Page 68 of Charlie

"Exactly. I have a feeling things are about to get a little more interesting, Sassenach."

I don't know what that means, but I like the sound of it.

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Isquirm in his lap, trying to get comfortable. His fingers press into my hips, keeping me still.

"Stop. Moving."

I look at him out of the corner, raising my eyebrow. "You're a bossy motherfucker, aren't you?"

"The correct answer is 'Yes, Sir.'"

He pulses under me. A warning? A promise? Desire blazes through me, setting my skin on fire.

"Understood?"

I want to fight against his controlling tone, but lust grips me by the throat, and I can only nod.

"Good girl. Do you want dessert?"

Only if it's you. "Yes, please," I whisper, the words strangled.

I help him clean out the pan and heat the crepes. He plates them and cuts up the strawberries while I drizzle the Nutella. I swipe my thumb over the spoon and smear it over his bottom lip.

"Let me help you with that." I stand on my tiptoes and run my tongue over his lip. I suck the Nutella off his lip, sweeping my tongue into his mouth to get the last traces of it. He groans and bands his arms around my back, biting my lip before pushing his tongue into my mouth.

The smell of something burning breaks through the haze.

"Shit," Jack murmurs against my lips. Without breaking our kiss, he reaches behind me and turns the burner off. He angles my head, his hands engulfing both sides of my face. I moan as he pushes his fingers into my hair and tugs. His hands trail down my back, his pace maddeningly slow. He reaches my waistband, and I arch, begging him with my body to move his hands lower. He stops, breaking our kiss, trailing his lips over my jaw, down my neck, and over my collarbone. My nipples ache for his touch. He swirls his tongue over the hollow of my throat, chuckling against my skin when I mewl and squirm against him.

He pulls back a little to look at me. "Let's eat."

"Only if it's me."

"We have all night, Charlotte. You'll need your energy."

"Fine," I say, taking the plate from him.

"It doesn't bother you that I'm moving faster with Lach?" I blurt, the thought suddenly occurring to me, the words tumbling from my lips before I can reel them back in.

"It's not a contest, Sassenach. Your relationship with him is between the two of you. Our relationship is between us."

"God, you're perfect. Where have you been my whole life?"

"I've been here. Waiting for you, mo chridhe." He cups my chin, pulling my lips to his. "Now eat," he says gruffly, motioning for me to sit by the fire.

After popping the last bite into my mouth, I lick my fingers, staring into the fire.

"Penny for your thoughts," Jack says, his golden eyes studying my face.

I laugh. "I think there has to be a mischievous divine being that planned out every chaotic step that has led me here. I still can't quite believe how much has changed in a couple of months."

"You're fucking telling me," he chuckles, leaning forward to put his elbows on his knees. "I feel like every piece of my soul – no matter how minuscule – is repositioning itself to make a home for you at the very center of my being."

"Jack—"

"Don't," he says, cutting me off. "I don't need you to say anything back. I just want you to know." He pulls his phone out of his pocket and fiddles with it for a second before the song 'Turning Page' comes on. I take the hand he holds out to me, melting into him as he pulls me close. We sway together for several seconds before he spins me away from him, drawing me back into his arms.

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