Deep down, Chappy knew he was fooling himself. Yes, jacking off might make him feel better in the short run, but as soon as he laid eyes on Carlise, his cock would be raring to go again.
Sighing, he did his best to concentrate on getting the coffee made. He was just as ready to have a cup of joe as Carlise. He leaned against the kitchen counter and listened to the water in the bathroom shut off as the coffee percolated. He tortured himself by imagining Carlise running a towel over her wet body, bending over to put on her underwear, reaching behind her back to fasten her bra.
God! His mind literally wouldn’t give him a break! Wouldn’t stop thinking about how luscious Carlise would look spread out on his sheets. Naked.
By the time she opened the bathroom door, Chappy was so hard, he was surprised he hadn’t come in his pants. Carlise smiled at him, and it was all Chappy could do to say, “Coffee’s ready. I’ll be out soon,” before brushing past her toward the bathroom. The scent of his soap on her skin, the sight of her long hair making her shirt wet, made a burst of precome leak out of his dick. He barely got the door shut before he was stripping off his clothes and heading for the shower.
The water hadn’t had time to completely warm back up yet, but that was fine. A cold shower would probably do him some good. He’d been abrupt with her, and he knew that, but he hadn’t wanted Carlise to see his hard-on. It was either be a little short or potentially make that beautiful blue gaze turn fearful. The latter wasn’t acceptable.
Chappy took hold of his cock the second he stepped under the water, hissing in pleasure as he began to stroke himself. It didn’t take long. He didn’t even have a chance to pour soap in his hand to help him jack off. He’d barely taken hold of his balls with one hand and squeezed his cock with the other before he was coming. Hard.
White ropes of come hit the plastic wall of the shower, and Chappy could picture how Carlise would look with his release on her tits. She’d smile at him and rub his ejaculate into her skin . . .
Shit. His cock twitched again, and another spurt of come coated his hand. The water at his back was lukewarm, and Chappy turned and let it hit his face, forcing himself to think about all the things he needed to do today.
After a minute or so, he was able to grab the soap and clean himself up. Although using the washcloth on his cock was almost painful. His balls were still sensitive as he washed between his legs, and he let out a small chuckle. The fact that he thought he’d feel better once he’d masturbated was almost hilarious. He didn’t feel better. He felt even more wired.
He needed Carlise Edwards in a way that continually shocked him. And not just for sex. He needed her smiles. Her calmness. Her caring nature. The woman had gotten so far under his skin, so fast, that he should’ve been terrified. But instead, all he felt was an anxiety that he wouldn’t be able to convince her to give him a shot.
Then he thought about the look on her face when he’d suggested charging her phone. She’d been . . . nervous? Scared? Of what, he wasn’t totally sure, but Chappy didn’t like it. If anyone dared put a hand on her ever again, they’d regret it. She might not know it, but she had a ready champion. He hadn’t spent all those years in the military without learning how to take down an enemy.
The water went from lukewarm to freezing in a heartbeat, but Chappy stood under the spray for a moment longer, hoping against hope that it would help his cock behave once he got dressed and went back out into the cabin. He wanted Carlise in his bed, under him, wanted to be inside her, but he wanted her to trust him, to feel safe, even more.
And if she never got to the point where she was comfortable making love with him, he’d respect that. Respect her. He’d still protect her. Let her go if that was what she wanted. It might kill him, but he’d do it. He’d never take more than she was willing to give.
In a lot of ways, she was like Baxter. Wanting to be loved. Wanting desperately to be safe. But unable to fully trust those who were willing to help.
Yet.
He’d give Carlise space and time. He’d let her see that she could trust him with her secrets, her body, her everything. And once she opened up, let him know what she was running from, he’d get with JJ, Cal, and Bob to take care of the threat.
Then it was only a matter of convincing her to move to Newton. With him.
Chappy snorted. Right. He had a feeling nothing about Carlise would be easy. But she’d be worth the fight. He knew that without a doubt.
Something was different about Riggs, but Carlise couldn’t put her finger on what it was. He was still his usual friendly and protective self, but she’d caught him staring at her more than usual. And after yesterday, that was saying something. It wasn’t alarming, not really, but she was aware that he was scrutinizing her even more than he had the day before.