Chapter 14
What was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing turned into ‘just one more night’, then ‘once more won’t kill us’, until they settled into a routine. Charli had no intention of making it happen again after that first night, but the memory of Kean’s kisses, of his hands skimming her body, of his dark eyes heating her up, had kept her tossing and turning in her bed. So she’d showed up two days later, after she’d made sure Ellie and her family wouldn’t see her sneaking out. She’d parked her car in the same secluded spot where he’d moved it that night, and knocked on his door, hoping he was alone. The moment her eyes settled on him—snug jeans, dark green sweatshirt that hugged his delicious muscles, wild curls and all—she’d lost the ability to speak. Luckily, he’d taken control of the situation and pulled her into his cottage—and into his arms. The kiss that followed had erased all her doubts about whether he would want to see her again. And right then she’d understood that she’d fallen under a spell she would have a hard time breaking free from.
The real problem arose whenever they met outside the privacy of his house and had to pretend they couldn’t stand each other—like today, three days before the festival, when they were both at the community center, helping with the final touches for the parade.
“Got any plans for tonight, Lioness?” Kean appeared out of nowhere while she was going through her checklist to make sure there were no last-minute things that needed taking care of. He leaned close to her face and she instinctively pulled back, glancing left and right to make sure nobody was paying attention to them.
“Chill, woman. Nobody has been able to tell we’re sleeping together yet.”
“Shhh!” She swatted his arm, and he chuckled in response. “We agreed outside of your house we’re barely more than strangers. Don’t make me change my mind.”
He pulled out the chair next to her, turned it around and straddled it backward. “Admit it, you can’t stay away from me.” He waggled his eyebrows and, holy guacamole, she wanted to kiss him. “You’re addicted.”
She rolled her eyes, struggling to keep a straight face. “You didn’t seem opposed to me showing up at your place.”
“I didn’t want to hurt your fragile feelings, ’cause I’m a gentleman.”
“Really.” She quirked an eyebrow, and he grinned. He seriously needed to leave before she did something stupid like taking his handsome face in her hands and kissing him until she was breathless.
“And to prove my point, how about dinner at my place tonight, to show you it’s not just your body I’m interested in?”
His words melted her heart like butter. The four nights they’d slept together in the week since that first night, she’d usually showed up long after dinner, when she was sure nobody would see her. They’d never talked about dinner before. Would he consider this a date? Was he trying to take them to a new level? Because she’d been crystal clear about her intentions and where they stood, but if he thought—
“Charli. It’s just dinner. I can order takeout or grill a steak, I’m not asking you to marry me.”
Her cheeks heated. Gosh, was it so plain what she’d been thinking? Did she look like she was freaking out, even though she’d been doing her best to hide it?
“And I can be your dessert,” he continued, a twinkle in his eyes. “You can spread chocolate all over me if you’d like, and then I’ll let you lick it o—”
“Oh my God, Bob! Just shut up!” She turned around, her eyes scanning the room, then returning to his face when she was sure nobody had heard him. “If I agree to dinner, will you go back to whatever it was you were doing and leave me alone?”
He grinned. “Maybe.”
“Oh, for the love of Bob the Builder. What do I have to do to make you stop annoying me?”
“Wear your sexy heels,” he whispered, leaning in. At least this time he hadn’t shouted it. “And that lacy, purple number you had on the first time; I really enjoyed peeling it off you…”
Charli blushed all the way to her scalp. The room had suddenly become scorching hot, to the point she had a hard time breathing. Yes, she recalled that night all too well, and now wasn’t the time or place to remember the details.
“Would I be crossing a line if I kissed you right now?”
She shot out of the chair as if she’d been electrocuted. “Go back to work, Bob. This festival isn’t going to organize itself.”
His deep, infuriatingly sexy chuckle followed her as she walked out of the room, pretending she needed to get something from her car. Only when she was sure she was alone did she let a silly grin break free as she fanned her face with her clipboard, hoping it would be enough to cool her spirits—just until she could be alone with Kean in his house.
* * *
Charli had never been a good liar, not even when she was younger. With three older brothers and a mother with an eagle eye, sneaking out of her house to go to parties or meet with guys had never been her M.O., and now she knew she never would’ve stood a chance with her family.
As she quietly went out of the house later that evening and got into her car, which she’d been wise enough to park on the street so she wouldn’t be heard when she drove off, her heart raced and her palms were clammy. She threw furtive glances at the cottage next door, wishing really hard none of the residents walked out. She’d told Ellie she was going to order takeout and have an early night. She knew her friend wouldn’t show up unannounced, even though it was her cottage and she had an extra set of keys, but she couldn’t help hoping Ellie would spend the night with her happy family and not worry about Charli.
She started breathing normally only once she turned off Ellie’s street and onto the road she knew like the back of her hand by now—the road that led to Kean’s.
He opened the door wearing his drool-worthy lopsided grin, and she nearly forgot how to breathe.
“I made my Grandma’s guacamole.” Her voice had a slight wobble and she hated her body for its stupid reaction. He was just a man, for goodness’ sake. It wasn’t as if this were their first date—no, wait, technically it was. Was that the reason why she was so nervous? “And I, um, brought wine, too.”
“Thanks.” He leaned closer and kissed her cheek. “Did you wear your purple lingerie, too?”
She didn’t know whether it was the way he said it, or his warm breath in her ear, or the giddiness she’d felt while pulling on her lacy panties and clasping her bra, thinking of the moment he’d be pulling them off her. Whatever it was, her legs nearly gave in at his comment and she hated herself for being at his mercy.
“Come in. I think you could use a glass of red,” he said, snaking an arm around her waist and pulling her to him. “It’s good to have you all to myself, knowing I can kiss you whenever I please. Like, right now.” His lips captured hers, and she suddenly forgot all the reasons why this thing was doomed to end.
Ten minutes later, they sat at the table enjoying the steaks and salad he’d cooked. Ordering takeout for two in town would have given away that he was having dinner with someone, and knowing how the gossip mill worked, everyone would start wondering who the woman was. But she didn’t mind. She’d never been a fussy eater, and the food he’d prepared was perfect.
“You know, if I didn’t know better, I would think this was a real date,” she said, bringing the glass of wine to her lips. “You cooking dinner, me bringing my Grandma’s super secret guacamole, candles on the table…”
He shrugged. “You’re the one who didn’t want to call this a date. But I don’t usually entertain pretty women in my kitchen.”
“You lead them straight to your bedroom, I suppose?” Oops. Those words weren’t supposed to come out. She’d only meant to think them.
“What’s that I hear in your tone?” His eyes lit up and the corner of his lips tilted up. “Are you jealous, Lioness?”
Yes.
“Of course not.” She waved his comment away, and his eyes took on that mischievous sparkle that always made her knees weak. “You can bring however many women you want into your bedroom. It’s none of my business.”
You keep telling yourself that, sister.
Just the thought of another woman sleeping in his bed made her chest tighten.
“I know it’s none of your business.” He swirled the wine in his glass and his lips twitched as he fought a smile. “But you’re the only woman who’s ever been in my bedroom. I don’t invite random women back to my place, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Oh. Um, okay.” Her heart did a happy dance in her chest even as she forced herself to keep a straight face. “I guess it makes sense. With everyone knowing everyone else’s business, one-night stands must be complicated.”
He frowned, looking slightly offended. “I’m not a one-night stand kind of guy, Charli. I don’t sleep with every woman I date.”
Why did that make her want to smile like an idiot and pump her fist into the air? She should really stop acting like a silly teenager. They were bed buddies and would never be more than that.
“Although it might seem unbelievable to you, I like to get to know a woman, see if there’s potential for something more before I take the next step.”
“You didn’t exactly wait to know me before you showed me to your bedroom.”
He chuckled. “That’s because you assaulted me and practically begged me to take you to my bedroom that night. I didn’t have any other option but submit.”
Her face heated at the memory of that night. Yes, she really had begged him and she couldn’t even blame it on the alcohol.
“Got nothing to say? None of those smartass comebacks of yours?”
Her face grew even hotter. She’d never been the blushing type, but apparently this man brought out weaknesses she didn’t even know she had.
“I’m afraid nothing I say will change the fact that I did, um, sort of beg you.” She took a large gulp of wine, hoping it would help stifle the embarrassment. When she met his smiling eyes, she knew all the wine in the world wouldn’t help her. “Can we change the subject now? Please?”
He nodded, the smile never leaving his face. “So, since we’ve agreed this is a date, I think we should use the chance to get to know each other before we tumble into my bed. Again.” His eyes were full of mischief as he sipped from his glass. He was sexy even when he drank wine. And seriously, could she get any sillier? “We never seem to have much time for talking about our lives once we hit the mattress. Like, I don’t know… You never told me about your family. You know all about mine, but I only know you have three brothers and your mother is Mexican.”
Charli shrugged. “Why do you care about getting to know me anyway? You know we’re not a couple.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back. The way his eyes turned darker and his brow wrinkled made her feel awful. Why did she try so hard to push him away?
Maybe because she’d already shared more than she had with any other man, and opening up meant getting closer—intimate. Maybe it was because she didn’t want to get close to him outside the bedroom. But talking to him, especially when they weren’t arguing over something stupid, felt good.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” She shouldn’t care about what he thought—she didn’t want to care for him, or for him to care for her. But she couldn’t help herself. She reached for his hand, and he entwined his fingers with hers. When he smiled, her heart lifted. “It’s just that nobody ever asked me about my family.”
“Is it so weird that I want to get to know you? That I want to have a proper conversation with you over dinner, instead of dragging you into my bedroom just to scratch an itch?” He squeezed her hand and some unidentified object fluttered around in her chest, as warmth pervaded her body. What was this guy doing to her? All of a sudden, she wanted to tell him all about herself—and to know more about him.
Charli smiled. “Not for you. You’re the nicest guy I’ve ever met. A real gentleman I thought they no longer produced.”
“Nice?” He frowned. “I was hoping for sexy, handsome, unique—something a little stronger.”
“Are you fishing for compliments now?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe.”
She rolled her eyes, stood up from her chair and went to stand by him, all the while holding onto his hand. He looked up at her, and his eyes crinkled at the corners even as he tried to keep a straight face.
“You’re handsome and sexy too. But you’re also a gentleman, and that makes you even sexier.”
“That’s better.” He tugged on her hand and forced her to sit on his lap. She chuckled. “Now, tell me all about you.”
She sighed. “Fine. So, my parents met in high school. Dad had trouble with Spanish classes and he approached Mom, knowing she was Mexican. She agreed to help him with his homework and he ended up pestering her until she finally agreed to go on a date with him to the frozen yogurt shop. Not exactly the most romantic place, but Dad knew she wouldn’t like hanging out at the country club.”
Kean whistled. “Your dad was one of those country club kids? An oil baron’s heir or something?”
She smiled, shaking her head. “He came from money, but wasn’t a spoiled brat. His parents weren’t happy about their relationship, but Dad didn’t care. He took Mom to prom, made a promise there would never be another girl in his life, then went off to college. He came back with a ring in his pocket and they got married a year later. His parents thought Mom was after his money because she came from a hard-working family of Mexican immigrants. That’s why she kept working even though she didn’t need to.”
“And after this fairy-tale marriage, you don’t want one for yourself?”
She shrugged. “Just because theirs is a happy marriage, it doesn’t mean everyone can be so lucky.”
He frowned. “Do I hear a hint of disappointment?”
It wasn’t disappointment. At least she thought it wasn’t. Yes, as a little girl she’d dreamed about a marriage like theirs, just like every girl does at some point in her life. But then she opened her eyes and saw that real life wasn’t a fairy tale, so she’d focused on what she could control: her career.
“No, it’s just… I need to focus on getting my life back on track first. This temporary break has been awesome, but I need to have something to do. I don’t like having so much free time on my hands.”
“Workaholic.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. She snuggled into him, enjoying the proximity, even though they were fully clothed.
“I am, I guess. But there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve grown up with a hard-working mom as a role model, and since I’m never going to have a family of my own, I guess concentrating on my career is the best thing I can do to live my life to the fullest.”
He stiffened. When she looked at him, a frown was wrinkling his face.
“What do you mean, you aren’t going to have a family? Don’t you dream of Prince Charming and happily-ever-afters like all girls do?”
She chuckled. “That’s a bit old-fashioned, and a tad sexist. Don’t tell me you’re one of those guys who believes a woman’s place is in the kitchen, wearing an apron all day and tending to her husband’s every need.”
“I’m not that old-fashioned,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I too grew up with a hard-working mother, who had to take care of a big family when she came home from the bakery. I’m just saying that, I don’t know, I thought all women had the family gene in their DNA.”
“Well, I guess it skipped me.” She shrugged and could swear his face darkened a little. “All I’ve ever wanted was to have a successful career. Kids wouldn’t fit well in my plans.”
His eyes widened, although he tried to hide his surprise behind a frown. “Don’t you women have that biological clock thing? Don’t you all feel the need for kids at some point in your lives?”
She shrugged. “Kids make me uneasy.”
“But you’re great with Sophie. She adores you.”
Okay, now his tone was taking a slightly whiny edge. What was wrong with him tonight?
“That’s because she’s adorable, and because at the end of the day, she goes back to Adam and Ellie’s, and I go back to my cottage. Or to yours, in this case.” She stared at him and frowned. “Why, how many kids do you want?”
“Three, maybe four,” he said, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
“Wow. Your poor wife will have a field day delivering them all.” She shuddered, and his arms loosened a bit.
“So, since your career is your priority, have you thought about what to do?” His tone was flat. She didn’t like the way things were going now. “Spring isn’t exactly thriving with job opportunities, but I guess we could always use someone who organizes parties, weddings, and festivals.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, right. Do you see me living here for the rest of my life? Ah, I don’t think so.”
Now she wasn’t imagining the cloud that passed over his face as he looked away. Oh, no. He thought…
“Hang on. You know this”—she moved her index finger between them—“was only a temporary thing, right? I thought when we decided to, uh… keep this up after that spontaneous first time, we agreed it was purely physical.”
He looked away as he gave a short laugh. “Of course. I’m right there with you.”
She frowned and tilted her head to the side, studying him. He didn’t look as if he really believed his own words. Perhaps she should leave. But then the cloud lifted and the familiar glint of mischief that never failed to make her feel all discombobulated appeared in his eyes.
“Okay, I think we’ve talked enough for one night.” His smile was more genuine now and it pushed away all the worries and thoughts she’d just had. “We can move it to the bedroom now. If you want.”
“I don’t know… I think I should probably call it a night.” She faked a yawn just to tease him. “I’m a bit tired.”
His arms went around her waist and he pulled her closer to him so that he could bury his nose in her hair. She bit her bottom lip to keep a whimper from escaping.
“I know at least a couple of ways to wake you up.” His voice was low and sexy, barely a whisper. Her heart slammed against her ribcage as his warm breath fanned her ear.
“Really.” She didn’t trust herself with a more elaborate sentence at the moment. He nodded against her neck. Her body quivered and she could feel his lips curving against her skin. Busted.
“Do you want me to show them to you? See if they work?”
Oh, yes, please.
But then the tip of his tongue flicked out and touched her skin, and the only sound that left her lips was a breathy “Mmh…” that made him chuckle against her neck.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said, straightening in the chair. One hand went under her knees and the other wrapped more securely around her waist. She looped her arms around his neck when she understood what he was about to do, anticipation heating her up from the inside out.
He stood up and smiled as he stared at her. “I hope you don’t mind skipping dessert.”
She tilted her head to the side. “I thought you said you’d be my dessert?”
His deep laugh echoed in the quiet room as he walked toward his bedroom. Some kind of alarm bell went off in her head as she realized she was enjoying this thing a bit too much for her own peace of mind. This was too familiar. She knew the way to his bedroom so well, she could get there with her eyes closed. She knew where to find everything she needed to make breakfast. She had gotten used to the smell of his shower gel on her skin. He’d even started leaving an extra towel on the rack next to the shower. It was getting too cozy too fast. And it was only supposed to be one night. But the fact he’d just admitted he didn’t do one-night stands made things more complicated. Perhaps she should stop it now, before he got the wrong idea. She’d told him it would only be one night, a mistake she wouldn’t repeat, but then she’d kept coming back.
He stopped outside his bedroom. “What’s going through that pretty head of yours now? Are you overthinking things again?”
Her jaw dropped. Was she so easy to figure out? He hadn’t even taken a look at her, yet he knew her brain was working overtime.
“If you’ve changed your mind, now would probably be a good time to speak, before things get out of hand.”
His eyes locked with hers and her resolution faltered, just like every other time she’d meant to tell him she wasn’t going to sleep with him again. The tough, no-nonsense, career-oriented woman was nowhere in sight when he stared at her like that.
One last time, then she’d tell him it had been fun but they couldn’t keep doing this, and they’d go their separate ways. She could do it. Starting from tomorrow.
She shook her head and pulled his face to hers. “I think it’s time for dessert, Bob.”
His lips sealed the deal, and as soon as he walked into his bedroom she switched off her brain, determined not to turn it on until the morning.