Page 57 of Fire in My Heart

“You need anything else, or can we get out of here?” I kept my tone neutral, but I hoped Charlotte caught my innuendo.

“I think that’s everything. Thank you so much for helping me out. I know you were skeptical.” Charlotte looked at me.

“I think you’ve proven that you were right about hosting events on the farm. It’s working for Monroe Farm, so it should work for us. But seeing all the people here today, having a good time, I just wanted to thank you for putting everything into us. It means a lot,” Knox said.

Charlotte’s eyes were suspiciously shiny. “You’re welcome. Sometimes it’s hard to see progress over a short period of time. But we’ll keep at it, making this an annual event.”

Knox nodded to her, then said to me, “I’ll see you later.”

If there was any innuendo in his tone, it was lost on me. My gaze was on Charlotte. “You headed home?”

“I need a bath and something to eat. In that order. Then I’ll probably fall asleep early.” Charlotte headed toward her car that was parked at the main house.

She stopped at her car and turned to face me. “Thanks for dressing up as Santa. I know you didn’t want to do it.”

“It wasn’t so bad.” My family wanted me to be happy, and right now, that meant being with Charlotte. A vice clamped on my chest, making it tight.

Charlotte opened the door and slipped inside.

“I’ll see you around.” I carefully shut her door, watching her back out before I got into my truck. I was using it more than my cruiser lately. I wasn’t sure what that meant. The cruiser kept me in the right frame of mind for work. I had to act a certain way in the uniform or when I was driving the cruiser. But the truck let me relax and just be me, the guy who grew up on a farm.

I kind of liked that guy. The one in worn jeans and flannels. Who didn’t have to act so uptight.

I had to admit that Charlotte was right. It was good for kids to see me in a different way, even if they didn’t know who I was.

Something that felt a lot like affection settled in my chest as I turned on the engine, backed out, and followed the lane past my house. I parked behind Charlotte’s car as she was getting out.

Her eyes widened as I threw the truck in Park, turned off the engine, and climbed out of the car. I stalked toward her.

“What are you—” Charlotte began.

“I want to take a bath with you.” My heart was actually thundering in my chest. I couldn’t believe I was nervous to proposition a woman.

Charlotte seemed like she was processing my words. Then she said, “Yeah, that would be nice.”

I didn’t want to talk about what this meant. I just wanted to enjoy the evening with her. I grabbed her hand and led her to the porch where I waited for her to unlock the door.

She turned the key in the lock and pushed the door open. I followed her inside, closing the door, then turning the lock. “I’ve been thinking about getting you alone all day.”

Charlotte licked her lips. “Me too.”

With my hand still on her wrist, I led the way to her bathroom. Inside, I turned on the water, testing the temperature.

Charlotte was already stripping. Naked, she stepped up to the tub and poured something that looked like bubbles into the water.

Steam filled the room as the water heated.

“Are you going to join me?” Charlotte asked with an arch of her brow.

I’d been frozen by the sight of her naked body, her nipples hard points, her skin already flushed from the heat. But now, I moved quickly, kicking off my shoes and shedding my clothes, and stepped into the water after her.

Charlotte settled between my legs. My dick was already hardening, but I didn’t want to rush this. I wanted to enjoy every minute. I reached around her to cup her breasts, thumbing over her nipples until she was squirming in my arms.

“Teddy.” Charlotte pressed her back against my chest, her head falling into the crook of my shoulder.

“Yeah, baby.” I kissed her exposed neck.

“I need you.” Her voice was soft, and her legs fell open.

---