Free Love Beyond the Curve (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Kate Patrick Page A

the club, and how she could still go without me. She should have been here, not you. But the funny thing was that I was glad she wasn’t here and you were. I realized I didn’t really care for her, and never really had. I’ve been seeing her because it made my family happy, and I didn’t have to go out and try to find someone on my own. That is why I broke it off with her today before you got here. There’s no one else, Charlotte. I really would like to spend time with you. Will you at least give us a chance?” He placed a hand on her cheek, willing her to give him the answer he wanted to hear so badly.
    “I would like that very much, Reed, but you may change your mind before very long. I make a great ‘friend.’ All the guys have such a great time with Charlotte. She is a barrel of laughs and loves to have a good time. We want her as part of our group, but she’s not the one we ask out for a date. Reed, I know the story by heart. Forget it.” She turned around to face the other way.
    He wrapped his arm around her waist and leaned against her and whispered in her ear. “You might know that version of the story, but you don’t know me. I find you to be incredibly sexy, beautiful, and very caring. I know you’ve been hurt, and I know you don’t think anyone can be attracted to you, but I am . If that makes me crazy, then so be it. You are what captured my attention, not the package you come in, although I can’t seem to stop fantasizing about that either. Now, will you please turn around and kiss me?”
    Charlotte slowly turned around and leaned her forehead against his, sliding her arms around his neck. “I can’t deny a patient request like that, can I?”
    “No, and I’ve been patient long enough, so kiss me, Charlotte,” he commanded her, and she lifted her mouth to his. She hesitantly moved closer to his mouth, but didn’t touch his lips with hers. He didn’t try to close the gap, but waited for her to decide what she wanted to do as they looked into each other’s eyes. She moved closer, pressing her breasts against his chest as she finally covered his lips with hers. He let her have complete control, and as she slipped the tip of her tongue between his lips, a moan escaped from his throat as she began to deepen the kiss, exploring his mouth more confidently as she went along. It took all of his strength and self-control not to turn the tables and take charge, satisfying his own lust for her.
    She finally pulled back and loosened her arms from around his neck. She smiled shyly as she looked up into his eyes. “I think getting to know you better may be a good idea after all, Jackson.”

Chapter Seventeen
     
    Reed and Charlotte ate their lunch, casually discussing his progress and what they wanted to accomplish for the day. Charlotte was going to finish a book she had started a few weeks ago, and Reed was looking forward to watching a game on television. After they finished their meal, Charlotte ordered Reed to go prop his leg while she cleaned up the kitchen. When she finished, she walked back into the den and announced that she was going to go on back to her place and tidy up and read for the afternoon since she wouldn’t have much time after she went back to work on Tuesday.
    “Can’t you read over here with me? I don’t want you to go. At least if you are here, I can look at you while you read.” He held a hand out to her, motioning for her to come closer. When she did, he took her hand and pulled her down onto his lap, wrapping his arm around her waist so she couldn’t get up.
    “There now, that’s better. Don’t go. Stay right here with me today. Please.”
    “I’ll stay with you, but I don’t need to be in your lap. You have broken ribs and a sprained hamstring. And I am too heavy to be in your lap.”
    “Says who?” he countered, raising a questioning eyebrow.
    “Says me, now let me get up. You’ve made too much progress to let me set you back a day.” Charlotte tried to