Page 37 of Country Road Romance

Unfortunately, Jared made a little whimpering noise and pulled back, leaving Charlie standing feeling very aroused and a little embarrassed as it dawned on him that they were still within sight of the house.

“Um…,” he started fumbling for words, trying to find something to say that would diffuse the awkwardness that was quickly gelling around them. “You’re a really good kisser?” He hadn’t meant for that last bit to come out like a question.

Good going, Charlie.

“You know, when you give someone a compliment like that, you really shouldn’t make it sound like you’re asking rather than telling.”

Charlie chuckled. He should have known that Jared would pick up on that right away.

“You’re a very good kisser,” he tried again, this time the words coming out declarative.

Jared nodded.

“I don’t disagree with your declaration, but I think we’re going to need some more experience to make sure that we both know what we’re talking about.”

Before Charlie could say anything to that Jared’s lips were on his again.

This time the kissing was even more intense. It was as if they both wanted to drink the other one up, to erase the boundaries between them, and soon their hands were roaming all over each other. It was intoxicating. It was exciting. It was terrifying.

This time it was Charlie who drew back, though he couldn’t have quite said why.

“For the record,” Jared said, that elusive little smile flickering on his lips. “You’re a pretty good kisser, too. Did they teach you that in Hollywood?”

“They taught me a lot of things in Hollywood,” Charlie said.

He wasn't sure just how far things might have gone, because they were interrupted by Jared’s mother calling from the house.

“Charlie! Jared!” Joyce’s voice came wafting out to them from the house. “Dinner’s ready! And don’t dally!”

“She does know that she could have just called you, right?” Charlie asked.

“Welcome to my parents’ house,” he said with a sigh.

They got themselves presentable–or as presentable as they could, anyway–and started walking back. Just before they got to the house, however, Charlie noticed a stray leaf that had somehow found its way onto Jared’s shirt. Without saying anything, he reached out and plucked it out, which earned him a startled yelp from Jared.

“What was that for?”

Charlie grinned sheepishly and held it up, as if that was all the explanation necessary. To his relief, Jared just smiled.

He opened his mouth to say something, but just then his mother was at the door to the house, a worried look on her face.

She didn’t even wait until they were at the door before she started speaking.

“So, I don’t want you to both be mad at me, but I have something to tell you.”

Charlie tried not to flinch at that. Jared, however, didn’t even try to hide his dismay.

“Who did you call?” he demanded, hands on his hips.

Joyce at least had the good grace to look embarrassed. “I…I might have divulged to your grandmother that Charlie was here and she…well, she might have said she’s coming over right away and she might have told a bunch of her friends. I don’tthinkthey’re going to be coming with her, but with your grandmother who can say?”

Jared groaned. “Mom, what part of Charlie’s presence here being a secret did you misunderstand? We’re trying to keep people from knowing where he is so we don’t have to answer all sorts of unpleasant and very troubling questions.”

“Now don’t take that tone with me,” she said. “I didn’t really mean for it to get out of hand. It’s just that your grandmother was so excited, and she decided to start calling everyone. I hope you’re not going to make a big deal out of it when she gets here.”

Charlie could tell from the look on Jared’s face that he was going to have to intervene before it got any worse. He put a steadying hand on Jared’s arm, ignoring the stern look he got in response, and turned on the charm.

“It’s okay, Joyce. Really. I’m sure everything’s going to be fine. And besides, I’m really looking forward to meeting more of Jared’s family and friends.” He turned up the wattage on the smile. “I’ve always thought you can tell a lot about a guy from how he is around his family.”

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