Page 17 of Theo

“I thought you heard the rumors?” Charity’s laugh mimics the low rumble of thunder as it vibrates through her chest. I want to know what it would sound like if she let the noise escape her mouth, but she keeps it hidden behind those dark red lips. “You’ve got some ice cream on your chin.”

I try to point at it, but she just tilts her head to the side as if she doesn’t understand. Her skin is soft under my fingers as I wipe the little dot of coffee ice cream from her chin. Charity’s eyes are laser-focused on my thumb as I bring it to my mouth, cleaning off the sweet, sticky ice cream.

“I think you missed some.” Her breath hitches as she says the words, and I raise my eyebrows.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” the word is almost entirely air, but I hear it just fine.

“Here?” I run my thumb along her lower lip, gently pulling at the center. Leaning in, I let our noses brush, giving Charity time to change her mind. “Or maybe it’s here?” I move my thumb up the side of her jaw, stopping at the hollow spot just below her ear. “I think it’s right...here.”

I seal our lips together, and she instantly melts into me. Fuck, she tastes fantastic. Her mouth has just a hint of cold left from the ice cream, and she tastes like coffee, sugar, and everything that makes life worth living.

I want to drown in all the flavors of Charity Lawson.

Charity pulls away, a slightly amused look in her eyes. “We have to get the food, Dickbag.”

“Yeah,” I agree, but I don’t pull away from her. She rolls her eyes, moving to stand, and I quickly follow.

Morrow’s isn’t busy, so the food is ready and waiting at the hostess stand. The woman is too cheerful, batting her eyelashes and repeatedly asking if there’s anything else she can do for us. I’m sure she’s heard who this food is for, but Charity has different ideas.

“She was flirting with you!”

“That wasn’t flirting.”

“You’ve got to be joking. She was all but rubbing herself on you!”

“You sound jealous,” I comment in as casual a tone as I can manage, turning onto the old dirt road leading to the only public park in Bray Creek. The park has been abandoned for some time, and the path is nearly overgrown but still easy to follow.

“I am not jealous.”

“Of course you aren’t,” I agree, putting the car in park. I’m out the door and halfway around the car before Charity realizes we’ve stopped.

When I open her door, she looks around, curiosity marring her brow. “What are we doing here?”

“Showing you there’s nothing to be jealous of.” Reaching for the handle on the glove box, I pop open the compartment.

Charity’s eyes widen. “Why do you have a glove box full of sex toys?”

“I leave them places.”

“What?” She turns toward me with raised brows. “What kind of places?”

“Friend’s houses, mostly.”

“Why?”

“Because,” I shrug, trying to choose my words carefully. “I know those guys, and they may think they’re getting the job done every time with their dicks alone, but I can promise you they aren’t.”

She stares at me for a long time before her eyes slide back to the glove box.

“Would you like to pick a toy?”

“I’m not, uh. I don’t...” Charity trails off, an overwhelmed look on her face. “I’ve never used any toys.”

It’s my turn to stare at her in shock. “Never? Not even by yourself?”

Color floods her cheeks, and she starts to fidget in her seat. “No.”

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