by Juniper Hart
“What do you think you’re doing, dove? You trying to wake up in a coma?” he asked in a grave tone.
“Relax, will you? I just want to take the edge off this pain, not get drunk.” she said with her big brown irises beaming up to him.
Those marbles would be the death of Killian. A heavy sigh passed his lips. “Fine. But after a glass, I’m stopping you.”
He didn’t. The two of them shared a delicious meal and almost an entire bottle of wine. Their conversation made them lose track of time, as seemed to be the case every night. Only a dull pain remained of Charlotte’s headache, which made it easy to forget that she was even injured. And at some point, they had moved from the dining table to his den. Jazz music played in the background, and a roaring fire warmed the den from his enormous stone fireplace. The wine he had sworn to take from her sat on the coffee table with two empty glasses next to it.
Her laughter filled the room as he danced with her. She had admitted to him that she had never actually danced with a man, and he couldn’t let her live another moment without being her first. He was cautious not to turn or spin her too suddenly, not wanting to aggravate the headache she fended off. Killian wasn’t the best dancer, seeing as he spent most of his time alone, but he had learned a thing or two over the years. He helped her twist and swing to the rhythm of the jazz, loving how much she was enjoying it. She was a bit tipsy, but her guard was down as she let go of her inhibitions and let him lead, rather than overthinking the movements and getting embarrassed.
As he pulled her into his arms, Charlotte stumbled a bit, but he caught her with his strong arms. She peered up at him with glassy eyes, a smile on her lips. The playful air about them shifted as the song changed to a slow ballad sung by a haunting vocalist. His hands positioned themselves with one on her hip and one holding her hand at shoulder level.
Charlotte was dazed, feeling like she was in a dream. She stared up at him as he started to sway to the music. She then laid her head against his chest, leaning into his hold as they danced. She couldn’t deny how wonderful it felt to be in his arms, and he couldn’t shake the fact how perfectly she fit in them.
During that three-minute song, nothing else existed but the two of them. Their thoughts never wandered; nothing else seemed quite as important as living in that very moment. Her stressful life before him felt like a distant memory. She wanted to remain in his nature-enriched paradise with him for all eternity. Her mind wouldn’t dare ponder on her reality once she finished her project.
When the song began to fade, Charlotte looked up at him from his chest. His strong arms encircled her, and his green eyes scorched into hers. That same tension that always arose when they were close was unmistakable. Both were desperate to act on the reciprocated emotion, but they remained rooted in place as the next song started. It wasn’t until her gaze flashed to his lips that he broke from position. Before she could even look back up into his eyes, Killian’s face swooped down, and his lips met hers in a passionate kiss. Instantly, the tension began to unravel. The kiss became heated before he could even savor the taste of her sweet lips.
It surprised Killian how quickly her kiss reflected his same desires. Every move of his lips, hers molded with his with equal fervor. His arms pressed her against him, craving to feel the warmth of her body. Her hands clasped together at the base of his neck and found their way into his raven locks.
Killian parted her lips with his tongue, the cold flesh entering her mouth. The coolness of him reminded Charlotte of a peppermint. Her head was swimming as his hands on her waist glided down her bottom and then hooked around her thighs, hoisting her up to his hips. Her fingers lightly gripped his hair at the roots as he carried her from the room, making him quicken his pace.
It was a relief to finally express their yearnings, no longer confound to worries that the other one didn’t share the same feelings. They couldn’t deny their chemistry with the way he kissed her paired with the way she held to him.
Killian made his way to his bedroom, where he lowered Charlotte onto the surface of his luxurious white duvet. She had been so lost in the kiss that she hadn’t even realized they had made it up the stairs. Killian wasted no time to position himself above her, tearing his lips away from hers to kiss along her jaw. Charlotte was breathless as his lips reached her neck, leaving a trail of refreshing coolness with each kiss. His hands boldly explored her body, and every touch made her feel more alive than ever before.
Charlotte’s fingertips reached the hem of his shirt and started to pull it up. A glance down proved her suspicion that he had rock-hard abs, making him look like a sculpture made of chiseled stone.
Killian pulled away long enough to let her remove his shirt over his head. The moment his face came out of the cloth, he returned to admiring every part of her body. Charlotte was the perfect balance of humility and confidence, making her adorable and desirable. It was a fatal combination for a man like himself. Killian didn’t waste the opportunity to remove her shirt, watching as a familiar blush covered her perfect cheeks. His lusty eyes softened a bit, wondering if a man had ever truly praised her like she deserved.
Killian’s eyes traveled up her petite but curvy frame until he reached her face, lowering himself back down to hover just an inch away from hers. “You’re the most beautiful sight my eyes have ever seen. Women, sunsets, and flowers alike,” he purred to her in a voice that dripped with sweetness and admiration.
Her long lashes batted at him as she shifted away sheepishly. But Killian quickly seized her chin with his thumb and index finger, making her look in his direction. “Don’t shy away from me, dove. It isn’t like you can hide your beauty from me.”
She was everything his soul had been crying for. He could feel it. Before she could respond to his words, he pressed his lips to hers again. She returned the kiss without hesitating. His mouth stayed on hers as he slowly peeled the denim from her legs. His hands greedily roamed her legs, taking in every dip and curve as if detailed in braille. Cool lips found her neck yet again, covering the sensitive skin in soft, sensual pecks.
Charlotte’s fingernails combed through the back of his head in every direction, loving the way the soft strands felt between her fingers. His hands then snaked under her, grasping at the wire hooks of her bra. With just one pinch, he gingerly removed it from her. His head swooped down to let his mouth take hold of one of her breasts. Cold chills traveled through Charlotte’s body as his chilly tongue drew circles around her nipple, which was left erect as he moved from it, showering her chest in sweet kisses.
With a racing heart, she reached down and unfastened his belt buckle. She could hear his breathing hitch as she unzipped his pants, but then his hand was over hers. Her eyes flew to his face, Killian peering down at her with a mischievous look in his eye. Her arm was lifted above her head, his hand staying firmly around her wrist, but being careful not to hurt her in any way. Her hips suddenly bucked into his, her creamy legs hitching around his back. The mischievous look in his eye darkened at the act. When the heat of her sex faintly pressed to his boxers, a low growl escaped his throat. His lips returned to her neck, giving her some rough kisses as his free hand reached to shrug down his pants to free his member. But as he kissed her neck, his mouth hung open, Charlotte could tell by his heavy breath on the side of her neck. All his muscles tensed as he just hovered there, mere millimeters from her neck.
Then, Killian ripped away from her and launched himself from the bed. He stepped away, still shirtless with his jeans unfastened. A hand ran over his face as he paced about. Charlotte could only blink at first, not at all understanding why he had pulled back at seemingly the last moment. She propped up on the bed, watching him carefully. Was he all right? Even though Killian was only a couple of yards away from her, Charlotte could tell he was a million miles away mentally.
She opened her mouth to question him, but Killian spoke first, “I can’t hurt you, Charlotte… I just can’t.” His voice was barely louder than whisper, cracking w
hen he said her name.
Charlotte moved from the bed. Approaching him, her hands lightly laid against his chest. “What are you talking about, Killian? I know you won’t hurt me…”
“But you don’t,” he was quick to reply, unable to bring himself to look in her eyes. “There’s no way to know I won’t. And from my perspective, it’s inevitable.”
Her brow furrowed, wondering what he meant by that. Did he mean that he couldn’t commit to her? While it would sting if that were the case, Charlotte didn’t want to think that far ahead. She would be staying at his house for the next several days, and she wanted to make the most of those days with him.
“I don’t mind if this… if this thing between us doesn’t go further than when the project is over. We’re going to be together until it’s done. I want to live in the moment, and I want to make some memories that will last. Don’t worry about hurting me,” she told him, not wanting Killian to beat himself up over misplaced guilt.
Charlotte was small and anxious, but she could handle sadness. She wasn’t looking forward to parting ways with him, but it wouldn’t be the first time in her life she left someone she cared about.
Killian’s eyes were glossy by the end of her testimony. He wasn’t sure if his heart hurt from how unbelievably romantic and depressing her notion was—or how completely wrong she was. But Charlotte’s words spoke to him in a way she wouldn’t understand. They showed the true nature of her character—selfless and caring. He didn’t even have it in him to explain what he had meant when he said didn’t want to hurt her. Because he knew that for her, he would fight any demon—even his own.
Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Killian then cradled her face in both hands, “Project be damned, I’m not going anywhere whether it's completed or not. And neither are you.” His eyes scoured the depths of her brown irises. Pain still pinched at his expression, but he was doing his best to overcome it. “So, you trust me?” he asked her, dropping his hands from her face to her hips.
“I do,” Charlotte replied without hesitation.
She took his breath away for the countless time. “How did I ever manage to trap a creature so remarkable?” Killian questioned aloud playfully, trying to force himself way from the dark thoughts that had consumed him just a minute earlier.
“You left out an impressive amount of bait,” Charlotte joked, referring to the outrageous sum he had paid for her collection.
Pulling her into him, Killian smiled down at her. “For a woman like yourself… it was worth every penny.”
Charlotte smiled back before placing her arms around his neck, having to stand on her tiptoes to do so. Then, her velvety lips met his in the gentlest kiss he had ever received. However, with hormones still raging, it turned sensual in the snap of a finger. His tongue caressed hers in long strokes, his hands gripping her hips. He paced her backward toward the bed, letting her fall back onto it lightly before climbing over her yet again. This time, Charlotte immediately tugged down his pants as if to signal ‘you aren’t getting away this time.’ Killian’s fingers hooked into the sides of her panties and pulled them off her legs to prove he had no intention of trying to get away.
Killian carefully placed Charlotte’s legs back around his hips. Pulling back from their passionate kiss, he stared down at her to see if she was ready.
She read the expression clearly on his face, giving him a small nod in response. Carefully, Killian pushed the tip of his member into her slick heat. His body instantly shuddered at the feeling. He was careful as he pushed in inch by inch, wanting to give her body time to adjust to his size. Charlotte’s body tensed up at first, but by the time he was completely inside of her and gave his first few slow thrusts, breathy moans slipped past her lips.
His lips devoured hers still as he rocked his hips in a steady motion. She felt so perfect, as if she was made for him. Her soft skin and delicate touch, the feeling of her moans vibrating against his lips, the way her sex hugged his member… His hands caressed her body, fondling her breasts, gripping her thighs. As she gave into the pleasure, Charlotte’s hips began to rock in sync with his. She pulled away from his lips as she struggled to breathe, gasping for air the moment the skin of her lips parted from his. Killian smirked, craning his head down to kiss along her collarbone. His hips began to pick up speed as he tilted her pelvis to a better angle. When he thrust back into her sex, an audible moan sounded from Charlotte, her cries of pleasure no longer muffled by his mouth. He ached to hear more of them. One of his hands slipped between them, the pad of his middle finger rubbing her clit lightly. Her legs tightened around him, Charlotte trying to stifle a loud outburst of gratification.
From how much sexual frustration they had pent up over the previous days, it wasn’t long before her sex was tightening, nearing her release. She was so tight around his member, a throaty growl escaped his throat. Killian did his best to control his strength as he rapidly pounded into her. Moan after moan sounded from her, only fueling his desires more. Her hips moved on their own accord, bucking into him each time his pelvis ground into hers. Charlotte’s fingernails scratched at his shoulder blades as her body convulsed, her slender thighs quivering as she climaxed. Killian’s eyes opened to drink in her pleasure. As he began to reach his own climax, Killian clenched his jaw as hard as he could, burying his face into her shoulder. Just another thrust, and Killian found his release.
Taking only a moment to compose himself, Killian withdrew himself from Charlotte and rolled off her. Then he brought her to lay on his chest, his arms going about her as his lips topped her hair with kisses. “I don’t know how I ever got along without you,” he breathed.
Charlotte relaxed into his arms. Her eyes floated to the ceiling above her, only to be met by a breathtaking view the large windows provided. Being miles from the city, Charlotte swore she could see every star in the sky. His bed was placed perfectly on the hilltop, not a single tree obscuring the view through the top glass. Her eyes stayed fixated on the heavens above, lost in the beauty of the galaxy. Before she knew it, her eyelids were growing heavy and her breathing deepened.
Killian shook her shoulder. “What did I say? Hmm? No sleeping tonight.”
Oh right. Charlotte had forgotten all about bumping her head.
4
After a long night of talking, cuddling, and a couple rounds of sex, morning finally came. Charlotte was delirious from sleep deprivation; she hadn’t slept much at all during her time there. She had to get up before dawn to go out on her hikes, and her natural night owl tendencies kept her up until late at night.
Killian was racked with nerves over her sleeping, though. He knew that she would be fine since she hadn’t hit her head that hard, and she was past the initial ‘danger zone’ of a concussion, but what-ifs haunted his mind, so he called a doctor just to be sure. They assured him that she would be fine, but to monitor her as she slept, and that if she had any problems sleeping or with cognitive ability that day, to bring her to the hospital.
While she slept that morning and into the afternoon, Killian watched over her intently. He held her the entire time, listening to her steady heartbeat and deep breathing. Charlotte was only twenty-four, but she looked even younger when she slept. Or, perhaps, more angelic. He lost track of time as he studied her features, his mind deep in thought. Even though he had been diligent about staying awake, Killian slipped into a light slumber late in the afternoon. He wasn’t brought out of his sleep until he heard a snap. Killian’s eyes opened to find a camera lens in his face.
Even though he was smiling with humor shimmering in his jade-green eyes, Killian grabbed the camera from her. “Aye, I don’t like my picture taken,” he croaked, still trying to wake up.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Charlotte pouted.
“How do you like it?” he challenged. Killian then aimed the camera at her, snapping several pictures. He watched her through the viewfinder, a shy look on her face that she tried to cover with her hands. “No, no! No hiding from th
e camera, dove! It isn’t fair if you do!”
“Okay, okay! You’ve made your point,” Charlotte laughed, trying to bat the camera away.
Killian put it to the side. Charlotte moved to hover over him, and Killian’s hands ran up her bare back.
A devious look crept up on her face. “Why don’t we go swimming?”
“Swimming? In October? In the river? Have you gone mad?” he questioned her, looking at her as though she had sprouted a third head. “Do you want to catch a cold?”
“Afraid of a little cold water?” she teased before shrugging. “I’ve never minded the cold. I thought it would be fun after lying in bed all night and day.”
“You don’t have a suit,” Killian said, his disposition softening. Charlotte was definitely going to be the death of him. He couldn’t stand in the way of her being happy.
“I don’t really need a suit. I can go in regular clothes, or in no clothes at all.”
Killian sighed and rubbed her back as he acted as though he was contemplating. His eyes lifted to the glass over their heads, noting that the sky was overcast. He didn’t see why they couldn’t. “I suppose we could go for a quick swim.”
The two made their way through the forest with packs of towels, dry clothes, and snacks. They held hands as Killian led the way, and soon enough, they were coming into view of a wide, deep river. As they neared the water, Charlotte’s eyes moved up the river, taking in the gorgeous sight. But when her eyes reached a bend in the river, she blinked. Why did it look so familiar? Was… was it possible she was near the place she had been lost a month ago?
“You going to swim, Char?” Killian asked, squeezing her hand.
Pulled from her thoughts, her intrigue dissipated the moment her eyes found him, having already taken off his shirt. “Of course,” she nodded, taking off her jacket. Thankfully, it was an unseasonable warm day for Washington in October. Killian stripped down to his swim trunks, and Charlotte down to her panties and bra. Then, holding one another’s hand tightly, they stepped into the water. It was bone-chillingly cold; Charlotte’s toes started to go numb within the first minute.