"Who is that?"
"Cassy," he said, "this is my friend, Kayla. Kayla, this is my granddaughter Cassy and my brother Drew."
"And Liana…" Cassy said, pointing at the server.
But no one was looking at Cassy now. Drew and Liana had pivoted to stare at Kayla. Drew shoved his glasses back on his face.
"Kayla?" Drew asked. "As in Kayla Bell?"
Kayla's cheeks flushed under their attention. She extended her hand to Drew. "Yes. Hi."
Drew stared at her hand for a moment, then, seeming to remember himself, he shook it. "You exist."
Kayla looked at Aiden questioningly.
"My family is a suspicious lot." He shrugged and hoped she'd understand. He slipped his hand over hers and squeezed it gently.
Drew dropped to one of the chairs. "Yes. Sorry. It's just…"
He was looking at Kayla again.
"Right." Liana cleared her throat, as if remembering she was supposed to be serving them. She tossed a couple of menus on the table. "What can I get you to drink?"
After they ordered, Liana returned to the bar. Kayla snagged one of the menus and began concentrating on it like it was an elaborate cipher. Cassy eyed his hand where he'd left it over Kayla's, and then slid her hand under his in the same way.
He should feel happy about having the two most precious ladies in his life holding his hands, but the tension and awkwardness were palpable. Drew wasn't helping. His eyes kept darting back to Kayla. Before they left, Drew would likely have taken a picture of her with his monstrously large cell phone, so he could show Mason and Grady.
Then Chris emerged from the back.
"Daddy," Cassy said, loudly enough that the whole room could hear. "Papa has a friend and she's wearing Papa's clothes."
Aiden shot an apologetic look to Kayla. A scarlet blush stole over her cheeks as, once again, all eyes turned to her. She was wearing his T-shirt, but he hadn't expected anyone to notice. Who knew his granddaughter was so observant? He'd offered Kayla the shirt as a temporary solution to her lack of clothing. And, as he eyed her, he had to admit she looked pretty damned good in it. It molded over her breasts in a way that made his mouth water. He cleared his throat. He wasn't sure what to say. Or if he should let Cassy's comment slide. Before he could decide, Chris came over and joined them.
"Hi, Kayla," his son said with a smile as he stretched his hand to her. "Nice to see you again."
She shook it and said a simple greeting, before taking a gulp of the ice water Liana had just brought.
He and Kayla had met in Hearts in the past, and, contrary to Drew's implication, he had never tried to hide his friendship with her from anyone. So, over the years, Chris had come to know Kayla a little. A few times, he'd suggested that Aiden should take their relationship to another level… whatever that meant.
They made small talk for a few minutes, then Chris drew Liana aside. Aiden watched them curiously. They were talking about Liana managing things on her own for the day, but the way his son was looking at her made Aiden grin. Maybe he wasn't the only one who should consider that taking their relationship to another level thing.
He'd seen them dancing around one another for a while now, but it didn't look like they had done much about it. It's been a long time since Tina had died and it'd be good for Chris to have someone in his life again.
The irony of his sentiment wasn't lost on Aiden.
Their conversation ended with Liana touching Chris's arm lightly. Her hand lingered a little longer than normal. Then someone from across the bar called for a refill and she spun away from him. Chris watched her for a moment before turning back to their table. His gaze caught on Aiden's for a moment, and his grown son actually flushed a little. He hadn't done that since Aiden had caught him sneaking Tina into his bedroom when they were sixteen.
"Come here, munchkin," Chris said, extending his arms to his daughter. "We need to go home."
Cassy waved to them as they departed.
"So what's the plan?" Aiden said to Drew.
Kayla looked at him. Right. She had no idea what they were here for.
"We did some upgrades to the family inn in the spring, but our brother Mason wants to do more," Aiden said. "His plan is to market it as a conference center for small groups, which means more high-tech gear."
Drew pulled out a tablet from the small case he had slung over his shoulder. Then he showed her a few photos of the main boardroom.
"Do you remember the inn?" Aiden asked. He'd taken her there a few times. She'd been curious about where he'd grown up. He hadn't told her all of the shit that had happened there, but she'd undoubtedly heard rumors. People still liked to talk about his family. That was the way things were in a small town.
She nodded. "Of course, it's beautiful. It has a Colonial feel to it, right?"
"Right. It's a bit of an oddity in the area. They say that the original owner was inspired after a tour through the United States," Aiden said. "Anyway, we need to find a way to marry the high-tech with the heritage aspects."
Drew pulled up a plan of the boardroom on his screen. Each item in the room was labeled with a dimension, which went right down to the millimeter. Aiden lifted his eyebrows and shook his head. He hated working from plans like that. Real life and design ideals were never the same. He much preferred having someone describe what they wanted and he would make it. But that wasn't Drew's way.
Kayla leaned forward and studied the plan. She tilted her head one way, then the other. She was adorable the way she narrowed her eyes and sucked in her bottom lip when she was thinking. Adorable… yes… but also wildly erotic at the same time. The lip popped free of her teeth and it was pinker, glistening. If they had been alone at his place, he would have shoved the tablet aside and seen what else he could make pinker and glistening…
Thank God he had convinced Drew to meet here instead of at the inn as they had originally planned. He didn't want to spend the day staring at the inn's boardroom, not when he could be spending that time with Kayla… naked… in his bed…
They needed to finish up here. Soon.
"Did you bring some paper?" Aiden asked. His voice was gruffer than normal. Kayla eyed him with a speculative gleam in her eye, but she didn't say anything.
Drew shook his head, then he pulled out a pencil-looking thing.
"What's that?"
"A stylus," Kayla said when Drew didn't answer. "It's so you can draw on the tablet."
He hated feeling like an idiot in front of her. She slipped her hand under the table and patted him on the leg, as if to say, it's okay. Her light touch sent more blood rushing south, particularly when she left it lingering on his thigh. A slight smirk played at her lips like she knew the riot of arousal she was evoking in him. Christ. They had to get out of here soon or he was going to burst. Actually… having Kayla here could be the perfect solution for that. Aiden glanced at her again. "What if we hire you to do some sketches for us?"
Drew pushed the stylus thing toward her.
"I don't usually…" Kayla lifted her eyebrows in surprise. Then she looked between them both. Her teasing hand left his leg and he almost groaned with relief. She smiled and picked up the tool. "Well, I guess a couple of thoughts struck me while you were talking…"
Over the next hour, Kayla, Drew and he brainstormed various options, stopping only to order food. They worked so fluidly together. As she roughly drew plans and perspectives, Aiden marveled at her talent. Sure, she was an architect but there was something about the subtle touches that she imbued in both her ideas and her representation of them that was pure Kayla.
A strange sense of pride overtook him.
She was beautiful… both her body and her mind. He'd known that before now, but seeing her work made something click for him. He was getting a glimpse into the part of her life that he'd never seen before.
After they finished sketching ideas and coming up with a plan, they ate their meals, which had grown cold. When Kayla rose to go to the ladies' room, Drew p
ut his elbows on the table and eyed Aiden. There was a glint of curiosity and amusement glittering in his brother's eyes.
"Whatever you are going to say, don't," Aiden said.
Drew shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Right." Aiden set aside his plate. "But I do need you to look something up for me."
Drew pushed his glasses up his nose with one finger. The amusement was swept away by Aiden's serious tone. "What's up?"
Aiden explained about the trial, what Kayla had seen, and the threats she'd been receiving. Then he told him about her running away from the city. Drew cursed.
"I want to know about this guy. I want to know where to find him. I want to know if he's responsible for threatening her."
It made sense it was him, but Aiden preferred to know rather than assume things in this situation. They'd just finished talking when Kayla returned. When they left a few minutes later, Drew said he'd call soon.
The wind hadn't eased in the time that they had been inside. Aiden tucked Kayla's hand in his again as they made their way back to his truck. An easy smile lit her face. It was the first time since she'd arrived that she seemed to have forgotten about Ed and the murder and all the troubles she had left in the city. He wished he could always give her that.
If only she could stay here, where he could do his damnedest to make sure she smiled every day. It wasn't the first time he'd wished things had been different between them. That a relationship—a real relationship—could be possible with her.
But he wasn't sure it'd be so easy to let her go this time.
Chapter 8
Kayla eyed the bags of clothes she'd purchased in town. The various packages were a mound beside her feet on the floor of the cab. Aiden had insisted on buying way more than she would have chosen for herself, which was funny because the local stores didn't even have a very big selection. At least she wouldn't need to wear Aiden's clothes now. Although there was a certain intimacy in wearing her lover's clothing, she could have died when his granddaughter had made that announcement in the pub.
Even now, bundled in his jacket again, everything about it heightened her awareness of him. His scent enveloped her. The weight of his clothes and the rub of the unfamiliar fabric over her triggered a heightened awareness of her own body. Her every little movement sparked an aching want for more than his clothing against her. She wanted his hands on her bare skin, his body pinning her to the bed, his moans against her mouth…
Heat fluttered over her until her body was as needy and tingly as if he actually was caressing her. She swallowed and pressed her hand to the cold window beside her. Anything to cool her heated flesh.
As Aiden slowed to guide the truck into his driveway, her phone vibrated in her bag. She pulled it out. Her hand shook when she stared at the screen. Unknown number. She closed her eyes as it continued to ring. She should cancel the call. She should turn off the power. She should toss the stupid thing in the lake.
Instead, she swiped her finger over it.
"Hello?"
"We know where you are," said a mangled, distorted voice.
Then they were gone. Her phone fell from her fingers. Shit. Shit. Shit. They'd never spoken before. Why did they now? She'd been so sure she would be safe here. So sure they couldn't find her.
Aiden stopped the truck.
"Was that him?"
She nodded. He picked up her phone and eyed the screen. He pressed his lips into a firm, grim line.
"What did he say?"
"That he knew where I was."
Aiden cast his gaze across the driveway and his home. "There aren't any fresh footprints. No tire tracks."
Kayla looked. He was right. Was Ed just messing with her? Trying to flush her out? Or maybe send her scurrying farther away so she'd miss the trial? She swallowed.
Aiden turned off her phone and tucked it in her purse. "But we can leave if you want."
"No." She shook her head. "You're right. No one has been here. He's just toying with me." Like she was a mouse and he was a feral cat with razor sharp teeth. She tapped her fingers on her leg and waited for Aiden to finish parking.
He killed the engine and turned to her. He took her hand in his and looked in her eyes.
"I won't let anything happen to you. I promise you that."
Of course he would make a promise like that. Because he was Aiden. And Aiden was always steady, always there for her, always her rock. Tears welled, unbidden, in her eyes. She blinked them away.
"We can still go away from here," he said. "I know some places, deeper in the woods. They don't know this land like I do."
He sounded like a mountain man, but she believed him when he said he could keep her warm and safe, even in frigid freezing winter conditions. She smiled despite her tears, a few of which had broken free to slip down her cheeks. He brushed them away with his thumbs. Without the heater blasting, the cold from outside was seeping into the cab, chilling the air. She shivered.
She was being ridiculous. She was letting Ed undermine her sense of security. It was time to stop that.
"Let's go inside," she said.
Aiden narrowed his eyes, as if trying to determine if she was okay with this decision. To confirm her words, she grabbed her bags and slipped out of the truck. He swept his gaze over the woods and his property as they walked to the house from the garage. Ever vigilant. The set of his jaw suggested he was ready to take instant action if the situation warranted it. His confident strength calmed her like nothing else could.
When they arrived at the door, he entered first. His cats greeted them at the door, just as they had the night before. They stretched and yawned. They didn't look like they'd been disturbed by an intruder. Aiden went through the main floor of the house without taking off his boots. His behavior sent her heart racing again. Had he noticed something amiss? When he returned to her, he smiled.
"No one has been here," he said. "But I wanted to check, in case they'd come in from the other side and we hadn't seen their footsteps in the snow from the driveway."
She let out a shaky breath, trying to expel all her worries and anxiety with it. Even if Ed had discovered her parents had property at Sanctuary Lake, he would never look for her at Aiden's place. So in a lot of ways, she was double protected here. The unease she'd been feeling since the call ended ebbed away.
After they kicked off their boots and hung up their coats, Aiden turned to her.
"Why don't you show me what you bought?"
She laughed. "You were there when I chose everything."
"Come on," he said with a grin.
She knew he was trying to distract her. She shrugged. Why not? She grabbed her bags and headed for the stairs. "I'll do you one better," she said. "I'll model them for you. But I think we can both agree that Sanctuary Lake isn't a fashion hub, so keep your expectations low."
She went to his bedroom and tossed the purchases on the bed. She didn't bother shutting the door. She didn't have anything to hide from him. She dumped each bag and sorted through the pieces. What should she choose first? Something blue caught her eye. What was that? She pulled out a shimmering garment. The gauzy material was so thin she could see her fingers through it. She hadn't picked this out, but the tag said it was her size.
Aiden must have slipped this into her packages when she was in the change room. She held the skimpy bit of lingerie up to her body. It was a baby doll. The indigo blue silk top and panties were edged with black lace. Maybe the stores here weren't as dowdy as she'd thought.
She didn't care about the rest of the garments now. All she wanted to see was the look on Aiden's face when he saw her in this. She grinned as she shed her clothing and pulled on the sensual garment. The smooth material slipped over her skin like a caress.
As soon as she was dressed, she scooped up the other clothes and dumped them on the top of Aiden's dresser. She didn't want anything on the bed but her and Aiden. When she was done, she fluffed her hair a little and rubbed her lips together.
Good. Ready.
She turned to the door and discovered Aiden there. He was leaning against the threshold watching her. The heated look in his eyes made her breathless.
"I didn't hear you come up," she whispered.
His gaze slipped over her body. Her breasts grew heavy and her sex throbbed as if he was caressing her instead of just looking at her.
"It matches your eyes," he murmured, when his eyes returned to hers. "Do you like it?"
She brushed her hands over the slippery material. "It's beautiful. Thank you."
"As soon as I saw it," he said as he stepped inside the room, "I knew it was perfect for you."
He moved across the room at a leisurely pace, his gaze never leaving hers. The way he approached, with purpose and intent, excited her. Her body heated in anticipation of his touch. He didn't stop until he was right in front of her, so close that his breath mingled with hers.
"I want you, Kayla," he said, "Every time I see you, my need for you rages through me like a wildfire."
"I want you too." She wasn't capable of similarly poetic words. Not when he was looking at her like he wanted to devour her.
She reached up and put her hand on his neck. She drew him down until the gap between their lips was eliminated. They had kissed a few times since she had arrived in Sanctuary Lake, but those had all been controlled, almost chaste. Not this one. As soon as their mouths collided, something inside her gave way.
She'd thought she was running away from her problems and her stress, but what she had really been doing was running to him… to Aiden.
Chapter 9
Aiden held her tight to his body. He wished he could keep her here forever, protected and safe, but he couldn't. He knew that. So he would do what he could. He would give her everything he could in this moment and as long as she would let him.
He brushed his lips against hers as he slipped his fingers into her hair and cradled the back of her head in his palm. She closed her eyes as a soft whimper fell from her mouth into his. Her grasp curled into his shirt.
Hot Silver Nights: Silver Fox Romance Collection Page 65