“Sleep tight, darlin’.”
With one last, barely-there smile, Charlie gave him a nod and went inside. Derek stayed on the deck for another hour, trying to think of the best way to help her through the whole, fucked-up situation.
A couple of ideas came to mind, but for now, he needed to remain focused on doing what was best for her.
She was still untrusting, which he got. It wasn’t personal. Just another side-effect from being abused for so long.
For now, he’d do everything in his power to make her see she could still have the life she wanted. That she was protected and safe.
And, when the time was right, that she was loved.
****
Chapter 8
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“What about this one?”
Charlie glanced at the bikini Derek was holding up. “Uh, definitely not.”
“I like it.”
She scoffed. “You would.”
“And just what is that supposed to mean?” He hung the suit back on the rack with the others.
“My shoestrings would cover more than that thing.”
Derek flashed his teeth in a devilish grin. “Exactly.”
She swatted him on the arm and moved to another rack.
“I still can’t believe you don’t own a swimsuit. Didn’t your place in New York have a pool?”
Charlie bit her bottom lip as she considered how to answer.He already knows what an asshole Caleb is. Just be honest.” “I wasn’t allowed to wear one in public.”
