You're Still the One

by Rachel Harris

  “And just what would a sweet girl like you hope to do once you found me, huh?” A tight smirk accompanied the question, and Arabella frowned as he lifted his beer to his mouth, hiding the flash of emotion behind the bottle.

  The Charlie she knew from afar, the one she studied via photographs and interviews, was rarely sarcastic or bitter. On the contrary, he wore an ever-present smile and had a laid-back approach to life. This new, real-life version threw her slightly for a loop.

  Charlie craned an eyebrow as he swallowed, clearly awaiting her reply, and Ella fought to remember the question. When she did, she stammered. “Um…w-well…I don’t know…”

  Seriously? This was the big moment she’d been waiting for, and that was her response?

  Say something…be flirty!

  “Maybe admit that she’s fantasized about you for years?”

  She winced the second the words left her mouth. Flirty and psychotic were two very different things…but then, Charlie sputter-coughed and dragged the back of his hand across his open mouth, and Ella decided there was something to be said for bald-faced honesty, after all. Awkwardness could be sexy, right?

  Betting on yes, and beginning to feel the tingly effects of alcohol on an empty stomach, she trailed her fingers across his arm. “Also perhaps mention that you’re on her to-do list?”

  The corded muscles beneath her questing fingers turned to steel, and Arabella frowned, wondering why on earth that was so shocking. If anything, her earlier confession was much more scandalous than a silly top-ten list. But then her sluggish brain caught the double meaning of her words, and she flushed to the roots of her hair.

  “Oh! No, not like that.” Her heartbeat roared in her ears. “I meant, I have a list…a top-ten list…of things I want to do this summer. And you’re number one.” Crap, that hadn’t sounded any better. “Flirting with you is number one, not doing you. Shit!”

  She smacked herself on the forehead. This was why she didn’t flirt. When left to her own devices, she always got foot-in-mouth disease—but this was by far the worst case yet.

  Unable to look at Charlie, possibly ever again, Ella reached for her wine and downed the rest in one big gulp. The slight acidic burn gave her something to focus on other than what a supreme loser she was, but once the wine was gone, and the glass was empty, it was time to ponder an exit strategy.

  Was there a dignified way to abort?

  Could claiming temporary insanity work? Perhaps fake an asthma attack?

  A low chuckle came from the seat beside her. “You’re not as innocent as you look, are you?”

  Arabella lifted her eyes and gave a slow shake of her head. “No. I’m exactly as innocent as I look. Just a frigging lightweight when it comes to drinking and a black belt in scaring hot guys away.”

  Charlie’s dimple flashed, and she fell back against her chair. “You’ve gotta give me style points, though. Any woman could throw themselves at you, but it takes a true gem to foul it up as well as I have. It’s a talent, really. Behold, Tucker, you’re in the midst of greatness.”

  He chuckled again and then did something that truly shocked her. He reached over and took her hand, enveloping it in his warmth. “So, this is you throwing yourself at me?”

  Her heart rate spiked but she quickly put the kibosh on any attempt at a sexy one-liner. Clearly, she wasn’t cut out for that sort of thing. Instead, she fluttered her eyelashes and said, “What, you couldn’t tell?”

  His shoulders shook with silent laughter, and her belly dipped and soared. No, she wasn’t a seasoned seductress…but she could make him smile. That had to count for something. Charlie watched her for a moment, a soft smile on his lips and a strange look in his eyes, before lowering his gaze to their linked hands where he began drawing a slow, lazy circle across her palm.

  “Tell me more about this list.”

  Ella’s breath caught as his trimmed nail rasped across her tender skin. An electric shot zinged straight through her core, and she blinked through the sudden haze clouding her vision.

  Charlie Tucker wrote the book on living free. If he wanted to do something daring, he probably just did it. He didn’t research or make a list, hemming and hawing over each and every entry. She couldn’t tell the bad boy of country music about her silly list.

  But then he raised his eyes, and she saw genuine interest. Her defensive walls crumbled.

  “It’s just a list of things I’ve always wanted to do,” she told him. “Daring things. I know to an adventurous guy like you that probably sounds dumb, but I never leave my comfort zone. I don’t do anything spontaneous or crazy—aside from walks in the men’s room, that is. This list is about changing that.”

  Charlie nodded like he somehow understood. “Why now?”

  He was honestly curious. About her. It boggled her mind. Sitting there in the middle of a crowded nightclub, Ella decided she wanted him to know.

  “My dad…he’s a busy man. He owns his own company, and he works a lot. After my mom died, it was hard finding that balance between work and being a single parent, so I did whatever I could to make things easier. Mostly that meant staying out of trouble, making good grades, and keeping quiet.”

  She lifted her shoulder. “I don’t regret my choices. I have an incredible life, and I love my dad more than anything. But even when I was at TSU, things didn’t change. My apartment was ten minutes away, and I stayed stuck in the same tight circle. This summer will be the first time I ever leave Nashville on my own, and it’s my chance to break out. Do the things I want to do without worrying what anyone else thinks.” She looked at her lap. “I’ve never done that.”

  He didn’t say anything for a moment, like he was letting that sink in, and then he scooted closer on his chair. “So what daring things made the cut?” She raised her head and watched his mouth curve in a sexy grin. “Other than me, that is.”

  Arabella laughed, feeling freer than she had in a very long time. Normally, she considered herself a private person. She had to be; too many people tried to gain her confidence to get to her dad. But Charlie’s easy acceptance gave her confidence to open up. Plus, this entire night felt like a dream. If everything was pretend anyway, what was the harm in being honest?

  “I want to drink a beer in a biker bar,” she confessed, grinning in satisfaction when Charlie’s eyebrow quirked in surprise. She hardly ever surprised people. “I also want a tattoo, but I haven’t decided where or of what yet.”

  Her gaze dipped to Charlie’s broad shoulders where hints of vibrant red ink could be seen through his dress shirt. It was tempting to ask about his body art, and steer the conversation away from herself like she usually did when things got personal. Instead, she extended three fingers so she could tally the activities on her hands.

  “I want to finally learn the country two-step.” She rolled her eyes as she added, “And yes, I’m aware that by not knowing this I’ve basically committed a crime here in Nashville.”

  Charlie laughed, and the sound did crazy things to her insides. She loved being the reason for it. Smiling to herself, she wiggled back in her seat. This was actually sort of fun.

  “Ask a stranger for his number.” That was number four. “I’ve never done it before, and I figure it’s a rite of passage for single women everywhere.” She bit her lip as nervousness tightened her belly, and she leaned in to whisper the next thing on her list. “Experience a toe-curling kiss.”

  Charlie’s gaze dropped to her mouth.

  Lana’s words floated in her mind. She’d been the one to add kissing to tonight’s game plan—the list on Ella’s phone only ever said flirt with Charlie Tucker. But as the man in question’s stare flicked between Arabella’s eyes and suddenly parched mouth, she couldn’t help thinking her best friend was on to something.

  If Charlie kissed her, her toes would definitely curl.

  Sadly, that wasn’t in the cards. Ella could never pull off a brazen move like that, especially not at a Belle Meade event, and Charlie wasn’t shy. I
f he’d wanted to kiss her, he would’ve done it already.

  “Um, as for number six, I’m a sucker for random acts of kindness. I love hearing about folks getting free coffee at Starbucks or a free meal at a restaurant. But I want to take it a step further. I want to make a real difference, you know? Something bigger than saving someone a few bucks or helping out at Christmas. Something…I don’t know…long-lasting.”

  Charlie stared at her with that strange look again, and she wondered if he thought she was too idealistic. When he finally murmured, “That’s honorable,” she ducked her head with a smile.

  “My best friend calls me a dreamer. I think it’s possible, though, if I keep my eyes open. Who knows, it might even bring me to another thing on my list…discovering my passion.”

  A career in music was a given, and Ella was good at it, too. But she’d yet to feel the inner fire her dad had about the industry or Lana had when she talked about law. Hopefully, her summer internship at Strange Wheel would help her discover her strengths.

  Charlie nodded, seemingly lost in his thoughts, and Ella again got the impression that she didn’t know him nearly as well as she’d once believed. After a moment, he asked, “What are we up to now, seven?” She nodded, and he raised both eyebrows. “I can’t wait to hear the final three.”

  And this was where it got embarrassing.

  “Er, well, you know the one about flirting with you.” Stalling, she wrung her hands and searched for the exits. Why was she telling him this again? Oh, right. Because it was Charlie. And for the first time ever, he was interested in her.

  Her heart melted, and before she could overthink it, she spit out, “Skinny-dipping.” Charlie blinked, and a warm flush flooded her skin. “Not like in broad daylight,” she told him with a laugh. “Definitely late at night. But I don’t know…it’s something I’ve secretly wanted to do but never had the guts to try.”

  Actually, she’d chickened out sophomore year. The fear of leaked photos and her dad’s disapproval kept her from taking the plunge. “I’ve always wondered how it would feel, having the cool water glide across my bare skin…” She bit her lip, imagining the moonlight dancing on the water, and excitement pebbled across her arms.

  “Right.” Charlie cleared his throat, and Arabella snapped back to the present. Embarrassed, she glanced at him, prepared to see him smirking, and quickly sucked in a breath. Were the lights playing tricks on her…or was that desire darkening his amber eyes? “And the last one?”

  His voice came out as a rasp, and the moment felt so surreal, so incredible, that the words simply fell out of her mouth. “Stare at myself naked in the mirror.”

  Arabella’s eyes doubled in size, and Charlie’s mouth curved in a slow, sinful smile. “That one’s my favorite.”

  His eyes raked over her body as if he was already imagining it without clothes, and a drumbeat began low in her stomach. No one had ever looked at her like that before. The fact that it was Charlie had her biting the inside of her cheek to suppress a nervous squeal.

  “However, for scientific purposes,” he continued, leaning forward. “You’ll need an impartial observer.” Soft lips brushed her ear as he spoke, and the vision of him boldly watching her as she stood before him naked nearly had her crawling into his lap. Instead, she curled her hand around his thick forearm and dug her nails into the fabric of his shirt. Charlie hissed.

  “So you’re impartial?”

  He sat back and stared into her eyes. “No. But I won’t tell if you won’t.”

  The line between fantasy and reality disappeared. Arabella no longer knew which way was up, which way was down, and which way led back to the bathroom, so they could get on with checking that last activity from her list. The only thing she was sure of was her best friend’s panicked face suddenly appearing beyond Charlie’s shoulder, silently communicating with wild eyes and unsubtle gestures.

  The mythical clock marking Ella’s fairy tale had struck midnight. Her father had arrived.

  Ella whimpered, feeling everything she’d ever wanted or dreamed about float away. She wanted to stay, wanted to see where the night could lead, but reality wouldn’t wait any longer. Placing a hand on Charlie’s chest, she exhaled her frustration and reluctantly pushed to her feet.

  His hand shot out to snare her wrist.

  “Charlie…” She shook her head. The next time she saw him things would be different. He’d know who she was and would be angry with her for keeping her it a secret. Either that or he’d pity her, which would be infinitely worse.

  On second thought…

  If this was her only chance, maybe there was time to steal one last memory.

  Curving her free hand against his cheek, Ella slowly pressed forward, her heartbeat flitting like a hummingbird. She hesitated only a second, telling herself to savor the moment, then tentatively brushed her lips across his firm mouth.

  Once, twice, three times, she hovered there, lingering and breathing in the intoxicating scent of soap, aftershave, and Charlie Tucker. It didn’t quite curl her toes, but holy moly did it leave her weak in the knees. He came alive under her mouth, tugging on her bottom lip and licking the seam of her lips, asking for entrance, and when he tightened his grip around her wrist to yank her closer, by God, she was tempted.

  For the briefest second, Ella imagined what it would be like to let go. To throw caution to the wind, let him pull her into his lap, and feel what it was like to be wanted. But then, that was the thing…Charlie didn’t want her. He wanted the nameless woman who followed strange men into bathrooms. How could he want her when he didn’t even know who she was?

  The harsh truth gave her the strength to pull back, and Arabella stared into the hazel eyes she’d memorized from Blue’s posters. Eyes now filled with a desire that matched her own.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “Tonight…tonight was everything.”

  Then, spinning on her heel, she dashed into the crowd.

  Chapter Three

  Stunned didn’t cover it as Charlie sat there, lips tingling as he watched the sexy brunette disappear into the crowd. He didn’t follow her because a) he couldn’t move, and b) now that her doe eyes weren’t holding him captive, the sober voice of clarity rushed in.

  What in the hell just happened? Somehow, he’d gone from innocently buying her a drink to kissing her in the middle of a crowded dance club, despite the photographers, the members of the press, and his previous vow to clean up his act. Not only that, but he wasn’t even the one to end it. Nope, that had been all her, bolting out of the room like the devil himself was after her. A bark of humorless laughter broke past his lips.

  He’d been ditched!

  Charlie smiled and dragged the pads of his fingers across his mouth. The shy, in-over-her-head woman had actually pulled a kiss-and-run. Man, he hadn’t seen that one coming.

  He shook his head, amused as much as he was disappointed. He couldn’t deny a part of him would’ve liked to have seen where that kiss led, but mostly he knew it was for the best. He didn’t want Blue’s publicist hounding him over yet another story, or worse, his boss catching a glimpse of the lip-lock.

  That was the last thing Stone needed before he made his decision.

  Sighing, Charlie grabbed his beer and shifted his attention to the club.

  Women were off-limits for the summer. It didn’t matter that this particular one had been unique, or that she’d crept under his defenses with her intriguing list and self-effacing humor. She was a good woman with a soft heart, a sweet woman, and Charlie only brought them trouble.

  She had been cute, though. The past hour was probably the most fun he’d had in a long while…even though, come to think of it, he’d never bothered to get her name.

  Smooth, Tucker. Real smooth.

  Leaning against the bar, he shook his head at what a skilled player he was and took another pull of beer. Country Roads was nearing full capacity. Eden’s new single rolled through the speakers and people flooded the dance floor. As Charlie
’s eyes trailed over the crowd, he spied one man standing a head over the rest just a few tables over.

  Shit. Stone had finally arrived and he was currently talking with Ace Johnson, the highest-rated DJ in Nashville.

  On principle, Charlie didn’t discuss women with the press. It didn’t affect the music, and he subscribed to the thought that his private life was just that. Private. But if the CEO of Belle Meade Records and the town’s favorite radio personality saw him kissing the brunette, it’d only feed into his current troubles.

  Charlie hitched his foot onto the barstool. Who was he kidding? Being seen with any woman, kissing or not, would make the tabloids at this point.

  He couldn’t catch a break. All night, he’d ignored the slips of paper the wait staff had brought him, avoided eye contact with anyone with breasts, but he’d honestly thought he was doing the right thing by buying that woman a drink. Just as he’d tried to do the honorable thing with the mayor’s daughter.

  So far, he was zero for two.

  Unlucky. It was the story of his life. From the crazies to the innocents to the dashed good intentions, it seemed if it was possible for something to go wrong in his life, it did. The one exception was music, which was why he’d do a better job sticking to his summer goal from now on. With him headed back to Magnolia Springs in a couple days, laying low shouldn’t be that hard.

  As Charlie watched, Stone slapped Ace on the back and turned his gaze toward the crowd. Pride shone in his eyes as he surveyed the revelers. Success oozed from his pores. This was his dynasty, and the man ruled it like a king. His eyes traveled further, eventually landing on Charlie sitting at the bar, and his thin lips flattened as he lifted his chin in acknowledgment.

  Gee. Nothing beat having your boss happy to see you.

  David Stone had a love-hate relationship with his artists. When they were on top, he celebrated their victories, but also instantly demanded a repeat, and he always expected perfection. Charlie couldn’t argue with the man’s results. Every single one of Blue’s albums outsold the last. What he did take issue with was Stone screwing with people’s private lives in the name of the all-mighty bottom line. Tyler lucked out that his accidental Vegas marriage to Sherry was one for the books, but Charlie never forgot that it could’ve just as easily gone the other way.