Page 40 of Hard Knock Hero

“I’m not afraid. Not in the way you’re thinking.”

“It’s okay if you are. It’s none of my business, and you don’t owe me anything.”

I tipped my head back and huffed in frustration. Not at him, but at everything else. My conflicted emotions and this complicatedstuffin my head.

The contradictions that wereme.

It had meant a lot for me to bring Aiden here. Show him this cabin and tell him my dreams for what Refuge Mountain could be. And he hadgottenit. He’d said such wonderful things, and I knew he’d meant them. Aiden could be gruff and standoffish and blunt, but when he opened up? He was genuine. He was the sexiest man I had ever met. Bar none. That feeling had snuck up on me, and now it was all-consuming.

I wanted him so badly.

And he clearly wanted me. Maybe that was the part that had freaked me out.

Aiden was staring at me. Waiting for me to say something. Do something. If I’d told him to get lost, then he would. Of course, I didn’t want that. I wanted to tell him what was in my head and my heart. To see if he might understand this part of me, too.

“I’ve healed from what Jeremy did. Inside and out. I did that work because I didn’t want him to have any hold on me. I also knew things wouldn’t always be easy in Hartley, but I chose to stay and make my home here. I stayed even when Chester and Mitch threatened me. And I’llkeepstaying. I’ll stand my ground. Because I’ve always been a dreamer, too. I have big ideas and hopes, and I won’t apologize for it. Even if sometimes, those hopes have steered me wrong.”

“Like falling for Jeremy?”

“Yes. I was so wrong about him. But Jeremy brought me to Hartley, and I love it here.” I loved my diner. I loved Refuge Mountain. These places were part of me now, under my skin. “Some people might say that everything happens for a reason. Who knows? But the work it’s taken to get on my feet and have a life here? That was all me.”

Aiden nodded, listening with a single line carved between his eyebrows.

“After I got out of the hospital, I swore two things to myself. The first was that I would go after what I wanted and not give in to fear.”

“What was the other thing?”

A bird soared through the sky, far above us. Smoke continued to curl from chimneys below.

“That I would be careful. Not jump into something just because it seems like a great idea in the moment.” Even if it wasexactlywhat I wanted.

His chest moved as he inhaled, as if understanding had just hit. “Like jumping into bed with a man you just met two days ago?”

Desire bloomed in my stomach as I imagined what jumping into bed with Aiden might be like. “In the last couple years, that hasn’t been a problem. I haven’t wanted any man like that. Untilyou.”

Aiden’s eyes darkened, and I craved what I saw there. The hunger that mirrored my own.

He stood still. Waited.

“I have to be careful. I know all you did was kiss me, but I have to make sure you know where I stand. If I’m going to get physical with someone, I need to take things slow. Slower than a lot of men would prefer.”

“I understand.”

I took a step toward him. Then another. Erasing the distance I’d put between us. I kept walking until I stood right in front of him. Close enough I could feel his heat again. Smell the sunshine and salt on his skin, so different from the evergreen scent of Hartley.

“But I also promised myself I’d go after what I wanted.” I lifted my hand and touched his cheek, the way I had a few minutes ago. It felt every bit as good. “I want you.”

Aiden’s eyes dragged down my body. Then back up to my face, lingering on my lips. “I’ll stay until Friday. But that’ll be it for me.”

“I know. You were never supposed to be in Hartley at all.”

He tilted his head. “Some say things happen for a reason.” I could tell he was joking. But the corners of his mouth turned down again with seriousness. “I’m fine with taking things slow,” he said. “I could touch you. Kiss you. Give you other things you want.”

Tremors of anticipation spread through me.Yes, please. My thumb traced along his cheekbone, running the edge of his beard.

“Or we don’t have to do anything at all,” he said. “But I can’t offer you more than that. Jessi, I like you. A lot. You deserve more than just a few days of attention. But even if I had more time, I’m not the right man for…” His gaze darted away toward the expansive view of the valley. “For everything you deserve to have.”

“You’re not going to fall in love with me?” I asked wryly.

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