“What did I just fucking say about questions? You never fucking listen. How anyone puts up with you is beyond me. Drive and I’ll fucking tell you where to go.” Gwyn obeyed, backing the car down the long driveway of the home she cherished with Brady. Looking in the rear view mirror, she had the sinking feeling it was the last time she’d ever see it again. Lawrence confirmed she was likely correct with his next words.
“Good riddance to this fucking place. Say your goodbyes, Gwyn. This is the last you’ll see of it.” As they drove through the little town, Gwyn believed him, without a doubt.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The news of Rosie Jenkins’ death spread through Stockton Crossing like wildfire. The kind, elderly woman had been adored by all and her passing in such an inhumane way devastated the town. Every time Aubrey thought about it, her eyes filled with tears. She had become very close with Rosie after her husband passed, she loved to volunteer at the library and host small story reading groups for some of the children. Hers would be a void they’d be unable to fill. A part of their heart they’d never get back.
West had been the one to break the news to her, he’d been spending a lot of his time off from work at the library with her helping with the restoration. While she was grateful for his help, his presence set her nerves on edge. He had a way of getting under her skin with just one look. She mentally berated herself for being so juvenile. Butterflies and blushing around a man; what was she—a silly teenage girl with a crush?
Autumn was finally satisfied that he was not involved in the fire after an intense round of grilling. She could put any detective to shame with her stone-wall exterior and direct, to the point inquiries. West had explained that he’d simply passed out in his car after their night at the bar out front of the library and when he woke up there the next morning, he’d seen the smoke and called it in straight away. His story made sense since he’d still been in the same clothes from the previous night when he’d arrived on the scene. Aubrey was pleased she was right; she knew that West would never be capable of the torture she’d been through with that madman.
The arrival of Theo, Gabe and the two men from Durham Heights shed more seriousness on the situation than Aubrey liked. Nora was more on edge than ever having to share her space with Gabe again when she was still feeling conflicted and Autumn and Theo were driving her mad with their smart aleck attitudes and constant flirting. Neither was actually interested in the other, but they loved to tease. The two other men; Brady and Sam had opted to stay with West instead of at her home, which was a relief as she didn’t really have the space for all of them. Aubrey was wise enough to know that there was something they weren’t telling her about them being in town but she couldn’t bring herself to ask. If they were there to help on the case, she wanted to be kept out of it. All that mattered was catching the Matchstick Man before someone else lost their life.
Aubrey set down the paint cans and an armload of brushes and surveyed the wall outside the library office. That area had been damaged the most as it’s where Aubrey had been trapped and left for dead. Most of the work had already been completed, this was one of the last jobs. Aubrey was hoping to re-open the library within the next few days. A new shipment of books should arrive later that day for them to start cataloguing and getting registered into the system. Once that was complete, they’d be back in business.
She poured the cream coloured paint into the tray and dipped her brush in, ready to start the trim. A noise behind her startled her and she whirled around, flinging paint as she raised the brush in front of her like a sword.
West was standing there, eyebrows raised in amusement at her stance. “Are you going to paint me to death, sweets?” he asked with a chuckle.
Aubrey fought to catch her breath. “You scared the hell out of me, West. What are you doing sneaking up on me?”
West frowned. “I didn’t mean to scare you, doll. I thought you would have heard me come in. Speaking of, why wasn’t that damn front door locked? Are you in here alone?” He looked around the room.
“I forgot to lock it,” she admitted. “Yes, it’s just me here. Autumn had to work this morning and Nora and Gabe are taking some time to themselves. I was hoping they might take the kids to the park and just spend some quality time together. They need it. I think Theo was going to meet up with Brady and Sam, but I’m not sure.”
“He is. They are heading down to the Sheriff’s department to get an update on the case. And dammit, Aubrey. You’ve got to be more careful. Lock the doors next time.” His eyes reflected his annoyance at her.
His tone pricked her temper and she bristled, not used to being bossed around. “I know. I really thought I had. My mind is just full of so many things.”
Her explanation calmed him and his expression softened. “We need a bit of a break. Our entire lives have been consumed with what this fucker is doing. Why don’t you let me take you out to dinner tonight?”
His invitation came as a shock to Aubrey. A date? Was he asking her on a date? Or did he just mean he wanted to share a meal in the same vicinity together? Completely out of her depth, she started talking with her hands, forgetting she still held the wet paintbrush. “Oh. Oh, like dinner you mean?” she asked lamely. Paint flew from the edge of the brush, splattering his t-shirt and forehead.
Her mouth formed an ‘O’ at the sight and she hurried to apologize. “Oh God, I’m sorry. Here.” She bent down and picked up a rag, thrusting it at him.
He laughed as he wiped the paint from his face. “Well, I know it’s been awhile since I’ve asked a woman out on a date, but that wasn’t the reaction I was expecting.”
Aubrey blushed. “I forgot I was holding it. So you want to go to dinner with me?” she asked, biting her lip. West stared at her, wanting to pull that lip free and capture it with his own teeth. She was driving him slowly crazy, every movement made her that much more attractive to him. He needed another taste of her sweetness.
“I do. Just somewhere casual. What about Michaelangelo’s tonight at seven?” he named a popular Italian restaurant in town.
“Um, sure? I think that should be fine.” She wrung her hands and opened and closed her mouth. West could tell she was having second thoughts about agreeing. She needed a reminder of just what was growing between them.
He yanked Aubrey into his arms, wrapping his hands around her thick ponytail and yanking her head back. “I think you need a taste of just how hot things can get around me, Aubrey Sinclair.” She stiffened in response, but soon softened against him when he kissed her right below her ear.
“West,” she murmured, angling her neck away from him. He trailed light kisses down her neck, along her collarbone and up to her other ear. His hands wrapped around her back, pulling her closer to him. He ended with a light, soft kiss against her lips. One that sent shivers down her spine and had her raising up on her tiptoes to better fit her lips with his. When they broke apart, their eyes met; passion flowing between them. Their attraction was undeniable, the harder they tried to fight it the stronger it became.
“Seven. I’ll pick you up at seven,” he told her, kissing her forehead. Aubrey nodded, not trusting her voice. He moved away, turning back after a few feet. “And Aubrey.” She turned her head towards him. “Lock the damn door after me.” She rolled her eyes but gave a slight nod.
“Demanding. So demanding that man is,” she complained to herself. She still however, followed the orders and locked the main door after checking that he had indeed left.
Picking up her paint brush, she was a few strokes in when it hit her. A date. She had a date with Lieutenant Weston Hunt in, she looked at her watch, eight hours. Jesus, what had she gotten herself into? She needed her sister.
“I just don’t know if he’s my type, Autumn.” Aubrey said later that evening while staring blindly into her closet. Autumn rolled her eyes at the lame argument.
“He’s a hot as fuck firefighter and he wants you, Aubrey. Trust me, Weston Hunt is every girl’s type.”
<
br /> She sighed and pulled out a crimson red skirt, holding it up to herself. Tossing it towards her bed as a potential option, she dug back in for a top. She pulled out a black turtleneck that boasted a keyhole back. It was modest but still held a touch of sex appeal. It was perfect for a first date. Knowing that she was going to face the fight of her life to get Autumn to let her out of the house in what she’d chosen, she steeled her spine and turned to face her sister. Autumn arms were already crossed over her chest and she was shaking her head in disapproval.
“Don’t start. Just don’t. I’ll wear the stilettos,” she hurriedly put in. That compromise had Autumn swallowing whatever argument was on her tongue.
She eyed her suspiciously. “You will? You won’t hide flats in your bag and change into them when I’m not looking?”
Aubrey laughed at the ridiculousness of that statement. She did, however, file it away for later use. It was a bloody brilliant idea. “I won’t, I promise.” She quickly changed and then slipped into the black leather heels. Spinning in a circle, she looked at her sister expectantly.
Autumn frowned. “I hate that you look amazing. I really want you to wear a cute dress, but I have to admit that this suits you. The shoes are the perfect touch.”
Aubrey added a little lip gloss and mascara then fluffed the curls in her ponytail. Autumn materialized in the mirror and handed her a pair of diamond hoops. Her look said not to try and deny putting them on so Aubrey accepted them without complaint. No sooner had she fastened the clasps then the doorbell rang, signalling West’s arrival.
The sound made the date a reality and Aubrey panicked. “I should stay here. Nora, Gabe and the kids—”
“Will be fine,” Autumn interrupted. “They have the pleasure of my company all night, remember?”
Aubrey took a deep breath. “Okay. Yes, that’s good. Right. I’m going,” she rambled on her way out of her bedroom and down the long staircase to the front entrance. Her house was a modest size; comfortable with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was her greatest accomplishment to have bought it on her own, without any help from anyone. Autumn had lived with her in the first year, but had then decided she needed her own space and rented a loft apartment closer to the vet clinic that she worked at as a receptionist. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, West was already there waiting for her. Greta smiled at her and then discreetly disappeared, leaving the two alone.
West gave a low whistle and then held out a bouquet of yellow roses. He was dressed casually in a pair of dark jeans and a fitted black button down shirt. A white undershirt peeked out from underneath, the low neck showing a hint of a tattoo. She’d only ever seen him in his work uniform and found herself curious to see more of his ink. Never having been one to be into the typical “bad boy,” she was surprised at her desire to see more of what West had to offer, however she was interested all the same.
“Thank you,” she said, accepting the flowers. She headed into the kitchen and brought a vase down from the cupboard filling it with water.
“Autumn might have helped me with that,” he said sheepishly. “I didn’t want to get you anything but your favorite.”
Warmth spread through her at his words. He really was so considerate of her all the time. “It’s very sweet of you, you didn’t have to do that.”
He drew her close to him after she’d set the vase on the kitchen table. “I wanted to. You deserve things like this, Aubrey. You deserve to be cherished. You’ve come to matter to me and I’d do just about anything to see one of those smiles you just gave me, sweets.”
Aubrey blushed and looked away, unable to speak. West took her hand and led her to the door. “Let’s get going, I made us a reservation for seven-thirty.” Aubrey nodded and followed him to the door, trying to keep her balance in her shoes. What was she thinking wearing such high heels?
The drive to the restaurant was filled with a comfortable silence. Aubrey was a little on edge as her nerves tried to get the best of her. Pulling into a parking space, West cut the engine and turned to look at her. “Hey, relax okay? It’s just dinner and an opportunity to get to know more about each other. We got this,” he told her with a wink. His concern for her and his casual attitude immediately put her at ease and Aubrey shook off the last of her nerves. She truly did want to spend time with him and get to know him better; he’d been there for her the entire way through the ordeal of the fire at the library and the restoration process.
The young female hostess led them to a quiet corner table, explaining that the special of the night was spinach and ricotta lasagna. They ordered a bottle of red wine and garlic bread with cheese to start and took their seats.
“It’s beautiful in here,” Aubrey commented as she glanced around the room. The dim lighting created a cozy, romantic atmosphere and the dark wood furniture gave it that touch of class.
“It is. I’m really happy you agreed to join me, Aubrey.” West took her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze.
“I have to admit, I was surprised you asked me. Everyone knows…” she trailed off, horrified at what she’d almost said.
West smiled and patted her hand. “It’s okay. I know what everyone says. That I’m the crazy shut-in of the town and I have been ever since my brother died.”
Aubrey gave him a sympathetic look and covered both their hands with hers. “Do you feel comfortable telling me a bit about it? I’d like to hear about what happened; about him. If you don’t mind.”
West sat quietly for a few moments. He’d never shared the story of what really happened that day with anyone. It was his burden to bear and he thought that by keeping it to himself, he was honoring his brother the best way he could. But maybe he was wrong in that. Maybe by not talking about him and sharing his grief he was dishonoring his brother. Belittling the importance of his life. Deciding to give it a shot, he took a sip of his wine.
“Bennett was three years younger than me. We lost our parents when I was nineteen and he was sixteen. Car accident,” he explained after Aubrey’s small gasp. “I assumed full responsibility for him. I knew that they would never have wanted to see him get lost in the system. My parents raised us to be responsible people and I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if we got separated. Out of school, we both decided to follow in Dad’s footsteps and become firefighters. It was a dream come true when we both got hired on at the station here in town.”
The waitress arrived with their garlic bread and took their order for the main course. They both decided on the special, wanting to keep things simple. After refilling their glasses, she left them to their conversation.
“So Bennett enjoyed the job as much as you do?” Aubrey asked, taking a piece of bread.
“He did. He wanted to be Captain one day. He would have done it too, he was a damn good firefighter and a natural born leader. It wouldn’t have been long until they found a Lieutenant position for him,” West’s voice was full of pride as he spoke of his brother’s accomplishments.
“I bet he was wonderful,” Aubrey agreed.
“Do you remember the fire over on Mercer? The one in the old theatre?” he asked her. It was one of the biggest fires in Stockton Crossing history. The abandoned theatre should have been torn down after the new one was built, but it had never happened. When the place went up in flames, it became a booby trap of rotted floorboards and ceilings.
“It was a bad one wasn’t it? I do remember hearing about it and what happened to your brother that day.”
“We responded right away but the place was already engulfed. Bennett and I got separated and when I finally found him, it was too late and the ceiling caved in on him. I tried. I tried so damn hard to get to him but the blaze was out of control at that point. The men pulled me out. They fucking pulled me out and left my brother in there to burn.” He drained the last of his wine in one swallow.
“Logically, I know that there was nothing we could do to get to him. We can’t walk through fire as much as we want to sometimes. But that d
oesn’t stop the guilt. The torment. I failed my brother, I failed my parents. I failed myself.”
Aubrey took his face in her hands and brought his eyes to hers. “No, West. You didn’t fail. What happened to your brother was a horrible, tragic accident. But it wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t. Your brother wouldn’t want to see you beating yourself up like this. From what you told me, he was a wonderful man who would want you to forgive yourself.”
“Thank you. I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive myself for what happened to him, but I’m learning to live with it. To not let my life stand still. I thought that cutting myself off from everything except for work was the answer, but I’m starting to see that was wrong. You’ve helped me realize that, Aubrey. I want more. And I want it with you.” He looked deep in her eyes as he spoke. Her heart rate sped up and she blushed.
“I—I want more too,” she whispered shyly, casting her gaze downwards. He tipped her head back up with his fingertip and gave her a soft kiss. The waitress interrupted their moment, bringing their meals to the table. The mood turned light as she teased him when he got sauce all over his face and he retaliated by teasing her about being a nerdy librarian. She feigned mock anger and they finished their meal off with a delicious cherry cheesecake. West insisted on picking up the bill—which sparked a short argument. Aubrey relented, silently promising to pay for the next meal out. That thought stopped her in her tracks. Would there be another meal? Was he serious about wanting more with her? Doubt filled her as they walked to the car.
“I’m so glad we’re friends,” she blurted out. West turned to look at her and saw the worry in her eyes.
Pushing her up against the car, he crashed his mouth down on hers, capturing her whimper of surprise.
“Just friends?” he growled. His hands fisted in her ponytail, tilting her head to expose a slim patch of skin above her modest turtleneck. His tongue swiped the tender area, causing Aubrey to clench her thighs together. He was making her feel too much, too soon. Desire crawled its way up her spine and escaped her mouth in a throaty moan.
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