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“For the love of God, Jamie. Do not go into grump mode and behave like an asshole to her again. Do not ruin this for me.”
My mouth opened and closed but I had nothing, because goddamn it, a tiny jealous part of me wanted to ruin things for him. When did I become the poster child for the worst friend in history? I needed to stop this thing with Charlotte before it matured.
“Look, man, I’m sorry if I was abrupt. My mind was… elsewhere.”
His expression softened with understanding and I felt ten times the guilt for lying and playing on his sympathy. “Hey, I get it, but Charlotte doesn’t know you’re going through a rough time. Keep the grumpster away from her, got it?”
I snorted. “Sure.”
I wasn’t a prayerful person, but I launched into a mental petition to whichever higher being was listening. Please let me forget the filthy things that entered my mind when I saw Charlotte. And please, for the love of my sanity, and friendship with Lincoln, erase everything I felt when I met her…
Apparently, my prayer fell on deaf ears. As soon as I saw Charlotte this morning, the idea of ignoring my attraction to her fled my mind. Only a mixture of desire and confusion remained. I couldn’t fathom why I was so drawn to her.
She was an attractive woman. That thought had my gaze dropping to her long, tanned legs, displayed by a pair of shorts that hugged her ass to perfection. However, it wasn’t just her appearance.
The warmth she exuded drew me in like a moth to a flame. It was crazy because I barely knew her enough to be certain that she was a good person. I suppose I could just tell that she was…
“An adventure sports instructor, huh?” Alex said in response to Charlotte explaining her position at the resort. “I wouldn’t have guessed when I met you yesterday.”
I wouldn’t have guessed either. When Lincoln said she worked here, I imagined she was employed as an entertainer or something along that line. She certainly had the look to be in a skin-tight red dress, crooning sultrily into a microphone, and seducing men with her earthy deep brown eyes and natural allure. Instead, I discovered that she was the exact opposite of what I’d envisioned, which made me like her even more.
When Lincoln announced that we’d kick start the week with a little adventure, I had pictured a massage on the beach or something similar. I was wrong. We were going on a hike and Charlotte was our guide. So much for avoiding her…
Charlotte chuckled as she adjusted the straps of her backpack. The soft sound wrapped around me even though she had directed her attention at Alex. “I get that a lot. If you don’t like me as your guide, you can always go with Josh over there.”
She hiked her thumb over her shoulder toward a guy with shaggy blond hair. He looked like the stereotypical surfer dude. Charlotte watched us expectantly and with a bit of wariness. It was like she was accustomed to men questioning her expertise because she was female and that pissed me off. Misogynistic types irked me.
“Hell, no. We don’t want Josh,” Alex said. “We don’t want anyone but you, Char.”
Five minutes in our company and she was already close enough to be Char. The guys really liked her, and I could tell that pleased Lincoln. He grinned approvingly from ear to ear.
“Damn straight.” Spencer winked. “Besides, you’re much prettier to look at.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes but her cheeks lit up a pretty pink. She was adorable yet sexy when she blushed. Incredible.
Stop it, Winchester, I reminded myself.
“Hey,” Lincoln warned. “Let’s not make Charlotte uncomfortable.”
“It’s okay, Lincoln. I'm used to it.”
Of their own accord, my eyes traveled over her perfectly sculpted face, toned torso in a tight tank top, and the delicious flare of her hip. I bet she was accustomed to getting hit on.
She flashed Spencer a cheeky smile. “A girl doesn’t mind a little compliment now and then.”
Spencer laughed. “I like you, Charlotte.” He clapped Lincoln on the shoulder and winked as if to tell him we know she’s yours. “Relax, will you?”
Michael, who was taking in the interaction quietly, smirked when Lincoln’s cheeks flushed the most subtle shade of red. He then glanced at me, probably to share his amusement, but he frowned because I wasn't smiling. I imagined my scowl rivaled his typical one. Realizing that he watched me with curiosity, I wiped away the sour expression that had formed at the thought of Charlotte being Lincoln’s.
How had their dinner gone last night? Were they already back together? The sliver of resentment I felt for my friend, who was like a brother, had me wallowing in shame.
Michael lifted an eyebrow in askance, but I ignored him. I lifted my backpack and hoisted it onto my shoulders.
Charlotte turned to us, eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Alright, guys. Ready for some fun?”
I wasn’t the outdoors type but her enthusiasm rubbed off on me. After a chorus of affirmative responses, she grinned and led us outside.
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