Chapter Eighteen
Most of the next day was spent in bed and Charlie had no complaints. This had been all she’d ever wanted. Donnie, the hottest guy in school, was in bed with her. Bringing her to orgasms like she had never experienced.
Last night had been amazing, seeing him in all his nakedness.
She would never tell him, but she had been so worried about doing things right and not like an inexperienced idiot.
Knowing he couldn’t see her had made her more confident to take control.
Seeing his reaction to her touch, to her taking him in her mouth, was something she would never forget.
It was beautiful. He was beautiful. Every damn inch of him.
He made her feel beautiful. Sexy. Confident.
This was the love Maddie spoke about. Never wanting to be away from him or her heart would burst. She loved it and feared it all at the same time.
Donnie was dealing with so much right now. The uncertainty about his sight and his job. Perhaps navigating a new relationship on top of that would be too much. How would they make it work? They lived in different states. She had her job. Maddie was in Albany. Her folks, too.
“What are you thinking about?” Donnie asked, squeezing her fingers.
Charlie lay straddling him with her thigh, their hands entwined on his chest. It was mid-afternoon, but she had no desire to move.
“Nothing.”
“Mmmm. You never were a good liar,” he said gently. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
She kissed his chest.
“Don’t try and distract me, woman.”
She looked at his handsome face and smiled. “Are you complaining?”
“Nope, but I want to know what you’re thinking.”
She lay her cheek on his chest. His broad, hard, muscular, irresistible chest. Damn, she almost pinched herself to ensure she wasn't dreaming.
“I’m thinking how happy I am to be here with you.”
“I’m happy you’re here, too. Are you still OK with this? Us?”
The hesitancy in his voice surprised her.
“I’m more than OK. Are you?”
“Babe, you’re a dream come true. But you’re tense. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
She traced circles on his stomach with her finger. “I guess I’m just wondering what happens now?”
“Well, I think we should probably eat soon and maybe take a shower. Then we can get back in bed, so I make you come again.”
She smiled. “Sounds like a plan, but that’s not what I meant.”
“I know.” His lips touched the top of her head. “When do you have to go back to work?”
“I have another couple of days off. Then I’ll check in and see when my next assignment is.”
“So we have a couple of days at least before you might have to leave?”
Leave. Hell, the word felt like a knife in her heart.
Ask me to stay.
“Yes. After Simon, I kind of mentioned to my boss that I would be up for more assignments. I thought being away would be good for me. A distraction.”
Ask me to stay.
“That’s understandable. I’ll miss you, but we’re going to work this out, Charlie. I promise. We might not have all the answers right now, but we will figure it out.”
She propped up on her elbow to look at him. “I don’t want to interfere in your recovery.”
“Why would you think that? You being here is the best medicine I could have asked for. You make me believe that everything will be OK.”
“When I leave, what happens then? I mean, we live in different states,” she asked softly. He still hadn’t asked her to stay.
“When you’re not traveling, you work out of the New York office?”
“Originally Albany. Then when I moved in with Simon, I transferred to the New York office. I guess I’ll ask to go back to Albany, seeing as I’m living back home right now.”
Tension spread over Donnie’s face.
“Have you heard from Simon?”
“Not since he called when I got here. Why?”
“Please don't go to get your things. I don't want you anywhere near him.” The seriousness of his voice alarmed her.
“Donnie, he’s my ex. Not a serial killer. I need to get my stuff from the apartment.”
“I’ll buy you new stuff.”
“No! Don’t be ridiculous. I don't have much there, but some of it is important to me. One visit, that’s it. Then I won’t see him again.”
“I’ll have someone go and get your things.”
“That’s not necessary. I can get my own things.”
“Then at least let one of the guys go with you. I don't want you going alone.”
Charlie didn’t know whether to be angry at him for being ridiculously overprotective or touched he cared so much. She understood he protected and saved people for a living, but she wasn’t some damsel in distress.
“What’s this about, Donnie?” she asked.
“Nothing. I would just rather you not see him alone. Can you do that? For me? Or wait until I can see, and I’ll come with you.”
“Because Simon seeing you would make things soooo much better,” she said dryly.
“Please, Charlie. For me.”
Apparently, this was a big deal for him. If it meant that much, then maybe it was a small thing to agree to. It might be good to have someone with her, seeing how nasty Simon had been the last time they had spoken.
“OK. I promise I won’t go alone. Just for you.”
“Thank you. Now let's get some food. I’m starving.”
She wanted to talk more. He hadn't answered her question about how things would work when she went back to work, but he was already moving to get up. He hadn't asked her to stay either. She got up and pulled on one of Donnie’s T-shirts, trying to ignore the little ball of unease in her stomach.
Donnie took a shower while she prepared some food in his kitchen.
He didn't have much to work with, but she found pasta, a jar of sauce, and some sausages in the freezer.
That would have to do. As she waited for the sausages to defrost in the microwave, she helped herself to a small glass of wine and checked her phone.
A missed call from her boss. It was four-thirty, so seven thirty in New York. Not too late for him.
“Charlie. Thanks for calling me back.”
“Hi, Martin. No problem. I really appreciate you giving me these few days.”
Martin was a great boss. He was based in New York but had been her boss even when she worked out of Albany. They had a great relationship, probably because she was always willing to go wherever he asked. She solved a lot of problems for him.
“How is your friend?”
“Doing better. Still recovering, but I’m glad I was able to come and see for myself.” She hadn't elaborated to Martin, other than saying a friend in the service had been hurt.
“That’s good. I wanted to run something past you.”
“Sure, go ahead.” The microwave pinged and she took out the sausages and placed them in the air fryer.
“I have an ambassador in desperate need of some help. Her assistant is returning home due to a death in the family.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. When are they leaving?” Charlie found a pan and filled it with water for the pasta.
“She’s flying out on a military plane tomorrow.”
“Military? That’s unusual?”
“Safer. Charlie, I’m not going to lie to you.
This is a risky assignment. There is a chance we may have to evacuate the embassy.
Tensions in the area are high. Normally I would not send anyone there, but Ambassador Clarkson has assured me they are safe right now and talks are ongoing.
They beefed up the Marines stationed there. ”
Stirring the pasta sauce, Charlie stopped. A beefed up Marine presence likely meant they were certainly envisioning evacuation as a possibility to move people and probably national security materials quickly out of danger.
“Ambassador Clarkson? I know her. I’ve worked with her a couple of times.”
“Yes. She asked for you. Seems you made a big impression.”
“Oh, wow.” Amanda Clarkson had been one of Charlie’s biggest inspirations.
In her late forties, Clarkson had served in the Army and decided when her time was done that there was more she could do.
The woman was determined to help the people that needed it most and try and stop the unnecessary killings and slaughter that seemed to plague so many countries.
“How long is the assignment?”
“Ideally, we want to get you out there as soon as possible. It will take a couple of days to get our ducks in a row. As for how long? Not sure at this point. I suspect we will be evacuating fairly soon.”
Charlie heard the shower stop.
“Look, I know this is a big ask. Think about it and let me know tomorrow. I’ll understand if you don't want to go. Hell, I’m not sure I want you to go.”
Charlie smiled at his admission.
“If Ambassador Clarkson says it's safe then I believe her. She wouldn't willingly put people in harm's way. I’ve worked in plenty of places where tensions are high. But I will think about it and let you know tomorrow.”
“OK. Good. I’ll email you some information to go over, so you can see what you’d be going into.”
“Sounds good. Is Clarkson still in Daram?”
“Yes.”
***
DONNIE HEARD CHARLIE’S muffled voice as he toweled off. Feeling for the stool, he found the sweatpants and T-shirt she had told him she’d put there.
He dressed slowly, then leaned against the vanity, staring at the mirror he knew was there but couldn't see.
He hadn't dwelled much on his sight since Charlie had come home last night.
Losing himself in her had taken his mind off everything and he had finally relaxed.
He was happy to keep letting her be a distraction from his fears for the foreseeable future.
Though he knew she had to go back to work. To her life.
He wanted her here with him permanently, but he’d be an ass if he asked her to give up her life to move here.
Not knowing quite what his future looked like yet, it seemed even more selfish.
If he couldn't work in the field anymore, did he need to stay here in Coronado?
Yeah, he did. It was selfish, but he did not want to leave Onyx.
His team. Sam had said they would work something out, and he believed him.
Hell, even if he ended up on the intel team, behind a desk, he would still be on Onyx.
He wanted that. Needed that. But he wanted Charlie, too.