Page 41 of Behind the Cascades
His hand engulfs my cheek as he kisses me. "Music to my fucking ears. I love you so much, Charlie. Not a day went by that I didn't love you. Even when I was pissed at you, my heart still only wanted you."
"So there wasn't anyone else?" Not sure why I'm trying to ruin the moment, but with every other card on the table, we might as well throw this one out too.
He shakes his head and laughs. "Hell no. Even if there were options, I wouldn’t have wanted to or been able to."
A sigh of relief pops out and my shoulders instantly feel lighter.
"How 'bout you?" The hesitancy in his voice is almost cute. For a split second, I think about teasing him but I’m not sure he could handle that right now.
"Nope. Celibacy was the easiest part of the entire nineteen months."
He laughs, "Same."
"Guess we have a lot to make up for then."
His returning smirk is enough to send a shiver down my spine. "Oh, we definitely do."
His kiss can only be described as feral. The man devours my mouth, pressing his body into mine as he takes control. In a blink, he has my bralette and shorts thrown across the room. The assertive Hayes I missed is officially back. Controlling in thebest way, sexy as hell, and sporting a confidence that is irresistible.
We spend the rest of the day making up for lost time.
It isn't until the evening that I realize I haven't checked my phone or even thought about the outside world. Hayes has a way of consuming my attention completely, and I'm not complaining one bit. I should, however, call Drew and explain my side of things and then check in with Olivia. She texted me last night and told me that Dan told her all about the diner run-in. Drew takes priority, though; I've been shutting out my brother for far too long.
Hayes has been softly snoring for a few minutes, so I go in search of my phone.
Finding it, I walk out to the porch and sit on the steps.
The phone rings and rings, and right when I’m about to give up hope, he answers.
“Hello?”
“Hey, big brother—” I try to sound casual, but my voice cracks with emotion.
"Fucking hell, Charlotte." There isn't an ounce of anger in his voice, only concern.
"Heard you've been looking for me?" I try to joke but it comes out weak.
I know that he knows where I am. Hayes told me he called him last night while he was following me out to my house.
"Yeah, Hayes called me. Shit, Charlie. I'm so damn sorry." His tone brings tears to my eyes instantly. He sounds as heartbroken as I felt. "I’m an asshole for brushing you off like that. You deserved more from me."
"You're right, I did. From both of you. However, you can both stop blaming yourselves for my running away. That was all on me; I needed to get as far away from South Carolina as Icould. I was terrified of Carter getting out; terrified he wouldn't let it go; terrified he'd only escalate the situation."
"I don't blame you. I should've been there to protect you."
"You couldn't have been there, and you know it. The only person to blame is the one who did the stalking. Carter isn’t just crazy; he’s dangerous. There isn't anything you or any of us could've done differently."
"That doesn't make me feel any better."
"Me either, but you talking to me wouldn't have changed anything. You and Hayes would have lost your shit and either gotten kicked out of the Navy or killed because you were distracted."
"Probably right. Hayes would have come unglued at the seams, not being able to protect you. Thought he was going to go insane when he couldn't find you."
"Yeah, he mentioned that. So we're all good now? I'll stop hiding in plain sight and you'll stop guilt tripping yourself.”
"We're good. I'm glad you two worked it out. He's been a miserable asshole for the last couple of years. Yesterday was the first time I heard him genuinely laugh since before everything happened. He loves the hell out of you, Charlie."
"I love him, too. That never changed. I was only waiting for y'all to get back and come to your senses."
