“Noted,” I say with a wink before I lean back and kneel between her legs. Could it be that her excitement and eagerness are symptoms of the same thing I have? The same feelings being reciprocated? If it is, then it’s a miracle. That in this callous world with weapons and war and waste we ever found each other. Silently, I vow to never let go of this moment, of her.
I savor the view before I touch her hips and use my hands to roll her over. I lower myself and take a playful light bite of her butt cheek.
Charlie wiggles and moans.
I kiss my way up her back slowly, taking my time. When I reach her neck, Charlie is smiling. She is enjoying this. Which is good. I like knowing that she wants to play a little with me, that we can put the outside world out of our minds and focus on this. I move my body to grind against hers, my dick rock hard and ready to go again.
“Ross, I’ve had this exact fantasy about you,” I whisper in her ear. She exhales a sweet moan as my hand slides between her legs. “I’m going to take my time and enjoy this,” I tell her.
Her hips move into mine; we already know each other so well and connect so perfectly.
“Are you ready?” I ask.
“Yes,” Charlie says with a tilt of her hips, inviting me to take her from behind.
With that one word, I plunge into her and show her that I am a man of my word.
39
CHARLIE
I pull on a new set of spare clothes that fit me much better.
This outfit is all black. The sweatpants are from some sports drink company with their logo running up the leg and the shirt is from one of our shorter-distance females-only run series. They are both slightly bigger than what I would usually wear, but they’ll do just fine for today.
Was Declan nervous last night and picked the first thing he could find, or did he want to give me extra-baggy clothes for modesty?Or ease of access, I think.
I didn’t expect this rush of feelings. Not just for Declan and how my heart is wanting him, but the joy at the muscle ache. The wonderous happiness that I have missed. My body workedforme, and each ache is a blissful reminder – not only of a long night in bed with Declan but of what my body can do. I want all the muscle aches. From running. From working. From loving.
Declan is in the safehouse garage getting his bike gear set for a morning ride. He offered to leave me with his handgun, but I told him I’d be more afraid of accidentally shooting myself if I needed to use it. “Shooting range. Tomorrow,” he’d said with finality before walking through the door.
After a few minutes, Declan comes back in wearing his cycling kit. The one he planned to wear on a training ride yesterday evening. Dark blue with white stripes looks good on him. He’s striking with the front unzipped and his lean muscles and dark chest hair showing.
“Are you sure you want to get a training ride in now?” I ask.
“Athens is only a month away and I do my best thinking on the bike,” he explains.
I get it. I’m proud of him for sticking to his plan.
“I guess there is a lot to riddle out right now,” I say. He looks over at me with a curious expression. “About Blaed, and the Order, and the World Games,” I remind him, shocked that I need to.
“Yes,” he agrees. Then I realize that he may want to think about me,about us. If there is an us. My shoulders slump involuntarily. I didn’t have to think about it. I’m all his if he wants me.
Declan walks over and grabs my hands in his, interlocking our fingers. When I meet his eyes, he tells me, “I can’t think clearly when I’m around you, Ross. And after last night –” he pauses and smiles – “and this morning –” he kisses my cheek – “I’m especially distracted. I need to think about this case.”
I beam up at him. How is he able to read my mind and ease my fears?
“The one thing I don’t have to think about, the one thing that makes sense right now,” he continues, “is this.” He gives me a long slow kiss and my body reacts the way it did last night. Curling into him. Wanting more. But also desperately needing rest.
He pulls away and walks back to the door leading to the garage. “We’ll leave for headquarters as soon as I get back,” he reassures me.
“OK, will you be safe?”
“Of course. And remember, you’re locking yourself in. Don’t let anyone else in but me.”
We agreed to turn on the video-monitoring system since I would be alone, and then I could see him come and go. I nod and show him I’m ready to press the button the second the door closes.
“Just ten miles, OK?” he assures me.
