Disclaimer: I only own the story specific characters I created. The originals belong to Cecily von Zeigesar and The CW.
Hopefully this chapter is more to your liking than the last, considering the previous one got zero reviews.
Enjoy.
"Good morning, Sleepyhead," Charlotte greeted Eddie. It was nearly noon. He'd fallen asleep just before the sun rose. Sleep refused to come after realizing the level of his feelings for her. She was reading on the bench near the picture window overlooking the ocean in the library when he found her. It was one of her favorite spots in the entire residence.
"Morning," he bent in to kiss her lips softly, "Sorry for nearly sleeping the day away."
"It's okay," she assured him, "First nights in new places usually throw me off too. I was hoping you'd wake in time to grab some lunch in town. I had the driver pull the car around. We can leave whenever you're ready."
"Why are we using a driver?" he parked himself next to her and brought an arm around her shoulder to turn the book so he could see what she was reading. It was one of Jane Austen's classic works. From the condition of the book, it appeared it was read often.
"They frown upon unlicensed drivers tooling around town, even in the Hamptons," she laughed.
"If you don't think your father would mind, I'm more than capable of driving us," he told her.
"You have a driver's license?" she asked, "Why?"
"Why does anyone get a driver's license?" he chuckled, "To lawfully operate a motor vehicle."
"But you grew up in New York like me," she pointed out, "What is the point? You can taxi or ride the subway anywhere you want to go."
"My father called it a right of passage," Eddie explained, "He drove both me and Justin to his parents' place just outside Boston and then handed us the keys. Justin had a bit less time to practice before he was eligible to take his test. I passed my test with flying colors."
"Is your license even valid?" she asked.
"Updated it as soon as I moved back from London," he nodded.
"Then I'll give Driver the day off," Charlotte smiled, "Do you want to take the town car or one of the other vehicles?"
"Depends on the options," Eddie responded, "I didn't know your father had a car collection."
"They're mostly Uncle Nate's," Charlotte shrugged, "Dad lets him keep them here. As a trade off, he allows us to use them whenever we want. None of us can drive, but Driver gets quite a kick out of them."
"I think I need to see these options," Eddie looked to her with intrigue.
Charlotte led him to the garage where the plethora of cars were kept. Eddie's jaw nearly hit the floor.
"These are all your uncle's?" Eddie ran his hand along one of the frames.
"A couple are Daddy's," Charlotte replied, "I think the Aston Martin in the back was Grandpa Bart's. Dad calls it the James Bond car. Driver likes that one a lot."
"It's like every car guy's fantasy come to life," Eddie moved from one vehicle to another to inspect the craftsmanship. "All the top end brands, all the exotics, all the expensive ones."
"You've met my dad, right?" Charlotte laughed, "He's kinda got a lot of money. When he buys something, he's usually not looking at price tags."
"He has cycles too?" Eddie caught sight of a segmented off area.
"Those are definitely Daddy's," Charlotte replied, "Midlife crisis kinda thing. Mom got mad when he bought his first one. She said one scar on his body was plenty, but he and Nate will take them up to Vermont in the fall. He's even gotten Mom on one a few times. She gets it more now. They'll ride around town together, kinda incognito. It goes against everything prim and proper my mom stands for. It's really funny to see her in all the motorcycle gear."
"I would pay a lot of money to see your mom on one of these crotch rockets your dad has," Eddie laughed, "Has he ever taken you for a ride?"
"God, no," Charlotte gasped, "I wouldn't be caught dead on one of these things."
"I bet you'd like it," he advanced towards her with a teasing smile, "Have you ever even sat on one?"
"Nope and never plan to," Charlotte shook her head.
Eddie climbed on the nearest cycle and patted the space behind him.
"Never going to happen," Charlotte snorted, "You'd better pick something with four wheels."
"How about the Maserati?" he nodded towards the silver car close to where she stood.
"I'll get Driver to pull it around front," Charlotte replied, "Come on, Evil Kneivel, let's get ready to go."
"Ms. Bass," Charlotte was greeted by one of the servers at the café she chose for lunch, "I didn't expect to see you until next spring."
"Hi, Chloe," Charlotte smiled, "I couldn't stay away from the croissant sandwich for a moment longer."
"I don't blame you," Chloe laughed before motioning towards Eddie, "Who's the friend?"
"Chloe, this is Eddie, my…friend," Charlotte stammered over what to call Eddie. "Eddie, this is Chloe. She and I used to play on the beach together in the summer. Her family owns this café."
"It's good to meet you, Eddie," Chloe extended her hand.
Eddie nodded in agreement.
"I'll give you a few minutes to peruse the menu. I'll be back," Chloe winked towards Charlotte and then mouthed, "He's really cute."
Charlotte giggled but tried to hide it behind a menu.
"Come here often?" Eddie asked.
"Just about every weekend in the summer since I can remember and probably before," Charlotte nodded, "This is Mom's favorite café in the Hamptons, so naturally Dad insisted we come here as often as she wanted."
"Sounds about right," Eddie responded, "He certainly knows how to spoil her."
"He's well compensated for it," Charlotte laughed and then took in the nearly empty restaurant, "I have to say, I'm enjoying the quietness around town. In the summer, this café is swimming with people. It's nearly impossible to get a table. Obviously Daddy always calls ahead to make sure we get priority seating."
"Naturally," Eddie agreed.
Chloe came back to inquire if they were ready to order, after setting down two flavored lemonades, a specialty of the café. Eddie chose the first option on the menu he read and hoped for the best.
"So you cycle," Charlotte picked up on the conversation they'd been having earlier.
"Just don't tell my mother," Eddie winked at her.
"Isn't it dangerous?" she bit her lip nervously.
"It's part of the fun," Eddie replied, "It's just you, two wheels and an engine. There's something very powerful about it. I think you'd like it if you have it a try."
"Not going to happen," Charlotte shook her head, "I'd fall right off."
"I'd never let that happen," he winked at her.
"I bet it was something you and your brother used to do," Charlotte replied.
"Still do," Eddie replied, "We haven't been in awhile, but I'm hoping before their baby arrives to take him on a guys weekend somewhere."
"Your brother and his wife should be back in the states soon," Charlotte stated.
"Next week," Eddie nodded.
"I'm guessing I'll need to share you a bit," she frowned slightly.
"I'll still make time for you," he reached for her hand.
"I have no idea what I'm going to do with my week," she admitted, "My friends are all working. Mom and Dad are busy running their companies. Aiden has school. Brice is in France."
"You'll figure out something," he replied, "You used to have dozens of interests."
"I haven't been riding in quite awhile," Charlotte conceded, "Not since my horse, Licorice, was retired. Daddy offered to buy me a new horse, but I just couldn't replace Licorice. He was the best horse."
"Just because you no longer own a horse doesn't mean you can't ride one," he offered.
"So we've taken care of one day," Charlotte replied, "I've got four more to go. HR said it would be unlikely the case would be resolved within a week."
"How about a spa day?" he suggested.
"Two down," Charlotte nodded, "Honestly how do all these trophy wives fill their days?"
"Shopping and pseudo volunteer work," he sipped at his drink.
"Volunteer work," Charlotte perked up, "Your mom's always working on the next Bass Charity fundraiser. Maybe I could help out in a non-Bass Industries employee kinda way."
"Do you want me to get in contact with my mom?" he asked.
"Maybe later," she replied.
After a scrumptious lunch, Charlotte and Eddie meandered through some of the shops. Charlotte bought a few trinkets for her family, getting an early start to her Christmas shopping. With a male's opinion, she thought maybe she'd actually come across a few good gifts for her brothers for a change.
"It's getting chilly," Charlotte pulled up the collar on her coat to protect her from the cold air.
"Feels like snow," Eddie offered her his arm. They walked along the streets back to the Maserati. They passed a dog park along the way. Charlotte became distracted from their conversation. Her eyes glanced towards several of the dogs barking and playing.
"I miss having a dog," Charlotte announced abruptly, "Technically Barty wasn't mine, but I still miss him. It was always good coming home from a particularly hard day at school to have him there waiting, his tail wagging. He was always happy to see me."
"We never had a dog," Eddie replied, "Justin is allergic."
"That's so sad. Every kid should have a dog," Charlotte stated, "I often flirt with the idea of getting myself a new dog, not something as big as Barty though. I'd want something a little smaller, a little more portable."
"You want a fluffy dog, don't you," he teased.
"Yes," she nodded, "It's such a girl thing to say, but yes, I do."
"Maybe you should ask Santa to bring you one for Christmas," he suggested.
"Maybe I will," she smiled.
After a second night spent in front of the fire, the pair decided to retire for the evening.
"Am I going to be receiving a bedmate again tonight?" Eddie asked upon walking her to her door.
"That depends," Charlotte bit her lip nervously, "My bed is more comfortable than the one in the guest room. I was hoping maybe you'd join me."
"All you have to do is ask," he leaned in for a kiss.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" she felt herself blushing, "Just to sleep. I think I'll sleep better with you next to me."
"I'll change and be right back," he winked and then walked down the corridor to his suite to change.
Charlotte was already in bed when Eddie returned.
"This is quite an upgrade to my accommodations," Eddie took in the lush surroundings of her bedroom. While she called it her room, it was more of a suite than his own down the hall.
"This is my summer home," she replied, "We used to spend lots of time here. Naturally Daddy wanted us to be comfortable. You should have seen it when I was younger. It was princess themed, complete with a castle mural."
"Hence you locking yourself in your tower," he chuckled when she patted the space next to her.
"I was acting the part," Charlotte pulled back the covers to invite him to join her.
Eddie climbed in beside her. Charlotte didn't waste a moment in curling herself into him.
"I'm afraid I might get used to this," Eddie ran his fingers along her bare shoulder.
"Get used to what?" she asked.
"Us sleeping in the same bed," he nuzzled his nose into her neck.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Considering my life might be over if your father finds out…"
"You let me take care of my father," Charlotte replied, "He wants me to be happy. When he has a chance to see just how happy you make me, he'll be okay with us."
"He talked to me a few days ago," Eddie admitted.
"Oh?" she raised a curious brow, "You're still walking upright. That's a good sign."
"Dare I say he approves?" Eddie lifted a curious brow.
"I think approve is a bit strong," Charlotte chuckled, "I think you can safely say he's accepting, but I think you still have a bit of work to earn his approval. Do you think you're up to the task?"
"For you, I think I am," he grasped her hand and brought it to his lips.
"Good night, Eddie."
"Good night, Charlotte."
"I wish you could stay," Charlotte had her arms wrapped around Eddie's neck as they stood at the helipad. The Bass helicopter was waiting patiently for their one passenger. They'd spent another day together just walking around town, getting lunch again at Charlotte's favorite restaurant and then doing a bit more shopping.
Eddie put off leaving as long as possible, but he had to get back to the city and back to Bass.
"I do too," Eddie caressed her cheek, "Why don't you come back with me?"
"I'm going to the stables tomorrow," Charlotte replied, "It's been awhile since I've checked in with Licorice. He probably thinks I've forgotten all about him, and it will be good to see my old riding coach. She moved her entire business out here a few years ago. I'd like to see her…I might make my way back to the city tomorrow night."
"If you do, I'll make you dinner," he tempted her.
"At your parent's place?" she raised a curious brow.
"Or perhaps yours," he smiled, "I'm sure you have a chef's kitchen just going to waste."
"It's certainly wasted on me," Charlotte snickered, "I don't know if my chef will appreciate you using his kitchen. He's quite particular about how he has everything set up."
"I think I can smooth things over with Aiden," Eddie laughed.
"You have yourself a deal," Charlotte rose up on her toes to press her lips to his.
"If you need anything, call me," his eyes locked with hers.
"Even if it's just to hear your voice?" she asked and then she felt the heat flush her cheeks at her words, "God, that sounded so lame.
"Even then," he nodded, "And it's not lame."
"We're so far down the rabbit hole already, aren't we," Charlotte smiled.
"Oh yeah," he agreed.
"Text me when you get to Bass, so I know you got there safe and sound," Charlotte requested.
"I will," he agreed before pressing his lips to hers for one more kiss. "I'll see you soon."
Charlotte stood a safe distance from the helicopter and watched it take off. Eddie was well on his way back to the city before she returned to the residence.
"Janette, has Mister Fraser's room been cleaned yet?" Charlotte asked when she entered the foyer.
"Not yet, Ms. Bass," Janette replied, "Did Mister Fraser forget something?"
"It's just a scarf," Charlotte shrugged, "I'll retrieve it and put it in my bag. He told me exactly where he left it."
Janette nodded, "Would you like to have dinner in the dining room this evening?"
"I'm not very hungry," Charlotte replied, "Eddie and I had a late lunch. Will you have the chef send some cheese, crackers and fruit to my room? That should hold me over until breakfast tomorrow."
"Of course, Ms. Bass," Janette nodded and watched as Charlotte disappeared up the staircase.
Charlotte felt silly when she entered the suite Eddie had used during his brief stay. He hadn't forgotten anything, but she thought maybe she'd be able to get some sleep if she could snatch up one of the pillows he'd used. As she lifted it to her nose, she was instantly assaulted by his scent.
"God, I'm like a love sick puppy," Charlotte muttered to herself as she took the pillow into her room and set it on her bed. Her snack arrived a few minutes later. After receiving the text from Eddie that he'd landed safely and was on his way back to his parents' place, she found her place in her favorite Jane Austen novel and read until she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. Then she curled up with Eddie's pillow and did her best to imagine he was laying beside her.
TBC…