Free The Charlton Affair by MJ Doherty

expression, intensifying with each touch. Reeling from the depth of her attraction to this woman she barely knew, Charlie felt completely out of control in a way she’d never experienced.
    “There! All finished.” Phoebe said proudly, straightening up and smiling at Charlie.
    Unable to mitigate the intensity in her eyes, Charlie’s ardor blazed. Phoebe met her gaze and held it. She dropped the washcloth. Confused and helpless, Charlie was unable to prevent herself from reaching out and caressing Phoebe’s jawline softly. Joy flared across Phoebe’s exquisite features and Phoebe’s breath caught as the touch electrified them both. Their lips and bodies pressed together, igniting.
     
    *****
     
    As he glanced across the busy outdoor room, Roman was astounded to see Phoebe leading Charlie away by the hand, toward the kitchen. After excusing himself gracefully from his guests, he followed the two women, carefully eyeing their body language. It couldn’t be , he thought to himself, deeply shocked. His anger flared at Charlie. He fumed, I smother her with delectable choice and she goes for the most vulnerable woman in the room. How dare she? He saw the two women disappear into the laundry.
    Stopping outside the door, he listened carefully, considering what to do. After thinking it through carefully, he realized Phoebe was old enough to make her own choices, even if she was on shaky ground at the moment. After all, it was Phoebe he saw leading Charlie away, not the other way around, and to the laundry of all places. Perhaps it was a simple mishap? He heard the tap running. Yes, some sort of spill.
    Relieved, he thought of walking back to the party, but his curiosity got the better of him and he continued listening, hearing Phoebe say something. There was no response from Charlie. He waited. Then, unable to stop himself, he tapped and opened the door.
    The two women rapidly sprang apart, startled and embarrassed. Roman eyed them both, noting the unmistakable glow of mutual passion. He was not pleased with Charlie, but kept his voice civil. Apologizing for the interruption, he quietly closed the door and stalked off to find Mark.
    “You won’t believe it,” he told Mark, who listened patiently.
    “I just interrupted Phoebe and Charlie Moss, snogging in our laundry!”
    Mark nodded at him and said evenly, “That’s an improvement on the last party. At least they weren’t having a punch-up in the pool.”
    Roman rolled his eyes, remembering the debacle Mark was referring to, “Yes, well, how was I to know? I mean, you invite people to a dinner party and you don’t expect them to be having secret affairs with each other’s partners.”
    Mark said nothing.
    Roman continued defensively, “I agree it would have been better if the cuckold had found out somewhere else, if only to save our furniture.”
    Mark sighed and touched Roman’s arm softly, saying, “I didn’t mean it as a criticism, sweetheart. I’m just saying we’ve had a lot worse than a couple of consenting adults kissing in the laundry. Anyway, didn’t you say Phoebe was over her husband? Maybe this is why?”
    “Oh my God! You’re right. She fainted in the food court after meeting Charlie. And she did have something to tell me. I just never got to it.” Roman looked at Mark as a whole new set of possibilities bloomed in his mind.
    Roman’s anger at Charlie evaporated as he anticipated cornering Phoebe later and dragging the juicy details out of her. Maybe Phoebe is the femme fatale? Poor Charlie! How could she resist, hopeless romantic that she is?
    Mark kissed him lightly on the cheek, teasing him, “You should be happy! We’ve had the requisite scandal for the evening. Besides, I have no doubt you’ll enjoy torturing poor Phoebe about it.”
    Roman smiled and replied, “You know me too well.”
    He watched as Charlie re-entered the outdoor room, looking utterly miserable. “First, though, I’ll get to work on Charlie.”
    Roman left, moving