TEN
Cat’s face went through numerous contortions as confusion, realization, and insult warred for dominance. Aiden winced as she pulled her hand free and started to walk slightly ahead of him along the shore.
“Cat, wait, please?” he called after her. “You’ve got to understand, I’ve always wanted you to know. I wasn’t sure if this thing between us would grow, but I was certain all along that I wanted you here. You’re a phenomenal woman, and I need you to be on my administration team. But now, I want something more than that too. A whole lot more. I want to find out exactly how far things between us could go. But if you don’t want me, I’ll understand that part. We could keep everything between us at a professional level. It might hurt me—a lot, but I’ll do things any way you want. What do you say? Will you be the head of my domestic team?”
“I need to go back,” she said, stopping in her tracks. “I need to consider this—proposal. Every part of it. I don’t think I can just dive in head first, Aiden. I’m just not that kind of a girl.”
Aiden stepped up and grasped her by the shoulders, turning her around. She kept her eyes turned down, so he caught her by the chin, turning her face up until she would look at him.
“Say that again,” he said softly, practically begging.
“Say what again?”
“My name, sweetheart,” he whispered. “You have no idea how I’ve longed to hear it on your lips.”
Cat rolled her eyes and turned away from him. “Aiden Scott Whitney, I ought to tell you to go straight to hell,” she said, folding her arms around her chest. “I have no idea what I’m supposed to do here. I mean, clearly I want to take the job—I need to take it. I’d be a fool to tell you no. But I’m not sure how I could manage to endure taking the job without also choosing to be with you too. To me, it feels like a package deal.”
“I’d like you to choose to do both. You know that? It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted anything quite so much, in fact. But there’s just one more little hitch, though, and I’m afraid it may upset you the most. I’m in the middle of going through a divorce.”
Cat sucked in a breath, and she finally looked at him. It was a glare. “Then why are we even having this conversation at all?”
“Come on, Cat, don’t be that way,” he grumbled, catching her by the shoulders. “I didn’t come down here looking to find a girl who is everything I’ve ever wanted and more. Believe me, it was the last thing on my mind until I got just one look at you. Can you not forgive me for the bad timing of the thing?”
“This is just the sort of situation I’ve always tried to avoid,” said Cat sternly. “I only have three big rules/ First, the guy must be single, second, he needs to be serious because I’m not the kind of girl who sleeps around. And third, I don’t date men who like to play silly little games. Masquerading as someone else? That’s probably got to be the worst game of all. Seems like you’ve broken every single rule all at once. So why am I hesitating to run for the hills? How can I believe a single word you say?”
“Please, Cat, I know it’s a big mess right now, but it’s one I’m trying to clean up, okay? I never meant to break your rules. If you let me, I’ll do my very best to make it all right,” he insisted, drawing her close. “Won’t you at least give this thing a try?”
“God, I must be crazy,” Cat grumbled, biting at her bottom lip in indecision. “I’m sure it’s those damned oysters talking, but I just don’t—I can’t seem to say no!”
Aiden’s heart skipped a beat, and then kicked into overdrive. He felt a huge, joyful bubble burst somewhere deep inside of him as he took in her words. “What, do you mean it? You’re not going to tell me to go to hell?”
Cat giggled, shaking her head no. He scooped her into his arms and kissed her for all he was worth—and considering he was a billionaire, that was a pretty huge amount.
“Damned oysters,” he finally grumbled. “They just won’t let me even think of letting you go. If I had my way, sweetheart, I’d keep holding you all night.”
“I know,” said Cat huskily. “But I really do think we should head back now.”
“I want to take you home,” he told her.
“What do you mean, home?” she asked, confused. “I thought Bob said your house is in Miami. I think they may be a bit out of the way, don’t you?”
“One of my homes is in Miami,” he said, nodding. “You must know that I have several. But they’ve just finished up with my new condo right her in Key Largo. It’s not very far from the resort. Please, Cat, I’m not ready to go back to the hotel. I’m enjoying having you all to myself for a change.”
“Those oysters sure do talk a lot, don’t they?” Cat commented dryly.
Aiden grinned. “Is that a yes? And we don’t have to listen to the little buggers unless you want to. I’m not trying to take things any faster than you’re ready for.”
“We’ll just have to see how that goes,” she answered, and her smile was sly.
Aiden couldn’t get them back into the SUV fast enough. All the way back to his place, he had one hand on the wheel, and the other holding hers. The heat that began to build was unmistakable and mutual. After four years of torturing himself, tonight he was going to finally give himself permission to move on with his life. And damn, it was about time!
When the car was parked, Aiden got out and stepped over to Cat’s side, opening her door. She slid out of the seat and into his arms. He leaned down to kiss her.
“So, I haven’t gone in yet to see what the movers have done,” he explained. “I know the furniture has been delivered, but for all I know they’ve left it all in the middle of the living room or something. Although even if that’s true, I’m sure we can sort out somewhere to sit down in short order.”
Cat giggled. “I hate how well you know me already, Mr. Whitney. If that place is a shambles, my first instinct is going to be to set everything in order. I half suspect that’s why you wanted me to come over.”
He tugged her closer still. “I can guarantee you, it was not.”
When he kissed her this time, he decided to take it up a notch. His tongue swept out, caressing her bottom lip. Cat opened her mouth and her own tongue came up to meet his. Their breaths became heated as they mingled together.
Her fingers slid gently over his biceps as she moved to fold him into her arms. Their bodies melded together, and Aiden started to think about the logistics of taking her right there against the vehicle. He pulled back, shaking his head to clear it at least a little before he did anything quite so unpredictable.
“I think I’d better get you inside,” he said huskily.
“Yeah,” she agreed. “I think you’re right.”
They hurried up the steps. Aiden fit his key into the lock and opened the front door. Inside, not only was all the furniture neatly placed, but on the center table sat a little note, which he picked up and read out loud. “There’s a bottle of champagne in the fridge for you, sir. It’s just one more way the Rock Reef community welcomes you to your new home. Enjoy!”
“Wow, that was nicely done,” Cat said, smiling. “We’ve done that for V.I.P. people in the hotel, but I didn’t know they did that for condos.”
“Probably a bit of an apology for making me wait so long,” Aiden grumbled. “Make yourself at home, my dear. For once, I’ll be the server.”
“You’ll do nothing of the sort,” Cat protested. “You wait right here. I’ll have it ready in just a moment, Mr. Whitney, sir.”
Aiden chuckled dryly. “Fine, Miss Addison. Knock yourself out.”