Page 52 of Claiming Charlotte

We laid in each other’s arms on the cold table for what felt like forever before Roe checked his watch and clambered to his feet.

“We’ve got work to do, Princess,” he said, giving me a wink.

We dressed separately and Roe walked to the door.

“Catch you later, beautiful,” he said, and I smiled.

As he turned to the door again, I caught something black hanging out of his pocket and I giggled.

“Rowan,” I said, and he turned to look at me. “My panties are sticking out of your pocket.”

He smirked, adorning a proud look. “So? I’m sure everyone knows you're mine, this,” he said, reaching into his back pocket to pull them out. “Is just a gentle reminder.” He laughed, taking a long sniff before shoving them back. “Don’t forget to clean off the table.”

Nikki pushed through the door carrying a box, almost knocking Rowan off his feet.

“Sorry!” she said, and he shrugged, turning to the door again. “Hey, you’ve got some panties in your pocket.”

Rowan groaned in exasperation. “I know, damn it,” he huffed and walked through the door.

Nikki giggled. “I’ll take it. I miss his smartass remarks,” she said.

I nodded. “He’ll find his way back. We all will,” I responded, walking toward my desk.

“Did you hear there might be a serial killer on the loose? I guess a lot of Walker’s men are turning up…know anything about it?” she asked, lifting the box.

I shrugged, hoping she didn’t think it was Rowan. “It’s just another thing to worry about, I guess,” I said nonchalantly.

“He won’t do it, Charlotte, and you shouldn’t make him. You know he would just because he loves you, and that’s not fair,” Nikki said firmly.

“He will, or I’ll find someone willing,” I said, peeking into the box. “It’s perfect.”

23

My eyes fluttered open as moonlight shone brightly through the open balcony door. A light, cool breeze was blowing, and I shivered against the normally warm blanket, rolling onto my side. The breeze felt nice, but I was missing the warm body that was supposed to be beside me. I sat up scanning the room for any sign of Rowan.

Wondering where he was, I wrapped the flat sheet around my body and padded toward the balcony door. There he was, leaning against the balcony rail and staring up at the clear night sky.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind and sighed.

“Why can’t you sleep, Rowan?” I whispered, and he shrugged. It really was a beautiful clear night, all of the stars were shining bright, and the world was dead silent.

“Talk to me,” I urged. “Why don’t you talk much anymore?”

He pulled me into his arms. “There’s no need for me to talk unless I’m enforcing a direct order,” he said, almost robotically.

I knew exactly what he meant. There were times when I just wanted to be alone, and socializing was nearly non-existent. My feelings had been all over the place since Lacey first abused me, and I didn’t feel like I could talk to anyone about it. Except for Roe.

“I?have a request for you, but I need you to be open-minded.” I tapped the balcony nervously and he silently urged me to keep talking.

“I want you to hurt me,” I said, casting my eyes down in embarrassment. In my peripherals, I saw him shake his head in disbelief.

“What do you mean?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

I swallowed hard. “I want you to treat me like they did when I was in captivity.” My voice came out in a squeak, and I hoped he wouldn’t be angry at what I said. “But I want to fight back, and I want you to hurt me.”

“Under no circumstances am I ever going to treat you like that, do you understand me? There are better ways to heal than to be abused,” he spat. “I am not forcing you to do anything.”

I studied him for a moment, and then I turned and went back inside. Retrieving the black box from underneath the bed I returned to Roe on the balcony and handed it to him with shaking hands.

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