Page 35 of Falling Slowly
“It has a medical name, but I can’t remember. Retrograde something. I’ve had it my whole life. I’m okay if I avoid certain foods and drinks and don’t eat too late. Beer is the worst.”
“And your boyfriend didn’t know this about you?” Harry looked at me in disbelief. “Has he never shared his beer before?” He shot a dirty look at Charlie.
“I mean, I knew it, but I didn’t know it was like a medical thing,” Charlie improvised, softly grazing my cheek with the cold beer bottle. “I just thought you didn’t like beer.”
Harry stared at the two bottles he was still holding. “Why did you bring her a beer, then?”
“Yeah, why Charlie?” I raised my eyebrows at him, biting my lip. “You could have brought something I can drink, like white wine with no bubbles.” I turned back to Harry with a knowinglook. “I think you called it. He wanted to drink two beers and not share.”
Harry laughed. Charlie didn’t.
“I have a wine bottle in the cabin. I’ll go get it.” He slid away from underneath me and launched towards the steps, but froze. “Except… I think I just lost my swimming trunks.”
My involuntary yelp caught everyone’s attention.
“What’s happening?” Miranda’s head whipped around.
“I think Charlie’s going commando,” Harry explained to Matthew, beaming with glee.
Everyone’s eyes widened. Charlie cast me a meaningful look before addressing them. “It’s true. I was wearing Bess’s bikini bottoms, on a dare, and let’s just say they’re now ripped in half and riding down my left leg. And did I mention I need to get out of the pool to fetch her a drink, because I’m still a gentleman.”
The entire party erupted in giggles.
“This is better than reality TV!” Harry guffawed.
“I don’t suppose you’d all agree to close your eyes for a few seconds so I could…” Charlie tried when the laughter fizzled out and was met by another bout of hysterical howls.
“I’ll close my eyes, promise,” Harry hiccupped, closing one eye.
I grabbed Charlie’s arm under water and tried to pull him back. “I don’t need a drink. Honestly.”
“I’m going to get you one.”
I scooted closer to whisper into his ear. “I’ll give you the pair I’m wearing, if you promise to bring them back.” I winced at the thought. It was the last thing I wanted to do but couldn’t let him go through with this.
Charlie’s eyes flashed. “No backsies, remember? I’ll get you that drink.”
He reached for the handrails and pulled himself out of the pool. I couldn’t tear my eyes off him, and neither could anybodyelse. Backlit by the fairy lights, with a soft moonlight bouncing off his buttocks, Charlie was a sight to behold. He landed softly on the ground and leapt to pick up his towel.
My foot touched something floating in the water. The broken bikini bottoms. I fished them out and tossed them at Charlie. I have a terrible aim, so I didn’t even worry about hitting anything. But as luck would have it, the wet piece of material slapped him square on the lower back and he jumped, dropping the towel.
“I’m so sorry,” I gasped.
The ladies cheered and Harry whistled. Charlie picked up the towel again, tied it around his waist and slowly turned around, giving us a bow. “Ladies and gentlemen.”
“Why do I never have dollar bills when I need them?” Harry moaned.
Charlie took it in his stride, smiling and blowing kisses. There was no embarrassing this guy. I would have been mortified if I’d lost my bottoms in the water. Hell, I’d been mortified by the thought of people seeing my bikini bottoms. He’d known it, too, and made sure it didn’t happen.
“I’ll be back soon, Bessie-Boo.”
He caught me by surprise, pulling my head back against the edge of the pool. Before I could react, his lips were on mine, hot and demanding. The kiss only lasted a few seconds, but it seized my body. For a moment, my lips weren’t mine. My mind evaporated into the night sky. All I could think was the absolute takeover. Charlie’s lips on mine. His breath on my face. His scent in my nostrils. It made no sense. His fist tightened against my scalp, teasing the nerve endings. And then it was over.
His rough stubble grazed my cheek as he pulled away, smiling. “I’ll miss you.”
I was grateful for the general darkness and the fact most of me was hiding in bubbly water.
“He’s a keeper,” Harry said with a dreamy smile as Charlie threw on his bathrobe and slippers and hurried up the steps, disappearing into the dark night. “How long have you guys been together?”
