Love Beyond the Curve (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (14 page)

“Remember when you were at the same club where my friends and I were and I cut in to dance with you to help you escape from that groper you were dancing with?” Reed chuckled at the memory of how Charlotte had kept removing the guy’s hand from her bottom, only to have him slide it back down all over again.

Charlotte realized what he was talking about immediately. “That’s right. You did rescue me that night. He wasn’t taking the hint!”

“I can’t say that I blame the guy. You do have a very sexy bottom.” Reed placed the hand he was holding on his shoulder and pulled her closer to him. His eyebrow was arched as if he were throwing down a challenge to see what she would say to that.

Charlotte nervously played with the hair at his collar and felt her face warm at his forward statement. She fought to not make a negative comment, mindful of his conversation just moments before. Instead she rolled her eyes and stepped even closer to him so that they were dancing inches from one another.

The piano player began to sing “The Way You Look Tonight”
in true Frank Sinatra style. Reed slid a broad hand slowly up her spine to rest in her hair at the base of her neck. Tiny fireworks were going off inside her as he gently rubbed his fingers in a hypnotic, massaging motion. He lifted his head back to gaze into her clear blue eyes. There was a slight hint of a smile on his face, and Charlotte wondered what he was thinking, so she asked him.

“What’s going on in that head of yours right now?” She slid her hand down to rest in the center of his chest.

Reed covered her hand and cocked his head to one side and softly replied, “Oh, I’m thinking about how much I’d like to kiss you right now. You have perfectly shaped lips that look like they were made to be kissed and kissed often.”

“Okay.” Charlotte was at a loss for words.

“You asked. I gave you an honest answer.” Reed locked eyes with her and then inched slowly toward her mouth. Her lips were slightly parted, and Reed covered them with his own kissable lips. He kissed her gently but firmly as he rested his hand on the curve of her lower back. It felt wonderful. Even better than the first time he ever kissed her. The mustache felt a bit scratchy, but it was a pleasant sensation. She felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her body and wondered if he felt it, too.

When he raised his head, he leaned down and whispered seductively in her ear, causing her to catch her breath. “That’s only the beginning, Charlotte. I plan on kissing you a lot more before I take you home.”

Charlotte responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back and then simply saying, “I’m counting on that, Reed.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“This has been a great evening. I have really enjoyed spending the time with you. The dancing was the best part.” Charlotte looked over at him and smiled, thinking of the soft kisses he had given her while they danced to the soft, relaxing piano tunes.

“Yes, it was the best part. I’d say it made for a romantic evening. Better than if I had taken you to Zeke’s to drink beer and shoot pool with the guys.” Reed chuckled at the thought of how different the atmosphere would have been. He probably wouldn’t have gotten those kisses if he had made that choice for the evening.

“What do you mean?” Charlotte glanced over at him as he concentrated on the road.

“Logan thought I should bring you there because that is where they were all gathering tonight to celebrate the completion of a big building project. I thanked him but said I would pass. I wanted to focus only on you tonight. I definitely made the right choice. You look wonderful.” Reed reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed her palm and continued to hold it, resting it on his thigh as he drove along the highway.

“Thank you. So do you. Reed? What do you think about at least dropping by Zeke’s just to say hello and drink a beer with everybody?”

Reed looked surprised at her suggestion. “Are you serious? This night is supposed to be about us, not a group date.”

“We’ve had the ‘us’ part. I think it would mean a lot to them if you popped in for a little while. It would be good to let them see how much you appreciate their hard work. Doing things like that usually makes people want to keep working hard when they get the recognition they deserve. A few minutes can guarantee hours of loyalty. I don’t mind.”

“You are amazing. You get it. I feel the same way, but most women on a date, especially a first date, would be furious at the thought of it. Much less suggest it.” Reed squeezed her hand and tried to keep his eyes on the road.

“Well, I am not ‘most women.’” Charlotte said it quietly, almost under her breath.

“Thank God for that. I’m liking ‘this woman’ more and more. If you are sure, we’ll drop by and see if they are still there. If they are, we’ll only stay a few minutes.”

“Reed, we can stay as long as you want to stay. I’m used to being one of the guys. This is easy for me.” Charlotte laughed and looked out the passenger window.

Reed came to a stop at a traffic light and reached over to turn her face to his. “You are definitely not one of the guys. You are all woman, and when these guys see you in that dress, they are going to wonder why I’m there with them instead of off in some secluded place making out with you.”

“Hmmm…maybe I don’t want to stop by after all. That sounds pretty good to me. Maybe we’ll stay a very few minutes, then move this night along.” Charlotte arched a brow suggestively as Reed leaned over the console.

“I like the way you think, Ms. Hamilton.” He closed the gap and kissed her moist lips. He deepened the kiss as she put her hand to his bearded cheek. A horn blowing behind them interrupted the kiss and the mood. Reed sighed as he returned his attention to the road, but continued to hold Charlotte’s hand possessively. It was becoming more and more clear that he did not want to let this woman get away from him.

* * * *

Zeke’s was noisy with the sound of the band, customers, and the clinking of glasses. The clacking of pool balls rang out as a group played at two tables situated in an alcove at the back of the room. The smell of the grill filled the air with a hunger-inducing aroma. People were dancing on the small dance floor, and crowded around tables laughing and conversing.

Reed gripped Charlotte’s hand as they threaded their way through the crowd, looking for his friends. He heard them before he spotted them bunched together in a corner of the establishment.

“Hey, guys. Look who made it! Come on over.” Logan’s voice boomed over the crowd as he motioned for them to join their party.

“You don’t think I’d let this night go by without stopping by to thank you all for busting your asses to finish the Gatewood development ahead of schedule, do you?” Reed congratulated the group of robust men and their significant others as he held his arm around Charlotte’s waist, clearly in a “more than just friends” manner. A loud cheer and raised glasses went up from the rowdy group at the words of praise from their leader.

“You can expect the rest of the list to be cleared as well, before Santa makes his stop over Memphis. Right, guys?” Logan looked around the table at the group of dedicated, loyal men of his crew.

“Hell, yeah!” Their voices rang out in chorus as they drank a toast to their renewed determination to accomplish their goal.

“Hi, there. I’m Logan Landry. You’re the girl that beat this guy at his own game. You’re a hell of a poker player.” Logan shook her hand and greeted her warmly.

“I was just lucky that night. Charlotte Hamilton.” Charlotte grinned as she looked up at Reed rolling his eyes.

“She forgot to mention she was a champion poker player in college. I never would have invited her if I had known that bit of information beforehand.” Reed took the mug of ice-cold beer a friend was handing him and passed it on to Charlotte. She took it and drank a swallow and continued to talk to Logan.

She looks perfectly at ease in this place. Candace would have looked at me like I was crazy if I handed her a glass of beer to drink. She is an amazing woman. And so beautiful. That dress is stunning. I can’t wait to run my hands over those curves. She’s going to feel so good in my arms.

Reed watched with pride as Charlotte continued to talk with Logan about the work they were hoping to complete by Christmas. The band began to sing “More Than Words,” and Reed felt he must take her out on the floor for a dance. It was just the right song for holding her close and looking into her bright, blue eyes.

“Sorry, man, but I want to dance, so you’ll have to finish this conversation later.”

Reed reached out for Charlotte but cracked up when Logan unexpectedly said, “Well, okay. Charlotte, please excuse us while we dance.”

Charlotte tossed back her head and laughed her throaty laugh that always made Reed feel tingly all over. Her long hair hung down her back in loose, wavy curls that beckoned to him to bury his face and hands in it. He felt the throb in his loins begin and stepped behind Charlotte and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“You’ll have to find your own dance partner. My card is filled for the night. May I have this dance, Charlotte?”

Charlotte felt the heat of his breath at her ear, which sent ripples of heat over her body. When she turned her head to answer him, her temple grazed his lips, causing her heart to skip a beat.

“I’d love to dance. Logan, will you excuse us?” Charlotte politely nodded as Reed took her hand and led her onto the floor.

Reed encircled her waist, pulling her to his chest. Her breasts pressed against him, arousing him with each step they took to the soft music. With her heels, her head came to his shoulders, bringing their faces near. Their gazes were locked as they moved in silence, letting their bodies speak for them. Reed eased his strong hand up her back and sunk his fingers into the thickness of her silky hair. He then moved it along the curve of her waist and on to her rounded hip. The urge to explore her body was strong, and he fought to maintain his control. As the song came to an end, Reed slowly lowered his head to kiss her lips in a tender, gentle kiss. When he lifted his head, he didn’t say a word, nor did Charlotte. They stood where they had stopped dancing, still in each other’s arms, quietly savoring the moment. Without speaking, Reed took her hand and led her off the floor and back to join the others.

When they reached the table, Charlotte picked up her clutch and turned to speak to Reed. “I’m going to go to the powder room for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be right here. Hurry back.” He winked at her as she smiled her brilliant smile and walked away. He sat there and watched her gracefully walk away, hips swaying seductively. He was hooked.

* * * *

Charlotte had walked into a stall when she heard two women enter the restroom talking about an unlikely couple out on the dance floor. Her face burned when she realized she and Reed were the topic of their conversation.

“He is gorgeous. Every woman in the place has been watching him since he walked into the place. He is so tall. He must be six five at least.”

“And he is built like a Greek god. You can bet he is cut underneath those clothes. Wouldn’t you love to see that?”

“What I’d love to know is how
she
got a man like that. She’s pretty, but did you see those hips?”

“I know it. She’s got a belly on her, too. There’s no way he can go for that when they’re in bed.”

“He looked like he was crazy about her. Did you see how he stared at her? He seemed to be really into her.”

“She may be his wife and has had a kid or two. You know it’s hard to shed those baby pounds. He must love her in spite of her weight.”

“He may love her, but you can be sure a good-looking man like that has someone thin and gorgeous on the side to satisfy him sexually.”

“Girl, men have lovers on the side even when they have fine girlfriends. You
know
he has somebody else, and she’s one lucky woman.”

“Don’t you know it.”

Charlotte heard them dry their hands then head out the door. She leaned against the door and closed her eyes, trying to sort out the thoughts crashing around inside her head at the moment.

Who am I kidding? They’re right. This can never be more than an experiment on his part. He’ll decide he wants the model-thin girl again. But until then…

Charlotte opened the door and peeked out to see if the coast was clear. When she saw no one else was in the restroom, she walked on out and freshened her lipstick at the mirror. She stepped back and sucked in her stomach, squared her shoulders, and walked back out to find Reed.

* * * *

“Would you like a cup of coffee?” Charlotte had unlocked the door to her apartment and walked in to turn on a lamp in the living area.

The soft yellow glow from the lamplight made her look even more beautiful, and Reed couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her thoroughly like he had wanted to do since she had opened the door to him earlier that evening. He took her in his arms and pulled her against the length of his body. Her lips had parted in surprise when he had yanked her against him. Reed used this to his advantage, crushing her mouth, letting his tongue slip past her luscious lips to explore the warmth inside.