Relinquish(22)

There’s something about Charlie, something I can’t seem to rein in. The way she tries to act so bold, yet her weakness shows with every flush of her cheeks and tremble of her lips. I’m losing control, showing emotion that doesn’t need to be revealed. I shake my head and open my eyes. Vegas. This is my city. I run this place, and everyone knows it.

I run the pad of my finger over my swollen lips. Charlie. The way my body pulls toward her - it’s a f*cking mystery. When I saw those punks manhandling her, I could have easily snapped their necks. The look of despair on Charlie’s face tore my cold heart in two. I close my eyes, irritated. The way I’m reacting is ridiculous.

“Get a f*cking hold of yourself,” I chastise. It’s a f*cking woman, a girl. I shake my head. I just need to f*ck her out of my system and get on with my life.

I replace my hand on the banister, my fingers choking it. I’ve had girls I wanted to f*ck badly before in the past, and none of them compared to the ache I have in my dick, the burning in my chest I have right now. Looking at Charlie, she can’t be more than eighteen or nineteen, yet she manages to have me at my knees. I need to get out of here before I do something I can’t undo.

“Why do I feel so drawn to you, Charlie?” I whisper to myself.





CHARLIE


I put the shower on hot, hoping to wash any trace of Chasen and his f*cking friends off me. Taking the soap between my legs, I notice bruising blemishing my skin.

“Damn,” I whisper, running my hand over the tender black and blue spots like they might magically wash away. I shake my head and continue to wash my body with the lavender-scented soap.

Closing my eyes, all I can think about is how Landon swooped in and saved me tonight. The way my body wants him, even if my mind can’t comprehend why. Ever since the day I bumped into him, I’ve been at a loss of the way I respond to him. It’s not like anything I’ve ever known. My need for him is animalistic. There’s a strong possibility that Landon might use me just like Chasen, but at least this time, it’ll be on my own terms.

“Landon…” escapes my mouth as I run my hands down my stomach, but stop myself from exploring any further. I turn the water off, having enough of this torture. Screw what’s right.

I throw the shower door open and stare at the white towel sitting on the counter, contemplating if I should do what my body’s telling me to do. When I’m around Landon, it’s the first time I feel like I maybe have someone I can connect with and understand the real me. He’s the first man who’s looked my way and caused sparks to ignite from just a simple glance. It’s an out-of-body experience. Regardless of whether my naive heart can handle the repercussions of what I’m about to do, my body can’t handle the ‘what if’ if I walk away.

I step out slowly and walk past the towel, leaving the glass shower, and extravagant bathroom that matches the rest of the hotel room.

A trail of wet footprints follows me. I find Landon out on the balcony, his hands resting on the railing as he looks out. His shoulders are tense, his posture calculated and confident. My body begins to tremble, and a rush of insecurity rockets through me.

“Landon,” I mutter seductively, but my voice cracks, giving away my vulnerability. What if he turns me down again? The thought of rejection has a trail of sweat spreading down my back.

He turns, and his mouth parts with surprise. He quickly masks his emotions, and his chest lifts as he takes in a steady breath. His eyes go heavy as they take in my naked form. But the pulsing in my lower half has me tossing my wet hair over my shoulder and striding toward him.

I slide my hand up his chest, soaking his shirt with my wet hand. The small contact causes a delicious ache at the apex of my thighs. I notice his chest rise as he inhales deeply, his nostrils flaring as he watches me.

“I affect you,” I rasp bravely, repeating the accusations he fed me at the bar. I peer up from under my wet lashes. Landon grabs my wrist roughly, stopping my hand from exploring his hard chest any further. Instantly, my stomach falls.

“You’re drunk.” His eyebrows narrow. The wind rushes from my chest at his harsh tone, and I pull from his grip with force.

“I’m not drunk. Tipsy, yes, but not to the point I don’t know what I’m doing.” I lift my head in confidence and stand on my tiptoes. “Your body can’t lie to me, Landon,” I whisper into his ear, flicking my tongue against his earlobe, pushing him.

He grabs hold of my waist and plows me backward into the wall surrounding the doorway. The abrasive scratch from the brick stings my backside from the blunt force. My body bolts with a trace of excitement that he’s giving in.

Landon leans down so his eyes are level with mine. His stare is hard, and his face is clenched with anger. His thumbs caress circles over my hips as he takes his eyes from mine and down my body. The tender touch from his hands contradicts the ferocity in his eyes. My skin grows goose bumps, even with the heat of the night. The scrutiny of his stare causes me to shift on my feet and look away.

“Is this what you want, Charlie? You want me to treat you like a whore?” His voice is deep. One of his hands leaves my hips, a finger trailing right below my belly button. “I could bend you over that balcony, grab you by the hair and treat you like you want me to. Prove to your subconscious I am the bad guy you think I am, that you hope I am.”