Monroe sat before her in his gorgeous glory, eyes scrutinizing every detail of her. Charlie glared back at him, not bothering to hide the fact that she no longer liked him or even trusted him, for that matter. Connor stood beside his father, glancing between them and smirking in amusement.

"I'll take my leave now," Connor spoke, breaking the silence. Bass didn't respond, he only continued gazing at her with an intensity that made her knees weak and the spot between her legs wet and ready for him.

No, she thought. I won't give in to him again. I mean he only kissed me and look how I turned out. He's a womanizing disaster waiting to happen.

"Charlotte." Her heart fluttered as he pronounced the name that he'd called her when they were alone together. Damn him, knowing her weaknesses.

"Monroe." Charlie replied icily, and his eyes narrowed a fraction before a frown found its way to his face. Charlie's heart clenched at the look of hurt that passed though his face, but she kept herself passive. She wasn't going to give into temptation.

Bass couldn't help but admire the woman standing before him. He'd missed her so much that it would physically hurt. At night, he would wake with her name on his lips and rampant erection that didn't cease until he both took a cold bath and took care of it. But looking at her now, maybe he was wrong about how she had felt about him. He'd thought the kiss they'd shared held promise for their future, but maybe for her it was something different. Maybe because he'd left, he'd destroyed all the promise that kiss had held. Bass stood, his heart clenching painfully at the way she was looking at him. So much hatred, so much disgust. Was she really that disgusted by him? Didn't she know that he wasn't the same man he'd been back then? He wasn't the man who ordered to take her father or brother from this world. He was different. Because of her. Why did she not realize? Why did she hate him so much? He strode towards her and wrapped his arms around her, bringing him to her chest.

She struggled against him for a minute, but then her arms wrapped around him. He didn't miss the way she sighed or the way her heart began picking up the pace as their chests connected. He rested his cheek against her hair, inhaling the scent he deprived himself from for too long.

"Charlie, I'm so sorry."

She didn't reply, and he pulled back to look at her. She was biting her lip, looking vulnerable with her eyes avoiding his and tears threatening. His heart hurt, his stomach feeling nauseous at the idea of making her cry. He couldn't help himself. He cupped her face in his hands, stroking her cheekbones, caressing her soft skin. He moved slowly waiting for her to make him stop or say no, but when she didn't, he brushed his lips against hers. He felt the tears streaming down her cheeks and Bass almost cried out in pain. He kissed her deeply, his tongue probing her mouth.

Charlie sighed against his mouth, his tongue caressing hers in a sweet dance of passion and torment. Charlie pulled back first and he could help his grunt of annoyance. But then she moved away from him completely, standing several feet away from him and a growl tore itself from him before he could stop it.

Charlie just stared at him. Her eyes were soft and probing as if she was trying to read him.

"Charlotte..." Bass began, his voice barely above a whisper. "Please."

He didn't know what he was begging for, what he wanted but he couldn't help but begging for her to give him something, anything. She shook her head at him, her blonde hair tumbling down her shoulders in cascading waves of gold.

"Leave me alone, Bass."

"Charlie please just listen to me."

Charlie wasn't ready for this. This confrontation that already had her walls crumbling down. She didn't want to listen, so she turned her back to him, facing the window.

"Charlotte...I'm not a perfect person. I've made so many mistakes and I've hurt you so many times that I don't know how to make it up to you. But please I'm begging you to forgive me...I need..."

Her heart filled with unknown emotions, swelling at his beautiful words. The door swung open and Adam stood there, looking worried and upset at the same time, but he quickly masked his expression.

"What is it?" Bass snarled, his voice showing how much temper he was lacking for these interruptions.

"Charlie and I have somewhere to go, it's kind of important."

Bass glanced between the two of them and Charlie gave Adam a small smile. She glanced at Bass quickly and noticed his expression: anger, hurt, defensiveness.

Bass was jealous. For some reason, her heart swelled at the idea of him being jealous at someone else because of her.

"Where is it that you need to go?" The words had a harsh edge and Adam fidgeted under Monroe's gaze.

"Well...I need to give her a tour of the mansion, and then we're going out for a drink."

Bass's gaze burned into her possessively. "Drinks, huh?"

Charlie nodded, and felt her body grow hot and bothered as his eyes scorched her skin with his burning jealousy.

"You'll have to cancel your plans with Charlotte, Adam. She's tired and I'm taking her to her room."

Charlie looked at him, surprise filling her as Bass took a few steps toward her.

Adam moved toward her, too, but Bass shot him a look that would have melted him with its intensity. Bass wrapped his arm around her waist in a possessive manner, a way of showing Adam that she belong to him. Adam still defied and reached for Charlie's hand. Bass gripped Adam's wrist, preventing him from actually touching her. "Don't ever attempt to touch her when she's with me."

Adam looked at her sympathetically and smiled gently before striding out.

P.S There's no love triangle, FYI, its all Charloe! Just letting you know