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Placing the food on the table, I brace myself for the sight of Charlotte wearing my clothes. Her words still echo through my head, which fuels my imagination beyond anything.
I’m used to being teased and I love that Charlotte does it with me. It’s playing hell with my libido, but I don’t give a shit about that. I’d much rather be uncomfortable and happy, than comfortable and miserable. It was a bad place to be for wanting to do the right thing. I’m beginning to realize that doing the right thing by Charlotte is what should have happened from the moment we met. Instead of doing the right thing for Emma and going home to support her, I should have stayed in Lexington. Permanently staying wasn’t an option, but at least I could have had more time with her, and maybe, had her come home with me.
I hear the door opening and then closing, so I wait, and wonder what really is going to happen between the two of us. Her life is in Lexington and my life is here in Montana. I can’t just up and leave when I have people dependent on me. Neither can she.
You won’t know unless you ask…
My throat goes dry as I catch sight of her in my clothes. They’re large on her, but she looks sexy as hell and it’s an image I’ll never be able to forget.
She stands fidgeting while I grin at the pretty picture she makes. A blush climbs up and into her cheeks, which is when I take pity on her and jump up. “It’s just ready so come and sit.” I wave my hand toward the seat beside me where I placed her.
“This looks good.”
“I make excellent pasta.
She winces as she sits.
“No better?” I ask.
“A little bit. I guess it’s going to take a few days before I can move without feeling it.” Picking her fork up, she digs into the food. “I’m really hungry though.”
I pause with a fork of food halfway to my mouth. “Please tell me you ate before I brought you here?”
Reaching out, she holds my hand. “One of the nurses gave me a sandwich just before you arrived…I’m also capable of asking for something if I want it.” She smirks. “As you’ve probably figured out by now.” Shoving a piece of pasta into her mouth, she munches around the smile currently lighting up her face before becoming somber.
It doesn’t take long to finish eating but it bothers me that she’s no longer happy. The teasing spark seems to have disappeared.
“After dinner, we can watch a movie if you’d like? I have a good collection.”
She softly smiles. “I’d like that.” Her head dips, as though she wants to avoid my gaze, and just as I’m about to tilt her face upwards, she pushes away from the table. “I’ll do the dishes.”
I watch her quietly as she collects our dishes and moves to the sink, her whole demeanor is one of sadness.
Frowning, I watch as her shoulders droop while she lets out a long sigh that reaches my ears.
It’s dangerous being close to her, but when I love her then it really isn’t a choice. So very quickly, I surround her with my body and brush a kiss against her neck as I gently move the hair away. “What’s wrong? One minute you were teasing, and the next, really sad.”
“I’m the other woman,” she whispers so softly, I hardly hear her.
Placing a dish on the side, Charlotte turns in my arms and meets my gaze with her watery one. “I fell in love with you after only one night. At the time, I just knew that you were meant to be mine.”
“I love you, and I promise you that you are mine. You’re the only one who is.” I search her gaze and then, leaning forward, kiss her forehead as I hold her in my arms.
“Emma has been a part of my life for longer than I’ve known you.” I admit. “I think we both knew for years, well before I met you, that our relationship, or whatever you want to call it was over, which is why she went off with someone else. I stuck around to protect her for old time’s sake more than anything.” I kiss her again. “Leave the dishes. I’ll get them later. I want you to sit in front of the fire and we’ll choose a movie.”
“Mmm,” she wraps her arms around my waist and holds tight, “I’d like that.” Walking her over to the sofa, she adds, “A lot.”
“So would I.” I grin, and tease, “So, an action movie?”
Groaning, Charlotte strokes my chest. “No action movies. Do you have any Christmas ones?”
I smirk before I hide all amusement. “You just sit right there, and I’ll select something we’ll both enjoy.”
Getting her settled on the sofa, I offer her a blanket. “I’ll be too hot with that, but thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I toss the blanket to the side and quickly grab the DVD I know she’ll love.
