Chapter Twenty-One: The Heat of the Moment

Liam's lips pressed softly against Charlie’s, deepening the kiss with a tenderness that made her heart race. The warmth of his touch spread through her body, melting away the hesitation that still lingered beneath the surface. He kissed her slowly, his hands cradling her face as though she were something precious. The connection between them, once tentative, was now a spark igniting into a flame.

Charlie’s breath hitched as Liam’s hands drifted down, his fingers brushing lightly against her waist. She felt a shiver run through her, but it wasn’t fear—it was desire. Something she wasn’t used to feeling, but something she wanted more of. Her body responded to him instinctively, leaning into his touch, her nerves giving way to a deep sense of trust.

With a careful, almost reverent motion, Liam broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling as they both took a moment to steady themselves. His eyes searched hers, checking for any sign of discomfort. Instead, he found a longing that mirrored his own.

“Are you okay?” he whispered, his voice rough but filled with care.

Charlie nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted this more than her next breath. Even though she was still uncertain about what came next, she knew she was ready to take the next step. Her hand gently cupped his cheek, her fingers trembling slightly, but the small smile she gave him was all the encouragement he needed.

Liam kissed her again, this time with a little more urgency, a little more heat. His hands moved to the hem of the borrowed shirt she wore, and he gently tugged it upwards. Charlie’s breath caught in her throat as the fabric lifted, exposing her bare skin to the cool air. Her hands hesitated for a moment, instinctively moving to cover herself, but Liam caught her wrists, his touch firm but gentle.

“Let me see you,” Liam whispered, his eyes soft but filled with an intensity that made her shiver. “You’re beautiful, Charlie.”

His words sent a wave of warmth through her, and though she was still shy, she slowly allowed him to remove the shirt. As the fabric slipped away, leaving her bare, her heart pounded in her chest. The vulnerability of the moment threatened to overwhelm her, but Liam’s gaze—filled with awe and admiration—kept her grounded.

He led her gently over to the bed, guiding her with care as he laid her down on the soft mattress. Charlie felt the cool sheets against her skin, her breath shallow as she looked up at him. For a brief moment, her nerves resurfaced, the reality of her nakedness sinking in. But Liam quickly followed her down, his body warm and protective as he kissed her again, the sensation of his lips melting away her fear.

His hands moved over her body, not demanding, but exploring with gentle fingers, as though he was committing every curve and detail to memory. Charlie relaxed under his touch, her body responding to him with a need that surprised her. The heat between them grew, their kisses becoming more passionate, more desperate, as they lost themselves in each other.

His kisses moved from her mouth to her neck, trailing lower as he left a soft kiss on the spot where her mate mark was located. A whimper of pleasure escaped Charlie’s lips, her body reacting instinctively to the sensation. Liam’s kisses didn’t stop there, though. He moved lower, his lips and tongue teasing the sensitive skin of her breasts, sending jolts of pleasure through her body. Charlie’s back arched off the mattress, her mind spinning from the overwhelming new sensations.

Her body burned with every kiss, every touch of Liam’s fingers and lips against her skin. There was a primal need surging within her, something that made her ache for more, though she didn’t know how to ask for what she wanted—or even what exactly it was that she wanted. It was all too new, too overwhelming.

But Liam seemed to understand. His hands and lips trailed down her body, over the fading bruises that still marked her skin, each kiss a reminder that he cherished every part of her, even the broken pieces. When he reached between her thighs, his eyes flicked up to hers, a silent question in his gaze.

“Is this okay?”

Charlie’s heart raced, uncertainty bubbling within her. She wasn’t entirely sure what he was asking, but the thought of him stopping—of losing this moment—was something she didn’t want. So she nodded shyly, her body answering for her even if her mind was still catching up.

Liam slowly removed the last barrier between them, sliding her panties down her legs, his gaze never leaving hers. He inhaled deeply, his eyes darkening with desire. “You smell better than sweetest honey,” he murmured before leaning in.

Charlie gasped as his mouth found her most sensitive spot, his tongue working magic against her skin. Her head tipped back, pleasure rolling through her in waves. The sensations were so intense, so overwhelming, that she felt like she might shatter at any moment. Her body tensed, the tension building rapidly as she approached the edge of a climax.

But just as she was about to fall over that edge, the sound of the bedroom door creaking open reached her ears.

Her head snapped to the side, her heart hammering in her chest as she looked toward the door. There, standing frozen in place, was Luther. His eyes, wide with shock, swept over them—taking in every detail of the scene. His gaze lingered for a moment, his expression unreadable and guarded, before he abruptly turned on his heel and left the room, the door closing softly behind him.

A pang of confusion and disappointment shot through Charlie at his reaction, but it quickly fled her mind as her body gave in to the pleasure surging within her. An overwhelming climax washed over her, her back arching off the bed as her moans filled the room.