Page 72 of One Kind Hand

Charlie saluted him. She continued chatting with her friends, getting caught up on Marco’s and Shaina’s lives and listening to Jackson talk heatedly about an archaeological dig he’d been on in Australia. She tuned into the conversation, but a part of her was all about the doorbell ringing again to announce Austin’s arrival. Damn that podcast interview. He’d already be there if he hadn’t had to do that. She understood though. Making those types of appearances was part of his job. He certainly hadn’t given her a hard time when she’d had to dash off to assist on a rescue or do a charter flight. Being the fifth wheel with her friends right now sucked though.

The conversation lulled and when she met Isabel’s gaze, her friend’s eyebrows raised and Charlie frowned. “What?”

“I asked you if Wicked Gates was as cool as it appears in the magazines,” Shaina said.

Shit. Charlie thought she’d been doing a good job paying attention to her friends and longing for Austin. Apparently she’d been doing more longing than paying attention.

“Oh, it was cooler actually,” she said, launching into a description of the exterior and interior. “And they have this cake that was—”

The doorbell chimed and Charlie hopped up from her seat.

“Be cool,” Isabel advised.

“Right.” Charlie squared her shoulders, rolled her neck, and wiggled her arms, making her friends chuckle. “You guys be cool too.” She pointed a finger at each of them.

“We promise,” Jackson said as the others nodded.

She strode to the door and slowly opened it because she could be cool. No big deal that she was introducing an internationally famous person to her pals. People did this sort of thing all the time.

Yeah, right.

When she caught sight of Austin on the front steps with Berto tucked under his arm, all that cool froze up and shattered.

“Hey,” he said. “Hope you don’t mind if Berto hangs out while we’re at dinner.” He jiggled the Chihuahua and Berto’s head bobbled. The pup’s tail made a snapping noise as it wagged and hit Austin’s side.

Charlie stepped outside, closing the door behind her. In the next second, her lips were on Austin’s. The man got with the kissing program pretty damn quick, bless him. His tongue stroked hers as his arm hooked around her waist, bringing her body against his. She snaked her hands under Austin’s jacket and raked her fingernails along his back, pulling a deep moan out of him. That noise fired up Charlie’s core and she wished she could make her friends disappear.

The kiss slowed to nips, and Charlie loved the dazed look in Austin’s blue eyes.

“That was the best kiss hello I’ve ever gotten,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers.

“I couldn’t stop myself,” Charlie admitted. “You looked so damn sexy standing here with your pup.”

He brought Berto up so the dog’s ear was near his mouth. “Thanks for the extra sex appeal, buddy.”

“He’s an excellent wingman.” Charlie scratched the dog’s chin, laughing when his eyes became slits. “And I guess we should introduce both of you to my people inside.” She made a move to turn around then her gaze settled on an SUV parked next to Isabel’s. “Did you come in that?”

“Yeah. You were right. The sports car was a silly choice.”

“Vermont is growing on you.” And she loved everything about that.

“For all sorts of reasons.” He dropped a quick peck to her lips.

Charlie opened the door, expecting to find her friends where she’d left them on the couch and chairs in her living room. Instead, all four of them were on their feet, closer to the windows on either side of the front door. She narrowed her eyes at them all.

“Peeping Toms.”

“Shush,” Isabel said, turning her attention to Austin. “Hi, Austin! I’m Isabel. I’m the one who convinced Charlie to enter her chopper in the running for your movie.”

Austin shifted Berto to his other arm and shook Isabel’s outstretched hand. “I’ve been wanting to meet you, Isabel, so I could say thank you for that.”

Isabel got all flustered, her cheeks pinking. “Oh, no thanks needed. I knew Charlie and her chopper would be a great fit for you. I mean, for your movie.” Hooking her hair behind her ear in a nervous gesture, she motioned to Jackson. “This is my fiancé, Jackson.”

“Hey, man,” Jackson said, also shaking hands. “Big fan.” He winked at Charlie. “Big fan of anyone willing to get Charlie out of our hair.”

Charlie shot him a glare then waved her index finger in a rotor motion. She’d once threatened to hold his genitals up to her helicopter blades if he didn’t treat Isabel right. Every now and then she liked to remind him that was still a possibility.

“I don’t mind her in my hair,” Austin said, pulling sighs from Isabel and Shaina.