She gasped for breath and he raised himself slightly, not enough to let her get away, but enough so she could breathe. She immediately lifted herself to press against him again. She could drive him crazy, he thought, even as he settled his hips against hers, giving in to her silent demand. His pulse raced, his muscles drawing tight. It felt so right to be with her like this.
Her knees bent, and she slowly moved her pelvis against his in an unpracticed, voluptuous sway. Mesmerized, he watched her face, saw the trembling in her lips as she drew in a shaky breath, saw her beautiful blue eyes darken, saw her skin heat.
Sooner howled again and without looking away, Harry commanded, “Go lie down.” The dogs complained, but they finally obeyed.
Charlie tried to pull her hands free, but he held tight. “No you don’t. I like you like this,” he whispered. “You need just a little controlling, someone to keep you in line.”
Though her eyes were heavy lidded and filled with sensual need, she lifted her chin. “You have to let me up sometime.”
As far as threats went, it held no weight. Harry leaned down and nuzzled the soft skin beneath that raised chin. “Who says?”
Her eyes drifted shut and she hooked her feet behind his thighs. “You feel so good, Harry. Will you make love to me now?”
Everything righted itself in that instant and his brain cleared. With a vicious curse he released her and sat up. She didn’t. She remained sprawled on the floor beside him, offering the most delectable temptation man could imagine. He tried not to look at her, but he couldn’t help himself.
“Damn, I’m sorry.”
“I’m not,” she whispered.
He ran a hand through his hair. “How do you keep doing this to me?”
“I didn’t do anything except try to let you off the hook. You’re the one who dragged me in here.”
After a calming breath, he forced himself to say, “I don’t want off the hook. And I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
“All things considered, I’d kinda forgotten all about that.”
He looked at her, lying there so sweet and submissive—surely a first for Charlie—and his muscles cramped in rebellion of what he knew he had to do. “Honey, this is all wrong. I brought you up here to talk about your father, not to…ravish you on the damn floor.”
“I rather liked being ravished on the floor.”
He couldn’t help but laugh, she was so persistent and candid and honest. There wasn’t a single ounce of guile in her expression, and the fact that she was as free, as unreservedly sexual as himself, made him crazy. She hadn’t minded their rough play in the least, and wasn’t offended at being debauched on a floor. She would be his sexual equal, and knowing it made his arousal even more keen.
But she was Dalton’s daughter, and Dalton would be appalled to know just how low Harry had sunk.
He stood, caught her arms, and pulled her to her feet. She stared up at him and he cupped her face. “Tell me you’ll at least give your father a chance, okay?”
To his surprise, she seemed to be considering it. “Why is it so important to you, Harry?”
With complete and utter honesty, he said, “Because I think he’s a good man and he loves you. I think he deserves a chance to tell his side of the story. And because I was never able to connect with my own father. It’s something that bothers me still, something that every so often vexes me because now the man is gone and more often than not I don’t even mourn him. I don’t want you to ever suffer that, to wonder if only you’d softened a bit you could have had a wonderful relationship. For Jill’s sake, for all it will mean to her, why don’t you at least try?”
Harry held his breath, praying she’d relent. With any luck at all, Dalton would be getting out of the hospital today. Harry didn’t want him under unnecessary stress, and he knew Dalton would stew endlessly about the situation until he was reunited with his daughters. If Charlie would agree, it could be taken care of within a week. That would give her time to prepare and give Dalton time to rebuild his strength.
Also, Harry’s control was almost at an end. For his own sanity, he had to tie up loose ends so he could distance himself from her before he made a mistake he’d live to regret. Dalton deserved his loyalty, and Charlie deserved a man who would love her forever.
Unfortunately, the thought of her with another man made his system revolt, so he quickly shoved that thought aside.
Harry had no idea which part of his discourse convinced her, but after several moments of deep thought, she nodded. “All right.” She hesitated, then stepped close and embraced him. “Will you…go with me?”
Harry wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, too tight, judging by her laughing, mumbled complaint. He didn’t understand the near desperate urge to hold her, but he knew her embrace hadn’t been designed to seduce him this time. Rather, it was the need for emotional comfort, and it touched him to his very soul. She willingly showed him her vulnerable side, something she normally kept well hidden, and he’d never felt so gifted in his entire life.
Though he knew it would be incredibly awkward, he kissed her temple and nodded. “Of course I’ll be there.”
She leaned back with a relieved smile. “When?”
He couldn’t make her any promises until he found out how Dalton had fared. He’d called the hospital when he first got up, and the nurse had told him all seemed well. Dalton had been in high spirits, anxious to know what Harry had planned—a tale Harry related with precise discretion, leaving out any reference that might upset Dalton. He hadn’t spoken to him again since the doctor’s visit, and now he was anxious to do so. He led Charlie to the door, though he was equally reluctant to let her go.
With a last kiss on her forehead, which was a habit he desperately needed to break, he said, “Try not to worry, honey. I’ll arrange everything as soon as I can, and then I’ll let you know.”
She smiled up at him, her eyes big and soft and filled with gratitude. “Thanks, Harry. I know it’s stupid, and if you ever tell anyone I’ll deny it, but it’s kind of a relief that I don’t have to do this alone. I owe you.”
As she left, his guilt doubled until it nearly consumed him. Damn it, what would she think when she found out he’d known Dalton all along? Would she understand? Or would she likely feel betrayed by the one person she’d started to trust? The worry gnawed at him, making him angry with regret, until the phone rang.
It was Dalton, and he was ready to come home.
CHAPTER 9
THE SECOND Harry stepped through the barroom doorway, he could tell Charlie was nervous. He’d spent the past week with her, and her mannerisms and mood were very familiar to him now. He picked up on the small frown, the way she repeatedly swallowed. She was behind the thick, scarred wooden bar, a clipboard clutched tightly in her hand, taking some kind of inventory. Beside him, Dalton looked around in horrified disbelief.
“My God. She can’t actually work here?”
Pulling his gaze from Charlie, Harry said, “She does, and she manages quite credibly. I don’t think it’s been easy for her, but she’s the type of woman who once she sets her mind on something, it gets accomplished one way or another.” Harry knew there was a wealth of pride in his tone, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. He was proud, and he wanted Dalton to be, too.