Chapter 9 - Charlotte
Learning basic survival has never been so ... tense. Grant’s gentle touches, the way he guides my hands but lets me do things, the effortless way he teaches, without getting rude, but not being soft either ... it all makes me relive that kiss.
The one I want a repeat of. Every time he comes home, I want to kiss him and welcome him back properly, but I don’t want to push the boundaries again and then retreat if I don't feel ready. Yet all I can think about are his hands on me, his hard body against mine, his tongue moving with mine.
“Don’t move,” Grant says as I balance a fishing pole between my knees. I open my eyes but freeze when I see the bee on my hand. Grant’s voice is firm, but low. “I’ll take care of it. Don’t move.”
“My EpiPen is in my bag,” I whisper.
Grant gently puts his hand by mine and the bee slowly trots over to his palm. He walks away, not rushing, but when he returns, he’s bee-less. He pulls my hand up, inspects it, then gently brushes his lips over my knuckles.
“We should go in,” he decides.
“But I haven’t caught dinner,” I say, determined to prove myself.
He watches me for a moment, his eyes softening, then he sits behind me, his thighs brushing mine. “I’m starting to think you’re learning all this to outdo me.”
“No, I just don’t want to be useless.”
“That’s the last word I’d use to describe you,” he says in my ear while rubbing my arms. “Cute would be at the top, then thoughtful, sexy, tempting, smart, determined ... want more?”
“I’m impressed they all don’t start with the same letter,” I giggle.
I lean back towards him, wanting to see if we can have a simple kiss, but the line is tugged and Grant coaxes me through reeling in my first fish. I jump excitedly once I have it and he watches me with unhidden pride.
He stands and I bounce, kissing him quickly before he tells me we have to throw it back since it’s not big enough. I don’t even care. I did it. I caught my own fish. I’ve learned how to put together a fire. I’ve learned how to set up a tent. I just keep learning while with Grant and I can’t get enough of it.
I ask to chop wood again and he nods. But he takes off his shirt after the first log and I whistle at him. He hauls the axe over his shoulder and I giggle. “Can’t I show appreciation?”
“I can think of a few ways I’d prefer it,” he says with a wink.
My face burns, but I walk closer to him and fit myself between his arms. I stroke over his biceps and bite my bottom lip. “Like this.”
“Just like that, but I don’t think it’s safe to chop wood while distracted.”
“Guess you have to trust me with the axe,” I tease as I pry it from his hands. He groans, puts his hands on mine and guides me through the motions.
I don’t manage to split a full log on one swing, but after three, it shatters and I bounce with excitement.
Grant’s breath tickles my ear as he chuckles. “Having a good day, Charlotte?”
“The best,” I agree.
We carry the logs inside and I get on my hands and knees to start the fire. I do it properly this time, lighting some newspaper and tossing it in when Grant gives me a wolf whistle. I gasp and look back at him.
He smirks. “Appreciation, right?”
I laugh and nod. We settle in for a movie, which has become our routine, but Grant pauses it before it can start and looks at me. I’ve already fit myself against his side, my thigh against his. He stares at me for a long moment and shakes his head.
“You’re actually here,” he murmurs as his fingertips gently trace my jaw.
I melt into his touch. “Yeah.”
“And you’re so much better than I dared hope for. How are you this good on paper and in real life, Charlotte?”
I swallow. “I um ... I don’t know. I don’t think I’m that great.”
“Seeing you so excited, so determined to learn and be better ... it makes me insane, do you realize that? You’re gorgeous, sure, but you’re somehow gentle and determined all at once, so patient and ambitious. I just want to keep seeing you succeed at everything you try.”
My throat tightens. How can a man like this, a man that my parents would have written off in at least ten ways be so ... good for me? I put my hand over his and turn to kiss his palm. “I like being here. I feel ... free here. Being with you makes me feel happier and freer than I’ve ever felt, Grant.”
He turns my cheek and kisses me softly. He starts to draw back, but I lean towards him, kissing him again. He groans and cups the back of my neck, teasing the sensitive hairs there as he guides me closer. I part my lips against his, trying to tell him that I want more.
I stroke over his chest, fisting his shirt in my hand as I climb onto his lap. Grant growls against my mouth and nibbles my bottom lip. He draws back. “We don’t have to do anything. We can just kiss. Ignore my body’s reaction to-”
“I don’t want to stop,” I say softly, kissing him again and tugging on his belt as I watch something carnal bloom in his eyes. “I want you , Grant. Every way I can have you.”
I expect him to say ‘finally’ or just go for it, but he cups my face. “Are you sure?”
Nodding, I mold my mouth to his again. “I’ve never been more turned on by anyone in my life. Never wanted anyone more than I want you.”
“I’ll be gentle,” he promises as I kiss down his throat. He takes a sharp breath. “And you can tell me no if it gets to be too much.”
“Okay,” I whisper. “I trust you.”
He lifts me up, his arm sliding under my ass. He kisses me again and again as he takes me upstairs. I laugh as he lays me across his bed. “The couch is not good enough?”
“You are going to be comfortable. That means not worried about falling off the couch,” he says as he kneels on the bed between my legs.
I take a breath and take off my sweater. My hand tips to my jeans, but Grant catches my wrist. “Let me do that. No rush.”
“But ... we have to be naked to start, right?” I ask.
He kisses me slowly, drawing out every curl of his tongue as his hand moves up my arm, then spreads over my breast, cupping and massaging until he focuses on my nipple. I arch into his hand and suck his tongue.
Grant grinds against me, then kisses along my throat. “I’m going to make you feel good, Charlotte. That’s the whole point. Every moan that leaves your throat is a reward.”
“Grant,” I whimper as he uses his teeth to drag my bra strap down my shoulder.
“So we’re going to be gentle and slow so I can learn everything that you like. So I can make sure you’re perfectly wet for me. So you know you’re mine,” his voice slips into a growl as he licks over my cleavage.
He peels my bra below my breasts, then reaches under me to undo it. The second I feel it loosen, I toss it to the side and kiss his forehead while tugging at his shirt. He tosses it and welcomes my hands over his thick biceps, his broad shoulders, the muscles of his back.
“That feels good, baby,” he croons while rubbing his beard between my breasts while licking and kissing my skin. I grind against him, wanting to feel everything he’s offering.
“Please,” I whimper.
Grant groans and turns his head to suck my nipple between his teeth. His tongue flicks and teases, pulling moans from my throat as I grip his hair and keep lifting my hips. I want him. I’m uncomfortably wet and his patience is eroding mine. His hand smooths down my belly until he pops the button on my jeans and undoes my zipper.
I’m ready to strip myself, but Grant lavishes my other breast with affection, kissing licking, sucking, working me up until I’m dizzy with lust itself. I barely realize he’s stripping me of my pants and underwear until I kick out of them.
Grant sits back and looks me over. I try to cover myself and he doesn’t stop me. He just spreads my legs a bit and kisses the inside of my left thigh. “If it’s too much, tell me.”
“It’s not enough,” I beg.
Grant gently bites my inner thigh, then spreads my legs a little more. “You’re hiding my destination, baby.”
“No one has ever ...” but that excuse doesn’t seem like it matters. I’m not afraid of Grant. I’m not afraid of being with him. I slowly pull my hand away and Grant pulls my thigh over his shoulder, letting out a low growl.
“Fucking hell, Charlotte. You’re perfect for me,” he says.
Before I can answer, he licks over my pussy. I gasp and push myself up onto my elbows to watch him. His green eyes snare mine and he licks again, slow and deliberate as my legs shake and my toes curl. This is going to be perfect.