Everything started to make sense, her request to avoid five-star restaurants, the fact that she wanted to keep it simple. I wondered if the gifts I’d sent had triggered memories of Jack as well. “If I’d known—”
“No.” She turned to me. “Dex, the only reason I brought that up was to tell you that this entire experience has been amazing, nothing like it was with Jack. The flowers, the notes, the gifts, your unwavering support… it was everything I didn’t know I needed. Miami is different with you and I’m grateful. When I’m with you, I feel safe. When I’m with you, I feel like a better version of myself. I’ve always felt this way around you.” She smirked. “One day, I’ll tell you more about my life without you, but for now, I just want to enjoy our time together.”
My mother’s words filtered through my mind.Trust Charlye to know what she wants.
“Dex?” She searched my eyes. “I spent the entire flight ticking off the reasons we shouldn’t do this.”
“Honestly?”
“Of course.”
“Me too,” I confessed.
She eyed me quizzically. “Why?”
“You first.”
She pouted. “Fine.” She toyed with her necklace. “Because you’re my friend. Because I feel so many things when we’re together. Because those feelings make me want to run. I don’t want to hurt you, and I don’t want to get hurt.”
“I understand that. I feel the same way, actually.”
“Really?”
I lifted a brow. “Did you think I was bullshitting on those notes I sent you?”
“Good point.” She ran her thumb over one of the rips in her jeans. “If we’re both feeling this way, should we slow things down? Get to know each other as we are now?”
“Is that what you want?”
“I’m not answering that until you tell me whatyouwant? It’s your turn to go first.”
“I already know whoIwant, Char.” I brushed a stray piece of hair from her face. “But we can take this as slow as you need—until you’re sure.”
“It’s when you say things like that…” Char gripped my shirt into her palm, pulled me closer, and kissed me. “Okay, I’m sure.”
“What happened to taking this slow?”
“We don’t have to make any decisions today. We can talk about it later.” She pressed another soft kiss to my lips. “In the morning. After you orgasm me?”
Damn. I prided myself on knowing exactly what to say or do at any given moment. Yet, the only thing I knew for sure was that I’d pretty much do anything for Charlye. I spotted the tour guide ahead and stood, pulling Char to her feet.
“Where are we going?” she asked, confusion on her face.
“It’s time to go.” We caught up to the group quickly. I handed the guide a fifty-dollar bill, thanked him for the tour, and led Charlye back to my rental car.
Thirty minutes later, we stumbled into my suite, mouths fused together, hands fumbling for buttons and zippers.
She tugged my shirt off. “Shit,” she mumbled, scraping her nails down my stomach. “Damn, you’re so… You’re fine as hell.”
I laughed.
She took a step back, letting her wide eyes travel from my stomach to my mouth. “I’m so serious.” She giggled. “Just so you know, I’m a little nervous.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re going to be naked. And so am I.”
“In a few short minutes.”
