The Bachelor (Chandler Brothers 1)

She inclined her head and her cheek came to rest in the palm of his hand. “I know you wouldn’t. Dishonor your commitments, I mean. You Chandlers are too forthright.”

If she only knew, Roman thought. Charlotte must never ever know about the coin toss and the damn deal. “We’re the town’s most upstanding citizens,” he said wryly.

“That’s the reason you’re here spilling your guts why you turned me down. It’s more than I once did for you,” she admitted softly. “You’re a hell of a man, Roman. More than I ever gave you credit for.”

“Don’t make the mistake of painting me as a good guy,” he warned her.

She tipped her head back, looking at him through thick lashes. “I wouldn’t call you an angel, but you are looking out for me. I appreciate that even if I don’t like what I’m hearing.” A regret-filled smile tilted her lips.

“I can’t say I like it either.” Any of it. Despite his words of warning and protest, Roman desperately wanted to kiss those lips one last time. A final good-bye.

She must have read his mind, because she lifted up onto her tiptoes at the same time he lowered his mouth to hers. But a simple kiss wasn’t enough to satisfy his craving and he held her face in his hands, cradling her for deeper access to her mouth.

It was meant to be a farewell kiss, strong and hot enough to fill a lifetime of memories. He slipped his hands around her waist and began to bunch the material of her dress, pulling the soft cotton upward inch by inch until he could finally feel the bare skin on her midriff.

His fingers gripped her warm flesh, and as she let out a soft sigh, his heart thudded harder in his chest.

And all of a sudden he knew—he couldn’t say good-bye any more than he could choose another woman as his wife to bear his children. Before he could process that thought, a loud knock sounded at the door, startling them both.

She jumped back and reality returned along with a banging that wouldn’t cease.

Roman expelled a frustrated groan. “Tell me you’re not expecting company.”

“I’m not.” She averted her eyes, unable to meet his gaze. “I wasn’t expecting you either, and there’s no one else who’d come by this time of night without calling first.”

“Good.” He wasn’t in the mood to deal with other human beings. “Go away,” he called out and got one of her elbows in his ribs.

“I said I wasn’t expecting anyone, but it could be important.”

He let her go, shock still rippling through him at the conclusion he’d come to after that kiss.

“Open up, Roman. It’s the police.” Rick’s voice traveled to them.

Despite the somber mood that had settled between them, Charlotte failed to stifle a laugh and Roman wasn’t amused. Rick was the last person he wanted to see. Especially when just the thought of his brother and Charlotte still managed to charge him up.

As she walked to the door, she smoothed her wrinkled dress and ran a shaking hand through her messed hair. It was impossible to hide what they’d been doing.

Nor did he want to. Her well-kissed lips branded her, and damn if Roman didn’t like it that way.

So much for good intentions. He’d barged in to apologize for sending out those mixed signals. He’d intended to say good-bye and put an end to any illusions either of them held about each other. But with Charlotte, nothing was ever final or finished, no matter how hard he tried.

Realization dawned, taking him off guard. Good-bye wasn’t possible. Not with Charlotte. He couldn’t walk away from this woman and turn to another, no matter what his reasons.

He shook his head, knowing he’d had a shock just now. Knowing he’d give her one too. Instead of freeing himself for his potential wife hunt, Roman already had his candidate. One who didn’t want to play the stay-at-home wife to the long-distance, globe-trotting husband. There’d have to be compromises there. But that was okay. Even the best-laid plans often changed along the way. And when it came to Charlotte, he’d alter accordingly. He had no choice.

But first he had to convince her to give them a chance after his whole speech about walking away. He let out a groan. Roman knew she wouldn’t slam doors in his face. Given the chance, she’d sleep with him in an attempt to get him out of her system. And all the while she’d be trying to convince herself she could walk away in the end.

He had no choice but to convince her she was wrong. He’d have to take her there slowly, that much he knew. But this time there was no turning back.

His stomach churned with the conclusions he’d drawn, but dammit, they felt right. He rolled his shoulders, attempting to ease the tension, and before he could contemplate further, Charlotte had let Rick inside. Chase followed close behind.