The Bachelor by Carly Phillips Page A

drew him in. “Getting you out of my system’s a damn good idea. I haven’t a clue how to
     go about it, but this …” He gestured between her nearly naked body and his thoroughly aroused one. “Isn’t the smart way of
     doing it.”
    Before he could change his mind, he turned and stormed through the swinging doors, the hinges creaking in his wake. He didn’t
     let himself look back.
    Only after he was safely back on the street did he realize he’d forgotten Rick’s list of possible suspects. And no way was
     he walking back into the fire now.

CHAPTER FIVE
    T he streets of Yorkshire Falls were empty as most of the town gathered inside town hall. After getting a breath of fresh air,
     Charlotte walked inside to her volunteer workstation, where she acted as punch bowl lookout. On a typical day, no smart adult
     would touch the punch bowl filled with green liquid, but at the Annual St. Patrick’s Day dance, everyone indulged in the colored
     Kool-Aid.
    She told herself she was better off concentrating on making sure no one spiked the punch bowl than on Roman. Just remembering
     their sensual run-in earlier that day caused goose bumps to prickle along her skin.
    She’d gathered every ounce of courage she possessed to turn back toward him and reenact her fantasy. To reach out for him
     first. To accept and give in to his kiss despite knowing he could hurt her badly. And he had. The man had given her ego a
     huge bruising she wouldn’t soon forget. Now she knew how he’d felt all those years ago. Payback sucked royally, she thought.
    And yet she couldn’t deny his lingering appeal. She let her gaze wander across the packed room. He was scrumptiously alluring
     in black jeans and a white pullover shirt. He stood out from the crowd, and not just by defying convention and not wearing
     green. Her eyes were drawn back to him again and again. Apparently the problem wasn’t mutual, because he hadn’t once glanced
     her way.
    Instead he drifted from single female to single female, plying his charm, easy grin, and sex appeal. It galled Charlotte to
     see that he had an extremely receptive audience. She was merely one of many. And it hurt.
    She arrived back at her station to find she had company. Raina Chandler sat behind the long table serving as a makeshift bar.
     “Hi, Raina.”
    The older woman graced her with a huge, welcoming smile.
    “Let me look at you.” Charlotte stepped back and took in the older woman’s appearance. She was slender as always and a makeup-induced
     glow radiated in her cheeks. From looking at Raina, Charlotte couldn’t tell she’d been in the hospital. “You look wonderful!”
    “Thank you. I’m trying not to let my health get me down.” Raina’s glance darted sideways, then back again.
    “Well, haven’t seen you all week. I hope that means you’re taking good care of yourself. One hospital trip is one too many.”
    Raina nodded. “I’m learning to be more cautious,” she acknowledged. “Now back to you. I’ve come to relieve you. Go mingle.”
    “Oh, no.” Charlotte shook her head. “I’m not going to let you stand on your feet and handle punch bowl duty. You need rest.”
    Raina waved a hand in the air, dismissing the possibility. “I’m not your replacement.”
    Charlotte glanced around, but she didn’t see anyone with her. “Who is? Not my mother, I hope?”
    “Last I saw, your mother was doing quite nicely. Socializing, even.”
    “Dennis Sterling?” Charlotte asked, unable to hide the hope in her voice.
    “Unfortunately, Dennis is going to be late.”
    “Darn.” As the town’s only veterinarian, any animal emergency fell into Dennis’s lap.
    Raina patted her hand. “Don’t worry. If the man’s interested, once he takes a look at your mom tonight, he’ll be persistent.”
    “Isn’t she gorgeous? I picked her dress myself.”
    “Your taste is impeccable, as always. You look beautiful too.”
    “Thank you.” Knowing she’d picked out this outfit