Chapter 4

Charlie

I see that sleaze of a CEO snatch Lacey away from Adam. I can see she’s uncomfortable and would rather be dancing with anyone other than that fucking creep.

I can’t believe he’s a loose acquaintance of our father’s. On our island he would’ve been tossed out for his gross actions! But for now we need to bide our time.

The CEO grazes his hands over her, and Lacey looks as if she might be sick. I swear he’s leaving grease stains on her dress where he touches her. What a damn shame, too, because that dress is exquisite on her.

It’s a lovely dress that would look great on any woman, but on Lacey? Jesus, she takes it to a whole different level.

It hugs every luscious curve and leaves nothing to the imagination—and yet all I can think about is seeing more.

God, what I wouldn’t give to have her alone so I can become acquainted with all her curves, inside and out. I haven’t been able to keep my eyes or mind off her since I first saw her on the runway. And that was before her perfect tits popped out for the world to see.

The CEO snatches me out of my erotic thoughts with a loud, nasally laugh that causes several heads to turn in his direction. I’m pretty sure everyone in the room cringes from the sound, especially Lacey who’s in the direct line of fire.

The asshole keeps trying to pull her closer so there’s no space between them, but Lacey manages to gracefully maintain some distance between their bodies.

Time to save the gorgeous angel once more, Charlie.

As I gradually make my way toward Lacey and the CEO, I formulate a plan to pull her away without pissing the jackass off and earning myself a spot at the top of his shit list.

“There you are, beautiful,” I exclaim cheerfully once I’m standing right behind her.

She whips around quickly, and a small smile graces her face when she recognizes me. Score one for me that she remembers me so easily.

Definitely going to make it a priority to make her smile as often as possible. That tiny smile lights up her face. I wonder what a full-blown smile will do.

“There’s someone very special that wants to meet you,” I continue with a smile, maintaining eye contact as a high-pitched protest comes from Mr. Denham.

“Surely it can wait, Charlie,” the assface whines. “We’re enjoying each other’s company at the moment.”

Enjoying my ass. I look at Lacey, and her face says it all. She would rather be with anyone but him.

“She can meet whoever you want her to meet another time, Charlie. Lacey would rather be dancing with me rather than make small talk with someone who will likely drone on nonstop until she’s bored to death.”

Lacey looks like she’s about to say something, but I shake my head slightly. Whether it’s to object against the CEO or agree with him to avoid his displeasure, it doesn’t matter. I know what she needs, and I plan to give it to her.

“I don’t mean to interrupt the lovely time you two are enjoying together, but really, sir, it can’t wait. I know you’re a generous man, and you love all your models to the point that you wouldn’t want to rob them of any opportunity to further their career. It helps the company as a whole, too, so you and her will both benefit from it.”

He glares at me. I know he wants to shut me down once more, but then it will make him look like a jerk in Lacey’s eyes, and if there’s one thing I know about the man, it’s that he doesn’t like to look bad in front of anyone.

“Well, in that case, you must go, Lacey,” he says in a fake and cheerful voice.

She turns to him.

“I will find you again, my sweet butterfly,” he adds as he clutches her hands in his.

“Thank you, sir,” she replies, her body actively doing whatever it can to distance itself from him, short of breaking out into a full-fledged sprint.

When she turns back to me, she smiles at me, and mouths, ‘Thank you.’

I nod to the CEO and tug Lacey along behind me. We head toward a table in the back, where I introduce her to a friend of mine who I know wants to talk our heads off. I glance toward the CEO.

His attention is focused on a group of other models. What a dumb fuck.

Soon, I have all of Lacey’s attention all to myself.

“So, I see your night has been going great, so far,” I say as I smirk at her.

She lets loose a laugh. It’s a genuine laugh that ripples through my body.

“I guess you can say that,” she says with a chuckle. “It could be worse.”

“That’s true,” I state.

She glances away from me and fiddles with her drink. Looking closely at her, it seems she isn’t just fiddling with it because of awkwardness. No, she looks nervous.

“You know, I would think that your nerves would have gotten to you before the show, not after,” I remark.

She looks at me a little confused.

“You’re fiddling with your drink there because you’re nervous, but for what, I don’t know.”

Her cheeks turn pink as she blushes. “Oh, um, it’s nothing. Really.”

She’s brushing me off, but I’m not that easily deterred.

“Lacey,” I say in a deep and commanding voice, making her look at me without any hesitation. “Tell me why you’re nervous, sweetheart. Maybe I can help dispel some of your nerves.”

Her beautiful blue eyes gaze at me, trying to get a read on me. Hopefully, she sees that she can trust me and confide in me.

“Okay,” she whispers. “You have to promise not to laugh or judge me too harshly, though. Please?”

I grip her chin and look her dead in the eyes. “I’m not going to laugh at or judge you, angel. Promise. Now, tell me what’s got you feeling nervous right now.”

“It’s silly, really. All the models made a deal to sleep with whoever they’re dancing with at midnight. I’m nervous because I don’t know if they’re expecting me to go through with it.”

There’s that blush again.

“The funny part about it all, though, is that—” She swallows nervously, and she begins to fidget by alternating which foot she stands on. “The funny part is that I’m still a virgin.”

Her eyes close, and she flinches slightly. She’s likely waiting for me to laugh, run away from her out of shock, or some bullshit other men pull when they hear a woman out of high school says she’s a virgin.

She opens her eyes when I don’t react in any way.

“So, you know, I’m nervous because I’ve never had sex. Never been with a man. I always thought it would be with someone I know. Not some stranger I’m dancing with at midnight. What if I’m not even attracted to the guy? That doesn’t seem fair. I mean, what—”

“Lacey,” I calmly interrupt.

“Sorry. I’m blabbering. You probably don’t want to hear any of this. Why would—”

“Lacey,” I say more firmly this time. “It’s fine. No need to blush when you say you’re a virgin. Although it’s quite cute, you shouldn’t be embarrassed. Honestly, I think it’s refreshing in a world where everyone fucks at the age when they’re starting to battle teenage acne so they can say they’ve done it.”

She stops fidgeting and is starting to calm down.

“It’s amazing you’ve managed to stay a virgin up to this point, angel,” I continue. “And don’t feel you need to go along with the deal the other models made. Okay?”

“Okay,” she whispers.

“Okay,” I say. “I’m going to go get us both a drink. I think we both need one, but I especially think you could use one after everything that’s happened tonight.”

She just nods at me.

God, she’s beautiful. I know I shouldn’t do what I’m about to do, but fuck it. I can’t refuse.

I lean down and briefly give her a gentle kiss on her sweet lips. Our lips only touch for a second, but it’s enough to make me hard as a rock. Her lips are soft and sweet as hell.

I look at her face and make sure she’s still calm and will be alright if I leave her for a few minutes.

“I’m okay.” Her forehead scrunches up in confusion. “I’m sorry, what’s your name again?”

“Charlie,” I state.

“I’ll be okay while you go get us some drinks, Charlie,” she says as she smiles sweetly.

I smirk at her and walk away to head for the bar.

I chuckle to myself as I wait for the drinks I order. I never would have thought that the reason behind Lacey’s nervousness was the fact that she was a virgin and the models wanted to fuck whoever they’re dancing with when the clock strikes twelve.

It’s like some twisted Cinderella scenario. But instead of the night ending at midnight, it’s just getting started—with their own magical wand to play with. No fairy godmother help needed.

With the drinks finally in hand, I head back to where I left Lacey. But when I reach the table, she’s nowhere to be found.

Where the hell did she go? I told her I would be back.

I look around until I spot her talking with a group of people surrounding her. She’s smiling and enjoying herself, so instead of interrupting the good time she’s having, I stand there to watch her—and happily so.

She is, by far, the most gorgeous woman in the room. There are some beauties scattered throughout the party, but none of them hold a candle to Lacey.

I have to have her. I’m going to have her. I didn’t tell her, but I’m going to be the one who takes her virginity.

I love that no other man has had her or touched her. I want to be the man who finally gets to enjoy that sweet body.

She doesn’t know it, but at midnight, she’ll be in my arms. She’s going to be all mine.