Page 85 of Hold Me Instead
“God, I need more of you,” he said, shoving up into a seated position.
Charlie tipped back and grabbed hold of his shoulders, but they rocked off balance, and her legs flailed until they tipped onto their sides. The wine bottle went down, spilling on the rug, and that’s when Toothless decided she’d had enough, slowly cat walking out of the living room.
“Shit,” Zachary said, straining for the wine with Charlie still wrapped around him.
“Here.” She slid off him and righted the bottle.
Zachary had a bundle of paper towels in moments. She dabbed the damp end of the blanket while he pressed at the carpet. She grabbed the baking soda and scooted his hands away, pouring it over the spots.
“Will that do it?” he asked.
“Probably not. It’ll help, though. I think. I might be missing a step,” she said.
They locked eyes and grinned. Zachary reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers tracing her neck andshoulder. He leaned back, forearms resting on bent knees as he looked at the ground, a smirk playing.
Charlie’s heart was still racing, and as much as she longed for his body against hers, now was not the night. Not the night to test herself, not the night to dig into it all with him.
He seemed to sense the moment was on pause and reached for her shirt, holding it out to her. Without a word, he started cleaning up, taking things to the kitchen. They worked in silence until they were by her front door, staring at the floor, the only trace of what had happened confined to a splattering of baking soda on the carpet hiding what was surely a permanent stain.
Zachary leaned in and kissed Charlie on the cheek, then pressed his forehead to hers. “See you tomorrow?”
She nodded but couldn’t resist pressing one final kiss to his lips. It was supposed to be small, but soon her arms wound around his neck, and his hands pulled her close.
Finally, he stepped back, with a small shake of his head. “See you, Harris.”
He was out the door before either of them could delay it anymore. It was for the best, because if this was going to go any further, she’d need to tell him what was going on.
Chapter 24
Zachary
Thecrispbreezeswirledthe scent of pine and impending snow through the crowd at the edge of Village Park. Thirty-degree weather wouldn’t stop people from attending the Elmwood Falls Village Tree Lighting, but as more groups arrived, it helped cut the wind. A family closed in, nearly separating Zachary from his own.
“Uncle Zachy!” Vivi stretched out a dramatic arm as though she’d lose him forever.
He chuckled and squeezed closer. “I’m right here, kiddo.”
Theatrics done, she gripped his hand with both of hers, her purple mittens soft and floppy. “Don’t forget, we’re getting fudge next!”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he said.
“They’ve been talking about it all day,” Sandra said. “This is one of their favorite nights. Sweetie, pull your hat down.” She tugged on Vivi’s matching cap.
“You remember doing this last year, Vivi?” He looked over at his mom and Jay, who was holding Alex as he pointed at storefront displays.
Vivi nodded. “Mom let me get two fudges. Peanut butter and mint. That’s what I want.”
“We’re not eating it all tonight. Some of it’s to bring home,” Sandra reminded her.
“Who sells fudge?” Zachary asked his sister.
“The Door County shop. Have you been in there? Really cute.”
“No.” He followed where she pointed. “I haven’t thought about Door County in ages.”
“We’re thinking of taking the kids next fall. Rent a cabin, like we did a couple times.”
“Oh, right. Hard to remember Dad taking time off for that.”
