She did the same then wrapped her arms around my neck. Her lips tasted sweeter than honey, and I wanted nothing more than to discover if she was this delicious everywhere.
Chapter 5
Stephanie
My lips tingled. Charlie’s kisses made my legs all wobbly, so sitting in the car was a good thing. I hadn’t needed to hold him so tightly, but I was actually dizzy from his kisses, and I quivered all over with awareness.
The windows were steamed up when the kiss ended, and I was breathless. But I ignored how my body ached for more and unlocked the doors. As I slid out, the refreshing air only primed my body for more kisses, more...Charlie.
My nipples were hard when he circled the car, and I swear he knew, despite my T-shirt and full-coverage bra. As he approached, the air was charged with desire.
He rested his warm hand on my lower back and I stared at that succulent mouth of his. But then my phone rang. I almost lost my balance, but reached in my pocket and saw Sophia’s name as I said, “I need to take this call.”
He kissed my forehead and said, “I’ll get us tickets to go inside and meet you by the river when you’ve finished your call.”
Sparks rushed through me, but I ignored the sensation and kept calm when I said, “Thanks, Charlie.”
I watched him walk toward the roaring river and my heart raced.
Unlike every other guy I’d ever dated, Charlie was in his own world, and for some reason, that made me feel more special.
The third ring finally got my attention, and I answered quickly so it wouldn’t go to voice mail. “Hey, Sophia. What’s going on?”
Charlie turned the corner and I lost sight of him. So I locked the car doors with a beep as she said, “I just went to your flat with Charlotte and Amelia to drop off the wine for our dinner party tonight.”
My gaze narrowed. She had a key, so I asked, “Okay?”
“Richard and Ann were there. They moved all your belongings into your room, and none of your furniture was in the living room.”
Heat erupted from my belly and spread to every cell in my body while my gut tightened. I had no idea why they’d been there yesterday when I kicked them out. Maybe I misunderstood Sophia and asked, “What do you mean?”
“They moved in. When I yelled at Ann about how dare she do this to you, she showed me the lease. She had your name taken off and intends to tell you that you have to move out as soon as you get back.”
I braced myself on the hood of the car so I wouldn’t faint because of the way my heart was pounding. “Oh, God.”
“Look, you can sleep on my couch when you get here, and we’ll figure it out.”
I glanced up. Tears filled my eyes. If I didn’t maintain a residence, I’d break part of my residency requirements and be sent back to Pittsburgh, where I had nothing. Anxiety that had not haunted me in years sent me on mental lockdown for a moment, but then I said, “Let me think. I’ll call you soon.”
Weeping was never pretty. I hung up without explaining, but hopeful I could avoid anything ugly. I hadn’t realized they hadn’t changed one bit. I put my phone away and headed toward the river, where Charlie was looking around him with a peaceful smile.
Part of me wished I could trust whatever the feeling was that I had for him, but he’d never be mine for long. We were from two separate universes.
His eyes widened as I approached. I wiped my face to make sure there were no tears and said, “Charlie?”
He opened his arms like he’d hug me and asked, “Is everything okay?”
I took the offer and his muscular arms around me helped me forget for a moment. Once he let me go, I was almost warm again as I asked, “Were you joking earlier in the car about me being your roommate?”
We walked up the cobblestone path to the blacksmith shop that once was the center of Gretna Green’s clandestine marriage mart of years past. He bumped into me playfully. “I said I’d prefer you to move into my townhome.”
He was rich, which hopefully meant he had a spare bed I could use for a while. I fidgeted, my heart pounding, but trying not to let it show. Then I said, “I remember, but were you serious?”
He stopped where we could see the huge steel sculpture of two clasped hands that formed the arch many wedding parties used as a backdrop for photos.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I’ve never had a roommate before, except my brother Logan when we were children. But you’re much prettier and less hairy than he is.”
I chuckled. Charlie was a crazy bet, but he was just temporary until I found my own place, if he let me. I bounced on my toes, cheerful again, and said, “Then I need a place to crash when we get to London and I’m sure your place is nicer than Sophia’s lumpy couch.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist like he’d protect me from all harm and asked, “What happened?”
I ignored how the world swirled away until it was just the two of us in my world. “Richard and Ann have stolen my flat and replaced my name on the lease agreement. I should have asked myself why they just showed up.”
He drew little circles on the base of my spine as he asked, “Do you want me to have my lawyers investigate?”
If I told my sisters, they’d have their families all help. I couldn’t let that happen, so I swallowed and said, “I…I just want to have a place so when immigration investigates me, they see I’m not sponging and can support myself.”
He whispered his question, “Are you afraid they’ll kick you out?”
Too bad Gretna Green was no longer allowed to have fast weddings since British law changed, because right now, I’d have done something completely out of character and asked this stranger to be mine. The thought made me laugh, but I let him go and said, “It’s why I need my job.”
We headed into the blacksmiths. The anvil was there that once rang when a couple married in the past. No one else was around as Charlie took my hand and said, “I’ll be happy to send movers to get your things delivered so we can go right to my townhome...unless you need me to punch Richard in the nose.”
A fight for my honor was something out of an Austen book. I ignored the thought as I guessed moving in was the closest modern version of an elopement, right? And legally less messy, because soon I’d re-find my center, but I swung our clasped hands as we headed out to the next marriage room and shook my head and replied, “You need your keep your knuckles safe so they’re always ready to reach for your dreams, Charlie.”
His mouth curved into a wicked smile, like he was about to toss me against a wall in the chapel and kiss every thought out of me, but he just said, “And to accompany you to one of your reenactments.”
Damn. My imagination was now officially out of control. We passed a billboard that had the painted image of a Regency wedding and the photo of a modern bride and groom. For a second, I saw Charlie’s face as the groom until I blinked and squinted to be sure as I said, “We’ll go later—if you get yourself a proper Regency-style suit.”
He continued to walk the cobblestoned center of the path and pointed to the museum as he asked, “Can I wear my kilt? I have a fancier one.”
We walked into the room displaying items from the old blacksmith that symbolized marriage as I said, “No, though I’m interested in attending the Highland Games. It’s been on my bucket list, but my London friends haven’t been that interested since we’re all Americans who flew to a Bath reenactment and never wanted to leave.”
“My brother is the host of the Games. You’ll be treated as a VIP when you go.”
That sounded fun. I played with my necklace as I gazed up at him. “I didn’t know that. Seems there’s lots we don’t know about each other.”
He pointed to the flowers on display and said, “Yes, like how you’re a romantic at heart.”
My heart beat more wildly for him as I asked, “I am?”
He kissed my cheek and said, “Most women don’t want to tour an old wedding chapel-slash-blacksmith. Let’s get lunch before we leave.”
When
we finished walking around the small museum, I said, “But we ate breakfast not that long ago.”
He gestured toward the door and held it open for me to walk through as he said, “I need to keep my strength up near you, it seems, and I need you to open up about taking me to one of your events.”
The blacksmith restaurant had sweet music playing out on the sidewalk. I supposed I could drink more tea. “Okay, since you’re so interested, there’s a museum hosting a Jane Austen night this weekend, but you need proper Regency era clothing.”
We were led to a table and the maître d’ handed us menus as Charlie said, “I’ll get us both new outfits.”
I chuckled. Charlie, with his long hair, would be more likely to resemble the ne’er-do-well Mr. Churchill, though he certainly had the funds to be a Darcy. I sucked in my lips and studied the menu as I said, “I…we’ll see. I need my clothes to be authentic, and I’m pretty fussy about it.”
He reached over the table and took my hand. “Then I’ll need your approval on everything, and I’ll invest in a three-D virtual world so you’ll need to help me pick settings for that, too.”
Who knows? Maybe he’d make a small fortune if he created a living, breathing Jane Austen experience for Austen lovers. Every year, the festival drew about ten thousand diehards in costume. How many more readers dreamed of living in that time but didn’t have the means or time to show up in full regalia? I found my favorite tea on the menu, and some yummy-sounding scones, and ordered them.
He ordered a full breakfast.
Once we were alone, I sighed and said, “Chatsworth House is the must-see for all Pride and Prejudice fans. And Bath. Honestly, filming all the places proper Janeites would want to include could be expensive.”
The waiter brought the tea, and I poured for us both while he said, “I have more than enough money, and besides, during the project, I’ll get to know more about you. So it’s a win-win for me.”
And just like that, he saved me from losing everything.
Someday soon, I’d find a way to pay him back, and if that included helping him with some app, then I’d happily comply.
I put my napkin on my lap and said, “You’re seriously impossible, Charlie.”
The food arrived, but he winked at me and said, “I’m sure you can handle me.”
Once we were alone, he pushed one of his sausages onto my plate and I ate it. Honestly, Scottish meats were quite yummy. As we finished our tea, I realized I’d eaten half his plate while he grabbed one of my scones. I sighed and decided not to say anything about my lapse, instead saying, “Let’s go.”
He stood with me and said, “Excellent plan. Let me show you our new home when we get there. I’m sure you’ll approve.’
Then, he held my hand as we left and I ignored how his simple touch ignited a fire of desire inside me.
For all my protests earlier, I had to admit one thing to myself…Charlie Grannd was a better man than I could ever have expected. He was almost the perfect man for all the Bennett sisters. He was intelligent like Darcy, kind like Bingley, handsome like Wickham, and provided a better life, which was what Mrs. Bennett wanted for her girls.
Maybe he was even a little respectable the way Charlotte had wanted, which truly did make him the best, even if he was a Scot.
Chapter 6
Charlie
We drove to my townhome across from Hyde Park. Because she was on the job, she had the address in her phone, so she didn’t need to ask for directions.
Instead she fascinated me with how she blathered on about books, and how, as soon as she read them when she was thirteen her world had changed. I don’t remember a book ever doing that to me, though I mentioned how the stars twinkled and they fueled my own dreams.
As we parked the car, I pointed to the moving truck out front and the men carrying boxes and said, “Seems like the movers have your things already.”
She got out of the car but let out a sigh as she shook her head. “Which means those...those...well, anyway, they had all night to rifle through my things, I suppose.”
Part of me hoped to meet this ex of hers one day, but then I shouldn’t judge her based on bad decisions. My last date only ever talked about how she never ate anything, and I’d tuned her out to the point I didn’t really remember her face.
She wasn’t like Stephanie, who hadn’t shrieked when I offered her tattie scones.
However, as walked to the front of the house, three women her age all piled out of a small car. I swallowed and asked, “Who are they?”
Her eyes widened but then she threw her arms out to greet everyone as she said, “My friends…Sophia, Amelia, and Charlotte.” Once the women let her go, she asked, “Why are you three here?”
One of the women, with a bit of a crooked tooth, grinned at us and asked, “You’re moving to Knightsbridge? With Charlie Grannd?”
American as well. They all seemed animated. Stephanie massaged the middle of her forehead then led the group to me as she said, “Right, this is Sophia. She’s the leader in the group.”
I shook hands and said, “Nice to meet you.”
She then beckoned for the short, dark-haired one to step forward as she said, “And this is Amelia. She’s the brains of the operation.”
“I see. Nice to meet you.”
She had the long-haired blonde step forward, and said, “Then, there is sweet Charlotte.”
She looked very old-school British, with the requisite pink cheeks, though her accent was definitely from across the pond. I greeted her then said, “Lovely to meet you all, ladies.”
As the three stepped back, I rested my hand on Stephanie’s back and asked, “How do you describe your role in the group, Stephanie?”
Her friends all stared at where I was touching her and my own skin tingled like I’d been judged, as she said, “I’m the wandering troublemaker.”
I held her closer as I said, “Very doubtful. Well, invite your friends in.”
The taller brunette waved her hands, leaned over and whispered something in Stephanie’s ear, then said loudly, “No, thanks. We just needed to know Ann and Richard hadn’t sent your things to a garbage dump, but when the movers stopped here, we waited. We’ll come for a visit once you’re settled in.”
All three women went back to their very tiny car, and we stood next to it as Stephanie said, “I’ll call you. It’s still my turn to host the wine party.”
I tugged my ear, unsure whether I should insist they come in or not, but Stephanie waved and I joined her as she said, “Absolutely. See you tomorrow, then.”
Once they drove off, I pointed her toward the door as I asked, “Wine party?”
I opened the door to freshly waxed floors that shone so brightly we could almost see our reflections in the mahogany. She stayed focused on the crystal chandelier, though, as she said, “We take turns having each other over for a glass of wine each week. It was my turn tomorrow, which is how Sophia figured out what Richard and Ann had done.”
I decided to have my steward pick out vintage wines based on the time period she loved so much. I took her hand and tried to ignore the spark as I directed her up the stairs.
She kept up, and we made it the personal area. I opened the yellow bedroom where her things were deposited and said, “Excellent. Now we’re here, let’s talk for a moment.”
She covered her mouth when she saw her boxes, tears in her eyes. “All we’ve done is talk for the past few hours. And I need to thank you for rescuing my stuff, and because your home is beautiful.”
Right. She was like all the others. Here for my money. I wasn’t completely blind, but I walked to the window seat that overlooked Hyde Park and said, “Yes, but I changed your job description at my company.”
Her face went white. “Oh, no. I was fine where I was.”
Hopefully, she didn’t fade away during all this shuffling, because Logan needed to see me with a woman who was her own person. I put my arms behind me and said, “You’re helping me with the app ide
a, and I moved you closer to me as my personal assistant.”
She glanced away. “I don’t know. You’ve been great to me today and I don’t want to be rude, but is this the title you give all your “girlfriends” at work? I can’t lose my job, too, and my dad always told me to be direct.”
“No. I’ve never dated anyone in my companies.” My heart sped up at her question. If she was that agreeable, that quickly, then maybe everything would be fine. I narrowed my gaze. “It means you and I work together.”
She slumped on the bed. “I was happy in my dead-end job, because it made my dream of living close to Jane Austen’s life come true.”
I patted the seat beside me. If she stayed on the bed, I’d let Little Charlie out and have him show her exactly what I wanted. Instead, I asked, “Why?”
She sat up and stared at my hand as she stood, then went to open a box. She took out clothes and said, “Because I had time to sew these and go to various events without having to worry about anyone looking for me.”
Soon, we’d have the best of the best outfits she’d ever seen, but I stood and joined her at the box as I said, “You want more. I’d like to look for you.”
She pouted as she asked, “I do?”
Denying this attraction between us was a mistake. Electric shocks sizzled up and down my arms as I held her and said, “Yeah. You want me. We both know that.”
Her cheeks pinked, but she asked in a more breathless tone, “And if I give in and we…hop in that bed, am I out on my ear in the morning because you’ve had your fill?”
I cupped her hips to walk her backwards. “No. And besides, I think you’re the kind of woman who will get more and more interesting the more I’m with you.”
She lowered her lashes like she expected to be kissed as she said, “I wish I could believe you.”
I tugged her against me and lowered my head, but said, “Don’t shut me out just because I have money.”
I gently tasted her. She was still sweet. I stopped myself from feasting fully as I directed her to the bed. She batted her lashes and said, “I’d have to renounce my sisters and their husbands if I was that snobbish.”
Scottish Seducer: Opposites Attract: Jane Austin fangirl and the Scottish Billionaire (Steel Series Book 6) Page 4
