ONE TO WATCH

CHARLIE: I NEEDED THAT

Back home, the house was in darkness.

Everyone must be out.

They slipped their shoes off at the door and walked silently side by side up the stair case towards her room. Charlie tried to calm her thoughts. She could feel her heart beating a little too fast in her chest. They passed the floor where Delyan's room was and kept going up the stairs. Quietly she opened her bedroom door and peeked inside. The light from the bathroom was enough to see that Bibiana's bed was empty. She pushed the door open wider.

"Want to come in?" she whispered. "B's not home yet..."

Delyan hesitated in the doorway. "Are you sure?"

He was hard to read.

Did he want her to beg?

She took his hand and gave it a gentle tug. They both stepped into the room; she closed the door behind them. Looking around, she hesitated. She had momentarily forgotten about the small size of her room. Her bed was a single, tucked against the wall. She laughed nervously.

"Maybe we should have gone to your room?"

Delyan clasped her hand. "I don't care," he said. "I'm not here to sleep."

He strode across the room, pulling her along, and switched on a bedside lamp. A soft pink glow filled the room.

His almond-shaped eyes locked onto hers, dark and filled with desire. Her heart began to race once more. The silence that followed was unsettling.

There was something about Delyan that had troubled Charlie since they first met—a darkness, a mood he tried to conceal. She was certain he was hiding something. Ignoring her intuition, she focused on his undeniable allure. He had already undressed her with his eyes, and she decided she deserved some fun.

Bringing her hands up to her hair, she pulled at the band securing her ponytail and shook her locks across her shoulders. His eyes never left hers. With the briefest nod of his head, she followed her instincts and began to remove her dress. He stood close enough for her to feel his breath on her skin. Occasionally he touched her arm or her collarbone in silent encouragement. When she was standing in her underwear, he kissed her lightly on the lips. It was the briefest touch of his lips on hers and it left her wanting more. Slowly he smoothed his hands over her bare shoulders and down her back, releasing her bra clip. When he spoke, a glint of a smile passed through his eyes but still the question shocked her.

"Shall we use Bibiana's bed?"

"Ugh no!" she responded.

"You sure?" Delyan grinned.

Charlie shook her head. She should have known he was going to say something like that. He seemed to enjoy her discomfort. Grabbing at the seam of his t-shirt, she pulled it over his head in one smooth move. His lean body glowed.

"You know I'm joking?" he questioned. "I'd never do something like that. I'm a closet people pleaser."

"Really?" Charlie teased. "That's not what I hear." She'd got the impression from the girls in the house that Delyan didn't go out of his way to make people like him.

"Okay," he laughed. "Maybe just in bed."

Charlie grinned and he kissed her again. This time with more force. Pushing her lips apart, he stroked her tongue roughly with his. She wanted more of him, all of him. When they pulled apart, he cradled her head and asked: "So, what are you into?"

She placed a hand on his bare chest and moved it down towards his belly button. His fingers locked around her wrist. "Not yet I need you to tell me what you like."