Chapter 20 #3
He’s being such a great guy about this, I feel like I need to say something complimentary. “Well, if it’s any consolation, you’re exactly my type.”
He cocks a grin. “So you’re saying if you’d met me first instead of Charlie, you’d be having this conversation with him?”
I think of Charlie, with his intent stare and hidden secrets. The calm, steady way he handles things. How he looks at me as if he wants to crawl into every corner of my mind. The way it feels like I’ve been branded by him.
The way—
Fingers snap in front of my face, and I blink, flushing when I realize Cole is watching me and I’ve zoned out. An actual flush warms my cheeks. “Oops.”
“Ah, I see. So, in all universes, it’s Charlie.”
My shoulder slumps a little. “Yeah, that seems to be the case.”
Oh no! I have feelings. Like, serious, big feelings.
It’s four thirty, and I’m waiting for Charlie to be done for the day.
He drove me here and is coming for dinner tonight.
He wanted to take me to his house, but I told him I needed to make sure Hailey eats.
I also invited Ryder and Sophie since they are still in temporary housing while their new house is being built.
After keeping my distance all last week, I’ve missed them, and Hailey will be less likely to fight me with our big brother there for backup.
I told Charlie he didn’t have to come, but he’d not only insisted, he’d offered to help me cook. It’s downright domesticated, but instead of giving me hives and planning my escape, all I want is to sink deeper.
To pass the time until he gets here, I’ve been doing my due diligence and making my way through the mountains of documents associated with the river tourism project file.
My eyes are starting to get tired as I put aside the current contract and start reading through the details of rezoning the land. I go over the paperwork and the environmental study requests. When I get to the petitions, my attention snags on a name: Congressman Edward Crenshaw.
That makes sense. He was the rep for the district.
But before I can dig in deeper, there’s a knock on the doorframe of my office, and I look up to find Charlie there. The second I see him, I forget all about work.
“Hey.” We didn’t avoid each other, but with people already talking—and betting on us—we kept our distance.
“You almost ready?” He smiles, and it makes me all melty and warm. “I assume we need to go to the store for groceries?”
I start organizing my pile of papers to continue reviewing tomorrow. “We do.”
He raises a brow. “Do you have a plan?”
I roll my eyes at him. “Relax, it’s just my family. It’s not a big deal.”
Three beats of silence pass before he says, “Do you have a grill?”
“Of course. I’m not a heathen.” I mean, it’s not put together or anything, but how hard can it be?
Amusement glimmers in his dark eyes as he leans against the door. “Hamburgers shouldn’t be too difficult to make for five people.”
I stand and gather the remainder of my things to put in my work bag before walking over to stand in front of him. “Why are we talking about groceries?”
“Because even though I wanted to take you home, spread you out on my kitchen table, and eat your pussy…” He reaches for me, pulling me close as he curls his hand over my hip.
“You want to go shopping and make everyone dinner. So, I’d prefer not to wander the aisles aimlessly, waiting for a mood to strike you. ”
“May I remind you that you invited yourself?” I bat my lashes as my hands climb up his forearms. “You could choose peace if you wanted to.”
He dips his palms to the curve of my ass, shifting me so I can feel his erection on my stomach. “Yeah, but then I wouldn’t have you.”
The words shiver over me just as his lips claim mine.
Our tongues tangle as our mouths fuse.
We part, attempt to move away, but then our heads tilt, angle deeper, and we’re right back at it. We don’t come up for air until we’re both panting.
He presses his forehead against mine. “I think I missed you today.”
A smile twitches at the corners of my lips. “I think I missed you too.”
“I don’t want to share you.” His voice is thick.
The possession thrills me. I rise to the toes of my high heels and kiss his strong jaw. “I’ve made good on my promise.”
I suck in the scent of him, wishing I could bottle him up and wear him. I settle for his taste, fluttering my tongue against his pulse.
He groans, turning and pressing me against the wall, bracketing my head with his hands. “Promise?”
I arch my neck, offering him my very flesh. “I promised to make sure Cole Montgomery was 100% clear he had no shot with me, and I did.”
He lifts his head and stares into my eyes. “You did? Thank you.” His mouth once again crashes against mine, hot and possessive.
We kiss until we’re straining against each other and my skirt is hiked high up my thighs. Without breaking contact, he reaches over and shuts the door. “I can’t wait a few hours.”
My hand is on his belt. “I’ve been thinking about your cock in my throat all day.”
“Jesus, I’m the luckiest man alive.”
I grip a handful of his shirt and drag him to me. “You’re damn right you are.”