He pulls back a little, his expression bewildered. “You really stuck up for me?”
“Of course. I always stand up for what I believe in.”
“You started a full-on brawl,” he teases.
I press closer, needing his touch. “Because I was taught to never do things halfway.”
He leans down, groaning into my neck. “I want to pull up your dress and fuck you right here, but you deserve a bed.”
I giggle, running my fingers through his hair. “Then take me home.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
DREW
Stepping into the bedroom, my gaze goes right to the bed where Charlotte is sleeping. Her bright red, thick hair fans out across the pillows. One leg is hitched up, wrapped over the blanket, along with her arm. She was in the same position when I woke up earlier, only her arm and leg were draped over me.
A light snore passes through her thick, luscious lips, causing me to chuckle. Her makeup from the night before is smudged, her lipstick smeared, and mascara has run under her eyes.
And yet, she is still the most beautiful girl I have ever met.
And if my bladder hadn’t been screaming at me to use the loo, I’d still be cuddled up to her, which is how I would have preferred our night to go.
It hadn’t. When I checked my phone for the time, I couldn’t ignore the millions of missed calls and messages filtering through.
I called my dad and Nora first, and once I got off the phone with them, other guests who attended last night’s charity fight called, checking in on Charlotte. Even Rampage, someone who had met her briefly, called after hearing someone tried to attack her and then wanted to know if it was true that she and her friends had caused a riot in the hotel. I still can’t believe it happened. I’m angry Eloise went after her, and hearing other people bringing it up, each time the story changing from bad to worse, I want to go give Eloise a piece of my mind. But I have a sinking feeling it’s the attention she wants. She wants me to go to her.
Everyone else thought it was hilarious someone so sweet and small could cause such chaos.
Then Mum called, accusing Charlotte of attacking Eloise, and told me the invite to the wedding was revoked for Charlotte. Luckily, I had already spoken to Alison and she was livid on Charlotte’s behalf. She hated that Natalie and Eloise did what they did, more so once I ran through everything they accused me of. Her screech of anger is still echoing through my ears and I have no doubt Natalie is going to hear it from her twin at some point today.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to listen to Mum continue to go on about how common and unladylike Charlotte is since my battery died.
Charlotte didn’t once let what they did taint our night, and when we got back, she proceeded to show me just how much she had enjoyed our first date. My redhead is an enigma. She wants romance, sweet kisses and hugs, but she also wants it dirty and rough. She’s the definition of ‘lady in the streets, freak in the sheets.’ And it blows my mind every time she suggests we try something new or is willing to switch it up. She’s open to experimenting as long as it feels good.
And fuck does it feel good.
Her confidence is astounding after everything she has been through. Her pure heart is what has pulled her through. She thinks it’s because of her family and the self-defence lessons we’ve been working on. But it isn’t. It’s her heart. She has managed to do what many victims aren’t able to: separate a violation to a sexual experience. Even under her sweetness, her rose-coloured blushes, my girl is highly sexual. No one has the right to take that away from her. No one.
Setting the tray on the other side of the bed, I then take a seat next to Charlotte, taking in her room. It’s a girly room, yet modern. There are a lot of crazy knick-knacks too, but they suit Charlotte’s personality. I also notice there’s a lot more pink frilly stuff and glitter than there was the last time I was here. This seems more her. The only thing that worries me is the fact she has butt balls that light up and is using them as decoration. When I asked her about it last night, she said it’s a night light her friend from Tease gave her.
Katnip sits on her dressing table, her judgy eyes focused on Charlotte sleeping. It’s creepy to the say the least, especially when she suddenly does a head tilt, like she’s contemplating how or when would be the best time to strike. I can see why Landon and his family are worried for Charlotte’s safety. That cat has fucking issues. If I hadn’t seen how cuddly and loving the cat could be, even I would think it was soulless.
Pulling my attention away from the bipolar cat, I lightly tap Charlotte on her shoulder.
“Charlotte, wake up,” I whisper, before running my finger down her arm.
“My kung fu is strong,” she grumbles, shoving her face into the pillow where the snoring continues.
I chuckle, and lean over to brush away the hair that has fallen over her face. “Charlotte,” I call out.
She slaps her lips together, turning away from my touch. “One more minute and I’ll defeat him.”
“Charlotte, babe,” I call out, shaking her once more.
“My vagina doesn’t want another round,” she mutters, moving away from my touch.
Laughter spills out of me and I take a minute to gather myself before shaking her a little harder. “Charlotte, babe, wake up.”
She knifes up in bed, glancing around the room before turning to me. I chuckle at the hair knotted in a ball at the side of her head. “Drew?”
“Good morning,” I greet.
She yawns, stretching her arms into the air. “What time is it?”
“Just after ten.”
Her gaze softens on the eggs I made. “Is that for me?”
“It is,” I reply, pushing it closer to her. “What are you doing for the rest of the day?”
“I need to go into work at some point,” she admits, before biting into a piece of toast.
“Spend the rest of the weekend with me.”
She finishes chewing her toast. “You want to spend the weekend with me? Here?”
“Yes,” I tell her, and her shoulders slump, a lost look in her eyes. “But I want to take you out on my bike first.”
The light appears back into her eyes, making me relax. I’ll have to remember to question her about it later. “You want to take me out? Like, out, out? In public out?”
“Yes,” I chuckle. “And after, I thought we could bring my projector around. The white screen will hang off your tree and we could watch a movie outside. If you want.”
Suddenly, she slaps her face. “I don’t want to wake up.”
Laughter spills out of me, and I grip her wrist, stopping her from slapping her face again. “Stop. You’re awake.”
Her eyes bug out. “Really? This isn’t some dream?”
I lean over, pressing my lips to hers. “Would that happen in a dream?”
Her pupils darken. “You do a lot more in my dreams.”
I rest my forehead against hers. She kills me. I groan low in my throat. “Charlotte.”
“You really want to spend time with me?”
Tilting her chin up, I lean in closer, meeting her gaze. Her insecurity is killing me. “One day you’ll realise your importance to people.”