Chapter Ten

No other man had ever made her want to give him everything she had, not just her body. The idea of how involved she was with Grant sent a shiver of fear up her spine.

Tossing her head back, she pushed the weird thoughts aside. There wasn’t any difference between tonight with Grant and any other night with any other man. Although she’d rarely indulged in one-night stands with almost strangers, he was no stranger and whatever happened tonight, it definitely wouldn’t be a one-time thing. She was willing to ride this passion out as long as it wanted to go until they both moved on. Besides, there was nothing wrong with what they both wanted. They were two unattached, consenting adults with the hots for each other. It wasn’t the time to stop and think, it was time to just go with it.

Moving out of his arms, she tossed him a sexy smile and reached behind her to unhook the thin chain from around her waist. The blouse hung loose like a curtain in front of her, only held up by the halter neckline.

Grant’s eyes smoldered with desire and he lifted his hands to pull her back to his arms.

She slipped past him. “Be right back.”

In the master bathroom, she closed the door and glanced down at herself with a grimace. Leather pants may look fantastic on, but removing them was not a pretty sight. Undressing in private also gave her time to get her emotions under control. The last thing she wanted was for him to have the upper hand their first night together.

She pressed her hands to her overheated cheeks and closed her eyes. What was wrong with her tonight? What was it about this man that affected her so powerfully? She’d never felt this insecure before making love with someone new before. It was the most exciting time, the first time. After that, no matter how hot the sex might be, it could never compete with that first time. She shuddered thinking about what it had to be like to make love to the same man for the next fifty years. No wonder it had never appealed to her.

What if Grant wasn’t good? She frowned. Where had that thought come from? The sparks between them were strong and powerful and she’d never doubted whether the sex would be good before. Was it because this time around she’d chased him? Now that he’d succumbed to her charms, was she ready for the games to stop?

She defiantly pushed down the tight pants and shoved them into a corner of the bathroom. Unhooking the top of the gold blouse, she added it to the pile and stood naked in the middle of the bathroom. A glance around revealed no bathrobe of any kind. One of his denim work shirts hung on the hook on the back of the door. She shrugged it on. It didn’t cover much, but at least she wasn’t walking out there completely naked. A woman wearing a man’s shirt that skimmed her thighs was sexy and she took full advantage, buttoning only a few of the buttons.

She glanced in the mirror and lifted her chin. One thing for sure, Grant Clark would never forget tonight. She hadn’t got the nickname, “Good Time Charli,” simply because she liked a few drinks at the bar.

The bedroom was illuminated by a small nightlight plugged into the wall. The drapes had been closed and created a much cozier, intimate feel. Grant was in bed, his back against the headboard. Charli’s gaze took in his broad chest, the type a girl liked to snuggle up against. The dusting of dark hair was the right amount and dipped teasingly into the edge of the sheet that covered him to his waist. Did he have his boxers on under that sheet or was he already waiting, ready and willing to do whatever she wanted?

An almost uncontrollable urge to run back into the bathroom and lock the door coursed through her. She’d talked some big talk the past few weeks and now the moment of truth was here. Was she ready? Would he be satisfied?

Insecurity was a new companion and one she didn’t like. Was this how other women felt?

Sliding her arm up the doorway, she tipped her head and gave him her best sultry pose. “You’re pretty sure you’re going to get lucky tonight aren’t you, Doc?”

Grant tossed the covers aside and she caught her breath at the magnificent sight of him naked. He climbed back off the bed and moved towards her. His thigh muscles rippled with strength when he walked, as if he were a body builder or a real cowboy. His narrow waist and hips and, well, other pretty impressive attributes simply all added up to one hot Doc. The expectant look of desire he gave her sent a tremor through her body “When a woman comes out of my bathroom wearing nothing but my shirt, well, I’m not the smartest guy in the world, but even I can catch a clue.”

He stopped just in front of her. Her gaze lifted as his hand touched her face so tenderly she thought she’d cry. Charli struggled for composure, and for the need to be in control of this.

“However, even now, I am nothing if not a man of honor. If you’ve changed your mind…”

Was he hoping she had? She shook her head. “No way, Doc. I got you right where I’ve wanted you for weeks.” She placed her hands on his chest and gently backed him up until he was once again at the side of the bed.

He sat down and swept a hand up under the edge of the denim shirt to caress her bare bottom. His hands were soft, but not too soft on her skin. Work roughened, but not calloused. She sighed as his fingers traced her butt cheek and squeezed lightly. Charli sifted her hands into his thick hair and looked into his eyes. Within seconds, Grant had unbuttoned the few buttons of the denim shirt and parted the front to place a kiss in between her breasts. Charli closed her eyes as his lips kissed a delicious trail to the aching peak. She moaned with delight when he captured one nipple between his lips and suckled.

His hand squeezed her rear end and then slid between her thighs to touch her intimately. Charli let her head fall back as he touched her, his mouth pulling on her breast and causing a delicious aching pull between her thighs. “Mmmm, Doc,” she whispered.

His head lifted. A dark powerful gaze spoke to everything she felt inside. He wanted her.

Grant reached up and pushed the shirt from her shoulders. “Come to bed with me,” he invited, grabbing her hand and bringing it to his mouth. He dropped a kiss in her palm and then nibbled her fingers before kissing the inside of her wrist.

Charli couldn’t do anything but nod.

No sooner was she on the bed, her head propped on a deep fluffy pillow, when he moved over her. He kissed her mouth softly, teasing her lips with his and drawing her bottom lip into his mouth to nibble. Charli kissed him back, enjoying the unhurried sexy kisses and knowing they had all night to explore each other. As much as she wanted to ride the waves, she wanted this incredibly romantic lovemaking even more.

Though tender and gentle, Grant’s hands were firm and he knew how to touch a woman. Her thighs parted and one of those large hands settled between to tease and stroke. She gasped and arched her hips as he found her center and rubbed in such a way that made her insides react and tremble.

“You are so beautiful.” His words were softly spoken against her skin as he lowered his head to her breast once more. “Absolute perfection, truly amazing.”

Charli smiled. “That’s awfully mushy talk for you, Doc.”

He didn’t comment. His fingers traced a pattern along her skin and he lifted his head. “I take it you like sunbathing nude. No tan lines.”

“Nothing in the world feels as good as the hot sun on your skin while you’re making love,” she whispered.

“Are you sure there’s nothing that feels better?” He blew warm breath on her nipple and lathed her with his tongue.

“Well, almost nothing.” She sighed as his tongue drew circles around the aching point. Threading her fingers into his hair, she pressed his head towards her, wanting him to devour her, wanting him to take her in his mouth and draw hard. She bent one leg and shifted restlessly under him.

Finally he took the throbbing peak fully into his mouth and suckled. The fierce pull echoed to the center of her pleasure and she groaned her appreciation.

Waves of heat roared through her as he latched onto first one breast and then other. Tasting, sucking, biting gently, he drove her to the peak of insanity. A string between her nipple and the knot of nerves between her legs tightened.

Charli arched towards him, wiggling beneath his hands. Parting her moist petals, he slid one finger inside her and she gasped.

He lifted his head to stare into her eyes. “You have been haunting my dreams and the center of all my fantasies for the past two weeks. I’ve wanted this—wanted to taste you, to smell you, but mostly I wanted to feel you under me just like this.”

She licked her suddenly dry lips. “It’s not as if I didn’t ask.”

“I didn’t want you to think I was easy,” he joked.

He smiled and lowered his mouth to hers once more. This time his kiss was hungry and demanding, and she answered in kind, hot needy kiss for kiss. Her hands reached out to touch his erection and he growled with a harsh breath.

Grant returned to her neck, nibbled at her ear lobe. She arched her body closer to his talented mouth. He pulled a response from her that soon had them both gasping and pressing close together.

When he captured her gaze, again something shifted inside her. This wasn’t just sex. This was different, Grant was reaching her on a different level and it made what they were sharing so much more intense. Although she wasn’t so far gone that she was thinking of forever and ever, she wanted—needed—to be sure that he would never forget her.

She wanted to imprint herself on him, not be just another woman underneath him in the dark. Someday another woman would be his wife and share his name, but the woman he would never forget would be Charli. She’d be the reason he smiled in his old age as he remembered this night. She was going to fulfill every fantasy he ever had—and a few he never knew about.

Abruptly, she sat up. He frowned. A look of wariness entered his eyes and she could only imagine he was afraid she was backing out now. She smiled and pressed him back to the mattress.

Charli draped her leg over the top of his thighs and straddled him. Placing her palms flat on his chest, she teased the dark blonde hair that curled there. “You’ve spent so much time admiring my body, I think turnaround is fair play, don’t you?”

His hands encircled her waist as she bent over him, dragging her breasts across his skin. She slid her way down his body, leaving a trail of open mouthed kisses across his chest and over his stomach. Underneath her touch, she felt him tremble and knew she affected him. Still moving slowly, she made her way to his inner thighs, ignoring his impressive erection. Grant moaned in response and she smiled against his skin as she kissed his inner thighs, her tongue lapping at his skin. Drawing his sensitive flesh into her mouth, she left her mark on him.

Grant jerked. His hands seemed unsteady as they shoved into her hair. He spread the strands around her shoulders like a curtain. The silkiness caressed her skin as she continued to kiss him. When she finally took his pulsing hardness in her hand, he tossed his head back and closed his eyes. She rubbed her thumb across the moist peak and fondled his shaft, toying with it in her fingers.

Grant gasped and reached for her, but she shifted out of his grasp. This show was all hers and she wasn’t about to get distracted by his arousing touch. Lightly, she scraped her teeth over the pulsating peak then closed her mouth around the throbbing crown. His hands touched her hair, threading through, but not pushing her away. She put to use everything she knew about men and invented some things she didn’t until she was convinced he’d been tortured to the brink. Then she removed her mouth and brushed the tip of her breasts over his erection, rubbing her nipples on him and cradling him in her cleavage.

She climbed up his body, teasing her way up his stomach, to his chest, tasting each of his nipples as she moved.

“Charli…” Her name was a plea he whispered harshly.

She rose directly above him, lowering herself just enough to tease the tip of him with her wetness.

She gasped as Grant suddenly flipped her off him and onto the bed. His hands found her wet, moist center. He shoved two fingers inside and his thumb massaged the aching peak. He teased and caressed as his mouth feasted on her lips. He stroked and played until she thought she was going to go right through the ceiling.

Tearing her mouth from his, she dug her fingers into his shoulders. Pressure mounted. Tiny convulsions started in her core. Waves began to crash over her. She cried out his name and moaned, “More, please! I’m breaking apart.” Whimpering against him, she jerked her hips upward, wanting all he would give her, knowing it wasn’t enough.

Her climax exploded and she cried out harshly, her head thrashing on the pillow. She clenched her inner muscles around his fingers as she flew higher and higher. He dropped his head to kiss the curve of her breast, whispering soft words as he withdrew his fingers but continued to touch her gently as if easing her back to earth.

As sated as she was, Charli wanted more. She needed him inside her, filling her and finishing the moment.

She shifted beneath him, reached for him and drew him towards her. His heat throbbed in her palm, heavy and hard. Eagerly, she waited for him to slide inside. As if she hadn’t just lost her mind a few seconds ago, she was desperate to feel the same connection with him—only having him inside of her this time.

He froze.

“Grant?”

A strange smile came over his face. Charli searched his eyes frantically. What was he smiling about? Was he laughing at her? Was this a game to him? Her body was on fire, passion pounded through her blood and he wasn’t moving. What was he thinking? Surely he wasn’t thinking of stopping now, was he? She’d have to kill him.

“What’s the matter?” she asked hesitantly.

He traced her jaw and cupped her face in his palm. “That’s the first time you’ve ever said my name.”

Relief flooded through her. Charli looped her arms around his neck, pulled him down to her and whispered. “I think that deserves a reward. Don’t you?”

Reaching past her, he pulled open a drawer to his nightstand and reached inside. Without preamble, he quickly sheathed himself.

In a slow glide, he slid into her wet heat, stretching her taut. He pulled back and filled her again. Charli closed her eyes as emotions she’d never experienced at a moment like this washed over her. She should be scared. Why wasn’t she terrified at the emotional impact this man as having on her?

“Don’t,” he commanded.

Her eyes flew open. What was he talking about? Did he know what she’d been thinking. She moved her hips urging him to continue. If he kept stopping, they’d never reach the good part.

“I want to look into your eyes when we’re like this. I want to see what you’re feeling when I’m inside you.”

His words wound around her heart. If she’d been under any illusion she could have sex with him and not have her heart affected, that thought shattered as if he’d tossed it against the wall. Lifting her legs, she wrapped them tight around his waist and tipped her hips to allow him to sink even deeper.

He had to be about ready to explode, but rather than slam into her and take his pleasure hard and quick, he rocked them both gently, allowing the pressure to build inside her slowly but surely.

Their bodies found an exquisite harmony together. A sense of familiarity washed over her, the same way it had when they first danced. It was as if they’d known each other before. They hadn’t, obviously, but the same feeling of rightness was back again.

Before those thoughts could distract her too far, Grant stroked her sensitive folds before plunging inside again. His body tightened and she urged him to increase the tempo, but he continued on his course, pulling her nerve endings tighter and tighter with every stroke until she was on fire. Her hands dug into his back as the tension mounted.

Her eyes began to close, but, remembering his request, she stared into his face, drawn to a height of passion she’d never before known. It wasn’t just her body in this act, but her heart and soul. And she surrendered completely.

“Come fly with me, Charli,” he said softly.

Leaning forward he captured her lips with his own and kissed her soundly, but Charli had to rip her mouth from his to gasp for air as his ardent thrusting sent her soaring over the edge.

Grant quickened his pace, driving strong and sure. She flew to a shuddering ecstasy, freed in a burst of sensations.

He groaned her name and pumped furiously. A few seconds later Charli could tell he’d joined her somewhere high above the real world.

Her legs dropped from his waist, limp from the passion they expended. Grant’s head rested on her breast and she sifted her fingers gently through the dark blonde hair, enjoying the weight of him on her. Tears filled her eyes at the force of the emotions raging inside. She was in another world. One she never knew existed. Because, as surely as she knew her favorite drink was whiskey, she knew that this man meant something to her. And that scared the crap out of her.

Lifting his head, he pressed soft, feathery kisses on her face then kissed her lips tenderly. “I was right,” he murmured against the side of her mouth.

“About what?” She shifted and Grant slid off her. She was aware of him disposing of the condom before he lay on his back and pulled her over on top of him.

Wrapping his arms around her, he snuggled her close against him. “You are Trouble.”

She lifted her head. “Does that mean you’ve been in trouble?”

Grant’s laughter caused her body to shake.

He grabbed her face in both his hands and kissed her hard. “And I’d like to be in trouble again real soon.”

“I don’t know, Doc. You’re no young boy, you know.”

“Do I have to prove again that experience has it over youth?”

She bit her lip and trailed her finger down his chest. “It could take a few lessons. I hope you have a lot of those foil wrapped packages.”

She moved off him and settled next to his side. Rising up on one elbow, she couldn’t help but love the way his hair tumbled over his forehead. She brushed it back and sifted the silkiness through her fingers. “By the way, why did you have those at the ready? You didn’t seriously think your first date tonight was going to end like this did you?”

“My first date? Abigail?” Grant pulled himself up against the headboard. “Not hardly. Let’s just say those have been in that drawer for a long time.”

“Damn. Here I thought it was me that sent you running to the drug store.”

“Somehow I knew from the minute you slid onto that bar stool that this was inevitable.” He cupped her jaw and traced her lips with his fingers. “I just fought so hard because I wasn’t looking for trouble.”

She froze. His words cut through her heart. She knew he hadn’t wanted this, hadn’t wanted her in his life. Was he already regretting what they’d done?

Her face must have registered her hurt because he immediately leaned over her.

“Sometimes life throws you a nice surprise and wakes you up out of your routine.”

His lips caressed hers and teased them open. Relief flooded through her and she linked her arms around his neck and kissed him back. When he cupped her breast in his palm and her nipple tightened in response, she all but purred with how good it felt.

Warmth spread through her again and she sighed. “Sex and good whiskey are a lot alike, don’t you think?”

“What are you talking about?”

Charli pushed him to the mattress and straddled him. Reaching into the nightstand, she retrieved another little package and opened it up. “When you do a shot, the liquid courses through your body like fire, tingling all the way to your toes. The same thing happens when you have sex. You feel the burn all the way down. Then when it’s done, you’re wondering immediately how soon you can do it again. Just like whiskey. They’re both highly addictive.”

He settled his hands on her hips. “So, tell me, Ma’am. Were we Jack Daniels good?”

Having properly cloaked him, she raised herself above and lowered herself slowly. “Feel the burn, Doc?”

He clutched at her hips and pulled her down hard. “Do I ever.”

She clenched her inner muscles firmly around him. Her hands rested flat on his chest. As she watched the red blush of arousal filled his face, his breathing grew labored.

He reached between them and pressed firmly on her pleasure point. She groaned. “Definitely Jack Daniels good.” As they soared higher and higher, she cried out, “Doc?”

“Yes, Trouble.”

“Come fly with me.”

****

Grant was falling off a cliff. He woke with a rough start, relieved to find it was only the bed he was falling off. Again. He put his foot down to stop his fall and stood with a scowl. Looking back at the reason for his discomfort, he couldn’t help but smile. Charli lay on her stomach, her hair draped across his pillow and her body at a complete angle encompassing most of the enormous bed. Unable to resist her gorgeous, naked bottom, he leaned one knee onto the mattress and ran his hands down her curves. Even when he pressed his mouth against the tan backside, she didn’t stir.

Swinging a leg over her, he straddled the back of her thighs and massaged her back, reveling in the smooth satin texture. Bending, he kissed the back of her neck and nibbled at her earlobe.

She groaned, but it didn’t sound as if it was with pleasure. “What time is it?”

“About eight.”

“What day is it?”

“Monday morning. Unfortunately I have to rejoin the rest of the world.” He slid off and lightly slapped her rear. “I’m going into the shower.”

Grant made himself leave the room before she rolled over. One sight of Charli’s naked breasts and he’d be back in bed. While he couldn’t think of any better way to start his day, thanks to a full day of appointments, he didn’t have time this morning.

The water in the shower was hot. He spotted a long strand of red hair in the drain and grinned as it reminded him of showers they’d shared this weekend. They hadn’t left his house since Saturday night. They’d stayed cocooned away making love and talking, laughing, and playing. Not a room remained that they hadn’t made love in. His Jacuzzi had become a tub for two. Even the staircase to his bedroom had been used in new and interesting ways.

He should have been well sated and even worn out, but he wasn’t. He wanted more. Charli was right, sex was a drug and he felt like an addict. If he didn’t have to go to work this morning, he’d be right back in there making love all over again.

Grant was about to turn the water cooler to calm his libido when the door opened and the object of his lust slipped inside looking rumpled and sleepy.

He pulled her into his arms and under the warm water. She snuggled against him and he kissed the top of her head. “Good morning”

She rested her hands on his hips. Grant hugged her tight then scraped her hair back from her face as the water soaked it. Reaching past her, he grabbed the shampoo and massaged it into her scalp. He loved her hair. He loved the way it smelled and how it felt on his skin. He loved the way it flowed down her back and even how it teased his nose when he slept.

She still hadn’t said a word so he tugged gently on her hair, pulling her head back. “Are you sleeping again?”

“You haven’t let me sleep all weekend,” she complained.

“I haven’t let you sleep? That’s rich. You’re the one who hogs the entire bed.” He kissed her lips to lighten his complaint.

“I’m sorry. Maybe I should sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“Not on your life.” He pulled her beneath the spray of the water, kissing her soundly.

Several minutes later, she stepped out of the shower and he watched as she wrapped a thick towel around her middle. He really did need to get moving and couldn’t indulge in climbing back to bed with her. Reluctantly, he dried off and moved to the sink to shave.

“Want some breakfast?” she called from the bedroom.

“Does it involve whipped cream and strawberries again?” He grinned at his reflection in the mirror, remembering yesterday’s breakfast in bed.

“Not until I go to the store. How about eggs and coffee instead?”

“You don’t have to cook for me.”

He heard her go downstairs and glanced into the mirror again to drag the razor over his chin. He grinned like an idiot. When was the last time he was this happy? Felt this lighthearted on a Monday morning? Or any morning for that matter?

In the kitchen, he found her standing at the counter buttering toast. He paused to study her long golden legs barely hidden beneath another of his shirts. This time, she wore an old flannel one. The way it skimmed her thighs caused his erection to spring to life all over again. How easy to simply walk over and slide his hands up, knowing he’d find her naked underneath. She’d buttoned the top, but it only made him want to unbutton it and reveal those unbelievable breasts.

Grant glanced at the clock. Almost nine, and he had to be out at his first call in half hour. He forced himself to sit at the table where she’d set out juice and coffee. He could get used to this. She’d taken care of him all weekend, cooking for him, making love with him, talking, and simply being there. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d shared such simple pleasures with a woman. And what a woman she was. A mixture of sweet angel and wild sex kitten.

He had come to realize that Trouble was so much more than his original impression. She was hot, sexy and loved a good time, but she had a tender side too in a way that could be very endearing.

He didn’t know which of her personalities was more dangerous to his heart. Had he instinctively known in his gut that it would be like this with her? Was that why he’d fought against it so hard?

One thing he did know, he didn’t want this weekend to end. Unfortunately, he had a job to do. Whether or not he was ready, it was time for the real world to come back.

She set his toast on the table and rested her slender hand on his shoulder. Grant turned to look up but his gaze was level with her breasts and he couldn’t focus. His mind raced ahead to his day. He might be able to get back here by three if he worked really fast.

“I’d make you a real breakfast but we’re out of supplies.” She traced her hand along the neck of his shirt, straightening his collar and simply touching him.

“Probably good. I have to go to work today. We’ll be forced to replenish supplies.”

Reaching for her hand, he brought it to his lips. Tasting her skin was his undoing. Grant shoved his chair back and pulled her down until she straddled his lap. His hands slipped under her shirt and lifted her warm breasts.

She smiled and walked her fingers along his scalp into his hair. This was another thing he truly enjoyed, she came to him without any resisting. No coy games, no pretending to swat him away, she was just there with open arms whenever he wanted to touch her or kiss her or just hold her close.

He pushed the shirt up until her breasts were bared to his waiting mouth.

“Careful, Doc. Don’t start something you don’t have time to finish.” She leaned back, giving him full access to her body.

He sighed. “I know. Just a kiss or two and then I’ll get on the road.”

He looked down at her flat belly and the tiny diamond he’d grown so accustomed to seeing. His hand slid between her thighs. Her face changed expression as he touched her. She held nothing back, didn’t try to pretend she wasn’t enjoying his fingers stroking her boldly. He bent his head to her breast, knowing exactly what she liked and how much before she went over the edge.

She wiggled against him. “Take your pants off.” He shook his head and her nipple popped out of his mouth. He shifted to the other one. “I can’t. If I do that, I’ll never go to work today.”

“I bet you could convince your office assistant to change all your appointments.” Charli fumbled with his shirt.

Unfortunately, along with food, he’d also run out of condoms. He didn’t really think there was a condom delivery man in the area. They would need to be replenished as well before he came back later.

Grant settled for loving her breasts. His mouth teased her nipples. She had the most incredible mounds of female flesh he’d ever encountered. He could easily do this all day.

She whimpered once more and he reached behind her to make sure the coffee cup was far enough away. Picking her up, he lifted her to the edge of the table. She squealed, smiled and leaned back on her elbows. Shoving the chair away, he knelt on the floor in front of her and put her feet on his shoulders.

“You have an interesting choice for breakfast,” she murmured.

He pressed his mouth to her beautiful pink mound and kissed his way to heaven. Charli’s hips bucked. He nibbled and sucked until she was moaning. Her heels dug into his shoulders and he reveled in every scream. He was ready to lose his own mind with her ecstasy, but he forced himself to focus on giving her all he could. Today, while she was filing in his office, she’d be thinking of this and it spurred him on.

Knowing what would happen, he dragged the sensitive bud along his teeth until she jerked and cried out his name.

As her breath came hard and fast, her tongue snaked out and wet her bottom lip. Grant dropped a quick kiss on her open mouth and stepped back. She sat up and he pushed the chair back over so she could prop her feet on it. He couldn’t resist one more taste of her lips.

“Thanks for breakfast,” he whispered and winked.

He grabbed his hat off the rack and left while he still could. If he looked back, he’d never leave.

Driving down the road, he couldn’t help but sing along with the radio. What a perfect day. Damn it felt good to have had a weekend like that. He hadn’t felt this free and excited about anything in probably years. Not that he had any illusions this was more to her than just a fling, but hopefully at least it would be a long fling. There was still a solid month before Beth and Tyler returned. Would she grow bored with him before then? He hoped not. He was going to do everything in his power to keep her interested for as long as he could until it burned itself out.

He hadn’t wanted this and knew when it ended, he’ll be calling himself all kinds of fool, but today, he just couldn’t find it in himself to care. For the first time in a long time, he was going to have fun and enjoy whatever they were doing for as long as they were doing it.

He grinned and thought of her. He’d pay for this morning. Charli always made sure they were evenly matched and he’d be paying for that little scene tonight when he got home. He frowned. Would she be there when he got back? They hadn’t talked about it. He shouldn’t assume anything had changed. Maybe she did this all the time—spent the weekend with a guy and then come Monday, it was, ‘Here’s your breakfast thanks for the good times.’

He shifted gears in the truck as he reached the end of the road and turned left. Now that she’d gotten what she wanted, was she going to move on? He couldn’t help the doubt that clouded over him. What did he have to offer someone like her? Hell, she’d been with princes and millionaires and there was even talk of country singers and movie stars. And she’d left all them without looking back. He was just a small town vet. Sure, they’d had some good times this weekend but so what? More than likely, she’d had good times with Kid Rock, too, and wasn’t with him anymore.

Grant dragged his hand through his hair and turned into the rough road where his first patient waited. Better to focus on the job right now. He didn’t like where his thoughts were taking him.

****

“Run out of food?”

Flo was unpacking groceries when Charli slipped into the back door of the main ranch house a couple hours later. Dressed in a pair of Grant’s sweatpants and his dress shirt, she grinned at the housekeeper’s pointed look.

“You could have sent something over, slipped a chicken pot pie on the porch or something.” She grabbed the grapefruit juice out of the refrigerator as Flo handed her a glass.

“Folks who choose lovin’ over eatin’ ain’t my concern. I don’t deliver.”

Charli drank the juice and moved to the table to help unpack the numerous bags of groceries. What should she make for dinner? Something by candlelight to welcome him home after a hard day work.

Two Cornish game hens appeared in front of her and she looked up. “How come there’s only two?” she asked.

“I thought maybe you’d like to cook for the doctor tonight, so I grabbed these at the grocer for you.”

“You old softie, underneath all that talk is just a big romantic isn’t there?”

A grin broke the older woman’s stern gaze. “I’m not so old I don’t remember what it was like, discovering you’re in love and he loves you back. Ain’t nothing like that feeling.”

Charli froze, the hens dangling from her hands. In love? She wasn’t in love with Grant. Hell, it was only this weekend that he’d even caved in and said he liked her. Nah, she wasn’t in love. True, she’d never felt quite like this before, but it wasn’t love, it was just afterglow.

Besides, she’d be ten times the fool to fall in love with that doctor. He wanted nothing to do with her and even came out and told her she wasn’t his type only a couple weeks ago. She smirked. She sure was his type now, at least in one department. But she didn’t have any illusion Grant was going to fall in love with her. She’d be lucky if they made it to the end of the month before they fizzled out. His determination to avoid women like her wouldn’t change simply because he’d given in to physical needs. He’d always been very clear and upfront about what he wasn’t interested in and that hadn’t changed.

An hour later, she emerged from a fresh shower and clean clothes to find Cord looking for her at the bottom of the stairs.

“There you are. I haven’t seen you all weekend.” Cord frowned.

“I was with Grant.” Charli didn’t say anything else. It really wasn’t Cord’s business what the two of them had been up to. “How was your weekend?”

Cord studied her. “The usual. Look, I wondered if you had some time this evening to go look at a property I have in mind for the coffee shop idea.”

This evening? The only thing she wanted to do this evening was Grant. She licked her lips. Still, she hated to sound ungrateful.

Charli slipped her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “Actually, I’m kind of tied up tonight, could we do it another day this week?”

“We could go now if you’re not busy. I need a break from this paperwork anyway.”

Her mind raced through what she’d planned to do all day. The office work could wait and if she got back early enough in the afternoon, she could certainly still cook a good dinner for Grant. It wasn’t even noon yet.

She nodded. “Okay, let me switch the office phones over to my cell and we can go.”

“I’ll pull the truck around.”

Charli spied Grant’s truck coming through the gate just as they pulled through. Cord lifted his hand and waved. Grant waved back and Charli’s stomach clenched. She should have known after this morning’s ‘breakfast’ he’d come home for lunch or maybe even for the day. What would he think seeing her riding away with Cord? Her cell phone was in her pocket but calling Grant while she was riding with Cord would be awkward.

The coffee shop building was old, but she definitely could see the possibilities. In spite of herself, she started to get excited. Maybe having her own place right here in Sweet Meadow wouldn’t be so bad. She listened as Cord talked to the realtor and examined the issues with the heating system. Susan would be great at helping her decorate this place. She had a flair for that type of thing.

“What do you think?” Cord’s hand landed on her shoulder and she jerked herself out of her thoughts.

Smiling, she said, “I really like it.”

Cord grinned. “I knew you would. Do you want it? Should I put an offer in?”

She chewed her bottom lip. Unbidden thoughts of Grant crept to mind. Would she want to live here once they were done? What they had wasn’t something that was going to last. Should she commit herself to living in the same town? Wow, the thought of what they had going ending already stung. Her heart almost clenched there for a moment. She knew better than to get too attached. Relationships for her weren’t meant to be forever. Still, the idea of it ending already hurt too much to think about.

Cord raised one eyebrow and she realized he was waiting for her answer. “I’m not sure, can I think about it a bit?”

Cord searched her eyes then turned to the realtor. “Can you give us a day or two? We need to talk about it a bit more.”

The other man looked annoyed but Charli knew he was smart enough not to argue with Cord Weston. The two men shook hands.

She slipped her sunglasses on as they walked back out into the sunshine.

Cord’s hand in the middle of her back guided her to the truck. “How about lunch? You in any hurry to get back?”

Most of her life, well, ever since she was probably twelve, having Cord’s attention, having him all to herself was a fantasy she played out over and over. Now they were here and Cord wanted her full attention, and all she could do was think about how fast she could get back to the ranch and Grant. Her body quivered remembering how he’d left this morning. She still owed him for that little episode, but a glance to the man at her side made her reign in her thoughts and focus.

She smiled up at Cord. “Lunch sounds great.”

They stopped at the local diner. As they made their way through the crowd to a table that was quickly being cleaned off for them, Charli was amused at the way the women noticed Cord. Some said hello, others simply smiled, but very few let him pass without notice. They settled in the booth across from one another.

The dark haired waitress practically ran to their table, setting down glasses of ice water and wiping the formica top with a cloth.

“Sorry, Mr. Weston. Let me wipe that table down for you.”

“It’s fine, Ginny. Thanks.” Cord picked up the lunch menu.

The harried young woman blushed. “Iced tea as usual?”

“That would be great.”

The waitress turned to Charli.

“The water is fine.”

She walked away and Cord closed the menu. He frowned. “What’s so funny?”

Charli shrugged and sipped her water. “When was the last time you were out on a date?”

Cord tipped his head. “I don’t know. Why? What brought that up?”

“I was watching as you walked in. You definitely attract attention.”

He looked uncomfortable. “It’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone. You know that.”

“Every woman in here either wants to date you or wants to set you up with their daughter, sister, niece or other eligible female in their life,” she teased truthfully.

He took a drink of his water. “Yep, but not because of me—it’s the bank balance.”

She lifted her eyebrow. “You’re not usually that cynical.”

“It’s not cynical, it’s reality. I’ve got way too much at stake to not think that way.”

The waitress brought the iced tea. “We’ve still got some of the special left, do you want that today Mr. Weston?”

Cord nodded. “Thanks, Ginny.”

“I’ll have the turkey club with a cup of soup on the side.” Charli waited for the young girl to walk away. “It’s not really a family secret that you want to get married and have kids.”

Cord leaned back. “You’re determined to talk about this aren’t you? Why can’t we discuss the coffee shop?”

She grinned. “Your love life is much more fascinating to me.”

Cord narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. “I can assure you it’s not at all fascinating.”

Charli wet her lips and leaned forward, enjoying this chance to talk with him. “Tell me what your ideal woman would be like.”

Cord laughed. “Why don’t you tell me when you want me to sign the papers on that coffee shop?”

“Hmm, I’ll tell you what you want to hear after you tell me about the woman of your dreams.”

She waited while he sipped his iced tea and fiddled with the spoon.

“My parents had a great marriage. They met when they were kids and knew their entire life they’d be together forever. They were, too, right to the day they died together. As much as that damn near killed us kids, I don’t think either of them would have been able to live without the other anyway.”

“I don’t remember much about them.”

“You were young. Hell, I was only eighteen and you’re, well, a lot younger than me.”

Charli tipped her head and gave him a saucy grin. “Not that much younger.”

He frowned, his thoughts inward. “I thought I’d be married by thirty or at least have someone I’d consider marrying,” he confessed aloud.

“Maybe you aren’t looking in the right places. I mean, look at Sara’s parents. Didn’t her father meet Julia in New York City on a buying trip, had a whirlwind romance, and married her in six weeks or something crazy?”

Cord smiled. “It was crazy that’s for sure. Beau would talk about meeting her and his eyes would light up. She was the love of his life.”

“So maybe you need to take some buying trips—look for love somewhere other than here.” And the thought didn’t bother her. He did need someone special.

“Beau was lucky. Julia was able to move out here and adapt to the lifestyle and loved it. She also came from money. He never had that worry about whether she was after his bank balance or him.”

“Maybe you don’t trust enough.”

Cord leaned forward. “I can’t afford to take any chances. Marrying the wrong woman and having it not work out would wreck havoc on the Double B. Besides, there aren’t a lot of women who can put up with my crazy family.”

“You got a point there, although they’ve never bothered me.”

Cord leaned out and touched her nose with his index finger. “That’s because you’re one of us.” Is that why her thoughts kept roaming to a sexy doctor? Because she really was one of the family? Her girlish fantasies about Cord started to fade.

“Hmm, you’re changing the subject,” she admonished. “Tell me what your idea of the perfect woman would be.” Maybe she could help him find his own love doctor.

He rolled his eyes. “Why are we doing this?”

“Simple, you want me to talk about the coffees shop.”

“Okay, fine. My ideal woman would be someone I knew would be there by my side no matter what.”

Charli shook her head. “That’s the boring stuff. Come on, what do you want? A blonde? Brunette? Tall? Short?”

The waitress set their lunches down and refilled Charli’s water glass. “Can I get you anything else right now?”

“No, thank you. This is great.”

Charli took a bite of her sandwich. “I think you’re a brunette kind of guy aren’t you?”

Cord didn’t answer right away. “If I was being perfectly honest, I’d have to say I’ve always been partial to tall blondes.”

“Ohhh, now we’re getting somewhere. Interesting. What else?”

“She has to have a good sense of humor, and be able to stand her own ground. I don’t want someone who agrees with everything I say.”

“Hmm, a feisty one like Sara?”

He laughed. “There’s only one Sara and no, I don’t think I have my brother’s energy to be with someone like that all the time.”

“I think you would want someone who was good in…”

He shook his head and glanced around.

Charli smiled. “I was going to say ‘kitchen’. A good cook. Flo won’t be around forever.”

“Flo thinks she will. But yeah, I guess it would be nice to have a wife who liked cooking and enjoyed it. Someone well-read, too. It seems like all folks do these days is watch TV and read gossip magazines. I’d like someone who gave back, too. You know, for charity or community causes.”

Charli laughed and picked up her sandwich.

“What’s so funny?”

She wiped her mouth with her napkin. “The woman you just described sounds like a combination of all the women in your life.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you like blondes, that would be Diane. Feisty like Sara, well-read would be Beth, and likes to cook, of course that would be Flo. Community causes, well, I suppose that would be Susan. She’s always volunteering at the community theatre and other charity events.”

He frowned. “Is that weird or something?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I mean these are the women you admire and enjoy spending time with, why wouldn’t you look for the best qualities in all of them for your future wife?”

Cord glanced at her and took a big bite of his lunch. “Okay, so now that you know, when you find her, let me know.”

Charli smiled. “I will. Don’t worry. She’s out there you know.”

Cord wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Can we talk business now?”

She nodded. “I like the coffee shop location. What I don’t know is how I feel about being tied down that way.”

“I told you before if it doesn’t work, I can sell it off or hire someone to run it. There’s no risk here for you at all.”

“My guts are twisted up at the thought of something that permanent.”

Cord leaned back and studied her. She tried not to squirm under his inspection.

“You know I won’t push you into this if you don’t want it.”

“But?”

He tipped his head. “But, there comes a time in everyone’s life when they need to know what they really want out of life and go for it.”

Charli looked away. Was he right? Was it time for her to grow up? The thrill of traveling all over the world whenever the moment hit her had begun to pale. Lately, she spent most of her time at the Double B or home in Abilene. “We told the realtor a few days, let me think on it.”

“I want you to do the coffee shop but either way I’m buying the building. It’s a good location for something.” He pulled out his wallet, set several bills on the table and picked up his hat. “All set?”

Charli’s heart flipped as they pulled into the ranch yard and Grant’s truck was in the driveway to the clinic. She tried not to race away from Cord, but couldn’t help hurrying out of the truck. “I’m going to run over to the clinic and make sure everything’s okay. I’ll see you later on. Thanks for lunch.”

Cord said something but she didn’t even wait to hear as she ran across the yard towards the other building.

She turned the knob to the clinic but was shocked to find it locked. A sign on the door said closed. She grinned. Grant had come back early to be with her. It was barely three. They had time to be together before they had a scrumptious dinner. Walking back down the steps, she moved to the other building on the left where the private residence was and pushed open the door. Walking inside, it was quiet. Was he upstairs resting? She tossed her purse down and pulled off her boots. He was going to need rest when she was done with him.

Sprinting up the stairs barefoot, she flew into the room, a smile splitting her face as she anticipated waking him up.

But Grant wasn’t there. And the neat and tidy room she’d left this morning was ripped apart, dresser drawers open and clothes tossed all over the place. The clothes he’d had on this morning were piled on the floor with a wet towel and he was nowhere to be found.

She frowned. “Doc?” she called out, even knowing she was alone.

Back at the top of the stairs, she called for him again and hurried down to the kitchen area. A note was propped on the kitchen table.

Trouble, There’s an emergency with my parents. I’m having Teddy fly me to Oklahoma. The clinic in Clear Wind is taking the calls. Please cancel my appointments the rest of the week or refer them there.

No idea when I’ll be back. Call my cell tonight. If I don’t answer, I’ll be at the hospital.”

It was signed simply “Grant”.

Charli pressed her hand to her stomach and wondered what on earth had happened. Obviously, it was bad if he had to have Teddy fly him there.

She wet her lips and sank to the kitchen chair. Disappointment mingled with guilt. She shouldn’t feel let down when his family obviously needed him. Her heart squeezed with the memory of her father’s heart attack when they thought they were going to lose him.

She lifted her hand to her mouth and said a silent prayer that Grant’s family was okay.