If The Shoe Fits by Laurie LeClair

to
stop.”
    “I don’t want you to stop,” she said. Her
eyes seemed to gather with moisture. “Alex, I’m sorry, but I’m
taking my word back.”
    “Your word?”
    “Yes, you don’t have to court me first. You
can do that later.”
    Shock raced through him. He pulled back from
her, searching her stare. “Are you sure, really sure about
this?”
    There was no hint of reluctance.
    “I’ve never been more sure about anything in
my life.”
     
    ***
     
    Charlie could never pinpoint the exact moment
she’d changed her mind. Maybe it had been somewhere between the
wedding confession about the cards or simply talking to him late
into the night over pizza and soda. She just knew the moment he
ever so gently kissed her on the forehead and walked away that she
longed for him. Deeply, achingly longed for Alexander Royale.
    The physical appeal had been obvious even
when she’d seen his picture in the papers. But, for every moment
she’d spent with him, discovered a little bit more about him, she’d
been slowly and steadily yearning for the man. Honor. Integrity.
Compassion.
    Now, with dawn streaking the sky outside, she
snuggled into him. Her head rested on his shoulder and his arms
wrapped around her. She sighed with contentment.
    “Charlie,” he murmured, trailing his fingers
along her bare arm.
    She shivered. “Hmmmm?”
    “Thank you.”
    “For what?” she whispered.
    “For taking your word back.”
    She giggled. Moving so she faced him, she
said softly, “My pleasure, husband.” She leaned down and brushed
her lips against his. His groan rumbled through his chest, making
heat coil within her. “But, remember, you still have to court
me.”
    He chuckled heartily, and then grabbed her in
his arms and rolled her to her back. Charlie ran her hands over his
biceps and to his shoulders.
    Looking down at her, he said, “I think I can
do that.” He trailed kisses along her jaw and down her neck. He
nibbled at the sensitive spot at the base of her throat. “Like
this?”
    She sucked in a sharp breath. “Hmmm, yes.
That’s a perfect place to begin with. Right there, Alex. Court
away.”

Chapter 12
     
     
    Charlie hummed as she draped the lush, ruby
red fabric trimmed in gold over the back of the ornamental chair in
the display window.
    She felt the nudge on her arm.
    “You’re mighty happy, honey,” Dolly pointed
out, plumping up a matching pillow on the opposite chair. “I wonder
why.”
    “Dolly!” Charlie’s cheeks warmed instantly.
She straightened, rubbing the small of her back. “I can’t go into
details of my wedding night, even to you.”
    The older woman winked and nodded her head.
“I gotcha. Edward and I were betting on you and Mr. R.,” she
cleared her throat, “gettin’ to know each other, close like.”
    Her cheeks burned now. She plopped down in
the chair and dropped her face into her hands. “This is so
embarrassing. You and Edward betting on that!” A new thought had
her snapping her head up and twisting to see Dolly settling back in
the matching gold chair. “You didn’t hear anything, did you?”
    Dolly slapped her hand on her thigh. “No such
luck.” She leaned close and whispered loudly, “‘Cause me and Edward
snuggled a little bit.”
    “No way!”
    “Way!”
    “Why you, you—”
    “Hussy?” Dolly giggled and her face turned
pink. She shrugged self-consciously. “I can’t help myself around
that man. What a hunk!”
    Charlie cupped a hand over her mouth and
chuckled.
    Her friend tapped her on the arm. “He’s a
great kisser. Oh my, the things he does!”
    “Stop!” She covered her ears. “Don’t tell me.
I’ll never be able to look at him again if you do.”
    “And his hands,” she practically growled,
“nice and firm, but not too strong, if you know what I mean.”
    Charlie had visions of Alex running his palms
over her skin. She shivered uncontrollably. “Quit,” she
groaned.
    “Why? You gonna rush home or something?”
Dolly raised and