32. Phoenix

CHAPTER 32

Phoenix

" I 'm heading over to Charlie's," I called from the front door as I slipped my shoes on. "I'll probably just stay over there."

My mother was in the foyer in an instant.

"You're spending a lot of time over there," she said, a knowing grin on her face. "And a lot of nights too." She narrowed her gaze at me. "What's going on between you two, Phoenix?"

"What? Nothing!" I said a little too quickly. "We're just… you know… catching up . We've been apart for a long time."

"Phoenix," she said softly, putting her hand on my arm. "I'm not blind, you know. I've seen you sit by the boy's side for months while he was in a coma. And I saw your reaction when he cut you out of his life. Not to mention, I read your book." She looked up at me, her brows drawn together. "I know you love him."

Her words should've shocked me. Four months ago, they would have. But after Ted's warning and my dropping everything to come back to Creekside to see Charlie, I couldn't even pretend to be surprised. Of course she knew. How could she not? The poor woman had gotten me a permanent room in Portland for the entire four months Charlie was in the hospital because I refused to leave his side. That was a lot of care for us being just friends .

"What do you want me to say?" I sighed. "You already know the truth."

"Are you two together?"

"We haven't put a label on it yet."

"But you're sleeping together."

"Oh my god, Mom…" I sighed. "That's private information."

"Are you two being safe?"

"That's none of your business." I shouldered my backpack, turning toward the door. "I'm leaving now."

"Phoenix," she said, grabbing my shoulder. "I… I know I'm being nosy."

That was the first time in my life she'd ever admitted that, and it made me pause.

"But I'm worried about you."

"What's there to worry about?"

"I know Charlie won't hurt you on purpose. I don't think he's ever done anything to you with ill intentions." Her expression told me she truly believed that. "But he has hurt you. And… Well, I don't want to see you get hurt again."

"He's been through a lot, Mom. He lost everything. It only makes sense that he pulled away from everyone. "

"I know that, honey. But doesn't knowing that make it hurt less?"

I stared down at her. However, try as I might, I couldn't argue. She had a point.

"I want you to be happy," she continued. "And if that happens means being with Charlie, I would love to have him as my son-in-law."

My heart skipped a beat. Had she just implied that Charlie and I might get married someday? The thought nearly knocked me off my feet.

"But I want you to be careful with him," she added. "If things get too hard, he might pull away again. And I don't want you to be left high and dry with another broken heart." She let out a long sigh. "I know it sounds like I'm picking on Charlie, but I'm not. I swear. I can't blame him for behaving how he does. Not after what he's been through. But you're also my son and I don't want to see you get hurt." She reached up, cupping my cheek. "I want you both to be so happy that the pain of the past disappears forever, and you can go into the future with light hearts, like when you were kids. I desperately wish that for you two."

"Alright Laura," a deep but soft voice said from behind us. "Let the boy go." Ted walked up behind her, sweeping his arms around her waist. "I can see where he gets the writing thing from. I leave you two alone for two minutes and you're waxing poetically about love."

"I'm not done yet, Teddy," she replied, halfheartedly trying to squirm out of his grip. "Let me go."

"You better run," Ted grinned up at me. "She's feeling feisty." He leaned down, kissing her neck. "I know how to help her with that."

"You're both disgusting," I said, rolling my eyes. "I'll see you two tomorrow. "

"Have a good night," Ted called.

"Bring Charlie over for breakfast!" my mother added as I stepped out the door. "I'm making cinnamon rolls!"

"We'll see."

I turned back just in time to see Ted sweep my mother up into his arms and carry her into the living room. Grinning, I pushed the door closed and headed down the street, my mother's words still echoing in my ears. I didn't want to admit how right she was about all of it. But there was one thing I was sure of. I needed Charlie like I needed air in my lungs. And I was gonna do everything I could to convince him of that. No matter what.

"I can't believe you made me watch Labyrinth ," I muttered, shaking my head. "It's such a kids movie."

"What about David Bowie's bulge makes you think that's a kid's movie?" Charlie shot back, his arms crossed over his chest in defiance.

"It's nothing but puppets!"

"And? They weren't little fluffy animals or anything. Most of them are terrifying." He held up a hand to silence me before I could continue. "And the music is incredible."

"Okay," I admitted. "The music is good. I'll give you that."

"The story is great too."

"It's fine."

"And David Bowie's bulge."

I lifted an eyebrow. "I'm not super thrilled about you being obsessed with another man's bulge. "

Charlie leaned forward, his hands on my thighs. "Well, get over it," he grinned mischievously. "You're not the only hot guy in the world."

"Are you telling me you want to fuck David Bowie?"

"He's dead. So probably not."

"You know what I mean."

He gave me a good once over. "There's a reason I never had sex with anyone else but you." His hand came to rest on my cheek, his thumb caressing the stubble along my jaw. "You're the only person I've ever wanted to do that with. Other men are attractive, but I can't see myself trusting them that much." He leaned close, his voice soft. "But you… I know I can trust you, Nix. You've never done anything to hurt me."

The smile on my face was so wide it hurt. Not to mention my heart was beating a mile a minute and my dick was already straining against my shorts. Until Charlie, I never knew that such sweet affection could turn me into such a hornball. I was quickly developing a praise kink that seemed to only work when Charlie was the one delivering said praise.

"You don't mean that," I chuckled. "You just want to get in my pants."

"Can't it be both?"

I leaned close, pressing my lips to his. He opened up immediately, our tongues swirling around one another as our kiss deepened. Before I knew it, he was on my lap, his body grinding against mine. Electricity sparked through me, my movements becoming more erratic as I tried to touch as much of him as I could. I needed him and no matter what I did, I could never get enough .

Charlie slid off my lap, grabbing me by the hand and dragging me to the bedroom. Once inside, he tossed me down on the bed, quickly climbing on top of me. With deft hands, he stripped off my shirt and shorts, my cock springing free of its fabric prison. Before I could say anything, he took me into his mouth, swallowing me down to the hilt. I gasped and grabbed a handful of his hair instinctively.

"Oh fuck…" I muttered, watching his head bob up and down on my cock.

He was ravenous. Pleasure surged through me at an alarming rate. After spending nearly a week having sex with Charlie, I would've thought I'd be less prone to getting off so quickly. But there was something about him that drove me wild and the more we fucked, the more I found myself unable to resist his passion. His technique was also improving quickly, and he'd learned my special spots after the first night.

That's why, after only a couple of minutes of Charlie trying to suck my soul out through my cock, he succeeded. With a cry I tilted my head back against the pillow, filling his mouth with my seed. Those dark brown eyes of his looked up and locked onto my own, his lips working as he swallowed every last drop.

I'd never been so fucking turned on in my life.

"Please," I begged, breathless and spent but aching for more. "I need you inside me."

He wasted no time. Reaching down, he peeled off his shirt and tossed it aside. Next went his shorts, his gorgeously thick cock bouncing as he stepped out of them. Grabbing the lube from the nightstand, he smeared a generous helping over his shaft and on to my ass. I hooked my arms behind my knees, spreading myself wide for him as he took his position .

"Wait," he said, a grin spreading over his face. "I want to try a different position."

I didn't even blink. "How do you want me?"

"Get on all fours."

I couldn't help but smile. Doggy was one of my favorite positions when I topped. There was just something so satisfying about pounding a tight ass from behind. I had no doubt that Charlie would love it.

Doing as I was told, I got on all fours, making sure my head was at least a foot or two from the wall in case he got excited . I arched my back, getting my ass a little higher to turn him on. Bottoming had never been my go-to position. But with Charlie, I couldn't get enough of it. I wanted him to pound me. To make me his plaything and take whatever he wanted. It was amazing how easy it was to want those things when I fully and truly trusted the person giving it to me. With Charlie I could let go and just exist and it was the most wonderful feeling ever.

I let out a half cry, half moan as Charlie gave my ass a slap. The pain mixed with pleasure in the most exquisite way. A moment later I felt his twitching cock come to rest against my hole. Willing myself to relax, I felt him rock forward and slowly sink himself to the hilt.

"Fuck," he moaned, both his hands going to my hips. "This is a great fucking view."

I knew he'd love it. Crossing my arms, I rested my head on them, leaving my ass high in the air for him to do as he pleased. However, I barely had time to blink before his hands wrapped around my waist and he pulled me up. His cock stayed firmly buried inside me as my back came to rest against his chest.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he said, kissing and nibbling at my neck. "I love the way you look with my thick cock in your ass. "

He ground his hips forward, a low guttural moan escaping my lips. In this position, his cockhead was pressed directly against my prostate, sending wave after wave of ecstasy through my entire body. Already my cock was rock-hard again, oozing pre-cum onto the sheets, my body completely forgetting that I'd cum only a couple of minutes before. Not only that, but I felt hornier than before. I needed this more than anything.

I pushed back against him, begging for more with my movements. Charlie just smiled against my neck, kissing me softly. With one hand on my hip and the other around my throat, he slowly thrusted inside me, giving me every last inch of his beautiful cock. I moaned and braced myself against the headboard, loving every minute of his exquisite torture. No matter what I did, I could never get enough of this. Having him inside me, filling up all my empty spaces, was like being home. I'd never felt this good with anyone before. Alone I was content with life. But with Charlie I felt like I could fly.

However, those soft caressing movements of his soon grew rough and greedy. Charlie let go of my throat, forcing me down so I was level with the headboard. His other hand came to my hips as he began to pound me out like I was some common slut. The room filled with the sound of moans and his balls slapping against my ass. The percussive force sent wave after wave of delight rushing through me. I could hear almost nothing over the pounding of my heart in my ears. And I could focus on nothing else but the warmth growing in my belly.

Something about the way this man fucked me was so perfect that I could get off without even touching myself. Nobody had ever been able to do that. But tonight was going to be the third time he'd accomplished that feat in less than a week. Color me impressed.

"Fuck, baby," Charlie growled, fucking me harder. "I'm gonna cum soon. "

"Yes," I moaned, pushing back against him. "I need it."

"Such a good little bottom," he cooed. "You look so fucking beautiful like this. All flushed and red and taking my cock."

Fuck… the way he talked to me when he was about to breed me turned me on so much. I never knew my dick was voice activated until him. But now, with just a little bit of teasing, he was driving me dangerously close to the edge.

"Please," I bagged. "Please cum inside me!"

"I'm gonna, baby. Don't you worry."

As much as I wanted to wait, to orgasm at the same time as him, I could hold it back no longer. An intense tingling sensation filled my balls and shot up my cock as I cried out, covering his bed sheets in my second load of the evening. My body tensed around him, hugging his cock as he fucked me with reckless abandon.

The friction must have been enough to drive him over the edge because a moment later he slammed himself to the hilt and pulled me up against his chest once more, his growls of pleasure filling my ears. His thrusts were jerky and involuntary as he pumped his load deep inside me, the intense heat filling my insides. The sensation made me melt into him, my tongue practically lolling out of my mouth as the bliss threatened to consume my mind, body, and soul.

Together we collapsed on the bed, Charlie slipping out of me as we turned to face one another. I could feel his seed leaking out of me, but I didn't care. I savored the sensation, turned on even more by it. There was something about these moments that made me feel like I belonged to him. Like he'd marked me as his own. And I fucking loved it.

"That," Charlie gasped, his chest still heaving as he reached up and ran his fingers through my hair. "Was incredible. "

"Mm-hmm," I nodded. "You're getting really good at this for being a total newbie."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You're the best lay I've ever had," I replied, kissing his nose. "So it's definitely a compliment."

Charlie was silent for a moment. "E-Even better than Tony?"

"Are you kidding?" I scoffed. "You're way better than Tony." I snaked an arm over his waist, pulling him close. "Tony who?"

"Sorry… I just… I know I'm new at this and I worry…" He looked up at me, those deep brown eyes full of fear I'd known all too often myself. "I'm worried if I don't do a good enough job… well, you might leave."

"Why would I do that?"

"You're attractive, you're successful, and you have a motorcycle," he said, ticking them off on his fingers like they were the most obvious reasons on the planet. "Guys must fawn over you all the time, especially at those book signings."

"No," I said. "Not really. Mostly it's just middle-aged women who want a thrill. Which is super cool, and I love them, but they're not my type, you know?"

Charlie smiled. "Sorry. I'm just being insecure."

"It doesn't bother me." I reached up, cupping his cheek. "But you're the only one for me, Charlie. I want you to know that. You and I have so much unfinished business and time to make up for. We're not over by a long shot."

He pulled me close, burying his face in my neck. "I wish you could stay here forever… "

"I could move here," I offered without a second thought. "I could let the lease lapse on my place in Boston and move back to Creekside."

"You can't drop everything for me," Charlie said, sitting up. His voice was suddenly stern in a way that left zero room for opposition. "I won't let you do that. You have to keep writing and living your dreams, even if that means you have to be away for long periods of time."

"But… I want to stay here with you!"

"You have a life to live." he said, reaching up and running my thumb over the stubble on my cheek. "And I'll still be here when you get back. I'll always be here for you."

"What if something happens again and you won't let me back in?"

The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. And the moment they did, I knew I'd gone too far. Charlie's smile faded and he pulled his hand back. I could see the hurt on his face as he shifted away from me.

"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "I shouldn't have said that… I… I'm just scared."

He softened slightly. "It's okay. I understand."

"Charlie, I–"

I stopped myself before I could say those three little words we'd said to one another a million times. But I knew that if I said them now, they'd mean more than anything I'd ever said in my entire life. Charlie wasn't ready for that yet. He was still trying to figure stuff out and I knew where I wanted to be in his life, but I didn't want to push him. Instead, I decided to cover my feelings with facts.

"I have to go back in a couple days," I said at last. "To Boston, I mean. The publisher needs me for a few things and then I'll be right back, okay? "

"You don't have to run right back here," he said, shaking his head. "I'll be okay."

"Yeah, but I won't." I leaned close, placing a soft kiss against his lips. "I want to be near you as often as I can. And if that means a plane ticket now and then, I'm fine with that. Even if I had to walk here, I'd do it. I'd do anything for you, Charlie."

"I'd do anything for you too, Nix," he replied softly.

"Would you come to breakfast at my mom's house tomorrow? She's making cinnamon rolls, and she told me to invite you. She knows about… all this ," I said, gesturing to us lying there naked in bed.

He looked suddenly terrified. "You told her?"

"She guessed."

"Oh." Charlie seemed a bit relieved at that. However, he nervously fidgeted with the blanket for a moment before replying. "Y-Yeah. I guess breakfast would be fine."

"It'll be just the four of us."

"Okay," he nodded, confidence surging back into his voice. "Yeah. Why not? That sounds nice."

"Thank you," I said, kissing him again.

"You're welcome." He pressed his forehead to mine, holding it there for a long moment. "Ready to get fucked again?"

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "You're such a romantic."

"I just know what you like. What we both like."

"Well," I sighed. "I'm already lubed up. Might as well."

I wrapped my arms around him, rolling over the sheets. It was going to be another sleepless night as I shared a bed with the man of my dreams.

And I hoped it would always be like that.