Love Beyond the Curve (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (16 page)

* * * *

“That meal was out of this world. Thank you so much for having me over. You are a fantastic cook.”

Reed placed his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders as they relaxed in the swing on his back porch, sipping more wine. They had decided it would be a perfect evening for it, as it was mid-November and the temperature was cool and inviting. As an added bonus, the moon was full, and its light cast a blue glow over the manicured landscape of the yard.

“Thank you. You know what they say about…” Charlotte started to say something about her size and how bigger women made the best cooks but thought better of it. She took a sip of her wine instead and looked off to the side yard.

“About what?” Reed prodded her to complete her thought, wondering about what she was going to say.

“Nothing. Thanks is all. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. I guess you’ll be having a big Thanksgiving dinner with your family next week.” Charlotte was eager to change the subject and thought this topic should do the trick.

“Actually, I’ll be on my own for the first time. My parents decided to take the family on a short cruise over the holidays. My brother and his wife are going, but I told them there was no way I could leave when we’re down to the wire on so many projects. We’re really pushing to try to get as many people as possible into their homes by Christmas. I’ll take off on Thursday, but I’ll be working every other day. Probably even Saturday. How about you? You going home for the holidays?”

“No. I’ll be working a double so more people can have the day with their kids. My parents have gotten used to me missing Thanksgiving and coming home the week after Christmas, so more people can be with their families on holidays. Nashville isn’t too far away, so it’s not too bad. They understand.”

“Well, since we are both going to be alone on Thanksgiving, why don’t I fix a Thanksgiving dinner that we can share when you get home that night?” Reed took her empty wine glass, and got up to put it on the patio table, along with his own.

“Really? What are you going to cook? Should I just bring home a pizza?” Charlotte was surprised at his offer to prepare a Thanksgiving meal for them. She took his hand and followed him out onto the lawn, where he pulled her close and began a slow dance in the moonlight.

“I’ll fry a turkey and get some dressing and other sides to go with it from a restaurant. I can handle it. Now, hush so I can kiss you here in the moonlight.”

Reed lowered his lips toward hers until they were hovering right above them. He searched her eyes and found them to be twinkling by the light of the moon. She was beautiful. He closed the gap between their lips and let his tongue gently slide past her teeth to explore her mouth that still tasted of wine. His breath hitched as she slanted her mouth over his to let her own tongue swirl lazily around his and then suck it gently as she pulled away. They held each other, and Reed began to hum a soulful tune as they moved in a slow circle, completely unhurried or aware of anything but each other. After their dance ended, Reed slid his hands down the length of her arms and enveloped her cool hands in his to warm them.

Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat as he began to kiss her down the length of her neck and on behind her ear. She sighed and leaned her head back, as he continued to kiss her throat down to the hollow at its base.

“Mmm…I’m thinking I’m about ready for my dessert. Are you ready to serve it?” Reed smiled into the curve of her neck and playfully nipped her smooth, soft flesh, anxious to see her luscious curves again. His heart pounded in his chest, knowing this time, he wasn’t dealing with an injured leg. He would be free to follow the natural flow of the evening. And he knew exactly where he hoped the evening would end. In her bed.

Charlotte chuckled down in her throat as she shook her head and replied, “I wondered if you still remembered that part of our conversation. Apparently, you have.”

“Take a step closer to me and you will have proof that I clearly remember that part of our conversation and have thought about it each day since we discussed it.” Reed wrapped his long arms around her waist and pulled her against the length of his strong, ripped body.

Charlotte became instantly aware of his attraction to her as he unabashedly pressed his hips into her lower abdomen where their bodies met. Heat shot through her body and pooled between her thighs as he ran his strong hands along her back, only to cup her bottom and pull her closer still. He made a slight grinding motion against her, causing her breath to hitch in her throat.

“I believe you do remember. Well, Mr. Jackson, let’s go see what’s on the menu tonight.” Charlotte took him by the hand and slowly led him back upstairs to her apartment.

Her heart was racing as she thought about what may happen between them once inside. She was certainly filled with desire for him and his caresses, but that same old nagging thought told her not to let herself be taken advantage of again. She wouldn’t become Reed’s “friend with benefits.” She thought more of herself than that, but didn’t want to brush him off if he truly was trying to get to know her for herself, just as she was. She wouldn’t be a tease. That was the worst thing she could do to destroy any chance for a real relationship with Reed.

I’ve got to be honest with him. We’ve got to go slow. I can’t trust him, even though my heart says I can. Baby steps. That’s the only way I can do this. If he cares at all, he’ll accept it. If he gets mad, I’ll know how he really feels and won’t waste my time and get my heart broken. And mister, you have the potential to completely shatter mine if I let go and give in to you, only to have you decide big girls aren’t for you after all.

Chapter Thirty-One

“Okay, let me see if I remember the deal correctly. You said for dessert tonight, you wanted more of me in girlie lingerie. Am I right?” Charlotte pulled him to an armchair and pushed him down into it with her index finger planted squarely in the center of his chest. She stood between his legs with her arms crossed in front of her, which only pushed her ample bosom up higher past the low neckline of her violet V-necked wrap dress.

Reed was tightly gripping the arms of the club chair, trying to keep his hands off of her. She was driving him crazy with anticipation. He could hardly believe she was seemingly considering it. He realized she had asked him a question and he needed to respond to her.

“Yes, that is how I remember the conversation. I refrained from tormenting you when I discovered you were ticklish because you said you would fix dinner for us tonight. You asked what I wanted for dessert, and I said, without hesitation,
you
in girlie lingerie. That was it exactly.” Unable to resist any longer, Reed reached out and pulled her onto his knee. He wrapped his arm around her waist and rested his hand on her hip, twirling tiny circular motions with his fingertips.

“Okay, I believe I can comply with that verbal agreement, but only to a point.” Charlotte began to play with the buttons on his blue oxford shirt, focusing her eyes on the buttons rather than his face. She wanted to think about her words before carelessly spilling them out.

Reed thought he sensed her becoming nervous about revealing herself in the intimate clothing. He lifted her chin with his index finger and searched her eyes before softly saying, “Hey, this isn’t necessary. I would never want you to feel uncomfortable about anything with me. I really only meant it as a shocking answer to your question about dessert, not that I wouldn’t
love
to see your gorgeous curves clad in sexy lingerie. In fact, you’d make freaking ‘granny panties’ look sexy! I really don’t expect it, Charlotte. Relax.”

Charlotte looked away from him and took a deep breath, then began to share with him why she was feeling reluctant about becoming intimate with him. “I may be about to make a huge mistake in telling you what I am about to tell you, but I have to be up front about things before we continue to see where this is going to go. We’ve known each other about six months now, and I think we click as far as getting along, enjoying similar activities, being easy to talk to, and so forth. And much to my dismay, we have even been intimate with each other in a moment of weakness on my part.”

Reed started to interrupt her at this point, but she placed a fingertip over his lips to stop him, and continued with her story. “Reed, hear me out. If I don’t say this now, then I can tell you this is the end of everything. I enjoyed being with you that day, but I never should have given in to you. That is not what I do, but there you were, this gorgeous guy, inviting
me
to join you in a Jacuzzi. We had been together every minute for the last two or three days, and I gave in to my attraction to you.”

“Charlotte, I was, and still am, attracted to you. I agree we jumped the gun on the intimacy, but I wanted it. I enjoyed it, and I’ve not forgotten it. I’m sorry you regret it, but I don’t. It was a memorable time together. You are so beautiful and, yes, very sexy.” Reed cupped her cheek with his palm and gazed directly into her sparkling blue eyes.

Charlotte felt the heat rush to her cheeks at his last comment. She smiled halfheartedly and covered his hand with her own. “I’ve been called a lot of things, but sexy has never been one of them, Reed. If you really think so, then I am glad, but there is that part of me that still believes a guy won’t ever see me as the woman he is really attracted to, but rather one he can make a play for in between girlfriends. I’ve been played a couple of times before, and I don’t want to be made a fool of again. If you really care, and I think you do, you’ll have to be patient with me.”

“I can do that. I can also tell you that I want to see you again. And not only as friends. I can give you all the time you need, but I want to be able to show you that I am giving us a chance. There is no one that I want to see more than you. There is no one else that I am trying to see while we are together. You’ll have to trust me.” Reed lightly kissed the back of the hand he was holding.

“I promise I’ll try, Reed. I’m happy with who I am. I’m happy in my skin, but there are guys that think I’m not the type to consider as a more permanent partner. I’ve made the mistake of giving them my heart, only to have it handed back to me when a smaller model came along. Even with confidence, that’s a real kick in the ego department. It’s made me overcautious, I guess.” Charlotte stood and walked over to stand across the room, hugging herself as she opened up to Reed.

“I can understand that, but they were idiots, and you shouldn’t hold them against me. I’m not that shallow, Charlotte. Yes, I’ve only dated really thin women in the past, but those were the women I came in contact with. Now, I’ve met you. I can be myself with you. You make me laugh when I am with you. When I am not with you, I’m thinking about the next time we will be together. And you do turn me on. You’re as hot in ripped-up jeans and oversized sweatshirts as you are in a curve-hugging dress like the one you’re wearing right now. Come here.” Reed had crossed the room in two strides and taken her into his arms, crushing her lips with a passionate onslaught of lips and tongue.

He let his hand travel along her side, skimming each curve, from her full breast to the deep curve of her waist, on over the roundness of her hip. Her softness drew him in and made him crush her harder against the length of his body. The way her body yielded to his and drew him in made him feel as if he was part of her when he held her in his arms. It was like her body accepted his and welcomed his explorations. There was no fear or worry of being mindful of her delicate size or frailty. He could hold her tightly and not once think he might be hurting her. Being with her gave him a feeling of liberation. A freedom to follow his passion and express it however his heart led him.

I want you, Charlotte Hamilton. I’m falling for you. I can wait for you to trust me. I’ll prove to you that you are the one I want, just as you are.

Chapter Thirty-Two

“Hey, there. I’m on my way home. Do I need to stop to get anything?” Charlotte drove excitedly down the highway, headed for the special midnight Thanksgiving dinner Reed had insisted on preparing for them.

“No, baby. I’ve got the table set. The food is ready. The wine is chilled, and all I need is you. I can’t wait to see you.”

Charlotte could hear the grin on his face as he spoke to her. He called her “baby.” That was a first. A thrill ran through her at his choice of endearment for her. She wanted to get home even faster now.

“I can’t wait to see you either. I’m going to run upstairs and change clothes, and I’ll be right on over as quick as I can. Okay?”

“Sounds good. Hurry.”

“I will. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Charlotte was beaming as she pulled into the driveway and parked the car. She beamed even brighter when she heard Reed’s voice as she started to head up the stairs to change. He was sauntering over to greet her.

“You look good in the uniform. You don’t have to change on my account.” Reed slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers.

“Thank you for the compliment, but I really want to change for me. It helps me put the work away and think only about being here with you. I won’t take long. Go pour the wine, and I promise I’ll be knocking on your door in no time.”

Charlotte slid her arms around his neck and twirled the hair at the nape of his neck around her finger. She lifted her lips to his and kissed him deeply before resting her hands on his chest to break away.