Taking Chances (Pleasant Grove Book 1) by Tara Lee (5)

Chapter 5

CHARLI

H MY GOD, WHAT AM I doing?
This is a bad idea. Possibly the worst idea I've ever had. I can’t go in there.

I chant in my head:
You can do this.
Just one foot in front of the other.
I just want to see if he is here tonight, to get him to notice me,

I’m not that little girl anymore.
Yes, Eli is my brother’s best friend, but I am twenty-one now. I sit in my car and take a few deep breaths.
Just go in what's the worst that could happen?
Okay, I need to stop talking to myself.
I unbuckle my seat belt, and then slowly exit my car. I make

my way towards the door. The Grove Bar is the best bar in town. Well, the only bar. I enjoy the live music. I work here, but hardly come here as anything other than an employee but tonight I’m going to change that.

Steve, the new bouncer, waves me in. I walk in casually, like I do this all the time.
I don’t. I never drunk anything outside of the comfort of my apartment before. It never interested me. I’m here alone; I didn’t ask the girls to come with me.
The voice in my head is telling me this is a bad idea. I feel like I needed to run back to my car and return to my comfort zone.
But I am punishing myself, even though I know it won’t happen, I want Eli to run his eyes over my body. I want him to look at me the way he looks at other women.
He never looks at me that way, but I want him to so desperately.
As I walk to the tables where my brother and his friends always sat, my heart is pounding. If I didn’t know better, I could have sworn the people around me could hear my heart trying to break out of my chest.
Pour Some Sugar on Me plays and makes my blood pulse. The band on the stage are doing a good job covering the song.
I smile to myself.
I'd really like Eli to pour some sugar over me and lick it off with his tongue.
I chuckle as the image runs through my head. Okay, Charli, calm down. The image has sent a heat searing between my legs.
I get to my brothers table, I swear this table is reserved just for my brother and his friends. Well, or it is just a given by now that they get to sit there. These guys are all gorgeous, muscular and fuck-worthy.
They are the kind of guys who get girls to drop their panties easier than a credit card at a half price shoe sale. They have all been coming to this bar for as long as I can remember.
“Hey, what are you doing here, Charli?” Lucas asks.
“Hi,” I say.
Lucas chuckles. He is a charmer, alright.
Carter turns to look at me, bending his elbows on the table, and smiling.
“Hey, Charli, you know Jensen won't be happy to know you’re out drinking.”
I roll my eyes at him.
“I’m twenty-one. Jensen can't tell me how to live my life.”
Carter laughs.
“Yeah, but that doesn't mean he isn't going to be pissed.”
I can’t help but smile. The guys all know how overprotective my big brother is. If my brother isn’t bad enough, any guy that tries anything will also have to deal with these guys since most of them treat me like a little sister, too.
Tyler looks up from the girl who is sucking on his neck and winks at me. I smile at him, and roll my eyes. Tyler is a nice guy, but he just runs through women too fast. He runs through them faster than even Eli.
As if he knows I am thinking about him, Eli walks in. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of him. He is handsome… no, breathtaking. I think he knows it too.
I often wonder if he has been made just to taunt women. He is smiling and laughing as he makes his way to the group.
He hasn’t noticed me, yet!
Christian and Max walk with him. They are the other two guys in my brother’s group of friends.
They all notice me at once.
Max smiles, “Hey, Charli.”
Christian gives me a nod and a wink.
Eli however, seems furious.
“Charlotte,” he says, frowning, “you shouldn’t be here?”
He used my full name. No one but Jensen calls me Charlotte. Eli always calls me Charli.
Wait a minute…What?!
I shouldn’t be here?
What am I?
A kid who has a curfew?
I stand straighter and look him square in the eyes.
“I’m an adult, Eli. I’m the legal age in this country to drink. I’m allowed to have fun.”
“I can see that!” He replies his gaze sweeps over my body.
My nipples stand to attention under his gaze. I try not to shiver. The dress I have worn is a good choice. I have chosen it for Eli, I knew he would like it. His eyes keep wandering over my body.
He is definitely checking me out!
I mentally hive-five myself.
Having him look at me like that sends sensations between my legs, hot and heavy.
“That's not what I mean,” he says.
His eyes finally found mine.
“If I want to have fun, I’ll damn well go out and have some fun.”
I cross my arms over my chest. I know this pushes my breasts up further but I’m not breaking eye contact. Eli, on the other hand does. Maybe if he stares long enough, something might click his brain that I actually am a woman now.
“I don’t need you to take care of me,” I add
“Charlotte,” he says with an angry snarl on his face.
“What? You aren’t my bodyguard.” I shoot back
“I know you're twenty-one now. You can drink and party, but doesn't mean you have to,” he says.
He runs his fingers through his hair and releases a sigh of frustration. I want to be the one to run my fingers through his hair.
“You hardly ever dress like that.”
I look at my dress.
Is it that bad?
“Have you ever drunk alcohol before? And how are we going to explain to Jensen when you’re drunk off your ass?”
I have had alcohol before. Eli saw the empty wine bottle on my coffee table three years ago. Is he pretending he didn’t know? Or doesn’t remember?
Eli acts like this with everyone. He is the protector. He wants me safe—and sometimes, I really do feel like he is my bodyguard. I enjoy it on some level, but other times, it makes me feel small, like I am incapable of taking care of myself.
Which… I totally can.
I hate feeling like I need my big brother and his friends to rescue me all the time.
They all need to back off—Especially Eli. They don’t need to protect me anymore. I have had enough, I’m starting to get angry now.
Eli is hot. I have wanted this man since I was a teenager, but enough is enough.
“Look if she wants to go out and enjoy herself, we can't force her to go home,” Max speaks up in my defence.
This is a first.
“Why the hell not?” Eli glares at him as he speaks.
“Like she said, she is twenty-one, legal and not a kid anymore,” replies Max.
“We can protect her and make sure she is safe if she is here,” Lucas says.
Wait, does he mean keep an eye me?!
The scowl on Eli’s face says he still doesn't like the idea.
Tyler pipes up for the first time since I got there.
“Look, Eli, I know you think you’re doing Jensen some sort of favour by looking out for Charli. But dude, she is grown up. Jensen smothers his sister. Let her live a little!”
“Yeah, dude, give her room to breathe,” Christian tells him.
“He treats her like he's her damn father not her brother, just let her have a little fun,” says Carter.
Wow, this surprises me, normally these guys all agree with whatever Jensen or Eli say.
Maybe finally they all saw me for who I am, a grown woman who can make her own decisions.
Eli gives up and throws his hands up and just shakes his head.
“Fine but don't drink too much, don't go off with someone you don't know and if someone bothers you come get me. And for the record I still think this is a bad idea!”
I smile at him. He just grins and shakes his head at me. “You're stubborn I’ll give you that”.
He says smirking at me.
Eli’s eyes stay on mine. Even if it had only been for a few seconds, my heart does a silly flutter,
It always did I can’t control it, not around Eli.
Tyler says his goodbyes, I assume to get things even more heated up with the girl he had on his lap.
I watch Eli watching me, the smirk on his face told me he thinks it is funny that I came back at him.
Good he will have to get use to the new me.
“What do you want to drink? I'll get it for you?” Carter asks, breaking me from Eli’s stare.
I heard someone order a Cosmo once, so I told him to get me a Cosmo even though I have no idea what’s in it. Carter heads off to get it for me.
Max and Christian both smile at me. I know they were wondering what I am up to and what my plan is. I am pretty sure all my brothers’ friends know I have a crush on Eli. Everyone that was except for Eli, and of course, my brother. He would be pissed if he thought I remotely liked or was interested in any of his friends. After what happened three years ago, maybe Eli knows, but he won’t acknowledge it.
“Excuse me, can I have a dance?”
I turn to a guy standing there smiling at me. He is attractive in his jeans and tight shirt. Okay, hot, maybe? But he isn’t Eli.
I am about to turn him down when I think, why the hell not? Eli isn't making a move. Maybe this will make him jealous.
“Sure.” I say, giving him my hand.
Maybe this will help stir Eli up a bit.
He pulls me to him and as he leads me to the dance floor I turn to see Eli looking like he is about to blow a blood vessel.
“I’m Tobias,” he says.
His hand goes to my lower back, briefly skimming the top of my bottom. He pulls me into him as the song begins. I pull his hands off my bottom where his hands strayed, and place them on my lower back. He chuckles.
“Come on, baby, we can have some fun,” he says as he tries to move his hands back to my bottom.
I try to smile but I am starting to get uncomfortable. He starts to kiss my neck as he pulls me in to him, I push back at him and try to back up but he is too strong. I have made a terrible mistake by agreeing to dance with this Tobias guy. All of a sudden, I see a set of hands one pulling me back and the other pushes Tobias away. I spin around, Eli pulls me behind him as he marches us off the dance floor.
“What the fuck dude, get your own,” Tobias yells.
Eli stops and has a look of pure anger on his face. He spins around walking back towards Tobias
“Get my own? When a lady says stop, you fucking stop!” Eli yells as he unloads a punch that knocks him down.
Eli steps forward to finish what he started with Tobias, I run and grab Eli's arm afraid he will keep going.
“Stop,” I plead with him.
Eli pauses turns to me and starts to back down, this allows Tobias time to throw a cheap shot lucky it just glances Eli. Eli pushes me back and out of harm’s way, he slowly circles Tobias, Tobias throws more punches which Eli manages to dodge and counters knocks Tobias back down with another punch.
“Now if you don’t want another one, you will stay down and apologise to the lady,” Eli tells him.
“Whatever, I’m sorry, are you happy? She isn’t worth it,” he says angrily.
“No, she is too good for a piece of trash like you, now get the fuck out of here,” replies Eli.
Tobias slinks away as Eli turns to me
“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
“I’m fine. I pulled his hands off me.”
Eli still looks angry.
“I should follow him and kick his ass until he can't move.”
He glares at Tobias as he is leaving
“Don't worry about it. I'm fine, it was a mistake. One I will never make again.”
“I said not to go off with anyone. Why say yes to that guy?” he says.
“I wanted to dance,” I reply.
Eli looks at me.
“I can dance with you if you want to dance, Charli.”
“I'm not in the mood anymore,” I say as I head back to the table and sit there. The guys all look at me. I could tell they’re waiting for me to say something.
I don't bother. That guy is a creep and I have learnt my lesson: don't say yes when strange men ask you to dance.
Lucas comes up to me.
“Charli, he was a creep. You did the right thing pushing him off. We all saw him grab you and could tell you where uncomfortable.”
“Thanks,” I reply and just keep my head down. I am embarrassed now.
Harley, one of the owners of The Grove Bar and one of my bosses comes over and asks me if I’m okay. I nod at him give him a fake smile. I’m so embarrassed everyone had to see that.
“You’re sure?” Harley asks. “I’ll make sure he never comes back again.”
“I’m okay, I promise.” I tell him. He makes a disbelieving sound but doesn’t push me any further.
I look up and see Britney Walsh walk towards Eli. I roll my eyes. I hate that she can openly touch Eli.
He is flirting. Loving the attention, I'm sure she is doing other things to him as I can't see her other hand. I don't want to think about it.
My stomach suddenly doesn't feel too good. I no longer want to be out. My abrupt departure will make the guys suspicious, so I will have to find a way to slip out without any of them noticing. Or maybe stay, finish my drink, and then leave.
Carter brings my drink back and places it in front of me. I take a small sip. They’re all watching me, waiting for my reaction as they all think I've never touched alcohol before. The Cosmo is actually pretty nice.
Out of the corner of my eye, Britney’s actions catch my attention. She rubs her hands all over Eli and then they start making out... Her tongue is practically down Eli's throat.
“Um gross,” I mutter.
Max smirks because he heard me.

“ Shut up Charli, your mouth will get you into trouble,” I tell myself.
Things are getting to be a little too much for me. Eli gropes Britney right here in front of everyone. Their make out session is getting a little heavy. He is doing this on purpose to rattle me. Is this his way of getting back at me for dancing with that guy? God, men can be infuriating!
It’s time for me to go. I have seen Eli with women before but I've had enough. I knew I was old enough for him now and I wanted him to notice me. It hurts more and I’m not sure why. I mean, it has always hurt me seeing him with someone who isn’t me.
I want to be Britney at this moment, but I know I never can be.
I get up to leave and tell the guys.
“I've had enough for one night, I'm going to go on home”
They all nod a goodbye and let me walk out.
“Charli.”
I turn to see Eli running towards me.
“Yes,” I ask bluntly.
What is he doing?
“You sure you're okay? I can drive you home if you like? I'd hate for something to happen to you and I could have done something to prevent it.”
He is being sweet. He always is, but him being sweet right now is not what I need. I need him on top of me, naked, with his cock sliding in and out of me.
Stop it, Charli, I scold myself. I can't have those thoughts right now. My cheeks will go red and give me away.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes positive,” I say to him.
He takes a step towards me, closing the distance between us. His slow sexy smile taunts me.
“I'm just going to go on home… Have a nice long shower, and get into bed. Maybe read a book.”
Eli looks at me shaking his head.
“I didn't mean what I said, Charli. It’s just… I worry about you. Yes, I know your twenty-one now, but I can't help but feel protective of you and worry about you. Always have, Always will.” He blows out a breath. “I wanted to murder that guy for touching you, sweetheart.”
He smirks. Maybe I have a chance, after all.
I feel like someone is watching me. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I turn but no one is there. Strange.
Eli peeks over my shoulder.
“You okay?” He asks me.
“Yeah, sorry I thought I saw something; it was nothing don't worry. I’m just being paranoid.”
He smiles at me and keeps looking over my shoulder just to be sure, then he looks at me.
“Call me if you need anything?”
He winks and the he is gone.
Oh my god, Eli winked at me.
I have the biggest smile on my face.
I could swoon. I feel my cheeks go red.
For a while, I thought my feelings for Eli. It was nothing more than a crush that finally gave head three years ago when we dry humped each other. Now, my feelings for him are coming back full force. I care for Eli more than I’m willing to admit. I want to be with him. I want these games to stop. I can never tell what he thinks or feels for me. I’ve stopped trying to get into his head, because I get hurt every time I try.
What am I going to do?
Shaking my head at my crazy thoughts, I get into my car and drive home, I know he would never act on it.
Of course, I hope he will, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.
As soon as I lay in bed, my mind drifts to Eli and his rockhard abs.
Pulling my lip between my teeth I slip my hand into my panties. I close my eyes and picture Eli above me kissing my neck and making his way down my body pulling my nipple into his mouth like he has before, then laying between my legs tasting me. I moan as my fingers brush my clit my orgasm building I feel a tremble as my orgasm comes over me.
As I come down from my orgasm I think, I must get control of myself or I will scare him off.
I don't want that to happen, I can see myself spending forever with Eli.
He is my hero, and always has been.