“Me too. But erotic romance seems a world away from the type of love you described growing up around.”
“It is, which is probably another reason why I love it so much. It’s not something I ever want or will have, so it’s all new and challenging for me. Writing about contemporary romance would just remind me of what I don’t have.”
He held her gaze for a long moment, like he was trying to figure her out, and then he said, “You’re incredibly strong, the way you worked through your grief and turned your passion into a career.”
“Thank you.”
“But don’t you get lonely up there all alone?”
The intimate question took her by surprise. Each of his questions were personal, but this felt even more so, and she needed a moment to think about how, and if, she wanted to answer it. He was watching her intently, like he didn’t want to miss a word of her response, which made her worry about her response even more.
“You are full of questions tonight. Do you mind if I ask how you worked through your grief?”
He sat back and grabbed another fry. She knew he wasn’t going to answer. She could feel it in her bones, and she wanted to push him to open up, as he’d started to in the truck. But she recognized the armor of grief. Beau might come across as fierce and unbreakable, but she had a feeling that beneath that armor was a fragile heart still encased in his lost love. She didn’t want to break that encasement, but she wanted to help him heal and to coax his heart back to life, because by not answering, he was telling her more than words ever could. He either hadn’t dealt with his grief or there was more to the story.
Giving him time to think and holding on to a shred of hope that he might surprise her by responding, she took a bite of her burger and turned her attention to the band. They were barely visible beyond the crowded dance floor. Charlotte couldn’t remember the last time she’d danced with a man. She ate the last of her burger and caught Beau staring at her, which sent her pulse sprinting. How did he do that by just looking at her?
He was focused on her mouth, which made her even more nervous. Was he going to kiss her? She chewed faster, trying to swallow, but she’d taken too big a bite.
“Come here.” He slid a hand around the back of her neck, drawing her closer.
Oh God! Swallow, swallow, swallow! Oh no, she’d taste like burger, but there was no time for a drink. He leaned in, and she closed her eyes, preparing for the kiss. Something brushed over the corner of her mouth.
“There,” he said softly. “Just a little sauce.”
Her eyes flew open, mortification consuming her. She’d been ready for a kiss and he’d just been cleaning up her messy eating? Guess I don’t have to worry about burger breath after all. Was it possible to mourn something she’d never had? She’d thought they were connecting, that he was asking all those questions because he was interested in her. Maybe she had been on the mountain too long.
He set a napkin on the table and said, “I have no idea how you fit that big burger in your little body.”
Her dinner must have been infused with lust, or maybe just opening up to Beau had caused it, because she wanted much more than that burger in her body. She needed to get her mind out of the gutter.
He finished his beer and licked his lips. “I have a feeling there aren’t many challenges you can’t win.”
I challenge myself not to desire Beau Braden.
“Oh, I can think of one.”
Chapter Eight
“I NEED TO dance off this burger.” Charlotte pushed to her feet in her slinky little cutoffs and grabbed Beau’s hand, trying to pull him up with her.
He didn’t budge. Resisting Charlotte while she ate was hard enough, but resisting her while she shared her memories had pushed him to the limit, nearly shredding his resolve to keep his physical distance. He’d wanted to be closer to her, to hold her while she spoke. He’d wanted to soothe her pain, and more than that, he wanted to share his own past with her. Last night’s kisses had come tumbling back, reminding him of how right she’d felt in his arms, how their mouths were made for each other. Those new, powerful feelings made him feel even more connected to her. He was hanging on to his control by a thread, and if she were in his arms, that thread would snap faster than a twig under his boot.
“I’m not opposed to dancing by myself,” she said sassily. “But I thought it might embarrass you.” She swayed her hips, scanning their surroundings. “Cutter!”
She waved toward the parking lot, where Cutter and Chip Shelton were strutting toward the patio. Chip was Beau’s cousin Wes’s business partner at the Woodlands. He was a great guy, but like Cutter, he was single, and friend or no friend, Beau saw both cowboy-hatted men as competition.
“Cutter will dance with me,” she said happily.
The thought of Cutter’s hands on Charlotte made Beau’s blood boil. How could any man be close to her without wanting more? Beau pushed to his feet as they approached and slipped an arm around her waist. “I’ll dance with you.”
“I do not believe my eyes,” Cutter said with a grin. “Charlotte Sterling has left the inn. I feel like we need a billboard to commemorate the moment.”
Chip’s shaggy blond hair brushed his collar. “Hey, Beau. Cutter mentioned you were in town. How’s it going?”
“Great. It’s good to see you.” Beau reluctantly released Charlotte long enough to return Chip’s embrace. “Do you know Charlotte?” He snaked his arm possessively around her again, meeting Cutter’s curious gaze with a confident one of his own.
“Sure do.” Chip crossed his arms and said, “What I don’t know is how you got her to come down the mountain. More book research?”
“I met Chip and Cutter a few months after I moved here,” Charlotte explained. “The hero in my first novel was a cowboy, and I called up to the Woodlands and picked their brains.”
“That’s when she swindled me into being her grocery delivery boy. We invited her to stay at the ranch and immerse herself in the experience, but she claimed she couldn’t afford the time away from writing.” Cutter’s gaze skirted over the nearby tables, lingering on a group of women.
That’s it, man. Look away.
It probably made Beau a prick for being glad she hadn’t accepted their invitation.
“They took me on a FaceTime tour of the ranch and answered my endless questions for weeks,” Charlotte explained.
“It was painful,” Cutter said with a playful grin. “She’s like a pain-in-the-ass sister you can’t turn down.”
“You can say that again,” Chip agreed.
“Well, now I know where I stand with you two. At least Beau doesn’t think I’m a pain in the ass.” She slipped her arm around his waist, beaming up at him. “And he’s going to dance with me!”
“She’s already got you wrapped around her little finger, huh?”
If he had his way, he’d end up wrapped around more than just her little finger. Ignoring their question, because it was none of their damn business, he said, “Good to see you guys. We’ll catch you later.”
He held Charlotte close as they weaved around tables and dancing couples. The song ended just as he gathered her in his arms. “Shit.”
“Gee, and I thought you agreed to dance only to keep me from dancing with Cutter.” She put her arms around his neck as the next song came on.
“I don’t get how those guys can look at you and not want to be with you.” There was no way he was letting her out of his arms.
“I don’t exactly put out a flirtatious vibe.”
Was she insane? Everything she did made him want her more. “It’s not about how flirtatious you are. It’s your very essence, the energy you radiate. And don’t fool yourself, shortcake. Everything you do is alluring.” He glanced at Cutter, checking out every woman in the place. “They aren’t looking for someone like you, and that makes me one hell of a lucky guy. And make no mistake, I feel nothing brotherly toward you.”
Her eyes darkened, and she said, “Good,” in
a sultry whisper.
The band began playing another song. Unfortunately, it was a fast one, and Charlotte’s arms rose above her head, her shoulders and hips swaying seductively to the beat. Their body heat ignited as he met every swing of her hips with a bump and grind of his own, thanking the stars above that he’d been born with rhythm. She danced over to his side, dragging her fingers across his shoulders and swaying her hips as her fingers trailed down his arm. He captured her hand in his and twirled her into his body, guiding her arms around his neck.
“Oh, you’re good,” she said with a lustful look in her eyes that nearly killed him.
“You have no idea how good, sexy girl.”
He put his hand on her lower back and wedged his leg between hers, holding her there as he rocked his hips and chest, moving slower than the music demanded. Her eyes flamed as she fell into sync, moving fluidly with him. He slid his hand down her back, pressing on her ass until she pulsed her hips in time with his, and their mutual challenge scorched and morphed into something wicked and wild. The dance floor was crowded, but all he saw, all he felt was sweet, sexy Charlotte and the inferno between them as their bodies moved in perfect harmony. He took her hands in his, drawing them over her head. Without missing a beat, she moved against him, riding his thigh. His body flamed, but it was his heart that was swimming from the look of longing in her eyes.
He held her arms up as her breasts brushed against him, driving him out of his fucking mind. Her lips were parted, her eyes boring into his, as he ran his hands from wrist to shoulder, then pushed his fingers into her hair. Angling her face beneath his, he brushed his lips over hers, catching the hitch in her breath. She smelled like sin and sweet salvation. His teeth grazed her neck, a spot he couldn’t wait to devour. He trailed the backs of his fingers along the sides of her breasts and down her ribs. They were perfectly in tune with each other, and he was so damn turned on, he clutched her hips, grinding against her. Her eyes turned hungrier as he lowered his cheek to hers and brought their torsos together, slowing his pace and swaying sensually.
Her hips pressed temptingly against his rock-hard cock. He dipped her over his arm. Her long dark hair whooshed around her, and as he brought her upright, her arms circled his neck. Passion brimmed in her eyes.
Beau didn’t know how many songs they danced to, or when the crowd thinned, but when he became aware of the band packing up, he and Charlotte were still wound together like mating snakes. He was completely and utterly lost in her. Neither one of them said a word. He wasn’t even sure he could. He felt more alive than he could ever remember feeling, and it was all because of Charlotte. He didn’t care that they were standing on the dance floor or that they were surrounded by dozens of people. He captured her mouth in a torturously intense kiss. Spirals of ecstasy whipped through him, hot and urgent, as he took the kiss deeper. But it wasn’t enough. He needed to devour her. He fisted his hands in her hair, earning a hungry moan, which snapped his brain into gear.
He didn’t want to embarrass her or make her regret being out with him. He tore his mouth away, grabbed her hand, and strode to their table. He dug out his wallet with one hand, holding her tight with the other, and tossed two hundred bucks on the table.
“Beau,” she said breathlessly.
Her eyes told him it was a plea for more, but he had to be sure. He didn’t want to fuck this up. He hauled her closer. “Tell me. Stop? Go?”
“Go!”
He dragged her out the gate and recaptured her lips, more demanding this time. She pressed her whole body into his and he lifted her into his arms. Her legs circled his middle, and she grabbed his head with both hands, holding it like a vise as they ate at each other’s mouths. Their tongues tangled as they stumbled around his truck and out of sight. He backed her up against the cold metal, using it for leverage to free his hands to explore her body. He sealed his mouth over her neck, and she arched forward, giving him better access and pressing her breasts against his palms.
“Fuck, Char,” he ground out, realizing this couldn’t go anywhere, even in the dark parking lot. He needed more of her, and he’d never make it all the way up the mountain.
“Truck,” she panted out.
He reclaimed her mouth as he opened the door and set her on the seat, unwilling to break their connection. She clung to him, pulling him in as she leaned back. Why the hell hadn’t he rented an old truck with a bench seat? He drew back with a series of frantic kisses, trying to remember if there was a hotel nearby, but his mind was a nest of erotic fantasies, and Charlotte was front and center in every one.
“We’ve gotta get out of here.”
“Drive someplace,” she said urgently. “Hurry!”
Hell yes.
Minutes later they were on the road, heading out of town. He had one hand on her thigh, his fingertips teasing beneath the fringe of her shorts. She kissed his upper arm, nipping and licking and driving him out of his mind. She lifted her hips, wiggling until his fingers pushed beneath her panties. She put her hand on his, her eyes drilling into him as she pressed his fingers into her slickness. She moaned and sank her teeth into his arm. He pulled off the road into a dark parking lot and drove to the far end, out of sight from the road.
She began crawling across the console before he even cut the engine. He reclined his seat as she straddled him, and they feasted on each other’s mouths. He pushed his hands beneath her shirt, groaning at the feel of lace and her warm flesh. He was starving for her. He managed to sweep her beneath him in the confined space. Her wild hair spilled over the seat, and her eyes shimmered with desire as he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the passenger seat.
Her hands roamed all over his chest, face, and arms. Moonlight dusted in through the windows, giving away a hint of shyness in her eyes despite her openly groping him.
“God, you’re gorgeous,” he growled as he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her slow and sensually, like he’d been wanting to do since…Hell, if he were honest with himself, she’d made his gut go funky the very first time he’d set eyes on her.
“I’ve been dying to do that,” he said between heart-thrumming kisses.
He kissed and sucked his way down her neck, earning one plea after another. He pushed up her shirt, revealing the swell of her breasts straining against pink lace. He glanced up, catching an innocent expression that made his heart squeeze.
“Don’t stop,” she begged.
He pressed a kiss to her ribs as he unhooked the front clasp of her bra and pushed the material to the sides. He lifted his gaze to hers as he cupped one beautiful breast and pressed a kiss to her nipple. Her eyes widened, and her hips rocked up, making his cock throb. She moaned and writhed, bowing up beneath him as he dragged his tongue around her nipple and placed openmouthed kisses all over her breasts, except where he knew she wanted it most. He ground his hard length against her center, wishing there were enough room to bury his face between her legs. He wanted to bring her more pleasure than she’d ever imagined. To show her that real life—he—was a million times better than any fictional world, or hero, she could create. The cab of a truck was not where he had envisioned making love to Charlotte, and certainly not their first time, but he could at least take them both where they desperately needed to go. To see and feel her come apart for him—for them—would be enough to tide them over. As he kissed and tasted, teasing and taunting, he tried to mentally work out a position where he could pleasure her thoroughly.
“Beau, please…”
The ache in her voice sent him into motion. He lowered his mouth over her nipple as he shifted to his side, sucking and grazing his teeth over the taut peak, earning a stream of sinful pleas. He unbuttoned her shorts and pushed his hand beneath her damp panties. Heat slid through him like lava as he dipped into her tight, slick haven. She gasped, and he crashed his mouth to hers, wanting to capture her pleas, to feel the passion moving through her as he furtively sought—and found—the spot that would make her toes curl. A shudder rumbled
through her, and she grabbed his wrist, rocking her hips. Long, surrendering moans sailed from her lungs into his as he played over her pleasure points. She clutched his arms, whimpering as her body trembled and shook. He lowered his mouth to her breast again, sucking hard as she cried out his name. Her inner muscles clamped down, pulsing tight and perfect around his fingers. His cock swelled painfully behind his zipper, desperate to get in on the action.
As she came down from the peak, he kissed her harder, rougher, needing to feel her come apart for him again. She moved with him, fucking his fingers, until she tore her mouth away and “Beau!” sailed from her lips like a celebration.
He took her in another fierce kiss and felt her tugging at the button of his jeans. His cock throbbed at the thought of her delicate fingers or her hot mouth wrapped around it. If she took hold of him, there would be no slowing down, no waiting for a more appropriate time or place to make love to her. She pushed her fingers into the waist of his briefs, brushing over the swollen head.
He groaned and grabbed her hand. “Not here. Not like this. I can wait.”
“But—”
Her words were drowned out by a loud and repeated thud on the window. He turned, sheltering Charlotte with his body as a bright light shone over them.
“Police. I need you to step out of the car.”
Are you fucking kidding me?
“Ohmygod!” Charlotte scrambled to button her shorts.
He pressed his lips to hers as calmly as he could. “Don’t worry, shortcake. They can’t see us.” He hooked her bra, righted her shirt, and buttoned her shorts.
“You don’t know what they can see!”
“Tinted windows. They saw nothing. Just act normal.”
Anything For Love Page 10
