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I chuckle, not bothered at all at the prospect of breakfast right now. “You got it, Calico.”
She disappears up the stairs, but Charlie hesitates for a second at the base of the stairway. I grin at her and then wave her off. “Shoo, CJ. Men at work down here.”
Her eyes widen at something behind me, and I see Jordan’s stripped down to his boxers already, and he’s on the move to the kitchen. I turn back to her and lift my hands. “Warned you.”
Then I follow him, peeling my shirt off and letting it fall to the floor.
Best friend duty. I take this shit seriously.
We get through the cooking process without any disasters, other than Jordan destroying the omelet and deciding on scrambled eggs halfway through. Also we have a disagreement when he tries to only use salt and pepper as seasoning, and I have to ask him to move aside.
We end our night with what he calls the Pete Special, eggs with a side of beer. Then I wrangle his ass up to his bedroom, throwing his clothes in after him. I still have my shirt in my hand when I see the bathroom door open. Steam rushes out, followed by a sexy blonde with her hair still wet from the shower. Charlie’s in a little pair of shorts and a tank top, similar to what she was wearing last night during the storm.
She pauses in the hallway when she sees me, flashing me a little smirk that goes straight to my dick. “The men finished working?”
I drunkenly nod and follow her toward her room, stopping in the doorway. I lean my head back on the frame and watch her set her shower bag on the dresser. Then she turns around and comes back to the door. Back to me. Her scent hits me first, lavender or some other flowery shit.
“Thank you,” she says quietly.
I know she means for introducing her to Cys, for giving her a chance to talk about what she loves tonight with someone who loves it just as much. I just nod again, studying her features. Her slightly upturned nose and high cheekbones. The dimension in her amber eyes, dragging me farther and farther in.
She’s on the other side of the doorway when I straighten up and take a step forward. If she wants to move away from me, she doesn’t. I have no idea what I’m doing when I lower my forehead until it’s pressed to hers, and then my fingers drag over her stomach. The tips tease at the bare skin below the hem of her tank top.
Her eyes close. “Benji,” she whispers. Then she looks up at me, and I whisper back, “CJ.” My mouth brushes hers with her name, and I let out a soft groan at the heat—there, between us, everywhere. I’ve never wanted anyone like I want this woman. Never felt like I needed someone.
I feel her fingers on mine, and I drag my lips over hers again, not quite kissing her, even though it’s killing me not to kiss her.
Because I can’t kiss her. I can’t touch her at all.
My eyes slam shut as I pull back from her, realizing what I’ve done. “I’m sorry. Fuck, Charlie, I’m so goddamn sorry.”
Without even looking at her, I huff out a breath on my way to my room. I shut the door and push my forehead to the wood, softly hitting it with the side of my fist.
The fuck is wrong with me?
I stand there, just breathing for a few minutes. Then I back away from the door, glancing at the wall separating us before I fall back on my mattress. I drag a pillow over my face and groan.
I can lie to myself all I want, but the truth is still there. I’m in love with the one girl I can’t have—and now that I got a taste, staying away is going to be damn near impossible.
CHAPTER 7
CHARLIE
I keep my eyes closed, not wanting the reality of my world to find me. But just like the sun, the memories of last night filter in. Benji’s skin against mine, the way he stared at my lips moments before his grazed mine, my name husky in his throat.
Throwing an arm over my face, I let out a harsh laugh.
At one time, I’d have given anything for a moment like that with him. I couldn’t even move last night, but stillness was the last thing happening inside me. He was the air I was breathing, every sensation flowing through me.
Then he stormed away, leaving me in the doorway. Leaving me to deal with it all alone.
My phone buzzes with a text, and I uncover my face enough to check.
* * *
Morning, baby. I miss you.
* * *
