With the most gentle touch, he brushed a few strands from her forehead and tucked them behind her ear. Something as sweet and innocent as that left her knees struggling to keep her upright.
“You need to be sure, Charlie. A lot has happened today, and I don’t want you waking up in the morning with another regret.”
Charlie leaned into his touch, her cheek resting against his strong palm. “I’m sure, Derek. I’m more sure about this than anything in my entire life.”
Reaching up, she pressed her hand against his chest. His heart pounded against her skin, its fast, steady rhythm matching her own.
“I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember,” she told him honestly. “For years, I’ve closed my eyes and pretended you were the one touching me.”
Derek’s eyes filled with remorse. “Charlie, I—”
She shook her head, not allowing him to finish. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes, Derek. The biggest one was walking away from you. You’re worried about regrets...the thing I’d most regret would be if I didn’t take this chance right now. With you.”
Charlie moved in closer, her breasts pressing against his hot, smooth skin. Derek inhaled sharply from the contact, his cock jumping against her lower belly.
“Please, Derek.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I need you. Show me what this is supposed to feel like.”
A torn look filled his eyes, making Charlie’s stomach drop. After everything they’d shared and conquered, was he really going to turn her down?
“Charlie, there’s somethin’ I need to tell you before this goes any further.”
“Okay.” Her heart beat like a kick drum slamming against her ribs.
Derek swallowed, looking more nervous than she’d ever seen him. He filled his lungs and blew out a breath.
“To say I haven’t been a saint these past eleven years would be a major understatement.”
“O-okay,” she stuttered, unsure of where this was leading.
Looking resigned, Derek’s strong shoulders fell a little as he admitted, “Honey, I’ve been with a lot of women. A. Lot.”
Understanding hit. “Oh.”
Though he really didn’t owe her an explanation, he rushed to explain.
“It’s not somethin’ I’m proud of. I was always respectful and honest with them from the get-go, and I always, without fail, used protection. We get tested every six months for the job, and I’ve always come back clean.”
“It’s okay,” Charlie started to say, but he kept going.
“It was always casual. Honestly, I’ve never had any sort of serious relationship with any woman, and I think...” He paused, licking his lips nervously. “I think I never settled down because somewhere deep down inside me I knew. I knew you and I would find our way back to one another. Now”—he shook his head— “I know that doesn’t excuse my behavior with all those other women, but...”
“Derek, stop.” Charlie put a finger to his lips. “You don’t owe me anything. I ran off and married another man, for crying out loud.”
He kissed her fingertip before gently removing her hand from his mouth. “I get that, but—”
“No. No buts.” She gave him a look that meant business. “The past is the past. Neither of us can change what we’ve done or who we were before now. All we can do is focus on who weare. Who we want to be...together. But, if you’ve changed your mind and you don’t want this, then—”
Derek slammed his lips against hers, his kiss telling her this was exactly what he wanted. He ravished her mouth, and when he was finished, he rested his forehead against hers and whispered, “I’ve wanted you since before I left for BUD/s.”
Her smile felt bittersweet. “I wish I’d known back then.”
“You know, now, darlin’.” Derek brushed his knuckles against her flushed cheek
“Yeah.” Charlie leaned into his touch. “I do.”
With thoughts of time already lost, Charlie became bolder in her movements. Sliding one of her hands between their bodies, she wrapped her fingers around his cloth-covered shaft and squeezed.
“Take me to bed, Derek.”
