Page 17 of Charm

I take off in a run toward the staircase that will take me down to the first floor and beyond that to the pool.

I promised myself I’d experience at least one first this weekend. Since I’ve never had a one-night stand, that box is now ticked off. I’ve also never skinny-dipped, but I’m about to. That’s two firsts for me, and I haven’t even been here for twenty-four hours.

“There’s no time like the present,” I say as I slide open one of the glass doors that look onto the pool deck.

I hurry outside, dropping my robe on a lounge chair before I dive into the warm water just as the sun starts to rise. I swim the length of the pool beneath the water before I pop my head out and squint as my eyes adjust to my surroundings.

“Summer.” The gruffness in that voice has been echoing in my ears since he left me less than two hours ago.

I look to the left and see Joe standing at the edge of the pool, a dark gray towel wrapped around his waist.

I skim a hand over my face to chase away any extra drops of water. “What are you doing here?”

“What do you think?” He drops the towel, revealing that he’s nude. “I’m here for a swim.”

I rake him from head to toe. I’ve seen it all before, yet I can’t stop staring. “Just a swim?”

A wicked grin settles over his full lips. “Are you offering more?”

I stand tall, revealing more of myself to him as I rise out of the water until it’s lapping below my naked breasts. “What do you think?”

My fingers diginto his shoulder as he plumps one of my breasts in his hand. I whimper from the need that has been building within me since he dove into the pool. He teased me then, kissing me hard before he pulled back to study my face in the light that is being cast on us from the sunrise.

“You want more,” he assumes as I try to close the small amount of distance between us.

I’m pressed against the side of the pool. Joe is just a few inches in front of me. It’s not close enough for me, though. I want to feel his body against mine.

“I do,” I confess. “I want you.”

Normally, a declaration like that would make me feel shameless, but all of my shame has already been tossed aside, because this man knows how to fuck.

“I don’t have a condom,” he growls. “But, there are so many ways to make you come for me, Summer.”

I both hate and love that he calls me by a name that doesn’t resemble my own. I’ll always wonder what my real name would have sounded like coming from him.

“Tell me one,” I plead.

His lips part in a soft smile. “With my tongue, but I’m saving that for later since you’ve already experienced it.”

Disappointment rolls through me, but it’s gone as soon as he lowers his head to take one of my nipples in his mouth. He dragshis teeth across it. The bite of pain is so exquisite that I let out a moan.

“Every time I do that, you like it more,” he says in a gritty tone.

I can’t argue because my fingers are threaded through his hair as I try to push him forward so he can take my breast into his mouth again.

He does, but this time it’s a lash of his tongue against my throbbing nipple. I toss my head back in pleasure, but that all changes the second I feel a hand between my thighs.

“Legs apart,” he orders in a deep tone. “I’m going to watch you come apart for me.”

I don’t hesitate to do what he asks. Locking eyes with him, I let out a slow breath.

“You are so fucking beautiful,” he whispers as his fingers glide over my pussy. “I can’t wait to hear you come for me again.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Holden

I finishthe last bite of the banana foster pancakes in front of me. When I finally look up, Summer is staring at me with her top teeth raking over her bottom lip.