Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Even after the third pinch of her own cheek and washing her face a second time with ice water, Charlie still couldn't convince herself that she wasn't delusional.

Staring at her pale and shocked reflection in the half bath where she had fled at the first opportunity he got, Charlie replayed in her mind all the unbelievable things that had happened in the last hour. It was true that she didn't care how little her father had left her in the inheritance, however unfair the division. However, when that idiot lawyer had told her that she couldn't get her hands on anything until she was 21 and that she would have to be at Samantha's mercy for an entire month, Charlie believed she was trapped in a nightmare. Her freedom seemed so close, and suddenly, she had completely disintegrated. The shock and despair were so intense that she was barely able to formulate an argument that made sense as she stammered pathetically at all those people who only wanted to harm her.

That was when, out of the blue, Morgan had asked her to marry him.

Of course, it hadn't exactly been a proposal, as she would only have been able to imagine in her most romantic dreams, but rather a clear statement that they were already engaged and about to become husband and wife.

Pinching herself for the fourth time, Charlie squeezed her eyes shut, trying to bring herself back to reality. Her deluded heart kept insisting on being delighted with the whole situation, but she needed to stop it as soon as possible. It would be idiotic to let herself be fooled by what had happened, believing that Morgan had done it motivated by some other feeling for her than friendship. Her motivation was pretty clear, even for a lovestruck fool like her. All he wanted was to fulfill his promise not to allow Samantha to harm her. And if it took becoming her husband for a year to do that, then apparently he was willing to pay the price.

Crossing her hands over her chest, Charlie applied pressure to her heart, wondering if she could manage to control the feeling that it was about to explode with so many conflicting feelings. Damn, being Morgan's wife sounded like a dream, but would it really be worth it when it was all just a sham? When she knew perfectly well that he didn't feel anything for her and never would? I mean, she didn't necessarily have to live with Samantha, right? The lawyers had made it clear that she might not be the legal adult to receive either inheritance, but she was free to decide for herself and stay with whoever she wanted. She could just accept Morgan's offer to get her an apartment and stay there for a year...

But then Samantha would win.

And just that simple idea had her hands clenching into fists in pure fury. It wasn't what she wanted. And certainly Morgan felt the same way, if he was really up for it.

God, what was she supposed to do…?

Leaning over the sink, Charlie pressed the tips of his fingers to his temples, hoping that the correct answer to her questions would magically come to him. However, as the minutes passed and nothing happened, she realized that she was alone to decide that. Her best way out was to act like an adult and talk to Morgan, so that together they could decide that this really was the best way out. So, with a resigned sigh, Charlie tried to collect herself as much as she could and started to shuffle towards the bathroom door, but the muffled sound of a couple of familiar voices caught her attention, stopping her on her way out.

“What were you thinking, Morgan?!" She heard Samantha growl, frustrated "How could you say something like that in front of the lawyers? Didn't you stop to think that now gossip can spread and everyone will start to think you're really involved with that brat? Honestly, this bluff of hers was ridiculous and too desperate..."

"I don't think you understand what I said in the office, Mrs. Manson." Morgan retorted, coldly "But don't worry, I can repeat. Charlie and I are in love and are getting married." He spoke each word slowly, as if he were talking to a child "And I, as her husband, will make sure that not a penny of the inheritance that Anthony left her is withheld."

"Weakly, Morgan, you can't be serious!" Samantha's voice now sounded a little more uncomposed "Are you going to waste an entire year pretending to marry that little girl just for that? Trust me..." the clear attempt at seduction in that sentence made Charlie's stomach turn "I'll take very good care of her this year, I guarantee..."

“We both know you're going to be too busy taking care of your money for that, Samantha." Morgan said “So don't worry about Charlie or what belongs to her anymore. As a husband, this will become my responsibility."

“Christ, you really are a stubborn man, aren't you?" despite the sentence, her stepmother's laughing voice made a shiver run down Charlie's spine and, discreetly, she opened the door a little, peeking at the place where the two were facing each other, right in front of the bathroom "You know, if you're doing all this to make sure you get some money from Anthony, even now that he's dead, you don't have to worry about that. I'll make sure you have everything you want..." still with that lewd smile, Samantha began to run her nails down his arm, inviting "Absolutely anything you want..."

Jaws set in rage, Charlie was ready to leap at her, but Morgan was quicker, grabbing her by the wrist and jerking her roughly away.

"I suggest you watch your behavior from now on, Mrs. Manson. I don't think it would be appropriate if other people found out that you're making advances to your stepdaughter's future husband."

“Oh, come on… If you really want to marry her, then go ahead." Samantha shrugged, before approaching again, this time wrapping her hands around the tie he wore, caressing the fabric "But we both know that a bland little girl like her won't be able to give you the satisfaction you deserve in bed. So... If you don't tell... I don't see why other people would suspect that you and I are close..." Her speech was cut off when Morgan pushed her away again, this time also taking a few steps back.

“Bold of you to believe that I would be attracted to you in any way you could." he snapped, his words sharper than blades. "And even more daring to compare yourself to Charlie, who is the most attractive woman I've ever met."

"Every farce has a limit, my dear." Samantha opened a forced smile, which looked more like a grimace "But keep saying that to yourself, if you really think you're going to believe it."

“I could spend years talking about her and how much I love her, believe me." His expression, though still a little angry, lit up, and even though he knew it was acting, for Charlie, there was something so intense there that it made every word seem real. Even though she lived for three years in a house where everyone mistreated and belittled her all the time, she managed to stand her ground and do her best to follow her dreams and do what she loves. "How could I not fall in love?" he questioned, making Charlie blush at her hiding. "Everything about her is charming. And not just in personality. Ever since she became an adult, I haven't been able to take my eyes off that body.".

"Oh, please…" Samantha snarled, looking offended, but Morgan quietly continued, as if he hadn't even heard her.

“Maybe people's disbelief in our relationship is my fault. In fact, I'm sure of it. For the longest time, I held back and pretended not to have feelings for Charlie, even around her. It took me a long time to get over the guilt I felt for seeing and wanting her as a woman instead of a good friend. But I didn't feel guilty because I thought loving her was a mistake." he snarled harshly. "You might not believe it, but despite the way you two treated Charlie, I really respected Anthony and didn't want to do anything he disapproved of. So for a long time I fought with myself, trying in vain not to fall in love, but it was useless." When he tilted his head slightly, Charlie's heart leapt at the sight of the sweet smile on his face. "I love her and will probably always love her. I want her to be my wife, my best friend, my lover and my everything until death do us part. And beyond, even."

“Oh, sure…” her stepmother laughed, full of scorn. “Let's see if you keep saying that after the first night."

"Well, I'm not indecent to you, Mrs. Manson…” His smile turned sly. “But let's just say that the day I finally hold Charlie in my arms, I don't think I'll ever even notice another woman exists again."

"So the brat is still a virgin?" Samantha's evil laugh almost made Charlie strangle her at that exact moment "Good luck with that. At the very least, she's going to jump out of a window on your wedding night or want to tuck ten dogs into bed with you. You really are a holy man, Morgan. But remember..." Approaching him once more, without seeming to give up even after all, Samantha ran her nails along his cheek "Even the most faithful of men can only take so much. So when you're finally done with the frigid little girl, I'll be here, waiting for you..."

"Remove your hands from him!" Charlie exploded, running from where she was hiding behind the door to put herself between the two, staring at Samantha with fury "If I see you near my future husband again, I swear I will give you the slap you always deserved!"

“Oh, but look at the bravery." Samantha sneered, measuring her up and down "Is this all because you think you're finally going to have everything you've ever wanted? Oh please, Charlotte, you can't really believe what he said about you is true, can you?"

“I'll say it again: either you stay away from him or you'll regret it." Charlie uttered each word with a snarl "And I think you better listen to me, if you don't want me to ask for a new analysis of the will and end up leaving you without what you love most: money."

“You wouldn't dare." Samantha finally seemed to bother, narrowing her eyes at her "Did you not notice, after everything that happened today? You have no right to anything that was your father's!"

"Yet." Charlie corrected her, opening a small victorious smile "But that will change in a year. And make no mistake, Samantha. The only reason this whole situation worked only for you is because my father was a miser and all those lawyers were on his side. So if you don't want other lawyers to reveal what they have to say about a will that benefits so little the only daughter of a millionaire by blood, then I suggest you don't approach, don't talk or even think about me and Morgan again." She threatened her firmly, pointing her finger in front of her face.

"Do you really think Morgan will always be there for you to protect you?" Samantha smiled dangerously, raising an eyebrow, despite looking like she wanted to slap Charlie "Just wait for the end of the first month of your fake marriage, honey. So let's see whose bed he's going to be in."

"I know he will always be by my side, Samantha. But I don't need Morgan to defend me, I can do it myself." Charlie replied, placing a hand on Morgan's chest, to prevent him from returning to argue with Samantha, as he seemed about to do "And, as for the wedding ..." Reaching out, she grabbed his tie firmly "Just tell me if this looks fake to you..."

Saying that, she pulled him to her, pressing her mouth to his before Morgan, or even herself, could realize what was happening.

For three whole years, she had dreamed about what it would be like to kiss him, but nothing could have prepared her for the moment when their mouths met. In the first second, upon realizing that he was completely frozen, Charlie panicked for a moment, but then a bold little voice in her mind urged her to continue and make the most of the first, and perhaps only, kiss they would ever share. So she moved her lips over his, however awkwardly, eager to memorize the taste of her and the burning sensation of touching his lips before Morgan recovered from her shock and pulled her away.

However, in the next second, he was the one who left her in shock, grabbing her waist with firm hands and pulling her to him at once, while plunging his tongue deep in her mouth, making them both moan. Even though his arms already provided her with all the support she needed, Charlie still wrapped his arms around her neck, trying to pull him closer, even though it was physically impossible. Pushing her tongue against his, Charlie ran her hands everywhere on his body she could reach, making the most of the feel of his firm arm muscles over her fingertips, his taut back and hard chest crushing her aroused breasts. Uncertain of the intense, burning sensation that was starting to overwhelm her body, making her skin crawl and the spot between her legs begin to dampen, Charlie pressed her thighs together tightly. That, however, didn't seem to go unnoticed by Morgan, who made her moan loudly as he placed both hands on her ass in that sudden way again, as if he couldn't wait to touch her, and squeezed her hard and pressed her hips together. against his until she could feel...