by Joanne Ellis
Even though she’d only known him for two days she was already falling in love with him. Was it possible after such a short time? It must be because she was feeling something distinctly new. All thoughts of her early caution flew from her mind. She studied his hard, broad body visible under his green t-shirt. Her eyes then roamed to his legs which were strong and firm. The urge to run her hands over his body almost compelled her to cross the room. Instead she stared and admired.
“Get a good look, babe?”
“What?” she asked him coming out of her reverie. “Um, no, yes.” She blushed.
“God, you’re adorable - cheeky but adorable. Anyway dinner is ready.”
She struggled to keep her eyes away from him as she went to fetch the items needed to set the table. When she re-entered the kitchen, he’d served up, so she retrieved the wine and ice bucket and went to sit down.
He followed her into the dining room to see she’d lit some candles, casting their faces in shadow and light. The flames in her eyes lightened them to a caramel colour and they seemed to glow. As a result he was unable to draw his eyes away from hers.
She sparkled in the candle light and this, along with how sexy she looked in her tight black, calf length pencil skirt and blue figure-hugging strapless top, was making it extremely difficult to abstain.
“Eat your dinner, Charlotte, before it gets cold.”
Dragging their eyes away from each other, they enjoyed their dinner and talked about their day. As they discussed a range of subjects, they were pleasantly surprised to discover they had plenty in common. Two people who appeared so different, once uncovered in essence actually weren’t.
After dinner they decided to watch a movie and they again discovered their preferences were the same, from action to romantic comedy. They chose a movie but made out like teenagers on the couch instead, barely watching a single scene. They explored each other’s bodies through their clothes and drove each other to desperation.
“I think I should be getting home,” Jared told her reluctantly. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep my self-control.”
“Me neither,” she replied, her voice thick with desire.
She walked him to the door and he kissed her softly once more while he cupped her face.
“I need to see you again tomorrow,” he whispered to her. “I’ll pick you up after work and take you to my favourite restaurant down the coast near where I grew up.”
“You’re spoiling me,” she smiled seductively. “I like it. A lot.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And he left before they both changed their minds.
* * *
The following night it was warm so they took her car, driving with the top down on such a nice evening. Jared drove for about half an hour before he pulled up outside a quaint Italian restaurant.
There were tables and chairs outside overlooking the cliffs, the ocean and the waves crashing to the shore. It was a spectacular view and Charlotte was suitably impressed. They decided on a table outside and after they had ordered wine – white for her and red for him – and had chosen their meal, they both turned to stare at the water.
“Jared,” Charlotte said bringing his attention back to her, “you haven’t told me anything about your family and you know all about mine.”
“Well you know Nathan and Mitch a little, not much more to them, just what you see. Nathan always looked after me when we were kids and Mitch used to tease me mercilessly. I think he thought it was funny that I’m so serious. He still does, now I think about it, but I just ignore it.” He smiled at the memories. “My dad is a retired lawyer, like Nathan, but Dad was corporate and Nathan is a prosecutor. He is like Nathan and Mitch mixed together, tall and ambitious like Nathan but fun loving like Mitch. My mum is a retired school teacher and is kind and compassionate. My upbringing was very fortunate as we had loving parents. They live not far from here, further up this road right on the water. It was where we all lived before moving to the city. That’s about it, I guess.” He smiled again.
“Sounds like you had a happy house just like us. Why did you become a fire fighter?”
“Because I wanted to do something important and I always considered the fire brigade to be a life saver.”
Their food arrived and they continued discussing their home life while growing up.
After dinner Jared took her for a drive further along the coast and showed her his parents' house. It was a stunning two storey house with a fantastic view. They began to realise they were more alike than they’d first thought. Although their personalities were vastly different, their interests and family lives were quite similar.
They arrived at Charlotte’s feeling relaxed and content. Not wanting the evening to end, they lingered at her front door and kissed passionately, eventually separating and saying goodnight.
Each evening Jared took Charlotte either to dinner at home or out, followed by romantic strolls as they learned more about each other and their attraction intensified.
Chapter 13
Affection
After spending a full week of being indulged by Jared, Charlotte was incapable of wiping the smile from her face.
Today they were driving down the coast again to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach, followed by dinner at her house. She’d already decided she could not, would not, wait any longer and tonight she was going to seduce him. Charlotte was unable to withstand the building pressure.
She glanced at the time and realised Jared would be arriving soon, so she raced off to shower. She decided to wear her new red bikini, knowing it left little to the imagination and that he was partial to her in red. She then added a barely-there white beach dress which gathered at the waist. She’d just finished piling up her hair and applying a little gloss on her lips, when she heard the door.
* * *
When Jared caught sight of her, he was unable to breathe. Her captivating aroma surrounded him, stupefying him. Her hair was a jumbled mess of curls. He craved to pull them free from their bindings to run his hands through the silky waves, as he had done numerous times this past week. Her glossy cherry lips begged to be tasted yet he found himself unable to move. He would not be able to refrain much longer.
“Wow,” was all he could manage.
“I could say the same about you. I haven’t seen your bare legs before either,” she said giving him the once over in his knee length shorts and singlet top accentuating his broad shoulders and firm legs.
“No, I guess you haven’t. Shall we go, then?”
“I think we’d better, handsome, or I might drag you to my bedroom and have my way with you.”
“Don’t be naughty, young lady. I want to go swimming with you first.”
The half hour drive to the beach was filled with music and laughter. He teased her continuously for singing appallingly off key. Despite his jibes she continued to sing nonetheless and louder, until he told her if she didn’t stop she would be walking home. She stopped and then laughed heartily, which sent his pulse racing again.
After they’d located a spot to unload their belongings, Charlotte removed her dress in preparation for a swim. Jared tugged off his singlet, bundled her up and headed for the surf.
“What are you doing?” she cried as he threw her over his shoulder.
“You are way too hot in that bikini and I need to prevent a fire.”
He threw her into the water. She screamed from the shock of the cold assaulting her body.
“Right, big man, you’re in for it now,” she yelled.
She strode towards him and jumped on his back in an attempt to pull him down, without success.
“Sweetheart, you’ll never get me down. You’re a lightweight.”
The sunny afternoon was mostly spent frolicking in the water. Their wet bodies entwined together, her legs and arms wrapped around him, no light visible between them, as they showered each other with wet searing kisses.
After swimming, they lay upon their towels u
nder an umbrella trying to keep their hunger for each other suppressed. They stayed until the sun began to descend. The dusk was a spectacular display of pink, orange and yellow as it retreated beyond the horizon.
The journey home was more tranquil, the music soft and leisurely. They enjoyed each other in silence, their hands clasped, deep in identical thoughts.
After Charlotte unlocked the front door, he followed her as she headed towards the kitchen.
“Would you like a drink? I bought some wine and everything you will need to co … ”
Her words were cut off by his mouth. His hands released her hair as he eased her against the wall, removing her dress and pressing himself tight against her. His kiss, if possible, was more urgent then any she’d previously encountered and if he hadn’t been holding her up, she would have crumbled to the floor.
He continued to kiss her lips, across her jaw, down her neck while he manoeuvred her towards the stairs where he removed her bikini top. He gazed down at her full creamy breasts to discover her nipples were the same rosy colour as her lips. He groaned loudly before bringing each one in turn to his mouth. She moaned forcefully as he urged her back gently onto the stairs and swiftly removed the remainder of their clothing. As he knew she was as ready as he was, Jared eased himself inside her, relishing the first feeling of her. He lay pressed against her for several moments staring into her desire filled eyes while enjoying her full breasts against his chest.
He moved slowly at first before they rode the wave vigorously, both hungry for the release of the building tension. They reached the crest quickly, their satisfied moans mingling.
They lay gazing at each other, both smiling with pleasure. Once their breathing and heart rates slowed, Jared swept her up and headed the rest of the way up the stairs towards her bedroom.
“As much as that was fantastic,” he told her, “this time I want to do it slowly and thoroughly.”
She mumbled her agreement and pointed in the direction of her room. He placed her down gently onto the bed and positioned himself above her. He brought his mouth to hers, teasing her with his tongue and biting at her lips before moving to nibble at her ears. He followed this with hot kisses along her jaw and neck.
She moaned loudly as he continued his path down her amazing, creamy soft skin to rest near her ample breasts. He captured her nipples in his mouth once again. Her hands dove into his hair then down across his shoulders as she squeezed them in pleasure. Jared resumed his trail down her body pressing kisses along her stomach then hips and progressed to the inside of her thighs. Her hands gripped the bed covers and she found it impossible to regulate her breath.
When his mouth came to rest between her legs and began tantalising her with his tongue, she abandoned all restraint as the sensational surge of pleasure shook her body. She arched herself up in frenzy when the climax rushed through her body. Clutching his head she brought his lips back to hers. Her hands roamed his smooth bronze body to rest on his shoulders and grasp them once more.
He gradually slid himself within her and they leisurely made love, his hands holding hers above her head and his mouth never absent from hers. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her ankles at his lower back holding him close against her. Their powerful release was simultaneous and they lingered staring into each other’s eyes. Their hands remained clasped above her head and he tenderly tickled her palms with his thumbs.
“Wow,” she eventually managed.
“You’re incredible,” he whispered.
He continued to stare at her for a moment, relishing the pink in her cheeks before speaking again. “As much as I would enjoy doing that again and again, I’m hungry.”
“Yes, me too,” she smiled at him, contented. “When I have control over my body again, I’ll join you.”
He laughed and gently eased himself from her and got dressed.
“I’ll go down and start. Make your way down when you’re ready,” he told her. “The quicker we eat, the quicker we can do that again.”
When she was finally able to move her unsteady limbs, she got up. She pulled on some shorts and a singlet top, and on wobbly legs went down to join him.
Chapter 14
Love and Fear
They enjoyed their dinner and wine on the balcony. The moment he finished the final bite, Charlotte strolled over to him, grasped his hand and urged him to follow her.
“Now it’s time to open my box of tricks,” she grinned wickedly.
She walked him over to the bed and removed his shorts. With vigour, she pushed him onto the bed, knelt between his legs and took him in her mouth.
The feel of her full lips almost had him exploding instantaneously and he groaned. Her silky mouth felt unbelievable and he was incapable of containing himself. He urged her up with him as he stood, their lips meeting while he removed her clothes. With their bodies pressed tight together and their mouths locked in passion, he stroked her gently until she moaned loudly into his mouth and began to wiggle. Charlotte encouraged him to lay back on the bed with a playful push. An anticipatory grin passed over his lips as she joined him. When she straddled him, he sat up to meet her so their bodies could press together.
Her movements were deliberate and prolonged their intense pleasure. When she increased the motion, Charlotte threw her head back and cried out. Watching her abandoned pleasure brought forth his release.
When they lay down facing each other, it was his turn to say “Wow!”
She smiled at him before responding. “I don’t know if I want the answer to this but you’ve obviously had a lot of practice as you are unbelievable.”
“If you are asking whether I have slept with many women my answer is no, only three.”
“That’s it? So you haven’t had much practice after all? You were just born with this ability?” she teased.
“I don’t recall saying I didn’t have much practice. I have, just not with different girls - practice with the same three. Don’t look at me like that. You asked. Besides, I’m sure you’ve had more practice than me.”
“I think I should be insulted by that,” she said indignantly. “I suppose it is kind of true, though.”
“I don’t want to know. All I know is I don’t want there to be any others.” He softly stroked her curls. His eyes staring into hers full of tenderness.
“I suppose seeing there were so few, they must have been special and beautiful. Kind of makes me wonder what you are doing with me.” She averted her eyes.
“You’re kidding?” Her eyes lifted. His lips held a slight smile.
“No, I’m not.” The hurt was in her eyes and he realised she was serious. He would never have guessed she was so insecure.
“Charlotte, I wouldn’t be here if you weren’t special.”
“I wish I could be more for you.” She continued to stare at him with solemn eyes, totally oblivious to the effect she had on him.
“No-one has ever come close to you and, if I have anything to do with it, you will be the last girl in my life.”
An idle finger traced up and down her arm and grazed across the scar on her shoulder. Jared circled it with his thumb as he recalled the story he’d heard from Nathan about what Lucas, Chelsea and Charlotte had endured. The thought of what she lived through only solidified has growing love for her.
“This must of hurt,” he said after pondering whether to ask her about it.
“Not as much as the thought of Chelsea … ”
“I remember what Lucas went through. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like for you.”
“Well, getting shot did hurt,” she said with a small smile, “but the time waiting to hear about Chelsea was pure agony. I’m grateful to Lucas everyday for loving her so much that he never gave up.”
“Does it give you any trouble?”
“Sometimes if I hold it in one place for a while it gets a little stiff, like before when you were holding my arms up … not that I’m complaining.” She blushed.
“Sorry, bab
e.”
“It’s OK, it was worth it.” She gave a quick shy smile.
“I promise I will make sure nothing like that ever happens to you again.”
She giggled and ran her hand over his chest and stomach before resting it on his face. “My hero.”
“Charlotte, I’m serious.”
“I know, honey, and it’s very sweet.”
He pulled her close and his mouth captured hers firmly, his kiss more loving than before.
They fell asleep entwined in each other's arms.
* * *
During the early hours of the morning, Jared woke to see Charlotte's beautiful sleeping face near his and his heart skipped. She appeared to be resting soundly, so he slid out of bed, pulled on his shorts and made his way quietly out to the balcony.
He stood at the railing and peered into the night, suddenly realising there was no hiding from his true feelings. He was in love with her, there was no denying it, and he hoped she was not the unreliable and promiscuous girl he’d first thought her to be. He immediately feared wearing his heart on his sleeve for her.
His emotions were churning through him when she came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. He felt her nakedness on his back and wanted her again desperately.
“What you doing out here?” she said quietly, her raspy voice heavy from sleep.
“Thinking.”
“What about?”
“You.”
“Why would you need to come out here to think about me when you could have woken me and had your way with me again?”
He remained silent.
“Jared,” she urged him to turn around. “What is it?”
He stared into her concerned brown eyes, his heart filled with love and fear.
