Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

CHARLOTTE

I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to go to the Calloways for dinner, but Daphne and Cole had encouraged me to join them.

I think they didn’t want me to be alone. And since Al had invited me too, I went even though it hurt to see Teddy.

He was as stubborn as ever, probably believing that our relationship couldn’t be salvaged.

I saw dinner as a closure of sorts. We’d have to see each other from time to time, and if I could get through tonight, then I’d be okay. I’d get over the pain eventually.

I couldn’t tolerate the idea of him moving on with another woman though.

I’d moved to Daphne and Cole’s on Christmas Eve. I enjoyed spending time with Izzy and Colson.

I went to bed before they even got home from the Calloways. The next morning, I followed the smell of breakfast to the kitchen.

“Morning,” I said as I poured coffee.

“You want to tell us what that was about last night?” Daphne asked, and I stiffened .

Izzy and Colson were in the living room, watching cartoons.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, hoping I could distract her with something else. I wasn’t ready to tell her and my brother about Teddy.

“Izzy said she saw you kissing Teddy.”

“I didn’t kiss Teddy last night.” Then my cheeks heated because I hadn’t denied kissing him at all.

Daphne huffed. “Obviously at some point you did.”

I turned to face her; my mug cradled in my hands.

Cole stood at the counter, his brow raised expectantly.

I shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “We had a thing. But it’s over now.”

Daphne placed a hand on her hip. “You had a thing with Teddy?”

“Why is that so hard to believe?” I asked.

Daphne waved a hand. “Teddy’s been fighting having you on the farm. He complained about you all the time, saying you were too happy or something ridiculous.”

I raised the mug and blew over it. “We were living next to each other and spending a lot of time together.”

Daphne tapped her foot, looking from me to Cole. “Did you know about this?”

Cole cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with this conversation. “It was the first I’d heard of it.”

Daphne raised a brow at her husband. “You’re not upset?”

I sensed that Daphne was bothered more by her husband’s lack of response. Maybe I could get out of this unscathed.

“I was caught up in my sister not coming to me when she had a stalker,” Cole said tightly.

“I wanted to handle it on my own.”

“But you didn’t have to.” He gestured between Daphne and himself. “We’re here for you.”

“But I’ve always handled things on my own. And your relationship with Daphne was new. You didn’t need to get involved with my drama.”

Cole grimaced.

“I’m not criticizing what happened when we were kids. You were my brother, not my parent. You weren’t supposed to be there for me in the same way they were. I don’t blame you for how I was raised.”

Cole blew out a breath. “I think I’ll always blame myself.”

Daphne moved toward him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

It felt like an incredibly intimate moment, and I was jealous that I wouldn’t have those with Teddy anymore.

Cole dropped a soft kiss on her lips, and Daphne touched his cheek before turning to face me. “Maybe it’s time for you to realize you have help. You don’t have to do everything on your own.”

“I’m working on that. Aiden and Fiona took me to the courthouse and helped me to get the order. I’m staying with you for a few days until I find a place.”

Daphne moved away from Cole. “Now that’s settled, what’s going on with you and Teddy?”

“I thought what we had was serious, but I didn’t tell him about Rick, and he’s upset.”

Cole whistled. “I can see why.”

“I apologized. I know I screwed up,” I said miserably.

“He’s a man who protects the people he loves, and you took that away from him,” Cole said simply as if he didn’t rock my entire world. Wes had something similar, but it hit differently when my brother said it.

“He’s saying he can never trust me again.”

“He hadn’t had a serious relationship for as long as I can remember. He doesn’t let people in, and if he did with you, that meant he trusted you. But it was an illusion because you never trusted him with your secret. That’s a blow,” Daphne said thoughtfully.

“I don’t think he’s going to give me another chance.”

Daphne nodded. “You have to be prepared for that to be the case.”

I let out a breath. “I’ll have to be okay with how things are. I’m going to look for a place this week and drum up a few more marketing jobs.”

Daphne’s eyes sparked with interest. “Speaking of marketing. I’m thinking of selling my pies online. Can you help me determine if that’s an option?”

“Of course,” I said, my brain already circulating with possibilities for her business. I loved a challenge.

We ate breakfast, and then I played with Colson and Izzy. I decided to stay with Cole and Daphne while I searched for a new place. I didn’t work for Fiona and Aiden anymore, so it didn’t make sense to intrude on them. This time, I’d let Cole help me.

I called Cole’s real estate agent, Juliana, and she took me to a few apartments. At the end of the day, I was frustrated because nothing was within my price range. And I wasn’t sure I’d be approved for a rental when my income was sketchy at best.

When we left the last option that was in a more rundown part of town, Juliana asked, “Have you considered a house?”

I frowned. “Wouldn’t that be more expensive?”

“Not necessarily.” She searched on her phone. “I have a place that could be an option for you.”

My nose scrunched; I was starting to doubt if I’d find anything. “If it’s within my price range, I’ll look at it.”

She looked up at me and smiled. “Luckily, it is. ”

I followed her to a place outside of town. Maybe it was cheaper out here, or I was renting an apartment over a garage similar to the set up at the Calloways. It would be too good to be true to rent something like the cottage.

When she pulled down a long lane lined with trees, I questioned what we were doing here. Then the house came into view. It was a modern-day farmhouse with vertical white siding and black shutters. Each window had one small wreath tied with a red velvet bow. The columns on the wraparound porch were lined with lights and garland.

I got out, my heart pounding heavily in my chest. This was my dream house. There was no chance this was in my price range.

When Juliana joined me, I asked, “This place has a room for rent?”

“Nope. It’s the entire house,” Juliana said brightly.

There was no way.

“You want to see it?” Juliana asked from the porch where she’d already unlocked the door and pushed it open.

I was already here. What could it hurt? “Sure. Why not?”

She stayed in the doorway. “I’ll let you take a look around.”

I couldn’t believe the owners let potential renters have free rein of the house, but I was too far gone now. I wanted to see everything.

There was a study to my right, a living room to my left, and as I followed the hallway it opened up to a grand family room complete with a stone fireplace and a humungous Christmas tree decorated with red and green ornaments and red velvet ribbon and bows. It was the perfect tree.

The rustic wood mantle was lined with mini poinsettias. The family room was open to a huge kitchen with a gourmet island and white marble countertops. I could see through a doorway to the dining room where red and white floral arrangement sat in the center of the table .

That’s when I noticed the trail of red petals on the floor that led to the French doors and outside.

When I opened the door, the view had me looking up. It was like being in a tree house. The deck spanned the length of the house, but it was also wide. We were so high up here; it was like being in the trees. White lights curved around the railing, and at the end of the deck, there was another Christmas tree.

Why would anyone decorate this place, then rent it out? It made no sense.

But I loved it. There was zero chance I could afford this, but a girl could always dream. I looked up at the sky, and said, “What do I have to do to get a place like this?”

“You don’t have to do anything.” The familiar gruff voice came from somewhere behind me and had me spinning.

“Teddy. Why are you here?”

He stood a few feet away from me, holding a bouquet of deep red roses. “This is my place.”

I shook my head as if to clear it. “I don’t understand. Why would Juliana bring me to your place?”

“Because I have a room to rent, if you’re interested.”

I opened, then closed my mouth.

He held his hand over his heart. “It’s right here, and it’s all for you if you want it.”

Tears threatened as he moved closer to me, moving a strand of hair behind my ear. “I love you, Charlotte Monroe. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

I shook my head. “It was my fault. I wasn’t honest about my past.”

“I wish you’d told me sooner, but it doesn’t change how I feel about you. I felt powerless when I saw that asshole pressing you against the siding. I was so scared for you.”

“Oh, Teddy.” I cupped his cheek.

“I couldn’t see a life where you weren’t in it.”

“Me either.” I’d scared him badly. “I’m so sorry. ”

“No more apologies. I wish you’d told me so I could have protected you. Thinking about what could have happened drove me crazy.”

“But it didn’t. I’m right here, and I’m safe.”

“I have a hard time trusting people, and when I found out that you’d kept something so important from me, I couldn’t handle it.”

I opened my mouth, but he pressed a finger against my lips. “I love you, and I want a lifetime with you. So what do you say? Do you have room in here for me?” He touched my chest, where my heart was beating rapidly, then pressed my hand to his. “Because I have space for you in here.”

I nodded, even as my tears threatened to choke my words. “I love you too.”

With a whoop, Teddy lifted me so that my legs straddled his waist. He backed me up until my butt rested on the wide deck railing. Then he kissed me as I looped my wrists around his neck.

He finally pulled back, nestling his nose against my neck as if he was breathing me in. I held him tight to me.

When he finally lifted his head, he asked, “What do you think of my place?”

“It’s my dream house. I couldn’t believe Juliana brought me here.” Then I panicked. “Is she still waiting for me?”

“I asked her to drop you off and go.”

At my confused expression, he continued, “When Cole told me you were looking for an apartment, I got Juliana’s number and asked that she bring you here. I was banking on you wanting to stay here in my bed.”

“I do. So much. I can’t believe you did all of that. Especially when I was the one who messed up.” I still felt a sense of awe that I was here in Teddy’s arms.

“I was the one who was stubborn. I wished you’d told me sooner. I wanted to protect you. But instead of saying any of that, I retreated, shutting you out. But I couldn’t do life without you. I didn’t like coming home to this big empty house when I felt a void inside.”

I smoothed my hand over his chest. My heart ached for him. “We both messed up.”

“We’re going to make mistakes. But I promise to discuss things with you, not shut you out.”

I let out a shaky breath. “And I promise to always be truthful.”

Teddy smoothed my hair out of my face. “How can we go wrong?”

I smiled. “I don’t think we can.”

His brow furrowed. “I kind of want to show you my bedroom now.”

“Take me to bed,” I said huskily, holding on tight as Teddy lifted me, my legs banding around his waist. He carried me inside and up the stairs to the end of the hall and his massive bedroom. I noticed his furniture was dark and heavy as he lowered me to the comforter, following me down.

“I’ll never get enough of you,” he growled into my skin.

“Mmm. I like the sound of that.” I loved the vibration of his voice through my body.

We took our time kissing and getting reacquainted with each other. There was no sense of urgency. We had all night to spend together. Each touch, each kiss was a revelation, a promise to always be there for each other.

I’d never take us for granted again.

When he finally entered me, my body was trembling for release. His cock easily slid inside, his movements slow and measured. Within minutes, I was careening toward the biggest orgasm I’d ever experienced.

It was too much yet not enough. We had a lifetime with each other. I’d given him all my heart, and he’d given me his. There was nothing more satisfying than that.