Page 198 of The Grand Duel
“God, Lissie.”
She peers up at me, her fresh face and close proximity under the bathroom lights giving me a new perspective of her.
And it’s devastating.
I’m fucked.
“What are you doing to me, Lis?”
She shakes her head. “If it’s too much.”
“It’s…” I shift, my cock throbbing and making my body agitated. “Fuck, it’s not enough.”
She lets me push up against her, a groan slipping from my lips at the feel of her, but then she smooths her hands down my arms. “I think we should stop.”
I try to see past the fog of arousal that has my hands pressing her into me.
Stop?
I freeze, and she tightens her arms around me.
“Not because I don’t want you,” she tells me, her eyes flaring with need. “I do, and maybe now is a good time to tell you that if you want to touch me, kiss me, or have sex with me, then I want that too. Until I tell you otherwise, you don’t have to ask or wonder. I want you, Charlie.”
I drop my head to hers, my heart thundering.
“And you want me right now, too. I’m certain of it.”
“Wanting you would mean I am in control.” I shake my head, our noses brushing. “And I’m not.”
“I am,” she tells me, her words a plea. “Trust me.” She links our fingers, our bodies close as our faces stay as one. “I could let you push the boundaries and do unspeakable things to me in this bathroom right now, but that wasn’t my intention.” Her nose brushes my cheek, her breath fanning my lips. “If you want and need to fuck me, fuck me.” She smiles. “But just now your eyes roamed over me with not a bit of doubt in them. I want to stop this before it comes, before you push it to a point you’ll regret.”
“I could never regret it?—”
“Let me exist,” she rasps out on a whisper. “Let me stand naked in my bathroom feeling like the most beautiful girl in the world because there’s a man who wants me watching.” Her eyes settle and find focus on mine. “It can be enough tonight. And when you feel like you’re not fighting for control, when you can walk in this bathroom with your eyes open and sure.” She chuckles. “I’ll let you sort me out, Aldridge.”
I inch back and reach up, taking hold of her chin. How do I even put into words how much what she’s just done means to me. “You’re beautiful, Lissie,” I try.
She smiles at me, and I stare transfixed, desperately hoping I don’t forget the look on her face. “You’re not so bad yourself.” She slips out of my arms and rounds me, walking into her bedroom.
I stand for a moment and wonder what the fuck just happened.
I hear her drawers opening and closing as she goes about life. As she gets ready for her shift. But here in this bathroom, I’m stuck. Wondering if she feels what I do. Knowing it’s impossible.
Because she’s moving on. Her thoughts on what she might wear whilst mine are held up on the fact a couple nights ago she told me she wanted to help me for the person I meet after her.
Which is a little messed up considering I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with her.
THIRTY-SIX
Lissie
Iscroll to the top of the message thread and then read over the text messages Charlie sent to me last night.
Call me when you’re finished tonight. I’ll come and get you.
It will be the early hours of the morning Charles! Go to bed.
I won’t be sleeping tonight