Chapter 4
CHARLIE
Oh. My. God.
Those three words go round and round on repeat.
Firstly, I can’t believe I said that. Secondly, I’ve thought about those shoulders more than once over the past few months. Imagined what they’d look like bare. And now here they are in the flesh.
For a writer, I clearly have a shit imagination, because my memory did not do them justice.
At all.
Pete is broad, solid, and has a nice amount of dark hair covering his chest. I follow that trail down towards the waistband of what looks like work trousers with all those pockets. He’s got work boots on too.
With his dark messy hair and thick scruff, it’s like all my fantasies come to life.
Someone clears their throat, and I realise with a jolt that I’ve been staring. And we’ve apparently got an audience.
“Um . . .” Nope, got nothing.
I only came downstairs because Hailey lured me with the promise of tea and biscuits. Now I’m wishing I’d stayed in my room.
My gaze lands on Pete again.
Oh, who am I kidding? I wouldn’t have missed this for anything. Current embarrassment included. But I can’t stand here staring like a weirdo, so I turn to Hailey. “No tea and biscuits then?”
She laughs. “Not unless you want to squeeze it out of Pete’s clothes.”
No, but I’d gladly lick it off his chest.
Before I can answer, her eyes widen, and I see the exact moment she remembers that I’m actually a paying guest here.
“I’m so sorry, that was totally inappropriate.”
I wave off her apologies. I’ve not forgotten how lovely she was the last time I stayed here, when I wasn’t at my best. And the only reason my cheeks are on fire is because I can’t keep my eyes off Pete’s chest. None of which is Hailey’s fault.
Even if she did spill tea on him.
I smile at her, hoping to put her at ease. “It’s fine, really.”
“Why don’t you take a seat? And I’ll get you a fresh tea and those biscuits I promised you.”
I’m torn.
Can’t deny I’d wondered if I might see Pete again. Hoped. But I don’t really want to talk to him with an audience. “Um . . . if it’s okay with you, I think I’ll head back upstairs. I’ve still got a lot of work to get through today.”
Thankfully she doesn’t try and persuade me to stay in the bar. “Of course. You go on up, and I’ll bring up a tray.”
“Thanks.” I turn back to Pete. Still shirtless. Still unfairly hot. “It was good to see you again.”
His smile is just as warm as I remember. “You too.” He opens his mouth, like he wants to add something, then hesitates.
I’m about to turn around and head back upstairs when he seems to shake himself.
“How long are you staying?”
“Two weeks.”
His eyes widen, and I’m pretty sure that’s surprise I can see in them. “Maybe I’ll see you around then.”
I can’t help but smile, because yeah, I’d like that. “Maybe.” I turn and leave before I do something stupid like ask him to come upstairs with me.
I manage to get a lot of work done in the next few hours. When my phone rings, I’m shocked to see I’ve been writing for almost five hours. My stomach growls, reminding me that I forgot to get lunch.
I stand and stretch as I answer Seb’s call. “Hey.”
“Hey. How you settling in?” He’s got me on hands-free—I can hear the rumble of his car in the background.
“Good. I’m the only one staying here at the minute, so I think I’m being spoilt.
” I don’t remember getting tea and biscuits brought to my room last time I was here.
Well, not until Dan left me stranded. As if I’ve summoned her, there’s a knock on the door.
“Hang on a minute, Seb.” I set my phone down and go to answer it.
Hailey’s on the other side, clingfilm-wrapped plate in hand. “Feel free to say no, but I noticed you didn’t come down for lunch and thought you might be hungry.”
My stomach decides to answer for me and she laughs. No point denying it now. “I’m actually starving. Lost track of time.”
“Well, it’s just cheese and ham salad sandwiches with some crisps. And it’s on the house,” she adds quickly. “I was making some for Char anyway.”
I’m not sure what the etiquette is here. I’ve only booked bed and breakfast, and while I’d planned on eating in the pub most nights, I’d not really thought about lunch. I don’t want her to think I expect this kind of thing. “I can pay, it’s no—”
She waves the hand not holding the plate. “It’s no trouble.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate this.” I take the plate from her with a smile. “And I’ll definitely make it down later for food.”
“Lovely. Kitchen closes at nine.” She leaves me to it, and I retreat inside my room, suddenly remembering that I was in the middle of a phone call. Shit.
I set the plate down and snatch up my phone. “Seb?”
“Still here.”
“Sorry. I forgot I’d left you waiting.”
He snorts. “Charming.”
I settle in at my desk again and take the wrap off my late lunch. “Hailey brought me lunch.”
“The pub owner?”
“Yep. She’s really nice.”
“Did she remember you from New Year’s?”
I roll my eyes. “Unfortunately, yes. They probably don’t get many men left stranded by their boyfriends.”
“That wanker,” Seb mutters, making me smile. He pauses, then asks, “Anyone else remember you?”
Knew it.
“Bet it killed you not to lead with that, right?”
“You have no idea.” He curses as someone apparently cuts in front of him.
“Where are you anyway?”
“Driving home from your flat. Which is one of the reasons I was calling you. I took photos of everything so that we’ll know if Dan breaks anything.”
“Did you tell him you’ve done that?”
“No need. He was there.” I can hear the smile in his voice, and I bark out a laugh, picturing Dan’s face.
“You’re such an arsehole.”
“That’s what Dan said.”
I’m grinning like an idiot now, full of warmth knowing that Seb will always have my back. It makes me relent and answer his earlier question. “I did run into someone else this morning.”
“Pete?”
“Yep.”
“And was he as hot and rugged as you remembered.”
I picture the gloriousness that was Pete half-naked, wearing work trousers and boots. “Mhmm.”
It’s Seb’s turn to laugh this time. “And?”
“And what?”
“Did you tell him you’re there for two weeks and that you’d like to fuck him for all of it?”
I choke on the bite of sandwich I’ve stupidly just taken. “No,” I manage eventually.
“Why not?”
“Because there were other people there and I don’t know him!”
Seb huffs. “Since when does that matter?”
“Since I’m staying in a country pub in a quaint village. And I came here to work, not—” I wave my hands even though he can’t see me.
“Have a little fun?” Seb supplies.
I sit back in my chair, swinging a little from side to side. “He is hot,” I murmur, then shake my head. “No. Besides, I don’t even know how to get ahold of him.”
“Maybe he’ll come back to the pub. You said it was popular with the locals.”
“It is, I think. But it’s not like I’m going to camp out downstairs on the off chance he comes back in.
” He seemed to know Hailey and the other two guys who were down there.
I think about asking Hailey about Pete for all of two seconds before dismissing it as ridiculous.
I’m paying to stay in her pub, not set me up with the locals.
“Anyway, how’s your mum?” I ask to distract him.
He hesitates, likely recognising it for what it is, but then spends the next ten minutes updating me on his mum’s progress after tearing her Achilles.
We end the call when he gets home, but not before he makes me promise to at least leave my hotel room for food if nothing else. I’m not sure what the takeaway prospects are like round here, so it’s an easy promise to make.
I’m lost for a second in daydreams of running into Pete but then snap myself out of it. I came here to get some work done, that’s all.
I pull my laptop closer and skim the last few paragraphs I wrote before Seb called. I make myself a promise: I’ll go down to the pub for food if I can get another chapter written first.
Words come easier than I expected, and I’m closing my laptop a little over three hours later. It’s still relatively early, but that sandwich feels like ages ago, so I freshen up and head downstairs to the main bar area.
I almost bump into Hailey as she’s going the other way. “Sorry!” I catch her by the shoulders before she stumbles backwards.
“Jesus, what’s wrong with me today!” She huffs. “I have no spatial awareness.”
“At least you’re not carrying tea.”
Her cheeks heat, and I’m two seconds away from being embarrassed I brought it up when she throws her head back and laughs.
“That’s very true. I don’t think Pete will ever forgive me for making him leave here in one of my oversized maternity T-shirts.
” Her grin is huge. “It’s the only thing I had that was anywhere near big enough, and even then it looked ridiculous. ”
I’m hit with an image of Pete wearing some obscenely tight top, material taut across his wide shoulders and chest. My voice is rougher than I’d like when I manage, “I can imagine.” All too fucking well.
“Anyway, go find a table and make sure you check out the specials board.”
“Thanks, I will.”
The bar area is pleasantly busy when I get there, a nice atmosphere without being packed. It’s also a lot more Christmassy than when I saw it this morning.
Wow.
Fairy lights loop across the top of the bar, with more wrapped around the thick tinsel garland decorating the bar itself.
There’s a tree in the corner, full and wide and decorated in silver, red, and green.
I wasn’t feeling at all festive before I came here, but being surrounded by all things Christmas is swaying me that way.
I do as Hailey suggests and check out the specials board.
Then find a table in the corner and place my order.
I’ve never been bothered by my own company, and I settle in to wait for my food, nursing the pint I bought and making notes for my next few chapters.
It’s warm and cosy, and I’ve got a lot of work done today.
I’m gonna have to thank Seb for suggesting I come here.
The door opens, and I glance up to see the two guys from this morning. I don’t think I got their names, and I’m just about to return to my notes when someone walks in after them and my breath catches.
Pete.
His hair is messy, cheeks flush from the cold, and his thick stubble gives him a rough edge that makes me all warm inside.
He could be a character in my book. I imagine him as the surly detective sent to investigate the recent murder in my haunted house.
I write horror/murder mystery, not romance, but lately I’ve been toying with the idea of adding in a romantic element.
And who wouldn’t want to read about a big, lumberjack-type detective getting his happy-ever-after with say .
. . the pathologist or maybe a guy in the labs.
I know that’s been done to death, but it’s popular for a reason.
I’m still staring when he looks up and catches me.
I freeze.
Fuck’s sake, Charlie.
But then he smiles, wide and wonderful, and it’s instinctual to smile back.
I watch as he says something to the two guys he’s with and then heads my way.
Oh, okay then.
Nerves flitter like butterflies in my belly as he gets closer because he’s looking extra fucking hot tonight, and I already feel my ability to make small talk slipping away.
It’s been a long time since I felt excitement like this.
Since I got all tongue-tied because a guy made my pulse rocket and my belly clench.
Too long, my subconscious happily supplies.
I like it.
Despite knowing I’m probably going to make an arse of myself in about thirty seconds, I don’t care because I’ve missed this rush of nervous excitement fizzing through my veins.
Clearly, I need to get out more when I get home if I get this worked up from the prospect of talking to a hot guy, let alone anything else.
Pete reaches my table, and my focus settles on all six foot plus inches of him.
I sit back in my chair to see better. “Hey.” I smile up at him.
His cheeks flush. “I was hoping you might be here tonight.”
My eyebrows rise. “Really?”
“Yeah.” His smile turns wry. “I don’t normally eat here, but Vic and Sean invited me.” He bites his lip, hesitates before adding, “They suggested you were probably going to come down for dinner and it’d give me a chance to come say hello.”
Oh.
So he came for me?
“Hope that’s okay,” he adds quickly, eyes widening. “And not stalkerish or creepy in any way.”
I chuckle at the sudden horror on his face, and any nerves I felt drain away as I realise Pete is as nervous and possibly as bad at this as I am. “Not stalkerish or creepy,” I reassure him. “I’m glad you’re here too.”
We smile at each other, probably looking like idiots to anyone watching, and then our smile-off is interrupted by the arrival of my food. My stomach rumbles embarrassingly loud. Pete snorts and the server grins.
“Good job the portions are big,” Pete says, gesturing at the enormous plate of fish and chips being set before me.
I can’t disagree with him, because we all heard how hungry I am.
When the server leaves, Pete takes a small step back. “Well, I’ll leave you to your dinner. I only wanted to come say hello.”
There’s an awkward pause.
I’m not ready for him to go, but he’s come here with friends, and besides, I don’t want him to sit and watch me eat. “Um . . .” I say at the same as his, “So . . .”
“You first,” I offer, hoping we’re thinking along the same lines.
Pete takes a deep breath, like he needs to build himself up to say whatever he’s going to say. “Do you fancy joining me for a drink when we’ve eaten?”
I should go back upstairs after I’ve finished. I left a chapter halfway through, and I want to get it done before I go to bed. Pete’s smile dims, and the words fall out. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
Written words can wait. I’ll just have a late night. It’s not like I have to be up early.
“Oh.” He blinks like I’ve taken him by surprise, then his smile slowly widens until his eyes sparkle with it.
“I’ll see you in a bit then.” He glances over his shoulder to where the two blokes he came with are pretending not to watch us.
“I’ll be over there with the two most unsubtle people in here.
” He rolls his eyes and I laugh. “Bye, Charlie. Enjoy your dinner.”
“Bye.”
He turns and leaves, and I watch him go. The view from the back is almost as good as the front. His dark jeans hug a pair of thighs that look solid and strong, and his coat skims the top of his arse, giving me enough of a hint that it’s probably as firm as his thighs.
Yeah, I’m in no rush to head back upstairs now.