Page 45 of Good Girl

“Charlotte... there is no way in Hell I could ever overlook you.” That truth would likely take a long time to truly sink into Charlotte, but in that moment, I decided I had the time. No matter how long it would take.

When the bath grew cold, I helped Charlotte out and dried her off with a large, fluffy towel. She downed the meal made by Samuel, and I tucked her up into my bed to sleep. Tears filled her eyes briefly, bringing with them a wave of panic that something was wrong, but Charlotte was just overwhelmed by how we were treating her. She assured me between gentle sobs that they were good tears, and I kissed each one away until she calmed down enough to sleep. She passed out almost as soon as her head hit the pillow, but I stayed in the room for twenty minutes just to ensure she was sleeping peacefully, then I headed out into the lounge.

Matt was spread out on the sofa, an arm flung across the back and one ankle on top of his knee. Samuel sat cross-legged on the floor, packing up the remaining toys into our chest after giving them a thorough cleaning.

“We’re taking a risk here,” Matt said the moment I walked into the room. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s a veryhotrisk and I have no regrets, but we have to be aware of that.”

“One wrong move, one wrong witness, and Brown will know we’re all fucking a student,” Samuel agreed, then his face scrunched up. “No... that doesn’t sound right.”

“What doesn’t?” I dropped onto the sofa next to Matt and laid back with a soft groan.

“Fucking sounds so cold and detached,” Samuel clarified.

“It’s true, though,” I replied.

“Is it?” Samuel fixed me with a steady look when I lifted my head, and I gave an uncertain nod. I hadn’t really acknowledged those feelings until now, but he was right, fucking did seem toocoldfor what we were doing with Charlotte. There was an unexpected yearning in my chest for her that was growing with each passing day.

“Careful.” Matt chuckled. “Is someone catching feelings?”

“No, of course not,” I remarked quickly, but Samuel and Matt exchanged a smug look.

“No judgment.” Samuel raised both hands. “She makes my heart do somersaults in ways I’ve never experienced before, andMattlet her on his bike. He hasn’t even let me on there.”

“Because I don’t trust you,” Matt remarked. “I know you.”

“Touché.” Samuel wrapped up the anal hook, secured it in its box, and closed the chest. “But Derek, you never really told us.”

“Told you what?”

“What made you pick Charlotte?”

The image of her weaving through the crowd at Club Tango popped into my head, specifically when she tossed her head and smiled that bright, happy smile as her golden waves danced about her face.

“Honestly? I saw her at the club the night before, just briefly, and thought she was cute. But in class, she stuck out to me. She seemed like the only genuine person in that entire place, the only person who sawmeand not the teacher accused of being a drunk.” I shrugged one shoulder and glanced between them. “I liked that. I like integrity.”

“Can’t say I blame you,” Matt agreed. “But I watch you with her. You’re more attentive with her than you are with Angel.”

Angel was my usual playmate at a BDSM club we often frequented, but she hadn’t even crossed my mind since Charlotte had caught my attention.

“Angel is paid to please me,” I offered as a weak excuse. “Charlotte isn’t. Besides, if I liked her, I would fuck her. Right now, she’s just fun to play with.”

Matt’s handsome face bloomed into a smile. “Ahh, yes, your rule of only fucking people you care about. Trust me, though, you’re missing out on how sweet Charlotte’s pussy is.”

“I’ve had a taste.” I chuckled.

“That’s nothing,” Samuel cut in, and he stood. He braced his hands near his crotch, mimicking holding onto hips. “The way her pussy grips you when she’s so close, and those sweet little moans she makes?” Samuel rolled his eyes and groaned. “I’m in love.”

Matt laughed softly, and I shot him a smile, but deep down, I knew they were on to something. It wasn’t how Charlotte was in bed, or her smile, or even how calm I felt when I was around her that clued me into my own feelings.

It was howpossessiveI felt the moment I had heard about her ex being near her. That raw, dominating energy that had surged up hot and fast the second Matt had told me about his run-in at the store. That was how I began to suspect I was hooked.

Charlotte was mine. And I would do everything in my power to keep her that way.

21

CHARLOTTE

Iwalked up the brick stone staircase to my family’s inn with a heavy heart. Coming back here was never pleasant, and none of my childhood memories were particularly pleasant. Most students were relieved to come home, happy to return to a nostalgic familiar environment where they were met with open arms and tales of how badly they had been missed.

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