"I love Charlie and I'd do anything for her, but I don't think I can live with Nora and Charlie both. Under one roof. Those two co-conspirators are worse than her and Danny. It took me months to get that damn glitter out of my hair, and I swear I still see it reflecting in the light."
Bass covered his mouth in an attempt to smother his snort. Miles saw and sent a glare in his direction.
Nodding, Bass replied, "Sure she can stay with me."
There was a hesitation in his tone, not that he minded at all if she stayed. He was just notorious for bringing women home and now he felt like he had to become a monk while she was there. Of course, Miles knew everything about him and he seemed to be okay with it.
Clapping a large hand on his shoulder, Miles let out a sigh of relief, "thanks brother, I really appreciate it. I know you haven't seen her since she was a kid, but don't worry, she's still just as annoyingly bratty as always."
Bass chuckled thinking about the many times Charlie convinced Miles to do something that, almost always, got his ass in trouble. Miles was just bitter and too wrapped around her finger.
"No problem brutha," Bass took a long swig of his beer. "You know I'd do anything for Ben and Rachel."
Purposefully leaving out his name, Bass grinned when Miles flipped him off, "jerk."
"Bitch."
After a few moments, and many beers later, Bass looked over to Miles, "so when is she coming again?"
Checking his phone, screen lighting up the underside of his face, he saw it was already 11.
"Said she'd be here around 11:30," he muttered, typing in a response to her before he forgot. She might need to know where they were.
Bass nodded though Miles wasn't looking, "okay cool."
It must've been the way he said it because Miles' head snapped up, "seriously Bass I really appreciate this. I know how much personal space means to you. I swear she won't be there long, just until she finds a place."
He was already shaking his head and holding a hand out to halt him, "honestly Miles, it's no problem. I have an extra room getting no use, just collecting dust. If she's anything like you...she'll be a pain in my ass. But at least she'll be a pretty pain in my ass."
Bass laughed, only mildly joking.
Miles however pointed a threatening finger in his direction, "none of that funny business shit Bass, this is my niece. Plus she hates womanizers so you don't stand a chance. She's too smart for you and you're definitely not her type."
"Pfft I'm everyone's type."
Miles' face screamed unamused, "all that and that's what you picked up on?"
He rolled his eyes at his friend's pathetic paternal figure speech, "no Miles I heard everything, and you should know me well enough to know I wouldn't go after your niece. Shit, she's what, half my age?"
Miles nodded, "yeah I'm sorry man. It's just Charlie, you know how I get. Kid's the closest thing I have to one of my own."
Sending a small smile, all reassuring words fell dead on his lips when a hot, young blonde sauntered into the bar. Damn. Every fiber of his body tingled as he watched the way her hips pivoted up and down with every step she took, and the way her long hair hung loosely down the side of her body. She had the most perfect set of perky, round tits, shirt hanging dangerously low enough to give everyone in there a peek at just how glorious her breasts were.
She was a fucking wet dream.
Feeling a hard thump on the back of his head, Bass swiveled around in his seat to glare at Miles, "what the fuck man?"
"Um, what the fuck is right. You're lucky I stopped you ogling my niece when I did. I'm pretty sure, if babies could be made from eye fucking you would've made some right there," he dryly commented.
Again, all he heard from the conversation were the words 'my niece.'
He remembered Charlotte as a child and always swore she was going to be a beautiful thing. He just didn't realize she was going to be a goddamn heartbreaking, show stopper.
Musing so long, he didn't notice when she was at their table, smile tugging the corners of her plump lips upwards.
"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Miles smirked in her direction
She playfully rolled her eyes, "please, you're lucky I graced you with my presence when I did."
Shit, she was identical to Miles, sarcastic, witty banter and all. And she was a goddamn goddess. Bass was so fucking screwed.
"You know I'm never on time for anything, plus it was hard tearing myself away from the enthralling topics of my wasted potential at the weekly family roasting—I mean dinner."
Miles sighed in sympathy, "same thing as last week?"
Charlie's nodded, "and the week before that. And the week before that. So I'm used to it by now, plus it gives me a chance to see Danny."
"How is he?"
"He's good, still as annoying as ever," she teased, her face lighting up when Danny was mentioned.
Miles laughed, "gee wonder where he gets it from?"
"Well according to dad, it's your negative influence on me that has inevitably rubbed off on Danny. Therefore, it's your fault."
Thinking about it for a few minutes, Miles nodded to himself, grinning like an idiot, "sounds about right. Glad to see my legacy is continuing on to the next generation."
Charlie snorted, "yeah your legacy of drinking way too much and saying a lot of stupid shit."
"Oh, stupid shit reminds me," Miles motioned to Bass who remained silent, watching uncle and niece interaction. "Kid you remember Bass right?"
She looked at him thoughtfully before slowly, hesitantly nodding a couple times, "vaguely, although something about a crab keeps popping up into my mind."
At that Bass laughed, "Yeah you used to call me crabby," her perplexed expression prompted him to continue, "Because my name's Sebastian."
Bright lights flashed in her mind, "now I remember," she stuck her hand out, "well regardless it's nice to see you again. Thanks for letting me crash with you since Miles doesn't want me."
Bass took her hand firmly in between his, reveling in the warmth from her body as he heard Miles groan from behind him.
"You know that isn't true at all Charlie, I really wouldn't mind you staying. And if you didn't have any other option you KNOW I wouldn't let you live out in the street—"
Letting go of Bass' hand, she held her hands up, "jeez Miles, I was just kidding, lighten up. No need to go off on a tangent, I know you love me…who wouldn't?"
Choosing not to allow him a retort, she turned to Bass, "are you ready to go or?"
He reigned in a wave of shock before nodding, standing up and pulling on his leather jacket. He assumed she was taking Miles home too, but apparently it would just be the two of them. It was stupid to be nervous about it, especially since she would be living with him for awhile. But the thought of her body closely confined next to his in a small car put him on edge. He was never good with self-control or restraint.
Hugging Miles goodbye, Charlie crossed the floor of the bar first, waiting for Bass to say his goodbyes before joining her outside. Quietly they walked side by side, Bass letting Charlie take the lead, not knowing what she drove.
She led them to a car, only indicating it was hers with a jerk of her head. Bass complied, shutting the door softly when he sat down in the passenger's seat.
He couldn't take the silence for too long, not when he was used to Miles, "so…how's everything?"
Lightly smirking, she barely turned her head to the side, curiously looking at him before focusing her eyes back on the road.
"You don't have to make small, awkward car ride conversation. I'm really grateful for the place to stay, but don't feel like you owe me anything because I'm Miles' niece."
"I don't, I was just making conversation. Not a big fan of silence. But you're welcome, I didn't just do this for Miles, you needed a place to stay and I have a house that's too silent, too empty. It could work out in both of our favors."
There was a tone Charlie was unsure of as his voice grew quieter. It sounded, deep, husky even. Of course, Miles did warn her about his reputation, and at first Charlie was disgusted and annoyed. She was never into guys who thought they could have any woman they wanted, but upon seeing Bass she knew he didn't think he could, he knew he could have any woman. And with good reason as far as Charlie was concerned.
Two could play at that game, "well I'm glad to be of any service."
She jokingly threw a wink as Bass roared with laughter. She was actually play flirting with him. She could dish it out as well as she could take it, obviously hanging around Miles' shit talking friends for too long.
"No offense kid, but Miles would have my balls, and I quite like them where they are at. Plus you aren't really my type," the lie rolled smoothly off his lips. Honestly, Charlie was every man's type. Fuck, every person's type. He just thought maybe if he said it out loud, he would believe it.
She tried to let the comment roll off her shrugging shoulders, "suit yourself."
She followed his directions until they were parked outside his house, porch light barely illuminating the walkway.
Twisting around in the car, Bass held his breath when her shirt slid up her tanned, toned stomach as she fumbled around for the bag in the backseat of her car. Victoriously, she pulled it around front just in time to miss Bass' arm as he climbed out of the car.
He was already halfway up the stairs and in the house before she crossed the threshold. It was too cramped in the car for both Bass and his raging hard on.
Flipping on the lights, he waited until she sat her bags down before locking up the door behind her. Nervous habit he picked up.
"The bedroom is right there," he extended a finger in the direction of a closed door, then turned to his right side, pointing at another door, "this is the bathroom."
She nodded, picking her bag up and putting on her signature, playful smirk, "you forgot to show me the most important room?"
His brows furrowed, racking his brain for an answer. Clearly she could see the kitchen and living room from where they were standing, what more could see need?
"Where's your room?"
He wanted to carry her caveman style to his room instead of answering her, but he figured Miles might frown upon that. Instead he opted for the moral high ground, "smooth kid, real smooth."
He chuckled, turning on his heels, not waiting for her to answer. He could feel the smile on her face faltering for a second on his backside. Turning around before he entered the room, he found the spot Charlie had previously been occupying empty, and the door to her room firmly closed.
Bass sighed, scrubbing his face with one hand as he lightly kicked his door closed. That woman was going to be the literal death of him if he couldn't get his hormones under control. He felt like a damn, horny teenager. He just needed to get laid, quick.