Chapter 22: Chapter 22

“And then you showed up in just your bra and panties in front of him? On purpose?" Vivian asked, in the middle of a laugh.

“And worst of all, he didn't even do anything. “ Charlie sighed, frustrated, as she finished filing the exams they had done on the animals, that long day of work.

“Now, don't be so pessimistic. “ Vivian consoled her, still out of breath from laughing so much “You're getting married, after all. There will be many more opportunities for you to tease him. I'm sure that, in one of them, he'll end up giving in." Her friend promised, ducking her head to finish taking notes for the day.

“Honestly, I'm starting to doubt if this is really going to happen. “ she sighed sadly, leaning over the table so she could put her chin between her arms “ Before, I thought that all I needed was for him to want me back, then everything would be resolved between us. It was so simple...! But now it is very clear that it is not. No matter how much I tease him and show off to him, he insists on running away from me and pretending he only sees me as a friend he needs to protect."

“Then why not take the initiative?" Her friend questioned her, raising an eyebrow “Why don't you tell him that you love him at once and propose that you turn this fake marriage into a real relationship?"

“Because I know Morgan better than anyone. “ Charlie exhaled, frustrated “ If this was going to have any effect, I would have done it already, but I know exactly how he's going to react. He'll start saying this isn't right and apologize for giving me the wrong idea about how he felt about me. “ she whimpered, just imagining the scene “Honestly, sometimes I feel like slapping him for being so straight."

" I know how it is." To her surprise, Vivian chuckled, though she seemed lost in her own thoughts. “You know, when Oliver and I met, it was through my brother. He and Oliver were best friends and I fell in love right away. And so did he, though I didn't realize it at the time. “ she smirked “ But, it was years and years before he finally accepted one of my advances and he only did it because we were very drunk, at a mutual friend's wedding party. After a while, he finally confessed to me that the only reason he hadn't asked me to date before was because he was afraid of making my brother mad and ending up losing both the friendship and the chance he had with me. Don't tell him this, but the truth is, I didn't even want anything serious at the time, just losing my virginity to the first guy that really made me want to get laid. “Vivian whispered, making Charlie laugh as she imagined the desolate face poor, romantic Oliver would make if she heard that.” But it didn't take long for him to convince me otherwise. Who knew that, so many years later, here we would be. Not only still together, but also married." Her friend smiled at the ring on her left hand for a while, until she seemed to realize that Charlie was still there "Oh, sorry. We were talking about you, not me and my husband..."

" Is playing? This is the best conversation we could ever have!" Excited, Charlie moved her feet to the floor, sliding the rolling chair she was sitting in closer to Vivian “ I mean, you also dealt with a hard-headed man who was refusing to admit how he felt about you, didn't you? ? And how did you manage to beat him? How did you convince him that this crazy notion of right and wrong was totally stupid?"

“ Well, I think the most pertinent advice I can give you is:" Vivian gave a dramatic pause, while Charlie stared at her without even blinking, full of expectation “ When it comes to winning over a stubborn man, you have to be more stubborn and pushy than he! If Morgan is anything like Oliver, then being too direct with him now will scare him off and cause him to start running away from you. The bright side is that one of his weaknesses you've already discovered. Be patient and cautious, but keep teasing him at every new opportunity you get until he can't take it anymore. Tear down each of the walls he's built around himself, one by one." Her best friend blinked, meanly "Believe me, the time will come when the poor man will break, just like Oliver."

" I really hope so. “ Charlie sighed, head down “I've waited three long years for an opportunity to be with him and even thought about giving up completely, just before I realized for the first time that he wanted me too. Now, more than ever, I feel like I'm going to go crazy! “ she grunted, rubbing her eyes “What do I need to do to get him to finally admit he wants to fuck me too anyway?

“But, Charlie…” Vivian looked unsure wondered what he was going to say next, but even so, he added, “You know that sleeping with him doesn't necessarily mean you're going to have a lasting relationship after that, right? I mean, I know Morgan is a great guy, but just because he got turned on after kissing you doesn't mean his feelings are... Well..."

“That he loves me? “ Charlie finished the sentence for her, with a sad smile “ Don't worry, I know. And not lying to you, chances are I'm going to break my heart in the middle of it all, but... I just couldn't live wondering what would have happened if I'd tried to have him for myself, even if it was just in bed. “ she admitted, shyly “ He's too special for me and I'm afraid of losing him, of course, but... I want to believe that I'm strong enough to be a mature woman and continue our friendship, if in the future he tell me you don't want to have anything serious with me."

“You're braver than half the people I know, Charlie. “ Vivian smiled, understanding “ From the bottom of my heart, I hope things work out well for you two. With luck, that determination of yours will melt Morgan's stubbornness, even if it's a little bit. Now, if I may give you one more piece of advice... " she began to whisper, getting even closer to Charlie "Maybe knowing how to manipulate certain situations in your favor can make things happen a little faster."

“Manipulate?" Charlie repeated, confused “What do you mean?"

“Well, now that you two have to live together for a whole year, I imagine there will be plenty of opportunities where you can nudge Morgan in the right direction...” Vivian winked “It's up to you to identify those. situations and know how you can turn them into a chance to make him crazy about you. For example…” she paused for a moment, deep in thought, until her eyes widened in wonder “Oh, that would be a great idea!"

" What? “ Charlie asked anxiously “ What did you think?"

“ On a plan that could give you a golden chance! “ Vivian rubbed her hands together, looking extremely pleased with herself “Listen..."

As Vivian told him about the details of her idea and what Charlie could accomplish if it was executed well, her stomach tightened with a mixture of dread and anticipation. On the one hand, there was a strong possibility that Morgan would discover what the two of them had done and be furious with her for the first time in his life. Of course, he had never been rude or even raised his voice at her, but Charlie had seen that movie before. Her babysitters, some of her teachers, and even her grandfather used to be a pit of patience, until she finally made a decision foolish and thoughtless enough to make them explode. She wanted to push Morgan to her limits, it was true, but not in a negative way...

On the other hand... If they were really successful... Then she could achieve something fantastic again... And, that she knew that he wanted her too, it was likely that even a kiss could happen between the two...

So it was with memories of their only kiss in mind that Charlie agreed with Vivian's plan and pulled out his cell phone to give her all the necessary data. Fortunately, it took much less time than she expected for her friend to be able to make a call and carry out their plan.

“ So... Is it done?" Charlie swallowed when Vivian finally hung up.

“Don't make that face. “ she laughed at her nervousness “ We didn't even do something very serious. I doubt Morgan will find out. And if he finds out, he won't be mad at you. I don't think he can."

“I hope so…” Charlie bit her lip, still uncertain despite Vivian's words “I want to be bold, but I also don't want him to be mad at me…"

“Sometimes it's good to make them a little mad. “ Vivian nudged her, wiggling her eyebrows slyly “It makes them a little wilder in bed, if you know what I mean."

“I would give anything to understand." she wailed, remembering how much she had wanted him to step forward and strip her naked after she had appeared before him in her underwear the day before “ Honestly, I think my biggest fear lately has been Been dying a virgin."

" Don't worry about that. “ Vivian laughed. “You are very beautiful, Charlie. There will be no shortage of interested people to present you with one of the best things in life. Just remember: always use a condom!"

“But what the hell are you two talking about?!"

Nearly falling out of her chair, Charlie spun around to find Morgan standing in the doorway of Vivian's office, an expression of horror and revolt distorting her pretty face.

“Uh... At what part exactly did you start listening to our conversation?" Charlie asked hesitantly, afraid that her plan had already been discovered before even if it was actually put into practice.

“When Vivian was saying something absurd about men going wild in bed." Morgan snarled, angry, even though he was only staring at her friend “Is this the kind of thing you talk to a girl of only 20 years old, Vivian?"

“ In the first place, you're the one who should be feeling guilty after overhearing a private conversation. “ Vivian snapped, not intimacy at all “ Second, Morgan, I don't know if you know, but when a man sleeps with a woman, she also has the right to talk about what happened to her friends, if she wants to."

“ When a woman what...?" he gasped, indignant, but Charlie made a point of interrupting him defiantly.

“And, in case you haven't noticed, Morgan, I'm not just a 20-year-old girl. “ she smiled smugly “ In fact, you'd be surprised what women my age do these days..."

“But you never did. “ he argued, wide-eyed, almost as if he was begging her to agree with him.

“But I will one day. “ she crossed her arms over her chest, huffing “I'm not a saint and, I don't know if you heard this part, but I don't plan on dying a virgin either."

“Can you guys take this conversation somewhere else? “Vivian asked suddenly, although her expression made it clear that she was having a great time“ There are some guinea pigs sleeping in the cage on top of the counter and I'm afraid that language will corrupt their innocence."

“You're right, I'm done with my shift for today. “ Charlie agreed, turning to face Morgan, who still looked bewildered as she had just said “And, in case you're done with your purity watchdog moment as well, can we get going? Or maybe he had a chastity belt in the car to put on me. If yes, go soon! I still haven't finished packing my bag for tomorrow."

With that said, she left Vivian's office, not even needing to look back to know that Morgan was following her out of the shelter, until she was forced to stop beside his car.

“Charlie…” he started to say, when he finally reached her, but she just waited for the moment when he deactivated the alarm so she could get into the passenger seat, not giving him much attention.

“Can you hurry up?" was all she asked him, feigning indifference, when he got into the car through the driver's door.

“Listen, Charlie, I'm sorry I was rude. “ he sighed heavily, looking genuinely regretful “ When we get back from our trip, I will also apologize to Vivian, but hearing you two talking about this kind of subject has me worried. I mean, I understand that, as a young woman, you feel... things, like most human beings. “ he amended, looking embarrassed “ But casual sex is more complicated than it seems and I'm afraid you take chances on that kind of thing. And I'm not just talking about your body and your health, but also your feelings..."

“ And why would something casual be complicated? “ she asked skeptically, growing more and more irritated with that sex education lecture he seemed determined to give her “ I thought the name itself indicated that it was just come and go."

“Because… Because…” he opened and closed his mouth several times, and Charlie was deeply satisfied to realize that she had left him speechless. “Why, because I know how men are, that's why! “ he exclaimed at last, so frustrated he almost sounded irritated “That's all you need to know."

“Well, with that I can agree. I'm already 20 years old. It's past time I finally figured out what men are like…” she commented, feigning indifference, though she was churning inside, reveling in the strange satisfaction she felt in bothering him with that subject.

" What are you talking about?! “ he gasped, his green eyes more intense than usual “We're going to be married, have you forgotten?"

“And weren't you the one who said this marriage was nothing but a farce? “ she reminded him, smirking “ In theory, I am a free woman."

In glee, she watched Morgan's expression turn livid, even though he remained silent, probably not knowing how to respond yet again. Finally, after taking several deep breaths, he just turned his attention to the front and started the car.

“Charlie, if you value our friendship, then I beg you, please…” he spoke slowly, in a husky, cold voice that, instead of frightening her, just made her want to rub her thighs together. "Don't get involved with anyone while we're together, even if it's just a lie, okay?"

“And what will you do if I disobey you? “ she couldn't resist asking, her voice almost breathy with anticipation.

She watched his hands gripping the steering wheel so hard it looked like they were about to break it, while the veins that started in his torso and ran up his arm became even more pronounced. As for her face, she watched him clench his teeth with such violence as to make noise, before slowly turning his head to look at her. And the dangerous, hungry gleam she saw in his dilated eyes had her panties soaking wet, especially when she had the impression that, as he studied her up and down, his attention was fixed specifically on her breasts, her ass and her mouth, for longer than necessary.

“Let's go home, Charlotte. “ he finally replied, breaking the silence “ I think this conversation has gone too far."

“You're not even going to explain to me what's so bad about me finding a boyfriend?" She insisted, even though she felt she shouldn't, not wanting that wild glow to leave his face.

“Firstly, because it would be very irresponsible of you to do this when we should be playing the role of happily married newlyweds, as Samantha would surely find out and would be keen to use this against us as proof that our marriage was a sham. “ Charlie felt like whimpering with excitement as he looked at her again, in that indescribable way. “And secondly, I don't think you'd want to see me in jail for killing some kid stupid enough to touch you. Now, do us both a favor and forget about all other men…" he practically begged, though his tone was still hard, "Before I lose control."

“And, just out of curiosity…” she muttered, under her breath, making him grunt “What would happen if you lost control?"

“All I can say, Charlotte…” he snarled, not meeting her eyes as he gripped the steering wheel even harder, something Charlie didn't even know was possible. "It's just that you will certainly regret not listening to my requests..."

“We shall see, Mr. Sullivan..." Charlie smiled, knowing she had teased him enough for one day, but that there would be a lot of work to do, when they landed in Las Vegas "We'll see... "