Sexy Stranger(14)

"Good," she said with a huge grin. "You've got a deal."





Chapter Six


Charlotte

Two hours later, Luke and I stood in the parking lot of the bar. I leaned against the side of his big black truck as I watched him, my lips turned up in a smile.

"Turns out you're not so bad," he said, his mouth twitching as he watched me.

"That so?" I placed a hand on my hip.

Leaning closer, he tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear and shrugged. "When you're not running your mouth, you can be downright tolerable."

When his full lips blossomed into a wide smile, something inside me zinged. Laughing, I shook my head.

We'd spent the evening talking, eating pizza, and sipping on whiskey. I felt relaxed and loose. All my worries had taken a back seat to this gorgeous man with his cocky personality and mega-white smile.

Luke couldn't seem to stop touching me-his hand at my lower back as he led me from the bar, the way he rose to his feet and helped me from my bar stool when I needed to use the restroom, and now, his fingertips grazing my bare arms and then touching my hair. His attention was dizzying, because I wasn't used to forward men.

Well, that wasn't true. I was used to men who were forward with their self-accolades. Bragging about how much money they'd made in the stock market, about their Fifth Avenue address or their job title. Those were things I was used to.

Luke was the complete opposite. I wasn't used to a man who had nothing to offer but himself and yet gave it so freely-letting his interest be known, to hell with the consequences. Because the two of us? We made absolutely no sense. I would be leaving soon, and I had a feeling he would live out his life here and die in the same place he'd been born. 

We couldn't be more different, but our bodies didn't care. The chemistry zipping between us fueled an attraction that grew with every barb we lobbed at each other. He was fun and challenging in a way that was entirely new.

"When you feed me whiskey all night, what did you expect? I tend to lose my filter," I said, lifting my chin.

"I did feed you more than whiskey. I wasn't a complete asshole tonight."

I nodded, remembering the pizza we'd shared. "For once."

His mouth twitched again. "I kinda like you when you're full of whiskey, duchess."

That damn nickname again.

He winked at me, and I almost melted into a puddle right there in the dusty gravel parking lot. For the longest time, we stayed like that-our eyes locked together, our hips lined up, his hand at my waist . . .

Are you gonna kiss me, or what?

I didn't have to wonder any longer. Luke's gaze darkened and he lowered his head toward mine. I lifted onto my toes, needing to close the distance between us fast. He took my mouth with a soft kiss and I immediately responded, parting my lips. His tongue moved against mine in deep, drugging kisses that made my toes curl in my sneakers.

Damn, the man could kiss.

Turned out his truck wasn't his only big possession. To my whiskey-soaked brain, it felt like a massive steel rod was tucked inside his jeans. Jesus, he was hung.

Come to Mama.

An older man headed to his car whistled at us. "Looks like somebody's gettin' lucky tonight."

Luke cursed under his breath and grabbed my hand. "People in this town are fuckin' nosy. Come on."

Inside the cab of his truck, the scent of oil, leather, and whiskey created a warm, cozy atmosphere.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"I'm driving you back to the inn."

Disappointment flashed through me. Damn. So, we weren't going back to his place for wild sex.

"How do you know that's where I'm staying?"

His answer was a smirk on those gorgeous full lips. "God, you're cute when you're sassy. It's the only hotel in town."

When we pulled to a stop in the parking lot of the little Victorian house that had been converted to a bed and breakfast, Luke shifted the truck into park and cut the engine.

"You want to come inside?" My voice trembled only slightly, but my heart was jack-hammering against my ribs.

"Better not." His voice was rough, and I sensed his restraint was hanging by a thread, just like mine. "People in this town talk." He reached over and placed his hand on my knee, giving it a squeeze. "Plus, I'm not gonna lie. I'm attracted to you, duchess, and I might not behave like a gentleman if I come inside."

"Maybe I'm done with guys who pretend to be perfect gentlemen."

He released a growl of frustration and leaned in closer, placing a soft kiss on my jaw. He could be such a stubborn, rough-around-the edges prick, and then other times, he could be so sweet and tender.

"I almost hate to admit this," I said, "but I had fun with you tonight."

"Me too," he murmured with his lips inches from mine.