Page 126 of Quiet Longing

“Yes, I definitely think that’s happening,” she responded breathily as her backside arched into my throbbing erection.

I chuckled happily and focused all my attention on making her tremble against my fingers as she’d done several times last night.

We stopped by Padraig and Jo’s place first so she could grab a change of clothes, and Charli was relieved to find the house empty, delaying an inevitable interrogation from Jo. I followed her to the guest room where she was staying, teenage memories hitting me like a sledgehammer.

We’d had a lot of sex in that room. It was where she’d given me my first blow job and where I’d returned the favour by going down on her. I still remembered how hard she’d come.

Sitting on the edge of the bed while Charli searched for an outfit, I wrestled with the urge to grab her, throw her down, and make us very late for dinner at my uncle’s house.

As she rifled through a drawer, I noticed a familiar dark blue material, and time froze for a second. Was that …

Charli’s fingers brushed the fabric, and she stilled, her cheeks colouring as she quickly shoved it under some other tops. I stood and came to stand next to her, hearing how her breath caught when I brushed her hands aside and pulled out the item she’d hidden.

“You still have it,” I said, a little shocked as I held my old hoodie, the one I’d given her all those years ago. I remembered her first day working at the hotel and my concern that she’d be cold helping me clean out the freezer.

“Um, yeah. I’ve always loved that hoodie. It’s, uh, it’s super comfortable,” she replied at last, her eyes catching on mine. I had a feeling that wasn’t the only reason she’d kept it, but I didn’t push her to reveal if it had sentimental value even though my pulse was fucking racing. What did it mean that she’d kept it? I didn’t want to delve too deep into that question because it meant exploring my own feelings and how I’d never stopped thinking about Charli even after she was long gone from my life.

I pressed a kiss to her cheek and handed it back. “I’m glad you kept it,” was all I said before moving to the door. “I’ll wait downstairs.”

Charli nodded, and a little while later, she sat next to me in the passenger seat of my car, anxiously running her hands over the dark purple wrap dress she’d chosen to wear to dinner. There was a little string bow at the side holding it together, and I’d been battling the temptation to pull it free ever since she appeared at the top of the stairs.

“Are you sure they’ll be okay with me being here?” she asked after I emerged and went around to her side to help her out. Her fingers slid into mine so naturally like they were always meant to be there.

“I already told you. I called ahead so they know I’m bringing a friend. Also, Shay and Maggie already like you, and I’m sure everyone else will be just as smitten.”

She flushed when I briefly pressed my lips to hers then turned toward the house. The curtains twitched. Sure enough, my cousin Ross’ wife, Dawn, peered through the living room window at our approach then swiftly disappeared. Great. She’d seen me kiss Charli. The entire house would know about it by the time we reached the front door.

I mean, Dawn was great, but she could be a little nosy when it came to everyone’s love lives.

Back when I’d still been engaged to Steph, Dawn had always tried to bring her up in conversation, asking why I rarely brought her over for our weekly dinners. I’d always responded that we preferred to do our own separate thing on Sundays. The truth was I’d tried to get Steph to come to dinner all the time, but she normally made up an excuse about going to see her mother.

The reality was that Steph didn’t see the value in making time for my relatives, who were ordinary, working class folks. However, when I invited her to attend Friday dinners with the Balfes, she rarely turned me down. The Balfes had money and power, as well as connections to many other wealthy Dublin families, which was what Steph was interested in. A fresh wave of relief washed over me to know we were no longer engaged. My family was the most important thing to me, and being married to someone who refused to make time for them even once or twice a year would be hell.

“I don’t need them to be smitten,” Charli replied, pulling me from my thoughts. “Liking me will be good enough.”

“I wouldn’t trust the judgement of anyone who disliked you,” I told her fondly, brushing my knuckles over her cheek before the door burst open, and both Dawn and Uncle Eugene appeared. I could immediately tell my uncle had been spying alongside Dawn because he wore a pleased expression as he glanced from me to Charli.

“Rhys! You’ve arrived. Come in and introduce us to your lovely friend,” he exclaimed warmly.

“Eugene, Dawn,” I said as I gently pressed my hand to Charli’s lower back and ushered her inside. “This is my good friend, Charli. Charli, this is my Uncle Eugene, and his daughter-in-law, Dawn.”

“So lovely to meet you both,” Charli said, her nerves still evident in her smile as she greeted them.

“Oh, your accent is just wonderful,” Dawn complimented. “Isn’t it, Eugene?”

“I do enjoy an American accent,” Eugene agreed. “I hope you like roast chicken, Charli.”

“I’ll eat whatever you put in front of me,” she replied as we followed them both into the kitchen.

“Ah, I like her already,” Eugene declared, shooting a wink in my direction.

Well, this dinner was certainly going to be interesting. Inside, my cousin Ross sat at the dining table chatting with Maggie and Shay while Shay’s dog, Daniel, took up position in front of the oven, whining at the chicken while it cooked.

After being introduced to Ross, as well as his and Dawn’s kids, Ryan and Shauna, Charli took a seat next to Maggie and Shay, immediately striking up a conversation like they were old friends. Warmth suffused my chest at how she focused on Shay’s hands while he signed to interpret what he said. She fit in with everyone so seamlessly, and an errant thought entered my head that I wished she was mine for real. After seeing she’d kept my hoodie for so many years, it was difficult not to blurt out how besotted I was. I wanted to be with Charli, but she was still working through a lot of stuff and clearly wasn’t ready for anything like that. All I could hope was that when she was finally in a better place, she might think to look my way.

At the end of dinner, and with many promises to come back again some Sunday, I drove Charli to Padraig and Jo’s. There was a peaceful, relaxed energy about her, and I loved seeing her like that. When I reached the house, there was a tightness in my chest. I didn’t want her to go, but I knew asking her to come back home with me would be pushing it.

“I had such a lovely time today,” Charli said. “Yesterday, too.”

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