On a Gamble Read Online Free

relationship right now.
    “Neither do I.” And without another word, she resumed the day ahead of her.

Chapter 3
    As Alex drove home, the day’s events played through his mind. He felt like an ass. What the hell has gotten into me?
    Charlie had every right to make her demands, every right to get upset with him. He’d been standing too close to her, and it had been on purpose.
    He grinned, because the ensuing battle had been worth it. She may have been a hard working farm girl, but she smelled of clean cotton, vanilla, and wholesome woman. Gorgeous hazel eyes filled his memory, not to mention luscious, just-in-the-right-places curves, made his jeans tighten down south.
    Fantasies of all kinds invaded his mind, of crushing beautiful, dark, wavy hair between his fingers, as he’d pull her lips to his. He wanted to kiss her, taste her sweet nectar until she couldn’t think straight. Hell, until he couldn’t think straight.
    As he turned into his driveway, his cell phone rang, breaking free his sexy daydreams. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”
    “How did it go today?”
    “Don’t ask. I got nowhere.”
    A beat of silence, then, “That’s all right. Take your time. We have lots of time to spare. Was Charlie there? What’s he like?”
    He laughed out loud, as memories of corn silk hair, hazel eyes, and a gorgeous hourglass figure filled his mind once more.
    “What’s so funny?”
    Alex chuckled. “Dad, I hate to break it to you, but Charlie is not a man. She’s a woman.”
    And what a hell of a woman she was .
    “Well”—his dad cleared his throat—“then in that case, be careful.”
    “Be careful?” Even if he knew damned well what he’d meant.
    “Is she good looking?”
    Alex raked a hand through his hair, realizing in such a short amount of time, something about her turned his world upside down. God help him, she was a drug. He wanted to become an addict.
    “Your silence tells me you know what I’m talking about. Just be careful, Alex.”
    “Okay, Dad. I promise.” He hung up, throwing the phone onto the passenger’s seat, and took a deep steadying breath. A hot shower, and a beer were in order. They’d been working with the chickens, horses, and in the garden today, so he smelled like he’d fallen into a manure pile.
    Punching in the alarm code, he made his way inside. It was cool and quiet, as he whipped off his jacket, hanging it up on one of the pegs next to the table in the foyer. He’d already eaten, so his stomach was filled to capacity. Pearl made rib-sticking BBQ pork sandwiches, and homemade mashed potatoes for dinner. Quickly disrobing, he turned the water on as hot as he could stand it and stood beneath the spray. He pressed his hands against the wall, and closed his eyes. Visions of Charlie flashed rampant through his mind, remembering his senses being assaulted. On high alert, when he’d stepped close to her. How good she’d smelled, and how he still couldn’t get that moment in the barn, out of his mind. How he’d given in to temptation in the first place.
    God damn, but he’d never had such an unyielding reaction to a woman before. A woman with a fiery, hot temper that crackled like a brushfire. Wild and out of control, consuming everything in its path. Charlie was strong willed, feisty, and opinionated, not to mention beautiful, wholesome, and sexy as hell. What a combination, and my God, what a turn on.
    He opened his eyes, staring down at his erection, and knowing this would be more difficult than he’d ever anticipated.
    Charlie rolled over in bed the next morning, squinting at the alarm. It read five a.m. She groaned, but it was time to start the day.
    Slowly, she rose out of bed, planting both feet on the floor. An early morning run sounded good, just what she’d need to clear her head, chock-full of thoughts involving Alex, which annoyed and puzzled her. She grabbed a hair tie from the nightstand, and put her hair in a ponytail.
    She brushed her teeth, and put on her