A Maine Christmas...or Two (11 page)

C
hloe followed behind
Aidan as he led the way, thinking that for such a tall and muscular man, he moved with the supple ease of someone who’d come by their build through hard work rather than pumping iron and hanging out at the gym. He was also damn good-looking, though she figured he might be, given that his brother, Finn, was nothing short of eye candy—and a great guy to boot.

She and Finn had been great friends in college, and though most of her friends assumed there was something going on between them, the truth was he’d been more like a big brother to her. Aidan, however, seemed to be currently lacking Finn’s casual ease and good humor.

Unable to resist, she chanced another glance in Aidan’s direction. His dark chestnut hair was thick and just a little unruly, and his hazel eyes were intelligent but haunted. Several days growth left him with a heavy enough stubble to mask his strong jawline, and it only added to that rugged mountain man look. Dressed in a soft plaid flannel, worn jeans that hugged one amazingly fine ass, and oiled leather hiking boots, she sure as hell wouldn’t tire of looking at him any time soon.

“This way.” Paisley followed after them, her nails clicking on the wide plank hardwood floors. Aidan flicked on a light to a long passage, which was a good twenty degrees cooler than the toasty part of the house they’d just been in. It was lined on either side with windows and connected the main house to what appeared to be a barn, though it was damn hard to know for sure when the snow was blowing around.

And if she thought the passage had been cold, that was nothing compared to the barn. Bright lights popped to life, revealing a massive workroom, which was clean and well organized. The barn had been updated with new floors and walls put in, though the massive beams were once again left exposed, giving it the sort of rustic charm she loved.

She took a deep breath and smiled. “I’ve always loved that smell. There was a sawmill near my college apartment…”

“The wood—the sawdust. There’s nothing better, as far as I’m concerned.” His lips kicked up into just a hint of a smile, and damn if it didn’t take her aback and send her heart racing. She couldn’t even imagine what a full-on smile would do to her. “You were out in the Berkshires, right? Went to school with Finn?”

“Yeah, he was in the dorm room across the hall and was also in a handful of my classes.” She always thought fondly of that time period in her life. It seemed so carefree at the time, and a welcome escape from all the responsibilities of home.

As the oldest, everything had fallen onto her shoulders after her mother fell ill and later passed away. But she knew that her full scholarship would be her only chance to escape and live her life, and she refused to give up her dream after she’d worked so hard to make it happen. Her two younger siblings were only a few years younger than her and she knew they’d manage without her.

Aidan’s eyebrows perked up in surprise. “Were you also an engineering major then?”

“Nah, I was in bio-chem, but a lot of the core science classes overlapped.” She was happy to see that he looked suitably impressed. She’d busted her butt and managed to land herself a good job with a great company, researching new drugs for a variety of illnesses. Best of all, she was able to send money to help her family, though she swore her father was still disappointed that she’d left them to go to school and then moved to Boston instead of moving back home.

She did what she had to do in order to help with their finances, even if it meant setting aside her true love of art. She’d love to just make pottery for a living, having gotten hooked on it when she took it as an elective in college. But that wouldn’t pay the bills and she had responsibilities she couldn’t shirk off for her own selfish interests.

Even if her father didn’t appreciate any of the sacrifices she’d made.

“Actually, I think I remember you coming to visit Finn.” He would have been damn hard not to notice, though the man she remembered as Finn’s older brother had been far more relaxed and…happy.

“It’s possible.” He walked over to a draped piece of furniture and pulled off the drop cloth. “Here you are.”

She gasped as her breath caught in her chest and tears sprung to her eyes. Without a single thought, she leapt and wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug. He caught her—what choice did he have?—and though she felt him stiffen, she could see a fire spark in his eyes as he held onto her. Suddenly, she was all too aware of him, his muscular body, his strong arms, his full lips—and the fact that she’d just invaded the personal space of this very private man.

With her cheeks flaming hot with embarrassment, she let go of him while mumbling her apologies, feeling absolutely mortified. She forced herself to focus on the desk—
not
on the way her body thrummed with arousal and made her nipples go hard against her sweater as she went slick with need. “I can’t thank you enough. I swear, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more gorgeous. My father’s going to love it.”

He had to love it. How could he not when it had been handmade special for him? The desktop was made of a honey birdseye maple with a beautiful compass rose inlay made of mahogany and rosewood. The grain of the wood was intriguing, catching the light so it all but shimmered like satin and silk.

She ran a hand over the desk’s smooth surface and had a sudden image of Aidan’s large hands running over the wood lovingly. And damn if it didn’t leave her wondering what those hands would feel like caressing her skin.

“Well, I’m glad you like it.” Aidan’s eyes drifted from the desk back to her, and she could tell he still seemed unsettled.

Finn had warned her that his brother had become a bit of a loner, but he hadn’t said much more than that. At the time, she hadn’t found it at all unusual, since she knew plenty of people who liked their privacy. Yet now that she’d met Aidan, she quickly realized that he was far more than just a loner. She didn’t know what had happened to him, but it was clear something had broken the man, and he’d retreated from the world to lick his wounds.

Clearly, he wanted to be left to his misery, and she should leave him be. But she could have sworn she saw something in his eyes, felt something between them when he’d held onto her, and she knew she wasn’t imagining it. He made her want to ease his pain and comfort him, but he also stirred something in her that was far more primal. Something that hadn’t come alive in a very long time—and she was convinced she wasn’t the only one who’d felt it.

“Aidan…” She didn’t quite know what to say, but didn’t want things to get awkward between them. “I’m sorry if I’ve made a mess of your holidays.” When his brows pulled together and his jaw clenched, she cringed and started rambling, trying her best to make things right between them. “I really appreciate you letting me stay here to weather out the storm—and I’m sorry about that hug. It’s just that the desk was gorgeous, and I got carried away, and—”

He silenced her with a hard kiss, his tongue bullying its way past her lips as his large hands held her to him. His body pressed against hers and backed her up against his workbench, pinning her in place and making it impossible for her to ignore his hard length, now trapped between them.

When his kiss deepened, it felt like her world was spinning out from under her. Yet he was there, holding her, anchoring her to him, keeping her from slipping away. Her body felt alive, on fire, as desire consumed her, leaving her tight and swollen and aching for him.

And then he was gone, her body reeling in his absence as he pulled away, shook his head, and then left her there in an empty barn.

W
hat the hell
was he thinking? He was a goddamned idiot. Never mind that he’d created and run an innovative tech company worth billions. Never mind that his creations had always been leaps ahead of his competitors. Because after the stunt he’d just pulled? He was an idiot—plain and simple.

He shouldn’t have kissed her. Should have kept his hands off her. And he was a total dick for kissing her like he did, and then leaving her there without a word. Finn would kick his ass for it—or try at any rate—and he’d deserve it, too.

What he should do is go and apologize to her. But with his hard-on still raging, there was no way he trusted himself around her, and she was
not
a complication he needed—nor one he was ready for.

Before he had the chance to go speak with her, she rushed past him, no doubt heading for the stairs and her room. He stuck his arm out and caught her, holding her in his firm grasp to keep her from escaping. “I’m sorry, Chloe…I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

Her stiff body slowly softened in his arms as she let out a weary breath, her eyes settling anywhere but him. “No worries. I get it. It was a mistake.”

He tipped her chin up so she’d be forced to look at him, and by the gods, when he looked into those blue eyes of hers, when he felt her curves press against his body, he thought it was a mistake he’d happily repeat. “I don’t know that it was... ”

It didn’t have to mean anything beyond satisfying their needs and passing the time while trapped together during a snowstorm. Just a bit of fun. And why not, given that this was the first time in years that he’d even shown any interest in pursuing anyone—even if for nothing more than sex.

It’s not that he didn’t have the opportunity for a quick and casual hookup if he wanted it, given that the island filled with tourists every summer. Until just now, he hadn’t had even the slightest interest—but damn if Chloe didn’t change that. And he was damned if he wasn’t going to have her.

She slipped out of his arms and shook her head. “Look, I appreciate you letting me stay here, and…damn, that was a mind-blowing kiss. But I know you didn’t mean anything by it.”

Now that he’d decided he wanted her, not having her wasn’t an option. He hadn’t made billions by letting things he wanted slip through his fingers. “I want you, Chloe—and I’ll be honest, it’s been a very long time since I’ve wanted anyone at all.”

“Are you saying you want to sleep with me?” Her eyes went wide, and he half-expected her to slap him.

“Yes.” Bloody hell, it was hard to get that word out. But his cursed hard-on was
not
letting up and at this point that was the part of his body driving the conversation. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I sure as hell hope that
‘making it worth my while’
means you’ll be good in bed and that you’re not actually offering me money to sleep with you.”

He shrugged, not exactly sure how he’d meant it, but refusing to play games. In his experience, it was best to just be direct and honest. “I’ve got money to burn, so it’s not an issue if that’s what you want. But the truth is, this is
not
something I do.
Ever
. I’m stepping out of my comfort zone—
for you
. Because you have me interested, and that’s not something I’ve been in a very long time. Take it any way you need to—I don’t care as long as it gets you in my bed.”

Okay…maybe a little less direct would have been better, if the look on her face was anything to go by. Her cheeks had flushed to a furious red, her blue eyes were narrowed to slits, and those tiny hands of hers looked capable of murder. Yet he was damned if he didn’t want to kiss her anger away—or take that heat and make good use of it.

“Look…I don’t know what you’re normally used to, but if I’m going to sleep with anyone, it won’t be because they paid me to. I’m not interested in your money, Aidan, and any interest I had in sleeping with you is now gone.” She shook her head and turned to go when he grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms.

“Is it really? Because I’m not sure I believe you.” He nipped at her bottom lip and then caught her mouth in a greedy kiss as his tongue found hers—tasting, taking, his head filling with her scent of snow and cedar. She softened in his arms as her body pressed against his, and his head started to spin with the want of her.

Was he really going to do this? It had been three years since the accident. Three years since he’d last taken anyone to his bed. After a while, his physical needs got consumed by his anger and his hurt, fueling the misery that had him pushing everyone out of his life.

And now? His body was refusing to stay silent and was demanding that his needs be met.

His kisses slowed, but he’d yet to let go of her, the need to keep her in his arms overwhelming. With his head bent to hers, he tried to slow his breathing. “Say yes, Chloe. Because I know you want me just as much as I want you.”

He could see her struggling with her decision, even though he knew it was what she wanted. He doubted it’d have been an issue if he’d gone about it differently, if he’d been patient with her. Instead, he’d let his need push her into a corner, so her back was up and she was on the defensive.

She’d yet to answer him, though he could still see her mulling it over. So he did the only sensible thing. He let her go. “Look, you don’t need to answer me just this minute, and obviously, you’re still welcome to stay here. But it doesn’t change the fact that I want you, and I’m stubborn about getting my way when it’s something that’s important to me.”

“I don’t even know what to say anymore. It’s not that I don’t like you, because clearly, I do. But I’ve never had a guy demand to sleep with me, or offer me money to do so, and frankly, I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted.” She shook her head as if to clear it free of the fog that had settled around it.

“It’s been
three years
, Chloe. Three fucking lonely and painful years. And I’m not telling you that because I want your pity.” He could hear the anger start to seep into his voice and had to force it back before continuing, taking a deep breath to settle himself. “I’m telling you because I need you to know that this is not something I ever do. This isn’t just some stupid game. And yeah—you should be flattered, because I sure as hell didn’t mean any offense.”

“Three years?” Her ice blue eyes held his gaze, taking him in, but he couldn’t bear to have her pity him. He turned away, feeling like a fool, when her words stopped him. “I’ll do it.”

His eyes locked on hers, half wondering if he’d heard her wrong. “You will?”

“Yes—but
not
for money. I don’t care how much of it you have. I can manage just fine on my own. Although…I’d like a little more time. I want to get to know you a little first.” She ran a hand through her hair so it fell over her shoulders and looked just messy enough to be damn sexy. “And just so we’re clear, this isn’t something I normally do either.”

He let out a little laugh, as the corner of his lips tugged into a hint of a smile. “I can give you a little more time, though I’m not known for my patience. And once I decide I want something, I let little stand in my way.”

“Yeah, well, that’s all fine and dandy, but I’m not sure we’re playing by your rules right now.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave him a smug smile that made him want to take her then and there.

He had to admit, she’d been sweet—almost timid—when they’d first met. But now? It seemed the girl had a backbone and didn’t take crap from anyone. If he’d thought he could just steamroll her into doing his bidding, it turned out he was wrong.

Not that he wasn’t still getting his way.

“My chili is fine without you adding to it.” Aidan all but growled at Chloe as she invaded his kitchen and bumped him away from the stove, adding all sorts of things to the pot. They’d spent the last several hours just hanging out in the kitchen and by the fire, getting comfortable in each other’s presence, even flirting and stealing the occasional kiss.

“I know it is. But now, it’s not just fine—it’s damn good.” She gave it all a quick stir and then held out the spoon to him so he could have a taste, a smug look already on her face. “Well?”

He wanted to deny her the satisfaction, but as an explosion of flavors danced over his taste buds, all he could think of was getting another spoonful. Once it had more time to simmer, the taste would be amazingly deep and complex. “Ok. You win. It’s damn good. Just the right amount of spice, and smoky too. Hadn’t expected that.”

“That would be the smoked paprika. My secret ingredient. Surprised you had any.” When she smiled at him, he felt his mood lighten further, making him want her all the more.

He wasn’t used to having people in his space, his home, his life. And though it still felt awkward, it wasn’t nearly as painful as he thought it would be. Maybe it was because the sexual tension between him and Chloe was pushing everything else aside.

A pang of guilt hit him, as if he shouldn’t ever be allowed to move past that horrible day, and yet he was somehow finding it just a little bit harder to hold onto his pain. He’d have it back once Chloe had gone and he was left alone once more, but for now, it felt good to focus on something else.

Unable to resist her as she stood there stirring the pot, he sidled up to her and slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him as he nipped at her neck. She leaned back into him with a needy sigh that had him going rock hard once more. Reaching around her, he lowered the stove to simmer, and then picked her up by the waist and settled her on the island behind them. “I want a taste of what else is on the menu tonight.”

“That can wait until…” Her words trailed off as he shifted her legs apart and nestled himself between them, pressing his erection against her warm heat. Fisting his shirt and pulling him to her, she stole a kiss and then another as he grabbed her hips and nipped along her jawline to her ear, loving how her back arched up to meet his body with hers.

“You had said you wanted a little more time, but sweetheart, I don’t think I’m capable of waiting a whole lot longer.” His words were spoken against her pearly white skin as one hand drifted to cup her breast and the other ran the length of her thigh, her breath coming in stolen gasps. “And by the sweet sounds you’re making, I don’t think you want to wait much longer either.”

Unfortunately, she was wearing far too many clothes for his liking. He bit her nipple through the fabric of her thin sweater before losing patience with it. Pulling it up over her head, he tossed it aside, giving himself a moment to take in her gorgeous breasts, the full mounds peeking over the raspberry red lace of her bra. And then they were pitched into an inky darkness, Chloe’s gasp sounding in the quiet.

Pulling her into his arms, he cradled her against him. “It’s all right, love…the generator should kick in momentarily.”

She nodded. “It just caught me off guard. Silly, I know.” Yet she still held onto him as if she were suddenly chilled—and he was glad for it.

When he kissed her this time, he did so with a tenderness that was in such a stark contrast to all their other kisses, it threw him off-kilter and left him shaken.

What the hell was he doing?

This was just sex. Nothing more than fulfilling a primal need. He had no room in his life for tenderness.

Suddenly, getting involved with Chloe in
any
way seemed like a grave mistake. And yet, he couldn’t pull away from her, couldn’t let her go. The generator kicked in without warning, leaving him unable to hide away his thoughts before she noticed.

He handed her the sweater he’d peeled off her body only moments earlier. “Maybe we should grab dinner.”

When he started to pull away, she wrapped her legs around him and grabbed his shirt. “Look…it seems like you’ve got a lot going on in that head of yours—and it’s none of my business. Believe me, we
all
have our issues. But, I like you and…you said it’s been three years. I could be wrong, but maybe you need this—and I don’t just mean physically.”

She loosened her hold on him, giving him the option to go. He pulled away from her and paced a few steps, trying to wrap his head around what he should do. There was no doubt in his mind that he wanted her—but he also wanted to retreat back into his solitude.