Mark (Next Generation Carter Brother #9)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Freya

The ache in my skull throbs, pulsing to the same beat a techno song would thrum. Last night, the sambuca tasted like ice-cold water on a hot summer’s day; now it tastes like nausea. I peel open my heavy eyelids, grimacing when the bathroom light sends shocks through my brain.

God, how much did I drink last night ?

The last thing I remember is riding the mechanical bull. My legs hurt just thinking about it.

Needing to soothe my dry throat, I go to sit up. And that’s the moment the warm, hard chest I’m lying on finally registers.

No.

No, no, no .

I slowly sit up, brushing my hair out of my face as I stare down at the man I swore I wouldn’t go near.

One leg is cocked, hanging off the side of the bed. One hand rests against his chest, whilst the other has fallen to my arse.

This can’t be happening.

I quickly slide out of bed, tip-toeing my way over to the bathroom. My dress and phone lie on the floor, and I kneel down to grab my phone before locking myself in the bathroom. I glance into the mirror, taking three soothing breaths. Mascara clings to my cheeks and my lipstick is smudged. Classy . I pick a straw, then a cocktail umbrella out of my hair, grimacing.

I glance down at my attire, wheezing. I’m wearing his T-shirt, the one he changed into after I pushed him into the pool. I’m not wearing a bra, but I do have my underwear on. It should count for something, but it doesn’t. I can feel we had sex last night. This isn’t a case of him carrying me to bed and we both passed out. We fucked.

I close my eyes, and images of last night flash through my mind. I remember arguing with him about the girls he was talking to. I remember his confusion. But then images of me straddling him on a chair flicker through my mind. I remember his hands on my arse. I remember my sister trying to pull me away, then Danny trying to get involved.

I move away from the mirror to sit down on the toilet seat, putting my head in my hands.

Oh God .

I remember him pinning me against the door, his hand under my dress whilst he finger-fucked me.

Oh God .

I begged him for more.

I needed more.

I can still feel his fingers on my hips as he fucked me. I can still feel his abs as I rode him.

God, I can remember how good my orgasm had been. I’ve never had one during sex before, and it took me by surprise. I cried out, earning complaints from passengers in the neighbouring room.

I dial the only person who can help me, who will tell me what to do. Summer answers after the third ring.

“Bitch, when you wake a girl up with messages like those, you stay awake to answer them,” she greets.

“Messages?” I whisper. “Hold on.” I bring the phone down, scrolling through WhatsApp. My eyes widen at the pictures of me and Mark. One is of me kissing his cheek. The other is of us stuffing our faces with a cheeseburger. But nothing is more embarrassing than the messages where I’m telling her I’m going to fuck Mark, or the ones after, where I went into detail about how good he is with his tongue. “Oh God.”

“Freya? Freya? Are you there?”

“I’m here,” I whisper. “Oh my god, I had sex with our neighbour.”

“Yeah you did!” she cheers.

“Please, not so loud,” I hiss. “What do I do? He’s still there.”

“Get back into bed with him then.”

I run a hand over my face. “No! I can’t believe I slept with him.”

“Why? This is what you wanted, or you were talking about it,” she replies.

“That was before I saw him with two girls,” I growl. “What am I going to do? Last night is still a blur, but what was I thinking? I don’t want to be the girl who lets a guy use her. Oh God, how am I going to look at him again without remembering that I begged him to go harder?”

She splutters out a laugh. “My girl is kinky between the sheets,” she teases. “And what girls? You didn’t mention any girls.”

“After we spoke, I kind of saw him flirting with two girls,” I explain.

“Babe, you aren’t together. What does it matter? You got something out of it. You did get something out of it, right? Or is he just a pretty face?”

“Oh, I definitely got something out of it. Multiple somethings.”

“I knew he would be good. Go jump back into bed with him. Maybe get some more something, somethings from him before your holiday is up,” she orders. “Call me with the deets later and not a minute before.”

“No, no, no,” I begin, but she’s already ended the call. “Fuck!”

I tiptoe to the door, pulling it open enough to peek out. He’s still sound asleep, a gruff snore slipping past his lips. I glance to where my outfit for today is lying and quickly rush over to grab it, keeping my gaze on the man on my bed.

I need to shower, to wash the stench from the night before off my body. I reek of alcohol and sex, and neither are a good combination when you are surrounded by people on a boat.

It’s also a way to avoid him in case he wakes up. All I can do is hope he will leave if he hears the shower running. I don’t peg him as the type to stick around, but he may just surprise me. If he’s still sleeping when I’m done, I can just slip out without having to deal with the awkward morning after conversation.

I keep my fingers and toes crossed as I jump under the warm spray of water.

Please don’t be there when I get out .

*** *** ***

I take a page out of my nan’s book and arrive at the dining room wearing my sunglasses. After picking up two pieces of toast and a glass of orange juice, I down the two paracetamols and make my way over to the corner of the room. The sofa love seat is empty since everyone is mostly on deck getting in some much-needed sun. There is no way I’ll be able to handle the sun beating down on me, or deal with people in general.

“You look worse than Imogen this morning,” Lily greets.

I glance up from my phone, forcing a smile at the gorgeous blonde. “I bet I feel worse than Imogen.”

“Do you mind if I sit?” she asks.

I move my feet off the sofa. “Please, go ahead,” I reply. “How are you feeling today?”

“Still a little queasy but I haven’t been sick since four this morning. Jaxon had the doctor onboard check me over this morning.”

“I’m glad you are doing better,” I reply, and I mean it. “Where are Rose and Jaxon?”

“They are on their way to the indoor paddling pool. Rose loves the water,” she tells me with a small smile. “I saw you through the window and I wanted to come and say thank you.”

“You don’t need to keep thanking me,” I assure her. “I’m glad I could help.”

She wrings her hands in her lap. “It still means a lot to me. I’ve only had a few when my family weren’t present, and they were scary. I’m glad it was you who stumbled across me. I’ve suffered with them for so long, I should be used to them,” she begins.

I drop my plate onto the small coffee table and sit up, crossing my legs together on the sofa. “I don’t think anyone ever gets used to them. Most people don’t even know they have anxiety. I’m surprised you do because your family seems really protective over you.”

She straightens her long white skirt. “The woman who birthed me wasn’t a very nice person. Stuff happened to me as a child; and whereas most people forget their childhood, mine was scarred into my mind. Or at least, that’s the best way the therapist explained it to me. I don’t handle being around drunk people well. My family are exempt because I know I can trust them.”

My eyes widen. “I am so sorry that happened to you, Lily. I will never understand how a parent can harm a child,” I reply softly, seeing how hard that was for her to declare. I tilt my head to the side. “Wait, if you’re adopted, how do you look like your siblings?” Fuck! “Sorry. That was rude.”

She smiles, her eyes crinkling in the corners. “She’s never been my parent. My mum and dad are my parents. Are you ready for your mind to be blown on why I look like them?” At my nod, she continues, but not before glancing around, like she’s checking we are alone. “Biologically, my dad is my brother. Mum and Dad adopted me after I was saved from the woman who birthed me.”

My lips part, then close. Holy crap! “Yep. My mind is completely blown.”

“I don’t really like talking about it. I never want my parents to feel like I see them as my adoptive parents. That’s not who they are to me.”

“Thank you for trusting me, and sharing.”

She lowers her gaze for a moment, before taking a breath. “My family will do everything they can to show you how grateful they are. I wanted you to understand why before they become insufferable. I know you will say, ‘but anyone would have done the same’, but you’re wrong. Not everyone would have done what you did, so it’s no small thing to them. My husband has already paid for you to join us on our excursion to swim with the turtles when we dock back in Barbados. My dad is annoyed he got there first, so he’s probably planning on paying for you to join us snorkelling when we dock tomorrow.”

“Lily, there is no need for them to do anything. I promise,” I assure her.

The corner of her lip quirks up. “No one can talk a Carter out of anything. I will wish you luck trying though.”

I laugh at how truthful those words are. “Don’t I know it. I let Hayden drag me off last night for one more drink before I called it a night, and before I know it, I’m singing karaoke with a bunch of strangers.”

“Charlotte sent me the video. It was awesome,” she reveals.

I groan. “Oh God. Please delete it.”

“I should get back to my husband and daughter,” she announces. “First, though, you haven’t seen Mark this morning, have you? It’s not like him to miss breakfast.”

“What? Why would I see Mark? Did someone say something?” I question, feeling my cheeks flame.

She smiles that same smile her cousins have perfected. The one that says she can see past my lies. “I get it,” she replies, getting to her feet. When she doesn’t leave, I meet her gaze. “He comes across as aloof and a bit of a goof, but he’s honestly one of the good ones. He is always there for people, and so loyal. He might seem like a fling type of guy to others but that isn’t what he wants. He just hasn’t found the right person to settle down with.” She’s looking at me like I’m the right person and it has my stomach fluttering. “He wants someone who can think for themselves, not someone who mimics others. He needs someone who can hold their own, but also embrace our crazy family. He also wants someone who doesn’t want him because of his last name.”

“I’m not sure why you are telling me this,” I whisper.

This time when she looks at me, she holds my gaze, unwavering and determined. “Because I think you are the person he’s been looking for,” she replies softly. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Lily,” I quietly reply.

I watch her go for a moment, thinking over her words. I feel bad that I’ve given her the impression me and Mark are more than… I don’t even know what we are. One minute we are biting each other’s heads off, the next… I gulp, not wanting to think of last night. Either way, she has her wires crossed. I can see she cares for her brother, but I’m not the girl he’s looking for. I’m not the girl anyone looks for. I’m the girl most guys overlook. If I’m out with Summer, I’m the one they approach first just so they have an in with her.

As I go to pick up my book, a shadow falls over me. I glance up, groaning when I see it’s my sister.

I’m not nearly sober enough to deal with her. I can still taste the alcohol from last night.

“You made a spectacle of me last night,” she snaps.

Goodness gracious, if her brain was chocolate, it wouldn’t fit inside an M&M.

“Good morning, Esther. How is married life treating you?”

“You made my wedding a disaster,” she spits out, placing her hand on her hip.

“Esther, I ignored you just fine the first time we had this conversation. I have neither the headspace nor the crayons to explain it to you right now.”

“I think you owe me an apology,” she remarks sharply, dropping down on the sofa next to me. “You walked out on my wedding.”

“I did no such thing,” I remark sharply. “I left your reception early. There’s a difference.”

“To hang out with riff-raff,” she barks. “Did you even care about how that would make me feel?”

“I try really hard to think of how you feel,” I answer. “I would have thought you’d be happy we all left. You made it clear I didn’t belong there.”

“You are my sister. I wanted you there,” she replies, rearing back like I slapped her.

I lift my sunglasses up and rest them on my head, meeting her gaze. “I don’t get you. I really don’t. I thought that maybe once you married Danny, you would stop being a bitch, but it’s only made you worse. The only person who truly has the right to lash out is me, and I haven’t. What is it, Esther? Is it not fun now that he’s not with me? I heard what you told him last night. I’ve never once told you I still had a thing for him, so why you would tell him that?”

“You were drunk so you must have made it up in your head. I’ve never said anything like that to him.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, you did, and you know it. I was stupid to think we could repair our relationship and go back to how things were before you fucked my boyfriend. I kept telling everyone, ‘but she’s my sister’, but I guess it’s like an abused woman when she says, ‘but he loves me’. I’m done, Esther. I’ll do the pleasantries for Mum and Dad because they don’t deserve to see us at each other’s throats, but me and you are done.”

Her eyes narrow on me. “You’d really be that spiteful? I’m your sister. I can’t help that he chose me, Freya. Punishing me over it is unfair.”

“Punishing you? What have I ever done to you? Please , enlighten me.” Her mouth opens but no words come out. “That’s what I thought.”

“You know what, I don’t need to listen to this. It’s technically my honeymoon. Your childish behaviour will not ruin it.”

“Then please, leave me in peace.”

She gets to her feet, a cruel smirk on her face. “Good luck with Mum and Dad. They’re looking for you too.”

My brows pinch together as I sit up. “What are you talking about? What do they have to do with anything?”

She flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Well, after what you did last night, I thought they deserved to know.”

“What I did?” I question.

“You pushed me down, screaming that you hated me.”

“Bitch, no she didn’t,” Hayden snorts, dropping down on the sofa next to me. She kicks her feet up, arching a brow at my sister. “You tried dragging her away from my cousin and she got out of your grip.”

I glance down at the mark on my wrist, flashes of her gripping my wrist filling my mind. “This is from you?” I grit out.

“Don’t worry, the bitch paid for it when she went arse over tit.”

“Your family dunked me in the pool,” Esther snaps.

Hayden waves her off. “They were baptising you. If anyone needs Jesus, it’s you.”

I will not laugh.

I will not laugh.

A chuckle slips free and I look away from Esther.

“I’ll be telling Mum and Dad about this,” Esther spits out.

“Didn’t you just get married?” Hayden questions. “Grow up.”

She storms off without another word. “God, my head hurts,” I groan.

“How do you put up with that?”

I lean back, closing my eyes. “She’s like a slinky. They’re good for nothing, but the moment you throw them down the stairs, they bring a smile to your face.”

Hayden bursts out laughing. “You really are a nut. I thought it was the drink, but Mark said you were probably just warming up to us before you unleashed the crazy.”

I chuckle. “My head seriously fucking hurts. I’m never drinking with you again.”

“Why did no one wake me? I’ve missed breakfast.” I blink open my eyelids, spotting Max taking a chair. “How could you do this to me? I’m stuck with toast.”

He says that like the ten pieces of bread won’t fill him up. It also has honey and cream on the top like a stack of pancakes.

Hayden snorts. “You should handle your drink better, Dad.”

“I didn’t drink that much,” he argues.

Images once more flash through my mind. They’re of Max dancing in the middle of the dance floor, looking like he needed medical attention. “I’m pretty sure you took out three passengers with your dance moves last night,” I reply, sniggering.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with my moves,” he snaps. “I won that dance-off fair and square.”

“My nanna has better moves and she’s twice your age,” I point out.

“She isn’t wrong. It was embarrassing,” Hayden mutters. “And you didn’t win it fair and square. You took out your opponents. One guy walked away crying.”

Something else hits me, something I’m not sure is real. “Did I imagine you pole dancing?” I ask him.

A red tinge hits his cheeks. “Imagined it.”

“Oh no, it happened. Your nan wanted to know who had the better moves. Dad, Mason, and Myles were all competing. My mum has video evidence,” Hayden answers. “Uncle Mason won.”

“He cheated,” Max snorts as he gets to his feet. “I need more food.”

Hayden slaps her thighs. “I should go and meet the others at the pool. You coming?”

“I’ll be up later. I don’t think my head can handle all the screaming,” I reply, then tilt my head when I realise she looks no different than she did yesterday morning when I saw her. “Why aren’t you hungover? You drank more than everyone.”

She grins. “I never get hangovers. It annoys the fuck out of everyone. Poor Charlotte is still being sick.”

“I hate you,” I remark, though there’s no heat behind the words.

She laughs, getting to her feet. “I’ll see you later.”

Once she’s gone, I get up, picking up my book. I’m too approachable here and I don’t think I can handle anymore socialisation for today.

With my nanna’s key card in my pocket, I go to the one place no one else will think to look for me.

That someone being Mark.