Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(54)

“I can hang out with Lil, and I’ve offered several times, but she always turns me down.” I take a big bite out of my toast, noticing the time on the wall clock behind Charlie’s head. I need to get my ass in gear, or I’ll be late for school on our first day back.

“She’s a little shy around you, because she’s always looked up to you.” Surprise splays across my face. “And she doesn’t know how to act around you.”

“She told you that?”

He nods. “I told her to just break the ice, but I think it’d be nice if you could maybe ask her to go to the salon with you or something.”

“I’ll see if she wants to do something this weekend. I can book a spa day.” I smile sweetly at him. “I need to start beautifying myself for our big party.”

He stretches his hand across the table. “Thank you. And you don’t need to do a thing. You are already the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”

“It’s no biggie,” I say before stuffing the remainder of my toast in my mouth so I don’t have to respond to the second half of that statement.

Romantic Charlie scares the heck out of me. Because it makes me believe the Charlie I knew is still in there somewhere, and I worry he’s doing it on purpose to try to draw me out. I’m on tenterhooks around him all the time. Constantly on edge. Terrified in case I say or do the wrong thing.

I can’t ever forget what he’s done.

If he can get his father killed, Kai would be no skin off his back.

My stomach heaves at the thought, and I hope I’m not about to be reacquainted with my breakfast.

“I love you.” He rubs circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. “And I got you something,” he adds. His lips curve up at the corners. “I left it in your room.”

“You don’t need to buy me stuff, Charlie.” It’s getting a little ridiculous. Every day, he returns home with a bouquet of flowers, even though I’ve told him it’s not necessary. And he’s the one who rang up Madam to inquire when ballet classes were starting up again.

I don’t want him doing nice shit for me, because it fucks with my head and makes me feel guilty.

He moves my hand to his mouth, planting a kiss on my knuckles. I work hard not to scowl and wrench my hand away even though my body is screaming at me to do that. “You’re my wife. If I want to spoil you, I will.”

He doesn’t get that I don’t need or want expensive gifts.

Kai’s album of drawings means more to me than all the flowers and gifts in the world.

“I’ve got to go,” I say, removing my hand from his and standing. “I can’t be late.”

“Let’s meet for dinner after your appointment,” he says. “I should be able to sneak away early, as I don’t have any late meetings scheduled today.”

“I can’t. Ballet starts back, and I arranged to meet Shandra for a bite to eat after.”

He leans back in his chair, arching a brow. “I didn’t know you two were close.”

“We’re not, but she’ll be marrying Trent in the summer, and considering we’re all part of the elite and going to be spending more and more time together, I figure I should get to know her better. I’ve always liked her anyway.”

“I can’t imagine Trent is happy for you two to spend time together.”

I walk to the sink, placing my dishes on the counter. “What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him.”

Charlie rises, grabbing his suit jacket from the back of his seat. “Be very careful, Abby. And don’t tell her anything she can use against you.”

I cock my head to the side. “Why do you say that?”

He walks to my side, running his hands through my hair. “Because Trent has a long memory and he hasn’t forgiven you. I wouldn’t put it past him to use Shandra to try and get to you. Watch your back.”





CHAPTER TWENTY


“What are you doing?” I ask, as Charlie steers me toward the door.

“I’m giving you a ride to school because I haven’t had my fill of you today.” He grabs me to him, kissing me passionately, as is his usual style. Guilt smacks me in the face, like always, but I keep my guard up, smiling softly at him when he breaks our lip lock. “Fuck, I love kissing you.”

“You’re an amazing kisser.” It’s the truth, and I try to be truthful where I can, especially if it gets me out of admitting stuff I don’t want to admit.

Like how I fucking hate kissing him because it feels like a betrayal every time.

But I don’t have to enjoy it to know he’s got a skillful mouth. Although I don’t like thinking about how he learned to use his mouth so effectively. Because then, I’ll definitely hurl my breakfast.

“I’ll have someone drop your car into the parking lot during lunch. The keys will be left for you in the secretary’s office.”

“That’s really not necessary,” I protest, already knowing this is a bad idea.

“We hardly get to spend any time together,” he pouts, doing his best impression of a sulky teenage girl. “I want to drive my wife to school.”

I smile, shrugging. “Okay. If you insist.” I let him lead me outside to the garage with a pool of dread building in my stomach.