“I’m glad you can find a use for me. Come on, let’s get you up to your tower so you watch the storm like some weirdo while I quietly fear for my life.”
Charlie grabbed our drinks and followed me up the spiral staircase. I wasn’t sure I would ever get tired of this view; nothing in the way, looking out across the water, the sky filling our eye line. But tonight all the stars were hidden by the storm clouds and the power was still out.
“You want me to light some candles for you?” I mocked. “I don’t want you to be scared.”
“Na, let’s keep it dark. Then you can’t see the fear in my eyes if it thunders again.”
“I’ve never known a grown adult be as scared of a thunderstorm as you.”
“Hush. Now go sit.”
I moved to the window seat, noticing how my breath made clouds in the dark. “Fuck, it’s cold up here. Maybe this was a bad idea.”
“You can have a hug, Princess. You just need to ask.”
“Why are you such a prick?”
“I think I’ve explained why that is already tonight.”
I froze. “Sorry, I didn’t mean… I just meant—”
“Joking, Princess. Maybe we need to take things less seriously and try to have some fun for the next few days. I know it’s been a lot, but there is no point wallowing in our pasts. Jesus, it really is freezing up here. You wanna go sit by the fire?”
I pouted. “Can we stay for a while?”
“Get under the covers, but if it doesn’t warm up soon, I’m demanding you come back downstairs.”
“Fine,” I huffed, although I was grateful to feel the warmth of the comforters when I pulled them over me.
Charlie crawled in next to me, shivering. “Feel how fucking cold my hands are.” I expected them on my face or the back of my neck, but not pressed under my hoodie, against my stomach, his thumbs dangerously close to my breasts.
“Sorry, I—”
“I thought we agreed to relax and have some fun,” I reminded him.
“We did but—”
“Shush. Warm your hands. I like them where they are, as long as you’re okay with it.”
“I am,” he replied, his voice so low he sounded almost in pain.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.” His fingers began stroking across my ribs, making my nipples harden from the softness of his touch.
“How many people have you slept with?”
“Ouch. You’re going in hard, eh?” Charlie pulled me closer, his front pressing into my back, his breath dancing on my neck, his hands never moving from my skin. “Honestly, I have no idea.”
“Wow. Okay.”
“I’ve had a lot of sex, but you knew that already, right?”
I shrugged. “I guess. Is it… is the sex the same with every person?” I asked quietly.
“That’s two questions, but I’ll let you off. No. Everyone is different. Everyone likes different things, has different places that drive them wild, has different kinks. I mean, look at Archer and Fox. Archer met Ionee and then realized he liked being tied in ropes, while Fox likes to share… a lot. Even with me.”
“You and Fox have had sex?” I asked, my voice going an octave higher than usual.
