Take me to bed?My breath must have hitched, because Charlie gave me a soft smile.
“Sorry. I don’t want to push it. But, so you know, I do dream about it. You under me, over me, in me. I want you in every way imaginable, Matt. But I’m patient, and when you’re ready and comfortable, we’ll take it slow.”
In him?“You mean you want…?”
He gave me the sweetest smile as he shook his head. “Why does that surprise you so much? My ex swore he didn’t bottom. Me? Love it. Also love topping. And siding. And sucking. Oh, and swallowing. I bet you taste delicious.”
My head spun and my face burned. When I dreamed of it, I always thought that Charlie would be the one who was doing… that. I never expected he’d want me to. I swallowed hard. Fuck, now that I had the thought in my head, my cock leaped up with interest.
“What are you doing?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“Smooth,” Charlie teased. He turned back to his computer. “I’m working on book seven. It’s going to be titledComes a Foul Wind. It deals with Lucien finding a decayed corpse while he’s out walking the dogs. He goes to Donald, who rushes down to the lake, only to find no evidence there was ever a body there in the first place.”
“Can I read it?” I practically begged, not giving a damn that I had no shame.
Charlie shook his head. “Sorry. It’s in my contract that my publisher and editor have to see all copy first. If I show it to you, I’d be in trouble.”
It made sense, and I sure didn’t want him to risk his job for me. Even though I really wanted to read it, like, now.
“The good news? I’m almost done with it. It’s taken me over a year, during which time my publisher has been hounding me for the book. I’m figuring another week and it’ll be ready to go to them. Hopefully it’ll be out by Christmas next year.”
“But that’s so far away,” I complained. “Can you at least tell me what happens?”
He got up and hobbled over to where I sat, took a seat next to me, and leaned in close. His warm breath on my ear caused me to shudder. “Nope,” he whispered.
I drew back, squinted at him, and barked out, “You’re mean!”
He nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, I know.”
“Come on,” I whined, reaching out to take his hand. “Just a hint.”
If pressed, I would admit I had rarely ever been so excited before. Charlie built a world that I would love to live in—well, okay, maybe with a few less deaths—and knowing that I had him here, in my house, and teasing me? I wanted to scream. In a good way, of course. Plus, I’d made it through all six books and had started to read them over again.
“Let’s just say that this book is going to come as a huge surprise to a lot of people.”
“I hate you,” I grumbled.
He leaned over and whispered in my ear, “That’s okay. You’ll get over it.” Charlie laughed at me when he found me glaring. He put a hand on my cheek, stroking it slowly. “You’re simply adorable, do you know that?”
That caused me to narrow my gaze. “Yes, because everyone wants to be adorable.”
I tried to pull back, but Charlie put his hand on my chin. “Hey, there is nothing wrong with being adorable.” He kissed my forehead—“Or sweet.”—my nose—“Or beautiful.”—my lips.
Damn. My cock rose to full erection once more. Charlie’s scent, clean and masculine, wrapped around me. He leaned as close as he could and put his lips to my neck, and goose bumps rose on my arms.
“Tell me this is okay, Matt,” he whispered. “I won’t do anything if you say it’s not.”
My throat closed up. He wouldn’t push me, had no desire to make me feel uncomfortable. What he’d said before was true. He wanted me to be happy.
“Yes,” I murmured. “Please.”
I could hear the smile in his voice when he said, “I like it when you say please. Take off your shirt for me.”
I stood up and stripped off my flannel shirt, and Charlie’s breathing grew husky.
“T-shirt too, please.”
“But it’s cold,” I whined.
