She glanced in the mirror. She hadn’t counted on the arousing effect of wearing these garments. Her nipples puckered, peeking through the insubstantial fabric, while an empty, aching feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.
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And once aroused, her thoughts drifted to Roman. She smoothed her hands over her hips and turned to the side, taking in her profile, her long legs and flat stomach. She had to admit, she filled out the bra well.
If only she possessed the same nerve she tried to impart to clients, she ’d. . . what? Charlotte asked herself and forced her mind to play out the answer.
She’d reach out to Roman Chandler. She’d indulge in the feelings she’d possessed since high school.
What had started out as a childhood crush had metamorphosed into adult curiosity and longing. What was he like now? What kind of man had he become? She had his devotion to his mother to begin the sketch, but there were many more depths she’d like to plumb.
The only way to indulge that curiosity was to give in to her feelings. Accept whatever he offered, for as long as he offered it—and then have the courage to go on with her life once he was gone. Unlike her mother, who had never taken the steps to move forward, Charlotte would indulge her deepest passion, then walk away.
But while Roman was here, she thought, continuing with the fantasy, while he was hers, she would go for it all. She’d model her handmade creations in front of him and watch as his eyes dilated with longing and need. As if she were enacting reality, her body shook in reaction to her brazen thoughts. Refocusing on the here and now, Charlotte wondered if she had the nerve to act out her fantasies. She could certainly justify the need. After ten years, she obviously wasn’t going to get Roman out of her system by pretending he didn’t exist or she wasn’t attracted to him.
She hadn’t gotten over him by ignoring the feelings. Why not try to get over him by acting on those feelings instead? She wasn’t doomed to repeat her mother’s mistakes if she learned from them.
Her heart picked up rhythm as she contemplated the idea of allowing herself to indulge. In Roman. With Roman.
“Okay, we’re set.” Beth’s voice rang out from the front of the store and the jangling of the store bells jolted Charlotte back into reality. Unfortunately, arousal didn’t dissipate as quickly.
Charlotte shook her head. Time to concentrate on her reasons for wearing these undergarments. To show off her crocheting skills to her mother and perhaps get Annie to use these same garments to break out of her own private prison. Both mother and daughter had huge steps to take in their lives, Charlotte thought.
Footsteps, obviously Beth’s, traveled to the back room.
“Ready or not, here I come,” Charlotte called and stepped out of the small, enclosed room and into the open area with the Queen Anne chairs. But instead of her mother and Beth, she had an audience of one.
One incredibly sexy, virile male named Roman Chandler.
Roman stared at Charlotte’s practically nude body in complete shock. The most erotic bra and panty set he’d ever laid eyes on hugged the supple curves of the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. The same one he’d wanted for what felt like forever.
No way in hell was he prepared for this. He’d finally made up his mind to keep his distance, and now Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
this.
“Roman?” Her eyes opened wide, and to his relief, she began a dive for the protection of the swinging café-type doors. Unfortunately, she paused.
Waiting? Debating? He didn’t know, but he had a perfect view of her pale, slender back, tapered waist, and enticing hints of skin on her delectable behind.
And then she turned, slowly, placing one hand on top of the slatted door. Her milk-white breasts pushed upward over knitted black material, full and lush, calling to him. Begging him to forget his newly made vow to steer clear.
She faced him without running to get dressed. Roman hadn’t known she possessed such courage. Yet another facet of her discovered. But brazenness wasn’t all there was to this incredible woman. The trembling and her uneven breaths told him she was far from composed. Definitely not the ultimate seductress, he thought, and thank God. Her softer, innocent side would keep him centered and restrained. Something had to, because his body was fighting him every step of the way.
“Where’s my mother and Beth?” she asked.
Those amazing green eyes met his and a fall of tousled black hair hung over one bare shoulder, causing him to wonder what the silk strands would feel like on his bare skin.
“Beth said to tell you she was taking Annie home and she’d be back later. Much later.” Obviously the soon-to-be-married Beth had seen an opportunity to play matchmaker and she’d taken it.
“A setup,” Charlotte murmured, obviously realizing the same thing Roman had. “And you’re here because . . . ?”
“You’ve got something I need.” He cursed silently. He hadn’t meant to sound so damn suggestive.
She inhaled deeply. For courage? Roman didn’t know, but he needed a dose himself, because she stepped forward, not stopping until she was close. So close he could smell her fresh as spring scent and wanted more.
“So what can I get for you?” she asked.
“Rick said he’d called and asked you to leave a list of customer names in an envelope for him.”
Something related to the panty thief, though Roman hadn’t asked specifically what.
She nodded. But she didn’t make a move to get the envelope Rick promised would be waiting for Roman, nor did she make a move to get dressed. He didn’t know what had prompted Charlotte’s change of heart since the last time he’d seen her, but there was no doubting she’d approached and cornered him now. Apparently she had an agenda of her own, but damned if he knew what it was.
Roman let out a sharp exhale. The tables had turned. Predator had become prey, and he didn’t miss the irony. “Where are your clothes?” he asked.
“Why do you care?”
Desire trod a heavy beat inside him, powerful and consuming. All his concentration went into keeping his Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
eyes trained on her face and not on her luscious body. “What’s going on, Charlotte?” Damn. Her name sounded like a caress and a heated warmth rushed through his veins.
She lifted one delicate shoulder. “Why are you suddenly fighting what you said you wanted? What you dared me to give?”
She’d avoided his question, asking one of her own instead, her voice hesitant despite her bold stance.
But he couldn’t answer her without betraying his brothers, their coin toss or Roman’s own plan. He could barely face it himself.
He refused to reveal it to Charlotte. “You turned me down flat. What’s with the change of heart?”
She was barely dressed and offering him his heart’s desire. But he had to fight it or risk jeopardizing the job he loved and the future he wanted.
“I didn’t think you’d care about the hows or the whys.” She reached for the collar of his denim shirt and ran a shaking finger down one pointed edge.
He actually broke into a sweat. “I do have morals and standards, you know.”
“You’re also up front about your intentions. You aren’t sticking around. I appreciate your honesty.”
“I’ll always be honest with you, Charlotte.”
“Well, I decided that works fine for me.” A hesitant smile tipped her lips. “You want to acknowledge the attraction? So do I.” She swallowed hard. “I . . . I want you, Roman.”
“Oh, damn,” he muttered. What kind of man could resist a declaration like that? His hand came around the back of her neck, his fingers threaded into her hair, and he sealed his mouth tight over hers.