Page 45 of Made for Wilde

When I come back to myself, I’m collapsed on top of Charlotte, my face buried in her neck, both of us panting. I shift my weight to avoid crushing her, but she tightens her arms around me.

I roll onto my back, taking Charlotte with me so she’s nestled against my chest.

Her blonde hair spills across my skin like silk, and I can’t help but run my fingers through it, marveling at how soft it feels. We lie there for a few moments, just breathing together, her heart pounding against mine.

“How was that?” I ask, my voice gruff with emotion I’m not ready to name.

Charlotte tilts her head up to look at me, her blue eyes shining.

“Perfect,” she whispers. “Definitely worth the wait.”

My chest swells with something primal and possessive. I’ve been with my share of women over the years, but none of them have ever looked at me the way Charlotte does right now. She’s looking at me like I’ve given her something precious.

Something worth remembering.

I press my lips to her forehead, inhaling the scent of her. But as I hold her, I feel her body tense against mine. The shift is subtle, but unmistakable.

“What’s wrong?” I stroke my hand down her bare back.

She doesn’t answer right away. When she finally speaks, her voice is so quiet I have to strain to hear it.

“We’re terrible people,” she whispers against my chest. “My dad is going to kill us for this.”

The mention of Jason hits me like a sucker punch.

For a brief, perfect moment, I’d forgotten the complications waiting for us outside this cabin.

I sigh, considering her words carefully. The last thing I want is for her to regret what just happened between us.

“We’re not terrible people, Charlotte,” I say finally. “But things are... complicated.”

She traces one of my tattoos with her fingertip, following the lines across my ribs.

“I wish things were different,” she murmurs. “I wish I could stay here forever. I wish I didn’t have to go.”

Something fierce and protective rises in my chest at the sadness in her voice.

“Don’t go.”

She lifts her head, eyes searching mine. “What do you mean?”

I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger against her cheek.

“It’s still early. The roads are going to take some time to clear.” I gesture toward the window, where ice still clings to the branches outside. “Stay with me tonight. I’ll take you back to your apartment tomorrow instead.”

A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” I shift my hips slightly, letting her feel exactly how sure I am. “It’s for safety reasons, of course. Can’t have you driving on dangerous roads.”

Charlotte laughs, the sound sending a rush of warmth through my chest.

“Well, when you put it like that, I can’t really argue, can I?” She presses a slow, deliberate kiss to my collarbone. “Safety first.”

My hands slide down her back to cup her ass, pulling her more firmly against me.

“I’m very concerned about your wellbeing,” I murmur, my voice dropping to a growl as she begins to rock against my hardening cock.

“I can tell,” she breathes, her lips traveling up my neck to my jaw. “Very thorough safety inspection.”