Sorry for the long delay. Hope you enjoy and I appreciate the readers and feedback!

And now:

Chapter 10: "And what if I did love you?"

Bass turned from the stew he was stirring at the sound of the foot falls descending the steps. But it was the unexpected sight of Charlotte in a dress, one of the dresses from the wagon that caused him to gasp and drop the spoon onto the floor. The deep navy A-line swing dress hugged, what Bass would describe as a truly impressive bust. A thin red grosgrain ribbon with a small bow broke up the crepe body as the skirt flared out and mirrored the color of the floral-embroidered mesh yoke and short ruffle sleeves with decorative navy trim lining the edging. It was breath-taking and it took him just a few minutes too long to speak, he saw her start to withdraw, step back with hesitance at the idea he had not spoken. Needing to reassure her, Bass reached out as he said, "I don't know that I have ever seen anything more beautiful than you, in that dress, in this moment."

Her smile was shy and seemed to be missing the Matheson confidence she exuded thru every moment he had known her; and it made her even more beautiful to him. Stepping forward, Charlotte asked, "So… it's not silly?"

Choking on a laugh, Bass shook his head and moved forward to meet her, "No, silly is not even close to the word I would use. Sexy – Yes! Perfect – Absolutely! Inspiring – without a doubt! but, never silly… NOT EVER! In fact…", Bass paused knowing if he asked this next question it would change things for them. He just didn't know if he could hope enough to ask and believe he would get the answer he wanted. As it stood, he knew it would only be her for the rest of his days, he would protect her and love her and willingly accept whatever she offered; but if he asked and by some miracle she said… well that would take hope and hope was something he might not be brave enough to embrace.

In the end, Bass didn't have to say anything, because Charlotte stepped up and placed a hand on his chest before asking, "Would you be upset if I asked you to put out the fire and put a lid on dinner? I don't think eating is what I most want to do in this moment."

Looking into her eyes, Bass grinned before weaving his fingers into her silky hair and capturing her mouth in a deep, penetrating kiss. Feeling her arms weave around him and yank at the back hem of his shirt, Bass started to walk her back toward the stairs. His lips finding the lobe of her ear, Bass whispered the words that scared him the most, "This means something Charlotte. You need to know, need to understand that if we go up those stairs or if we don't either way, I will spend the rest of my life loving you and putting you first."

Knowing this was the right decision, Charlotte stepped out of his embrace and turned toward the stairs before directing, "Then douse that stove fire, I can't have you burning down this perfect little home; and I will meet you upstairs."

Chuckling at her bossiness, Bass moved to douse the fire then made for the stairs before Charlotte realized the massive error in her judgement and stopped him. At the top of the stairs he was stunned to see her sporting, not the ridiculous sexpot underwear that was in the bag with the dresses, but a hand sown white cotton bra and matching boy short briefs and it was perfect. "Is it everything you were hoping for?" she asked clearly knowing the answer from his reaction.

"I can't imagine anything more you and I wouldn't change a thing!" He responded as he stepped between her legs and pushed her back onto the bed. Reaching out with a single hand, Bass flicked the front clasp and reverently pushed aside the fabric with the tips of his fingers gently grazing the pebbled nipple before cupping the base of her breast and more firmly flicking her nipple. He watched as her eyes closed, feeling the moan that escaped her lips. Bending his head Bass nuzzled the valley between her breasts before rubbing the scruff of his bearded chin to push aside the remaining cup and sucking the stiff peak into his mouth. As she arched into him, Bass felt her hands unbuttoning his jeans and pushing at the fabric. Pushing himself back, Bass savored the visual of her topless in bed before commanding, "Take those briefs off and get into the center of that bed."

Loving his forceful, gravely words, Charlotte watched him strip and let loose a low growl at his impressive length. "Well, well… I guess you did find my simple cotton briefs arousing."

"And they will look even better on the floor, so move it!" He snarled. When he lowered himself onto her moments later, Bass' fingers found her as ready for him as he was for this moment. He must have surprised her however, when he rolled onto his back taking her with him and giving her the control of being on top.

Charlotte responded quickly to the invitation to lead and positioned herself to take him in fully before he thrust up. They settled into a rhythm of thrusting and Bass using his thumb to flick at her bundle of nerves; her head back, eyes closed, as Bass watched the most beautiful sight he could remember. When she ground down upon him and shattered, Bass felt himself losing control and tried to move Charlotte before he exploded; but she was having none of it grounding into the after-shocks and he lost control inside of her warm depth.

For a long time Charlotte lay wrapped in his arms, loving the feel of him still inside of her; knowing this was the moment… moving to settle herself against his side, Charlotte began tracing his well-defined abs and pondered the question she had been trying to answer since earlier that afternoon. When the words escaped her lips they were more confident then she anticipated they would be, "And… what if I did love you? What if I told you that I loved you… loved you so much that I would be the one person strong enough to never abandon you; and not because I knew you would never leave me, or because I knew I would be your priority and I want so badly to be someone's priority, or even because it is unquestionable you would protect me and our children with your very life; but because I feel…" she drifted off and it was a long while before Bass watched her lift her head and heard her soft words, "You are sexy as hell, and you make me laugh, and you don't question my abilities, and well that was the best sex I have ever had, but all that can't compare to the fact that I feel hopeful when I am with you. I feel like life is actually full of possibilities, like it is ok to hope…". And with those words Charlotte watched Bass smile a bright, genuine smile in response before pulling her down for another kiss.

Next up: Chapter 11: "Both, both is good!"