Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
"That's my fault," I mutter. "I didn't think about how that might come across when I asked him to track you down for me."
"It's fine, son. So long as my daughter is fine, I'm fine. But what can I help you with?"
"Actually, I'm calling to help you," I say. "I realize you don't know me, but I'm in love with your daughter. She's incredible. I don't think I have to tell you that, though. I'm thinking you already know how special she is, but there are a few things you don't know…"
By the time I finish my conversation with Charlie's dad, I'm satisfied that her parents love her fiercely. I fill them in on what's going on and our plan. They agree to meet us at the Dean's office on Tuesday morning to support their daughter. Charlie needs them there. She may think she needs to keep this from them, but she's wrong. She needs to see that, no matter what, her adoptive parents will never abandon her, and she'll never be alone again. She's carried that fear for far too goddamn long already.
I know why she's carried it in silence, though.
That's who she is. She'd cut out her own heart if she thought doing so would spare someone else. Especially someone she loves. So she carried her fear to avoid making her parents feel as if they'd done something wrong. But she has me looking out for her now, and I will always put her needs above everything.
Her parents needed to know. It's beyond time.
"Is my bath ready yet?" she asks, poking her head into the bathroom a few moments later. Her eyes widen, her mouth popping open as she takes in the candles flickering all over the vanity and the bubbles practically overflowing the large soaking tub. "Holy crap, Xavier."
"It's ready, kitten."
She stumbles into the bathroom, a dreamy smile on her face. "You did all of this for me?"
"I promised you a date tonight, didn't I?"
Laughter burbles from her lips. "We're having a bathroom date?"
I shrug, reeling her in by wrapping my hand up in her shirt and tugging her toward me. "Seems like the perfect place for a date to me. You. Wet. Naked. Slippery. What could possibly top that?"
"Oh, I can think of a few things," she breathes, pressing her tits up against my chest.
"Name them," I growl.
She lifts up on her toes, locking her arms around my neck. "You. Naked. Covered in chocolate sauce." Her lips brush my ear. "You. Naked. Covered in whipped cream."
"I don't need to cover you in anything, Charlie. You're already edible."
"So are you. But covering you in sugary things and then licking them off sounds like a good time to me," she says, smirking at me.
I chuckle, tapping her on the ass. "Get in the tub before I forget that you're supposed to be on a timeout."
"Fine," she sighs dramatically, peeling herself away from me to strip.
I watch her through slit lids, my cock throbbing. I love how unashamed of her body she is. She doesn't try to hide it. She isn't shy. She just rips her t-shirt off over her head and drops it, completely at ease in her own skin. That confidence is sexy as hell to me.
Once she's naked, she sinks into the tub like a little water nymph. I chuckle as bubbles go everywhere. She's a mess, and I can't get enough of it. Christ, I'm going to send a giant check to whatever environmental group saves turtles as a thank-you for leading this girl to me.
"Are you going to watch, or are you getting in with me?" she sasses.
"Depends. You going to give me a show?"
Her cheeks heat, a sweet pink spreading across them. "Um, definitely not. I'll either drown or break my neck, neither of which screams sexy to me," she says, scrunching up her nose. And then she giggles and lifts one leg out of the water, wiggling her toes. "How's that?"
"I suppose it'll do since you won't let me see that perfect ass again," I grumble, teasing her.
"You mean this ass?" She rolls onto her stomach, lifting her ass out of the water, and then looks at me over her shoulder.
I growl, palming my cock through my boxers.
She laughs again, sinking back beneath the water.
I strip and join her in the tub, dragging her up against my chest. She sighs in contentment, allowing me to hold her. For long moments, we just sit, perfectly at ease. I think this is the quietest she's ever been.
"Finn called," I murmur into the peaceful, easy silence.
"Oh," she whispers. "Is it good news or bad news? If it's bad, don't tell me."
"He found what you need, kitten." I brush my lips across her shoulder.
"You're serious?" She cranes her neck back to look up at me, her eyes wide and hopeful. "He really found something to prove she's sleeping with Chloe's ex?"