Show Me How by Molly McAdams Page B

Jagger was drawing in the back.
    â€œJagger,” we mumbled at the same time.
    â€œI’ll go let him know we’re here,” he said, and set off in that direction, but I didn’t bother to respond as a flash of blond caught my attention.
    I hurried to set the bags of food on the table before quietly walking toward the couches, where Charlie was curled into a ball on her side; her finger still holding her place in a book even though she was asleep.
    My mouth curled into an amused grin as I squatted next to her. ­“People actually fall asleep like this?” I said under my breath, and carefully took the book from her.
    Once I had it set down, I looked back down at her, and was struck again with the intense urge to touch her. To feel her body against mine again.
    Before I could do something as stupid as either of those things, her eyes shot open and she jerked away from me. Her hand went to her chest, and she exhaled roughly.
    â€œOh my God, Deacon,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.
    â€œCharlie Girl.”
    Blood rushed to her cheeks, and though she opened her mouth, it took her a few seconds to get the words out. “Why are you staring at me while I sleep? It’s creepy when Keith does it, and I actually expect him to be there when I wake up.”
    â€œI . . .” I blew out a slow breath, and sat back on my heels when I faltered for a reason that I could give her. “I was going to wake you up. You beat me to it.”
    â€œRoom.”
    My brow furrowed. “What?”
    She placed her hand against my chest, and pushed. “Give me room so I can sit up.” Once she was upright, she ran a hand through her long hair and looked around the large room as she blinked slowly, like she was trying to orient herself.
    â€œHow did you sleep through Jagger’s music?”
    She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. Years of getting used to it, I guess.”
    Jesus Christ. Why the hell did this tired, rumpled version of Charlie make me want her more?
    This was Charlie. Charlie Girl . Jagger’s shy little sister. Shy, sweet Charlie who had always been in the background my entire life. No man could deny that she was gorgeous, but she wanted to be invisible, and she usually succeeded in it.
    I’d never once thought of her in any way like I had the past ­couple weeks. I’d never wanted to touch her. I’d never wanted to push her back down and cover her body with mine. I’d never wanted to know what she felt like beneath me.
    This had to be what it felt like to lose your damn mind. Because this was fucking Charlie .
    It had never been that she was untouchable; it was just that there was no thinking of her at all. I didn’t know what to do now that I couldn’t stop. Ever since that night, that damn night outside these very walls had changed something. And I wanted to change it right back.
    â€œWhy are you here?” she asked softly.
    I glanced up to find her studying the ground with her arms wrapped securely around her waist.
    There she went, trying to be invisible again . . . but I’d never seen anyone so clearly.
    â€œGraham and I brought breakfast from Mama’s,” I said as I nodded toward the kitchen area, even though she still wasn’t looking at me. “Speaking of, I figured I would’ve seen you there.”
    â€œI switched with someone, so I’m going in later today.” She looked over her shoulder toward the kitchen, and said, “But I should get ready because I have to walk to work.”
    â€œWalk?” I asked as she stood.
    Charlie gave me an odd look just as Keith came running in.
    â€œDeaton, Deaton, Deaton! Guess who I am!”
    I huffed when he slammed into me, then held him away from me to look at his face. Across his forehead was a large A .
    â€œUh . . . Ant-­Man?”
    Keith sighed. “No, I’m Captain America.”
    I laughed. “Of course you are.