Page 32 of Fire in My Heart

“I didn’t think you’d be a margarita guy.”

“I’m not. But it’s surprisingly good.” I took another large biteof taco, wondering if she had enough to fill my stomach. I was starving after working all day on the farm.

Charlotte beamed. “I’m glad you like it.”

I finished my second taco. “I felt weird coming without bringing anything. But I didn’t have any wine or flowers.”

Charlotte shook her head. “Oh, that wasn’t necessary.”

Because this wasn’t a date. “My mom raised me to be a gentleman.”

“That’s sweet.”

I saw the confusion swirling in her gaze because I was a grumpy asshole most of the time. “Not that I take women out.”

She raised a brow. “You don’t?”

We were in dangerous territory, and my heart rate had kicked up. “I don’t have time for that.”

She tipped her head to the side, considering me. “You never date?”

“Maybe in college before Mom died. Not after. I had my siblings to take care of, the farm, my dad. Then I was working.”

“You take those responsibilities seriously. That’s commendable.” Charlotte held one shell in her hands delicately.

“It makes a social life difficult.” I rarely had free time, and when I did, I liked to relax on my couch. Not spend time getting to know a woman who’d decide I couldn’t give her what she needed.

CHAPTER 9

CHARLOTTE

Teddy finished his next taco in two bites, then stood to grab more.

I was fascinated by how quickly he was eating them.

I made a move to help him, but he waved a hand in my direction. “You cooked. I can serve myself.”

My cheeks were flush from drinking some of the margarita while I was cooking.

There was something about Teddy moving around my kitchen that made me hot and bothered. If this was a date and he’d brought me flowers, I might have melted on the spot.

I definitely would have thrown my arms around his neck when I saw him on the porch and kissed him. I was demonstrative, and holding myself back was physically painful. It’s why I touched his arm so often. I preferred physical contact with my friends, and I was precariously close to more than liking this man.

Everything he told me about himself had me wanting more. He was so much more than a grumpy guy who was focused on work. He had a strong work ethic, but he also loved his family. He’d do anything for them.

It was such a stark contrast to my family situation. My mom revolved around the needs of my father, not her children.

As a kid, I’d relied on my brother, Cole, being there for me. As a teen, he’d spent more time with our cousins at the Monroe Christmas tree farm. Then I was on my own, and I had to make the best of the situation.

I nibbled on my taco, feeling floaty from the alcohol. I wished Teddy was here for me. That he wanted to spend time with me. And that it had nothing to do with work.

Teddy settled in the chair across from me with three overstuffed tacos. “Is this okay?”

I swallowed hard. “Of course.”

“I don’t want to eat you?—”

My face flamed as I imagined his face between my legs. Would he be as attentive with a woman as he was with everything else? I was positive he would be.

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