The nature of his grip on her arms changed, thumbs stroking gently. “I suppose I am.”
She was fed up. “Well shit, Matthew. There’s moonlight and this is supposed to be romantic. Stop lecturing me and kiss me already.”
In an instant, Matthew’s lips vigorously silenced the mouth of the exasperated woman. Frustration poured into the desperate nature of the contact—hunger and anger blending with a lingering sense of unfulfilled need. In no time flat, he had her panting, her mouth opening to his tongue.
Charlie knocked off his hat, in her impatience to run her hands through his hair. When he pulled her closer, shamelessly pressing his arousal against her belly, she let out a suggestive moan.
“You best quiet that noise before one of the old women hears you,” Matthew panted against her lips, knowing his own groans had been just as passionate.
“Huh?” Dazed sapphire eyes were hazy with pleasure.
Drawing in a shaky breath, he willed his cock to lay down. Hugging her to him, he slowly stroked her back, Charlotte seemingly content to keep rubbing against him no matter who might be spying.
“Once I get myself together, I’ll be taking you back inside. You ain’t gonna be dancin’ with no other men tonight.”
She stiffened. “Don’t think you can boss me about like you do your kin.”
Her threat was like a bucket of cold water. An outright challenge—he could dance with her or she would dance with someone else.
Bending down to scoop up his hat, Matthew dusted it off against his thigh, and offered his arm. Back inside, under beams dripping with evergreen boughs and holly, he took her past the punch and red garlands. Just about to reach the dancing, James Thompson—a man who’d already spun her about three times, by Matthew’s count—walked right on up, sly as a fox. “Care to take another twirl around the floor, Miss Elliot?”
“She ain’t dancing with you, James,” Matthew growled, stepping between them. “And I suggest you back the fuck off from now on.”
Matthew used his much larger frame to force his rival off… sorely tempted to punch James Thompson square in the mouth. Instead, he gave his lady a twirl in time with the music.
Unsure when he’d last danced in public, Matthew went through the motions, too busy watching her face and the sway of her body to bother with all the curious stares. When the song ended and the party began to clap, Matthew found her panting, a silly grin on her face, and her eyes aglow only for him.
“That was quite a dance, Mr. Emerson,” Charlie praised over the din.
He nodded, resolute. “Again?”
Teasing, Charlie raised her chin. “If you dance with me twice in a row, people will talk.”
“So long as you want to dance, you dance with me.”
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Nathaniel squawked, pushing through the crowd. “Matthew dancing… never thought I would see the day.” A hand came out and pulled Charlie away. “I’m just gonna borrow Miss Charlie for the next jig. That way she can learn which Emerson is better.”
Aware his brother was goading him, Matthew grit his teeth and refused to make a scene. The song progressed, Matthew only looking away when the sound of his cousin came from his side. “You danced really nice with Miss Charlie… made her all starry eyed.”
“Shouldn’t you be selling jars?”
Eli shrugged. “Everything’s sold.”
“All right then,” he spoke around the cigar. “Pack it on up. I’m calling it a night.”
Obviously eager to be finished so he could dance with his sweetheart, Eli hopped to it, chattering proudly, “Sheriff Cormac nodded to me real polite like. Greeted me and everything. Can you believe that?”
Actually, Matthew couldn’t. He, just like the rest of the county, knew Monroe’s sheriff didn’t approve of Eli’s interest in his daughter.
Leaving his cousin, Matthew cut in on his brother and took back the golden girl for himself. Twice more they danced, and then she whispered she was ready to go home.
Home… His home. Her home.
Nathaniel saw no reason to stay behind, the three leaving the truck for Eli and taking Charlie’s car the distance to Devil’s Hollow.
* * *
“My belly is emptier than a steel drum.” Nathaniel groused, marching towards the refrigerator.