Page 83 of The Charlie Method

“Fine, I’ll rephrase. Do youwantto do that?”

All the blood in my body rushes south. From the way Beckett’s eyes flare with heat, I know he likes the idea too.

“Will?” she prompts. “Do you want to?”

“Sometimes,” I finally answer. “Or sometimes I might not be into it. Maybe something else will feel right. I don’t really plan sex.”

“Yeah, that seems like a Charlotte request. A sex agenda.” Beckett polishes off his beer, his lips curving around the neck of the bottle. “I don’t think Charlie cares. She would just go with the flow, wouldn’t she?”

Her hand trembles as she toys with the side of her glass. Unable to stop myself, I reach out to steady her, lacing my fingers through hers. She bites her lip.

“It’s just a drink,” I remind her, my voice soft.

“I know. That’s not… I’m not bothered anymore about being here. I’m more bothered about…”

“About what?”

She looks down at our entwined fingers. Her gaze remains lowered as she says, “I’m thinking about kissing you. Both of you.” She gives a strangled laugh. “Not at the same time, though. Because that doesn’t sound fun.”

Beckett chuckles. “Yeah. I think the only people into three-way kisses are the oiled-up couples onFling or Forever.”

“Oh my God. Don’t tell me you watch that show.”

“No, but our friend does,” I say with a snort. “All he does is talk about that stupid show.”

“But back to this kissing thing…” Beckett says.

The air thickens with tension, crackling like static electricity right before a storm. My thumb is stroking the inside of her palm now. I hear her breath hitch when Beckett moves closer to her.

His lips quirk. “If you want to be kissed, Charlie, all you have to do is ask.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHARLOTTE

Kiss me good night, Charlie

MY HEART IS GOING TO EXPLODE OUT OF MY CHEST. ON ONE SIDE OFme, I have Will discovering an erogenous zone I never knew existed as he rubs the center of my palm in a teasing, sensual glide. On my other side, I’ve got Beckett’s warm breath against my neck, his lips tickling the shell of my ear as he offers to kiss me.

I didn’t think tonight was going to go this way.

I truly thought I’d show up and it would be the most awkward date of my life.

I anticipated stilted, porn-level dialogue.Oh, hello there, you sexy hockey players. Please, I am aching for you both. Take me here and now.

Instead, it’s been normal human conversation. Well, if you call double penetration and whether they hook upnormal. But still. It felt easy. Comfortable.

Until I made the mistake of confessing that I want to kiss them.

Now, my pulse is racing faster than the go-kart I drove yesterday, and I’m practically crawling out of my own skin thanks to the waves of desire. Everything feels hot and tight.

Beckett’s seductive words hang in the air.

If you want to be kissed, Charlie, all you have to do is ask.

Before I can answer, I notice the waiter trying to catch my attention to see if we need anything else. It’s a reminder of where we are and what I shouldnotbe thinking about doing, so I blurt out, “No.”

The guys instantly straighten up. Will releases my hand. Beckett shifts away from me. It’s gratifying to see how quick they are to respect my boundaries, but they mistake my response.

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