by Jennifer Ann
I sit on a white bench and people-watch, patiently waiting as Charlie finishes up his conversation. So much for our romantic weekend. I’m already beginning to stress the way it is, wondering how far I’m willing to let this go before I break the news to my family. A sadistic part of me wants to rub the fact that I broke free of their clutches in the twins’ faces.
Finally, I hear Charlie end the call as he’s heading back my way. Despite being unable to see his eyes behind designer sunglasses, I can tell they’re dragging up and down the colorful maxi dress from my shopping trip with Katie. My core warms with the idea of him stripping the dress off my body.
When his lips bend with a tiny grin, I exhale a small sigh of relief. I’m used to the type of guy who can’t let something go after it pissed him off. My brother James always takes it out on a punching bag after an argument. Maybe Charlie is simply in need of the same to let his aggression out.
“Everything okay?” I ask. I stand to set a hand on his chest and offer a small smile.
“Everything’s golden.” His mouth meets mine for a long kiss that doesn’t hold back. We’re both short of breath when he draws away. “I sent some ideas for the record to my manager this morning, and he said the label’s considering signing me back on.”
“Really?” I search his beautiful eyes, my belly filling with a confusing mixture of jealousy and pride. If he tours with this new album, how long will he be gone before I get to see him again? Knowing he’d be in a stadium filled with screaming women doesn’t settle well with me, either.
Plastering on a fake smile, I kiss his cheek. “That’s awesome, babe!”
His lips bend with a sexy smirk. “I won’t get too excited until he shows me something in writing.”
“I’m happy to see you smiling again. I was worried you were still mad about your nephews.”
“They were total pricks to you,” he answers, confirming my suspicions. His hand reclaims mine from his chest and a deep-set scowl returns. “That shit’s not okay with me.”
“I get it, but staying mad about something in the past that you can’t change is pointless. All you’re doing is ruining what little time we have left together this weekend.” Standing on my tip toes, I brush my lips over his. “And by now I can say with certainty that there’s much more to Charlie Walker than a hot body and surly complex.”
His brows shoot up and a small smirk cracks his scowl. “You think I have a hot body?”
“Don’t you dare look at me like that,” I tease, shaking my head. “I’m sure you hear it on a daily basis. If not, you aren’t spending enough time online.”
With my comment, his surly mood makes another fast appearance. “Do me a favor,” he says, flexing his jaw. “Don’t read any of that shit they post on the internet or tabloids. If you have any questions about me or something I’ve done, ask. Most of what they write is either bullshit or a twisted version of the truth. To them it’s all about sales and better ratings.”
“What about the two minors in Cabo?” I blurt. The question has left my mouth before I can thoroughly think it through. It continues to hang in the air between us like a living thing, rearing its ugly head and gnashing its teeth. “Was that bullshit or a twisted version of the truth?”
Drawing in a deep breath, Charlie’s icy blue eyes flinch. “A little of both. They were only a year younger than me, but I was eighteen so the press was all over the underage part. Danny’s the one that convinced them to come back to his room—they were both willing participants, I swear. The four of us drank tequila all night and I kissed one of them. I blacked out at some point and when I woke the next morning, I was alone in his bed with the two girls.”
I twist a strand of my loose hair around my finger, once again sickened by the thought of Charlie with two naked women. What if I’m not enough for him? What if he becomes bored and wants someone willing to invite another woman into his bed?
“Is that your thing?” I ask with unease rising in my gut. “Two girls together?”
“No. I don’t even know for sure if I had sex with either one of them. They took pictures while I was passed out.” He rubs at a spot on the back of his neck. “That was six years ago. That’s not who I am anymore.”
Wrapping one arm around my waist, he brings me closer until our noses are nearly touching. The severity passing through his gaze sparks something inside of me. “I told you before I've done things I’m not proud of. I’ll answer any questions you have, but I can’t promise you’ll look at me the same after you’ve heard everything. I need you to get past the fact that I’ve made some brutal mistakes, baby. I’m hoping you’ll focus on how I plan to treat you like you’re the only woman in the world. Because as far as I can tell, you're the only one worthy of my devotion.”
My heart soars with his declaration despite the questions milling around in my brain. How ‘brutal’ are his mistakes? Why does he suddenly seem afraid that he’ll lose me?
“I can deal with mistakes,” I admit in a quiet voice. “I’m not perfect either. I did some shit when my mom was terminal that I’ll never be able to take back.” I search his beautiful face before running my fingers over his thick lips. “I just don’t know that I could deal with one of them coming between us. What if someone comes forward and claims they’re pregnant with your baby?”
The mere idea of him having a child with someone else sends a wave of sickness crashing into my stomach. What was I thinking, sleeping with someone who probably couldn’t tell me how many other women he’s been with?
Shame flickers through Charlie’s expression, almost making me sorry for saying something. “I told you I was always careful. I can’t promise you there won't be any psychos coming out of the woodwork, making bogus claims anyway. I’ve learned that’s something that comes with being famous.”
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, though I’m not completely sure what I’m apologizing for. The idea of thousands of women who would kill to have a piece of Charlie Walker is hard enough to swallow. How would I feel if he turned out to be wrong and someone can prove he’s a father?
“I don’t ever want to hurt you,” he tells me, reaching for my hand and pulling me close. His nose brushes alongside mine. Even though it’s an innocent gesture, my skin lights on fire and I warm down below. I lean into his touch, wanting more.
“You’re the best thing that happened to me, baby,” he tells me with a sexy little smirk. “When we go back to Brooklyn, I want you to move into my place.”
All at once my chest deflates with a painful burn. Holy hell. This is all happening too fast. I’ve lived with Sharlo for less than a month and still have to tell my family that I’m dating someone famous. I shuffle back, dropping his hand. “We don’t have to be in such a hurry. Maybe it’s better if we take things one day at a time.”
His thick eyebrows draw down in another dizzying mood swing. “That’s not good enough. I need more than one day at a time.”
“This isn’t just about you!” I snap, spreading my arms out at my sides. “I have my own shit to deal with!”
Charlie glances around nervously and switches the garment bag to his other side. “Let’s get out of here before someone sees us.”
“You’re right!” I agree, laughing bitterly. “God forbid someone sees the famous rockstar getting yelled at by his new lay of the week!”
He charges at me so quickly that I don’t have time to react. Eyes hard, his fingers clamp around my wrist until he has my full attention. “Don’t you dare say anything like that again. You mean more to me than you can possibly understand.”
Releasing me, he turns in the direction of the beach house, walking at a fast clip with his head hung low and one hand shoved into his pocket. Ashamed that I stooped so low, I hurry behind, being careful not to fully catch up.
The way things are going, I’m starting to think I should’ve held off longer to have sex with him. I don’t know much about Charlie’s rockstar lifestyle, and I haven’t given it a lot of thought. How will I dea
l with women constantly pawing him and saying raunchy things? How can I be expected to sit at home while Charlie’s with hot women who paid to meet him backstage?
Things remain tense once we’re back at his house. I change into my swimming suit and grab my floppy hat, intending to soak in some rays so the afternoon isn’t a total loss. When I come out of the bedroom, Charlie’s waiting for me in the kitchen, black acoustic guitar in hand. There’s regret heavy in his expression, and he looks defeated.
“We’re taking the boat for a cruise,” he tells me.
“Super,” I answer, passing him on my way to the patio.
Neither of us says a single word as we take off for the yacht club, side-by-side without touching. I watch from a bench in the back of the boat as he readies for launch by himself. The water’s quiet, which surprises me considering it’s the weekend. People must either be on their way back to the city or they’re put off by the dark clouds looming in the sky. I think the ominous weather’s perfectly fitting for the mood I’m in.
I try not to stare when Charlie takes charge behind the yacht’s wheel, the muscles in his chest bending and flexing with every little movement. Damn him for looking so irresistible.
Once we’re several miles out in a secluded area beyond a tree-covered peninsula, Charlie releases the anchor. Then he retrieves the guitar from a cubby before settling on the bench across from me.
My heart skips happily when I realize I’m about to get my own private show. I haven’t heard him sing since we started hanging out other than one time at Leona’s when he quietly sang along to Soundgarden on the radio.
Icy blue eyes draw up to lock with mine and I realize I’m doomed. There’s no way I can stay mad at him when he’s looking at me that way. He’s so filled with love that I can feel it in my gut, embracing me like it’s a living thing. So why can’t he just say it already?
A merciless smile presses to his lips as his fingers begin to strum a beautiful, light tune in a melody I’ve never heard before. Finally his lips open, releasing a deliciously low note, reminiscent of the way he growled my name when buried inside of me.
My head’s floating in the clouds as he sings about soul mates and second chances and never wanting to let go. It’s beautiful and slow, overflowing with emotion. The song’s almost as enchanting as the man sitting in front of me, singing from his heart. Chills erupt beneath my skin, dancing up and down my spine.
By the time he’s done singing, my eyes are stinging with tears. My man is going to burn through the charts with hits like this and I’ll be nothing more than a distant memory of some chick he once slept with.
After strumming the last note, Charlie sets the guitar down between his legs, chuckling with a hint of nervousness. “I hope those aren’t tears of pain.”
Giggling, I wipe them away. “That was amazing. Once your label pulls their heads out of their asses they’re going to realize they’re working with a mega star. You’re destined for big things, Walker. That song is going to be a big hit.”
“I wrote it this morning while on my run.” Leaning in close, his lips dangle temptingly close to mine. “I wrote it for you, Freckles. I don’t plan on ever letting you go.”
Holy hell.
He steals the sharp gasp that falls from my mouth, owning it with his tongue and lips. I pounce into his arms, settling on his lap and taking my turn to devour him back. He releases a guttural moan when I grind into the healthy hard-on building in his trunks.
“I love you," I whisper, releasing his lips. I touch his forehead to mine, stuttering on a cry. “I’m just…scared. I mean the parties, fans, award shows, tours—where would I fit into all that? What place does someone like me have in your life?”
“You’re mine, baby,” he says with a growl, taking my face in his hands. “Now that I have you, I’m done with the traditional rock ’n' roll lifestyle. From now on, anywhere I go, you go. After a show I want to go back to my bus and make love to my girl. You don’t have to worry about fitting into my life. I’ll figure out a way to make my life fit around you.”
Well if that doesn’t melt a girl’s heart, I don’t know what would. But if he really wants all this, shouldn’t he be able to say out loud that he loves me? Struck with a blinding need to convince myself this is real and worth pursuing, I spring into another kiss, moving around on his lap until I can grasp his hard-on.
His hand shoots out, stilling me as he gasps for air. “Aren’t you still sore?”
“I need you,” I coo, going in to suck the salty skin on his neck. “Now. I can’t wait.” My hand breaks free of his hold, gently stroking up and down until I’m sure he won’t be able to resist.
With a frustrated growl, he yanks the straps down on my one piece. His mouth and hands go to work on my breasts, groping and nipping at them until I’m dripping wet and his for the taking. I curse myself for not buying a bikini he could easily remove as I work on his swim trunks, nudging them down his hips until I have his rigid shaft in hand.
“I want to see all of that gorgeous body,” he says. Eager hands tug the tight fabric the rest of the way down until I’m straddling him with my suit around my thighs. I swing my foot out behind me and pull it off one leg then struggle to do the same on the other side without leaving his lap. Both of us laugh when I nearly topple over, and suddenly things are right between us again.
I stand. He lifts his hips. I slide the trunks off him with ease. His hand shoots out for mine, pulling me back into his lap.
My tongue and lips take turns tasting the inked skin along his chest. The combination of the ocean air and Charlie seem to be an irresistible combination when it comes to my libido. I’m ready to shatter even before his thick fingers slip back and forth across my warmth. Moaning, I slip down onto his fingers and kiss him again, achy and restless with the feeling of something inside me. His beautiful eyes widen when I grind my hips against his digits, proving I’m ready.
“Shit,” he grumbles to himself, fisting a handful of hair behind my head. “Climb on, baby. I can’t take it anymore.”
I sink down, biting on my tongue when his girth stretches me wider than I once thought imaginable. It doesn’t hurt as much as it did the first time as there’s only a small flicker of pain. In fact, my body springs to full attention, welcoming the feel of him sliding against my tender insides.
Charlie latches onto my breasts and our bodies move together in a familiar rhythm as I rise and fall like we’ve been doing it together our whole lives. I feel him hold back in an attempt to be gentle, and bounce on him harder, loving the way his icy blue eyes darken and his wide mouth creates an O shape. It’s intoxicating, knowing I’m the sole reason for this gorgeous man’s pleasure, and I’m the one he wants to be with.
My chest swells with every varying emotion Charlie Walker stirs in me: love, pride, joy, passion, fear of the unknown. He’s become the master of my heart and now he’s mastering my body. He moans and sputters my name, signaling that he’s close. We kiss again as his fingers rub a pattern between my legs, bringing me to an unimaginable bliss.
We come together mere seconds apart, each of us shattering with our own electric vibrations. Charlie kisses a dizzying path along my arm and shoulder. “It just keeps getting better with you, Freckles,” he says against my skin.
I couldn’t agree more. If this is what it’s like to be madly in love with someone, how do couples manage to stay out of the bedroom? Worse yet, how will I stop myself from dropping everything and everyone for the chance to be with him like this every day? It seems crazy that he’d want to move in together this early on. Then again, I’ve never had feelings this strong for someone and he seems just as enchanted.
What if this is it? What if Charlie’s The One? When I picture spending the rest of my life making love to this beautiful man, I can’t stop smiling. It’s inevitable at this point. Charlie said he wants to spend his life with me.
So why does a part of me still worry there’s a reason he can’t tell me the one thing I wan
t to hear?
Chapter 20
CHARLIE
Another night of falling asleep with Evelyn in my bed leaves me both satisfied and anxious as hell. She’s the only good thing that’s happened to me since Danny’s disappearance. When I asked her to move in with me, she looked genuinely spooked, so I haven’t brought it up again. But as I see our long weekend coming to an end, I know I won’t be able to sleep without her by my side. Her feelings for me are unmistakable, mirroring my own, so I don’t know what it could be about moving in with me that has her so upset. Guess I have 24 hours to figure something out.
We spend another day hanging out both in and out of the water. Turns out Evelyn’s a strong swimmer, able to keep up stroke for stoke with ease. I’m amazed by every new thing I learn about her. The night before I found a selfie of her on Instagram from behind the wheel of a tractor, wearing a cute as hell flannel shirt and one of those sexy side braids. Without a doubt I’ll be making a trip back home with her someday soon. Maybe we could even fool around in that tractor.
She becomes spunky later in the afternoon, ready to wrestle me in the water. At one point her strong legs wrap around my waist and I drag her further into the ocean where we mess around.
Between hot kisses and fervent touches, her fingers trace the designs on my arm. “I’ve always wanted a tattoo,” she tells me. “Maybe something in memory of my mom. Before now I was too scared James would lose his shit.”
“If you decide you want to get one, I’ll take you,” I say, lacing our fingers together. “I want to be there for all your firsts.”
Her eyes fall to the word “trust” over my heart. “What’s this one about?”
I suck in a sharp breath. For a brief moment I consider telling her everything, letting it all out. It would feel good to finally get the truth off my chest. It would also ruin what little time we have left and there’s a chance I would lose her for good. I’m not willing to risk it.