“It's beautiful,” Ben said.
“It's home.” Charlie's voice was soft. “Or it's starting to feel like it.” She turned her head as she slipped her hand into his again.
“Charlie.”
Ben turned her in his arms and looked into her hazel eyes only for a moment before he closed the distance between them.
He poured everything he'd been holding back into his kiss—relief that she was safe, gratitude that she'd invited him into her home, desire that had been building since the moment she'd smiled at him from that escalator.
Charlie made a small sound against his mouth and her hands came up to fist in his shirt. She kissed him back just as fiercely, with just as much hunger.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Ben rested his forehead against hers.
“Still want those five minutes to change clothes?” he asked, his voice a rough laugh.
Charlie's laugh was breathless. “No.”
“Good.” Ben swept her up off her feet and she wrapped her legs around his waist with a surprised gasp that turned into another laugh.
“Ben! No one’s ever picked me up before.”
“Bedroom's that way?” He nodded toward the open door.
“Yes.”
“Good.” He was already moving, Charlie in his arms. “Because I've been thinking about this for two days and I'm done waiting.”
“Me too,” Charlie whispered against his ear. “Me too.”
Ben carried her through the hall and into her bedroom. He kicked the door closed behind them, and laid her gently on the bed. He stopped thinking about anything except the woman looking up at him with those hazel eyes full of trust and want.
“Hi,” she said softly.
“Hi, Princess.” Ben smiled down at her. “I've got you.”
“I know.” Charlie pulled him down to her. “I know you do.”
SIXTEEN
No one had ever pickedCharlie up like she weighed nothing, like she was something dainty.
As Ben carried her through the doorway into her bedroom, she should have felt self-conscious—she was tall, strong, probably bigger than any other woman he'd been with. His arms flexed around her body and he looked at her like she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
Ben laid her gently on the bed, his weight settling over her, careful not to crush her even though she wanted to feel all of him. He kissed her slowly, thoroughly, like they had all the time in the world.
“Before we go any further—are you on birth control? I have condoms if we need them, but I need to know what you want.”
The question cut through the haze of desire just enough to ground her. “I’m on birth control. And I haven't been with anyone in over two years.”
“Neither have I.” Ben kissed her. “So…we're good?”
Charlie nodded. “We're good.”
She listened to his heavy groan. “Can I touch you?” His voice was rough, strained.
“Yes. God, yes.”
“Tell me what you want,” he murmured against her mouth. “Tell me what you need, Princess.”
