Quiet Longing (Quiet Love #2)

16.

Rhys

I’d like to say I paused and thought things through, but as soon as the words left Charli’s mouth, all intelligent reasoning fled. I had tunnel vision. There was nothing else, only her.

“You sure?” I asked as I reached for her T-shirt and began pulling it off over her head. She wore a pale pink bra. It wasn’t lacey like the one she’d bought on her shopping trip, but that didn’t make it any less sexy. She was a fantasy, her cleavage full and begging for me to bury my face in it.

“Yes, more sure than I’ve ever been,” she replied, pulling my mouth back to hers.

I’d been carrying a condom in my wallet. It wasn’t that I was certain something would happen with Charli, I just wanted to be prepared if it did. If she chose me to be the one she lost her virginity to, I wanted to make it good for her.

Our kiss grew deeper, and we slowly stripped away our clothes. It was a good thing I’d just come because seeing her naked … I might not have lasted five seconds otherwise. Her heavy breasts, curvy waist, and that sweet spot between her legs was enough to undo me. I didn’t expect my own body would be as arousing for Charli, but she stared at me with a lust that matched mine.

She watched me, the gold notes in her hazel eyes glowing in the darkened room. There was a single narrow window up high, the hint of moonlight casting a faint glow over the space. I pulled the condom out, hoping I didn’t fuck things up because I’d never put one on before. Sensing my nerves, Charli sat up a little, her soft fingers taking it from me. She studied it a moment then opened the packet, brought it to my cock, and rolled it down. I was grateful she’d taken the initiative because it felt like my lack of experience was getting the better of me.

“Come here,” she whispered, her palm sliding along my shoulders before she gripped my neck and pulled me back down with her. I settled between her legs. It took a moment to line myself up with her, and then slowly, I pushed in. She inhaled sharply, a flicker of discomfort passing over her features, and I hated that I might hurt her. That pain was an inevitable part of this. I made sure to be as gentle as possible.

“Rhys, kiss me,” she breathed, and I didn’t hesitate. I kissed her hungrily as I continued to push in, eventually sliding home. Once I was fully seated, I stilled, feeling a tremble shake her. Her hold on my neck tightened, her fingers digging in. She could hurt me a little if she wanted, anything that might help ease her own discomfort. Besides, the pleasure of being inside her countered any pain. Who knew this kind of heaven existed.

I took her in, breaking the kiss to make sure she was comfortable. “Okay?”

“Yes, keep going,” she replied, her lips pressing together as she closed her eyes and inhaled. I fell for her at that moment because it obviously wasn’t pleasurable for her like it was for me. Even though adrenaline was rushing through me, and I was exhilarated to be having sex for the first time, if she asked me to stop, I’d do so in a heartbeat.

I lowered my mouth to her breast, kissing the soft globe, while massaging the other in my palm as I very slowly began to move my hips. Her tits were amazing. There was little in this world that felt as good as pressing my mouth to them. She gasped, and I stilled for a moment, but then her hand travelled down my back, resting along my spine and pressing in as though in encouragement. A shudder went through me at her touch, and I started moving again, still very careful to be gentle. I dragged my mouth to her nipple, sucking the sweet bud and soliciting another quiet gasp. Then I kept doing it, hoping it made her feel good.

Rising up, I swirled my tongue around her earlobe, and she moaned. My hand went to her breast once more, palming it, and she made the sound again. Her vocal enjoyment of my touch brought me close to the edge. I wasn’t going to last much longer. Even with the condom between us, her tight heat was like nothing I’d ever felt. I withdrew then drove home, and her muscles clenched around me.

That was it.

I came with a grunting exhale against her neck, the smell of her skin filling my senses. She rubbed at my back, and I drew her into my arms, holding her close as I tried to catch my breath. “Charli,” I said, my head spinning. “Thank you.”

For some reason, that made her laugh, a quiet, musical sound. “Do I say you’re welcome?”

I grinned, tightening my hold and pressing my lips to her hair. She smelled of the beach and salt water, and I recalled that neither of us had showered or changed our clothes since going into the sea. I didn’t care. I’d never felt better in my life. The worries that normally darkened my mind were gone. I was utterly smitten with her, basking in the feel of her soft skin, her taste, her sounds. My heart felt lighter yet somehow fuller. I was so focused on her, so enamoured, that my good feelings eclipsed all the bad ones.

“If you want to,” I replied, and she laughed again, a joyous sound that filled my chest with a strange warmth.

“Well,” she went on, her hand coming up to cup my cheek, “I want to say thank you, too, for being my first and making it good.”

I was surprised. “It didn’t hurt?”

“It did, but I knew it was going to. You were gentle and patient, and that made it better.”

“You were patient with me, too, helping with the condom and all.” Grimacing, I added apologetically, “I came pretty fast.”

Charli grinned and smoothed her hand from my cheek down to my jaw. “I liked that you did. Feels like a compliment. Plus, you’ll get the hang of condoms with practice.”

My eyebrows raised. “Oh?”

“Rhys, I hate to break it to you, but we’re going to do this again. We’re going to do it a lot this summer.” She moved up my body and pressed a soft kiss to my mouth. “I’m a little bit insatiable when it comes you.”

That strange warmth increased, accompanied by a hint of panic. For the first time, I began to worry that a couple more weeks with Charli wouldn’t be enough. Suddenly, months, years, a lifetime simply didn’t feel like enough.

Charli broke me from my panic when she said, “Now, pass me that bag of barbecue chips from the shelf behind you. I’m starving.”

“Sure,” I answered and grabbed her the packet.

We sat on my spread out hoodie on top of the rug, Charli in my arms as we ate crisps then moved on to a box of chocolate chip cookies.

“So, sex gives me a ferocious appetite. Who knew?” Charli said, and I chuckled.

Somewhere along the way, we fell asleep, only waking when faint morning light shone through the window. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but I knew it was early. Softly nudging Charli awake, I whispered, “We should get up.”

“But you make such a great pillow,” she whined.

“Even so, I don’t want poor Greta coming in for her shift and finding us like this. We’ll scar the poor woman for life.”

Charli laughed. “Right, it’s like a couple of racoons broke in and raided the place.” She motioned to the empty packets we’d left strewn on the floor.

I started to sit up, and Charli shifted away, grabbing her clothes. We quickly dressed and put the room back to rights. If anyone were to enter, they’d have no clue two teenagers lost their virginity here last night.

Thankfully, the kitchen was empty when we emerged.

Charli was making her way to the door when I pulled her back, kissing her gently before I whispered, “Last night was incredible.”

She flushed, and it awakened something feral in me. I wanted to make her flush like that in other places. I was quickly developing an obsession, and it didn’t bode well.

“I’m going to shower and take a nap. See you for breakfast in a bit?”

I smiled. “Okay.”

She went, and I made my way to Derek’s room in a daze. He was in bed, fast asleep. I grabbed a few things to shower and headed to the bathroom, careful not to wake him. I was still in a state of disbelief that I’d had sex. It felt like I was walking on air, like I was a new person or at least a changed one.

After my shower, I was too restless to nap, so I went for a walk on the beach instead. When I returned, I entered the kitchen through the back door, hoping Charli might be up and about. We’d only parted ways less than two hours ago, but I was already eager to see her. She sat by the table with Nuala and Tristan, eating a bowl of cereal. Derek stood by the stove, frying eggs. He must’ve slept like a log last night because he hadn’t noticed my absence at all, or if he did, he’d decided not to mention it.

I made eye contact with Charli, a new knowledge between us. I felt closer to her, like we’d shared something special. Grabbing a bowl, I filled it with cereal and sat while Tristan talked about the girl he’d hooked up with at the beach party. Apparently, her name was Catarina, and she was a Spanish student visiting for the summer.

I couldn’t stop staring at Charli, my head full of her taste, how it had felt to be inside her, the noises and reactions she’d made. If she was serious about doing it again, then I wanted to make things better for her, and I definitely wanted to last longer. I was eager to discover all the ways I could make her moan and writhe in pleasure.

My head was full of these thoughts when the front door opened, and a voice called out, “Jo, are you home? I just wanted to drop off those shoes you loaned me.”

Heels clipped on the tiles before Derek’s aunt, Julia, appeared holding a small bag. She had short blonde hair and wore chunky designer glasses.

“Oh, hi everyone! Is my sister around?”

“Hi, Aunt Julia,” Nuala greeted, rising to give her a hug. “Mam’s out in the garden pruning her roses.”

“Ah, I’ll go find her, then,” she said, heading for the back patio door when her attention landed on Charli. She paused, an odd expression on her face when she breathed, “My goodness, you must be Charli.”

“That’s right,” Charli replied with a congenial smile. “And you’re Julia.” The woman blinked like she was surprised Charli knew her name. “Sorry, I recognised you from some of Jo’s photographs.”

A weak smile shaped Julia’s lips before she replied, “Ah, right, well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Charli. You’re just as beautiful as my sister described.”

Again, that strange look passed over her face, and I couldn’t figure out why she seemed so overwrought. I could tell it was starting to freak Charli out, too, because her smile wavered. “Oh, thanks, that’s very kind.”

Julia sucked in a breath and drew her shoulders back, then continued out to see Jo.

“Well, that was weird,” Tristan commented.

“Maybe she’s doing one of her juice cleanses again,” Nuala suggested. “Remember last time? She saw me eating a sandwich and almost burst into tears.”

“Yeah, that must be it,” Tristan agreed, but I wasn’t so sure. There was something unusual about the way their aunt had regarded Charli. It was too deeply emotional like she was meeting a long lost friend, someone she’d thought she’d never see again.

I suspected Charli felt the same because she seemed withdrawn and thoughtful when she resumed eating her cereal. After breakfast, I had to go see my mam. She was returning to work in a few days after a period of sick leave, and she also had a bunch of meetings with the divorce lawyer coming up. I wanted to be there for her because I knew going to those meetings alone could be stressful.

Mam had decided she would sell the house and split the proceeds with my father. I thought it was far too generous, but Mam was determined to give him enough to start over. I suspected she feared leaving him with nothing and provoking his anger. I also had a feeling the house was too full of bad memories for her, and she wanted rid of it. I felt the same. Even stepping through the front door made my gut bottom out, like negative energy had poisoned the very foundations it was built on. I hadn’t told Mam about the incident outside the hotel, nor my agreement with Padraig to turn the CCTV over to the Guards. She’d only worry and try to talk me out of it.

Almost two weeks went by. Charli and I could hardly keep our hands off each other, sneaking around and taking whatever opportunities we could to be together, whether it was when everyone was out of the house or our breaks lined up at work. I couldn’t get enough of her, and a part of me wished to have no other obligations so I could spend all my time with her, exploring and discovering all the ways we could drive each other wild.

Was it normal to crave someone as much as I craved her?

I didn’t think so. Whatever was between us, it was different to a normal teenage relationship. I’d seen Derek and the others with various girlfriends, but it had never seemed like they were consumed by them, not like I was with Charli.

On the day the divorce papers were signed, Aunt Claire and Uncle Eugene, along with my cousin Shay, took Mam and me out for dinner to celebrate. It had been a long time since I’d seen my mother look so relaxed, like the weight on her shoulders had finally been lifted. It made me unbelievably happy to see her like that, but at the same time, I still had a duty to fulfil. It was the right thing to do, but that didn’t make it any easier.

When I arrived back at the Balfe’s that evening, Padraig was waiting for me out front. I was surprised since I hadn’t told anyone yet that Dad had signed the papers. He wore a grim expression, and I expected him to say he was driving me to the station, but then he released a heavy sigh and said, “Rhys, your father has been arrested.”

I blinked, feeling like I’d misheard him. “But I haven’t gone to the station yet. I—”

“He was at one of the pubs in town,” Padraig interrupted. “The barman I spoke to said he was talking about celebrating his freedom and insisted on buying rounds for everyone at the bar, said he was going to be loaded as soon as the house was sold.”

Frowning, I ran a hand through my hair, stressed because Padraig’s tone told me this story wasn’t going to end well. “That’s right. My mother agreed to sell the house and split the proceeds.”

“Right, but the house isn’t sold yet, obviously,” Padraig said. “So, after running up a bill of a few hundred quid, your father told the barman he was good for it and to put it on a tab. When they insisted they didn’t do tabs and the bill would have to be paid in full, your father lost his head, started throwing barstools around, smashing glasses, and threatening the staff. He managed to flee, but someone at the bar knew where he lived and told the Guards when they arrived. He was arrested shortly after.”

I started to pace, anxiety coursing through me as I pictured the scene. Dad acting like he was on top of the world, buying drinks for everyone, and then it all inevitably turning to shit.

“What will happen to him now?”

“I’ll keep my ear to the ground, but I can’t see him getting away with it, not with all his previous offences,” Padraig answered.

“And the CCTV?” I went on.

Padraig considered it, then blew out a breath. “I think you should still turn it in. It’ll strengthen the case against him.”

“Okay,” I said, my resolve firming. “Can you drive me there now?”

“Take a minute. We don’t have to do this right away.”

“No,” I said, determined. “I want to get this over with.” I wanted Dad out of my life once and for all.

“All right,” Padraig replied. “I have the footage in my office. Just let me grab it, and then we’ll go.”

He left me, and I remained standing at the front of the house, my thoughts racing. Padraig returned a few minutes later, and we drove to the station. It was an uncomfortable experience, but I talked to a detective, recounted the events of the attack, and before long, we returned home. I barely knew where I was going until my feet carried me in the direction of Charli’s bedroom.

I knocked on the door before I entered. She was sitting in bed reading a book on her e-reader, her thick hair piled high. The relief at just seeing her was overwhelming.

“Rhys, is everything okay?” she asked.

I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me. “Can I just … hang out here with you for a while?”

“Of course,” she replied and patted the space next to her on the bed.

I slid off my shoes and lied down beside her, resting my head on her stomach as she continued reading, absentmindedly stroking my hair. I closed my eyes and let the soothing sensation of her touch surround me. I loved that about her, how she was content to just let me be, let me work through my thoughts in quiet without pushing me to talk. Her silent support meant everything, and my affection for her expanded exponentially. I was already in so deep for this girl, and I wasn’t sure there was a way to backtrack. Not when I’d become so attached. She was the first place I wanted to be, her calming presence helping me sort through everything that had happened in the space of twenty-four hours.

Dad had been arrested. With any luck, he’d do time, at least a couple years. In a few months, the divorce would be final. Everything was going to be all right.

I reminded myself of these things, like a reassuring mantra, as Charli’s quiet presence and closeness settled peacefully into my bones, but there was also a nagging fear at the back of my mind. Charli was around to soothe me now, but in a short space of time, she’d be gone, and just like my feelings for her, the panic of her departure grew larger by the day.