Southern Charmer

by Jessica Peterson

  Another charge of heat. My body is winding up. Curling tight in anticipation of release.

  “Take your hand and move it down your chest. Go slowly.”

  Luke lets out this little breath. I see him in my head. Phone cradled between his ear and shoulder as his big, broad hand wanders down his big, broad chest. Fingers catching in his wiry, blond-red chest hair.

  “Now touch your nipples,” I say, lust shooting through me as the words leave my mouth. “Pinch them.”

  I wait. And then—

  Then he hisses. “I like that.”

  “Imagine it’s me biting them. Licking them. Would you like that, too?”

  “Ah. Ah, Gracie I—uh huh.”

  He’s losing his shit.

  He likes to be dominated as much as I like to dominate.

  Time to jump in with both feet.

  My hand dips below the surface of the water. “You want to wash me. So you take a washcloth. Get it nice and soapy.”

  “And then,” he pants, “what do I do?”

  “You wash me between my legs. They fall open, and my hips start to roll against your hand. Your thumb hits my clit through the washcloth.”

  “Fuck fuck fuuuuck. Baby, let me touch myself. Tell me to touch myself or I’m gonna die.”

  My middle finger slides into my folds. “Pull your sweats down. Not all the way. Just over your hips.”

  I hear him breathing hard. “Okay. They’re down.”

  “Tell me how your dick looks. But no touching it. Not yet.”

  He sputters. “I’m—it’s hard, baby girl. So hard for you. There’s a little cum on the tip. And the vein—there’s two that—you can see them. Baby, please. Lemme touch it.”

  I remember the feel of his cum on my lips. Slick, a little sticky. I was so vulnerable in that moment. So exposed. But I also felt powerful. Luke’s obvious adoration—his barely restrained lust—it made me feel like a fucking rock star.

  I circle my fingertip around my clit. My hips buck.

  “Rub the cum over the head.”

  “O—okay.”

  “Now give yourself a stroke. One only.”

  He doesn’t wait. I hear his sharp intake of breath.

  “Aw, honey,” he pleads.

  I stroke myself again. “Another.”

  “I’m there.”

  “So you keep rubbing me with the washcloth. Your other hand—you lather it up with soap, keeping the soap in your hand while you glide it over my tits. You like how they look when they’re all soapy and slick. You keep pressing against my clit with the other hand, the rough cotton of the washcloth catching on my flesh. Driving me wild. I’m moaning your name.”

  “Gracie.”

  “I’m soft and spread wide open for you. I tell you that I want you to fuck me. But you say naw, naw baby, I’m gonna make you come first.” My finger is really working my clit now. “Start stroking yourself.”

  “As much as I want?”

  “As much as you want.”

  His breathing becomes labored. I imagine the sinews in his neck tightening and his mouth falling open as he works his hand in smooth, hard strokes.

  “I grab at you. My orgasm is close. You lose the washcloth and touch me. I’m soft. Ready for you.”

  He lets out a strangled growl.

  “Your first two fingers sink inside me as you use your thumb to make me come.”

  “You’re coming?” he says, his voice cracking.

  I’m pulling at my nipples now, working my clit hard with my other hand. “I come. Really hard.”

  “Then,” he breathes. “Then what?”

  “And then you pull me out of the bathtub. You grab me and spin me around and bend me over the sink. Water is everywhere. The pants you’re wearing are soaked. But you don’t care. All you care about is getting your dick out. I watch in the mirror as you lather yourself up with your soapy hand. Then…then youuuuu—” I lose my grip for a second when my orgasm threatens. “You say you’re going to put it in my ass.”

  “Oh, baby,” he groans.

  “You work my asshole open with your fingers. Stay fucking still you tell me when I start to squirm. You use your knee to pry my legs open. And then you put yourself at my entrance. You’re ready, you tell me as you meet my eyes in the mirror. I look away, but then you say You look at me when I’m fucking you.”

  I hear Luke’s labored breathing. His obvious distress only eggs me on more.

  “So I look at you. And you fuck me. Slowly at first. Sinking in one inch at a time. The pressure is unreal. It hurts at first. But then, when I get used to the feel of you, you start to move.” My orgasm is close. “You grab my hair and you thrust again and again, putting that baseball butt to good use.”

  He scoffs. The sound half amused, half pained. “Gracie. I’m gonna come. Tell me it’s okay.”

  “Can we—can we try to do it together? I’m close too.”

  “You’re the one in charge. You tell me.”

  I focus on the movement of my fingers over my clit. I close my eyes and imagine what Luke looks like on his bed, strung out on this little spontaneous fantasy I threaded together from bits and pieces of imagination. His chest barrels out with every breath he takes. Brow furrowed, dick hard but eyes soft.

  He’s vulnerable. Even though I’m not actually there, I feel his openness, his willingness to let his need show, through the phone. It’s in his voice and his pauses. His sighs and his pleas.

  All in the service of my fantasy. My needs.

  The thought makes my chest contract. That ache I felt this morning—it’s back with a vengeance.

  I can’t fucking breathe.

  “Luke,” I say, my body arching out of the water. “I’m ready, and I want you with me.”

  “I’m here, Gracie girl. I’m ready.”

  I circle my fingers faster. Their motion blurring my senses, my vision, every line I’ve drawn.

  “Luke—I’m—”

  “I’m there,” he grunts. “I’m with you.”

  The explosion rocks me. I shout—what, I couldn’t tell you—as my completion rips through me. My legs tremble, sending water over the edge of the tub. I feel myself unfurling, opening, letting go. I let go and ride the wave, praying I don’t drown. Somewhere in the back of my mind I hear Luke shouting, too. My name. God’s. Mine again.

  He’s twenty miles away, but I feel him here. Feel his warmth, his confidence. His certainty that this is right, and this is good, and that I’m the only one he wants this way.

  I am the only one.

  Just the thought sends my heart on a rollercoaster ride.

  My God, I think absently, the orgasm pounding through me, this is what I’ve been missing out on all this time.

  This.

  This.

  This feeling of being worshipped for who I am.

  My orgasm fades. I lean back against the tub, just trying to catch my breath for several beats. I hear Luke doing the same.

  I don’t know what to say next.

  Hey friend, how great was that?

  Please don’t judge me for fantasizing about you fucking me in the ass.

  Luke, I’m starting to want you in ways I shouldn’t, and it’s making me feel all mixed up inside.

  “Gracie,” Luke says, bringing me back to earth. “Gracie, if I could high five you through this phone, I would. That was…the best phone sex I’ve ever had.”

  I grin, the heaviness in my chest lessening just a bit. “It’s the only phone sex you’ve ever had.”

  “Doesn’t mean it wasn’t fuckin’ awesome. ’Cause it was. Baby girl, you’re a natural at this. I had no idea you had such—well. Imagination, I guess.”

  My grin broadens into a smile as something nice blooms inside me. “Are you saying my mind turns you on?”

  “I’m lying alone in my bed with my phone in one hand and my cum in the other. I’d say your mind is a big fucking turn on, yeah.”

  Be careful.

  How many other guys have
complimented me, only to ghost after they’d gotten what they wanted?

  A beat of silence passes.

  “How was your day?” he asks. Because now the guy can read my mind in addition to reading my body, too.

  I mean, didn’t Luke get what he wanted? Didn’t he come all over my tits last night?

  But he’s still here. He could say goodnight. Hang up.

  But he’s still listening.

  “You don’t have to do this,” I say.

  “Do what? Talk to you after putting my soap-covered dick inside you?” This makes me smile harder. “By the way, soap is never a good substitute for real lube. But whether or not I have to, Gracie, I always want to hear how you’re doing.”

  Want to read the rest of the Charleston Heat Series AND save a few bucks? Grab the Boxset! It includes all four books, meaning you get over 1,200 pages of southern sizzle.

  * * *

  You can also check out SOUTHERN PLAYER here!

  Thank you very much for reading SOUTHERN CHARMER. I hope you enjoyed it! SOUTHERN PLAYER, Luke and Gracie’s story, is now available inn the Charleston Heat Series Boxset! Think shirtless farmer who has the hots for his best friend’s sister + sexual bucket lists + baseball butts.

  I included a Charleston travel guide in the following pages with all my favorite spots to eat, drink, and be merry in the Holy City. Enjoy!

  I love nothing more than hanging out with readers, and I’m very active on social media. Here’s how you can get in on the fun:

  Join my Facebook reader group, The City Girls, for exclusive excerpts of upcoming books plus giveaways galore!

  Follow my not-so-glamorous life as a romance author on Instagram @JessicaPAuthor

  Check out my website at www.jessicapeterson.com

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  Jessica’s Charleston Travel Guide

  If you finished Eli and Olivia’s story, then I’m sure you picked up on two things: one, that I absolutely love Charleston; and two, that I absolutely love to eat. I live about three hours by car from the Holy City, and my husband Ben and I try to sneak down there as much as we can. I thought I’d share our favorite places to eat, drink, and be merry in the Charleston area. Enjoy!

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  To Do

  Charleston is a really great walking town. Some sights to check out on foot:

  King Street: Nice shopping, and you’ll pass the College of Charleston’s campus along the way. On the second Sunday of every month, the city closes the street to cars and hosts a pretty big pedestrian festival. Worth checking out!

  East Bay Street/The Battery: Get great views of the water. You’ll pass the famous Rainbow Row along the way.

  South of Broad Neighborhood: This is where Eli lives. One of my all time favorite Charleston activities is wandering around the quiet streets, ogling the mansions and their gardens.

  Saturday Morning Farmer’s Market: Held in Marion Square. Great food and people watching!

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  To Eat

  I know I’m kind of biased, but I happen to think Charleston serves up some of the best food on the planet. Here are our current favorite eating spots:

  Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit: Get there early (pro tip: they have an online ordering app) and treat yourself to a decadent breakfast of delicious coffee and homemade biscuit sandwiches. My favorite is the egg and pimento cheese biscuit. YUM.

  High Cotton: Their weekend brunch game is A++.

  Cru Café: Make a reservation for lunch at this Charleston staple. The best sandwiches and salads in town, hands down.

  Xiao Bao Biscuit: Funky lunch and dinner spot with funky, Asian inspired food. Dogs welcome at outdoor tables.

  Rodney Scott BBQ: It’s a bit of a drive, but worth it for the pulled pork sandwich and sides.

  The Darling Oyster: For your oyster and seafood fix.

  Chez Nous: Tiny, romantic, tremendously delicious Italian-French-Spanish spot. Ben and I had the perfect date night here. We sat at the bar, an ocean-scented breeze floating through the open windows, and stuffed ourselves silly. Can’t wait to do it again.

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  To Drink

  Charleston’s got an amazing craft cocktail scene. Any of the restaurants above will have a stellar wine and/or cocktail list as well. These are my favorite watering holes:

  The Bar At Husk: Arrive when it opens. Grab a spot upstairs or out back on the patio, and enjoy some of the best cocktails and apps in town.

  The Cocktail Club: Perfect for pre-or-post-dinner drinks. Their cocktail menu is second to none.

  The Blind Tiger: I based The Spotted Wolf on this bar. A casual, fun Charleston staple.

  The Gin Joint: Tiny, tiny place that shakes up insanely delicious drinks. Get there early if you can!

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  If you have any questions, or need a specific recommendation, don’t hesitate to email me at jessicapauthor@jessicapeterson.com. I love any excuse to chat about Charleston!

  Also by Jessica Peterson

  THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGHLANDS SERIES

  Beards. Bonfires. Boning.

  Southern Seducer (NC Highlands #1)

  Southern Hotshot (NC Highlands #2)

  Southern Sinner (NC Highlands #3)

  Southern Playboy (NC Highlands #4)

  Southern Bombshell (NC Highlands #5)

  * * *

  THE CHARLESTON HEAT SERIES

  The Weather’s Not the Only Thing Steamy Down South.

  Southern Charmer (Charleston Heat #1)

  Southern Player (Charleston Heat #2)

  Southern Gentleman (Charleston Heat #3)

  Southern Heartbreaker (Charleston Heat #4)

  * * *

  THE THORNE MONARCHS SERIES

  Royal. Ridiculously Hot. Totally Off Limits…

  Royal Ruin (Thorne Monarchs #1)

  Royal Rebel (Thorne Monarchs #2)

  Royal Rogue (Thorne Monarchs #3)

  * * *

  THE STUDY ABROAD SERIES

  Studying Abroad Just Got a Whole Lot Sexier.

  A Series of Sexy Interconnected Standalone Romances

  Lessons in Love (Study Abroad #1)

  Lessons in Gravity (Study Abroad #2)

  Lessons in Letting Go (Study Abroad #3)

  Lessons in Losing It (Study Abroad #4)

  Acknowledgments

  In many ways, SOUTHERN CHARMER is the book I’ve worked my whole career to be able to write. Writing is never easy, but sometimes, when plot and character and theme come together just so, it can be absolute magic. I have never felt such joy working on a story as I did writing this one. I have many, many people to thank for helping me get here.

  First, enormous thanks to my editor, Kristin Anders. Your belief in this book—and in my career—is what keeps me going on the hard days. You’re insanely talented, and I am lucky to call you a friend.

  I also want to extend a gigantic thanks to Jodi, my PA and all around savior/book doula/scheduling wizard/genius beta reader. I am so not kidding when I say you are single handedly helping me transform my career into the one I’ve always dreamed of having. I am so grateful to have you in my circle. Thank you lady for all the hard work you do—it does not go unnoticed.

  I have the best beta team on the planet. Jodi, Heather, and Quinn—you ladies continue to blow my mind with your insightful comments. Also, thanks for catching my million and a half typos. This book would be pretty much unreadable without your help polishing it.

  Thanks to Najla, my INCREDIBLE cover artist. You knocked it out of the park with this one, and on the first pass no less! I can’t wait to see the work we’ll do together in the future.

  Thanks to Tandy, my awesome proofreader, for making this book shine.

  Thanks to my insanely great, insanely enthusiastic ARC team. I so, so appreciate you taking the time to not only read my books, but to review them, too. Reviews make all the difference to new(ish) author
s like me!

  Thanks to my reader group, The City Girls, and to my incredible admins, Monique, Ingrid, Raquel, and Whitney. Y’all are so generous with your time and talent, and I am so stupid lucky to call you friends. Thank you ladies!

  I am continually in awe of the amazing authors I’ve met over the past few years. There are too many names to list here, but I just want to thank you all for inspiring me, listening to me, and supporting me. Your generosity is humbling. Thank you!

  And of course I have to thank my family, my friends, and ALWAYS, always my readers. Y’all are the reason I get to wake up and write every day. Thank you for making my dreams come true.

  About the Author

  Jessica Peterson writes smokin’ hot romance set in her favorite cities around the world. She grew up on a steady diet of Mr. Darcy, Edward Cullen, and Jamie Frasier, and it wasn’t long before she started writing swoon-worthy heroes of her own. She loves strong coffee, stronger heroines, and heroes with hot accents.

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  She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband Ben and her smelly Goldendoodle, Martha Bean. You can check out her books at www.jessicapeterson.com.