by Frankie Love
“Did you...” I chew on the inside of my lip before asking, “Did you leave me a note?”
He frowns. “What kind of a note?”
“In my room. I found...never mind.”
“I haven’t been in your room, Charlie.” He grins then, his playfulness returning. “And I wouldn’t say no if you asked me.”
I laugh. “Not happening, Tatum.”
“A guy can dream.” He winks before turning and starting down the hall, but stops and says over his shoulder, “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. The dorm is having a Secret Santa again, and I entered your name.”
A groan slips passed my lips. “Thanks,” I mutter sarcastically.
But it reminds me that I still haven’t figured out how I’m going to afford to get home for the holidays. I really hope that this job Prescott mentioned pans out. After his little stunt in the coffee shop, I was surprised to get his message. But since then he’s been unusually nice, which I assume is because Spencer had a talk with him.
When I walk back into my room, Daphne is holding my phone. She jumps slightly, eyes widening when she sees me before holding it out to me.
“Sorry, I thought it was mine. Spencer just texted.”
“Thanks,” I mutter, taking my phone from her and reading Spencer’s text.
He’s just finishing a class and wants to meet me in front of Rockefeller College. I grab my jacket and say a quick goodbye to Daphne, who looks totally put out that I’m meeting up with Spencer.
Sometimes I swear the girl is more high maintenance than having a boyfriend. Not that I have experience to compare it, but I can’t imagine any guy being as clingy as Daphne is.
It’s dark out when I leave the dorm and snowflakes dance in the wind. Dry leaves crunch under my boots as I head toward the old building. The campus is relatively quiet, and I smile at a group of three girls who walk past me before turning down the pathway that’s usually lit up at this time of night.
But two of the street light bulbs are burnt out and I swear I see something move in the shadows.
I think about turning around, going another way, but it would take me an extra ten minutes and my fingers and cheeks are already numb with cold.
Swallowing hard and hurrying down the sidewalk, I let out a small laugh when I make it to a well-lit area.
“Since when is Charlie Hayes afraid of shadows?” I mumble to myself. But I have this weird feeling at the base of my skull, like the one I felt a few days ago, as if someone is following me.
Footsteps fall behind me. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. In time with my own.
I glance over my shoulder, and this time I know I’m not imagining it when a figure steps back into the shadows.
My throat constricts, and I start running. Maybe I’m overreacting, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. But when I glance back again, I miss the curb in front of me, and I sprawl onto the pavement.
“Jesus, Hayes. You okay?” Large hands help me up, and adrenaline and fear has me pushing the person away. “Whoa,” Prescott says, frowning down at me. “Who are you running from?”
I glance behind me, but there’s no one there. “I...” Shaking my head, I try to take a step back from Spencer’s friend, but he doesn’t let me go. “Where did you come from?”
His brows form a deep V. “Class. Why?”
“I thought...” God, maybe I’m losing my mind. But first the note, and now this.
“You’re trembling.”
“I’m fine.” I glance down at where his fingers curl around my upper arm. “You can let go of me now.”
He releases me and puts his hands up, giving me an arrogant grin. “Just trying to help.”
“Thanks.”
“Heard you applied for that job.”
“Yeah. I appreciate you letting me know about it.”
“I can think of a way you can make it up to me.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a joke, Hayes. But if Spencer isn’t man enough to take that V-card of yours, I’m more than willing to do the job.”
“You’re lucky she doesn’t have a tray of champagne,” some guy I’ve seen hanging around Spencer and Prescott says behind me, chuckling. “You’d totally be wearing it now.”
“You’re both lucky I don’t have a can of mace on me.”
Prescott laughs. “You’re feisty. No wonder Spencer likes you. I’m serious Hayes, once he dumps your ass to the curb, give me a call. He might have the whole charming bit down, but I’m a much better lay.”
The guy whose name I don’t know, smacks Prescott’s back. “That’s not what your sister said.”
“Fuck you.”
“No thanks. I prefer blondes with big tits...”
I turn on my heels, not able to listen to another second of their banter. But I do hear the guy say to Prescott as I’m walking away, “Since when doesn’t Beckett share?”
But it’s Prescott’s comment that sends chills down my spine. “He will. I just have to be patient with this one.”
Their laughter echoes behind me, and I find myself almost sprinting, barely looking where I’m going, because anger has me seeing red.
An arm wraps around my waist and I let out a little shriek when I’m pulled back against a muscular chest.
“Let go,” I yell, spinning around and ready to knee my attacker in the balls.
“It’s me.” Concerned blue eyes blink down at me, and I can’t help but collapse against Spencer’s chest, and let out a shaky breath. “What the hell happened?” He places his hand under my chin and lifts my face up toward his. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I just...I thought someone was following me. Then I tripped and fell. Then Prescott—”
“What did he do?”
“Nothing. He just...was Prescott.”
He holds my face, studying me. “You’re sure you’re all right?”
I chew on my bottom lip and nod.
“Okay.” He presses his lips to my forehead, then pulls back. “I thought we could go out for dinner.”
“Actually...” I hesitate, wanting to be alone with Spencer, but also knowing what will happen if I suggest it. “I was thinking we could go back to your place.”
He frowns slightly. “You sure?”
I know what he’s asking.
“Yeah. I am.”
He kisses me. Soft. Gentle. And I swear there’s emotion in it. Maybe I’m just fooling myself, thinking I’m any different than all the other girls he’s been with. But the way he looks at me, I feel...special.
But then Prescott’s words roll through my head.
“Did you tell Prescott I’m a virgin?” I ask.
“No. Why?” Anger flares in his eyes. “Did he say something to you?”
He’d thought at the coffee shop that I’d had sex with Spencer. So, what changed?
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine if he upset you.”
I shiver. “You and him, do you usually...share girls.”
“Going to kill that asshole. Is that what he said to you?”
“Is it true?”
Spencer sighs. “Yeah. We have.”
My insides flip flop. Is that what he expects of me? I know it’s not uncommon. I may be a virgin, but I’ve read books, and I’ve heard stories. I mean Daphne is my roommate, she’s the queen of orgies. But that’s not me.
“I...I can’t do that.” The thought of Prescott’s hands on me sends a chill down my back.
“I’d never expect that from you.” Spencer is still cupping my jaw. “Ever. You understand me, Charlie? I don’t want anyone ever touching you, but me.”
There’s a possessiveness in his words that makes my heart race.
He rests his forehead against mine and closes his eyes. I can feel the tension rolling off him. Finally, he says, “I’ll drive you back to your dorm.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I still want to go back to your place.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. But I’m s
tarving. So I hope you have more than just beer in your fridge.”
He smirks. “Only you would call Sapporo’s Space Barley, just beer.”
“And only Princeton Charming would have beer in his fridge that was made in space.”
“Only the barley was grown in space.”
I shake my head at him. “You know you’re ridiculous, right?”
“It’s all part of my charm.” He winks at me, then takes my hand as we walk toward where he parked his Mercedes. A car that probably cost him as much as my parents’ house.
I’ll never fit into his world.
But as he wraps an arm around me and pulls me close, I can’t help but feel that it doesn’t matter, because I fit with him.
Oh, you are so going to have your heart broken, Charlie Hayes, my brain warns.
I know it’s inevitable. But I’m already falling.
The note that was left under my pillow wasn’t just a warning, it’s the unavoidable reality. There’s no happily ever after with Spencer Beckett. But then when is there ever? This isn’t a fairy tale, and I’m no Cinderella. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun with the Prince before he gallops off into the sunset with his real princess.
I chuckle to myself as I fasten my seatbelt.
“What’s so funny?” Spencer asks, cocking a brow as he starts the keyless ignition.
“I think some of your corniness is rubbing off on me.”
He grins. “Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve got something else I wouldn’t mind rubbing off on you.” He winks before pressing his foot to the pedal and speeding toward his apartment.
Exaggeratedly, I groan, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. “Like I said, corny.”
“Yeah, but you love me for it.”
He has no idea how close to the truth he is.
15
Spencer
On the way back to my place we stop at a grocery store. “We’re going to need sustenance,” I tell her.
She chuckles, but as we wind through Whole Foods her fingers find mine, and a current of desire spreads through me. God, there is something about this girl that has me dizzy. We pick out wine and cheeses, crackers and salami. I’ve never done something so simple with a girl - buy groceries with plans to spend a night together at my place. I’m one-night stands and hook-ups. Charlie makes me want to slow down time, to draw this out. To savor every last second.
“And we need dessert,” she says, pausing at the bakery. Cakes and pies and tarts in the display case. “What’s your poison?”
“I have a sweet tooth, but Charlie, I think you’ll be enough sugar for me tonight.”
She laughs, stepping closer, on her tiptoes, ruffling my hair with her hand. “Sorry, Spence. I need more than that. I’m thinking cupcakes. Extra frosting. Sprinkles.”
I smile, loving that she tells me what she wants. She isn’t coy, playing a part - she is Charlotte Hayes, through and through. “I guess we are gonna be burning a lot of calories.”
Her head falls back, her easy laughter filling the grocery store, and I kiss her. Unable to resist. Her mouth is warm and wanting and I feel my cock grow hard as my hands hold her waist, wanting to take control of this moment. This night.
“We need to get out of here,” I groan in her ear. When I look in her eyes, I see they have grown heavy with need. She nods, licking those full lips of hers and she grabs a package of gourmet cupcakes. In seconds we’re at the checkout and I can’t keep my hands and eyes off of her. My palm is on the small of her back, my mouth on her neck. I don’t give a fuck about public displays of affection. Charlie is here for me and I’m here for her. Tonight is only about us.
In the parking lot, paper bags in hand for our at-home picnic, I squeeze her ass as we walk to my car. She giggles with excitement, but as a familiar Tesla pulls into the parking lot, I groan.
“Let’s get out of here, Charlie,” I say, ushering her to my Mercedes.
But Winslow pulls in to the spot next to mine.
As I open Charlie’s door, Winslow steps out of her car. “Are you fucking kidding me, Spencer?” Her words are haughty and heated, my eyes move between hers and Charlie’s.
“Can we not do this?” I plead with the girl I spent every summer of my life with. The girl I lost my virginity to. The girl who held my hand when my brother died.
Dammit, we have history, but I don’t want it to repeat. Not anymore.
“I’ve heard the rumors, but God, you’re really going to do this to your poor parents?”
I take a harder look at Winslow. Her hair’s in a messy bun, she’s in Uggs and leggings and under the lamplight overhead, I can tell she’s not wearing any makeup. Honestly, she looks better than I’ve seen her in a long time - but it’s so out of character I know something is wrong.
“Spencer?” Charlie’s voice brings me back to the moment.
I nod, knowing where my allegiance lies tonight. “Take care, Winnie,” I say, refusing to give her any more of my time. As I get into my leather seat, I look over at Charlie. “Sorry about that,” I tell her.
“It’s okay. I’m not scared of Winslow.”
My lips twitch. “No? You might be the only person I know who isn’t.”
She shakes her head. “The chip on my shoulder has made me tough, Spencer Beckett. I’m not scared of a little friendly competition.”
I cup her cheek and kiss her softly. “There is no competition tonight, Charlie. Tonight, it’s only about me and you.”
Once in the house, the food is left on the counter, forgotten. The moment we are alone, without any exes or grocery store clerks to get in our way, we can’t hold back. I want to fuck this little virgin nice and slow. All night long. Over and over again. We may not be in a rush, but we are ready to get there.
“My room,” I tell her. “That’s where you belong right now.”
She nods obediently like she wants the direction. Oh, I’ll tell her what to do. We move up the stairs, my cock growing with need as I watch her little ass take each step.
In my room, I undress her slowly.
“You’re killing me, Spencer,” she laughs as I pull her sweater up over her head, as I ease down her jeans, her panties. As I unclasp her bra. My virgin is naked before me and my jaw clenches, taking in the sight of her.
“Goddammit you’re perfect,” I tell her, my hands running over her bare skin. I undress quickly and she clucks her tongue.
“So you take your time with me and don’t give me the same pleasure?”
I shake my head. “I promise to give you plenty of pleasure tonight, sweetheart.”
Guiding her hand, she wraps her fingers around my shaft and her eyelids flutter. “You’re really…”
“Big? Thick? Hard? All of those adjective work just fine,” I tease, kissing her earlobe.
“I was going to say huge.” She laughs, her eyes sparkling and I laugh too and I have never, ever been like this with a woman before. Had so much flirty fun. So much ease, even in a moment of passion.
Charlie is effortless and comforting and even though this is her first time, it’s like she isn’t scared. She isn’t hesitating or anxious. And she is ready. The pride that fills my chest is unprecedented. She feels safe with me and that makes me want to be worthy of her. To be the man she needs.
I fist her hair, lifting it up so I can leave kisses along her neck, and we move toward the bed, my hand between her legs, feeling her wetness, her need. “I’ve been getting off to the memory of your sweet pussy for days, Charlotte Hayes,” I confess.
Her breathing slows as I move over her petite frame, I press a finger against her needy entrance. “I’ve been so tense,” she murmurs. “For the last week, my dreams have been my never-ending sexually repressed fantasy. Every night.”
“You’ve been dreaming about me?”
She nods, her tits rising as I run my fingers up and down her tight folds. “Mmhhmm,” she answers and a grin spreads across my fa
ce. “You’re easily swayed with compliments, aren’t you?”
“I’m like everyone else. I like to be thought of.”
“I wasn’t thinking of you,” she moans as I finger her warmth. Her clit is so sweet and tender and her back arches as I tease the nub mercilessly. “I was fantasizing,” she tells me. “About this. Our first time. I wanted it to be you.”
My cock aches at her words, and I want her like I’ve never wanted another woman. With a desperation that unnerves me.
“Charlie,” I growl as I sheath myself, I press my mouth to her slick pussy. Kissing her before I fill her up. If only she understood how I feel right now. More than a prince, with her beneath me, giving herself to me, I feel like a goddamn king.
When I move my cock inside her, slowly as to not hurt my virgin girl, I look into her eyes.
What I see terrifies me as much as it ignites me. When I look into Charlie’s eyes, I see the possibility for a forever that I’ve never imagined for myself.
Goddammit, I’m falling for her. Hard.
And I don’t care if I’m going to crash.
Right now, this falling feels so damn good.
16
Charlie
He moves inside of me, slowly, making my body ignite with need as he deepens his hold on me. On my heart. I know he’s a man with a reputation that should scare me, but under him, against him, filled with him, I feel secure.
And I also feel like every single inch of my skin has been consumed with a fire I didn’t realize was possible. My body opens to him, and my heart pounds with excitement as he rocks against me, as his mouth plants kisses along my neck and my breasts, sending a crazy rush of pleasure through my veins.
“You’re so tight,” he growls as he moves deeper inside me, his thick cock filling me so entirely that my body can’t help but whimper with relief. It’s like for the first time ever my body is being given exactly what it wants. Spencer Beckett, in his entirety.
“Oh, Spence, oh, ohhhh,” I cry as he laces his fingers with mine, pinning my hand over my head. Eyes locked, heart beating hard, bodies pulsing. This is the moment I waited so long for.
