He was a charmer, that was for sure. Aaron smiled back at him as he led Hannah out of the tavern and past the front desk to the main stairs. As they started up the stairs, he smiled at her. “You’re a shameless flirt.”
“Jealous?” she asked, returning his smile.
“Yes, actually. I don’t think I’m going to take you anywhere near Jack’s Irish charm again. I’m not sure I can compete.”
“I’ll let you know after I’ve tried his Irish coffee.”
When they reached the top of the stairs, they followed the hall around to the next set of stairs that led them to the third floor. Grand 308 was down the hall to the right. It was a large room, beautifully decorated, with views to the west looking over the Green Mountains, a king size bed, and a Jacuzzi for two, both of which Hannah was dying to try out.
“Wow, this is amazing,” she said as she studied the room. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Check the view. The sun doesn’t set until around eight o’clock. Maybe we can come back up and watch it.”
She moved to the window. “Oh God, this view is spectacular. It’s such a clear day. I would love to watch the sun set from here. Do you think they’ll let us?”
“I’m sure they won’t mind. I wrote a favorable article about this place. I think the owners and staff are appreciative. I don’t come here often, but when I do, they’re always overly accommodating.”
As Aaron told her a little more about the history of the inn, Hannah explored the room, trying not to be too aware they were alone in a hotel room, as it were. With a bed. A huge bed. And a Jacuzzi. Maybe this was how they got from first date to naked.
It was time to leave. She didn’t know how much the rooms cost, but this wasn’t some side-street motel that rented rooms by the hour. It was probably best to make an exit before they ruffled the sheets of that giant, inviting bed.
Aaron escorted her out of the room and back down the stairs. When they reached the first floor, they turned into the guest parlor right off the main entrance. A fire burned in the fire place, the room warm and cozy. As Hannah took in all the décor, her ankle throbbed. God, was the ibuprofen wearing off already, or just all the walking they had done? She shifted, resting on her weight on the other foot.
“Your foot’s bothering you, isn’t it?” he asked as his hand brushed the small of her back, reawakening the electricity they shared.
“No, I’m fine. Really.” As Hannah turned, his mouth captured hers. The kiss took her by surprise, but she welcomed his perfect lips nonetheless. Hannah relaxed in his warm embrace, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She wanted to run her fingers through his short hair to the little curls at the end, but worried that was too forward. She wanted him, but didn’t want to seem anxious. If he’d just push his tongue past her lips, she’d give in to the urge. Then it wouldn’t seem desperate.
Unfortunately, the sound of a throat being cleared from the doorway broke their lips apart, apparently before her telepathic message got to Aaron. She blushed as he once again pulled away from her lips and found Jack standing there with two Irish coffee’s on a tray.
“Sorry to interrupt you two lovebirds, but your coffees are served. And just like a fine woman, they are better hot than cold.” Jack winked at the two of them and entered the room. He set the clear glass mugs down on the table in the parlor. “Enjoy,” he said and retreated back to the tavern.
They sat on the small sofa adjacent to the fireplace. Hannah was glad to be off her foot but not relieved to be parted from Aaron’s lips. She already missed them. He sure knew how to kiss a girl. She’d never experienced anything like it. The first time he kissed her she thought maybe it had just been so long since she had been kissed she forgot how good it felt. This time proved his lips were special. He had a gift and gifts should be given – and received.
The warm creamy coffee distracted her lips from what they really wanted. As soon as the warm brew hit her tongue she knew instantly she was tasting a little bit of Irish heaven. “Wow! This is fantastic,” she said to Aaron, who was smiling at her reaction.
“Jack wasn’t kidding when he said he was famous for it. He’s got some secret ingredient he won’t disclose. Says that makes it his own.”
“I can taste the Irish Crème. There’s a hint of vanilla.” She took another sip. “Amaretto. And this has to be the Southern Pecan coffee.”
“Amaretto? Really?” Aaron took a sip from his mug. “You’re right, that’s definitely amaretto. I don’t know why I never figured that out before.”
“I love amaretto. I could drink it just over ice, or with cranberry juice. It’s really good when you marinate strawberries in it and serve them over angel food cake with whipped cream. That’s my favorite!” Oh gosh, had she just pulled a Tabitha, rambling on about meaningless nonsense he couldn’t possible care about? Was she really talking like a seven year old about dessert?
After a few more sips, Jack returned. “So, is it everything you hoped it would be?”
“Oh, it’s wonderful.”
“And the coffee?”
Hannah cheeks flared up again. “I was talking about the coffee, actually. The amaretto really adds the finishing touch.”
“Ah, you have quite the keen palette, don’t you, Hannah? So few people are able to pinpoint the amaretto. They notice a hint of something, but can’t quite place it. You’ve only had a few sips and you’ve got it nailed.” Jack winked one more time before turning his attention to Aaron. “How ‘bout you, my friend. Is the coffee up to par?”
“You’ve really outdone yourself this time. It’s delicious.”
“Excellent. Well, if I can be of further service, you know where to find me.” He leaned in to Hannah. “And if this guy doesn’t do right by you, you just let me know. I know how to treat a lady.”
Hannah laughed as Jack winked and walked away.
“Is he all talk or is there action that goes along with his words?” she asked.
“As far as I know, he’s all talk, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he had a few girlfriends well kempt and hidden behind the bar. I think that’s why they keep the lights low in the tavern. So no one knows what Jack is really up to back there.”
They both laughed and continued to sip their coffee. A few minutes later Tricia came in, after tapping on the door casing. Jack must have warned her of the potential kissing hazard. “Hannah, Aaron, your table is ready. Would you like to be seated now or finish your coffee in here?”
Aaron looked to Hannah. “We can go to our table,” she said, then grabbed her coffee and stood up. He followed and they let Tricia lead them to their table situated in the first of the two dining rooms. They were seated in front of a picture window overlooking the Presidential Range and the gardens they had walked in. Her damn cheeks flushed again as she looked down at the gardens where Aaron kissed her, the thought of his lips pressed to hers warming every part of her body.
“Will this table be ok?” Tricia asked.
“This is perfect,” Hannah said, not taking her eyes off the view.
Aaron came around to pull out the chair for Hannah. She drew her attention back to the hostess who was rattling off a well-rehearsed script about the menu. After Aaron sat down, Hannah tried to ignore the subtle press of his knee against hers as Tricia explained the Innkeeper’s Table and poured water into the glasses that sat on the elegantly-prepared table.
“Kim will be your server this evening. She’ll be with you momentarily.”
When Tricia dismissed herself, Hannah smiled at Aaron. “This has been really wonderful. Thank you.” She looked at the view again, but could feel the stare from those dark brown eyes.
“The night’s not over, and you don’t have to thank me. I’m happy to be here with you.”
She was happy to be here with him, too. The night was not what she expected at all. Hannah wasn’t surprised at how romantic he was, or how well-liked he was. The early evening kiss had been a surprise. She was grateful for that. It alleviated some of the
tension of waiting all night for it. Hannah was surprised at how comfortable she was with Aaron. Somehow, she always seemed to be at ease when around him. Well, except for that burning desire that continued to awaken from its dormancy. It had her wanting to rip his clothes off.
“So, what are you going to have? The six course dinner is fantastic. Do you like wine? The owner personally selects wines that accentuate each course.”
Oh, good. It was Aaron’s turn to ramble. At least she wasn’t the only one talking like an excited seven year old. Though coming from him it seemed more charming than pointless.
“Are you trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me?” she said in a playful tone, a coy smile playing across her lips. He didn’t need to get her drunk – or take advantage. Hannah was willing.
“I’ve still got the key to the room with the king size bed,” Aaron said, matching her playful tone.
If only, she thought as she watched his lips lift slightly at the corners. Oh, how she wanted to run her tongue along the curve they formed. “Could you carry me up two flights, because wine goes straight to my head.”
“Well, I managed to get you to the truck this morning.”
“You called me a shameless flirt, but you’re just as guilty,” she chided.
“Yes, but you’re my date. I’m supposed to flirt with you. Besides, I think you bring it out in people. First, Jack fell prey to your spell. Now you’ve got me ensnared.” He winked as he took a sip of his coffee.
“Ah, but you’re the one who keeps kissing me. I think I’m the one who’s been ensnared.”
“Is that how you feel when I kiss you, trapped?” Aaron’s voice was a little less playful, but he held that sexy smile.
She matched his tone. “I think you know it’s not.”
He got a pensive look on his face, then stretched his neck and tilted his head. Hannah’ body instantly heated up. God, even his neck was sexy. She remembered his boots and tried to picture Aaron in a cowboy hat. He’d look sexy in one, the rim creating a shadow over his eyes, playing up the bad boy good looks she first noticed when he wore riding leathers. Not that she needed any more fuel to feed the holy-hell-I-want-to-see-you-naked-now feeling rushing through her veins.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“What? Oh, nothing.”
He looked into her eyes, his gaze insightful, as if he was trying to read her mind. “Tell me,” he said on almost a whisper.
The soft voice and the penetrating gaze seemed to have a hypnotizing effect.
“I was just wondering what you look like in a cowboy hat.” What the … did she really just say that out loud?
“A cowboy hat? Why?”
“Umm, I don’t know. I mean, your wearing cowboy boots. A hat just seems to fit with the whole outfit.” Oh, she was such an idiot.
She took a much-needed drink of her ice water, desperate to cool off, but also needing something to keep her mouth from spouting off every last thought that passed through.
“Save a horse, ride a cowboy?” he joked.
Choking on her water, she was grateful at least it didn’t come out her nose this time. She might’ve been mad that he waited for that exact moment to say it, but was too embarrassed by the incessant coughing.
“Sorry,” he said, opening up the linen napkin that had occupied the plate in front of her. “I couldn’t resist.”
She took the napkin from him and wiped her mouth as she continued to cough and clear her throat. When he lifted his glass, she took the opportunity to get him back.
“Well, at least you didn’t offer me your hillbilly bone, b-bo-b-bo-bone,” she sang with an excessive twang. She laughed when Aaron choked his water down.
“Beautiful and funny,” he said when he recovered. “I think I need to invest in a cowboy hat.”
“Anyway, what were we talking about?”
“I want to see you again,” he seemed to blurt out. “I mean, I know the night’s not over, but I just don’t want to wait until I’m kissing you goodnight to ask to see you again. I want to take Tabitha out, too. Would it be too bold for me to ask you to spend the day with me tomorrow?”
That brought Hannah back to reality – almost. She was glad to know there was going to be more kissing before the night was over. “Bold would be asking me to spend the night with you.”
Reality fully took over as she remembered tomorrow and her plans. It would be the most emotional day of the year. As much as Hannah tried to convince herself it was just another day, it wasn’t. She didn’t want to think about it, not tonight. She wanted to enjoy the evening, so she smiled at Aaron and took another sip of coffee.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline. Tabitha and I already have plans tomorrow.”
Aaron didn’t give up. “Next weekend, then? We could go for a hike, or have a picnic at Dow Field in Franconia. I’m sure Tabitha would enjoy the playground.”
She might have said yes, but the lingering thought of what tomorrow was had her thinking about her perfect formula and the fact this man didn’t fit into it. As much as Hannah wanted to get him naked, another date would lead to another and another, which would lead to deeper feelings, feelings already awakening. The road less traveled … a road Hannah just couldn’t go down.
She would enjoy tonight, and be disappointed about the lack of sex, but tomorrow would remind her just how much she didn’t want to fall in love. Too many dates with Aaron might just lead to that. Hannah needed to kick her trusty old defense mechanisms into high gear. He was smart, witty, and incredibly sexy with those dark eyes and that smile. Yeah, she was screwed if she saw him again after tonight – and not in the way she wanted to be.
Defense mechanisms were a good thing. One date, just tonight. Then she’d get back to her simple plan, which didn’t include a man or love.
“I’m having a great time, but I have to be honest. I’m not really interested in dating.”
“How about if we just hang out then? It doesn’t have to be a date. Just two friends, going for a hike, hanging out at the playground. Eating lunch. You have to eat, after all, and so do I. We may as well do it together, occasionally. The eating, that is.”
He winked, making her feel like a schoolgirl again.
“And, you know, if you want me to kiss you some more, I could. What’s a kiss between friends, right?”
“Do you ever give up?” she laughed.
“Never. It’s gotten me pretty far in life. It’s a quality that most people like, plus Tabitha made me promise to take her out. It’s not in my nature to break promises.”
Great. It wasn’t in Tabitha’s nature to let anyone break a promise. “Where was I when you were making promises to my daughter?”
“Kicked back in a recliner with ice on your ankle. She walked me to my truck and told me she gets to go on the next date. She wouldn’t let me leave until I promised.”
Hannah laughed and shook her head. That girl. Talk about charm and persistence. “Yeah, I think she likes you.”
“What about her mom? Does her mom like me?”
The blush filled her cheeks, revealing the secret.
“I love it when your cheeks blush like that,” he said as he reached across the table and caressed her cheek.
“You’ve mentioned that,” she said in a soft voice, melting under his touch.
“Yeah, I guess I have.”
“I hate it,” she admitted. “I can’t hide anything. My cheeks always rat me out. But I guess even beyond the blushing I’ve never been good at hiding my emotions. Which is why I’m surprised you had to ask, about Tabs’ mom liking you.”
“Sometimes a guy just needs a little confirmation. It’s better for my ego that way. So do you … like me?”
“Yes, Aaron. I like you,” she admitted, feeling like a seven year old again.
But it must not have sounded like she was seven because Aaron looked at her with the most enticing smile. Ohmigod, that sexy smile with those sexy lips and that dimple in hi
s chin ... if he asked her on a date now, inviting her with that smile, she’d most definitely say yes. To anything.
“Ok, well, since you like me and I’m trying to be bold, how about you spend the night with me.”
The wink he sent as he lifted his coffee to those amazing lips told her he was kidding, but she’d just told herself she’d say yes to anything, so she went with that.
“Ok,” she said, only half joking. She couldn’t help but laugh when he all but spit out his coffee.
He cleared his throat and pounded on his chest a couple times before he could speak, but he was still smiling. “It’s not nice to tease a guy like that,” he said.
She licked her lips as she thought about spending the night with him. “What makes you think I’m teasing?”
“Because you’re a shameless flirt who likes to catch a guy off guard.”
Damn, if he only knew how much she wasn’t being a shameless flirt. She wasn’t really bold enough to tell him she wasn’t interested in dinner and really wanted to see how he looked sprawled out naked on the king size bed in Grande 308.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’m not really the kind of girl who would spend the night with a guy she hardly knows.” She wasn’t, but she could be.
The dangerous flirting was interrupted when the waitress, what was her name? Oh, yeah, Kim, came to take their orders. Hannah hadn’t even looked at the menu, so she forced herself to focus on the paper and ordered the first thing that looked remotely appealing. Then she went back to thinking about Aaron and Grande 308.
Chapter 9
Aaron found it hard to concentrate on the menu, mostly because a certain part of his anatomy was hard. As he made a subtle attempt to shift things around under the table, his hand found the key to Grande 308, which still occupied his pocket. If he thought Hannah had been serious for even a second, he’d say to hell with dinner, take her upstairs, and make love to her until the sun came up.
But she wasn’t interested in dating. Even though she admitted she liked him, dating typically came before sex. At least that was the way he’d always played it and he wasn’t about to change his ways now. He’d just have to figure out a way see her again. And again.
Book Boyfriends Cafe Summer Lovin' Anthology 2015 Page 224