Page 29

Chapter twenty-eight

I don’t want to keep you in the shadows

Charlotte - 12 years ago

T he camp is quiet, the kind of stillness that only comes in the dead of night when everyone’s fast asleep. I lie in bed, staring at the dark ceiling of my cabin, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that has settled over me. It’s probably just the usual camp noises, but something doesn’t feel right.

Then I hear it—a soft sniffle outside the cabin. I slip out of bed, careful not to wake the other girls, and crack the door open. Tyler stands there, clutching his stuffed dinosaur, tears streaking his cheeks.

“Tyler?” I whisper, crouching down to his level. “What’s wrong?”

“I had a bad dream,” he mumbles, voice shaky.

My heart squeezes. “It’s okay,” I say softly, brushing a tear from his cheek. “Do you want to sit on the porch for a bit?”

He nods, his grip on the dinosaur easing slightly.

The wooden porch creaks as we sit down on the steps, Tyler’s small feet dangling off the edge. I wrap an arm around him, and he leans into me, his shivers easing.

“It’s okay to be scared sometimes,” I tell him, keeping my voice low. “But you’re safe here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

We sit in comfortable silence, the night wrapping around us like a blanket. Tyler’s eyes start to droop, and I know it’s only a matter of time before he nods off. I stand, ready to carry him back to his cabin, when a shadow moves out of the corner of my eye.

It’s Jake, coming back from the bathrooms. His expression shifts from curiosity to something softer when he notices us.

“Hey,” he says quietly, walking over. “Everything okay?”

I nod, adjusting Tyler. "Bad dream. I was about to take him back.”

His smile is soft as he nods. “He’s lucky to have you.”

“He just needed someone to be there.” I shrug, trying to play it off.

Jake tilts his head, studying me. “You’re good at that.”

“At what?”

“Being there for people.” He rubs the back of his neck like he’s unsure about admitting it.

I feel my cheeks heat up. “Well, someone’s gotta do it.”

There’s a pause—not exactly awkward, but uncertain. Like neither of us knows if we’re supposed to say more or just let the moment settle.

“Want me to carry him?” Jake finally asks, nodding toward Tyler.

“Sure,” I say, gently handing hin over. “Thanks, Jake.”

“No problem.” He settles Tyler in his arms with ease, like he’s done it a hundred times.

We walk back to Tyler’s cabin in silence, the night air cool against my skin. As we tuck him back into bed, I catch Jake looking at me thoughtfully.

“What?” I ask, feeling self-conscious.

“Nothing,” he says quickly. “Just... you’re pretty great, you know?”

My cheeks flush again, and I look away, pretending to adjust Tyler’s blanket. “You’re not so bad yourself, Captain Thunder.”

He chuckles softly. “Get some sleep, Lady Lightning.”

***

Charlie - Present Day

Th e house is quiet, the kids are finally asleep, and I’m stuck doom-scrolling on the couch, my mind replaying the tension from earlier today.

I hear the front door open and close softly. A bag drops, and then Jake walks into the living room, his eyes immediately finding mine.

“Hey,” he says, dropping down beside me. “Everything okay?”

I nod. “Yeah, just thinking.”

“About earlier?” His tone is gentle, but there’s an edge to it, a reminder of the tension.

I take a deep breath, setting my phone down. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about everything. About the kids and us. About how complicated this all is.”

Jake reaches out, taking my hand in his. “It’s not that complicated, Charlie. We can figure it out.”

I look down at our joined hands, feeling the warmth of his calloused skin. “I just… Alex will be looking for any reason to drag the kids back to New Zealand.”

His thumb brushes over the back of my hand, soothing but firm. “That’s not happening. Those kids aren’t going anywhere. Alex can try all he wants, but he’s not taking them away from you. I won’t let it happen.”

I search his eyes for any hint of doubt, but there’s none. Just the steady, determined gaze of a man ready to fight for me.

“I don’t want to keep you in the shadows, but I’m scared of what could happen if we don’t.”

Jake shifts closer with a frown, his grip on my hand tightening. “In case you’ve forgotten, I want this, Charlie. So you tell me—what are we doing here?”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words get stuck in my throat. The fear, the doubt, it’s all there, but so is the desire—the overwhelming need to be with him, to let go of everything else.

“No, I need to know,” Jake presses, his voice intense but not harsh. “Because I’m not going to play a game where I pretend you’re just a friend when you’re not.”

Inhaling deeply, I look away, but Jake’s hand on my chin gently turns my face back to his. “I’m not asking you to rush into anything, but I need to know where we stand. I need to know that I’m not the only one who wants this.”

His words slice through my hesitation, leaving nowhere to hide. I can’t keep pretending either, not when every part of me is screaming for him.

“You’re not,” I whisper. “You’re not the only one.”

Relief flickers across his face, but he doesn’t let up. “Then let’s stop with the mixed signals. We’re in this together, okay? No more denying ourselves for the sake of anyone else.”

“Okay.” I nod, finally letting go of my fears. “Okay, let’s do this.”

A slow, relieved smile spreads across his face, and he leans in to kiss me, his lips soft but firm against mine.

When he pulls back, he rests his forehead resting against mine. “You’re my Lady Lightning. Don’t you forget it.”

A thrill rushes through me at the possessiveness in his tone. “And you’re mine, Captain Thunder.”

“Damn right I am.”

“But we need to be careful,” I say, as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “The kids... they come first.”

“Of course. They always come first.”

The tension between us is a living thing, pulling us closer, drawing us into the inevitable. I nod again, feeling relief wash over me as I submit to the feeling.

“Okay.”

He pauses, searching my face. “Why don’t we spend Christma s at my cabin? Just us, the kids, and some time together.”

I blink. “Your cabin?”

“Yeah, it’s where I go to get away from everything, clear my head. And I want to share that with you and the kids.”

Excitement and fear twist in my chest. But the way he’s looking at me, it’s impossible to say no. “I’d like that.”

“Yeah?” His smile is slow, lighting up his face.

“Yeah.”

“C'mere , then.” Jake’s hands slide down my back, pulling me onto his lap.

Lips capture mine in a kiss that’s anything but gentle, filled with all the need that’s been building between us. I lose myself in him, letting go of everything else.

His fingers thread through my hair, tugging me closer. When he deepens the kiss, I softly moan into his mouth, running my tongue against his.

The kiss turns hungry, and I can feel the tension in his body, the way he’s holding himself back, trying to stay in control.

But I don’t want control, I want him. All of him.

“Jake,” I breathe, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes. “I want you.”

He stands, my legs wrapping around his waist, and he carries me toward the stairs, hands firm and possessive on my thighs. There’s a desperate urgency between us, a need to erase every inch of distance and hesitation that’s lingered.

We barely make it to the bedroom before our clothes are gone, discarded in a trail behind us. Jake’s hands are everywhere, his mouth crushing mine with a hunger that borders on desperate.

He leaves a hot, open-mouthed trail down my neck, sucking at my collarbone before moving lower, and I arch up, desperate for more. His touch is almost feral, like he’s staking a claim and marking me with every press of his lips.

“You’re mine, Charlie,” he murmurs low against my skin. “No more hiding, no more pretending. Say it.”

“Yours,” I breathe, shuddering as his fingers trail down my sides.

“Good girl. Now come here.” His grip tightens as he flips us over, settli ng me on top of him. His hands lock around my hips, holding me steady. "Ride me, baby. Show me who you belong to.”

My lips part, feeling the heat between us build as I sink down onto him, his cock stretching and filling me completely. A breathy groan escapes him, his hands gripping tighter as he watches.

“Fuck, that’s it,” he growls, eyes glued to where our bodies meet. “You feel like heaven, Charlie. Move for me.”

His words send a jolt through me, and I start to roll my hips, grinding down on him, his hands guiding me with every movement.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” he rasps, one hand moving up to roll my nipple. “Look at you, riding me like a queen.”

I throw my head back and move faster. “Oh God…”

The pleasure builds sharp and fast, and his hand slides up, fingers curling gently around my throat. His eyes search mine, a question unspoken but clear.

“More,” I gasp, my hands bracing against his chest. “Don’t hold back.”

His chest rumbles with approval, fingers flexing as he leans up. “My good girl,” he murmurs, pulling me to him, his hand tight as he presses his mouth to mine. “Not just my friend. Fucking mine .”

A sharp breath escapes me as his hand moves and smacks my ass, the sensation sending a jolt of pleasure through me. I press harder against him, finding a rhythm that matches the movement of my hips with his.

“Christ, you’re wet,” he breathes, voice strained. “So fucking perfect, Charlie. You don’t know what you do to me.”

“Show me,” I whisper, challenging him, nails scraping his chest as I move to meet his every thrust.

He lets out a dark chuckle, his eyes glinting with a fierce need. With effortless strength, he flips me onto my back, hands capturing my wrists and pinning them to the mattress. His thrusts are deep, each one claiming me relentlessly.

“Is this what you wanted?” His voice is r ough as he moves. “Taking me so fucking deep you can’t think straight?

“Oh my God, just like that, don’t stop…”

“You’re so tight around me,” he grits out. “You feel that, baby? That’s me ruining our friendship.”

A breathy laugh escapes me, but it’s swallowed by a moan as he bottoms out. “Fuck friendship."

“You gonna come for me, then?” His hand slips down, circling my clit. “Fall apart for me, right here on my cock.”

I cry out, my entire body igniting as the orgasm crashes over me. But just as I’m riding it out, he flips me onto my stomach, pulling my hips up until I’m on all fours.

“On your knees,” he rasps, his palm landing on my ass with a sharp smack that sends a fresh jolt of pleasure through me. “Give me one more. I wanna hear my name on your lips when you come.”

A hand slides up my back, threading into my hair, pulling me upright until I feel his breath against my ear. “Tell me again, Charlie.”

“I’m yours,” I pant, the words spilling from me as he moves.

“Damn right you are. Mine. Every single part of you.” His hand moves around to my throat, holding me steady as his pace quickens. The world fades, every sensation focused on the way he’s claiming me completely.

“Come for me,” he demands, voice husky as he thrusts. His hand drifts lower, brushing my clit before delivering a sharp slap. “Come, Charlie. Show me you’re mine.”

“Holy shit, Jake!” I choke out, my body shattering as I come hard for a second time.

“Fuck yeah, baby. That’s what I want—everything you’ve got.”

His voice breaks as he buries himself deep one final time, my name falling from his lips as his release tears through him. The grip on me softens, his hands sliding over my hips to hold me close as he dots a trail of kisses up my spine, murmuring reverent words against my skin.

I collapse underneath him in a melting heap, and he crashes down beside me, his chest rising and falling with rapid breaths. The air between us is thick with the aftermath, but there’s a quiet intimacy in the way his arm drapes over my waist , anchoring me close.

Jake presses a kiss to my shoulder, trailing up my neck until his lips hover just below my ear. When he finally lifts his head, his eyes find mine, and the heat in them gives way to something softer.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” I murmur, still breathless as I move into him.

His arm wraps tighter around me, stubble grazing the soft skin beneath my ear. “You’re my fucking girl, Charlie. And I’ll remind you like this anytime you forget.”

A hum of contentment escapes me as I move closer, resting my head against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat matches the way his hands stroke down my back, but the thought of him leaving tomorrow hangs over us.

“You’re staying tonight, right?” My voice has an edge of vulnerability I can’t quite hide, and I know he’ll catch it.

He nuzzles into my hair, inhaling deeply. “Yeah, I’m staying. Got my bag right by the door.”

“I’m gonna miss you,” I whisper, fingers tracing the curve of his bicep.

“Mm, get ready for a week of calls and texts,” he says, his grip tightening like he’s never letting go.

And I don’t want him to.