Page 75 of About Time

Charlie leans over my back, his hips continuing to pound into me at a steady rhythm. “You say that this is all there is between us, but the fact is you depend on me for your pleasure. I will win you back. Go ahead and fight me, but I will wear you down. Until then I promise I will be using your body against you.”

I want to argue with him, but it’s pointless. I am weak when it comes to him, and he knows it. There’s a freedom in surrendering to him that makes me feel like flying. It’s addictive, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to give it up.

“You are mine, and not just your body,” he grunts as his hips pick up the tempo once again.

“Tell me you’re mine,” he demands.

I know I’m supposed to agree, but instead, I keep my mouth shut.

He pulls my hair a bit more so that my neck stretches back then he bites the side just enough to feel his teeth press into my skin. His forehead drops to the crook of my neck and I feel hishot breath blow across my skin. I can feel his control slipping, but Charlie is nothing if not stubborn.

“You don’t have to say it. We both know it’s true. Your mind might be resisting me, but we both know I have never left your heart. I’m going to prove to you that we belong together. One way or another, you will be mine completely again. Even if I have to keep filling you full of my cum until youbecome pregnant with my baby. Understand this, Doll, you are still my wife. It might have taken me a while to grow up, but I am not as stupid as I was twelve years ago. I didn’t know that I was condemning both of us to over a decade of suffering. I thought I was freeing you to have a better life. Now that I know better, I will never leave you alone again.”

His words soothe an ache deep inside of me, but I’m not ready to forgive him just yet. Even if he did have good intentions, it doesn’t erase the years of loneliness I endured without him. He’s right, he has never left my heart, but before I open it back up to him I need to know that it’s safe in his hands.

“Come for me, Doll. Let me feel your pussy choke my dick.” He fucks me hard, the way I like, and I scream as my entire body clenches tight. The waves of pleasure roll over and over me, as I feel the heat of his release fill me.

I expect him to pull out and leave. I can tell he’s annoyed with me, and Charlie usually runs from any kind of emotion. He does take a step back but only moves further into the kitchen. He wets a cloth and comes back to clean me up. Once he’s done, he helps me back into my shorts before lifting me to sit on the counter.

He holds my eyes for a long moment, and I can see there is a deep well of emotion in the dark depths. He’s never let me see this much of him before. It unnerves me, because, just maybe, there’s no way to protect myself from falling for him again.

Charlie cups my face and kisses me deeply. Now I know he’s not fighting fair. After a glorious eternity, he pulls back. Histhumb brushes across my lips, his earlier frustration seems to have dissipated now that he’s come.

“I have to go back to Harriston. I didn’t arrange to be gone, and Griffin is drowning at the shop. Wren hasn’t been feeling well, and he doesn’t want to work longer hours. Promise me you’re really coming back.”

I don’t tell him that I seriously considered backing out. Even if a part of me is curious to see what is going on between us, I know I need to go back to take care of Wren.

I dip my head and nod. “Yeah, I need a couple of weeks to give the hospital notice and to pack up.”

He kisses me again, just a light brush of his lips against mine. “I’m going to be calling you. I want you to let me know what day you plan to leave. I’ll fly down and drive back with you.”

“I don’t get you,” I admit.

His fingers brush my cheek. “Yes, you do. You’re the only one who will ever get me.”

It’s not what I meant, but the sentiment does make me swoon a little. I won’t tell him that, not yet at least, but I’m definitely in a lot of danger here.

Charlie studies my eyes and gives me a sad smile. “I can see the doubt in your eyes, but I will prove to you that you’re safe with me. Give me that chance at least.”

I nod again. It’s a slight tip of my head, but it brightens his smile.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Charlie Present- Age 53

Liam stares into the fire.That period of time was difficult for almost all of us, so it’s understandable that talking about it is like picking at a scab for some of us. I’m sure it’s harder to look back for him because his problems were brought on by himself.

I look over and see Wren sitting alone, with her arms holding her knees against her chest. There’s something so fragile about her like this. She’s proven herself to be a survivor time after time, but that doesn’t mean she’s always impenetrable.

Griffin comes up behind her and lifts her up in his arms. He sits down in the chair and keeps her cradled against his chest. He’s always so attuned to her, and knows exactly what she needs from him.

I won’t tell him this, because his ego doesn’t need any help, but he’s been an example for me in how to navigate my relationship with Hattie. For too long I let other people’s opinions have too much influence over whether or not I took a chance with her. Seeing my best friend not only settle down with a younger woman, but his son’s ex wife, made me wake up andrealize I was miserable because I put too much weight on the wrong things.

Of course, I was also afraid we’d somehow turn into my parents, but at forty-two I finally realize that was a bullshit excuse. I wasn’t protecting Hattie, I was trying to protect myself. Considering I ended up causing both of us a massive amount of pain, I think it’s safe to say it didn’t work.

Hattie is still standing a bit away from me. I understand, because telling parts of this story felt like reliving it. Up to now we haven’t ever really discussed what it was like for each other during this time. I know I hurt her, but at the time we decided the best thing we could do was to start fresh and let the past go. The last few weeks I’ve felt unsettled, somewhat adrift, and I realize now that we’re approaching our tenth anniversary, well the one we recognize, I’ve been thinking a lot about time. The years we’ve had together have been so wonderful, but I can’t stop thinking about the twelve years we spent apart.

What is it about milestones that make you step back and take stock of your life to that point? At least now I have an explanation for the unsettled feelings that have been plaguing me for the last few weeks. Shining a light on our past seems to have cleared the dark feelings in my mind. It can’t erase my regrets, but I’m reminded that I have a lot more to feel grateful for.

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