Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Charlie
We returned to the room, where the bed was made and everything was in order. I kept my lips sealed as I headed to the shower, and she headed to the closet.
I’d wanted to kiss her in public, but I remembered my vow to let her ask me for anything serious. So I kept it light, though memories of Hope only made me ache for another taste.
A fast, cold shower would ideally stop me from acting out my desires.
I wrapped a towel around me. She had already picked out her clothes, so I strolled past her. “Go in the bathroom and watch me change.”
She passed me but said, “I don’t watch you.”
I pivoted and watched her near the bathroom door. “You don’t think I can feel when your eyes are focused on my ass?”
She laughed and strutted in. “You must be dreaming.”
Yet she hadn’t closed the door entirely. I dropped my towel to the ground and picked out a pair of shorts. My skin buzzed while she watched me. I shook my ass then tugged on the shorts.
I glanced at the bathroom door and saw a nipple. I tensed, and she moved.
The hardness grew, again. I plopped into the window seat and crossed my legs as I waited.
When she came out, I was under control. I stood, hoping to keep the conversation mild. “So did my mom sound suspicious or anything?”
She fixed her hair up in a ponytail. “No, she’s lovely. I actually hate lying to her, since she loves you and only wants you to succeed on your own merits.”
Then she tied her hair into a loose bun. I'd never kissed the nape of her neck before, and now my lips burned to taste her. I took a breath. “All moms love their sons.”
She shrugged and placed a light gloss on those sexy lips of hers. “I don’t know about that. I’ve never been a mom, but yours wants you to be happy, not work.”
The promise I’d made to her sucked. I wouldn’t be able to touch her while we were alone until she agreed and started. I crossed my arms. “I want to pull my own like the rest of them or at least prove it.”
She put her makeup away. "So do you have an exit plan?”
My eyes widened. “Like when we publicly break up?”
She took my arm and shook her head. “I meant when the financial stuff bores you and you realize it’s not who you are.”
Fair point. My heart thundered from her touch. “I’m hoping I can be like Gerard. He owned his own company, but once he made a billion, he sold it and retired, proving his worth.”
She lifted her chin. “Then start your own company.”
I was so close. She was so beautiful. I wanted to break my word and kiss her, but I stepped back and smiled. I was a man of my word, even if it killed me. “Those are the wrong shoes. These are boat shoes.”
I went to the shoes and handed her yellow-and-white rubber-bottom sandals. She sat on the bed to change.
I walked away because I would join her on the bed and forget myself.
When she stood, she said, “Okay, well, let’s get back then.”
“Let’s.” I offered my arm. She took it, and we headed out. The farther away from the bed, the better.