Stranded With a Hero (12 page)

As Naomi gazed at him in silence, he was sure the intensity of what he was feeling showed in his face.

“One night,” she murmured, then lifted her shoulders and smiled. “You’re right. It is just one night, so let’s go to Carlotta’s.”

Aaron felt the rush of triumph and tried to temper it. He was only taking her out for a nice, friendly dinner. Nothing more. He wasn’t going to act on his surging lust. He had two more nights in Australia, and he knew he’d better keep them clean.

…

Naomi inhaled a deep breath as she took in her surroundings. Carlotta’s Bistro was a plush, elegant oasis of fine dining. Polished oak, vintage wallpaper, discreet lighting, muted background music, well-heeled diners. The attentive waiter poured her a glass of mineral water and handed her a menu promising epicurean delights. Across the table from her sat Aaron, looking like a million dollars. Dressed in a sumptuous, close-fitting cream shirt and flawless beige trousers, clean-shaven, his skin and hair glowing, he might have stepped off a cover for
GQ
. He was to die for; the restaurant was splendid; the night was pleasantly warm. Everything was perfect. Perfect…but the worm in the apple wouldn’t stop wriggling.

It had started to squirm earlier that evening when she’d inspected herself in her bedroom mirror. The sleeveless, midnight-blue, wrap-over dress flattered her figure and coloring, and the high-heeled sandals complimented her calves. She’d styled her hair, applied makeup, donned jewelry. But her polished reflection revived memories of the last time she’d dressed up like this two months ago. It had been her birthday, and Justin was taking her out to dinner. It was meant to have been a celebration, but by the end of the night the crack in her heart had widened to a chasm, and she had resolved to leave Justin.

She’d tried to shake off the bad memories. Aaron was taking her to dinner, not Justin. Aaron was different. When he’d seen her all spiffed up, his face had lit up and his eyes had danced. His admiration had lifted her heart, whereas on her birthday, Justin had barely noticed what she’d worn before hustling her out.

But when she and Aaron arrived at Carlotta’s Bistro, the worm had wriggled again. As they walked into the restaurant, Aaron’s hand hovering in the small of her back, the maître d’ had greeted them effusively, and as they were led to their table, the other diners had looked up and followed their progress. Justin had always liked making grand entrances at restaurants. He liked ordering the most expensive wines and leaving extravagant tips. He liked people knowing he had money to splash about, that he could buy whatever he wanted. Perhaps that had included her.

“Is everything okay?”

Naomi glanced up to find Aaron watching her with a concerned expression. She wasn’t okay, she realized. Her stomach was a cramped knot, and her shoulders were stiff and tight.

“I’m just trying to decide what to order,” she improvised, hating the fact that Justin could still cast a pall over her. She peered at the menu. It could have been a sibling of the one from her birthday dinner. Every dish sounded pretentious—organic rosehips, black truffle foam—and the prices were astronomical. On her teacher’s salary, she could never afford to eat here.

“While I was on the Barrier Reef, I became rather partial to yabbies,” Aaron said. “I think I’ll go with them.”

Yabbies, the freshwater crayfish, reminded her of lobster, Justin’s fallback dish to order if there wasn’t something more ostentatious on offer. She scanned the menu for something plain, but there wasn’t even chicken; the only poultry on offer being squab or quail, too exotic for her mood. “I’ll have the lamb.” It was the most down-to-earth dish on the menu, even if it did come with “stinging nettles,” whatever they were.

The waiter took their order, and the sommelier came to discuss wine. Eventually they were alone, and Naomi told herself to relax. Aaron was trying to be nice. It wasn’t his fault the evening brought back bleak memories for her.

Determined to be a good dining companion, she asked Aaron about his favorite haunts in New York, and gradually the conversation became more relaxed. When she’d first arrived in London, she’d enjoyed its cosmopolitan nature, and Aaron’s love of New York reminded her that once upon a time she hadn’t been so against big cities.

“So tell me about your new teaching position,” Aaron said as their food arrived.

There was genuine interest in his expression, so she started to tell him about her upcoming employment at St. Catherine’s Primary School. She would be substituting for a teacher on twelve months’ maternity leave, a temporary position, which could become permanent if her performance impressed the principal. She’d be teaching kindergarten, her favorite class, even if it was challenging dealing with unruly five-year-olds and anxious parents because the first year of school could foster a lifelong love of learning in a child. Belatedly she realized she’d been monopolizing the conversation for some time and had barely touched her meal.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bore you,” she said, leaning back in her seat. “You should have said something.”

“But I wasn’t bored. You obviously have a passion for teaching.”

“Guess it shows, huh?” She grinned at him. “Thing is, I’m not used to rabbiting on about my job to, well, a man.”

Setting down his knife and fork, Aaron gave her a searching look. “You mean Justin.”

“Yes.” She hesitated, reluctant to discuss her ex-boyfriend, but Aaron had brought up his name, and tonight her breakup plagued her mind. “Justin didn’t think teaching was a particularly difficult job, especially primary school teaching. It was only nine to three, he used to say. Kids were easy to manage, and what about all those long holidays. How hard could it be?” Bitterness had crept into her voice. God, how she hated sounding sour and resentful. “Of course there are teachers who just skate by, but I’m not one of them. I’m as serious about my teaching as he is about his legal career.” She stopped short. Her jaw was tight, and her hands were clenched on the tablecloth.

“Is that why you broke up with him?”

Aaron’s question was gentle, his face compassionate. Her pulse kicked. He edged his hand across the table toward hers, as if he meant to cover her hand. If he touched her, she wasn’t sure what she’d do, given the raw state she was in. She quickly withdrew both hands to clutch the napkin on her lap.

“I wasn’t happy with only substitute teaching,” she said. “I thought I should study for my master’s degree in education, but when I brought it up with Justin, he pooh-poohed the idea. Just dismissed it out of hand. Why go to all that time and expense when I would give up work as soon as we married and started a family?”

Anger rolled back like a thundercloud. “We hadn’t even discussed it. He simply assumed we’d have children and I’d stop working because his career was more important, and my teaching was just a stopgap, a way to earn a little pin money.” She gritted her teeth. “Justin thought he was being so generous, the bounteous provider every woman dreamed of marrying. He was flabbergasted when I told him I was leaving him. He couldn’t believe I’d give up such a catch.” Her throat ached; her eyes smarted. Aaron became a blur. “He
was
generous with me, and—and he did love me…in the beginning, before he became successful.” She sucked in a gulp of air and pressed the napkin to her lips, striving for self-control.

Aaron’s fists were like rocks on the white tablecloth. “Naomi—”

“I’m being terribly rude. I didn’t mean to vomit up my sorry breakup.” She tugged the napkin back over her lap and squared her shoulders. “Please ignore my diatribe.”

“That’s impossible.” A muscle flexed in his jaw.

The fierce look in his eyes made her squirm. As sanity cooled her mind, embarrassment at her outburst crept in. She’d blurted out intimate details of her failed relationship right in the middle of this ritzy restaurant to a man she barely knew. How mortifying. “This food is delicious. I-I’ve never had stinging nettles.” She grabbed her knife and fork and dug into the lamb, though she’d lost all appetite. “How is your yabby?”

If it had been anyone else, she wouldn’t have been so bothered, but there was something about Aaron… She didn’t want him to think her histrionic or self-indulgent. Silly, really, because in two days’ time he’d be gone, and she’d never see him again, but she hated the idea of him going back to the States and talking about that “drama queen who went on and on about her crummy ex.”

Aaron studied her a while longer. Then he sighed and picked up his cutlery. “My yabby is great.”

He looked like a man treading on eggshells. Perhaps he was scared she’d burst into tears in front of everyone. She forced down another mouthful, but the food might as well have been sawdust, and after another minute, she gave up all pretense of eating. The glum quietness between them reminded her how her last meal with Justin had ended, when their sharp, tense whispers had lapsed into caustic silence.

The waiter took their plates away. Aaron looked at her, his face somber. “Would you like dessert, a coffee maybe?”

Her chest panged at his solicitude when he must be dying to get away from her. She shook her head. “Thanks, but no. I think I just want to go home, if you don’t mind.”

Aaron drove them home without speaking. She wasn’t used to his silence. The longer it stretched out, the more fraught it felt. The need to break the silence and clear the atmosphere grew in her, but what could she say? If only she could be more chatty and frivolous.

They were inside the house when her nerve broke. Turning to Aaron, she said in a rush, “Thank you for being so—so understanding. It was bad of me to let you take me to an expensive restaurant and then ruin the entire evening with my blabbering. I—”

“Naomi.” He stepped up and gripped her upper arms. “Stop apologizing.”

She drew in a breath, unsettled by the firm strength of his palms on her bare skin. “You see, I don’t normally rant on about Justin like that. It’s just that”— she took in another gulp of air— “the dressing up and the fancy restaurant and fawning waiters, it reminded me too much of the last time Justin and I went out for dinner. We were supposed to be celebrating my birthday, but instead we argued, and I realized it was all over…”

Her voice dried up before the searing fire in Aaron’s eyes. Blood pounded in her ears.
Dum-dum-dum
. His thumbs moved over her sensitized flesh in slow circles, skittering her thoughts.

“Naomi,” he said again. Each time he uttered her name in that low, gravelly tone, a shower of sparks trailed down her spine. “Just because I’m wealthy and took you to a fancy restaurant, that doesn’t put me in the same boat as your ex.”

She swallowed, but all her breath seemed to be caught beneath her ribs. “I know that.” Agitation beat in her veins. Why did Aaron affect her so much? Why couldn’t she hold herself aloof from his mesmerizing charm? Heaven forbid she should claw her way free from a bad relationship only to fall under Aaron’s spell. She lifted her chin. “But you are both driven and career-oriented and hungry for success.”

His umber eyes flared. His grip tightened. “I’m. Not. Justin.” He punched out each word.

No, he wasn’t Justin, she thought hazily. Justin’s nearness had never affected her like this. She’d never felt swoony being held by him, never been hypnotized like she was now with Aaron. Her resistance faded. All she could think about was how she wanted to slick her fingers through his short, crisp hair, clasp his face with both hands, and bring his mouth down on hers. And then, as if she had telekinetic power, his head was drawing closer, and she realized he had pulled her into his arms, and his hot, masculine scent was all around her, captivating her. Then reasoning fizzled away as his mouth found hers, and she was lost.

Chapter Four

The animal heat of Aaron’s body enveloped Naomi, seeping deep into her pores. One broad hand splayed across her waist while the other cupped the back of her neck, his fingers imprinting her skin. His virility was almost overwhelming, yet his kiss was restrained and tender, his lips gentle and searching, rather than demanding. The fiery desire he held in check was evident in his possessive hands, his rigid body, his pulsing heat, which made his sweet kiss all the more potent and irresistible.

She ached to relinquish control, to surrender to her need and the lure of his body. But the worm in the apple reared its maggoty head once more. How could she abandon herself to another man so quickly? Hadn’t she learned anything in the last year? Why couldn’t she be happily single? Disgusted by her weakness, she jerked her head away, breaking the kiss, and their mouths wrenched apart with what felt close to physical pain.

She came back to earth with burning lungs, her thoughts scrambled. Aaron stared back at her, also breathing hard, his eyes still alight with a passion so fiery her heart skipped a beat.

“Naomi—”

“That was crazy,” she said at the same time. She stopped, gulped.

He stood too close to her. He sucked up all her oxygen. “Crazy nice?”

“Crazy…crazy.” She touched her lips tentatively, felt the lingering heat imparted from his mouth. Sensuousness curled like smoke through her veins. Oh God, how she wanted Aaron to kiss her again.

His gaze flickered over her from top to toe. “It was crazy nice for me,” he said, his voice dense and dark like molasses. He didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands. He reached out to her, then appeared to change his mind and rested them on his hips. “Naomi?”

He wanted to know if the kiss had been crazy nice for her, too. She pleated her lips together, reluctant to analyze her feelings too deeply.

“You only kissed me to prove a point,” she said.

“That wasn’t the only reason.” He gave her a crooked little smile. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you since the day we met.”

She shook her head. “You’re something of a player, aren’t you?”

“Is that what Luke told you?”

“Just about. You’re dedicated to your job. You don’t have the time or inclination for a proper relationship.”

His eyes glinted with amusement. “Jeez, we’re just talking about a little kiss here.”

Aaron was right. She shouldn’t treat the situation so seriously. She should just laugh it off, like he was doing.

“Too true.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and tried to look carefree. “It was nothing, really. I shouldn’t be fussing over it.” She edged past him and walked farther into the house. “Let’s forget about it, shall we?”

As she groped for the light switch in the family room, his footsteps followed close behind. “I didn’t mean we should forget it.” His breath fanned her hair, bringing her up short. “I want to improve on it.”

Unable to move, she stared ahead at the Christmas tree, which winked softly in the dimness. Its piney scent filled the room. Aaron’s hands rested on her shoulders, his touch light and gentle, as he turned her round to face him.

“Mistletoe,” he murmured. “For once in my life, I need some darn mistletoe.”

The diffused light burnished his sculpted cheekbones, his straight nose, his wide, firm mouth, his endearing dimples. She felt her barriers shaking again. Damn, she had to stay strong, if only to prove to herself that she wouldn’t turn to putty the moment a handsome man paid her any attention.

“Aaron.” She braced an unsteady hand against his shoulder to stop him getting closer. “We can’t do this.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” She chewed her lip. “Because you’ll be gone in less than forty-eight hours, and we’ll probably never meet again.”

Taking her hand from his shoulder, he held it in both of his. “I’m not trying to seduce you into my bed, if that’s what you’re worried about.” She flushed at the image he invoked. “I like you, Naomi. I like you a heck of a lot. You’re interesting and smart and incredibly gorgeous, and I’d like to kiss you a little more.”

His voice pulsated through her body, each word plucking at her sensations, strumming her desire until she was close to dissolving into the liquid heat of his eyes and his voice. But deep inside a kernel of reason stood firm in the maelstrom. A minute ago he’d more or less admitted to being a player. Wasn’t he playing her now? Showering her with compliments, telling her how gorgeous she was and how he just wanted to kiss her, nothing more. Yeah right. Like the seasoned pro that he was, he knew as soon as he began kissing her again, she wouldn’t be able to refuse him anything. This was the perfect night for seducing her. They were alone in the house, and he’d be leaving the morning after tomorrow, so there’d be little chance of any embarrassing complications after he’d slept with her.

Indignation rose in her. She wouldn’t be so naive as to fall for his smooth patter. She pulled her hand free, folded her arms over her chest, and gave him her sternest schoolteacher look. “I’m flattered, but it’s not going to happen. Good night, Aaron.” She caught his astonished expression before she pivoted on her heel and hurried out of the room.

…

Alone in the family room, Aaron thrust his fingers through his hair as frustration boiled in him. How could he have got the evening so wrong? He’d had the best intentions. He’d wanted to take Naomi somewhere nice for dinner to spend more time with her and get better acquainted. He wasn’t to know dressing up and dining in a plush restaurant would revive bad memories of her breakup.

He wiped his damp forehead. The room was hot and stuffy since the house had been shut up all afternoon. He became aware of Milo snuffling at his shoes. Picking up the puppy, he turned on the overhead fans, then flung open the sliding doors leading onto the deck and walked out. He sucked in the night air and leaned against the railing, murmuring to the puppy in his arms, who whined eagerly and stretched out to lick his face.

Over at the annex a dim light came on at a window. Naomi. He shouldn’t have kissed her. Luke had warned him off, and she thought he was just trying to get into her pants. He should go to her room and apologize. But his body was still throbbing from the pleasure of that first kiss. The taste of her lingered on his tongue—mint and rosemary. The feel of her soft skin and silky hair was imprinted on his fingers. If he went to her now, he might not be able to resist kissing her again, and that would only make things worse.

…

I’m such an idiot.

Naomi pulled a face at her reflection in the mirror. Why had she let Justin ruin her evening with Aaron? Aaron had simply wanted to do something nice for her, and she’d repaid him by harping on about her ex, and worse, likening him to Justin. That hadn’t been fair.

Aaron might have kissed her just to prove he wasn’t like Justin, but she could never regret that kiss. The electricity from it still sparked in her. Its effects lingered in the dilation of her pupils and the way her lips were parted, as if pleading for more. Aaron had kissed her, and she’d stomped off, convinced he was trying to seduce her.

Well, what was so bad about that? Wasn’t it flattering—not to mention a huge turn on—that a sexy hunk like Aaron Cade wanted to lure her into his bed?

Not that she had any intention of succumbing that far. She was too much her mother’s daughter. She didn’t have the right temperament to sleep with a man she’d only known a few days. But it was no use denying that Aaron did something wicked to her sensibilities. And he was a fantastic kisser, the best she’d ever had in her limited experience.

She caught herself licking her lips and realized her breathing had quickened. In the mirror she saw her flushed skin and wide eyes. Good God, she was only
thinking
of Aaron’s kisses and look what he did to her.

She shouldn’t have pulled away from him. She should have kissed him back. She pressed her fingers to her cheeks, alarmed at her wayward thoughts. And excited.

Yes, she should go out there and…and talk to Aaron again. Let him know she appreciated him. And maybe he’d kiss her again.

She fluffed up her hair, straightened her dress, spritzed on a dash of perfume. It wasn’t even nine thirty yet. The night was still young. Anything could happen.

Heart pounding, she made her way through the rambling house. The family room was dim and empty. Through the glass doors, she spotted Aaron’s tall shadow on the deck, leaning against the railings. Inhaling a deep breath, she walked outside.

Aaron was holding Milo in his arms, scratching the pup behind the ears. As soon as he caught sight of her, he stilled. Though darkness cloaked him, she could sense the sudden alertness in him as he straightened to face her.

She smoothed her dress with hands that twitched. “Um, it’s nice out here.”

“Yes, it sure is.” His voice was rather reserved. He resumed kneading Milo’s ears.

She took a couple of steps closer. “I just wanted to say thank you for taking me to dinner. It was very thoughtful of you.”

He inclined his head but didn’t say anything. Naomi hesitated, unsure how to proceed. It was kind of difficult seducing a man when he was holding a puppy.

Then, he said in a lighter tone, “I’m still hungry, though. How about you?”

She breathed a little easier. “Yeah, I am too.” At the restaurant she’d been too agitated to eat, but now her body craved sustenance. “Why don’t I make us toasted cheese sandwiches?”

“That sounds great.” Grinning, he lowered Milo to the floor. “I’ll help you.”

Naomi was pretty sure toasted cheese sandwiches wouldn’t make the top-ten list of ways to entice a man, but at least some of the awkwardness between them had disappeared. They went into the kitchen, where she got out the makings and switched on the sandwich press. Aaron rolled up his sleeves and buttered the bread, while she sliced cheese and tomato. Making sandwiches together was nice, she thought. She might not get to kiss Aaron again, but she enjoyed hanging out with him.

“My mom used to make me grilled cheese sandwiches when I was a teenager,” Aaron said as he helped her assemble the sandwiches. “I seemed to be hungry all the time.”

“I bet she spoils you with food every time you visit.”

He rolled his eyes. “You know what mothers are like. Even though I’ve been looking after myself all these years, she’s convinced I must be starving for some real food.”

She liked it when he talked about his family. It made him sound more grounded, less high-flying. She slid the sandwiches onto the press and closed the lid. “What’s your favorite food of hers?”

“Let’s see.” Aaron tapped a knife against the breadboard. “That’d have to be the pumpkin marshmallows she makes every Christmas. I have to admit they’re the one thing I do look forward to in December.”

“Pumpkin marshmallows? Is that roasted pumpkin with marshmallow on top?”

“No, they’re marshmallow squares made from cooked pumpkin and some other ingredients. I have no idea how they’re made. All I know is that no one makes them like my mom.”

As Naomi glanced up at him, she caught the fleeting, wistful expression on his face. Deep down, Aaron was a softie, even if he didn’t think so himself. Her heart warmed toward him, and the temptation to push him up against the kitchen counter and kiss him madly set a tremble through her. His woody cologne mingled with the scent of toasting cheese. His bare forearms, revealed by his rolled up sleeves, brushed against hers. Desire flooded her, and she couldn’t resist running her hand up his arm.

His eyebrows shot up. “Naomi?” The question hung in his husky voice.

The soft hairs on his arm tickled her palm, sending a current through her. Curling her fingers around his forearm, she nudged him toward her. He responded, his breathing quickening as he shifted in her direction. But instead of taking the initiative and drawing her into his arms—as she desperately hoped—he rested his back against the counter and inspected her with narrowed eyes.

“Can you make things clear for the dumb male here? Are you going to kiss me for real now or push me away after one little peck?”

Lust and warning glinted in his eyes. She swallowed at his candor. Fair enough, she
had
been sending out mixed signals. Striving for clarity, she glided her hand down his arm to his wrist, and he responded by twining his fingers through hers, the dry heat of his palm against hers making her heart break into a fast patter.

“I was silly earlier.” She raised her chin to gaze straight into his eyes. “I was reading too much into the situation. Overcomplicating things.”

“You got that right.” His lips quirked into a teasing smile. “Nothing complicated about a kiss. Just lips and mouth and maybe—if a guy’s lucky—a little tongue.” His thumb leisurely caressed her palm, shooting heat straight to her breasts. Oh sweet heaven, how she wanted a little of his tongue anywhere on her. But then his thumb grew still, and he heaved a sigh. “On the other hand, you do have a point about complications.”

This was definitely not what she was expecting. “Oh?”

He sighed again and looked down at their intertwined fingers. “I don’t want to do anything that might upset Luke.”

“Luke warned you off me?”

“Yeah. I’m afraid he did.”

“You’re very loyal, but it’s a little insulting to me.” Her fingers tightened involuntarily around his. “Luke is my favorite uncle, but he’s not the guardian of my virtue, and he has no say over who I can or can’t kiss.”

Aaron’s eyes glimmered as temptation warred openly in his expression. “You gotta know how much I want to kiss you if I’m contemplating upsetting your uncle.”

All this talk about her uncle wasn’t exactly conducive to kissing. “Luke is far away in Sydney. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” She tugged at Aaron’s hand, and he closed the gap between them. The flaring heat in his eyes told her she’d convinced him. Her pulses thumped. Her surroundings grew hazy as Aaron lowered his head to hers.

Then the front door banged open with a loud
crack
. Naomi and Aaron froze. Lights flickered on. Voices murmured. Footsteps grew louder. Milo raced off, yapping ecstatically.