Chapter 21: Chapter 21

"Why?" She cocked her head to the side as she asked, innocently, "I'm so comfortable like this. I used to be dressed like this all the time when I was in my room."

"B-but that doesn't apply here...!" He pressed a hand to his chest, seriously worried he was going to have a heart attack if she continued to lean across the table to pick up the sandwich like that, making a large part of her breasts escape the protection of her bra. "You don't live alone anymore and it's not appropriate for this kind of thing to happen. I mean, think how embarrassed you would feel if I started walking around the house in my underwear, for example..." he tried to joke to relieve some of the tension he felt, even though he knew it was impossible.

To his surprise, Charlie paused for a moment, as if she were thinking seriously about what he'd said, until a mysterious, almost satisfied smile made her expression light up.

“As long as you're comfortable, I don't mind." she stated, straightening up and taking a bite of her sandwich.

"W-well, I'd feel more comfortable if you put on some clothes..." He finally managed enough willpower to turn his face away, pulling his gaze away from her body before the urge to tear those rags away from your body became too intense "So would you please put on a sweatshirt or something?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that her cheeks puffed out, as if she was irritated by her request, but that expression soon disappeared as she tilted her head towards him a little, then went completely still. Confused, he thought he saw her bite her lip and squeeze her thighs together for a second, but there was no way to be sure when his neck was turned nearly one hundred and eighty degrees away from her.

“Okay, if that'll make you feel better." she finally agreed, her happy voice letting him know that she was in a very good mood right now, for some inexplicable reason.

Even though he knew he shouldn't, Morgan couldn't resist watching her leave the kitchen, the lace covering her round ass making her look even more desirable. Maybe he could find a good enough excuse to get his hands on her again... Maybe while helping her take care of Sawyer or while passing her in the hall...

Regaining a sense of reality in the next moment, he checked that he was still all alone before patting his own face lightly, wondering what kind of power it was that desire had, to have turned him into that kind of man. And guilt whipped his mind even harder when, as he felt an unmistakable tightening in his stomach, he realized, without even looking, that his cock was in full swing, stretching the fabric of his pants almost to the point of bursting his fly.

Placing his hands over his flushed face, Morgan prayed that Charlie hadn't noticed his state. It was enough of the embarrassment he'd been through the day before, when even the cool night air and the conversation they'd had in the car hadn't been enough to calm the furious arousal he'd been feeling after kissing her. He hadn't even had the nerve to speak to her about that incident and, frankly, he was deeply grateful that Charlie herself hadn't said anything about it, either. It was best for both of them that they forget it had happened anyway.

That way, he could pretend that was the only time her body had reacted to her that way.

After a while, he was already sitting at the table, with a sandwich in his hands, when, with a sigh of relief, he saw Charlie enter the kitchen again, this time wearing a flannel shirt and sweatpants, the kind of clothes comfortable that he was used to seeing her. That day, however, he felt even more grateful to that outfit, as it was hiding the tempting curves of that body as much as possible, which, he knew very well, would come to haunt him during his sleep that night. And for the rest of your life, probably.

"You're such a prude…" Charlie complained as he leaned across the table to steal the sandwich he had with him, taking a big irritated bite.

"Call it what you like, but I don't think it's right for a young woman like you to be so vulnerable in front of a man…" he stammered restlessly. the idea that you can do this somewhere else, just because you think it's normal, and end up encountering some danger... "Wait..." he choked out, as an equally terrifying and infuriating idea rose in his mind. "You didn't that in front of no one else, did you?"

"And who else do I trust so much, besides you?" Charlie laughed, seeming not to realize the intensity of what he was feeling at that moment.

“I'm serious, Charlie." he growled, trying to control the murderous rage that threatened to overwhelm him at the mere thought of another man having the privilege of seeing her nearly naked. "Promise me you'll never do something like that again."

"Well...let's think..." She cocked her head to the side, not giving an immediate answer, which ignited his fury even further.

“Charlotte…” he growled her full name, even though it only made her laugh.

“It's okay, Morgan. It was just a moment of inattention, because I feel very comfortable around you. Of course I've never done that sort of thing in front of anyone else, especially a man."

"And you never will." he completed, categorical, making her roll her eyes.

"Why don't we forget about that and talk about more important things?" She waved her hand in the air, dismissing the subject "Did the airline confirm the tickets?"

“Yes, it's all settled." he assured, happy with himself for having managed to prepare that trip so quickly "We'll leave here in two days, in the morning and arrive there in the beginning of the afternoon. I've already researched some twenty-four hour chapels near the hotel, so I'd venture to say we'll get a certificate in about two hours when we're in Las Vegas."

"And we're going back the same day?" she asked fearfully. "I mean, I've never been to Las Vegas and I've never traveled with you, so... I don't know, I thought it would be nice to hang out with you a bit and see the city..." she admitted, looking sheepish.

“Unfortunately, I need to take the official certificate to Samantha's lawyers to make sure they can't challenge my right to be the legal guardian of her estate." he lamented, sad for not being able to make that trip special enough, as Charlie deserved "But, I promise that we can go back there as many times as you want, when everything is resolved."

"That sounds good." She opened a crestfallen smile, which did not last long.

“What's bothering you?" he asked, pulling the hand that was over his so he could stroke it comfortingly. "Tell me. Whatever it is, we'll solve it together. Is it the wedding? You are having doubts...?"

"No!" she replied immediately "It's not that. It's just... Last night, before I went to sleep... I couldn't help thinking that I wish my grandfather could be with us. I mean, of course I know it's not a real marriage..." Her jaw clenched a little, as if something was bothering her, "But I wish he could meet you and walk me down the aisle, despite everything..." she broke off suddenly, giving a shy smile "It's a ridiculous feeling, isn't it?"

“Of course not, Charlie." he consoled her, touched "And you don't know how sorry I am for your mother and grandfather not being able to be by your side in two days... Honestly, I'm sorry that even Anthony is no longer here, even though I don't know whether his reaction would be good." Morgan sighed. "But if it's any consolation to you, as long as you keep thinking of them with such love, they'll always be with you, no matter where you go." He smiled, making a little sniffle.

"Thanks." She hesitated for a moment, before finally completing "I also really wish your mother could be here."

“She would have loved you, believe me. he stated, trying not to let the longing stinging her chest make his voice shaky." he chose to complete, feeling that there was something wrong with mentioning that it would be a fake wedding, especially in the middle of that sweet moment the two were having "She would make a point of cooking a cake and an entire buffet for us and she certainly wouldn't settle for it. with the fact that there won't be a huge party." He laughed sadly, overcome by memories "She was the type of person who was not content to do anything but the best possible, no matter what the situation. Gods..." he swallowed hard. "Sometimes I can't believe it's been so long since she's been gone..."

But he didn't have time to complete that melancholy thought, for he suddenly found himself with his face pressed against Charlie's breasts as she hugged him tightly.

“She's always with you too." was all she told him, seeming to be feeling his suffering as if it were her own. "Never doubt that."

“Thanks, Charlie." Even though he knew they were in a dangerous position and that his instincts could betray him at any moment, Morgan allowed himself to hug her back, wrapping his arms gently around her waist, careful not to succumb to the urge to press on. her cheek further into the soft rise of Charlie's chest. "I know."

"Now come on, it's time to eat." she encouraged him, offering him one of the bright smiles that had the power to make his day completely better "We still have a million boxes to pack and I'm going to need a lot of energy."

Taking him by surprise yet again, however, instead of going back to her chair, Charlie sat comfortably in his lap, starting to eat her sandwich again shortly thereafter, totally oblivious to the fact that she was literally fighting with herself to stop herself. of grabbing her chin and kissing her then and there as he slipped his hands inside her clothes and found out if she was still wearing that damn cotton and lace outfit.

God help him to keep himself under control in the months to come...