Dropping my head, I was unsure what to say. I liked Charlie—a lot—but I'd guessed this was the equivalent of a holiday romance. I’d not thought about us outside our cottage or the lighthouse nest we loved to hide in.
“You don’t have to answer right now. You’ve been through such a lot this week. Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I just…”
“I like you, Charlie. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you this week. The sex. God, the sex is off the scale. I didn’t think it could be as good as it’s been with you, but I haven’t thought about anything more. I’ve not thought about what it would be like to date or be with someone. I’ve not let myself think about a future with you because I presumed you wouldn’t want that with me. I mean, I know your rep and that’s fine, but I didn’t think you were ready to hang up your player lifestyle and I’m not willing to get hurt again.”
He scuffed his foot along the ground, avoiding my eyes as he spoke. “It’s fine. You’re probably right. I’m not built for monogamy and relationships. I’m way too emotionally stunted.”
Stepping in front of Charlie, I fisted his shirt with one hand, while my other pressed against his jaw, which was now coveredin almost a week’s worth of scruff that suited him more than I wanted to admit.
“You, Charlie Wyatt, are not emotionally stunted. Look at everything you’ve done for me this week. Don’t believe the lies your dad told you and that you’ve tried to prove ever since. You have a huge heart and I’m not saying no to us in the future. I’m just asking you to give me some time.”
“Of course. Whatever you need. Like I said, I probably shouldn’t have mentioned it. We’ve only been hooking up for like a day… it’s way too soon for me to be asking you to think about a future with me.”
Hating seeing the vulnerability flicker through his expression, I leaned in, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him hard, until I felt his cock swell against my stomach.
“I like being around you, Charlie. Don’t tell yourself anything else, okay?” I whispered as I pulled back.
“Okay.”
I pushed my sunglasses back onto my nose. “Right. First one back gets to decide what we do for the rest of the day. Ready? Go!” I cried, making a run for it, knowing I’d beat Charlie but also wanting to because I had the perfect way to spend the afternoon.
Chapter 17
Fern
“That’s no fair. You cheated,” he whined as he rushed through the cottage door, finding me running a bath in just my sports bra and pink lace panties. “I’m never running again.”
“I didn’t cheat. You’re just slow and unfit.”
“Unfit? I have the stamina ofSuperman.”
“In the bedroom, maybe.”
“Where else does it matter?”
I giggled as I pulled off my bra, dropping it to the floor before shimming out of my panties and stepping into the bath, knowing his eyes were on me. “God, what I wouldn’t give for a shower or just a bath we could share.”
“I know. The tiny bath is the worst thing about this place,” he said as he followed me into the bathroom, kicking off his sneakers and socks.
“So, I’ve been thinking.”
“Okay,” he replied as he eased me forward, stepping into the water and perching on the edge of the bath, letting me lean back between his thighs. “About?”
“James, Neo, going home.”
He leaned down and picked up the large jug I’d been using to rinse my hair, filling it and tilting my head back, so I was looking up at him, while he slowly poured the water over my hair.
“I’m going to ask Jarrid to set up a video call with Neo. I can’t do it over the phone. I need him to see that I’m okay for himself, otherwise the whole label will be on our doorstep.”
“Good idea.” Pouring shampoo into his hand, he began rubbing it into my long hair, the coconut scent filling the room. “Anything else?”
I groaned at the feel of his fingers massaging my head, my eyes fluttering closed. “I need to tell Addi at the same time. Because the less I have to repeat it all, the better. But the adoption goes through next week. Am I being selfish?”
“No, Princess. You’re being anything but selfish.”
I forced my eyes open again, wanting to see his face. “Aren’t you getting wet sitting there?”
“Don’t care. I like being close to you.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “So, a video call with Addi and Neo, that’s a good start.”
