Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Samantha nodded in agreement. “I like the occasional glam night.”
Raven sighed. “Okay, just me then.” The women went on to talk about things in their lives, including Charlie in the conversation, which she appreciated.
A tapping sound echoed around the room and when she looked over, a woman was standing at the microphone.
“Oops. That’s our cue to sit down.” Samantha touched Charlie’s arm. “I look forward to getting to know you more,” she said.
“Same here.” Raven smiled, and Charlie took her seat.
Jared settled in beside her. “Is everything okay?” he asked.
She nodded, smiling. “Your sisters-in-law are great,” she said.
He slid his hand into hers. “I’m glad they’re making you feel welcome.”
The woman at the podium began to speak.
Charlie’s hand touched the necklace at her throat and she let her mind wander. Not to her brother, who she couldn’t do anything to help if he wasn’t ready to accept her help, but to Jared, and his generosity. Of course, the necklace was sparkling and spectacular and she’d never owned anything so beautiful. But the thought behind it…
And that he’d included the twins. Girls that weren’t his own. He hadn’t just been thinking about the baby they’d share but her daughters, too. There was no better way to win her over than to care about her girls and make them an important part of his life, as well. The best thing about Jared was there was no calculation in doing so. He truly cared. This man was breaking down her walls more with each passing day.
Her thoughts were distracted when Alex rose from his seat to a round of applause. Standing at the podium, she listened to him talk about his deceased wife and how she would still be here today if not for a man addicted to drugs, who’d gotten access to a gun, and killed her in the name of revenge.
At one point during the speech, he winced and lifted his hand to his chest and Jared nearly bolted out of his seat, as did his siblings, but he finished without incident.
She squeezed Jared’s hand and held on for the duration of Alex’s speech, which impacted all the Sterling siblings sitting around the table. Lizzie dabbed at her eyes and Charlie found a new respect for the woman who gave Alex a second chance at happiness.
He returned to his chair and reassured his family he was fine, but from Jared’s tight jaw, he was skeptical. He’d even whispered his worry in her ear but he was forced to take his father at his word.
Later, with the night winding down, Charlie danced with Jared, his strong arms wrapped around her waist. She inhaled his sensual cologne and her body sparked with need. His stiff erection rubbed against her as he moved, the desire between them equal and obvious.
“This reminds me of when we spent time together at Fallon and Noah’s wedding,” she said.
He chuckled in her ear, the sound low and deep. “As if I’d forget.”
She smiled as they slow danced to the music. Aroused but also safe and content in his embrace.
“This might be too forward,” he said. “But do you want to get out of here?”
Hearing the exact same phrase he’d spoken to her that same night, she smiled. “I don’t have a room upstairs this time but yes, I’d love to.”
“My place or yours?” he asked.
The girls were sleeping at their dad’s, so she didn’t have to worry about them after the sitter left. “Surprise me.”
He checked in with his father. The twins were fine. Then they said their goodbyes and walked out, hand in hand. Jared said something to the driver and they headed home in comfortable silence, her head on his shoulder.
They pulled up in front of his building and she followed him inside where she spent a glorious night in his bed.
* * *
Charlotte woke to the sound of a cell phone she recognized as Jared’s. Checking the time on her cell, she realized it was too late for a normal call. Still, she really needed to go to the bathroom, so she rushed out of bed while Jared answered the phone.
She returned to find he was out of bed and pulling on his pants. “What’s wrong?” she asked, rushing over to him.
“That was Remy. My dad’s in the hospital and it’s serious.” He ran a shaking hand through his hair. “We all knew something was wrong tonight. Why did I let him talk me into buying he was fine?”
She pulled him into a brief hug. “Let me get dressed and I’ll come with you.” She didn’t want him to be alone.
He buttoned his shirt, not bothering to tuck it in. “I should tell you to stay in bed. To get some sleep, but I really want you by my side.”
She was relieved to hear his answer. “That’s good because you couldn’t talk me into staying here and sending you there alone.”