The Billionaire's Temporary Bride (Scandal, Inc #3)(36)

"Well, I don't know what to say. I wasn't expecting him to propose when he did, but he did, and I said yes."

"We just want to make sure you're doing this for the right reasons," her mother said. She patted Charlotte's shoulder as she finally let go of her arm and headed over to the linen closet, grabbing a set of sheets for the sofa bed.

"I'm sorry you didn't met him sooner, but he's just so busy, and things were going so well, and I didn't think he'd propose so soon, but he's head over heels for me."

"If it weren't for that, I'd be giving you a much sterner talk. For a politician, he doesn't have a very good poker face," Ellen said.

"What does that mean?" Charlotte asked.

"The way he was looking at you at dinner. The way you were looking at him. You two seem so smitten. I just think you'd be wise to slow things down and get to know each other a bit better before taking the plunge. A long engagement might be just what you need."

"Didn't you and dad get married right out of college?" Charlotte asked.

" Your father is a wonderful man, but he wasn't a public figure. We were able to build a life together. That's different from entering into someone else's world. I just want to make sure you're not rushing into anything." Ellen handed Charlotte the sheets and looked at her for a moment with tears welling up in her eyes. She pulled her daughter in for a big hug. "My Charlotte is getting married. You're so grown up now."

As she hugged her mother, Charlotte couldn't help but think of all the layers of their relationship. Her mother was trying to reason with her as another adult, but at the same time, Charlotte knew she'd always be her mother's little girl. She'd always been able to talk to her mom about stuff like this, and her mom had always been able to guide her without preaching or pandering. Charlotte wanted advice, but she just couldn't ask.

"Mom," Charlotte finally managed to say, "everything's fine."

Her mother patted her back. "Alright, enough of the mushy stuff. Let's go put these sheets onto the pull-out and get you ready for bed."

If there was one thing about home life Charlotte had forgotten, it was how early her parents went to bed. Shortly after ten, Emily headed back home, and their parents headed upstairs, leaving Charlotte and Jack alone. "I'll finish getting the room ready," Jack offered.


"Sounds good. I'll be in in a minute," Charlotte said.

She headed upstairs to her bedroom and grabbed a t-shirt to sleep in. When she walked back downstairs, she was careful to avoid the creaking floorboards in the middle of the hallway and the bottom step of the stairs. Jack was her fiancé, and yet she felt like she was sneaking away to be with him.

The den was half-dark when she stepped inside. Jack was already in bed. The air was still, and she could hear the clock ticking on the far wall. She felt rooted in place, like she couldn't take another step if she wanted to. She felt her blood pressure start to rise. Why was she making such a big deal out of this? She and Jack had already shared a bed. She could lie down next to him. She didn't have to give in to temptation.

A light outside cast shadows in through the window, and she could see Jack's bare chest. Just a few weeks ago, she had stood against a door, wondering what Jack was thinking on the other side. Now she was alone with him, and she had even less of a clue what he thought or felt. She wasn't sure what she thought or felt.

She clicked the lock shut behind her, took a slow breath and headed across the room.





***

Charlotte's mind raced as she slipped under the covers and into bed. She hadn't been planning on staying the night at her parents' house, but she hadn't planned on falling for Jack either. Yet, here she was, on the pullout in her parents' den wondering if she should kiss him.

He placed his hand on her shoulder and she felt that instant thrill. A warm shiver traced its way up and down her spine.

What am I doing?

"We need to talk," she whispered.

"I'm sorry if you didn't want to stay," Jack said, "but I really didn't want to drive back, and I'd like to get to know your parents a little better."

"You shouldn't have done that. They like you, Jack. They think you're going to be part of the family." Charlotte tried to keep her voice to a whisper, but she found it hard not to get worked up about it.

"Is that really what you're mad about? We discussed this. No one else can know about the contract, and everyone has to think it's real. You said you understood that."

"I do," Charlotte said.

"Then what's the problem?" Jack asked.

"You kissed me."

"Is that really a problem?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I liked it."

Jack's hand massaged her shoulder soothingly. "I don't get how that's a problem."

"I'm not your toy, Jack. I have feelings, and you can't just go kiss me whenever you feel like it. It isn't fair."

"I thought you wanted me to kiss you," Jack said.

"I did," Charlotte said, "but that isn't the point. We need rules about this. We can't just go back and forth between being whatever we are and whatever we're supposed to be."