I press my lips to his chest. Sample it with my tongue. Hum at how much I like the salt of his skin. I move to his shoulder. His neck. Jaw. Tasting. Kissing. Sucking. Biting.
“I could make a meal out of you,” I murmur.
Charlie laughs. “I think you already are.”
I move on to his mouth. “This is my favorite part.”
“Kissing?”
“Your lips.” I suck on his bottom one, releasing it with a pop. “The way they flirt and smirk and tease.” I trace the arches of his top lip with my tongue.
His whole face smiles back at me, not just the curve of his mouth. Dimples. The lines at his temples. The glint of his eyes.
“I must be slipping if my mouth is still your favorite part.”
I grin. “Maybe you need to try a little harder. You just made me do all the work.”
I’ve barely finished the sentence when Charlie has us both on our feet. His hands skate over my arms and he drops a kiss to my neck.
“You trust me?”
“I trust you.” I’m trembling with anticipation as Charlie turns me around and bends me over the counter.
I trust him more than anyone.
I can’t stop smiling. Charlie and I parted hours ago, and the giddy grin hasn’t left my face.
“Would you like to tell me why you look like the cat who ate the canary?” Nan asks as we sip tea on the deck. Charlie had plans with Harrison this afternoon, but my gaze keeps drifting to his dock, waiting for a glimpse of him. “Or shall I guess?”
I don’t reply, just lift my mug to my still-swollen lips.
“Tall, handsome, and strong as a grizzly?” Nan looks at me over her glasses, and my smile grows.
“Face like a movie star? Voice made for the radio? A backside that could crack a walnut?”
I choke on my tea.
“Shall I go on?” Nan says as my phone buzzes.
Heather:Yesssssssss!!! GET IT, ALI!
Heather:Tell me EVERYTHING. When? Where? How was it?
Heather:GIRTH!!!!!
More overexcited messages follow. I couldn’t hold it in. The best sex of my life with a man I’ve come to care about deeply. I had to tell someone.
Strangely, my first instinct was to call Charlie as soon as we kissed goodbye.
“Can you believe that just happened?” I wanted to say. “Can you believe how good it was?”
Heather was my next option.
I dash out a reply.
Me:Today. Darkroom. Exquisite. Can’t talk now. Call you later.
Heather:YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! TREVOR, WHO!?
