“I would love to dance.” Her feet hurt, but the idea of being pressed up against this man was going to make up for the pain. As if he could read her mind his other hand slid down her leg and took off the shoe that she had been kicking back and forth. She could feel his heat through her stocking and his thumb caressed her arch.
“Give me your other foot, Brianna.” She hadn’t really noticed his voice before, but it was rough and low and made her shiver. As he slipped off her shoe, he stroked her entire foot, sending shivers up her leg. “You have pretty feet, baby.”
“I’ve never danced barefoot.”
“And you won’t this time. You’re wearing stockings, aren’t you?” His hand travelled up her leg until it reached the top of her stocking. Brianna felt her pussy clench in response. She looked at him, both wanting him to go higher, but begging him to stop. “I thought I had seen the press of a garter clasp.” He grinned up as his thumb stroked across it. Back and forth, caressing. “Okay, baby, that’s enough for now. But know that we’re not done tonight.” His voice speared straight to her core.
“I know, we’re going to dance, and then tonight we’re going back to my apartment and we’re going to dance.” There was no way she was going to let this opportunity get away. Charlie pulled her out onto the dance floor. It was another slow number, and the man had moves. He guided her along like she was a feather. She didn’t have to think, he just took charge and she followed. He pulled her closer, and she found herself resting against his shoulder, she didn’t even come up to his chin. She was lulled by the beat of his heart, and he smelled wonderful.
All thought left, as she continued to just glide around the tent, content like she hadn’t been since she had arrived. That thought brought her up short and she stopped. Charlie was so in tune to her that he easily halted with her.
“Done?” His blue eyes were filled with understanding as he looked down at her. It was as if he knew that she had just surfaced from a trance.
“Huh?” She shook her head. She took a quick look around. He had maneuvered them to a darkened corner of the dance floor. The music was still playing, but it was a different song than the one than they had started with. “You’re powerful.”
“So are you, Brianna. I thought so the first moment when you took off that helmet, and the feeling just kept getting stronger.” When she really looked at him, she saw that he was flushed, and it made her feel better.
“I want you, Charlie. I don’t plan on staying here long, this is just going to be temporary, and you seem like a man who might be ready for something more.”
He reached up and stroked her cheek. “You’re right. I am at that point in my life. But I also have spent many years taking exactly what you’re offering and being pretty damn happy. I think that in your case, I’m going to be more than happy, I’m going to be fucking ecstatic.” And with that he bent down and touched her lips with his. His lips landed as soft as a butterfly. He knew exactly how to get her to respond. She thought she wanted him to invade, to conquer, but this slow seduction eased her back into the trance of the dance. Back and forth he wooed her until she pushed up on her toes and grasped his head trying to bring him down, trying to get more of his taste.
He pulled back. “Easy baby, we have all night.” He smoothed her curls down her back, down and down, until his fingers tangled with hers. “Let’s go enjoy the moonlight.”
He took her to the edge of the tent, and before she could take the first step onto the grass he swept her up into his arms. She let out a surprised squeak. She couldn’t remember ever having been carried in her entire adult lifetime. “Wrap your arms around my neck, Brianna.” Her arms came up automatically and wrapped around his neck. It was at that moment that she realized just how huge Charlie was. He had been so graceful, his size hadn’t sunk in. Ian lumbered around like some sort of Viking, but Charlie moved like a mountain lion, sleek and deadly. He was perfect for his job. People must have underestimated him all the time.
“You’re thinking too hard, baby.” He lowered them onto a bench, and Brianna was cuddled on Charlie’s lap.
“I can’t help it. I was planning on seducing you, and I think you’re throwing a wrench into the works.”
“What does it matter who’s seducing who, as long as we end up pleasing one another?” He pulled her even closer. “Look up. Isn’t the sky beautiful tonight?” Brianna couldn’t resist the timbre of his voice, and leaned her head against the hollow of his shoulder, looking up into the night sky.
He was right, it was beautiful, hypnotic even. This time she tried to resist the lure of the night and the man. She reached up and began wrapping her hair around her finger. “It was a beautiful ceremony. Butch was so handsome walking Olivia down the aisle. Olivia said it was everything she always dreamed it would be.”
“Brianna.”
“Yes?” She turned to look at him, and thought his blue eyes were just as hypnotic as the night sky.
“Shut up, and enjoy the moment.”
* * * *
Good, he was making her nervous. She’d been tying him up in knots from the moment she’d taken off that helmet. His cock was ready to pound nails, or pound her. That dress and the body inside called to every one of his male hormones. If he was honest, in his entire forty years of life, he had never been as turned on as he was with this fully-dressed woman in his lap. And that included the time with the Baker twins in Eugene when he had been in his early twenties.
Brianna was a fascinating mix of sin and innocence. She was dead serious about wanting to drag him to the apartment where she was staying here in Fate Harbor, but at the same time she seemed plagued by nerves. It was almost like she was bewildered by her response. It really didn’t matter to him. If she hadn’t been planning on dragging him, he sure as hell would be throwing her over his shoulder, carrying her to the nearest room with a lock, and spending the rest of the night exploring this magic between them.
“Charlie? I’m being quiet.” Damn she was cute.
“No you’re not, but you will be.” He cupped the back of her head slipping his fingers through the silky red curls so he could massage her tender scalp.
“That feels good.”
“I’m glad, baby.” He dipped his head lower and melded his lips to hers. At the first touch, it wasn’t enough, and he pressed closer, glorying in the fact that the softest lips he had ever felt parted, allowing entry. Go slow, was the last sane thought in his head as he tightened his hold and thrust his tongue deep, relishing the feel of hers brushing against his in a loving caress.
One hand moved down her lithe body until he could finally grasp that luscious ass, one globe the perfect size for his big hand. He clutched her closer. Her dress was so tight, he wasn’t able to get the grip he wanted that would have allowed him to feel if her panties were damp, but as she ground her breasts against his chest he would have bet she was as wet as he was hard.
He continued to spear his tongue into her mouth, mimicking the rhythm of the loving he was determined they would soon be experiencing. He was so far gone, it took him longer than it should have to hear the conversation that was coming their way. Damn it. He pulled back with a great deal of regret and heard Brianna whimper.
“Easy, baby.”
“Charlie?” God he loved the way she said his name, he couldn’t quite define it, but it made him feel ten feet tall.
“We have company.” She pushed herself even closer, as if he could protect her, as if he provided comfort. Make that twelve feet tall. He was in deep.
“Evening, Sheriff.” He looked up. It was Jack and Helen Ryan. “It looks like we weren’t the only ones who had the good sense to enjoy an evening under the stars.”
“Why don’t you help yourself to this bench?” Charlie said, as he stood up with Brianna in his arms.
“Charlie, put me down.” There was the hellion. He was never sure who he was going to be dealing with, and that was part of the fun.
“You don’t have your shoes on. I don�
��t want those stockings ruined. I promise that as soon as we get into the tent, I’ll put you down.” Helen Ryan stifled a giggle.
“Charlie, we would love to take this bench. Brianna, you need to do what the sheriff tells you, otherwise you will not be able to sit down for a week.” Charlie faltered as he was walking toward the tent. If he was not mistaken, Jack Ryan had just used his Dom voice. Holy fuck, you learn something new every day. As he walked into the tent he could have sworn he heard Helen calling Jack, ‘Master.’ Holy Fuck.
He arranged for Brianna to do a slow slide down his body as he set her down on the soft floor of the tent. She looked up into his eyes and then she looped her arms around his neck. “Kiss me. Please kiss me.”
“Oh yeah.” He was fast becoming addicted to Brianna Spencer’s kisses, her texture, and her taste. When he took her, the twinkling lights inside the tent got ten times brighter, and everything seemed to spin. He finally lifted his head. “Come on, baby, let’s get your shoes.”
He breathed a sigh of relief when they got to the table and all they found were empty chairs and her shoes. He looked at her slumberous green eyes and noticed she didn’t even realize that they had gotten off easy.
“Brianna, how much champagne have you had to drink?” Please not much.
“I don’t drink.”
“You mean you don’t drink much?”
“I mean I don’t drink.” Suddenly her eyes were piercingly clear. “I don’t like to be out of control. Not ever.” This was not the same woman who had just been in his lap, and he regretted asking about the champagne.
“Brianna, I’m sorry, I just wanted to make sure we were both on the same page.” She paused, shook her head, and gave him that calm, fake smile that he remembered from the other night in his patrol car.
“It’s okay, Charlie, you couldn’t know. Let’s get out of here. I want to show you my new digs.” She held out her hand, so he could steady her while she stepped into her pumps. He watched while she gathered up her small clutch, and then grabbed his hand to lead him out of the tent.
“Why don’t you follow me? Actually, you probably don’t have to. You’ll know exactly where I’m staying. For the month I’m here I’m staying at the cutest little apartment over the bakery that Josie runs. The bakery is in the middle of town. It’s called Sweet Dreams Desserts. Sam loaned me his truck for the night. It’s parked over there,” she said, pointing across the dark parking lot. “I’ll meet you at the apartment.”
Charlie reached out, remembering at the last second to grasp her upper arm gently. “Whoa there, baby. Slow down.” It was obvious she was trying to put distance between them with all these words, even if she was inviting him to her apartment, and he didn’t like it. “Now, I’m going to walk you to the truck.” He saw her look up at him in exasperation.
“Charlie, I’ve been living alone in Dallas for years, I think that walking across a parking lot in this little town will be fine.” Again with the placating, calm smile. Just how many people actually bought into that expression?
“I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine, too. This is a great place. But what happens if one of your heels were to break and I’m not there to carry you to your truck? I would hate to miss out on another chance to carry you.” She looked at him in confusion. Good.
“You know I’ll be fine,” she said as she started walking.
“Yep.”
“We’d get to the apartment faster if we just split up.”
“Yep.” The wind was starting up, blowing strands of red-gold hair across her face.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Sure am.” They were at Sam’s truck. He waited as she hit the fob to unlock the door, and then opened the door for her. She scowled at him. “I’m a small-town sheriff, what else would you expect, Brianna?” He resisted the urge to help her into the truck. It was as if he was dealing with two different women. There was the woman who had curled up on his lap, and then the one he was dealing with now. It was like she could flip a switch. He wondered what in her background made her have to learn that skill.
“You’re still coming over, right?” Despite her independent attitude, Charlie detected just a hint of vulnerability.
“You promised me sweet dreams, how could I pass that up?” Charlie leaned into the truck, and pressed his cheek against hers, so that he could whisper in her ear. “It’s going to be okay, baby, trust me.” With that, he backed up, and shut the door. He watched as she started the truck, backed up, and headed toward the exit. He looked up into the sky. It was a beautiful night, and he knew it was only get more spectacular.
Chapter 8
What was she doing? The last time she had taken a lover they had dated four months before they had sex. The time before that, two months. By that logic she should be waiting at least eight months before doing the deed, not three days!
She waited at the only stoplight between the reception and her downtown apartment. No wonder everybody knew one another, the town was no bigger than a minute. She parked Sam’s truck and looked around for the sheriff’s car, but didn’t see it. As she unbuckled her seatbelt she saw Charlie walking toward her. She waited, and he opened her door for her.
“I didn’t see your patrol car.”
“I’m driving my Mustang.”
“A Mustang, huh? I could see that. At least it’s not a truck. It seems like every other vehicle here is a truck, I feel like I’m back in Dallas.” Charlie chuckled, and she liked the sound. He put his hand on her lower back as they walked toward the steps that led to the apartment over the bakery. Even with her a step higher and in her heels, he was taller than she was, she liked it.
“Let me,” he said, reaching for her keys. She even liked the way he opened the door for her. Boy, she had it bad. No wonder she wanted him after only three days. As soon as they stepped over the threshold he shut the door, and prowled around the apartment.
“I keep things fairly clean, Sheriff,” she said wryly. She hadn’t decided if she was curious or offended.
“Force of habit. Always like to scope things out before I can get settled. I guess I’ve been in law enforcement too long,” he said as he came back out of her bedroom. “You make your bed. Hard to believe from a motorcycle-riding speeder, were you expecting company?” He came to a stop right in front of her, their bodies almost touching.
“Nope, I’ve just always made my bed.”
“Hmmm, that’s something I can’t wrap my head around.” She reached out and touched the lapels of his tux, and he slid both hands under the heavy mass of her hair, massaging the tight muscles at the back of her neck. She heard herself moan as she pressed against his fingers, and he must have taken that as an invitation because he leaned forward and took her mouth in a deep kiss. She was surrounded by the man, and it was wonderful. She wanted to keep the pressure on her neck, but she wanted to deepen the kiss, and he knew, somehow he knew. He pushed forward, plunging his tongue, continuing to stroke her tendons, and Brianna melted. She didn’t know how long they stood there, locked in the most passionate kiss of her life, but slowly he lifted his head.
“No. More.” He eased one of his hands around, and brushed his thumb against her wet lower lip, back and forth.
“I agree, I want more, too, baby. We need to get you out of those shoes. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you squirming from foot to foot.” Brianna stopped. She had been in the process of adjusting her weight between one foot and the other. She was reluctant to step out of the pumps, because then she wouldn’t be at a good height to continue kissing Charlie. He chuckled and she looked up into his electric-blue eyes.
“There is a solution to your problem.” She arched a brow. “We can either sit down on your couch, or go mess up that neatly made bed.” She took just a millisecond to consider it.
“Bed, definitely the bed.” He swooped her up in his arms, and she kicked off her shoes, laughing as he strode into the bedroom and deposited her onto the bed. He came down over her, landing on his for
earms so as not to squash her. She appreciated it, because he was huge, and she would definitely have been flattened.
“I was happy for the trio, and I wanted to celebrate with them, but that’s not the reason I’ve been looking forward to the commitment ceremony,” Charlie said as he brushed a kiss against her lips.
“It wasn’t?”
“Nope. Not since Thursday night. Ever since I met you, all I could think about is seeing you again today. Then, when I finally did, my God, lady, you took my breath away. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”
“Today is an anomaly. Olivia has great taste in dresses, and there was a makeup artist. I know what I really look like.” Charlie reared back, so that he was not kneeling over her.
“You’re out of your mind, baby, I saw you when you were half-asleep after driving halfway across the country. You were gorgeous.” He stroked his knuckles down her cheek. “I love the hint of freckles on your fair skin, and your emerald-green eyes and red hair. Baby, you are a looker.” He really meant it. She could see it in his eyes. Wasn’t that a gift?
“Well, Charlie, I don’t look at you and say to myself, he’s beautiful.” He gave her such a wicked grin that she couldn’t help but grin in return. “But my God, man, I look at you and I just about drool, especially when I saw you in this tux today. All I could think about was how I wanted to strip you and lick you.” His eyes got wide, and she could feel his cock harden against her tummy.
“Men are visual creatures. I think my need to see you naked far outweighs your need to see me naked.” He smoothed his fingers down her arms until he reached her hands then slowly pulled them up over her head. “Leave them there, okay?” Oh, she loved watching that crease in his cheek when he smiled. When she nodded her head, he released her hands, and immediately found the zipper that was on the side of her dress and lowered it. “Brianna, I’m so visual that I’m willing to bet that you’re not wearing a bra under this dress, let’s see if I’m right.”
Cherishing Brianna [Fate Harbor 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 7