Thinking back over the relationships he'd been in, his eyes moved to where Charlie sat. She was explaining the importance of physical therapy to the Quinns, but it wasn't her words that drew Jake's attention. Rather it was her tone. Though she was straightforward and blunt, her voice was compassionate. Her hazel eyes were warm and caring. There didn't seem to be anything fake or contrived about her. With Charlie what you saw was what you got. It was such a change from the women he normally found himself attracted to. And he suspected it was that very quality about her that had him wanting to get to know her better. Something he hoped would happen next weekend, if she agreed to accompany him.
He'd been mulling over the idea since last night. One minute inviting her seemed like a fabulous idea; the next it struck him as a disaster waiting to happen. Most of the time he wasn't so indecisive, he didn't know why he was this time. It wasn't like another guest would be a big deal. After all more than three hundred people were already expected. Still Jake straddled the fence tipping back and forth like a see-saw.
About an hour later he walked with Charlie out to the parking lot. Like they always did when he left, the Quinns had thanked him for everything and had extended an invitation for dinner at their house once Mr. Quinn left the hospital.
“I think you've got some new admirers.” Laughing Charlie reached for the SUV's door handle.
Darting his hand out before she could grip the handle, Jake pulled the door open for her with one hand while he wrapped his other around her forearm anchoring her next to him. If she really wanted to she could move, but the slight touch kept her beside the SUV.
“I can see myself being a bit like Mr. Quinn someday.”
The corners of Charlie's mouth curved upward. “You're going to be a hardware store owner with a broken hip when you grow up?” she asked with a gleam in her eye.
Jake tugged on her arm until she was standing close enough for him to see the flecks of green in her hazel eyes. Focusing on her lips he lowered his head toward her, stopping when they were mere inches apart. Finally, he could do what he'd wanted to do since they exited the hospital.
“I meant a stubborn old man who doesn't like sitting around on his ass.” He didn't give her a chance to comment. Instead he took her lips in a slow tender kiss, one that he intended to tease her with. They'd shared several passionate kisses, but he was always the aggressor. This time he wanted her to control things. Well at least as far as this kiss was concerned. He wanted to see how heated their kiss would be if he didn't keep kicking it up a notch.
Charlie didn't keep him waiting long. She ran her tongue along the seam of his lips enticing him to open for her. When he didn't comply she pressed her body against his, crushing her breasts against his chest and tugging on his bottom lip with her mouth.
Unable to help himself, Jake succumbed to her tactics. Like always she tasted like mint. Whether it was her toothpaste or some candy she favored, he didn't know. But he knew that he was never going to be able to taste mint again without thinking of Charlotte O'Brien.
Jake looped his arms around Charlie's waist and lost himself in their kiss. All thoughts of Mr. Quinn and their visit evaporated as did any thoughts of where they were. His first pull back to reality came in the form of a car's horn. It blared as it passed down the side street near the parking lot. A wolf whistle followed the offensive sound and caused Jake to pull back just in time to see a car pass by.
“I think that's our cue to leave.” He pulled back enough to look Charlie in the face and he felt Charlie's hands leave his shoulders.
“We seem to be making a habit out of this. Maybe we should find a better place next time,” she said before climbing into the passenger seat#p#分页标题#e#
I couldn't agree more. In that moment he made up his mind about asking her to accompany him that weekend.
Chapter 5
“You want me to what?” Charlie knew she sounded like an idiot, yet she couldn't help it. Maybe she needed to have her hearing checked. Jake couldn't have just asked what she thought he did.
Jake leaned his shoulder against the door frame near the stairs heading up to the attic, his arms crossed over his chest. Everyone at the bed and breakfast was gathered downstairs waiting to eat. Everyone except them. She'd gone upstairs to check her cell phone messages and when she came down Jake stood leaning against the wall waiting for her.
“Come with me to Newport this weekend. I'm the best man. It wouldn't be right for me to show up without a date.”
Okay, maybe she hadn't misunderstood. “Isn't that what the single bridesmaids are for?” Charlie walked down the last few steps stopping in front of him. Sure they'd shared some amazing kisses but going to his sister's wedding was out there. Especially this wedding. The media was calling it the wedding of the year.