Southern Charmer (Charleston Heat 1)

“Sorry.” He scratches his beard underneath his chin.

My heart is pounding. I fucking loved the feel of his hand on me.

He’s being a gentleman. But I want the animal.

I reach over and grab his hand. Put it on my thigh.

“Don’t be,” I reply quietly.

He leans into me a little, turning his head to meet my eyes.

One hand on the wheel. One hand on me.

“I want to reiterate that I’m not expecting anything,” he says, his voice different. Gruffer. “I meant it when I said I’m takin’ you out here to write. Don’t feel like you have to…do anything other than that. With me, I mean. Last night was great. Really, really great. But I’m happy to take things slow.”

I bite my lip. Then I take his hand and slide it a little bit higher on my leg. My sex pulses at his nearness. His pinkie is a mere three inches, probably less, from where I want him most.

“I want you to know that I’d very much like doing things other than that,” I reply. “But only if you want to.”

Eli gives my leg a soft squeeze. “You kiddin’? I want to. The other night—hell, Olivia, I haven’t had that much fun in a long time. I admit that today I’ve thought a lot about picking up right where we left off.”

I blink. I’m still not over the fact that this man wants me.

I’m not over the fact that I’m being so bold in expressing my want for him. There is a freedom in being upfront about what I want. In cutting through the bullshit and just doing what I want.

“I’d like that,” I say.

He glances at me before focusing his gaze on the road. “Me too.”

His pinkie brushes against the crotch of my underwear.

I smile. Even as I feel a tug of apprehension in my chest. This is all too wonderful. Too exciting. I’m worried I’m going to burn my whole life down for this guy.

I know I’m not going back to Ted. But what am I going to do about my job? My living situation?

I’m worried.

But not worried enough to have Eli turn around. Deep down, this feels right.Chapter Twenty-ThreeEliI can’t help smiling when Olivia steps into the cabin and goes still.

“Wow,” she breathes, sliding her sunglasses into her hair. “Eli, this is incredible.”

Dropping her bags by the door, she walks over to the back windows. Puts her hands on the small of her back as she takes in the view.

Mother Nature must know I’m trying to impress a girl, because good Lord is she putting on a show tonight. The marsh expands to the horizon, alternating zig zags of dark water and tall grass. We’ve caught the sun just before it sinks into the water for good. The sky is enormous, wide open and fiery. The light catches on the water, making it burn gold and silver.

It catches on the gauzy material of Olivia’s dress, too, allowing me to see the outline of her shapely legs and hips. I recall, in startling, visceral detail, what those legs felt like wrapped around me the other night.

The half chub I’ve been sporting for the entire two hour drive goes full salute.

I can’t fucking wait to get this girl in bed. Get her hot and soft and ready so I can take care of her the way I want to.

If that doesn’t clear my head—if that doesn’t make me forget the disappointment that sits like a goddamn elephant on my chest—nothing will.

“I think so too,” I say, coming to stand behind her. I want to kiss her neck, her bare shoulder. But I won’t be able to stop there. And I want to properly seduce Olivia before I take her clothes off. Wine, dinner, dessert. Then sex. “I bought this property back when I got my first real payday. Been dreamin’ about waking up to that view all my life. I’ve renovated the cabin over the years by bits and pieces.”

Olivia’s gaze moves over the cabin’s interior. It’s small—one bedroom, one bath, a kitchen, living room, lots of bookshelves, and then the deck out back—but exactly how I want it.

She smiles at me over her shoulder. “It’s you. I love it.”

I fall into her pretty blue eyes for a beat too long.

“Get comfortable,” I say, blinking. “I’ll pour some wine and get dinner started.”

“Actually.” Olivia crosses to the kitchen, where I set the cooler on the counter. She opens it and peers inside. “I was hoping I could make you a meal for once.”

I smile, pleasure curling around my heart. She wants to take care of me.

It’s sweet.

“I’m the cook,” I say. “I don’t mind doing it.”

She lets the top of the cooler fall and looks at me. “I know. But you’re always doing the work while I’m relaxing. Let me do it for a change. You’ve had a shit day. So put your feet up and relax. I’ll take care of everything.”