Page 99 of The Charm of You

And she’s walking straight toward me.

She only pauses to hug a couple of old teachers and a few girls in cheerleading outfits. When she smiles, I’m glad we’re outside. No room could contain her smile or the way it lights up the ten-foot radius around her.

My fucking heart hammers against my rib cage with a vengeance, like it’s trying to run to her.

Students huddle around Caroline for a selfie like she’s on the red carpet, instead of the plain, boring asphalt next to the fall-singed lawn of the high school.

Her eyes frequently find mine, and each time our gazes lock, I take one step toward her.

Eventually, we meet near the tailgate of my truck—the scene of our first time together. Suddenly, I wish I would’ve borrowed someone else’s truck for today. This one feels too personal to share in the parade for the whole town.

“Hi,” she breathes as her gaze roams over me from head to toe. “Your shirt is tucked in.”

I tear my eyes from her and peer down at the black button-up shirt I tucked into dark jeans. It’s nothing special, I don’t guess, but it’s a lot nicer than anything I usually wear. “It’s too much, isn’t it?” I ask, lifting my head again.

The corners of her crimson lips curl with appreciation. “I like it.”

I stuff my hands into my pockets and shrug. “My good shirt thanks you.”

“Your good shirt, huh?” She sways to the side.

“One of about three that I own.” Sweat pools at the back of my neck and cascades down my spine the longer I stand in front of her. “You look… good. Actually, better than good. There’s no real word for it.”

Her lips sink into a smile I’ve never seen on her. It’s almost bashful, and I’m suddenly glad to be the one driving her.

I’m glad to be the one putting such a smile on her face.

“I’m here!” Paulette rushes toward us, her arms wrapped around bouquets of flowers with thick black ribbons dangling from the stems. “Harper, the ladies, and I had to drop off several arrangements for the other floats. One of the new fire department dogs ripped into the sophomore maid’s corsage, and another bouquet got caught in Cole’s truck door. What a day!”

“Sounds like it.” Caroline scoops some of the load from her mother, and I lend a hand as well.

My forearm brushes Caroline’s in the process.

The contact sends an electric current back and forth between her and me, and I stifle a curse, swallowing it down with godlike force.

“I have your corsage, honey,” Paulette says as she grins adoringly at her daughter. Then she turns her focus to me. “Austin, I have the decorations for your truck too.”

“I’ve been looking for you.” My mom reappears, takes the flowers from my hands, and pulls Paulette away as they discuss where to put what.

I dust off my fingers from the remnants of the flowers and face Caroline, who wrestles with the corsage over the left side of her chest. “Need a hand?”

“I do. I bet one of the kids back there can help.” Her doe eyes catch the sunlight, and the gold flecks in her blue eyes brighten.

I narrow my gaze. “I bet any of your fan club would jump at the chance to grope your tit, but how about I just do it, instead?”

“Grope away.” She works her tongue against the inside of her cheek, and when she arches her back just a fraction, her breasts essentially on a platter for me, I curse under my breath.

My clumsy fingers fumble with the damn flowers like I’m performing surgery, but how can I focus on pinning this thing when all I want to do is slip my hand inside her dress and feel how hard her nipples are?

Her skin is hot against my knuckles as I fight with the pin.

Each breath she releases touches my cheek like she’s begging for me, and I suppress a growl.

Beads of sweat dot my forehead, and my throat bobs painfully as I struggle to fucking swallow.

When I finally secure the nuisance in place, my nerves pop in celebration. Since when did pinning a corsage become so arousing?

I drop my hands to the safety of my sides, but I stay near when I tell her, “You’re glowing.”

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