The Brother's Estate

Poolside Part 2

A/N: This is not the complete chapter. The end of this chapter is plain old smut, so it has been left out for anyone not 18+ -- sorry!!

Charlotte stepped out of the house with her bag slung over her shoulder and her coat over it. The day was beginning to draw to a close, and she knew that she needed to go home at some point, she simply wasn't sure when. There was something in the air that made her feel drowsy and excited, at the same time.

"Charlie," she heard from behind her. She turned, and Jack was stood in the doorway, his arm propped high against it as he had done several times before. "Mind if I drive you? I could come in a while, if you don't mind. I wanna talk to you."

She smiled. "Sure, but I really should be having my dinner.I'm starving."

"Why didn't you say so?" He took a step toward her and the wind carried his scent of aftershave in her direction. "I could've had something made for you."

"I really don't know, I think I just want a Chinese or something, I might order one."

"I'll get it for you, it's the least I can do." Jack smiled as he pulled the keys to his car out of his pocket and unlocked it, and they both hopped in. She placed her bag down by her feet and left her coat on her lap. The dusky sky was growing darker at an alarmingly fast rate, and she had no idea what time it was. He glanced at her before he started the car, and the engine growled into submission as he took control of the steering wheel.

"You don't have to get it, but you're more than welcome to come in for a bit if you want." She noticed that the way she spoke had reverted to how she spoke to everyone. She'd felt stiff around him before, and she couldn't understand why she felt that way. Her speech reflected his formality, but she was calmer around him. Much calmer.

"It's not an issue. Money isn't an issue," he purred as they reached the main road. As with all of their car rides together, it was largely silent.

They pulled up to her driveway and he got out first, and then went into the glove compartment after Charlotte had made her way to her door. As they entered, Charlotte was greeted by Ash — the cat she'd somehow taken in. Jack knelt down and stroked Ash's fur and Charlotte found herself smiling at him, watching as he did so. As she took off her flat boots, she noticed Ash ran outside, and Jack closed the door behind him.

"Do you know the number for any places that might deliver here?"

"There's not many places, but if it's a Chinese you want, I do have the number for a place that is utterly delicious." He made himself comfortable in the lounge and positioned his ankle over his opposite knee, spreading out largely on her beige sofa.

"That's great, thanks, could you call them for me? Oh, and do you want a drink?" Charlotte hovered in the kitchen for a few moments before she made her way into the lounge.

Jack eyed her up and then patted the cushion beside him, signalling her to sit beside him. "What do you want to order?"

"Chicken chow mein, barbeque sauce and some spring rolls. And whatever you're having. I've got about thirty in cash in my purse."

Jack went silent as he started to key in the number and then waited for them to answer. Charlotte made her way back to the kitchen and looked in her cabinet to see what drinks she had to offer. Eventually, she settled on just a bottle of wine, and poured two glasses. She returned to him, and passed him a glass whilst he was ordering.

"Yeah, I'd like to pay on card, please." Charlotte smacked him, and he grabbed her wrist lightly as he proceeded to tell them his details without even looking at his card. He placed the phone down and smiled at her. "It'll be here in around thirty minutes." He leaned in closer to her and sighed. "Thank you for spending time with me today. I had a text from my brother this evening, Joshua is coming home tomorrow so you may have to meet him. We all get along with our neighbors so I feel it'd be a good time for you to get to know him. Does a nice dinner in the city sound good to you? Perhaps we can go to a sushi bar, or would you prefer something more classic?"

"I..." Charlotte held her breath. "I don't mind, I'm actually looking for a job right now, so I would prefer somewhere cheap," she laughed. She felt embarrassed to admit that she couldn't afford the finer things in life, but she hoped that he'd understand.

"As I've invited you, I will pay for you. I'm hosting this dinner and as such, it's proper etiquette, no?" Jack sipped at the wine and then pressed his fingers against her chin, and gently pulled her closer to him. "I'd like to treat you, and I'd like you to see my brother."

Charlotte was absolutely frozen in disbelief. What was happening? His touch felt electric to her, and she didn't know what to feel. Earlier in the day, she'd been thinking about him in the pool, to the point that she was lingering in the bathroom, trying to shake the image from her head. And there he was, in all his glory, holding her. He pressed forward, and lightly kissed her cheek before he backed away and took another sip of the wine.

"What was that?" She asked.

"What was what?"

She shook her head and pursed her lips to stifle her laughter. She felt giddy again. He looked at her again and then straightened out his crisp white collar of the casual shirt he'd put on after their swimming session was over.

"As I said, I feel rather fond of you. Whether we remain friends or we take this further... I am interested in you, Charlie."

"You don't really know me," she mumbled behind her wine glass. "But..."

"But what?"

Fear took over her and she felt nauseous. She'd not been intimate with anyone in over a year, and she'd not exactly been active at all. Jack was slightly older than her, and she knew that he was definitely out of her league... but she didn't want to push him away. Charlotte grew reserved as he watched her, and he noticed it.