“Originally I just saw it as a way to pay for college. Now, I consider it my way of giving back.”
Although Dylan might just be making polite conversation, she still felt as if he was interrogating her.
“Enough with the questions. Weren't you two going for a walk?” Jake asked.
“Do you think he's trying to tell us something, Dylan?” Callie asked grinning.
Dylan glanced in her direction one last time then turned his attention to his fiancée. “You might be right. See you tomorrow, Charlie. Jake I'll meet you downstairs in about forty minutes.”
Charlie remained silent as they walked back up toward the house glad that Dylan and Callie decided to continue their walk.
“You're lucky to have such a good relationship with your family.” She hoped he didn't hear the twinge of jealousy in her voice. She'd never seen such closeness between family members before. Even prior to her parents' divorce, her family hadn't been this close.
Jake held open one of the side doors leading into an empty hallway. “When they're not driving me nuts, I agree. What about you? You seem to get along well with your mother and brother.” Jake held her hand as he led her down a deserted hall.
Opened myself up for that one. “Not like you. This is the first time I've visited them in almost a year. My mom and brother are tight, but I've been a third wheel since …” Charlie paused. How much did she want to reveal? Her relationship with her family began to change the day her father walked out on them. She didn't share that with many people. “… my parent's divorce.”
“How old were you?”
“The divorce was official a few days after my thirteenth birthday. It came as a complete surprise when they separated the year before. A lot of my friends' parents were divorced but I never thought mine would be.”
He squeezed her hand as an unexpected emotion squeezed her heart.
“Most kids probably think like that. Do you see your father often?”
Did she see him often? She hadn't seen or heard from him since the day he walked out and as far as she knew neither had Sean. She didn't even know if the man was still alive. “He didn't bother to keep in contact,” Charlie said as they stopped in front of her bedroom door. She could hear the bitterness in her voice, but could do nothing about it. Her father's rejection shouldn't bother her, especially after all this time, but it still did.
Releasing her hand, Jake wrapped his arms around her. “His loss,” he whispered inches from her mouth before moving in to kiss her.
The kiss was tender but still sent shivers of excitement to every nerve ending in her body. Soon the excitement from his kiss and touch washed away the bad memories of her childhood.
“Maybe we should go inside,” Charlie suggested as he moved his lips away from hers and settled on her neck. If he continued to tease her like this, she wouldn't be held responsible for her actions.
Jake lifted his head just enough to answer. “I'd like nothing more, but …”
Charlie groaned at the sound of the word but.
“I promised to take Dylan out for drinks tonight. I missed his bachelor party because of the hurricane so this is my chance to make it up to him. We leave in less than an hour so that doesn't leave me much time, and I don't want to be rushed.”
Rather than cool her passion, his words further ignited it. How much effort would it take to change his mind? Sneaking her hands under the hem of his shirt, she decided to see for herself. “Is that so?” She trailed her hands up his back toward his shoulders. “Are you sure I can't change your mind?” she asked her voice low.
She felt his lips curve into a smile against her neck.
“You wouldn't even need to try, but this time I need to go.” He pulled back and dropped a final kiss on her lips. “But I promise to make it up to you tomorrow, Charlie.”
The desire in his eyes matched the desire running rampant through her body, and she knew, if not for the wedding in the morning, he'd come in. Charlie let her hands fall back to her sides. “Go have your drinks then.” She opened the bedroom door and took a step inside. “See you tomorrow.”
After she closed the door she looked around the well-appointed room. What should she do for the next few hours? Although it was late she knew sleep wouldn't be coming anytime soon, thanks to Jake. The guy had some nerve to awaken her passion like that and then retreat.
A well-stocked bookcase stood in the corner of the room. Selecting a book about the history of nineteenth century Newport, Charlie settled outside on the balcony. Hopefully a little reading would get her in the mood for bed.