Page 43 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“Yes? Maybe? Ah?—”
“What kind of sex things, Charlotte?”
I stare at my phone again. Did he really ask me that? Pressing the phone into my chest, I poke my head back inside the salon. “I need a few more minutes. Do not discuss anything with her until I get back. Nothing, Jenni, do you hear me?”
Jenni flashes a traitorous grin, then shoos me away. Abbi and Kara have already moved on to some concert that’s coming to Nashville, and I sigh in relief.
I swear I hear Thane chuckling into the phone. Lifting it to my ear, I catch the tail end of it, then slip around the corner into the alley.
“Where’s Kara?” he asks, making me jump. What the hell am I doing in a dirty alley anyway? I know better than this, but I can’t help feeling like I need to sneak around.
“She’s with my friend and her niece, who’s doing her hair. They’re talking about concerts they want to go to.”
“Is she having fun?”
A shiver runs down my spine.
“I think she is.”
“Good. Now tell me about thesesex thingsyou wish to discuss.” The rich, velvety tone of his voice washes over me, and I fan my face. His chuckle has me gasping and peering at my surroundings a little more closely.
Holy mother of sexiness, what I wouldn’t give to hear that sound every day.
“Not with you,” I whisper into the phone. “Has anyone had thetalkwith Kara?”
“What talk is that?”
“Now you’re intentionally being obtuse. Has anyone had the sex talk with her?”
“I’d much rather have it with you.”
I nearly scream as he rounds the corner, but he takes up all the oxygen in the alley, and I have no words. None. Ending the call, I slip my phone into my back pocket, never once taking my eyes off this man.
He moves with a grace I’ve never seen him carry as he strides right up to me until our chests are nearly touching.
“What kinds of things did you wish to discuss, Charlotte?”
I snap my mouth closed before I catch flies in it.
“Surely, you’re not shy.” He dips his knees to stare directly into my eyes.
“Aren’t you?”
His expression is predatory. “Not about this. Nothing has ever felt more right.”
“Thane.” There’s no warning in my tone, no fire, not even any sass. The only thing I hear is longing and need that’s going to get me into trouble. “Your sister is right on the other side of this wall.” It’s the only defense I have, but I’m not sure if I’m imploring him to stop or to continue.
His hands take hold of my wrists, and I forget to breathe as he interlaces them in one of his big palms before holding them against the brick wall above my head.
Then he leans in.
“That’s why we’re only talking.” But as he says it, his massive thigh wedges between my legs. The contact sets me ablaze.
My hips buck, and I want to die of embarrassment.
“Talking, Charlotte.” He runs his nose up the side of mine, and a whimper escapes as something deep in my core claws its way to the surface. He drowns out my sounds with a groan of his own. “You’re too precious to be taken against a wall.” He pulls back to stare down at me. “Even if it’s what we both want.”
He drops my hands and takes a step back. I’d fall over if I hadn’t lurched forward at just the right moment. An energy I’ve only ever read about vibrates between us.
