Anything But Sweet (21 page)

“Of course.”

“Then put your hands behind your back.” He trailed his fingertips down the front of
her little white tank top, brushing her hardened nipples.

Slowly, she put her hands behind her back. Her breasts thrust forward. Her nipples
rigid against the thin fabric.

His mouth watered.

As much as he wanted to tear away that cotton barrier and have his way, he didn’t
want to hurry. A woman like Charli was meant to be savored like a perfectly aged whiskey.
He wanted to feel the rush. Taste the burn. Enjoy the journey.

He reached up and released her hair from the elastic band. The dark locks fell around
her shoulders in a cloud of loose, silky curls. In the waning sunlight, she looked
like a forest nymph. “So beautiful.” He took a strand between his fingers, lifted
it to his nose, and breathed in her confectionary scent. His arousal intensified,
and he closed his eyes to regain control.

When he opened them again, he found her biting her bottom lip. Leaving a red spot
he had no choice but to kiss away.

That meeting of lips and tongues nearly stripped away his intent to go slow. He took
his time—touching her with gentle, possessive hands—the full curve of her breasts,
the long line of her throat and waist. With his mouth, he coaxed and teased. When
she began to moan and lean closer, a bullet of white-hot lust shot into his groin.

He slid his hands down her sides, then slipped them beneath the edge of her shirt.
When he caressed the warm flesh at the small of her bare back, the tips of his fingers
tingled. He lifted the top over her head and smiled when she stood there for him to
see without trying to cover herself.

He bent his head, lowered it to the side of her throat, and inhaled her luscious scent.
His mouth opened over that sensitive spot just below her ear, and he softly sucked.
Eyes closed, her head dropped back while his parted lips trailed to her cleavage.
His palms tested the weight of her breasts while he licked and suckled her nipples
until they were wet and erect.

“Appetizers are over.” She unlocked her clasped hands from behind her back and yanked
his shirt from his jeans. “I
have
to touch you.”

Only because he wanted to feel those amazing breasts against his bare chest did he
allow her to pull the shirt over his head. Her soft hands caressed the muscles of
his shoulders, bunched in anticipation of her touch.

“More,” she said in a husky whisper, and reached for his buckle.

“Me first.” His fingers made busy work of stripping away her denims and tiny blue
panties beneath. And then he stepped back, looked at her for a long, breath-stealing
moment before he sank to his knees and drew her to his mouth.

With one hand braced on her backside, he parted her slick flesh with the other and
found her with his tongue. She dug her fingers into his hair and let out a long “Ahhhhhh”
while he worked her swollen erect nub. Beneath his hands, the muscles of her derriere
clenched and released. Her breathing came quick and breathy, and he could feel her
climax build.

“No, no, no.” She moaned. “With you. I want to come with you.”

He gave her a long slow lick, then looked up. “You sure?”

“Yes.” She clutched at him, pulling him to his feet. “I waited too long to have you.
I don’t want to do anything alone anymore.” She grabbed the waistband of his pants,
undid the buckle and zipper, and pushed the denim and boxer briefs down his legs.

He toed off his boots, then they both stood there naked. She wasted no time in taking
matters—and him—into her own hands. One touch of those fingers curled around his
solid erection was enough to make him buckle at the knees. She leaned in, flattened
her tongue against his erect nipple, and moaned. Then her soft hand stroked him slowly
from head to base. He pushed into her palm, and, when he couldn’t take the heat anymore,
he knew he had to get
into
the kitchen.

He swept her off her feet, laid her on the blanket, and followed her down. Braced
on his elbows, he moved over her. Her greedy hands were all over him. Her mouth tantalized.
Her legs opened wide to welcome him in. The plump head of his erection nudged her
slick opening, and she moaned her pleasure. Her impatience.

“Please, Reno.” Her teeth nipped his earlobe. Her hot breath brushed his cheek. Her
words escaped on a breathless plea. “I want you so much.”

Need and desire tangled in his throat, and he couldn’t speak. His only response was
to give her what they both wanted. Needed.

He sucked air into his lungs as he pushed into her. Strong. Steady. Complete. Her
uneven breath whispered across his temple as he moved inside her, increasing the rhythm.
Friction built. Heat engulfed. His heart pounded in his ears as intense pleasure grabbed
him and turned him inside out. He whispered her name. She locked her legs around his
back. Lifted her hips. And met his thrusts.

And then she tightened her legs and came over him and around him with a long moan.
Her muscles contracted, gripping him tight inside her as wave after wave of release
washed over her. A deep groan rumbled in his chest, and he joined her in that sensual
state of bliss. With his head thrown back, he gave her all of him—body and soul—as
he thrust into her one last time.

L
ater, they swam in a deep pool he and his brothers had long ago created within the
creek. They played. They laughed. They made love again. When a breeze kicked up, and
their bodies grew chilled from the cool water, they finally ate their dinner and drank
their wine.

While Charli’s sexy side was there to see in every move she made and every smile she
gave, Reno also drew out her playful side. After several glasses of smooth cabernet,
it didn’t take him long to discover yet another facet of the woman who took his breath
away on so many levels.

Together, they lay on the blanket, looking up at the stars, when she asked, “Will
the dogs be okay in the house tonight?”

“There’s a dog door in the laundry room, so they can always go outside if they need
to. They have food and water. And as we discovered last night, they enjoy lounging
on the sofa. So I’d say they’re covered.” He leaned his head back, and through the
darkness looked at her. “Why?”

“Can we stay here tonight?” She turned on her side and smoothed her hand along his
chest.

“
Here?
” The touch of her fingers sent a shiver of pleasure through his body. “Beside the
creek?”

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t bring sleeping bags. This blanket is all we have.”

“But if we snuggle, it will cover both of us, right?”

“Sure.” He liked the idea of that. “You’re not afraid of spiders or snakes. Or
scorpions
?”

She looked up at him with big, trusting eyes. “You’ll protect me, won’t you?”

“With my life.”

“Then can we stay till morning?”

“If that’s what you want.”

“I do. I love it here. It’s so quiet. So peaceful. It makes me feel like . . . I belong.”
She rolled to her back and sighed. “I never have, you know. We moved so much. I was
always the new girl. A mystery for the boys. Competition for the girls. Our neighbors
were always nice, but they might as well have had the same faces and names. I never
really got to know any of them. I’ve come to know the people in this town better
than anyone I ever lived next door to.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to
his in a tender kiss. “I always longed for somewhere like Sweet. But I never believed
a place like this actually existed. I can understand why you would never want to leave.”

Maybe all the time she spent in the small towns she traveled to fulfilled some deep
need in her soul. Maybe they were just a substitute for what she
really
wanted, he thought.

Charli had a need to belong.

Maybe they weren’t all that different after all.

“Maybe you don’t have to leave this time,” he said.

“That would be nice. Then again, life is never really that easy, is it?”

“Depends on how bad you want it.”

“I want
you.
” She smiled against his mouth.

And without a doubt, he wanted her.

He stretched his arm out, and she moved in close, with her head on his shoulder. They
snuggled. Which was a word he’d never used before. But damned if he didn’t like it.

She felt so good in his hands—against his heart. As they lay there together beneath
the moon and the stars under the canopy of ancient oaks, he was glad he’d taken the
risk.

The rewards went far beyond sexual.

She made him feel again.

Desire again.

Dream again.

But even as satisfaction floated in his veins, he didn’t fool himself into believing
that the day she packed up and moved on would be easy.

Letting her go would be anything but sweet.

Chapter 17

W
hen one awoke in the morning beside a creek with a canopy of fluttering green leaves
overhead, nestled in the arms of a deliciously sexy, good-hearted man, one had no
choice but to be in the best mood of her life.

Charli—in the best mood of her life—excitedly turned the Hummer onto the long, tree-shaded
drive that would take her to her new friend Jana and the treasure-filled barn loft.

On horseback, she and Reno had taken the leisurely route home from the creek, and
she had fallen even more in love with the place. Who knew one could have places to
picnic, swim, and just relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings right in your own
backyard? From the balcony of her Studio City apartment, she saw rooftops and heard
the sound of car tires and screechy brakes from the street below. Or heaven forbid,
her neighbors fighting. Again.

She loved the peace and quiet Wilder Ranch offered. But most of all, she loved the
man who’d shown it to her.

Yeah.

Love.

Wow. The sensations that created in her heart were inexplicable.

She thought she’d been in love before. In high school, when her father had actually
managed to keep them in one place for nearly a year, she’d met Del Matthews. A sweet
Southern boy who’d played varsity football, ran track, was a straight A student, and
seemed like everything he appeared to be on the surface. But then her father had given
her the bad news that they were moving. Overseas this time. No chance to nurture a
budding relationship with a boy she’d never see again.

Then there had been John, who’d never been a very steady kind of guy. He actually
liked
to pick up and move around. Which was why, she guessed, he’d chosen to be a documentary
filmmaker. They were polar opposites. Because of that, she’d never understood her
attraction to him. In the end, she’d written it off to the fact that she’d been tired
of being alone. Tired of talking to herself when she came home from work. At least
he’d been someone with whom to have a conversation. Even if it always managed to be
about some tragic incident that spurred an idea for a new documentary.

When his opportunity to film in Africa had come along, she’d been happy for him. And
happy to move on. Even if that had meant more lonely nights. After John—and the realization
that without conscious effort she continued to select men who were incapable of returning
her love—she’d imposed the ban on men in her life.

Then Pumpkin had come into her life, and she hadn’t been lonely anymore. Well, at
least not for company. Though it was hard to keep a conversation going with a poodle
whose only real concern was what kind of Scooby snacks were in the cupboard and the
dangers of getting shaved a little too close beneath her tail.

Reno changed everything.

He’d shown her something she hadn’t known—the comfort of stability. Tradition. Loyalty.
With both a father and a brother in the military, she recognized honor and knew that
particular virtue lived strong in Reno’s heart. Though passion dwelled in every cell
in his body and he might have very strong feelings about things, he never lost his
temper and exploded. Not like she’d seen her father do a million times.

Reno handled things in a quiet manner—even if he expressed it between gritted teeth.
And he listened—intently—to anything she had to say. He might not agree with her,
but he always gave her the opportunity to speak her mind. A trait, she was sure, he’d
learned from his past and from the parents who’d obviously adored him.

A man with patience and virtue these days wasn’t just hard to find—it seemed impossible.

Reno had all that and more.

And she’d fallen quickly and helplessly in love with him.

When she neared the house, chickens squawked and scattered to the sides of the gravel
drive. She eased the Hummer into a space near the barn, parked, and was greeted by
Miss Giddy, who trotted up for a pet on the head.

Jana came out onto the veranda. “Howdy,” she said with a wave. “Push that old goat
aside and come on in. I’ve got something to show you.”

Charli gave Miss Giddy a nuzzle and tried not to feel bad at the goat’s sorrowful
bleat when she walked away. When she stepped up onto the veranda she noticed her friend’s
jeans and T-shirt were splattered with paint. Poppy red paint. Looked like Jana had
been busy.

After a brief hug, Charli followed her into the foyer and immediately noticed that
all the photos had been taken down off the walls.

“What happened here?”

“I’m going to repaint,” Jana said with a sweep of her hand. “Then I’m going to reframe
the photos and hang them from some wire fencing I found out at an old ranch near Luckenbach
last year.”

“What kind of wire fencing?”

Jana grinned. “Vintage double loop. Practically had to arm-wrestle a woman from Nebraska
for it.”

Picturing the scene in her head, Charli laughed. “Seriously?”

“Yep. No way was I going to let that fencing out of Texas. It belongs here. Has just
the right amount of rust to prove it.”

“Well, it definitely sounds like a wonderful design application.”

“Hopefully, you’ll say that when you see the living room.” She opened up the French
doors to a newly painted room. Charli walked inside, mouth gaping in amazement. “Wow.
Are you kidding? You did all this in one day?”

“And night. I actually never made it to bed. Just too darned excited to see the results.”

“You are my kind of lady.”

The walls had been painted a sand color and accented with a splash of poppy. The comfortable
leather furnishings were placed in well-thought-out locations. And the style hinted
of Old West without being cheesy.

“What do you think?” Jana asked eagerly.

“I think you’re amazingly talented.”

Jana beamed with pride.

“And
I think . . .” She picked up an old pewter pitcher filled with silk bluebonnets.
“I’d kill to find these kinds of accents.”

“Well, let’s sit down to that cobbler I promised, then we can go out to the barn.
I’m sure you’re going to be surprised.”

“Goody. I love surprises.” She followed Jana into the kitchen.

Everything about Sweet had been a surprise. From the historical buildings to the friendly
folks to the amazing man with whom she’d fallen in love. Everything seemed to have
been just waiting for her to arrive and fill her heart.

T
he apple cobbler was still warm, and the homemade cinnamon ice cream on top had melted
to just the right texture as Charli slid a spoonful into her mouth. “Oh my God, this
is good.”

“I’m so glad you like it. It’s the boys’ favorite.” Jana placed her bowl on the chicken-deco
placemat and sat down on the opposite side of the table.

“Then I’m lucky I got here first. And please don’t judge if I ask for a second helping.”

“I’d be pleased if you did. Paige is always so wonderful about sharing her honeycrisp
apples. Most people don’t know they’re good for baking.”

“They’re delicious.”

Jana took a bite. “How are things coming along with Town Square. Think y’all will
have it ready for the wedding on Saturday?”

Charli nodded, letting the ice cream melt in her mouth. “Even if I have to work through
the night every night until then. I’ll make it happen. She and Aiden deserve a beautiful
wedding.”

“They’re a remarkable couple.” Jana chuckled. “That girl has been in love with him
since she rode around on her little pink Stingray bike with sparkly handle streamers.”

“Their love story is really something.”

“Almost didn’t happen.”

“I heard.”

“For some reason, we raise our Texas boys to be a bit stubborn.”

Tell me about it.

“Take my Reno. I know you’ve seen his ornery side.”

She’d seen his naked backside too but she certainly didn’t plan to share that info
with his mama. “He can be . . . determined. But I’ve never met a man with a bigger
heart.”

Jana smiled, spooned a dollop of cobbler into her mouth. “Looks like you got him to
come around.”

“What makes you say that?”

Jana reached out and patted her hand. “A mother just knows these things.”

Hopefully, his mother didn’t have a clue how many times they’d
come around
or the deep feelings Charli had developed in her heart.

“I think we’re communicating better now,” Charli said.

“Well, that smile on your face tells me there’s something more than a
little
communicating going on.”

Charli turned the question on Jana. “What about you?”

“Me?”

“Yes,
you.
And the handsome silver-haired man I saw you with at the party?”

“Martin Lane?”

Funny how with all the gray-haired men in town, Jana knew exactly whom she meant.

“He moved into town a few months ago. Bought the old Pritchard place. Ten acres. Easy
ranching.” She chuckled. “Course he’s a big-city boy who can’t tell the back end
of a steer yet. But he’ll learn.”

“What’s his story? Where’s he from?”

“He’s divorced. Lived in Seattle until about a year and a half ago. He was married
thirty-five years. When the youngest moved out, he and his wife realized they hadn’t
nurtured their marriage all those years, and they had nothing left in common.”

“That’s too bad. It’s so sad to see a relationship fall apart like that.”

Jana set down her spoon and looked up—her eyes a deeper shade of blue. “Happens more
often than folks know.”

“Well, it’s nice that he’s made friends here already.”

“He’s a very nice man.”

Charli recognized that look of denial. She’d seen it in her own face a time or two
over the past weeks. “Is he someone . . . special?”

“I’m not sure. We like each other. We’ve shared supper a few times but . . .” Her
slender shoulders lifted. “I’m not sure either of us is ready to take such a big step.”

“So you’re just taking it slow and easy?”

“My mama always taught me that if you wanted a perfectly cooked stew, you set the
pot on low and let it come to a full boil real slow.”

Charli laughed. “I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that saying before.”

“My mama was an odd bird. Guess I take after her.”

“Well, I think you’re just wonderful.”

“And I think you’re too free with your compliments.”

“As a woman, I reserve the right to use my frequent complimenter miles. Especially
when it comes to a fabulous design, pair of shoes, or really nice people.”

They shared a laugh, then the smile slipped from Jana’s face. “I’d appreciate it if
this particular discussion didn’t go any farther than these walls.”

“You have my promise. But can I ask why?”

“It’s just . . . not information I’m sharing with the boys.”

“Why not?”

“Because as unsure as I am about moving forward and maybe going out on a few dates,
the boys are
not
ready for me to take that plunge.”

Disbelief vibrated through Charli’s bones. “You don’t think they want you to be happy?”

“Depends on whose version of happy you’re talking about. They all loved Joe so much,
I don’t think they can imagine anyone taking his place.”

“But another man wouldn’t take the place of their father. Surely, as grown men, they
would know that.”

“Well, sugarplum, the head may know what’s right, but sometimes the old ticker takes
a different route. Reno’s the perfect example of that notion. Boy’s been trying for
years to take one step forward. But he always seems to take two steps back. His head
knows he has to move on, but that heart of his tells him it’s comfortable right where
it sits—all wrapped up and alone.”

A rush of air pushed from Charli’s lungs.

Jana ducked her head and caught Charli’s eye. “Something tells me he might be taking
those two steps forward now.”

“Yeah, but he’s a slow walker.”

“Maybe you just need to get him to trade in those boots for a pair of running shoes,”
Jana said.

“If you weren’t his mother, I’d say maybe I just need to hide his clothes until he
came to his senses.”

“Well I
am
his mother, and I say that’s a damned fine idea.”

“Things just aren’t ever as easy as they should be, you know?”

“I do.” Jana nodded her head. “You two would certainly face some mighty big challenges.”

“I know. It’s hard to maintain a long-distance relationship. I actually tried it
once.”

“Obviously, it didn’t work out.”

Charli wiped a drip of ice cream from the placemat with her napkin. “That’s an understatement.
We were two totally different people going after two totally different things in
life. It just became painful after a while.” And she would never want that to happen
with Reno.

“Sometimes it’s a blessing when those things come to an end,” Jana said.

“My job doesn’t make it easy.” She laid the napkin back on her lap. “Sometimes what
I want for my heart and what I want for my career are completely different. I get
ideas in my head of how to mesh them together, but—”

“You said you don’t really like living in your apartment. Maybe you need a change.”

Charli looked up. “Can I be totally honest with you?”

“Of course.”

“I’d love to stay in Sweet. I’d love to make it my home.”

“Why don’t you?” Jana asked.

Charli shrugged. “Guess I’m just waiting for a sign from the universe.”

Jana chuckled as she stood and took the empty bowls to the kitchen sink. She turned
with arms folded. “Now you’re sounding a little bit like Reno. Like I always tell
him, you can’t reach the goal line with one step forward and two steps back. You have
to keep moving.”

“What does he say to that?”

“Well, I’m his mother, so he tempers it with a lot of ‘Uh-huhs’ and ‘Sure, Moms.’
Which translated usually means for me to mind my own tootin’ business.”

Charli smiled. “He’s very lucky to have you.”