Page 11 of Unexpected Forever
“Well, you’re here now and she’s thrilled. Are you in town for long?”
“Not this time. But I’ll be back more often, at least for a little while.”
“Hmmm…she’ll like that.”
I glance over to where Megan and Aidan dance then lower my head until my mouth nearly brushes Charley’s ear. “If the look on your brother’s face is any indication, he’s ready to take my sister home.”
She glances over her shoulder and wrinkles her nose adorably. “Ugh. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I love that Aidan finally let someone in. Megan’s like another sister to me. I adore her. But”—she shakes her head hard—“I donotwant to think about them having sex.”
I lean my head back and laugh, a light feeling I haven’t had in years warming me from the inside out. “I could not agree with you more.”
“Does it not piss you off to see a guy hang all over her? You know, the protective brother and all?”
I continue to watch the couple while I answer. “Yes and no. Your brother is a good man.”
“The best.”
I glance down at her to see a spark in her eye. I smile. “It appears I’m not the only protective one.”
She shrugs a bare shoulder. “It’s just a fact.”
“Anyway, I know he’ll take care of her. Love her, make her happy, keep her safe. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for Megan.”
“There’s no doubt he loves her. It’s so obvious.”
I look back over at the other couple. “How so?”
“It’s in the way he looks at her.” She pauses and lowers her gaze. “My dad used to look at my mom the same way.”
There’s a wistfulness tinged with sadness in her tone. I lower my head again and brush her ear with my lips, and Charley shivers in my arms.
“Cold?”
“Hmm…no.”
My grip on her tightens, and my stomach churns as the song draws to a close.
Fuck it.
I want more than four minutes with Charley. I want to get to know her better, in all ways possible. Even if I’m leaving in two days and there won’t be—can’t be—anything more between us than one night.
She runs a hand over the top of my shoulder before meeting my eyes. “So, what’s next for you, Nate Gentry?” she asks with a smile.
I don’t know if she means tonight or the future. But for the first time in my life, I don’t want to talk about baseball or my career.
“Well, I hope you’ll take a walk with me after this.”
A slow smile tilts her lips up, and I want to capture them with my own. “Think you’ll get lost between here and the inn?”
I chuckle. “No, but I wouldn’t mind getting to know you a little better.”
Her eyes flutter down before meeting mine again. “I’d be happy to take a walk with you after this.”
I raise a brow. “Oh yeah?”
“Meet me in the lobby in thirty minutes.” She licks her lips, her fingertips brushing the short hair on the back of my neck. “Then I’m all yours.”
THREE
