Chapter 6 Charlie
six
Charlie
I wake up in Marshall's bed, deliciously sore and wearing his Army t-shirt that falls to mid-thigh on me. The smell of coffee and bacon draws me out from under the warm covers, and I pad barefoot toward the kitchen, my body protesting every movement in the best way possible.
Marshall's standing at the stove, shirtless, cooking actual breakfast like some kind of domestic fantasy come to life.
I take a long moment to appreciate the view - all those muscles I got to explore thoroughly last night, the tattoos I traced with my fingers and tongue, the dog tags hanging around his neck catching the morning light.
He looks like every fantasy I've ever had made flesh.
"Morning, baby girl."
"Morning, Sir." The title slips out naturally now, automatic, like I've been calling him that for years instead of weeks.
"Just Marshall this morning. Come eat with me." He plates perfectly crispy bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs, slides it across the counter along with coffee made exactly how I like it - two sugars, splash of cream.
We eat breakfast together in comfortable silence, and I realize this is the first time in my entire life I've felt this settled, this at peace with another person. Dylan used to critique everything I ate. Marshall just makes sure I eat, period.
After breakfast, Marshall corners me against the counter, his hands on either side of my hips, caging me in. "Shower time."
"Together?" My voice comes out breathy and hopeful.
"Problem with that? Are you sore? Do you need me to be gentle?"
"No, Sir. No problems at all." The title slips out again, automatic and natural.
In the shower, he washes my hair first with surprising gentleness for someone with such large, calloused hands. Takes his time, massages my scalp, makes me feel cherished and cared for. Then he presses me against the tile wall, water cascading over both of us, steam filling the air.
"Need you," he growls against my neck, his voice rough with renewed desire. "Can't get enough of you, baby girl."
"Please. Want you again too, Sir."
He lifts me easily and slides into me. I still can't get over how strong he is, how he makes me feel weightless and delicate. The angle is absolutely perfect, hitting spots deep inside.
"Quiet now, baby girl. Don't want to scandalize my neighbors with how loud you get."
"Then don't fuck me so good," I gasp out, already struggling to keep quiet.
He laughs, the sound dark and pleased and possessive. "Mouthy this morning. I'll have to fix that attitude later. Might need some corner time to think about your behavior."
He fucks me slow and deep, water cascading over both of us, praising me the whole time in that rough voice that makes my knees weak. "So perfect, taking me so well, my absolutely perfect good girl."
I come with his hand clamped firmly over my mouth to muffle my scream, my whole body shaking and convulsing around him. He follows moments later, groaning my name while emptying himself inside me.
After, he dries me off with careful, gentle attention, then helps me dress in a sundress that manages to be both sweet and sexy at the same time, innocent but with an edge.
"We're going to the cafe together," he announces, like it's already decided and not up for discussion.
"Together? In public where everyone will see us?" My heart starts racing for entirely different reasons now, anxiety creeping in.
"Problem with that? Are you ashamed of being with me?"
"No! God, no. But people will know. They'll figure out what we are, what our dynamic is."
"Good. I want everyone to know you're mine. Want it completely clear that you're taken and protected and off-limits to everyone else." He cups my face in both hands, forces me to look directly at him. "I'm not hiding you, Charlie. Not now, not ever. You're mine and I'm proud of that."
At Pinewood Cafe, we run into John and Bunny almost immediately, because of course we do. Small town, Friday morning, everyone getting their caffeine fix. She takes one look at me and squeals loud enough to turn every head in the place.
"Oh my god! You have the look! The 'I got thoroughly railed by a mountain daddy' glow!" She's practically bouncing with excitement. "I knew it! I called it weeks ago!"
I bury my face in Marshall's shoulder, mortified beyond all words. He just chuckles, clearly proud of himself and not embarrassed in the slightest by her announcement to the entire cafe.
"Bunny, leave her alone and let the poor girl breathe," John orders, but he's smiling too, amused by the whole situation. "Marshall, poker's moved to Thursday night this week."
"Can't make it this week. Charlie has a library event that night that I'm attending with her."
"Whipped already? That was fast, even for you." John's grinning openly now.
"Says the man currently wearing a pink tie with tiny hearts on it because his girlfriend asked him to."
John glances down at his tie - definitely pink with little hearts embroidered on it. "Bunny picked it out this morning. Said it matches my eyes or some shit."
"Exactly my point about being whipped."
Bunny drags me to the bathroom for girl talk while the men order our drinks. "So? Tell me everything! How is he? John said Marshall's been alone forever and we were all genuinely worried he'd die a virgin hermit up in that cabin!"
"He's definitely not a virgin," I manage to say, my face burning hot.
"Is he daddy dom like John? They seem the type. All commanding and protective and grumpy on the outside but absolute marshmallows on the inside with their girls."
"Is it that obvious already?"
She sees right through me immediately, reading me like a book. "Oh my god, he totally is! Charlie, we're daddy's girls together! We need a book club! A support group! Weekly brunch to discuss things!"
"A book club for what exactly?"
"For all the spicy books! I know you have that secret collection at the library."
"It's not secret! It's just carefully curated for specific readers who appreciate the genre and request more explicit content and—"
"Who like daddy doms and power exchange and all that deliciously kinky stuff. Don't worry, I'm not judging at all. I'm celebrating!" She hugs me impulsively, squeezing tight. "I'm just so incredibly happy you found someone who gets it. Who gets you. Who sees what you need and gives it to you."
We return to find Marshall and John deep in conversation about someone named Rex and his apparently very transparent obsession with the veterinary clinic's assistant.
"He's been haunting that vet clinic," John's saying, shaking his head. "Pretending his perfectly healthy German Shepherd needs checkups every single week."
"Daisy?" Marshall asks knowingly.
"The assistant. Tiny thing who fosters every stray animal in a fifty-mile radius. Rex is circling her like a wolf stalking prey."
"Twenty bucks says he asks her out before the end of February."
"You're on. I say he chickens out until March."
That evening, I'm closing up the library when I find a gift box on my desk. Inside is a leather collar designed to look like a vintage library card holder on a delicate silver chain. Inside is a card that reads: "Property of Marshall Le Croix. Handle with Care. No Returns Accepted."
"Marshall!" I call, knowing he's still somewhere in the building.
He appears in the doorway, smirking. "Yes, baby girl?"
"This is library humor. Terrible, wonderful library humor."
"You love it though."
I do. "It's absolutely perfect."
He fastens it around my neck with careful, reverent fingers, then kisses me deeply. "You're mine now. Officially. Publicly. Permanently. Everyone who sees this will know."
"I love you," I blurt out, the words surprising us both.
"I love you too, Charlie. My perfect little librarian. My good girl." He holds me close. "Three weeks until Valentine's Day. I want to make it official official by then."
"You asking me to be your Valentine, Mr. Le Croix?"
"I'm asking you to be my everything, Miss Book. Forever."
I melt completely against him. "Yes. To all of it. Moving in permanently, Valentine's, everything. All of it. Yes."
"Good girl. My perfect good girl."
THE END