"This will be good right?" I look into her eyes and hope to find the answer I need to know.
She nods with a smile on her face. "You have to believe."
I sigh and drink my margarita. "I know."
"Don't beat yourself up, Charlotte. Life is funny. It'll never steer you in the wrong direction as long as you believe in your decisions and stay strong."
"Thanks, Aubree. I needed today."
"Always here for you!"
The next morning, I wake up to a bright and beautiful day. My phone vibrates on my nightstand and I know it's Troy.
Troy: Get ready and meet me at the docks. Bring an overnight bag and whatever else you need. Today you're mine.
I girly squeal and quickly get out of bed to get everything I need. Brushing my teeth and putting on my makeup in record time I look around my room to be sure I have everything. Excitement runs through me. Spending the day with Troy always makes me feel better. We have so much fun together and the boy I fell in love with is coming out. He's not walking around with a stick up his ass anymore and he's fun to be around. When we're together, even though it's just the two of us, I feel beautiful and more love than I've ever felt. He brings out the best in me.
Will's not home, so it's easy for me to leave without being asked any questions. He hasn't hovered over me, which is wonderful. Tossing my bag onto my passenger seat I put on my sunglasses and head to the docks in Canandaigua. Giddy and nervous I think about what we're going to do today besides be with each other. The weather is supposed to be in the nineties, so being in the water and relaxing in the sun is a definite. Maybe tonight we'll actually be able to walk around the park, holding hands, and being a couple.
Pulling into an empty spot I grab my bag and rush to his boat, Angel Eyes. The name makes me smile. When I see her bobbing in the water I take a breath and climb on the boat ready to be with my man.
"Hi," I say and see him turn around. He takes three steps and takes me in his arms.
"Hey." He nuzzles his nose in my hair and holds me tight in his embrace. Slowly letting me go, our lips meet and he places his forehead on mine. "I'm excited for today with you."
"Me too."
"Go sit down. Grab a drink and relax. I'll drive us out and then we can talk."
"Okay."
I watch Troy check everything on the boat and plug in his phone to play music. He turns on his boat, looks around, and navigates out into the water. There are several people out on the water today on their boats, swimming, and on jet skis. I love being out here. It's calming and helps me relax. I don't think about work or what I need to do. I don't think about my brother and what he'll think when he finds out about Troy. Today it's just us and no one else matters. Troy turns to look my way and gives me a smile. He looks so young and carefree right now.
When we dock he comes over to me and sits down. "I want to tell you something."
"Sure, what's up?"
He rubs my arm and places his other hand on my leg. "I want to say sorry for everything from before. When you came back to town I don't know what came over me. You've been everything to me since I was younger. I ah," he clears his throat and looks away from me for a moment before turning back. "When you and Shawn started dating I don't know, I was broken and fell apart." I don't respond. My heart is breaking from his honesty. At this very moment I know how much I love Troy Harding. "I promise I'm going to be a better man because that's what you deserve. You mean the world to me, Charlotte. Having you back scares me because I don't want you to leave me again. I love you."
Crashing my lips against his, I climb onto his lap and feel his tongue clash with mine. Pressing my chest to his, I can't get close enough to him. Both of his hands cup my face. I grind on him, feeling his hardness and wanting so much more. Fiercely kissing me, and nipping my bottom lip, the ache between my legs hits level ten. I need this man and I need him now.
"I love you, Troy. A huge piece of me belongs to you." I hear his breath hitch and his arms hold me tighter. "When I'm with you I feel safe and nothing can hurt me because I have you to protect me. I know you'll never let anything bad happen to me if it's within your power to stop it."
"You'll never know what it is like to feel my absence. No matter what, we'll make it through, Charlotte."
Chapter 33
Troy
She melts into me so easily. I love having her in my arms and feeling her skin on mine. We fit together and it's easy to be myself when we're together. Charlotte is someone I want to experience life's adventures with. Even though she wasn't mine in the past, she's mine now, and she'll always be mine.
The light emanating from her represents everything good in my life. I can't describe the freedom she gives me or the motivation to be the best man I can be. I'm not perfect, and I'll make mistakes throughout our relationship, but she's the first woman who makes me want to try. I want to give her the world. I want to be the man who makes her life better because that's what she deserves. Not only is she my lover, but she's my best friend and friendship is what's going to make our relationship go the distance.
Hearing her tell me she loves me puts everything in perspective. She's perfect in every single way. No other woman gets me like she does. Charlotte's mine, and she'll forever be mine. Will can fucking get over it and accept it. There's nothing he can do to me that'll make me back down.
"I love you, Charlotte. I'm going to show you the world and make sure you experience life with me."
"I'm looking forward to it." She kisses me again and my fingers glide through her hair. I'm risking everything for her. Loving her is easy and I hope our journey will be smooth. She looks at me with nothing but love and complete trust. That look alone gives me the power to be the man she needs.
"Let's get in the water," I excitedly say. Helping her off me I pull her dress off and toss my shirt with her dress to the side. Taking her hand in mine we hop off my boat. Hitting the water, I pull her to my lips and kiss her. She wraps her legs around my waist and I bring the both of us up to the surface. The laugh that escapes her beautiful lips is like music to my ears.
We swim around for a while before she's back in my arms and I'm holding her in the water.
"Today has been incredible. I love being here and anywhere with you. Wherever you go, I go too."
I give her another smile and kiss her lips. "Let's get back on the boat and have something to eat. I packed us some sandwiches, fruit, and we need to get some water."
"Okay."
I help her back onto the boat and bring out the picnic basket I have for us. I've never done this before for anyone. With Charlotte, I'll do anything to put a smile on her face.
Handing her a chicken salad sandwich and fresh strawberries and kiwis, we sit under the sun and enjoy lunch.
"Why did you name your boat Angel Eyes?"
"When I bought this boat I thought about you and how much you love being on the water. When we were younger I remember looking into your eyes and feeling at peace. You made things better. You made my life complete. I named this boat after you."
"You what?" I nod. "Really?" I nod again.
"When I first got to Rochester I thought about you all the time. I thought about what it'd be like to have you here and explore the city with you. This was the first thing I bought when I got to town and I knew I had to name it after you. Everything I've done has been for you. It's hard for me to admit, but I think you know what's in my heart."
"I do, Troy." She smiles. I lean over to kiss her. "Mm, your kisses are the best."
"Good. I plan on kissing you forever."
"And ever."
The day is perfect with clear skies, the bright sun, and Charlotte next to me. When we get back she helps me clean and put the basket and her bag in my car. I hate that she took her car as well, but for now, this is how it has to be. Until we have the courage to tell Will, this is how we'll live.
Threading my fingers with hers she looks at me with a weird expression. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Baby, what?"
"I've been thinking about Will. I want to tell him so badly. I just don't know how."
I kiss her hand and nod my head. Pulling her so we can walk, neither of us talk as we walk along the water watching the sun go down. This is how we should be-walking around like a couple without the fear of being caught. Fuck it, I'm going to talk to Will and he'll understand.
When we get back to my house I pick her up in my arms and rush upstairs. I need this woman and I need her now. In a matter of seconds our clothes are off and I'm pushing inside of her.
"Damn, baby, you're so wet. It's going to be so hard to not come in you right now." I want this to last with her. Being inside of her feels amazing. It's another level of amazing. Charlotte relaxes and wraps her legs around me. She moans and moves with me. "Fuck." I feel her core squeeze me tighter, almost as if asking for more. Well, damn. I need to give her what she needs.