Page 39 of Charlie

"I'll take that as a yes," he laughs. He squeezes my knee, his fingers strong and sexy as fuck. My stomach flutters. "I'm sure every relationship is different, especially when it comes to poly relationships. But Em's comfort, protection, and pleasure were always our top priority. We kept our communication wide open."

"So... did you take turns?" I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it all.

Jack nods. "Yes, she rotated nights."

I feel a twinge of disappointment. "Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently regarding that part of the relationship?"

"It was never an option she would consider, but the guys were gunning for a huge bed at the beginning. It was so easy when all of us were together. We didn't want to separate it." He runs his hand through his hair. "I'm not explaining this well. We were fine with her having separate relationships with each of us, I just wish she had let us..." He trails off, his cheeks heating.

"What, Jack?"

"I don't know how to put this so it won't scare you off."

"You haven't scared me yet," I say. If the throbbing between my legs is any indication, it's completely the opposite.

"I wish she had let us worship her. Together. There's something about being able to watch your woman being ravished that is a fucking turn-on."

"Fuck—" I breathe, biting my lip to keep in a groan.

Jack's gaze snaps to mine, taking in my flushed cheeks and glassy eyes. I cover my face with my hands, focusing on breathing. This has to be the worst thing to consider after coming out of a five-year marriage, but God, my body wants it.

Jack's fingers grip my chin, forcing me to look at him. He sees my dilated pupils and curses. "So much fucking trouble," he murmurs, his grip softening into a caress, this thumb pulling at my bottom lip.

"Friends, remember?" I stammer, barely able to get the words out of my throat.

"Right." Jack stands up, cold air taking his place. "It sounds like the storm is over, so we may as well make a break for it."

I regret saying those two words the entire hike back.

Jack pauses at the path leading to the cottage, the fire in his eyes banked. "Have a good evening, Sassenach." He continues walking toward the main house.

"Jack," I call. He stops but doesn't look back. "I don't think I can do this much longer."

He turns. "Do what?"

"Pretend," I whisper, my heart jackhammering in my throat.

"Pretend what, Charlotte."

"That I want to be friends."

The fire in his eyes roars back to life. "When you give your consent Charlotte, I'll lick every square inch of your body until you're sobbing my name, and then I'll fuck you until you can't walk for a week. That's the only warning I'm going to give you."

"Yes, sir." I squeeze my thighs, desperate to relieve the ache. Then he's behind me, pulling me against his front, his cock pressing into my back.

"Can I touch you, Charlotte?" he rasps, his breath hot against the shell of my ear.

I nod, but he holds still, waiting. "Yes," I sob, grinding back against him. He slides his hand beneath my waistband, his fingers coming to rest on either side of my clit. He clamps an arm underneath my breasts, holding me up as my knees buckle. "You have no idea how many times I've thought about doing this," he growls, pushing one thick finger into me, rocking the heel of his palm against my clit. I explode around him, grinding against him as the orgasm batters my senses. He leaves his hand in place as I come down, pulling away slowly after the tremors stop. I stare up at him as he licks me from his fingers, his gaze never leaving mine. He palms my throat and kisses the spot right next to my lips.

"Have a good evening, Charlotte," he says before turning and walking up the path as if nothing happened. Like he hadn't just shattered my world into a million pieces.

22

"Come to the gym with me," Isla whines, bouncing her leg up and down underneath my tiny kitchen table.

"Isla," I groan, "The gym is the last place I want to go."

"Look – I know you're in shape now, but that's because you had that horrible job. What will happen now that you're not working outside all the time? You're going to feel like shit, that's what," she says, answering her question.

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