Page 48 of If My Wishes Came True
Charlie looks down at his shoes before his eyes meet mine again. “Thanks. But I’m not so sure I was acting.”
“No?” My stomach flutters.
He shakes his head. “Grady looked pretty jealous. I thought he might try to punch me.”
“I honestly think you could take him,” I say with a wink.
My fingers skate up Charlie’s muscular arms and around his neck. It’s only been two weeks since I last saw him, but he’s somehow even more handsome than I remember. His hair’s grown out a bit since we first met, and there’s a little curl to it now that looks sexy on him. And the way his gaze is locked on mine, I can tell he’s missed me as much as I’ve missed him. I take another step forward, into his arms, and before I know it, my lips are gravitating toward his.
“Shoot,” I say, just milliseconds before impact. “I didn’t ask Esther if I’m allowed to kiss you.”
Charlie steps back, a curious look on his face. “Um…Esther?”
I chuckle. “She’s my therapist. She suggested we spend thenext month hanging out and getting to know each other…without having sex. Are you okay with that?”
“Of course,” he says right away. “I told you I’d wait as long as you need, and I mean it, Jenna.” The pink in his cheeks deepens. “I’m just happy I get to spend time with you.”
“Me too,” I say, taking him in my arms again. “So…what do you think? Should we kiss?”
“You’re in the driver's seat.” Charlie tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Or I guess you could let Esther decide.”
I bite the smile on my lips, very aware of the pull I feel toward his body. There’s barely a few inches of space between us, but I’m desperate to close the gap.
I think back to my session with Esther again. She’d suggested starting my relationship with Charlie the same way mine started with Hunter.
Well, Hunter and I kissed plenty…so, I guess I have my answer.
I press my body and my lips against Charlie’s, and his hands move to my waist. But he lets me take the lead. I slip my tongue into his mouth, rake my fingers through his hair, and he does the same to me. It feels so good, I arch into him, baring my neck for him to kiss. He does it eagerly, his mouth traveling down to my collarbone, and up to my ear, then back to my lips.
“Charlie, oh my god…wait,” I say, breathless.
He steps back to give me space.
I place a hand over my racing heart. I’ve never been this turned on, just making out with someone. “I’m sorry, you’re such an amazing kisser…if we keep going, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop.”
“Like I said, you’re in the driver’s seat,” he tells me with an amused grin.
I’m so warm, I have to fan my face with my hand. “We probably shouldn’t kiss. I mean…that was intense, right? And I don’t want to…you know, get you all hot and bothered and not be able to, um?—”
Charlie laughs. “You don’t have to worry about that. I mean, I’m extremely attracted to you, don’t get me wrong. And I foresee a lot of cold showers in my future. But, um…” He looks at me earnestly. “I want to wait before we have sex, too.”
I raise my eyebrows. “You do?”
He steps toward me and takes my hand. “I think this could be really special, Jenna—you and me. I’ve never felt this way about someone I just met, and if I’m being honest, it’s a little scary. Not because I don’t want this, but because of how much I do. And I know you’ve been burned in the past, and I have too, so…I just want to make sure we do this right.”
It occurs to me that I’ve been so focused on my own relationship history that I haven’t thought much about Charlie’s. But I guess I’ll find out in due time. From what I can tell, he learned enough from his past relationships to know what he wants now—and the fact that it’s me has me feeling over the moon.
Charlie moves his hands to my waist. “When we sleep together, I want it to mean something,” he whispers.
I wipe a tear that rolls down my cheek. “I don’t know how…but you always say the right thing.” Smiling, I circle my arms around him, and the magnetic pull between us moves my lips toward his again, but he stops me.
“I thought you said no kissing,” he teases.
“Hmm. How about no tongue?” I counter.
“Deal,” he says, and presses his lips to mine. The kiss is short and sweet this time. “Are you hungry?”
I nod. “Starving.”
