Chapter 27

Grace

A few days passed since we went through the pack and company set up. I couldn’t believe how few changes I had to make to free up enough money to pay for some of the debts. I might be able to keep that five hundred million that was free and clear from Charles as working capital.

Once again, I woke up rested and ready for the day.

The early morning sun cast a soft glow over the tranquil landscape outside my window. Rays of light danced across the dew-kissed grass, painting a scene of serenity that contrasted the storm of thoughts swirling within me. I walked to the window and looked down. My mouth went dry and my whole body felt like I was boiling.

In the midst of this tranquil setting, Charles was a force of nature, his powerful form cutting through the morning air with each stride.

I bit my lip, watching him and wishing I was on the ground floor. He was running with an effortless grace that seemed to defy the laws of nature. My gaze traced the contours of his form, the play of muscles beneath his skin, and the subtle sheen of sweat that glistened in the sunlight.

I quickly realized that I was indulging in a sight that demanded my attention far more than I was comfortable admitting.

Memories of the heat of his body against mine flashed through my mind. I was already wet. My body was aching for release. I glanced at the clock. I still had time. Cecil wouldn’t be awake just yet, and Charles had probably already fed Richard if he’d woken up early.

I went to my bedside table, my fingers closed around the smooth surface of my trusted vibrator. My gut churned with anticipation as I threw myself onto the bed and struggled out of my underwear, bunching my sleeping gown up to my ribs. I was feverish and desperate. I slowly turned it on, biting my lip to muffle the soft whimper that escaped me. It was like all the desire I’d had that night was rushing through me, built up since then and intensified. The strength of his character, the warm, rough cadence of his voice. As I lay back, I closed off the sound of the world and focused on his voice in my mind, calling my name.

The feeling of his hands on my skin. I followed it with my own, pinching my nipple as the vibrations grew more intense, but it wasn’t enough. I worked the vibrator back and forth, reaching and reaching for release, but I couldn’t reach it. The subtle hum of pleasure filling me, buzzing in my room wasn’t enough. I cursed throwing the vibrator aside and working myself over with my fingers. I turned to bite into my pillow as I pushed my fingers into my tight, wet heat. The pleasure made me shudder. I thrust my hand frantically, imagining what it would have been if I had let him just have me on that couch before damning myself to not having him at all.

I could feel his mouth slipping down my chest, heading down. I choked on the sharp, almost painful orgasm that ripped through me as I added a third finger.

The orgasm faded slowly. The world came back to me slowly.

Then, I heard Richard crying.

I threw myself out of bed and rushed down the hall. Richard’s cries grew louder with every step.

When I got through the door, I saw him. Charles was there. His sweaty and musky scent filled the air. This close, I could see the sweat snaking down from his hair and how his running clothe clung to his body. He exuded a raw masculinity that was impossible to ignore. My pulse quickened as he went stiff and turned around slowly. His nose flared and his gaze dragged over me, burning bright, bloody red. Charles' gaze met mine, and his eyes held a knowing glint. The space between us was charged with unspoken desires, a tension that seemed to hang in the air, waiting for the inevitable moment when it would reach its breaking point.

Now? Would he put Richard down and pull me into a room and pick up where we left off? I couldn’t say if I wanted him to break his word or not.

"I've got Richard," he said. His voice was rough and low, nearly a growl. He looked like he was barely holding himself in place. "You take a moment to… clean up.”

I shook my head. “He’s my son, I—“

Charles grabbed my wrist gently but firmly as he looked down at me. I blinked at him and tried to pull away. His grip on my hand tightened ever so slightly, a gesture that sent a jolt of electricity through me. His proximity was intoxicating, and my heart thudded in response.

He growled and brought my hand to his mouth. My face went bright red as I realized that my hand was still slick from my orgasm.

I stood there, momentarily frozen. “Oh—“

I broke off at the low rumbling sound as he licked my fingers, sucking each of them into his mouth. The warm rasp of his tongue on my fingertips made me shudder. The pleasure and desire started to burn in me again.

He drew back.

“Go get cleaned up before I completely lose it.”

Then, he released me. I turned and scurried out. My heart pumping as I rushed back to my room and closed the door. I wanted to resist, to not fall into the temptation again, but no sooner had I reached my bathroom, I couldn’t help it. My hand was between my legs, and the other was covering my mouth. My legs were barely holding me up as I worked myself over frantically, shuddering as my fingers still tingled from the rasp of his tongue and what it would feel like thrusting into me the way he had all but promised that night in his hotel room. I could see him looking up at me with that hungry gaze as if he would eat me alive given half the chance.

Yes. Fuck, yes, I wanted it. I wanted it so badly.

I came again, trying not to slip and fall in the shower. Embarrassment washed through me. If Charles had to come help me in the shower, there was no way we were going to stay platonic in any way, shape, or form.

Soon enough, I was weak-kneed and standing under the tepid water trying to douse the heat in my body. The cool tiles beneath my fingertips and the sound of running water were grounding me as I took deep breaths, willing my racing heart to calm down, determined not to let my emotions spiral out of control.

No. Desire. Lust. Need like I had never known. What was happening to me?

I couldn’t say how long I was in the shower, but the longer I was in there the more ridiculous I found the situation. I didn’t realize that one man could turn me into a horny teenager again. No, worse. This was definitely worse. My cheeks still burned with embarrassment because even though I showered, there was no way he didn’t know what I’d done. I dried off and changed. With a final deep breath, I emerged from the bathroom before heading back to Richard’s room. Charles was still there, feeding Richard now a different formula that had Richard drinking greedily.

“Yeah?” Charles asked, his voice soft and sweet. “I know. Wait until you taste the cereal. It’s going to blow your mind. I might have to buy your sister stock in the company.”

As I approached, Charles turned to meet my gaze.

He seemed to understand the impact he had on me. His eyes drifted over me again, hungrily, maybe imagining what I’d been doing in my nearly fifty-minute shower. His clenched jaw and tense posture revealed his own struggle. He was turned away enough that I couldn’t see the bulge in his running shorts, but I knew it was there. The air crackled with a palpable tension, the unspoken attraction threatening to bridge the gap between us.

He handed Richard to me, a simple gesture that held a world of complexity. Richard's contented expression was a distraction a bit. Charles' eyes bore into mine, his unspoken promise hanging heavy between us.

Eventually, his eyes promise. Until you can’t handle anymore.

“Y-Yes.”

Not a question, an answer. A statement like I was giving him permission to say to hell with my stupid business-only rule and put us both out of this misery.

He grunted, and his eyes glowed bright red.

"I'm going for another run," he said, his voice husky with a mix of determination and restraint. "Before I break my word."

My heart raced as he retreated, leaving me with Richard in my arms and a cascade of emotions to sort through. Richard babbled up at me, grinning at me and rumbling. I smiled at him.

“So glad you’ve had a stress-free morning.”