Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Call me Cinder-Charlie,” she said, grinning like a fool as he ushered her inside the back seat of his shiny pearl-white limo.
“If the shoe fits,” he said, sliding onto the seat next to her until his body snugged up against hers, making her laugh. “Pun intended.” He put an arm around her so that she settled comfortably in the crook of his shoulder, like she belonged there.
He wore no coat, only the black tux with the crisp white shirt and impeccable bow tie.
He filled it out in a sinful, never-meant-to-be-so-tight manner that showcased his stunning physique.
Suddenly she felt inadequate next to him, even though Suzette had helped her put her hair up, adorning it with glittering pins.
The pins were studded with cubic zirconia studs posing as diamonds.
All her jewelry was phony, except for the real diamond on her finger which, ironically, represented her phony engagement.
Still she smiled, pushing the thoughts away, because she felt his warmth, felt the excitement of being close, experienced the dark starlit night and the scent of him—his raw maleness mixed with something expensive and confident.
“That makes you Prince Charming, remember?” she said.
“Just another day at the office.” He gave her a wink.
She swatted his mock arrogance, though she realized the truth in his words.
Knowing he was every woman’s wet dream gave her girlish flutters, making her another one of his admiring minions.
But not even that cold knowledge doused the jittering in her gut.
Maybe Trent had been right about how relationships developed. She remembered his warning that it could start with lust and grow to something more.
He leaned close, nuzzling her neck and earlobe, and whispered as if he had license to the intimacy. She didn’t stop him. She ought to be cautious, to be on guard because this—whatever they had—was a one-way ticket to nowhere but trouble.
“Every man and boy who lays eyes on you tonight is going to be in danger of running into a pole, stunned by your magnificence.”
“Why, Trent, is that your southern charm showing through your tough football player persona?”
“It’s always there, lurking beneath the Neanderthal surface.” He stuck his tongue in his cheek.
She snorted a laugh. “You go too far.” Damn if he didn’t make her feel like a flirty southern belle. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d played this game with a man, felt so coy, so . . . unlike herself. Womanly.
“I’m glad we have a limo tonight. I already can’t wait for the ride home, when I don’t have to worry about messing your hair—your lush, gorgeous hair by the way.
Or ruining your amazing dress—but then you make everything you wear look dazzling.
You are officially the most delectable vision I ever laid my eyes on. ”
“Don’t get carried away.”
“I’m going to carry you away.” He leaned in to nuzzle her again and she laughed, she couldn’t help herself, the giddiness that ran through her spilled out and she couldn’t stop the laughing, the well of happiness that overflowed in spite of everything.
Whatever else she’d been worried about before she stepped into this magical pumpkin-coach-limousine had disappeared, had been wiped away by this man and his enormous power to make her feel special.
By the time they arrived at the Shriners Hospital to visit the children and attend the ball in the atrium space, she was in the perfect Christmas spirit, a joyous frame of mind. And she owed it to him, to Trent Lockheed, football player and man extraordinaire.
He surprised Dylan and his family—and her—with a generous gift, handing them a wrapped box with an envelope inside containing tickets and a brochure showcasing a trip to Disney World for them all.
After their visit with all the children and handing out small treats to them all, she and Trent, Jamie and Violet, and the others from the team went to the atrium where a small orchestra played and the ball was in full swing.
A giant Christmas tree dressed out in gold and white stood tall at the center, dominating the space, glittering and fantastic.
“It’s beautiful—it’s always beautiful,” she said.
“You’re always beautiful.” He pulled her into his arms, too tight for a dance, but they swayed with the music as he held her with that never-let-you-go intention. And she liked it. Maybe a week ago it would have made her uncomfortable, but now she felt the opposite, all special and warm.
“Of course you’re a wonderful dancer,” she said, leaning her cheek against the starched white shirt of his tux, feeling the steady hard beat of his heart in his chest.
“Of course you’re the perfect partner,” he whispered in her ear.
“Partner in crime?” The words were serious, but she felt no sting, no pinch, no change in her mood from the high she was on.
“Especially that.” He spoke lightly, let his lips nip her earlobe in a small pinch, causing a shiver of excitement to run through her, leaving gooseflesh and anticipation behind.
“And you’re perfectly naughty and incorrigible. Anyone ever tell you that?” She looked up into his teasing eyes. The music stopped and he stopped moving, but he continued to hold her.
“Not since I was a kid. My ma said it so often I thought Incorrigible was my middle name.”
She laughed. He lowered his head and just before he could claim her mouth in a kiss, they were interrupted.
“Looks like you need a cold drink,” Jamie said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Damn you, man. Can’t you see I was about to kiss my girl?”
“Oh, I could see just fine. And this here is a respectable party, so I figured I’d save your ass—and your girl’s reputation.”
Trent would have been more annoyed, but Charlie laughed at the mock seriousness as Violet hung onto Jamie’s side and rolled her eyes.
Every time Charlie laughed it made his pants tighter and his hard-on grow.
She was killing him with her seductive nature and she didn’t even know it.
Or maybe it was all on him. It didn’t really matter what she did, he’d find it seductive because he was smitten beyond reason.
Whatever it was, he wanted her bad and wondered how adventurous she might be willing to be.
A server came by with a tray of champagne and they each took a glass.
“This place is gorgeous and those kids’ excitement was so contagious,” Violet said. “I’m so glad we came here, Charlie.”
Forgetting to be cautious, to guard herself against this heady feeling of falling for a man, she allowed herself to be his center of attention because she needed to feel it.
It didn’t matter at all if he was poison and their relationship was a lie.
It didn’t matter if when it was all over she might never see him again, might never want to see him again because she wouldn’t want to be reminded of her horrible crimes, the lying and secrets and deceit.
But even the specter of the evil tangled web they were caught up in couldn’t prevent her from being charmed by him, from enjoying dancing with him and sipping champagne with him. Couldn’t prevent the evening from taking on a magical quality.
The whoosh of cold air didn’t bother him, didn’t penetrate the hot thick layer of sexual desire coursing through and around him, making him feel like a nuclear bomb. He ushered Charlie out to their waiting limo with Jamie and Violet not far behind them.
“Tell Coach we’ll be along soon.” He waved to Jamie as he opened the door for Charlie.
He’d never been one to wait for a driver to open his damn door.
Her coat whipped open in the breeze. He hadn’t given her a chance to button it.
Hadn’t wanted to slow down, hadn’t wanted to waste the momentum of the skyrocketing passion between them.
The clashing gazes, soft touches, secret laughs and stolen kisses.
“What the—” Jamie looked at him questioningly, then he looked part pissed and part amused.
Trent figured his wingman would come through for him. He slid inside the dimly lit limo, not stopping until he reached Charlie. Wrapping his arms round her and slipping the coat from her shoulders while he did, she laughed a low, husky, aroused laugh.
The small lights around the ceiling of the back looked like sparkling Christmas lights, small flicks of magic giving them the exact mood and light, enough so he could see into her eyes, see the white flesh of her skin against the velvety black dress, and dark enough to hold them outside of reality in a private universe of their own.
The panel between the driver and the back was closed and Trent moved to the seat facing away from the driver, carrying Charlie with him.
“Where are we going?”
“We’re going for privacy, for a place where I can kiss you as long as I want, wherever I want.” He proved his point by reaching to cup her head and press his lips to hers, soft and giving and hot, feeding the furnace of need in him, stoking his passion.
Dipping his head lower, he nibbled her delicate earlobe, felt dizzy when she sucked in her breath.
“God, Charlie. I want you so much.” His words sounded unfocused, like he was drunk on her sensuality, like he was overstimulated.
She put her hand on his jaw, caressed it and kissed him, trailing her other hand down his chest and to the bulge in his crotch. She whispered into his mouth.
“Is this what you had in mind? Playing nookie-nookie in the car when we should be . . .”
He didn’t hear the rest of her words. His head spun and she blurred as he lifted his head back, trying to take a deep breath. What the hell is happening?
Charlie sat bolt upright and took his face in her hands, staring into his eyes. He could feel her seriousness even if her face was a blur. His vision doubled and he shook his head to clear it.
“What’s going on Trent? Talk to me.” She spoke loudly, breaking the quiet romance of their sanctuary.
“Nothing . . . just a little dizzy. Woozy . . .”
“Can you see me? How’s your vision?”