Charlie and I found something in a new file that came in about a bid. It could be nothing, but it was enough that we both paused. Jackson was right to pencil in Neil’s name. I would’ve never had it on my radar, but the bid came across my desk with his name on it. Seems after he was fired from his job in marketing, he got hired with a firm that does contract work. They get a request from a company, source out the work, and then decide based on the offers that come in. Lo and behold, his name was on the contract for the ambassador.

“Anything I should be aware of?”

“Nope. It could be nothing, but I’m crossing every possibility off the list. Now, go dance with your wife.” I shove him forward and he stalks after her.

We spend the next hour dancing, laughing, and telling old stories. Ashton tells me very little about her fight with Quinn, but the anger is evident on her face. If he tries to talk to her, she’s gonna rip his balls off. That ginger, she’s a feisty one.

The night wears on, and I learn that Charlie is a sexy-ass dancer. I’d really like to find one damn thing that she sucks at—well, I know she’s good at sucking. I still can’t believe she beat me at shooting. I’m just going to claim it’s because I haven’t been to the range in a while.

Charlie and I slow dance, and the feel of her body against mine makes it hard to think. Her honey scent filters through the air. All I can do is think about how sweet she tastes, and how I can’t wait to get my next hit. She’s like a drug that after you’ve had it once, you’re addicted forever.

“I’m glad you agreed to come as my date.” I sway her to the music.

Her blue eyes connect with mine. “I am too. I had a really good time.”

“The night isn’t over yet.”

She presses her head against my chest and melts into me. “I had no intention of it ending.”

I rub my hands up and down her bare back, making patterns against her skin. “Charlie,” I say as she lifts her head.

“Yes?”

“Stay for a while.”

I don’t know why I said it because the idea of her going back to DC makes me want to punch holes in the wall. Having her around . . . it gives me something I didn’t know I was missing. It’s like seeing things in a different way. The shit she has thrown all over my bathroom comforts me. The fact she comes to work with me, reads through old files, and helps me has me wishing it could last longer. Plus, knowing I won’t be close and that I can’t protect her is driving me insane. I don’t want her back there alone. She has no clue what the hell could be waiting for her.

Putting all that aside, though. I’m falling hard for this girl. I want her in my life, and I think if I can keep her around longer, she’ll see she wants it too.

Knowing her ever-stubborn self, she’ll continue to tell herself differently, but I see it. The way she watches me when she thinks I’m not paying attention. How her entire demeanor shifts when I come around. Her body relaxes, and she looks at me a little longer than she used to. She’s starting to trust me. Even though she wants to believe she’s a ferocious tiger, she’s more like a pussycat lately. Sure, we fight, because that’s what we do, but it’s different.

“I have to go back. I need to finish what I’ve been doing.”

“I’m not asking.”

She stares over my shoulder without responding. I’m sure she wishes she could punch me, but that’s kind of frowned upon at a wedding. Fuck this. I grip her chin, and force her to look at me.

“I’m telling you to stay. I’m telling you I want you to stay. I’m not saying for forever, just until we get some things settled. Take it, Charlie. Take what I’m offering you.”

Her shoulders sag. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes, you insistent ass. I’ll stay for a while.”

My hand cups the back of her neck. I realize the slip I had earlier wasn’t a mistake. I’m falling in love with her. No, I’m already in love with Charlie. I pull her to me. I need to feel her lips. I kiss her differently—not like we’re not always explosive, but this has more of a build. It’s a promise of all that’s to come tonight, because this time . . . I’m going to make her mine and steal her heart.

Charlie

It’s not as if we’ve never slept together. This is dumb, being nervous over spending a night with Mark. But between the wedding and the wine, the emotions are different. He’s different. The way he looked at me, just . . . everything. I’m being dumb, but we’re still not safe. We still don’t know who’s doing things, and Mark is still a target.

If I were to let him in my heart . . . who am I kidding? He’s already there. I told myself not to allow it, but here I am.

Screwed.

I feel like that virgin on prom night, questioning everything. Do I take my clothes off? Do I slip under the covers naked? Never mind the fact that I’ve joined the mile high club with him. Had shower sex, wall sex, sex in his bed . . . I mean, we’ve done it. Just tonight . . . isn’t about sex. God, I’m being such a girl.

Forget this.

“Mark!” I bang on the bathroom door. “Mark! Open up! Now!”

He flings it open, scanning the room. “What’s wrong?” His chest heaves as he searches for the danger I must’ve made him certain was here.

The only danger is my emerging feelings. That I need to stop. I’ll prove there’s nothing more than great sex. “This!” I grasp the back of his head and jerk him down.

Our lips collide. He’s clearly surprised by my sudden attack, but he kisses me back. I hold on tight, trying to get him to thaw a little. I need this. I have to be able to feel nothing but sexual chemistry.

“Charlie,” he mumbles against my lips, trying to pull back. “Stop, beautiful. Stop.” He pushes me back.

My lips throb from the force of our kiss. “Kiss me, damn it!” I rush toward him, but he puts his hands on my shoulders.

“What the hell has gotten into you?”

“Hopefully, you.”

“What’s the rush?” he asks as he lets his hands slide down my arms. His voice is smooth like silk. “We have all night.”

I can’t speak. One part of me wants to beg him to fuck me because I don’t want us to have this. The other part wants to love him. I want to be the one, and I want him to give me this. I know though, in the end, this is a mistake. It puts us both at risk. When you love someone, you’re vulnerable. I would prey on that weakness. Use someone’s loved ones against them. It gives an edge that I’ve never allowed anyone to have.

Mark’s hand glides back up. It leaves a stream of bumps in his wake. Slowly his fingers hook under the strap of my dress. I stand, statuesque as his fingers slide the fabric off. “All night, beautiful. I’m going to take every second to show you.” I shiver as his lips touch the sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder. “Every inch of you will be touched,” he promises. “Every part of you will be mine.”

My head rolls back as the other strap falls. The dress, being made of nothing, pools at my feet. As much as I may not have wanted this, I knew it would be different. I stand before him with no bra, and commando.