Page 55 of No Fear

“Donnie?”

His name on her lips interrupted his vivid imagination, and he met her gaze. She bit her lip, a small crack in the otherwise confident woman before him.

“Is this déjà vu?” he asked softly.

She smiled. “I guess so. But we’re both older now. I’m no longer a virgin, you don’t need to ask Nate... Oh, and I’m newly single. Just two consenting adults.”

Jesus Christ. She was being totally fucking serious. He wanted to fuck her so bad, but his goddamn moral compass told him this was not a good idea. He hadn't taken advantage ten years ago; he wasn’t going to do it now.

He took her hands in his.

“Charlie—”

“Please don’t say no,” Her confidence had been replaced by a stark vulnerability.

Raising her hands to his mouth, he kissed them softly.

“There is nothing I would love more than to have sex with you. I wanted to ten years ago and I still do.”

“But,” she said nervously, lowering her hands.

“Yesterday you were engaged. Getting married in just a few weeks. You might have ended it, but you need time to process that. You might think you want this, but it’s too soon. I have to leave in a couple of hours, and you don't want to have sex with me and then I’m gone. It won't make you feel better.”

She placed her hands on her hips and arched an eyebrow at him. “Are you done?”

Donnie frowned. “Done?” Her vulnerability was gone, replaced by annoyance.

“Yes. Done telling me what I’m feeling. What I need to do and how I will feel? I got news for you, Donnie. I have a therapist, and I don't need another one.”

“I wasn’t trying to–”

“I’m not finished.” she cut him off and he stopped talking. “I’ve cried too many tears already. Over being bullied at school, over you, over Simon. I’ve worked hard to accept myself. To not be that frightened little bullied schoolgirl. I sat upstairs in my room and made a decision that this stops now. I’ve spent so much time trying to please Simon and turns out he was just using me. You don’t get to tell me what I need to do, I do. I get to decide what pleases me. What I need right now is to get laid. I want, no, need to feel like I felt when you kissed me ten years ago because, dammit, I haven't felt that way since.”

“I’m a big girl and aware you’re leaving in a few hours. I’m not asking for a relationship. I’m asking you to have sex. One time. That’s it. This is my choice. If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I’ll head out and find someone else. I’m sure someone will be up for it.”

Her gaze hadn’t left his and her chest was heaving and, damn, if that little speech turned him on. This was a side of Charlie he hadn’t seen before. Confident. Determined. It was hot as hell. His cock pulsed, having heard it all too, and was more than ready to go. He shook his head slowly. This was wrong, so fucking wrong.

Charlie moved to step past him. Apparently, he was taking too long to answer.

“Fair enough, Donnie. Have a safe flight.”

He reached out and grabbed her wrist before she could open the door.

“Where are you going?” His voice was low.

“To get laid.” She glanced over her shoulder.

In one move, he pinned her against the door, his hands either side of her head, caging her in as he looked down at that perfect fucking mouth.

“If you think I am going to let another man so much as hold your fucking hand, you’re mistaken.” he growled. His face inches from hers. She was breathing deeply, her face flushed, and her breasts pressed softly against his chest.

“This is wrong,” he said tightly.

“Maybe for you, but not for me.” She held his gaze. “I want this.”

Goddamn, he couldn’t let her go and find some random man in a bar.

“We’re in a good place. I don’t want to ruin that.” His voice wavered.