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Chapter Fifteen
Rick left the community center of Springs Falls by seven, along with Charlie and Connor. Davis had been in a mood and decided to stay for a bit. His excuse had been that he wanted to catch the band, but Rick knew when a guy was a lost cause. He had a thing for Charlie’s friend Ava, and anyone with a brain could see it.
If Davis were one of his cousins, or his brother Cooper, Rick would have told him to stop being a pussy, find his balls and go after the woman that he wanted. But Rick didn’t know the guy well enough to offer that kind of blunt advice, so he shook Davis’s hand and wished him a good night instead.
The three of them hopped onto the bus and snagged a couple of seats in the back. Connor climbed onto the one beside them and immediately curled onto his side. The little guy was so tired and didn’t say a word, closing his eyes and drifting off before the b
us had pulled out of the parking lot.
It was dark out, but the sky was clear, full of thousands of stars and a moon that was nearly full. It created a surreal glow over the snow covered ground and was a real pretty thing to look at. Of course it had nothing on the woman beside him and he glanced over only to find Charlie’s eyes on him. She didn’t say a word. But then she didn’t have to.
Maverick’s blood boiled at the look in her eyes. When her lips parted and she sighed, a low sexy sort of thing, he felt himself tighten and thought that it was going to be one hell of a long ride back to her place.
And it was.
By the time they reached Fisherman’s Landing, Rick was strung so tight that one little touch from her would have made him explode. Charlie had melted into his side and the warmth of her body seared through his jacket and clothes, driving him crazy.
They still hadn’t said one word to each other, but their body language and eye contact spoke volumes. Her legs were crossed as if to alleviate some kind of stress. He grinned at the thought, because he was pretty sure he knew exactly where her problem area was. Not that he was going to gloat. How could he? He was hard as a rock and if he didn’t watch it, some of the older ladies up front were going to get a glimpse of the bulge between his legs.
The bus pulled into the parking lot where they’d left their vehicles and Rick handed Charlie the keys to his truck, taking a moment to slide his thumb over her palm. He couldn’t help himself.
Her breath hitched.
His dick throbbed.
“I’ve got Connor,” he said roughly. “You can drive.”
He scooped up the sleeping boy into his arms, surprised at just how light he was. As he followed Charlie out of the bus and across the parking lot to his truck, he realized that he didn’t even know Connor’s age. He’d been figuring about ten, but he didn’t know for sure. He guessed that there was a lot that they didn’t know about each other and maybe it was time to remedy that situation.
His smile slashed through the darkness as he climbed into the passenger side of his truck. Of course, there was time for that later. Priorities.
He glanced at Charlie as the engine roared to life. She licked her lips and her breaths fell in rapid bursts. She was as worked up as he was. There would be time for talking later.
Much later.
Connor stirred against his chest, his mouth puckering, his brows furrowed. He made a few noises and for a moment Rick thought he might wake up, but Connor slipped his arms around Rick’s neck, his little hands digging in but good and relaxed, making an odd little snoring sound as he slept.
There was something about the sound. Something about the feel of a little person in his arms. A little person with no awareness, but one he’d been entrusted with. Whatever it was, Rick’s chest tightened and as he gazed down at the little boy, he felt incredibly humble.
For the first time ever, he wondered what it would be like to hold his child—to be wholly responsible for another life. It was a sobering thought.
“We’re here,” Charlie said softly. She sounded hesitant and unsure. And man, he loved how open and real she was. “Do you want me to…” Her voice trailed off and the only sound was Connor’s breathing and the low rumble of the trucks engine.
“I got him.”
“Are you, um…” She cleared her throat but didn’t finish her sentence.
“I’m not going home if that’s what you’re asking.” He paused. “Unless you want me to.”
She cut the engine. “I don’t want you to.” She exhaled. “I’ve thought about it,” she said with a soft smile.
“IT?”
She nodded and reached for the door handle. “Yeah. IT.”
“And?”
She threw the door open and hopped out of his truck. “Game on.”
