Charles let out a sigh.

  She’s right. Later… when I am more awake. So I can thoroughly enjoy torturing her body. And making her scream.

  He smiled and they returned to the table.

  Grace quietly worked in the kitchen, taking all the time she could cleaning up from breakfast. Working with a broken wrist was to an advantage, despite the pain. She couldn’t have moved faster if she’d wanted to.

  Charles had offered to help, since she was doing it one-handed, but she refused, stating it was women’s work and he should make himself comfortable in the living room.

  He’d turned on the TV, complaining about not being able to find something to watch as he scrolled. She murmured something appropriate and was relieved he didn’t come back to the kitchen.

  She reconsidered how she could get away.

  Charles had been her dearest friend, and just about everything that came to mind made her cringe. Even if he’d hurt her already. She didn’t want to hurt him.

  It just wasn’t in her to cause another pain. She had to come up with something else.

  Grace wanted to listen to music while she cleaned up, if nothing else to distract her from the pain, but Charles had broken her phone, so she had to go without.

  She tried to think of something to sing quietly, something to help her stay calm, but nothing came to her. She didn’t want to sing anything from The Splendids; that would get Charles’ attention immediately.

  That damned play!

  If Maddie and Louis had been any other roles, would Charles still have fallen?

  What he was feeling wasn’t love, but the residual effects of their characters and their passion.

  I never meant to hurt Charles, and if I could do things again, I’d be more cautious with how I treated him.

  She had told him from day one there could be nothing more than friendship. She’d never meant to lead him on. There was no going back. Just forward.

  Which brought her back to the present.

  Who was the man who’d been at the door?

  She had no one to come check on her. Maybe Hope? Could the older man be an old family friend? That didn’t seem right. All of Hope’s family lived closer to the West coast.

  What about Blaze...

  Did he believe the text? Did he give up on me? No! He said he loved me, even after I told him my past…

  She could kick herself for not telling him her address, but she hadn’t thought there’d been a need.

  He’ll try and find me, right?

  Using her shoulder, Grace wiped at an escaped tear. She went back to her dishes, trying to force Blaze from her mind.

  “Let me mend your broken heart, let me wipe your tears,

  My life is tied to yours; we’ve waited all these years.

  Let me mend your broken heart; let me wipe your tears.

  My life is tied to yours; we’ve waited all these years.”

  The words filled her mind as she put the dishes away. They were lyrics from the only Razor’s Edge song she could remember. She found herself humming the melody.

  The more she tried to push Blaze from her mind, the harder the memories came back.

  Grace saw his chocolate eyes when she closed hers, felt his warm kisses on her neck. She inhaled, trying to steady herself.

  It wasn’t the heady scent of Blaze that filled her senses, but the musk-filled cologne of Charles.

  He came up behind her, sliding his hands around her waist to rest on her belly. He leaned in, leaving little kisses on her shoulder and neck. “What were you humming, my love?” Charles asked into her ear.

  Ice shot down her spine, and Grace froze. She was once again in a rough position.

  She’d been thinking about Blaze and her body was alive, but went cold when Charles spoke.

  She kept putting the silverware away as he held on to her. “Just something I heard on the radio once. I only could remember part, but it’s stuck in my head.”

  He kissed her shoulder again. “Hum some of it for me, maybe I know it.”

  Grace’s heart raced. She drew a blank on any modern-day song she could replace it with.

  She could only hear Blaze.

  “It’s all right, it doesn’t matter,” she tried.

  “Please, Gracie. I wanna know what filled your mind so intensely you didn’t hear me call to you from the other room,” Charles said.

  Her stomach lurched, bile filling her throat. She had to swallow deep to keep it from rising.

  He was jealous of not only his brother, but Blaze. Saying her lover’s name would send him into a rage that would only result in more fists in her face, if not another broken bone.

  She had to get things back in her favor.

  Grace girded her loins and turned in his arms, slipping her own around his neck. Ignoring her heaving stomach, she pasted on a smile. “Really, it doesn’t matter, I can’t even remember anymore. Now that you’re here.” She forced her voice to be sweet, borderline seductive. This was just another role to play.

  Charles wanted this so badly, he couldn’t see it was just a rouse.

  Grace prayed, anyway.

  He kissed her once, then twice, keeping them soft. He smiled and pulled back ever so slightly. “I’m sorry I hurt you, Gracie. I never meant to hurt you.” He sounded sad as he released her.

  Her hands slipped down from his neck and he reached to touch her swollen eye.

  “Does it hurt?”

  She tried not to scoff. Her swollen eyes were the least of her worries. The broken wrist was more of a priority. All she could do was a nod.

  “Do you have anything, like Aspirin, you can take?”

  “I think I have some aspirin in the bathroom.” In a cabinet in the bathroom, where she had her bandages, there was medication.

  Not only Aspirin, but Hydrocodone. She’d gotten it when she’d torn three ligaments in her foot and ankle. She hadn’t taken many of them so the bottle had more than enough.

  If she could get her hands on them, maybe Grace could find a way to drug Charles.

  They always made her sleepy, so hopefully, they would do the same to him. If she did a double or triple dose, it would have to work, and not kill him. Three pills wouldn’t be an overdose, right?

  “Thanks for the idea. I’ll get them,” she said and headed that way, moving before he could stop her.

  Charles was right on her heels. He caught her hand right before her fingers closed around it. “Let me help you,” he said in a sweet tone that made her want to cringe.

  Grace heard the underlying tone in his voice.

  “We don’t want you to do anything to hurt yourself further, do we?” He smiled, and she wanted to narrow her eyes, but didn’t.

  Don’t make him angry. Maintain control, she chanted to herself.

  He opened the bottle, taking one precious pill out. “Open up,” he said, offering her the pill.

  “Charles, I can’t swallow pills without something to drink. Can you go to the kitchen and grab me a glass of water?”

  He wasn’t as stupid as she’d hoped.

  There was a small glass for rinsing her mouth right next to the sink.

  He stepped over to fill it, turning his back to her for a brief moment. He’d taken the bottle with him.

  Dammit!

  Grace glanced in the cabinet and with a swift hand, grabbed the purse-sized bottle of extended-release Tylenol PM he’d overlooked.

  Maybe it would be better than Hydrocodone. It was for sleeping, after all.

  She shoved it in her front pocket right in time for Charles to present her with the water.

  He offered her the pill again, but she shook her head.

  She hurt, a lot. Under normal circumstances she’d take the whole thing. They made her sleepy, and that would be worse than the pain she felt.

  “Just half, please. Can you break it?”

  He did so without argument, placing the other half back in the bottle. Charles didn’t return the bottle to the cabinet, and ushered them out of the bathroom.

  She cursed him silently, but was relieved to have a contingency. Grace headed back to the kitchen, still a few more dishes to put away.

  Charles pulled her to a stop, bringing her in close again. “Where did we leave off?” He leaned in to kiss her again.

  Nerves flittered in her stomach. She needed to get away from him. “We left off with me putting dishes away,” she teased, praying it sounded convincing.

  “Dishes can wait; I can’t.” His voice was husky and full of desire.

  She swallowed, fighting the urge to wretch. “Charles… Um, not to be insensitive but...”

  She needed more time.

  Grace had a plan, but it was too soon. So she’d need to make time. “It’s been a while since you, ah, showered.”

  His cheeks flushed pink.

  Thank God he realized she was right.

  He didn’t answer, but started back toward the bathroom, taking her with him. He still clutched her good hand.

  She’d been foolish to consider he’d leave her alone to take a shower.

  Dammit.

  Still holding on to her, Charles leaned into the bath and started the water. He stuck his hand in, testing the temperature. When he looked back at her, he was smiling.

  It made her sick.

  “Are you gonna join me?” He sounded sincere, and she fought not to show the way he made her feel.

  “Oh, I wish I could but...” Grace held up her bandaged wrist. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea to get this wet. But I can go get started on some lunch. I know it’s early, but I’m hungry, again.”

  So was Charles, but not for food. He let go of her wrist and reached for the hem of her shirt. “It’ll dry. Come, join me.”

  Her heart shot into overdrive. He had to buy what she was selling. She pulled on her acting skills and prayed. Grace playfully tapped his hand away and giggled a sound so fake in her own ears. “I already had a bath this morning. I don’t want my skin to dry out. But the water is hot; you should get in before it runs cold.”

  He touched her cheek before walking around her to go into the living room.

  Grace followed hesitatingly.

  Charles stopped at the coffee table beside her couch and picked up the roll of packing tape and the scissors. He waved the tape at her. “Well, if you won’t join me, you’ll have to just get comfy sitting on the toilet.”

  Grace bit back a gasp.

  Is he serious?

  She looked into his dark brown eyes. “Charles, you don’t have to do this.” Her protest died as he plopped her down on the toilet lid.

  “Yes, Gracie. I do. You’ll understand soon, I know you will. Now put your hand up here.” He indicated the towel rack hanging on the wall above the toilet.

  “Charles, please,” she tried.

  He grabbed her right hand, the good one, and pulled it up towards the rack. “Do it, Grace! Grab it!”

  She didn’t want to, didn’t want to give him control again, but she had to stay focused.

  Grace had to keep what little trust she’d earned, if her plan was to work. She blew out a breath and grabbed the towel rack.

  Chapter 27

  Grace tried to move her fingers as the blood rushed out of them and they were numbing.

  Charles had taped both her hands to the towel rack and the broken wrist was screaming.

  This was the only time she wished she had a cheap towel rack.

  Once, she’d slipped while getting out of the shower, and had grabbed the rack. It’d pulled it right out of the wall.

  When she’d replaced it, she used industrial drywall screws with steel anchors and rustic looking pipes. Nothing would pull this out of the wall.

  She sighed, wishing Charles would hurry.

  Wait. Never mind.

  Grace would have to connive another way to stave him off. His lustful looks as he’d gotten undressed really threatened her gag reflex.

  There was a reason half the cast had wanted to bed Charles. Aside from his charismatic personality, he had a body to die for. He had a few tattoos hidden when on stage. They usually kept him in long sleeve shirts to keep those large ones from sight.

  His pecs and abs would tempt most women, and he had broad shoulders and a slim waist.

  He’s an example of looks being deceiving for sure.

  He’d undressed with no hint of shyness, displaying his features, including a happy trail.

  Of course, she could appreciate a man with an appealing form, but not Charles.

  Not after what he’d done to her.

  She hadn’t averted her gaze; she’d looked at him with what she’d hoped he’d seen as challenge, but with her luck, he probably thought she wanted him.

  Never.

  Charles moaned in pleasure under the hot water. A moment later he stuck his head out from behind the shower curtain, and their eyes met. “You sure you don’t want to join me? I hear this shower has a two occupancy minimum.”

  Grace’s heart slammed into her throat. Hadn’t she and Blaze had a similar conversation just days before?

  “Actually, sweetie. My meds are kicking in, and I’m having a hard time staying awake.”

  “Then you should get in here. The hot water will help.”

  He was being persistent, but she wasn’t about to give in.

  “I appreciate that, but it’d just make me even sleepier. I probably should go lay down for a while.” She had a game plan, the perfect idea to get out of the apartment and away from Charles without hurting him, but it had to be a little later in the day.

  Grace had to come up with something to fill the time she needed; other than what Charles had in mind.

  That would never happen.

  She played over and over in her head what she’d do, and he began singing show tunes.

  “Sing with me, Gracie, I love the sound of our voices entwined.”

  Her throat was still shot from everything she’d been through; she worried it would never heal, so singing was out of the question. She didn’t want to make him angry, so she hung her head like she’d fallen asleep. Grace heard him move the curtain.

  “Oh, my sweet Grace,” Charles whispered.

  She stayed as still as she could when the water shut off. She was exhausted and could easily sleep for real, not because of the medication, but the sheer fatigue from the past two days coming down on her.

  “Gracie, love.” He worked the tape off her hands. “Baby, wake up. Let’s get you to bed.”

  Grace batted her eyes a few times, as if to remove the sleep.

  Charles only had a pink towel slung low on his waist. Rivulets dotted his tawny chest. His chest was just a breath away from her face, as he continued to remove the massive amounts of tape he had used to keep her in place. He smelled like her body wash; a scent that’d comforted her earlier. Right now, it turned her stomach.

  She looked up at him, trying to keep the sleepy hazy appearance in her eyes.

  He must’ve seen something else; because he leaned down for a kiss.

  Grace faked a yawn, causing him to pull back. She didn’t want to face him again, so she hung her head in exhaustion, only to get an unfortunate glimpse of Charles below the waist.

  The towel sat low, revealing the curve of his hip bones and more. He was getting an erection.

  She closed her eyes again. She had to get out this situation.

  Charles removed the tape and was rubbing her right hand, soothing the irritated skin.

  When he reached for the left one, the broken one, she snatched it away.

  “Please don’t touch it, Charles; it really hurts. The meds are kicking in and I need to lie down.”

  He stepped back and helped her stand, but he didn’t relinquish her arm. Instead, he walked her walk to her bedroom, Grace leaning against him for fake support.

  Charles let her go and she climbed onto the bed.

  She curled up on her right side, her face away from the door. Grace was afraid she’d would fall asleep if she wasn’t careful. She wanted to sleep, but she couldn’t afford it.

  “I’ll be right back, love. I just need to go start my laundry.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

  She stared at the wall. What time was it? Her clock was missing.

  Grace had been making breakfast just after 9 am. So between their unexpected visitor, doing the dishes, and Charles’ shower, it had to be sometime around eleven.

  If she could just stay in the bed for an hour or two, it would be lunchtime, and she could implement her plan.

  She went over things again, trying to stay awake, but sheer exhaustion won out.

  * * *

  His hands were warm and tender and he gently kneaded her swollen breasts, taking a moment to tempt her nipples to hard pink tips.

  Oh, how they had ached for his touch.

  She could feel the heat pool in her lower regions. She could feel the heat of his body pressed against her back, his swollen arousal making its presence known.

  Her body came to life as his magic hands caressed every part of her he could reach, running a tip of a finger on the underside of one breast, then the other, before moving to tease her stomach.

  It seemed like forever since he’d touched her that way.

  His hands continued to move even lower, reaching the most sensitive part of her, bringing her body to a point of no return.

  The pressure was building within before the explosion. She wanted to see his face as he took her to the edge.

  She faced him, her eyes still closed in pleasure.

  As she slowly opened them…

  * * *

  Grace gasped. She jarred awake from her dream of Blaze, only to find Charles in the bed with her.

  He was naked.

  The erection she’d felt in her dream had been his.

  Her shirt and bra were pushed up, exposing her breasts. Her cheeks flush hot. Not with arousal.

  With rage.

  Had her dream been Charles taking advantage of her unconsciousness?

  Was he the one to bring my body to life?

  She shuddered.

 

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