“Fuck yes, Charlie.”
Fuck yes, indeed.
With exquisite tenderness, he eased off her. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”
He went into the bathroom to dispose of the condom. When he returned, she beckoned him back into bed. He took her in his arms and pulled the comforter over them.
“Is it okay if I stay here tonight?” he asked.
“Please do.” She rested her head on his chest, sighing as he stroked her hair.
And as she drifted off, she was immensely pleased she’d had the courage to ask for what she wanted. For once, she hadn’t let her fears get the best of her.
* * *
In the morning,Charlie recoiled at the sound of her alarm.Too soon.
After spending the night in Knox’s arms, she had no desire to leave the warmth of his embrace. So, when he suggested they indulge in a morning quickie, she was all for it. And she was gratified to discover that last night’s orgasms hadn’t been a onetime thing.
By the time she’d shooed him out the door, she was running late, so she took the world’s quickest shower. With no time to stop at Alma’s for coffee, she brewed a cup and poured it into her tumbler, only to realize she was out of half-and-half.
Battling a sense of trepidation, she left her apartment and let herself into her parents’ house via the back door. Though she’d hoped to avoid running into them, they were seated at the breakfast table, drinking coffee.
Her dad looked up from his copy ofThe Globe & Mail. “Good morning, muffin. Coming to join us for breakfast? We’ve got fresh bagels.”
“Morning, Dad. Tempting offer, but I’ve got to run, or I’ll be late for work. I just came to snitch some cream.” She took it out of the fridge and added a splash to her tumbler.
“Charlie.” Her mother’s voice stopped her cold. It was a summons, not a greeting.
“Yes, Mom?”
“Your friend’s truck was parked in the drive this morning. I’m assuming he spent the night.”
Oh, Lord, here it comes.“Yep.”
“I didn’t realize you’d been dating him for that long.”
The back of Charlie’s neck prickled with heat. “Not that long, but we’ve known each other for a while now. Because of work.”
Her mother’s steely-eyed gaze bored into her. “And you think leaping into things with him is the right move?”
Just stop.She didnotwant to be having this conversation first thing in the morning. Especially not with her father present.
“Is it serious?” her mother asked.
Was it serious? They’d only spentonenight together. But it had the potential to turn into something meaningful. “It’s still pretty new, but Knox is important to me.” She braced herself, waiting for her mother to scold her for making bad choices.
Her father spoke first. “If that’s the case, it would be nice to know him better. Why don’t you invite him over for dinner next weekend?”
Charlie beamed at him, grateful he’d come to her rescue. “That’s a great idea.”
To her surprise, her mother graced both of them with the faintest of smiles. “I have an even better suggestion. How about Thanksgiving? Does he have any plans for the holiday?”
Charlie stared at her in shock. Had the world just tilted on its axis? How else to explain her mother suddenly respecting her decision to date a bartender? “He has the day off, but he’s not going home for the holidays. Do you want me to ask if he’s free?”
“Please do. We’ll be going to the yacht club for their Thanksgiving buffet. Our reservation is for October twelfth at six thirty. If Knox is available, why don’t you invite him to join us?”
“Um…sure.” Charlie couldn’t believe her parents were being so welcoming.
