Dream of Me: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (6 page)

Aubrey was bidden to enter by a familiar voice. As she walked through the door, Richard rose from behind a desk that almost completely filled the tiny room. In her surprise, she blurted out, “What are
you
doing here?”

Motioning her to the only other chair in the room, Richard resumed his seat, leaning back precariously on two legs. “I inherited this shop from a relative.” He laughed slightly. “It doesn’t exactly fit my image, does it?”

“What’s your real job?”

“Real estate. I deal mostly with rental properties, and since I’ve been able to hire a very competent secretary to handle the more tedious parts, my hours are very flexible. Ideal working conditions, don’t you think?”

A small “meow” prevented her from answering. Maddie and Horace had followed her into the office. Aubrey scooped up the kitten.

“This is the reason I’m here.”

Richard smiled ironically. “I thought you came to see me.”

“Do you mind if I take Horace home?”

“Not at all. How did you manage to get away in the middle of the day?”

“Corbin and Paul are out of town.”

She didn’t notice the speculative glance Richard sent her way.

“In that case, let me take you out tonight. Do you like lobster?”

“That’s very nice of you, and yes, I love all types of seafood. What time should I be ready?”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.” Richard came around the desk. He pointed to the kitten which had tired of playing with Aubrey’s braid and was chewing vigorously on her fingers. “Horace is a lucky guy.”

“I better get going so I’ll have time to get Horace settled before you arrive.”

Distracted by the unexpected turn of events with Richard, Aubrey was half way home before she realized she had nothing whatsoever for the care of a cat. Mentally kicking herself, she stopped at a convenience store to ask directions to the nearest pet shop. Luck was with her; there was a place a short distance away. Hurrying through the aisles a few minutes later with an indignant feline under her arm, she threw food, bowls, and toys indiscriminately into the cart.

As she stood in the check-out line, two things occurred to her. She was choosing to extend her acquaintance with the person Corbin had advised her to avoid, and she was introducing a pet into his household without his permission. Inwardly shuddering at the possible ramifications of these latest attacks on Corbin’s limited patience, Aubrey made her way back to the beach house. Little did she know at the time, but Horace would prove to be the least of her problems.

Chapter Three

Aubrey was ready and waiting when Richard arrived. His all-encompassing glance took in the silky blouse and pants before settling on the hair flowing loosely over one shoulder. His, “You look lovely,” had just enough sincerity to make Aubrey blush. It was fortunate she couldn’t read his mind. Her attractive, but unexciting appearance merely confirmed his earlier impression. He wondered why he’d bothered to ask her out.

“You look nice yourself,” she countered as he escorted her to a sporty silver convertible.

“Have you been to the Sand Point Inn?” When she shook her head, he went on. “It’s famous for its locally caught seafood. I think you’ll like it.”

The restaurant was built over the water, its weather-beaten exterior a testimony to its passage through many storms. Inside the atmosphere was decidedly romantic with small, candlelit tables spreading out like tiny islands. Under the influence of a man who could be charming enough when it suited him, Aubrey lost most of the reserve she possessed.

Richard put the top down on the car for the drive home, allowing Aubrey the enjoyment of an inky night sky. For the first time since her parents’ death, she felt a rush of anticipation; a feeling that life was good again and full of possibilities. Her eyes found their way to Richard’s profile and she smiled. Her companion didn’t know it, but tonight she’d taken an important step in her return to normalcy.

As the purr of the engine died away, Richard looked in her direction. Her enjoyment in the evening had been genuine enough to pique what little conscience he had. His invitation to dinner had been issued on a whim with the intervening time spent regretting such an uncharacteristic impulse. He’d known from their first meeting that Aubrey wasn’t his type, and nothing in her behavior thus far had altered his opinion. So why didn’t he kiss her goodnight and chalk this one up as a failure? Was it because he didn’t want to admit he’d made a mistake?

By the light of a sliver of moon, they meandered slowly along the shoreline, meeting no one and their conversation never reaching the comfort level of the restaurant. Aubrey was wracking her brain for something to say that would break the silence when Richard suddenly stopped. She glanced at him in surprise, any words she would have spoken dying on her lips as she felt his fingers moving through her hair.

“You should always wear your hair loose like this,” he observed.

“I can’t do that when I’m working,” she pointed out.

“Why not? Maybe a little distraction is what Corbin needs.”

“Nothing about me distracts Corbin.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

Richard laughed softly. “You wouldn’t be the first person to be interested in your boss.”

She could see his smile even in the semi-darkness and wondered if he was serious. “No, but I don’t think getting involved with my employer is a good idea.”

“You’re a little prude, aren’t you?” Richard bent his head until their faces were just inches apart. “I won’t hold it against you because I don’t want you to get involved with Corbin.”

When they reached the stairs leading to the deck, she half turned to him and he smiled ruefully in the dark. Unless his instincts were way off, he wasn’t going to be asked inside.

“Thank you for dinner, Richard. I enjoyed it very much.”

“Did you? Then I must have done something right.” With a faint, almost mocking smile, he bent to kiss her cheek. “Goodnight, mermaid.”

As he walked to his car, he tried to remember the last time something like this had happened and couldn’t.

  * * * *

Aubrey got a surprise when she reached her room that chased all thoughts of Richard from her mind. Horace hadn’t enjoyed being left by himself and had taken out his frustration on his temporary prison. The roll of toilet paper hanging enticingly on its gold stand had been too much of a temptation. As she picked up the strips of white paper dotting the floor, Aubrey debated getting a cat carrier. She couldn’t have Horace doing this every time she left him alone.

Deciding not to try his patience further, she allowed him to roam the bedroom and just before she succumbed to sleep, she felt him crawling around on the bed. The next moment he was curled into a ball at her feet.

Mindful of a long to-do list, Aubrey was up early. Horace was delighted to share her breakfast of bacon and toast before trailing her into Corbin’s office. Here she worked diligently, the only interruption being a telephone call from Phoebe. When Aubrey decided it was time to take a break, the afternoon was well advanced and she was starving.

After fixing a sandwich and finding a more appropriate place to keep Horace, she decided to eat on the deck. The view of the ocean never got old, and watching the people had become an enjoyable pastime. It wasn’t long before her thoughts reverted to the previous evening.

It had been months since she’d done anything fun, and Richard’s undemanding company had been just what she needed. She hoped he would ask her out again. Into these pleasant thoughts came an equally unpleasant one; one she couldn’t ignore any longer. Though he phrased it politely enough, Corbin had in essence warned her to stay away from Richard.
Did he think her incapable of handling anything? She wasn’t a child.

Another confrontation was looming, and as much as she hated to create friction between them, she couldn’t let Corbin dictate decisions about her personal life. Just because she lived with him didn’t give him the right to give her advice on men.

“Why the frown?” a deep voice called to her.

Aubrey turned around in her chair in time to see Richard mounting the stairs, a wide smile on his tan face. He wore swimming trunks and a t-shirt, neither of which hid his slim, athletic build.

“Was I frowning? I guess I have a lot on my mind.”

“I know the cure for that. Let’s go swimming.”

“I’d like that,” she responded with a wide grin.

“Great! Go change your clothes while I find us the perfect spot.”

Glancing at the almost empty beach, she laughed. “I don’t think you’ll have too much trouble.”

He was already in the water when Aubrey dropped her tote bag and towel on the sand. A wave of recklessness swept over her as she shed her wrap and went to join him. What was the harm in spending the afternoon with Richard? She refused to let Corbin’s words ruin what could be the beginning of something new and exciting. She’d spent too long looking back. It was time to move forward.

They stayed in the water for the better part of an hour before making their way back to their towels. Aubrey drew out a comb and began to work on the tangles in her hair.

“It’s lovely even when it’s wet and full of sand,” Richard observed as he watched her efforts.

“I should have braided it. That would have made this part easier.”

“I can help if you like,” he offered with a faint smile.

“What do you know about long hair?” she asked teasingly.

“I have a niece whom I babysit from time to time. Here, let me try.” Richard took the comb and moved behind her. “Why are you blushing?”

“I’ve never had a man comb my hair before.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “Where have you been? Locked up in a convent?”

“I’ve been at college.”

“Were you at an all-girls school?”

“No, but between going to class, studying and working, I didn’t have a lot of free time.”

“You take life too seriously.” He handed her the comb with a grin and stretched out next to her on the sand.

“Thanks for your help.”

“I never turn down opportunities to get close to a woman.”

Aubrey laughed. “You’re a born flirt. I’ve always wanted to meet one.”

“And now that you have, what do you think?”

“I’m trying to figure out why you want to spend time with me. I’m not flirting material.”

Richard propped up on one elbow. “I like to try new things; I get bored easily.”

“At least you’re honest about it.”

* * * *

A couple of hours later they were climbing the stairs to Corbin’s deck. “Mind if I come in?” Richard asked.

“Not at all.” Aubrey put her wet things in the laundry room. “I’m thirsty. How about you?”

“Yeah, me, too.”

Before she could move away, he pushed aside the collar of her wrap and kissed the side of her neck. “You taste like the ocean,” he murmured into her ear.

“Do I?” she managed to ask lightly, hoping he couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart. She went to the refrigerator, removed two water bottles and handed him one.

Richard took a long drink. “When will Corbin be back?”

Aubrey didn’t want to think about Corbin. “He didn’t give me an exact date, but I imagine he’ll return in a day or two.”

“In that case, we’ll have to make the most of your freedom.”

As wonderful as this sounded in theory, the call of duty was hard to ignore. “Don’t forget, I still have work to do even if my boss isn’t here.”

Richard swiped the bottle from her hand and put it down on the counter beside his. “You’re too conscientious; you need to learn how to play.” He drew her close to him. Noticing her stiff posture, he laughed softly. “You’re not used to being around men, are you?” Before she could answer, he bent his head and kissed her lightly. “I’ve got a boring business dinner to attend tonight. Can I come by afterwards, if it’s not too late?”

“Sure – it’s not like I’m going anywhere.”

After he left, Aubrey washed the dishes from breakfast and lunch and went upstairs. A shower removed the salt and sand, but left her feelings less clearly defined.
Why was she so restless?
Was it guilt because she knew she was doing something Corbin had asked her not to do
?
It couldn’t be that she cared what he thought of her. They weren’t friends; their only connection was work. Giving herself a mental shake, she made her way to Corbin’s office. Regardless of his thoughts on her social life, he would expect to see some work done when he returned.

No amount of research on Fort Pulaski could completely remove Richard from Aubrey’s mind. He was hands down the most attractive man she’d ever met, but that wasn’t why she felt drawn to him. She liked his carefree outlook on life, and the way he seemed to make the most of every moment. This was something she’d forgotten how to do. He was right – she did take life too seriously. When he teased her with his outrageous comments, she felt like a different person – someone exciting and desirable. His company forced her outside of herself and was a welcome escape from the numbing grief that had crippled her since her parent’s death.

For weeks, she’d thought nothing would ever be normal again, that some vital part of her died with her parents. Being even mildly interested in dating had seemed impossible until last night. Richard had rekindled all those thoughts of romance she’d buried and reawakened her to the thrill that comes from being with a man.

After a late dinner, she settled into the living room with a book, one ear listening for the phone. Her desire to see Richard seemed out of proportion to how little she knew him and yet a part of her reveled in this new experience.
Wasn’t it time she took a few chances?

When the telephone rang later in the evening, Aubrey flew off the couch in her haste to answer it. “Hello,” she said breathlessly, but with a note of excitement she couldn’t hide.