Twisted Fire (8 page)

“
I’m sorry,” he said abruptly struggling to restrain the wave of emotions taking over his senses. “I barely know you and my behaviour was inappropriate.”

“
Why is it inappropriate?” she asked him, her brow puckering. Even puzzled she was desirable.

“
Like I said, I barely know you and I don’t really think you’re what I’m looking for.”

“
And what would that be exactly?” she asked caustically. She stepped back, her brow still furrowed. Fire went into her eyes which sent heat exploding through his veins. Was there any emotion which didn’t ignite a fire in his blood?

“
I hear you can be a bit impertinent and you seemed a little flirtatious when we met. I usually prefer women who are a little less … frivolous.”

“
Like you said we barely know each other which means you don’t know anything about me. How can you make assumptions?” Her face flushed in anger now and her graceful hands balled into fists.

“
Look, I just don’t like to waste my time with women who are shallow. From experience I have found girls like yourself are usually quite superficial, therefore don’t gain my respect.”

“
Respect! You are arrogant and judgemental and I don’t respect those qualities,” she declared.

She turned with swift poise and stormed back towards the hotel. Even in anger she appeared graceful. What was she doing to him?

Jared watched her enter the hotel and cursed himself for being unable to suppress his desire for her. Instead of trying to find out more about her, he let his attraction for her take a hold of him.

Now he’d insulted her without giving her a chance or even trying to ascertain if his accusations were warranted. He would have to find her to apologise. He should have talked to her, shown some restraint. Instead, he let annoyance at himself get in the way, raised his guard, then insulted her. Regardless, he was still totally fascinated by her and his desire had only increased.

* * *

Charlotte went straight into the ladies room and locked herself in a cubicle. The nerve of that man making judgements about her! After all, he was the one who kissed her and so brashly. Granted, she had responded. Her attraction for him hadn’t faded in the least and she’d been powerless to contain the feelings which overcame her. Why did he kiss her if she was clearly not what he wanted?

The hurt she was now experiencing crushed her already dwindling confidence. She didn’t understand why he was affecting her so significantly. Yes, he was incredibly handsome and sexy but she’d met sexy men before and never experienced these irrepressible feelings. As she attempted to regain her dignity, Charlotte heard the door open and Chelsea call out her name.

“
I’m in here.”

“
Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you. I came in before and you weren’t here.”

“
I was outside.”

“
Oh, are you ok?”

“
Yes,” she answered weakly.

“
I don’t believe you. You sound like you’ve been crying. Come out here so I can see you.”

“
I do
not
want to talk about this with you today, Chelsea. I’m not going to ruin your day.”

“
You won’t and I’m not leaving until you tell me what happened.”

Charlotte sighed. “Fine,” she said coming out of the cubicle “I just had a run in with one of Nathan’s brothers.”

“
Oh.” She smiled. “Jared?”

“
So you knew?”

“
I had a sneaky suspicion that it was the same Jared.”

“
Well you could have warned me, told me what he was like and saved me from the sexy abrasive egotistical jerk.”

“
I didn’t know for sure it was him. What did he do?” Amusement was evident in Chelsea’s expression which simply irritated Charlotte further.

“
He kissed me then insulted me.”

“
Carrie did tell me he can be quite serious and stoic at times but I didn’t realise he could be unkind.”

“
Well, he was more judgmental then anything. He said he had no respect for the qualities he seems to think I possess.”

“
Hmm, I’ve heard that about him. Apparently he thinks someone whose fun loving and flirtatious is shallow and lacks substance.”

“
Well, I told him that he doesn’t know me and it was very arrogant of him to judge me. Why kiss me if I’m ‘not his type’?”

“
Have you seen yourself today?” Charlotte glanced towards the mirror and noticed her hair was now an uncontrollable mess. She tried to smooth it down to no avail.

“
Well I did look respectable, besides that is no excuse. If he is so attracted to me, why not give me the benefit of the doubt?” She continued to run her fingers through her curls. Not only had the infuriating man insulted her, he’d made a shambles of her hair as well.

“
It’s quite possible you caught him off guard and he said things he didn’t actually mean. Lucas did it to me the first time he kissed me too, remember. It’s like their mind becomes blank and they put up some kind of man shield to push you away.”

“
I have met him twice now, with the same response. I don’t know if I want to be around someone like that.” She paused. “Anyway, I haven’t had a chance to meet Mitch yet, who is just as hot by the way, and I believe now is the perfect time to make my acquaintance.”

She strode out on a mission and Chelsea shook her head. This would be interesting.

Chapter 8

Mitch

Jared watched as Charlotte strode in and his heart skipped a beat. He’d better resolve this problem before there was too much damage done. Somehow she’d gotten under his skin and he needed to learn more about her. The desire to taste her rosy lips again filled his mind and he shook it off. Thinking about that was not going to repair the situation.

She scanned the room before locating whomever she was seeking and then sauntered over to him. When he caught sight of her intended target and she started to flirt with him, a surge of jealousy rushed through him. Mitch, his unattached, charming brother - just what he needed. Seeing his immediate response to her made him suddenly livid. Envy pieced his heart.

Mitch never struggled to relate to women – some would say he was a womaniser - whereas Jared’s cautious and solemn nature made it difficult for some women to understand him. He didn’t like where this might go and he needed to put an end to it before it got started.

* * *

Mitch spotted Jared approaching over Charlotte’s shoulder, his dogged stride indicating his mood. The moment he saw the determined, stern expression in his brother’s eyes, Mitch sensed he was treading on rocky ground. Charlotte had gotten to Jared and no doubt in his clumsy way Jared had screwed it up.

Knowing his brother was within earshot, Mitch elected to provoke Jared’s envious nature to perhaps inspire him to let his guard fall. He dropped the punch line to a story he was telling and she let out a spontaneous throaty laugh. The effect was anticipated correctly as Jared seethed. Mitch knew when to step aside. He now hoped Jared could make amends with her as he knew how easily his little brother could offend.

* * *

Jared heard Charlotte let out a husky laugh and the sudden deep timbre tore through his composure. Pure hunger shoved aside any rational thought. He gazed at her standing with her back to him and for the infinite time took in how amazing she looked in that dress. It hugged her perfect slim tall figure and the colour next to her skin was amazing. Strawberries and cream.

“
I see you have met my entertaining brother Mitchell,” he said irritably.

“
Yes, and he is one funny guy,” she said touching Mitch’s arm, leaving Jared incensed.

“
Yes, he’s very jovial,” he replied his voice rich with derision. “May I talk to you for a moment please, Charlotte?”

“
I think we have talked enough. Besides I’m talking to Mitch who I have to admit is much better company.”

“
Ouch,” Mitch said and laughed.

Jared sent him a warning glare.

“
Go ahead, Charlotte, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait for you to come back,” Mitch told her, identifying this would make his brother crazy. Perhaps Jared would feel rather than think for a change.

“
Fine, I really don’t know what you could possibly say to … ” She was cut off by a forceful hand on her arm. Jared all but dragged her outside to the very same spot he’d taken her breath away minutes before.

“
What do you want?” she demanded.

“
Besides you?”

She didn’t answer as a jolt of electricity ran through her veins.

“
I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for offending you before. I sometimes lack diplomacy,” he told her with sincerity.

“
Fine, apology accepted.” She started to walk off.

“
Wait, where are you going?”

“
Back inside to talk to a more pleasant Montgomery.”

“
OK, I asked for that. Please stay, I really want to talk to you some more. I think our first impressions of each other have been inaccurate and I wondered if perhaps we could start afresh.” Her eyes searched his face and she seemed for a moment to consider.

“
You’re very serious aren’t you?” Her beautiful face held a slight look of amusement, as though a smirk was hiding beneath the surface.

“
Generally.”

“
Well, I can be too. I take my job and the health of animals very seriously. I also take the health and well-being of my family very seriously. Just because I like to have fun and tease doesn’t necessarily mean I’m superficial as well. Besides, seems to me you could loosen up a bit and be less … rigid.”

“
Probably,” he said as he took a step towards her. She leant against a post near the opening at her back. He brought his arm around her waist and pulled her to him again. “I haven’t been about to stop thinking about you since I met you. Especially how your lips would taste and now that I have tasted them, I want to again.”

He pressed his lips with gentle force against hers. Instantly she became giddy and loose limbed again. She wrapped her arms around his neck to steady herself, should her legs betray her, and played with the curls which skimmed his collar. All the while desire surged through her body, taking control of her senses and mind.

He took in the details this time to savour her. Lips soft and full and hair like silk. Her bare skin under his hands felt velvety and far better than anything his imagination could have conjured. Her aroma was intoxicating and his fuzzy mind couldn’t put a name to the fragrance.

As he continued to trail his hands down her smooth bare back, caressing every inch along the way, she moaned into his mouth and it was almost his downfall. He stopped and pulled back slightly, without releasing her.

“
I have to stop, babe,” he said hoarsely, “or I won’t be able to prevent what happens next.”

Her passion-filled gaze was her only response.

“
I don’t do casual. As much as I want to keep going, I also want to know more about you. You are the most beautiful, intriguing woman I have ever met.”

“
Flattery will get you everywhere.”

He smiled and she felt her pulse quicken. His smile was incredible.

“
I would like to see you tomorrow, cook for you, but I have to work. Can I pick you up when I finish?”

“
Yes,” she replied breathlessly.

Stunned by the affect she was having on him, it took him a moment to answer.

“
About six, ok?”

She nodded. “I’d better get back before my family wonders what has happened to me.”

“
As long as you stay away from Mitch, then you can go.” He held her tight against him, reluctant to release her.

“
Oh, so he does have a sense of humour.” Her teasing smile didn’t seem as frivolous now as he’d first thought. Though seductive, it was also sincere.

“
I’m not completely humourless but in this instance I’m deadly serious.”

“
Hmm, a little possessive too. I like that.”