Page 101 of The Charm of You

She’s insane for liking me.

No one can explain it, least of all me, but damn if I’m not going to oblige Caroline Summers if she wants to kiss me in the middle of a crowd.

chapter

thirty-two

CAROLINE

Last night was emotional.

Mama and I popped open a bottle of wine and reminisced of old times, during which we were swept away in our feelings.

We talked about Daddy.

Swapped stories from my childhood.

Laughed and cried over memories that have collected dust over the years.

It was a draining night, in the most sensational of ways, and I woke up with a true, genuine smile on my face. I got out of bed and poured myself a cup of coffee with a joyful outlook on the day.

I was excited to get my hair and makeup done. Chatting with the girls at the salon while Rita curled and teased my hair was an experience I just gobbled up like Thanksgiving dinner.

All morning, I couldn’t wait to see Austin.

But here we are, and he won’t kiss me in front of these people. What’s worse is that he doesn’t believe the best in me.

Addie marches toward us with the principal at her side, instructing everyone to get into position. The two cop cars in the front of the line flash their lights, signaling we’re about to begin.

It’s showtime, but this is the last thing I want to do.

I try to brush past Austin, but he stops me again. This time, he wraps his commanding arm around my waist and tugs me flush against his hard body. There’s nothing gentle or polite about it, and my body tingles.

His hooded gaze zeroes in on my lips, and sparks fly between us.

Our connection is nearly tangible. I’m not imagining it, no matter what he says or thinks.

He can fight it all he wants, but he’s wrong.

“I don’t think so little of you, Caroline.”

My eyelids flutter closed as his use of my name pins me in a choke hold.

“I just… Jesus,” he hisses and snakes his free hand to the back of my neck in an almost painful grip. “You’re leaving soon. When the town inevitably starts whispering about us, you’ll be long gone, and I’ll be the one they remind. I won’t be able to escape them, or you.”

I cling to him, my mouth dry as it hangs open in shock.

“It’s why I didn’t want to fucking want you, but I couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t stop myself from kissing you. From touching you and needing to be around you. So, yes, you’re absolutely right.” Austin’s breaths are ragged. “I am downright stubborn as fuck.”

I shudder in his arms as he utters the last word, which he punctuates with a delicious growl.

His nose touches mine in a juxtaposition of raw desire and romance as he adds, “I’m stubborn for you.”

His mouth crashes onto mine, and I lose myself to the moment as I happily smear my lipstick across his lips.

A chorus of claps and cheers burst from our right as I melt into Austin and this kiss until I’m certain not even a tractor could pry me away from this man. This grumpy man with a large, fragile, beautiful heart.

I kiss him as more cheers erupt from the other side of us, and it’s like we’re wrapped in a giant hug from this loving town.

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