What About Charlie? by Haley Michelle Howard Page A

“Neither do I, Evan,” she murmured softly. “What should we do?” she forced herself to ask. She didn’t want to hear his answer. She knew what it would be. But they had to get this settled.
    “We need to forget about the kiss, Charlie,” he said with regret, watching as a frown formed on her lips. “I want you to know I don’t regret it, Charlie. It’s just that I value our friendship so much. I don’t want to do anything to destroy it.”
    She looked away, bitter disappointment filling her. Though she’d told herself this is what he’d say, it still hurt. She stared at the plate of cheesecake in her hand, willing herself not to cry. It hurt like hell.
    She blinked several times to eradicate the tears that had welled up in her eyes before looking back at him. Forcing a smile on her lips, not quite looking him in the eye, she said, “I understand. We have a great friendship, Evan. A lot of people would love to have a friendship as good as ours. It would be silly to do anything to put it in jeopardy.” Wouldn’t it be equally silly not to do anything about how we feel, she thought.
    They sat there for several long minutes in silence. Neither knew what to say. Enough had already been said.
    Charlie stared down at her cheesecake, her heart heavy, feeling depressed. How could an evening that started out with such promise end so dismally?
    She cut off a small piece of the dessert with her fork, tasting it. “Mmmm…”
    Evan turned and looked at her with question in his eyes.
    Evan watched her slice the cheesecake with her fork and then put the cheesecake in her mouth, her cherry red lips slowly closing around the fork as she pulled it out of her mouth. He swallowed hard.
    “This cheesecake is delicious.” She gave a hesitant smile. “Do you want a taste?”
    Charlie cut another piece, and instead of putting it in her mouth, she held out the fork to Evan. “You need to try this, Evan. It’s delicious.” A smile played across her lips, reaching her eyes.
    He nodded, his eyes everywhere but on her face. “It’s delicious, Charlie.”
    “Would you like another bite?” Without waiting for a reply, Charlie cut another piece and held it up to his mouth.
    He took it, then she took a bite for herself. Suddenly the cheesecake was gone and they were left staring at each other, neither looking away, neither hiding the wanting, the desire, the need expressed in their eyes and pulsing through their bodies.
    Evan turned towards her and lifted his hand, gently placing it on Charlie’s cheek. He lightly rubbed her bottom lip with his thumb. “Charlie I…I can’t get our kiss out of my mind…”
    His voice trailed away as his eyes, filled with want and need, searched hers.
    Charlie’s heartbeat quickened when she saw the raw desire flicker in his eyes. She absently licked her lips, her mind on Evan’s firm mouth that was now only inches from hers. How she longed to feel his soft lips on hers once again!
    His lips drifted down to hers, touching hers, as soft as a feather. Charlie opened her mouth to him, welcoming him.
    Needing him.
    It was as if they were back on her front porch, the desire and want between them undiminished in a week’s time, maybe even stronger because, at that time, they had barely tasted what was between them. This time they were both eager to taste more, knowing how good it had been before.
    Heat and excitement sizzled between them. Evan’s hands feverishly roamed her body, his fingers combing through her hair, his hands caressing her back, slowly working down to her buttocks, cupping it, pulling her closer to him.
    The feel of him pressed against her leg made her even hotter. He was so hard. She longed to touch him there, to cup him with her hand so she could feel his hardness, his heat, his throbbing for her.
    But she was too shy to touch him there. Instead, she pressed herself even closer to him, feeling his desire for her, hot and throbbing, pressed even harder against her thigh. Her