30. Prickly Heat

Chapter 30

Prickly Heat

Joy didn't bother asking if everything was all right. She knew it wasn't, but was the trouble restricted to the Crystal Harmony Haven project, or was it spilling into their personal lives?

The air between them was charged with prickly heat as they rode to Charlie's house, making a trip that only lasted minutes drag by. In the squirmy silence, Joy's ADHD pulled her in different directions, with the project's setbacks and mysterious motivations behind them ping-ponging in her brain. She turned over what she knew, which was a murky muddle at best, though one truth was clear: the sabotage was real. It was deliberate. If it wasn't Cully, then who? Why?

A tiny kernel of doubt where Charlie was concerned lingered, and while she did believe him, she wasn't ready to brush away the facts and retract her high-alert antennae. She hadn't out-and-out accused him of cheating, but she'd prodded, curious to gauge his reaction. What she'd gotten were his dark brows drawn together in angry slashes. Obviously, he hadn't appreciated her fishing expedition. He had seemed genuinely confused and upset. Was that how a guilty man acted ?

They bumped along over unpaved roads, and Joy tried to order her thoughts. The lumber swap had a handful of rationalizations that might make sense. What tickled the back of her brain most was how magnanimous Cully had been with his "concern," taking time to show her the problem when most days he barely acknowledged her presence on this earth. The entire show-and-tell wasn't his style. No, his style was more nefarious. He didn't like Charlie and seemed juiced to undermine him. Not exactly a smart move on Cully's part, considering how eager he was to take his boss's paychecks.

When they arrived at Charlie's house, she followed him into the guest room, her belly tight with trepidation. He had invited her into his personal world, but he didn't seem happy about it. His dogs were the only welcoming presence, prancing with excitement at her feet.

Joy had accumulated several bags of clothing, soaps, and other odds and ends since her arrival in Fall River, and Charlie, laden with them all, dropped them beside the bed. "Make this room yours. Spread out. Feel free to turn it into your temporary office." His expression was stoic and on the chilly side.

She wasn't sure what to do with the armful of awkward he'd just handed her. Was he planning on her staying here overnight, and if so, where was she expected to sleep? The last few nights, he hadn't stayed over because he'd needed to return for Sunny and Luna. Joy being here would be far more convenient—if that's what he even had in mind.

"I've got to take care of a few things." He brushed past her so brusquely she could feel the passing breeze. After letting the dogs outside, he wordlessly stomped to his office.

Crossing her arms, she stared out the window into his fairy-tale backyard where hummingbirds zipped from one colorful feeder to another and the dogs sniffed their way around. As she was reconciling this perfect scene with the enigma in the next room, said enigma called out, beckoning her to him.

"I want to show you something." His gaze was locked onto his computer screen, and she inched beside him and took a peek. "This is the invoice for that delivery." He pointed at a line item for select lumber, then showed her the date. "The item number on the tag doesn't match the item number on this invoice." He pulled up a picture of said tag on his phone and handed her the device. "Compare for yourself." Leaning way back in his office chair, he tucked his arms across his chest. She scanned the computer screen, taking pains not to invade his personal bubble, which surrounded him like a force field.

"They're not the same," she agreed.

He sat upright, and she stepped back. He shoved a file at her that held orderly paperwork. "These are all the receipts we've accumulated so far, and if they look familiar, that's because I've given you copies along with each draw request."

She flipped open the file and, without examining its contents, closed it and slid it onto his desk.

"Now I suppose I could have bought the crap lumber separately and hidden that paperwork, then canceled the select and received a refund, which I'm also hiding, but my account doesn't reflect that." He tapped his keyboard and moved to a different screen in the same supplier's account, where every order was listed. "See for yourself. Oh, and you can check with these guys, and they'll verify I don't have a separate account where I might be able to bury my dishonest dealings."

She'd been feeling like a heel for doubting him, but now that heel was twice as big. "You paid for select, but the stuff in the backyard is utility. What do you think happened?"

"That's a great question, and I'm going to get some answers."

"Will the tag on the bad stuff lead you to its source?"

"Don't know. Doesn't look familiar." He scrolled to a number on his phone and hit the green icon. Soon he was barking at whoever was on the other side of the call, and, feeling like the creepy eavesdropper, Joy slinked back to the guest bedroom to check on her own work.

She was in the midst of tapping out a reply to a terse Sterling email when Charlie loomed in the doorframe. He tucked what looked like a folded check into his T-shirt pocket and braced both hands on the top of the frame, biceps bunching. Eyes the color of a tornado cloud looked at her, seeming to look right through her. Calculations were zipping behind them.

She set her down her phone on the bed where she was currently perched. "What did you find out?"

He shook his head. "They don't know either, but they're sending someone to pick up the utility grade tomorrow, even though no one recognizes that tag. Meanwhile, they're crediting me for the select. "

"Can't they just deliver the prime stuff tomorrow when they pick up the inferior lumber?"

"They're out of select until they get another shipment."

"So another delay."

"Another delay."

"And you're mad about it."

"I'm pissed about all of it. The failed inspection, the inferior wood, the delays."

"Well, I'm relieved to hear you're not mad at me."

He blinked and drilled her with those steely greens. "Who says I'm not?"

She opened her mouth, unsure what to say, and quickly snapped it shut. He knocked his knuckles against the wooden doorjamb, turned, and loped away to let the dogs back inside. Disappointment sank into her as she watched him. Moments later, he reappeared to let her know he was on his way out for a meeting.

"Before you go, I have a question." She took in the room around her. "Am I sleeping here tonight? The couch? Going back to the Haven?"

"That's three questions."

She folded her arms across her chest. "They only require one answer." Smartass.

"I wouldn't have hauled all your stuff over here if I was going to take you right back." His tone was neutral, but its usual warmth was missing.

"Okay. That answers one question." She'd have to get her car, though a little voice told her not to bring it up right now. "Am I in here or on the couch?"

"Haha, you're funny. You're in my room. I didn't haul you and your stuff over here to have you sleep in my guest bedroom, and especially not on my couch."

"Well, you're being a little … unfriendly."

"Because I'm pissed, and we're having our first fight. You're sleeping with me because you have some making up to do, and I fully intend to collect." He cocked a brow and lowered his chin.

She popped up from the bed, spluttering, "I have some making up to do? Why is this all on me?"

He crooked his finger at her. "Come here."

"No. "

With an eye-roll, he ate up the distance between them and rested his hands on her hips, devil lights dancing in his eyes. "Maybe I have some making up to do too. Either way, I'll do my part." He leaned in and nipped at her lip. "I'm really not mad at you. I'm just looking for hot makeup sex later."

An unexpected wave of relief moved through her, and she burst out with a laugh. His face lit with a wicked grin. She grasped his head in both hands and drew him down for a steamy kiss he wouldn't soon forget. As she pulled back, she brushed her lips lightly over his. "You don't play fair."

"Neither do you," he gasped. He rested his hands on her shoulders and put several inches between them. "When I'm done, I'll come pick you up and we can get your car. What do you say we go to Miners afterward?"

"Sure."

"Good. Then you can drive. I have a feeling I'm going to need to pound a few."

She watched his back as he walked out the door, pondering why his mood had shifted from playful back to pissed.

Cully looked down at the check in his hand as Charlie stood facing him between their trucks. They were parked at the rec center's ball field—which doubled as an ice rink in the winter—where rec league players were warming up.

Judging by Cully's getup, he was planning to join them shortly. He pulled out his wallet and slid the check inside. "So this is it, huh?"

"Yep. This is it."

"You gonna tell me why you're firing me?"

Charlie ran through the reasons he'd given Cully before: not showing up to the job, showing up late, leaving early, not getting the work done, insubordination. Nothing Cully hadn't heard before. What Charlie didn't say—and couldn't because he had no proof—was he was firing Cully's ass for the slashed tires and the electrical panel. Yeah, that had really pissed him off .

"There's also whatever's going on with things disappearing or getting damaged on both job sites." He wasn't accusing, simply floating it out there.

Cully's eyes narrowed. "I didn't do any of that shit."

"I can't prove that you did, but it's a little suspicious that you were around each site when things went sideways. And I really didn't appreciate you telling Joy about the lumber before you told me."

Cully shrugged. "I figured she should know. You said you guys were partners."

"That's a bullshit excuse, and you know it. You just wanted to stick it to me, and congratulations, dude, you did." Charlie pointed at the wallet Cully still held in his hand. "That's your payoff, and it's more than you deserve." Charlie had padded the check with more time than Cully had actually put in.

"Well, thanks for nothing." Cully slid the wallet back into his pocket.

Charlie ground his back molars to hold himself in check, to keep himself from saying, "I hired you when no one else would, and I paid you well, asshole. Thanks for nothing right back atcha." While it would make him feel better, no good would come of it. It would only add fuel to the heated exchange.

"See you around, Cully." And Charlie would too, which would be awkward at first, but they'd both get over it.

Cully grunted in response, and Charlie hopped into his truck and left the parking lot. He drove to the other job site to check on Felix and the rest of the crew. Today they were framing, and Charlie inspected the wood to be sure it was the right grade. He let the guys know that Cully wouldn't be returning, and if he did, they were to report to Charlie ASAP. Felix especially was quiet. Had he and Cully formed a friendship? It was always weird when one of the team was let go, and guys were usually nervous for a week afterward, wondering if another shoe was going to drop and they'd get the ax too. Charlie couldn't afford to let any of them go.

He pulled into his gravel driveway and let himself inside, looking forward to finding Joy making herself at home in his house on a semi-part-time-temporary-permanent basis, stopping when he heard her yelping in the other room.

"Sterling, I told you, I've got this! What part of that do you not comprehend?" She was silent for a moment, probably listening to her partner chew her out on the other end, and Charlie's fists clenched at his sides. Sunny and Luna crept over beside him, barely making a sound, as if they sensed the tension in the air and wanted to fade into the background.

Joy spoke again, her voice dropping an octave into a range that reminded him of an animal ready to attack. "I. Will. Handle. It." Another pause. "No, I don't know yet, so stop asking me," she snapped. "Maybe at the end of the week. Estelle is arranging everything." A large exhale whooshed from her. "Yeah, I know. Yes, I will. I'll let you know when that happens."

She went silent, except for a few muttered curses he couldn't decipher.

"Honey, I'm home," he announced. His dogs' tails began to wag. "Well, at least you're happy to see me," he whisper-shouted to them.

Joy emerged from the bedroom and headed straight for him. Instinctively, he opened his arms and let her walk into them. Her arms wound around his waist, and she laid her head against his chest and sighed.

He stroked her hair. "Everything all right?"

"No, but it's better now that you're here."

His heart turned a little gooey around the edges. He pulled her head back and looked down into her sherry-colored eyes, hoping he didn't see tears there. He didn't. Instead, she gave him a half-smile.

"I have some work I need to finish up."

He laid a light kiss on her forehead. "I do too. Meet you back here in an hour?" He still had one job he needed to complete, and he could only do it with her out of Crystal Harmony Haven—it was time to act on his ulterior motive. "Then we can go pick up your car and get something to eat."

"And drink."

"And drink," he agreed.

Hours later, around dinnertime, they grabbed two barstools on Hailey's side of the bar. She buffed the bar top and dropped two coasters on it. "Hey, you two. What can I get you?"

Turning to Joy, Charlie raised an eyebrow. "White wine?"

"No, I'm going to have something a little stronger tonight." When her old-fashioned and his Jameson arrived, they toasted. He took a big swallow, relishing the feel of the liquor blazing a trail down to his stomach.

He leaned against her shoulder and placed his mouth beside her ear. "I fired Cully. "

Eyes wide, she pulled back and looked into his face. "When?"

"When I left for that meeting. That's what I was doing."

"How did he take it?"

He shrugged. "Not too bad. I'm still in one piece." He took another sip. "Wanna tell me what's going on with Sterling?"

"Not really, but I will anyway. We have a problem client who insists on meeting me in person, and Sterling wants me to come back."

"For the client or himself?" Charlie gave her a pointed look.

Joy rolled her eyes. "He suggested I go back for just a few days to take care of this issue with the client, then return here once that's out of the way."

"You gonna do it?"

"I was hoping not to, but it's looking like I don't have a choice."

He took her hand in his, inspecting her delicate fingers one by one. "You always have a choice."

"True, but some of the consequences are harder to live with."

"So when do you think you'll leave?" The words stuck in his throat.

She propped an elbow on the bar and dropped her forehead into her palm. "I don't know. I need to talk to Estelle tomorrow. I'm not going to deal with it tonight."

"Good plan. You have some making up to do."

She smirked. "So I'm told."

Dixie appeared beside Joy and slid a tray onto the bar top. Her blue-lidded eyes dropped to their joined hands, and a knowing grin spread over her face. "Glad to see you took my advice."

"Took your advice?" Charlie parroted.

Dixie nodded. "Yes. You decided to play nice. And Missy here paid a visit to the Vogue Vault, didn't you, hon?"

Joy looked astonished. "How did you know?"

"Oh, I tried that one myself, but the color was all wrong."

Charlie placed a fist in front of his mouth to stifle a laugh. Joy was dressed in a cropped top that clung to her curves. No way could Dixie have pulled that over her head, much less her body.

Before he could stop her, Dixie reached over and swatted the back of his head.

"Ow! What did you do that for?"

She pointed at him. "I saw. "

"Go bother someone else," he growled.

Noah ducked in, jabbing a thumb Charlie's way as he asked Joy, "What's eating him?"

"He's in a bad mood. Just ignore him." Joy gave Charlie a playful tap and laughed. He went for a stoic look, wanting to mask how much her smile lifted his own spirits. Maybe they could put today behind them.

Noah chimed in with, "I've been trying to ignore him my entire life," and sent Joy a quick wink.

Soon it seemed the entire town crowded around them. The usual suspects were there—Micky, Amy, Neve, Shane, and even Reece stopped by for a quick visit. Charlie slid a little closer to Joy when Germaine sashayed in, followed by Lauren. The two began an eye-dagger-throwing contest with each other, which they turned on Joy when Charlie looped his arm around her shoulders. Thankfully, Joy was too busy talking cars with Micky to notice.

If folks thought it was weird that he and Joy were together, they didn't let on. In fact, everyone acted as though they'd been an item for years—other than Germaine and Lauren, but they left early. Charlie liked sitting here with his arm around her, staking a claim, behaving like one half of a couple. Wait. Were they a couple? Not if she was going back to Chicago. He put aside the disturbing thought and tried to sink back into the fun.

He finally pried Joy away when the place thinned out at nine. On the way back to his place, she stuck to the speed limit, even dipping below it, and he smiled to himself. She was practically a local.

He turned his head toward her, studying her profile as the dim light from passing porches highlighted the contours of her cheekbones. She was deep in thought, and a touch of sadness painted her lips.

"Did you have fun tonight?" he ventured.

She seemed to emerge from whatever thought well she'd lowered herself into. "Hmm? Oh yes." She nodded, as if trying to convince herself.

"But you're worried about getting back to Chicago and whatever's waiting for you there, aren't you?"

She twirled a hank of her hair. "I … Maybe?"

"You don't have to pretend with me. You know that, right?"

"Yes, I know." Her voice was small, very un-Joy-like. Where was that kick-ass confidence he loved ?

A thought—or a calling—struck him in that moment. He'd been in a shit mood, and being with her, just soaking her up, had lifted him into a good mood. He wanted to do that for her. He wanted to protect her from things that upset her, that chased away her smile. He wanted to put her in his pocket and carry her off where they could just be.

It was no longer just a structure he was trying to salvage. He wanted to save her too.

"You know you can stay with me beyond tonight, right?"

Her head swiveled toward him, her eyes round. "But I don't know how long I'm staying."

"Doesn't matter if it's a day, a week, two weeks. Just stay with me as long as you can. The dogs love having someone else to lick. So do I." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"Are you implying you already have someone to lick and I'll be an additional lickee? And if so, when is this person showing up?"

When she slowed down at the intersection of two quiet streets, he leaned over the console and nipped her ear. "Always so literal. You know what I meant." He rubbed his nose against the shell of her ear and traced it with the tip of his tongue, immensely pleased when a subtle shudder moved through her. They hadn't been together long, but he was learning her body, and that gave him immense pleasure too.

"What will people think?" Her voice carried that breathy, intimate quality that got his juices flowing.

"I don't give a fuck what people think," he murmured. "Besides, no one said anything tonight, did they?"

"No, I felt quite at home."

"So are you staying?"

"I don't see how a girl can say no to you," she quipped.

"If she's smart, she shouldn't. And I know how smart you are. Just sayin'."

"Well, I'm glad we both agree on that point."

He took her hand in his and squeezed it, resting their joined hands on the console. Satisfaction thrummed in his veins.

When they got back to his place, he led her to the bedroom, where he kissed her languidly, slowly removing her clothes while she removed his, skimming his fingers over her, exploring her body inch by inch the same way he'd explored her mouth. He laid her on the bed and covered her, in no hurry to do more than kiss her lush mouth, her throat, the juncture of her neck and shoulders. She tasted so damn sweet, and he couldn't get enough.

Her supple body began to undulate beneath him, the movement suggesting soft lapping waves rippling rhythmically along the shore. She was ready to move to the next step, and a chuckle of satisfaction gurgled in the back of his throat. Indulging her, he moved down her chest and let his tongue play over a tip. Half gasps and broken moans fell from her parted mouth. With her back arching off the bed, eyes shut, her face was soft, lost in a world of pleasure—pleasure he was giving her.

He transferred his attention to the other side, but her hands gripped his shoulders in a silent plea. As he crawled back up her frame, she tucked her ankle around his leg in a bid to roll them. He held her to him and let her maneuver them the way she wanted. Yeah, she definitely enjoyed his aggressive side running the show, but lately she'd been asserting her own desires, and he loved the give-and-take that had developed between them.

Like right now. And God, he needed this. Needed her .

He sank back into the mattress and let her take what she wanted—and prayed his spine didn't decalcify before she was done with him.