Aiden swallowed his panic and laughed. “Of course I’m a stockbroker. Or rather, was a stockbroker. Retired now, remember?”
Lily leaned closer and cocked her head. “Really?”
He nodded, perhaps a little too vigorously. The intensity of her stare was unnerving. It made him want to keep talking to try to convince her. Aiden squared his shoulders and returned her gaze. He took a deep breath and said, “OK, OK, I’m a detective.” Then he gave her his best dimple-popping smile when he saw the shock on her face. “Gotcha!”
She returned his smile. “Good one.”
Relief filled him. She was a lot smarter than he’d thought. How could he keep questioning her without raising suspicion? Aiden turned away and stirred the pasta, pulling out a strand for a taste test. “Al dente,” he declared while chewing. “Hope that’s how you like it.”
He’d set the table with the only dishes in the cabin. They were white with a blue border and so thin they were almost transparent. He thought they might be those dishes that were so popular in the seventies. The ones that could be dropped and wouldn’t shatter. The place setting was nothing fancy, but while he was out he’d picked up a couple of candle holders and tapers from the dollar store to add to the ambience.
Aiden sparked a match and lit the candles, secretly praying they weren’t a fire hazard, then turned down the dimmer switch in the kitchen. The aroma of wine, basil, garlic, and the scent of burning logs mingled, stirring him, making him feel as if he was on a real date.
The pale of Lily’s eyes reflected the glow of the candles. Her hair shone, casting a halo around her head and shoulders, and the curve of her lips made him want to pull her to him and kiss her deeply. It made him want other things too. Perhaps later.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, catching the smile he’d been trying to hide.
How beautiful she was and how he wanted her more than he’d wanted any woman in a very long time. “That I’m pretty damn hungry.”
She smiled, biting her lower lip as she took a seat at the table. He noticed the cling of her blouse around full breasts and caught a peek at the black lace beneath it. It’d be easy to kiss her now, maybe slide a hand under that silk.
“Hey, did you make the meatballs from scratch?” Lily asked, and he was glad for the diversion.
“Absolutely,” he lied as he set the bowl of pasta in the center of the table along with a fresh-cut French loaf.
Over dinner, Aiden kept to chitchat, nattering on about his childhood, most of which was true. It was easier to infuse real life into the conversation, that way he wouldn’t have to remember so many lies. He told her about his younger sister, Nora, and how he missed her since she and her family moved to California because of her husband’s job. Then about his father’s heart attack three years ago and his mother’s car accident. He tried his best to just be a regular guy. Of course he’d thrown in some lies. He’d had time to make up a backstory about his career and added a fictional close call with marriage just for the fun of it. He told Lily, with feigned heartfelt conviction, how much he wanted to settle down and have kids, and that a small town like Higgstown was the perfect place to raise a family.
“How did you know she wasn’t the right one for you? If you wanted to get married so badly, wasn’t it difficult to call it off?” Lily asked, her eyes wide with interest.
He had her now. “I want to get married more than anything in the world. I want a wife. I want kids, but I refuse to settle. I need a woman who’ll challenge me every day. I like adventure in a relationship and Melissa just didn’t do that for me.” Aiden held her gaze and reached for her hand. He was laying it on thick, telling her what every woman wanted to hear from a man. “You’ve been kicking my ass all night, Miss Valier. You just might be the kind of woman I’m looking for.”
He noticed she hadn’t touched the wine he’d poured for her before dinner. It was looking as if she was trying to keep her wits about her.
She smiled at his words and looked for a moment as if she was going to speak, but then something changed in her expression. It was as if a switch had been thrown and the light in her eyes went out. Lily patted her lips with a napkin and pushed her chair back to stand. “Maybe I should go? It’s getting late and with the snow and all…” She turned to look out the window.
Shit! He still needed answers, but where could he go from here? He’d already tried the direct approach, but that only raised her suspicions. Then he turned on the charm, and now she was running for the hills. He took a deep breath, collected himself, walked to the kitchen window, and flicked on the outside light. Flakes were still falling, fat and thick. The snow he’d cleared earlier had been replenished and with a bit more to boot.
“I really hate to say this, but it doesn’t look like you’ll be going anywhere tonight.” He turned back to face her, suddenly relieved. Maybe he’d have another chance to gain her trust.
Lily stood beside him and peered out the window. Sure enough there had to be a foot of newly fallen snow. Her car was practically buried. There’d be no way to get back down that driveway. What the hell was she doing here anyway? The evening had been a strange one. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something wasn’t sitting right with her. Aiden was, of course, amazing, cute, and desirable. Every time she looked at those lips she wanted to kiss them, but could she trust him? Wilkins and Deluca were handling the murder investigation, so she was pretty sure he wasn’t a cop. But a stockbroker? The more she got to know him, the more unlikely it seemed.
She gave her head a shake and put her suspicions on the back burner, but what was she going to do about getting home?
“Why don’t you stay? You can have my bed, and I’ll sleep on the couch,” Aiden suggested.
His words pulled her from her thoughts. “No, I couldn’t. Besides, I have Rex to think about.” Although he’d more than likely already had an accident or two on the dining room rug. Jesus Christ! What choice did she have?
“Lily, please. Have a look out there. When the morning comes, I’ll clear the snow down to the road so you can get home. And I promise I won’t try anything, really.” He pouted and that made her smile.
“OK,” she relented, and an unexpected tingle of excitement ran up her spine.
He stepped closer and kissed her. “That’s all you’re going to get out of me, young lady. No more. I’m not that kind of man.”
They sat in front of the fire and chatted until her lids grew heavy. She’d let him do most of the talking, and she was relieved he hadn’t asked any more personal questions. She wanted to trust Aiden and had every intention of giving him the benefit of the doubt, but it had to be at a pace she was comfortable with.
A sudden thought struck that maybe the storm was a sign they should be together. Yes, she decided, that was how she was going to take it. They had no choice but to spend a lot of time together, getting to know one another. He seemed so sincere. What she’d felt earlier were just her silly demons popping up.
The fire was dwindling now, but she was glad for it. The heat had made her sleepy. Leaning her head on Aiden’s shoulder, Lily stifled a yawn, and he wrapped an arm around her. It felt so right, so natural. Then his lips where on hers, and she kissed him back, all thoughts of sleep falling away. He let his hand slip from around her shoulders, fingers now inching closer to her breasts. Instinctively, she moved nearer. He unbuttoned her blouse, and she felt the silk of it as it fell from her shoulders. A shudder of pleasure ran through her.
God, she wanted more. Needed more.
“Wanna go upstairs?” he asked between kisses.
“Yes, yes,” she whispered.