Love Beyond the Curve (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (10 page)

“Don’t do it on my account. I’m egotistical enough to think I’m so good you can’t
help
but lose it if
I’m
doing you.” His growling, confident voice made her feel even more aroused. His smoldering eyes locked with hers while she clenched her muscles around the fingers he was thrusting inside her.

“You and my Silver Bullet should meet.” She jabbed back at him, pressing her breasts together, creating a cleavage line he would love to slide himself into. He was so turned on by her body and sass that he ached.

“Maybe we should, but I know you won’t do this with that vibrator,” he snarled, clenching his jaw as he sat up and bore down harder on her swollen bud with his thumb as he quickened the rhythmic thrusting as well.

When he did this, Charlotte locked down on his hand as the waves of pleasure rushed over her, bathing her in shimmering ecstasy like never before. She made a long, moaning cry before looking down at him, latching onto his lips for a deep, hungry sucking of his tongue.

Reed broke the fiery kiss and buried his head between her breasts. He held her tightly against him with his good arm. “I want you, Charlotte. I’ve wanted you for months now. Let me show you how you make me feel.”

Charlotte didn’t answer him, but rather slid herself over the head of his immense shaft. She inched slowly down its length until their bodies met, sending a rush of pleasure over her. She sighed in relief at finally having the fantasy of this moment become a reality.

Chapter Eighteen

Charlotte began to slowly slide herself up and down his rock-hard erection as she contracted her muscles around him. The sensations she felt, as well as those she appeared to be creating for Reed, were exhilarating. She gradually began to ride him faster and faster, trying to satisfy the intense desire to claim that “just out of reach” prize of ecstasy.

She was vocalizing her frantic need for satisfaction with a throaty growl that had Reed’s complete attention. He was pumping himself into her as deeply as he could, so that their bodies were literally slamming into each other with enough force that water was pouring over the side of the whirlpool.

* * * *

Reed was holding her at her waist and watching her face as she was in the throes of passion. She was beautiful, and the sounds she was making were turning him on, as well as assuring him she was enjoying a pleasurable experience with him. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of male pride knowing he could do this for her. Her breasts were bouncing wildly as he held her, something else he had missed out on in the last few years. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been with a well-endowed woman. Most had been small, sometimes nearly flat-chested women. He actually wasn’t a man bent on having sex with just anyone. He had to be in a relationship with the woman, and those had been few and far between. Therefore, he hadn’t been with a lot of women. He slid a wet hand up her side and covered her breast with his hand, leaning forward to suck and swirl his tongue over the distended nipple. Charlotte grabbed his head with both hands and clenched her fists in his hair. He sensed her climax was nearing, so he concentrated on seeing her through to a memorable end to their encounter.

She opened her eyes and looked down at him as she began to tighten her muscles around him for all she was worth. “Let’s finish this together, Jackson.” She let her head roll back, savoring each sensation that washed over her. Then Reed pushed himself upward into her as deeply as he could. Charlotte slammed down with one final thrust of her own to meet him. She gripped his hips tightly between her knees as they climaxed together, each one clinging to the other as the shimmering aftereffects left them breathless.

Chapter Nineteen

“I think it’s safe to walk in there now without worrying that you’ll slip and break your neck. We sure made a mess.” Charlotte waltzed into the bedroom with an armful of wet towels, headed for the laundry room.

“Come over here, girl. I want to make a mess with you again. Do you have any idea how sexy you look walking back and forth wearing my shirt? Come over here, and I’ll show you.” Reed motioned for her to join him on the bed where he was propped up against a pile of pillows.

“Oh, really? I’m shocked it actually fit.” Charlotte laughed over her shoulder as she headed out the door.

“Don’t do that. You are beautiful. Don’t talk yourself down,” Reed spoke softly to her as she paused momentarily and looked back at him.

“Sorry, but it’s a reflex. I have to make fun of myself, before someone else does. I’m going to get this on to wash, and then I am going home. This was great, but it was a mistake. You’ll thank me tomorrow when you’ve slept on it.”

Charlotte walked on out, even though Reed called for her to come back. She wouldn’t let this go on another minute. She’d heard it all before. She was convenient. He needed to dump Candace. She was horribly selfish, but he wasn’t going to fill time with her until he found a suitable replacement. She had slipped, but she wouldn’t completely fall.

* * * *

Reed ran his hands through his dark, tousled hair and stared at the ceiling a few minutes, trying to think of what he could do to convince Charlotte he was truly interested in getting to know her.

I have screwed this up royally. There is no way she is going to think I want to get to know her when I’ve already “known” her in the Biblical sense. It seemed the natural thing to do at the time. I wanted her, so I begged. How romantic was that? I was no better than all the other bastards who tried that with her. She trusts no one. How can I show her I’m different? Whatever I do, I’m going to have to move slowly and prove myself to have no other hidden agenda. Guess I’ll have to sleep on it, but it will damn sure be hard to sleep with the memory of her in my arms all soft, yielding, and gorgeous.

* * * *

What was I thinking? I was thinking I want this man and may never get the opportunity again. How pathetic is that? Not to mention unprofessional. Even if he thought he was sincere, as a nurse, I know these things can happen, and I should have never let it get that far. I need to steer clear from that house for the next two weeks. He has a doctor and can do what everyone else does in his situation. The best he can. He did what any man would do if there were a single, pretty face right under their nose 24/7. I just shouldn’t have been a foregone conclusion. Oh! I could kick myself for being so predictable. I fell for all of his bullshit, right from the beginning. He was smooth. I’ll give him that much. Who in their right mind would refuse a ripped Adonis offering a ride on the freeway of lust? His body is right out of a muscle fitness magazine. All tanned and cut. Construction has been good to him more ways than just financially. At least this guy could actually lift me if he had to. Hell, I hope he never has to. How embarrassing would that be? Sitting in his lap is about all I think I can handle. Him, too.

Okay. It’s over. Focus on the job and what I have to do to get back into my own routine. Thank goodness we work opposite shifts. I can avoid him without any problem if I have to. I’ll check on him by phone. If I take him a meal, it will be “put it on the table and leave” style. As long as he doesn’t get close enough to smell and touch, I can do this. I’ll try very hard, for sure.

I’m acting like I think he might try to pursue me, but this all may be perfectly fine with him. There won’t be the awkward aftermath to deal with. I’ve made it easy for him. Well, at least I hope so.

Chapter Twenty

“Why are you here? I thought we were finished. I haven’t called you. I haven’t seen you. That usually means something to most people. And isn’t it a little late to be dropping by?” Reed opened the door to find Candace standing there assessing her manicure. He turned to walk away, heading for the den where he could sit down and elevate his leg. This could take a while.

“Why are you being so mean to me? I’ve thought about what you said and about how things ended between us. It wasn’t very graceful on my part. Can’t we talk about us and maybe starting over?”

“I think you made yourself clear. Crystal clear in fact, and I believe I left no doubt in your mind as to how I felt about things. So. Again, why exactly are you here?” Reed watched her wrap her arms around herself and take a seat on the sofa across from where he was seated.

How did I ever think for a moment she was remotely pretty? She is definitely not my type. How did I ever find her attractive? Well, I know better now.

“Can you forgive me? I didn’t realize what I had until I was gone. Give me another chance, Reed. I can change. I’ll be better than before.” She reached out and placed a slim hand on his thigh, pleading with him to start over.

Reed removed her hand and stood up.

She’s crazy if she thinks I’m going to put myself back in a position to have to be with her ever again.
He gripped her arm and pulled her up from the sofa and led her to the back door.

“Wait, Reed. You know we had some good times together. Really good times. Surely you can’t forget the way we were together.”

“Sweetheart, that has been the easiest part of
us
to forget, I assure you.” Reed walked her out to the porch, urging her to leave.

Suddenly, her arms were around his neck, and she was clinging to him like a lifeline, her mouth latching onto his in what he supposed was her last-ditch effort to persuade him to change his mind. When he broke the kiss, a movement beyond the porch caused him to look up. There stood Charlotte on the stairs, looking down at the couple still locked in an embrace.

“Damn it, Candace! Go home and don’t come back. We can be civil when we see each other with our families at the club, but there is no more
us
. I’ve moved on, and you should, too.” He turned to go back in the house, leaving Candace standing there fuming.

“I can guess who you’ve moved on with. Really, Reed. Do you think that is what your parents expect you to bring to the club when you are obligated to attend certain events each year? She doesn’t fit in. She’s beneath you. You’ll embarrass your family. I can tell you that right now.” Candace had opened the car door and was still standing there giving her opinion, trying to make sure he didn’t pursue the chunky tenant.

“Candace, she fits me, and that’s all that matters. And don’t assume my family is as shallow as you are. I believe my happiness is what they are more concerned about. Aren’t you gone yet?” Reed said his final words and was about to step into the house when her words stopped him.

“So, you’ve decided you want to be a ‘chubby chaser,’ have you? We’ll see how long that lasts when people start asking what you see in her, and stop inviting you to all their parties.” Candace sat down and buckled up, but still had her car door open.

“Candace, I’m not chasing anybody. But if I were, Charlotte would be the one I was after because she is unselfish, funny, beautiful, and sexy as hell to me. Now, good night and good-bye.” Reed went into the house and turned off the lights, locking up for the night.

Charlotte had seen Candace kissing him. He saw the look on her face, and how she had shaken her head as she walked back into her place. He felt sure she believed he had gone back to Candace. Things were going from bad to worse. He had some damage control to do, but he
would
figure out how to get through to Charlotte’s doubtful heart.

Chapter Twenty-One

That didn’t take long. I guess he didn’t have to do much to get that hateful girl back over there. Well, at least I won’t have to worry about him trying to make a move on me again. He came to his senses pretty quick about what type of woman he really prefers. Damn! I feel like such an idiot! I let his flowery words turn my head, when I knew better. He probably laughed his head off thinking about how easy it was to get the fat girl to have sex with him. He didn’t even have to work hard to do it. Just a few lies whispered in my ear. A few toe-curling kisses and I was ready.

Who was I kidding? He is movie-star gorgeous, and look at me. I’m beautiful, and I even feel sexy, but he’s not going to choose anything but movie-star gorgeous to go out with. I was in that house and available. Oh, how available I was! I had no pride at all when it came to falling for his lines. I wish I could push the rewind button and do that over. I never would have let it go beyond that first kiss. I could have stopped it before it started. Should have stopped it before it started. Well, it’s done now. I won’t keep kicking myself, but I won’t be an easy mark again, either.

Charlotte turned over in her warm, comfy bed and was soon sleeping soundly, having made her mind up to settle once again for the usual “we’re just friends” relationship with Reed.

* * * *

The week was a hectic one for Charlotte. She ended up working some double shifts to cover for a coworker that needed to be off unexpectedly. Once again, as a single, childless worker, Charlotte insisted on covering the shift. Secretly, it helped her to have a real reason to avoid Reed for a while. She had made a few calls to check on him and be sure he knew why she was not coming around.

He seemed fine when they spoke on the phone. Neither of them made a reference to their act of intimacy, and it seemed easier that way.