Page 59 of Hard Knock Hero

I went limp. Lightheaded. Completely overwhelmed by the passion of what we’d just done without even getting fully undressed.

Aiden held me there with his arms around my waist. We both were apparently comatose.

But after a little while, he picked me up and brought me over to my bed, gently laying me down. He kissed my cheek and said, “I’ll be right back.” He went to the bathroom. I snuggled up to my pillow, and a couple of minutes later, he returned. He’d changed into a fresh pair of boxers.

He stretched out on the bed beside me, lying on his side so we were facing one another. His fingers traced along my forehead and down my cheek. “How are you?” he asked.

I snuggled in closer to him, fitting my head into the crook of his shoulder. “Still regaining the power of speech.”

I heard the smile in the sound he made. Not quite a laugh, but pleased. Satisfied. “You’re happy with what we did? It wasn’t too much?”

“Just enough. For now.”

“Good.” Another soft kiss to my forehead. “Did the rest of lunch service go all right?”

“Uneventful, except for what you saw. I got a new update from Trace. He’s made it to Missouri. He’d been trading off driving with somebody who was supposed to be on his flight, but the guy’s car broke down. Another big delay.” But he still expected to reach Hartley before Friday, so I wasn’t too concerned about it.

“I hope I get to meet him before I leave.”

I burrowed against Aiden’s chest. I didn’t want a reminder that tomorrow was his last full day in Hartley. And I was surprised that he actuallywantedto meet Trace. It was…thoughtful.

“How did things go with Owen earlier?” I asked. “What did he say about Refuge Mountain? And Mitch?”

Aiden told me everything that had happened while he’d been away from the diner. How he’d confessed the truth to Owen, and how they’d seen evidence of unusual activity over in the national forest.

“I called my brother Jake. I had to use Owen’s phone because mine refuses to work in Hartley except on Wi-Fi, but luckily Jake answered. He’s a drug enforcement agent, and he works a lot with drones. The feds use them for surveillance. I thought we could do the same on Refuge Mountain. Find out what the Rigsbys are really up to without risking them seeing us.”

I lifted my head. “That would be amazing. What did Jake say?”

“He knows a retired DEA agent who’s now a drone operator here on the Western Slope. He’s making it happen.”

“When?”

“Tonight. The drone operator is driving down, and Owen will meet us. We have to do it when it’s dark.” He rested his head on his hand. “The operator just wants a late dinner in exchange. I’m sure a dessert or two would also be welcome. I can pack everything up and take it with me tonight. Maybe some for Owen too, since he’s not too happy with me.”

I shrugged. “OrIcan bring the desserts. Because I’m coming with you.”

He frowned. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. It could still be dangerous.”

“I want to see this drone in action. But more than that? I want to help nail the Rigsbys to the wall. You arenotleaving me behind.”

Aiden’s thumb caressed my cheekbone. “All right. Not my place to tell you no. Even though I want to.”

I smirked. “I wasn’t going toacceptno. But it’s your place to try. I’m yours while you’re in Hartley.” I shivered as I said it. Aiden rolled us both so I was flat on my back, and he was gazing down at me.

“That’s true. I did just claim you as mine. I’d like to do it again.” He leaned in for a slow, tender kiss that had me lost in him for a while. Then he pulled back. “But I haven’t eaten all day, and I’m starving. I’m going to make us some food. You can lie here and look pretty, or you can come with me. I’m good either way.”

“I’ll come. I like watching you cook.”

“I like that, too.” Aiden sat up and held out his hand. “I’ll teach you my best tricks if you teach me yours.”

“You’re on.”

For one more day, I thought with a pang of longing. I was already in deep with this man. Deeper than I should’ve been.

And when he left on Friday, I knew it was going to hurt. Probably worse than I even imagined.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

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