Charlie’s eyes narrowed and for a brief second, I thought he wasn’t going to, but then everything changed. He pushed me up against the wall, pinning my body with his and all I could do was give in to his demanding touch, hungry for me just as I was hungry for him. He held both of my wrists over my head as my heart thundered in my chest and my breath caught. He kissed my forehead, eyelids, cheeks, each a feather light touch that promised so much more. Then his tongue trailed down my neck to the hollow of my shoulder, kissing and nipping the sensitive skin there until I quivered in his arms. His name left my lips on a whisper and my back arched, pressing my breasts against his chest. I wanted to be anywhere else than in the fencing room with windows lining the walls, but when his hands slid up my sides, I forgot all about them and let us have this moment.
Charlie’s lips slanted over mine and I sighed at the heat pouring from his body into mine. It scorched across my skin like the damn sun and I yanked my hands free so I could drag him closer. His kiss deepened as his tongue explored the depths of my mouth, drawing a moan from my throat. I couldn’t get enough of him fast enough and when he pressed his hips against mine again; I felt his arousal clear as day and it set me off even hotter. Everything about this man was so damn inviting now and I kicked myself for waiting so long for us to share a kiss, share a touch that had me begging for more. He stole my breath as he took my mouth in a hungry, greedy, and demanding kiss that never ended. A kiss that promised so much more.
And the intensity of that kiss blew me away. I’d dated plenty of men over the years, but none of them could ever compare to what Charlie did to me in that room.
Nobody had ever kissed me like that, leaving me breathless and dizzy for more. It felt as the entire room had disappeared. I’d never been swept off my feet just like that and all that kissing made me realize what I’d missed all those years. Why hadn’t I just kissed him like that back then? Maybe then I’d have been happy instead of wondering when my life would start. Maybe we’d already be married and there wouldn’t be any strings attached.
Charlie lifted me off my feet and I wrapped my legs around his waist, drawing him against me. I wanted him so fucking much.
Damn it! He was not somebody to mess around with. I’d watched him trample on other women’s feelings who I assumed had been kissed this exact same way. No way could any woman ever forget a kiss like that. There was too much promise in it for what would come next, but I worried about the heartache later. I worried about him breaking his word even if he swore to me he’d changed.
I knew Charlie and that was the worst part. I knew what could ha
ppen and I hated him for it as much as I wanted him. The man kissed with everything he had, that much was sure. I kissed him passionately back, tugging on his ponytail and demanding he give me everything he had, but we were not in a safe place to get it on and sadly the kiss had to end.
He drew back panting, meeting my gaze. “You can’t fight against what we have,” he said. “I think we both know that.”
“It was just a kiss,” I said, gasping for air as I slid down his body, trembling with every inch of me that pressed against him. He was trouble. I knew this wouldn’t end well and, yet, there I was thinking of the possibilities of what could be.
“This is just the beginning,” he promised and kissed the back of my hand sweetly.
“Beginning of what?”
“A beautiful love affair, of course.”
HE DROVE ME HOME IN a daze and kissed me on the cheek before I got out of the car. He knew the effect he had on me. I could tell by the way he smiled at me. I cursed all the way back to my front door, realizing I’d just fallen right into Charlie’s trap and there might be no way to get out of it.
Chapter 8
The next morning, I was working with Max on his rehabilitation exercises when my phone rang.
“Hi, Jaime,” said my boss at the temp agency. “I’m calling to let you know Barbara Tamers is healing nicely from her surgery, so she expects to return to work early. You don’t need to come in today.”
Shocked overwhelmed me as I processed the news. “But that’s such short notice,” I managed to say, staring at all my four legged children and wondering what the hell I was going to do now.
“It’s temp work, Jaime. You know we can’t control what employers do. They want Barbara back. She’s been working there for ten years, so I can’t say I blame them.”
“But I’m a great worker,” I argued and tried not to let desperation seep into my voice.
“I know you are, and they’ve been happy with you, but...well, you know the drill. Anyway, we’ll find you another job. In about three weeks, there will be an opening at a shelter in Perry. You mentioned how much you love animals, so I think it’d be a good fit for you. Not a great hourly pay, but decent for the position.”
“Three weeks!? I’m already two months behind in rent, and I got a shut-off notice from the electric company,” I wailed. “I need to work now. I’ll do anything. I’ll clean toilets or flip burgers or—” The cell resting between my ear and shoulder, I twisted my hands, praying she’d come up with something.
“I’ll keep it in mind, and you know you’re first on our list for any openings. I’m so sorry they pulled you off this job, but they’re very loyal to their own.”
I sighed and sank down on the couch. “I understand. Thank you for keeping me in mind for future jobs.”
“Absolutely. Like I said, you’re at the top of my list, especially after that glowing recommendation they gave you. Those people love you, dear.”
“Thanks.” Wish they’d loved me more to actually offer me a full time job!
“Okay. I’ll be in touch soon.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
The second I hung up, I heard a knock at my door. The dogs went crazy and started barking loudly, so I hurried over to gaze through the eyehole in the door. “Crap!” I muttered when I saw my landlord standing there. “Could this day possibly get any worse?”
With a whine, Max looked up at me, as if he understood my agony.