Page 35 of Wild Child
He opens the door, and I step out into the cool night.
Quentin has pulled up behind, and as he marches over, the desperate look in his eyes tells me everything I need to know.
He grabs both my hands, and a zing of electricity travels up my body.
“Charlie, I’ve been an ass.”
I nod my head. “Can’t contradict you there.”
“I was trying to do the right thing, but the right thing is to be with you. I thought it was only lust I felt for you, and I tried to fight it. But it’s so much more than that.”
He kisses my hands, scraping stubble over my palms.
“I love you, Charlotte. I love the way you don’t take any nonsense; I love your confidence and your humor. I love the way you look without makeup, and that under your steel-capped boots you wear pink fluffy socks. Your music is… growing on me. I love your strength and independence, but most of all I love the way you make yourself vulnerable to me.
“I want to take care of you, Charlie. I want to be there for you, always. To be the person you can depend on who will neverleave you. I love you, and I don’t care what we have to do to be together.”
There’s a collective sigh behind me, and I spin around to find the passengers pressed up against the windows watching us. My seatmate has a tissue pressed to her eyes, and even the bus driver is hanging on every word.
“What do you say?” There’s a wobble in his voice, and I turn back to face Quentin. “Is it too late to give this a chance?”
His eyes search mine, and there’s vulnerability in them too. Quentin’s spent so long playing the army sergeant, always strong and dependable, rallying the men at the MC and turning their brewery into an award-winning countrywide business, that he’s forgotten how to live for himself.
Maybe between the two of us we can find the middle ground.
My heart soars knowing this man wants me, not just physically but all of me. My brashness and independence and mood swings and spontaneity.
Maybe with him I can finally find a place to belong.
“It’s not too late. I love you too.”
His face lights up, and there’s a cheer from the bus behind me. The tears I wouldn’t let fall earlier trickle down my cheeks. But this time they’re happy tears.
Tears because I’ve never stuck around before. I’ve never made myself vulnerable, and it’s scary but also the best feeling in the world. Like I’m letting go of something.
Quentin wraps his arms around me and lifts me up into the air.
The bus passengers go crazy with whoops and cheers and clapping. I’m laughing as I turn around and signal to the bus driver.
“You can leave now. Thanks for waiting.”
He dabs at the corner of his eye. “Good luck.”
The doors whoosh shut behind me, and there’s a blast of warm air on my neck as the bus pulls away.
Then it’s just me and Quentin on the side of the highway.
His lips find mine, and this time when they crash into me there’s no restraint, no holding back, only a warm feeling of belonging.
19
QUENTIN
The bus drives away down the highway with a final toot of its horn. But I hardly hear it over the thumping of my heart. I have Charlie in my arms, and that’s all that matters.
Her warm body presses against mine, and I run my hands over her hips and up her back as I kiss the heck out of her.
She’s soft and pliant, and my body responds to her with a desire so strong I can’t help but grind into her, needing to feel her against me.
