Page 20 of Cherishing Little Charlee

“Baby, we can do whatever you want to do. Now try on those clothes before I scoop you up in nothing but your bra and panties, toss you over my shoulder and carry you out.”

“I might enjoy that,” I said but my tone was sweet. For once I didn’t argue. Even with his eyes on me, I tried each piece on envisioning how to style them with what I had at home. The more my brain went down the road of possibilities for us over the next few weeks, and longer, the more relaxed it became. I expected nerves, insecurities, panicked thoughts but Pierce brought a strong sense of calm and serenity. I knew they would pop up again but we’d handle them together.

CHAPTER 6

CHARLEE

Pierce and I barely made it into my apartment without touching each other intimately. Pushing me against the back of the front door, he dropped the bags in his hands and tangled his fingers into my hair. I stared into his face for a moment before closing my eyes. He read into what I wanted without asking and kissed me passionately, his lips molding to mine. I cupped his face with my hands and moaned into his mouth.

“Pierce… oh you taste so good.”

“Bedroom,” he said growling.

“You’d like to go there?” I wasn’t trying to be extra bratty but it was worth the additional growl he gave me in response.

“Sassy thing.”

Pierce wrapped an arm around my waist and tossed me over his shoulder like I weighed no more than a sack of potatoes. He paused long enough to grab his duffle bag before continuing up my hallway.

“Sir! You can’t carry me!” He smacked my upper thighs in retaliation leaving a delicious sting behind. I loved it. I wanted more. Why it felt good now in the privacy of my apartmentversus the dressing room a few minutes ago baffled me. Unless it was the promise of sex instead of a reminder. Headspace differentiated the feeling. I knew that somewhere in my brain, but I wiggled against his back protesting so he’d do it again. Pierce tapped my right butt cheek hard.

“Don’t tell your Sir what he can and can’t do.”

Oh, well damn.His statement increased the arousal already pumping through my body. I couldn’t believe this was finally happening. Walking us into my bedroom, he flipped me onto my bed and wasted no time in stripping me to my bra and panties. Though he’d already admired them in the dressing room, he complimented me as he peeled them off. Pierce removed the remainder of my clothes, setting them on the dresser. I rose up on my elbows as I stared. Was he going to give me a show? I sure hoped so. Teasing, as if he read my thoughts, Pierce moved along the line of his button-down flannel at a snail's pace undoing each one with painstaking slowness.

“See something you like, beautiful?”

It was one of his favorite questions and my answer was always the same. “Yes, I do. You. But–”

“Shh, I see those wheels spinning again.”

His insight was correct. I’d been unraveling in a bad way in my thoughts. Fretting, I took a few deep breaths. Pierce wasn’t some dude I’d met at a dive bar. We worked together. Lived near one another. We had been friends for a while.

“I’m trying my best not to freak out about the possibilities of what this means for us. Wait, this does mean something right? Because I don’t want a hookup. I’m not sure if I said that to you.”

“Look at me, starlet,” he commanded.

“Yes, Sir?”

Pierce wrapped his arms around my shoulders, tucking me against his body. “I promise you with every fiber of my being that this”—he motioned between us—“is not casual. It’s not ahookup. My intentions are for us to be in a relationship. Do you want that too, sweetheart?”

Though I’d told him I’d give him a chance earlier when we were talking about important things, he wanted a more clear, concise answer. A relationship is all I’d been wanting with Pierce. So why was it so hard to verbalize? Why did I keep tossing my brat in his direction and pretending to run whenever he cornered me? Because I was scared. Scared that Pierce Harding could be everything I’d ever wanted and more. Including my Daddy.Ugh. Further distractions and incorrect expectations were not things that would help us. No. Dodging the heart of the matter was no longer an option. Taking a breath, I let it out in a long exaggerated exhale.

“I like you. A whole bunch. Way more than a bunch,” I confirmed.

“A… bundle?” Pierce asked playfully as he finished unbuttoning his flannel and took it off.

The action left him in a black A-line tank and his jeans that hung low on his hips. He was going to leave me in a state of perpetual arousal for the rest of our lives.

“All right, Pierce. We’ll stick with a bundle.”

“I like it when you call me ‘Sir’,” he said unbuckling his belt while he unzipped his jeans. Shucking out of them, he smiled.

“Yes, Sir,” I said watching him. Pierce grabbed the bottom of his tank, yanking it off his torso. He was more muscular than I’d realized. Looking at him in nothing but a pair of navy boxer briefs drew heat to my face.

“Much better. Anyhow, if you like me and I like you then I don’t see a problem. You promised me a chance. I’m not going to toss it away. You’re stuck with me.”

“Forever?”

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