Wicked Charm by Amber Hart

Author:Amber Hart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: murder mystery, Florida, Southern gothic, gothic romance, bad boy, swamp, new girl
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2017-12-22T16:00:00+00:00

21

Willow

To call the room a den is an understatement. Or maybe it’s the large fireplace against the wall, making it look bigger. Two chairs sit by the empty hearth, waiting for Beau and me to fill them. I go to the next wall and examine the books, running my fingers along each built-in shelf.

“What a beautiful room,” I say.

One wall is occupied by a large bay window with a seat. Rain coats the pane like a wash of tears.

“It’s my favorite,” he replies.

He hands me a cup of tea.

“I put sugar in it.”

Like he knows I’d want sugar. Well, he’s right. I take a warming sip.

“It needs more next time,” I say, stubborn, even though it has enough sugar. I don’t want him thinking he knows me inside and out.

I sink into the chair and rest my bare feet on the edge of the fireplace. Beau watches me. More than once I see his eyes slip to my dress.

“You’ll have to try the frog legs later. Warm up the butter, they’re better that way,” I say.

Having eaten quite a few myself, my belly is full to the brim. Nothing better than a full belly and a hot tea. Well, maybe Beau’s eyes are better. Yes, maybe that.

“What happened last night?” he asks.

I’m partially glad Beau didn’t kiss me, as much as I wanted him to then. Now that I see his den, and his hungry look, I realize there are better places for a first kiss with him.

“I think we both know what nearly happened,” I reply.

“You almost kissed me,” he says. “Was that the drink or you?”

“The last one,” I admit.

He grins. “Really?”

“Well, you haven’t had any more girls here,” I retort.

“Is that why, then?” he questions.

“Might have something to do with it.”

“Might it also have something to do with the fact that you’ve been interested since the first day you saw me on the path?” he asks.

It’s a bold thing to say, but he’s not wrong.

“It could have a lot to do with a lot of things,” I answer.

He sets his tea on a side table and walks to the bookshelf, like he’s searching for something. And I’ll be damned if I don’t follow.

His impossible shock of dark hair refuses to lie any one way.

“Why do you go through so many girls, Beau?”

It looks as though he’s considering not answering me, but then he says, “I guess I don’t ever want to get close to anyone again.”

“Did you love a girl once?” I ask.

I hate the thought, but maybe that’s why he is the way he is.

“No. Not yet anyway.”

His face softens, and I think I might be hearing the truth.

“Who’d you love, then? Who did you love so much that you turned mean when you lost them?” Because there was someone, of that I’m sure.

He winces. I’m close to his demons. I risk getting closer by threading my fingers through his.

“You can tell me, you know. I won’t repeat your secrets.”

He takes a deep breath and considers me.

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