“This is real.” I grab her hand, placing it on my chest. “Feel that. It’s real. And Charlotte, I’ve never once said I didn’t want those things. But we are new. We have all the time in the world for those things.”

  Landon had already mentioned what she wanted, so I have been prepared for this to come out. It isn’t that I’m telling her what she wants to hear. I’m telling her the truth. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. No one can. But I’m willing to try. And if we end up married and having kids, I won’t balk at the idea. Charlotte is someone I can see a relationship lasting with; a relationship that grows and doesn’t dwindle or become stuck in a rut.

  She hiccups. “But what if I don’t?”

  “What do you mean?”

  She presses down, getting comfy. “Have time. My mum, not many know this, but she struggled to get pregnant. She had a condition that caused her egg count to be low. Her mum wasn’t the best mum— she didn’t deserve kids— but she struggled to get pregnant which is why my mum was an only child.”

  Realisation dawns. “You’re worried you’ll be the same.”

  She nods, wiping under her nose. “I am. It’s not hereditary, but that fear is there. The older Mum got, the more she struggled. After the third attempt of IVF, she fell pregnant with Jacob. If she had left it longer, the worse her condition would have gotten. At my age, she was already married. She had a plan. But I’m not married, Drew. I don’t have that head start like she did.”

  “Have you ever gone to see a doctor?”

  “No. I’ve been too scared.”

  “I’m all in, Charlotte. I swear. But I can’t promise tomorrow. No one can. I’m not going into this thinking it’s temporary,” I admit, keeping her attention on me. “But you also can’t live your life rushing. It’s meant to be lived.” I’m hoping my next words don’t offend her. “You also shouldn’t be with someone because you think it will happen, Charlotte. You’ll end up with the wrong person.”

  She flinches, ducking her head. “I know. I think it’s why I pushed and pushed myself to give Scott my all. I thought I wasn’t trying hard enough.”

  “With me, just be you. I like you.”

  “I’m nutty, crazy; I like glitter, I wear fluffy kitten jumpers, and I can’t bake. Well, I did bake something good the other day, but it seems it was a fluke.”

  “And?”

  She startles. “It doesn’t bother you?”

  “Charlotte, you have many contributions to who you are and your personality. Not one of them bother me. The nutty, the crazy, and all those other things you listed, just add to who you are. And I happen to really like who you are.”

  “And you want us to be together? Like a real couple?”

  “If you are ready for that,” I agree.

  She bites her bottom lip. “I do. I want you. I always want you.” She groans. “I’m not saying this right.”

  “I think you’re saying this perfectly,” I muse, wagging my eyebrows.

  She pushes my shoulder lightly. “Not what I meant,” she tells me, unable to keep the smile off her face. She loses it just as fast. “I’m scared.”

  “You were scared to get on the bike.”

  She shivers as the wind picks up, blowing her hair around her face. “I know.”

  I run my hands up her thighs. “And what did you feel once you got used to it, once you trusted me to keep you safe?”

  “I loved it.”

  “So trust me now to take care of you with this and not hurt you.”

  I watch as her resolve breaks. “I do really like you. And you’re so pretty to look at.”

  My lips twitch. “Thank you.”

  “Boy, Drew, is that you?”

  We jump at the sound of the loud, booming voice. Turning to my uncle, I grin. “Uncle Malcom,” I greet.

  Charlotte squeaks, sliding off my lap to stand. I follow, taking her hand. “Uncle?” she whispers.

  I pull her toward the food truck that is sheltered from the elements in an alcove. My uncle leans out of the front window, a big grin on his face. He holds so much resemblance to my dad that you would never guess they have different mothers. The only difference between the two are my dad is always covered in oil and my uncle is covered in food grease or fat.

  “Malcom, this is my girlfriend, Charlotte. Charlotte, this is my uncle, Malcom.”

  Charlotte’s fingers clench around mine and I tilt my head, finding her staring up at me with so much wonder and awe.

  Malcom wipes his hand down his blue and white apron, and holds his hand out to her. “I’ve heard a lot about you from my brother. Said you were the best doll he’s ever partied with.”

  I groan. “Dad would say that. She didn’t wake up in his bed nagging at him.”

  Charlotte pulls her hand back. “It’s so good to meet you.”

  He flashes his teeth at Charlotte. “No starting a brawl up here, doll. It’s a long way down if one gets going.”

  Charlotte’s breath hitches. “It was a misunderstanding. I swear. One minute she was there in my face, the next…” Her eyes glaze over. “It really was a misunderstanding. And everyone else, um, just got caught up in it?”

  “I bet,” he tells her, before leaning back. “What are you guys having? I can have Bruce whip you up something good.”

  “Charlotte’s a vegetarian,” I tell him, knowing he’ll love the fact.

  “I’m sorry. If I ate it, I would totally order something. I swear,” she rushes out, most likely not wanting to offend him.

  “Me too, sweetheart,” Malcom grins. “This is the veg truck. The one next door is meat.”

  Her eyes widen as she scans the area where people are sat eating. “But they are all queuing here.”

  “Best burgers about, that’s why.”

  She smiles. “Then I’d love a burger, please.”

  “Be five, ten minutes. I’ve just got to get these orders done first.”

  I wave him off. “Take your time. Just yell when you are ready.”

  “Take these first,” he demands lightly, handing over two steaming cups. “It’s hot chocolate. It’s nippy up here.”

  Charlotte laughs as she takes the mug. “It is a little windy.”

  Taking her hand, I walk us over to the north side of the cliff, not far from the food trucks. The fresh air, the scents of food cooking… it’s heaven.

  Charlotte staggers to a stop as she takes in the view. “Wow.”

  I step up behind her, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her against my chest. “I know.”

  “This is beautiful, Drew,” she breathes out. She pulls out her phone with one hand, snapping a picture of the view. For miles, all you can see is greens and browns. It’s breath-taking.

  “Here,” I comment, reaching for her hot chocolate. I place them down on the rock then grab her phone and turn us until the view is behind us.

  “You want a photo?”

  I glance down at her, wondering if there will be a time when she stops second guessing stuff. “Yeah. You can send it to me after.”

  She leans in as I bend down, smiling wide as I snap a picture of us together. Her laughter is carefree as she takes a look at the photo. “We aren’t getting the view in.”

  “Would you like us to take a picture?” a young woman asks, her man standing beside her.

  Charlotte reaches for the phone. “Would you mind?”

  “No, of course not,” she replies, taking the phone.

  Charlotte rushes back to my side, her smile so blinding it’s powerful. It knocks me off my axis and for a moment, I can do nothing but stare. The unexpected warmth twists in my gut.

  I have been with beautiful girls before. I have even been with a nerdy girl and one chick who wore a lot of pink. Each irritated or bored me. Charlotte, however, is a combination, but there is something about her that can’t be explained or rationalised. It’s a part of her soul that she wears for the world to see. It makes her different and stand out from others.

  “Are you ready?”

  Charlotte straightens, turning to the camera, her smile still intact. I slowly do the same, but this time, I gulp, swallowing past the lump low in my throat as the realisation hits me.

  I think I might be falling for Charlotte.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHARLOTTE

  Just as planned, Drew finished our day together by setting up his projector outside in the garden under the stars. The white backdrop is pinned to the tree and pegged to the floor. If it weren’t, the light wind would have it wrapped around the branch right now.

  We laid out a tarp on the ground before putting my portable sofa bed on it. It was only a thin, cushioned mattress and has mostly been used for visitors to sit on when there haven’t been enough seats. Tonight is the first time the actual bed part is being used. And I like that it will now hold a special remembrance to me.

  The night air is chilly, but thankfully we have blankets and pillows to keep us warm, and thanks to Lily, we have a heat burner. The scene is every woman’s dream. He even hung some fairy lights I had left from Christmas and wrapped them around the patio area. It fit the mood after the perfect day we spent together.

  I’ve read a lot of romance novels, had melted at the most romantic scenes, but none of them hold a candle to tonight. This isn’t romantic fiction, a made-up story to make women swoon. It’s real, and my heart aches from how full it is.

  The stars are bright, twinkling down at us lying below them. This is what I have been looking for this entire time.

  It isn’t just about the relationship, or the sex; it’s also companionship. It’s a connection that burns so bright it’s almost blinding. A friendship that’s built from attraction.

  I can’t deny the pull between us anymore. I went into this not knowing where it would end or if it would happen again. Now I find I don’t want it to end. And slowly, he hasn’t just become a friend, he’s become someone I don’t want to spend a day without talking to. He’s the person I first think of when I have news. It’s no longer a member of my family, but him. I wasn’t even aware of that fact until today.

  However, I think I may have scared him because of the movie. He’s still staring at me and the next movie has already begun to play.

  Using the sleeve of my jumper, I wipe away the tears that have fallen free. My heart is shredded into pieces. Some films know how to break their viewers.

  “I can feel you judging me,” I tell him, trying not to sound snotty.

  “I’m totally judging you,” he confirms, a grin splitting across his face.

  I gently drop down over his chest, resting my chin on my hands. “Stop. It was sad.”

  “Charlotte, he was a serial killer who killed nine main victims. That isn’t including the ones he killed along the way to get to them.”

  The lump in my throat aches. “He was just misunderstood.” I sniffle. “They tortured him unnecessarily.”

  He chuckles, and wraps his arms around me before turning us, him looming over me. He brushes my hair out of my face. “You are seriously too empathetic toward others. He killed three innocent children.”

  I lightly shove his shoulder. “They could have just tied him up and called the police.”

  A noise from Lily’s garden has Drew lifting his head to check it out. “It was Jaxon again.”

  I run my finger over the crease between his eyebrows. “He’s just checking on me. They are worried.”

  “I’m insulted they think I can’t take care of you.”

  “I told you they were protective of me. I think Jaxon is doing it more for his sister. She’s been pretty upset about Landon watching my place.”

  “They’ll be fine. She brought him lunch the other day and they seemed to be in a better place. Landon was just kicking himself for not being there for you.”

  I hesitate for a moment, but I have let him change the subject all day. “Speaking of Landon, will you please tell me what happened at the gym now? He wouldn’t tell me when I spoke to him earlier. He told me not to worry.”

  He sighs and rolls onto the mat beside me. Tucking my hands under my cheek, I give him all my attention. This has played on my mind off and on. Drew has been able to distract me all day.

  “It’s nothing major. Someone smashed the windows and broke the door. There was no permanent damage.”

  I place my hand over his chest, feeling it pulse under my touch. “Drew, there is more to it than that.”

  “Charlotte, you just got upset over a bunch of teens who killed a serial killer. I’m not telling you the rest for you to take on that guilt.”

  My stomach bottoms out and dread hits me. If he isn’t telling me, it has to be bad. “Please, tell me. I’ll imagine the worst if you don’t.”

  For a moment, I think he’s not going to tell me, but then he groans, closing his eyes briefly. “The damage was to all the front windows and door. The entire front wall of glass was shattered. They took an iron bar or something and scraped it along the floor, the side of the reception desk and then to my office. The office was trashed was too.”

  He isn’t telling me the entire truth. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “It’s not important.”

  Tears gather in my eyes. “Yes, it is. Mum said over the phone they think it’s the same person who sent me flowers, but she wouldn’t tell me why they came to that that conclusion. And I know you know why,” I tell him, my voice breaking. “I’m so sorry, Drew. So sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault,” he assures me, letting out a weary sigh. “It was only my side of the office that was trashed. Landon’s went untouched.”

  My breath hitches. “Why?”

  “There were flowers left for me. That’s why they know it’s from the same person going after you. Landon thought they had done the damage and left the flowers for him. He assumed they had just gotten whose side of the office it was, wrong.”

  “But it wasn’t?” I whisper.

  He shakes his head before reaching out to run a hand down my arm. “The note was basically threatening me to stay away from you, or at least, that’s how I read it.”

  I sit up, my eyes widening. “Drew, you need to go. I don’t want you being targeted because of me.” He laughs and my chest hurts. “Stop. I’m deadly serious, Drew. Someone threatened you away from me. You need to listen until we find out who it is.”

  He sobers, and a shiver races down my spine at the lethal intent in his eyes. “No fucker is going to push me away from you, especially not some creep who is out to hurt you.”

  “This is serious, Drew. I’m not going to let you get hurt. I can get Landon or Jaxon to watch out for you. You’ll be protected.”

  He drops down onto his back, laughter booming out of him. I slap his rock hard chest.

  “Charlotte, hear me when I say this, I can take care of myself. You don’t need to worry about me,” he declares fiercely.

  “Why would you still want to be around me when someone has done that to your business because of me? I know how much it means to you.”

  He pulls me against his chest and I go willingly, loving the feel of his hard abs under my fingertips. “If you haven’t already guessed, I really like you.”

  My heart stutters at hearing those words. “I really like you too.”

  He smirks. “I know.”

  I pout. “Be serious.”

  “I am. I’ve never let anyone come between me and what I want. Not my mum when I wanted to change courses. Not when I opened the gym. Not when I wanted to visit my dad. And the same goes for you. I won’t let anyone come between us. Not Landon, not your family, and not this person sending this crap to you.”

  More tears gather in my eyes. I’d claim I wasn’t always this much of a crier but it would be a lie. I cry when I’m happy. I cry when I’m sad. But right now, I’m so overwhelmed, I can’t hold them back. Even with the threat shadowing me, I’m the happiest I have ever been. His words aren’t a declaration of love, but they feel as close as.

  “You really do like me.”

  He rolls us again, hovering over me. He’s careful not to crush me, leaning up on his elbows. “I’ve been telling you that from the start, just not with words.”

  I run my fingers through his thick, curly hair. “Yes, but I didn’t believe it until now.”

  “Then I’m not doing it right,” he whispers against my lips. My thighs clench around him at the sound of his husky voice.

  His lips are cool against mine and I relax back onto the makeshift bed, running my fingers through his hair as the kiss deepens.

  Butterflies flutter in my stomach. “Drew,” I moan.

  Wild tremors rake through my body, a surge of warmth that always has me feeling a sense of free falling. With just a kiss he can send me speechless and mute my inner conscious. And it’s led back to freefalling. Constantly feeling that flutter in your stomach like you are on a rollercoaster. It sends me into a tailspin each and every time.

  Each flick of his tongue, each moment of feeling him thrust against me, is one more minute of him driving me insane.

  I’m not sure how much time passes, but a lick of heat covers my flesh from wanting him so much. Our hands continue to run over each other, the touches innocent, yet intimate, and our legs become tangled together.

  A broken moan slips past my lips. “Drew.” He is torturing me.

  He glances up, his gaze flicking to Lily’s back garden. “I think they’ve gone to bed.”

  “Probably,” I murmur, pulling him back toward me. I don’t want him to stop kissing me.

  Ever.

  He grins, his fingers sliding under my leggings. I tense, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. There’s a moment of pause, a moment where I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it, especially out in the open. But there’s something in his soft expression that doesn’t have me recoiling at the silent offer, but instead, arching into his touch.

  There’s a dark hunger staring back at me as he leans back, lifting the blanket we had brought out and pulling it over us, blanketing us both.

  His hand pushes further into my leggings and under my knickers. The minute his skilled fingers slide through my sex, my eyes close and a wave of pleasure uncoils in my abdomen. I have been wanting this all day. Wanting him.