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 was in town doing an errand for his mother, so he told Rick he’d stop by Charlotte’s and remind her to send him a list of customers names. Something related to the panty thief but Roman hadn’t asked what. Of course Rick could have texted or emailed Charlotte, himself, but Roman couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see her. Even if he’d promised himself hands off. When he’d walked into the shop, Beth had sent him to the back of the store.
Now he 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 this.
“Roman?” Her eyes opened wide, and to his relief, she began a dive for the protection of the swinging 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 pale 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 send a list of customer names.”
She nodded. “I know.” But she didn’t make a move to get her laptop or phone, 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 beat heavily inside him, powerful and consuming. All his concentration went into keeping his 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 what he desired. But he had to fight it or risk jeopardizing the job he loved and the future he wanted.