Page 22 of Shadowing Charlotte

Chapter twenty-two

Alexander

" P lease, Charlie, don't cry…" I managed to force the words out in a thick whisper as she fell apart in the seat beside me. I'd seen her tears too any damn times, and I never wanted to witness them again. "We will figure it out," I assured her gently, placing my hand on her arm.

"We?" she whispered, eyes brimming with tears as she looked up at me in confusion.

"Of course, Charlotte. Even if you don't want anything to do with me anymore…

" The mere utterance of the words made my insides wither.

For two years, I'd merely watched her from a distance.

After knowing her for less than a week, I was already struggling to imagine a life without her.

"I'm not going to abandon you when you need help. "

Charlotte was over the center compartment in a split second, the horn sounding as she wedged herself between my body and the wheel. I slid the seat back to give her space the very same moment her mouth collided with mine.

"Charlotte…" Her name spilled from my lips thick and huskily, ground out in warning. I couldn't do this. She couldn't set me on fire again if she was going to leave me to burn alone.

"Shut up and touch me," she snarled against my lips, already reaching between us to unbutton my jeans. I didn't need to be told twice. My hands were on her sweat-dampened skin instantly, sliding beneath her t-shirt and sports bra, cupping her breasts as my thumbs grazed over her nipples.

Charlotte moaned, her head falling back as she ground against me, making me hard beneath her .

"Fuck…" I groaned, lifting my hips, my eyes rolling in pleasure as I felt her warmth through the barrier of our clothes.

I was on fire, the heat in her gaze melting me into a helpless, desperate puddle beneath her.

"Charlie, not here. We don't—" I recoiled as she lifted her leg, pulling off her sneaker, one foot of her leggings, and panties in one frantic motion.

"Char—" Her name morphed into a low moan as she shoved her hand down my pants, wrapping her fingers around my dick. "Fuck…"

She stroked it only twice, before pushing my jeans and boxers down.

My heart was raced with anticipation. I was unable to do anything but grip her hips and watch as she sank down on me, gasping as she bottomed out, my dick buried inside her to the hilt.

It was blissful to be inside her again, like coming home after an arduous journey.

"Charlie, baby… I'm so sorry—"

She slapped her hand over my mouth, silencing me as she began to move, riding me fast and hard, like I was a fucking racehorse. I moaned beneath her fingers, shifting her hips back and forth, basking in the incredible feeling of being inside her again.

"Don't talk anymore… Just let me have this…

" she panted against my lips, cupping my face in her hands.

She stared down at me, her warm honey eyes never leaving mine.

I couldn't think, could barely breathe. I no longer had control; every inch of me was hers, and hers alone.

Her gaze was too intimate to ever believe she didn't want me the way I wanted her.

Charlotte's soft pants and whimpers slowly became whines as she quickened her pace, grinding her clit against me with every drop of her hips.

"Charlie, stop… I'm going… to fucking… cum…" I ground out, my body stiffening as I tried to hold back, waiting for her to find release. It was too fucking fast. I was going to finish in less than three minutes, like a fucking teenager.

"Good. I want you to…" she replied, leaning in to press her lips to mine. "Show me how you burn for me. Show me how fast I can unravel you, Alexander. Show me that I'm the only one who can make you feel like this…"

"Fuuuuck!" I went rigid beneath her as the corners of my vision went black.

Yanking down on her hips, I struggled to keep her in place as my cock exploded inside her.

I couldn't help but move, thrusting into her a handful of times as my climax came to an end, my dick slowly softening.

"Are you trying to fucking kill me Charlotte?

" I panted as she leaned forward and rested her head against my shoulder.

"Maybe…" she whispered softly, her fingers trailing up and down my forearm. She sounded far away, like she was lost somewhere in her head, perhaps regretting what she had just done.

"I suppose I would deserve it." I sighed .

"Don't… don't tease me right now." She sat up and looked at me, her honey eyes glowing in the low light of the sunset. "Do you regret it?" she asked, her words heavy with unspoken emotion.

"Of course, I do. From the moment I met you, wearing that tiny white bikini, all I've thought about was you." I assured her, kissing her sweaty temple.

"Then why did you fuck someone else?" Her voice trembled, her bottom lip wobbling as she held back her tears. She looked so sad, so small and vulnerable. The sight broke my heart into jagged pieces.

"Because I'm a fucking idiot Charlotte." I sighed.

"Look, I agreed to go out with my friend.

I didn't even want to, but I'd just talked to my dad, and I was pissed off.

I wasn't thinking. When I messaged you, I was already stuck at Tarot.

I would have rather been with you, but she was there.

And I figured, since you had a boyfriend, I would blow off some steam…

" I told her. "It's not an excuse. I know I fucked up," I whispered against her ear as I pulled the hair tie away and combed my fingers through her cinnamon tresses.

"Please, Charlie. Give me a chance to make things right; to be a proper boyfriend. "

The thick tears blooming in her eyes spilled down her cheeks as she stared up at me, wary to agree. She didn't trust me, and I didn't blame her. I'd never been religious, but in that moment, I found myself silently praying that she would give me a chance to make up for the hurt I'd caused her.

Slowly, hesitantly, she nodded. Another tear spilled down her freckled cheek before she threw her arms around my neck, and squeezed me until I could barely breathe.

"Thank you. Thank you…" I murmured, unsure if I was talking to Charlotte or whatever God was looking out for me.

"I think I could love you…" Her words were a faint whisper against my shoulder, the sound making my heart stop as she continued to cling to me. I was rendered speechless.

Love… She could love me. Closing my eyes, I sucked in a long, steadying breath.

"I think I could love you, too, Charlotte."