5. CHARLOTTE
5
CHARLOTTE
“ L ottie,” Victoria Morgan said with a smile when I walked into her office at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Wood Hole, Massachusetts. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Hi, Victoria.” She waved at an armchair; I sat down. She left her desk and sat down in the other armchair.
She was one of the country’s most renowned marine biologists, and I’d had the honor of working with her while I’d done my dissertation in college. Victoria had quickly become more than a mentor or even a colleague. She’d noticed my potential and passion, guiding me when I wasn’t sure of where I was going with my life, and she’d become more of a mother figure.
“Something to drink?”
I shook my head. “I just had a whole bottle of water in the car on the way.” The drive from Newport had taken just under an hour and a half, and it had been hotter than I’d liked. Maya had let me use her car. I didn’t want to buy one—it seemed like the right thing to do for the environment until I could afford something electric.
“I saw the articles you put out,” Victoria said. “Impressive.” She tucked her silvering hair behind her ear and leaned back. She wore an elegant button-up blouse with a brown cardigan over it and bronze lipstick to match.
“Thanks. I’m not sure it’s working.”
“Why not?”
“Well…” I picked up my bag and took out an article. “This.” I handed it to her. She picked up her glasses and put them on her nose before she started reading.
She didn’t need to read the article out loud for me to know what it said—I’d been over it a hundred times since it came out two days ago. It had been printed a day after I’d started my campaign.
Activist Charlotte Reynolds’s Campaign Challenged for Lack of Industry Experience.
NEWPORT, RI—Environmental activist Charlotte Reynolds, who has been at the forefront of a campaign against the luxury yacht industry’s environmental impact, is facing mounting criticism from industry experts and stakeholders for her perceived lack of experience and one-sided perspective.
As Ms. Reynolds continues to draw attention to the yacht industry’s carbon footprint and alleged harm to marine ecosystems, skeptics argue that her limited knowledge of the industry and absence of direct involvement may undermine her credibility.
Industry insiders have raised questions about Ms. Reynolds’s qualifications to speak on complex matters related to yacht manufacturing and operation. Some critics contend that her background in marine biology and social sciences may not adequately prepare her to fully understand the intricacies of the yacht industry, including the engineering and technological advancements being made to reduce environmental impact.
In an interview with Newport Maritime Gazette, yacht manufacturer OceanCraft Yachts questioned Ms. Reynolds’s motives, stating, “While we share Ms. Reynolds’s concerns for the environment, we believe it’s essential to have a well-rounded perspective. It’s not just about pointing fingers; it’s about working together to find sustainable solutions. Ms. Reynolds doesn’t have the experience or industry insights to appreciate the progress we’ve made.”
Another point of contention revolves around Ms. Reynolds’s perceived one-sided interest. Critics argue that her campaign focuses solely on the negative aspects of the yacht industry, ignoring its contributions to the local economy, job creation, and tourism. They suggest that a more balanced approach that acknowledges both the industry’s challenges and benefits would be more productive.
Despite these challenges to her campaign, Ms. Reynolds remains resolute in her mission. She maintains that her background in marine biology equips her with a deep understanding of the marine ecosystems that are impacted by yacht emissions and waste. She also emphasizes that her campaign aims to raise awareness and promote responsible practices within the industry.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether Ms. Reynolds can overcome the skepticism and continue to make an impact in her campaign against the luxury yacht industry.
Victoria lowered the article and studied me for a moment in silence.
“If they don’t believe I know what I’m talking about, how can anyone take me seriously?”
“Charlotte,” she said, using my full name. “This is good news.”
“How?”
“If they’re trying to discredit you, it’s because they feel threatened. They have a reason to try to do this, and that’s what you want. What you’re trying to do is not an easy task. The world is a lot more conscious of being green and trying to find more environmentally friendly ways to do things, but this is still going to be a long journey, and you’ll get a lot of resistance. You just have to keep pushing through. You can’t give up.”
I nodded. Maybe she was right. If they didn’t think what I was doing would work, they wouldn’t want to fight me on it, right?
“I’m not used to seeing my name in the papers,” I admitted.
“It takes some getting used to. If you fight for a good cause, there will always be those who rally against you, and it’s not always pleasant. But it’s the only way we can make a difference. Too many people are scared to be the trailblazers because of this. Because it’s hard.”
“You think I can do it?”
“I know you can. You’re strong, Lottie.”
I nodded and let out a shuddering breath. “Thank you.” I’d needed to hear that from her. Victoria was like a mother to me. I not only appreciated her support, but I also wanted her approval in a way, too.
And this was a cause very dear to me.
“So, just keep going?”
“Yes. More public awareness will help. More articles, more ways to draw them in and let them understand. You can’t put pressure on the big companies yourself but if enough people stand together, they’ll have no choice but to change their ways if they want to stay in business.”
I hoped she was right. What she said made sense.
“Thank you,” I said. “I knew this would be hard, but I didn’t realize exactly what it would be like.”
Victoria reached over and squeezed my hand.
“How have you been otherwise? Settled yet?”
I nodded. “I found a nice apartment close to the recreation center we’re working from, and Maya is close by, too. That changes everything.”
“It’s always good to have a support system.”
I nodded. It was great to have my friend close by. And Gabe.
When I thought about him, my stomach twisted with guilt. I hated that I’d lied to him. I hated it even more that I’d slept with his best friend. It just seemed so wrong, and it wasn’t the kind of person I was.
“What’s on your mind?” Victoria asked, noticing my shift in mood.
“I did something I feel terrible about,” I admitted. I could talk to Victoria. She didn’t know Gabe directly, so it wouldn’t come out, but I trusted her.
I took a deep breath and told her about Alex, what happened between us. She listened while I talked.
“I feel so bad,” I said. “I didn’t mean for it to work out this way. I just can’t tell Gabe. He’ll be so angry with me and I just moved to Newport.”
“You should be open with him,” Victoria suggested.
I shook my head. “I can’t do that. Besides, it doesn’t matter, right? I mean, nothing will come of it.”
Victoria hesitated before she spoke again. “I don’t believe that’s entirely true, but I do believe that it only has to mean something if you let it.”
That didn’t make me feel much better. I didn’t want what had happened between me and Alex to mean nothing . I just… didn’t want it to be something bad .
I started telling Victoria about other things, moving away from the topic of Alex because I didn’t know how to put what I felt into words. When our time was up, I stood.
“You just keep fighting,” Victoria said in conclusion. “I know it’s tough, but we’ll get through this together. You can come to me about anything, you know that.”
“I appreciate that,” I said and left her office.
I felt better about my campaign now that I’d talked to her, and the drive back to Newport was a good one. But I hadn’t gotten all the answers I’d needed.
I wished I’d been able to get more answers about Alex. The truth was, I couldn’t tell Victoria how it had been with him. I couldn’t explain to her how real it had felt because it wouldn’t change anything—we were still pitted against each other. More than ever now the press was starting to come after me. Alex was the CEO of one of the biggest yacht manufacturing companies in the country.
It would never work between us. That was aside from the obvious reasons nothing could happen between us again.
When I got home, I felt empty. The conversation with Victoria had been good, and I had the courage to keep going—it turned out that what had been written was proof that it was working. They were trying to scare me off, and I wouldn’t let them.
That didn’t change the fact I felt like something was missing.
I showered, getting rid of the day, and changed into my pajamas before I crawled into bed.
My new apartment settled around me, making noises I wasn’t used to yet, and it wasn’t so easy to fall asleep right away.
I lay in the darkness, listening to the sounds of the night outside and the apartment groaning and breathing as the air cooled and the world quietened down.
Alex flashed in my mind again.
Why did I keep thinking about him?
I knew why, though. He was fun. And interested in me as a person. He hadn’t wanted Candice, the one girl every guy I knew of always wanted.
There had been so much more to him than just a single-minded asshole who wanted nothing more than a good night between the sheets.
And then there had been the good night between the sheets… God. It had been incredible.
Was it just because he’d been so good in bed or because of who he was as a person, too?
I liked to think the latter, but I couldn’t let myself think that. If I saw him as an asshole who’d just wanted to get laid, it would make it so much easier to forget about him.
Which, right now, was proving impossible.
But God, just thinking about the way his lips had felt on mine, how he’d tasted, his teeth scraping against my breast… heat washed through my body, filling me with need.
I wanted to be with Alex again. I wanted him, period. I couldn’t stop myself.
My hand slipped down my stomach, under the waistband of my pajama pants and between my legs.
My fingers found my clit, the sensitive nub already hard and throbbing. The image flashed before me—those strong arms wrapped around me. I pictured his face, his dark, smoldering eyes, his mouth pressed to my neck, the way he’d touched me. How hard he’d felt, pressed against me, so big and ready.
God, I needed him. I wanted to touch him. To taste him.
My fingers slipped between my folds, wet with arousal. I moaned softly as I worked myself, thoughts focused on Alex. Images flickered behind closed lids.
I flashed on his body, perfectly chiseled and delicious. His muscles flexing beneath smooth skin, the black ink curling over his throat and down his collarbones. Strong thighs tenser than steel bands holding up powerful hips. His voice whispering words only we could hear while our bodies moved slowly against each other.
“I want you.” I heard his deep voice in my ear, my fingers working furiously between my legs. “Oh God, I need you. I want to feel you, taste you. Make you feel good.”
I imagined it was his hands between my legs, his fingers sliding into me. I moaned louder now, lost somewhere else entirely.
“You’re so tight,” he said. “So wet for me. You want me so bad.”
And I did. God, I ached for him.
His hands stroked me, his mouth moving over mine, devouring me, taking me, possessing me. His thick cock slid across my stomach as he grinded himself against me. His hands slid onto my arms, pinning them above my head, and he was in complete control.
I gasped as fire spread through my body, getting hotter and hotter. He nibbled and kissed along every inch, until, finally, there were no more spots untouched.
“Let me fuck you, Charlotte,” he growled in my ear, and I moaned again.
Alex’s cock pushed against my entrance and then plunged home. He filled me up, and I trembled around him. Alex started moving, bucking his hips, sliding in and out of me, fucking me harder and harder.
My fingers on my clit matched the rhythm in my mind, matching that perfect motion. I conjured up the feeling of him inside me, remembered the weight of his body on mine and the heat of his breath on my neck.
My breasts jiggled as he rode me harder, and I was getting closer.
My orgasm built, a tightening knot of pleasure deep in my belly.
He worked me faster, his tongue flicking my nipples, his cock pounding into me.
“Come for me, Charlotte,” he said, his voice a low growl. “I want to see you come for me.”
My climax exploded, waves of pleasure rolling through me, making my body tense and my toes curl. I bit back a moan as I rode out the orgasm, my fingers slick as the fire spread through me.
“Oh,” I breathed.
I lay still for a moment, letting the afterglow wash over me, savoring the memory of him and the feeling of satisfaction.
But it was just an illusion. Alex wasn’t here and never would be.
It was only when I came back to myself that I realized I’d said his name, moaning it over and over.
I sighed and squeezed my eyes shut. I’d hoped that doing this would get him out of my system, but it had only made me want him more.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too, I told myself. He was just a guy I’d met and had a good night with. That was all.
Still, I hated it had to be this way. I hated we were on either side of a line drawn between us, and I couldn’t see how that would change.
He wouldn’t give up his position in the company—I’d looked him up, and I knew how long and hard he’d worked to get where he was, how serious he was about keeping the company image going.
There was no way I would stop doing what I was doing, either. I’d put in years of study, and I had a plan for the future.
I had to see this through, no matter what. The last thing I was going to do was give it all up for a guy when I’d dedicated my whole life to it.
No matter how incredible that guy seemed.