Page 91 of Love By The Falls

“Never mind,” says Charlotte behind me.

But Sage leans forward. “I get why she lost her head in St. Kitts. With a smile like that, I would have lost my virginity.”

“Sage!”

Sage puts her hands over Charlie’s ears, but he tears himself away. “I’m eleven now, Mom!” He kicks off his shoes and storms to his room.

“Sorry,” says Sage. “But he’s getting big and probably has heard worse things from his friends.”

“I know,” says Charlotte. “I guess I just don’t see him like that.”

“I think it’s sweet that you’re trying to keep his innocence,” I say.

“You do?” asks Sage, her head tilted.

“Yeah. I probably would act upset, just like Charlie, but deep down, I’d be happy that someone cared enough to protect me. Even if he doesn’t recognize the sentiment yet, he will when he gets older.”

Sage smiles and pats me on the shoulder. “I like this one.”

Charlotte’s face reddens and I wonder if she’s embarrassed that Sage would assume I’d need her approval. But I can’t deny the statement was an ego boost.

“Are you staying at the motel this weekend?” asks Sage.

“Ah, no,” Charlotte interjects. “He had a room with Mrs. Cook, but her place flooded. I offered him the couch. It’s only for a couple of nights.”

Sage smiles like the Cheshire Cat. “I don’t think that’s very nice of you, Charlotte. The couch isn’t very comfortable at all and there’s plenty of room in that big bed or yours.”

“Oh, I would never presume to share her bed.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Maybe you should.” Waving her fingers, she smiles. “Goodnight, you two.”

When Sage closes her bedroom door behind her, I turn to Charlotte. Her cheeks are even brighter now, but her freckles shine through.

She clears her throat. “I’ve got to check on Charlie. You can use the bathroom first.”

“Okay.”

She walks away and I wait until she’s in Charlie’s room before unpacking my bag.

There’s only one sink and just enough counter space to place my shaving kit. I’ve never shared a bathroom in my life. I brush my teeth quickly and resist the urge to check my stocks while scrolling my phone as I would probably have done at home.

When I open the bathroom door, I run into Charlotte and smile. “We have to stop meeting like this.”

She laughs and nods. “We do.”

But she doesn’t move out of the way, and neither do I. The house is quiet, and I swear I can hear her heartbeat.Or is that mine?

My fingers, by their own accord, move closer to her face until I’m tipping her head back and lowering my mouth slowly toward her.

I take my time, giving her seconds, if not minutes, to push me away or say something that tells me she doesn’t want this. Instead, she closes her eyes and parts her lips.

I inhale sharply before lowering my lips to hers and tasting what feels like home. My muscles loosen, and my chest lightens as my tongue explores her mouth. I no longer sip at her lips as my body craves more. More of what it remembers, more of what it wants.

I want her.

I shoot my shot and walk her backwards toward her room, but just as we stumble into her bedroom, Charlie opens his door.

“Mom?”

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