Page 63 of Charlie Takes a Chance

“Charlie,” I groan.

She tips her head back, pressing that cold hand firmly against my bare chest. “I think I know what the favor is.”

She leans forward and kisses me with abandon. It’s delicious. She smells like fresh laundry and some soft perfume. I’ve never been good at discerning scents, but I know she smells good.

I lean back in the chair, pulling her with me as we recline. Her weight rests entirely on me as we never break the kiss.

I reach under her puffy coat and find that she’s wearing a sports bra and nothing else.

With a groan, I run my hand up her back. The skin is so soft against my callouses. I can feel her back muscles and know that she’s strong enough to take care of herself but still deliciously soft in my arms. I didn’t know I could be so lucky as to find someone like her.

It’s scary how deeply I’m falling for her. I didn’t feel a fraction of this for my ex-girlfriend. But Charlie? She has the power to shatter me.

And I’ve decided it’s worth the risk.

“Am I interrupting?” A dry voice asks.

I sit up abruptly, bumping my forehead against Charlie’s.

We both pause to touch our injuries before we turn to see who the intruder is.

It’s a woman with short white hair wearing a plaid jacket and thick, black-rimmed glasses.

Charlie leaps off of my lap and blushes a delightful shade of red. “Grandma!”

Oh crap.

I jump out of the chair and straighten my clothes, combing a hand through my tussled hair. That is not exactly the impression I wanted to make on her grieving grandmother.

“Hi, Grandma. I wasn’t expecting you so early!”

“That much is obvious,” she chuckles as Charlie rushes over to hug her.

She’s a small-framed woman, lean and wiry. Even a couple of inches shorter than Charlie, and I can’t help but think that I figured this woman all wrong. I can see right now how capable and sharp she is. Those eyes miss nothing.

Unfortunately for me, since I just got caught making out with her granddaughter…

“Grandma, I’m so glad you made it. This is Max. Max, this is my grandma Charlene.”

Aha. Charlene and Charlie. I get it now, and that’s why they’re still so close. She’s the namesake.

“Max?” Charlene harrumphs. “Charlie and Max sound like two golden retrievers getting up to no good.”

Charlie grimaces at that.

Charlene shakes her head and smirks. “That’s alright. Young people should get into a little bit of trouble, at least. I hope it’s the kind I’ll approve of, though.”

I reach out a hand to shake hers. “I don’t know if I count as good trouble, but it’s nice to meet you. I’m glad you could make it.”

“When Charlie mentioned your name, I knew I better hurry over here and see what she’s gotten into,” Charlene says with a narrow-eyed look at me.

“It was actually Max’s idea to invite you, Grandma,” Charlie admits.

Charlene adjusts her glasses at that. “Now, that might change some things. Don’t tell me you live in this monstrosity.”

“No, ma’am. We were just decorating the Christmas tree,” I explain, hoping my hot cheeks don’t look bright red.

“Oh, is that what they’re calling it these days?”

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