What About Charlie? (11 page)

“It’s fine. It looks great. There’s no need to apologize for a well-decorated table. My mother would be impressed, and she’s known for setting really splendid tables.”

“It’s too personal.” Why did she keep babbling? Couldn’t she have accepted his dismissal of the situation?

“No. We’re friends. Two very good friends.”

****

During their meal, they sat across from each other, the pale candlelight flickering, casting muted shadows across the table and over their faces, creating a very relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Charlie had suggested extinguishing the candles and turning on the dining room lights, but Evan protested by saying he liked eating by candlelight. He laughed, saying it reminded him of his ancestors and the simpler times they had lived in.

Charlie accepted the explanation, relieved that he wasn’t reading anything into it. She vowed that as soon as Evan left, she would toss those candles in the trash. There would be no next time.

After they finished eating, Evan took a sip of wine and said, “The spaghetti was delicious, Charlie. I’m glad you invited me over tonight.”

Charlie smiled. “I’m glad you came, Evan.” She looked at a clock past his shoulder then back at him. “The baseball game will be coming on in a few minutes.”

His eyes held hers, turning serious and the smile on his face slipped. “I know this may not be the time, but would it be ok if we talked first?”

He didn’t say what he wanted to talk about. There was no need. Charlie knew. They’d skirted around it during lunch yesterday as well as this evening through dinner. The time had come to sort things out and set things straight. “I know, Evan,” she said calmly, though her insides were quaking, her stomach rolling. “Have a seat in the living room while I get this cleaned up then we’ll talk.”

“I’ll help you, Charlie.”

“No,” she stated, avoiding his eyes as she spoke. “It’ll only take me a few minutes. Would you like a piece of cheesecake while you wait?”

“Thanks, but I’m stuffed from the wonderful dinner you made.”

Charlie nodded and started cleaning off the table. She made short work of the task, though she was not looking forward to this conversation. She felt sick.

A few minutes later she entered the living room carrying a plate with a piece of cheesecake for herself. She wasn’t at all hungry, but she thought it might be helpful to have something to occupy her during, what could very well be, a gut wrenching conversation. She had no doubt Evan was going to tell her that it all had been a mistake. What else could he say?

It was silly to even have entertained any other possibility. There was no way that Evan was attracted to her, she told herself. She looked down at her outfit and felt so foolish dressing up for him, so foolish for putting a tablecloth and candles on the table. What had she been thinking?

Evan sat on the floor, his back resting against the sofa. Soft music from her stereo filled the air. She wished she had left it off. The dimmed lights cast shadows around the room. Charlie’s heartbeat quickened when he lifted his green eyes to hers. They were serious, soft, warm and inviting.

For a moment, she felt like she couldn’t catch her breath. Then he then shifted his eyes away from her. “Come sit down, Charlie.”

Feeling excitement one moment from the way he had looked at her and trepidation the next knowing what was to come, Charlie reluctantly sat on the floor beside him.

She held the plate containing her cheesecake with both of her hands to keep them from trembling or doing something even more foolish like reaching out and touching him. How she longed to touch his cheek, to feel the warmth of his skin against her fingertips, to have him look at her like he’d done only moments before. She wanted him to want her, to make her feel like she had when he’d kissed her.

He put his fingers up to her lips to silence her. “Yes, I do, Charlie. I should have called you.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Honestly, I didn’t know what to say to you.

“That kiss we shared was incredible, at least for me. And since then, I’ve been torn in differing directions as to what to do about it.” He touched her cheek. “I value our friendship so much, Charlie. I don’t want to lose it.”

Her pale skin burned from his touch. “Neither do I, Evan,” she murmured softly. “What should we do?” she forced herself to ask. She didn’t want to hear his answer. She knew what it would be. But they had to get this settled.

“We need to forget about the kiss, Charlie,” he said with regret, watching as a frown formed on her lips. “I want you to know I don’t regret it, Charlie. It’s just that I value our friendship so much. I don’t want to do anything to destroy it.”

She looked away, bitter disappointment filling her. Though she’d told herself this is what he’d say, it still hurt. She stared at the plate of cheesecake in her hand, willing herself not to cry. It hurt like hell.

She blinked several times to eradicate the tears that had welled up in her eyes before looking back at him. Forcing a smile on her lips, not quite looking him in the eye, she said, “I understand. We have a great friendship, Evan. A lot of people would love to have a friendship as good as ours. It would be silly to do anything to put it in jeopardy.” Wouldn’t it be equally silly not to do anything about how we feel, she thought.

They sat there for several long minutes in silence. Neither knew what to say. Enough had already been said.

Charlie stared down at her cheesecake, her heart heavy, feeling depressed. How could an evening that started out with such promise end so dismally?

She cut off a small piece of the dessert with her fork, tasting it. “Mmmm…”

Evan turned and looked at her with question in his eyes.

Evan watched her slice the cheesecake with her fork and then put the cheesecake in her mouth, her cherry red lips slowly closing around the fork as she pulled it out of her mouth. He swallowed hard.

“This cheesecake is delicious.” She gave a hesitant smile. “Do you want a taste?”

Charlie cut another piece, and instead of putting it in her mouth, she held out the fork to Evan. “You need to try this, Evan. It’s delicious.” A smile played across her lips, reaching her eyes.

He nodded, his eyes everywhere but on her face. “It’s delicious, Charlie.”

“Would you like another bite?” Without waiting for a reply, Charlie cut another piece and held it up to his mouth.

He took it, then she took a bite for herself. Suddenly the cheesecake was gone and they were left staring at each other, neither looking away, neither hiding the wanting, the desire, the need expressed in their eyes and pulsing through their bodies.

Evan turned towards her and lifted his hand, gently placing it on Charlie’s cheek. He lightly rubbed her bottom lip with his thumb. “Charlie I…I can’t get our kiss out of my mind…”

His voice trailed away as his eyes, filled with want and need, searched hers.

Charlie’s heartbeat quickened when she saw the raw desire flicker in his eyes. She absently licked her lips, her mind on Evan’s firm mouth that was now only inches from hers. How she longed to feel his soft lips on hers once again!

His lips drifted down to hers, touching hers, as soft as a feather. Charlie opened her mouth to him, welcoming him.

Needing him.

It was as if they were back on her front porch, the desire and want between them undiminished in a week’s time, maybe even stronger because, at that time, they had barely tasted what was between them. This time they were both eager to taste more, knowing how good it had been before.

Heat and excitement sizzled between them. Evan’s hands feverishly roamed her body, his fingers combing through her hair, his hands caressing her back, slowly working down to her buttocks, cupping it, pulling her closer to him.

The feel of him pressed against her leg made her even hotter. He was so hard. She longed to touch him there, to cup him with her hand so she could feel his hardness, his heat, his throbbing for her.

But she was too shy to touch him there. Instead, she pressed herself even closer to him, feeling his desire for her, hot and throbbing, pressed even harder against her thigh. Her breasts were almost flat against his chest. The insatiable need to do something overwhelmed her. She wanted him so much.

Then to her surprise, he gently cupped her breast, kneading it with his fingers. She’d thought she’d been in ecstasy, but his touch sent a surge of heat through her like a lightning bolt. It was so hot she felt like she was on fire, being consumed by desire. She needed him inside her.

Without saying a word, he stood and held out his hand to her. Charlie extended hers and he clasped it, pulling her to her feet and leading her into her bedroom.

A flash of realization and then disappointment crossed his face. He started to ease away from her. “I don’t have any protection.”

Charlie, desperate not to lose the moment, needing this more than she ever needed anything in her life, grabbed his arm. “I’m on the pill, Evan. We’ll be ok.”

Charlie watched him, his conflicting emotions evident upon his face.

“You sure, Charlie?” he asked hesitantly.

She nodded, looking like a goddess, a temptress, her dark blonde curls fanned about her head as she lay on the pillow, her pink lips slightly parted, waiting for him to kiss her once more.

He was weakening. “I’ve always used my own protection. This is the first time I haven’t.”

“This is my first time, too, Evan.”

She reached for him and he willingly bent towards her, forcefully pressing his lips down on hers. This time the kiss wasn’t soft or gentle. It was hot and eager, filled with passion.

Charlie ran her fingers through his hair, then up and down his back. Evan pulled a hairbreadth away from her and lifted her shirt, pulling the soft cups of her lacy bra away from her creamy breasts. When he brought his mouth down to her breast, she moaned, consumed by how she was feeling as he suckled it, kissed it, licked it with his tongue, tracing the nipple and then taking it in his mouth again.

Her heart pounding erratically, she could feel the moisture between her legs, experiencing desire and want and need like she’d never experienced before. She had to do something. She wanted him closer.

“Evan,” she gasped. “Let me take my bra off.”

When he moved back she sat up. Reaching out, he tugged her shirt off her and then reached around her back and unhooked the snap of her bra, removing it in one swift movement.

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her once again, gently lowering her down until her head lay on the pillow. He kissed her lips, her cheeks, her neck, and slid his hand down her stomach to the dainty elastic band of her underwear.

“You feel so soft,” he groaned before he bent and took her mouth with his once more. Then he began caressing her, dipping his fingers into her warm, moist folds.

Wantonly, she moved her hips against his hand. Her need for him overwhelming her so much that she wasn’t even thinking about what she was doing. It was like some primal instinct had kicked in and she was doing it automatically without thought.

When she felt his finger enter her, she moaned and arched against him. She felt like she was flying, soaring in the sky.

“Evan, I need you inside me.”

He straddled her, entering her. Charlie winced from the searing pain. She opened her eyes and he was looking down at her, the glaze of passion in his eyes replaced by stark realization.

Standing beside the bed, Evan cursed, turning his back to her, seething that she had lied to him. He jerked on his underwear and pants, then he turned to face her.