Page 24 of Brazen
A vivid memory of how we couldn’t get enough of each other floated into my mind, but I splashed him a little. “I was living out a fantasy. You weren’t supposed to call.”
Then I swam back, hoping that was the end of the flirting. I wasn’t sure I could handle more.
As he came next to me in the shallow end, he said, “I called.”
My heart skidded. It had been a horrible morning, but he’d kept his word. He’d found me at the restaurant, drinking my sorrows. My body was all trembles as I said, “You did but because you needed something from me, not because you wanted me.”
I pushed off again. If I stayed still, I would kiss him—or worse. Self-preservation was absolutely necessary. He joined me in the deep end, where my feet couldn’t touch the ground.
“You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want you.”
Goosebumps grew on my arms. I wanted him again. I held on to the wall but scooted back. “You don’t know how to quit.”
He stayed as he was, but his eyes seemed to bore right into my soul. “I’d never quit… on you.”
I was tempted to run out of here or throw myself in his arms for more sweet kisses. Instead, I made a beeline back to where my laps had started. Once my feet were firmly planted, I pushed my hair back. “Well, if I had all your money in the world, I’d create something to call my own.”
He kept his distance, and I realized talking about dreams might keep us separated. It was the only tool I had right now.
He asked, “What would that be?”
If he wasn’t sure, then I would have to prove another way we were all wrong for each other. So I met his gaze. “Advertising is fun, but honestly, if money was no object, I’d be more like you.”
His jaw became firmer. “What do you mean?”
I let out a breath I’d held. No one here expected anything from him except love. I envied that in a way. I shrugged. “Find something that challenges me and overcome it. I hate being afraid of everything.”
He inched closer. “Are you afraid of me?”
“No, not really.” I splashed him more forcefully. “I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop so I stop fantasizing you’re perfect.”
“Sorry to disappoint. I’m absolutely perfect.” He splashed me back.
With water now dripping down my face, I laughed and used both my arms to make sure I made a big wave toward him. “Sure, playboy, sure.”
Maybe it wasn’t the best way to ward off all things named Charlie Norouzi, but I was aching to be his. And splashing helped me keep my distance and laugh, which was why we both needed more than sex. And I was sure the fallout if I fell for Charlie for real would burn me.
Chapter Eleven
Hope
* * *
Thank you for today. My eyes were still closed, but the bed under me was comfortable. The borrowed blue cotton pajamas were a treat, though I’d only worn the top. It was soft and comfortable. I'd always hated elastic anything around my waist as I slept. Either way, it was so easy to start my day with gratitude.
The air had a tinge of Charlie's masculine smell, and my body fully remembered him, not that it mattered. We'd fooled everyone into thinking we were a couple in love. And I wasn’t entirely awful with parents, which meant all my exes really were jerks. Well, all except Charlie.
So thank you for the lesson. After my morning gratitude, I was always in a better mood when I spent a few seconds listing whatever I could that was good in my life.
Then a knock rocketed through me. I jumped up and realized he was still fast asleep.
My heart thumped, and I tossed a pillow at Charlie. He sat up, and I mouthed, pointing at the door, “Someone’s at the door.”
The knob turned, and I thought we were done for. Then there was another knock.
He threw his blankets under the bed, revealing that he was wearing only pajama bottoms with no shirt. All his muscles showed how ripped he was even when he wasn’t trying as he pointed with his thumb and whispered, “I’ll jump in the bathroom.”
“Just get in here now.” I tugged on his wrist, but he just stared at me.
