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Chapter 41

*C H A R L O T T E*

The tension is too strong, I can't resist the temptation to touch him any longer. Very carefully I scoot closer to Hero. Our legs are touching slightly and for a second a jolt of electricity hits us. This also brings back a lot of memories. Even after all this time he has this effect on me. I immediately get goosebumps all over my body and my heartrate is picking up. Gee, all I did was touch his leg and this is how my body reacts?

I look at Hero from the corner of my eye and a slight smile touches his lips. He felt it too and he's enjoying this. I wish it was that easy for me. I wish I could still enjoy this without thinking about what happened. Oh, how I wish I was back in Madeira.

Hero's hand moves very slowly and very carefully. I can't imagine how Killian, Jack and Lizzie aren't noticing the change in the air. It's like I'm on fire. How can they not notice? But my friends are concentrating on the film and they don't pay any attention to us. Hero's hand has reached my thigh and he softly touches it. I freeze for a second. Can I allow this to go any further without getting his hopes up? Too late to back off now, I've let this go too far so I might as well cave a little. I still sit in a straight, awkward position and I relax a bit. I slightly lean on Hero's shoulder now. I feel his body relax as well. I know he was afraid to see my reaction to his touch but we're not doing anything bad (I mean, could it get any worse than the wedding?!) so I decide to enjoy the ride. We're just watching a movie after all and I realize that if it was Killian or Jack I wouldn't think this over or I wouldn't feel uncomfortable. I just don't know how to act around Hero or how to be friends with him but if I would sit like this with Killian, surely it's okay to cuddle up to Hero as well. Being friends is exhausting! I can't wait to go to bed. Well, that'll probably be a struggle too. Like, where do I change? Do I cover up my pajamas? Will I be able to sleep with Hero in the same room? I imagine that the electricity will multiply when it's dark and there is no one else around. My heart is racing again and I feel a familiar tingle in my lower stomach. Just the thought of sharing a room with Hero is enough to get excited. Hero is like an addiction and it's very hard to resist when he's so close to me. I need to stay strong and I really need to find a way out of this addiction.

"Ha, I love this film," Jack says. "Gets better every time!"

And just like that the tension eases a little.

"I agree," Killian answers. "Love the humor, it's so funny!"

I stick out my tongue.

"Those Belgians," Killian laughs and he rolls his eyes.

"More wine anyone?" Jack asks.

"I'd kill for a beer to be honest," Killian replies.

"Oh, I'd love a beer to," I admit.

"Well, I think we have some Strongbow and Stella in the fridge but none of those other fancy Belgian beers," Jack teases.

Killian gets up and walks to the fridge to get our beers.

"I'd love a beer too!" Hero says.

Jack nods as well.

"And a chamomile tea for mommy," Lizzie adds.

Killian brings over our beers and Lizzie's tea.

"Do you even have Belgian beers where you live now?" he asks me.

"Yes! My housemate's bar just imported a few so I'm very happy. A lot of bars there offer some kind of Belgian beer to be fair. It's a very popular holiday destination for Belgians."

"We should totally visit!" Killian enthusiastically replies.

"Uhm, did you forget about the buns in the oven?" Lizzie asks with a sour voice and she pats her belly.

"Oh yeah... I forgot." Killian sits back down and stares at the twins.

"I can't wait to meet them!" I say and I clap my hands. "They will be so spoiled!"

"Exactly the reason why we made you godmother," Jack teases.

Lizzie slaps his head.

"Jack!" she hisses.

We all laugh. During the rest of the evening we talk about the twins and their future. They already are the most spoiled babies in the world!

"Okay, I'm going to bed," Lizzie yawns. "I'm super tired!"

"Good idea," I add. "I haven't gotten much sleep last night so I could use some sleep as well."

"Well in that case, I will let you use the bathroom first. I'm a bit slow these days."

I say goodnight to my friends and I hug them all. I can't skip Hero of course so I give him a hug as well. It's probably the most awkward hug in the world and it's a very short one. I immediately feel the blood rush to my cheeks.

"Goodnight," I mumble.

I hurry to my room to take my pajamas and rush to the bathroom. I take a few deep breaths and I look in the mirror to see how flushed I am. I splash some cold water in my face to cool down.

"Easy girl," I whisper.

I brush my teeth and comb my hair. I've already taken too long in the bathroom and there is nothing more to do here so I sigh and walk to my room.

Hero is already there. He has already taken off his shirt and is in the process of taking off his jeans.

"Oh, hi," he says when I walk in. He sounds super casual.

"Hi," I mumble back.

I don't even dare to look at him! His bare chest, his boxers...

I quickly turn my back at him and start folding my clothes to put them on the chair. I concentrate on that so much I hadn't even noticed that Hero left his bed to walk towards me. All of a sudden he's behind me and I can feel the heat come off his chest. I jerk my head up and freeze. I don't turn around though but my hands ache to slide over his smooth skin.

"Why so nervous?" Hero whispers in a low voice. He makes his accent especially thick, just the way I like it. "There is no reason to be nervous around me, Charlotte."

He comes a little closer and his smooth chest touches my back. He takes my hands in his for a second and then his hands slide over my arms, leaving goosebumps. I'm on fire again. When his hands reach my shoulders, he bows his head and his soft lips touch my left shoulder. The kiss leaves my skin burning.