Heartless

by Vanessa Marie

  Charlie's eyes shot open and her hands were on his in an instant to stop him. He can't see my scars. He looked up at her concerned.

  "You okay?" he asked sincerely.

  "Yeah, it's fine." Charlie pulled him back up to her and her lips against his. Pushing the thoughts out of her mind about her scarred chest, she wrapped her legs around him and pulled his ass into her as their tongues did a soft, slow dance. The oven timer beeped. Dinner was ready but Sam showed no signs of stopping. She put her hands on his bare muscular chest and squeezed before she pushed him away.

  "You worked too hard on that food to let it burn," she said breathless.

  "Fuck the food." His hungry mouth was on her neck again. The second round of beeps went off and he groaned. Sam pressed his lips against hers, then her forehead before he got off the couch and walked into the kitchen. Charlie chewed on her bottom lip as she took in the sight of him as he bent forward to pull the food out of the oven. He set it on the stove and turned back toward her as he tossed the oven mitt on the counter.

  "That's a bitch isn't it?" She pulled her hair tie out of her fuck me hair, ran her fingers though it and tossed it back up into a messy bun. She walked into the kitchen and leaned forward on the island counter top, propped up on her forearms.

  Sam raised an eyebrow at her. "What is?"

  "The fact you just got cock blocked by the oven timer." She shot him a wicked grin.

  Sam chuckled and closed the gap between them. "Looks like I'll have to rectify that situation then huh?" He pulled her against his chest, wrapped his arms around her, and leaned in for a kiss.

  She evaded it and pushed against his chest."I don't think so playboy, I'm starving and you promised to feed me." Charlie wagged a finger at him, and slipped out of his arms. He sighed and walked over to the cupboard to pull out two plates.

  They ate at the bar in the kitchen and she couldn't believe how good everything tasted.

  "This is really good."

  "Its better with wine, but since you can't have any, I guess I'll just drink tea." He smirked.

  She knew he was baiting her, so she took it. "Yes that's right, you have been over the drinking age for what a year or two?"

  "Three actually."

  Charlie crossed her hands over her heart and mocked surprise. "Oh my God, twenty four, you're so old. Whatever will I do?" She laughed and rolled her eyes.

  CHAPTER NINE

  "Can I ask a question without you getting upset?"

  Her pulse jumped a few beats and she bit her bottom lip. "You can try."

  "Did I cross the line earlier when I tried to lift your shirt? Everything seemed okay and then you stopped me. I feel like maybe our signals got crossed. I don't want to rush you, so if I overstepped, I'm really sorry."

  Wetting her lips, she took a deep breath before she spoke. "I've been through a lot in my life that I haven't told you about yet. There are things... I... don't like to talk about. They happened, they're over. I know you are going to have questions, but I'm just not ready to explain everything."

  Sam opened his mouth to speak, but she held her hand up and hoped he wouldn't notice her slight tremble. She closed her eyes and let out a long, slow breath. Just show him.

  "Where's you room?"

  "Down the hall, why?" Confusion swept over his face.

  Charlie held her hand out to him. "Come with me."

  A sudden burst of courage coursed through her and if she didn't take advantage of it right that very moment, she would lose her nerve for sure. Sam tilted his head and looked up at her. It was clear that he wasn't sure about it, but he placed his hand in hers and let her lead him down the hall.

  "Charlie I..."

  With one finger to his lips, she backed him up to the bed. Sam stood and watched her without saying a word with the back of his knees pressed against the mattress. The tremble in her hand was stronger and her courage was starting to wane.

  "Sit." She kept her voice as even as she could. Consumed by her vulnerability, she had to remind herself the reward was worth the risk. Her breath was short and fast as her chest rose and fell.

  "Charl-"

  "Shh." She took a step toward him until she was between his knees. Just breathe. Just breathe. Just breathe. With jittery hands, she grabbed both of his hands and placed them at the hem of her shirt. Tears welled up and threatened to roll down her cheeks and she clamped her eyes closed. "Go ahead," she breathed heavily.

  "With what?" His voice was sharp, confused.

  "Take it off."

  "Why?" His fingers stayed rigid and held the fabric in place.

  "I want you to know me. See me for what I really am," she said, her voice almost a whisper.

  She flinched as his fingers slid carefully up her skin, pushing her shirt up as he went. Her body was rigid and her hands were balled into tight little fists.

  He pushed her shirt up over her full breasts and pulled it over her head. It dropped down her arms to the floor. Fear consumed her as she anticipated his rejection.

  With a feathers touch, he traced every scar and his lips followed his fingers. It took her a moment before she allowed her body to relax in his hands.

  "You're beautiful," he whispered.

  Unable to stop the tear that escaped, Charlie opened her eyes. He reached down under her ass, picked her up and turned to lay her on his bed. She wiped at her cheeks before he saw her face.

  He rolled on top of her and kissed her lips softly. With urgency, she kissed him back, she needed him more than anything in that moment. His body responded against her as he caressed her with his hands and let his tongue invade her mouth.

  With one hand tangled in his hair, she ran her nails up and down his back with her other. Her pulse thumped in her ears as Sam traced her collarbone with his lips. Reaching around behind her to unhook her bra, Charlie arched her back below him. His fingers pinched the clasps and it came undone. One strap at a time, he pulled it down her arms and tossed it off the side of the bed.

  Capturing each nipple in his mouth, one by one, she gasped as he sucked the hard nubs, then dragged his lips down her torso to her hips. Tugging on the button of her jeans until it popped open, her body ached with the need to be touched.

  With her eyes closed, she threw her head back against the mattress and lifted her hips as he gave her jeans a tug. He pushed them down her legs until they fell to the floor. Taking a quick breath, she wanted to pause and enjoy the moment, so she rolled over on her side and watched him.

  He caught her gaze. "You okay? We don't have to do this."

  "Yeah, I'm fine."

  "You sure?" he asked with sincerity in his eyes.

  Reaching down, she tugged on his arm and pulled him up to her. "Mmhmm," she moaned before she pressed her lips against his and wrapped her arms around him.

  A small groan escaped his throat as he ran his hands down her black lace panties to the inside of her thighs. She bucked her hips against him and could feel how rock hard he was though his jeans.

  One by one, she popped the buttons on his jeans, ran her hand down his thigh and cupped him. She felt the heat of his breath against her jaw as she wrapped her fingers around him.

  Sam pushed himself up and she let go long enough to push his jeans down before she rolled him onto his back and sat astride him. Bucking her hips, she ground them into him as he held her gaze. Sam smiled as she took his hands and moved them up her torso until they cupped her breasts. He took her by surprise when he slipped one hand down and started to rub small circles on her clit. There was no stopping the groan she let out.

  Their anticipation rose together as Charlie's hips moved rapidly against him. Pushing her panties to one side, he slid a finger into her and her body was definitely ready for him. He rolled them over until he was on top of her, never removing his finger from inside her.

  Sam thrust into her and then slid in a second. Moaning, she moved her hips in circles as he moved down until his mouth was right above her. He pulled his fingers out of her an
d hooked them into the edge of her panties and slid them off.

  They breathed heavily together as Sam kissed up her inner thigh until his mouth was on her. She whimpered as he slid both of his fingers back into her and found a steady rhythm. It didn't take long for her body to shake and quiver beneath him as she found her release.

  He kissed up her stomach to her breasts taking each in his mouth once again. She held her breath, as he grazed across her scars and forced herself to relax. As a distraction, she hooked her fingers into his boxer briefs and tugged them down his thighs, allowing him to spring free. Letting go of her, he pushed them off the rest of the way and rolled onto his side.

  Oh my God, his body is incredible. Charlie reached down, grabbed a hold of him and stroked up and down his length. Throwing his head back, he closed his eyes as he positioned himself right above her opening. Nerves on edge, she bit her lip and held her breath.

  "Hang on, I need to grab something," he panted and reached toward his dresser for a condom. She let go of the breath she was holding as he fumbled with the drawer and pulled one out.

  Sam slid the condom on and leaned over her, brushing his tongue across her ear. His lips found hers as he slowly filled her and they both let out a groan. With her head back against the mattress and her eyes rolled back in her head, Charlie couldn't believe someone that looked like him, wanted to be with someone like her. Pushing the thought from her mind, she wrapped her legs around him pulling him in deeper.

  Her insides wrapped around him with each thrust, she kissed him with every ounce of passion she had as their hips moved in unison. Charlie raised her hips to meet him thrust for thrust. Her arms were wrapped around him tight and her nails dug into his flesh.

  Her body rippled and shuddered as she found her release under him. Her heart hammered in her chest and her breath was labored on his neck. It seemed to be all it took before he collapsed on top of her as shock waves rippled through him.

  They laid there breathing heavily for a few moments before he rolled to her side and kissed her forehead.

  "You all right?" he asked, with a smile.

  "Yeah." She bit her lip and nodded.

  Sam pressed his lips against hers, then her neck before he pulled her into his chest and ran his fingers through her hair. They laid there for a while, before he moved.

  "I'll be right back." He kissed her on the lips and disappeared into the bathroom.

  Rolling over she buried her head in the pillow and giggled. She couldn't believe she'd just had sex with him and how amazing it'd been. It definitely made a difference being with someone who knew what the hell they were doing, that was for sure.

  A few moments later, his hand gently rubbed her back. "Hey, you okay?"

  "Yeah. I need to use your bathroom."

  "Go for it."

  She sat up and slipped past him into the bathroom. Sure they'd just explored every part of each other but she wasn't ready to wash herself in front of him.

  When she was done, she peeked out of the door. He looked at her and laughed. He pulled the covers back and tilted his head to motion her to come join him.

  "You do realize I just saw every inch of that incredible body right?"

  "I know, it just feels weird strutting across your room naked," she said, with a nervous laugh. She tip toed across the room and crawled under the covers with him. Wrapping his arms around her, Sam pulled her into his chest as she intertwined her legs with his.

  "I could get used to this." He kissed her forehead.

  "That's the understatement of the century."

  Charlie was in uncharted waters but everything with him was so easy. She'd expected him to reject her when he saw how scared and damaged she was, but he didn't. Hope filled her that maybe things could be different and she may have a shot at happiness. They laid in bed wrapped around each other until sleep overtook them both.

  ♥♥♥♥♥

  Charlie yawned, stretched her arms over her head and slowly blinked her eyes opened. It took her a few moments to realize where she was and that Sam's arm was draped across her stomach. Shit. She shot up out of bed and crawled over him to look for the clock.

  Startled, he jumped and looked at her with worry in his eyes. "What's wrong."

  "It's ten A.M." She pulled the sheet around herself and climbed out of bed gathering her clothes off the floor.

  "Shit, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

  "Neither did I." Finding her panties wasn't a priority. She tugged on her jeans and pulled on her bra.

  "Here's you shirt." Sam handed it over and he already had on his boxer briefs.

  She slid it over her head and tossed her hair into a pony tail. Patting her back pocket for her phone, it was nowhere to be found.

  "What are you looking for babe?"

  "My phone," she said as she lifted up his covers and tossed them back onto the bed.

  He dropped to the floor and stood a second later with her phone in one hand and her panties in another. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he made his way over to her.

  "Missing something else?"

  Charlie arched a brow at him, "'aint nobody got time for those." She grabbed her panties out of his hand and shoved them in her pocket.

  Sam chuckled and handed over her phone. Knowing she was going to be in a ton of trouble for being out all night, she grimaced before she swiped the screen.

  Eleven missed calls and five unread texts stared back at her.

  Jules: Hey, where you at??

  Jules: Dude, are you ok?

  Jules: Charlie answer me!!!!!!

  Dad: What time are you coming home from Jules?

  Dad: Well, since Julian is here looking for you, that means you're not over there. Where the hell are you?

  "Shit," she growled.

  "You okay?" He stood in front of her, his face etched in concern.

  "No. My dad is pissed I didn't let him know I wasn't coming home. I wish I didn't have to run out the door on you like this, but I need to get going." She closed the gap between them, not wanting to leave yet.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Well, I'm sorry I got you in trouble. Not earning brownie points with your dad am I?"

  "I haven't told him about you yet. So, you aren't on his shit list radar."

  "I'm not sure if him not knowing about me is a good thing or a bad thing."

  She looked up at him and his creased forehead. "I'll tell him when I'm ready. Jules knows, he's the important one for my gossip anyway."

  "Oh, is that right?" He laughed and slid his finger under her chin, pulling her lips up to meet his. Sam cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her slowly. His tongue dipped into her mouth and she knew she needed to go but wasn't about to pull away.

  When he broke away, she wanted to protest.

  "You better get going before they send out a search party."

  "Yeah," she sighed and slid her phone into her back pocket.

  Turning on her heel they walked into the living room and she found her shoes and socks where she'd left them. Under the coffee table. They realized Alex was there when a clank and giggle came from the kitchen.

  "Well good morning, you two," she purred.

  Sam rolled his eyes as Charlie slid her boots on. "Don't start, Alex."

  "What? All I said was good morning." She held her hands up defensively.

  "Charlie, would you like a cup of coffee?"

  "I would, but I really need to get going. Thanks though."

  Alex frowned. "Well that's a shame. You should come back and hang sometime."

  "Definitely, see you later." Charlie smiled and walked out the front door. She turned to face Sam in the doorway. Still in his underwear, she had to remind herself to stop staring at him.

  "Well, last night was definitely unexpected. But I enjoyed spending time with you," he said and pulled her into his bare chest.

  She reached up and pressed her lips against his. "So did I."

  "I'll call
you later?"

  "If I'm still alive." She smirked and pulled away from him.

  "Be careful," he called out as she got on her bike and pulled out of his driveway.

  ♥♥♥♥♥

  As she walked up to the back door, Charlie paused and braced herself for the shit storm she was about to walk into. She stepped inside and Joe was leaning against the counter in the kitchen, staring her down.

  "Where in the hell have you been?" Joe growled.

  "I'm sorry, I was with a friend and fell asleep."

  "I don't give a shit. That's not a good enough excuse. I got home, and assumed you were at dip-shits until he came over here looking for you." Joe crossed his arms over his chest and his scowl deepened.

  It wasn't like she hadn't come home on purpose, it was a mistake but he didn't need to get so pissed about it.

  "Look, it was an accident. I thought I'd be home before you, so I figured there was no point in leaving a note." She rolled her eyes.

  Joe pushed off the counter and closed the distance between them. "I know you're an adult, but it would still be nice to know where you are and who you're with."

  "Seriously? I've never had to give you a play by play before. What is the big deal all of a sudden? I told you I was sorry." She scowled.

  Running his hands through his cropped hair, Joe sighed. "I was worried, okay?

  "Well, you shouldn't be. Because I'm not afraid to throw down and cut a bitch." She laughed.

  He chuckled and pulled her into a hug. "And this is why I worry about you."

  Jules walked in the room and stopped dead in his tracks, furrowing his brow. "What the hell, dude? You can't answer your damn phone?"

  "Here we go... You guys act like a zombie apocalypse broke out and I was no where to be found." She rolled her eyes and headed up to her room.

  She flopped across her couch and sank into the cushions with her face buried in the crook of her arm. Thankfully, the fight with her dad wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be. Footsteps echoed down the hall before they entered her room and stopped across from her.