Page 31 of Crimson Heart

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Charlotte loaded up her plate with eggs and bacon. After her very satisfying sexual encounter with Byron in the basement, she’d slept well and had awoken hungry. She wasn’t sure what exactly Byron had planned for today, other than that she should tell Jude and Austin that she wanted to go sightseeing in San Francisco. She’d come down to the dining room after hearing Ransom drive away in his flashy Maserati to make sure she would have breakfast at the same time as Jude. She knew his habits. He’d never been one to sleep in, but it turned out that ever since he’d mated with Danielle, he got up later than usual. She couldn’t really blame him, even though she was getting impatient, and she was already on her second plate of food, so it didn’t look suspicious that she was still in the dining room when several other members of the household had already come and gone. She paced herself now, chewing on the bacon and drinking another cup of coffee. She’d made small talk with Violet and Owen and exchanged a few words with Wendell. Kitty had followed him into the dining room, but as usual, the cat wasn’t friendly, even though Charlotte tried to entice her with a little cream she poured on a saucer.

“Still doesn’t like women, does she?” she said with a shrug, looking up at Wendell.

“You’re making progress, Charlie,” Wendell replied. “At least she’s not hissing at you anymore.”

“Well, I take that as a compliment.”

Wendell loaded up his plate and dug in when she heard several sets of footsteps approaching the dining room. Jude entered with Danielle by his side. Austin was only a few steps behind them.

Charlotte greeted them with a cheerful “Good Morning” and they returned the greeting. She continued eating while her brothers served themselves at the buffet.

Danielle took a seat next to her and poured herself a cup of coffee.

“Jude, could you please get me a slice of toast?”

He turned to Danielle, concern infusing his expression. “Are you sure that’s all you want?”

“I’m just not hungry yet.”

“Just promise me you’ll eat something later, okay?”

She’d never seen her brother exhibiting such tenderness. It appeared Jude’s rough exterior had at last been pierced by true love. At that thought, she felt her heart clench. She wanted what her brother had, which meant a mating with Steve Leon was totally out of the question. Somebody else would fit that mold much better, though she knew it was too early to know whether her relationship with Byron had any chance of growing into something more serious. After all, they’d both stated that they just wanted sex, no strings attached. She had to assume that Byron still wanted the same—and why wouldn’t he want no-strings-attached sex? He was a virile man, good-looking and strong, and he could take his pick from the most beautiful women in California and beyond.

She pushed away the thoughts and concentrated on her more imminent priority: to execute the plan of how to meet Byron in private, away from prying eyes, so that they could get down to having more of that no-strings-attached sex. Their encounter the night before had made her hungry for more.

“Hey, Jude, I was thinking of going sightseeing in San Francisco today…”

He raised an eyebrow. “Sightseeing?”

“Yeah, you know I’ve never been in San Francisco. Maybe I could borrow a car?”

“Hmm.” Jude looked at his mate. “Baby, do you wanna go sightseeing with Charlotte? You could do with a day out, enjoying yourself.”

Crap! She hadn’t expected that. How was she gonna say no now when Danielle wanted to join her? That wasn’t the plan!

Danielle smiled. “I wish I could, but the tattoo is really itching today. I don’t think I’d be much fun running around in San Francisco.” She looked directly at her. “Maybe another day, Charlotte?”

“Oh,” she said, trying to hide her relief. “That’s a shame.”

“Well, then maybe the two of you will go sightseeing tomorrow,” Jude suggested.

That didn’t work for her. She had to go today to have time alone with Byron.

“We can totally do that,” she quickly said, “but you know, there is so much to see in San Francisco that one day just isn’t enough. I might as well start the touring today, and then tomorrow Danielle and I can go together. Right?”

From the corner of her eye, she saw Byron enter the dining room. “Morning.”

“Morning,” everybody replied.

She noticed that he held a travel coffee mug and filled it with hot coffee.

“Gotta go to the Bryant Street office this morning,” Byron said with a nod at Wendell.

“Want me to come with you?”

“Nah, not necessary.”