Chapter 1 (Kiss Me)
He always did that.
Hovered—close enough for me to feel his breath, close enough that it made my pulse stumble—but never enough to actually close the distance. Like he enjoyed the almost more than the act itself.
“Careful,” he murmured, voice low, teasing. His gaze flicked down to my lips before meeting my eyes again. “You keep looking at me like that…”
“Like what?” I asked, even though I already knew.
His mouth tilted, just barely. “Like you want something.”
My heart picked up, but I refused to step back. Not this time.
“Maybe I do,” I said softly.
That was all it took.
He leaned in again—slow, deliberate—giving me time to stop him, like he always did. Like he expected me to.
But this time, I didn’t wait.
I closed the gap myself.
The moment our lips met, something shifted—snapped, almost. All that restraint he carried so carefully disappeared in an instant. His hand found my waist, firm and certain, pulling me closer like he’d been holding back for far too long.
The kiss deepened without hesitation—eager, but not rushed. Like he was finally allowing himself to feel it. To take it.
My fingers curled into his shirt as he held me tighter, like letting go wasn’t an option anymore.
And for the first time, he didn’t pull away.
I swear my heart is about to leave my body.
Everything around me disappeared until it was just us.
I melted into him, into the heat of his body, into the way his heartbeat pounded against mine. His lips were soft, but the way he kissed me felt hungry—aggressive, gentle, possessive all at once.
I wanted this.
I wanted him.
I didn’t know when it happened. I didn’t know when wanting him became something constant, something that lived in me quietly until now.
Then he stopped.
I was left trying to catch my breath, my hands still clutching his shirt.
A full minute passed, maybe less, but it felt endless.
His forehead rested against mine, but he was looking down at the floor, breathing hard.
Fear crept in so fast it made my stomach twist.
Was he mad?
Did he regret what just happened?
I stayed still, barely breathing, feeling the warmth of him so close that it almost hurt.
Then I felt his hand rise, fingertips brushing my cheek with a softness that nearly undid me.
“Charlie…” he whispered.
The sound of my name in his voice sent heat through every part of me.
I could listen to him say it forever.
My blood was boiling. My thoughts were gone. I wanted to speak, to say anything, but nothing came out.
I just stood there like an idiot.
And I didn’t care.
His thumb brushed my cheek again, gentle, while the hand at my waist tightened like he was fighting himself.
His eyes lifted to mine.
I swallowed hard.
“Jess… kiss me.”
