While I’m busy trying to figure out how we’re going to make this work, Charlie steps up to the group.
“It’s fine. Your guys can fight and figure out who gets to have the room with one bed. I’ll head back to the Village.”
She grabs her bag that’s sitting by my feet and lifts it over her shoulder. Just as she’s about to turn to leave I grab her arm gently.
“Absolutely not, Charlie. You’re not staying there. Especially now that you’re alone.”
I am fully aware of how overprotective I am coming off. I can pretend it’s because she’s Connor’s little sister but that’s not the whole truth. There is some intrinsic feeling deep within my soul that is screaming at me to take care of this woman. The thought of her leaving and staying alone in that dumpster of a residence at the Village makes me sick to my stomach.
Charlie huffs out in annoyance. “I’m a big girl, Luke. And it’s not like I’d be alone. There are a ton of athletes staying in the same place.”
I’ve turned to give my full attention to the stubborn woman that stands before me but don’t miss the way myteammates carefully slink back, trying to give us some privacy.
“I know that, Charlie. That’s half of the problem. If your living situation was anything like ours, you barely have any privacy to even use the bathroom. It’s been your dream for like fifteen years to play for the Olympic team and win a gold medal. You’ll never be at your best staying at a place like that. You know it and I know it.”
Charlie’s eyes widen and I’m not sure what I said to elicit her reaction. She bites her lower lip as if contemplating something and I forget what’s happening, too distracted by her mouth. It should be me biting that luscious bottom lip of hers.
Her voice brings me back to reality. “How do you know this has been my dream that long?”
Her question surprises me.
Do I tell her that I remember everything about her? Like how I thought it was hilarious when she’d blast One Direction in her room just to piss off Connor. Or how on her sixteenth birthday, I know how disappointed she was when she didn’t get a car like her brother did when he turned sixteen. Or maybe how I remember the green dress she was wearing her junior year of college when I laid my eyes on her and realized for the first time how beautiful of a woman she had become.
There are a million reasons why I should keep all of that to myself. The number one being her older brother would have my head if he knew I’d been pining over his sister since she was in college. But I need to make her stay somehow.
Fuck it.
“I remember a lot of things about you, Charlie. More than I care to admit.”
The statement hangs between us, neither of us daring to speak. Our eyes are locked on one another and I’m trying like hell not to stare at her chest as it heaves up and down.
Taking advantage of her silence, I take a step closer, not wanting my teammates to hear what I’m about to say.
A loose piece of hair has escaped her pony-tail and I tuck it behind her ear. She sucks in a sharp breath and it takes everything in me not to crash my lips into hers.
“Stay here, Charlie. I won’t sleep a wink if you go back to that place. I have no problem sleeping on the floor so you’ll have a bed. Please. Just stay.”
I shove my hands in my pockets, trying like hell to resist the urge to grab her wrists and fall to my knees to beg her to stay.
It’s quick. I barely register it, but I swear I see her nod.
“You’ll stay?” The hope in my voice is impossible to hide.
She gives me a small smile and nods again. “I’ll stay.” It’s just above a whisper but it speaks volumes. I asked her to stay and she agreed. Thank the lord.
I breathe a sigh of relief but it’s short-lived.
“On one condition.”
This stubborn, stubborn woman. How did I know it wasn’t going to be that simple?
“What’s the condition?”
She takes a small step toward me, closing the little distance that was left between us. Our toes are nearly touching and she places her hand on my chest before tilting her head up to look at me.
“You don’t sleep on the floor. You share the bed with me.”
I’m not sure what has gotten into me but I’m loving how brave I am right now. Did I just proposition my brother’s slightly older, sexy best friend?
