"You mean we need to get to Hell." Charlie crosses his arms and squares off with me.
Oh, no. He's not going. I can't risk losing him. "No, that won't be possible. I need you to stay here."
"You left me behind for the last time, Chris." His eyes harden, and he lifts his chin. "I'm coming with you whether you like it or not." He walks toward me.
Oh, this is going to be fun, because that will not be happening. “But what if…”
His lips descend on mine and he kisses me hard. “This isn’t up for negotiation.” Before I can respond, his lips are back and demanding entrance.
I want to argue with him, but I don’t have the energy for that right now. This is what I want and need. My fingers find their way into his short blond hair, and I press my body against him. I don’t know what’s going on, but I can’t get enough of him right now.
He hoists me up and my legs wrap around him. He carries me backwards but I’m too lost in the moment to put it together until I feel the edge of the bed press against my back.
As he leans over me, he rests his arms beside my head. “Are you sure about this?”
It takes me a second to get what he’s asking, but then it registers. I’m almost twenty years old and never been with anyone. Is he the one I’m willing to make this change for? I stare into his eyes and my breathing becomes ragged. Oh, hell yes, he is. “I’m one hundred percent sure.” I pull him down and kiss him in a way that lets him know there is no hesitation on my end.
9
The sound of cabinets banging from the kitchen wake me. I pry my eyes open and Charlie's musky scent surrounds me. Last night’s memories flood my mind. I gave him a piece of me last night I'll never get back.
Even after it was over, he laid beside me and cuddled. I wasn't sure what to expect afterwards, but that wasn't it.
Before long we headed for a second round and after it was over, he was attentive and had no intention of leaving.
I reach out for him, but my hand finds cold sheets, instead.
The smell of cinnamon rolls and coffee waft its way toward me. Did he get up to make me breakfast? My stomach growls and a deep chuckle comes from behind me.
"I take it I made breakfast right in time?" He sits on the bed next to me and leans over to kiss my neck.
A moan escapes me before I can catch myself. Oh, my God. That's freaking embarrassing. "Uh huh." That's all I can utter right now.
"What's wrong?" He kisses where my neck meets the base of my shoulder and nibbles. "Am I bothering you?"
That jerk knows what he's doing, but I'm at his mercy. It feels so good I don't want him to stop. But I refuse to give him the pleasure of knowing this, so I keep my mouth shut.
His chest quivers with laughter. "I love you so much."
My body stiffens and my heart pounds in my ears. Did he say what I think he did? “What?"
He lifts his head and looks me in the eye. A small grin spreads across his face and he plays with the ends of my hair. "You heard. I said I love you."
"You don't have to say that just because we had sex. It's okay." I don't want to pressure him into something more than he's ready for. That's not what I'm after and we have so much going on. Hell, I'm a hot mess right now. Who would want to commit to me at a time like this?
"The one time I'm all in and the girl is giving me an out." He laughs and shakes his head. "That figures. I'm the girl in this relationship."
Now if that wasn't equivalent to being doused in cold water, I don't know what is. The thought of him being with other girls makes me sick at my stomach. "Can we not go there?"
His laughter dies and he clears his throat. "I'm sorry. I didn't think."
"No, it's okay." I roll out from underneath him and stand. I need to get some distance. "I just don't like to think of you with others."
"If I had to do it over again, there wouldn't be any." He drops his hands in his lap and frowns. "Now, after last night, there is absolutely no comparison. I only want you, now and forever."
Whoa, he's laying it on thick. We just now went from I love you to forever. I mean reapers get married young and I've always felt a pull with him, but in less than three months we went from hating each other to this. "Are you sure? Just a few months ago you hated me."
"Oh, Chris." He lets out a sigh and walks over to me and takes my hands. "I never hated you. I blamed myself for Beth's death, and it was easier channeling all that anger at you than myself. I was wrong, and I'm sorry."
What? Could that be the truth? "You never blamed me?"
"No, I didn't." He bites his lip and looks down at his feet. "I was a selfish, miserable jackass and you've changed all that. You make me happy and help me remember that there is good worth fighting for. And to be honest, I've always had a thing for you. I just never thought it could work out, but here we are, and I'm taking a chance because you're worth it."
I'm glad I'm not the only one that felt this connection between us both. Yeah, he made mistakes, but hell, I'm not perfect either. He's been there when I couldn’t count on anyone else and whenever I'm in trouble he's the first person that pops in my mind. "I love you, too."
"Thank God." He pulls me closer
