Page 5 of Wilde Sanctuary

Perfect. He had her exactly where he wanted her. Deliciously soft curves pressed against him and he fought to keep his breathing even as desire flooded him.

“I’m not too heavy?” She asked, a line forming between her brows.

He growled. “You’re perfect.” His hands gripped her backside and squeezed, dragging her forward until she was pressed up against his hard cock.

Right at that moment, he wanted to curse whoever had invented clothing.

She smiled, sliding a hand between them to stroke her fingertips lightly over the denim-clad bulge in his pants. He almost came at the contact, burying his face in her neck and nipping her with his teeth.

She giggled and sighed, dropping her head to one side. “You’re a biter, huh?”

In answer, he nipped her again before trailing kisses up her neck and capturing her lips with his own.

Chapter Three

Charlie

Charlie was bouncing as she made her way along Cape Wilde’s Main Street a few days later, coffee in hand. She couldn’t wipe the smile from her face.

She’d seen Rhett every day. Picnics by the ocean. Boat trips to see the puffins that migrated to the area. Drives to nearby towns to the many markets that seemed to be a constant fixture in the holiday season. Every chance Rhett could get away from work, he spent with her. And she, in return, put off her real reason for being in Cape Wilde.

But she couldn’t put it off anymore. She tried to put Rhett out of her mind. She needed to focus on the offer she was about to make to the owner of the land she intended to buy. But, try as she might, her thoughts drifted back to Rhett.

Despite the way their first meeting had gone, Rhett had insisted that they take things slowly. He knew she was only there for a little while, and she figured she could always visit again. It was a bit of a drive from New York, but she never took her PTO. It might be nice to have somewhere—and someone—to visit. Andwhen the resort project started, she’d see if she could get on the team. Then she’d see him almost every day.

She grinned, imagining the future with her hottie outdoorsman by her side. It was almost as if she could feel Rhett’s large hands on her. His touch was like fire, lighting her up inside in ways she had thought were long dead.

Charlie liked her curves, and she wasn’t ashamed of her body. But that didn’t mean she was immune to nasty comments. She had once been set up on a blind date, only to have the guy tell her he was sorry, but she was too fat for him. Her father constantly commented on everything she ate as a teenager until she stopped eating in front of him, which wasn’t particularly hard considering how much he worked.

And even the supposedly friendly comments could get to her. Like the woman in her spin class at the gym telling her how much of an inspiration she was for working out in a sports bra. But she didn’t say that to any of the size four women in the class who were doing the same.

So when Rhett looked at her as if she was the most gorgeous woman he’d ever laid eyes on, she had bloomed inside. She couldn’t wait to see him again tonight after he finished work.

The few times they’d talked about work, she’d said she was in investments in New York, which was what she usually said when she didn’t want people to judge her for her money. Sinclair Properties was so well known on the east coast that it never took long for people to treat her differently. And she didn’t want Rhett to treat her differently.

He said he worked in the family business, something about doing tours of the local area. Considering the odd hours he worked, that made sense to Charlie. She didn’t push, knowing he’d tell her more when he was ready.

So she’d saved his number into her phone as ‘Cape Wilde Cutie’, which had him blushing when she’d shown him. Itseemed like Mr. Sex-on-legs was a little under appreciated, which she planned to rectify. Over and over again.

He was all broad shoulders and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see into her soul. When he smiled and that dimple appeared in his left cheek, her stomach flip-flopped.

She took a deep breath and huffed it out, trying to focus. Charlie’s ponytail swung back and forth as she strode up the street, this time in ballet flats and a cherry red wrap dress that made her feel like she belonged in the 1940s. The fabric had white polka dots on it, and a little frill at the neck where the deep vee crossed over to tie at her hip. She’d worn her favorite red lipstick to match, her large tote with her laptop and folio inside slung over her shoulder.

She mentally ran over the proposal she’d prepared. It was a good one, an offer above market value, but within her father’s allowed budget for the project. All things going to plan, she could get the paperwork signed today and then have a few more days to enjoy her stay in the town.

A few more days to enjoy spending with Rhett.

She took a sip of her coffee, sighing. It was delicious, a surprise considering she’d never really had passable coffee outside New York. The man who served her every day at Wilde Buns—the name of the bakery that had her lips twitching in amusement—had even remembered her order.

Charlie stopped in front of a rundown shop and glanced at the address on her phone calendar. ‘Cape Wilde Outdoor Adventures’ was painted on the glass window in faded colors. It was the right place, and it looked like the owner wasn’t having a good time of it, going by the peeling paint.

She glanced down the street at the other shop fronts, cheery pots of flowers flanking the steps and bright displays in the windows. Frowning, she compared them to the empty pots withstubbed out cigarette butts instead of plants, and a shop window apparently used to store old archive boxes.

Maybe the owner would be happy to sell the land to her? Her father hadn’t succeeded, but times changed. It certainly looked like they could use the money. Only one way to find out, she figured, pushing the door open on squeaky hinges, the bell attached to the door jangling loudly.

The dusty interior could really do with some work, she thought as she examined the mountain of camping gear stacked in the corner and what had obviously once been a reception desk but was now piled high with guidebooks and maps that teetered precariously.

The sound of booted footsteps had Charlie turning, a polite smile on her face. Until Rhett walked into the room, wiping his hands on a rag.

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