“Dimple,” Nicholas said from the kitchen table. Standing, he held out his arms to her, a bright smile on his face. “Come here gorgeous,” he beamed, laughter in his voice.
Charlotte stuck out her bottom lip as she made her way over to him. There he stood, the most beautiful man she had ever, would ever, lay eyes on . . . in all his loveliness. Weeks of not looking into his greys made them all the more vibrant, they were captivating; he was captivating. Charlotte’s dark gaze traveled down his strong physique. Somebody’s been hitting the gym, she mused as she went to stand in front of him.
“Hello,” she said, ducking her head, seemingly embarrassed by her physical appearance. “I wish you would have told me that you were coming.”
“And miss the opportunity of seeing you like this? Never,” Nicholas laughed, pulling her into his arms. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” he said into her messy hair. Kissing her ear and then her cheek, Nicholas took a step away from her. “Are you not happy to see me?” he frowned, feigning offence.
“Of course she’s happy to see you,” Babet answered for her daughter. “Charli, tell Nicholas that you’re happy to see him. You’re hurting the poor boy’s feelings.”
Charlotte smirked at Nicholas then. “Am I hurting your feelings Nicholas? Is it that easy?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
Nicholas shrugged, amused by her banter. “It’s possible.”
“Charli, sit down and have something to eat,” Babet said. Resting her weight on her crutches, the older woman bent down to pick up a paper plate from the countertop. “I made you a plate.”
“Not this second mom. I’m going to take a shower first.”
“And brush your teeth,” Nicholas frowned. “Your breath is kinda’ harsh.”
“Thanks for that,” Charlotte breathed in his face.
“Jesus, have mercy,” Nicholas laughed. “Make sure you use mouthwash, too.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes at his playful banter. “My breath doesn’t smell that bad,” she huffed, feigning annoyance. She couldn’t believe that he was there, that he was standing just inches away from her. Staring up at him, Charlotte ignored the fluttering in her stomach. “Are you going to keep me company while I get ready?” she asked him.
“Actually, I made plans with Adeline. We’re headed out to Arundel Mills mall,” Nicholas said, apologetically.
Charlotte’s expression hardened. “What?” she demanded through pinched lips, not bothering to hide her irritation.
“I asked her to accompany me to the mall. We’ll only be gone for a few hours.”
“You didn’t think to ask me?”
Nicholas frowned. “I thought it would be nice to spend some time with my soon to be sister-in-law . . . I didn’t think you would have a problem with it.”
“We haven’t seen each other in weeks, yet, instead of spending time with me, your fiancé, you would rather go to the mall with my little sister. No, of course I don’t have a problem with it. I’m not bothered in the least,” she said, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Nicholas regarded her carefully, his bright silver eyes dancing with amusement. “Are you jealous, Dimple?” he smirked, with no attempt to hide the laughter in his voice. “Three hours. No more than that.”
“I haven’t seen you in nearly three weeks . . . what’s three more hours?” she asked before turning to walk out of the kitchen. Charlotte was at a loss. How could he be so unperceptive and insensitive at the same time? She wondered. With long strides, Charlotte made her way up the wide wooden staircase, skipping several steps along the way. Infuriation clawed its way into the pit up her stomach, and like a vile cancer spread through her body swiftly, without care, without delay.
“Charli!” Adeline greeted her with a bright smile when she reached the landing. “I borrowed your lip gloss, the one on your desk. I−”
“I don’t care, Adeline,” Charlotte said, walking past the younger girl without so much as a fleeting look in her direction.
“Charli?” Adeline frowned, confusion heavy in her voice. “Are you okay?”
Disregarding her sister’s question, Charlotte slammed her bedroom door, setting her lock for further insult. Deep down, Charlotte knew that she was behaving immaturely, but in the moment, it didn’t matter. The idea that Nicholas, her Nicholas would rather spend time with anybody else other than her made her livid, even if that person was sweet Adeline.
“Charli,” Adeline called from outside her door. “I should have asked before I used your make-up . . . I’ll ask dad for some money, and I’ll buy you another lip gloss.”
Closing her eyes to Adeline’s innocence, Charlotte roughly combed her fingers through her tangled hair. Sorry, Adeline, she thought. I suck.
“Adeline,” Charlotte heard Nicholas call from the foyer. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m coming,” Adeline answered, and then she was gone.
Sighing, Charlotte sat on the edge of her bed. “How could he go damn near three weeks without seeing me, barely talking to me, but then leave me here to go hang out with my kid sister . . . and just expect me to be okay with it?” she asked the silence. Flinging her thin body onto the mattress, she stared unblinkingly at the bare white ceiling until her eyes began to water.
“Charlotte, come down and eat your breakfast,” Babet yelled from the kitchen. “You’re being silly.”
Ignoring her mother’s call, Charlotte pulled a pillow over her face, and turning to her side, straddled the rectangular cotton mound as if it were a person. Whether it be actual exhaustion, or the sudden sting that Nicholas had delivered to her pride, she didn’t know, but without warning weariness overcame her small frame, and lethargy set in. Closing her eyes, Charlotte licked her lips, hating the taste of tears. It was a wasted act, crying, still, like most things in her life it was something she never really had control over.
***
Nicholas stood at the foot of Charlotte’s bed, his silver gaze fixed on the rise and fall of her chest. Her full, sun- kissed breasts moved subtly under the thin floral divan that lay across her thin body. Quietly, Nicholas walked around the bed, each step cautious, careful. It was almost noon, and if the day’s events were going to go as planned, they would have to be leaving soon. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to wake Charlotte from her slumber, her expression was light, peaceful, and that was reason enough to let her sleep. Sitting on the side of the bed, Nicholas leaned the weight of his heavy frame on his forearm, making small movements as he inched closer to Charlotte. “It’s time to wake up beautiful,” he whispered against her cheek, his lips grazing her soft, golden skin as he spoke. Drawing back slightly, he studied her facial features, her button nose, and blushed thin lips, thick midnight lashes over almond shaped eyes . . . natural beauty. Retaking his position once more, Nicholas leaned into Charlotte, resting his forehead against hers. “Dimple,” he breathed against her. “Let’s go out for lunch.” Charlotte stirred then, one second, two, and then her eyes fluttered open, bright and blinking wildly at the sudden disturbance. Nicholas smiled at the feel of her long lashes against his cheekbones, the sensation causing a slow ache to rise in the pit of his stomach. “Let’s go eat,” he said, kissing the tip of her nose. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”
Charlotte stretched against him, like a lazy cat not quite ready to be awaken from its nap. “How did you get in here?”
“Adeline used a bobby pin,” he laughed.
Oh. “Did you have fun with Adeline?” Charlotte asked, her anger quickly returning.
Nicholas laughed at her. “I did. I always do, Adeline is a great kid,” he said, entertained by her jealous nature. Lowering his mouth to hers, Nicholas murmured, “Stop being so mean . . . I can take your anger with a grain of salt, but Adeline was upset all morning.”
“My feelings were hurt,” she explained.
“I understand that, but that’s not a justification for the way you treated your sister. Come on Dimple, she’s seventeen. Let’s look past y
our jealousy issues for a moment, do you think I’d fool around with a seventeen- year- old? What does that say about me?”
Charlotte cringed. “Oh God, that thought never crossed my mind. I wasn’t insecure about you spending time with Adie, I was upset that you didn’t want to spend time with me. The thought of you wanting to mess around with Adie was never a thought.”
“I want to spend time with you . . . I love spending time with you. It’s just that this morning I had to take care of somethings, and I asked Adeline to accompany me, that’s all.”
“So, you have missed me?” she pouted, feeling foolish.
“Hell yeah, I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you more than you’ll ever know . . . it was boarding on unhealthy . . . the amount of time I spent thinking about you . . . daydreaming about kissing you . . . touching you, and don’t get me started with my night time rituals.”
“Night time rituals?” Charlotte smiled. “Tell me about them.”
Nicholas shook his head. “No, it’s embarrassing.”
“Tell me. Come on, tell me, please,” Charlotte begged, her mood suddenly light, airy.
“You won’t judge me?”
“No, of course not.”
“Every few nights I spray your perfume on the bed sheets, and the pillowcases so that I’m surrounded by your scent . . .”
“That’s not bad. I− “
“I’m not done . . . I do the same to your teddy bear, and I sleep with him, too.”
“You sleep with Mr. John- Bear?” Charlotte giggled. “Seriously? You hate when I bring him into bed with us.”
“That’s because I’d rather you cuddle with me that an old teddy bear, but I must admit . . . with you gone these past few weeks, your bed felt too big, and I started to feel lonely, and there was Mr. John- Bear sitting uselessly on your armoire . . . so I gave him purpose again.”
Charlotte raised an amused brow, “You’ve been sleeping with my teddy?”
“Every night for about two weeks now,” Nicholas answered, straight-faced.
Charlotte burst out laughing, unable to keep the sound from pouring out of her. “I’m sorry,” she giggled, when he narrowed his greys at her. “I’m sorry, I said I wouldn’t judge you.”
“You’re a liar,” he smirked, unable to keep his playful nature at bay for long.
“And you’re adorable,” Charlotte said, brushing her lips against his. “And I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Nicholas smiled. “Now get up, so that we can head out. I have plans for us today.”
“What kind of plans?”
“I’d rather show you, than tell you.”
Charlotte’s cheeks flushed at his words. “I think I like the sound of that.”
Chapter Twenty
The Elkridge Furnace Inn was a stunning upscale restaurant, opened within the ageless walls of one of Maryland’s longest standing colonial mansions. The foundation of the architecture had gone untouched, leaving the ceilings high, and the two vast chimneys overpowering, even in the large room, the thick flues were noticeable. Gold Finch covered the wide walls, aiding in the sun’s illumination as brilliant rays of orange danced along the tables where the vibrant light shined through, vivid hues of amber and rose ricocheted from ceiling to floor and back again.
Charlotte shifted in her seat, the hard soles of her Converses squeaking against the overly polished wooden floor. “I feel a bit underdressed,” she whispered to Nicholas, as her gaze moved around the establishment. “Everyone looks so well put together . . . we look out of sync with the entire . . . I don’t know, atmosphere?”
“Atmosphere?” Nicholas frowned. “Maybe you’re thinking ambiance?”
“Ambiance . . . uh- I don’t know if that word works either,” she smiled at him. “Why didn’t you tell me that we were coming to such a fancy place? If I had known−”
“If you would excuse my intrusion,” interrupted a tall brown woman with long curly hair. “My name is Georgina, and I will be your waitress this afternoon. May I start you both off with something to drink?”
“Water please,” Charlotte smiled up at the other woman.
“One water,” the waitress nodded at Charlotte. “And for you, sir?”
“An old fashioned, please.”
“Sure thing,” she winked at Nicholas, and then sauntered off.
Charlotte raised an amused brow, “Did you see that?” she asked.
“See what?”
“Don’t pretend not to have noticed. Our waitress was flirting with you,” Charlotte smirked, her thin, pink stained lips pursing into a faint smile. “You had to have seen her wink at you?”
“How could I have noticed something so small, when I’ve been fixated on you since we’ve sat down?”
“Oh my gosh,” Charlotte laughed, a bright blush settling into her cream cheeks. “You’re so full of it.”
“What?” Nicholas asked, his laugh mirroring hers. “I can’t be honest?”
“That’s the thing, you’re not being honest.”
“Here we go!” Georgina exclaimed, enthusiastically. “A water and an old fashioned.”
“Thank you,” Nicholas said, offering the waitress a kind smile.
“Are you folks ready to order?”
Looking to Charlotte, Nicholas extended his hand to the menu. “Do you need more time, Dimple?”
“Just a few more minutes, sorry,” she answered, opening the menu for the first time.
“Not a problem,” Georgina replied, and then she was off again.
“What do you have a taste for?” Nicholas asked. Reaching his arm across the table, he took her left hand in his. “Do you see anything that looks appetizing?”
“I see something, but it’s not on the menu,” she answered, her tone teasing.
Nicholas’ boyish smile caused a spark to travel through her body, an electric sensation spread through her, whisking past every nerve ending until she felt like she was on fire. Squeezing her thighs together, Charlotte bit down on her bottom lip, hoping that the slight pain would filter her thoughts.
“Oh?” Nicholas asked, inching closer to her. “And what would that be?”
Exhaling slowly, Charlotte closed her eyes and then opened them once more. Shaking her head, she grinned at Nicholas, her dark browns meeting his silver ones across the small round table. “You,” she mouthed. “I’m quite curious as to what you taste like . . . .”
Nicholas parted his lips to speak, but no words came out, taken aback by her forwardness.
Turning her hand over in his, Charlotte traced her thumb along his palm; her touch was teasing, tantalizing. “Do you think that’s a possibility . . . you, being deep inside me by the end of the night?” she asked, her voice low, seductive.
“Have you made up your mind?” Georgina inquired as she walked up to their table, pen and pad in hand, ready to take their order. Neither Charlotte, nor Nicholas acknowledged her presence as anything more than a thought. Both entranced by the other, their gazes locked in a conversation spoken in silence. “Do you need another minute to look at the menu?”
“Please,” Nicholas said after a while, his eyes never leaving Charlotte’s. “Thank you.”
“Sure thing,” the waitress returned, and then gingerly walked away.
“So?” Charlotte spoke, once they were alone again. “Is that a possibility?”
“If I asked you to marry me tonight . . . what would you say to that?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Tonight?” she gasped, shocked.
“Yes, tonight. Would you marry me tonight, if I asked you to?”
“Hypothetically speaking−”
“No hypotheticals.”
“It would be impossible. We don’t have a marriage license.”
“We could go to Florida.”
“There’s a waiting period in Florida, just like in Maryland.”
“What if I told you that we could sign for the marriage license today, and not have to comply to a waiting period.”
/>
Frowning, Charlotte asked, “How exactly?”
“A family friend owes me a favor or two,” Nicholas shrugged. “But that’s irrelevant. Stop with the questions, Dimple, and answer mine. Would you marry me tonight, if I asked you to?”
After a long moment of silence, Charlotte finally spoke. “Yes,” she grinned, her eyes alight with mischief. “Of course, I would marry you . . . tonight, tomorrow, next week . . . it’s all the same to me as long as I get to call myself your wife.”
Nicholas’ expression brightened, his youthful smile softening his facial features once more. “You had me worried,” he laughed.
“Payback for trying to change the conversation. I ask if there’s a possibility of you taking me to bed, and you try to beguile me with thoughts of a hypothetical wedding.”
“I told you, it’s not hypothetical. Why do you think I brought you here? We could have grabbed something to eat in Baltimore . . . but this is the closest restaurant to the airport.”
Charlotte stared at him stupidly. “I’m confused.”
“I purchased plane tickets this morning,” he explained. Looking down at his watch, he said, “We leave in a little less than two hours.”
“We leave for Florida?”
“Yes.”
“To get married?” Charlotte gasped.
“Yes.”
“Tonight?”
Nicholas’ laughter was low, provocative. “That’s the plan.”
“I thought you wanted to get married in Brazil?”
“Things change,” he shrugged.
“I don’t have a dress . . . clothes, or a suitcase . . . hair products . . . or−“
“Adeline picked out a dress for you this morning. It’s simple, elegant,” he shrugged. “And while you were in the shower I packed a few things for you. Your suitcase is in my trunk.”
Adeline! The mall . . . OH GOD, I’m such a jerk, she groaned inwardly.
“Dimple,” Nicholas breathed her name, interrupting her thoughts. “I don’t want to wake up another morning, not being your husband. Will you exchange vows with me, tonight?”
“Yes,” she answered, this time without hesitation.
A Winter's Vow (A Winter's Tale Series Book 3) Page 10