“So, Amelia, I don’t feel like I know much about you,” Micah stated as we got our food. I stopped with my fork halfway to my mouth and wasn’t sure how to respond.
Aidan actually interjected, adding, “That’s true, Amelia. We’ve been listening to Bethany go on and on with her stories about raising chickens and being a rodeo princess, but you haven’t said much.”
He smiled and winked at B. She threw a chunk of breadstick at him in response. “You have no idea how complicated it is to stir up that much dust and still look like a pageant queen when you get off the horse. You don’t see bull riders worrying about how dirty they are when their eight seconds are up, do you?” She straightened in her seat, the posture of a true queen, and looked down at him as if he were a mere commoner.
It was Micah who laughed the loudest. “You and my mother would get along fabulously, Bethany. You’ve both mastered the ‘don’t question me’ look perfectly.” The hope that lit into Bethany’s eyes sent Micah back-pedaling faster than I’d ever seen and he choked on his own bite trying to speak. I decided to save him from himself and my surprisingly commitment-hungry best friend.
“I moved here from Northern California. My family lives in a small community there near Gualala. My brother lives here in Brighton now, which is why I decided to come here.” I strategically omitted that they had just met my brother, unsure of how much I wanted these two parts of my life to intermingle.
“So, are you a mountains girl or an ocean girl?” Aidan’s question caused me to sit back and ponder for a moment.
“Definitely ocean. My favorite is when I can be a part of both at the same time. Gualala was like that. Turn left and stare at the never-ending shoreline, turn right and watch the trees reaching for the sky all the way up the mountain. But, I’ve always been drawn more toward the water.” Views entered my mind from the solitary walks I took to escape the realities of my life growing up. Standing with my palms on thick tree trunks, staring out into the breaking waves, feeling like everything else had dropped away.
Aidan just nodded as a small smile played at the corners of his mouth. Looking into his eyes, it was like we were the only two people at the table. I had to force myself to look around. As my gaze found Micah, the questions reflecting back at me made me sit back, instantly feeling uncomfortable. “What?” I asked.
He shook his head, seemingly surprised that I noticed his obvious expression. “Nothing. I’m sorry. My mind was elsewhere.” He quickly changed the conversation toward how we all liked school and Brighton.
The evening finally came to a close and Aidan slowed our progression toward the cars, letting Bethany and Micah move ahead. Their hands were linked loosely and she was leaned into Micah, laughing. I took a few more steps before realizing Aidan had stopped completely.
“Sorry! I was just watching them. I’m really happy she’s happy. He’s kind of weird, but he makes her happy.” I finally looked back at Aidan and was startled by the intensity in his eyes.
“Have lunch with me tomorrow,” he said. It wasn’t a command, but it wasn’t a question either.
He waited a second before starting again. “Amelia, I know that whatever is going on with us has been…well, weird, to say the least. But, I’d really like to get to know you. Just us. No one else.” His dimple appeared alongside a boyish grin. As he continued to look in my eyes, I once again got caught in his smoky stare. He brought his hand up, brushed the backs of his fingers along my cheek, and whispered, “I don’t know what you’ve done to me, doll, but I can’t help but want to know you.”
Heat filled my cheeks and I brought my own hand up to remove his in an attempt to slow my frantic heartbeat, but I couldn’t bring myself to. I gripped his wrist and found myself leaning further into his palm.
“Yes,” I sighed, reveling in the warmth of him. “Aidan, I want time with just you, too.” As I opened my eyes again, I couldn’t help but smirk and finish with, “But you really have to stop annoying me all the time.”
He chuckled, took my phone from my hand, and entered in his number. “I’ll do my best, doll, but no promises.” He gave me one last smile and turned toward Micah’s SUV, tossing out, “Tomorrow. In the commons. Lunch.” The way that boy flipped from sweet to cocky never ceased to amaze me.
I stood staring for a minute, just watching him walk away. There was something to be said for a guy who knew how to pick a pair of jeans. His stride was relaxed but he exuded masculine strength — there was no denying it. Something about him just screamed “safe” to me.
I somehow knew that he was smiling to himself as he got to the car. I waited expectantly for him to turn around again and was surprised when he didn’t. He just got in the car, Micah backed out, and they pulled away.
Oh, stop being such a girl, I berated myself as I pulled my way up and into the Jeep — which was not an easy task in a mini-dress. Bethany was already waiting, sneaking a peek through the side-mirrors. As I buckled my seatbelt, I finally looked up at her and she had the biggest grin on her face.
“You are in some serious trouble, girl,” she said with a laugh. And, with that, she gave me a playful look, used her turquoise-painted nails to tap a button on her phone, and the latest Pop Diva love song came blaring through the speakers. “Subtle, B. Real subtle,” I half-yelled over the music, while I laughed.
Chapter 9
I should have had happy and restful sleep after the amazing day I had, instead I tossed and turned all night. I still don’t know exactly what it was that I was dreaming, but I heard that same melody as I got ready this morning. It haunted me. I found myself humming it, though the lyrics floated just outside my reach. I couldn’t pin them down and the haze I felt was hard to shake no matter how much coffee I mainlined. It was just another night where it felt like I had been up all night watching movies instead of sleeping.
Knowing I had lunch with Aidan, I put a little extra effort in; pulling on my favorite dark skinny jeans, zipping up my brown ankle boots, and loving the flowing peasant top Bethany had talked me into during our last shopping trip. I left my hair down and a little wild.
Classes went by quickly and all too soon I stood in the commons, wondering where it was I was meeting him. I sent a few different texts and even called him once and had yet to receive a response. His phone had gone straight to voice mail, so I assumed it might be off, which was strange.
I stood off to the side tapping my foot and found myself getting irritated. Really irritated. Before I could pick up my bag and walk away, I saw him running across the grass. He scanned the crowds and finally landed on me. I jutted one hip out, balled my fist on it, and tossed the other hand in the air — making it clear from one-hundred feet that I wasn’t impressed. As he finally skidded to a stop in front of me, actually huffing a bit — which I secretly appreciated since I hadn’t worked out in forever — he tried to explain.
“Amelia, I am so sorry. I overslept, I missed all of my classes this morning and got here as soon as I could. Am I too late?” He looked around as if to make sure people were indeed still eating lunch. He was rubbing his hand through his hair as he scanned the crowd, looking like he hadn’t fully woken up yet and too adorable for how irritated I wanted to be.
His clothes were a mess — wrinkled with a few visible stains. I would bet he either slept in them or dove straight into the laundry basket, not caring if they were clean or dirty. His hair went in all directions with a clear cowlick from where his head had been on the pillow. As I really looked at him, I laughed when I saw a sleep line on his right cheek. I could only shake my head and ask how soon we could eat.
With a bashful smile, he grabbed my hand and led me toward the outdoor food vendors, telling me to make my pick. As we stood in line at the Greek stand — gyros were my absolute favorite — neither of us said much. I couldn’t think past the fact that he still hadn’t let go of my hand and, instead, had interlaced his fingers with my own. His hand was warm and strong. As I stood enjoying the moment, I found myself people-wa
tching and humming that same tune from my dream absentmindedly, not realizing I was doing it out loud. Before I could react, Aidan yanked me out of the line and pushed me backwards away from the crowd.
“Hey! Aidan! What the hell?” I tried to drop his hand but all that warmth and strength had turned to solid rock. The look in eyes was a little scary — he definitely wasn’t sleepy anymore. Aidan finally stopped as he pulled me into an alcove.
“Where did you hear that song? How do you know that song?” His face was just inches from mine, his voice was menacing, and his eyes were so dark they looked black in the shadows of where we stood.
“Aidan, I…I don’t even know. I woke up this morning and it was just there. I haven’t been able to get it out of my head. I don’t even know the words, I just keep hearing the music.” I was talking fast, his reactions making me uncomfortable.
He brought his hand up and pointed his finger in my face, “Amelia, I need the truth. Where did you hear that song?”
I tried to calm the building hysterics in my own voice as I put my hand on his chest, both my eyes and my words pleading my ignorance. “Aidan, I’m really sorry, but I truly don’t know how I know. I wish I could tell you, but it was just there. Sometimes I dream about things and I have no idea where they come from.”
I watched him back away slightly, his posture slumping. I instantly felt responsible and kept talking. “Really, Aidan, I’m sorry. I wish I knew. Why? Do you know that song?”
“Yeah,” he said, his voice laced with sorrow and his eyes pained. “I know that song. It’s the song my mother used to sing to me before she put me to sleep. I haven’t heard it in seventeen years.” He backed away from me until his back hit the cinder block wall. “I haven’t heard it since she died.”
“Your mom died, too?” I asked quietly. I looked up into his surprised eyes and knew exactly what he was feeling. It was as if we were trading emotions. Or, at least acknowledging that someone else could understand the depths of a loss like that. A hole that permeated not only your heart but the essence of who you are.
He avoided my question, asking one of his own instead. “Wanna get outta here? I’ve got someplace I want to take you.”
The look on his face was tired but hopeful. I had worn that look so many times myself, hoping my father would want to play with me or stay in the same room with me for more than two minutes. It was the look that said, “I don’t want you to hurt me, but I’m willing to risk it.” There was no way for me to say no to that.
“Sure. Let’s do it. I’ve never ditched before,” I answered.
That got a grin from him and his eyes lit up with mischief. “So, I truly am a bad influence then, huh?”
I laughed as I rolled my eyes. “Montgomery, you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into with me.”
As he grabbed my hand again and we walked toward the parking lot, he gave it a small squeeze. “Back atcha, doll.”
The drive was actually pretty quiet. Aidan rolled the windows down and the air coming off the coast gushed in, bringing with it the taste of salt and the smell of earth as we got closer to the forest. I was content to put my feet on the dash of his Honda, lean back, and let it all drift past. It felt good — right, even — to have this companionable silence. The strains of a piano filtered through the speakers and I was surprised to realize there were no words. We were listening to classical music. There was still so much to learn about him.
After maybe an hour, Aidan pulled off. It was a pretty secluded parking area and he warned there would be a little hike to follow. I was glad I had gone with boots and not heels today. Aidan led the way up the thin, worn path, stopping every now and then to offer a hand or hold back branches. Just as I was about to comment on our “little hike”, he pushed some branches out of the way and I was stunned by the view.
We were high above the water, on a cliff that jutted out and made me feel like I was suspended over the ocean. I didn’t love heights, but the sound of the water bashing against the rocks instantly soothed me. I closed my eyes and heard the far-off barking of sea lions and squawks of the seagulls. The winds were light, seeming to wrap around me, engulfing me in the warm sea air. It occurred to me that he had been listening yesterday. He brought me to a place he knew I’d love.
“You really are beautiful, you know,” he said. I turned to find him standing back near the tree line, arms crossed, and leaning against a larger tree trunk. Even with emotion still clouding his gray eyes, his gaze was intense and it was as if he could see straight through me.
I tried to laugh it off. “So you say, player. We’ll just see how long my good looks keep you around.” I gave him a wink of my own, hoping to lighten the mood a little. To stave off the intense reaction I was having at his gesture, both emotionally and in the small explosions that ricocheted around deep inside me.
He moved toward me, slowly, making me feel as if he were stalking his prey. “Amelia, that’s no line. I don’t have lines. I don’t say things because they’ll make you feel better. I say them because I want to. Or because they’re true. Usually, both.” I could feel the intensity coming from him. It was almost stifling, but made me stand at attention. The fizz of electricity zinged through my system as my power reacted in a way that it only did in Aidan’s presence. I’ve never reacted to anyone like this, but I wasn’t scared. I wanted him to come closer.
Just as Aidan closed the last few feet, looking at me like he might kiss me, I lost my nerve. I backed away, losing my footing. I started to stumble and heard my own shriek. Then, I was in his arms and being yanked back into the trees.
“Holy hell, Amelia - are you okay?!” He was pushing me away as he surveyed my whole body, looking for signs of damage. I couldn’t speak. I just stood there, shaking, my power threatening to lash out in response to my fear and my racing heart. He crushed me against him again, whispering that I was okay as he pulled me back away from the edge, sounding like he was reassuring himself just as much as he was me.
We finally sat down with our backs against some smoother tree trunks. I continued trying to calm my frenzied power, glad Aidan couldn’t feel the panic I did while he kept rubbing his hands over his face and then through his hair. Finally, with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped, he looked over at me. “Are you really okay? I didn’t mean to scare you. I always seem to make the wrong move with you.”
I took another deep breath, let it out, and met his gaze, resolved to not let him take this on as well. “No, Aidan, I’m a klutz. These are the things I do. Someday, I’ll introduce you to my brother and he’ll be able to recount all of my best moments. On the other hand, don’t ask him. Some things just don’t need to be shared.”
I gave him a sideways smile and was happy to have it returned, sort of. “Why don’t you tell me why you brought me to this beautifully dangerous place?” I asked as I looked out over the water, trying to take some of the pressure off of us both.
That brought a sigh from him as he leaned his head back against the tree. I shouldn’t have been thinking it given the circumstances, but he looked sexy as hell. It was like one of those cologne ads that makes no sense, but has you wondering if the men in them actually exist. They do. They so very much do.
“I had wanted to bring you here anyway, but after what you said last night, I knew it would be perfect. There are other reasons, but let’s not go into that yet. Let’s just talk about normal stuff,” he said, looking away from me and up toward the sky. “Do you ever cloud watch?”
I almost snorted. “Cloud watch? The tattooed and mysterious Aidan wants to know if I cloud watch?” He feigned offense and took on a haughty tone. “Yes, Ms. Party Pooper. Cloud watching. Stop your judging and lay down.” He pointed toward a patch of bright green grass and looked at me expectantly.
We both scooted out so that we were still under the trees but could see out over the water. Watching the giant puffs of clouds wafting through the air, they reminded me of ballerinas gracefully sliding across the sky in a
n effortless dance. There were a few feet between us and it took all of my self-control not to move closer to him. Before I could even make the middle school move of reaching my hand across the space between us, Aidan rolled on to his side to face me.
With his palm under his ear and his T-shirt sleeve riding up, I could see even more of his tattoo. Without thinking, I rolled myself toward him and traced the swirling lines. Between the captivating design I could still just partially see and the hardness of his bicep, I kind of lost myself. The fact that I reached out at all occurred to me like a glass of cold water tossed in my face and I snatched my hand away, instantly apologizing. Aidan just laughed, grabbing my hand again. “It’s okay, doll. You’re so skittish. You won’t break me.”
“But you might break me.” The words slipped off my tongue, the filter between my brain and my mouth gone. The red creep of embarrassment flushed my face and I rolled away from him, throwing my arm over my eyes. Thankfully, he let my words go — but not my hand. Clearing his throat a little, Aidan brought us back to cloud watching.
“I used to do this when I was younger. I would find a patch of grass and stare at the sky for hours. I would watch the clouds and tell myself stories about the characters I met in the sky. People, animals, you name it, I brought them all into my stories. I… well, I used them to forget. What do you see?”
I dropped my arm back to my side. Even though every part of me wanted to look at Aidan, to see the pain I felt rolling off of him, I didn’t allow myself to. I stared in the sky and analyzed the giant white puffs. “Uh…a dog?” I was terrible at this game. “No. A horse! That one, that one’s a horse!” I found myself smiling as I turned to him for confirmation and he was smiling in return. “So, what’s the horse’s story?” he asked.
I looked around at the other clouds in the sky. “Well, there are all those other horses over there,” I pointed to a cluster of clouds off to the right, “and he just wants to go be with them. But, there’s that big fence, just there, so he can’t. He’s trying to find a way to get their attention to come knock it down so they can all run around together.”
Bound by Duty (Bound Series Book 1) Page 9