by Cher Carson
“Do you have any idea how much that man has helped this community?” she demanded. “Donations to the school, the library, the food bank, children’s holiday toy drives, farmers in need…” She paused only to take a breath. “He willingly gives to a community that’s branded him a degenerate. That’s the kind of man he is!”
“Look, I didn’t mean—”
“I don’t want to hear it, ‘cause you know what… I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks about him. It’s what I think that matters.” She got up without another word and walked to the front door. Holding it open, she waited for him to pass through.
He put his coat on, shoving the ring box back in his pocket as he slipped past her. Turning around to face her after he passed the threshold, he said, “I’d like for us to be friends. I mean, you are my daughter’s teacher and all. I don’t want things to be awkward between us.”
“I don’t want that, either.” She knew Paul was a kind and decent man. If anyone was to blame here, it was her. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out the way you hoped they would.”
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his bomber jacket, drawing it closed against the blustery winter chill. “Where does that leave you? I mean, are you and Cole a couple now?”
“No, we’re not.” She couldn’t even say for certain they were still on speaking terms.
“But that’s what you want… to try and make things work with him?”
She wouldn’t define her feelings for Cole unless it was to the man himself. “Cole and I need to talk. To figure out where we go from here.”
He reached in to brush a kiss across her cheek. “Good luck, Charlene. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
She crossed her arms when she felt a shiver move through her. “Thanks.” She grabbed Paul’s sleeve before he could make his way down the stairs to his car. “I really am sorry if I hurt you.”
He shrugged. “I guess that’s a chance you have to take, right?”
He was right. So why wasn’t she willing to take that chance with Cole?
Chapter Nine
Charlene was assailed with the fresh scent of pine as soon as she entered her parents’ house. The annual tree-trimming party at the McCoy house was always a big deal when they were growing up. Close friends and immediate family joined in to kick-off the holiday season in the old-fashioned style they were all accustomed to. They’d string popcorn, sip hot apple cider, and share gossip with their favorite people.
“There you are,” Marilyn McCoy said, slipping an arm around her daughter’s waist. “I was beginning to wonder if you were ever gonna get here. Where’s Paul? You should have invited him.”
She dreaded this moment all the way over to her parents’ house. According to them, she should think about settling down with someone like Paul. “Paul and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
Her mother halted, turning to face her. “What do you mean you’re not seeing each other anymore? I thought things were getting serious.”
Charlene raised an eyebrow at her mother’s sharp tone. “You thought wrong.”
Wagging her finger in front of Charlene’s face, she said, “Don’t you sass me, young lady. I want to know the truth. Are the rumors true? Are you messin’ around with that Cole character?”
“How can you refer to him that way?” Charlene asked, raising her voice loud enough to draw the attention of most of their guests. “He’s your son’s friend. Not to mention the son of one of your closest friends.”
“Keep your voice down,” Marilyn hissed, turning her back to the curious onlookers. “We both know he’s not one of us. He didn’t grow up here, and he’s, well…” A blush stained her cheeks. “Different.”
The fury she’d felt earlier stole Charlene’s breath as she stared at the crowd of people she always considered friends. They seemed like hostile strangers to her now. How had she almost allowed these people to steal her chance at happiness? Her eyes fell on Cole’s mother and she finally found the resolve to say her piece in front of Cole’s self-appointed jury.
“I know you’ve all been speculating about what’s been going on with me lately,” she said, smiling sweetly. She saw her brother grimace as her father covered his face with his hand.
“You stop this nonsense right now,” Marilyn whispered, furiously. “You’re going to embarrass us and yourself.”
“I don’t care anymore.” She stood taller, trying to infuse as much confidence as she could muster into her stance. “I’ve known most of you all my life. I babysat your children and grandchildren. You know me. You know what kind of person I am. I’d never fall in love with a man who wasn’t worthy of me.”
Charlene reached out for Ruth’s hand when she heard her sharp intake of breath. “I know y’all may think you know what’s right for me, but you obviously don’t know what’s in my heart.”
She ignored the whispered murmurs moving through the crowd as her mother tried to make a quick getaway to the kitchen.
“I think you’re gonna wanna stay for this, Mama,” she said loud enough to be heard over the crowd.
Marilyn shot a glance at her husband, imploring him to put a stop to this madness, but he shrugged his shoulders in resignation.
“I know you think you know enough about Cole Braxton because of some of the things you’ve heard about him, but you haven’t got a clue what kind of man he is. You don’t know what kind of father or son or brother or friend he is. Most of you don’t even know how much he’s done to help this community.”
“That’s true,” Mayor Carlton said. When people turned to look at him, he continued. “Most of Cole’s donations are anonymous. But honestly, I don’t know how the hell we would’ve gotten through the last year without his support.”
The mayor’s endorsement gave Charlene the confidence to continue. “You’re so quick to judge, but you’re rushing to judgement without any of the facts. You’re willing to evaluate him based on rumors you’ve heard, and I’m here to tell you that you’re all missing out on getting to know an incredible man.”
Ruth squeezed her hand and offered a shaky smile.
“He just wants to be a part of this community. He wants his daughter to grow up here because this is a great place to live. He wants her to feel safe and loved, and he wants to be able to walk down the street without everyone condemning him.”
“You’re right,” Tucker Carlton said, shaking his head.
Everyone turned their attention to the police chief. “I, for one, am damn proud to call Cole Braxton one of my closest friends. He’s done more for this town in the short time he’s been here than most of us have in a lifetime. He deserves our respect. He’s earned it.” He looked at his best friend, and Charlene’s brother, Jake. “Isn’t that right, buddy?”
Jake looked at Charlene a long time before he said, “Damn right it is. I’m sorry you’re the one who had to talk some sense into me, into all of us. I’m ashamed of myself. I think…” he said, looking around at the crowd, “we should all be ashamed of ourselves.”
“I’m the worst culprit of all,” Ruth said, rubbing her nose with a tissue. “He’s my son. I should’ve been the one to defend him.”
“It’s not your fault, Ruth,” Mrs. Briar said, rubbing her back.
“Yes, it is. It’s my fault he’s leaving town too, and taking my granddaughter with him. How could I let this happen? He should’ve been able to count on me for support. Instead, I—”
“Wait a minute,” Charlene said, holding her hand up. “What did you say?” She felt lightheaded. This could not be happening. “Where are they going?”
“They’re going back to Texas.” She glanced at her watch. “In fact, they’ve probably left already.”
“No, no…” She clutched her forehead. “They can’t…”
“Don’t waste any more time standing around here,” her mother said. “Go and talk to him.”
They shared a brief smile before Charlene bolted out the front door.
C
ole piled their suitcases in the bed of his truck as a familiar car pulled into the long drive, kicking up dust in her wake. Damn it! He’d hoped to avoid another scene with Charlene. With his nerves on edge and his heart still broken, he couldn’t trust himself to hold it together if she challenged him today.
“I don’t have time for this,” he said as soon as she slammed her car door. “We have to go.”
She followed him into the house, holding the door open when he would have gladly let it slam shut. “You’re gonna listen to me whether you like it or not.”
“Get out.” His mouth went dry as his heart started beating double-time. God help him, he loved everything about this woman, from her sass to her sweetness to her sex appeal. It was as though God made her just for him.
“No!” She looked around. “Where’s Cassidy?”
“She’s with Mrs. Garcia down at their house. She said she’d keep her until I’m ready to leave.”
Charlene took her coat off, revealing a red cashmere sweater that hugged her soft curves, and just like that, Cole was hard. He went to Dixie’s every other night, telling himself that would be the night he’d find someone to wipe Charlene out of his mind, but his body had never responded like this to anyone else.
“You’re not leaving until I’ve said my piece,” she said, walking towards him. “I can’t believe you were gonna leave town without saying a word to me.”
He licked his lips, trying to stand his ground as she moved in on him. It took everything in him to not throw her down on the couch in the adjoining family room, strip those slim black dress pants off, and punish her for all the sleepless nights, missed meals, and stiff drinks he’d sucked back because of her. “I thought I asked you to leave.”
She reached for the snaps running the front of his shirt and shocked him by tearing it open. “I heard what you said. And I told you that I’m not leaving until I said what I came here to say.”
His chest heaved and he couldn’t catch his breath as he watched her hands skim his abs and pecs. “Why’re you doin’ this?”
“Because I can’t let you go.”
He closed his eyes when her hot, wet mouth closed over his flat nipple. “Don’t do that.” He fisted his hands at his side and tipped his head back.
Grazing his nipple with her teeth, she looked up at him, a wicked gleam in her big blue eyes. “I’m afraid I might be a lousy submissive. I don’t take orders very well.”
With his cock straining painfully against the zipper of his jeans, he’d take her any way he could get her. “I’ve noticed. You definitely have a mind of your own.”
She reached for his belt buckle and slowly undid his pants. “I’m afraid that’s not true. I’ve made the mistake of letting other people think for me. No more. As of today, I don’t care what anyone else says or thinks. The only things that matter are you and me and how we feel about each other.”
He reached for her hands. He couldn’t make love to her and lose her again. It would kill him this time. “What about Paul?”
“It’s over. I told him how I feel about you.” She grinned. “In fact, I told everyone how I feel about you. Made quite a spectacle of myself.” She flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder with the toss of her head. “And you know what? It felt great.” She giggled. “It was so liberating.”
He didn’t know what the hell she was talking about, and now that she was pulling her sweater over her head and tossing it to the ground, he couldn’t summon the will to care. Focus, damn it. You can’t afford to screw this up again. “Maybe you should tell me how you feel about me.”
Charlene stood on the toes of her high-heeled black boots and wound her arms around his neck. “I love you…” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “Hopelessly…” Another kiss. “Deeply…” She slipped her tongue inside of his mouth. “Forever and ever.”
A tremor moved through him as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground. “Don’t say that if you don’t mean it, ‘cause I don’t think I could stand it.”
She brushed his hair off his forehead and looked into his eyes a long time before she asked, “How do you feel about me?”
He buried his face in her neck as she wrapped her legs around his waist. “I love you so goddamn much it’s killin’ me.” He swirled his tongue around the scented skin covering her collarbone and felt her grind against his abdomen. “But I don’t wanna see you get hurt, baby. I don’t want people talkin’ about you behind your back, just ‘cause…”
She threaded her hands through his hair and tipped his head back, forcing him to look at her. “Listen to me. I don’t give a shit what anybody says or thinks. I love you. I want to be with you. If anyone in this goddamn town has a problem with that, they can take it up with me, and I can promise you, I won’t back down.”
He grinned as he felt the boulder of despair he’d carried around for months finally land with a thud at his feet. The woman he loved was back in his arms, professing her love, and no matter what he had to do to keep her there, he would. “I may be the most selfish bastard alive, but I don’t care. I can’t live without you. I don’t even wanna try anymore.”
She slid her legs down, letting her feet touch the ground. “Will you do something for me?”
“Sure, baby,” he said, framing her face with his hands. “I’ll do anything for you. All you have to do is ask.”
“Show me your playroom.”
Just when he thought his cock couldn’t get any harder, it did. “Sweetheart, we don’t have to…”
“I want to… have a play date with you.”
He groaned as his head fell forward. He wasn’t going to last thirty seconds if she kept teasing him this way. “Don’t do this to me.”
“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to?”
He was shocked when he raised his head and found her looking so uncertain. “How can you even ask me that?” He kissed her, partially because he wanted to reassure her, but mostly because he was dying to taste her again. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted another woman in my life. You turn me inside out.”
“Um…” She ran a hand up his chest. “How would this work?” She bit her lip, looking adorably innocent. “I mean, would the rules apply only in the bedroom, or would you expect me to submit to you everywhere, all the time?”
He chuckled. “Baby, you don’t have to submit to me at all. If you want to, I’m not gonna deny that it would get me hotter than hell, but just bein’ with you is more than enough to turn me on.”
“I want to,” she said, looking up at him through her lashes. “I really wanna try this. I just don’t want to disappoint you.”
His gut clenched and he realized he’d never even known what love was until this second, with this woman. “You could never disappoint me, Charlene. You are more, so much more, than I ever thought I’d find in a woman.”
“You mean that?”
“Sweetheart, you’re gorgeous, smart, sexy. You turn me on and make me laugh. You’re amazing with kids, most importantly my daughter, and I know you’re gonna be an incredible mama to our babies someday.”
She smiled. “You really mean that?”
“Of course I do.” He placed a tender kiss on her lips as he cupped her face in his hand. “These past months, you’ve become my best friend, Charlene. That brief time I spent with you in your classroom every afternoon was the highlight of my day. I’d fall asleep thinkin’ about you and wake up thinkin’ about you. And it wasn’t just the sex that made me want more, it was everything about you. I knew you were the woman I’ve waited for my whole life, so whether you choose to engage in a little sex play or not, that doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that I make you happy. Not just today or tomorrow, but forever.”
She fanned her face with her hand and laughed through her tears. “Stop it! I’m gonna be a sobbing mess any minute now.”
He kissed away her tears and smiled. “I love you, don’t ever forget that. I love you. We’re gonna have an incredible life t
ogether.”
“I know we will.”
Charlene felt the knot of tension in her stomach pull tighter when Cole pushed the heavy wooden door open and ushered her inside of his play room. She’d read about rooms like this in her steamy novels, but she never expected to stand in the middle of one.
“Feel free to take a look around,” he said, placing a hand on the small of her back.
A strange looking bed dominated the center of the dark room. It had steel bars and shackles and it looked like more of a torture device than a bed. “How did you… I mean… when did you decide to do all this?”
He chuckled. “When I moved in here, I hired a designer from Texas to help me make a few changes. She asked me what I wanted… my fantasy. This was it.”
“Oh, wow.” She spun around, looking at the shelves of sex toys. “That must have been an awkward conversation.”
“Not really. We were dating at the time. She knew what I was into.”
Charlene tried to tamp down the jealousy of knowing he’d entertained other women here. Of course he had. A man didn’t have a room like this unless he intended to indulge his fantasies often.
“If you’re thinking she helped me test out the equipment…” His hot breath fanned her neck as he gripped her waist from behind and pressed her back into his throbbing erection. “She didn’t. We’d already broken up long before this stuff arrived. We stayed friends. She finished the project, but that’s it.”
She couldn’t help but ask, “Are you still friends?”
“No. It wasn’t that kind of relationship. She was someone meant to be in my life for a short time.” He kissed her neck, making her smile. “You’re meant to be in my life for the duration, baby. Don’t ever doubt that.”
“Was she, um…” She bit her lip, questioning whether delving too deeply into his past was wise. She already felt out of her element and she feared comparing herself to his other lovers may make her feel worse. “Into this kind of stuff, too?”