Cut Free (The Sublime Book 4)

by Julia Wolf

  Panting, we pulled our lips apart, but Charlie held my body snug against his. I stroked his chest with my palm and then rested it over his rapidly beating heart.

  “You should have told me,” I said.

  His chest vibrated when he barked out a dry laugh. “You should have told me.”

  I pulled back and met his eyes. “I didn’t think you thought of me that way.”

  Charlie smoothed his hand down the side of my hair. “Eliza, you have to know I’m basically obsessed with you. I’m running a fucking marathon just so I can spend time with you.”

  What? Charlie was obsessed with me? He was running a marathon to spend time with me?

  “You really play your cards close to the vest. I honestly had no idea. That first day when you asked to run with me...you liked me even then?” I asked incredulously.

  He nodded. “Even then. I thought you were beautiful and sad and my one goal was to make you smile.”

  I cupped his jaw tenderly. “You did. You do. Every day.”

  “I just...I don’t know, I thought you weren’t ready. And then somehow you became this central person in my life and I didn’t want to be your rebound guy. I told myself to wait, stand back while you dated, while you saw what was out there. I just didn’t realize how it would feel actually seeing you with someone else.” He shuddered. “Never mind the fact that I had no idea if you even felt the same way. I would hate myself forever if I messed things up with us.”

  “I do feel the same way. And I’m so ready.”

  He leaned down and kissed me again, slowly and thoroughly, until both of us were breathless.

  “I can’t believe I’m allowed to kiss you,” he said, his eyes searching my face in what looked like wonder.

  I stroked the back of his neck. “You’re allowed to do a lot more than that.”

  Charlie literally growled. “You can’t say shit like that. You have no idea what it does to me.”

  I batted my eyelashes, and in my most innocent voice, I asked, “What does it do?”

  I knew I was driving him crazy, but seeing him on the verge of desperation, for me, made me want to push him further.

  He breathed out slowly through his nose and backed up a step. “I see you standing there in your pretty little dress and your shiny hair and every part of me wants to sully you, to get you dirty. I want to ravage you. But I want to do this right with you, Eliza. I don’t know if I’m capable of being good enough for you, but I want you anyway.”

  I was instantly wet. I wanted him to do all those things to me. It should have been shocking hearing those words come from him—the man I considered only a friend a few minutes ago—but I loved it. I’d always dated club-approved boys and men who treated me like glass or an object. I wanted a man—no, I wanted Charlie—to get a little dirty with me.

  “I want everything you just said. Mostly, I want more of you. And I’m going to ignore you saying you’re not good enough for me because it’s a completely ridiculous notion.”

  Charlie ran his hands up and down my sides, then over my shoulders and arms.

  “We’re really going to do this?” he asked.

  I laughed softly. “Yeah. I think we already are.”

  “Can I be a really possessive dick for a minute and say I don’t want you going out with that guy anymore?”

  “Charlie.” I put my hands on his cheeks and met his steady gaze. “There’s just you. I have no room for anyone else. In my heart, my brain, my life. You’ve filled it all up.”

  His grin grew, until it turned into a laugh. He grabbed me and picked me up, spinning me around.

  “I really, really like you.” He kissed the side of my neck, making loud smacking noises as he went.

  “Oh my god, that tickles!” I kicked my feet helplessly as he blew raspberries on my shoulder and nibbled the sensitive skin.

  Finally, he collapsed on the couch with me on top of him, both of us giggling.

  When our laughter died down, he traced the planes of my face with his fingertips, and I gripped his forearms. Being able to touch him, having him touch me, couldn’t have been more natural, yet it took my breath away. I wanted his hands all over my body, but I could tell he wasn’t ready to go there tonight. Which was probably a good thing. Maybe. Right?

  “Hey, Charlie?”

  He tipped my chin up so I was looking at him. “Hey, Eliza.”

  “Will you be my date to Rachel and Joe’s wedding?” I asked.

  He frowned at me. “That’s not right.”

  “What isn’t? Are we not taking this thing public?” That was pretty deflating.

  “What? No!”

  He stood up suddenly and walked to my door.

  “Wait! Charlie?”

  I stood up and followed him. He was leaving?

  He threw open the door and walked out onto the landing, then yelled, “Attention, Tiber City residents! This is Charlie Hamada, and I would like to announce Eliza Goldberg is my girl.” He turned to me and asked in a much quieter voice, “You are my girl, right?”

  I nodded, my eyes wide and my mouth agape, stunned.

  He winked, then yelled toward the street, “She’s definitely my girl!”

  Charlie stepped back inside and started closing the door. Before I could stop myself, I ran and jumped on his back like a monkey.

  “You’re crazy!” I said into his ear.

  He laughed over his shoulder. “Maybe. But you like it.”

  I nuzzled into the side of his neck. “You know I do.”

  When I dropped down to the floor, he turned around and pressed me against the entryway wall. Running his fingers under the spaghetti straps of my dress, he smiled down at me.

  “I like you in this dress. It’s not black. I wish you had worn it for me, though.”

  “Take me on a date and I’ll wear another one, also not black.”

  He cupped the back of my neck and pulled me in for another soft kiss.

  “I’m going to take you on all the dates. Although, apparently, you’re taking me to the wedding,” he said.

  I rubbed my hands over his strong shoulders. “You’re not going to turn out to be a closet sexist who gets all offended when the lady makes the first move, are you? Because that would be really disappointing.”

  Charlie kissed up the side of my neck and jaw. Between kisses, he said, “Eliza, if you hadn’t made the first move, I wouldn’t be doing this right now, and that would be a goddamn shame. Just let me make my move too. I give you permission to kick me if I’m too slow.”

  I kicked him softly.

  He chuckled. “What move am I not making fast enough?”

  “There’s too much talking happening, not enough making out.”

  Charlie stepped back for a beat. Then he growled and picked me up, carrying me back to the couch. He flopped down and pulled me on top of him, and the making out commenced. We kissed until our lips were sore and heads were light. We didn’t go any further than that, but finally kissing Charlie was more than enough...for tonight.

  Seventeen

  This time, when I stepped outside to meet Charlie for our run, he was waiting for me at the bottom of my steps.

  “Hey! Fancy seeing you here,” I called.

  “I couldn’t wait another second,” he said.

  When I got to the bottom of the steps, he pulled me against him. “We’re still doing this thing, right?”

  “We so are,” I said, then smashed my lips against his, kissing him hard. It had only been a few hours since he dragged himself home, but I missed his mouth on mine.

  Charlie rubbed his thumb over my upper lip. “Still swollen,” he mumbled.

  “You’re not getting out of running by distracting me with your voodoo kisses,” I warned.

  He scoffed. “I seem to remember you kissing me!”

  I smacked his ass, then took off down the sidewalk. “Come on, slowpoke!” I called.

  He caught up with me quickly, falling into step with me. “How many miles today?”<
br />
  “Only five. No sweat,” I said.

  “That’s not enough Eliza time.”

  “Well, I guess it’s lucky then that the rest of my morning and my entire evening are free.”

  “Are you letting me make my move?” he asked.

  I held a hand out. “Go ahead!”

  “Well, I can’t ask you out now. You’re expecting it.”

  “Okay. Sneak attack me.”

  We ran along in silence, and even though I was watching the trail in front of me, I could feel his smile growing. A minute or two passed before he spoke.

  “Eliza, want to come over to my place tonight and I’ll cook dinner for you?”

  I gasped. “Charlie, I’m so very surprised! I’ll have to think about it.”

  He nudged me with his shoulder, pushing me across the trail.

  “No need to be rough!” I laughed. “I would love that.”

  “Good. So, I have between now and tonight to learn how to cook,” he said.

  When we turned back toward town, Charlie fell behind as we ran.

  I turned around to check on him. “You okay?”

  He nodded. “Keep going!”

  I ran for another minute in front of him, then turned back again. “Do you need to stop?”

  “No, I’m good.”

  “You don’t want to run next to me? Am I smelly?” I asked playfully.

  He caught up with me and gave me a goofy grin.

  “What?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “Nothing!”

  “Oh my god, tell me why you’re smiling like that!”

  “If you must know, I’ve been fantasizing about you in those tight pants you wear since I first saw you in them. I was just enjoying the view from back there,” he said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder.

  I stopped running in the middle of the trail, then Charlie stopped a few paces ahead and jogged back.

  “Shit, that was too far, wasn’t it?” he asked.

  He looked worried, and if he were anyone else objectifying me while I was working out, I would have been offended. But I wanted Charlie to objectify me and be attracted to me, and yes, check out my ass in my running tights.

  I shook my head and curled my finger, motioning him closer. When he was right up against me, I grabbed both of his hands and planted them right on my ass.

  “I want you to look at me like that. I want you to want to touch me like this. You don’t have to be careful with me, Charlie. I want you, and I am desperate for you to want me too.”

  He squeezed my ass, then trailed his hands up my back and pulled me against him, pressing his erection against my belly.

  “Do you feel what you do to me? Can you feel how I want you? It’s kind of ridiculous how attracted to you I am.”

  “You can’t feel it, but I’m just as turned-on as you.” I pulled his face down and sucked his bottom lip between mine. “Can you run with that thing, though? Because you’re not getting out of finishing!”

  I swatted him on the bum and then took off running while he stood there groaning. I made it back to Main Street a few minutes before he did. I couldn’t help but laugh at the grumpy look on his face when he finally caught up with me.

  “I didn’t know getting to kiss you would also allow you to torture me,” he said.

  I held my hands palm up. “Hey, you gotta take the good with the bad!”

  He tugged me against him and kissed the side of my neck. “I’ll take it all.”

  We stopped for a quick breakfast at the coffee shop. Then we cleaned up and I played piano in his shop while he quietly sat behind the counter and did paperwork. Well, as quiet as he was capable of. He did either sing along or comment every few minutes on how well I played. I was almost ready for the wedding. In the two weeks I had left, I was pretty sure I could perfect them. If I could stay on task. If Charlie could stop kissing up the side of my neck like he was now.

  I trembled when he licked the spot where my neck met my jaw.

  “I found your spot, huh?” He sounded awfully proud of himself.

  I swiveled around on the piano bench and looked up at him. “You’re very distracting, did you know that?”

  He crouched in front of me and pushed my bangs to the side. “I thought you were just about finished. The songs were basically perfect, Eliza. You’re ready.”

  I cupped his cheek, stroking his stubbly skin with my thumb. “You’re just saying that so I’ll make out with you again. But let me tell you, Charlie, I’m a sure thing. No flattery required.”

  Charlie got on his knees and wrapped his arms around my waist. He met my gaze, sincerity filling his eyes. “I’ll only ever tell you the truth. If the side effect of that is making out with you, then I’m a goddamn lucky man. You’re an amazing pianist and I know Rachel and Joe are honored you’re going to be playing at their wedding.”

  I sighed. “Honestly, I’m nervous. I haven’t performed in front of more than a couple people in years. My parents used to drag me around like a show pony and made me play for their friends. Although, once I hit my early teens and started choking from nerves every other time I played, they stopped doing that. If I didn’t love Rachel and Joe so much, there is absolutely no way I would be doing this.”

  “You’re going to be amazing, Eliza. And once the wedding is over, we can pet the goats.”

  I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck. “That’s quite the incentive.”

  “I’m known for my pep talks.”

  “Oh, are you?”

  “Yeah, I’m surprised you haven’t noticed. When we’re running, you’re always lagging behind—because you’re incredibly out of shape—and I’m always telling you I know you can do it if you try your hardest.”

  I snorted and pushed him away. “Why are you like this?”

  He pulled me against him and growled into my neck. “You mean charming and adorable and irresistible?”

  “Oh yeah, that’s exactly what I meant!”

  I kicked my feet and squealed when he tickled my ribs and nibbled up and down my neck.

  “Charlie! Okay, okay!”

  He leaned back and gave me a devilish grin. With his hair all tousled from his attack, I wanted nothing more than to climb on his lap and mess him up even more.

  “I see how you’re looking at me,” Charlie said.

  I raised an eyebrow. “And how is that?”

  He pushed my hair back and whispered into my ear, “Like you can’t wait for tonight as much as I can’t.”

  “What’s going to happen tonight?” I whispered back.

  He tapped my nose two times. “Well, probably some really awful food for dinner. But other than that, whatever you want, Eliza.”

  My whole body heated. I knew exactly what I wanted. I’d wanted it for weeks now. But knowing I could really have Charlie made me nervous. It also made me so turned-on, I felt like I could fly out of my skin.

  “I look forward to it. Well, not the awful dinner part. But the whatever-I-want part sounds rather intriguing.” I stood up and grabbed my music bag, and then I smiled, hopefully saucily.

  We kissed one more time…well, two or three more times, before I ran across the street to the salon. Today was going to be a long, long day.

  I rushed through mopping the floors when the salon closed. Rachel was at the front desk and Frannie was twirling around in her chair. I could feel both of their eyes on me.

  “You seem like you’re in a hurry,” Rachel said.

  “Yeah, I think you missed several corners and there might even be a strand or two of hair left on the floors,” agreed Frannie.

  I sighed and gave them a dreamy smile. “I have plans.”

  Frannie stopped spinning. “Ooooh, are these banging plans?”

  “Maybe…” I said coyly.

  Rachel’s eyes widened. “That must have been a successful date with Alex. I kind of thought you weren’t that into him.”

  “Maybe Eliza just wants him for his good lovin’,” Frannie said.
>
  “It’s not Alex,” I told them.

  “Then who?” asked Rachel.

  Frannie stood up and nodded sagely. “Is it a solo mission, Eliza? There’s no shame in that game.”

  I threw my head back and let out a deep-down belly laugh. “You think I’m rushing out of work to go masturbate?”

  With that, a lot of the tension that had been building inside me all day was dispelled. The best part of Frannie was she said what was on her mind. And even though I expected her to be unexpected, she was always surprising me with just how blunt she was—and I loved her for it.

  Frannie shrugged. “I’ve done it, like when I know the vibrator I ordered has been delivered. Sometimes a session with myself is the only thing that fits the bill.”

  “I’ll remember that next time I see you running out the door,” said Rachel. Then she crossed her arms and gave me a stern look. “Spill it, sister.”

  I did the dreamy smile again. “It’s Charlie.”

  Rachel jumped out of her seat. “What?”

  Frannie threw her hands in the air. “I knew it!”

  “You did not!” Rachel said.

  Frannie giggled and shook her head. “No, I really didn’t. When did this happen, E?”

  I filled them in on my date with Alex and Charlie coming over afterwards. I finally admitted how deep my feelings for him really were. They were suitably impressed I’d made the first move.

  Frannie walked over to me, grabbed the mop, and smacked my ass.

  “Are you kidding me? Why are you still here? Get out of here and go get laid!”

  I rubbed my bum. “Great, now I’m going to have to explain to Charlie why I have a Frannie-shaped handprint on my ass.”

  I got the hint, though, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t the last one in the salon. I went outside and paused. I didn’t scrub the floor and I wasn’t the last one to leave. That was new.

  I looked left toward my apartment, then across the street toward Charlie’s. Should I go home and change or give in to my heart and mind and body and run across the street right this second? I bit my lip and stood there for another moment.