Loving Madeline

Charlotte's POV

I didn't know what I was doing, and I couldn't believe myself watching Jack taking laps in the pool. I felt obligated to accompany him after he prepared French fries and fresh fruit juice for me.

I could feel the sweetness of the apple mixed with fresh orange in my mouth, and there were more than just two flavors in my juice that I couldn't pinpoint its flavor. I felt shy to ask him, and I wondered why even the juice he prepared tasted so good. I hate to admit that Jack Morigan is more than just a pretty face.

I could see his muscular arms as he took a backstroke, and I could watch him all night with butterflies swarming in my belly. I know I have to stop myself from fantasizing about him since he will never like me, but I couldn't stop my innocent heart from liking him; besides, I don't want my heart to take over my sanity and allow him to be my lodger.

I need to deal with my problems alone, and Jack should leave tomorrow even if I were dying to ask him to stay with me. I was blushing when I heard him say he rather talk with me than continue swimming in the pool, and I admit his words warmed my heart.

I waited in the living room for Jack to return since he went to his room to take a bath and change; it would be better because I hated myself for ogling his half-naked body. I could feel my heart beating so loud as I sat trying to concentrate on the show I was watching on the 80-inch television.

But I couldn't fool myself; even if I was looking at the TV screen, Jack occupied my thoughts, and no matter how much I wanted to take him off my head, I couldn't take away the stunning image of his face on my mind.

"Would you mind if I sit beside you?" I heard Jack's masculine voice, which always brings me to the edge; his voice alone is like a magnetic force that no matter how much I wanted to keep my eyes fixed on the screen, my head turned to the side, and he took my breath away when I found him looking straight into my eyes.

Jack was only wearing a simple white shirt and sweatpants, but he looked so gorgeous that it took me a while before I answered him; I wished he didn't notice I was crazy about him.

"I don't think you should sit beside me," I answered as I got up from my seat, and I could see the disappointment on his face.

"Are you going to sleep now?" He asked without taking his eyes away from me.

"Of course not; I waited for you, Jack; I wished to take you to the roof deck," I responded, and he beamed at me.

"Oh, I thought you were planning to make me beg," he replied, and his intense gaze made me turn around since I didn't want him to see me blushing.

"I have a word of honor, Jack," I replied as I walked towards the stairs, and I felt my entire limbs shaking as I could hear his steps behind me.

"Wow!" He exclaimed as he looked up and found the thousands of stars shining above us while I could feel the night breeze brushing my skin.

"It is so beautiful, thank you, Charlotte, for bringing me here," he added as he lowered his head and looked at me.

"You are welcome. I knew you would like this place," I responded as I walked closer to the railings and looked below us. I could see the trees that surrounded our estate.

This place used to generate income from the crops, but when I arrived here, I hadn't seen any estate workers except the maids.

I heard dad and Hunter talking about the income they get from our estate, the staff harvested fruits, crops, and vegetables here in Barcelonia, but I didn't mind since I don't have any interest in making this place my residence, but after what happened to my father and Parker; this is the only place I found safe.

But Hunter still found me, and I thought the police would be the ones to look after me; I am not afraid of the authority and my brother since I didn't hurt Hunter's wife.

I only hated Maddie, but I never tried to hurt her physically; I only wanted to hurt her with my words so that she would leave our family alone. I felt worse about the bad things I did to her, and I already regretted everything.

I was hoping I would be given another chance to be with my family and to know Madeline more. I wished I had befriended her and never let my jealousy take over my sense of thinking, but it was already late. I am sure they all hated me now.

I am just glad my brother didn't file a case against me. Even if I knew I was innocent, I still feel guilty about all the bad things that happened to Maddie because of Kaye's ulterior motives. I was too blinded, and I regretted that I had made her my best friend. f𝒓𝑒e𝙬𝒆𝚋𝘯૦𝘷𝐞𝑙.c𝑜𝐦

Even if Dad planned to separate Hunter and Maddie, I don't think our father is capable of hurting my brother's wife; maybe it was all Kaye's plan, but she still got connections, and I am sure the man who shot Maddie was one of her men.

"I love it; the stillness of the night made me feel more relaxed," Jack's words made me snap back to the present.

"Yes, and that is why I love spending my night here, especially if there is a moon in the sky," I responded.

"Yeah, it will illuminate the entire estate; you have a beautiful house, Charlotte," he stated.

"I don't own this place; this belongs to our family," I replied.

"Of course, but you are a Divenson; you have all the right to say this place belongs to you." He answered, and I shook my head.

"I don't think so, Jack," I responded while Jack looked at me with a quizzical look on his face.

"I don't want to have a claim to anything I didn't work for; I wanted to have my own business someday and make a name of my own. I just wish I could do it," I added, and he smiled at me before he pulled out a patio chair and motioned me to sit down before he tugged another chair for himself and sat beside me.

"Of course, you can," He replied.

"I am not like you, Jack; you know what you want to do with your life because you have found out your passion in cooking, unlike me, I don't know, it feels like I don't have any talents or skills I can use to build my own company," I responded as I looked at the sky above us.

"Hey, that is not true; every one of us is unique and has special talents and skills; maybe you will find out soon what you are capable of; it is more about knowing yourself and what you love the most, don't be pressured, Charlotte, you have all the time. Just savor the moment and enjoy yourself." Jack declared.

I wanted to tell him I didn't have the luxury of enjoying my life at the moment since I was so broke, but he didn't need to know anything about my life now. It was enough that he believed I was still an heiress.

"Are you cold?" He asked after a moment of silence, and I shook my head.

"You are shivering; I think we should head back inside; it is getting late," Jack said as he held my wrist and pulled me up.

All the hair on my body stood up as I could feel him standing so close to me, and when I raised my head and looked at him. Jack's intense gaze made my limbs feel weaker than they were, and when he closed the distance between us, I knew I must turn around and leave.

Yet, I waited for him to come closer until I could feel his toned body pressed against mine. He was staring at my lips with great intensity, and I could see the hunger in his eyes as he put his hands around my waist; I couldn't stop biting my lower lip which made him grunt under his breath.

"You are so beautiful, Charlotte," he softly mumbled as he leaned down, and I could feel the knots on my belly before he captured my full lips. I could feel my entire body was on fire even if I felt conscious of how to respond to his kiss, but Jack is so good with kissing that I found myself kissing him back with urgency as I put my hands around his neck.

I never knew a kiss could be so good that I didn't want him to stop until I caught my breath. He only released my mouth so I could breathe, and before I could say a word, Jack kissed me again, and he let me experience what a real kiss is, and I was in seventh heaven as I felt him deepen his kiss.

I could feel my lips swollen as he kissed me over and over again until I was horrified as I realized what I had done. I pushed him so hard, and I could see the shock on his face as he looked at me.

"You can't change my mind, Jack, and don't ever think because I kiss you back, I will let you stay here in our manor. It was just a kiss, and it meant nothing to me." I declared before I ran away from him, feeling so hot and ashamed that I kissed him with too much intensity, as my life depended on his kisses.