by Harper Sloan
The four of us catch up. Lucy tells us funny stories about her second graders, while Kale and Knox talk about their training exercises. Watching Knox talk about work, I realize just how much he really loves his job. His eyes light up when he talks about which wires to snip, and a shiver runs down my spine, thinking about him being that close to an explosive.
A little while later, Jace and Lexi surprise us, joining us at our table. The guys scoot another one over before heading to grab another round. Lexi’s beaming and can barely sit still in her seat.
“Lexi, what the hell are you so happy about?” I finally have to ask, not being able to stand not knowing what her excitement’s about.
Leaning forwards, she gestures for us to come closer. “I’m not supposed to say anything, but dammit, I can’t wait!” She’s practically squealing with delight, and I’m dying to know what’s going on. Before she can say anything, the guys come back to the table. Jace takes one look at her and shakes his head.
“Alexa, we agreed to wait,” he says, faking a scowl.
“I didn’t say anything! I promise,” she protests, fluttering her eyelids up at him. Lucy and I look at each other, grinning, because I think we both know what’s about to happen.
Once everyone takes their seats, Jace grabs Lexi’s hand, bringing it in for a kiss, and that’s when I see it. There’s a gorgeous ring on her left hand, and she holds it out for us all to see. It’s different than a traditional engagement ring and I love the way the bright red ruby sparkles when the light hits it.
“We’re getting married!” she exclaims.
I have a feeling everyone in the bar heard her. Kale and Knox both get up and give Jace some kind of man hug while Lucy and I gush over the ring. Eventually we all settle back in around the table as Lexi tells us how Jace proposed at the Reds stadium, and it’s one of the most romantic things I’ve ever heard.
When she finishes the story, Lucy and I are practically swooning over Jace, and Lexi surprises me with what she says next. “And the wedding’s next month, so you all better be there.”
I watch as Knox’s eyebrows rise. “Next month? How in the hell are you going to plan a wedding in a month?”
Jace shrugs as he takes a sip of his beer. “We decided we’ve waited long enough for this. It’s just going to be something small and simple on the beach. Like Alexa said, we’d like you there.” Knox nods.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he says. He looks at Lexi contemplatively, and I wonder what he’s thinking.
I’m about to lean over and ask when Kale challenges him and Jace to a game of pool, something neither of them can turn down.
“So, Charlie, how are things with Knox?” Lexi asks.
“Umm, they’re good,” I say, pausing when she gives me a look like she wants to know more. “Okay, they’re better than good. Things are great. I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt this comfortable in a relationship.”
Lucy chimes in, apparently deciding that I’m not saying enough. “Before you got here, she was just telling me about how she’s in love with him,” she informs Lexi, grinning at me.
Lexi’s eyes widen and she looks at me. “Really? You’re already at the love stage?” she asks.
Shaking my head at Lucy, I mentally curse her, because I need to still sort through my feelings myself before making declarations to everyone else. “It’s too fast, right? I mean, it’s only been five months since I moved in, and only three of those have we been dating. I don’t know. After Drew, I didn’t think I’d find anyone for a long time, but I guess since we already lived together, things moved a lot faster than normal. But I’m not telling him. There’s no way that he’s ready to hear it, and I’m not going to freak him out,” I say, and I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince them or myself.
“He could surprise you,” Lexi says, causing me to raise my eyebrows at her. She holds a hand up before I can protest. “Hear me out, Charlie. When I lost Ty, I kind of went through a really dark time, and I almost lost myself in the process. I honestly never thought I would move on. I really didn’t. And if it weren’t for Jace, I don’t know that I would have. It took me a long time to admit it to myself. And to him. I was almost too late.”
She stops and reaches her hand across the table to place it on top of mine. “I guess what I’m saying is don’t wait too long. It’s scary—trust me, I get it more than most—but the way Knox looks at you? It’s not just a guy looking at the girl in his bed. He’s looking at the girl in his heart, too,” she says, looking past me and nodding in his direction.
Turning around, I spot him standing off to the side of the pool table, waiting patiently as Kale takes a shot. His forearms are taut, and I can see the bulge of his biceps as he holds the pool stick tightly with both of his hands. His eyes meet mine, and I watch as a slow, sexy smile spreads over his face when he catches me looking at him. Shooting me a wink that sends a thrill down my spine, he bends over the table and lines up to take a shot. His face turns serious as he concentrates on making the perfect shot.
Part of me knows that Lexi’s right. I think I’ve gotten into Knox’s heart the same way he’s in mine, but I’m too scared to voice it. The moment I say the words out loud, I’ll never be able to take them back. Even if he does feel the same, I’m not sure he’s ready, and I’m okay with that. I can be patient. I’m not in any hurry to settle down, and he’s worth waiting for.
When I turn back to the girls, they’re both watching me. “What?” I ask, even though I know what they’re thinking.
“He was totally looking at you like he wished you were on the pool table and he was ramming you with his stick instead of the cue ball,” Lucy says. “Like you were the only person in the room. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t even realize Lexi and I are sitting here.”
Shaking my head, I just laugh. “Whatever you say. It was a smile and a wink. Definitely not a love declaration,” I tell her. I want to believe them, to believe that he feels the same way I do. But until I know for sure, I’m keeping mine bottled up. I know Knox has opened up since we started dating, but I’m not going to push him too far or too fast. Until then, I can be satisfied knowing that we’re together. That’s all that matters. For now.
Switching topics, we start discussing wedding plans, and I find myself wondering if that’s a future that Knox wants, if he wants a wife, a family. It’s not something we’ve ever talked about, and it’s something I’d like to know so I can prepare myself for the future. I’m just terrified I’m not going to like his answer, and I’m not quite ready to have to face the possibility that we both want two very different things.
“YOU’LL BE there, right?” Jace asks as we watch Kale rack the balls then break them.
I wasn’t shocked when Lexi announced their engagement, as Jace had already told me about his plans, but their getting married so quickly did come as a surprise. He looks happier than I’ve ever seen him, and now that I have Charlie, I’m beginning to understand why he was so messed up over her all those years they were apart.
“I wouldn’t miss it, man,” I tell him. “Congratulations, by the way. I have no idea how you kept that a secret until she got here.”
Grinning at me, he goes to take a shot. “She made me promise. She wanted to be here when I told you guys, but trust me, it wasn’t easy.”
I can’t help stealing looks at Charlie, but her back is to me. “Dude, we can stop playing if you want,” Kale says, poking me in the stomach with his stick. “It’s been your turn for about a minute now, but you’re too busy staring at the back of Charlie’s head.”
“Yeah, I was going to ask about that,” Jace says, chiming in. “How are things going there? Getting serious?”
Before I can answer, Kale starts laughing. “I’d say so, especially after Knox’s little stunt at the gym today. I figured he’d be getting the silent treatment for at least a week.”
Jace’s eyebrows shoot up, and he starts laughing when Kale retells the story. I just shake my head, knowing I so
und like a total asshole from Kale’s perspective—and he’s right. I’m surprised Charlie forgave me so easily, but then again, she’s never been one to play games or hold a grudge.
Kale finishes, and Jace shakes his head at me. “Dude, you must have it bad. I’ve never seen you lose your cool over a chick.”
Shrugging, I take my time adding chalk to the tip of my cue stick. “Charlie’s different. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before, and for the first time, I’m actually thinking about a future I never thought I wanted.”
Jace looks at me, surprised since he’s been privy to all my ‘fuck women’ rants. “No shit?”
“No shit,” is all I say as a huge grin spreads over his face.
Slapping me on the shoulder, he drops his smile and gets all serious faced. “Seriously though, I’m so thrilled for you that I’ll even pass up the whole ‘I told you so.’ You deserve to be happy, Knox.”
“Jesus, all this wedding shit must be seeping into your brain. You sound like a couple of pussies over here having a bro moment,” Kale says.
Jace and I grin at each other, and Kale starts backing away, shaking his head. “You know, a few months ago, I think I said something pretty damn similar, Montgomery.”
“And I told him he’d eat his words,” Jace tells him. “I was right. And the same thing will happen to you. Eventually your man-whoring around will get old, and you’ll find a girl who will make you want to settle down. You know what they say? These things come in threes. You’re next, man.”
“Nope, not happening. I have no interest in settling down. At least not any time soon. Growing up with a single mom and two older sisters, I have no desire to get into a relationship when I’m gone all the time. Maybe once things calm down, but for now, I’m happy being a bachelor.”
Jace and I look at each other. “Do you want to say it, or you want me to?” he asks.
“You had your chance with me, so it’s my turn,” I tell him before looking at Kale, whose eyes are darting back and forth between us. “Famous last words, Montgomery. Famous fucking last words.”
LATER ON, when we’re leaving the bar, Charlie makes Lexi promise to keep her posted on wedding details, even though that’s all they’ve talked about tonight. Chicks. They go crazy about this kind of stuff, but I have to admit that it’s nice the way Charlie fits right in with my friends, especially Jace’s girl.
Most of the ride home, Charlie’s chatting it up about the wedding. “Isn’t it just so romantic the way that they can’t wait to get married? I can’t imagine being engaged for only a month. She’s going to be stressed to the max. Drew and I had been engaged for four months and I was already freaking out.”
The thought of another man’s ring on her finger makes my blood boil, and I’m pretty sure she catches the way I grip the steering wheel tightly at the mention of him. Like I told Jace, I’m not ready for any crazy love declarations and I’m nowhere near ready to propose, but I still don’t like the idea of her ever being with someone else. Stupid? Maybe. But that’s how much she’s come to mean to me.
Parking the car, I notice Charlie grin at me when we both get out. “Thank goodness for slutty janitors, right?”
When she rounds the car, I pin her up against it and my dick stirs to life, remembering the way I took her on the hood when we got home from the gym. Gripping her hips, I brush up against her, letting her feel the bulge in my jeans. Her arms come up and slide around my neck, and I can tell she wants a kiss. Leaning down, I bypass her lips and bring mine to her ear.
“Thank fuck for idiots who like slutty janitors,” I whisper before biting down on her earlobe and trailing kisses along her jaw before planting a firm one on her lips.
A soft laugh escapes her lips, and she slides out of my embrace. Grabbing my hand, she pulls me towards the house. “Come on, Rugged. Let’s take this inside. I think Evelyn’s seen enough action today.”
I follow her closely, and we barely make it inside before she pushes me up against the wall, undoing my jeans. Take Charge Charlie is fucking hot, and I don’t mind letting her have her way with me.
As she slides to her knees, she pulls my boxers down, releasing me. Looking up at me, she smiles that fucking smile, and I groan the moment she takes me in her mouth. I can’t help the way my hands find their way to the top of her head, and she sucks harder, greedily, while her hand simultaneously strokes me, gripping me tight like a vice.
It’s not long before I’m close to coming, and when I try to pull out so I can be inside her, she shakes her head, bringing her hands to my ass, not allowing me to move. Letting a woman take control is something I’ve always struggled with, but knowing that Charlie wants to do this one solo turns me on, and I decide to give her what she wants. I’m not going to protest as she continues to work my cock over expertly, devouring me like she can’t get enough. I begin pumping harder until I feel my balls tighten, and she grips me even harder as I come.
Leaning back against the wall, I look down and watch as she swallows and then sucks, draining every single drop out of my cock. Her eyes are closed and she looks so damn sexy, milking me for all I’m worth. Opening her eyes, she slowly pulls away, grinning and licking her lips like she just had the most delicious meal. Damn, I could seriously get used to this. I’ve always had a massive sexual appetite, but with Charlie, every encounter has become intimate, more than a quick fuck, and I’m finding myself feeling things I haven’t felt in a long time.
“Thank fuck for idiots and slutty janitors,” she says, pulling my boxers back up, covering me as I pull her to her feet to kiss that smart mouth I love.
Yeah, I’m definitely getting used to this.
WE’RE IN the bathroom getting ready for bed when Charlie brings up the wedding again.
“Are you going to be able to get off work on such short notice?” she asks out of nowhere.
“Shouldn’t be a problem, especially if it’s just a weekend thing. What about you? I figure we can drive down either Thursday after work or leave early Friday morning. Jace said they’re keeping it low-key, just a get-together at his parents’ place that night. Then the wedding’s not until sunset on Saturday.”
She pauses, giving me a funny look before responding. I can’t make out what she’s saying because her mouth’s full of toothpaste, so I wait, watching her finish and then rinse her mouth. “I’m coming?”
Wrinkling my forehead, I look at her, confused as to why she’d think she wasn’t. “Umm, yeah. Why wouldn’t you?”
She shrugs. “I mean, I kind of figured I’d be your date, but I didn’t want to assume. I know Lexi and I’ve become friends over the last couple of months. I just wasn’t sure how small they meant. If it was just close friends and family.’
This girl, I swear. I feel like a high school boy asking his girl to the prom. Picking her up, I set her on the counter and lean in so we’re eye to eye. “Charlotte Rose Davenport, will you do me the honor of being my date to the McAllister-Sullivan wedding?”
She laughs as she plants a kiss on my lips. “I’d love to, Knox. Especially if that means I get to see you all decked out in a fancy suit.”
Branson’s words flash in my brain, but I’m quick to push them away. She doesn’t mean anything by it. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. “Actually, babe, we’ll probably be in our dress greens.”
“Even better. I love seeing you in uniform,” she informs me before she pulls away and leaves the bathroom, still chattering about the wedding. I’m smiling at her comment, wishing Branson could’ve heard it and mentally kicking myself for ever letting his words bother me.
As I finish up, I can hear her changing and then settling into the bed. I’m about to join her when she speaks up again.
“What about you, Knox? Do you think you ever see something like that in your future?”
Not expecting that question, I freeze, not sure what to say. Even though I told Jace how I was feeling, I’m not ready for this. It’s too soon for this talk—way too soon.
It’s true that I see her in my future, but I still don’t know what’s in the cards for me, if I can go down the same path as Jace. Marriage, kids, the white picket fence. I’m racking my brain, trying to figure out how to respond.
Shaking myself out of it, I leave the bathroom, and she watches as I strip down to my boxers. I get in the bed and lean over to turn off the lamp on the nightstand. Settling in beside her, I pull her close to me, hoping she can’t feel my racing heart as I try to figure out how to answer her question without saying too much. The truth is, I know I see her in my future, but I’m not sure I’m ready to say it all out loud, even though I find myself wishing I could muster up the courage to say the words.
CRAP. ME and my stupid mouth. I have no idea why I just asked him that, but the words slipped out before I could stop myself. I knew it was the wrong question the moment I saw him freeze in the bathroom and then take a couple of deep breaths before coming back into the bedroom. He doesn’t say anything as he settles in behind me, and I’m beginning to think that he’s pretending he didn’t hear me.
When he wraps his arm around my waist, I decide I can’t stand the silence. “I didn’t mean with me or anything, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just mean in general, you know? It’s just, we’ve never talked about it, and all this wedding talk has gone to my brain, and I’m just curious, I guess.” I know I’m rambling at this point, but I can’t help it.
He presses a kiss on the top of my head. “It’s fine, Charlie. You know this is all new to me. Five months ago when you landed on my doorstep, I’d have laughed if someone had told me that you’d end up here, in my bed, as my girl. I’m still trying to figure out all this boyfriend stuff, as is evident from the gym this afternoon.”
Smiling at the memory of jealous Knox and his admissions afterwards, I nod. “I think you’re doing a pretty good job of it, today’s mishap not included. But I think you learned from it.”
“I did, but I can’t promise that I won’t do it again. It’s just that I’m still getting used to all this while trying to get back into fighting shape. There’s a lot on my plate, and I haven’t let myself think that far ahead. Hell, I’m still trying to process everything that happened today.” He lets out a sigh before continuing. “All I know is I want you with me, all the fucking time, and the thought of you not being in my life isn’t one I like. As far as the future goes, I can’t make any promises, but I can say I want you in it. I like what we have here, sweetheart, and I don’t want it to change.”