“I’m too old to go parading around in my skivvies.” Annie laughed, though, and the sound warmed Charlotte’s insides. “But I’ll watch you two.”
“And promise to take home at least one pair?”
Her mother nodded.
The afternoon proceeded like a pajama party, with Charlotte and Beth trying on the most seductive bras and panties. Even Annie seemed to enjoy not just the show, but the idea of treating herself right for once.
Progress came in various forms, but Charlotte believed she’d made some more today. “Last one,” she called out to her mother and Beth, who waited in the private showing area right outside the individual dressing rooms.
“Okay. I’m dressed and your Mom’s still waiting in the chairs enjoying the show, right, Annie?” Beth asked.
“Right. You girls make me envious for my youth.”
Which she’d wasted on a man who didn’t deserve it, Charlotte thought, but she knew better than to speak aloud and ruin what had been a perfect day. Instead she slipped on the panty set she’d saved for last, one from her handmade, crocheted line. She’d never told her mother she’d been using her talent for work, never thought Annie would come out of her shell long enough to care. But Annie had today.
A loud knock sounded at the shop door. “I’ll get it,” Beth called out. “We’ve been closed long enough to have the townsfolk curious.”
“Whoever it is, get rid of them for another few minutes, okay?” Charlotte didn’t care as much about business as she did about the bonding time she’d shared with her mother. This last part of their day could bring them even closer.
“Will do.”
Charlotte heard the two women go up front to see who was knocking. In the meantime, she fastened the matching bra, a new addition to her line. These garments weren’t meant for anything other than intimate seduction.
She glanced in the mirror. She hadn’t counted on the arousing effect of wearing these garments. Her nipples puckered, peeking through the insubstantial fabric, while an empty, aching feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.
And once aroused, her thoughts drifted to Roman. She smoothed her hands over her hips and turned to the side, taking in her profile, her long legs and flat stomach. She had to admit, she filled out the bra well. If only she possessed the same nerve she tried to impart to clients, she’d … what? Charlotte asked herself and forced her mind to play out the answer.
She’d reach out to Roman Chandler. She’d indulge in the feelings she’d possessed since high school. What had started out as a childhood crush had metamorphosed into adult curiosity and longing. What was he like now? What kind of man had he become? She had his devotion to his mother to begin the sketch, but there were many more depths she’d like to plumb.
The only way to indulge that curiosity was to give in to her feelings. Accept whatever he offered, for as long as he offered it—and then have the courage to go on with her life once he was gone. Unlike her mother, who had never taken the steps to move forward, Charlotte would indulge her deepest passion, then walk away.
But while Roman was here, she thought, continuing with the fantasy, while he was hers, she would go for it all. She’d model her handmade creations in front of him and watch as his eyes dilated with longing and need. As if she were enacting reality, her body shook in reaction to her brazen thoughts. Refocusing on the here and now, Charlotte wondered if she had the nerve to act out her fantasies. She could certainly justify the need. After ten years, she obviously wasn’t going to get Roman out of her system by pretending he didn’t exist or she wasn’t attracted to him.
She hadn’t gotten over him by ignoring the feelings. Why not try to get over him by acting on those feelings instead? She wasn’t doomed to repeat her mother’s mistakes if she learned from them.
Her heart picked up rhythm as she contemplated the idea of allowing herself to indulge. In Roman. With Roman.
“Okay, we’re set.” Beth’s voice rang out from the front of the store and the jangling of the store bells jolted Charlotte back into reality. Unfortunately, arousal didn’t dissipate as quickly.
Charlotte shook her head. Time to concentrate on her reasons for wearing these undergarments. To show off her crocheting skills to her mother and perhaps get Annie to use these same garments to break out of her own private prison. Both mother and daughter had huge steps to take in their lives, Charlotte thought.
Footsteps, obviously Beth’s, traveled to the back room.
“Ready or not, here I come,” Charlotte called and stepped out of the small, enclosed room and into the open area with the Queen Anne chairs. But instead of her mother and Beth, she had an audience of one.
One incredibly sexy, virile male named Roman Chandler.
* * *
Roman was in town doing an errand for his mother, so he told Rick he’d stop by Charlotte’s and remind her to send him a list of customers names. Something related to the panty thief but Roman hadn’t asked what. Of course Rick could have texted or emailed Charlotte, himself, but Roman couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see her. Even if he’d promised himself hands off. When he’d walked into the shop, Beth had sent him to the back of the store.
Now he stared at Charlotte’s practically nude body in complete shock. The most erotic bra and panty set he’d ever laid eyes on hugged the supple curves of the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. The same one he’d wanted for what felt like forever.
No way in hell was he prepared for this. He’d finally made up his mind to keep his distance, and now this.
“Roman?” Her eyes opened wide, and to his relief, she began a dive for the protection of the swinging doors. Unfortunately, she paused.
Waiting? Debating? He didn’t know, but he had a perfect view of her pale, slender back, tapered waist, and enticing hints of skin on her delectable behind.
And then she turned, slowly, placing one hand on top of the slatted door. Her pale breasts pushed upward over knitted black material, full and lush, calling to him. Begging him to forget his newly made vow to steer clear.
She faced him without running to get dressed. Roman hadn’t known she possessed such courage. Yet another facet of her discovered. But brazenness wasn’t all there was to this incredible woman. The trembling and her uneven breaths told him she was far from composed. Definitely not the ultimate seductress, he thought, and thank God. Her softer, innocent side would keep him centered and restrained. Something had to, because his body was fighting him every step of the way.
“Where’s my mother and Beth?” she asked.
Those amazing green eyes met his and a fall of tousled black hair hung over one bare shoulder, causing him to wonder what the silk strands would feel like on his bare skin.
“Beth said to tell you she was taking Annie home and she’d be back later. Much later.” Obviously the soon-to-be-married Beth had seen an opportunity to play matchmaker and she’d taken it.
“A setup,” Charlotte murmured, obviously realizing the same thing Roman had. “And you’re here because …?”
“You’ve got something I need.” He cursed silently. He hadn’t meant to sound so damn suggestive.
She inhaled deeply. For courage? Roman didn’t know, but he needed a dose himself, because she stepped forward, not stopping until she was close. So close he could smell her fresh as spring scent and wanted more.