The Bachelor

by Carly Phillips

  Charlotte hung a BACK SOON sign on the front door and turned to her mother and friend. “Fashion show, anyone? Come on, Mom. You can pick out anything you want. Release the inner you to go with the new outer you. What do you say?”

  “I’m too old to go parading around in my skivvies.” Annie laughed, though, and the sound warmed Charlotte’s insides. “But I’ll watch you two.”

  “And promise to take home at least one pair?”

  Her mother nodded.

  The afternoon proceeded like a pajama party, with Charlotte and Beth trying on the most seductive bras and panties. Even Annie seemed to enjoy not just the show, but the idea of treating herself right for once.

  Progress came in various forms, but Charlotte believed she’d made some more today. “Last one,” she called out to her mother and Beth, who waited in the private showing area right outside the individual dressing rooms.

  “Okay. I’m dressed and your Mom’s still waiting in the chairs enjoying the show, right, Annie?” Beth asked.

  “Right. You girls make me envious for my youth.”

  Which she’d wasted on a man who didn’t deserve it, Charlotte thought, but she knew better than to speak aloud and ruin what had been a perfect day. Instead she slipped on the panty set she’d saved for last, one from her handmade, crocheted line. She’d never told her mother she’d been using her talent for work, never thought Annie would come out of her shell long enough to care. But Annie had today.

  A loud knock sounded at the shop door. “I’ll get it,” Beth called out. “We’ve been closed long enough to have the townfolk curious.”

  “Whoever it is, get rid of them for another few minutes, okay?” Charlotte didn’t care as much about business as she did about the bonding time she’d shared with her mother. This last part of their day could bring them even closer.

  “Will do.”

  Charlotte heard the two women go up front to see who was knocking. In the meantime, she fastened the matching bra, a new addition to her line. These garments weren’t meant for anything other than intimate seduction.

  She glanced in the mirror. She hadn’t counted on the arousing effect of wearing these garments. Her nipples puckered, peeking through the insubstantial fabric, while an empty, aching feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.

  And once aroused, her thoughts drifted to Roman. She smoothed her hands over her hips and turned to the side, taking in her profile, her long legs and flat stomach. She had to admit, she filled out the bra well. If only she possessed the same nerve she tried to impart to clients, she’d … what? Charlotte asked herself and forced her mind to play out the answer.

  She’d reach out to Roman Chandler. She’d indulge in the feelings she’d possessed since high school. What had started out as a childhood crush had metamorphosed into adult curiosity and longing. What was he like now? What kind of man had he become? She had his devotion to his mother to begin the sketch, but there were many more depths she’d like to plumb.

  The only way to indulge that curiosity was to give in to her feelings. Accept whatever he offered, for as long as he offered it—and then have the courage to go on with her life once he was gone. Unlike her mother, who had never taken the steps to move forward, Charlotte would indulge her deepest passion, then walk away.

  But while Roman was here, she thought, continuing with the fantasy, while he was hers, she would go for it all. She’d model her handmade creations in front of him and watch as his eyes dilated with longing and need. As if she were enacting reality, her body shook in reaction to her brazen thoughts. Refocusing on the here and now, Charlotte wondered if she had the nerve to act out her fantasies. She could certainly justify the need. After ten years, she obviously wasn’t going to get Roman out of her system by pretending he didn’t exist or she wasn’t attracted to him.

  She hadn’t gotten over him by ignoring the feelings. Why not try to get over him by acting on those feelings instead? She wasn’t doomed to repeat her mother’s mistakes if she learned from them.

  Her heart picked up rhythm as she contemplated the idea of allowing herself to indulge. In Roman. With Roman.

  “Okay, we’re set.” Beth’s voice rang out from the front of the store and the jangling of the store bells jolted Charlotte back into reality. Unfortunately, arousal didn’t dissipate as quickly.

  Charlotte shook her head. Time to concentrate on her reasons for wearing these undergarments. To show off her crocheting skills to her mother and perhaps get Annie to use these same garments to break out of her own private prison. Both mother and daughter had huge steps to take in their lives, Charlotte thought.

  Footsteps, obviously Beth’s, traveled to the back room.

  “Ready or not, here I come,” Charlotte called and stepped out of the small, enclosed room and into the open area with the Queen Anne chairs. But instead of her mother and Beth, she had an audience of one.

  One incredibly sexy, virile male named Roman Chandler.

  Roman stared at Charlotte’s practically nude body in complete shock. The most erotic bra and panty set he’d ever laid eyes on hugged the supple curves of the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. The same one he’d wanted for what felt like forever.

  No way in hell was he prepared for this. He’d finally made up his mind to keep his distance, and now this.

  “Roman?” Her eyes opened wide, and to his relief, she began a dive for the protection of the swinging café-type doors. Unfortunately, she paused.

  Waiting? Debating? He didn’t know, but he had a perfect view of her pale, slender back, tapered waist, and enticing hints of skin on her delectable behind.

  And then she turned, slowly, placing one hand on top of the slatted door. Her milk-white breasts pushed upward over knitted black material, full and lush, calling to him. Begging him to forget his newly made vow to steer clear.

  She faced him without running to get dressed. Roman hadn’t known she possessed such courage. Yet another facet of her discovered. But brazenness wasn’t all there was to this incredible woman. The trembling and her uneven breaths told him she was far from composed. Definitely not the ultimate seductress, he thought, and thank God. Her softer, innocent side would keep him centered and restrained. Something had to, because his body was fighting him every step of the way.

  “Where’s my mother and Beth?” she asked.

  Those amazing green eyes met his and a fall of tousled black hair hung over one bare shoulder, causing him to wonder what the silk strands would feel like on his bare skin.

  “Beth said to tell you she was taking Annie home and she’d be back later. Much later.” Obviously the soon-to-be-married Beth had seen an opportunity to play matchmaker and she’d taken it.

  “A setup,” Charlotte murmured, obviously realizing the same thing Roman had. “And you’re here because … ?”

  “You’ve got something I need.” He cursed silently. He hadn’t meant to sound so damn suggestive.

  She inhaled deeply. For courage? Roman didn’t know, but he needed a dose himself, because she stepped forward, not stopping until she was close. So close he could smell her fresh as spring scent and wanted more.

  “So what can I get for you?” she asked.

  “Rick said he’d called and asked you to leave a list of customer names in an envelope for him.” Something related to the panty thief, though Roman hadn’t asked specifically what.

  She nodded. But she didn’t make a move to get the envelope Rick promised would be waiting for Roman, nor did she make a move to get dressed. He didn’t know what had prompted Charlotte’s change of heart since the last time he’d seen her, but there was no doubting she’d approached and cornered him now. Apparently she had an agenda of her own, but damned if he knew what it was.

  Roman let out a sharp exhale. The tables had turned. Predator had become prey, and he didn’t miss the irony. “Where are your clothes?” he asked.

  “Why do you care?”

  Desire trod a heavy beat inside him, powerful and c
onsuming. All his concentration went into keeping his eyes trained on her face and not on her luscious body. “What’s going on, Charlotte?” Damn. Her name sounded like a caress and a heated warmth rushed through his veins.

  She lifted one delicate shoulder. “Why are you suddenly fighting what you said you wanted? What you dared me to give?”

  She’d avoided his question, asking one of her own instead, her voice hesitant despite her bold stance. But he couldn’t answer her without betraying his brothers, their coin toss or Roman’s own plan. He could barely face it himself.

  He refused to reveal it to Charlotte. “You turned me down flat. What’s with the change of heart?”

  She was barely dressed and offering him his heart’s desire. But he had to fight it or risk jeopardizing the job he loved and the future he wanted.

  “I didn’t think you’d care about the hows or the whys.” She reached for the collar of his denim shirt and ran a shaking finger down one pointed edge.

  He actually broke into a sweat. “I do have morals and standards, you know.”

  “You’re also up front about your intentions. You aren’t sticking around. I appreciate your honesty.”

  “I’ll always be honest with you, Charlotte.”

  “Well, I decided that works fine for me.” A hesitant smile tipped her lips. “You want to acknowledge the attraction? So do I.” She swallowed hard. “I … I want you, Roman.”

  “Oh, damn,” he muttered. What kind of man could resist a declaration like that? His hand came around the back of her neck, his fingers threaded into her hair, and he sealed his mouth tight over hers.

  This first kiss began gently, indulging the need to explore, but quickly flared out of control, thanks to the hunger of too many pent-up years. A driving need to make up for lost time consumed him. Hot and ravenous, he ran his tongue over the seam of her lips, demanding entry, and she gave it to him. She was moist and damp inside, sweet and pure, and she tasted too damn right.

  A throaty moan escaped her lips. He wasn’t sure who moved first, but she backed up and he followed, his mouth never leaving hers. They hit the wall behind them. Once they were in the small, enclosed dressing room, the swinging doors closed shut, sealing them inside. His hands traveled from her neck to grip her waist, pulling them into intimate contact. His groin nestled into the vee of her legs and his erection grew, swelling with need as he found a warm and welcoming home.

  Her damp feminine heat cushioned him through the rough denim of his jeans. “Sweet Jesus,” he muttered, his body full to bursting. The barrier of clothing was restricting and a sweet yet painful ache begged for fulfillment. He shifted from side to side, seeking deeper access than was possible.

  As if she’d read his mind, her legs slipped open wider, and he sucked in a ragged breath. They were cheek to cheek, her hands gripping his shoulders, her fingertips digging into the skin beneath his shirt, and her breath came in shallow, uneven gasps.

  She surrounded him. Physically, her body cradled his, and when he inhaled he was enveloped in her essence. Her scent fulfilled him in a way that surpassed mere sexual need, and that was the notion that brought reality surging back. “What the hell are we doing?” he managed to ask.

  She let out a shaky laugh, her breath hot on his skin. “I don’t know what you’d call it, but I’m getting you out of my system.”

  As if such a thing were possible, he thought. Ten years later, and this was still the only woman who jumbled his emotions along with his hormones. She had the ability to make him throw his resolutions to hell and back.

  Her head resting against the wall, she studied him through glazed eyes. “You have to admit, the idea’s got merit.”

  He stepped back and ran an unsteady hand through his hair. The idea had merit—if he had the time to play around until he tired of her. Assuming he ever tired of her. Roman had his doubts.

  He also had his plan. A destiny he hadn’t intended but had to fulfill, thanks to the flip of a coin and strong family obligation. Right now he hadn’t a clue how he was going to accomplish his objective, but this woman was hazardous. She didn’t want a long-term commitment with a man who didn’t plan to stay in Yorkshire Falls. That alone put her off limits.

  But Roman also feared she had the ability to pull him back to her, to this town, and make him forget the dreams and life goals he’d always had.

  The more he indulged, the deeper she drew him in. “Getting you out of my system’s a damn good idea. I haven’t a clue how to go about it, but this …” He gestured between her nearly naked body and his thoroughly aroused one. “Isn’t the smart way of doing it.”

  Before he could change his mind, he turned and stormed through the swinging doors, the hinges creaking in his wake. He didn’t let himself look back.

  Only after he was safely back on the street did he realize he’d forgotten Rick’s list of possible suspects. And no way was he walking back into the fire now.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The streets of Yorkshire Falls were empty as most of the town gathered inside town hall. After getting a breath of fresh air, Charlotte walked inside to her volunteer workstation, where she acted as punch bowl lookout. On a typical day, no smart adult would touch the punch bowl filled with green liquid, but at the Annual St. Patrick’s Day dance, everyone indulged in the colored Kool-Aid.

  She told herself she was better off concentrating on making sure no one spiked the punch bowl than on Roman. Just remembering their sensual run-in earlier that day caused goose bumps to prickle along her skin.

  She’d gathered every ounce of courage she possessed to turn back toward him and reenact her fantasy. To reach out for him first. To accept and give in to his kiss despite knowing he could hurt her badly. And he had. The man had given her ego a huge bruising she wouldn’t soon forget. Now she knew how he’d felt all those years ago. Payback sucked royally, she thought.

  And yet she couldn’t deny his lingering appeal. She let her gaze wander across the packed room. He was scrumptiously alluring in black jeans and a white pullover shirt. He stood out from the crowd, and not just by defying convention and not wearing green. Her eyes were drawn back to him again and again. Apparently the problem wasn’t mutual, because he hadn’t once glanced her way.

  Instead he drifted from single female to single female, plying his charm, easy grin, and sex appeal. It galled Charlotte to see that he had an extremely receptive audience. She was merely one of many. And it hurt.

  She arrived back at her station to find she had company. Raina Chandler sat behind the long table serving as a makeshift bar. “Hi, Raina.”

  The older woman graced her with a huge, welcoming smile.

  “Let me look at you.” Charlotte stepped back and took in the older woman’s appearance. She was slender as always and a makeup-induced glow radiated in her cheeks. From looking at Raina, Charlotte couldn’t tell she’d been in the hospital. “You look wonderful!”

  “Thank you. I’m trying not to let my health get me down.” Raina’s glance darted sideways, then back again.

  “Well, haven’t seen you all week. I hope that means you’re taking good care of yourself. One hospital trip is one too many.”

  Raina nodded. “I’m learning to be more cautious,” she acknowledged. “Now back to you. I’ve come to relieve you. Go mingle.”

  “Oh, no.” Charlotte shook her head. “I’m not going to let you stand on your feet and handle punch bowl duty. You need rest.”

  Raina waved a hand in the air, dismissing the possibility. “I’m not your replacement.”

  Charlotte glanced around, but she didn’t see anyone with her. “Who is? Not my mother, I hope?”

  “Last I saw, your mother was doing quite nicely. Socializing, even.”

  “Dennis Sterling?” Charlotte asked, unable to hide the hope in her voice.

  “Unfortunately, Dennis is going to be late.”

  “Darn.” As the town’s only veterinarian, any animal emergency fell into Dennis’s lap.

&
nbsp; Raina patted her hand. “Don’t worry. If the man’s interested, once he takes a look at your mom tonight, he’ll be persistent.”

  “Isn’t she gorgeous? I picked her dress myself.”

  “Your taste is impeccable, as always. You look beautiful too.”

  “Thank you.” Knowing she’d picked out this outfit with Raina’s youngest son in mind, Charlotte felt the heat rise to her cheeks. Especially since she’d decided to go with something daring, an outfit she’d purchased during her New York City days.

  Maybe he’d been able to resist her enough to pull away, but not before she’d felt his body’s reaction to her. The man wasn’t immune. And tonight she needed the ego boost of having his appraising eyes focused on her. Unfortunately, that blue gaze wasn’t nearly as interested in her tonight as she’d hoped.

  “I understand you and my youngest had a run-in,” Raina said, as if she could see into Charlotte’s innermost thoughts.

  The flush turned into a full-fledged burn in her cheeks. Who could possibly have seen her with Roman? she wondered, this afternoon’s events playing out in erotic detail in her mind. “I … uh … we …”

  “Met up again in Norman’s a few nights ago. Rick told me.” Raina ignored Charlotte’s exhale of relief and merely patted her hand once more. “You never know what might develop after years apart. I’m here to give you a chance to put that sexy outfit to good use. Sam’s going to watch the punch bowl, aren’t you?” Raina reached behind her and pulled the town’s ultimate loner into view.

  “Hi, Sam.” She was surprised he’d ventured into a crowded function, but free food and drink might explain that.

  “I wanted to ask you how you two were acquainted,” Raina said.

  “She’s just a sucker for an old man,” he muttered. Charlotte nodded. She’d always had a soft spot for the loner.

  “And Sam sometimes does errands for me.” Mailing letters and such in return for cash that enabled him to buy food, she thought, but she didn’t say that out loud.

  He was a proud man few in town bothered to know or understand. But even as a little girl, she’d remembered seeing her mother reach out to him. Charlotte was saddened, on her return to Yorkshire Falls, to see Sam’s solitary life had stayed the same, and she’d gone out of her way to help him without directly offering charity.