over her, she felt her hard nipples pressing against the sheer fabric.
“You kept it.”
She nodded, emotion threatening to choke her. “It smelled like you. And then it didn’t, but it was still yours.”
He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe her. Desire burned in his eyes. His gaze locked with hers as he slipped her robe from her shoulders. It dropped to the floor at her feet, the T-shirt following it. His gaze moved over her body like a caress. Heat rippled over her right behind it, then goose bumps.
“Charlie, you’re so beautiful.” His voice broke.
She reached for his Western shirt, making the snaps sing as she jerked it open. Her palms pressed against the warm skin of his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath. As he stood there in nothing but jeans, she was reminded of him in only a towel. Could this man be any sexier?
He pulled her to him, kissing her deeply before trailing warm kisses down her throat. She shivered with longing as he pressed his lips to the hollow between her breasts, then took one hard nipple in his mouth and sucked gently. A moan escaped her. She arched against his mouth as he took the other nipple. His fingers caressed a path across her stomach and found her center.
She felt the wet warmth as he touched her in a way that made her insides go liquid. He took her higher and higher until she cried out with joy and sweet release. Her legs threatened to give out under her just before he swept her up into his arms again and lay her down on the bed.
She didn’t remember taking off his jeans, but her one desire had been to feel his naked body against her own.
For years, she’d thought of the boy she’d known. Now she found herself wrapped in the arms of the man he’d become. She felt the old memories fade as the two of them made love with an even stronger, more sustainable passion.
* * *
LATER, SATED AND drifting in a cloud of contentment, she looked over at Shep. She could feel his hand on her bare thigh. There was a smile on his face, his eyes shining as he glanced over at her.
“Does that answer any questions you might have?” he whispered.
She shook her head. “It requires no explanation.” She grinned. “But can I at least say, wow.”
He laughed. “My sentiments exactly.” He rolled on his side to face her. “Charlie.” He grazed his knuckles down her cheek, his gaze locking with hers. “I love you.”
“I love you, Shep. I always have. I always will.”
He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her. “Merry Christmas, Charlie.”
“Merry Christmas.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHRISTMAS DAY PASSED in a blur. There was cooking together in the kitchen listening to holiday music and laughing. There was more lovemaking. There were card games and board games. And later there were glasses of wine while sitting on the couch with only the lights of the Christmas tree twinkling in the room.
It had been one of the best days of his life, Shep thought the next morning when he awoke in Charlie’s bed with her in his arms. For a while, he’d been able to forget about Lindy and Lacey and the fact that Charlie was still in danger. He was actually looking forward to leaving town and going up to the ski resort at Big Sky for Amanda and Greg’s wedding.
“I thought we’d get some breakfast when we arrive at the resort,” he said after they’d showered and dressed and were having coffee in the kitchen.
She glanced at him over the rim of her mug. They’d made love again this morning before heading for the shower together. They couldn’t seem to get enough of each other.
“Your horoscope says that you’ve come through some confusing times, but that you have chosen the right path. Have confidence you have a bright future ahead.” He actually got her to smile. “Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think, maid of honor.”
Charlie groaned. “My phone blew up this morning with the details. Amanda bought me a dress to wear. She said she can’t trust me to have bought something appropriate or worse, that I didn’t buy something special at all.” She shook her head. “She is right about that anyway. She said she guessed at my size—with Greg’s help.” She groaned as Shep raised a brow.
“I’ll be glad when these two are married. Greg has definitely taken a special interest