Free Too Charming by Kathryn Freeman

The feel of her. On a powerful surge of desire he put a hand to either side of her face and dove in deeper, wanting to lose himself in the aching sweetness he found there. He hadn’t expected that. Her shyness. Gentleness. As he leaned in, moving her between the bike and his now full arousal, he felt her melt against him, her body relaxing into his. God she felt so unbelievably good. He knew he should pull away, not least because he couldn’t afford to walk back into her parents’ house with a raging hard on, but he was damned if he was going to give up this pleasure too quickly. Taking a hand from her face, he moved it to her hips, smoothing it over her deliciously taut bottom before tugging her towards him even further, desperate to feel her tight against him.
    It was Megan who finally called a stop to it. Megan who moved her hands between them and pressed them on his chest, pushing him away.
    They stood facing each other, their breathing shallow and ragged.
    ‘Come out for a drink with me,’ he demanded hoarsely, desire still flickering brightly in his eyes.
    She shook her head. ‘No.’
    ‘Are you still in denial?’
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ Her reply was cool and steady but when he reached for her wrist, and ran his thumb over her pulse, it was hammering away, ten to the dozen.
    ‘Then prove it by coming out with me.’
    Megan closed her eyes and he guessed she was mentally arguing with herself, pitting her instinctive physical attraction to him against her judgement of his character. In the end she gave up and laughed. ‘Okay, very cute. As I’m too tired for your verbal gymnastics right now, I’ll meet you for one drink.’ He was powerless to stop the smug grin that slid across his face. Her eyes narrowed. ‘That’s all you’re getting, Armstrong. One drink.’
    ‘That’s all I need,’ he countered smoothly, taking her hand and walking her back towards the front door. She rolled her eyes, but it merely made him grin wider. Finally, she was softening towards him.

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Monday night was dancing night. It had been for as many years as Megan could remember. Somewhere in her mid-teens she’d abandoned the tap shoes and ballet tutu, but she hadn’t stopped dancing. Now, teetering on the edge of thirty, she was into jazz. It made her smile, exercised her body and gave her a chance to catch up with a good crowd of friends, most notably Ann.
    ‘I’ve got aches in places I didn’t know I could ache,’ Ann grumbled as they found a spare table at the sports club bar and sat down for a well-earned drink. ‘At one point, when we were doing all those straddle jumps, I thought my legs were actually going to fall off.’
    ‘Hey, stop complaining. It keeps you fit.’ Megan took a deep drink of her sparkling water and sat back against the chair, her body humming with the after effects of a thorough workout. An hour in the dance studio beat an hour in the gym any day. It was just a shame the classes were only once a week.
    ‘Speaking of fit.’ Ann raised an eyebrow and looked across at her. ‘How did your date with the delicious Scott Armstrong go?’
    Megan shook her head and gave her friend a warning stare. ‘How many times do I have to tell you, it wasn’t a date. It was a thank you. My parents and Sally were there, for heaven’s sake.’
    ‘And will you be seeing him again?’
    About to take a drink, Megan put down her glass and sighed. ‘Well, I did sort of find myself agreeing to meet him for a drink after work tomorrow.’
    ‘Ah!’ Ann’s exclamation was one of self-righteous triumph.
    ‘There is no “ah” about it. We’ve agreed terms. Friends only.’
    ‘You mean you’ve stated the terms. I hardly see Scott agreeing to them. He looks like a man who goes after what he wants, and from the way I’ve seen him eye you up, what he wants from you isn’t your friendship. Great as it may be.’
    ‘He only wants me because I haven’t immediately rolled over on my back