I was dying to push, but smiled back and let her have her way. Our conversation left me with more questions than answers.
Chapter Nine
Luke
If I didn't know any better, I would say that Charlotte Freemont was really starting to like Shady Grove. The moment she came bouncing through the door of the bar with my sister, her face lit up when she saw the crowd. It was Thursday night and the Drunk Skunk was packed-packed with wandering eyes that followed Charlotte's every move as she walked my way.
I got it, though. She was gorgeous and had an aura of mystery surrounding her that drew the attention of every hot-blooded man in the room. I hated every one of those motherfuckers looking at her.
Eyes off my girl.
My girl? There was a thought I didn't have every day. Last time I'd wanted a girl to be mine, I'd ended up getting my heart torn to shreds. I needed to be careful when it came to Charlotte. I barely knew her, but somehow my subconscious was staking claim. And I'd had just enough to drink to roll with it.
"Evening, duchess," I said, sliding an arm around her waist when she was close enough. A subtle vibration jolted through her as our bodies pressed against each other. She melded against me like it was right where she belonged.
"Hello there." She looked up at me, her big blue eyes crystal clear and sparkling with excitement. "How was your day?"
"Better now. Yours?"
"Same," she said, biting at her bottom lip.
The crowd around us seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us. It had been a few days since our last kiss, and I hadn't been able to stop thinking about it. The way she'd tasted. The soft moans she let out. The way her body reacted under my touch. Even when we were talking business, the thoughts of ravaging her were always there.
Tonight was the night it was going to happen, come hell or high water.
"You look good enough to eat," I said, loving the way her hair was loosely curled and her makeup was just enough to accentuate every beautiful feature of her face. The upper curves of her fantastically perfect tits were peeking out from her V-neck shirt. Taking a bite of her was going to be fun. I wet my lips as I ran a hand over her waist.
"I thought you two hated each other," Duke said with a grin, drawing our attention.
"Things change." I glared at him, needing my brother's comments like I needed a hole in the head.
"Yeah, I think I kind of like him now." Charlotte rested her head against my chest and gave Duke a shrug.
"Give it a few days. It'll wear off," Duke told her, earning a slap on the shoulder from me.
"Thanks, buddy." I turned my attention back to Charlotte. "You want to eat? Dance? Have a drink?" I ran through the list of options for the night, hoping the lust-filled look in her eyes meant she was thinking the same thing I was, which was none of the above.
"Maybe you two need to just get a room," Molly suggested, breaking the trance that linked the two of us.
"I tried." Charlotte chuckled. "Your brother is too much of a gentleman."
"I don't have to be," I whispered in her ear with a growl.
Her body tensed, and I could practically hear the excited thump of her heart. We'd tiptoed around this sexual tension for long enough. Just because I'd ended our first night by not jumping into bed with her didn't mean I was going to do the same thing now. My cock had been begging for days, and I was ready to do something about it.
"Want to get out of here?" I asked.
She gave me a subtle nod and a smile as I laced my fingers through hers. The feel of her petite hand in mine was a natural fit, which added fuel to the fire already building inside me.
"As much fun as this place is, we've got to go," I told Duke and Molly.
"Have fun, you two," Duke shouted over the music as I led Charlotte through the crowd toward the exit.
As soon as we were outside, I pulled her into my arms and gave her the proper greeting that she deserved. My lips found hers in an instant. My tongue greedily slipped into her mouth as I held her close. Once I knew I'd left her breathless, I resumed the hand-holding and led her to my truck.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked with a laugh as I opened the passenger door for her.
"Decided I was done wasting time, duchess," I replied with a smirk. "Too much? Too fast?"
"No, I like it." She pressed her body against mine as she lifted one foot onto the running board and stood on the tiptoes of the other. "A man who knows what he wants is always sexy," she added as she pressed her lips softly against my cheek.