Waving a package, Charlie gave an innocent smile. “When I went to the general store yesterday, there were a lot of questions and a lot of poking at my arm. I thought Charleston might be a better place to shop today. I got some long gloves to keep the scar covered until it’s not quite so shocking to the people of Gap Mills.”
He harrumphed but looked fractionally contrite.
Charlie kissed his forehead. “Got you some new pajamas too, since I ruined your last set. Though, I do kinda like the idea of you continuing to sleep half naked next to me.”
He gave her his amused version of a scowl, pulling her to sit on his lap. Resting with her man, she watched the scenery until Eli called them in for supper. After the meal, they turned in early for the night, Matthew worn-out. But Charlie had plans for her lover, coming to bed with a peppermint on her tongue, ready to see if the tale was true. By the time she had his cock in her mouth, he was just about gone to pieces… He never even had a chance to try on the new pajamas.
Easter weekend, while the men were making a delivery to Radcliffe’s warehouse, Charlie unpacked their suitcases at the Drake. He didn’t leave her for long, the woman not half done before the door opened behind her. Matthew sauntered in, setting his hat aside to wrap his arms around her and pressed a kiss to the back of her neck.
“I’m meeting Martha for dinner tonight.” She smiled as she spoke, gasping when he nipped her ear. “She had a message waiting when I checked in.”
His answer was to bite down just enough to give her a thrill, then lick the little mark. At her back, he pulled down his suspenders, nudging his thickening cock at her backside. It wasn’t long before he had her out of her dress and spread beneath him, his head buried between her thighs as she panted and begged for more. He brought her to the pinnacle twice, manhandling her body the way he knew she liked, before succumbing to his own well-deserved release.
By the time Matthew dropped her off at the restaurant, her hair was wild and her legs a little wobbly. Martha stood at the table, flawless in her tailored suit, a fox pinned around her shoulders—unlike bedraggled Charlie, who’d barely had time to rouge her lips.
“It’s that Monroe man Beaumont likes, isn’t it?” The meaningful smile on the woman’s face made Charlie blush red up to the roots of her hair. Martha teased further. “He is a handsome devil.”
“Beau likes him?” Charlie was actually surprised.
Martha took her seat. “Well, he took the time to sit your man down and give him the business weeks ago.”
“You’re kidding me…” Laughing, she asked, “When?”
Chocolate eyes glimmered devilishly. “Last time you were in town together.”
The morning coffee.
Matthew must have hated being cornered by the big bad mobster who he saw as the devil in her childhood. “You should know, Martha, I told him I would marry him.”
The woman sighed as if accepting something she didn’t like. “All the men in Chicago… rich, famous, powerful… and some country boy is really what you want?”
“He is.”
The older woman whined, “But he is so surly… hardboiled.”
“How would you know?” Charlie asked, raising a brow.
Martha lowered her chin and gave her an I know everything look. “Tomorrow, we will start looking for a gown, lace and satin, something exquisite. Sebastian could make you one.”
Raising her hand, Charlie waved her off. “Slow down there, Martha.”
Before she could finish, the woman’s eyes grew big as plates. “What the hell happened to your arm?”
The red, angry scar was on display. Self-conscious, Charlie pulled down her sleeve and demurred. “A man took a knife to me.”
A voice that had been jovial grew dark. “He still alive?”
Rouged lips formed the words. “Not for long if I have my way.”
“Hmmmm,” Martha was all business. “Beaumont know?”
Charlie nodded.
“You will have to wear gloves when you get married… or long sleeves.” Her voice was going back to its normal singsong, but it was clear from the look in her eye, Martha’s mind was grinding down what she’d just learned.
They ate dinner, drank wine and split warm chocolate soufflé for dessert. When the night was near ending, Matthew was already waiting near the door, watching over her and ready to take her home.
Martha looked at the country boy stuffed in a nice suit and then looked back to Charlie. “Word of advice, girl. Let him handle it.” The chocolate eyes looked right at her scar. “Men get awful touchy about this type of thing, and your Mister looks like a hands-on problem solver. Let the man be a man.”