His smile returns, slow and genuine. "I'd like that Shortcake."
I tilt my head, curiosity finally getting the better of me. "Why do you call me that? Where did that even come from?"
He leans forward, pressing a swift, tender kiss to my lips before pulling back just enough to rest his forehead against mine. He inhales deeply, as if breathing me in.
"Because you smell like strawberries," he murmurs.
"What? Strawberries?"
"Yes, ma'am." His eyes dance with amusement and something warmer. "The night we met, when we were dancing and you had your back and that perfect ass of yours pressed against me..." He raises an eyebrow. "I leaned down and caught this scent from your hair. I thought it was your perfume at first but now I know it's your strawberry shampoo and conditioner." He grins. "Hence the nickname—Strawberry Shortcake."
The memory washes over me. The club, the music, the heat of his body against mine on the dance floor.
"All this time, you've been nicknaming me after my drugstore shampoo?" I laugh, but there's something incredibly endearing about it. About him.
"It suits you," he says simply. "Sweet but with a little tang."
The words hang between us, and I can't help myself anymore. I lean in, capturing his lips with mine. What starts as a gentle kiss quickly deepens as he responds, one hand sliding into my hair while the other curls around my waist.
I shift closer, climbing into his lap without breaking the kiss. His skin is warm and still slightly damp from the shower, and I can feel his heart racing beneathmy palm as I place it on his chest. His hands tighten on my hips as I press myself against him.
My fingers find the edge of the towel, tugging at it experimentally, but he catches my wrist, breaking the kiss with a reluctant groan.
"No, no, no," he says, his voice husky. "Doctor said no strenuous activities."
I pull back slightly, my bottom lip jutting out in an exaggerated pout. "I'm feeling much better though."
"Charlie." His tone is warning, but his eyes are laughing.
"Fine," I sigh dramatically. "I'll behave."
He leans forward, pressing a kiss to my lips. Then another. And a third, lingering one that threatens to weaken his resolve as much as mine.
"Come on," he says, finally pulling away. "We need to get you fed, and we have cookies to decorate."
"They haven't decorated the cookies yet?"
"Of course not," Bash says, standing up. "Emily refused to do it without you. Said it's a sister tradition or something. She's been pacing around downstairs, like it’s already Christmas morning, all day asking when you'd wake up."
I smile at the thought of my sister's impatience. Even as adults, Emily takes our holiday traditions seriously—especially the competitive ones.
"I'll get dressed and let everyone know you're up and feeling better," he says, moving toward his suitcase.
He gives me another quick kiss and I scootch off of his lap as he gets up, and then—without warning—he drops his towel completely, revealing him in all his glory.
"Fuck meeeee," I groan and fall back onto the pillows, covering my eyes with my hand while simultaneously peeking through my fingers. The man is unfairly gorgeous, all lean muscle and perfect proportions.
"I wish I could," he laughs, his voice dropping an octave. "But you're under strict doctor's orders."
I let my hand fall away, not bothering to hide my appreciation now. "Doctor's orders, huh? Did the doctor specifically mention 'no sex' on the discharge papers? Because I don't recall that part."
"It was implied in the 'rest and take it easy' section." He pulls on a pair of boxer briefs, then reaches for his jeans. "Besides, you’ve been passed out for the last twelve hours."
"And now I'm wide awake." I sit back up, crossing my legs beneath me. "And extremely bored of this bed."
He shoots me a skeptical look while pulling a navy sweater over his head. "Charlie, you had a serious allergic reaction. Your throat closed up. You could've—"
"I know," I say, softening my voice. "But I'm okay now. Just a little tired, that's all." I push off the bed and stand slowly, testing my balance. My head spins slightly, but not enough to make me sit back down. "See? Vertical and everything."
