Bass has just returned to the gallery after a quick food run to a local burger place. He's heading for the stairs to his studio when he is stopped by Miles.
Bass is surprised to see his friend. "What are you still doing here? Thought you and Nora had plans."
"We do." Miles answers. "Going to dinner at Ben's. I was just thinking that you should join us."
Bass holds up the greasy brown paper bag, "Kind of already have dinner covered, but thanks anyway."
"All right, I just wanted to offer. Maggie is an amazing cook and I figured you could use a break from," he points suspiciously at the paper bag, "That."
"Hey, this isn't so bad." Bass looks down at his take-out doubtfully. "Who's Maggie?"
"Ben's girlfriend. They've been together for about a year. She's a nice girl."
Bass nods, "Well, tell Ben I said hi." Then he turns and starts up the stairs.
"Charlie will be there too you know."
Bass pauses for a moment without turning, "Give me five minutes. I'll change." He tosses his uneaten food into the stainless steel trash can that sits next to the stairs before jogging up.
Miles grins after him. It's wonderful when a plan starts to fall into place.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ben and Maggie answer the door together. They are both surprised to see Miles has brought an extra guest, but neither mind.
Ben greets him with a warm smile and outstretched arms, "Bass, it's been years."
"Sorry about that." Bass says with a chuckle as he hugs Ben back. Turning to the pale blond woman at Ben's side, he says, "You must be Maggie. I've heard so much about you."
"Well, aren't you a charmer." Maggie says with a sweet smile.
"You have no idea," Nora groans as she pushes through the men and pulls Maggie inside toward the kitchen. Before the two women have reached their destination they are both giggling like school girls.
Bass raises an eyebrow in question.
"Those two are always giggling about something. We've decided we're better off not knowing why." Miles chuckles.
A portly guy with a big beard and black glasses comes walking around the corner, a glass of wine in one hand, a bottle in the other. "Hello Miles. Heard you were going to be here." The new guy has a friendly smile which he turns to Bass. "You, I don't know. I'm Aaron Pittman – friend of Ben's."
Bass returns the smile, "I'm Bass Monroe. The Mathesons are pretty much my second family."
"Hey, I can relate to that. Before I found my wife… well, let's just say Ben was really glad I found a wife." He hands the glass of wine to Ben and then takes a drink straight from the bottle. Seeing the surprised look on Bass' face, Aaron grins. "I'm eccentric." He shrugs before turning away, "Priscilla!" he calls. "Miles is here."
Miles leans close to Bass, "By 'eccentric', Aaron means 'filthy rich and therefore he does whatever the hell he wants to'."
Bass grins. "I like him already."
Moments later a beautiful Asian woman enters the room. She is introduced as Aaron's wife and holds out a hand for Bass to shake. "You paint, right? I saw your work in Nora's gallery. You're very talented."
"Thank you Mrs. Pittman. I'm glad you enjoyed my work."
"Please, call me Priscilla." Just then three little girls come barreling into the room. They stop short when they see Miles and Bass.
"Where's Charlie?" the tallest one asks with a frown.
Ben answers, "Sorry Janis. She's running late. Danny went to pick her up. They'll be here soon though."
Janis nods, eyeing the men warily.
Priscilla smiles down at her girls, "You remember Miles? He's Ben's brother. This is Miles' friend Bass. He's a painter." Turning to Bass she introduces the children. "These are our girls, Janis, Patti and Debbie."
Bass suddenly remembers Charlie telling him that her Dad's friend had introduced her to classic rock, and he grins. Kneeling down to the girls' eye level, he says, "Janis, Patti and Debbie?" They nod, immediately enamored with the same smile that's been charming women for decades. "I don't suppose your middle names are Joplin, Smith and Harry?"
The girls giggle and run away without answering him. He stands up and sees Aaron is back. The bearded man is looking at Bass appreciatively. "Not many people get that." He laughs, "And no, their middle names are Ann, Lynn and Sue respectively, but oh how I tried." Aaron gives them all an expression of mock anguish, and then shrugs with a grin. "Come along Bass Monroe. Clearly we need to discuss music. I'll get you your own bottle."
"We'll be lucky if we see them again before dinner." Ben says to Miles with a laugh.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Charlie and Danny arrive as everyone is already settling into their places around the table. They are apologizing as they enter the dining room. Danny goes straight to Maggie, giving her a big hug before heading to the table. Charlie also gives Maggie a hug, and then gives one to her Dad as well. "Sorry we're late. Danny got lost."
"I did not get lost. There was a detour." He glowers at his sister before deciding where to sit. Danny is surprised to see a guy he doesn't know sitting next to an empty chair. He's curious, but not enough to talk to the new guy so he takes the empty seat next to Aaron instead.
Charlie is laughing when she turns to the remaining seat, but stops short. Bass is sitting next to the open chair. Their eyes meet. Her heartbeat jumps into overdrive, but she keeps her surprise internal. Sitting down, she leans his way just a bit, "What are you doing here?"
Bass shrugs, a wicked smirk on his face. "Miles invited me."
"Of course he did." She shakes her head, and then looks at him closely, "and you're drunk."
"I'm buzzing a little. I'm not drunk. Aaron wanted me to try some of his wine, and it was really, really good."
Charlie smiles, "Aaron does seem to always have the best wine. I guess we're just lucky he wasn't in a vodka mood. You would not believe how smooth his vodka is. You'd be dancing on the table and making a fool of yourself."
Bass chuckles, "Well, I'm not dancing on tables yet," casually as if it means nothing, he lays a hand on her upper thigh, "but I'm up for making a fool of myself."
Their eyes meet again and Charlie feels something shift inside her. His eyes are pools of heat and promise. She knows she should reach down and move his hand, but she just can't. It feels too right.
"So, how do you two know each other?" Ben asks Bass and Charlie.
They look around the table and see that everyone has taken note of their little exchange. Bass carefully withdraws his hand and Charlie feels bereft for a moment. "Well, I'm kind of working for him this summer."
"I'm doing this artist in residence thing at The Clayton and Charlie is interning there. Right now she's acting as my assistant." Bass clarifies.
Ben's eyes narrow as he looks from one to the other. "Well, that's," he pauses carefully, "interesting."
Miles quickly changes the subject, and the rest of the meal is uneventful. At least that's what most of the people at the table would think. Bass presses his thigh against Charlie's before the salads are gone, and never lets up on the subtle pressure. When he passes dishes her way, their fingers brush lightly and linger for too long. At one point Charlie hooks a bare foot around his ankle. As the end of the meal nears, Bass is no longer buzzing. He is, however, so aroused that he's worried he won't be able to stand up. Luckily, Ben takes that moment to get everyone's attention for an announcement.
"So, I'm sure you are all wondering why we invited you here tonight. It isn't just that we love to host friends and family – though we do. It is because tonight Maggie and I want to let you know that we have decided to get married." Ben grins at his fiancé and they both smile out at their guests who are now clapping and cheering at the news.
"So when is the big day?" Aaron asks.
"Well, that's the other part of our news. Maggie's sons live in England and they don't come back very often, but they will be visiting in September – so that's when we're doing it."
"September?" Danny asks, "Like, just a couple months from now September?"
Ben nods, "I know it seems rushed, but it's not. We've been sure of this for a long time and when you know, you just know." Ben smiles down at Maggie again. The love is clear in both of their faces.
Dinner winds down and Charlie is pulled from the table by Aaron's girls who clearly adore her. Bass watches her be led away with a frown. She glances over her shoulder with a flirty smile and a bit of a shrug. Clearly she loves those girls and can't say no to them. Bass wonders if he'll see her again tonight.
Miles is deep in conversation with Aaron. Nora, Maggie and Priscilla are talking about wedding details. Ben is in the kitchen making coffee. Bass decides to wander. He isn't sure what he's looking for until he finds it in a formal living room. The back wall is covered with family photographs. Most are black and white. Many are in color. There is no rhyme or reason to the arrangement, but the overall feel is one of love and family. There are photos from the early 1900s next to pictures of Charlie and Danny as kids. Bass finds two pictures that he's even in. One is from a family reunion the year after he'd moved in with the Mathesons. The second is from high school graduation. He and Miles are standing side by side in caps and gowns with matching cocky expressions. Bass grins at the younger version of himself before moving on to look at more of the pictures. He stops at one in particular. It is of Charlie when she was quite young – maybe six. She is sitting in her mother's lap and they are grinning at each other happily.
"That's one of my favorites." Charlie's voice is soft as she comes up behind Bass.
"I can see why. It's a beautiful picture."
"Did you know her?" Charlie asks.
"Not really. I think I was a guest at their wedding, and we saw each other now and then at family events. I don't remember ever talking to her." He shrugs, "But she and your Dad weren't around all that much by the time I moved in."
"I can't tell you how much I wish…" she trails off, her voice sad.
Bass reaches out and takes her hand, "I know what you mean. I feel the same way when I think about my folks. That feeling never really goes away."
They stand there like that for a while, hands loosely entwined, enveloped in a comfortable silence. "Tell me about this one." Bass says, pointing with his free hand to a color photo of Charlie and her Mom painting at easels. They are both a mess, but they are laughing.
Charlie smiles, "She signed us up for this Mother/Daughter painting class at the community center. It was so much fun, but neither of us did a very good job with our project. It didn't matter. I don't remember ever laughing so much. It was really wonderful." She sounds both wistful and sad.
He's watching Charlie closely and the sadness he sees is more than he can bear. In this moment the thing Bass Monroe wants more than anything else, is to ease the pain he sees in her.
She feels his gaze and looks his way. There is something in Bass' eyes that she can't define, but it sends a charge to her core. "What?" she asks her voice barely more than a whisper.
"This." He says, and without warning he pulls her close. He hovers for just a moment, and then his mouth is on hers. His lips are firm. His beard is soft. Bass buries his hands in her hair, tilting her head so that he can get a better angle. She opens her mouth and their tongues are exploring and searching. She sighs against his lips and he pulls her closer still, one hand lowering to her hip. Charlie's hands move to circle his neck. The kiss deepens. Her heart is pounding and her knees are shaking. She melts into his chest, and he pulls away slightly. Bass presses his forehead to hers. Their gaze holds. Both are breathing heavily.
"Where did that come from?" she asks softly.
"You looked sad, and I realized I don't ever want you to be sad." He moves his mouth near her ear. He bites lightly at the lobe before he continues, "Also, I've wanted to kiss you since I first met you in the gallery."
"Yeah?" she feels a shiver run down her spine as he begins to nibble on her throat.
"Yeah." He replies. "That and so much more."
"Mmmm" she smiles against his cheek, and then his mouth is on hers again. This second kiss is less exploratory and more demanding. He is devouring her mouth and she is responding in kind. Tongues and lips and teeth are meeting with a fever of need. Hands begin to roam roughly and he's sucking on her tongue when they are interrupted.
"So, if you think you can stop licking my sister's face for a minute, Aaron is leaving and wants to say goodbye." Danny is leaning casually against the door frame. He looks bored and a little amused. Charlie is embarrassed, and mumbles something before rushing past her brother for the front door.
Bass starts to walk by Danny as well, but the younger man stops him by putting a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, I know you are stronger than me and probably a great fighter and whatever; but if you break her heart I will find a way to kill you." Danny's mouth is smiling, but his eyes aren't.
"I get it. I would have said the same to any guy interested in my sisters." He holds Danny's gaze. "I don't want to hurt her."
Danny nods, "Fine." He starts to walk back to the kitchen. "Then don't."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bass doesn't sleep well that night. He tosses and turns. His thoughts are scattered between Charlie (the feel of her in his arms, the way she melted into him, and the way she tasted) and her family (Miles' approval, Ben's obvious suspicion, and Danny's warning). He wants Charlie. He can't stop thinking about her. He's pretty sure that under normal circumstances, they might have quite an interesting relationship. The problem of course is that these are far from normal circumstances. He can't screw things up with the Mathesons. They are too important to him. They are the only family he has left.
On the other hand, he can't remember the last time he felt like this about a woman. Pursuing something with Charlie is risky – he knows better than anyone about his track record with nice girls; but some rewards are worth the risk.
Bass closes his eyes and sees a slideshow of her: in the gallery at their first meeting, the way she'd looked at him after that 'almost' kiss in his studio, watching her as she studied the Chagall in the museum, when she dropped that robe at the first sitting, the way her hair fell when she finally took it down, seeing her laugh with her family tonight, the feel of her thigh against his during dinner, the way she responded when he kissed her afterwards, that beautiful smile that lights up a room….
His eyes pop open.
Yeah, Charlie Matheson will be worth the risk. She may well be the death of him, but he knows he'll never forgive himself if he doesn't give this a chance.
Decision made, he finally drifts off.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Charlie oversleeps. She sees the time on the clock and curses as she rushes around her apartment, grabbing essentials and getting ready for the day ahead. She yanks on a pair of cut offs and a yellow tee shirt, slips her feet into sandals and heads out the door in a rush. Charlie doesn't have time for her usual morning museum visit or even a stop at the coffee shop. She arrives at Bass' studio with only moments to spare.
"Sorry I'm late." She says in a rush as she tops the stairs, out of breath from running. Bass already has everything set up. He's wearing an old tee shirt and paint spattered jeans. He's sipping an iced coffee. He looks tired but he smiles at her and she feels that smile all the way down to her toes. She had been in a rush ever since waking, and hadn't yet taken the time to really think about the fact that today she will be lying naked in front of the man who kissed her senseless just last night.
"Good morning Charlie. Wanna get started?" His eyes are twinkling. She has a feeling that the thought has in fact occurred to him.
Charlie goes behind the screen and quickly undresses. She shrugs into the gown but hesitates. In her mind, images of that kiss overwhelm all other thoughts and she's struggling between putting on a brave face and blushing like a school girl. "Buck up Matheson" she chides herself. Taking a deep breath, Charlie squares her shoulders and emerges from behind the screen.
"So you know," she says as she begins walking his way, "I have to leave by 2pm today. I have to be fitted for my dress for Dad's wedding." She rolls her eyes.
"Okay." He says simply, taking another sip from his Starbucks cup – drinking her in with his eyes.
Bass is sitting casually on the bar stool behind his easel. He watches Charlie as she makes her way to the couch. She looks a little flustered when their eyes meet. He smiles at her again, hoping to convey that she has nothing to be flustered about. As he watches, he sees the moment she finds her nerve. Her back straightens. Her gaze becomes more direct. She drops the robe and smirks when he admires her newly bared body. He pauses, his cup not quite to his lips… Oh that body. This day may well test his willpower to an extent he never anticipated.
Charlie effortlessly rearranges herself into the now familiar pose. "My hair." She reminds him. He can tell she's feeling stronger now – less nervous.
He stands, puts down his coffee and makes his way to her, their eyes locked. He drops to his knees near her head and arranges her hair carefully, taking his time to get it just right.
"I'm going to be painting your hair and face today." He pauses, placing one more strand where he wants it. "So we won't be talking as much."
Charlie inhales slowly, "Okay." She is worried that just how much she doesn't want to talk is written all over her face. She drags her eyes from his gaze. His closeness is almost more than she can take.
Bass stands and looks down at her. He frowns and mutters, "Something still isn't quite right."
"What?" She asks, looking up at him again.
"This." He says dropping back to her side, his lips pressing softly to hers. This kiss is brief, chaste even – compared to last night, but it adds fuel to the fire already burning between them. She is breathless and her eyes go hazy with desire. Lips slightly parted, she just stares as he pulls away. Bass looks down at her and smiles softly. "There, that's the look I was hoping for." Then he stands and walks back to his easel. He flips a switch and the studio fills with soft music. "I'm in an Ella kind of mood today. Hope that's okay with you."
Charlie likes Ella Fitzgerald as much as the next person, but right now she doesn't think she'd care if he listened to Weird Al. She wants him to come back over and kiss her again. She just wants him, period. She takes a deep cleansing breath as the first song fills the space around them.
The very thought of you and I forget to do
The little ordinary things that everyone ought to do
I'm living in a kind of daydream
I'm happy as a king
And foolish though it may seem
To me that's everything
He shouldn't have kissed her just now. He shouldn't have, but he just couldn't help himself, and God she tastes so damn good. Honestly he's proud that he didn't do a whole lot more than kiss her. What he really wants to do is devour every inch of her luscious body. He shakes those thoughts away, or tries to. Staring at his fantasy woman in all her naked glory is almost enough to break his resolve. He focuses on her face, and begins to analyze the shape of her blue eyes, the tilt of her stubborn chin, the arch of her brow, the definition of her cheekbones, the way her hair falls around her head like a halo…. She's staring back at him, her full lips still parted, and her eyes conveying desire. Shit. This is going to be the longest most torturous day of his life.
He begins to paint, doing his level best to ignore the way his jeans are suddenly much too tight over his hardening cock.
The mere idea of you, the longing here for you
You'll never know how slow the moments go till I'm near to you
I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
Its just the thought of you
The very thought of you, my love
Watching Bass paint is incredibly erotic. The way his eyes roam over her body, the way the muscles in his arm bunch and move as he works his brush, the way he becomes focused and fierce – intent only on the task at hand. Sometimes he purses his lips in concentration and even this small thing stirs the need inside her.
Now that he's engrossed in painting, she takes the time to really look him over. His hair is unruly as usual. His beard looks rough, but she knows better. She knows how soft it really is. His tee shirt is snug and when he moves his arm to paint, the fabric pulls and stretches across pecs and abs seemingly carved from stone. The image of Michelangelo's David comes roaring back into her head and she can't shake just how much she wants to see this man naked.
It's not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me, oh no
It's just the nearness of you
It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation, oh no
It's just the nearness of you
Charlie's nearness is irresistible. Her nakedness is all consuming. She is perfect. All long lines and curves and flawless skin and toned muscles and those dirty blond curls between her thighs… Bass is struggling. He needs to focus. He can't focus. He's not sure he's strong enough. He's only sure of how much he wants her. He wants to touch her. He wants to taste her. He wants to bury himself in her heat and never ever leave. This is torture.
Bass could probably finish the painting from memory at this point but there is no way he'll tell her that. She is driving him crazy, but it's the good kind of crazy. He can tell she's turned on too. It's not just her eyes, though she's been looking him over like a hungry lioness for a while now. It's also the way her nipples have hardened into perfect peaks, and the way her chest rises and falls with quicker breaths.
When you're in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams come true
I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me the right
To hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night the nearness of you
Sometimes he stops painting and just stares, his icy blue eyes boring into her. She shivers. He's not undressing her with his eyes. She is already undressed. He is touching her and stroking her and fucking her with his eyes. This morning she had been uncertain if he truly was interested – if maybe the kiss from last night had been just a drunken mistake. She no longer has any doubt. The kiss this morning was both a surprise and a confirmation. Damn. That kiss. How could something so brief make her melt like it did? How can one person have this much power over another? Charlie feels helpless. She wants him so badly she can taste it, but clearly he's decided to take his time. She isn't sure how much of this she can take.
Charlie can't help but imagine what it will be like when Bass finally decides to make his move. She knows herself well enough to be certain she won't be the initiator. It will be him. She wonders what exactly he's waiting for. Surely he can see how much she wants him. She's never been a patient person. She isn't sure she can start now. When things do escalate between them, she'll probably combust. Just the thought of it is making her wet.
It is in this moment that she knows there is no turning back. She's never met anyone like him before. Certainly no other guy has had this impact on her. Bass is beautiful and passionate. He makes art. He IS art. She remembers when he offered to teach her. She wants to learn everything from him. She wants to learn everything about him. She wants him.
Bass wipes sweat from his brow. She is literally setting him on fire. He's so hot, he thinks he's going to die. Then he notices something new.
Charlie is sweating too. He watches, mesmerized as a droplet of sweat trickles down her chest, pausing between her perfect breasts before meandering down to rest in her belly button. He groans out loud. Fuck. This kind of restraint isn't even human.
But now that Bass knows it's not just him, it begins to dawn on him that the heat is part of a bigger issue. The air isn't moving at all. Shit. The air conditioner must be broken again. He's been so engrossed in his work and in this woman that he simply hadn't noticed.
They haven't spoken for three hours. Finally Bass' voice – deep and sexy and a little scratchy with misuse – breaks the silence. "Let's take a break. I think something's wrong with the AC." He puts down his brushes and walks to the stairs. "I'll go check with Nora."
"Okay." She replies, noticing for herself that he is right. It has become quite warm in the studio. She'd been so consumed with her own heated thoughts that she hadn't realized the temperature in the space was truly rising.
Charlie stands up and pulls on the robe. It sticks to her hot skin. She notices that the hair closest to her scalp is damp. She walks to a window, one hand holding long locks on top of her head and away from her neck. She looks down on the busy Chicago street below. People are bustling about and clearly it is hot outside too. The sun is pounding against the sidewalks. Pedestrians are fanning themselves and wearing as little as possible.
Bass reaches the top of the stairs, cold drinks clasped in both hands. He's ready to tell her that Nora has called a repairman when he sees her by the window. The hot summer sun shines through the glass and through the flimsy fabric of the robe. Charlie's every curve is clearly outlined by the summer's glow. Her head is tilted to one side, showing off her long sexy neck. She's holding piles of damp hair on top of her head. One leg is stretched out a bit to the side and this stance reminds him of something the masters might have painted.
"Don't move." He orders gruffly.
She stiffens, but does as he says. He rushes to his work table and grabs a sketch book. Quickly he works through four sketches. He'll fill in details later and maybe bring her back when he's ready to paint it. Finally he tells her she can move again. She turns and he can see she is flushed. Having stood in the sun has made her even hotter. Bass tells her to sit and he rounds up the fans that he has around for days just like this. He points one at her, and watches as she closes her eyes to soak up the resulting breeze. Bass hands her the tall glass of ice water he's brought up from downstairs. She takes big gulps from the glass, some water spilling down her chin, dripping onto her chest. He can't stop staring. Bass takes a sip of his own water before speaking. "If you want to, we can call it a day."
She opens her eyes and just looks at him for a moment, then shakes her head. "Let's keep working. I'm only here till 2 anyway. That's just another hour."
He nods. "Okay then. Let's get back to work." He watches as she settles back into the familiar pose. She still looks like she's very hot, but no longer dangerously so. He arranges her hair but quickly sees that the fan will be a problem. "I need to not have the fan blowing right on you. Will you be okay?"
She nods slightly, her eyes intent on his.
He moves the fan so that it is still moving the air around her, but not directly on her. Because he thinks it would be a real dick move to keep a fan on himself after doing that; he moves the other fans so that none of them are pointed directly at him either. The air is moving, but the room still feels hot, the air heavy.
He paints for a few minutes, but the heat is stifling. Without much thought he puts down his brush and yanks the tee shirt off over his head. He hears her intake of breath, and glances quickly at Charlie. Even from this distance he can see her pupils have dilated… her eyes now far more black than blue. His nipples harden in response to her obvious approval of what she sees. Fuuuuck.
Bass decides he'll ignore the way she's staring at his chest. He'll focus on getting her hair just right, and he's able to do that – to focus – for maybe a minute. Then he looks at her face and his dick throbs when he sees the hunger there. She's biting her lower lip, not even trying to hide the way she's visually appreciating his body.
A new song begins to play, and he chuckles in spite of the situation. Bass glances at the wall clock. She has to leave in twenty minutes. He can hold out a little longer. He's a Marine for fuck's sake. He has weathered much more intense moments than these.
It's too darn hot!
It's too darn hot!
I'd like to sup with my baby tonight,
Refill the cup with my baby tonight.
I'd like to sup with my baby tonight,
Refill the cup with my baby tonight,
But I ain't up to my baby tonight
'Cause it's too darn hot
Charlie cannot stop staring. Bass has a spectacular body. He is lean and muscled. His shoulders and chest and abs are cut and there is not one speck of fat on his perfect form. She wants to stretch her fingers across his taut belly and around his back. She wants to run her hands up and down those rock hard arms. She wants to explore the rest of the muscular v that dips below the waist band of his snug paint spattered jeans. She wants him. All of him.
Bass looks at the clock again. He needs time to speed up. He needs some of these minutes to melt away.
Why is he looking at the damn clock? Is he in that big a hurry to get rid of her? She's so frustrated with the heat and with this burning desire in her core that the thought he's been teasing her almost brings her to tears. She closes her eyes for a moment, fighting back unwanted emotions. Surely she's reading him wrong.
It's too darn hot!
It's too darn hot!
I'd like to coo with my baby tonight,
And pitch the woo with my baby tonight.
I'd like to coo with my baby tonight,
And pitch the woo with my baby tonight.
But brother you fight my baby tonight
'Cause it's too darn hot
"Charlie, open your eyes." She does and he's right there next to the couch. Bass holds out a hand indicating that he will help her up. The way he's looking at her tells her she was wrong. He is not in a hurry to get rid of her. Not even a little bit.
Charlie stands. Other than their hands, they are not touching. The air is hot and heavy around them, and it is a perfect match for the emotions and needs pooling and spiraling within them. They just look at each other for a while and then Bass speaks. "We have fifteen minutes."
She doesn't understand. "Fifteen minutes?"
"Yeah," he nods toward the wall clock and then moves closer. She can feel the brush of his whiskers on her ear. "I have been dying to touch you all day, but I don't want to rush you." He leans in, kissing the flesh behind her ear, his lips soft and hot against her skin. "I knew if I gave myself too much time, I wouldn't be able to stop." His hands move to her shoulders, his fingers ghosting against her collar bones. "Fifteen minutes gives us some time to explore, but not enough time for things to get out of hand." He softly pulls her closer. Even though the room is brutally hot, Charlie feels goose bumps crawling across her skin as her nipples press against the firm chest of Bass Monroe.
She moans and his lips are on hers and her arms wrap around him. She begins to move her hands along the muscles of his back as he devours her mouth. His hands cup her bare ass and he drags her closer still. She searches his skin, dipping her fingers into every line of muscle, exploring each amazing inch of his back and chest. His body is like iron wrapped in satin and she shudders at the feel of him under her probing fingers.
Bass shifts slightly, never pulling his mouth from hers. When he moves, she feels his erection through the worn jeans. She hates those jeans right now. Sexy as they are, they separate her from having all of him. She doesn't care about taking it slow. She wants him now. Charlie reaches for the snap of his jeans and he pulls away from her.
"No. not yet." Bass' eyes are hooded, his breathing ragged. Charlie bites down on her bottom lip, looking him up and down. Reaching out, she gently rubs a palm over a hardened nipple and he moans a little. She shivers as a surge of power comes over her. Knowing she has the ability to make him moan – it's a heady feeling. She moves her hands to his sides and leans down, taking that same nipple between her teeth. Charlie runs her tongue across it slowly, soaking up the taste of him. He is salty and his aroma fills her nose. She breaks away only when he pulls her mouth back to his. This kiss is just as intense as the last, but it is softer. She keens into him and he pulls her tight against his chest with one arm. The other moves into the narrow space between their bodies, and he slowly moves his hand to her mound. Their time is almost up, but he needs to touch her. He needs to feel her heat. He needs it more than air. She is so damn wet. He gently strokes her clit, feeling her juices coat his fingers.
Charlie loves feeling his touch between her legs. She tosses her head back, pushing her pelvis against his hand. He leans in close, licking a strip of her throat, settling at her pulse where he sucks the flesh into his mouth. He loves the taste of her. He wants to know more of it.
But right now, their time is up. They break apart, the air sizzling with a current that neither can deny nor fully explain. This thing between them has evolved. Their eyes lock. Their heavy breathing is in sync.
"Maybe I don't have to leave early." She says her voice throaty with need.
Just then they hear Nora's voice calling up from below, "Charlie, you still need a ride to the fitting, right?"
Bass smirks a little, pressing a quick kiss to the corner of her mouth. "Or maybe you do need to leave early." He says, before bending to pick up the robe. He holds it for her, kissing her temple as he wraps the fabric around her torso. "We'll continue this later, I promise."
"I'll be holding you to that." She says before moving from his embrace to the space behind the screen. Quickly she yanks on her clothes, emerging just as Nora tops the stairs.
"Are you ready?" Nora asks. As usual, the gallery owner seems distracted. Charlie is grateful. She is sure that anyone else would feel the tension. She follows Nora, casting one last glance in Bass' direction.
"See you tomorrow Charlie." He says with a grin.
"Tomorrow." She replies, returning his smile.
The air between them hums. This isn't over. Not even close.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When Charlie and Nora get to the bridal shop, the little fitting party is already in full swing. Maggie and Priscilla have been drinking white wine while they wait. Once the newcomers are also holding glasses of wine, everyone starts trying on dresses. Whenever a glass empties, an attentive sales lady swoops in with more.
Maggie emerges from the fitting room wearing the ivory knee length dress she's selected for the ceremony. The ladies all ooh and ah. The dress is classy and simple. It suits her perfectly.
"You are so pretty!" Charlie says, tears gathering in her eyes.
"Thank you Love." Maggie says with a smile. "Come here." She pulls Charlie off to the side. "Are you okay with all this? I know you and your Mom were close. This can't be easy."
"You know, it's easier than I thought it would be. Mom has been gone a long time and she would want Dad to be happy. Clearly you make my Dad happy." She grins at the woman who will soon be her step mom.
"That means a lot to me Charlie. Thank you." Maggie smiles warmly.
"Charlie, come try on a dress." Nora calls, already having donned a sexy red number that does not at all look suitable for Maggie's wedding. "What do you think?" she asks, laughing.
"Maybe a little too…" Charlie hesitates, searching for just the right word.
"Whorish?" Priscilla supplies. They all laugh.
Nora is grinning, "Maybe so, but I bet Miles would love it." She does a turn in front of the full length mirror. The red dress does look amazing, hugging her curves perfectly. "At least he would love it for however long it took him to rip it off." The girls are all laughing again.
Charlie tries on a dress with a full skirt. "This is a little too Scarlet O'Hara for me." She giggles. The wine is going to her head. She really should have eaten something today. She twirls around letting the skirts swirl around her long legs.
Priscilla finds a slinky black dress with a deep v neck. "Whoa. If I ever wore this in front of Aaron, he'd never let me leave the house again."
Maggie hands her dress to the sales lady and then tries on a fun yellow gown with a long slit up one leg. "I'm wondering if this is a bridal salon or a costume outlet for high end call girls?" she asks with a laugh.
Charlie comes out wearing a dress that is a beautiful sky blue. It is sleeveless and ends at the knee. It hugs her curves without being showy. "This one is kind of pretty." She says, looking in the mirror.
"Oh Charlie." Maggie says, her voice hushed. "It's stunning. That might be the one. Girls, why don't you try on that same dress?"
Priscilla and Nora duck back into the dressing rooms after finding the same dress in their sizes. Maggie walks up behind Charlie who is gazing at her reflection intently. "You're wondering if he'd like it? I am quite certain that he would."
Charlie's gaze snaps to Maggie's reflection. "What are you talking about?"
Maggie chuckles. "We all saw the way you and that Bass fellow were acting at dinner last night. Haven't seen a spark like that since your Dad dropped a fork in the toaster."
Charlie grins in spite of herself. "I didn't realize we were being so obvious."
"Are you kidding?" Nora asks as she approaches. The blue dress is a good fit for her too. "It was obvious. It was also obvious that you two were making out when I came upstairs to get you from the studio today." She quirks an eyebrow at Charlie. "Am I right?"
Charlie doesn't say anything, but she can't hide the guilty blush that crawls up her cheeks.
"What?" Priscilla asks, walking up with a big grin. "We need details Charlie. Bass looks luscious. Is he a good kisser?" The dress is perfect for her too. Priscilla smooths the fabric over her hips, admiring the way it fits in the mirror. "I bet he's an animal in bed."
"Priscilla!" Maggie says, surprised.
"Hey, I'm married. That doesn't mean I don't notice other men, especially one as fine as yours, Charlie."
"He's not mine." Charlie says, but she can't help but smile. The thought of Bass being hers – well she thinks she could get used to that.
"Sweetie," Nora says, throwing an arm around her young friend, "He couldn't be more yours if you had him on a leash. The way Bass looks at you is intense."
"Just watch yourself." Maggie warns quietly. "Ben seems to think Bass has a history of well, being a little…" she pauses.
"Whorish?" Priscilla supplies once again with a chuckle.
Nora is laughing, but notices Charlie is not joining in. "Hey, for what it's worth – Miles is convinced that Bass has changed. And let's face it, if Miles Matheson could learn to commit; there's hope for Bass as well."
"Ben did say he hadn't seen Bass in years, so maybe he's different now." Maggie says, placing a reassuring hand on Charlie's shoulder.
"I don't know what he was like before. I only know how I feel when I'm with him." Charlie says quietly.
"And how do you feel when you're with him?" Maggie asks. All three women are watching her closely.
Charlie takes a deep breath, and then says with a sigh, "Alive. I feel alive."
Author's Note: Sorry, not much art in this one. I'll make up for that in chapter 4. Songs included in this chapter are by the great Ella Fitzgerald: "The Very Thought of You", "The Nearness of You", and "Too Darn Hot!" Once again, an enormous thank you to Priya for her help and guidance as this story develops.
PS One more thank you… this one to IceOnFire7 for being a good friend and sounding board and for talking me through some writer's block this past week. A lovely side product of Charloe fan fiction (for me anyway) has been the wonderful new friendships that have evolved. Well that and lots of lovely mental images of David Lyons without his shirt on… haha Oh, you know what I'm talking about! :)
Reviews are always welcome!