Twisted Fire (14 page)

“
Remember the blonde I told you about?”

“
The vet?” Sam sat forward in his chair, elbows on knees. An amused smile curling his lips.

“
Yeah, it turns out she’s Chelsea’s sister.”

“
Ah, I thought you didn’t like sassy.”

“
Well, in this instance, I do. I have discovered there is more to her.”

“
Interesting. So what’s been happening, then?”

“
I have just been spending some time with her, that’s all.”

“
Yeah, between the sheets.” He sat back in his chair with a cat that got the cream grin filling his face. Jared wanted to be annoyed by Sam’s obvious smugness but felt far too happy to be irritated.

“
I don’t kiss and tell, Sammy.”

“
Well you look happy and that’s good to see. I’m glad you realise she’s not like Emma.”

“
I was a little worried at first. She did remind me of her, but Charlotte’s special. Let’s leave it at that for now.”

“
Are you in love with her?” he asked, disbelief evident in his expression.

“
Possibly.”

“
Good luck to you, Monty. I can’t wait to meet the lady that has stolen your heart and lightened you up a bit.”

“
The light side of me is just for her.”

“
I’m happy for you. I suppose I’d better get back to work … ” He was cut off by the bell.

“
Looks like we both have work to do,” Jared replied as they headed to the truck.

Chapter 16

Honesty

As Charlotte walked to work the following morning, she thought about Dr Shaw and his innuendoes and inappropriate behaviour. After informing her he was interested in someone the previous week, he proceeded to subtly indicate he was in fact talking about her.

As the days passed she felt more and more uncomfortable working for him and was at a total loss as to what she was going to do. He was not getting the hint; he knew she was seeing Jared, but he persisted nonetheless.

She considered resigning but, at this juncture of her studies, finding a suitable position would be problematic, unless of course she went home and worked with her mother again. She didn’t want to leave, so this wasn’t an option.

Speaking to Jared about the situation was a good start. As she’d said to Chelsea, honesty would be the best policy now. He might even be able to help in some way. Thoughts of Jared brought forth anticipation and excitement, and she wondered what he had planned for their evening together.

Fortunately both Charlotte and Dr Shaw were tied up with patients for the entire day so there was little opportunity for Dr. Shaw to be inappropriate. Once Dr Shaw left, she hummed happily to herself as she cleaned up the examination rooms. When the door jingled, she skipped towards the front anxious to see her man.

* * *

Jared spent the morning giving Max a long overdue walk before deciding he should make a belated visit to the gym. After going home he slept for a few hours before showering. He then prepared everything he would need to cook for Charlotte and dug up some candles.

It was late afternoon by the time he completed these tasks, so he decided to head off. On the way he called into Chelsea’s shop to pick up an arrangement of Charlotte’s favourites.

When he entered he was overwhelmed by the aromas and colours greeting him. Chelsea’s shop was inviting and quaint - it suited her. He noticed how talented she was when he saw all the different bouquets placed around the shop.

“
Hello, Jared,” Chelsea exclaimed. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“
Hi, Chelsea, your shop is nice.”

“
Thanks. So … would you like me to throw something together for Charlotte for you?”

“
Um, yeah. I just realised I don’t know what she prefers.”

“
Oh, well of course, I can help you there. She loves tulips, lilies and orchids. I will whip something up for you. Be back shortly.” She disappeared out the back.

Several moments later she returned with a breathtaking arrangement. There were purple tulips surrounded by big white lilies and small orange orchids. She’d placed greenery around the edges and wrapped them in tissue paper, ribbon and clear plastic to match.

“
I love it when I’m putting together an arrangement for someone I know. Makes it easy.” She smiled.

“
It’s beautiful. Thanks, Chelsea.”

He went to pay her.

“
No, your first one is always on the house and, besides, the smile you will give my sister is payment enough.”

“
Thanks again.” He grinned and Chelsea discovered another reason why her sister was so hooked. “It will be worth it for me too.”

After he’d left, Chelsea smiled to herself, pleased her sister might have finally met the right man for her.

* * *

When Jared pulled up at the clinic, he checked his watch to discover he was right on time. Placing the bouquet behind his back, he waited for her to appear.

The smile she greeted him with made waiting the short time they’d been apart worth every moment. As was her subsequent reaction. She ran to him, threw her arms around his neck and bestowed him with an amorous kiss. He indulged in the attention for a few moments before pulling back to take in her face flushed with excitement.

“
I have something for you,” he said.

He produced the arrangement from behind his back and handed it to her.

“
Oh they’re beautiful, thank you.” Her beaming smile rewarded his gesture. “You’ve been to see my sister.”

“
Yeah.” It was his turn to blush, another new sensation for him. “Are you ready to go?”

“
Yes, I just have to lock up.”

As they exited the front door and she locked up, he realised her car wasn’t in the car park.

“
Where’s your car?”

“
At home, I walked this morning.”

“
You walked?” His mouth twitched in amusement.

“
Yes, I’m not completely opposed to exercise, you know.” She lifted a blond eyebrow.

“
Really?” He returned the gesture.

“
Yes, really. You said you were picking me up so I thought it would be easier if I didn’t have my car. I have everything I need right here.” She gestured to the backpack on her shoulders.

“
I suppose I have to bring you to work tomorrow too, then.”

“
Yes, you do. I mean only if you don’t mind. You did say you wanted me to stay.” She lowered her eyes and her cheeks coloured. Her anxious expression prompted him to laugh. Her insecurities, he suddenly discovered, were endearing.

“
Did I say something amusing?” Her brow creased in her adorable defensive way.

“
Of course I want you to stay.”

“
Oh, OK.” She didn’t look convinced.

“
I was teasing you, babe. I like it when you look at me like that.”

She smiled. Throwing her arms around his shoulders, she brought her mouth to meet his again. The sudden motion caught him off balance and he fell back against the door of his car. Her free hand wound through his hair and across his shoulder.

Recovering quickly he embraced her, holding her tight against his body. Once again he indulged in the attention before bringing his hands to her face and gently easing her back.

“
Let’s go home before I get you arrested for indecent exposure.”

* * *

The second he opened the door, Jared took her flowers and placed them on the hall table. He removed her backpack and, before she could say a word, hauled her to him. His hands weaved a vigorous path up and down her body. He lifted her feet off the ground and walked her to his room, their mouths locked together in an ardent embrace. As he spun her around to place her gently on his bed, his mouth traced a procession across her chin and down her neck.

Her hands tugged at his shirt, anxious to feel the hard body beneath. For a brief moment his mouth ceased its trail as they removed their shirts. In an instant his lips found hers again before continuing his path down her creamy skin. He shoved her skirt up not bothering to remove it and only paused to eliminate the remaining barrier in one swift motion. When his mouth and tongue came to rest between her thighs, she moaned deep and loud. Her breathing came in short and ragged spurts. She threw her arms above her head to grip the bed.

The tingle began at her toes and crept slowly through her veins. She cried out her pleasure and he lingered to tease her for a moment. Jared kicked off his pants, anxious now to be inside her. Their frenzied rhythm brought them a swift climax.

They lay tangled together as they attempted to regain their breath. Her hands leisurely caressed his back. He rolled to his side bringing her with him and they gazed into each other’s eyes, contented.

“
I missed you,” he whispered.

“
I can see that,” she murmured.

* * *

An hour later they sat at his candle lit table enjoying her favourite, an Indian dinner, in comfortable silence. She helped him clear up and, when they’d finished, he topped up her wine glass. Taking her hand, he led her outside and sat her down on one of the chairs before pulling another over to sit across from her. He held her hands in his and studied her wary, anxious expression and waited for her to tell him what was on her mind. When she wasn’t forthcoming, he decided to prompt her.

“
What did you want to talk to me about, Charlotte?”

“
It’s really not important. What time do you start work?”

“
Midnight, I told you yesterday. Stop dodging.”

“
I’m not. I don’t want to ruin the moment.”

“
Is it really that bad?” A stab of fear shot through his chest.

“
No, more an annoyance than anything.” Her nose crinkled as though disgusted with a thought she wasn’t sharing.

“
Charlotte?”

His concerned expression prompted her to begin, wanting to alleviate his anxiety.

“
It’s about Dr Shaw.” His brow furrowed and Charlotte could see she’d surprised and confused him. “He is … um, I mean … um, I don’t know how to put it.”

“
Just say it, Charlotte.” His tone was sharp.

“
Oh no, it’s not what you think.”

“
How do you know what I’m thinking?”

“
I don’t, but you look worried and there is nothing to be worried about.”

“
Charlotte … ”

“
He keeps asking me out, flirting with me and making me really uncomfortable.” She saw his expression change into something harder, like he was angry, so she kept talking. “I told him from day one that I wasn’t interested but he doesn’t seem to be getting the message. He knows about us but this hasn’t stopped him. I just don’t know what to do.”

Jared stood abruptly and strode to the opposite end of the patio. He gripped the rail until his knuckles whitened. Charlotte regretted saying anything to him now. He was angry with her.

Torn between wanting to defend herself and wanting to reassure him, she debated over the best approach when he spoke between clenched teeth. “Did you give him any reason to believe you are interested in him?”

“
What? No.”

She stood up and came to stand beside him. His eyes remained on the horizon and his expression was still hard.

“
So you haven’t been … encouraging him?” he finally asked.

“
No.”

“
Has he … touched you?” His voice softened slightly.

“
Oh no, nothing like that.”

She placed a hand over his clenched one but he didn’t turn to her.

“
Do you want me to talk to him?”

“
No.”

“
Then what, Charlotte?”

His hands released the rail and he turned to her, his eyes dark.