18. Charlie
18
N oah crushes my lips with an intensity I’ve never felt. A powerful and intentional force that makes my heart race as he presses me against the side of the house. Each move is strong, confident, hypnotic. Every stroke of his thumbs against my jaw, throat, then down to my hips is like an overwhelming surge of emotion that leaves us both breathless.
And wanting more.
Suddenly, it’s three years ago and I’m living my fantasy.
His embrace is warm. No. It’s hot. Because Noah Reeves is on fire. Ignited with the passion I’d longed for him to feel for me.
I whimper under his demanding mouth, melting under his solid hold.
He pulls back with a sharp breath. “You think you’d like it rough?”
I swallow to find my voice. “If that’s any indication, then yes.”
Grabbing my arm, he pulls me inside the house and into his bedroom, slamming the door behind us.
His gaze is even, his face is blank. Hell, it’s like he’s not even breathing, while my chest is heaving uncontrollably.
“Are you scared?”
“No,” I answer quickly.
“Why not?” he advances but I make no move.
“Because it’s you.”
His features soften for a fraction of a second before hardening again. “But it won’t be with me, Charlie.”
“I’m aware of that,” I grit.
He scans me once before pinning me with his eyes. “Is this thing really happening? For once I can’t tell if you’re full of shit and it’s pissing me off.”
The fucking nerve.
“It’s happening .”
He inhales through his nose and twists like he’s conflicted, then rushes to my tote bag and digs around for three seconds. I’m astounded at how fast he finds what he’s looking for when it takes me two minutes to find keys with seventeen keychains on it.
Oh good. It’s my non-lipstick.
“This stupid thing isn’t going to cut it.”
I perk a brow. “I certainly hope not. Kind of banking on it being bigger.”
He closes the distance and backs me up against the wall. “Stop it.”
“If you’re trying to scare me. Try harder.”
He yanks my skirt down and I gasp. “Do you know what foreplay is, Charlie?”
“Sure.”
He scoffs and runs his fingers down my side. “I meant with a man.”
“No.” I throw my head back. “Show me.”
His breath is hot on my neck. “Is that what you want? For me to show you just how unprepared you’re going to be?”
“Yes,” I breathe.
He rips apart the buttons of my shirt and spreads it open. His face dips to my chest, teeth grazing the outline of my covered breast as he moves down my body. He reaches my bare hip and places a soft kiss to my flesh.
It’s almost deceiving how gentle his lips are when his hands grip me to the point where I can’t move.
“God, you smell incredible.” His eyes lift to mine and I gasp with a jolt when his thumb presses my clit through my soaked lace panties. He grins. “I bet you taste good too.”
Okay, he’s right, I’m not ready .
Because good god, I’m going to explode just from his breath on me, his touch. I may just crumble to the floor if he puts his mouth on me.
I throw my head back against the wall.
He stands and cups my face. “You okay?”
I bob my head. “Mmm-hmm.”
“You’re wet.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Can you blame me?”
His eyes laser in on mine. “I never blamed you for anything.”
I frown. “Wha—”
He crushes my lips again and I moan against his mouth when his hand squeezes my ass. He breaks the kiss and curses, then pulls my toy out of his pocket and holds it up, cocking his head as he silently asks me a question.
I shake my head and he tosses the thing aside.
“Good choice.”
He tugs down my panties and grazes me softly with two fingers. “Fuck, you’re wet. What did it for you, baby? Is it just my touch? My kiss? Or my dirty mouth?”
I’ve been immobile for ten minutes and yet I’m panting like I’d run a marathon. “Do you…always…talk so much?”
“’Fraid so. Is that a problem? Are you not ready for that kind of thing?”
“No. Talk away. I’m all ears.” I gasp when he plunges two fingers inside me, letting my face fall onto his warm chest.
He smooths the top of my head. “Don’t worry. I’m not all talk.” He pulls my hair back gently, making me look at him. “Open your eyes and keep them on me.”
I level my gaze with his intense blue eyes.
He pulls his fingers out and pushes them back in slowly, toying with me before finding my clit and drawing torturous circles. I fight to stay quiet and I’m not sure why.
“You’re going to come hard and you’re going to scream my name when you do.”
I nod.
“Good God, you’re sexy when you’re not fighting with me.”
I moan as he cups my breast.
“Do you like fighting with me, Charlie?” he pinches my nipple through the fabric.
“Always.” I start to quiver, feeling the pleasure course through me. I start to close my eyes but he presses me hard against the wall and I open them.
“Come,” he orders against my cheek.
With that command, I come apart, screaming his name, trembling and tightening as he continues to pull and rub my clit. “Noah,” I call again, my mouth opening wide as what feels like another one surges through me.
He holds me in his arms as I come down from my high. My head is pressed against his chest, my hands on his strong shoulders. I feel safe. Secure. And I tell myself how delusional I am because that’s the opposite of what Noah wants me to feel with him.
He strokes the back of my head as my breathing returns to normal and I lift my eyes to meet his, still somewhat of a daze. "If you’re trying to convince me to not have sex, there’s something very wrong with your argument.”
His lips turn up and he cups my jaw, eyes dropping to my mouth but kissing my forehead instead. “Sleep well.”
I wake up Tuesday morning the same way I fell asleep. Wet and hungry for more Noah.
And confused. So freaking confused. Good heavens that is what’s been underneath the iciest man in town? I pull the covers over my face and muffle a groan—and stretch. Because yeah, I fucking had a good night’s sleep.
You would think after he left my room, I’d be a guilt-ridden mess. Pounding my head against the wall for letting him believe I have a hot date with Landon Humphrey.
But nope—I slept like a baby.
I’m officially a dirty liar.
There’s no other way to describe me.
Except maybe ‘crazy’.
But I couldn’t stop myself. Noah’s touch, his embrace, his filthy mouth had me in a freaking trance.
How the hell am I supposed to explain that Landon and I are never going to happen without admitting that I—let him believe it because I liked seeing him jealous?
My gut twists.
Nice, Charlie. Real classy .
I get up, wash my face, and apply a light moisturizer and mascara before stepping out in a maroon sundress. I’m already picking up a strong coffee aroma through the short hallway before entering the kitchen.
Noah is in a light blue shirt and slacks. He’s wearing his glasses, which means he’s in work mode.
He glances at me from the coffee machine. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I say, my voice wavering as I step in with caution.
Okay, we can pretend last night didn’t happen. I’m okay with that. I can work with that. Hell, maybe he’ll forget this whole Landon thing and we’ll—
I gasp as he lifts me by the waist and sits me on the kitchen island.
He closes the small space between us and waits a beat before pressing his lips to mine for a quick kiss. “I have a confession,” he starts, removing his glasses.
Oh good, that makes two of us .
“I didn’t wash my hands after leaving your room last night.”
I can’t help the grin spreading across my face. “It’s your room and that’s gross.”
His nose roams my face and neck. “How else was I supposed to smell you all night?”
I swallow. “You could have slept with me.”
His eyes lift to mine.
“I mean in the same bed,” I clarify quickly. “Not like—”
“Is that what you wanted?”
“I want you to sleep in your own bed. There’s no reason for you to sleep on the couch. You’re making me really uncomfortable taking your bedroom.”
“We wouldn’t want that.” He slides back on his glasses. “Alright. We’ll share the bed.”
“Great.”
“We might as well since we’re just getting started.”
“Getting started?”
“If this is really happening between you and Landon, then I’m…” he drops his gaze and swallows. “Going to make sure you’re prepared. If that’s alright with you.”
I narrow my eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not letting him hurt you,” he says flatly. “This thing with Landon might be a one-time thing, but I don’t know if you know what to expect. How it will feel. I don’t know that he’ll take care of you the way—"
“Noah,” my voice cracks.
“Let me be your first,” he whispers painfully.
I swallow. My eyes welling with unshed tears because it sounds like he’s setting an end date for us before we even start.
“We already know there’s no strings attached. That we’re just friends. You trust me. You feel safe with me. You know I would never hurt you.”
I nod. “I know.” They’re the only words I can say. The only words that are true out of everything happening right now.
“You don’t have to give me an answer right now.”
“Will you kiss me?”
He steps close and pulls off his glasses again. It's almost dramatic and I laugh, pressing a hand to his Clark Kent chest. “I don’t mean right now. I mean, will you be kissing me? Or just…teaching me?”
He lifts my chin, meeting my lips with his. “I’ll always be kissing you. I only have so much self-control.”
Then I don’t need to think. “When do we start?”
He searches my eyes, probably just as lost as I am in his at the moment. Then turns and hands me my coffee. “Tonight. You’re getting naked.”
I open my mouth but he cuts me off. “And bring a towel.”
“A towel?”
“Yeah,” he gives me a quick peck before picking up his to-go coffee mug and slipping his glasses back on. “We’re going skinny dipping in the lake.”