Guilty as Sin - chapter 26 (Patreon)

Who doesn't enjoy a drop in with Sutton and Charlotte on a Friday evening?

Chapter Twenty-Six

Charlotte could think of no vision sexier than what she was seeing right now. Not on the entire planet, or beyond.

Sutton Spencer, gloriously, stunningly naked, on display for Charlotte’s ravenous gaze.

One of Sutton’s hands was down between her legs, fucking herself with a vibrator. She’d started in slower, longer, languorous thrusts several minutes ago – had it been minutes? It felt both like seconds and an hour had gone by, but Charlotte had now learned that when she was with Sutton like this, time didn’t pass the way it normally did – but her movements were faster, now. Sharper, needier.

Her other hand was bracing herself against her headboard for balance, as her hips rocked down intently against her hand, seeking pleasure.

The only thing that would make it better would be if Sutton were here, in the same bed as Charlotte, preparing to be fucked by her, rather than merely together through the phone screen.

With every movement, her breasts bounced, and – fuck, Charlotte could barely even decide where to look. She couldn’t possibly focus her attention anywhere for too long, because she couldn’t allow herself to miss a single moment.

“Oh my god,” the words broke from Sutton’s lips in a strangled whisper, sounding like they should have been a scream. Like Sutton would have screamed them if she was able to, but all of her energy was going right between her legs.

She darted her eyes up to Sutton’s face. The flush of exhilaration on her cheeks, the way her lips – so red and swollen from how she’d bitten them so hard when she’d been making an effort to stay quiet – were parted as she panted for air.

Charlotte had her phone in a death grip with one hand, angled so Sutton could see her face and her breasts, as Sutton had breathlessly requested at the beginning of this.

And her other was between her legs, stroking over her clit, making herself shudder, continuously. Uncontrollably.

Because she was so fucking close. And she’d been so fucking close for what had seemed like forever, but she was certain that if she came, she’d lose some focus and would miss seeing Sutton come, and she could not abide by that.

Not when it felt like an eternity since she’d had Sutton like this.

Realistically, she knew it had only been a few days. She and Sutton had been essentially sequestered together in her apartment all weekend, and now it was Wednesday night, and Charlotte shouldn’t be so out of control needy for Sutton, but here she was.

Here she was, feeling her clit throb against her fingertips even after she’d barely had to touch herself to get here.

Here she was, so wet that she could hardly find friction.

And here she was – that friction wasn’t an issue in the least, because just seeing Sutton like this was going to send her over the edge.

“Are you close for me, darling?” She asked, and Charlotte had never heard her own voice so strained.

Certainly not during sex, where she was always so in control. Theoretically, she should feel more in control right now than she did in-person with Sutton, because it wasn’t even Sutton touching her. But, somehow, that wasn’t the case.

Charlotte let out a long, trembling exhale, her thighs shaking, as she had to take her fingers off of her clit, pressing her wet fingertips tightly into her thigh. Controlling herself. Keeping her orgasm at bay.

Sutton’s head dropped forward slightly, the curtain of her hair falling over her shoulder and somehow even that was so fucking sexy.

Charlotte felt herself clench around the emptiness inside of her, and ached to be filled by Sutton’s fingers.

“S-so cl-god- close,” Sutton managed, before a needy little groan escaped her lips, and her hips jerked forward against her hand, seeking more. “Charlotte, I – I–”

Sutton clenched her jaw tightly, taking in a shaky breath, before she tipped her head back to stare at Charlotte. Somehow, Sutton’s eyes managed to look just as electric through the screen as they did in person, and Charlotte did not believe it was only the abundance of desire rushing through her that made her feel that way.

And then Sutton slid the vibrator out, moaning with it.

Charlotte nearly moaned, herself, at the sight of the glistening toy. What she wouldn’t give to taste Sutton right now.

“I want,” Sutton paused, panting for breath. “I want to come with you.”

A breathless burst of laughter escaped her, as she arched Sutton a look. “Then keep fucking yourself, because I’m already there, and waiting for you.”

Sutton’s eyes widened in surprise, and Charlotte understood why; Sutton generally came quicker than she did. But it had been a long and trying few days, and she’d missed Sutton’s presence. Immensely.

She dragged her eyes down Sutton’s body, landing on the hand holding the vibrator, braced against Sutton’s thigh.

Licking her lips, she darted her gaze back to Sutton.

“Put the vibrator back inside. All of the way,” she advised, and it was equally for the both of them.

Sutton did as she requested, sliding the vibrator deep inside, her breath hitching with it.

And Charlotte released a helpless little sound she didn’t know if she’d ever made before, as she watched the vibrator disappear, inch by inch.

“Just like that,” she murmured, her words raspy and hoarse, and she was so parched, but she couldn’t tell if it was for actual water or for more of this. “Fuck, Sutton, you look so good.”

She could hear the awe in her own voice, and she knew without a doubt she’d never felt that way before. She’d felt desire, of course, but never absolutely mystified by it.

Fuck, though, all of those months where she’d tried so hard not to think about Sutton like this. The weeks that had passed as she’d tried so desperately not to imagine what Sutton looked like under her cute, preppy office wear.

Even after seeing Sutton in the gym, though, nothing could prepare her for this.

For the way she could see Sutton’s abs tighten as she let out the most obscene moan, the way Charlotte could see her dripping down her thighs.

“Keep it, fuck,” she bit out, shaking her head, digging her nails into her thigh. Almost. Almost. “Keep it buried inside, and grind your hips down into your hand.”

She knew Sutton would come that way, because she’d fucked Sutton exactly like that.

“Ohhhh, fuck.” Sutton pitched forward, obviously bracing herself against her headboard, her hips jerking down against her hand. “I’m–”

The warning that she was going to come was choked off, and in an instant, Charlotte brought her own hand back to her clit. Stroking in tight little circles, the sensations pounding through her body, making her lightheaded.

“Yes, darling. Like that, just like that,” she urged, already right back on the edge, herself.

She was right there, and this time, she wasn’t stopping. Couldn’t possibly stop herself.

Not when Sutton’s head dropped back, her lips parting as she let out a string of whimpers and moans, and her body shuddered, and –

Charlotte cried out, her entire body tightening as she came.

White-hot pleasure pulsed through her, centered in her clit and reverberating outward. Her toes curled, she shivered so hard, and it was almost impossible to keep her eyes open, to stay focused.

But she did. She worked herself through her orgasm, wringing out every last wave of ecstasy, as she stared at Sutton, coming down from her own orgasm.

And then she kept stroking herself, until she was so sensitive it was just on the wrong side of sore, because she wanted every ounce of this. Every moment.

“God,” Sutton breathed out, her hand twitching as she fumbled slightly with the vibrator, hastily switching it off, before slowly sliding it out.

“Good?” Charlotte asked, but could only muster the slightest tease, because she was far too distracted by just how soaked that vibrator was.

She throbbed all over again with the desire to fuck Sutton, to fill her.

“Amazing,” Sutton corrected with a sigh, as she lowered herself onto the bed, turning to lay on her side. She reached out and placed the vibrator on presumably her bedside table, before she took her phone instead.

The hand she’d had gripping the headboard was in view now, as she flexed it, and Charlotte could vaguely see the red lines bit against her palm.

And in an even more unfamiliar twist for Charlotte, she wished she could kiss Sutton right there, right over those lines on her hand.

She watched every movement Sutton made as she rolled her shoulders back, then muffled a yawn, as though she was a woman starved.

And she was. Even though she just came, even though she was physically satiated, she wasn’t satisfied. That was how it worked with Sutton, it was what made everything with Sutton so different from anything or anyone Charlotte had experienced in the past.

With Sutton…

Charlotte’s attention was rapt by the way her long, silky hair looked as Sutton tossed it over her shoulder and settled down against the pillow. She memorized the way those light freckles looked on her shoulders.

When they spent their weekends together, she’d trace her fingertips over them and feel Sutton shiver under her touch.

She let out a deep, unstoppable sigh, the longing clawing into her in a way that was, frankly, jarring. Uncomfortably so.

But, as she’d been doing for the last month, she worked through it. Just because this was uncomfortable with Sutton didn’t mean it wasn’t worth exploring or feeling.

When Sutton adjusted her phone, Charlotte’s gaze caught on –

“Is that my schedule?” She asked, leaning closer in an attempt to see the sliver of paper visible to her over Sutton’s shoulder.

Where it was tacked up against a corkboard adjacent to her bed.

Sutton paused, turning to look over her shoulder, before turning back to Charlotte, her cheeks turning pink. “Uh. Yes.” She cleared her throat, quickly defending, “It – I thought it was incredibly sweet of you, and it means a lot to me, that you thought to do that.”

Charlotte just about melted inside, as she chuckled, settling into her pillows. “I wasn’t in any way mocking you, darling, I was simply asking.”

“Oh. Well. Then, okay. Yes, it’s your schedule. And–” Sutton adjusted the phone slightly, so Charlotte had a clearer view, and was able to see the red circle around today’s date. “I’ve been looking forward to being able to see you.”

“I could tell.” A sly smile stole over her face, her voice dipping slightly.

Sutton’s cheeks darkened, even as she narrowed her eyes at Charlotte. As though she had the ability to be any semblance of embarrassed, even though she’d been the one on full display only minutes ago, fucking herself with abandon for Charlotte’s visual pleasure.

Fuck, the thought of it – the softness mixed with the sexiness that was the delectable combination of Sutton – made something inside of Charlotte go all fluttery.

“And you were the one who started this call out already naked and touching yourself, asking where I kept my vibrator,” Sutton shot back, exasperation coloring her tone.

And she wasn’t wrong. Charlotte had been the instigator.

But she’d gotten home and showered and hadn’t dressed as she’d gotten ready to talk to Sutton tonight, the first time they were able to get in a quality FaceTime this week. And, as she’d laid in bed, ready for Sutton to call, she’d started to relax, started to unwind for the first time all week.

Charlotte biggest de-stressor, though, was sex. And during a week like the one she was having… she could really use a release. So, she’d sought it out.

“I never denied that. I can only hope you enjoyed how much I was looking forward to having time tonight to see you.”

“I did.” Sutton hesitated, worrying at her bottom lip. “I know it’s getting late, and if you have to go – I understand. But do you want to come with me to get ready for bed?”

See, why did something so mundane sound enticing? That was so… wrong.

If asked only months ago whether she’d prefer to spend precious time late at night catching some sleep before another busy day in a very tiring week, or staying on a video call with literally anyone she’d ever met, she’d have likely laughed.

“I feel moderately insulted that you’d even ask. Let’s go.”

A beautifully pleased smile tugged at Sutton’s mouth, as she slid out of her bed and gave Charlotte the view of a lifetime as she walked over to her closet. Her back on display, those little dimples above her ass, the incredible ass in question, and then her sinfully long legs…

She was so close to taking a screenshot, but she knew she couldn’t. She had to be cognizant of any images saved on her phone, and she knew that.

Sutton quickly tugged on a pair of cotton shorts and a sweatshirt, before she turned back to grab her phone.

Sutton reached up and popped one of her earbuds out as she approached her door, likely listening for Regan.

“I think she’s already gone to bed; she has an early shift tomorrow,” Sutton informed her with a whisper as she put the earbud back in.

The dynamic was fascinating to Charlotte, who’d never had a roommate of any kind.

Once they were in the bathroom, Sutton cleared her throat and asked, “So, how is Bianca?”

As she spoke, she placed Charlotte on the ledge of the mirror above the sink. Giving Charlotte a very intimate view as she went about quickly washing her face.

“Do I detect a tone?” She asked, narrowing her eyes as she studied Sutton a little closer.

Mostly because she knew she heard a bit of a tone, but she wanted to see if Sutton would admit to it.

Charlotte knew for damn sure – if their roles were reversed – she’d preferably deny any such tone, if she could get away with it.

But Sutton sighed as she patted her face dry with a small hand towel, before pursing her lips, and then admitted, “Yeah, I guess you do.”

“Do you miss working for me, darling?” She asked, situating herself back against the pillows.

It wasn’t as though she wanted Sutton to feel any sort of jealousy. But…

But she’d missed Sutton fiercely all week, and perhaps this was a reason for that. She’d gone to D.C. without Sutton multiple times since she’d ceased to be Charlotte’s assistant, and while she hadn’t relished in being here without Sutton, it hadn’t felt so jarring as this week did.

Because this time, Charlotte was accompanied to her meetings and different events with Bianca, in Sutton’s place.

“Yes,” Sutton answered, quietly. “I mean.” She rolled her eyes, seemingly at herself, before she shook her head. “I actually am enjoying starting at SapphicSpark. But I miss you. And… I’m sure she’s a great assistant. Her resume was really impressive. I hope she is, for your sake,” Sutton quickly added on, and she did sound so sincere, in that Sutton-way she had. “I hope she does an incredible job, and manages everything I did just as well or even better than I did.”

Then, she shook her head, and a blush crept up her cheeks.

“But I also…” She trailed off, rolling her lips tightly, before looking down at the sink, reaching for her toothbrush.

When it became apparent that Sutton wasn’t going to finish her thought, Charlotte prompted, “You also?”

Because now she needed to know.

She needed to know what had made Sutton duck away from looking at her, even after they’d just had sex. While Charlotte was ridiculously enchanted by going through Sutton’s nighttime routine with her.

“Nothing. I mean, it’s – it’s nothing. It’s dumb. And insecure.”

The dawn of realization swept over Charlotte, and she pushed herself to sit up higher. Hoping Sutton would take note that she wasn’t taking this casually or dismissing her as dumb or insecure.

“Sutton. I do hope you know that I didn’t develop feelings for you because of our proximity to one another, or because of how wonderful an assistant you were.” Charlotte kept her eyes trained intently on Sutton as she spoke, needing to know if she hit the nail on the head.

And with the way Sutton’s shoulders drew up tightly, she knew she had.

Sutton looked back at her, shaking her head, even as she dropped her hands to grip the sides of the sink, toothbrush wedged between her palm and the porcelain. “It’s not that I actually believe that,” she was quick to say, but then hesitated. “But I also – I mean, you’ve never had feelings for someone, before, right? And what makes me different?”

“Well, it certainly wasn’t because you were just here,” Charlotte refuted, incredulously. “In the kindest way possible, do you know how much I tried not to feel this way?”

Sutton was already nodding. “I do. And it’s not like I really think that, like, deep down? But I still – I have,” she paused, taking a breath, before she reached one of her hands up against her chest. “I have these little voices in my head, probably from, um, well, past relationships. And you… you’re incredible. What person would be able to spend so much time with you, see how smart you are and how passionate and how capable, and then not have feelings for you?”

How could Charlotte not be moved by that? How could she possibly not feel this warm fluttering in her stomach, that moved up to wrap itself around her heart?

Women who’d been “interested” in her in the past hadn’t really ever known Charlotte. Which was all by Charlotte’s design, absolutely. But women that had professed to wanting to spend more time with her…

It had always only been rooted in the physical, with imaginings and what-ifs of what might lie beneath Charlotte’s surface.

Not that she’d wanted anyone to have these genuine feelings for her, because that would have been a nightmare to manage. But still, the way Sutton saw her was unique.

“You are the only person who’s ever seen so much of me. Of who I am. And that includes Bianca.”

“Well, it is only her first week,” Sutton managed to say in a light tone, but one that Charlotte could see right through.

“Sutton, darling, I let you stay with me.” Charlotte groaned, closing her eyes as she thought about that. “What a terrible, god-awful idea. For that first week, if it had been anomalous, maybe that would have been fine. But I… even if I didn’t have feelings for you, then, I was drawn to you. I wanted you here, in my space, with me.”

And for someone who’d always been a very solitary being, that was – that was huge. Charlotte hadn’t let herself see it for that it truly was, because she’d have had to push Sutton away, to put the brakes on.

“Even when I believed that you were straight, and genuinely never thought anything would come of this attraction, because of that and our working relationship, I wanted to be friends with you. I talked to you about my life. I let you decorate my apartment.”

Not that Sutton had repainted the walls or anything, but she’d purchased some artwork and added some splashes of color with some throw pillows.

“I can promise you that Bianca will not be doing any of that.” In fact, the very idea of it made her recoil.

The relief on Sutton’s face was apparent, as she started to brush her teeth. Pausing only to say, “Okay. Well. That’s good.”

A few minutes later, once they were back in Sutton’s bedroom, Sutton hesitated before climbing into her bed, glancing at Charlotte.

“I’m sorry. For the record,” she stated, the words jilted. “I know it’s not… being insecure in that way isn’t really the most attractive thing, and I don’t typically feel that way, but I guess – this week, with me starting at my new job, and Bianca starting to accompany you to D.C.,” Sutton frowned, a little line furrowing between her eyebrows. “Everything is changing, I suppose. And you and I haven’t had these kinds of changes, before.”

“I know,” she acknowledged, toying gently with the edge of her blanket, before she admitted, “And it’s been a weird week so far for me, as well. So you don’t need to apologize. And you are never unattractive.”

This whole having-deep-feelings-and-communicating-them thing was such a novel sensation.

But it was worth it when relief slid over Sutton’s face, and she slid into her bed, pausing for a moment before she put her phone down on the bedside table, so Charlotte could see her clearly.

And she could clearly see her schedule once more.

“In the spirit of being open and honest, though, I do have to let you know that I have a dinner Friday night, when I get back to the city. And Bianca will be joining me, but only for the work-aspect of the dinner,” she added, because she was a girlfriend, now, and sharing those kind of details was… important.

Sutton nodded. “While the Bianca part wasn’t on your lovely handwritten schedule that you’ve noticed I took proper care of, you did pencil in a possible dinner.”

Charlotte’s lips twitched into the smallest of grins. “Yes, I was fairly certain you’d have made note of it.” She felt her grin fade slightly, and she realized belatedly that the feeling sliding through her stomach was guilt. Something she hadn’t often experienced. “For the last few weeks, though, we’ve started spending our time together Fridays in the evening. After work, around dinnertime,” she hedged. “But I can’t not go to this. I’ve turned down a few engagements in the last few weeks, but I can’t continue to do that.”

There, she’d ripped off that bandage.

But if they were being open and laying their cards on the table, then this was what Charlotte had to bring to the table tonight.

Sutton had looked like she’d been getting tired as she’d laid down, but she popped right back up, shaking her head vehemently.

“You – what? You turned down – why? I’d never expect you to do that.” Her face scrunched up tightly, before she reached up and rubbed her forehead. “God, you haven’t really had any weekend events. I didn’t even think about that, but your schedule is never clear weekend after weekend after weekend.”

Which was true.

There was almost always a brunch or a dinner or a fundraiser or – or something. Charlotte was making as many connections as she could, forming and strengthening rapport with colleagues and constituents.

Schmoozing was something she was good at, and it was good for her. For her future.

But, before, Sutton had been able to go to these events with her.

And now, going to them meant spending precious time away from Sutton, especially after spending most of her week in D.C.

It was the oddest experience for Charlotte. Turning down going to a work-related opportunity to spend time nestled at her apartment with Sutton.

“I know you didn’t expect me to do that,” she allowed, and it was true.

Sutton looked almost overwhelmingly distraught that Charlotte had declined these networking opportunities to be with her. And a part of Charlotte was, too; she couldn’t simply turn that part of herself off.

But, as her grandmother had teased her over, she was in the throes of…

Fuck it. Of young love, and it was addicting. It was all-encompassing.

So she’d picked Sutton over work, even though it had made her feel so torn inside.

“And I didn’t want you to feel the way you clearly do right now, which is why I hadn’t said anything,” she continued, because Sutton looked just as torn as Charlotte felt about it – possibly even more distraught. “I’ve loved spending our weekends together, Sutton, and I don’t regret not going to a brunch or a luncheon.”

No, she’d much preferred the time she’d spent in bed, coming against Sutton’s tongue, or feeling Sutton writhe in pleasure underneath her.

“I’m not telling you this now so that you’ll feel any sort of way. I just wanted to let you know that this Friday, I really need to go to Mayfield’s dinner party.” She winced, reaching up to rub her temples.

She wasn’t exactly looking forward to it. Matthew Mayfield was a tech genius, who was very embedded in the political world. But he also wasn’t an asshole, looking to line pockets purely for his own financial benefit, either.

He wanted to do good, to make a difference. But he also enjoyed hosting dinners that lasted through at least five courses, and he was never going to buy into a candidate simply because he agreed with policy. Having a personal relationship was important to him.

Sutton rolled her shoulders back, giving Charlotte a very serious look. Almost like she was reproaching her for having canceled on other possible work-events. “Of course you have to go. That’s – I know that socializing and networking is essentially just as important as any of the actual work you do, when it comes to getting things accomplished.”

Unfortunately, it was so very true.

But Charlotte didn’t feel great about it, still. She didn’t think Sutton was being disingenuous in her encouragement for Charlotte to go to the dinner, but…

But she would miss their Friday dinner reunion, something she’d started getting used to.

And now, she’d be at Mayfield’s until at least nine-thirty or ten, pushing off being with Sutton for hours.

“And, really, you don’t need to worry about anything. I know Mayfield’s dinners are, like, infamously hours-long events, and I know you really do need to be there. It’s – I mean, it works out well, actually. I kind of have plans Friday night, myself.”

Surprised at that turn, she leaned back against her headboard, settling back in. “Oh? What plans are these?”

And she was deeply curious. When was Sutton going to mention her own plans, had Charlotte not brought up the dinner?

She watched as Sutton settled back into her bed, tugging up the blanket, as she explained, “It’s – new. I went to get a coffee today with Alia, and she ended up inviting me – and Regan and Emma,” Sutton added, intently, “To go to ladies’ night at Honey Sugar Friday.” A beat. “Um, Honey Sugar is–”

“I know what Honey Sugar is. Sugar,” she couldn’t resist tacking on. She didn’t know if she was more amused or insulted that Sutton thought she wouldn’t know. “Just because I haven’t been partaking in queer late-night activities in quite some time, prior to you, doesn’t mean I’m uninformed.”

Please.

Honey Sugar was exactly the kind of place Charlotte would love to go and spend a Friday night with Sutton, deep down.

It was exclusive, high-end, already had a great reputation.

But it was also public, and it was a gay bar, and Charlotte was a very public figure, now.

Dimly-lit venues with NDAs, no photos or videos – and Charlotte not having been running for office of any kind… those nights felt like they were lightyears behind her, now. And, in many ways, they were.

However, those nights weren’t in the past for Sutton.

And Charlotte had never really thought about that before now. Never had a reason to, really. It hadn’t been something that had come up.

Sutton gave her an adorably sheepish smile. “Right. You know, sometimes your… storied past… escapes me.”

Charlotte scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“Anyway,” Sutton cleared her throat. “I hadn’t one-hundred-percent agreed to go out, especially because I’d wanted to confirm your plans and… but yeah, this works out.”

“Right,” Charlotte dimly agreed, even as her stomach tied in knots.

In fact, she couldn’t feel like this was less worked out.

Those knots had started forming the second she’d heard Alia’s name. She’d invited Sutton – Charlotte’s Sutton – out to a queer bar Friday night.

It wasn’t right for Charlotte to have such a visceral, negative response. She certainly couldn’t tell Sutton her feelings on this.

Charlotte had her own Friday night plans, and Sutton couldn’t accompany her. No longer her assistant, not her partner – not to the public – there was no sensical reason for Sutton to go. And if she did, people would likely have some questions.

Questions Charlotte wasn’t prepared to face, yet.

“Is that… all right with you?” Sutton asked, hesitantly. Obviously, accurately, reading Charlotte’s expression.

Wasn’t that absolutely wild? To be seen and known so well, at this point in her life?

Only, in this moment, she wished otherwise.

“Yes, of course it is. I’m looking forward to hearing all about Regan’s experience at Honey Sugar,” she managed to sound mostly normal.

And for that, she was proud of herself.

Sutton breathed out a laugh, settling back down into her pillow, that tiredness Charlotte had seen earlier returning. “I’m sure it’s going to be an experience.”

“And… that’s an experience you enjoy? Going out?” She asked, pressing forward, because she didn’t know this part of Sutton, and it introduced this feeling inside of her that sat as heavy as a stone.

Sutton blinked her eyes open, muffling a yawn. “Not all of the time. Probably less than you, based on your stories.” Her voice was growing thick and sleepy, and her smile was insanely cute. Sutton had a remarkable ability of falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, most nights. “But… yes, occasionally. It’s not – I mean, you know me. I do like to stay in more than go out like this. But every few months, getting dressed up and going out and not thinking about anything else is – it’s good.” As she was speaking, her eyes kept closing for longer intervals, and she’d work to open them again, and as adorable as it was, Charlotte couldn’t get lost in it.

Especially as Sutton blinked her eyes open again and said, “You know what I’m talking about.”

“I do,” she agreed, that feeling sinking even deeper in her stomach.

***

“Here you go,” Bianca approached, handing her a glass of water.

Charlotte accepted it with a nod. “Thank you. And, truly, now that the dinner is over, you can feel free to leave.”

Bianca frowned at her. “Are you sure? I don’t mind staying for the remainder of the mingling. When I worked for Ms. Omri, events like this were part of the job; I’m no stranger to them.”

She nodded. “Which I appreciate. But I likely won’t be here for much longer, myself.”

In fact, Charlotte was doing everything she could to stop herself from continuously checking the time. Not that she was doing that wonderful a job of it, because she happened to know it was now 9:23.

Sutton had likely arrived at Honey Sugar by now. With Regan and Emma. And Alia.

She brought the glass up and took a sip, focusing on the way she ice-chilled water felt sliding down into her stomach instead of the niggling thought of Alia with Sutton at Honey Sugar that had taken up residence in her mind for the last two days.

The dinner had gone well. Charlotte had been engaged, she’d done her wheeling and dealing, she’d leaned in to Bianca to let her know when to take note of certain comments. Bianca’s purpose tonight was mainly to start forming relationships with other assistants and plus-ones, because that network could be invaluable.

But underneath it all, she’d felt a ticking clock.

Sutton was spending tonight at a queer bar – somewhere even Charlotte had never stepped foot into – with a group of queer women, including one who was obviously attracted to her.

And Charlotte had never been in this position, before. Her personal life and her work life were two very distinguished avenues, even – somehow – when it had come to Sutton.

Because Sutton was personal and work related, but their personal was all in a bubble, up until now. Even with the Katherine Spencer addition, they were private.

But now, there was a reality Charlotte hadn’t even really thought about.

The reality that Sutton was twenty-six years old, and she had friends and a life. A life that wasn’t just… being squirreled away with Charlotte on the weekends, when she was available.

“If you’re sure?” Bianca checked in, bringing Charlotte back to the moment.

The moment of her being here, at a dinner party in a loft in Tribeca, while all of her thoughts were centered on Sutton at Honey Sugar.

“I am,” she confirmed. “And enjoy your weekend.”

Bianca smiled but hesitated before walking away. “I’m only double-checking because I know that your previous assistant – Sutton? – was very involved in these events with you, from what I’ve heard around the office. She sounded – well, sounds – amazing.”

Everything inside of Charlotte froze, her breath holding in her lungs. She worked very hard to sip casually at her water, to make it look like Bianca’s comment didn’t do anything to her. “Sutton? I’m curious as to what you’ve been hearing.”

She watched Bianca closely, but Bianca didn’t seem as though she was testing the waters or trying to fish out any information.

And Charlotte couldn’t imagine what anyone at work would know. She and Sutton truly had never done anything inappropriate in the least in the office, beyond in their thoughts.

“Oh, just that she was very sweet, very on top of her work. I did hear that you two were close?” Bianca tilted her head up at Charlotte. “That you’d become friends,” she added, and she looked so earnest, Charlotte believed that she didn’t have a double meaning. “And I’m doing my best to step into her shoes.”

She released a long, low breath. Calming herself. This was fine; Bianca wasn’t intimating anything. “All true,” she cautiously agreed. “Though, our becoming friends,” jesus, the word nearly choked her on the way out, “Was a big reason as to why we thought it would be best she move on to a new job.”

She hoped Bianca would understand what she was saying. That she was in no way looking for Bianca to fill a position as Charlotte’s friend. Bianca might be her assistant for now, but Charlotte wasn’t looking for that to evolve into anything personal.

Her life had changed rather drastically enough in the last month; she wasn’t looking to find any friendship connection with Bianca, where she could learn about Charlotte’s sexuality or her relationship with Sutton.

Bianca nodded. “That makes a lot of sense. Well, if you’re all set, then I’ll see you on Monday.”

“I’ll see you Monday,” she confirmed.

When Bianca left, Charlotte turned back to look around the room.

She’d already spent a significant portion of her evening chatting with Mayfield before and during dinner, and she’d been seated next to Lucinda Korrick, one of the only people here tonight that she’d want to network with.

It seemed as though her evening here was done.

“Charlotte! I was hoping to catch you before you left. We really didn’t get a chance to chat at all this week.”

Pierce Mercer’s voice felt like a record scratch down her spine.

She’d known he was here, as he’d slipped in just before dinner was about to start. Blessedly, he hadn’t been seated anywhere near her, but she’d noticed him attempting to catch her eye. Much like he had when their paths had crossed in D.C., and she’d easily been able to ignore him.

It wasn’t like Charlotte didn’t regularly have men hit on her. In fact, it was a fairly common occurrence, and had been since high school.

Given that Charlotte had never seen any of these men as more than little gnats flying around her, dealing with it was little more than a minor annoyance. Depending on how useful their connection or network was to her, she would either gently side-step or firmly put them down.

Pierce, currently, was the side-step situation.

Keeping a small, polite, but cool smile on her face, she turned to face him. “Pierce. I wasn’t aware that you’d be here tonight.”

“Oh, yeah, Matty and I go way back.”

Charlotte contained her wince. But she couldn’t stand to deal with a grown man who liked to go by Matty, or his friends who referred to him as such.

“That’s lovely. Well, you’ve caught me as I was about to head out, so I hope you have a lovely evening.”

Before she could take a step, he reached out and touched her elbow. “Leaving already?”

She pointedly looked down at his hand, arching an eyebrow as she looked back at his face. Silently telling him not to touch her, and she wondered if he’d heed that as a silent warning.

He did, quickly dropping his hand back to his side.

“Yes. Given that dinner is over, and I’ve had the opportunity to speak with Matthew.”

Sutton had told her in the past that she admired Charlotte for how she didn’t qualify anything. She’d explained that, for example, Sutton herself would feel the inherent need to justify why she was going to leave. That she’d had a busy week, that she had another engagement, etc.

Charlotte didn’t feel the need to do that, especially not with someone like Pierce, whose opinion she didn’t really care about.

He seemed undeterred. “I could walk you out? We could maybe grab a drink somewhere else? Recap from this week?”

And this was the thing about someone like Pierce. He wasn’t necessarily pushy, but what about Charlotte’s demeanor toward him in their few interactions gave the impression that she had any interest in that?

“To be entirely honest with you, Pierce, I’m not romantically available, nor am I interested.” She hadn’t meant to say that she wasn’t available, only that she wasn’t interested, but it had slipped out anyway.

It was almost alarming, really, and she felt both a rush of nerves and a thrill shoot through her. She’d never said those words before. Because, technically, she’d always been available, and she didn’t feel the desire to lie about that.

But she wasn’t lying. She had a girlfriend. She had a Sutton, she had someone she’d watched fall asleep on a fucking video call earlier this week.

Pierce’s eyebrows lifted on his forehead in obvious surprise. “Oh. I see. I’d asked around a bit this week, but… all right, then. Have a good evening.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly with suspicion. He’d asked around? To whom? And what had they said?

Shaking her head, she responded, “You, as well.”

She wasn’t available. She wondered if that would get around, now. She wondered if there would be any questions about that.

Mostly, though, she wondered if she could manage to duck out without needing to chat with anyone else.

9:30P.M.

***

Thirty minutes later, Charlotte didn’t know she’d find herself outside of Honey Sugar.

Staring up at the sign above the door, a few feet down the sidewalk on the opposite side from the line waiting to get in.

Feeling this yearning inside, like she’d been pulled here directly from her connection to Sutton.

Almost like she was summoned by Charlotte’s thoughts, her phone vibrated with a message from the woman herself.

Sutton – 10:01P.M.Are you still at your dinner? How is it going?

She stared down at it, leaning back against the building as she debated how to answer. Because she wanted Sutton to have a life, to have fun with her friends. She truly did, from the most unselfish part of herself. From a part she didn’t even know existed until Sutton.

But she also couldn’t lie to Sutton, from that same part.

Charlotte – 10:01P.M.It went well

I left there a little while ago

I actually decided to take a little walk. And I’m outside of Honey Sugar

Sutton saw the message immediately, and started typing.

You are???

Do

Charlotte believed that was sent prematurely, especially as Sutton stopped typing.

Then started again.

Then stopped.

Before she finally sent –

Sutton – 10:02P.M.Sorry

Do you plan on coming in?

That’s what I was going to ask. But now I feel like that was stupid. Because I’m sure you don’t plan on that

Unless you do plan on it

Charlotte breathed out a laugh, because it was easier to feel amused and endeared by Sutton than feel the anxiety notching up higher inside of her.

A piece of her – one that was far bigger than she’d have thought – did want to go in. But she felt rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Charlotte – 10:03P.M.No, I don’t. I can’t.

And even though Sutton admired her lack of qualifiers, Charlotte couldn’t help but add,

I’m sorry. I wish I could.

Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back against the cool brick of the building behind her. Drawing in a long, deep breath.

I’m going to go home, though. If you’d like to come over instead of going back to your place tonight, I’d love to see you. But don’t rush. I’ll wait up

There. Charlotte might not be able to give Sutton public affirmation of their relationship or go out to places like Honey Sugar with her. But she would tell her the raw, honest truth. The truth she’d never felt for anyone else.

She would wait up for Sutton, should she decide to come to Charlotte’s later. She could live by Sutton’s schedule as well, given how often Sutton had to be on hers.

Before she could take a single step, Sutton responded:

Sutton – 10:03P.M.NO!

That’s not

I mean, you don’t have to wait up!

Don’t leave!

Stay right there

I’ll be out in a minute

So, Charlotte stayed. Because she was well and truly in over her head, and far too deep.

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