Tessa Teevan - Incinerate

I follow her closely, and we barely make it inside before she pushes me up against the wall, undoing my jeans. Take Charge Charlie is fucking hot, and I don’t mind letting her have her way with me.

As she slides to her knees, she pulls my boxers down, releasing me. Looking up at me, she smiles that fucking smile, and I groan the moment she takes me in her mouth. I can’t help the way my hands find their way to the top of her head, and she sucks harder, greedily, while her hand simultaneously strokes me, gripping me tight like a vice.

It’s not long before I’m close to coming, and when I try to pull out so I can be inside her, she shakes her head, bringing her hands to my ass, not allowing me to move. Letting a woman take control is something I’ve always struggled with, but knowing that Charlie wants to do this one solo turns me on, and I decide to give her what she wants. I’m not going to protest as she continues to work my cock over expertly, devouring me like she can’t get enough. I begin pumping harder until I feel my balls tighten, and she grips me even harder as I come.

Leaning back against the wall, I look down and watch as she swallows and then sucks, draining every single drop out of my cock. Her eyes are closed and she looks so damn sexy, milking me for all I’m worth. Opening her eyes, she slowly pulls away, grinning and licking her lips like she just had the most delicious meal. Damn, I could seriously get used to this. I’ve always had a massive sexual appetite, but with Charlie, every encounter has become intimate, more than a quick fuck, and I’m finding myself feeling things I haven’t felt in a long time.

“Thank fuck for idiots and slutty janitors,” she says, pulling my boxers back up, covering me as I pull her to her feet to kiss that smart mouth I love.

Yeah, I’m definitely getting used to this.

WE’RE IN the bathroom getting ready for bed when Charlie brings up the wedding again.

“Are you going to be able to get off work on such short notice?” she asks out of nowhere.

“Shouldn’t be a problem, especially if it’s just a weekend thing. What about you? I figure we can drive down either Thursday after work or leave early Friday morning. Jace said they’re keeping it low-key, just a get-together at his parents’ place that night. Then the wedding’s not until sunset on Saturday.”

She pauses, giving me a funny look before responding. I can’t make out what she’s saying because her mouth’s full of toothpaste, so I wait, watching her finish and then rinse her mouth. “I’m coming?”

Wrinkling my forehead, I look at her, confused as to why she’d think she wasn’t. “Umm, yeah. Why wouldn’t you?”

She shrugs. “I mean, I kind of figured I’d be your date, but I didn’t want to assume. I know Lexi and I’ve become friends over the last couple of months. I just wasn’t sure how small they meant. If it was just close friends and family.’

This girl, I swear. I feel like a high school boy asking his girl to the prom. Picking her up, I set her on the counter and lean in so we’re eye to eye. “Charlotte Rose Davenport, will you do me the honor of being my date to the McAllister-Sullivan wedding?”

She laughs as she plants a kiss on my lips. “I’d love to, Knox. Especially if that means I get to see you all decked out in a fancy suit.”

Branson’s words flash in my brain, but I’m quick to push them away. She doesn’t mean anything by it. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. “Actually, babe, we’ll probably be in our dress greens.”

“Even better. I love seeing you in uniform,” she informs me before she pulls away and leaves the bathroom, still chattering about the wedding. I’m smiling at her comment, wishing Branson could’ve heard it and mentally kicking myself for ever letting his words bother me.

As I finish up, I can hear her changing and then settling into the bed. I’m about to join her when she speaks up again.

“What about you, Knox? Do you think you ever see something like that in your future?”

Not expecting that question, I freeze, not sure what to say. Even though I told Jace how I was feeling, I’m not ready for this. It’s too soon for this talk—way too soon. It’s true that I see her in my future, but I still don’t know what’s in the cards for me, if I can go down the same path as Jace. Marriage, kids, the white picket fence. I’m racking my brain, trying to figure out how to respond.

Shaking myself out of it, I leave the bathroom, and she watches as I strip down to my boxers. I get in the bed and lean over to turn off the lamp on the nightstand. Settling in beside her, I pull her close to me, hoping she can’t feel my racing heart as I try to figure out how to answer her question without saying too much. The truth is, I know I see her in my future, but I’m not sure I’m ready to say it all out loud, even though I find myself wishing I could muster up the courage to say the words.

Charlie

CRAP. ME and my stupid mouth. I have no idea why I just asked him that, but the words slipped out before I could stop myself. I knew it was the wrong question the moment I saw him freeze in the bathroom and then take a couple of deep breaths before coming back into the bedroom. He doesn’t say anything as he settles in behind me, and I’m beginning to think that he’s pretending he didn’t hear me.

When he wraps his arm around my waist, I decide I can’t stand the silence. “I didn’t mean with me or anything, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just mean in general, you know? It’s just, we’ve never talked about it, and all this wedding talk has gone to my brain, and I’m just curious, I guess.” I know I’m rambling at this point, but I can’t help it.

He presses a kiss on the top of my head. “It’s fine, Charlie. You know this is all new to me. Five months ago when you landed on my doorstep, I’d have laughed if someone had told me that you’d end up here, in my bed, as my girl. I’m still trying to figure out all this boyfriend stuff, as is evident from the gym this afternoon.”

Smiling at the memory of jealous Knox and his admissions afterwards, I nod. “I think you’re doing a pretty good job of it, today’s mishap not included. But I think you learned from it.”

“I did, but I can’t promise that I won’t do it again. It’s just that I’m still getting used to all this while trying to get back into fighting shape. There’s a lot on my plate, and I haven’t let myself think that far ahead. Hell, I’m still trying to process everything that happened today.” He lets out a sigh before continuing. “All I know is I want you with me, all the fucking time, and the thought of you not being in my life isn’t one I like. As far as the future goes, I can’t make any promises, but I can say I want you in it. I like what we have here, sweetheart, and I don’t want it to change.”

I mentally chastise myself for my earlier thoughts about my not wanting to hear his answers to the question, because I understand where he’s coming from. The fact that he’s even willing to admit that he does want me in his future is more than enough. And he’s right. What we have right now is good, and I don’t need him to draw me a map of where we’re headed. We’ll get there, somehow, someday. But for now I can just be content with the fact that he’s mine.

“I get that, Knox. Trust me. After Drew, I’m in no rush. And I like where we are, too.”

All of a sudden, I’m flat on my back, Knox hovering over me. I can see his eyes shining in the moonlight, fierce, fiery, and full of possession as he looks down at me. “What the hell am I going to have to do to get you to stop saying that asshole’s name?”

Biting my lip, I pull him down to me by his dog tags. “I can think of a couple things,” I say teasingly, and I hope he’s thinking the same thing.

“I might have to spank that hot little ass again,” he threatens against my lips.

“Is that a threat?” I ask, recalling the feel of his palm coming down hard on my skin, causing a warm fluttering to fill my belly. I’ve been wishing he’d do it again, but he’s done nothing but tease me with weak slaps on my ass. I’m almost ready to beg.

“No, sweetheart, not a threat. That’s a promise,” he growls, and I’m already mentally planning on making him keep that promise before the night is over.

Knox

AFTER THAT night, there’s been no further discussions about the future. While I’m okay with that, her question did get me thinking about eventually moving things forward. Now that I’m in this condo in Florida, watching Jace nervously pace the room, I realize that I wouldn’t mind being in his shoes, waiting to put the final claim on my woman.

Then all of a sudden it hits me and I see things with complete clarity. This isn’t what I’ve ever wanted. But this is what I want now—with her.

“Dude, you’re going to wrinkle your uniform if you don’t calm down. Why the hell are you acting so nervous?” I ask as I go to the kitchen to pour him a drink. After handing him a whiskey neat, I watch as he downs it in one gulp. “You’re not getting cold feet, are you?”

Jace looks at me, shaking his head. “Fuck no. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I’ve just been waiting so damn long for this day that I’m having trouble wrapping my mind around it. That it’s finally here. That, in less than an hour, Alexa’s going to be my wife. My fucking wife.”

Walking over to him, I slap him on the shoulder. “You know, I never thought I’d see this day after all those years of you cryin’ in your beer.” He starts to interrupt me, but I keep talking. “I’m happy for you, man. I really, genuinely am. And seeing you find your happiness after so long, well… I guess it’s fucking contagious, because I want that now, too.”

“You serious?” he asks, and I nod, knowing I might as well say it out loud.

“I don’t know when it happened—or even how. But from the moment that girl slapped me, there’s been something there, and it’s built ever since. She’s stubborn, irritating, and she drives me crazy. But she’s also intelligent and kind, and it’s one hell of a turn-on that she can kick my ass. Fuck me, man, but I’m more in love with her than I ever thought possible.”

A huge grin spreads over his face. “You know, if you’d have figured that out a little sooner, this could’ve been a double wedding.”

Holding my hands up, I back away from him. “Hey now. Just because I’m ready to say the L word does not mean I’ll be walking down an aisle anytime soon. Baby steps, J. Mac. Baby steps.”

“Yeah, well when you’ve been waiting as long as I have for forever, you want forever to start as soon as possible.”

The door opens and Jace’s dad walks in. He crosses the room and gives Jace a hug before holding out his hand to me for a shake.

“You ready for this, son?” Patrick McAllister asks Jace.

“I’ve been ready for this day for as long as I can remember, old man,” Jace says, causing his dad to scowl at him.

“Watch it. Just because it’s your wedding day doesn’t mean I can’t still kick your ass,” he says. Watching them interact has me thinking of my parents, and I’m happy knowing that maybe one day I’ll be able to have the same moment with my dad before my own wedding. I don’t know that we’ll ever be as close as Jace and Patrick, but just knowing that there’s a possibility has me looking even more forward to the future.

Checking the clock, I realize we need to get downstairs and out onto the beach. “Okay, guys, you can duke it out later. We’ve got a wedding to get to.”

They both stop messing around, and Patrick goes to straighten his son’s ribbon rack, even though I know it’s perfectly aligned. “I’m proud of you, son. Let’s go get your bride.”

WHEN WE get downstairs, Patrick leads the way out onto the sand where the ceremony will take place. The mothers of the couple have coordinated with the resort to set up a makeshift arch, complete with white ribbon and lilies, where Jace and Lexi will stand up to say their vows. About thirty chairs have been set up in the sand.

I spot Charlie sitting next to a guy who looks about our age, but I don’t know him. She laughs at something he says, and I have to stop from heading over to claim my girl.

“That’s my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Jeremy. He’s happily married, so she’s in safe hands. No reenactments of that day at the gym, got it?”

Turning to Jace, I shrug my shoulders. “I was just curious. That’s all. And don’t worry. I learned my lesson that day. Charlie still won’t let me live it down, and I swear she’s sparring more now with Chris just to test me.”