Page 72 of Stay With Me

I get an idea and go to the kitchen, grabbing some popsicles and handing them out to the women as we sit on the ground and watch the show.

Ben glances over his shoulder onanotherbreak. “Seriously? They get popsicles?”

Another burst of hot, humid air reaches us, and I turn to see Charlie and Finn carrying the other mattress in. Charlie may have three bedrooms, but he only had one bed. So, we put my couch and dining room set in storage and are using my bedroom furniture here in the guest rooms. Finn and Charlie pause behind where we’re perched and set the mattress they’re carrying on the floor while they wait for Ben and Jack to finish getting theirs to the top.

After about three more minutes, Ben and Jackfinallymake it to the top and they set the mattress down, taking a break. I look at Trina and notice as her eyes go wide, and her mouth falls open ever so slightly. When I follow her gaze, it’s leads to where Ben stands, lifting his T-shirt to wipe sweat off his face. His washboard abs are on full display. As his shirt drops back down, he spots Trina ogling him and smirks.

I swear I hear her mutter “Asshole” under her breath.

“Excuse us, ladies,” Finn says. Then he and Charlie saunter past with the second mattress.

It’s almost comical how much easier of a time they have getting it up the stairs compared to Ben and Jack—poor guys.

Shayna releases a satisfied sigh next to me and I don’t even have to look to know she’s gawking at Finn. Those two have it bad for each other and it’s adorable.

I’d like to say I’m immune to it all, but when I see Charlie’s triceps flexing as he hoists the bottom of the mattress, I nearly drool. Whoa.How did I miss those muscles when he was helping remodel my house?And the dark circle of sweat on the back of his T-shirt? Totally hot. I instantaneously appreciate how Annie thought a sweaty Jack was hot, because I’m thinking the same thing about Charlie right now.

Once both mattresses are out of the way, the rest of us work on carrying in my clothes, toiletries, and linens, while the guys carry in boxes of my books. I have them stack the book boxes in the upstairs bedroom I’m not using. I want to make sure they’ll be out of Charlie’s way. I could have put them in the storage unit, but I was worried they might get musty or damaged, so Charlie insisted they should come here. The next hour passes quickly as we all labor like elves and the mood in the house is jovial as we rib each other and joke around.

“I think that’s everything,” Charlie says, as he walks into the house with the last box of books. He uses his foot to close the door and sets the box down at the bottom of the stairs. “I think we still have a few hours before dinner. Do you all want to head down to the lake and hang out? Whoever wants to can fish on one end and the rest of you can swim at the opposite end.”

Twenty minutes later, our group walks along the wooded path to the lake on Charlie’s property. Between Charlie, Finn, Ben, and Jack, they carry a cooler full of beer, water, and popsicles, a few lawn chairs, and fishing equipment. The women tote beach towels and sunscreen.

As we walk, I get so caught up in taking in the beauty and serenity of the woods, I fall behind a bit. The enormous oak trees and scattered pines shelter us, protecting us from the blazing sun with their branches. Birds flit about, filling the air with chirps and peeps. When I think the surroundings can’t get any more beautiful, I step out into the clearing at the end of the woods and gasp at how gorgeous the lake looks, surrounded on all edges by majestic trees and flora of all types.

“What do you think? It’s the first time you’ve been out here to the lake.” When I twist my head to look at Charlie, he’s standing with his hands in the pockets of his board shorts, a slight smile curving the corners of his mouth.

“I love it. It’s absolutely stunning.” My voice sounds breathy, and I don’t miss Charlie’s eyes roaming to my mouth for just a split second.

Charlie clears his throat. “I’m glad. I wanted you to like it… I mean, you’ll be here a while, so I’m happy you’ll enjoy it.”

I open my mouth to answer, but I don’t get a chance because we’re interrupted when a whistle tears through the air, followed by Shayna calling to me. “Come on, Em!”

Charlie grins and chuckles. “You better go.”

* * *

CHARLIE

Over the next few hours, Ben and I fish, while Finn and Jack sit in lawn chairs sipping beers and keeping us company. My heart swells when I look around—both because of the physical surroundings and the company.

Growing up with no siblings and being the nervous kid with a stuttering issue, I didn’t make friends easily. And the few times I did make a friend, I could never have them over because my mom said it might upset my father. So, this—these people—it means a hell of a lot to me to have these friendships, and to share my oasis with them.

A flash of red in my peripheral vision attracts my attention and when I turn to see what it is, Emily is across the small lake, walking along the tree line. I watch her for several minutes as she investigates the flora. Eventually, she walks in our direction.

When she’s about twenty feet away, she calls, “Charlie? Do you know how many blackberry bushes you have around here?” In her excitement, she practically skips the rest of the way over to me. “You’ve gotta try these. They’re so delicious!”

Before I can answer her, she plucks a blackberry from her hand and brings it to my lips. On instinct, I open my mouth and sink my teeth into the juicy berry, savoring the flood of sweetness on my taste buds.

“Oops. You’ve got some right”—she reaches her hand up and swipes at the corner of my mouth with her delicate thumb—“here.”

Jesus. Thank fuck Trina’s too far away to have seen this. She’d be so pissed at me.

I swallow around the thick sensation in my throat. Between Emily standing here in a bikini top with a towel around her waist and the sensuality of her feeding me, I’m going to need a minute to recover.

Apparently unaware of the effect she’s having on me, an angelic smile spread across her face. “Okay. I’m gonna head up, take a shower, and then start dinner. You all should head up in about forty-five minutes. Sound good?”

I clear my throat. “Sure, I’ll corral everyone then. Unless you need help. I could come now and help.” My voice is gravelly with desire, and I hope she doesn’t notice.

---