Seduce Me (Austin Singles 1)

Somehow I was able to finish—probably because I simply closed my eyes and tuned the cat out—and then we dragged our exhausted bodies to her bedroom where Charlie quickly drifted off.

Charlie’s sleeping body was snuggled up against mine. My arm draped over her side as I stared out over the night sky of downtown Austin.

There were so many things running through my mind. My father, our conversation. The idea that he thought he could explain his cheating-ass ways to me. Charlie’s little plan to seduce me, the feelings I had for her. My head was in a fucking fog, and I didn’t know what to do about any of it.

“Tucker,” Charlie said above a whisper.

“Yeah?”

Silence.

When I leaned in closer, Charlie let out a muffled groan. “Please … don’t … don’t go!”

I swallowed hard, my heart beating faster. What in the fuck?

“Don’t leave … I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Frozen, I tried to say something, but nothing would come out of my mouth. My body couldn’t move, and I dreaded what was going to come out of her mouth next.

“Tucker.”

My name was barely a whisper. If I hadn’t been tuned into her, I would have missed it.

“Charlie,” I softly said when I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Baby, wake up.”

Sitting up quickly, Charlie grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around her chest. She was breathing heavy when she turned and looked at me.

“Tucker?”

Placing my hand on her cheek, I asked, “Hey, are you okay? Were you dreaming?”

She looked confused, her gaze darting from me to the bed, back to me again.

“I guess. I, um … I had a bad dream.”

Her eyes looked full of fear, her face filled with a boatload of regret.

“Want to tell me about it?”

When her expression turned solemn, I knew my answer.

“No,” she said sharply before getting out of the bed and making her way to the bathroom.

I sat there, trying to decide if I should follow her or not. With a heavy sigh, I got out of the bed and went after her.

The door creaked open, and I watched as Charlie splashed her face with cold water. Her eyes finally met mine in the mirror.

My breath caught in my throat at the look she gave me.

Goddamn it, Charlie. Just tell me. Please just tell me.

She slowly turned to face me. Her chin quivered and her mouth opened.

Come on, baby. Come. On.

The look of pain on her face nearly killed me. I rushed over to her, cupped her face in my hands, and brushed my lips over hers.

“Talk to me, Charleston.”