Page 54 of Matched

Three raps sounded at the door.

Then another three.

“Charlie.”

I closed my eyes, my hands trembling as I gripped the counter harder.No.He couldn’t be here.

Three more raps on the wood, heavier this time.

“Charlie. Let me in.”

Resigned, I opened my eyes. Refusing to look at my reflection in the mirror, I turned back to the door and twisted the lock.

As soon as the click sounded, the handle turned, and then Nate was locked in the bathroom with me.

“I can’t stay away from you,” he rasped, crowding me up against the sink. “I tried. Couldn’t even last five fucking minutes.”

“I—I left. You were still dancing.”

“No. I was about to break away from her—Iwas, I swear—and then you left. You just fucking left me there.”

“I wasn’t leavingyou. I couldn’t stay.”

“I know.” He lowered his head, his nose skimming over mine as his harsh exhales hit my skin. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. It was a stupid, pointless plan.”

“Yes, it?—”

I didn’t even get to finish my sentence before Nate kissed me, and everything was right in the world.

“Sorry. I’m sorry. It wasn’t fair of me. I’m sorry,” he murmured between kisses, his hands cupping my face as his mouth slid over mine so sweetly. My legs were weak, like my muscles had forgotten how to work, so I gripped his hips for support, my fingers working their way under his T-shirt until I was touching bare skin.

“It’s okay.” I stroked over his sides, mouthing at the hint of stubble on his jaw. One of his hands slid around to my nape as the other lifted my chin so he could kiss me again, his tongue licking into my mouth as he deepened the kiss.

“Charlie. Fuck. What are you doing to me?” he gasped, tearing his mouth away. His eyes were wild as he stared at me, his chest rising and falling rapidly against mine.

The half-second glance I gave my reflection in the mirror told me everything I needed to know. I was just as affected as he was on the outside as well as on the inside. “Tell me this is real.” I needed to hear the words. “Tell me we’re not gonna go back to being in denial. I know you can’t give me anything, but I want—I don’t want to pretend this is going to go away. Because it isn’t. Not for me.” This thing between us had been building eversince we’d first been matched, and even though, logically, it was pointless, who gave a fuck about logic?

He groaned, pressing his face into my throat as he wrapped his arms around me. “It’s real, and I’m sick of pretending that the thought of you with someone else doesn’t cut me into pieces.”

I exhaled. In and out. In and out, as we clung to each other, caught in this bittersweet situation where we knew we couldn’t stay away from each other, but there was no future for us. No present, either, not with things the way they were.

The odds were stacked against us, but he was here with me right now. He’d come after me without hesitation, and that had to mean something.

I wanted him. More than I’d ever wanted anyone.

“Nate.” I rocked forwards, making him aware of the effect his nearness had on me.

“Fuck, Charlie.” His hands lowered to my ass, caressing me like he’d done in The Game Room. Except this time, there was purpose to his movements as he pulled me closer, his equally hard cock rubbing up against mine. “I wanna suck you off so badly.”

My jaw dropped. “Really?”

He raised his head, his dark eyes boring into mine. A smirk tugged at his lips. “Yeah, really.No need to sound so surprised. I wanna suck your dick, Charlie B. Are you gonna let me do it?”

I swallowed hard. My dick was throbbing, leaking precum into my shorts. “Uh. Th—that would be a yes. No guarantee I won’t come in five seconds flat.”

“I’ll bear that in mind,” he said as he dropped to his knees in front of me. My legs almost gave out at the sight of him kneeling at my feet, all tousled dark hair, blown pupils, and that sexy-as-fuck mouth wet and red from kissing me. I had to grip the counter to hold myself upright. Ludicrous.

Licking his lips, his gaze dropped to my erection. Leaning forwards, he stroked his fingers up my length, through my shorts, before he pressed a kiss to the tip.

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