Gripping her hips, I pull her firmly against me, deepening the kiss until Ican feel her heartbeat racing alongside mine. She lets out a soft moan, and it’s everything I can do to keep from losing control right here at the bottom of the stairs.
I pull back just enough to catch my breath, resting my forehead against hers as I try to steady myself. “You’ve been driving me crazy all day, Charlie girl.”
She smiles, a wicked little grin that makes my blood run hot. “Good,” she whispers, sliding her hands into my hair. “Because I’ve been waiting for this all day.”
This time when I kiss her, there’s no holding back. The world narrows to her—her touch, her laughter, the way she looks at me like I’m someone worth waiting for. I lift her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around me as I carry her upstairs. I’m so ready to lose myself in her that I can barely think straight.
We stumble into her room, kicking the door shut behind us. Setting her down gently on the bed, I take a moment to drink her in. Her hair is mussed, her lips red from our kisses, eyes heavy and full of desire.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” I say, my hands skimming over her waist as I lean down to kiss her again. She arches into me, her hands slipping under my shirt, nails dragging across my skin, and I’m gone.
My hands find the hem of her dress, slowly lifting it as she lets out a soft moan against my mouth. The fabric slides up her thighs, baring her to me, and I remember our earlier conversation.
“You weren’t kidding about the VPL.”
She laughs softly, her breath deliciously hitching under my touch. “Told you. Fashion crime, Jake.”
“Fashion crime or not, I’m definitely not complaining.”
Her laughter turns into a gasp as I push her dress higher, my hands gliding up her bare skin, warm and soft under my touch. It’s intoxicating the way she responds to me, the way she bites her lip like she’s trying to hold back. She’s as wound up as I am.
I lean in to kiss her, pressing myself against her so she can feel exactlywhat she’s doing to me. Her hands slide up into my hair, tugging me closer, and the electricity between us feels like every second of waiting has been worth it for this.
“Charlie, you’re killing me,” I murmur, barely able to contain myself.
She smiles, that wicked, playful grin that makes my heart race, and begins unbuttoning my shirt, fingers slow and deliberate. “I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not.”
A low rumble escapes me as I trail kisses along her neck, savoring the way she shivers. “You’re a brat, you know that?”
“Only when I’m winning,” she says, arching into me, her breath warm against my neck.
“Well consider this game on.”
The need to feel her, to claim her, to show her exactly how much she means to me, it's overwhelming.
Charlotte Andrews has changed everything for me.
Tonight, I’m gonna make sure she knows it.
She’s mine.
Chapter twenty-four
I’ll take the chaos, the laughter and all your midnight freak-outs
Charlie
"Oh my God.” Jake swiftly pulls my dress over my head, leaving me in just my bra.
I press my lips together, holding back a grin as his hungry gaze sweeps over me. I’d hoped tonight would lead us here, and judging by the look in his eyes, he’d been hoping the same.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmurs against my skin. His lips drag down my neck, hands sliding up my thighs. “So fucking beautiful.”
“Jake…”
Reaching behind me, he pulls me flush against him as he unhooks my bra one handed. “This is coming off,” he says, voice rumbling against my ear.
“Then you’re losing these.” I fumble with his jeans, yanking them down his hips.
