Page 20 of Messy Match

Three years ago, we were strangers meeting at a crowded party where champagne flowed freely and possibilities seemed endless, until everything went sideways. Now, instead of a pounding club, we’ll be cozy on the couch. It’s funny how what once seemed like the ultimate New Year’s celebration now pales compared to a quiet evening with friends and the woman I love.

Through the window, I see Lily, who works in the high rise above, coming from the direction of the restroom. Her frazzled expression softens as Charlotte slides two coffees across the counter. My chest tightens with pride at how Charlotteremembers everyone’s preferences, how she genuinely cares about the people in her orbit. She might pretend to be all sharp edges, but underneath, she’s pure warmth.

I head inside, and it’s Amber who spots me first, as she’s clearing tables. “Well, look who’s here,” she says, pretending to check a watch. “And right on schedule.”

“Hey, Amber,” I reply. “It’s nice to see you, too.”

Charlotte looks up from the register, flashing me a megawatt smile that lights up her entire face. Her gray eyes dance with mischief as I head toward her. Heat floods my system as our gazes lock. Even now, after six months of being able to touch her, to please her body often, the sight of her still steals my breath.

“How are you, babe?” I lean across the counter to plant a quick kiss on her lips. She tastes like a vanilla latte, sweet and intoxicating.

“Good,” Charlotte murmurs against my lips, grabbing my sweatshirt, so I can’t escape.

“Get a room,” Nora groans from where she’s cleaning the espresso machine.

“Already have one,” I murmur against Charlotte’s mouth, low enough that only she can hear. “And can’t wait to get you back there later.”

A delicious flush spreads across her cheeks as she releases me, but her hand lingers on my forearm, thumb tracing lazy circles that send electricity racing through my veins.

“Speaking of rooms…” Lily interjects, settling her hip against the counter with her coffee. “When are you two moving in together? You’re basically joined at the hip whenever you’re both free.”

“Yeah,” Amber chimes in. “You two went from a weekend truce to inseparable in what? Like seventy-two hours? And that was six months ago.”

“We’re working on it.” Charlotte circles the counter to slip an arm around my waist. It’s true. We’ve been talking about moving in together for months now, but between her mornings at the coffeeshop and most nights at the show, she’s been busy. But so have I. I’ve been picking up extra shifts and saving every penny I can to buy an engagement ring. By spring, I should have enough, and I’m already dreaming up memorable ways I could propose. But I’m not there yet.

“Hey,” I add. “I’m still proving I can be trusted with a key to her place.”

“Oh, please,” Charlotte rolls her eyes, but the affection in her voice is unmistakable. “Like I didn’t catch you replacing all my smoke detector batteries and installing carbon monoxide detectors the day after I gave you that key.”

“Safety first, sweetheart,” I reply, unable to keep the grin off my face. Some habits die hard, but Charlotte—thank god—understands now that my need to protect her isn’t because I think she’s weak. Rather, it’s because I love her so much that the thought of anything happening to her is more terrifying than any burning building I’ve ever entered.

“Well,” Lily says, sighing dramatically, “some of us are still swiping left on every profileThe Onethrows our way. At least I can live vicariously through you two for a bit longer before you get all married and boring.”

“Trust me,” I say, my voice dropping as I tug Charlotte closer against me, “we’re never going to be boring.”

As if to prove my point, Charlotte takes my hand and, with a quick “Be right back” to the others, tugs me toward the supply room as their collective groans follow us. But the moment the door closes, the sound is drowned out as Charlotte presses me against it, her body flush against mine as she rises on her toes to claim my mouth in a searing kiss. Her fingers tangle in my hair as my hands find her waist, gripping her hips as my cock stiffens.I press my lips to the sensitive spot behind her ear, the one I’ve memorized over countless nights exploring every inch of her.

“God, Charlotte,” I growl as she rolls her hips against mine, creating a delicious friction that has me seeing stars. My hands slide down to cup her ass, pulling her tighter against me as she lets out a soft moan that vibrates through my chest.

Her fingers tug my head down. She scrapes my earlobe with her teeth then soothes the sting with her tongue. “Want you,” she murmurs. “Right now.”

I spin us, pinning her against the shelving unit with my hips. Bags of coffee beans rustle as my hands slide under her shirt, finding bare skin that burns under my touch. She gasps when my thumb brushes the undersides of her breasts through her bra.

“Here?” I murmur, voice rough with need as I slide a thigh between her legs. She grinds down against it, shameless in her desire.

“Our friends will be around later,” she says with that wicked smile that makes me want to tear off her clothes. Her hands drop to my belt, nimble fingers working the buckle.

I capture her mouth again in a kiss that’s all heat and hunger, lifting her so she can wrap her gorgeous legs around my waist. The shelves behind her creak precariously as I press her harder against them, desperate to be closer, to feel more of her.

Her head falls back against a box of coffee filters with a thud when I work my hand between us, cupping her through her jeans and feeling the heat radiating through the denim.

“Jake,” she whimpers, the sound making my already hard cock throb painfully against my zipper. Just as her fingers finally free my belt and start lowering my zipper, I surrender. I crush my lips against hers, pouring my desperation into the kiss. We don't have time to waste.

Charlotte's eyes, dark with desire, meet mine as she pushes my pants down. "Now," she demands.

I spin her around, pressing her against the wall. My hands grip her hips, and I line up at her wet entrance and fill her from behind in a single hard fast thrust. She gasps, her fingers clawing at the wall as I start to move. It's quick and rough, but it's us, raw and real.

"Jake," she moans, pushing back against me, meeting me stroke for stroke. Her body tightens around me, her breath coming in short gasps.

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