Page 13 of Cookie

“She’ll be a while then. Are you sure you don’t want to go out to celebrate with us?” I asked.

“Oh, I’m sure. You two go and have fun. I heard about a new club downtown you might want to check out,” she said with a sly grin that I tried to ignore.

“Thanks again, Aunt Millie. I really can’t thank you enough,” Ryan said before she ushered us out the door.

“She must have had plans,” I said as we walked to his car.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she wanted to celebrate as much as we do.” Ryan smiled as he looked back at her house.

“Shewasa little anxious for us to leave. Maybe she has a hot date,” I said as he unlocked the door.

“Maybe, but I don’t want to worry about what my aunt’s doing. I’m ready for us to go celebrate,” Ryan said as he leaned across the seat to kiss me. “I’m really going to own a bookstore.”

“Yes, you are,” I said and pulled him in for another kiss.

Twelve

Ryan

After we left, I drove right to my apartment because truth be told, I was ready to celebrate right now, and I was so glad Charlie had come with me. “I still can’t believe it,” I said.

“Well, get used to it. Soon you’ll be ordering everyone around, firing people, joining the chamber of commerce. All those things that business owners do,” Charlie said with a big grin.

“I only have one employee, and I know for a fact Avery won’t let me fire her.” Avery had been a friend for a while, but now more than ever, I appreciated that I could depend on her. “I think I need to look at giving her a raise. She’s been working casually as I need her, but lately it’s been more often.”

“Avery is great. She runs the store like it’s hers,” Charlie said.

“She really does. I love that I can bounce ideas off her and she’s honest.” I knew it was hard to find that in a friendandan employee. Most people would just tell me what they thought I wanted to hear, but not Avery. I turned off a busy street onto a much quieter street that drove through the neighborhood where my apartment was located. The trees along the way were just starting to change color as the season slowly slid into fall. I turned into the parking lot of the large apartment complex I’d lived in since moving out of my parents’.

“Is this where you live?” Charlie asked as he leaned forward to get a better look.

“Not for long,” I said, and he met my eyes with a smile. I knew there were so many things still to deal with before everythingwas final, but where this place had always felt like home to me, now it felt strange. I pulled into my assigned visitor parking space and turned to look at Charlie. “Would you mind if I bring back a few things when we go home tomorrow?”

“Are you kidding? The sooner you’re fully moved to Grace, the better,” Charlie said. He was so positive, and I loved that about him. He never seemed to worry about something being too hard to accomplish or too much trouble. So far, he’d been very supportive and encouraging, which definitely helped in the times I doubted any of this was a good idea.

“Thank you, Charlie,” I said and took his hand.

“For what?” he asked

“For being you,” I said before kissing him. One taste and the heat that always simmered between us started to grow and I was so fucking happy we were here alone, with nothing to stop us from doing what we both seemed to want. “Come on, let’s go inside.” We both got out and, after grabbing our bags, I led him to my apartment. It wasn’t anything special, but it was everything I needed. Close to downtown, and quiet.

Charlie walked in as soon as I unlocked the door and pushed it open for him. “This is nice,” he said as he walked around the living room and kitchen.

I looked around and tried to see it through his eyes. It was minimalist with only what was needed, but it was perfect for me. “We can put our bags in my bedroom,” I said and walked downthe hall to set my bag down next to my closet and when I turned around, I was face to face with Charlie’s toned chest. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize—” My words were cut off when his lips crashed against mine. Gone was sweet and gentle Charlie. His lips were frantic and full of want as his tongue met mine and he ran his hands down my back, giving me chills.

“I want you,” he growled. “I’ve wanted you all day and I can’t wait a second more.” He continued to kiss me as he eased me onto the bed and pressed his weight down on me. He was hard, and I worked my hand between us enough to grip him through his jeans, making him groan.

“I want you too,” I said between kisses. Unbuttoning his pants, I slipped my hand inside as he lifted off me enough to give me room to grip him. “Take your clothes off.” His eyes met mine, and he wasted no time in rising from me and stripping his shirt off, followed by his pants and boxers. I was glad he hadn’t worn his work boots, so he didn’t need to waste time on unlacing them. He stood over me naked and slowly stroked himself while his eyes were locked on mine. I pulled my shirt over my head as he pulled my shoes off before tugging my pants and underwear off.

“Condom,” he said as he ground his hard dick against mine.

“Bag,” I managed to choke out, overwhelmed by so many emotions I couldn’t begin to sort them out and didn’t want to. I just wanted him to be in me. He lifted my legs and wiped some lube on my asshole before working one of his fingers into me. “More.” My hips started to move and even though I knew Iwouldn’t be satisfied until he was fucking me, I wanted to make it all last longer.

“I can’t get enough of you,” Charlie said, and I opened my eyes to see him focused solely on me as his breath sped up with excitement.

“Fuck me, Charlie,” I said, and as soon as the words were out of my mouth, his fingers were gone, and his dick was pressing into me. “Yes.” He started slowly but was soon pounding into me, both of us driven by the need to feel each other and to share the same emotions. Charlie was different than anyone I’d ever met, and I never wanted to forget how special he was. Cradling his face in my hands while he held himself above me, I met his eyes before pulling him in for a kiss. There were words on my lips that surprised me. It was too soon. We’d only just met. But the feelings I felt for Charlie were real, and while I found it hard to hold back, I wanted to tell him at the right time.

He smiled at me, and I would have sworn he’d read my mind as he leaned down again and kissed me before pressing my legs up to my chest and moving faster. When he wasn’t kissing me, his eyes were focused on me, and I found it hard to look away. Until finally I was unable to resist, and I pulled him down and held him close. “Cookie,” he murmured in my ear.

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