Page 30 of Brazen
She did and held me tightly.
Her breasts on me set me on fire. “That’s nice.”
Then I let her go. I walked her to the side of the ship, and we both gazed out. I took a deep breath and decided to let Kir’s words go. If Hope and I broke up, then I would prove once again that I was afraid of commitment.
No one was perfect, and Hope was here to help me win. “Kir thinks you're perfect for me.”
She shrugged. “Well, I hope he saves Avril from her horrible job. If she’s too much at cocktail hour, there is no way your family will like that in my background too.”
I needed to make this real to avoid being the same old flaky Charlie. Neither of us were nursing some crush. We had great sex, we would have that again, and she was calming to be with. I wasn’t sure how to describe it yet, but she made me see a better version of myself that I liked. Once I was settled, we were fine.
“Relax," I said. "You’re doing great. Let’s go take a seat with the rest of them.”
She laughed and gave me a pose with her hand on her hip. “So you can show off your hot girlfriend?”
I laughed. “You starting to see your value?”
She took my hand, and a spark raced through me. “No, I’m hot. It’s the tropics. Hurry.”
“Of course.”
I was more than just the flaky brother and son who was good for a laugh, and Hope at my side meant it.
Chapter Fifteen
Charlie
* * *
The yacht was docking as the short trip to see was fun, so we could be together and enjoy the views, but it was almost noon.
And I hadn’t told Hope we would be gone this long. We both had plans that needed us back in Manhattan. My interview was tomorrow, and I hadn't prepped. For now, I went back inside, where most of my family was enjoying the air conditioning and wine.
In the middle of my tribe sat Hope. As I joined her, my mother had her talking to Arman’s wife. Maman said, “Hope, do you have a wedding coordinator yet?”
She wrung her hands. “I’ve not thought about it.”
Maman held her close. “Well, Maddie is a wedding planner, professionally, and she coordinated Ali’s wedding and a few in Manhattan.”
Maddie handed Hope her card. “Don’t feel pressured, but whenever you’re ready, please call. You get the family discount.”
Hope took it and smiled. She said something, but I wasn’t able to hear the rest, so I went over and kissed her cheek.
Maman hugged me. “Happy you could join us today.”
She hugged Hope, then I took Hope’s hand. When we were alone in the crowd, I said, “You look overwhelmed.”
She closed her eyes. “I’m anxious to get back to New York soon.”
“Relax.” I rubbed her back.
My brother, Arman, then shouted at us, “Charlie, kiss her.”
I held my hand around her waist. I refused to kiss her for show. “I have. I will.”
Then Kir said, “Yeah, man, we’ve not seen you two kiss.”
My heart thundered. Then she tugged my belt loop closer to her. “Charlie… come here.”
