He nodded. She felt her confidence flare. The day might not have gone the way she'd planned. The evening was almost a dismal failure but the night was going to be exactly what she'd dreamed.
This time when she stepped away from him, she kept his hand in hers and started for her room. The kids were on the other side of the house and upstairs. Her brother and sister-in-law were out for the night and she couldn't find one more obstacle to finally getting to know Chris's body.
As soon as they were through the door, she shut it and spun around to face him. Kisses weren’t nearly enough. The feel of Will so close didn’t lessen her urgency for him. She slipped his sweatshirt off and then let him ditch the grey t-shirt underneath. His skin was warm, the muscles underneath solid. His hands were making their own travels over her body. It was driving her crazy. She needed to focus and fully enjoy having Chris finally within her grasp. With one hand she pushed him down on to her bed and dropped down to her knees.
He reached for her but she snuck out of his grip. She slid her hands into his waist band and moved the shorts down his muscular legs.
Her eyes fastened on the black boxer briefs exposed perfectly to her as he lounged against the comforter. It took extreme will power to pull her focus back to his face. Chris was there, right in front of her. Somehow the reality was so much more than she ever dreamt. He was beautiful and for the first time, she could show him exactly how she felt about him.
How did she end up in her bedroom, this gorgeous man sprawled out in front of her, ready for anything she wanted? It was everything and none of what she'd planned for in the last few weeks. She looked down at her clothes. It wasn't the black dress that finally hooked him. She had no idea what was but she was going to wring every bit of enjoyment out of tonight and leave the angst and analysis for another day.
“Charlie,” his voice was husky, his breaths heavy with need.
She let her hair fall free of the ponytail and pulled her jeans off. Chris’s response filled her with a power she hadn’t expected. He wanted her and it only made her desire burn hotter. His eyes were serious as they roamed over her, stopping once on her breasts and then again at the black lace she still wore.
Suddenly he was on her. He lifted her and kissed her again while his hands trailed over her. “Your body is amazing.” He slipped his hands into her panties and pushed them down. Once they were off, he rolled her over until her back hit the bed and she looked up into his face. Her legs wrapped around his waist, intent on pulling him as close to her as possible. She moaned when he lined them up perfectly.
“Slow down. We have all night.” He nipped her chin and growled when she rolled her hips.
“Exactly, all night. Why wait when we can do this again?”
He sucked in a breath. “Condoms. Please tell me that was part of your plan.”
“A girl can't be too prepared.” She leaned over and dragged her work bag to the bed. There were a few in her makeup bag. An optimistic move from the morning.
He followed her moves and smiled. “That’s the bag you bring to the office.”
She nodded as she handed him the little foil packet.
“So not the bag you took on your date?” He rolled back on top of her but she placed her hands on his chest to push him off. He didn't budge.
“Do you really think I'd sleep with someone on the first date? Especially when I’m crazy about you.”
“Nope, I just didn't realize what a sex kitten I have working for me. Condoms in the work place? That's pretty risqué.” He dipped down to kiss her shoulder.
She tilted her chin as he kissed his way to her mouth. “I wanted to be prepared, just in case you suddenly decided you were head over heels in love and couldn't keep your hands off me.”
She gasped when his fingers trailed over her, hitting each one of her sensitive spots. He came back to her mouth and kissed her deeply.
“There was nothing sudden about it, Charlie. We might have a problem though. I don't know if I'll ever be able to keep from touching you again.”
“I don't think I want you to ever stop.”
A wicked grin stretched across his face. “Good.”
****
The feel of her body kept him up for an hour after she'd already fallen asleep. He wanted to memorize the little sounds she made in her sleep, the way she burrowed into him.
Eventually, he settled enough to fall asleep but only a few short hours later a soft knock on the door woke him. He rolled over, reluctantly giving up his hold on Charlie to get out of bed. He'd thrown on his shorts last night when they'd checked on the kids and the door was only partially closed. He saw Will through the open door.
Chris made sure Charlie was still asleep and then slipped through the door. “Hey.”
“I don't want to know. Just tell me whose car is parked in my driveway.”
“Oh, long story. Charlie had to drive herself home in Rob's car last night.”
Will quirked his head. “Something wrong?”
“Like I said, long story. He was too sick to drive her home.” He leaned against the wall. “What are you already doing home?”
“Sue was getting antsy to check on the kids.”
The door opened and Charlie stumbled out, only half-awake. She walked directly into his side and laid her head on his chest. “Everything okay?”
Will looked from him to her and back again. “Looks like it. I'll just...check on the kids again.” He walked away without another word.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him back into her room. She shut the door behind her. “I guess that went okay.”
“Your brother will get used to us. Everyone will.” He let her push him back onto the bed and smiled when she straddled him.
“Maybe not everyone. I'm not sure how Dr. High Heels is going to take the news that you are off the market.”
A small glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes kept him from fully enjoying the feel of her body against his. He had to set her straight. “Charlie, I've never had any interest in Celeste.”
“But you were talking about merging and she brought you lunch and ruined the surprise I had for you.” Her bottom lip stuck out and he wanted nothing more than to suck it into his mouth.
But first, he wouldn't let Charlie think there was any moment he wasn’t completely heart-sickeningly devoted to her. “It was strictly business, Charlie, I swear.”
Her eyes widened, “Really?”
He surged up, demonstrating how very serious he was. “Absolutely.”
Now that that was settled, he intended to enjoy another taste of Charlie.
Her hair hung down around her face as she leaned down to kiss him. She stopped an inch above him “Are you really going to merge the practice with hers?”
Whatever conversation they didn't have last night was not going to wait. He rolled them over until she was on the bottom. Charlie was his and it was time he made that very clear to her.
“Let's get this out there.” He propped up on his elbow and pushed some of her hair from her face. “I love you, Charlie.”
Her eyes softened and she opened her mouth to speak but he laid a finger on her lips.
“I've loved you forever. I've never been interested in Celeste and I wouldn't even have listened to her offer on merging our practices if it wasn't for you.” Her lips moved against his finger but he didn't move it. “I want you to be happy. I know you haven't been yourself the last few weeks and I wanted to give you an out if you needed it.” A sharp pain had him snatching his finger back. She had actually bit him.
“I am happy. I love my job and I don't want an out. I was just worried that you were never going to see me as anything but your best friend’s sister.”
“Now that you know how I feel about you, you can stop worrying.” He bent to kiss her but she turned her head at the last minute. He was starting to think Charlie really was trying to drive him crazy. He took a hold of her hands and put them behind her head.
“Chris,” the tone of her voice
stopped him from taking advantage of his position. “I love you, too.”
Warmth radiated through him. Charlie was his and he was never letting go. “Good.”
No more talking necessary. They'd said everything that needed to be said.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isabelle Flynn grew up in a small town on the coast of New England. Returning to the shore after several years of trailing her husband around the world, she’s finally back where she belongs…within view of Cape Cod Bay and only a short walk to the beach. When not writing happily-ever-afters, Isabelle is living her own with a real life superhero and their three children. You can learn more about her at www.isabelleflynn.com.
Table of Contents
Copyright
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlie's Last Stand Page 6