Free Charlotte (Marked Heart #2) by M. Sembera Page A

Taking note of his confused expression, she added, "No wonder you couldn't get the hang of it, I think you might be dyslexic."
    "There's nothing wrong with me."
    Frustrated for a different reason now, Charlotte snapped, "Whatever, let's just take a break then."
    Grabbing two beers out of the fridge, Auggie set one in front of her at the table before walking to the living room and sitting down in his chair.
    "Drink this one slow," he teased, provoking her to get up and join him in the adjoining room.
    Making her way to the couch, Charlotte made a face at him, saying, "I'm not a light weight, it was late and I was tired."
    "Sure you were."
    With a slight huff, she sat down on the end of the couch closest to Auggie in his chair.
    ~
    Auggie could see all the way up the back of one of her thighs when Charlotte crossed her legs. As he tried to think about anything other than her sitting there, something came to him but it wasn't what he'd expected to think of.
    Mentally swearing he intended to use more tact as he blurted, "So what's with your face?" when Charlotte gave him a crazy look, snapping, "What's with yours?" he took a moment before asking, "What happened to your mouth?"
    Charlotte pulled her lips into her mouth, pressing them together before asking, "Why do you always wear that stupid beanie?"
    Thinking that was an odd thing to counter his question with, she was usually pretty snappy with her comebacks. Re calling the scars he saw on her back, Auggie decided her lame distraction was just like when she told him he smelled. He was getting to know her and little by little he was figuring her out.
    "No big deal, I was just curious," he replied, deciding it was a touchy subject.
    "I'm sure you heard the rumors."
    Standing up to throw his empty bottle away, he shared, "I prefer first-hand accounts," remembering all the trouble Sheryl and her younger sister caused Charlotte by saying it was a sex thing. That she liked it rough right before a group of her sister's friends, pulled her shirt over her head and shoved her into a room with nothing but boys. Now that he'd seen some of what was under her shirt he understood how the rumor caught on.
    By the time Auggie made it to the kitchen and threw his bottle way, Charlotte was standing by the sink.
    Leaning against the counter, she shared, "It's not a very exciting story. My mom told me to shut my mouth and I didn't so she shut it for me."
    All he could say was, "Damn."
    With a slight laugh and a shoulder shrug, Charlotte assured, "It doesn't bother me anymore, it's still a bit stiff on that side but other than not kissing anyone since I was fourteen..."
    "Wait, what?"
    Realizing she had crossed over into TMI territory, she'd already said it so she explained, "It was really painful and it felt like forever for it to heal. Just the thought use to make me a little sick to my stomach and now, it's just as well. Trace has a thing about perfection so there is no way..."
    "He doesn't kiss you?"
    Laughing, she shook her head, "Not on the lips. I even have this special lipstick that hides it. He would probably have an anxiety attack if he saw me without it."
    Thinking back to the first night he saw her at the bar, Auggie remembered full red lips that had a lacquer-like shine as he asked, "But you don't wear it?"
    "It serves a purpose with Trace, but it doesn't feel natural, I prefer my chubby stick."
    Raising and eyebrow at her, he blurted, "Your what?"
    As Charlotte replied with a light smile, "That's just what it's called, it's like lip balm but it has a hint of color to it," Auggie couldn't take his eyes off of her mouth.
    H ow could any man in his right mind not want to kiss her? They looked so soft and so what if there was a scar, it was barely noticeable. If given the opportunity, he wouldn't think twice about it. Clearing his throat, Auggie realized he was out of his mind for thinking like that.
    ~
    Surprised at how effortless it was to talk to Auggie, Charlotte wasn't really a sharer.