So, he moved around the side of the gym, blending in. Well, blending in as much as he could. One of the disadvantages of being taller than the average male was that he stood out no matter what. He’d done some creative things over the years to hide his height when stealth was needed. In this case though, the boys were too excited about whatever stash they’d snuck into the dance to notice that he was moving towards them.
Oz paused slightly when he was several feet away. That’s when he saw it. One of the boys had signaled, demanding the other hand over their hidden stash. As soon as the item was passed, Oz saw what they’d been hiding. A bottle of booze! “Hey boys,” he said casually when he was only a few feet away. “Are you sharing something interesting?”
All four boys froze, staring up at him and, almost simultaneously, their mouths fell open as Oz loomed over them. Unfortunately, they froze with the contraband about to be passed from one person to the next, so two of the four had their hands on the bottle.
“Huh!” he said in a conversational tone and took the bottle away. Looking at the label, he cringed. “Seriously? Schnapps?” he asked, trying, and failing, to hide a shiver of revulsion. Shaking his head, he moved a bit closer. “Look boys, just about every person has a horror story about getting drunk off schnapps. It’s sort of a rite of passage in college. But wait until it is legal for that horror story, okay?”
One of the boys, braver than the others, stammered, “We weren’t going to actually drink it.”
Oz lifted an eyebrow. “You brought alcohol to a school dance. A violation that could get all four of you suspended. It doesn’t matter if you drank it or not.”
Another boy, stupider than the others, decided to go for broke. “That’s not ours,” he announced. “You’re the one holding it.”
Oz stared at him for a moment, then laughed. “Seriously?” He turned his body slightly and pointed across the gym. It was just a spot on the wall, but all four boys looked at it. “See that spot over there?”
“What about it?”
“It’s a surveillance camera. It was installed two days ago. So everything you’ve just done has been recorded. Do you still want to try and pass this bottle of schnapps off on me?”
The boys looked at each other, then back up at him, their faces terrified now. “Are you going to turn us in?”
A new voice entered the conversation. “He probably won’t, but I might,” Charlotte announced, stepping up to him. “Especially since you were about to lie about ownership of the alcohol instead of confessing and being a man about it,” she looked directly at the boy who had tried to pawn off the alcohol on Oz. “How dare you do something wrong and then, when faced with the consequences of your actions, try to frame someone else!” she snapped, furious now. “If you think being manly is bringing alcohol into a school, then you’d better be manly enough to face the consequences! Don’t you ever try to frame someone when you’ve violated a rule! That is a coward’s way out! And a bully move!”
Evelyn was right behind Charlotte and nodded her agreement. “Jeremy, I believe we’ve had this conversation before, haven’t we?”
The boy looked shocked as three adults frowned down on him. “I just…”
“Don’t complicate the issue with more lies,” the principal admonished. “Come with me. Let’s call your parents.” She started to turn away, but glared at the other boys. “Tommy, Toby, and Mark, don’t even think that you’ve avoided consequences!” she snapped. “You should call your parents and have them pick you up as well. And tell them that I need to speak with them in my office Monday morning after the first bell.” With that, she marched Jeremy out of the gymnasium, his eyes furious but his head bowed in defeat.
“Come on boys,” Oz called to the other three. “Let’s head out into the lobby and make those calls. I’ll stay with you until they arrive and explain the situation.”
His tone was comforting now. Gone was the Voice of Doom of moments ago and Charlotte’s heart melted just a little more for the tall, handsome man who had discovered an issue that none of the other chaperones had realized was happening.
Charlotte watched, her eyes moving over his broad shoulders and lean hips. The man was built but also had a compassionate side to him. And that side was…hot!
Pulling her eyes away, she shook her head and headed back to her post, watching a bit more vigilantly now.
Fifteen minutes later, Oz walked back into the gym and Charlotte’s breath caught in her throat. Good grief, he was so handsome!
At that moment, he turned, his eyes zeroing in on hers and she felt that sharp tug. An electric shock or something else. It was strange that she’d never felt that sensation with Darrin.
When he walked over to her, she wasn’t exactly sure what to say. He’d stepped into the fray and handled the situation with a calm authority. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, taking her hands and leading her onto the dance floor. The music was loud, but slow this time around and he held her gently but firmly in his arms, holding her close enough so that she could rest her head on his shoulder.
No words were spoken. Just the music and his arms around her, holding her. It was one of the most incredible moments of her life. Charlotte tried to tell her that this wasn’t real. That the moment with the boys was influencing her perception of him as a man. But she couldn’t stop the feelings. Or the desire to show this man just how much he meant to her.
Oz held Charlotte in his arms, confused by the look in her eyes moments ago. It had looked like a combination of lust and admiration, but what the hell had changed over the past few minutes? He’d messed up with the distraction thing. And then he’d walked away from her. Oz had been pretty sure that she’d be furious with him for walking away, but he had to stop the boys from potentially ruining their lives. Drinking at an event like this, then driving home could end in a catastrophe.
Obviously, Charlotte felt the same way. But…
He was so confused. Normally, women were pretty easy to understand. But Charlotte was more complicated. She was amazing, yes, he admitted. But an enigma all the same.
Except at moments such as this one. He liked her soft and cuddly like this, which was also odd. He wasn’t a cuddly person. But holding Charlotte like this, it felt good. It felt right. And he didn’t want to stop holding her.
Unfortunately, the evening ended. The chaperones stood out in the chilly night air, ensuring that all of the kids were picked up or driving home safely. The principal thanked all of the chaperones for their help tonight. Moments later, everyone drifted off to their cars, heading to their homes for the night.
Oz stared at Charlotte, not wanting this night to end.
“I guess we should collect our dogs from your brother’s house,” she said softly. But her words didn’t break the intimacy of the night.
“Maybe our dogs should have a sleepover. We can go get them in the morning,” he suggested.
Her smile was slow in coming, but as those beautiful lips curled upward, his heart pounded in anticipation.
“Would your brother mind?” she asked, her fingers still curled in his. “It’s pretty late. He’s probably asleep.”
Oz was fairly certain that Jayce and Ryker were wide awake. Sebastian had probably gone home a few hours ago in order to put Chloe to bed. But his brother and friend? No way. They’d be up late, probably playing cards. But instead of saying so, he nodded. “That’s a possibility,” he commented.
“We shouldn’t disturb him then.”
“Oh, I live to disturb my brother and Ryker. Never worry about that!” he teased.
She laughed and the sound was like music in the night air.
“I guess I should go home then.”
“I’ll drive you home.”
She nodded, the smile flirting and her lips were driving him crazy. “That would be good.”
Ten minutes later…he wished that the town was bigger so that the drive was longer and he could spend more time with
her…he pulled up outside of her house.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” he told her, shutting off the engine. The door was literally ten feet away, but he wanted to kiss her goodnight. Hell, he wanted to do a hell of a lot more, but he’d be satisfied with a kiss. Okay, nope. That’s a lie as well. He wouldn’t be satisfied, but he’d settle for a kiss.
His house was through the woods, but he liked her cottage too. It suited her. It was cute, quaint, and cozy. Not that he was feeling very cozy at the moment. He was actually in a great deal of pain, wanting to make love to her.
When she pulled the keys out of her clutch, she looked at him over her shoulder. “Want to come in for a cup of coffee?” she asked.
He nodded. “I’d love some coffee,” he lied. He didn’t want coffee. He wanted that kiss.
“Good,” she whispered, then pushed the key into the lock of her front door. When it hissed open, she stepped through, then stepped back to allow him to come inside.
“I like your house,” he said, looking around. When he’d picked her up earlier, Oz had only had eyes for her. But now he knew that he needed to keep his eyes off of her. Look around, he told himself.
A movement out of the corner of his eyes caught his attention and he looked…then swallowed. Charlotte tossed that shoulder covering thing onto one of the chairs, watching him the whole time. Coming closer. Closer still.
When her hands pressed against his chest, sliding up the white material of his shirt, he was losing his confusion.
“Would you kiss me again, Oz?” she asked softly.
A kiss? Hell yeah! “It would be my pleasure,” he told her, his hands moving to her waist and he lifted her closer.
Kissing Charlotte was the most incredible experience, he thought as his lips touched hers. He felt a slight tremble and pulled back, looking into those beautiful blue eyes of hers. But he didn’t see anxiety in those cerulean depths. Her irises were dilated and her fingers clenched at the front of his shirt, almost as if she were afraid he might pull away.
“Charlotte?” he asked softly, his hands firm on her waist. But he didn’t want to do anything she wasn’t fully on board with.
“Make love with me, Oz,” she whispered, reaching up to pull his head back down.
Oz didn’t argue! Instead, he lowered his head for a deeper, longer kiss. When her still-trembling lips moved under his, he darted his tongue out, tasting her for the first time. She was like nectar! Charlotte tasted better than anything he’d ever tasted before!
His arms wrapped around her more tightly, bringing all of her lush curves against his body, feeling her full breasts pressed against his chest. But he wanted more!
With deft hands, his fingers slid up and down her back, feeling her curves now because he couldn’t think any longer. It was all about feeling and doing and enjoying every damn moment of having this amazing woman in his arms. She felt…soft and sexy and incredible!
His mouth moved to her neck, feeling her shiver when he found that spot on her neck that he’d been fantasizing about that time in the church. Moving again, he found another, and then another spot on her neck that caused her to tremble.
Somehow, his jacket was on the ground behind him and he felt her hands push him back. Did she want to stop? His body ached to have her but…Oz pulled away to look down at her, but then was distracted when her fingers fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. His tie was already pushed over his shoulders and he whipped at the knot, tossing the silk behind him. While Charlotte worked the buttons of his dress shirt, he focused on finding the damn zipper on this dress! As much as he liked the dress on her, he wanted it off! He wanted the yellow material pooling around her feet so that he could see all of her!
When he couldn’t find the zipper, he stepped out of her arms and undid the buttons himself. “Take off your dress, Charlotte,” he ordered, his eyes hot and intense as he watched her. For a moment, she just stood there, looking cute and confused. But then his shirt joined the tie and his jacket and he just about growled when she remained fully clothed. “Charlotte!” he snapped.
She ignored the threat in his tone and stepped closer, her fingers sliding up his chest. He wanted to order her to take off her dress again, but her hands felt so good. Her fingertips slid along his skin, touching every inch of him. Then those soft, pretty hands touched his arms, her fingers seeming to need to touch every part of him and Oz loved it! If she didn’t get that damn dress off, he was going to explode from just her fingers on his skin!
“Charlotte!” he growled, lifting her hands from his arms and held them out to her sides. So what did she do? Not follow orders! She still stood there with that yellow dress, taunting him as she leaned forward, her lips pressing against his chest. Those small, sexy kisses along his chest made him crazy! The end came when her hot, moist tongue darted out against his nipple! He’d never really paid much attention to that part of him, but when Charlotte licked one, then nibbled slightly, he was gone. He couldn’t have stopped his hands from reaching out and ripping that damn dress!
She gasped for a moment, shocked at the violence against her dress as it pooled around her feet. But Oz didn’t give her a chance to be angry about it. He took barely a second to look at her, surprised to find her hips round and soft, her stomach gently curved, and those breasts! Damn her breasts were beautiful, but hidden by a tan, lacy bra that just had to go. With a swift moment, he reached behind her and released the catch. The bra fell away, dropping to the floor and those rounded globes tormented him with pointed, rosy tips.
“Bed!” he snapped, and lifted her into his arms so that her breasts were at the same height as his mouth. As he carried her up the stairs, his mouth focused on tasting those buds, tormenting them the same way that she’d tormented him moments ago, but he wasn’t as kind! Nope, he didn’t stop until she was crying out, her legs wrapped around his waist as he laid her onto the big, soft bed. He wasn’t sure if this was the master bedroom or the guest room, nor did he care. It was a bed. She was on it. He was finished playing around.
He stood up, looking down at her as he whipped off the rest of his clothes, dumping them unceremoniously on the floor, only pausing to grab the condoms from his pocket. He ripped open the condom, but that’s when he spotted her panties. “Those have to go,” he groaned, tossing the condom next to her on the bed as he tugged the panties down her long, pale legs.
But as soon as he looked at her again, he had to have another taste. A more intimate taste this time!
With strong hands, he pressed her legs wider. When he felt a bit of resistance, he looked up at her and smiled. “Relax, Charlotte.”
“Oz, you don’t…” she stopped, gasping when his finger slid along her inner thigh, stopping precariously close that juncture. She held her breath, looking up into his eyes as she waited. Her teeth bit down on her lower lip as she waited for…when he touched her, everything inside of her tightened. She wanted more of his touch and…a second later, he delivered on that. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on not exploding from just his touch right there, but the way he touched her, as if he were reading her mind and knew exactly how hard and how soft…she breathed hard, trying to slow down the waves. But he was just too good!
All it took was his finger sliding into her body and one gentle flick if his thumb against that nub and she splintered apart, her body throbbing so intensely that she grabbed his wrist, holding his hand in place as she arched her hips into his hand, her legs closing around his arm for extra insurance against him pulling away. Not that he was going anywhere, she vaguely realized as his magic fingers pressed and teased, flicked and circled, extending her orgasm to an impossible intensity.
When it was over, she gasped for breath, her body throbbing and tingling and she wasn’t aware of him rolling the condom down over his length. All she knew was that her body was sated.
Then he loomed over her, his hips pressing between her legs and she gasped, worried once again. “Oz?” she murmured, his big body pressing her down into the
mattress. He was a big man, tall and strong and powerfully built. She gripped his shoulders as he pressed into her heat.
There was no way she could take all of him, she thought. But good grief, it felt amazing when he pressed into her. Deeper and deeper, when she felt the pressure, he pulled back. But when he did that, it felt wrong and she lifted her hips, silently inviting him back. Oz was a good man and he accepted that invitation, pressing deeper this time. Deeper again! Lifting her knees, she shifted, wiggled against him, desperate to take him deeper into her body.
She felt the sweat break out on his shoulders and realized that he was holding back. For her? Yes! Because he was a sweet, wonderful, gentle man! Lifting up, she pulled his head down and kissed him. Deeply and passionately, giving him the permission he needed to press all the way into her body.
At that point, he stopped, looking down at her, his breathing heavy. “Are you okay?” he asked, his grip tight and she felt…amazing!
“Yes,” she replied, barely able to get the word out because…she needed… “Please, don’t stop,” she told him, her legs lifting, causing her hips to shift.
That was all the permission he needed! With slow movements at first, Oz shifted his hips, pressing his erection into her heat again and again. Charlotte was shocked at how good he felt. When he pulled out of her body, she whimpered, needing him to come back to her. It was crazy and wonderful, at the same time.
Again and again, he thrust into her and she met each demand with relish, holding onto him tightly as her body began tightening again with desperate need. Impossibly, she felt that climb to the beautiful pinnacle and…when it exploded over her, she tightened her arms around his neck and shivered.
Only a few moments later, Charlotte vaguely heard him roar as his own orgasm hit him and she wanted to laugh. Or cry. She wasn’t sure which.
Love & Secrets Page 8