Page 51 of Her Nightshade

Getting on our flight, and the actual journey itself, was uneventful. But once we landed at JFK, the atmosphere shifted.My team had hired extra security detail in response to the heightened media attention. As we exited through a side door to the waiting car, paparazzi swarmed us, cameras flashing relentlessly. Charlie held onto me tightly as he led me into the car.

Miles was already in the driver’s seat with another guard in the passenger seat. I caught the flicker of irritation in Charlie’s expression when he saw Miles, though he didn’t say anything. I knew he wasn’t thrilled about the added security, but our safety came first.

The car ride was quiet, Charlie holding onto my thigh as always, and I avoided my phone as I stared out at the beautiful New York City skyline. Once we arrived at my building, the elevator ride felt even more stifling. Miles and the extra guard stood silently beside us, their presence heavy in the small space. Charlie didn’t say a word to either of them, but his body language spoke volumes—the way his fingers tightened around mine, the subtle clench of his jaw.

When the elevator dinged to signal our floor, Charlie finally broke his silence.

“See you boys later. I’ve got it from here, thanks,” he said cheerfully, but the sarcasm in his tone was unmistakable.

Miles’ eyes flicked to mine, questioning, and I nodded softly in response. Charlie tugged on my hand, pulling me out of the elevator before they could say anything else.

As the doors slid shut behind us, I glanced at him. His jaw was still tight, his grip on my hand unyielding. “They’re just doing their job,” I said gently, though I knew it wouldn’t change how he felt.

He exhaled sharply. “I know,” he muttered, but the tension in his body didn’t ease.

I paused in front of the door, keys in hand, tilting my head at him. “What’s bothering you, baby?” I asked softly, keeping my tone gentle; I knew he needed that from me right now.

He hesitated, his eyes flicking away for a moment before meeting mine again. “You’re quiet,” he admitted quietly. “You barely spoke on the plane. I feel like…like you’re going to leave, and I’m just…I’m upset. I’m upset at myself for everything I’ve done.” His voice broke slightly and I saw tears forming in his eyes.

My chest tightened, guilt washing over me. I shook my head slowly, hating the way his insecurities took hold of him. I could feel the weight of Sloane and Callan’s disapproval pressing on both of us and I knew it was getting to him. But the truth was, no matter my own doubts, I’d never walk away from him. I was sure of that, even if he couldn’t see it.

I reached up, placing my hand on his cheek, my thumb brushing softly over his lower lip. His eyes stayed on me, filled with pain that made my heart ache.

A thought flickered through my mind briefly, without warning. His vulnerability had a way of disarming me, stripping away my frustrations with him—frustrations I hadn’t fully let go of since Sarah, since even before that. Was this raw honesty a perfectly planned distraction, or was it entirely genuine? Maybe it was both.

But as I looked at him, I knew it didn’t matter. Whatever his reasons, his pain was real and I couldn’t stand to see it.

“Charlie,” I said softly. “I’m not going anywhere. You have to believe that.”

His lips trembled slightly as he closed his eyes, leaning into my hand. “I don’t want to lose you,” he whispered, pulling me close to him.

“You won’t,” I promised. “I’m here. I’m always here.”

His eyes opened and he smiled at me, my words of reassurance seeming to ease him. “I just want to lay in bed and hold you. Can we do that?”

I exhaled, a smile creeping on my lips. “That sounds perfect.”

After stripping down and pressing our naked bodies together, Charlie slipped his hand between my legs, his touch igniting a fire in me.

“I really did just want to hold you,” he huffed into my neck, swirling his finger against my clit. “But I can’t resist you,mi diosa.”

I moaned as my fingers tangled in his hair as his mouth found my nipple.

“Please,” he breathed. “Please just let me explore every part of you.”

I smiled, tugging his hair harder. “You don’t always have to ask, baby. Take me any way you want me.”

His lips moved to my other nipple, his finger circling faster. “Anyway?” he murmured, his tone deepening.

I hesitated for just a moment as he teased my nipple with his teeth, a flicker of curiosity and anticipation coursing through me. When I looked down, his eyes met mine through his lashes, his sly smile accentuated by the dimples that never failed to make my heart leap.

“Any way,” I repeated, out of breath from my building orgasm.

“Fuck, Ana…I don’t know if you want to unleash that part of me,” he warned.

Between the biting and the intensity of his need to mark me, my curiosity outweighed any hesitation.

“Show me what you’ve got, my good boy,” I murmured. “Take what you need from me, and I’ll give you more. I’ll fuck you the way I know you’ve been dying to get fucked.”

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