Page 12 of Fire in My Heart

I wondered if smiling was a perpetual state of her face. It wasn’t something that people did easily around me, and it set me on edge. I wanted to make her uncomfortable, but she seemed perfectly at ease as she fell into step beside me.

Always a gentleman, I opened the passenger-side door for her and waited for her to climb in. She was short, and when she struggled to get into the high seat, I didn’t think twice about touching her ass and giving her a boost.

I wasn’t prepared for the heat that warmed my palm. Her ass was delectable, and I shouldn’t be touching it.

Charlotte gave me a wide-eyed look over her shoulder.

At least I’d wiped the smile off her face.

“You looked like you need the boost,” I said seriously.

“Yeah, but?—”

“This is what it’s like to live on the farm. If you need help, I’ll give it.” It wasn’t sexual. I had to keep telling myself that, because my dick had twitched to life at the brief contact. Her leggings provided no barrier.

I wanted more, and I had no business thinking of my dad’s new employee this way. I shut the door without waiting for her to respond. I was used to being in charge, not the give and take of a relationship. This dynamic was easier for me to navigate.

I rounded the hood and got into the driver’s side.

“I could have managed,” Charlotte said softly.

“It was quicker this way. But I’ll try not to manhandle you next time.” I wasn’t used to being around women. I didn’t date them. Just accepted their overtures when I was in the mood for it. I’d need to be more in tune to these interactions going forward. I didn’t want to, but we would be working closely together the next few weeks.

After Christmas, she’d move out, and I’d go on with my life.

I put the truck in gear and backed out of her driveway. “You get settled in?”

“Mmm. It’s a lovely place. I’m so grateful your father let me move in.” Charlotte’s flowery scent filled my cab.

If it was up to him, he would have let her move in last year, so I didn’t say anything.

“I was living in a room at the inn, so it’s nice to have a kitchen and more space,” Charlotte continued.

“Why were you living there again?” I couldn’t turn off the questions or my suspicious nature. It came with the job.

“When I quit my job at the marketing firm, I couldn’t keep the apartment. I stayed with Cole for a while, but when he cameclean about his relationship with Daphne, I wanted to give them space.

I wasn’t happy when we discovered a Monroe was dating my baby sister. Especially since she was a single mother, and there was an ongoing feud between our families.

“Why did you quit?” I asked, knowing I was pushing her, but I needed to know if she presented a danger to my family.

“I always wanted to work as a consultant. Then Cole got me a job at Aiden’s inn, and I loved it. It was a nice break from the stress of the marketing firm.”

“I heard you were great with the guests.”

Charlotte beamed. “I love talking to people. But I want to get the marketing business off the ground, so I need to focus fully on your farm.”

“I heard you helped Violet with her ice cream shop.”

“That’s right. Luna’s been asking for some advice too. I love talking about marketing.”

I drove the truck slowly over the lane, careful not to kick up stones. “I can’t say I feel the same.”

“No, I suppose you wouldn’t. Your job isn’t about selling anything.”

“It’s more about control and containment,” I said without thinking.

Charlotte glanced over at me. “Oh?”

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