Page 204 of The Grand Duel

Nina’s not known me long, but she knowsme. Who I am, deep at my core. The good and the bad, and the things I never wanted anyone outside of my best friends to see. None of them have ever been good at leaving space for privacy, though. You have a problem—well then, we all have a problem.

It’s the way it’s always been between us.

It’s not until moments like this, when one of them quits the silly jokes and ribbing to recentre you to the earth with feelings you know are real, true to the core, because they know you better than you know yourself.

I go to the boot of my car and take out the basket of food I had prepared for our dinner, wondering how I tamp down the need I have for the woman who seems to be taking over my every waking thought.

When I eventually walk into the cottage, I find Lissie at the kitchen counter, making a cup of tea.

She looks over her shoulder at me. “You didn’t tell me you picked the paint. The colour is perfect!”

I cross my feet at the ankles and watch her. “You like it?”

“I love it. You went with the colours I suggested.” She bins her tea bag and stirs in her sugar. “Can we paint tonight?”

“I didn’t bring you here to put you to work,” I muse.

She sips her tea, placing it on the counter before walking towards me. “Then why did you bring me here, Charles?” She pops a brow, her arms going behind her back.

I set down the basket and reach for her, not caring how fucking scary it feels as I pull her into my body. Or how scary it should feel. Doesn’t feel that scary at all, to be honest.

“We should probably paint,” I tell her, dipping my head into her neck.

“We should definitely paint,” she replies, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and sighing when I run my lips up to her ear.

I kiss her skin, having needed the feel of her on my lips all day.

“Charlie.”

I groan, squeezing her to me tighter as my hands roam her back and hips. I suck on her neck, knowing I could lift my head and kiss her, but knowing if I do that, I’ll be completely done for.

And when I kiss her, I want it to be because I’m all in.

Because I’m ready to give her everything.

The vision of her standing in her bathroom dripping wet last night comes barrelling into my mind.

“The things I want to do to you.”

She sighs before pulling back. “You’re making it too hard.” Her eyes dart between mine. “I’m trying to resist, but you’re making it impossible.”

I chuckle against her throat as I dip back in, kissing and sucking at the skin. “You’re resisting?”

She lifts my head, uncertainty marring her brow. “I’m trying to give you enough time to do this the way you need to.”

My chest is pounding—heaving. I’m desperate, my cock hardening between us. She’s so fucking beautiful it makes me ache. “I am, Lis.” I brush my nose against hers, holding the back of her head. “You’re doing perfect.”

“I am?” Her eyes light up.

I nod and pull back, knowing that if I’m not ready to drop my lips to hers in this moment, I probably shouldn’t have my mouth on her at all. “I had dinner made.” I kiss her cheek and reluctantly step around her. “Are you hungry?”

When I look back at her, she’s mid sigh, her smile shaky.

“Come eat dinner with me, Lis. I want to show you the porch, and then we can paint.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

Lissie