“Of course, Dr. Hanson. What’s the visit for?”
Dr. Hanson adjusts his glasses, reading the file in front of him. “A young girl is looking to go on birth control.”
“Smart move,” I say, closing the file I’d been reading. “And the patient's name?”
“Charlotte…” he begins at the same time my eyes flick toward him, “… Mason.”
The corners of my mouth slowly quirk up, but then I force myself to remain professional, reverting to a blank expression.
Things between us changed the night after Adriana’s birthday. A simple kiss became so much more. I’d only wish Charlotte didn’t overhear the argument between Samantha and me the morning after. It wasn’t my finest moment, but perhaps the truth unveiling itself forced our feelings to the surface. Denial can only go so far, and frankly—I am tired of fighting the truth.
And from our admission inside the pool house, things got heated quickly. I still remember yesterday when she was supposed to be studying with Adriana at my parents' house, but Adriana bailed to go see Elijah …
Adriana slams the door, telling us she’ll be back in an hour. I had no idea Charlotte would be here as I only planned to stop by to pick up a book from Dad’s office.
The big brown eyes stare at me inside the kitchen, but then they fall to the countertop in a sudden move. Charlotte’s cheeks turn a perfect shade of crimson, and if possible, making her all the more beautiful even though she’s still in her school uniform.
“Alex?” she barely manages, clearing her throat to control her shaky voice. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
I do my best to hide my smirk, crossing my arms with a persistent stare instead.
“I had to pick something up. You know, since it’s my parents’ house.”
“Uh, yeah, of course.”
The bottom of my lip angles while biting the side, trying to hold back the urge to touch her. Yet the forbidden fruit is dangled in front of me, demanding I have just one taste.
I run my hands through my hair, then take steps toward Charlotte to grab her hand. The moment our fingers touch, the adrenaline runs inside my veins, causing my heart to pump hard beneath my shirt.
Charlotte’s eyes meet mine, the innocence behind the brown orbs begging me to take the lead. I pull on her hand, tilting my head to motion for her to follow me.
We walk toward my bedroom on the second floor, a few doors down from my sister's room. I place my hand on the knob, turning it to smell the familiar scent of cologne my mother gifts me every Christmas.
“So, umm, this is your room?” Charlotte asks while taking it all in.
“You’ve never seen my room?”
“Not technically, I mean, a few times Adria—” She stops speaking while her eyes widen.
“Adriana, what?”
“Uh, never mind.”
“You can’t say never mind,” I chastise, letting go of her hand and folding my arms. “Why does my sister snoop in my room?”
“Look, I don’t want to get involved in sibling drama,” she declares while staring at the pinboard hanging above my desk. “Let’s just say she was short of funds and thought she could find some lying here.”
“As usual,” I grunt, annoyed at my sister.
Charlotte raises her hand to touch a photo pinned to the corkboard. I move in closer to see it’s my high school graduation.
“It feels like a lifetime ago,” I mumble, glancing at the cap and gown I’m wearing. “My dad gave me this stern lecture of all his high hopes and how I better not screw it up.”
“You didn’t,” Charlotte whispers. “You won’t.”
I place my arms around her waist, bringing her close to me. The smell of her hair is sweet, like strawberries mixed with vanilla, but a scent so pure it only reminds me of her.
My lips find their way to her neck, kissing her skin gently as her breathing becomes louder.