Hot Combat

Chapter Four

“Sweetheart, let’s get your shoes on. We’re going to get groceries. After that, we’re going to the library. So gather your books.” Charlie didn’t answer her daughter’s question, choosing to hustle her daughter out of her office and away from the man who’d just kissed her socks off. She called over her shoulder, “Help yourself to the shower. There are towels in the linen closet and plenty of soap and shampoo.”

Her lips tingled, and she could still taste the sweetness of his mouth. Dear, sweet heaven, how was she going to keep her hands off the man if he was around all the time?

She needed air. She needed space. What she wanted was another kiss just like that one. With her knees wobbling, Charlie left Lolly in her room and hurried into the master bedroom where the bed was still neatly made. She jammed her feet into her cowboy boots and yanked a brush through her hair, securing it at the nape of her neck in a ponytail. After checking that the safety switch was set on her handgun, she slid it into her purse, hooked the strap over her shoulder, braced herself and stepped into the hallway.

Thankfully, Jon wasn’t anywhere in sight.

Charlie released the breath she’d held.

Lolly emerged from her room carrying a stack of children’s books.

“Let’s put those in a bag.” She gathered the books and carried them back into Lolly’s room where she found her book backpack and slid them inside.

Lolly slipped the backpack over her shoulders and led the way from the room.

She ran ahead to the living room.

Charlie shook her purse, listening for the jingle of keys. When she didn’t hear it, she returned to her bedroom and grabbed them from the nightstand.

Hurrying into the hallway, with her head down, tucking the keys into her purse, she ran into a wall of muscles.

Big, coarse hands gripped her arms, steadying her.

“Are you all right?”

Hell no, she wasn’t. Her pulse raced and she was out of breath before she’d even begun her day. “I’m fine,” she said, studying her hands resting on his chest.

And boy, was he fine, too. Charlie couldn’t help but stare at the expanse of skin peeking through his unbuttoned shirt. She remembered the smattering of hair on his chest and how she used to run her fingers through the curls. Her fingers curled into his skin, wanting to slide upward to test the springiness of those hairs.

“Are you ready?”

More than you’ll ever know. Charlie shook herself and pushed way. “I’m taking my car since I have to stock up on groceries.”

“I’ll follow you there.”

“No need. It’s only a block from Kevin’s office. If I run into any trouble, you won’t be far away.” She shook her head. “We’ll be fine.”

He stared at her for a long moment.

Charlie met his gaze and held it, refusing to back down. He’d been gone seven years. He couldn’t just walk back into her life and take over.

“Okay.” He started buttoning his shirt. “Let’s go.”

Charlie’s glance dropped to where his fingers worked the buttons through the holes. Seven years ago, she would have helped him button up, and then undo them one at a time, kissing a path down his chest.

Ghost’s fingers paused halfway up. “I remember, too,” he said, his voice low and gravelly.

Shivers rippled through her body and Charlie swayed toward him. Then she stopped, mentally pulled herself together and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And I don’t care. Let’s go.”

She pushed past him, her arm bumping into his, the jolt of electricity generated in that slight touch turning her knees to jelly.

The sooner she got away from him, the sooner she’d get her mind back. What was it about the man that scrambled her brain and left her defenseless against his magnetism?

Lolly stood by the door, her thumbs hooked through the straps of her backpack.

Charlie grabbed her hand and stepped out. She waited for Ghost to exit as well before she turned to lock the door. Her hand shook as she tried to slide the key into the dead bolt lock. She fumbled and dropped them to the porch.

Ghost scooped them up, locked the door and dropped the keys into her open palm. “You sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

Lolly looked up, a happy smile on her face. “Could he, Mommy?”

“Sweetheart, Mr. Caspar has to go to a meeting.”

Ghost touched his daughter’s chin and gave her a brief smile. “I’ll see you in about an hour.”

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