Page 31 of The Night Ride
“Not at all.”Though I was disappointed that I couldn’t buy her dinner.“Give me a second and I’ll join you.”
“Uh huh, sure.”
I moved first, leaving Beth staring after me.I shut the bedroom door with a grin.She didn’t realize it yet, but she’d given me the opening I needed.And it filled me with purpose, with Wyatt’s words echoing in my ears.
Who would be better to take care of her than someone her brother trusted?It didn’t mean I wanted to settle down today.But perhaps we could begin to get to know each other and keep things casual between us while I was still in the Navy.Then once I retired, we could take things up a notch.I realized it would require patience on both our parts, but I was down.Because she set my soul on fire.Either that or Evan would be waiting on the other side to wallop my ass for putting my hands on his sister.
But I couldn’t worry about Evan.All my focus needed to be on Beth and how best to approach her at dinner.Because I had every intention of testing the waters.
Chapter eleven
JesusH.Christ!
Rooted to the spot, in a trance I stared at the closed bedroom door.Molten lava flowed through my veins.From the moment I met Aiden I had thought he was the hottest man alive.That declaration came from seeing him fully clothed.
Aiden without clothes on was an experience I would never forget.I fanned my face to fight the flames heating me from the inside out.My pulse thumped wildly.The man was stunning.Without a doubt, the sexiest man alive.I wanted to trace every carved muscle—with my tongue.His pecs were carved muscle.My mouth watered at the memory of the flat disks of his nipples.And he had an eight pack, not a six-pack, an eight pack of tight, muscled abs that led to victory lines.
Weak-kneed after seeing him in only a towel, with water droplets still coating his skin, it was a wonder I could function at all and hadn’t spontaneously combusted.Because the outline of his shaft had been visible through the towel.The man was packing below the belt.
I wanted to remain angry with him for the way things went five years ago.But after everything that had happened in my life since, what was the point?My brother had pulled rank on him.I swiveled around and strode down the hall to the kitchen.
Did I want to forgive him just because he was the hottest man alive and wanted to jump his bones?
Maybe.I wasn’t sure my motives were altruistic.And therein lay the problem.
In the kitchen, I beelined it toward the pitcher of margaritas and poured myself a large one, filling the liquid to the brim.It was either that or I would march myself into Aiden’s room and affix my mouth to certain body parts.
I slurped down half the margarita.I needed the liquid courage to make it through this evening without throwing myself at him.I couldn’t want him.Not the man who walked away from me.It would be the dumbest decision ever.
But I wanted him.
Hell, I craved him.Longed to be in his arms and feel his mouth on mine again.It had been the best damn kiss of my life.Looking back, our kiss had felt fated with damn near choirs of angels singing the Hallelujah chorus.
It couldn’t matter.We’d gone our separate ways, and I hadn’t heard from him until he showed up at Sweet Dreams yesterday.
I busied myself cooking dinner.It was the only way I could focus on something other than Aiden.Not that it worked.It was kind of difficult to forget the objection of one’s obsession when they were in the other room and naked.
His chest was dusted with fine golden hair that narrowed over his abs and headed further south.In the hall, I’d been stunned.And my gaze had followed his happy trail until it disappeared beneath the towel.As if drawn by magic or a burning desire to see through the towel to the family jewels beneath.
I stared at it.It was long and had brushed against the towel’s fabric.What’s worse?He caught me staring with a sardonic, knowing grin.
“Can I help with anything?”
I jumped, thankful I was holding a spatula and not a knife.Then shot him a look.“No, I’m good.There’s a pitcher of margaritas in the fridge if you’d like.Or there’s also some beer too.”
“A margarita sounds great.And the food smells amazing.”
“It’s even better when you taste it.”
“I have no doubt they’ll be the best tacos I’ve ever had.With your cooking, I’ll be eating good tonight.”He rubbed his flat belly in emphasis.
It had the desired effect, drawing my gaze back down his body with clothes on this time.I swallowed and turned my gaze back to the stove.“Help yourself to the margaritas.Dinner should be ready shortly.”
Thank god I had chopped all the veggies before he joined me in the kitchen.I’d lose a finger paying attention to him.
I kept my back to him while he ambled to the fridge.I listened as he took out the pitcher and filled a glass.
“Want me to top yours off?”
