the night and locking up?”

  He smirked at me. “Going somewhere?”

  “Yes. A long, cold shower.” I ignored the laughter that followed me.

  “Dude. She is so out of your league,” he called after me.

  Don’t I fucking know it.

  The following day, I kept staring at the clock, watching the hands tick closer to three pm.

  “You’re like a fucking girl. Just go next door and get your cakes.”

  I rolled my eyes at James, doing what he said and leaving the bar. I gazed up, seeing that the sign for her shop had been fitted. I took a few steps back to check it out. It was written in cursive writing in a mix of pinks and yellows. It looked pretty good.

  Walking inside, I headed to the back of the shop, stopping in the doorway.

  Charlotte was standing at the square unit that was placed in the centre of the room. She had several dishes and boxes placed on there with her shop’s logo printed on them. She seemed determined. She was going to make this place a success.

  She turned around, jumping in surprise when she saw me. “You frightened me.” She placed her hand on her chest before smiling.

  “Sorry.” I raised my hands in defeat and walked closer. “I’m early.” I looked at her and saw a plate of covered caramel bites. “I’ve been thinking of those treats all day.”

  “I’ve made a monster out of you.” She grinned at me and untied her apron, placing it on the side. “I’ve made a selection of caramel bites, gateaux, those mini desserts we talked about and I even made an apple tart with some custard for you.”

  “You’re definitely spoiling me.” I took a step closer to her. “You have sugar on you.” I reached down and trailed my finger over her cheek before moving my fingers down her arm, taking her fingers in my palm. Little sparks ignited when our fingers linked.

  She looked up at me before she shocked the hell out of me. She reached up on her toes and grabbed me by my top, pulling me down towards her. Our lips connected and I let myself pull her towards me. She parted her lips for me before I felt her tongue thrust in between my parted lips.

  I spun us around and pressed her up against the worktop that ran around the edge of the room. I moved her arms up around my neck and reached down and placed my hand on her hips. I lifted her up and put her arse down on the surface. I stepped between her parted legs, loving the moan that came from her.

  She tore her lips from mine, taking in a deep breath. Seconds later, she brought her mouth back to mine, kissing me passionately.

  I grabbed her thighs, needing to feel her, but before I could make another move, we were disturbed by a voice from the doorway.

  “Well, this is awkward.”

  I turned around and groaned when I saw a smirking Addie standing in the doorway. I stepped back when I felt Charlie pushing against my chest.

  She scrambled down and pushed herself in front of me. “Uh, yes? What’s up?”

  “You said you’d need help carrying packages to the bar next door?” She cocked an eyebrow at us. “Do you need help with those packages now or...?”

  I grinned at the way that she emphasised the word ‘packages’. She made it sound dirty. I think that was a part of Addie’s charm, though.

  “Thank you.” Charlie didn’t sound too impressed. “If you can grab those by there,” she said, pointing to a few cake boxes, “and Alex and I will grab the rest.”

  “Sure.” She grabbed the boxes and walked out the door, trying—and failing—to keep the smirk off her face.

  Charlie chuckled when she left. “I’ll pay for that one later.”

  I took her hand and pulled her back to me. “Don’t worry about it. Come and hang out with me tonight.”

  “I thought we were going on a date to toast my new venture?” she asked.

  “We could.” I kissed her lips again and pulled back. “I
’d rather it just be me and you, though.” I looked down at her, trying to read her expression before she nodded.

  “That’d be nice,” she whispered. “Just me, you and most likely some caramel bites.”

  5

  Charlie

  Standing outside Alex’s bar, I frowned when I saw David standing down the block. He looked like he was out with the boys. He lifted his head, catching me staring. I quickly ducked my head and slipped through the main doors. Running into my ex wasn’t on tonight’s agenda.

  I gave a small wave to James standing at the bar.

  “Go on back, Charlie.” He nodded his head behind him. “Take the stairs up.”

  I nodded before following his directions. Taking the stairs, I placed my hand on the wooden barrier, trying to steady my nerves.

  “There she is.” Alex appeared in his doorway and held his hand out to me. “You okay?”

  “Nervous.” I let out a light chuckle.

  “Come on in.” His fingers tightened around mine as he pulled me into his apartment. “I made us some toasted paninis. A little birdy told me that you love cheese and ham.”

  “Should we call her Addie?” I giggled at him. “Thank you.” He held the chair out for me.

  “Would you like some wine?” He looked down at me.

  “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”

  He grabbed a couple of bottles of Bud from the fridge. “This okay?” He held the bottles out, waiting for me to agree.

  I nodded before slipping my cardigan off and hung it on the back of the chair. “So, how does a date with Alexander Winters normally go? Do you wine and dine all your girls?” I grinned at him, trying to show that I was teasing.

  He laughed. “Wow, straight to the point.” He rubbed his knuckles against the top of his head. “I don’t usually date, to be honest. I usually just...”

  “Oh.” I was equal parts disappointed and relieved with his response: disappointed because I knew that he was a player who had undoubtedly been with many women, and relieved because I didn’t like the idea of being jealous over the thought of some ex-girlfriends coming back for round two. “I see.” I looked down at the table, not really sure what else to say after that.