Page 48 of Charlie

I laugh, my insides fizzing like champagne bubbles.

He pulls me in, nestling me between his legs. I stare at him, half in wonder, half in absolute terror. This man... "This doesn't change the fact that I have to go back home," I blurt, refusing to let myself forget that I don't live here. I expect him to pull away, expect him to be hurt.

"I know," he murmurs, tracing his finger over my eyebrows. "And that's okay, Charlotte. I'm here for whatever you need. Whether that's friendship or something more."

I feel a huge burden fall from my shoulders. We may kiss, but that doesn't mean it has to go further. And if it does, that doesn't have to mean anything profound, either. He runs his finger down my nose and over the bow of my lips, pulling at my lower lip, his gaze narrowing to my mouth. He slicks his tongue over his bottom lip, and that's the final straw. I crush my mouth to his, my body coming alive with the drag of his teeth over tender flesh, the swipe of his tongue over mine.

It's not enough.

I whimper and he moans in response. My toes curl and my back arches, the tips of my breasts seeking friction. He splays his hand over my back, holding me in place as he lazily draws circles over my ribcage, purposely avoiding the places I want him to touch. I groan in frustration and arch further, pushing my chest against him. He sucks my lip into his mouth just as his hand closes over my breast, rolling my nipple between his fingers. I gasp and pull my mouth from his, raining kisses over his cheeks and down his neck as he kneads and plucks at me. His breaths are heavy against my ear, ratcheting my drive even higher.

"Charlotte." He pulls away from me, the air between us dousing the fire. His hand trembles as he runs it through his hair.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, lass." He tips my head up to meet his gaze. "I want to cherish this." His throat bobs. "Even if we're just friends, it doesn't mean we have to race to the finish line. I want to savor you like you're my last meal."

I would have dropped my panties for him right then and there if he was willing. I nod and take a couple of deep breaths, my gaze catching on the thick length straining against his zipper. He caresses my cheeks with his thumbs, his hands cradling my face. We stare at each other, not saying anything.

He grins suddenly. "I—" he stops short, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"You what?" I ask, stepping back so he can stand.

"Everything seems different since the day we met, Charlotte. You're invading my senses. The air I breathe like you, for fuck's sake." He catches my hand in his, peppering kisses over my knuckles. "I hope you know how amazing you are."

My cheeks warm as I hold his gaze. "You're not so bad yourself," I say, giving him an exaggerated wink.

"Hey." He pulls me back to him, his face only inches from mine. "I mean it."

"Yes, sir," I say, my voice husky.

His nostrils flare and he grabs my ass, pulling me against his cock, rolling his hips against mine. "I can't wait to fucking destroy you." He spins us around, pinning me to the bales, and shoves his thigh between my legs, rocking it back and forth. He dips his head until his mouth is against my ear, "Let me hear how much you like it." I drop my head back against the hay, clamping my mouth closed to keep in the moan, self-consciousness breaking through the haze.

"Let go, Charlotte," Jack rumbles, eyes so dark I can only see a sliver of whisky around his pupils. He fists my shirt in his hands, ripping it open, buttons popping. He pushes his thumbs into my bra, pulling my breasts from the cups, kneading and pinching until I'm dizzy with need. I sob his name when he stops moving his leg, pleading for him to keep going. He holds my gaze as he lowers his mouth, swirling his tongue around my nipple, drawing it deep into his mouth, his groan vibrating all the way to my core. I cry out as he drags his teeth over my nipple, rocking my pelvis against his thigh, desperate for release.

"That's my fucking girl," he groans as he moves to my other breast, flicking my nipple with his tongue. "Take what you need," he rasps against me, pressing his thigh in tighter. I roll my hips against his leg twice and I'm there, falling apart in his hands. He palms my throat, pulling my face to his, plundering my mouth. He thrusts against me slowly, his cock an iron rod against my hip.

"Fuck, Charlotte," he groans, gathering me in his arms and pulling me into his body.

"Let me get you there, Jack," I practically beg, running my hand over him. All I can think about is how he'll feel, how he'll taste.

"God." He bites his lip and covers my hand with his, thrusting against my fingers. He grits his teeth and pulls my hand away, linking his fingers with mine. "Not until I know you're not going anywhere."

"But—"

He shushes me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Can we stay like this forever?" he mumbles into my hair, squeezing me against him.

"If I could unzip your skin and climb inside you, I would."

"Oh fuck," he laughs, his chest shaking under my cheek. "How about we go take care of the horses and save climbing into each other's skin for tomorrow?"

"Deal," I say, grinning. God, I love him.

27

Isla shoves open the door to the cottage, scaring the ever-loving shit out of me.

"Hey! You wanna come with us to Jack's?"

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