Page 20 of Lady Luck’s Kiss

Charlotte leaned forward and softly pressed her lips against his.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and easily stepped into his embrace.

They just fit. It was as if there had been a mold for the two of them.

Her body was soft where his was all muscle.

Where she had curves, his body was lean and taut from years of abuse.

“Put your hands on me,” she said and was shocked to have him suddenly rear back away from her. His hands grasped her arms, pulling them from his neck. She marveled that this strong man was trembling as he held her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, everything,” he admitted.

“You know how I feel about you and I think you might feel the same way. Hear me out,” he quickly interrupted just as her mouth opened to speak, effectively silencing her. “I understand being nervous or shy. I do.”

“But?”

“But there is a limit to how much you can push before I push back. Either we are a couple or we aren’t. I can’t live with in between. I want you in my life. You wanted a heckuva ride? I do, too, if you get my meaning.”

“I…” she began and hesitated. Beth had told her to make up her mind and she’d made the first move towards them meeting. He’d been utterly kind and polite to her, but there was a line he was drawing in the sand between them. Why was she so nervous?

“Look, you don’t have to make a decision now. In fact, I want you to think where you see us months from now. A year from now. I want the whole package from you.” His voice never seemed firmer…more sure of himself.

“I have another performance on Friday that I had already committed to. Please come. See my world. What I do behind the scenes and what happens before we go out in the arena. Bring Beth if you want. I’m thinking of hanging up my spurs in a year or two.

But before I am done, I’d like to share it with you. ”

“I’d like to be there for you. I’ll admit I’m not crazy about seeing you tossed around like a ragdoll.”

“I hope that is a sign that you care.”

“I do, a lot.”

Charlie watched him scoop up his truck keys off the table. She admired the way his jeans sat snug on his hips and found herself very nearly drooling until she realized that he was leaving.

“Where are you going?”

“Work on your car tonight, sweetheart, and think about what I said. I mean it when I said the whole package. I want it all.” Stunned that he was leaving, she stood there gaping at him.

He got into his truck and turned to smile at her.

She could see a smudge of red on his lips where she’d kissed him, making her smile in return.

As his truck pulled out of the lot, she felt a distinct vacuum in her life. A void. He brought so much joy to her, so much happiness and so much indecision.

Picking up her phone, she called Beth.

“Tell me I’m not stupid.”

“If you have to ask…the answer is always a firm, definitive YES.”

“Then I am a true idiot.”

“Again, a firm YES.”

“Har-de-har-har. I called because I think I might be about to make the smartest or stupidest move ever.”

“I hope this has to do with that hot set of meat and potatoes you landed at the rodeo. By the way, he is a pretty nice guy, too. Not just eye-candy. He’s genuinely nice.”

“FYI, you are a horrible cheater at cards.”

“So, you saw us?”

“Hello? Who high fives twice in a row?”

“I thought it was slick.”

“It was obvious.”

“So, what are you doing that is supremely moronic or utterly dumb, ya’ big dummy?”

“I think I am going to ask Mr. Meat and Potatoes to marry me.”

“I’m on my way over!”

“Why?”

“Cause whatever you are on, it must be some good stuff and I could use a buzz.”

“Beth, I’m not on anything. I genuinely like the guy.”

“Do you love him?”

“I can’t imagine not seeing his smile on a daily basis. I realized about ten minutes ago that when he leaves the room, I think the light bulbs are picking up my mojo. They grow dim and I feel like the air isn’t as sweet.”

“You either have it incredibly bad for him or need electrical issues checked ASAP.”

“I think my sockets are fine.”

“I bet your sockets aren’t! I’m thinking your socket needing a big ol hunka-hunka cowboy plugged into it.” Laughing, Charlie smiled.

“I wanted you to know because if I call you screaming and laughing, he said yes. If I am crying desperately, bring beer, chocolate, and Kleenex.”

“He won’t say no. The man worships the ground you walk on.”

“He’s invited us to the rodeo Friday.”

“Both of us or just you?”

“Both of us.”

“Did I mention that I really like him?”

“You did.”

“We’ll have to come up with something clever for you to pop the question, since you are thinking of doing it backwards. You could wait for him to ask you.”

“Actually, I have a fantastic idea. Let’s talk and I will show you my new rims for the car.”