AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twelve
Driving into town, Brian checked the rearview mirror again. No one had parked near his house, and with the few cars on this stretch of the road, he was certain they weren’t being followed.
He reached out and took Charlie’s hand. She beamed at him.
“You’re beautiful,” he said. “Even prettier without the makeup.”
She moved her hand from his palm to his thigh and stroked his leg. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“I’m serious.” He glanced over at her. “Did you do something different to your eyebrows?”
“Oh, Carey,my stylist, did. Altered the shape to give my face a different look. Subtle, but effective. Do you like it?”
He nodded his approval.
Smiling, she put her head back against the seat and gazed out the window.
After a while, he said, “Penny for your thoughts.”
She shrugged. “I’m just happy. Feel like a weight has been lifted.” Her smile spread wider. “And I can’t stop thinking about last night. Or this morning. I was right about you.” She stroked his leg again. “You do know your way around a woman’s body. I’m glad your brand isn’t Captain America. I don’t think he would’ve been capable of all the dirty, delicious things you did to me.”
He chuckled. The night had been incredible. The intensity. The passion. Her guard had lowered and hadn’t returned.
This morning had been different when they’d made love again. Sweet. Tender. But no less intense. He’d held her in his arms. Snuggled close, he’d loved the feel of her thigh nestled between his. Her breasts pressed against his chest. The way she kissed up his neck to his jaw. And made them run too late for him to cook breakfast. They’d barely had enough time to shower and grab coffee.
But it was worth it.
He stopped alongside Dustin’s Jeep in the big-box store parking lot. “Are you going to get your Hellcat back?”
“If Dustin is willing to give her back that is.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “Still want full disclosure?” he asked.
“Always.”
“I think I’m in love with you,” he said.
She stilled. The color and smile drained from her face. He wasn’t even sure if she was breathing.
His heart shot like a missile to his throat. Why had he blurted it out like that?
“You don’t have to say anything,” he said. It was too fast for her. She needed baby steps. But also, the truth. “I get what I said might be scary for you. You’re gun-shy about relationships, even though you’re not timid about anything else in your life. This is new for me, too.” He hadn’t gotten serious about anyone. Until now. “My heart is every bit as much in your hands as yours is in mine. Okay?”
“How can you be sure it’s love? It’s only been a few days.”
When you know, you know.
“It’s actually been almost a year. I fell for you the first time I saw you sparring in USD. Then at the gala, well, I fell much, much harder.” A complete goner. “I’ve never felt like this. I wanted you to know.” He just hoped she didn’t run.
She moistened her lips. “No heavy discussions allowed before breakfast. New rule.”
Rules were a good sign. He could live with that.
“How about you pick up some food from Delgado’s?” she suggested. “We could eat together at USD.”
Even better, she wasn’t running. He smiled. “I like your idea.” He kissed her again.
She snatched the cowboy hat from his head and put it on. “I’ll hang on to this for you.”
