Tempting Meredith by Samantha Ann King

Author:Samantha Ann King
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-09-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

When he returned to the lodge, Blaine stripped out of his semen-crusted clothes, took a long, hot shower and then dressed in clean cargo shorts and a T-shirt. Despite the fact that he wasn’t hungry, he went to the kitchen to start dinner. A peace offering of sorts. Also an excuse to keep him from hiding in his office. He could have reheated the spaghetti from last night. There was plenty left. But that wouldn’t require any time. So he started from scratch, making shredded venison enchiladas from a roast he’d slow-cooked two days ago. He was finishing up when he heard Meredith and Charlie open the front door. His heart pounded. He’d gone over his explanation again and again, changing his speech slightly each time until he figured it was idiot proof. Or as idiot proof as possible under the circumstances. Which, face it, weren’t ideal.

But when they entered the kitchen, every practiced word vanished except one. “Sorry,” he said. So fucking lame.

Charlie glanced between Blaine and Meredith, his expression uncertain, nervous. But he didn’t say anything.

Meredith waved her hand in the air as if doing so would vanquish the whole afternoon. “Nothing to be sorry about.”

“I shouldn’t have stayed. I tried to leave. I should have—”

Meredith rolled her eyes. “Really, guys. I know I’m a woman, and women are supposed to want talk after sex, but I’m not that woman. And even if I were, I’m almost positive I wouldn’t want to have this discussion.”

Charlie cleared his throat, and his gaze hesitantly touched Blaine. “We could have, um, you know...stopped.”

Meredith’s fair skin flushed red. Not pink, but a bright crawdad red. “Oh, good lord. We’re really going to talk about it? If we must discuss something, can’t we talk about how your speech went?” Her eyes brightened. “That’s it. How did your campaign event go? Shake a lot of hands? Kiss a lot of babies? Buy a lot of votes?”

Blaine ignored her and spoke to Charlie. “You could have kicked my ass. Why didn’t you?”

Meredith backed toward the door like the crawdad her skin color resembled. “I don’t think I need to be here for this conversation.” Suddenly, she stopped and swung her gaze to Charlie. “You’re not going to kick his ass, are you?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Don’t ask me.” She nodded at Blaine. “He brought it up.”

Charlie sighed. “No one’s kicking anyone’s ass.”

“Okay. Good.” Then with more enthusiasm, “Great. I’ll just leave you two men to your girl talk.”

“Wait,” Charlie said. “Blaine’s right. We need to talk about this.”

“Like I said. You two can talk about it. I think I’ll clean up a bit.”

“Come on, Meredith,” Charlie said. “We need to decide if it’s gonna happen again.”

Her mouth gaped then snapped closed. “Excuse me? Why?”

“So we know if everyone’s okay with it.”

“Isn’t that what our safe word is for?”

“Yeah, but—”

“Great. Discussion over.” And this time instead of backing toward the door, she spun and practically ran. She only made it a few steps before Charlie wrapped an arm around her stomach and hauled her up against his chest.

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