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“You should do that more often.” It comes out before I can stop it because I’m enthralled with just how handsome he is.
He slows his pace to a more languid and gentle thrust as a small smile plays on his lips.
“I only feel this happy with you.”
The seriousness in his eyes makes mine water. My emotions are too high and too fucking strong. I lean up and capture his lips, my rhythm mirroring that of his thrusts. We stay like that for an endless number of minutes, soaking each other in.
When he pulls back, his face is no longer happy but contemplative as his walls snap back into place. I watch his eyes, actually seeing him block me out.
He isn’t ready to admit that whatever we have between us is more than just sex, and I’m not sure I am, either.
Chapter Seventeen
Andrew
Everyone has been on edge this morning because of the engagement party. What should be a happy occasion is stressful as hell because we have a crew of reporters camped outside. I had hoped the statement SJ made would make them give up and go back to Sacramento, but I should’ve known better than that.
Irene dropped Charlie off on the street ahead of Jack and Andrea’s late last night, so she’d be here to dress up as Andrea for the plan. She was dressed in all black and jumped two fences, sneaking in the back door with her bag in tow. She brought the wig, hat, and sunglasses we talked about before.
I gave up the guest bedroom and slept on the couch so she would be comfortable. I wish I’d crawled in bed with her instead. I couldn’t get her off my mind all night. I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off her since she got up this morning. I’d tell her how I feel about her if I could figure it out for myself first.
A car door closes out front, and I get up from my seat on the sofa to pull the curtain back. I open the front door and let SJ in, the crowd of reporters yelling questions with his every step. I roll my eyes and close the door as soon as he’s inside.
“They’re relentless,” SJ says as he walks over to look out the window.
The reporters have grown brazen. They made their way up the driveway closer to the front door. Jack went out and ordered them back. He even had some local patrols drive by, but there isn’t enough manpower in Fraser to keep deputies here all the time.
“This is crazy. We should just forget about the party or have everyone come here. The reporters won’t fall for this plan. Let them take their pictures.”
Andrea’s frustration grows with every passing minute. I can’t blame her. She finally has true love and happiness, but the storm cloud is still over her head.
Charlie shakes her head defiantly. “Not a chance. I scaled two fences to sneak over here. I’m putting this sandy blonde wig on to lure the reporters away, and you’re getting your party. No arguments.” She wags her finger at Andrea, whose face changes from frustration to laughter in an instant.
Jack walks into the living room, dressed casually for the party. He walks over to his lovely fiancé. “Stop worrying; the plan will work.” He kisses her forehead gently and releases her before walking to the window. He pulls the curtain back and shakes his head in disgust. “I think there are more today than yesterday. I think that statement may have backfired on us.”
Jack walks over and sits on the sofa. He pats the seat beside him for Andrea to sit. Once seated, she snuggles in close and leans against him.
“Did you call your brother again?” SJ’s deep voice asks. I wondered the same thing.
“I tried. No answer,” Jack replies.
SJ and I exchange a look, and I shake my head. I don’t want him to press the Colton issue. Jack is dealing with enough; explaining his relationship with his brother isn’t going to help the situation anyway.
“Colton said he would handle it, and he will. I don’t have much faith in him beyond tasks like this, but this, he will do. I was hoping the call would give us a time frame. It looks like we’ll just have to wait it out.”
Charlie comes into the living room dressed in some of Andrea’s clothes, and her fiery hair is covered by a sandy blonde wig. She’s holding the baseball cap in her hand that she’ll wear to the SUV and into town.
She walks to the middle of the living room and gives us a little spin. “How do I look?”
That’s a baited question, so I don’t answer. She looks like I’d like to take those clothes off and leave them in a heap on the floor. Nothing is as enticing as that fiery red hair of hers. The blonde is a close second, though. I push those thoughts out of my mind. Now isn’t the time to fantasize about being with Charlie.
“I think it’ll work,” SJ says, turning to Andrea for her opinion.
Charlie pulls the baseball cap on and strikes a pose in front of Andrea, forcing a laugh from her.
Charlie twirls a lock of hair from the wig and bats her eyelashes at Jack. “Oh my gosh, Jack, I just love you so much. You’re my everything,” she says, impersonating Andrea.
We all laugh now, the energy in the room lifting a bit.
