Just This Once, Contemporary Romance (Last Frontier Lodge #3) (8 page)

When she finally managed to form a word—his name—she opened her eyes and found his on her. The raw intimacy in his gaze snagged her and held her fast in its power. She couldn’t look away. As terrifying as it was, she knew what she saw in his eyes was reflected in her own. In this moment, when she faced her own vulnerability and wanted to hide, she couldn’t because the feelings held within the space between them ran too deep. She couldn’t have turned away if she tried. The moment was stripped bare and beautiful.

He deliberately reached to the nightstand where he’d tossed his condom earlier. It was as if he was giving her a chance to back out. As if she could even consider it. She’d already barreled through every barrier she’d kept herself walled behind, and she wasn’t about to miss out on the full act. Holding his gaze, she watched as he slowly tore the foil packet in his teeth and reached between their bodies. Frantic, she tried to be helpful, but only managed to bump her forehead into his.

The moment snapped the tension when he chuckled. When he brought his gaze to hers, his eyes sobered quickly. Her heart clenched. She trusted Aidan. That’s why she’d allowed herself to act on this harebrained idea. Well, that and the fact that the second he’d kissed her, she’d finally stopped trying to deny how much she wanted him. She couldn’t have known how good it would feel to be close to him. She couldn’t have known it would tug on her heart, that he would elicit this vulnerability, this pressing need to stop trying to shove her emotions away.

With her breath coming in shallow gasps, she couldn’t look away. He held still, the head of his cock resting at her entrance. His eyes on hers, his words fell softly in the room. “Are you sure about this?”

“Don’t you think it’s a little late for that?” she managed with a wry smile.

“If you say so, this stops. Now. I just want to make sure this is what you want.”

Tears pushed at the back of her eyes. Because Aidan was this kind of man. Even though they’d gotten this far and it was more than clear he wanted her, he would stop if she asked. But she wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone, and she wanted this. Now. So, she nodded. “It’s what I want.” She stroked her palm up his back, savoring the flex of his muscles under her touch. Lacing her fingers into his hair, she tugged his mouth to hers, pausing when his lips were a fraction away from hers.

“Now,” she whispered.

She curled her legs around his hips and arched against him. His breath hissed through his teeth before he surged into her, seating himself deeply. She gasped as he stretched and filled her. He held still for a long moment. She could feel his heart beating against her chest. Slowly, he began to move, setting a rhythm that was absolute. His steady, deep strokes drove her higher and higher until she was arching against him, need twisting her tighter and tighter in its flames.

Her head tossing back and forth, another climax burst through her, this one deeper and more intense than the last as her channel convulsed around him. She cried out when he surged one last time into her, his body arching taut like a bow before he shuddered against her. He held still, his breath heaving as he rested above her, his weight on his elbows. As her heart rate slowed, he drew away and stood quickly. In the shadowed light, she saw him step into the bathroom and toss his condom in the trash. In seconds, he was lifting the covers and easing down at her side when she rolled out of the way. He tucked the covers around them and drew her against him.

Becca recalled one of the things she appreciated about Aidan was he didn’t mind quiet. She didn’t have it in her to speak just now. Not while her body hummed from the aftershocks of what just happened and while intimacy feathered its way into her heart as she wondered if she’d miscalculated dangerously. She’d promised herself this would be just once. Now she’d felt what it was like to be close to Aidan, to taste what it was like to be with him, she didn’t know if once would even come close to filling the depth of her need for him.

Chapter 8

Aidan woke during the night. Becca was curled at his side, her head tucked against his shoulder. He stroked his hand through the tangle of her silky hair, savoring the sound of her breathing. He allowed his hand to coast down her back and over the lush curve of her hip. He’d prepared himself that she might promptly send him on his way last night, but she hadn’t. Years of fantasies denied couldn’t have prepared him for what it would be like to actually make love to Becca. She’d slayed him through and through. Now he had to hope she sensed the depth of possibility between them. He knew he had to be careful and to be patient, which would force him to call upon all of his discipline. Years of rigorous military training should help him, but his heart was in deep already. He wanted to reach out and grab her, but this was Becca. She was strong-willed and independent…and guarded. It would be one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but he would be patient and move at a pace she would tolerate.

She shifted in her sleep, her legs sliding against his. He fell back into sleep, his heart beating to the tune of her soft breathing. When he woke later, light was filtering through the gauzy curtains. He turned his head just as she blinked her eyes open. His body instantly tightened. Her blue eyes were open and unguarded—so rare for her. He could feel her breasts pressing against his side, her legs tangled loosely with his. He had no expectations for this moment because he’d never imagined it would happen. Her hand rested on his chest, sliding away when she rolled her neck to glance out the window.

She turned back. “It’s raining.” Her voice was raspy with sleep.

He looked past her. The curtains parted in the center and nothing but fog and rain were visible. “It is.”

She was quiet, her fingers idly tracing his chest. He didn’t know how much he could take of her touch without acting on the lust thrumming in his body. But he’d promised himself she had to set the tone, so he called on every ounce of restraint he had.

“I s’pose we should get up,” she said softly.

“Probably.”

She leaned up on her elbow. “I...” Her breath caught.

His pulse surged, his body nearly taut with anticipation. Yet, he waited.

She shook her head sharply, a soft laugh escaping. “I thought…” Her eyes had a pleading look, as if she wanted him to speak.

“Maybe we shouldn’t think too much. I don’t know about you, but sometimes my brain gets in the way.” His throat tightened. His body and heart wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anyone. The longing ran so deep it was like being caught in a riptide.

Something flashed in the depth of her eyes. “Perhaps so.” She bit her lip, her eyes holding his for an electric moment before she leaned forward.

Her lips met his, tentative at first. He might be trying his damnedest to make sure she made the first move, but once the door was blown open, he didn’t hold back. He stroked his palm up her back and cupped the nape of her neck. He threw himself into their kiss, allowing the flames to engulf them.

***

Becca stood in the shower, hot water cascading over her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, letting the water wash away the insanity of last night and this morning. Aidan had just stepped out of the shower after proceeding to drive her nearly wild and bring her to yet another mind-blowing orgasm. She thought she should feel awkward and uncomfortable with him, but she wasn’t—unless she had time to think.

She shook her head—trying to knock her mind off its loop—and turned off the shower. She dressed quickly for work and walked out into the living room. Aidan was sitting on the couch, his phone tucked against his shoulder. His black curls were still damp. He wore his slightly rumpled clothes from yesterday and still managed to look sexy as hell. He glanced up and smiled, instantly sending her pulse skittering wild. She nodded and took a breath, walking briskly past him into the kitchen.

She started coffee and snagged her phone from her purse to check emails from work. Moments later, Aidan finished his call and stepped through the archway into the kitchen. She’d marshaled a dose of courage to do her damnedest not to let this turn awkward and nodded towards the coffee pot. “Coffee?”

“Sure.”

She quickly filled two mugs and handed him one before sitting down at the small round table she kept in the corner of the kitchen. He joined her. After a few sips of fortifying coffee, she glanced over at him. He was relaxed in his chair. He took a gulp of coffee and arched a brow when he met her gaze.

“I can drop you off at work if you’d like.”

“Sure. Either that, or I’ll have to grab a cab.”

He nodded, his thumb tracing the edge of his coffee mug. She wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but she didn’t dare. Her silly idea that she could burn through her desire for him was almost taunting her now. She wasn’t ready to talk, but she couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.

“So what’s on your schedule today?” she asked. Hopefully, focusing on the mundane would help her muddle through this.

“I’ll swing by my office for a bit, but then I’ll be back at the courthouse.”

“Oh.”
Oh? Oh dear god. He’s going to be at the courthouse every day now. Yesssss!!! Nooooo!!!! Did you suddenly develop a split personality? How about you try to breathe and calm down. Oh, and don’t forget to actually speak. You do know how to have an actual conversation.

She took another gulp of coffee and met his eyes—so blue, and so damn sexy. She suddenly recalled those eyes on her last night, dark and intent, raw intimacy held within them. Heat coiled through her. She took another gulp of coffee and finally gathered herself enough to say something other than ‘oh.’ “Right, you’re covering the courthouse now. How long will you be doing that?”

He shrugged. “At least the next few weeks. I try to rotate and cover every job once a year. With that case popping back up, I figure it’s good for me to be there. I’d like to coordinate with your boss on a protocol for situations like this.”

Somehow, Becca managed to hold up her end of the conversation. Aidan asked about her cases, and she recalled how easy he was to talk with. He was curious and asked good questions. Her anxiety eased as they exited her apartment, and he drove her to work. She forgot her tension until he pulled up in front of the courthouse and glanced her way. Before she could think, he leaned over and brushed his lips across hers.

His quick touch, and the air came to life around them. Heat buzzed through her. He leaned back and nodded. “How about I give you a ride home since I’ll be back here anyway?”

Lost for words, she nodded and climbed out of his car. She watched as he drove away, his black sedan weaving quickly into traffic. She made her way inside and immediately got swept up into the relentless pace of her job. Every day was filled with hours of fielding calls, meeting with clients, attending hearings and generally running herself ragged. Ever since she’d written off any chance of a relationship, she’d thrived on how completely her job engulfed her mind. Today, she found her mind wandering time and again to Aidan. She worried over whether she’d made the biggest mistake of her life. However, she had succeeded beyond her wildest dreams at wiping Kyle from her mind. Aidan had so completely imprinted his body on hers, her senses could recall nothing but him. As she went about her day, she caught glimpses of him around and about the courthouse and attached offices. His presence was a distraction and a comfort at the same time.

Chapter 9

Aidan’s phone vibrated as he was walking into the parking garage to fetch his car. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. Ellie’s number flashed on the screen.

“Hey Ellie, what’s up?”

“Hey Aidan! Thought I’d call and let you know I’m at your place.”

“You are?”

“Yup,” she said brightly. “I have a meeting with a gallery tomorrow, so I thought I’d come down tonight. That’s okay, right? You always say to come anytime.”

He would usually have said that was always the case, and it
was
okay tonight. It’s just now he had to find a way to explain not being home, if by chance Becca seemed open to him staying with her again. Or, he had to adjust on the fly and accept all he’d be doing with Becca tonight was giving her a ride home. He forced his attention to his call.

“Of course, it’s fine. Want me to pick up some takeout?”

“I thought I’d cook dinner. I stopped by the grocery store and have all the stuff for drunken noodles. Maybe stop and pick up some wine though. I forgot to get some, and you have next to nothing here,” she said wryly.

“Got it. I’m giving Becca a ride home, so once I drop her off, I’ll head home.”

“Why don’t you ask her to come for dinner? I’d love to see her.”

“Sure. See you in a bit.”

He slipped his phone back into his pocket and made his way to his car. His footsteps echoed through the parking garage. Right before he’d walked to his car, he’d told Becca to meet him out front in a few minutes. She’d been busy putting away the mountains of files on her desk. As he pulled his car around to the front of the building, he considered Ellie’s unannounced visit was probably a good thing. He needed to move slowly with Becca. Dinner with Ellie would force him to keep things light.

A short while later, he walked around his car to open Becca’s door. He cornered the front of his car to find her standing there, her arm hooked over the edge of the door.

“Beat you to it,” she said with a wide grin.

He chuckled and walked past her to tug the back door open. He snagged the bottle of wine he’d picked up on the way home. “Follow me,” he said.

He led the way to the door that led from the garage into his apartment. As he entered the security code, he considered what Becca might think of where he lived. When he’d renovated the old industrial building for his business, he’d had them utilize the upstairs for apartments. He rented several out to staff and kept one for himself. It was large and luxurious and completely secure. Becca had been here once or twice with Gage. He had figured it made sense to live as close to work as possible because he didn’t have much of a personal life and hadn’t intended for that to change—until now.