Tides and Tidings

Chapter 39

Blythe

T he elevator doors were barely closed, and Charlie’s hands were all over me.

“You looked so good tonight.” Charlie bit his lip, “Like really good.”

My cheeks went crimson. “I think it was the hair,” I admitted. My hair is usually in a top knot or ponytail because having your hair stick to the back of your sweaty neck in the middle of a southern summer was horrible.

Charlie shook his head, “That’s not what I meant. You looked hot as fuck, but the confidence that radiated off you was insane.”

Wait until he sees the surprise I’ve been hiding from him all night. He might just drop dead in the hotel room.

“Thank you,” my eyelashes fluttered.

For the first time in a long time, I was able to get dressed up and let loose. I let every thought that crossed my mind do just that—cross it. I didn’t think about the bookstore. I wasn’t worried about the familial drama I had going on. I knew Wren was well taken care of. Tonight, I wasn’t anxious about anything—I was focused on having a good time with the love of my life.

It sounds so cliché—and I sure never thought I would say it—but it’s true.

The elevator stopped at every floor on the way up, which meant Charlie had to remove his hands from my ass reluctantly.

As more people filled the elevator to the rooftop bar, I pressed against Charlie. His hands gripped my hips possessively. Did I back purposefully press against him more than I needed to? Maybe.

“You’re gonna pay for that,” He murmured lowly against my ear.

That second wind I thought I had earlier? It was really in effect now. Adrenaline coursed through my veins at the thought of what was about to go down. When Charlie is this handsy—and vocal—good things always happen for me.

The elevator doors opened to our floor, and Charlie took off like a bat out of hell down the hallway. He ran like he was close to winning a race, and I was the prize.

“What are you doing?” I couldn’t help but laugh at his weird little run. In all the time I’ve known Charlie, I have never seen him run. He and I were on the same page with that.

He turned around and offered up a sly smile before opening our door, “Tryin’ to get those wet clothes off you.”

“How chivalrous.” I bumped his shoulder as I walked through the door he held open. The door locked and I knew we were about to have a very good night.

“That’s going to be the only chivalry you witness tonight because you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”

My eyes went wide. He was never this forward. This is a new level of Vacation Charlie, and I certainly wasn’t minding.

I tossed my bag and phone on the dresser and went to the bathroom to peel off these sopping clothes.

“Where are you going?” Charlie asked, standing in front of the bed.

“To get out of these clothes.”

Charlie chewed his bottom lip.

“You look like you want to ask for something,” I observed. I had an idea of what he might want, but he would never ask.

I slid my hand down my body until it landed on the button on my jeans. His eyes went wide.

Bingo .

“I hope you don’t mind…”

He shook his head.

I unbuttoned my jeans and slowly slid the zipper down. I was wildly out of my element and felt absolutely ridiculous, but I would give it my best shot.

Charlie picked up on what I was doing, and a satisfied smile spread across his face, “Give me a show, baby.” His voice was dripping with desire. He sat down on the chair in the bedroom and watched with anticipation.

I took the green light and ran with it. His words gave me the encouragement I needed to continue. I hooked my fingers over the belt loops and slowly slid my jeans down past my hips. Charlie’s lips parted, and his mouth hung open, and I revealed the little surprise I had for him.