Knocking Boots - Willow Winters Page 0,44

and then grin like the Cheshire Cat. Is it so wrong to do this with Charlie? My ovaries might say ‘yes, yes it is,’ when I’m at the doctor’s but they don’t have any objections when Charlie’s kissing me. I know that much.

The parking lot is nearly empty by the time I finally get to Mac’s. So empty that I think it may be closed, but it doesn’t stop me from taking a peek inside. When I open the doors, it’s vacant inside as well, the soft hum of the TV is the only sound. I turn around and check to see if there was a sign on the door. Maybe I missed that they’re not open somehow.

But no. There’s no sign. Just a big empty bar.

I walk across the floor, aiming for the back hallway that Charlie is always disappearing into. I chew the inside of my cheek nervously, knowing that I probably shouldn’t go back there. My heart’s beating faster at the prospect of being alone with him in his bar. It’s definitely marked “Employees Only” for a reason.

But the bar is empty. There’s no one to see me do it, so it doesn’t really count. I remember how he kissed me the other night, and that’s all I need to get my feet moving.

Navigating past the walk-in cooler and stockroom, I poke my head inside each to make sure they’re empty. I continue back the hall, getting more and more nervous.

Finally, I spot him. Coming to an abrupt halt, I watch Charlie in a small office, leaning over a desk full of paperwork. For a second, I’m too shy to announce my presence, so I just stare. He’s nothing but trouble. But I knew that. Right from the beginning, I already knew it.

Charlie’s wearing dark jeans that probably mold perfectly to his ass, and a dark t-shirt that fits snugly over his hard pecs and abs. He’s hard at work, a pen in his mouth. I lick my lips nervously, strangely jealous of the pen.

The nerves start building when he doesn’t notice me, and I can’t take it. I clear my throat. “Ahem.”

Charlie looks up, surprised. “Hey,” he says, dropping the pen. It lands in his hand but he’s quick to drop it.

A gentle smile, joined with a warmth that flows through me, creeps up on my face. “Hey. The bar is empty.” I lean against the doorframe, not looking away from him. “I wasn’t sure if I should come back here or not.”

I don’t miss how his eyes travel down my body before he answers. “Yeah. There’s some free festival that’s going on downtown.” He shrugs. “Everyone left a bit ago. I didn’t want to lock up though… just in case.”

“Ah. Well, at least you’ve got one customer,” I say, feeling more and more naive. He’s busy. He’s working. And I came unannounced. But he didn’t tell me to leave.

My breath hitches when Charlie stands up, tall and with his masculinity on full display. I try not to stare at him, at the way he moves toward me.

“Well, if I’ve only got one, at least you’re a pretty customer,” he teases, flashing a grin.

I can’t help but be dazzled by him. He’s so handsome, with his deep green eyes. This is how he got me. I know it is. I’m struck by the air around him, the ease of everything about him and the charming way he looks at me, but the rough cadence when he speaks. He's the perfect mix of what I want if I could pick everything out on a checklist. I could get lost in those twin pools, swim deep below the surface of them. I already am lost. I know this is bad, but I can’t help myself.

I open my mouth, but nothing intelligible comes out. “I… uh…”

Charlie comes nearer. This close to me, I can see the desire in his eyes. It almost melts me where I stand.

“I was thinking…” he says, brushing a coppery lock of my hair back behind my ear. “About the other night, at the festival.”

His chest is almost touching mine now. I can feel a tingle of anticipation begin there, hardening my peaks.

“Oh?” I whisper breathily.

His big hand caresses my shoulders, warm fingers kneading my muscles. My eyelids flutter closed as he touches me. It’s all I can do not to moan.

“Mmmhm. I think you need to unwind,” he says. “You’re so tense all the time.”

“And you have an idea of how I should unwind?”