The Beginning of Us (299 page)

"Dude shut the hell up. No offense Bryce, but I’m really not comfortable talking about Char like this with ya."

"No offense taken and I would prefer not hearing this kind of talk anyway. Riley, you and Char were a surprise I wasn't expecting. The only thing I will say is that I love my girls and I don't want to see them hurt. Char is my baby and she has been though hell and back because of Marc. Don't hurt my girl and you and I won't have a problem." Bryce tells me while leaning his elbows onto his knees.

He has an intense glare in his eyes and I know he means what he says from the bottom of his heart.

"Like I told Derrick I have no intention of hurting Char. We may have had an awkward introduction, but now that we are getting to know each other we enjoy one another's company. I just wanted to take a chance and see where it goes." I tell both men as I begin to pace the room.

There is something special about Char and both of these men are hyper protective of her. I need to know more about what happened between her and Marc. Maybe it will bring light to the hurt she experienced in the past and give me a direction what not to do to hurt her like that again. 

"Wow that was a truly touching moment you guys just shared. I remember when you and I had a chat like that Bryce. I think I was about 13 years old." Derrick says with a hard laugh.

"Derrick, Chloe has had her claws in you since you two were in the ninth grade. She is much like her mother in that sense. Once they know what they want they don't give up and they won't let it go. One day soon that girl will come to her senses and settle down. Too bad I fear it will take you moving out to LA for it to happen."

"Shit, I don't plan on doing that anytime soon. But I do have plans to spend two weeks out there after the holidays. We will see what happens then." Derrick says with a look of determination.

Now that the game is over Bryce tells us it’s about time he head home and says he will see me tomorrow at the office. After spending majority of the day with him I feel comfortable knowing he understands my intentions with Char. Now I need to show him that I mean business at work as well. Having the opportunity to work for Taylor & Sons Contracting is too good to mess up and I don't want it to affect my relationship with Char.

Chapter 19

CHAR

I’ve just started to prepare myself for an evening of relaxation. The tub is filling with the sweet smells of lavender and vanilla, there are candles lit around the giant claw foot tub and my wine glass is sitting on the rack across the tub. Now all I need to do is find my iPad.

Searching the living room and my bedroom I finally find it when I hear my cell phone chirping. I run back out to the living room and grab it just as I miss the call.

"Damn it!" I say in a fit of frustration. I missed Riley's call. Great, I've only been waiting on it all day.

I quickly pull up my missed call and hit send. I’m so anxious to talk to him; I wish he was right here.

Then I hear a knock on my door.

"Oh shit!" I shout to myself. Who the hell could be here at 8:30 on a Sunday night?

After the surprise visitors of today this damn door and I are going to have words.

I look through the peep hole and see the most amazing sight. My skin begins to prickle and I can already feel the goose bumps begin to rise all over my body.

As I start to unlatch the locks, I realize I am only wearing a towel. I mean come on I wasn't expecting company, I was about to hop in the tub.

"Riley?" I say with a bit of hesitation.

He looks breathtaking and I want to grab him. But I won't, I’m not that kind of a girl, not right this second anyway.

"Char I know this is crazy and all, I mean coming over here unexpected two days in a row, but I had to see you." He admits while raking his long fingers through his short shaggy hair.

"No really it’s okay, just wasn't expecting company."

I move to the side so that he can enter the apartment and his eyes look over my body and the skimpy towel that is hanging from me.

"Um am I catching you at a perfect time or interrupting something?" He asks with a wink. “Damn it, I should’ve called before I actually came over. Sorry."

"Riley I am glad you came actually. I was just about to relax in the tub and read my book with a glass of wine. No big plans." I tell him, not quite sure what to do next.

I’m standing in my living room with Riley. I am naked with just a towel covering me. I am going fucking insane in this moment and by the desire in his eyes I can sense he is as well.

"So, um...well. I feel like an ass for stopping by now and with you just standing there in next to nothing I’m having a hard time gathering my thoughts."

"Who says you have to stand there?" I say in almost a whisper.

Suddenly I am feeling very racy and shy all at the same time.

"Would you mind if I came a bit closer?" He asks moving toward me.

"No." I reply. "Actually I was hoping you would."

Riley moves in closer to me and I just about jump to him throwing my arms around his neck and slamming my lips against his. God I want this man and I want him now. Fuck with the taking things slow shit, I want him to take me and make me his.

We hold our embrace and passionately kiss one another for what feels like forever. The way his arms hold me tight against his body, I can feel every muscle of his shuttering against my body. His soft lips are kissing me hard, then soft, and then harder with a fierceness that shows me he does not want to let me go.

He slowly pulls away from me and sets me back down on two feet.

"Will you excuse me for a quick second? The tub water is probably overflowing by now. I had just started it before you knocked on the door."

"Can I help you with anything?"

"Not unless you care to join me?" Holy hell I am brave tonight.

Riley looks right at me. Not just looking at me with his eyes, but seeing deep into my heart and soul.

He asks, "Do you want me to join you?"

"More than anything Riley." I reply and grab his hand as I lead him down the hallway and into my bathroom.

"Char? I said I want to take this slow with us. I want to make sure this is what you want. I don't want you to ever hurt like you did in the past. I want what we have to work. I want us to be what makes you happy."

In this moment I want to cry. All the turmoil I’ve been putting myself through worrying if this man really cares about me is shining through in his expression and those amazing hazel eyes. He does care and it isn't just about our bodies being in sync and a physical connection. It’s deeper for him too.

"Riley I want you, I want this, and I want us." I say pulling him closer to me and standing on my tip toes to peck his lips.

I step back down so that my feet are flush to the floor. I turn off the water and reach my hand down to feel the temperature.

"Ah perfect, the water is just right. I was going to drink a glass of wine as you can see. Can I offer you a glass too?" I ask as I lift my glass and take a long smooth sip.

"Actually Char, I hate to say this, but wine is not a favorite of mine unless...that is...if I taste it from your lips."

He scoops me up in his arms and kisses me harder than he ever has. I am numb except for the sensation of lust I have for this man. Who the hell needs tub-time now, take me to the bedroom.

Damn it Char, slow down. We need to do this right and what better, more romantic setting than this very moment.

We slowly pull away from one another and again he puts me down so that my feet are touching the floor.

"I think we better make use of this tub-time before the water gets cold." I suggest.

"Sounds good to me." He replies in the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard.

RILEY

I’ve died and gone to heaven.

In front of me is the most beautiful woman in the world and in about five seconds we will be naked together in her tub.

Who the fuck would’ve thought this night would end like this?

After Bryce left Derrick's house I took Manny for our daily run and got some stuff done so I would be ready for the upcoming work week.

Even though I tried to keep myself busy, I couldn't help but wonder what Char was doing. I wanted to call or text her so many times today, but at the same time I wanted to give her some space. Last night was great between the two of us and I couldn't have asked for a better day today. I just want to make sure she knows I am entering this relationship for all the right reasons and that I never want to hurt her.

Derrick and I eat up the last of the game day food and we talk a little bit about what is going on between Char and me. I told him that I care about her a lot and that I am willing to see how serious she wants to take our relationship. We still have a ton to learn about one another, but to do that we need to spend more time with each other. With that thought in mind I tell Derrick that I am going to head over to Char's to talk. I think recapping what took place yesterday and today would be good and help us know whether or not we are on the same page.

I pull into Char's small apartment complex and give her cell a quick call. I can see that she is home because her Jeep is right out front.

"Shit!" I shout as I slam my hands down on the steering wheel.

I should’ve called her before I left Derrick's house. What if she is sleeping already?

"Fuck it!"

I decided to take the chance and knock on the door. I choose not to ring the bell because if she is sleeping I don't want it to wake her, but if she is up she would hear the knock.

I could hear her footsteps approaching the door and sensed that she was on the other side. I could bet any money that she was scoping me out through the peep hole in that very moment. God she is too cute.

As we stand inches apart, we prepare to take a step that will hold us together for a long time. I want this moment with Char and I want to create more memories like this with her.

Enough just standing here and waiting. She is just about naked, so I need to start removing my clothes. I start to grab for the hem of my tee-shirt when she stops me.

"Let me. Do you mind?"

Damn she is pushing her control limits tonight. Who would’ve thought she would be this daring.

I give her a nod and she takes her hands and places them under my shirt. She lets her hands search my upper body starting at my lower stomach and leading all the way up to my chest. Her light touch alone is enough to give my body shivers from top to bottom.

She moves her hands back down to the hem of my tee-shirt and begins to lift the shirt as high as she can go. I decide to give her a little help and duck down so that she is able to get the shirt over my shoulders and my head.

She throws the tee-shirt down to the ground and looks at me with pure lust. Her deep brown eyes are almost black and the stare she has on me is so intense. She steps forward and places a kiss right in the center of my chest and I just about die.

"Char, baby. If you keep this up and looking at me like you are I don't think we will ever make it into the tub."

"Riley? Would that be so bad?" She says in her raspy voice.

That fucking voice, it’s enough to send me straight over the edge. I need to cool down my jets, before I go nuts.

"Char, we need to enjoy this moment together. Get in the tub and I will be right in there after you."

She does as I say and turns her back to me. From this angle I can see her from behind. She unties the knot in her towel and the soft, fluffy whiteness falls to the ground.

I gasp as I see her body in its amazing beauty. She is flawless and I may just be lucky enough to have her as my girl.

Chapter 20

CHAR

My heart is racing in my chest. I am anxious and full of excitement for what is about to happen. Riley is here, with me, in my bathroom. He continues to surprise me with his spontaneity and I am in such awe of him. He has the willpower of an ox and wants to take things with us slow.

I am doing everything in my power to restrain myself from jumping this man, but I will respect his wishes and slow down the pace.

I can see the lust in his eyes and he wants this as much as I do, but for this moment we will enjoy some tub-time together.

I turn my back to him and drop my towel. I can hear his breath hitch and he lets out a small gasp. I am not one to strip in front of men; really the only other man who has ever seen me this bare was Marc.

I am willing to take chances with Riley because I want this to be right. I don't want to make the same mistakes I have in the past and with us things will be so much different.

I step my way over to the tub and slowly enter the warm bubbly water. Relaxation hits me hard and I turn my body so that I can see him.

Riley is just standing there facing the tub with his mouth wide open. He eyes are intently watching me as I wait for him to strip and get in the water.

"What are you waiting for?" I ask.

"God Char, you continue to amaze me. Every time I think we are about to move a step closer you take us a mile ahead. I never could’ve imagined I would be sharing a bath with you tonight. I am in awe of you."