Every day this week, I had her favorite flowers delivered to her desk with an apology note, hoping she would talk to me. And every day I would find the flowers either in the trash, left in front of my office door, and one time given to a complete stranger who walked in asking for directions. Trey was there to witness that one. With one last flower attempt, I had a bouquet of her favorite flowers and another apology note sent to her desk. As I watched from outside my second-floor office, those flowers sat on her desk all day. When she left for the weekend, she took the flowers with her. I took that as a good sign.

  Sitting at the bar at Porter’s, I spill all of this to their newest bartender, Rylee. She listens as if she was my therapist. Doesn’t pass any judgment. Just tops off my beer when she sees my glass is almost empty. But when I finish telling her what happened, she did a one-eighty.

  “God, you’re such a dumbass. You gotta man up and go see this girl!” She slams her hands on the bar top.

  Catching me off guard, I tilt my head to the side and look at her as if she has three heads. And maybe because of these beers she does.

  “You send her flowers and a cheesy note, but come on, woo the girl.” She throws her arms in the air. “What’s wrong with guys these days and not knowing how to woo a girl?” Rylee mutters to herself. Ducking down to meet me at eye level. “You can’t do that with just flowers. She didn’t throw the last ones in the trash. That’s a good sign, but don’t stop there.” She stands to her full height and puts one hand on her hip. “If you like this girl, go get her. Big grand gesture. Have you never watched a romantic comedy?”

  I stare at her and shake my head.

  She huffs before placing her hands on the bar top in front of me. “Patrick serenades Kat in front of the entire soccer team in 10 Things I Hate About You. Lloyd held the boombox over his head in Say Anything. Edward got on a fire escape for Vivian in Pretty Woman even though he’s afraid of heights. Big Grand gesture.” She tosses the bar rag to rest on her shoulder. “And I have a feeling she likes you too because a girl who’s not interested wouldn’t react like that.”

  “So, what you’re saying is I need to serenade her in front of a bunch of people with a boombox on a fire escape?”

  “You might be a lost cause,” she mumbles. “No, what I’m saying is you need to make it big and make it memorable.”

  I take a moment to let everything she said sink in.

  Go get the girl, big grand gesture… Got it.

  I throw a stack of cash on the bar and thank Rylee. I’m going to get my girl.

  My Uber drops me off at her apartment but when I reach the main door, it’s locked. Fuck. This isn’t going as planned. I pace the front entrance trying to think of ways I could get inside when suddenly the door opens, and a younger couple strolls out. Grabbing the door handle before it can close, I offer a quick thank you and rush inside. Shit, I don’t know which one is her apartment. “Excuse me?” I yell down to the couple who are only a few steps down the sidewalk. “Charlie Hansley lives in this building. Any chance you know which number she is?

  The couple talk amongst themselves for a moment before the guy yells back. “She’s right next to me. Second floor. Apartment four.”

  “Thanks man.” I turn around and hike up the stairs two at a time. On the entire car ride over here, I silently gave myself a pep talk. I won’t lose the girl this time. I’ll lay it all out there and pray that she forgives me. When I reach her doorway, I come to a stop. My heart racing, partially from running up the stairs, but mostly from what her answer will be. I take a few deep breaths and quietly rap on her door.

  Silence.

  I knock one more time.

  The echo from my knock is the only sound in the hallway. With my ear to the door, I try to listen for any sign of movement on the other side. A few beats pass and nothing. I rest my hands on the door jamb and lower my head. Defeated.

  Suddenly, the click of a dead bolt unlatching jolts me back to life. I watch as the door handle turns, and the door opens a crack.

  “Bennett? Is that you? What are you doing here?” Charlie asks softly. Her hair’s slightly disheveled, and a robe wraps around her small frame.

  “Charlie. Look. Please hear me out. Can I come in?”

  My heart rate speeds up, waiting for her response. When her eyes connect with mine, I sense wariness as she seems reluctant but opens the door, anyway. I let out a small sigh of relief and she motions for me to enter. She closes the door softly behind her and folds her arms over her chest.

  “Okay. You’re here. What do you have to say that you haven’t said already?”

  I rake my hands through my hair and then look up at Charlie.

  “I’m an asshole.”

  She folds her arms over her chest. “You deceived me for months. I sent you pictures of myself. Did anyone else see those?”

  I move my head from side to side. “Trey tried, but I stopped him before he could get to my phone.”

  “So, everyone knew but me.” She releases a humorless laugh as her arms fall to her sides. “Was it all a big joke? Let’s catfish the girl who was cheated on.”

  “Fuck. Charlie. It was never like that. I should’ve told you who I was as soon as I found out who you were, but…” I turn around and start pacing around the small area. My eyes catch sight of my flowers sitting on her small two-person dining table. “Rylee told me I need some big grand gesture to win you back. But I don’t have a boombox. I can’t sing worth shit.” I glance around the room. “I’m not sure if you have a fire escape or not. But I’ve enjoyed talking to you. It felt real. And I didn’t want that to end. Call me selfish, but I didn’t mean to hurt you.” In a few strides I’m standing directly in front of her. “So, I’m here as a man who can’t stop thinking about this amazing woman and will do whatever it takes for her to forgive me. Please forgive me. If you never want to talk to me again, fine. But just please forgive me?” She ponders my plea for a few moments while my words sink in and in that moment, I’ve never felt so vulnerable. My chest tightens with each passing second, she doesn’t say anything. So, I offer her one last piece of me. “I was never the guy who chased the girl but here I am because you mean so damn much to me. I’m so sorry.”

  After what feels like an eternity her face slowly lifts to mine. “I’ve enjoyed talking to you, too,” she says in the faintest of whispers.

  “Yeah?” A smile tugs at my lips.

  She bites her bottom lip and nods.

  “So, you forgive me?” I take another step closer until my shoes are touching her bare toes.

  With her eyes still locked on mine, she nods.

  “And you want to see where this might go?”

  She nods again, but this time lust blazes behind her orbs. “But you need to make it up to me.”

  With her body pressed between mine and the door. I stare down into her hazel eyes, flecks of gold circle her pupils as I search for any hint that she doesn’t want this. I bend down and tilt my head to the side, my cheek touching hers, and whisper.

  “I will spend eternity making it up to you. But the next move is yours.”

  Her hands rise to rest on my forearms. When I glance at her face, her eyes are closed, but slowly they open, and I see a spark of heat and desire pool in her irises. Ever so slowly, her hands glide up past my biceps until her fingers are clasped behind my neck. Time stands still as I wait with bated breath on what she is going to do. She stretches up on her tippy toes and places the softest of kisses on my lips. She starts to pull away when I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her to me. Her robe falls open as her body presses against mine. I crash my lips to hers and a moan escapes her throat. She tilts her head and I deepen the kiss. Hard and punishing. Her lips part as an invitation I gladly take. The kiss continues as my hands roam to her round, plump ass. I give it a squeeze and am greeted with another moan. I wrap my hands behind her thighs and lift her, pressing her up against the door. Her hands thread through my hair as my growing erection presses against her core.

  I can’t get enough of this girl.

  She starts to grind on my cock through my jeans and I press harder into her. I pepper kisses down her cheek, then to the nape of her neck. I pull the robe off her shoulder and kiss her collarbone. All the while, her hands roam my back, then her fingers glide through my hair. Little whimpers and moans escape her mouth.

  “I need you so bad right now.” My words are breathy as I kiss the top of her cleavage.

  “Yes, I need you, too.”

  She moans and then leans back and starts unbuttoning my shirt. I can’t help but look at her gorgeous face and then she notices me.

  “What?”

  “You’re so damn sexy.”

  “Well, it’s not going to be so sexy if you don’t help me get this shirt off you.”

  She pulls and tugs to get it loose from where her legs are wrapped around me. I let out a small laugh. Her hands caress my bare chest before she runs them past my shoulders to push the shirt off.

  “You got this. You don’t need my help.”

  She glares at me and then playfully smacks my chest. “Put me down.”

  I slowly drop her legs and her body slides down mine. And that’s when I see what she’s wearing under her robe. A silk camisole that does nothing to hide her perky tits and hard nipples and matching silk shorts that I will happily remove with my teeth.

  She grabs my hand and drags me behind her, happy to follow her wherever she goes. We enter her bedroom, and the warm glow of a lamp illuminates the room. She turns around and directs me to the end of the bed.

  “The abs that I’ve dreamed about.” She finishes taking my shirt all the way off and pushes me so my back hits the bed. Charlie shrugs her robe off, and I watch as it floats to the floor. She climbs up on top of me, straddling my hips. Once again, my cock is right at her entrance. If we didn’t have two layers of clothes between us, I could slip right in. She grabs my face and kisses me. We grind against each other like two teenagers until I decide it’s my turn to take control.

  Catching her by surprise, I flip her over in one swift motion and she lets out a soft squeal. “It’s my turn to play.”

  I kiss her swollen, pouty lips, then I pepper kisses down her neck. She tilts her head to give me better access, her throaty moans encouraging me to continue. So, I kiss down to her collarbone and down her clothed chest. I suck on her hard nipple through the silk as my hand goes up to squeeze the other breast. Her back arches off the bed as she writhes beneath me. I slowly lift the hem of her shirt, exposing her taut stomach. Starting between her breasts, I pepper kisses down to her belly button. When I look up, she’s risen to her elbows to watch me. The corner of my lips tip up into a smile. My cock twitches knowing she wants to watch what I’m about to do to her. Before I get side-tracked, I continue my exploration to the waistband of her sleep shorts. With my teeth, I grab the elastic and pull down.

  “That has to be one of the hottest things I’ve seen,” she whispers and bites her lip.

  She lifts her butt off the bed, and I pull the shorts the rest of the way off with the assistance of my hands and drop them to the floor. Starting at her ankle, I place kisses on her leg, over her calf, past her knee until I get to her thigh. And then I do it all over again on the other leg.

  “Bennett?”

  I stop my slow, sensual seduction and look up at Charlie.

  “Let me just say I love this sweet foreplay thing we’re doing. But foreplay is over. I need you. Now.”

  A laugh escapes my lips as I place one last kiss on her thigh. I shift myself between her open legs and place a kiss on her neatly trimmed pussy. A moan escapes Charlie’s mouth and I kiss her again. This time I use my fingers and spread her open and lick.

  “You are so wet for me.” I take another lick.

  “God, yes.” Charlie moans while her fingers fist the blanket.

  I lap at her arousal, and her body squirms beneath me. I move one hand to her stomach to prevent her from moving while the other rubs her clit. Rub. Lick. Rub. Lick.

  Breathy moans escape Charlie’s lips. “Don’t stop. I’m going to come.”

  I insert a finger, fucking her while I suck on her clit. My tongue continues to lick her entrance. Charlie’s moans slowly subside as she comes down from her orgasm. I make my way up her body as she grabs my cheeks, bringing my lips to hers, not caring about her own taste on my lips.

  She reaches down, grabbing my hard dick in my jeans. I let out a deep groan. She breaks away from the kiss to unbutton my jeans and pull them down over my hips. I make quick work to toe off my shoes. When they hit the floor, my pants soon follow. She grabs her camisole and pulls it over her head. My gaze lingers on her newly exposed skin, admiring her plump tits and erect nipples. I’ll appreciate them more with my mouth later. Right now, I am dying to be inside this woman. I pull my black boxer briefs down and my hard cock springs out. Her eyes go wide as saucers as she stares at me.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’ll fit.” I give her a playful wink.

  “Oh, I’m not concerned about that. I’m wondering how long or how many times I will get to enjoy that tonight.”

  I bark out a laugh, and she smiles up at me. I tackle her to the bed. She spreads her legs and I nestle between them.

  “Well, let’s find out, shall we?”

  Her wet pussy rubs against my aching cock. In one quick motion I could press into her, but she reaches over to open the drawer on the nightstand and pulls out a pack of condoms. I grab one from her, tearing open the foil, pulling out the condom, and sliding it over my cock. I place my lips on hers as I slowly push into her.

  She breaks away from our kiss and moans. I rock my hips back and forth, picking up momentum with each thrust. Soon she is lifting her hips to meet me with every pump.

  I dip my head to kiss her breast.

  “You feel so good,” I say as I swirl my tongue around her nipple. “Your pussy is so tight. It’s milking my cock.”

  Thrust.

  Thrust.

  Thrust.

  I feel my balls tighten up as her pussy contracts, gripping my dick. We both moan out in ecstasy as our orgasms hit at the same time. We slow our movements and rise, resting my weight on my elbows, and look down. Her hair is fanned out over her pillow, and she has a sedated look behind her hooded eyes, but she’s never looked more beautiful. I give her a kiss because I don’t think I will ever tire of kissing this girl.

  “Where’s your bathroom? I’ll get this cleaned up”.

  She points to a half-closed door just outside her bedroom. I get up and dispose of the condom and bring a wet washcloth to clean Charlie. Afterwards, she lifts the blanket and invites me back in. I can’t say I’m one to snuggle after sex, but right now I’ll give this girl anything she wants.

  “I just want a couple of minutes. None of this after sex talk. Just a couple minutes.” Charlie snuggles into my chest, and I wrap my arm around her. A few moments later, I can hear her soft breaths as she sleeps.

  Twenty-One

  I don’t want to think of you with anyone else

  Charlie

  Light shines through the half open curtain, causing me to roll over. I open one eye to glance at the alarm clock and instead of seeing the time, I see a man’s black button-down shirt. Just then, everything from last night comes crashing into me like a ton of bricks.

  Bennett.

  Pressed against the door.

  The kissing.

  Ripping off each other’s clothes.

  The sex. Mind you, amazing sex. But still sex.

  I shoot up out of bed, my eyes frantically scanning the room for any other sign of Bennett. My comforter drops to my lap. A blast of cold hits me and I realize I’m still naked. Bennett must be around here somewhere. He wouldn’t be that desperate to escape. He wouldn’t leave his shirt, would he? That jerk left!

  I search the room for my robe and then the clank of pans coming from the kitchen gets my attention. Throwing on my robe, I walk out to the kitchen and holy shit. A girl could get used to that sight.

  Bennett is standing at my stove. Barefoot. His jeans riding low on his hips. His dark hair wild as if someone was tugging on it all night. Wait, I was. Then there’s the way his back muscles flex as he whisks at whatever’s in the bowl in front of him. I lean against the doorjamb, admiring the view until I’m caught.

  “See something you like?” The corners of Bennett’s lips upturn slightly.

  “Well, actually I do.” I push off the door and saunter my way into the kitchen.

  “This smells delicious.” I take a whiff of whatever he’s cooking.

  When I’m standing next to him, he turns towards me, lightly grips my biceps and pushes me until my butt hits the counter. Dipping down he places a chaste kiss on my lips, the taste of freshly brewed coffee still lingering on his, and then he continues cooking.

  “You didn’t have much to work with in your fridge. But I have some bacon and eggs. Coffee’s made.” He reaches over to my indoor herb garden to pluck some parsley out of the DIY mason jar plant holder hanging from the wood plank on the wall.

  “You know you’re not supposed to cook bacon without a shirt on?”

  “Why?” Just then, the bacon splatters and gets him right in the chest. Bennett jumps back from the offending bacon.

  “That’s why.” I chuckle and move to sit at the kitchen island after grabbing a cup of coffee. “Move in with me. Just so I can have this every day.” I take a sip.

  Bennett shakes his head, and his shoulders shake from laughter. He sets two plates of food in front of us and takes a seat next to me. We both dig in and start eating. A moan escapes when the first bite hits my tongue.

  “Well, that’s a sound I remember from last night.” A sly smile plays on his lips.

 

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