Page 80 of Out of the Gold

Melody

We finally arriveat our villa in Ravello at six o’clock. We’re both beat from all the traveling, Charles especially so. “I know it’s early, but we should really hit the hay. We’ve traveled so much and our bodies need to unwind.”

The smile he gives me is downright . . .dirty. I’ve never known a smile to be dirty before.

He drops our overnight bag to the floor, unbuttoning his shirt. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”

“You’re incorrigible. I meant tosleep.” I dash into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

Even though I want to experience another round with him, my body really does need to recover. After seeing to my needs, I strip off my travel clothes and wrap myself in the white terrycloth robe. With caution, I open the door.

Charles isn’t in the bedroom. Huh. Walking into the main part of the suite, I check out the empty balcony. Where he introduced me to balcony sex. My body hums to life.Maybe I’m not so tired after all.

Coming back into the villa, I walk around the sofa and stop. Charles is passed out. I study him in his sleep. My goodness, he is classically gorgeous. His Roman nose is straight and in the right proportion to his face. His cheekbones are pronounced but not so much as to make him appear skeletal. And that cleft in his chin is something Lucifer himself would covet.

My gaze travels downward, over his exposed abs. He left his shirt on, but unbuttoned. Same for his pants. In repose, he’s downright scrumptious. Chest rising and falling as he sleeps. I memorize every inch of this man.

Myman.

I am safe with him. He sees me for me, recognizing my costume design talents. I’m not Braxton Hunte’s daughter with him. I’m Melody. My own woman. Someone he values for what I, myself, bring to the table.

My heart expands at the certainty he’s the real deal. Not after me for what my dad can do for his career, or for what he thinks my money and connections—actually, Daddy’s—can buy. Charles doesn’t need any of that from me, as he’s already set in his career. Even if he wants to take it in a different direction.

No, he doesn’tneedme.

Hewantsme.

Just as I want him for his true, renaissance self.

My eyes eat him up from head to toe. As much as I want to be with him again, he’s exhausted. And I am too, really. Should I wake him up to bring him into bed? Shaking my head, I pick up a blanket and drape it over his prone form, kissing his forehead. And tiptoe back into the bedroom. Tossing off the bathrobe, I slide, naked, into the bed and fall fast asleep before my head hits the pillow.

A flutter onmy chest makes me turn.

A low rumble warms my body.

A nip against my nipple wakes me up.

An oversized naked man lies next to me in bed, the sheet draped low over his hips. He bites me again.

“Charles!”

He places his index finger against my lips. “Shhh.” He places his hands on my shoulders and brings me flush against his body, tucking my head under his chin.

We remain like this for a while. The only thing that moves is his growing erection against my abdomen. Sliding my hand between us, I close around his girth and squeeze like he taught me to do in my condo earlier today. Or was that yesterday? Everything’s a blur.

“Now, Goldie. I thought you were tired.”

I move my hand up and down his shaft, and his breath catches. “Sleep is overrated.”

Charles turns onto his back, pulling me on top of him and proceeds to kiss every thought out of my head. Panting, he breaks from me and grabs a condom from the side table.

I steal the packet from him. “Let me. I’ve always wanted to do this.”

His chuckle rolls through me, then he spreads his arms wide. “I’m all yours.”

A thrill at his words races through my body. I open the packet and pull the latex out. It’s coated in a lubricant, but not too sticky. Concentrating, I pinch the top of the condom. Before covering his erection, though, I stick my tongue out and lick the pre-cum off.

“Need a clean surface,” I explain.

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