The Grand Duel (The Grand Men #4)

Chapter 35

THIRTY-FIVE

Charlie

W e get back to Lissie’s flat just before seven p.m., leaving Lissie enough time to get herself ready for her night shift. She didn’t stop talking on the way back from the estate, the entire hour journey filled with her questions and incessant stubbornness.

“Charles, I stole your entire day. I can’t have you wait on me now too. It’ll take me a good hour to get ready and then I can get a taxi.”

I follow her to the door and wait as she unlocks it. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

She doesn’t push the door open once it’s unlocked, twisting to look up at me. “I’m trying to be polite.”

I school my features. “Is that a new thing you’re trying?”

“Ass.”

The very corner of my lip betrays me. “Do you want me to leave, Lis?”

She eyes me, making my stomach flutter. “No. If you’re sure, then I’m grateful for the lift. You can make me a cuppa whilst I shower.”

“That sounds like a terrible deal,” I tell her as she turns, pushing open the door. I follow her inside.

“Would you rather come shampoo my hair for me, Mr Aldridge?” She chuckles, her eyes lingering on me as she drops down her bag and then walks to her bedroom door. “That would be really nice, actually.”

I give her a look, a longing look, a I fucking wish look. And then I walk to the kitchen and find her kettle, filling it in the sink.

“I won’t be long.”

I make Lissie a cup of tea and then take it to her room. As I place the mug down, I spot a photo on her bedside table.

I already know it’s of her sister and niece before I pick it up and study it. The two of them are on a beach. Jovie’s on her knees, her hair curly and blowing around as she laughs, Willow smiling in the sand as her mother holds her for the picture.

I can’t help but wonder if Lissie took the photo.

The sound of the shower running beyond the closed bathroom door tells me she’s not done yet, and I take the moment to glance around her bedroom, placing the photo back down.

There’s something about being in her space, her presence, that makes something deep down inside of me quiet.

She might not know it, but she’s the exact way she described the girls. Chaos. She doesn’t stop talking unless she’s eating ice cream, or she’s lost in a case, driving me wild with the way she goes up against me. But then I’ll look at her, axe in hand, covered in dirt, and I can’t help but wonder if she existed before the first night I met her in the club. Ridiculous, I know. But the woman feels born and made to slot into my life.

The idea she existed, and I didn’t know it, that she was ever someone else’s to fight with, laugh with, be with—fuck the idea of her with another man.

And yet I can’t give her that.

Sex.

Not for lack of want.

I want her to the point it makes me ache.

But the idea I could fuck it up again, make her feel the way I did in Italy…

I step back from her bed and walk towards the door, knowing being here is stupid and unfair when I can’t give her what I know she wants, knowing I promised not to make her feel that way again.

I’m toying with the both of us and it’s wrong.

“Charlie?”

I pause at the bedroom door, my eyes closing as I contemplate answering.

Go back outside and wait for her to be done.

I swallow, fighting against that part of me that feels the need to make the ground move beneath her feet. “Yeah?” I call out, waiting.

“Can you grab me a towel? They’re in the wooden box at the end of my bed.”

I sigh, torn. Go back outside and wait for her to be done.

I lift the lid of the box and find three folded towels. I take the top one and carry it to the door.

“I’ll leave it outside the door.” I nod, stepping back and away.

“It’s bloody freezing, Charles. Bring it in, you tight-ass.”

“Fucking hell,” I mutter, bending down and picking up the towel. I push on the door with my stomach in knots, the idea that she’s naked under the spray and right there making my mind bend. I keep my head down and reach out blindly with the towel. “Take it,” I tell her.

I hear her chuckle. “What are you doing?”

“Lissie, take it.”

“I will if you look at me.”

“No.”

“Charles.”

“It’s Charlie.”

I hear the shower cut out and then the door closing.

I consider putting down the towel and leaving, but that would mean looking for a good spot, and I’m quite happy just staring at the tiles, honestly.

I hear her near, know she’s nearing, and my body reacts, burning. I close my eyes, squeezing them tight.

“Charlie boy,” she corrects.

“Lis,” I warn, swallowing. “I…” Fuck.

“You’ve seen me naked before. You know my body whilst it’s at its most vulnerable.” She reaches out and takes my hand, linking our fingers. “I’m giving you the option to see my body in a different light of day. Not under the haze of the club, but here, in my safe space.” She leans in and kisses my cheek, her body pressing up against my front, making my knees lock. “ If , and only if it’s with certainty, that’s something you want.”

I frown, my hand squeezing hers. “Of course it’s what I want.”

“Then open your eyes and be greedy with me. And trust me not to need more than what you choose to give me.”

My eyes peel open, and I fight against the steam in the room as I try to find focus. Lissie is smiling up at me, her eyes soft and warm, the intensity I sometimes see there missing.

She lets go of my hand and slowly steps back, her movements effortless, not made to be sexy or inviting but to simply put space between us.

We stare into one another’s eyes as my heart riles on a million miles a minute.

“This okay?” she asks.

“Lissie…” I shake my head, knowing my eyes will drop any second.

And they do.

Lissie stands with her hands relaxed at her sides, her hair wet and pulled back behind her shoulders, leaving her breasts bared. Her nipples are hardened, the fullness of the heavy globes making her waist taper inward. My lips part as I suck in a breath, my body reacting to hers in a way that feels dangerous.

I’ve never allowed myself to be tempted like this.

Never had a woman I’ve wanted to tempt me.

My eyes drop lower, her stomach streaked with water droplets.

I shake my head. “Fuck, you’re perfect, Lis.”

I flick my eyes up when I sense her smile, but drop them again instantly, my smile not fought but lost to the woman and what she’s trying to do for me.

I let my eyes roam down her stomach, hips, unable to stop. I clench my jaw as my gaze falls to her pussy.

She’s right, I have seen her body before, but not like this.

She steps forward and my eyes flare, the want I have for her only growing. When she reaches for her towel in my right hand, I realise that she’s not stepping closer for more and release it.

She keeps her eyes on me, wrapping it under her arms and tucking it in.

Once she’s covered, she steps into me and slips her arms around my waist. “If I stood there too much longer, my nipples would fall off.”

I chuckle, circling my arms around her and smoothing them up her back. I breathe her in, her shampoo, and then close my eyes, remembering each curve.

“God, Lissie.”

She peers up at me, her fresh face and close proximity under the bathroom lights giving me a new perspective of her.

And it’s devastating.

I’m fucked.

“What are you doing to me, Lis?”

She shakes her head. “If it’s too much.”

“It’s…” I shift, my cock throbbing and making my body agitated. “Fuck, it’s not enough.”

She lets me push up against her, a groan slipping from my lips at the feel of her, but then she smooths her hands down my arms. “I think we should stop.”

I try to see past the fog of arousal that has my hands pressing her into me.

Stop?

I freeze, and she tightens her arms around me.

“Not because I don’t want you,” she tells me, her eyes flaring with need. “I do, and maybe now is a good time to tell you that if you want to touch me, kiss me, or have sex with me, then I want that too. Until I tell you otherwise, you don’t have to ask or wonder. I want you, Charlie.”

I drop my head to hers, my heart thundering.

“And you want me right now, too. I’m certain of it.”

“Wanting you would mean I am in control.” I shake my head, our noses brushing. “And I’m not.”

“I am,” she tells me, her words a plea. “Trust me.” She links our fingers, our bodies close as our faces stay as one. “I could let you push the boundaries and do unspeakable things to me in this bathroom right now, but that wasn’t my intention.” Her nose brushes my cheek, her breath fanning my lips. “If you want and need to fuck me, fuck me.” She smiles. “But just now your eyes roamed over me with not a bit of doubt in them. I want to stop this before it comes, before you push it to a point you’ll regret.”

“I could never regret it?—”

“Let me exist,” she rasps out on a whisper. “Let me stand naked in my bathroom feeling like the most beautiful girl in the world because there’s a man who wants me watching.” Her eyes settle and find focus on mine. “It can be enough tonight. And when you feel like you’re not fighting for control, when you can walk in this bathroom with your eyes open and sure.” She chuckles. “I’ll let you sort me out, Aldridge.”

I inch back and reach up, taking hold of her chin. How do I even put into words how much what she’s just done means to me. “You’re beautiful, Lissie,” I try.

She smiles at me, and I stare transfixed, desperately hoping I don’t forget the look on her face. “You’re not so bad yourself.” She slips out of my arms and rounds me, walking into her bedroom.

I stand for a moment and wonder what the fuck just happened.

I hear her drawers opening and closing as she goes about life. As she gets ready for her shift. But here in this bathroom, I’m stuck. Wondering if she feels what I do. Knowing it’s impossible.

Because she’s moving on. Her thoughts on what she might wear whilst mine are held up on the fact a couple nights ago she told me she wanted to help me for the person I meet after her.

Which is a little messed up considering I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with her.