Page 35 of Of Course, Cutie

“Tess, what’s in your hand?” I asked.

Tess dangled a little matchbox car ornament with a grin. “Is this like the ones you made with your daddy?”

Charlie nodded. “We made that one when I was ten, and I wanted you to have it.”

“Thanks! It’s so cool! I’m going to hang it on the tree!”

Tess hurried over to the little tree to hang the car. While she was busy searching for the perfect branch, I grabbed Charlie’s hand and tugged her into my arms. My chest felt tight with emotion because I knew how much that little matchbox car meant to her, and she chose to share it with my little girl. “You’re amazing, Charlie Cox. Thank you.” I pressed a quick kiss to her lips and then backed away before Tess turned around.

Tess hurried back into the kitchen before Charlie could respond. “Do you wanna see what my daddy got me for Christmas?” She led Charlie down the hall, still chattering. “Did you bring my daddy a present? I made him a picture frame out of popsicle sticks, and he loved it! I have extra craft stuff if you want to make him one, too.”

I laughed and shrugged when Charlie glanced over her shoulder and caught my eye. “I do like popsicle stick picture frames.”

Charlie flashed me her cute little smile and followed Tess into her bedroom.

???

Lexi called halfway through dinner to tell me she needed Tess back early. Lexi and a few of her mom friends had decided last minute to go and see Christmas lights, and they were already on their way to pick her up. I swallowed my irritation and helped Tess pack up her things. Tess didn’t need me to lose my shit over this.

Charlie gave my daughter a long hug and ran her fingers through Tess’s soft hair. “Merry Christmas, Tess. I hope you have such a good morning and that Santa brings you everything you want.”

Then I walked Tess down to the icy parking lot, where her mother was waiting. After I helped my daughter into the car, I stopped to give Lexi a pointed look. “This wasn’t part of the deal, Lex.”

She pursed her lips and nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ll try to plan better.” Then she drove away, and I knew she wouldn’t really try harder. Lexi was full of shit.

When I made it back up to my apartment, Charlie was curled up on my couch, staring at my Christmas tree. Her eyes flashed up to meet mine, filled with wild nerves. “Hey,” she almost whispered.

“Hey.” I sat beside her, and she leaned in for a kiss, her whole body trembling. Was she worried that I was going to fuck her now? Damn, I wanted to, but I wouldn’t if she was scared. “Cutie, you don’t have to sleep with me tonight. We can take it slow.”

Charlie frowned and pulled away from me. “I want to. I’m just a little nervous.” She looked down at her lap and wrapped a strand of hair around her pointer finger. “I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“That’s not possible, Charlie.”

She nodded and stood to unbutton her jeans.

I grinned and took both of her hands in mine. “I very much want to see what’s under those clothes, but we don’t need to rush.” I was hard for her, but I could wait. “Come here.” I patted my lap. “Let’s talk for a minute.”

Charlie curled up on my lap like a sexy little kitten and rested her head against my chest. I took her hand in mine and pressed it against my racing heart. “You feel that, Charlie? You make me nervous, too.” She gave me a soft smile, and I continued, “Look, I’ve only been with three other women.” And one of those women had been less than impressed with what I had to offer in bed for the last ten years. These weren’t details I usually shared with anyone, but Charlie seemed so damn nervous. I wanted to reassure her that there was no way she could disappoint me.

Charlie frowned at me. “Seriously?”

I tipped her chin up to catch her lips in a gentle kiss. “Seriously. Are you second-guessing asking me to fuck you now?”

Charlie bit her lip and a soft smile danced across her lips. “No. But… why only three?”

I gazed into her eyes. “I don’t like shallow flings. They’re more effort than they’re worth.” I did that once, about a year before I met Lexi. It only took me two weeks to realize I hated that kind of relationship. I wanted a deep connection or none at all.

Something like respect filled Charlie’s eyes, and I felt a little of the tension in her body melt away. “I don’t like them, either.” She slid her hands up my chest and brushed her lips against my cheek. I felt her warm breath against my skin and ached to feel her everywhere.

“Charlie, I want to make you feel good because you’re so damn special. I don’t want to disappoint you either.”

She lifted her head and smiled at me. “That’s not possible, Burke.” Charlie leaned in and pressed her soft minty lips into mine. “It feels like my whole body lights on fire when we kiss.” Her voice had that sexy, husky quality again, and my cock strained against my jeans.

“I feel the same way.” I gazed into those pretty blue eyes. The reflection from the Christmas tree lights made them even brighter. “I can’t stop wanting you, Charlie, and I’m not the kind of guy that wants things.”

She kissed me again, this time with more force and depth. Charlie buried her hands in my hair and turned her body to straddle me while we kissed. I met her passion, following her lead, determined to hold back until she was ready. Charlie kissed me harder and harder and centered herself on my cock. I groaned into her mouth when she started rocking her hips against me.

Charlie tipped her head back and guided my mouth down to her neck, still grinding into me. I kissed my way down to her collarbone and back up to her jaw while she rocked harder and harder against me.

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