Page 46 of Take It Offline

The command sends a shiver down my spine. If I asked, would he grab me again? Leave marks behind? How far does his gentleness go?

“It must be pretty serious if you have to ask me.”

“It is.” So serious, in fact, I wonder if this is a huge mistake.

He’s quiet. Too quiet. His expression is intent as he studies my face.

Truth be told, this feels like my last hope. Logan tried to make it work, but by the end, he barely wanted to touch me because it was inevitable that sex would lead to disappointment.

If I can’t solve this, I don’t know what I’ll do.

I don’t want to spend forever alone.

Charlie returns to the couch, his earlier smile long gone. “Tell me more about this proposal. What would you need from me?”

I treat it like a business deal. That, at least, I know how to handle.

“We meet once a week for sex. You’ll come here and leave when we’re done. You should review the list of things I’ve tried so that you can see what hasn’t worked and what I don’t like. If it’s not working or either of us is uncomfortable, we end it.”

He arches a single brow. “And if it works?”

Oh, Charlie. So confident.

“Then that’s it. Arrangement over.”

He’s quiet again, but his attention is laser focused on me.

Finally, he nods once. “I accept.”

My breath catches in my chest. All week, I’ve been preparing for rejection. It’s hard to believe he’s interested at all. “That’s it?” I ask.

His smile spreads slow and easy, and I’m so captivated by his lips I almost forget to listen.

“You got an NDA you need me to sign? T&Cs I should know about?”

I must be more nervous than I thought if Charlie is making me smile right now.

He leans forward, elbows on his knees, eyes never leaving mine. It’s intoxicating. “I’m in.”

He’s in.

We’re really doing this.

“Not that I’m not grateful,” I say, “But why would you agree to this?”

It’s a lot to ask. It feels selfish, to crave someone’s undivided attention while I switch off for a little while.

Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. If he’s only saying yes because he pities me, I’m not sure I can stand it.

His brow furrows in frustration. The look he’s giving me is one I’m used to receiving from him. “Why?” he scoffs. “Because you’re incredibly sexy, I’m attracted to you, and I want to.”

Well. Okay.

Lucky for me, this sweater hides the goose bumps he just gave me.

“It sounds simple when you put it like that.”

He lifts one shoulder. “It is.”

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