by Mia London
Her eyebrows shot up. “I’ve done well!” She huffed and shook her head. “You’re the one who’s done well. You should be proud with all you’ve accomplished.”
He shrugged a shoulder and took in another bite.
“Seriously, Blake. I always knew you would succeed in anything you wanted to do.”
He held her gaze for a moment and saw the sincerity.
“Thank you,” he managed to get out.
She sounded proud of him, and perhaps it had been a long time that he felt that from someone, aside from his parents. Her words struck him to his core.
They chatted a bit more and finished dinner. He rose and took their dishes to the sink.
“Crap,” he heard and spun around.
“What is it?” He came to her side when her face scrunched up, looking pained.
Her hand covered the bandage. “Oh, I wasn’t thinking. My arm scraped against the back of the chair. I’ll be alright.”
“Why don’t you go to bed? It will give your body time to heal.”
She nodded. “I think I will.”
He hung up the hand towel, picked up his car keys, and made his way to the front door.
“Thanks for everything, Blake.”
Standing next to her, and breathing in her scent, tensed his muscles. He commanded his body to behave when all he wanted to do was scoop her up and lay her on her bed before stripping her down naked.
“You’re welcome,” he murmured. As he leaned forward, her dark eyes widened. He placed a kiss on her forehead. “Get some rest. Lock up behind me.” He swung the door open and pulled it closed.
He gathered she thought he would kiss her, on the lips. The look in her eyes told him she wouldn’t have minded. He would have minded. He warred with himself, but deep inside he knew—if he’d kissed her on the mouth, he would have regretted it. Again.
He ran his hand through his hair as he strode to his car. He wanted to kiss her again so badly it felt paralyzing. He could distinctly remember the feeling of her lips against his. The way she opened up to him. Time after time. Their connection was something you find once in a lifetime, if you’re lucky.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. Well, something must have been missing if she needed to seek out her ex, he thought.
Chapter Nine
Charlie flipped through the channels on her TV. Nothing looked interesting. She had too much energy bottled up. A restlessness surrounded her that made it hard to relax.
She knew the culprit: Blake. The dynamic between them since he’d been back in town was capricious and perplexing, and yet held an undeniable sexual undertone.
Two nights ago, after their rock climbing, he almost kissed her. She could feel it. So why didn’t he?
Her mind whirled. She needed to get out of her house for a breather. Yeah, a drive. That’s a great idea.
Charlie grabbed her handbag and car keys and hit the road. The road she chose winded along a mountainside. She lowered her window and let the night air fill the space. She inhaled the freshness. Pine and spruce. She would never tire of the smell of nature or its incredible views.
She realized she’d arrived at one of the first places she and Blake had climbed while at Colorado State. Everything she knew about climbing came from him. They had spent an amazing day together—laughing, talking, and before the day was over, they were one with nature.
A flush crept up her neck to her cheeks. And her female parts came alive with the mere memory of what Blake had done to her, for her.
She looped onto a road that would take her to a lower elevation and closer to town. She opted to take the scenic route, so to speak. Knowing where Rosie Strickland lived, she decided to drive by on her way home.
She pulled the car along the curb in front of Rosie’s house and killed the engine to admire the place for a few minutes in the moonlight. Rosie’s grandsons were doing a fine job on the place from what she could see.
Blake. What was she going to do about him? What could she do? Her head lulled back against the headrest for several seconds. She’d love a chance to talk to him, get him to open up to her.
She glanced up one last time before turning on the ignition. A figure appeared at the window and pulled the drapes together. A few seconds later, the room light went out. That had to be Blake. The movements were too fast, the silhouette too large, to be Mrs. Strickland.
Blake was turning in for the night. That would be her cue to head home. And she had a mound of work awaiting her in the morning. So why couldn’t she turn the key?
Actually, wait a minute. This is a perfect time to talk to him. There would be no distractions, no excuses, no interruptions.
She either needed to go knock on the door and find out what was going in that head of his, or drive away before someone accused her of being a stalker.
She was crazy, she knew it. But with keys in hand, she slid out of the car and gently closed the door. She walked with purpose to the front door.
Wait. She could wake Mrs. Strickland.
A faint light from inside peeked through the front windows’ drapes. She decided to walk to the back of the house in the off-chance that Blake was still awake. Maybe in the kitchen. Getting a snack. Or a glass of water.
She knew it was pathetic the way she looked for excuses. She should leave and call him, or risk making a fool of herself.
The little light over the sink shined, but it looked like no one was awake. She opened the storm door, peered in through the window at the back door, and rapped lightly.
The door moved!
Holy cow! The door was unlocked.
Charlie’s mouth fell open, and her heart jumped a beat. How can that be?
She squeezed her lips between her teeth. What should she do? They probably didn’t intend to have it unlocked. And now it was open!
She pushed against the door, crossed the threshold, and called out in a low tone, “Hello.”
She stood and waited. The only sound she could hear was the thumping of her heart and the blood roaring in her ears. This could be breaking and entering, right?
Geez!
Someone would want to know about the back door, for sure.
She slowly crossed the house to the staircase, calling out one more time. Everyone must be upstairs.
Her heart raced. Excitement and fear coursed through her veins at the same time. She ascended the stairs, and could quickly locate the door to the front bedroom that had its light on moments ago.
Last chance—push it open or turn and walk away.
Blake lay in his bed enjoying the quiet of the night. Fort Collins and Chicago were as opposite as could be. Part of him missed the hustle and bustle of the city, his work, his routine. However, being back in Colorado made him realize how much he missed this place, too. Missed his grandma, his cousins, his fraternity brothers, and yes, even Charlie. Even though he didn’t want to.
Thoughts of her overtook his thoughts about work. Now that’s a first.
Suddenly he heard a slight squeak of his bedroom door as it pushed open. His head lifted. Grandma?
“Blake?” he heard a soft whisper.
That was not his grandmother.
He sat up and reached for his bedside lamp to click it on.
The soft light illuminated Charlie standing inside his bedroom. She wore blue jeans, a simple knit shirt, her hair was down—she never looked more beautiful.
“Charlie? Are you alright? What are you doing here?”
“Yes. I’m alright. You’re back door was unlocked.”
His eyebrows knit together. “Unlocked?”
“Yes.”
“What are you doing here?” He rose. He wore only his boxer-briefs, but didn’t care what she saw him wearing. There had to be an explanation why Charlie was in the house at this hour.
“Um. I don’t know. To talk to you, I guess.”
He stepped closer and tried to examine her more closely in the low light.
“Talk about what?”
She smoothed her lips. Her gorgeous full lips. “I’m not sure.” She pursed her lips. “I should go.”
She spun around, and he caught her hand before she could take another step. Her hand was warm and soft, as he’d always remembered it.
“Talk to me, Charlie. What’s wrong?”
She looked up at him like she was searching for something.
“You’re confusing me,” she finally spoke.
“I’m confusing you?” His eyes rounded.
“Yes. One minute you can’t stand to be in my presence, and the next . . .”
He stroked his thumb over her delicate hand. “And the next, what?”
“You’re . . .” She inhaled. “I wonder if you’re still attracted to me.”
Oh, sweet Jesus. He felt his cock stir. How could he not be attracted to her? She was everything he physically wanted in a woman. He may have been hurt by her once upon a time, but his body would always crave her. Always.
He was at a crossroads. To hell with his better sense. He exhaled.
“Try me.”
She licked her lips. Her gaze rested on his chest, and then scanned down his body. She was thinking of her next move. God help him. If she didn’t do something soon, he would attack her and have his way with her, and not regret a moment of it.
She removed her hand from his. Then her hands clasped the hem of her shirt and yanked it over her head.
“Fuck,” he murmured. She wore a simple white bra trimmed with lace. Her skin looked smooth and practically glowed in the light.
She dropped her shirt and brought her hands to rest on his chest.
His cock grew harder. He cupped his hands around her soft face.
“Yes,” he breathed over her lips before crashing down over them.
Her soft lips and warm mouth were arousing, like a homecoming. He dove deeper into her mouth and tangled with her tongue. She mewled.
Her hands stroked his chest. “Your chest is beautiful,” she breathed.
“So is yours,” with that he reached behind her and unclipped her bra, letting it fall.
Her breasts pressed against his chest, skin to skin. “Fuck, Charlie.”
There was no turning back, no slowing down.
He wrapped his arms around her body and, without breaking their kiss, brought her to the bed and laid her almost entirely on it. His mouth traveled down her face, her neck, to her chest. She arched her back to him. He laved and toyed with her gorgeously erect nipples. He devoured her breasts. How long had it been since he had tasted them?
Her fingers wove through his hair. He caressed and kissed her breasts for several more beats while his cock ached for attention.
He stood and went to work releasing her jeans. He grabbed the waistband, and as she lifted her hips, he pulled them off and over her ankles, bringing her shoes along.
She lay on his bed in nothing more than plain white panties. Perfect. She was fucking perfect.
He leaned over her mouth to claim her. He needed to claim all of her.
He held onto her delicate neck with one hand while his other hand roamed south. He slipped a finger under the elastic band of her panties and made room to direct his fingers to her cleft. He found her warm and wet.
“Ah,” she breathed when he skimmed through her slickness.
“You are so wet.” He drove a finger inside her and stroked slowly.
She flexed, and the blanket bunched beneath her hands.
He circled her clit burgeoning from her delicate folds.
“Blake,” she whimpered.
“Charlie, the minute these panties come off you, I’m going to fuck you. I won’t be gentle. I crave your body too much. I will be a madman. Do you understand?”
He continued his ministrations. He wanted to see her come. Had to see her come.
She feverously nodded.
He thrust two fingers inside her. With his other hand, he yanked her panties off, damn near ripping them. Then he spread her beautiful legs.
He had to taste her. This may be his only chance.
He trailed his tongue down her sexy body, dipping into her navel before landing on her delicious pussy.
She trimmed her hair shorter than he’d remembered from college, and he loved it. His fingers continued a slow stroking of her core. Her breathing accelerated. He knew her climax was close.
His tongue grazed over her clit. She bowed off the bed. He glanced up and saw her hardened nipples looking delicious, but he would not leave his spot. He wouldn’t stop until she came all over him.
She moaned. “Ah. Oh God, Blake.”
He loved hearing her call his name when they made love.
He circled her hot clit and added more pressure. Suddenly, she cried out and slammed her hand over her mouth as she whimpered. He wanted to laugh.
Before she fully came down, he rose and removed his fingers. He wiped the excess cum from his face and pulled off his briefs. He lifted both her legs and placed them on his shoulders. With little more preparation, he held his aching cock in his hand, aligned with her delectable pussy, and drove home.
She whimpered and moaned. She was holding back, and he knew it. “Let me hear you, Charlie.”
She shook her head against the mattress.
“My grandma can’t hear a thing. Plus she’s out like a light.”
He pumped harder, and his breathing ratcheted higher. He groaned at the sensations of warm, wet Charlie enveloping him. Shit, how long had it been?
Fuck! He stopped. Her eyes flew open. “Charlie, I’m bareback. Please tell me you’re on the pill.”
Her doe eyes beckoned him. “I am. Please don’t stop, Blake. I’ve missed this.”
So had he. Absolutely no doubt about it.
His hips moved, and he leaned forward to cover her mouth with his. Her hands roamed his face, down his body and landed on his bare ass. Her nails dug in, and he didn’t care.
He wanted her to come again, but he didn’t know how much longer he could hold out. He changed his angle slightly, and she broke the kiss to cry out.
“Blake,” she panted. “Blake.”
Oh yeah. That did it.
“Charlie, I fucking love your body.”
He pounded several more times, and the floodgates opened for both of them. She called out, and he grunted with the best damn orgasm of his life.
He gazed upon her sated glowing, rosy face before he pulled out to fall on the bed beside her.
His breathing brought in a fresh wave of oxygen to his brain. What the hell was that, he thought. That was so right, and yet so wrong. Tension rolled over his body. The realization of what happened began to sink in. He could not get tangled up with Charlie again.
Been there, done that, and he had the scars to prove it.
“That was amazing, Blake,” she whispered.
And how could he have used the word love? Granted not in a relationship context, but still.
“Yeah. Unexpected, but I know how you like to jump back into bed with your exes.”
The words flew out of his mouth before he could pull them back. She tensed, and the air around them changed in an instant.
Her eyes blinked as she sat upright and stared down at him. “Please tell me I didn’t hear that right.”
He willed his heartrate to slow. “It’s alright. I’m always up for a good roll in the hay.”
Her mouth gaped, and sadness crossed her face telling him he went too far.
She stood and grabbed her t-shirt, yanking it over her head. She reached for her jeans and pulled them on just as quickly.
“Hey,” he said as he sat up. “You don’t have to go.”
Her eyes narrowed at him with a glare that would make Attila the Hun cower. “Oh, yes I do.”
She crammed her feet in her shoes and grabbed her underthings as she raced for the door.
Shit, she’s fast. I better let her go, he thought. He may or may not have meant the words, but getting back into any type of relationship with Charlie was not a good ide
a. Not if he treasured his sanity. And his pride.
Charlie fled Mrs. Strickland’s house so fast, she only prayed she headed in the right direction. She fished her car keys out of her pocket and started the car. Her mouth hung open, trying to take in a much-needed breath. She pushed some hair out of her face, and maintained control as she carefully pulled onto the road. She managed to get half a mile down the road before a loud sob escaped. She covered her mouth to stifle her crying.
What an asshole!
It served her right. She let some irrational side of her brain dictate her actions tonight. Blake would never forgive her for her perceived cheating. He may have been attracted to her, but it didn’t matter. Tears streamed down her cheeks unceasingly.
How had she let herself walk into that?
Love, that’s how. Face it, Charlie, you’ve never stopped loving him.
That’s what the night was all about—seeing if he still loved her. If there was a chance of resurrecting what they once had.
Another sob slipped passed her lips. She had her answer.
Oh, but how sexy he looked. How good he’d felt under her hands, over her body. How could she have misread those kisses? Kisses that tasted of desperation. A desperation she’d never felt with Blake until that night.
Since their breakup eight years ago, she’d dreamed about his kisses, could replay any one of them at any time from their dating history. Never, ever, had it been like that.
She wiped her nose with her hand.
Damn him! Damn him!
He just broke her heart all over again. Will the love she had for him ever die? Ever!
Chapter Ten
Blake swung his legs over the side of the bed and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. The crappiest sleep of all-time had passed. He needed to face what he let happen. A smart man would have seen his ex at the door and sent her away. Maybe said something like, Sweetheart, our time has come and gone. If I’ve misled you in any way, I apologize, but nothing is going happen between us.
Yes, that’s what a smart man would have done.
Blake let his dick do the thinking for him last night. And the hurtful words he’d said to Charlie— Well, no wonder he slept like shit. It was called guilt.