Page 58 of Quiet Longing

“Oh, right, that sounds kind of cool. I’ll ask Nuala if she wants to go, too.”

“Do,” I replied, stepping closer to the bed, and Charli quickly snatched the bags to shove in her wardrobe. Her sheepish expression made me chuckle. “Hiding something?”

“Yes, of course, I am,” she replied. “I’m pretty sure I don’t need the guy I like seeing I’ve been shopping in Victoria’s Secret.”

The guy I like. I still couldn’t get my head around the fact a girl as beautiful and sexy as Charli likedme. “Isn’t that the point of shopping there?” I countered, unsure where my confidence came from as I took a step closer to her. “So that the guy you like can eventually see you in whatever you bought?”

Her hazel eyes flared wide, and she glanced at the floor for a second. I could see the cogs whirring in her mind as she scraped her teeth over her bottom lip. Her eyes flicked up, and she replied, “Do you want to see it?”

Fucking hell, my pulse skyrocketed as soon as she shyly uttered the question, and I found myself nodding, my voice scratchy and low when I said, “Definitely.”

15.

Charli

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

Nerves that were oddly thrilling skittered through my body as I went to close my bedroom door. I’d just asked Rhys if he wanted to see what I’d bought at Victoria’s Secret. It wasn’t something I’d ever consider buying for myself until Nuala and Aunt Jo encouraged me. As I’d stood in the store, selecting a matching bra and panties set, my mind had inadvertently wandered to Rhys. I imagined his face, the way he might look at me if he saw me wearing something like that. Would his eyes flare, his breathing quicken?

Returning to the closet, I picked out the bag, remembering how Aunt Jo had been acting strangely the last couple days. It was like she felt the need to spoil me, and I didn’t understand why. I’d spent some of my earnings from the hotel on the clothes I bought, but Jo insisted on paying for a new dress and some cute shoes. She’d also paid for the lingerie.

Nuala and her mom had that kind of easy-going relationship where they could buy sexy underwear in front of each other and not feel mortally embarrassed. I’d never been comfortable enough to purchase anything other than practical every day bras and panties when shopping with my own mom.

Speaking of which, I’d called her to ask about the phone conversation I’d overheard between her and Uncle Padraig, but before I could breathe a word, she’d announced she was coming to Ireland in two weeks to see me. She’d managed to get a couple days off work and decided to use the days for a short trip. As soon as she’d said it, I’d known something was up. Mom didn’t book impromptu trips across the Atlantic. She was coming fora reason, and I suspected that reason was to finally tell me whatever it was Padraig had been urging her to reveal.

The fact she felt the need to do it in person meant it was somethingbig.

My mind conjured all sorts of scenarios. Was someone dying? Going to prison for a decades old crime? Were we secretly related to royalty? The possibilities grew more and more outlandish until I had to force myself to quit stressing. So, even though I was freaking out a whole lot, I' decided I just need to chill and let Mom talk to me in her own time.

Besides, I was looking forward to seeing her. I’d missed her terribly these last weeks, even if I had been enjoying my time in Ireland. Specifically, I been enjoying my time with Rhys, hanging out and getting to know him more.

Some nights, we sat up talking forhours. Yesterday, he’d told me all about his cousin, Shay, who was mute, and how Rhys and the rest of the family learned sign language for him. In return, I’d told him about the day the cops had come to our house to tell us Dad had died in a four car collision caused by a drunk driver. The worst day of my life. Rhys had sat next to me, quietly listening, and something about showing him the rawest parts of myself felt strangely freeing.

It was a little addicting to find someone who was interested in you just as much as you were interested in them.

Upending the bag, I let the black lace and silk fall onto the bed. Rhys inhaled sharply, a hint of colour rising in his cheeks. He rubbed his jaw and reached down, plucking up the panties. There was something about his large, masculine hand clutching the delicate, girly material that caused a rush of desire to flood my belly. My breathing grew choppy, and his gaze flicked to mine. The atmosphere thickened around us, and I swallowed the lump of need that had lodged in my throat.

“They’ll look beautiful on you,” he said, his voice somewhat gruff as he dropped them back on the bed. His eyes went to the bra, but mercifully, he didn’t pick it up. I wasn’t sure my libido could handle any more of him fondling my new under things.

“Maybe I’ll let you see me wear them,” I said, trembling and forcing a smirk I didn’t feel. I was nervous.Hemade me nervous. “If you’re lucky.”

Rhys chuckled low, his eyes warm on mine. “I’m already lucky just to know you, Charli. Everything else is a bonus.”

Air caught in my lungs, my heart pounding fast. I didn’t know what to say, and then Rhys stepped forward, his eyes darkening as they wandered from my throat to my lips then up to meet my gaze. My breathing turned shallow, and his expression seemed to ask permission. I found myself nodding, and then moments later, his lips crashed to mine. His hands cupped my face as his tongue plundered my mouth like he’d been hungering for me.

All week we’d been spending time together, but Rhys had still been recovering, and there’d been too many people around. I’d wanted to kiss him so many times, had found myself daydreaming often about the kisses we’d already shared. I’d begun to wonder if he’d ever kiss me again.

I moaned quietly when his tongue caressed mine, his thumb brushing along my jaw. The backs of my knees met the mattress as we moved closer to the bed, and then—

“Rhys! Where are you, mate? We’re heading to the beach now.”

Hearing Tristan call out, we broke apart, both breathless. Rhys shot me a reluctant expression, and I knew the interruption had been unwelcome. He rubbed his fingers along his mouth like he could taste me there. “I better go. Will I see you on the beach?”

I nodded, trying to gather my composure after that mind-blowing kiss. “Sure. I just want to take a quick shower first. I’m all sweaty from the shopping trip.”

Rhys inhaled an unsteady breath then released it. “Okay, see you in a bit.”

With a final heated look, he left, and I flopped down onto the bed. I remained there for a few minutes, my heart racing, before I finally found the wherewithal to drag myself into the shower. By the time I got out and dressed in some jean shorts and a loose fitting T-shirt, word had gotten to Nuala about the beach party because she flounced into my room full of chatter and excitement. I noted she’d showered, too, currently dressed in the prettiest lavender skirt and a flouncy white top. I slipped on some flip flops, put my wet hair into a braid, and off we went.

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