Chapter Ten #3
Fuck. He hated she might have to see that asshole and he didn’t trust the fucker. He wanted to be there for her, but he had no idea how long this op was going to take. He could be gone for days or weeks.
“You have stuff at your parent’s place, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then there’s no panic to go to his apartment. Wait. I’ll come with you.” He didn't want her seeing Simon alone, letting him have a chance to beg forgiveness. Donnie also didn't want to tell her what Simon had been up to. In her current state of mind, it would be too much to handle.
“Donnie, you don't have to do that.”
“I want to. Let me do that for you. I can drive you there.”
She didn’t answer and they were both silent for a few seconds before Donnie decided it was time to lighten things up.
“So. On a scale of one to ten, how was I?”
Her face broke into a genuine smile, and he grinned. This was better.
“You know how good you were.” She blushed.
“So a ten?” he teased.
She rolled her eyes. “Eight and a half.”
“What? Tell me right now where I lost marks,” he said with mock horror.
“You left without waking me. That was half a mark.”
Ouch. He had. But Charlie was smiling.
“You only docked me half a point for that? What was the full point for?”
“We didn’t exactly... you know.”
“Ah. I guess that’s a pretty good score then.”
“Well, you did leave a note and everything else was more than satisfactory.”
He raised an eyebrow. “More than satisfactory? That’s all it was?”
Her smile widened. “OK, mister sex god. It was incredible.”
Donnie smiled widely. “That’s more like it.”
“I feel bad though,” she said in a more serious tone.
“About what?”
“I didn’t really do... anything. I mean you did all the work, and you didn’t even take your pants off.” Her cheeks flushed deeply, and he’d never seen anything more endearing.
“Baby. You naked was all I needed. Did you see what you did to me? That body was made to be loved, and I am still reeling from the fact that you let me do that.” Knowing he was the first man to go down on her was hot as hell.
“I’ve never had sex like that before.” She averted her gaze. “I’m sorry I wasn’t very... experienced.”
“Charlie, look at me.”
She did, biting her lip.
“Don't be embarrassed. And I don’t care about your past boyfriends. I only care about you and me.”
“There’s only ever been Simon and well, one other but he doesn't even count.”
“He was that good, huh?” he teased, but she frowned. “Charlie?”
“Last year of high school there was a bet of who could take my virginity. I had no idea. I thought I meant something to him. Naive and foolish. My choice in men sucks.”
She covered her face with her hands and Donnie wanted to reach through the damn phone and comfort her. A fucking bet? One that would not have happened if he had stayed because he would have been the one to take her virginity. Fuck, if she learned Simon was using her, too, it would destroy her,
“Charlie, I’m so sorry that happened to you. I wish I was your first because I would have made damn sure you knew how much I cared; how beautiful you are and how a man should treat you. Tell me who it was. Which kid?”
“You don’t know him. He moved to town after you left. The family moved again a couple of years later.” Charlie had dropped her hands but was still looking down. Donnie took a drink, calming himself. A fucking bet? He should have been her first. And only.
Focus, Donnie. The past is done. You can’t change it.
“Babe. You need to know, yesterday, I’ve never had sex like that before either. You were my fantasy come true.”
“Oh come on. You've had loads of sex. I bet you didn’t keep your pants on then.” She finally looked at him, her face blotchy.
OK, he wasn't a saint, but nothing compared to what they shared. “There have been women, yes. But it’s been months since I’ve had sex. Casual hook ups don't appeal to me anymore. I want it to mean something. With you it meant something. It was different. I felt it and I think you did, too.”
“You don’t think I’m terrible asking you to have sex with me when I’d just dumped my fiancé?”
Jesus, she was worried about that?
“No. Never. Have you any idea what a turn on it was when you strolled into my room in that sexy red dress and fuck me heels and asked for what you wanted?”
“You said no at first.”
“Because I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't want you to do something that you would regret. But damn, when you started talking about going to find a stranger, all bets were off. The thought of another man touching you? Not happening. I wanted to take my pants off, Charlie. You have no idea how much. But you were reeling from what happened and I couldn’t risk you regretting it after. You mean too much to me.”
“I do?”
Donnie almost groaned. “Yes. You do.”
“Thank you. I don’t regret what we did, and I’m glad it was you and not some random stranger. For the record, I don’t think I would have actually gone and found a stranger.”
“I wasn't taking that chance. You looked like a sexy goddess.”
“So what happens now?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
Donnie sipped his beer. He had to tell her he was spinning up. The timing couldn't be worse.
“I’m leaving tomorrow. A deployment,” he said.
“Oh. For how long?”
“I don’t know. Usually I have some idea, but this time it’s complicated. Could be days, could be weeks.”
“Oh. Can you tell me where you’re going?”
“No. I can’t. I’m sorry. This is the worst timing.”
“No. It’s your job and I understand. Plus, we need to get back to our lives now. You have yours in Coronado, and I’ll be back in Albany soon enough.” Her voice wobbled.
He should let her get back to her life. Stay friends. It would make the guilt he felt over Nate easier to deal with. But there was no fucking way he was doing that now. He wasn't sure how this was going to work out, but he wasn't prepared to let her go.
“I don't want that.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Charlie, I know you just broke off an engagement and you have a lot going on. But I don't want us to go our separate ways and just be friends. I want more.”