Page 19 of Small Town Prince Charming

“I won’t fault you if you tell me this isn’t for you.”

“I won’t.”

“Tracey.” He wanted to believe she could be his and would love him forever, but he’d been burned before.

“I know what I’m doing and what I’m getting into. I want you, and I don’t care what people say. They’ve made stuff up about me before and I survived it.” She chuckled. “If it weren’t for you back in high school, I might have crumbled when those rumors started.”

He remembered. She’d been accused of sleeping around with anyone who offered. She hadn’t done anything of the sort, but everyone in school believed the rumors.

“I’m stronger than I was, and I’m determined to move on. I’d like to do that with you, and I’ll happily accept Maisey because I’m fond of her. No kidding.”

He’d never been able to turn her down before and the need for her hadn’t waned. “Will you be my girl?” No going back now. “Tracey?”

“I’d love to. You’ve gotten sexier with age.”

God damn, she turned him on. “May I visit you tomorrow?”

“You may,” she said. “Go to sleep, then it’ll be tomorrow faster. I can’t wait to see you again.”

He’d almost said ‘I love you,’ but it was way too soon. He’d loved her since they were teenagers and still cared for her more than almost anyone, but he couldn’t say the words out loud yet. “Good night, beautiful lady.”

“Good night, handsome.” She hung up and left him to his thoughts. He couldn’t wipe the grin from his face—not that he wanted to. This moment in his life mattered. He had a chance with the woman of his dreams. Now he could act on his desires for her.

Chapter Five

Friday, Tracey devoted her morning to the store. Having Eileen there gave her the freedom to dye a bolt of silk, but also get some beading done. Her thoughts never trailed far from Ryan. She longed to be in his arms again and surrounded by the calming scent of his cologne. The intensity in his eyes gave her happy shivers. She wanted to explore every inch of his body and all those tattoos on his arm—when they could be alone.

She hadn’t realized how much of an intrusion Maisey could be—not that she minded. But he hadn’t been kidding about how much time the parent gig took. So much time and energy. No wonder Ryan looked frazzled.

She finished beading the last bracelet and stood, then stretched. The steady flow of customers helped brighten her mood. She liked seeing the people at the shop and wearing her designs around town. It made her feel like she belonged in Blakes Creek.

The bell on the front door dinged, but she didn’t look up until she placed the tray of loose beads in the drawer.

“Excuse me? I’d like to see the owner.”

She met Ryan’s gaze. “You’ve found her. How may I help you?”

“It so happens I want to get a present for my girlfriend, and I hear you’ve got some nice stuff as well as good taste,” he said. “Would you mind helping me?”

“I’d like that. What did you have in mind?” She rounded the desk. She hadn’t expected to see him until the dress rehearsal that night.

“First, I want a very special gift for my little girl. She’s in the recital tomorrow night and deserves a reward.” He pointed to one of the bracelets. “Like that one.”

Maisey had been eyeballing those pieces the last time she’d come into the store. “She’d like the purple one. It’s her favorite color.”

“It is, so I’ll take it.” He touched her elbow. “But my girlfriend deserves something fancy, yet unique and special.”

That could mean a lot of things. “Well...”

Before she could say anything else, he tugged her hand and led her to the rear of the store. “I asked Eileen to keep an eye on things while we had lunch. I’ve only got forty-five minutes,” he said and kept going until they were in the stairwell.

“You ordered food?” He continued to surprise her.

“Not exactly.” His eyes flashed. “I want you.”

She bit back the second of embarrassment. Geez. He’d brought her back here to have alone time, but she’d misinterpreted it. “Come on.” She led him up to her apartment. If they were going to do this, then they’d do it right—at least more right than fucking in the stairwell.

She tugged him to the privacy of her home, but once inside, he took over. He pinned her between his body and the closed door as he kissed her. She whimpered at the force of the collision and the decadence of the act. She loved having sex and refused to miss this moment. She’d longed to make love to him when they were younger. Now, they could enjoy themselves. She fumbled with his jeans and unzipped him. In seconds, she’d withdrawn his cock and balls. She stroked him, craving the feel of his hot shaft in her hand. She’d fallen for him, and no other man would do.

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