Page 72 of Floored (Frenched 3)
He squeezed my shoulder. “I’m just kidding, Erin. We can call it whatever.”
I lay my cheek on his chest again, but I felt a teensy bit unsettled. What the hell did more mean, anyway, if it didn’t mean dating? Was there some sort of stage between fuck friends and dating I didn’t know about? I started to wonder if I’d made a mistake listening to Coco and Mia. What if Charlie and I weren’t on the same page?
What if I was falling alone?
“Your body is so tense right now.” Charlie kissed my head and traced a little circle on my shoulder. “Relax, honey. I’m right where I want to be.”
The uncharacteristic endearment eased me a little, and I melted into him again. Stop being so scared. Be patient and honest, and have a little faith. “OK. Night.”
“Night.” He kissed my head again, and I felt better.
But I noticed that he didn’t fall asleep right away. As I drifted off, he kept brushing his fingers over my shoulder in a slow, sweet arc.
#
The next morning I woke up before Charlie did. I was on my side facing away from him, and when I flipped over, I found him still lying on his back, one hand over his head, one on his stomach. It gave me a girlish little fluttery feeling in my belly to see him there. His face was just as handsome in repose, which seemed unfair since you couldn’t even see the cerulean eyes. So what was it then? The individual features were nice—straight nose, nice lips, strong jaw—but not all that unique. The symmetry? Propping my head in one hand, I closed one eye and scrutinized him. I was leaning in a little closer when Charlie’s eyes opened.
“What the hell?”
Blushing, I flopped back onto my pillow, facing him. “Sorry. Just checking you out.”
“Did I pass muster?”
“Eh. You’ll do. In a pinch.”
His hand shot over and pinched my side, then his arm circled my waist and pulled me into him. I curled my body around his side, head on his warm, bare chest. He smelled so good. I was glad he couldn’t see my silly grin.
“How’d you sleep?” I asked.
“Pretty well. You?”
“Like a baby.”
“Good.” He squeezed me. “I have to get going, but I’ll take you to get your car before I head home.”
“OK. Thanks.”
“What will you do today?”
“I was thinking of putting up my Christmas tree later. I’ve been so busy with the wedding and weekend rehearsals I haven’t had time.”
“What are you rehearsing for?”
“Competitions in the spring. The first one isn’t until March, but there are a lot of vacation weekends before that. I want to be really prepared. Those things are nerve-racking enough, and I have the added pressure of being a new studio owner who has to prove herself.”
He smiled. “I have a feeling you’ll prove yourself and then some. Remind me when it comes up. I want to go.”
Surprised, I looked down at him. “You’d come to a dance competition? Do you know how long and boring they are?”
“I don’t know anything about them other than that they’re important to you.”
My blood heated, making my entire body hum. “Thanks.” I looked at his bare chest, swept my fingers across it. “You have to get going right away, huh?”
“Kind of.” He paused. “I have to see my grandfather for lunch.”
I gave him a quizzical look. “I thought you had to pick something up.”
“I do. Something for my grandfather.” Charlie’s body was tense, the muscles in his stomach twitching. I hoped he didn’t think I was prying—I was just curious. I wanted to know him better.
