by Juniper Hart
“Of course,” Charlotte nodded, adjusting her posture in the seat.
But she didn’t take into account that she had been on-the-go since the sun came up to prepare for the gallery opening. With a full belly and wine in her bloodstream, the winding roads almost lulled her into a slumber. Charlotte was determined to stay awake. After seeing the space where he wanted to hang her artworks, she would still have to get home. The night had just begun. Soon enough, Killian drove up a private, long, twisty road in the forest.
“You’re not going to go all Deliverance on me, are you?” Charlotte asked jokingly as her eyes focused on the view outside of the window for any sort of sign as to where they were going. Trees surrounded them in all directions.
Killian laughed, perhaps a little too long. Her joke must have really tickled him. “Of course not,” he assured her, reaching over and resting a hand over hers.
His skin was still just as cold as it was at the gallery. Charlotte didn’t mind though. Even if his skin was cool, it still made her body warm as blood rose to the surface to welcome his touch. She shyly turned her hand over and held his hand properly. Her eyes lifted to see a faint smile pulling at his lips. His long, lean fingers laced between hers, making her heart leap into her throat. This man was turning her into a bashful mess. It was still hard for her to grasp the fact that a man so handsome was genuinely flirting with her. Killian could have any woman he wanted, and yet he wanted to be with her. And even stranger, Charlotte didn’t feel the need to impress him. Even though his attention made her a little nervous, she still felt like herself instead of trying to be someone she thought he would like. That was a nice feeling for her, as she had spent most of her life as a people pleaser.
Charlotte finally responded. “Well good. I was lost in the forest once this month already, I’d rather not do that again,” she joked.
Killian’s expression shifted slightly. Even though a smile remained on his full lips, his eyes held a serious look when he gazed over at her. “I would never want you to run from me, Charlotte. You’re safe with me," he told her, his tone light, yet sincere.
Even though she’d only been joking with him, she could tell he meant it from the depths of his soul that he didn’t want her to fear him. She should have been skeptical of him; she should have wondered why he took on such a serious tone from her comment. Killian hadn’t given her a reason to be afraid, but she wasn’t questioning it. Honesty radiated from him, making her trust him without a doubt. It made her feel protected in his presence, something that she had treasured during their time together. Feeling safe while living alone in a bustling city was just not possible, not for someone of her stature. And so while she could let herself stew in questions, concerns, and doubts, Charlotte wanted to simply enjoy herself. It had been so long since she let herself live in the present moment rather than carefully planning the next. Besides, who knew when a man like Killian would come back into her life? She was going to relish the time she did have with him. Charlotte thought about joking in response to keep things light, but decided against insulting the man by making light of it. She just gave him a nod and a gentle smile.
The car came to a stop outside of a house that looked more like a futuristic fortress made from metal and glass than a place where somebody actually lived. The most prominent characteristic of the house was its dark color. The dark gray metal was nearly black, and all the glass was heavily tinted, which looked like it would reflect the sun, similar to polarized sunglasses. She was in such awe that she didn’t break away from her stare until her car door opened. Charlotte blinked and shook her head, not having noticed that Killian was no longer in the car. He peered down at her with smoldering green eyes, waiting patiently with a hand extended to help her from the car. Once again, she took his hand and climbed from the car. With her dainty hand in his, Killian led her to the front door of the mansion. Pushing the door open, he held it open for her to enter.
Modern sconces lined the walls of the foyer, a soft white glow highlighting the true beauty of the aged, reclaimed wood that made up each of the walls, and caught reflective flecks in the stone flooring. Charlotte was mesmerized by the elegance and sophistication of his home, and she hadn’t even made it past the foyer.
Killian watched her like a hawk, taking in every little reaction and expression she made. They moved through the home, and Killian told stories in detail about the furnishings and artwork when Charlotte’s eyes fixated on something in particular. The interior was decked out in sleek appliances and modern fixtures that contrasted the natural stone and wood flooring, walls, and furniture. The flawless décor looked like a movie set to Charlotte. Nothing was out of place, and nothing was dusty or cluttered. “You have a beautiful home,” she breathed to him.
“Thank you.” Killian was pleased he’d impressed her. “I suppose you should see where the new project will be going.”
“I suppose so.” Charlotte nodded.
He led her to a spiral wooden staircase, each step made from half a log. It was obvious Killian had a true appreciation of nature, and Charlotte adored his decorating style. Her free hand glided against the varnished wood as they ascended the staircase. “You’ve designed my dream home,” Charlotte complimented, though her voice was a little distant, still distracted by the beauty of her new surroundings.
Killian did his best to contain the smile that was threatening to appear on his lips. “Perhaps we are kindred spirits. Both stuck in urban careers while having a love affair with nature.”
“That is exactly how I feel,” Charlotte agreed. “I guess living in the middle of the forest must help you find a balance.”
“That’s definitely true,” Killian agreed while he guided her down the hallway slowly. Charlotte wondered what was behind all the doors they were passing, craving to know more about the man who was holding her hand.
“I’m envious,” Charlotte added with an exaggerated sigh. “The city life just isn’t for me.”
“You poor thing,” Killian said with a mock-condescending tone, his accent even thicker.
Charlotte playfully bumped him with her hip in protest of him picking on her. He grinned ear-to-ear, giving a wink before finally approaching a door. It swung open to reveal a bedroom within. It was minimally furnished, but it didn’t need much. The focal point of the room was the wall adjacent to the door. Three glass windows formed into a point, jutting out of the side of the home to provide a beautiful view of the lush scenery outdoors. And in the center of the room was a king-sized bed with a stark white duvet. The bed was surrounded by the windows. Charlotte imagined it would be like camping without having to worry about weather or bugs. The night sky was breathtaking. The lights from the city didn’t cloud the sky, allowing the stars and moon to glitter from up above.
“I need something for this wall,” Killian spoke, pulling her from her thoughts.
Charlotte glanced over to where Killian was pointing. The wall that shared the door was completely bare. It was an ideal spot for art to be displayed in the room, knowing any natural light that came in through the tinted glass would highlight the piece perfectly.
Immediately, Charlotte knew what should go on the wall: an ode to nature. Nothing generic or bright, but something moody and dark. Something that held meaning as well as offered beauty. Already she was getting excited about the project, looking forward to the journey of capturing the photographs. Charlotte had learned from her past mistakes and would be a lot more cautious than she had been the last time.
“So, do you have any ideas?” Killian asked.
Charlotte looked up at him, realizing then that she had been staring at a blank wall. “I do, actually.”
“Aye?” Killian sounded, genuinely surprised that she had some up with something so fast.
“Well, nothing concrete. But I know it should be something that captures your beautiful surroundings. Something to do with nature. Not quite like the collection you just bought, though,” Charlotte explained, her eyes unable to stop the
mselves from tracing back to the empty wall. Her imagination filled in the blank space with various images that came to mind. Tall pines towering over fog, a starry sky, perhaps a close-up of a predator if she could manage to get one. But with her new inspiration from all the art at the gallery, she didn’t want to just do a collage like her previous work. She was excited to try something new.
“I can’t wait to see it,” Killian said, snaking his arm around her waist. It caught Charlotte by surprise. “Why don’t you stay here while you work on the project? If you’re planning on photographing that scenery near my home, I think it’s best that you immerse yourself in it. I’ll have equipment and necessities delivered for you. That way you can focus on the project completely.”
Stay in his home? Surely, he wasn’t serious… But his eyes locked with hers, sincerity and seriousness gleaming in the jade-green pools. How could she accept such an offer? She had only just met him. “I... I don’t know, Killian…It’s a nice offer, but I just met you and—”
“And what better way to get to know me than to stay a week or so?” Killian interrupted her. He turned her to face him completely, pulling her lightly against his body. Charlotte was consumed by his presence, rendered breathless by how close she was to him. His cologne was intoxicating to breathe in, hints of cedar and pink pepper blending perfectly with his natural scent. Killian was muscular and lean, and his body was hard and cool against her soft, warm form. A cold shiver slowly traveled up her spine as his hands pressed to the small of her back. Charlotte’s chocolate-colored orbs focused on him, lost in the endless depths of his eyes. Killian overloaded her senses.
“I like you, dove. And I want to get to know you properly. Perhaps staying with a man you just met isn’t traditional, but who cares? It makes sense for your work for us to get acquainted. If you have no other obligations, then there’s no harm. Stay with me, Charlotte.” His voice was husky and almost seductive, reminding Charlotte of a blues song.
She could feel in the pit of her stomach that she was already trapped in his web, but she didn’t want to be anywhere else. Nobody would miss her, and she had no obligations. Why turn away a man like Killian Walsh when she didn’t want to leave his side.
One of his hands left the small of her back and went to her chin. A gentle fingertip traced the outline of her jaw as his eyes left hers to fixate on her lips, her breath catching in her throat and her knees growing weak. “What do you say, Charlotte?” he said, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
“O-okay…” she managed to get out weakly, her own eyes going to his full lips as he held her against him. She watched as they lifted into a wide grin.
“Wonderful.”
Chapter 3
THREE DAYS LATER
Charlotte struggled to get the perfect shots for the project. She spent her days wandering the forest surrounding Killian’s mansion, taking photographs of the animals, insects, and plants. Some of the stills she had managed to capture were stunning—but didn’t feel right for the project. It was because she was putting off what she knew she needed to do—go into the forest at night. She still harbored some anxiety after the run-in with the mountain lion. Killian had given her a walkie-talkie to carry with her just to be sure she didn’t get lost, and while it comforted her enough to venture bravely in the daylight, it still didn’t give her the confidence to wander into the forest after the sun went down.
But she had a solution. Walking toward Killian’s office, Charlotte’s heart fluttered. The last three days had been surreal, as though she actually was living in paradise, spending her days wandering the wilderness and evenings with a remarkable man. The thing she liked most about her time with Killian, besides simply spending time with such a perfect specimen of a man, was how intently he paid attention to her. It was as though he hung on her every word and had long since memorized the details of her face. Nobody had ever made her feel like her thoughts and opinions mattered the way Killian did. Sure, she had dated during her high school and college days, but none of them measured up to her new client. All the guys she had dated before didn’t listen, but rather just waited for their turn to speak. They would look at her, but not actually see her. The last thing Charlotte felt like in Killian’s presence was transparent. She felt valued.
Charlotte didn’t do all the talking during their time together. Killian shared some of his passions and insights about his past. The more he shared, the more Charlotte wanted to know. He was named after his great-great-grandfather who had founded the family company. Killian was thirty-five years old, never married, a Scorpio, an avid reader, unbelievably intelligent, and could make her heart melt at the drop of a hat. Every time they were within a few feet of each another, immense tension would rise in the air between them. On countless occasions, Charlotte had been close to breaking it by kissing him, but her nerves always got the best of her. And while Killian filled her head with sweet words and compliments, he never acted on his urges. Charlotte watched his body language give away how badly he wanted to lean in and kiss her, but he held himself back. She figured it was his way of being a gentleman and waiting for the right time, though it left her stomach in knots with anticipation. It also left room for doubts to fill her mind, wondering if he actually liked her in that way or if he was just playing games with her.
Charlotte blinked. How long had she been standing in front of his office door? Swallowing the lump in her throat, she raised her hand gave it a quick rap.
“C’mon in,” Killian called from within.
When the door opened, she instantly spotted him behind his desk. His eyes were on her, taking in her appearance. She wore high-waisted skinny jeans, a red short-sleeve crop top, and little sneakers, looking downright adorable.
He liked how form-fitting the ensemble was, able to make out the curves of her legs and the shape of her perky breasts, but his lusty look shifted to a look of bewilderment. Charlotte normally wore those clothes when she went out on a hike, which she did at dawn. It was well into the evening, the sun starting to set over the horizon.
“Those are your hiking clothes. Where are you going? Not that I’m going to complain; I love what you’re wearing,” he chuckled suggestively.
A tingling sensation conquered her entire body as she stepped farther into the office. As she sauntered over to him, sensual fantasies played through Killian’s mind. He wanted her in his lap or to be bent over his desk as he ravaged her from behind. He didn’t want his mind to go to such places, but he couldn’t help it. When Charlotte stepped around to his side of the desk, hope rushed through him that she would do something bold, such as straddle him in his chair or kiss him with such voracity that they both allowed themselves to finally succumb to their desires. But she leaned against the desk, her hands resting on the wood as her cocoa eyes found his. All his hopes deflated.
“I need to get some photographs at night. I was hoping you could join me…” she explained.
Killian loved the soft hum of her feminine voice. Charlotte’s voice was a little higher in octave compared to other females, but it was gentle. It didn’t matter what she was saying; her voice alone soothed his tired soul, but she had intrigued him with her proposal to go on a hike with her. He certainly didn’t want her wandering the dense forest alone at night, and it sounded like fun to keep her company and see her in action.
“I’d love to,” Killian smiled to her. “Wait for me downstairs. I’ll get changed, and we’ll head out.”
Her plush lips pulled into a smile of their own, doing her best to hide the excitement bubbling beneath the surface. Giving him a nod, she stepped out of the office and headed down two flights of stairs. Killian’s office was located on its own floor because even though he worked primarily from home, he liked to keep the two separated. Charlotte couldn’t wait to see what he was like outdoors in a natural setting. So far, he had been working every time she hiked. Charlotte knew he had a deep connection to the forest surrounding them. He would be right in his element.
By the time she
reached the back door, Charlotte heard footsteps coming down the stairs. She gaped a bit. How had he changed so quickly? Killian walked toward her, only stopping at a coat rack to grab them each a jacket. He was dressed in a black v-neck t-shirt and straight leg jeans. Charlotte couldn’t help but marvel for a moment. She had only ever seen him in suits, button-ups, and slacks. The man was so stunning that he even made the casual attire look runway ready. When Killian approached her, he handed her a jacket he had bought for her. She slid it on, still looking at him in amazement that he had changed so quickly.
“Ready?” he asked her as he grabbed the hem of her jacket and zipped it slowly.
Charlotte stopped breathing and looked away with a nod, knowing it had been evident she was staring at his body. A cold hand wrapped around hers and pulled her out the door. The wind instantly whipped her pecan locks about her face, and the cold Washington air filled her lungs. Even if it was nippy outside, Charlotte loved it. She loved how well she could breathe while outdoors. The lush green hill his mansion rested on led down to a small clearing in the trees. A worn path guided them over the soil and grass that covered the forest floor. After a few minutes, she parted from the path and headed up another incline.
“You better be glad I know this forest like the back of my hand,” Killian said, still clutching her hand tightly. “You’d be lost in no time.”
“Well, you’ve gotta be of some use.” Charlotte teased him with a weak smile.
Killian put his free hand over his chest, his brow lifting as he glanced down at her with big sad eyes. “Ouch. That hurts, Charlie. You didn’t want me along for any other reason?”
Charlie? Well, that was a new nickname. Most people she knew opted to call her Char or Charlotte. “Don’t be a drama queen, Killy. That would be like me asking if you only wanted me to stay with you to complete the project,” she sounded to him, purposefully calling him by a lame nickname to fire back at him calling her Charlie.